The League Management Company's (LMC) pact with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) got off to a good start in Umuahia where Abia Warriors hosted Kaduna United in one of the opening games of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season. The 'Red side of Abia' as Abia Warriors are now known won 2-0 with goals from Uluocha Chima and Bishop Onyeudo. And fans, club officials, players and football administrators in separate comments commended the added security measures introduced by the LMC in conjunction with the NSCDC.
Abia Warriors were having their initiation game in the Glo Premier League but left no one in doubt of their intentions to retain a place in top flight league with the recruitment of seasoned campaigners such as Ogbonna Okemiri, Wasiu Sowemimo, Emmanuel Fabiyi, Chidozie Johnson and Onyekachi Okoye amonst others.
"The presence of the Civil Defense Corps is a good development", remarked Hon. Emeka Nwosu, a former Political desk Editor at the defunct Daily Times newspaper. "We have always been worried about the security at match venues but with the presence of these chaps, I will keep coming to cheer Abia Warriors", he added
Garba Lawal, the General Manager of the visiting Kaduna United described the presence of the Civil Defense Corps members as "very reassuring because we simply had to focus on the game and not worry about our safety"
Abia Warriors center back, Wasiu Sowemimo also commended the enhanced security situation at the stadium, saying, "everyone is at risk when security us not adequate because as a home team, you may be attacked by the home fan when you disappoint them. But seeing these officers is very good even though we didn't wish to disappoint the fans and thank God we also won well in our first game".
Vice Chairman of the Imo State Football Association, Sir Emmanuel Ochiagha who was in Umuahia to see the game promised to personally liaise with the officers at the Imo State command to ensure that the partnership continued. "We are all too happy to work with the LMC to improve security at games and make it convenient for fans to turn out and in the process raise the FA share of the gate takings".
Towards ensuring safety at Glo Premier League venues, the League Management Company (LMC) had made overtures to the command headquarters of NSCDC to compliment the efforts of the Nigeria Police as Security Stewards.
This move was easily embraced by the Commandant of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin who received a delegation of the LMC led by the Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar, and promised to deploy his officers to venues of the Match Day One games as a test run operation.
Abolurin had told the delegation, "We are very happy to support the LMC and our clubs to provide security for Match officials, players and more importantly, fans, declared Abolurin and added, “I have followed the league keenly and believe that the civil defense will be part of the innovations the LMC is bringing to the game".
