National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has been officially decorated as Grand Patron of the 2026 Renewed Hope Unity Cup during a courtesy visit to his office at the APC National Secretariat, Abuja.
The ceremony, which attracted top sports and political stakeholders, featured a closed-door meeting between Professor Nentawe, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, and the initiator of the project, Hon. Suleiman Kwande.
The Renewed Hope Unity Cup, a key component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to engage all 774 local government areas across Nigeria in a nationwide grassroots football tournament.
According to organisers, the competition aims to promote youth empowerment, national unity and greater participation in sports development across communities.
The initiative has already generated widespread enthusiasm, with Professor Nentawe’s involvement described as a major boost to its credibility and national relevance.
His presence and supportive engagement were seen as a strong indication of political and institutional backing for the project.
SimiMedia reports that the tournament already enjoyed the support of other prominent figures in sports administration, including Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director-General of the Commission, and Hon. Adeboye Adeyinka, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports.
These endorsements, according to stakeholders, reinforced the tournament’s role in advancing national unity and youth development through sport.
“We are deeply honoured to have Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda serve as Grand Patron of the 2026 Renewed Hope Unity Cup,” said Hon. Suleiman Kwande, Director of Cornerflag Connection Limited, organisers of the competition.
He noted that the APC Chairman’s support underscores the seriousness and national importance of the initiative.
Kwande also commended the NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, for his consistent support for grassroots football development and alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He described Gusau’s involvement as a demonstration of his commitment to nurturing football from the grassroots level.
The competition, tagged A-G.O.A.L Nigeria (Asiwaju Go On And Lead Nigeria), will feature teams from all 774 local government areas, offering young talents a national platform to showcase their abilities.
Organisers say the tournament will provide life-changing opportunities, including career development pathways and substantial rewards for participants.
With growing institutional backing, Professor Nentawe’s role as Grand Patron is expected to strengthen the tournament’s structure and sustainability.
The 2026 Renewed Hope Unity Cup is projected to become a major grassroots football movement aimed at discovering talent, promoting unity and leaving a lasting legacy of sports development across Nigeria.