Lagos State APC Chairman’s Cup begins in October

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman’s Cup has announced that the tournament will kick off in October 2025. The LOC Chairman, Hon. Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, who also chairs Conference 57, described the competition as a vital initiative to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Olowa, the U-20 football tournament aims to engage over five million youths in Lagos State. He noted that it was conceived in support of Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the APC Lagos State Chapter, with the goal of harnessing youth talent for national development.

“It is designed as a community league focused on talent discovery. It seeks to engage young people in meaningful activities that can improve their standard of living while helping them realise their dreams in sports,” he said. Matches will be played across the 57 local councils in Lagos, with finalists emerging from the ward level.

Olowa expressed confidence that the platform would expose many young talents to career-shaping opportunities. He also emphasised that the tournament is strictly apolitical and aims to raise awareness among youths on the importance of registering for and obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

To support this goal, the organisers are working with relevant authorities to set up PVC registration points at the tournament venues for easy access. The initiative is also backed by private sector partners, football bodies, the Federal Government’s football agency, and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

Their technical and professional support, Olowa added, will ensure the tournament runs smoothly and achieves its objectives. He stressed the long-term benefits of using sports to promote civic responsibility and community engagement.

The Secretary of APC Lagos State, Hon. Adeola Jokomba, announced that the tournament will be officially unveiled in October 2025 at the APC Lagos State Chapter Secretariat, Acme Road, Ikeja. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to be the chief host, alongside other state executives and legislators.

Jokomba added that the tournament would help reduce crime, empower young people, and connect them with international communities through sports exposure and development opportunities.