Gov Ortom, please revive BBC Lions

Sir, before its fortunes declined, the BCC Lions Football Club of Gboko was a leading and formidable club, ruling the Nigerian football landscape, especially in the 80s and early 90s.  The BCC Lions FC, formerly owned by the Benue Cement Company Plc, Gboko, which is also known as Lions of Gboko, commanded huge followership and […]

Sir, before its fortunes declined, the BCC Lions Football Club of Gboko was a leading and formidable club, ruling the Nigerian football landscape, especially in the 80s and early 90s. 

The BCC Lions FC, formerly owned by the Benue Cement Company Plc, Gboko, which is also known as Lions of Gboko, commanded huge followership and supporters across the country, especially in the northern part of the country.

The BCC Lions FC is to the Tiv people of Benue State what the Enyimba International FC of Aba is to the Igbos and the Kano Pillars FC to the Hausas. 

The BCC Lions FC was the first club in the northern part of the country to win the Challenge Cup now FA Cup. And in 1989, the BCC Lions FC of Gboko defeated the Iwanyanwu Nationale FC of Owerri 1-0 in the finals at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium Bauchi.  There is no doubt that the Lions of Gboko has produced great players who did the club, state and the nation proud in their chosen career. 

Unfortunately, the fortunes of the club have continued to dwindle.  Several attempts to revive the club in the past failed. 

Therefore, I appeal to the government of Dr Samuel Ortom and the good people of Benue State, especially the management of Benue Cement Company Plc, Gboko to as a matter of urgency revive the club.

John Akevi wrote from Makurdi, Benue State.