By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 2026 edition of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also called the Prosperity Cup, has taken on an interesting flavour with the registration of a team, Liberty FC, from the Correctional Centre in the State.
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‎The Director General of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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‎He noted that a special playing field has been designated for Liberty FC to execute their matches in the tournament, stating that the inclusion of the Correctional teams represents inclusivity among institutions.
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‎According to him, beyond the huge prize money in the tournament, the competition has helped to curb crime and other social vices across the state while providing a platform for talents in Bayelsa to showcase their potential.
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‎The DG explained that with the consistency in the organising the tournament, youth restiveness has reduced drastically because the youths are actively engaged in football activities across communities, pointing out that there is incontrovertible evidence that during the tournament crime rate is usually low across communities.
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‎He further explained that several institutions are taking part in the competition which include; the Nigeria Police Force, the National Youths Service Corps, NYSC, as well as faith-based organizations, and not forgetting the non-indegene in the State, who equally registered a team for the tournament.

Speaking on the Correctional facility registering a team for the tournament, a Yenagoa-based football buff, Comrade Stanley Imgbi, said “it is an interesting development. Their inclusion will add flavour to the tournament.”

Continuing, Imgbi, who doubles as the Secretary of the Bayelsa State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, said “I am equally delighted to hear that non-indigenes in the State also registered a team. This will bring about unity. Kudos to the organisers of the tournament.”
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‎In the meantime, the Prosperity Cup train is moving to Ogbia Local Government Area this weekend with the conclusion of preliminary round hostilities in Brass and Nembe Council areas.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Ministry of Sports Development, Bayelsa State, under the able leadership of Honourable Daniel Igali, has sent forth newly appointed commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Honourable Joana Gigi.

Speaking during the ‘sendforth’ ceremony held at the Conference Room of the Honourable Commissioner on Thursday, Champion Daniel Igali, described Honourable Joana Gigi who was his staff untill her appointment by Governor Douye Diri as a patriot, intelligent and consummate woman.

Igali noted that Honourable Gigi during her stay under his watch as Commissioner distinguished herself as a woman of substance who brought her wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of her duties.

Reflecting on the elevation, the world and Olympic champion admonished that leadership should never be about keeping people small, but about creating the space for them to grow, stressing that people who work with you today may stand beside or above you tomorrow.

Daniel Igali noted that one of the quiet joys of leadership is watching people you once worked with rise to greater responsibilities after working closely with the new Women Affairs commissioner for six years as a Director in the Bayelsa State Ministry of Sports Development

Honourable Igali advised the new commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, to surround herself with the right people who will not only tell her what she wants to hear but those who will tell her the truth dispassionately.

Honourable Igali lauded Governor Douye Diri for uplifting the status of Honourable Joana Gigi while praying to God Almighty to guide her path with wisdom and knowledge and sound mind in carrying out her new assignment.

In her remarks, the brand new commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Honourable Joana Gigi expressed gratitude for the thoughtful gesture, describing it as overwhelming.

Honourable Gigi singled out for praises the leadership qualities of Honourable Daniel Igali, describing her time as staff of the Ministry of Sports as fruitful where she made lifetime friends.

The women affairs commissioner thanked Governor Douye Diri for finding her worthy of such elevation, adding that it was a manifestation of God’s plans beyond human comprehension.

Meanwhile, Honourable Igali was joined in the sendforth by the Ministry Permanent Secretary, Pereyi Efeke, Head of Human Resource Management, Digha Nicolas, the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Andrew Aye, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Ministry of Sports, Funke Ayah and staff members of the ministry, alongside staff of the ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development led by the Permanent Secretary and well wishers.

‎By David Owei, Bayelsa

‎ln order to enhance the capacity and professionalism in football officiating ,a five-day NFF-D Licence coaching course for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa State has begun in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital with over forty coaches taking part in the novel exercise.
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‎NFF-D Licence coaching course will run from the 11th through the 15th of March, 2026 at the Golden Tulip Apartments and Resort, Onopa, from 9.00am daily.
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‎The exercise which is being organized by the Prosperity Cup in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Football Association is coming two weeks after the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic in the State.
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‎The NFF-D Licence exercise is coordinated by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, alongside Edema Fuludu, Peggy Ubenye Ulu, Monday Odigie, among others.
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‎The chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Barr Porbeni Ogun, who was represented by Mr Zuzu Ebimotimi, Head of Secretariat, Prosperity Cup, who doubles as the Chairman of All Stars International, Yenagoa, in his remarks noted that the programme is a reflection of the dream and aspirations of the FA and the Prosperity Cup to see Bayelsa coaches excel at the global stage.
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‎He urged the various participants to pay rapt attention to details, that the exercise was the beginning of success for grassroots coaches in Bayelsa, maintaining that securing the NFF-D Licence certificate would place them well ahead of their contemporaries who are yet to obtain the certificate.
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‎Also speaking , the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe, who was represented by the Head of Governmental Affairs and Community Relations, Prosperity Cup, Rev. Vincent Dowell, remarked that the programme was apt and auspicious due to the continued growth of grassroots football in Bayelsa state.
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‎Mr Akpe asserted that the organisers of the Prosperity Cup will not relent in their quest to see that grassroots coaches in the state are equipped with modern coaching techniques, urging all the participants to take full advantage of this rare opportunity.
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‎The NFF Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, explained that the D-License course, which is in modules, is a prerequisite for qualifying coaches to take part in the CAF-C License course, adding that it is for beginners, and must last a minimum of 60 hours.
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‎According to him, the coaching course was designed to enhance the capacity of coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges, maintaining that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the nation.
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Our correspondent in an interview with ‎two of the participants said they were grateful to the organizers for giving them the opportunity,which they would not take for granted.
Mr Anthony Fouye of Afini FC and Mr Mere Freeborn of Hope Alive FC, shared their thoughts of the coaching programme, in separate interviews.

According to Anthony Fouye, who is the Chairman of Bayelsa Grassroots Football Coaches Association, he is excited to be part of the programme, pointing out that the course represents an opportunity in their coaching career to learn and re-learn and improved on their officiating.
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‎He posited, “This course represents a valuable opportunity because it is a key requirement for every serious coach who aspires to grow professionally and strengthen their coaching Curriculum Vitae and career. The programme would help us to raise the bar and the standard of coaching and improve the over-all quality of football development in the State”. they stated.
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‎On his part, Mr Mere Freeborn of Hope Alive FC, said “We strongly believe that after this coaching course, there will be a significant increase in the level of knowledge, technical understanding, and impactful among coaches within the state”.