One of the leading football Academies in and its Capital City, Akure, Florence Joshua (FJ) Football Academy has secured the services of top FCT Football Coach, Coach Okay-Lawrence, popularly known as Officer-Coach in the football circle in Nigeria.
Coach Ezindu Okay-Lawrence, an EXCO member of the NFCA FCT chapter, a seasoned grassroots development coach, a coaches Instructor and course facilitator based in FCT, but arrived in Ondo State, was unveiled on Tuesday as the new Manager and Head Coach of the Illustrious Football Academy in Ijapo, Akure.
In a colourful and joyous signing plus award ceremony held at the beautiful Legacy Lounge premises by Parker junction along Oba ilẹ/Airport road in the city of Akure, the event attended by members of the management, players of the football academy, friends and fans of the team, the President who was full of gratitude, unveiled and introduced the coach and welcomed him to the well organized team set up.
FJ Football Academy is a well-known and organized traveling team which boasts of many players plying their trades in many parts of Europe including Spain and Czech Republic, has been a top talent discovery and development place for many young talented football players in Ondo State South West Nigeria and beyond.
In expressing his joy, the President and Director of the team Chief Sir Elvis Ogbebor thanked the attendees and friends of the team including his enterprising wife who is the Matron of the team, and management team for their faith and trust in the vision and dreams of the team which was started in 2020. Chief Ogbebor appreciated the new coach for agreeing to be part of the new era and higher dreams of the this Academy and promised that the environment will be made very conducive for the coach to take the team to new heights.
The new coach and manager of FJ Football Academy Coach Ezindu Okay-Lawrence expressed his happiness in joining popular academy in Akure.
“While here in the city, I have heard a lot of good about this academy and its humble beginnings, I am very excited to be joining. It is a new curve for me and I am happy to be bringing my experience to this team. I have always loved the grassroots, this is where I find my joy, I can work with professional teams, but I find it most fulfilling at the grassroots where foundations are built and mentoring takes roots. I have always believed that, if the foundations are right, the building no matter what, will stand strong. So I’m happy I’ll be helping these young people build a better foundation to their beautiful careers” he concluded.
He thanked the management of FJ for finding him suitable and giving him the trust to manage and handle the academy.
Reacting to the news the National Football Coaches Association Training officer and the President of H&B Global Sports Prof. Abiodun Henry said, “I am happy good things are happening to my man, this is a very welcomed development. Coach Lawrence is a top guy, I have loved him from when our paths crossed. He is an intelligent fellow, a very very straightforward guy. A sound Officer, I am glad he’s here in Akure and doing what he loves to do at the grassroots. He’s a guy who tells you the truth no matter how it hurts, and I believe that FJ academy will benefit greatly from his experience. I am happy for him and the academy”.