Mackbet All Stars Clinch Victory in Thrilling Finale as Dignitaries, Royal Fathers Applaud AMA’s Vision for Youth Empowerment
Igbogbo, Lagos — November 9, 2025 ~
The much-anticipated second edition of the All-Star Unity Cup, organised by the AMA Smile Foundation, brought Igbogbo to life on Sunday as football enthusiasts, dignitaries, community leaders, and traditional rulers converged on the Igbogbo Ultra-Modern Stadium for a day filled with passion, competition, and celebration of community unity.
After weeks of fierce competition and excitement across different centres in the Ikorodu constituency II, the tournament culminated in a thrilling final match that saw Mackbet All Stars defeat Triple 0 All Stars with a 4–2 victory.
The match lived up to its billing, delivering top-notch entertainment, skills, and teamwork that kept the cheering crowd on their feet from start to finish.
The event drew an impressive lineup of political leaders and dignitaries, including Hon. Samuel Apata (Somolu Constituency II); Hon. Orekoya Abiodun (Somolu Constituency I); Hon. Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba, Chairman of Ijede LCDA; Hon. Olawale Sulaimon, representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency II; Lekan Fatola, Director-General for Sports, Lagos State; Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe; Chief Bolaji Onafowokan; Jamiu Adisa; Hon. Basirat Adetutu, Leader of the Legislative House, Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA; and Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
Also in attendance were esteemed royal fathers: His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom; HRM Oba Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, the Olubeshe of Ibeshe; HRM Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, the Obateru of Egbin; and HRM Oba Ajibade Bakare Agoro, the Ranodu of Imota. Their majestic presence elevated the significance of the event, underscoring the unity and collaboration between traditional and political institutions in Ikorodu Division.
Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun (AMA) — who represents Ikorodu Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly — expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, royal fathers, and the people of Ikorodu for their support and encouragement since the inception of the Unity Cup initiative.
“This tournament is not just about football; it’s about bringing our people together,” he said.
“It’s about channeling the energy of our young people into something positive, inspiring, and productive.”
“Football is a universal language of peace, and today we’ve shown that unity and sports can indeed go hand in hand.”
Aro emphasized that the AMA Smile Foundation created the Unity Cup as a vehicle for peace, youth engagement, and community development.
He thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for prioritizing youth and sports development across Lagos State, noting that the state government’s consistent support has been instrumental in nurturing young talents across local communities.
Former Lagos Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Arobieke, praised Hon. Aro for his visionary approach to leadership, describing him as “a youth-friendly lawmaker who understands that empowering young people through sports is one of the surest ways to build a prosperous future.”
“Sports are not just for recreation; they build discipline, teamwork, and community spirit,” she noted.
“I want to encourage our schools to revive inter-house sports so we can discover more homegrown talents and keep our young people meaningfully engaged.”
Hon. Solomon Bonu, Chairman of the Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, commended the AMA Smile Foundation for sustaining the initiative beyond its first edition.
“Football brings pride, light, and recognition to any community. This is not just a game — it’s a tool for development,” Bonu said.
“I encourage our youths to remain disciplined, stay focused, and chase their dreams with determination.”
The royal fathers present also took turns to commend Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun for his steadfast commitment to uplifting the community through meaningful initiatives.
HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, lauded the lawmaker for being a bridge between governance and the grassroots.
“What we are witnessing today is a reflection of purposeful leadership. Hon. Aro has shown genuine passion for his people and has continued to bring development, peace, and unity to our division,” the monarch said, offering prayers for his continued success.
Other royal fathers, including the Olubeshe of Ibeshe, Obateru of Egbin, and Ranodu of Imota, echoed similar sentiments, praising the tournament as a model for community engagement and youth development.
The curtain fell on the exciting competition with the presentation of awards to players who distinguished themselves throughout the tournament.Patrick Onoyans of Mackbet All Stars was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), ni Samson received the Best Goalkeeper award, imeji Michael, also of Mackbet All Stars, won the Highest Goal Scorer award after netting seven goals in the competition
The award ceremony was conducted by royal fathers and prominent dignitaries, who applauded the players for their sportsmanship and encouraged them to pursue professional football careers.
The Unity Cup spearheaded by Hon. Aro Moshood Abiodun once again succeeded in creating an atmosphere of harmony and excitement — reminding everyone of the power of sports to bring communities together especially in Ikorodu Constituency II.
INN-HOUSE☆ 