Oke FC Wins Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Adionin Football Tournament
...Jonathan Describes Football as a Tool For National Unity
Oke FC of Otuoke has emerged champions of the inaugural edition of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan Adionin Football Tournament after weeks of scintillating football across four centres in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
In the final of the competition organized by Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council in collaboration with Citiboi Concepts, Oke FC beat Otuoke Selected FC by two goals to one to triumph in the encounter decided at the Federal University pitch, Otuoke.
Itaribo Aye put Oke FC in front just before half time but the Otuoke Selected side responded on 60 minute from Young-Jack Albert and when it seemed the game was to be decided on penalties, Itaribo Aye stepped up to double the lead for Oke FC in an encounter witnessed by stakeholders in Ogbia Kingdom.
Former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, represented by Chief Ibu Williams Mizomome, Technical Adviser to Governor Douye Diri on Special Duties in an address, said the tournament has reaffirmed the peace and unity among Ogbia communities, stating that football remains a veritable tool to steer the minds of the youths away from crime and social vices.
According to him, the organizers of the tournament have been directed to ensure that the competition becomes an annual spectacle in Ogbia Kingdom, maintaining that he has mandated Dr Azibapu Eruani, the Group President of Azikel Group to move the vision forward.
He commended the Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council and Citiboi Concepts for the laudable initiative, that the tournament was apt, pointing out that he will continue to support the youths in the state to achieve their desired goals.
Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Hon Jeremiah Golden represented by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Mr. Azibanyam Apaga, noted that the tournament would soon be a stepping stone for players from Ogbia to earn a living through football.
Earlier in an address of welcome,
vision bearer of the tournament, Mr. Glory Igere Citiboi, lauded the Local Organizing Committee, stakeholders and all the teams that took part in the tournament for the show of determination and dexterity throughout the competition.
Noting that he was pleased with the quality of football witnessed in the competition, Mr Igere said the skills displayed in the tournament reflects the importance of continuous grassroots football programme in the State.
Mr Igere explained that both finalists, Oke FC and Otuoke Selected FC deserved to be in the final, describing both sides as champions after weeks of fascinating grassroots football in Ogbia.
In separate goodwill messages from Hon. Richard Ibegu, the member representing Ogbia Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Godknows Obein, the member representing Ogbia Constituency 2, represented by Rex Agala and David Inengite respectively, applauded Citiboi for the gesture.
Champions, Oke FC went home with the sum of Two million naira (₦2,000,000), runners up Otuoke Selected FC smiled to the bank with the sum of one million naira (₦1,000,000) while third placed Okodi FC received five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000).
Miracle Igiagia of Okodi FC went home with the golden glove award for best goalkeeper, Oladipo Hoorla of Otuoke Selected FC won the highest goal scorer prize while Itaribo Aye of Oke FC won the Most Valuable Player of the tournament with all individual awardees smiling to the bank with the sum of one hundred thousand naira (#100,000) each.
