By Concerned Utagba-Uno Citizens
The 2026 Utagba-Uno Champion of Champions Cup, sponsored by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Hon. Chief Festus M. Ochonogor, has been widely acknowledged as a bold and commendable initiative aimed at strengthening peaceful coexistence, youth engagement and communal unity within the Utagba-Uno clan.
As an illustrious son of the soil, Chief Ochonogor’s decision to bankroll a ward-based football competition across the three wards of Utagba-Uno has brought renewed attention to grassroots sports and its power to mobilise youths, promote healthy competition and foster social cohesion. The tournament attracted wide interest, enthusiasm and attendance from across the clan and beyond, reaffirming sports as a unifying force when properly harnessed.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Hon. Chief Festus M. Ochonogor for his generosity and vision in sponsoring a tournament of this scale, which many have rightly described as one of its kind in the history of Utagba-Uno. His support sent a strong message about the importance of investing in youth and community-centred initiatives.
We congratulate Ward 4 for emerging champions of the Utagba-Uno Clan Football Contest after an exciting and competitive outing. Their achievement reflects dedication, teamwork and discipline. We also commend Ward 3, which finished in second position, and Ward 2, which secured third place. All participating teams deserve praise for contributing to a tournament that showcased local talent and sportsmanship among the youths.
Our appreciation also goes to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha, Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Sports Development, and members of the organising team for their efforts in planning and executing the competition. The presence and commendation of notable stakeholders and leaders further underscored the importance of the event to the wider Utagba-Uno community.
However, while acknowledging the overall success of the tournament, it is necessary to raise serious and genuine concerns in the interest of fairness, transparency and sustainable unity. A ward competition, by its very nature, requires prior information, broad consultation and an open, inclusive selection process, particularly when a ward comprises multiple communities.
In the case of Ward 3, the decision to single-handedly select Ndemili Community as the sole representative, without involving other constituent communities, raises troubling questions. Ward 3 is made up of Ndemili, Olieogo Umuseti, Ulogo Isumpe and the Farm Settlement. Excluding these communities from the selection process reflects a lack of transparency, inadequate consultation and poor communication through appropriate channels or an intentional act to exclude Communities, probably because of the cash prize involved.
A ward team ought to reflect the collective identity of the ward, not one community chosen by default. The short notice given for organising the tournament should not be used as justification for a poorly managed recruitment or selection process. Experience has shown that when mobilisation is required for elections where numbers are critical or political engagements, every community is reached within a short period. The same seriousness and inclusiveness should apply to sporting activities that claim to promote unity.
Football has once again proven to be a powerful tool for youth mobilisation, social cohesion and inclusiveness. Unfortunately, the just-concluded tournament fell short of fully achieving this purpose due to the exclusion of some communities and the absence of a transparent selection framework. Looking at the outcomes, particularly with Ward 3 receiving a cash reward, there are legitimate concerns about how such proceeds will be shared, given that only the Ndemili Community represented the ward. Issues like these, if not addressed openly, have the potential to breed resentment rather than unity.
The unity of Utagba-Uno is critical. However, unity cannot thrive without honesty, transparency, inclusiveness, fairness, equity and justice. These values are the foundation upon which lasting peace and unity are built.
While appreciating Chief Ochonogor for sponsoring the tournament, we respectfully appeal to him to consider initiating and delivering a life-transforming and impactful legacy project for Utagba-Uno. No indigene of Utagba-Uno has occupied such a strategic position of influence in recent times. This rare opportunity should be leveraged, as no one can predict when such a window will open again.
Despite the abundant human capital and high-profile individuals produced by Utagba-Uno, the community remains among the least developed in Ndokwa West. Beyond primary and secondary school buildings, there is little to show in terms of government presence or critical public institutions. Utagba-Uno lacks a general hospital, a police station, a functional skills acquisition centre, banking facilities and reliable road networks.
Even the few kilometres of road awarded from Ndemili towards Utagba-Uno are poorly executed, either due to a lack of capacity on the part of the contractor or inadequate funding. Furthermore, despite the commendable effort of Okwa I. B. Ochonogor towards electrification, Utagba-Uno has yet to enjoy electricity supply and remains one of the few communities in Ndokwa West without light.
We therefore urge Hon. Chief Festus M. Ochonogor to use the time remaining in office to write his name in gold by championing legacy projects that will directly improve the quality of life of the people. Investments in healthcare, security, power supply, skills development and road infrastructure will leave enduring footprints and ensure that his tenure is remembered as one that truly transformed Utagba-Uno.
Sports can unite us, but development sustains unity. Utagba-Uno has the people and the potential. What is needed now is inclusive leadership and bold, lasting intervention.
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