, General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged youths to leverage sports as a tool for fostering unity and discipline.){kind=link}
The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged youths to leverage sports as a tool for fostering unity and discipline, stressing that increased participation in sporting activities can contribute to building a more peaceful and prosperous nation.
The CDS, who was represented by the Chief of Administration of Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, stated that the championship was aimed at uniting communities.
He stated that it would also promote healthy competition and developing essential life skills such as teamwork and resilience among youths.
“The championship was also designed to strengthen civil–military cooperation by positively engaging youths in healthy competition, while promoting mutual understanding, respect, and togetherness in the spirit of sportsmanship,” he said.
“It would stir youths interest in football as a legitimate means of livelihood, with the overall goal of deterring unwholesome behaviour and youth restiveness for improved national security.”
Furthermore, he said the six-day championship, is intended to promote unity and social cohesion amongst teams from the South-South region. These include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Edo States, as well as Abia and Imo States of the South East.
The CDS emphasised that the tournament plays a key non-kinetic role in aiding security efforts, adding that positively engaging youths goes a long way in discouraging social vices.
General Oluyede affirmed that the event aligns with the Armed Forces’ strategy to empower youths, promote discipline and nurture talents. He thanked the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to youth empowerment and national security.
Earlier, the Director of Sports at the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, highlighted the aim of the event. He stressed that young prospective talents converged to showcase their skills, foster growth, inspire excellence, and promote mutual cooperation and brotherhood among themselves.
He further stated that the tournament seeks to empower youths to contribute to Nigeria’s sports development amid challenges such as insecurity and drug abuse.
The Director of Sports informed that the event also showcases the CDS’s commitment to youth development and grassroots sports, aimed at identifying talents and instilling values such as integrity, resilience and unity.
He therefore urged teams to shun unhealthy rivalry, compete with courage, respect the rules of the championship and uphold fair play.
The opening match ended 2–0 in favour of the Rivers Military Team (RMT) against the Delta Military Team (DMT). The tournament will climax with the final on 20th December 2025.