Ex-football internationals Sam Sodje, Edema Fuludu, and Bright Omokaro, were among dignitaries that graced the flag-off ceremony of the 2024 maiden edition of the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup Competition that is organised and sponsored by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) alongside the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) among others.

The flag-off ceremony which featured a novelty football match between two teams comprising Ijaw and Itsekiri in one team and Ndokwa, Ika, Isoko and Urhobo in another team, held at at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Speaking at the venue, the National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Chief Mulade revealed that the maiden edition, which is the fifth edition, has spanned over 10 years and is aimed at promoting peace and unity among the various ethnic nationalities in the state.

According to the CEPEJ Boss, the flag-off date of November 16 was picked for the tournament to buttress the importance of peace as the date marks the United Nations International Day of Tolerance celebrated worldwide.

Chief Mulade therefore called on Deltans to embrace the tournament as the competition, which promotes peace and unity, is to improve opportunities for more meaningful developments and empowerment in the communities making up the state.

The peace ambassador thanked the host, Ode Itsekiri, for the warm reception in the flag-off ceremony, and appealed to other stakeholders to key into the peace and unity project for the good of all Deltans.

The Executive Chairman of Ode Itsekiri, Mr. Anthony Odonghanro, in his welcome address, who lamented the under-usage of the world standard football pitch built by the former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinniki, thanked the organisers for availing the community the opportunity to host the flag-off ceremony of the tournament.

Also speaking during the ceremony, ex-internationals, Fuludu, an ex-Super Eagles and Nations Cup winner 1994, lauded the organiser for initiating the tournament stressing that it fosters unity and development, as he recalled how football stopped the Nigeria Civil war when the legendary Pele came to the country in a featured match.

Fuludu, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of Nigeria Players Union and a former deputy chairman Delta Football Association (DFA), further added that football as a tool and platform can help the youths to attain greater heights, to shun drug abuse, and create leadership qualities in youths by ensuring they abide by rules.

Meanwhile, the novelty football match, which witnessed entetainment from the Itsekiri cultural troupe, ended with two goals to nil in favour of the Ijaw and Itsekiri team at full time.

Other personalities in attendance are the chairman of LOC, Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, representatives of Ode Itsekiri in the likes of Hon. E.A.E. Otare Aja, Comr. Ejoh Dimas (Secretary-General of Ode Itsekiri), Emma Ogungbemi, Rieco Tsoluwa, Comr. Asakpi Richardson (Chairman, Warri South-West NULGE, and Training Officer, Delta State Football Referees Council) among others.

Beginning from Sunday, November 17, the tournament kicks off with fixture matches to be played across the state by 24 participating teams drawn from the six ethnic nationalities of the state that will be competing for the prize money of N5 million at the grand finale on Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Others are Prince Samson Ochuko (Chief Inspector of Education, Warri South-West LGA), Rev. Oreva Idudhi (Vice Principal, Kokodiagbene Secondary School), with officiating referee Ede Gift and assistant referees Asakpi Toritseju and Ogaga Diare.

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