The National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has inaugurated the committee for the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football tournament to mark the 2022 International Day of Peace scheduled for September 21st, 2022.
Comrade Mulade inaugurated the peace and unity football committee on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at Africa for Peace Center, CEPEJ’s Head Office, Ugolo-Okpe near Warri, Delta State, to mark the 2022 International Day of Peace celebrated on September 21, 2022.
The Peace Ambassador said the Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity football competition was to foster and strengthen the existing peace enjoyed by both ethnic groups after a period of disunity, crisis and disaffection.
He added 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.
While speaking on the date of commencement and venue of the football fiesta, Mulade said the football event is scheduled to start on November 16, 2022, to mark the International Day of Tolerance in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal –SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and then climax on the 3rd of December, 2022.
He disclosed that the venues of the tournament will be at Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities in Warri South West Local Government Area.
“The selection of the venues was strategic, Benikrukru is an Ijaw community, while Ugborodo is an Itsekiri community. This is to show to the world that both ethnic groups are living in peace and unity, and it will enable both ethnic groups to appreciate the importance of peace and tolerance, as well as accept the mistakes and wrongs of each ethnic group, so as to build and sustain the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by both groups,” said Mulade.
Those inaugurated to serve on the committee were: Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, Chairman; Commodore Kingdom Itoko, (Rtd), 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; Dr Jeffrey Wilikie, Asst. Director of Finance; Mr Philemon Ugedi, Assistant Director of Security; Mr Bright Tortor, Director of Mobilization, Benikrukru Centre; Hon. Aboyewa Ikpoto, Director of Transport/Logistics; Hon. Bethus Ayotan, Asst. Director of Transport/Logistics; Mr Wison Ejeh, Director of Mobilization, Ugborodo Centre; and Hon. Paul Kirifide, Organizing Secretary.
Mulade urged the committee to commence work immediately in order to meet up with the scheduled dates and to create the needed awareness for Deltans and Nigerians, in general, to attend and participate in the event.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha described it as a rear privilege accorded to the committee members and promised to do their best to deliver on their mandate, and the objectives of the Ijaw and Itsekiri peace and unity football competition.
The Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament is a biannual football competition organised by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, coordinated by Comrade Mulade Sheriff, who is a Peace Ambassador and activist, as well as the Ibe-Seremowei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West, Local Government Area of Delta State.
