By Victor Nwegede
The Executive Chairman of Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State, Mrs Peace Ifeoma Agwu, has assured of upgrading the Ishielu Female Football Club, FFC, to meet up with the national standard.
Mrs Agwu who stated this an in interview with journalists after the football team won the 2024/2025 Ebonyi First Lady Unity Cup at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium Abakaliki, said her determination to encourage the Ishielu FFC would be in line with the plan of the Ebonyi First Lady, Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru to encourage female footballers to meet up with the national standard.
It could be recalled that Ishielu FFC defeated its closest Ikwo FFC rival with 2-goals during the grand finale of the tournament organized by the state first lady through her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced People, BERWO Foundation.
The Ishielu FFC returned victorious in the football competition which was participated by the talented female footballers cutting across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking on how to encourage the Ishielu FFC to further boost their talents, Mrs Agwu said, "The Wife of Governor of Ebonyi State, Her Excellency Chief Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru, had brought fortune to the female footballers," noting that in the outing, Ishielu has a favourable future to harness talents in footballing.
"On this note, I will be committed to supporting them to continue acquiring all necessary training skills in footballing to meet the national standard.
"By the grace of God, according to the words of Her Excellency yesterday, she assured of engaging them all, to be able to compete every other state across the nation.
"As the first female chairman of Ishielu local government area, I have been able to achieve many things, but the first of it all is peace.
"There's no crisis in Ishielu, we are enjoying peace in our various villages and communities.
"Another one is that I have embarked on investing in human capital development through the empowerment of individuals and even the recent Christmas/New Year party; I used the opportunity to bring succour to my people, especially the downtrodden, knowing fully well that we are just barely four months in office.
"This year, I have decided to embark on many projects cutting across human capital and infrastructure development in the area."