The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Senate President U-18 Unity Cup, Dr Mike Uyi, has commended Senate President Godswill Akpabio for initiating the competition, describing it as a visionary investment in youth development, national unity and the discovery of future football stars.

Uyi, who is also the President of Global Peace Movement International UK, said the tournament demonstrated Akpabio’s commitment to building a generation of young Nigerians whose talents could be harnessed for national and international sporting success.

The third edition of the competition, which features male and female players from 24 states, began on Sunday, October 25, at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium in Akwa Ibom State and is scheduled to end on November 1, 2026.

Speaking from Uyo, where he is overseeing the competition, Uyi said the initiative reflected a leadership philosophy that prioritises the collective future of the country over personal interests.

He recalled Akpabio’s tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State, during which he said the former governor demonstrated a commitment to infrastructure development, arguing that the Senate President had continued to show concern for the welfare and future of the people through initiatives such as the Unity Cup.

According to Uyi, the competition goes beyond football by providing young people with a productive platform to develop their abilities, build relationships across ethnic and regional divides, and pursue opportunities that could lead to professional careers in sports.

He said engaging youths in sporting activities could also help discourage criminality and other social vices by giving them a sense of purpose, belonging and hope for the future.

“When you engage the youths of a nation, you are building up a nation for a prosperous future,” Uyi said, stressing that young people who participate in competitive sports are presented with opportunities to develop discipline, teamwork and positive relationships.

The LOC chairman added that the presence of teams from different parts of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom underscored the unifying power of sports, noting that the tournament encouraged participants to see themselves first as Nigerians rather than being divided by ethnic or regional identities.

He said the ultimate vision was to discover and nurture national and international champions in both the male and female categories, while providing young footballers with a pathway to greater opportunities.

Uyi also praised Akpabio for sustaining the initiative into its third edition, describing the competition as evidence of the Senate President’s interest in the long-term development of Nigerian youths.

He said he personally travelled from the United Kingdom to honour the invitation to serve as chairman of the Local Organising Committee because of his longstanding appreciation of Akpabio’s leadership and developmental record.

The Global Peace Movement International UK president urged Nigerians to support initiatives that invest in young people, arguing that sustainable national development requires deliberate efforts to identify talent, create opportunities and steer youths away from destructive activities.

He expressed optimism that the Senate President U-18 Unity Cup would continue to strengthen national cohesion while helping to produce footballers capable of representing Nigeria on the global stage.