The acting Area Controller, Ogun I Command, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Deputy Comptroller Oladapo Afeni, has said that the newly launched Afeni Cup 2026 football tournament in Idiroko was aimed at protecting young people from the lure of smuggling by exposing them to positive opportunities through sports.
Chado Zakari, the Command’s Public Relations Officer disclosed this in a press statement.
Afeni, while declaring the inter-secondary school football competition open, said smuggling deprives young people of a better future, stressing that the initiative was designed to provide an alternative path for students living in border communities.
He explained that beyond promoting sports, the tournament is intended to nurture football talents from an early stage while encouraging students to pursue legitimate careers instead of engaging in illicit cross-border activities.
The football competition, organised by the Ogun I Command in partnership with Jonnyyeko College of Health Science and Technology as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, seeks to productively engage young people, strengthen community cohesion and discourage their involvement in smuggling.
Idiroko, a major border town, has long faced challenges associated with cross-border smuggling, making young people particularly vulnerable to recruitment into illegal activities. The organisers said the tournament offers a constructive platform that promotes teamwork, discipline and healthy competition.
The competition features 12 secondary school teams drawn from across the local government area, with hundreds of students participating both as players and supporters.
Educational authorities, youth associations and community leaders have commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that will help keep students focused on their education while steering them away from smuggling routes.
Winning schools and outstanding players will receive educational materials and cash prizes at the end of the tournament.
The competition kicked off on July 13 at Iko Gate Grammar School, Idiroko, and will conclude with a grand finale on July 24, 2026.
“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.” The CAC said.
