The Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Nigerian Mini Football Association and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade Ph.D, has said that the  just-concluded second edition of the Africa For Peace Sports Festival is to complement the efforts of the State government in creating the enabling environment for investment and to promote talents of the youths.

Mulade made the revelation at the finals of the sports festival which held at the Africa 4 Peace Games Village and Gym Center at Ugolo, Okpe Local Government Area of the state, on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

The festival delivered excitement across all categories as 32 teams battled for medals in the senior and junior divisions, while the women’s category produced competitive third-place and final encounters. Also, beyond football, the festival showcased table tennis, chess, and scrabble—with champions emerging after intense play.

"All over the world, the importance of football or sports cannot be overemphasized. This is one of the unifying factors. It's one of the tools you can use to cement, build, unite a people. At this pitch now, you can agree with me that there is no ethnic challenges. All the various ethnic groups in Delta and beyond, are all playing," said Mulade, who is also the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom.

"So, we do this, one, to build peace, to promote peace, and to promote peaceful coexistence in Delta State. Secondly, we also do this to scout for young talents that we can promote, we can build, and take to the next level, if necessary.

"And that is why we have some international scouters who came in from Lagos and Abuja. They have been here for this period, and they have been able to identify some good, talented, young players that can be used for the next edition," the CEPEJ National Coordinator added.

On the contribution of the festival to the overall development of sports, he said, "This complements all the various Sports activities organized by the state, by the national. What we are doing is creating the enabling environment for the immediate communities and the people within Warri and environs to enjoy themselves, have some relaxation.

"When you look at the sport, you will agree with me that we have been able to use this to impact the Delta State Football Commission, which have helped the state government to also identify some good players," he revealed.

Mulade who said the city of Warri has been regarded as a "crisis-prone area" assured that there is peace, in the absence of which the second edition of the festival would not have held.

"And like I said, in football, you don't have separation. So we have been doing this to build the peace in Warri Federal Constituency. Today, I can tell you that there is peace in Warri. All well-meaning investors, all well-meaning Deltans, and well-meaning Nigerians who are ready to invest, who are ready to do business in Warri in Delta State, should come. We can give them 101% guarantee that there is peace in Warri and Warri Federal Constituency in particular," he assured.

Edema Fuludu, an ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria footballer, 1994 Nation's Cup winner, former Delta State F.A. Chairman, and L.O.C Chairman of the sports festival commended Mulade for organising the tournament he noted is "putting Delta State on the map."

Fuludu who rated the second edition as better organised with a lot of resources involved and discipline attached, called on the state government, the multinational companies, and other stakeholders to key into the sporting initiative for sustainability and continued impact, stressing further that "this kind of thing can bring youths together, reduce insecurity, and make the place more habitable for all of us."

View photos from the tournament here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HX2ZNv7E3/

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