Environmental rights activist and National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup, unveiling a ₦50 million grassroots initiative aimed at promoting peace, unity and youth development across Delta State.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Chief Mulade described the tournament as a strategic peace-building platform designed to strengthen inter-ethnic harmony, cultural integration and youth empowerment through sports.
The competition, jointly organised by CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy, is expected to bring together youths from Delta State’s seven major ethnic nationalities—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa and Urhobo.
According to Mulade, who is also the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, the tournament goes beyond football, serving as a vehicle for fostering friendship, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among young people across the state.
“The Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup is more than a football competition. It is a peace-building project designed to unite our youths, encourage cultural exchange and strengthen the bonds that hold our diverse communities together,” he said.
He explained that the initiative seeks to break ethnic barriers, build trust and reinforce the values of tolerance, dialogue and cooperation, which he described as essential ingredients for sustainable development in Delta State.
Mulade said the competition would also provide a constructive platform for engaging young people, discovering sporting talents, nurturing future leaders and redirecting youths towards productive ventures capable of contributing to the development of their communities.
The peace advocate disclosed that the tournament, themed “One in All,” would feature four age categories—Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Under-20—to encourage broad participation and grassroots talent development.
He further announced that winners would receive multi-million-naira prizes, noting that the reward system was designed to encourage healthy competition and stimulate greater youth participation across the state.
Describing the inauguration of the committee as the beginning of an important journey, Mulade urged members of the LOC to discharge their responsibilities with transparency, professionalism and dedication.
“The success of this initiative depends on teamwork, integrity and commitment. I urge every member of this committee to work tirelessly to deliver a competition that will leave a lasting legacy for Delta State,” he said.
Mulade also appealed to traditional rulers, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and community leaders to support the initiative, stressing that collective participation would strengthen relationships among the state’s ethnic nationalities and promote lasting peace.
He noted that peaceful coexistence remains critical to attracting investments and accelerating development, adding that the initiative aligns with the development aspirations of the Delta State Government by helping to create a stable environment for economic growth and employment.
Expressing confidence in the long-term impact of the tournament, Mulade said the Delta Ethnic Peace and Unity Cup has the potential to become one of the state’s foremost grassroots sports and peace-building programmes.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the 25-member Local Organising Committee, with former Super Eagles midfielder Edema Fuludu named as adviser and former Chairman of the Delta State Football Association, Amaju Pinnick, appointed as LOC Chairman.
Football kits for the participating ethnic teams were also unveiled and inspected.
Mulade urged all Deltans to embrace the vision of a united and prosperous state where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength rather than division.
“Our vision is simple: One Delta. One People. One Victory. Through sports, we can build bridges of friendship, inspire hope and secure a more peaceful future for generations to come,” he added.
