The time table for the football competition between Ijaw and Itsekiri, has been unveiled in Delta State. The competition is to mark the International Day of Tolerance, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for peace, justice and strong institutions.
The football tournament which is aimed at building a harmonious relationship between the Ijaw and Itsekiri people, is intended to create avenues for a lasting mutual co-existence among all Deltans through sports and will hold between November 16 and December 3, 2022.
The National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, unveiled the time-table at the Africa for Peace Center, CEPEJ’s Headquarters, in Ugolo-Okpe, during the inauguration of the tournament’s committee.
He said that the venues for the tournament would be at Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities, in Warri South-West, noting that the selection of the venues were strategic, as Benikrukru is an Ijaw community and Ugborodo, an Itsekiri community.
According to the peace and environmental ambassador, the competition was to foster and strengthen the existing peace enjoyed by both ethnic groups after a period of disunity, crisis and disaffection.
He expressed the hope 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.
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 included Mr. Philemon Ugedi, Asst. Director of Security; Mr. Bright Tortor, Director of Mobilization, Benikrukru community; Hon. Aboyewa Ikpoto, Director of Transport and Logistics; Hon. Bethus Ayotan, Asst. Director of Transport and Logistics; Mr. Wison Ejeh, Director of Mobilization, Ugborodo community; and Hon. Paul Kirifide, Organizing Secretary.
