The opening ceremony of the first edition of the Late Chief G.U. Ake Memorial Football Comppetitions for all families of Erema Town in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local government Area, Rivers State kicked off on Sunday 3rd December, 2017, at the Community Secondary School Field, Erema, with the opening match ending up in a 5-2 defeat against the Umu-Agbna family by the Umu-Orukwo-Ellah family.
The competition attracted dignitaries from all walks of life as well as families and friends, supporters and well-wishers, sons and daughters of Erema and ONELGA.
In his opening speech, the sponsor of the tournament and son of late Ake, Hon. Ellah Ake, expressed gratitude to the people of Erema, for setting aside their various businesses and coming out in their numbers to celebrate his late father, saying that it speaks volume of the person and character of the late politician. According to him, the turnout is an indication that his name still lives on even in death.
His words, “I want to use this opportunity to thank the people of Erema, for standing behind Chief G.U. Ake, for good 40 years of his political life. I also want to thank the APC as a party, who stood by him during his career and his final days, especially, the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, who was by my father’s bedside when it really mattered”.
Hon. Ellah said his father was a peace-maker and a bridge builder who was well known for his philanthropic gestures among his community members and beyond.
He said, “We all know that the late Chief G.U. Ake, laid a very solid foundation in his community and his state and encouraged peaceful co-existence among his community members”.
Ellah added that: “ Our coming here is just to celebrate him and to also tell the community people of the need to live together in peace and harmony, that’s the essence of this memorial celebration.”
He assured the people of the continuation of the competition, adding that it is one of avenues through which the people can be galvanized to follow the path of peace.
The sponsor also advised the teams to work hard and to exhibit a sense of sportsmanship and fairplay.
He also announced the prizes to be won in the competition.
“There is a cup. We have all seen what it looks like. There is 100, 000 for the first prize, 80.000 for the second prize and 50.000 for the third prize, and the best player will have a prize, the best team a prize and also the best goalkeeper,” he said.
In a vote of thanks, the Ochi Oha 1 of Erema, Eze Bright Odeyi thanked all who contributed in making the event a success especially members of the Local Organising Committee(LOC) led by Nwabueze Ikoro.
Highpoints of the event was cultural display by different groups in the area.
