Ogun I Customs Launches Afeni Schools Football Tournament To Curb Smuggling, Empower Youth
Ogun I Customs Launches Afeni Schools Football Tournament To Curb Smuggling, Empower Youth
By Frank Odinukaeze
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has launched the Afeni Inter-Secondary School Football Tournament in Idiroko as part of efforts to discourage youths from engaging in cross-border smuggling while promoting sports, education, and community development.
Organised in partnership with Jonnyyeko College of Health Science and Technology as part of the Command’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the tournament is designed to positively engage secondary school students, foster unity among communities, and expose young people to legitimate career opportunities as viable alternatives to illicit cross-border activities.
Idiroko, a strategic border location, has historically exposed vulnerable youth to the temptations of smuggling. This tournament provides a constructive alternative, channelling students’ energy into teamwork, discipline, and healthy competition.
Declaring the competition open, the Ag. Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Command *Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni* said smuggling robs our youth of their future. By sponsoring this competition, we aren’t just playing football; we are providing a platform for advocacy, teaching life skills, and showing these students that their potential extends far beyond the border tracks.
Afeni highlighted that the tournament aims to nurture young talent early, inspiring them to pursue football as a lucrative career while leveraging sports to combat smuggling.
The tournament features twelve (12) teams from secondary schools across the local government, engaging hundreds of students both on the pitch and in the stands.
Educational authorities, Youth Associations and community leaders have rallied behind the tournament, praising it as a timely intervention to keep students in the classroom and off the smuggling routes.
Grand prizes, including educational materials and cash, will be awarded to the winning institutions and outstanding players.
The competition kicked off on 13 July 2026 at Iko Gate Grammar School, Idiroko, and is set to conclude with a grand finale on 24 July 2026.
