By PROMINENT and peace-loving Niger-Delta activist and National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade, has inaugurated a 10-man local organising committee for the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Football Tournament.
Comrade Mulade unveiling the jerseys
Stonix News reports that the tourney was created to promote a peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in Delta Central and Delta South senatorial districts of the state.
The tournament is scheduled to commence on November 16, 2024, at Ode Itsekiri, the ancestral home of all Itsekiri.
It is designed to serve as one of the activities to mark the United Nations International Day of Tolerance, on Dec. 7, 2024.
Mulade doing the unveiling
Mulade, a Gbaramatu Kingdom chief, in his address at the CEPEJ’s Africa for Peace Centre in Ugolo-Okpe near Osubi, noted that this year’s event, the fourth in the series, would have Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, as Chairman of the 10-man organizing committee.
He disclosed that the competition had been expanded to accommodate more ethnic groups unlike in the past when it involved only Itsekiri and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.
Comrade Mulade, who is a well travelled environmental advocate, said this year’s football competition would accommodate Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and Urhobo ethnic nationalities domiciled in Delta Central and South senatorial districts in order to foster a peaceful coexistence.
Mulade doing the unveiling
“This programme is our contribution to promote peaceful coexistence among the people of Delta State.
“We expanded it to accommodate Isoko and Urhobo people to create a peaceful environment for the government to develop all parts of the state,” he enthused.
He further disclosed that the Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, would kick off the expanded Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup Football Tournament at Ode-Itsekiri as the Royal Father of the Day.
He added that the star prize winners would smile home with N2m, runners-up with N1.5m, third place winners with N1m, and the fourth would bag N500,000, totalling N5m.
Mulade doing the unveiling
Chairman of Delta State Sports Association, Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, in his remarks, commended Mulade for his initiatives and efforts in the previous years.
He urged members of the committee to put in their best towards the success of the unity football tournament.
CEPEJ’s chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Godwin Orhadahwe, urged the media to give the tourney a wide publicity as well as mobilize stakeholders to the event through in-depth analysis and advocacy towards achieving the purpose for which it was instituted.
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