By Simon Abang
In a season when Nigeria’s political atmosphere remains tense and national development debates grow louder, the Mature Unity Cup, sponsored by Hon. Victor Abang, the quiet and unassuming member representing Boki/Ikom Federation constituency has quietly accomplished what many political platforms struggle to achieve: it has united people across long-standing divides. What unfolded in Boki/Ikom over the past one month was far more than a football competition; it was a subtle but powerful realignment of grassroots politics, communal identity, and public trust.
With 22 teams representing all political wards, the tournament transformed local football fields into theatres of collective aspiration…a vision of a society where unity becomes the engine of development. The final match, which saw Ogep Ward FC defeat Ikom Urban FC 3–2 on penalties, was more than a sporting spectacle; it was a compelling demonstration of how community engagement, when pursued with sincerity and strategic intent, can renew public confidence in political leadership.
Hon. Abang’s involvement goes beyond the optics of sponsorship. His vision is rooted in a political philosophy that recognizes sports, especially football, as a proven tool for peace-building and socio-economic renewal. At a time when Africa is exporting football talents valued between €5 million and €100 million, he argues that communities like Boki and Ikom must position themselves within this global value chain. In his view, grassroots football is not a leisure pastime; it is an economic pipeline waiting for structured investment.
The Vice Chairman of Boki LGA, Hon. Lawrence Akan, captured the political significance when he urged for sustained support and even a trust fund to institutionalize such initiatives. His message underscores a critical truth: youth restiveness isn’t only a policing or security issue but a political and developmental question. And sport, when deliberately deployed, answers that question without fanfare or force.
The Mature Unity Cup has therefore emerged as a political model—an example of how soft-power governance can build cohesion in a constituency often defined by its diversity. It reaffirms that leadership is not only measured in bills sponsored or motions moved, but in the capacity to bind people together.
If politics is ultimately the art of shaping society, then Hon. Victor Abang has demonstrated that a football field can sometimes be more effective than a political podium.
Simon Eban Abang is the Personal Assistant to Hon. Victor Abang (Media/Publicity & Strategic Communications)