The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has once again covered the registration fees of 66 football clubs in Kano State for this year’s Nationwide League One competition.
He also donated three buses to the Nationwide League One Kano Forum, the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kano chapter, and the Kano State Football Referees Council to enhance transportation within the sports sector.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the senator announced the payment of the N25m registration fees and the donation of the buses during a courtesy visit by sports stakeholders at the National Assembly in Abuja on Tuesday.
The delegation included officials from the Nationwide League One Football Clubs Forum, the Kano State Football Association, SWAN Kano chapter, and the Kano State Football Referees Council.
The statement noted that Barau had also covered the registration fees for all Kano clubs participating in the competition last year following a request from the league forum leadership in the state.
The visiting delegation, led by veteran sports figure Salisu Ibrahim, popularly known as Alhaji Danladi, praised the senator for his consistent support for sports development and youth empowerment.
They also congratulated him on Barau FC’s performance in the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League season.
“We are here to sincerely appreciate everything you are doing for us. Honestly, we have no senator like you in the whole of Nigeria. Your commitment to youth development and sports is unmatched,” Ibrahim said.
On behalf of SWAN Kano chapter, Chairman Zahraddeen Saleh commended Barau for the sports facilities established across the Kano North Senatorial District.
“We also had the opportunity to go round the sports complexes you have built across the 13 Local Government Areas of Kano North. What we saw was impressive and inspiring. We encourage you to go beyond football and extend your support to other sporting activities, so that more youths can benefit from your vision and leadership,” he said.
The visit also featured the presentation of an award of excellence to Senator Barau in recognition of his contributions to sports development and youth empowerment.
In response, the senator expressed appreciation for the recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting sports and youth development initiatives.
“Nothing is too much for our youths, hence my numerous interventions in education, youth development, and sports. I will continue to do this with all zeal,” Barau said.