After two very successful editions of the Anniversary Cup competition to mark the creation of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, the search for development is to be introduced in next year’s activities for the historic day.
Abuja-based development journalist and organiser of the Anniversary Cup, Terverr Tyav stated this after the finals of the 2022 edition of the football tournament in Wannune, the Local Government headquarters.
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Defending champions, City Boys FC of Wannune lost the title to Nativitas FC of Tarhembe in an epic game that ended 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw.
Tyav said the third edition of the Anniversary Cup in 2023 will be an improvement on the last two editions with corporate organisations to be invited as partners.
He said on the day of the finals next year there will be the Mbakor Development Agenda Summit that will give all sons and daughters of the community the opportunity to review previous development plans and come up with an updated and inclusive-blueprint.
He explained that the new development baseline will indicate the needs of the ten council wards in the Local Government and prioritise the projects and programmes that should to be implemented to uplift the living conditions and standard of the people.
Chairman of Tarka Local Government, Aondoaver Ade Nguhar who was represented by the Council Secretary, Ander Tayol during the Five-Kilometre Anniversary Walk ahead of the football finals said a compact team should be selected to drive activities for the anniversary celebration.
The First Class traditional ruler of the area and Ter Mbakor II, His Royal Highnesses, Chief Gbandeorun Orokaa presented the trophy to the new champions, Nativitas FC of Tarhembe. He was assisted in the presentation of medals and cash awards to the winners, first and second runners-up by former Council Chairmen and prominent sons of the area.
They include Dr. John Allagh, Sir Emmanuel Iortyer, Tyovihi Ujila, Samuel Atsuku and the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Transportation, Yimam Aboh. Others are an accomplished industrialist, Ndyerkaa Hule.
Tarka Local Government was created by the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha on December 8, 1996 among the last set of 185 councils that brought the total number of constitutionally recognised Local Government Areas in the country to 774.