Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup Kicks Off in Imo

… As Ejiogu launches 25m youth sport initiatives, talent hunt

While football skills development in many nations around the world has contributed to enriching young men and women who have got the talents; youth involvement in sports is also seen as a veritable tool to foster unity, preach peace, curb insecurity, and reduce crime rate through effective football engagements, youth development initiatives, and other socio-economic empowerment programmes.
The above assertion were the driving forces behind the Mike Ejiogu Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup 2025/2026 as it marked yet another milestone in people -oriented based leadership, selfless community services, advocacy for productive youth engagements, and social development — officially flagging off the football tournament at the Isinweke mini- stadium in Ihitte Uboma LGA, Imo State, on 4, October 2025, capturing obvious excitement among sports lovers and numerous football enthusiasts.

In a show of football skills, fantastic dribbling, and highly coordinated ball controls like in the English premier league, the opening match ceremony performed by the representative of Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu, Hon. Ben Onyedikachi, was between the Progressive Stars of Isiala Mbano and Bright Stars of Ihitte Uboma. The game which ended in goalless draw after the 90mins play time attracted many football lovers as the villagers, passers-by, motorcycle riders (okada), keke bus operators, and onlookers stopped over at the field to cheer up their favourite teams to victory.

Media consultant, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, opined from the benefit of hindsight that the biggest football fiesta in the history of Okigwe zone organised by Ejiogu which started on October 4, 2025, would be played throughout the year until January 3, 2026, slated for the grand finale at the Central School Anara, Siala Mbano LGA, Imo state.

Disclosing the prize awards for the various positions, Chairman, Central Organizing Committee (COC) Mike Ejiogu Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup, Onyedikachi, reiterated the commitment of the sponsor to empower Imo youths beyond Okigwe zone through entrepreneurship, functional skills acquisition, capacity building, sports development, and other socio-economic empowerment initiatives like the now ongoing football tournament.

According to the football tournament COC Chairman, Ben Duru: first position takes home the sum of N8 Million; second position, N5 Million; third position, N3 Million, while 4th to 12th positions will receive consolation prizes of Four Hundred Thousand Naira, respectively.

General Manager of Chevron Football Club, Lekki, Lagos State, an offshoot of Chevron-Soccer Consulting Services LTD, Engr. Henry Iwuanyanwu FNSE, assured that the best talents among the young footballers who fall within the specified age brackets, at the end of the tournament, would get call ups for trials in Nigerian football clubs and also stand better chances of traveling overseas for further international trials, sporting opportunities, and expositions.

An Mbano public analyst and event moderator, Duru Evan (El- Doctore) maintained that Ejiogu has continued to change the narrative in people – driven leadership and youth engagement, while commending him for the bold football initiative and sponsorship of the ongoing tournament in which he donated the sum of N25million for the participating teams drawn from all the communities across the six LGAs in the Imo North Senatorial District (Okigwe zone).

Remarkably, the mind blowing N25millio Mike Ejiogu Okigwe Zonal Unity Cup has inspired leadership, reawaken consciousness on talent discovery, and ignited passion among the youths as most of them have dusted their football kits and gone back to the field for trials.

Ejiogu (Onowu of Igboland) whose name is synonymous with entrepreneurship, selfless public service, philanthropy, community development, talent discovery, and youth empowerment.
This football edition, no doubt, will give him another opportunity not just to empower the youths but also bring them together with a renewed hope and new direction, inspiring leadership through his time-tested successful lifestyle as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and community leader.

A colourful event which had in attendance the Chairman of Ihitte Uboma Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Rev. Jude Uwalaka (Ihi lll of Umuihi Ancient Kingdom), HRH Eze Wifford Mbagwu (Abu ll of Abueke), HRH Eze Marcel Iheme (Egwu Nte lll of Umuezegwu), members of Chief Ejiogu Grassroots Transformation Group, led by Rt. Hon. Mrs. Nkeiruka Nwosu, LGA coordinators of Mike Ejiogu Grassroots Movement, Hon. Dim Bennett Duru Onyedikachi, Chief Evang. Achiever Onyelike Darlington , Chairman of Flames Real Estate Enterprises Ltd, Ichie Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, Hon. Austin Ubani, Chief Nwora Amadi, among other guests and numerous football spectators.