By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎Ogbia Local Government Area defending champions, Citiboi FC have been bundled out of Season 8 of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, christened the Prosperity Cup.
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‎Aperetia FC of Imiringi shocked Citiboi FC one goal to nil to produce one of the biggest upsets of the tournament in an encounter decided at the Otuabagi centre, thanks to Newman Happiness’ second half goal, which has sent them to the next round of the competition.
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In the second tie at the Otuabagi centre, ‎Abureni FC beat United FC by 4-2 on penalties after a one-all draw in regulation time. Gabriel Azibateni put Abureni FC ahead on 29 minutes but United FC responded 40 minutes later to drag the tie into the anxiety of penalty shootout.
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‎Elsewhere at the Kolo centre, Movers FC of Otuasega humbled Emeyal 2 FC by two goals to nil to keep their hopes of winning the ₦30,000,000.00 prize money and trophy intact, after a sloppy start. Agbori Nitoni’s second brace at the Kolo centre helped Abagi FC to beat the Diocese of Ogbia.
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‎Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Joyful Assembly at the Otuasega Centre white-washed Obada FC by four goals to one while the hopes of Hope Alive FC winning the tournament was dashed as they were pummeled by four goals to one by Emeyal 1 FC.
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‎Edi 1 FC at the Otuokpoti centre triumphed 5-3 on penalties against Otuekpein FC after a two-all draw in regulation time. Edi 1 FC came from two goals down to defeat their opponents. Hummels Jnr FC in the second game, spanked Experience Boys four nil to secure a seamless passage into the next round.
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‎Otuegwe 1 FC in the last match at the Otuokpoti centre edged out Warriors Stars FC three nil to advance to the next phase of the competition.
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‎Elebele FC at the Imiringi centre eased out De Paul’z FC by three goals to one while Coach Mirupu Eda-tutored Agholo United in the second game at the Imiringi centre took Friends FC to the cleaners with a two nil victory, courtesy of Precious and Reward Believe’s goals on 49 and 67 minutes respectively.
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‎Elsewhere at the Nembe City and Okpoama centres in Nembe and Brass LGAs respectively, Okoroma United triumphed 4-1 on penalties to secure a Round of 32 ticket after a one-all draw in regulation time. Igoni FC pipped Formosa FC by a lone goal to secure a slot in the round of 32.
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‎Hostilities will resume on Sunday, 15th March, 2026 in Ogbia Local Government Area as Ekeremor LGA gets underway.

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.