… Salutes Dunamis Icon, NDDC and Premium Trust Bank for historic tournament

Director General of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe has congratulated Team Bayelsa over their emergence as the overall winners of the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival.

Bayelsa State amassed a total of eighty-six medals, made up of forty-two gold, twenty-nine silver, and fifteen bronze medals to finish top of the table beating Delta and Edo State to the 2nd and 3rd positions respectively at the games that took place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

In his congratulatory message, Mr. Akpe commended the athletes for their resilience and show of determination throughout the week-long event, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the state.

According to him Bayelsa’s triumph at the Niger Delta Sports Festival was a reflection of the huge talent and massive investment made in sports by the prosperity government of the state led by Senator Douye Diri and his able deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

He was particularly appreciative of the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igail and the Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir. Braveman Wodi for collaborative efforts in translating and keeping alive the governor’s “ASSURED Prosperity” agenda and vision, describing the trio as a perfect blend.

The statement equally congratulated Sir. Itiako Ikpokpo( Malik) of Dumanis Icon who doubled as the co-chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, MOC and the entire members of the Main Organizing Committee for the successful organization and management of the festival. Mr. Akpe also used the opportunity to express his gratitude to Sir Ikpokpo for appointing him as a member of the main organizing committee of the historic Sports Fiesta.

The statement also praised the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC for the sponsorship of the festival, pointing out that, the gesture was a testament to NDDC’s resolve to develop sports in the region and the country at large. He urged them to extend their support to other sporting activities in the Niger Delta region.

Mr. Akpe also thanked the lead sponsor, Premium Trust Bank, for their sponsorship, noting that the sponsorship speaks volumes of the bank’s passion for the development of sports in the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.

…Last Year’s Quarter finalist Wodu FC Are Disqualified.

Defending Ogbia LGA champions, Movers FC of Otuasega continued their impressive showing in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football fiesta, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup with a resounding five nil triumph over Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti at the Imiringi centre.

Midfielder Precious Omonibo’s long range effort gave Movers FC the lead just four minutes into the game. Movers FC’s star forward, Elton Mina increased the tally to two nil on 53 minutes from a beautiful finish.

Elton Mina was on target again in the 54th minute to make it three nil, ensuring that the Otuokpoti side returned home empty handed. The prolific forward completed his her trick of goals with another cool finish on 65 minutes to send the jubilant Otuasega fans into wild celebrations.

Olami Balami completed the goals harvest on 89 minutes to completely dash the hopes of Chief Street FC. At the Ogboloma venue Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC whitewashed Church of God Mission FC four nil to secure qualification into the next round of the tournament.

At the Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, BDGS centre, Seaside Academy pummeled Better Days FC by four goals to one to advance into the next round of the competition while Solid Star edged out Shekina FC by two goals to one, to also progress into the next round.

Action will returns to three centres on Saturday in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle. Creek Haven FC will take on Anyamalem FC at the Kpansia centre by 11.00a.m.

Enterprising Corinthians FC will slug it out with youthful and energetic Afini FC by 9.00a.m. at the Kpansia centre while high scoring Advance Dreams FC will confront Akenfa FC by 10.00a.m. at the Tombia centre.

Meanwhile, the Central Organizing Committee COC of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football fiesta, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup has disqualified Wodu FC from the competition.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director General of the tournament Mr.Ono Akpe and Tournament Director Mr. Perela Aboro after an extensive meeting.

According to the COC, Wodu FC were found culpable of the allegations leveled against it, as provided under Section six Subsection one (j) of the tournament rules, stating that investigations revealed that Wodu FC registered sixteen players from Midlands Football Club in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The COC states that the decision was reached after an extensive meeting with the disciplinary committee of the tournament to deliberate on the appeal filed by Bayelsa Stars FC on the 31st of March, 2025

The statement notes that further investigation, including an interview with the bus driver confirmed that his bus (registration number AAA 504 XM) transported the players to and from Port Harcourt for their matches.

It explains that the action by Wodu FC was a blatant disregard for the rules which resulted in their disqualification from further participation in this year’s Prosperity Cup tournament.

According to the the statement the team Wodu FC was scheduled to meet automatically advances to the next round of the competition

The COC is expected to invoke further disciplinary measures against Wodu FC and its coach at an expanded meeting in due course, while urging all parties to abide by the decision.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for organising the Niger Delta Sports Festival, describing it as the first of its kind and stating that it would harness the youth’s potential, promote unity and community development in the Niger Delta region.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the Chairman of National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, spoke at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement by NDDC, Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, noted that President Tinubu said: “Let me commend the Niger Delta Development Commission for its initiative in organising this laudable event aimed at bringing young sports talents from the region together. For this competition. I am convinced that this praiseworthy initiative will foster youth development, promote peace, and contribute to economic growth, while also enhancing community development and security.

The President noted that the competition would boost grassroots sports development and complement the Federal Government’s structural reforms in the sports sector through the National Sports Commission.

He observed that the NDDC’s foresight would create room for more participation and interest in sports among state governments in the region.

He commended the Akwa Ibom state government for its continued support for the promotion and development of sports in the country.

In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, declared that the next edition of the Niger Delta Sports Festival was open for bidding.

He thanked the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for hosting the first edition of the festival, which he described as superb.

Ogbuku requested other state governors in the Niger Delta region to consider positive partnership with the NDDC for the promotion of both economic and structural development of the area, as well as discovering youths and new talents who would replace the aging local, national and international stars in sporting events.

In a goodwill message, the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated that his state would be willing to host the festival in the future, even as he advised the NDDC to select hosting states in alphabetical order.

Governor Ayedatiwa ascribed the laudable achievements recorded by the NDDC to the enormous support received from President Bola Tinubu.
He eulogised NDDC for also prioritising peace building, human capital and social interaction.

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, who also spoke at the event, described sports as a vehicle for national development.
He stated that the assemblage of the sports participants for the competition is indicative of the abundant human resource potential in the region.

He explained that the Niger Delta Sports Festival would have a profoundly positive impact on the region’s future. He further assured the continuity of the programme in subsequent years, just as he encouraged the sportsmen and women to participate actively in the fiesta.

One-time champions, Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC came from a goal down in a keenly contested encounter to beat Biseni United at the Ogboloma centre of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup.

It was barely five minutes when Akpagra Tony put Biseni United in front from a well connected pass to give Biseni United the lead. Samuel Donpedro restored parity for EGM FC on 20 minutes to end the tie even at halftime. When it seemed the encounter was going to stretch into a penalty shootout, Uzoma Ameafula stepped up to score off a beautiful screamer to send resilient EGM FC into the next phase of the competition.

Playing at same venue Church of God Mission FC ended Bayelsa Football Academy’s participation in the competition with a two-one victory.

Former champions Eternal Grace Ministry, EGM FC came from a goal down to beat Biseni United two-one in a fierce battle decided at the Ogboloma centre in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity

Church of God Mission FC earlier in the day at the Ogboloma centre ended Bayelsa Football Academy’s participation in the competition with a two-one victory to qualify for the next round of the tournament.

Earlier on Monday at the Amassoma centre, Furry Titans FC pipped NDU Oilers FC one nil. Godmade Moses scored the only goal for Furry Titans FC on 47 minutes.

In the game high flying, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, PNA FC spanked Eric FC two nil. Undutimi Clinton put PNA FC in front on 17 minutes while Justin Ekubo made it two nil to compound the woes of Eric FC.

At the Tombia Centre, Wodu FC edged out JTF Igbogene FC by two goals to one to book a ticket to the next round of the competition. Akenfa FC eased out Bayelsa Stars FC two nil.

At the BDGS Ground, Bayelsa United Feeders whitewashed Stardom Life FC six nil while Oyoma FC beat Otuan FC by a lone goal with Jeff Flint scoring the only goal in the tie that took place at Eniwari.

Flying Vasco FC pipping Pioneer FC one nil at the Opolo centre, while youthful Afini outscored Edepie Trainers FC by three goals to one in their rescheduled game at the Kpansia centre.

Playing at the Swali centre Royal All Stars beat Ayama FC 4-2 on penalities after a barren draw at full time. In the other game at the same venue, Rochester FC defeated Agobiri FC 3-2 on penalities having shared the spoils in regulation time.

In Olugbobiri, Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe pipped Korokorosei FC one nil. National Youth Service Corp NYSC Feeders spanked Enougha FC two nil in an encounter decided at the Biogbolo/Yenizuegene centre.

Future Dynamic FC beat Oga FC six goals to five in an eleven-goal thriller at the Opolo centre to ensure their passage into the next round of the tournament. And, in Imiringi Movers FC of Otuasega recorded a lone goal victory over Kolo 2 FC, with Elton Mina scoring the only goal.

In another encounter at the Imiringi, Chief Street FC of Otuokpoti overcame Emeyal 2 FC three nil. At the Otuabagi centre, high flying Citiboi FC pummeled Jagas FC three nil just as Victory Valts FC of Opume were three-one victors over Amangala FC, Oloibiri in the last game of the day at the Otuabagi centre.

Hostilities will continue on Wednesday in Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle. At the Kpansia centre Choosen Stars United will square up with Creek Haven FC by 9.00am while Bishop Bob Manuel FC will take on Anyamalem FC at 11.00am