… Pipeline vandalism, youth restiveness down due to annual football fiesta
…Five youths now in academies, more being scouted
Pipelines vandalism, youth restiveness, and other vices have gone down drastically since an annual football tournament was introduced in the OMl-58 communities. This is as Obi Imemba, executive director of the JV Asset of TotalEnergies Processing Nigeria, says the company remained committed to the development of youths in the host area through sports, education, and skills acquisition.
Imemba stated this in his address at the opening ceremony of the NNPC /TEPNG Football Competition for OML-58 Host Communities at the Obite Civic Centre in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Imemba was represented by Henry Ehuike, Manager, Stakeholders Management, who said the football competition which began in 2002 and is now the 23rd in series. He confirmed that the annual event has become a vehicle for peace and unity among the youths of the host communities of OML58. He said it has also arrested the menace of pipeline vandalism and its attendant environmental pollution.
The Executive Director also stated that Company in the last two editions of the competition has engaged notable football scouts for talent discovery. As a result, five players from the host communities are now in a reputable football academy receiving not only football training but also, furthering their education.
As earlier said, he went on, more beneficiaries would be sent to the academy while they would continue to explore other opportunities for improvement.
TotalEnergies also used the occasion to urge the OML58 host communities to continue to Influence more youths to be of good behaviour and shun the evils of pipeline vandalism which he said leads to pollution and other environmental hazards.
“My advice to the participating teams is that you should not be preoccupied with winning.”
At this edition of the competition, NNPCL and TotalEnergies also engaged the services of football marketers to sell talents discovered at the competition to clubs around the world.
The competition has now been made an Under-18 tournament.
Speaking, Sylvanus Okuku, the monarch, said the annual sporting event has promoted peace, unity, and inclusiveness of the youths in the area and commended TotalEnergies for other amenities.
On his part, Mbakwe Elele, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, said youth restiveness is now eliminated.
The Comrade also commended TotalEnergies for the continuous funding of the football competition even after the passage of the Petroleum Industries Act (PIA) and the establishment of a Host Communities Development Trust. He said his people were optimistic that more youths would join the academy and some others to proceed abroad.
The opening match was between Obagi FC, the defending champions, versus Ubarama FC which was full of fireworks but was won by Obagi FC.
A powerful 5th minute volley from the feet of George Julius of Obagi FC produced the first goal of the match.
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