Organisers Urge for Increased Support for Orphans, Widows, and Community Development Throughout Nigeria The 2026 Lydia Wilson Foundation Charity Football Tournament concluded successfully in Lagos at St Peter Nursery and Primary School, Ebute Metta, with Football Ambassadors FC of Ebute Metta claiming victory after a nail-biting final against 11 Stars FC of Egbeda, winning 3–2 on penalties on Saturday, May 9, 2026. This annual event, hosted by the Lydia Wilson Foundation, continues to be a vital platform for identifying and nurturing young talent, especially orphans and vulnerable children, while also fostering community development, youth empowerment, and support for widows across Nigeria.
Football Ambassadors FC proudly lifted the prestigious Lydia Wilson Foundation Charity Cup and were awarded gold medals, while the runners-up, 11 Stars FC, received silver medals. Additionally, eight exceptional players from the tournament, including three female participants, were honored with special awards and cash prizes for their talent, discipline, and commitment. After the event, Wilson Balogun, Co-Founder of the Foundation, reiterated the organisation’s dedication to restoring hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable communities through sports, education, empowerment, and humanitarian initiatives.
He explained that the Foundation currently supports vulnerable children through educational scholarships, vocational programmes and sports development initiatives across several Nigerian states, including Kogi, Kaduna, Ondo, Lagos and Abuja.
“Every year, we identify exceptional talents through this competition and ensure they are also supported academically. We believe talent should never be limited by circumstance.
Nigeria is blessed with extraordinary young people whose futures can be transformed when given the right opportunities,” he stated.
The Foundation also revealed that over the years, it has empowered more than 100 widows through agricultural support schemes, vocational training and small business start-up assistance.
Wilson Balogun disclosed that widows have benefited from empowerment programmes involving baking, farming and other income-generating skills, while vulnerable families and displaced communities have also benefitted from the Foundation’s humanitarian outreach programmes.
He stressed that Nigeria remains a nation of enormous human potential, creativity and talent, and called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, corporate organisations and philanthropists to help scale the Foundation’s impact across the country.
“If we are currently supporting farmers with 100 bags of fertiliser, we want to increase that significantly. If we are training 100 widows today, we want that number to grow into thousands. Nigeria has incredible potential, and together we can create opportunities that positively transform lives and communities,” he added.
The Foundation has therefore appealed to the Federal Government, state governments, corporate organisations, development agencies, philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to support its humanitarian initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) partnerships, sponsorships, grants, donations and volunteer participation.
According to Wilson Balogun, support is not limited to financial donations alone.
“We are looking for partners who genuinely want to be agents of change. We need volunteers, educational partners, community leaders and corporate organisations willing to invest in the future of our children and families,” he said.
The Foundation further encouraged Corporate Nigeria to adopt long-term partnership models capable of sustaining yearly intervention programmes, youth empowerment initiatives and community development projects.
“We invite companies and institutions to become strategic partners and headline sponsors of our charity initiatives. Together, we can continue to uplift children, empower widows and strengthen communities across Nigeria,” he said.
Wilson Balogun, whose family is based in the United Kingdom, stated that the annual football tournament currently impacts more than 200 vulnerable children yearly and is gradually becoming one of the country’s most impactful grassroots humanitarian sports initiatives.
The Foundation also acknowledged the support of Westdyke Community FC of United Kingdom Scotland, which donated the jerseys used during the competition as part of its international community partnership support.
The event concluded with the distribution of food packages to participating players and beneficiaries as part of the Foundation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families beyond the football pitch.
The Lydia Wilson Foundation reiterated its commitment to expanding its humanitarian reach and building partnerships that will continue to inspire hope, opportunity and sustainable development across Nigeria.
For partnership, sponsorship, volunteering and donation enquiries, visit: www.lydiawilsonfoundation.org
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