By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
A football completion between Ijaw and Itsekiri in Delta State to mark will hold on the 16th of November 2022 and end on December 3rd of December, 2022.
Comrade Sheriff Mulade addressing the committee
The sport event is designed to mark the International Day of Tolerance in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal –SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, disclosed this at the inauguration of the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament committee to mark the 2022 International Day of Peace.
The event held on Tuesday September 20, 2022 at the Africa for Peace Center, CEPEJ’s Headquarters, Ugolo-Okpe near Warri, Delta State.
The peace and environmental ambassador said the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity football competition was to foster and strengthen the existing peace enjoyed by both ethnic groups after a period of disunity, crisis and disaffection.
He added that the competition would build confidence and trust between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people living in Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas of the state.
He said the main aim of the football tournament was to build a harmonious relationship between the two ethnic groups and create avenues for a lasting mutual co-existence among all Deltans, especially between Ijaw and Itsekiri through sports.
Stonix News reports that the venues of the tournament will be at Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities in Warri South West.
He said the selection of the venues was strategic, Benikrukru being an Ijaw community, and Ugborodo, an Itsekiri community.
Among those inaugurated to serve in the committee were Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, Chairman; Commodore Kingdom Itoko (retd), Secretary; Mr. Matthew Itsekure, PRO; Mr. Victor Tonlagha, Director of Finance; Omoboye Abosode, Director of Welfare; Mr. Azuka Chiemeka, Director of Media; Amb. City Ojouworo, Director of Mobilization; Hon. Raymond Pirah, Director of Security; and Dr. Jeffrey Wilikie, Asst. Director of Finance.
Others in the committee included Mr. Philemon Ugedi, Asst. Director of Security; Mr. Bright Tortor, Director of Mobilization, Benikrukru community; Hon. Aboyewa Ikpoto, Director of Transport/Logistics; Hon. Bethus Ayotan, Asst. Director of Transport/Logistics; Mr. Wison Ejeh, Director of Mobilization, Ugborodo community; and Hon. Paul Kirifide, Organizing Secretary.
Chief Mulade urged the committee to commence work immediately in order to meet up with the scheduled date and to create the needed awareness for Deltans and Nigerians in general to attend and participate in the event.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha described it as a rear privilege accorded to all in the committee and promised to do their best to deliver on their mandate, and the objectives of the Ijaw and Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football competition.
Stonix News reports that the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament is a biannual football competition organized by CEPEJ, coordinated by Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Seremowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West.
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