The flag-off event, held in the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people, featured prominent former football internationals, including Sam Sodje, Edema Fuludu, and Bright Omokaro, who joined other dignitaries to celebrate the start of this important competition. Also in attendance were key figures such as Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC); Hon. E.A.E. Otare Aja, Comr. Ejoh Dimas (Secretary-General of Ode-Itsekiri), and several other community leaders and officials.
The opening ceremony included a highly anticipated novelty football match, where two teams were formed: one team comprised of Ijaw and Itsekiri players, and the other included Ndokwa, Ika, Isoko, and Urhobo players. The National Coordinator of the CEPEJ (Centre for Ethnic Peace and Justice), Chief Sheriff Mulade, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the tournament’s role in promoting peace and unity among the ethnic groups of Delta State. This year’s tournament marks the fifth edition, which has been running for over a decade.
Chief Mulade explained that the choice of November 16 for the flag-off was symbolic, coinciding with the United Nations International Day of Tolerance. This date highlights the importance of tolerance and peaceful coexistence, which are central values of our tournament, he said. Mulade called on all Deltans to embrace the competition as a platform for peace, unity, and development.
He also expressed gratitude to the host community of Ode-Itsekiri for their warm reception and support. We appreciate the hospitality and the wonderful setting for the event, Mulade said, urging other communities and stakeholders to join hands in promoting peace and unity for the greater good of Delta State.
In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman of Ode-Itsekiri, Mr. Anthony Odonghanro, expressed his thanks to the organizers for selecting the community to host the flag-off. He lamented the underutilization of the world-class Ode-Itsekiri football pitch, which was constructed by former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick. Odonghanro encouraged local sports enthusiasts to take the tournament as a call to action to maximize the use of the pitch and promote football within the community.
Former Super Eagles star Edema Fuludu, a 1994 Nations Cup winner, also spoke during the event, praising the initiative. Fuludu, who is also the Deputy Secretary General of the Nigeria Players Union, reflected on how football had once played a significant role in uniting Nigerians during the civil war, citing the legendary Pele’s visit to Nigeria as an example. He stressed that football could be a powerful tool in empowering youth, discouraging drug abuse, and cultivating leadership qualities.
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The novelty match saw the Ijaw/Itsekiri team triumph over the Ndokwa, Ika, Isoko, and Urhobo team, winning 2-0. This match was particularly significant as it marked the first time players from Ijaw and Itsekiri formed a team together, symbolizing a new era of unity among the ethnic groups. The event also featured cultural performances from the Itsekiri troupe, showcasing the rich heritage of the host community.
The 2024 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Tournament will continue with a series of matches across the state, involving 24 teams representing the six major ethnic nationalities of Delta.
The grand finale, where the winner will claim a prize of N5 million, is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024, in Oreorokpe, Okpe Local Government Area. As the tournament progresses, it promises to be a celebration of unity, sportsmanship, and cultural exchange among the people of Delta State.
