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Photospeaks: grand finale of the Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling tournament 2022 edition

Today, I marked the grand finale of the 2022 edition of the Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling tournament which the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation (HSDF) instituted in memory of my late father, Pa Nanaye Dickson.

The competition is essentially a grassroots and community-based tournament aimed at discovering new talents. It begins at the community level where the champions assemble at the constituency headquarters to compete for the constituency championship, thereafter all the champions will assemble at the Local Government headquarters to compete for the Local Government championship.

Today was the meeting of all these champions to select and give prizes to the overall winner and the runners-up. Meanwhile, consolation prizes were also given to all the participants.

The first prize was #500,000, the second #300,000, the third prize ₦200,000 and seven consolation prizes of #100,000 each were given to all the other participants.

I thanked the paramount rulers, especially that of Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government, the Regent of Tarakiri, the High chiefs and the leaders who were present. I also appreciated the youths and women who turned out in their numbers to enjoy the event and the security for maintaining peace. I thanked the organising committee whose chairman was the Late Suoye Lokoja for their selflessness. I observed a minute’s silence in his honour and my foundation also presented a cash donation to his family.

The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation needs the support and encouragement of all and is open to working with all to deepen the Ijaw traditional wrestling. I thanked everyone for being part of it, including the media for the real-time reportage.

While I congratulated all the winners, I look forward to hosting the 2023 edition of the competition by the grace of God.

Lastly, I called on the youths of the Senatorial District, the state and the Niger Delta to strive to be the best at their endeavours and abstain from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices that will ruin their lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, I marked the grand finale of the 2022 edition of the Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling tournament which the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation (HSDF) instituted in memory of my late father, Pa Nanaye Dickson.
The competition is essentially a grassroot and community based tournament aimed at discovering new talents. It begins at the community level where the champions assemble at the constituency headquarters to compete for the constituency championship, thereafter all the champions will assemble at the Local Government headquaters to compete for the Local Government championship.
Today was the meeting of all these champions to select and give prizes to the overall winner and the runners up. Meanwhile consolation prizes were also given to all the participants.
The first prize was #500,000, the second #300,000, the third prize ₦200,000 and seven consolation prizes of #100,000 each was given to all the other participants.
I thanked the paramount rulers especially that of Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government, the Regent of Tarakiri, the High chiefs and leaders who were present. I also appreciated the youths and women who turned out in their numbers to enjoy the event and the security for maintaining peace. I thanked the organising committee whose chairman was the Late Suoye Lokoja for their selflesness. I observed a minute silence in his honour and my foundation also presented a cash donation to his family.
The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation needs the support and encouragement of all and is open to work with all to deepen the Ijaw traditional wrestling. I thanked everyone for being part of it, including the media for the real-time reportage.
While I congratulated all the winners, I look forward to hosting the 2023 edition of the competition by the grace of God.
Lastly I called on the youths of the Senatorial District, the state and Niger Delta to strive to be the best at their endeavours and abstain from cultism, drug abuse and other social vices that will ruin their lives.

PA NANAYE DICKSON WRESTLING COMPETITION: WINNERS EMERGED FROM EKEREMOR CONSTITUENCY 3

…AS ALADDIN OKEREBI OF AGBIDIAMA EMERGES CHAMPION TO TAKE HOME ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND NAIRA.
Mr Aladdin Okerebi of Agbidiama has emerged winner of Ekeremor Constituency three after beating Mr Alex Lugard of Agge. He went home with a N100,000 cash prize and a gold medal.
Mr Alex Lugard came second and got #70,000 with a Silver medal while Victor Omoro of Agge defeated Mr Passman Timothy of Egbema-Angalabiri, to finish third and got the bronze medal and #50,000 prize money.
This ends the Constituency wrestling matches for Ekeremor and Sagbama LGAs. Attention will now shift to the Local Government Finals in Ekeremor and Sagbama the which holds on the 12th and 13th of January 2022.
The Pa Nanaye Dickson annual wrestling tournament which is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation is a tournament designed to discover hidden talents in traditional Ijaw wrestling amongst the youths of Bayelsa West and help promote and project such talents to the world.

Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition: Solomon Folua of Ayamassa Community emerged Champion of Constituency 1

EKEREMOR comes alive for Ijaw TRADITIONAL WRESTLING as youths of Constituency 1 take to the Mat in the NANAYE DICKSON WRESTLING TOURNAMENT.
Solomon Folua of Ayamassa Community emerged Champion of Constituency 1 and took home N100k cash.
Oweilayefa Freeborn of Sampou was the runners up with N70K
and Orderly Ebigha also of Sampou came third to receive N50k!
….The competition continues for Constituency 2 tomorrow.

Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament: Sagbama Constituency 2 Produces Champions

…Lucky Contractor From Toru Ebeni Emerges Champion, takes N100, 000 Cash Prize

…As Constituency 3 Starts Today

The one going Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament organized by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation has reached its final stage in SAGBAMA LGA, as Constituency 3 is all set to have its contests today, December 4th, 2022 at the country home of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in Toru-Orua by 12noon.

Earlier on Sunday, 2nd of January 2022, Constituency 2 had its day and produced its champions. Coming in the first position was Lucky Contractor from Toru Ebeni Community who grappled with other contestants to take home the Constituency cash prize of N100, 000 donated by the sponsor. In the second position was Ayanka Gideon from Sagbama Community who won a cash price of N70, 000 while Kolo Tamaranpreye from Toru-Ebeni came third with a cash price of N50, 000.

In an interview with our reporter, they expressed their gratitude to God and the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation for providing the opportunity for them to showcase their talents and also win prizes at the tournament. They stated that in the history of traditional Ijaw wrestling tournaments, no one has organized such a far-reaching wrestling competition as what they are presently experiencing. The Local Organising Committee members also commended the sponsor for this initiative that it said promises to produce many future champions as participants have now been talent-spotted from the local communities who have never participated in any national or international competitions.

Today, January 4th is day 3 of the tournament designed to produce champions who will move on to the next round of the annual tournament in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The venue is in Toru Orua, designated for all Sagbama LGA matches at the Country Home of Founder of the HSD Foundation, Former Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Henry Seriake Dickson.

The Consultant to the Tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe reaffirmed that invited youths for SAGBAMA CONSTITUENCY 3 shall wrestle on the 4TH of JANUARY, at TORU ORUA, SAGBAMA from 12 noon daily.

The Ekeremor LGA Tournament dates for Constituencies 1-3 are scheduled to take place between the 6th and 10th of January, 2022 in Ekeremor Town, Ekeremor LGA.

The statement further said that the Sagbama Local Government Area finals holds on the 12th of January while the Ekeremor Local Government Finals will hold on the 13TH of January, 2022.

Prize money for the tournament will be Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500, 000) for the first prize, while the Second Prize is Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300, 000) and Third Prize is Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200, 000) respectively for each of the top three Champions.

Just as the sponsor has said everybody in this tournament is a champion, One Hundred Thousand Naira will be given as consolation prizes to Seven finalists. Other prizes will be given as follows,
Sagbama & Ekeremor LGA champions will receive Two Hundred Thousand Naira (200, 000).
Six constituency Champions will receive One Hundred Thousand Naira each while Runners up will get Seventy Thousand Naira (N70, 000) and the third position will receive Fifty Thousand Naira each (N50, 000). The statement said logistics shall also be given to all Wrestlers.

The statement said further that, the Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament is for wrestlers who have not participated in any State, National or International Competitions.

In conclusion, the statement asked all interested wrestlers to contact LOC Chairman; SUOYE LOKOJA on 08030870370 and LOC Secretary; ARE AGBEREKEME on 08030870370 or OWU FINIDI OWU on 08038826931.

The Nanaye Dickson Grassroots Traditional Wrestling Tournament is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and its aim is to talent spot future national and international wrestling champions.

Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament: Harrison Isreal of Ofoni Community emerges Champion of SAGBAMA Constituency 1

…As Constituency 2 wrestlers lock horns  in Toru Orua

Young , well built and energetic, Harrison Isreal of Ofoni Community overpowered a line up of 31 young and vibrant wrestlers to emerge champion of Constituency 1 and take home the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000) cash prize at the annual edition of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament.

The tournament  flagged off from Toru Orua at an opening ceremony laced with exciting and inspiring music embedded in the rhythmic pattern of Ijaw drum beats , horns and sonorous songs to urge the combatants on. With strained sinews, grappling against each other, youths of SAGBAMA Constituency 1 in Bayelsa State clearly showed why Wrestling is touted as a sport ingenious to the Ijaw people.

The second position went to Bekekala Ebimobowei from Bolou-Orua community and he got a prize money of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70, 000), while the third position went to Bekesuomowei Marine from Bulou-Orua community and he received a cash prize of Fifty Thousand Naira (N50, 000) donated by the sponsor, Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and presented by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

Also during the New Year Break, January 2nd, battle is currently ongoing in SAGBAMA Constituency 2 with over 30 registered wrestlers lined up to engage each other once again in Toru Orua, venue for all wrestling tournaments in SAGBAMA LGA. It would be the turn of Constituency 3  on the 4th and 5th of January, 2022 at the same venue to complete the Constituency qualifiers.

The LOC according to a press release by the Tournament Consultant, Mr. Ono Akpe, has also decided to hold all the wrestling bouts for the Ekeremor  Local Government Area in Ekeremor Town. Thus the matches would hold between the 6th and 10th of January 2022.

The Sagbama Local Government Finals will take place on the 12th of January in Toru Orua, while the Ekeremor Local Government Finals will hold on the 13th of January, 2022 in Ekeremor

Speaking earlier to press men during the opening ceremony in Toru Orua, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, on behalf of his Foundation, thanked the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee Suoye Lokoja and other members of the LOC for the good organization of this grassroots community based Wrestling Tournament.

Senator Dickson earlier noted that, Bayelsa State has more wrestling champions than any State in Nigeria or country in Africa and that this effort of the Foundation will help to talent spot future African Champions and Olympic medalists like Blessing Oborodudu, Victor Kodei, etc.

He said beyond those who won the first, second and third positions, all participants in the tournament today and those who will take place to the end were winners. He said his foundation was more interested in the future of the youthful participants.

He said the Grassroots  community based Traditional Wrestling Tournament is in honour of his late father, and an attempt to  keep to the legacy of his father, a great wrestler in his time who groomed many young wrestlers, that he is sponsoring this tournament through the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

He added that his desire to keep the art of  wrestling alive in Ijaw land because it was a land of champions, further inspired him to support the sport more. He added that he has been told by the LOC that they have already  spotted many prospective champions at the beginning of the tournament which was quite impressive. Senator Dickson equally gave all participants five thousand naira each as logistics support.

Senator Dickson later led a procession of wrestlers, spectators and other guests to his fathers compound, the final resting place of his late father, Pa Nanaye Dickson amidst drumming and dancing.

Pa Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition Schedule

The LOC invites youths from Sagbama and Ekeremor LGA to the ANNUAL NANAYE DICKSON Wrestling Tournament @ Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA & Ekeremor town, Ekeremor LGA on;

SAGBAMA CONSTITUENCY 3
4TH JANUARY
VENUE; TORU ORUA, SAGBAMA
TIME: 8AM DAILY.

EKEREMOR LGA
CONSTITUENCY 1-3 MATCHES
6TH & 10TH JANUARY
VENUE; EKEREMOR TOWN,
EKEREMOR

SAGBAMA LOCAL GOVT FINALS:
12TH OF JANUARY
&
EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVT FINALS:
13TH JANUARY
1ST PRIZE: N500k
2ND PRIZE; N300k
&
3RD PRIZE; N200K
N100k consolation prize for 7 wrestlers

 

Sagbama & Ekeremor LGA
CHAMPIONS shall receive N200k each 6 CONSTITUENCY CHAMPIONS:
N100k each.
RUNNERS UP; N70K
&
3RD PLACE: N50K

Logistics shall be given to all Wrestlers.
This tournament is for wrestlers who have not participated in State, National or International Competitions.

FOR PARTICIPATION:

LOC Chairman; Suoye Lokoja;
08030870370.
Secretary; Are Agberekeme; 08030870370.
&
Finidi O. 08038826931.

POWERED BY;
Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.

PA NANAYE DICKSON WRESTLING COMPETITION SET TO LIGHT UP BAYELSA WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT; TO HOLD IN TORU ORUA

Following the conclusion of the Senator Seriake Dickson Football Tournament known as the Ofurumapepe Cup, another sporting event is set to commence at the same Senatorial District, Bayelsa West.

The Organising Committee of the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament, says all is set for the tourney to commence, as the Bayelsa West Senatorial District will be agog from tomorrow to the second week of next year.

Recall the Youth and Sports Development Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, a few weeks ago, had unveiled the tournament, in Abuja, in the presence of other stakeholders in the sector including the Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Senator Obinna Ogba, Vice President Nigeria Amateur Wrestling Federation Christopher Amkpila amongst others, where he commended Senator Dickson for his support for sports development in the country.

This is as it has thrown an open invitation to interested youths from Sagbama and Ekeremor Council Areas, to be available for participation at the tourney.

A statement signed by the Technical Consultant of the tournament, Mr Ono Akpe, said the opening ceremony will take place at Sagbama Constituency 1, on the 30th and 31st of December, 2021, then 2nd and 3rd of January, 2022 for Sagbama Constituency 2, while that of Constituency 3, is on the 4th and 5th of January.

Commencement Dates for Ekeremor Council Area, are 6th and 7th for Constituency 1, 8th and 9th for Constituency 2, and 10th and 11th for Constituency 3, while the finals for Sagbama LGA is on the 12th, and the finals for Ekeremor LGA is on the 13th.

According to the statement, the winner of the competition will receive a cash reward of five hundred thousand naira, the first runner up, three hundred thousand naira, and second runner up wins two hundred thousand naira, with seven qualifying wrestlers going home with one hundred thousand naira each.

The statement equally added that the LG champions from Sagbama and Ekeremor shall receive two hundred thousand naira each, six constituency champions shall take home one hundred thousand naira each, runners up will win seventy thousand naira, while second runner up, fifty thousand naira each.

Mr Akpe stressed that the tournament is designed specifically to discover hidden talents from the communities, and warned that only wrestlers who have not participated in any state, national or international competition are eligible.

Ofurumapepe Cup: Senator Dickson calls on IOCs, Corporate Bodies to Support Sports Development In Bayelsa

The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State and the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on the international oil companies in the Niger Delta and other corporate bodies to support sports development in Bayelsa.

Dickson spoke during the final of the Ofuruma Pepe Cup sponsored by his foundation, the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation, at the Sagbama headquarters of Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

He stressed that it was indeed critical for the IOCs and the corporate bodies to take deliberate steps to support Sports development as it cannot be left in the hands of the state government alone.

Dickson who called on all to join hands in sports development said Bayelsa was a state of champions which was number one in wrestling in Nigeria and Africa.

The just-concluded community-based grassroots football competition, which involved 100 teams and 1000 young boys were designed to enable the HSD Foundation to talent spot young footballers.

Senator Dickson said, “We will not be getting it right if we leave sports development for the state government alone. I hereby use the opportunity to call on well-meaning members of Bayelsa State as well as corporate citizens to help in picking one area of sports development to help the State government.”

Senator Dickson said that the Ofurumapepe Cup tournament, one of the initiatives of his foundation, was launched before he left office.

The former Governor said he was passionate about Sports Development, Education and the promotion of the Ijaw Culture as part of his modest contributions to societal development.

Dickson thanked the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Moses Cleopas, political office holders, traditional rulers and other dignitaries for attending the occasion.

The Senator also recalled that a few weeks ago, his Foundation also unveiled the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Classics, noting that Bayelsa State had more wrestling champions than most countries put together.

He said the Seriake Dickson Foundation was supporting the Bayelsa Government to talent spot young Bayelsan Wrestlers who will take over from the current wrestling Champions.

He added that the HSD Foundation would declare open the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament on the 30th of December, 2021.

“These tournaments are to give our youths the opportunity to engage themselves meaningfully. Naturally, we are very concerned about the alarming rate of cultism and drug abuse, among our youths, and it is the plan of the Foundation to work hard to ensure that the youths are better than our own generation. The main aim is to enable the youths to engage themselves meaningfully.” He added.

The former Governor also announced his intention to launch a football club in the next couple of weeks or months to be known as the Ofurumapepe Club.

Also speaking, the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, thanked Senator Dickson for sponsoring such a competition at this economically trying period to engage the youths, particularly during the Yuletide. He congratulated Senator Dickson for the thoughtfulness in engaging young boys.

He said there had been no such competition in the state-sponsored by any member of Parliament at the national level. He said Dickson was the first to do it and hoped that Senator Cleopas who was watching would do the same for the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District.

The final match of the game was played in Sagbama on Thursday, between the Torugbene 2 FC of Ekeremor LGA and Odoni FC of Sagbama LGA which the latter won with a lone goal.

The Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Competition Announcement

WRESTLING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Local Organising Committee invites interested able-bodied youths from Sagbama and Ekeremor LGA to the Annual Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament holding at Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA on the following dates;

OPENING CEREMONY:
SAGBAMA LGA
CONSTITUENCY 1;
30TH & 31ST DECEMBER 2021

CONSTITUENCY 2;
2ND & 3RD JANUARY 2022.

CONSTITUENCY 3
4TH & 5TH JANUARY

EKEREMOR LGA
CONSTITUENCY 1
6TH & 7TH JANUARY

CONSTITUENCY 2
8TH & 9TH JANUARY

AND

CONSTITUENCY 3
10TH & 11TH JANUARY

SAGBAMA LOCAL GOVT FINALS: 12TH OF JANUARY

&

EKEREMOR LOCAL GOVT FINALS: 13TH JANUARY

VENUE; TORU ORUA, SAGBAMA LGA
TIME: 8 AM DAILY

THE WINNER OF THIS TOURNAMENT SHALL GO HOME WITH A WHOPPING N500k Cash !!!

2nd Prize: N300k

and

3rd prize; N200K cash

100k consolation prize shall also be won by 7 qualifying wrestlers

Equally, Sagbama and Ekeremor CHAMPIONS shall receive a N200k cash prize each

SIX CONSTITUENCY CHAMPION shall take home N100k each, RUNNERS-UP; N70k and 3rd place; N50K each.

This tournament is designed specifically to discover hidden talents in our communities therefore ONLY wrestlers who have not participated in any State, National or International Competition are eligible.

FOR REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION…Please call the following ;

Chairman LOC Suoye Lokoja;
08030870370.

SECRETARY;
Are Agberekeme; 08030870370.

OR

Owu Finidi Owu 08038826931.

This Tournament is an initiative of The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation