FirstBank has announced its sponsorship of the inaugural Samuel Okwaraji Under 16 Football Championship, a nationwide youth tournament designed to promote grassroots football development while honouring the legacy of the late Nigerian football icon, Samuel Okwaraji.
The competition will feature secondary schools drawn from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with activities structured into zonal eliminations across six geopolitical zones before culminating in a national final in Abuja involving the top 12 teams.
The championship is expected to combine sports with educational and cultural engagement, including memorial lectures, cultural displays, and scouting sessions led by national team coaches, creating opportunities for young talents to be identified and nurtured.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the initiative aligns with FirstBank’s long-standing commitment to youth empowerment and sports development, as the financial institution continues to invest in programmes that combine education, discipline, and talent discovery.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, stated that football remains a powerful unifying force in Nigeria, capable of fostering community cohesion while inspiring discipline among young people.
He added that the bank’s involvement in grassroots football is aimed at creating pathways for emerging talents to develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to the future of Nigerian sports.
Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee, Osita Izunaso, commended FirstBank’s support, describing the institution as a long-standing partner in national development with a track record of supporting initiatives that impact education and youth engagement.
Through its First@Sports initiative, FirstBank has maintained consistent investment in sporting activities across Nigeria, including ownership of football and basketball teams, as well as sponsorship of several long-running tournaments and sporting events.
These include support for the National Sports Festival, youth games, tennis championships, golf opens, and polo competitions, reflecting the bank’s multi-decade commitment to sports as a tool for social and economic development.
The Samuel Okwaraji Under 16 Football Championship is expected to strengthen grassroots sports structures, promote education through school participation, and contribute to the discovery of future football stars while reinforcing FirstBank’s role in community development and national unity.
