By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
FirstBank, West Africa’s premier financial institution and a leading provider of financial inclusion services, has announced its sponsorship of the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under-16 Football Championship.
The nationwide youth tournament is organised to honour the late Samuel Okwaraji, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football icons, remembered for his patriotism, discipline, and commitment to national service.
The championship will feature participation from secondary schools across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The competition will be held in two stages, beginning with zonal eliminations across the six geopolitical zones, followed by a national final in Abuja, where 12 top teams will compete for the title. In addition to football matches, the event will include cultural displays, memorial lectures, and talent scouting sessions by national team coaches, creating a blend of sports development and social impact.
Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, described football as a powerful unifying force in Nigeria. He noted that the bank’s involvement reflects a strategic commitment to grassroots sports development. According to him, the sponsorship will provide young talents with opportunities to discover, refine, and maximise their potential, ultimately contributing to the future of Nigerian football.
Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, Senator Osita Izunaso, also commended FirstBank for its support. He highlighted the bank’s longstanding legacy in national development, noting that its involvement demonstrates a strong commitment to nation-building through youth empowerment and education. He further expressed hope that other corporate organisations would follow suit by investing in initiatives that promote learning and development through sports.
Through its First@Sports initiative, FirstBank has maintained a consistent role in advancing sports development across Nigeria. The bank owns and supports the Elephant Boys Football Team, which competes in the Nigerian National League, as well as the FirstBank Basketball Club, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls.”
Over the years, FirstBank has backed several youth-focused and sporting events, including the National Sports Festival, the South-West Youth Games, the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship for over 35 years, the Lagos Amateur Golf Open Championship for more than 65 years, and the Georgian Polo Cup for over a century.
The sponsorship of the Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship further reinforces FirstBank’s commitment to fostering national unity, empowering communities, and driving youth development through sports.
