The National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Chief Sheriff Mulade, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, unveiled the jersey for the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, for the 2022 Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, at Africa for Peace Center, CEPEJ’s Head Office, Ugolo-Okpe near Warri in Delta State.
Speaking at the event, Mulade said that the tournament also known as Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace Cup is to celebrate the age-long peaceful relationship between the Ijaws and Itsekiris living in the three Warri Local Government Areas of the oil-rich Niger-Delta state.
While speaking on the date of commencement and venue for the football tournament, Mulade said the football event is scheduled to start on the 16th of November 2022, to mark the International Day of Tolerance in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and will climax on the 3rd of December, 2022.
He disclosed that the venues for the tournament will be in Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities in Warri South West Local Government Area.
He explained that the selection of the venues was strategic because 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 and work to sustain the peaceful coexistence enjoyed by both ethnic groups,” said Mulade.
It would be recalled that on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at the same venue Sheriff Mulade inaugurated the LOC committee to kick-start the planning process and arrangement for a successful football tournament.
Those inaugurated to serve on the committee were: Hon. Kenneth Nwaomucha, Chairman; Navy Commodore Kingdom Itoko, (Rtd), Secretary; Mr Matthew Itsekure, PRO; Mr Victor Tonlagha, Director of Finance and Engagement; Omoboye Abosode, Director of Welfare; Mr Azuka Chiemeka, Director of Media and Publicity; Amb. City Ojouworo, Director of Mobilization; Hon. Raymond Pirah, Director of Security; Dr Jeffrey Wilikie, Asst. Director of Finance and Engagement; Mr Philemon Ugedi, Asst. Director of Security; Mr Bright Tortor- Benikrukru Venue Coordinator; Hon. Aboyewa Ikpoto, Director of Transport/Logistics; Hon. Bethus Ayotan, Asst. Director of Transport/Logistics; Mr. Wison Ejeh-Ugborodo Venue Coordinator; and Hon. Paul Kirifide, Organizing Secretary.
The Ijaw/ Itesekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament is a biannual football competition organized by the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, coordinated and sponsored by Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, to promote the peaceful coexistence of both ethnic groups after a period of disunity, crisis and disaffection, and to build bridges of unity, socio-economic development, as well as discover football talents at the grassroots level in Warri Area and other parts of Delta State.
The high point of the unveiling ceremony which was attended by the Local Organizing Committee, LOC, members and other peacebuilding organizations as well as supporters was the presentation of the jerseys to the committee members by the National Coordinator of CEPEJ, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade.
