Two of the graduates
Former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Lulu, who is the proprietor of FOSLA Academy, Nigeria’s Premier independent football academy, has said the drive behind his pursuit of grassroots football development comes from the passion he has for the game of football and sports in general.
Sani Lulu, who spoke to journalists at the second joint graduation ceremony of the JS3 and SS3 in Karshi, Abuja at the weekend said, “a total of 29 students, with 12 from Junior Secondary School and 17 from Senior Secondary School were graduated at the occasion.
FOSLA Academy is blazing the trail as it is the first academy that currently runs football and academic sessions concurrently in Nigeria.
According to Alhaji Lulu, “the vision of providing an avenue for youths that are naturally endowed in football to develop their skills and simultaneously receive comprehensive secondary education started with just 21 students on scholarship and two paying students in the year 2011”
He further explained that “ Initially the school dream was to reach out her supporting hand to the indigent Nigerian children but in the commencement of the project, due to the financial constrain, the school was forced to limit sponsorship to Kogi state and FCT. BUT presently, the school has about 70% indigent students and 30% paying students from various parts of the country depicting a clear representation of our true desire to for a United Nation”.
The members of the Karishi community where the school is situated are full of praise for the proprietor of the school Alhaji Sani Lulu for bringing this vision to life which has given their kids not just the opportunity of living their dreams of playing football, but are able to do it while pursuing academic excellence in the process.
About 80% of the students from Junior Secondary school Level to Senior Secondary school are from poor backgrounds and are on scholarship programmes funded by the man behind the vision, Sani Lulu.
The community leader, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ismaila Mohamed, MFR, Sarkin Karshi, who was represented at the occasion by the Galadima of Karshi, Suleiman Tanko Abubakar commended the school for their wonderful performance in sporting activities especially football and external examination which all the students excelled in.
“My immense gratitude goes to the founder and proprietor of FOSLA Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi who has been a pillar of support and a blessing to this academy and community, may Allah continue to guide, protect and bless him with wisdom and novelty to transform this academy to greater heights” said Sarkin Karshi.
Alhaji Sani Lulu said he dreams and envisions the establishment of the first of its kind sports university in Nigeria and looks forward to seeing that dream come through in the nearest future by the grace of God.
The students who were full of gratitude to the school, teachers and their parents for supporting their dreams of pursuing the path of football and academics said as they leave the school, they look forward to what life has in store for them and expressed optimism that they have been prepared well enough by the academy to face the challenges that may await them outside.(Gongnews)
