Okowa, Otuaro, others set for Ijaw/ Itsekiri peace and unity cup grand finale today

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By Ndu Samuel

The grand finale/ closing ceremony of Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace And Unity Cup also known as Comrade Sheriff Mulade peace and unity cup will hold today Friday 29 November 2019.

According to press statement by the organisers, the executive governor of Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will be Special Guest of Honour while his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro will be chief host while other dignitaries from within and outside the state are expected to grace the event as special guests of honour.

The Grand Finale will have Kunukunuma FC lock horns with Ajudiabo FC for the third place while Ogidigben FC will slug it out with Okerenkoko FC in a show of supremacy as winner of the tournament.

The final matches will be played at Benikrukru township field, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

Speaking during a press briefing in Warri, Delta State, sponsor of the tournament, Comrade Sheriff Mulade disclosed that Governor Okowa will perform the presentation of prize to the winner of the competition, while the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro and the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori will do presentation of trophies .

Mulade stated that his drive is to use events like football to foster socio-economic and healthy development in communities, as well as peaceful co-existence among Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ilaje and Ijaw youths in riverine communities of Delta and Ondo states and their environs.

Speaking further, he appealed for collaboration on this ever green initiative and further requested that all well meaning people across the state be a part of the important activities like the football tournament that will bring lasting solution to under development challenges in the area.

According to information released on the event, the Ogiama Ekenwole Emiko, the Olu of Warri Kingdom and His Royal Majesty, Aketekpe, Agadagba, Oboro Gbaran II, the pere of Gbaramatu kingdom will be royal fathers of the day at the event.

Other special guests of honour expected at the event include Chief Tonibo Okowa, Chairman Delta State Sports Commission, Hon. Fred Martins Chairman House Committee on Youths and Sports Delta State House of Assembly, Thomas Ereyitomi, member representing Warri Federal constituency.

Others are Hon. Julius Pondi member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor member representing Warri South west Delta State House of Assembly. Chief Emman Amgbaduba, commissioner for Oil and Gas Delta State, Hon. Mofe Pirah Commissioner for Special Duties Delta State.

Hon. Michael Diden, Chairman Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ( DESOPADEC), Hon. Daniel Mayuku Executive Director Projects DESOPADEC and Amb. Comr. Shedrack Agediga executive director PRS DESOPADEC.

The Ijaw/Itsekiri Unity Peace and Unity Cup competition is the brain child of the Founder and National Coordinator of the foremost NGO, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade Sheriff Mulade. The football initiative runs with his vision to develop a peaceful coexistence in the riverine Communities most especially in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Meanwhile Amb. Sheriff Mulade, sponsor of the tournament is giving out a whooping N2.2m for grab in this year’s edition as the winning team of the tournament will smile home with N1m while the second and third runners -up will pocket N700,000 and N500,000 respectively, in addition to other consolation prizes.

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