Edo State Commission has reiterated its willingness to partner with the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Training Centre (SKFTVC) for development.
The Commission’s decision was revealed by ex-Super Eagles star, Baldwin Bazuaye, who is the Executive Director representing Edo South in the Commission, when he represented the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Desmond Enabulele, on the occasion of the Boots for Grassroot Project Africa Forum held in Benin City.
While responding to an appeal made by ex-international, Comrade Austin Popo, the West Africa Zonal Convener and Director of the Boots for Grassroot Project Africa, who is also the Secretary of the Board of Trustees of SKFVTC, the Sports Commission, promised that they have a huge opportunity and responsibility to ensure the dream and vision of the SKFVTC materialize under their watch as the forefront custodians of sports and football development in Edo State.
It will be recalled that sometime in 2016, after the death of late Stephen Keshi, former Super Eagles Captain and Manager, the late Enogie of Obazuwa Dukedom, Prince Edu Akenzua, who himself was a former goalkeeper donated a large expanse of land for development of the SKFVTC to immortalize the legacies and memories of Stephen Keshi as reflected in FIFA statement “Stephen Keshi, a footballer whose memory should not fade away.”
Speaking further to make vital clarification on the true status of the SKFVTC, Austin Popo said the SKFVTC is a NGO governed by a board whose members are drawn from across the length and breadth of Nigeria and is not the property of any individual or group of individuals as erroneously conceived by some persons.
In a related development, in alignment with FIFA’s thought “Stephen Keshi a footballer whose memory should never fade” the SKFVTC has kept the memories and legacies alive through the organization of the annual Stephen Keshi Memorial Lecture and the national Under 17 football tournament, with the finals of the 8th edition holding on Thursday, 18 December, 2025 by 3.00pm at the Mainbowl of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
SKFVTC Obazuwa Mixed Development Project aims to create a vibrant, multi-functional community hub that integrates world-class sporting, recreational, public, educational, vocational, and residential facilities.
The project blends professional-grade sports infrastructure, family-friendly entertainment, and community-driven amenities to foster athletic excellence, economic growth, and social cohesion.
The development is divided into six zones, designed to cater to athletes, families, and the broader community while promoting sustainability and scalability.
Some of its objectives include to promote sports, education, health, and economic opportunities for all ages; to provide affordable housing and vocational training to empower local communities and to integrate family-friendly entertainment and retail to create a destination for sports tourism and leisure.
