Cynthia Ezegwu
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has dissolved the Board and Management of the state-owned Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi, as part of ongoing reforms to reposition the club for greater efficiency and improved performance.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, announced the development in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Makurdi.
According to the statement, the decision followed the club’s recent relegation from the Nigeria Premier Football League after 27 years in the top flight.
Governor Alia directed all members of the dissolved management to immediately hand over official documents, assets, and responsibilities to the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity.
While appreciating the contributions of the outgoing management team, the governor said the move was necessary to realign the club with his administration’s vision for professionalism and transparency in sports administration.
“The government values the efforts of those who have served the club over the years. However, the time has come for a new direction that reflects our vision for professionalism and transparency in sports administration,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
He added that a new management structure would soon be unveiled to drive the next phase of the club’s growth and competitiveness.
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“The next leadership of Lobi Stars must demonstrate competence, passion, and accountability. Our focus is on building a club that inspires pride among Benue people and contributes meaningfully to the state’s sports development agenda,” Alia said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting sports as a tool for youth engagement and talent development.
“Sports remain a vital tool for youth engagement, talent discovery, and social cohesion in Benue State. Our goal is to create an environment where young people can thrive and showcase their abilities on the national and international stage,” he added.
Founded in 1981 as Hawks of Makurdi, Lobi Stars FC has been one of Nigeria’s longstanding professional football clubs and a prominent name in the nation’s sporting landscape.