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The Convener of the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup and National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), Chief (Comrade) Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has inaugurated the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming competition, describing the tournament as a strategic platform to strengthen peace, unity, cultural integration, and youth empowerment across Delta State.
Daily Independent learnt this from the renowned Niger-Delta Activist in a telephone conversation with our reporter today being on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as he shared the outcome of the inauguration exercise of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming Delta Football Tournament 2026, Peace and Unity Cup to foster peaceful Co-existence in the entire Communities of Delta State, Nigeria.
Speaking further, the renowned Peace Advocate, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade, told our reporter that the inauguration ceremony took place today being on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Sorimowei of the ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, said the initiative was jointly organized by CEPEJ and the Africa 4 Peace Sports Academy.
He added that the exercise is designed to unite the state’s seven major ethnic nationalities—Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Aniocha/Oshimili, Ika, Ndokwa, and Urhobo—through sports while promoting mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence.
He explained that the Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup is more than a football competition, stressing that it is a peacebuilding project aimed at fostering friendship among young people, encouraging cultural exchange, and creating opportunities for positive engagement across communities and ethnic groups.
In the words of CEPEJ Boss, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade Ph.D: “The competition will serve as a vehicle for breaking ethnic barriers, building trust, and reinforcing the values of tolerance, dialogue, and cooperation, which are essential for sustainable development in Delta State”.
“The tournament would also provide a constructive platform for engaging youths, inspiring leadership, discovering sporting talents, and redirecting young people towards productive ventures capable of contributing to the growth of their communities and the state at large”.
“The competition, with the theme “One in All,” would feature four age categories—Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under-20—to ensure broad participation and talent development among young Deltans”.
“I therefore announced that winners of the tournament would receive multi-million naira prizes. Also, that the reward system is designed to encourage healthy competition, increase participation, and generate enthusiasm among youths across the state”.
“The inauguration of the LOC is described as the beginning of an important journey. Also, during the inauguration, I charged the committee members to discharge their responsibilities with transparency, professionalism, dedication, and teamwork to guarantee the success of what is described as a historic competition”.
“I also appealed to traditional rulers, government institutions, corporate organizations, development partners, community leaders, and other stakeholders to support the initiative, as collective participation would strengthen relationships among the various ethnic nationalities and promote lasting peace in the state”.
“I, Chief Mulade, further emphasized that peaceful coexistence remains a critical requirement for attracting investments and development opportunities into Delta State”.
“Also, that the initiative will complement the development vision of Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori by helping to create a peaceful environment capable of attracting investors and generating employment opportunities for the people”.
“I, Comrade Chief Sheriff Mulade, therefore, expressed confidence in the long-term impact of the tournament. As the CEPEJ National Coordinator, I must state here that the Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup would become one of the state’s most significant grassroots sports and Peace-Building programmes”.
“The highpoint of the event is the inauguration of the 25-member committee with ex-international Edema Fuludu as Adviser, while ex-footballer and former chairman, Delta State Football Association (DFA) as LOC chairman, with the unveiling and inspection of football kits for all participating ethnic teams across the state”.
“Finally, I urged all Deltans to embrace the vision of a united and prosperous state where diversity is celebrated as a source of strength rather than division. Also, that the 2026 Delta Ethnic Peace & Unity Cup is expected to bring together youths from the seven major ethnic nationalities of Delta State under the slogan: “One Delta. One People. One Victory.”
