By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
Kpirikpiri Ward emerged champions of the Ada Eji Eje Mbam Unity Cup after defeating Echi-Aba Ward 1–0 in a tightly contested final held on Friday, August 1, 2025. But beyond the excitement on the pitch, the tournament has sparked broader conversations about the role of sports in community building.
The sponsor of the tournament and member representing Ebonyi North East Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, used the event not only to foster unity and peace but also to mark her 46th birthday celebration, demonstrating her commitment to youth empowerment and community development.
Chairman of the occasion and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, used the opportunity to advocate for more grassroots sporting events as a tool for youth engagement and peace promotion.
“This tournament has done more than entertain it has reduced youth restiveness and even helped control high blood pressure among our elderly,” Emegha said.
“It’s time we stop waiting for election periods to empower our youths. Let every leader initiate activities like this to keep our communities active and united.”
The Unity Cup, which began few months ago, drew attention from stakeholders across political, traditional, and social divides, highlighting the unifying power of sports in Ebonyi North Constituency.
The sponsor of the tournament and member representing Ebonyi North Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, commended the teams for their sportsmanship and reiterated his promise to reward all participants.
“As I promised, the champions are going home with ₦1 million, the second-placed team gets ₦700,000, and the third ₦400,000. Even the remaining wards won’t be left out—they will each receive ₦50,000 along with soap and detergent to clean their boots and jerseys,” Nwogbaga announced.
Also speaking, Prince Chinedu Uburu, Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government and ALGON Chairman in the state, praised the event as a model for leadership and unity.
“This is what leadership should look like bringing the East and West constituencies together through football. We are supporting this with ₦500,000 because this tournament is about peace, strength, and the future of our youth,” he said.
The Chief Whip of the National Assembly, Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi, lauded the tournament’s impact on youth development and called for sustained support.
“What we’ve witnessed here today shows the future of Ebonyi is in good hands. Initiatives like this give our youth hope and direction.”
Other prominent personalities who gave goodwill messages included: the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Richard Idike, Hon. Ebere Nwogba, Chairman of Abakaliki Local Government, who praised the tournament’s structure and community involvement.Princess Nkechiyere Iyioku, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief S.N. Oketa, Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council, who commended the unity and discipline the tournament inspired, lawmakers from the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, among others who graced the occasion.