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Mulade unveils LOC jersey for 2022 Ijaw/Itsekiri peace cup

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By Timi Black

Niger Delta environmental activist doubled as the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Chief Sheriff Mulade, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, unveiled the Local Organizing Committee, (LOC) Jersey for the 2022 Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament, at Africa for Peace Center, CEPEJ’s Head Office, Ugolo-Okpe near Warri, Delta State.

Chief Mulade, speaking at the event said 2022, Ijaw/Itsekiri Peace and Unity Football Tournament also known as Comrade Mulade Sheriff Peace Cup was meant to celebrate the age longed peaceful relationship between the Ijaw and Itsekiri living in the three (3) Warri LGAs of Delta State.

He further disclosed that the football event would commence on the 16th of November 2022 as part of the event 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 December 2022.

According to him, the tournament would take place at Benikrukru and Ugborodo communities in Warri South West, LGA.

The statement read, “the selection of the venues was strategic, Benikrukru is an Ijaw community, while Ugborodo is an Itsekiri community. This was 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 co-existence enjoyed by both ethnic groups.

However, the event was well attended by the local organizing committee, LOC, members, and other peacebuilding organizations as well as supporters.

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.

The committee members include 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 Prah, 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. Beth Austin, Asst. Director of Transport/Logistics; Mr. Wison Ejeh-Ugborodo Venue Coordinator; and Hon. Paul Kirifide, Organizing Secretary.

Mulade further explained that 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 event was the presentation of the jerseys to the committee members by the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, as well as a group photograph.

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