Senator Neda Imasuen Unveils Benin Unity Cup to Revive Football, Foster Peace, Unity in Edo South
By Moshood Karim
The Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, on Friday officially launched the Benin Unity Football Cup, a grassroots sporting initiative fully sponsored by him to discover and nurture budding football stars across the seven local government areas of the district.
The tournament, which will feature teams from Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Orhionmwon, Uhunmwode, Ovia North East, and Ovia South West, is slated to kick off on 20 November and climax on 20 December.
Speaking during the unveiling, Senator Imasuen said the project was born out of his passion for youth empowerment and the revival of football in Edo and Nigeria at large.
“This initiative is not about my position, but about assisting our youths to discover their purpose,” he stated. “Edo is overflowing with untapped talents. We must harness these opportunities so that our young people can have dignity, respect, and pride in what they do.”
The senator noted that the tournament aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the sporting vision of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, saying both leaders share a deep interest in youth development and sports as a tool for empowerment.
Imasuen reiterated that, the Benin Unity Cup wasn’t simply football but a symbol of unity in Edo South.”Let the 2025 Benin Unity Cup stand as a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together in purpose and in pride.
He explained to the audience at the media centre of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium why the tournament was conceived. “We conceived this tournament as a platform to nurture young talent at the grassroots, promote community engagement, and strengthen the bond that holds us together as Edo people. Football, as we know, has the unique power to unite across tribe, faith, and status. It is this spirit of togetherness that we seek to rekindle through this event.
“Empowerment isn’t just about giving people jobs; it’s about helping them become who they are meant to be. Through sports, we can tackle unemployment, idleness, and restiveness among our youths,” Imasuen added.
Director-General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Hon. Philip Shaibu, lauded the senator for what he described as a lofty initiative that will live beyond his tenure. He pledged NIS’s partnership to help identify and train emerging talents through its facilities.
Shaibu also called for an audit of former sports ministers for allegedly neglecting the NIS facilities, which he said had deteriorated due to years of mismanagement.
Commending the senator, Hon. Idehen Ebomwonyi described football as “a powerful tool for unity and cultural pride,” expressing hope that the tournament would unearth new stars comparable to Julius Aghahowa and Baldwin Bazuaye, both of whom rose from Edo to national prominence.
Earlier, Chairman of the Edo Football Association, Fred Newton, also hailed the initiative as “a ground-breaking legacy,” promising that international scouts would attend the games to spot promising players for opportunities abroad.
On his part, former Commissioner for Transport and Coordinator of the Benin Unity Cup Tournament, Orobosa Omo-Ojo said: “We must commend Distinguished Senator Neda Bernards Imasuen for his visionary sponsorship and unwavering belief that empowering our young people through sports is key to building a stronger, safer, and more United Edo South.
“His support reflects true grassroots leadership—one that sees sports and other intangible talents as a unifier and a driver of human development.
“As coordinator of this initiative, I see first-hand the dreams, the discipline, and the determination football inspires. From the streets of Iyekeorhionmwon to the fields of Iyekovia and the bubbling streets of Adesogbe, Ehor and others, we will discover tomorrow’s champions—young men who only need a platform to shine. This tournament gives them that platform.”
The grand finale of the Benin Unity Football Cup will hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, with preliminary matches scheduled for Irhirhi Sports Ground and the University of Benin Sports Centre.
Winners of the competition will cart home ₦1 million, runners-up ₦700,000, third place ₦500,000, and fourth place ₦300,000. Each of the eight participating teams will also get ₦100,000 for participation and full sets of jerseys for 22 players, courtesy of the senator.
The Benin Unity Football Cup, conceived at the Benin Unity Summit, is expected to become an annual platform for promoting peace, sportsmanship, and youth development across Edo South.
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