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

Organisers of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as Prosperity Cup, in collaboration with the Bayelsa State Football Association, are set to host a coaching course for football coaches in the state.

The week-long coaching course, billed to take place at the Golden Tulip Resort at Onopa, Yenagoa, is coming barely two two weeks after the FC Barcelona/Prosperity Cup International Coaching Clinic.

While the previous coaching clinic was conducted by Bernard Villa Gorriz and Alberto Rincon, both technical officials of FC Barcelona Academy, the current coaching course will be coordinated by the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Augustine Eguavoen, alongside Edema Fuludu and Monday Odigie.

The Barcelona international coaching clinic dwelt on the Barcelona philosophy and methodology. On the other hand, the NFF-coordinated programme is expected to bring in the African robustness, as well as the Nigerian brilliance, resourcefulness, flair and flavour.

The NFF D-licenced coaching course, will commence on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 and will run for one week.

The programme, which will feature 35 coaches, is aimed at having a rich reservoir of CAF-licenced coaches in the state.

According to the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Barr Poubeni Ogun, “Thirty-five coaches would be participating in the course. The NFF has been empowered by CAF to award a D-license. The NFF is, therefore, a certificate awarding body now. The only way you can study for the next certificate, which is CAF-C, is if one has the NFF D-license.”

Continuing, Ogun said “The goal of the Bayelsa State FA and the organisers of the Prosperity Cup is to create a large pool of CAF-licensed coaches in the state. This, we believe, would massively enhance the standard of players trained in the state.”

Sharing his thoughts on the coaching course, Chairman of the Bayelsa State Grassroots Coaches Association, Anthony Fouye said “I am very excited and elated about the NFF-D License Coaching Course taking place right here in Bayelsa State. This is truly a welcome development and a very important milestone for coaches within the state.

“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 CV and career. Programmes like this help to raise the standard of coaching and improve the overall quality of football development.
I strongly believe that after this coaching course, there will be a significant increase in the level of knowledge, technical understanding, and impact among coaches within the state and across Nigeria.

I consider it a great privilege and honour to be one of the participants in this important coaching programme. By God’s grace, the impact and knowledge gained here will not only be felt in Bayelsa State but will also extend nationally and even globally.”