His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, this evening graced the finals of the maiden edition of the football tournament sponsored by Senator representing Bayelsa West and former Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
The tournament tagged,” Ofurumapepe cup is for all communities in Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas.
Odoni community lifted the cup after a one-nil victory over Toru-gbene community.
Gov. Diri, who was the Special Guest of Honour, at the finals held at the Sagbama town football pitch, commended Senator Dickson for the tournament aimed at discovering young talents for a rewarding footballing career.
Gov. Diri advised other members of the National Assembly from the State to replicate this competition in their various constituencies.
“I want to thank Your Excellency, the Senator for trying at this very rough economic times to come up with a competition to engage our youth and particularly, in this season of Yuletide.
Let me use this opportunity to call on our representatives at the National level to replicate what His Excellency, the distinguished Senator is doing in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, and we believe that this is the only way to bring our Youths to the line of discovering themselves. I’m very sure that at the end of this competition, we will discover some new talents again.
So, let me on behalf of your Government and the good people of the state, say a very big thank you to you, and congratulations
and appreciations for the thoughtfulness of engaging our Boys in this times.”
Odoni FC of Sagbama LGA has won the 2021 edition of the Ofurumapepe Cup by a lone goal scored by Benatare Bob.
They will go home with N2,000,000 courtesy of Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and the Bayelsa State government who announced the addition of 500k.
2nd place goes home with 1,300,000, courtesy of the HSD Foundation 800k and the Bayelsa State Government 500k.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in his remarks called on IOC’s, Corporate bodies others to support Bayelsa government in sports development as Odoni Community Sagbama LGA beat Toruogbene 2 Community of Ekeremor by a lone goal to win the maiden edition of the ofurumapepe cup sponsored and organised by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Bayelsa Chapter, on boxing Day, presented an Award of Excellence, to His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, for his contributions towards Sports Development in Bayelsa State.
Senator Dickson displaying the award plaque he received on the 26th of December from the Bayelsa State Chapter of SWAN
Chairman Bayelsa SWAN, Comrade Alambo Datonye, while presenting the award to the former Governor, eulogised him for initiating and completing all projects executed in the subsector, during his reign as Governor of the state.
Comrade Datonye stressed that the Bayelsa sports writer’s association would continue to throw its weight behind Dickson’s programs, especially the soon to be concluded Ofurumapepe Cup, and the forthcoming Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition, just as he expressed hope that the award will spur him to contribute more to Sports Development.
Bayelsa State SWAN Chairman made his remarks before the presentation
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, while receiving the award, appreciated SWAN, for supporting his sporting activities, urging the association not to relent in their profession.
According to the Senator, sports remains a tool for promoting unity and togetherness, and also a panacea for grooming young talents, some of who will emerge professionals in the nearest future, urging well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to team up with the government in developing the sector.
In his words, “Sports Development is key, it promotes tourism, it’s for healthy living and lifestyle, youth engagement, and cuts across all aspects of life”.
“So I call on the Federal Government, to partner with the Bayelsa Government in transforming the Asoama Sports Academy, after the Memorandum of Understanding we signed with the Sports Minister. That Academy is meant to export talents, and I am proud of the work I and my team did there. I also call on private individuals, corporate bodies to support sports. They can pick any of the sports and sponsor it, everything about sports and maintenance of its facilities cannot be left for government alone.”
Former Permanent Secretary Government House, Yenagoa, former Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obiobite and former Sagbama LGA Chairman all under former Governor Dickson of Bayelsa State were also present to grace the occasion
The immediate past Governor dedicated the award to his team who worked with him to deliver his mandate, as he announced his readiness to set up a football club, to be known as Ofurumapepe Football Club.
Senator Dickson equally extended his appreciation to media houses and pressmen for their cooperation with his administration during his tenure, assuring that as a Senator he will unveil more programs in Sports, Education and Culture in the near future.
The Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation shall continue to support various activities in sports, education, health care, culture and tourism he concluded.
Senator Dickson displaying his Bayelsa SWAN Award Plaque
SPORTS ACHIEVEMENTS OF SENATOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON:
In presenting the award to Senator Dickson, SWAN, Bayelsa State Chapter said, in their sector of coverage, which is sports, there is no doubt, that Dickson has left a remarkable legacy, that will be remembered for many years.
Therefore, they were delighted that the projects he conceived and executed in the sports sector, were completed and that goes to show his love for the sector. The projects were listed as follows; Renovated Samson Siasia Ultra-Modern Stadium, World Class Golf Course, Polo Centre, the Sports Academy, Asoama, Nembe City Stadium. Others are, Initiating And Sponsoring three Editions of the Governor’s Cup (Restoration Cup), the Restoration Boys, the Youth Team, Coming 3rd in the African Youth Cup In Cape Verde, Hosting The National Wrestling Classics (Now An Annual Event In The Wrestling Calander Of Bayelsa State) and adopted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
SWAN further listed reasons for the award as the former governor Dickson’s support of the National Wrestling Federation and the National Wrestling Team that excelled in International Tournaments, Massively improved results at the National Sports Festival, hosting of the Female Aiteo Cup Finals (Which Has Been Regarded As The Best Ever By Football Pundits), fulfilment of his promise by sponsoring the Senator Dickson Football Tournament for Bayelsa West Senatorial District, being serially victorious as Milo Basketball Champions (5 Times Milo National Schools Female Basketball Championship, Saint Judes Girls Model Secondary School, Amarata).
SWAN Exco, Bayelsa Chapter members at the event
Senator Dickson’s honouring of Sports Men and Women including Olympian, Blessing Oborodudu and her Coach And National Coach, African and Commonwealth Wrestling Champion, Victor Kodei Amongst Others.
Further reasons for the award were, Dickson’s continued hosting of the Annual Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament, Promotion Of Ijaw Traditional Wrestling to National and International Recognition. Etc.
Senator Dickson flanked on both sides by Bayelsa State Executive members of the state SWAN including Technical Consultant of the Ofurumapepe Cup, Mr Ono Akpe
In conclusion, SWAN Bayelsa said it was with great joy and pride, that the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Bayelsa Chapter on behalf of the youths of Bayelsa State, sports lovers and enthusiasts along with other stakeholders in Bayelsa State and beyond presents an award to one of the most celebrated leaders of Ijaw extraction, and indeed the Niger Delta region, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
The final match of the Ofurumapepe Cup comes up tomorrow, 28th of December, 2021 at the Sagbama Local Government Stadium while the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament will start on Thursday, 30th of December, 2021.
All is now set for finals of the maiden edition of the annual Senator Henry Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, known as the Ofurumapepe Cup.
In a statement signed by the Technical Consultant of the competition, Mr. Ono Akpe, Tuesday, December 28th, has been fixed for the grand finale which will be held in Sagbama Town at 2 pm in the presence of top government functionaries and sports lovers.
According to the statement, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri Governor of Bayelsa State is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour, while the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo is the Guest of Honour. The Commissioner of Sports, Hon Daniel Igali is expected to be the special guest, while the former board member of the Nigerian Football Federation and CAF Medical Committee Member, Dr. Peter Singabele, will be the Chairman of the occasion.
Other Special Guests expected to grace the occasion include Chief Thompson Okorotie, Chairman, Bayelsa PDP Elders caucus and Chairman Ekeremor PDP Elders caucus, Elder Fyneman Wilson, Vice Chairman, Bayelsa PDP Elders caucus and Chairman Sagbama PDP caucus.
The Royal Fathers of the Day are the Chairmen of Sagbama LGA Traditional Council and Ekeremor LGA Traditional Council.
The Chairman of Ekeremor LGA, Hon. Bertola Perekeme and his counterpart from Sagbama LGA, Hon. Embeleakpo Alale will be hosts, while the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Ekeremor-Sagbama Constituency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who arrived Bayelsa from Abuja on Friday 24th December, is the Chief Host of the competition.
Mr Akpe stated that top government functionaries from the constituency, stakeholders and all sports lovers are also invited to attend the finals and enjoy the best of grassroots football, from Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
The final match would be played between Odoni Community FC of Sagbama and Torugbene 11 Community FC of Ekeremor Local Government.
To qualify for the finals Odoni Community FC from Sagbama LGA, emerged champions of Constituency 3 in the knock-out stage before they got to the LG Finals, which was played in a league format comprising the 3 Constituency Champions. They garnered 4 points to emerge champions of Sagbama Local Government.
On the other hand, Torugbene 2 Community FC of Ekeremor emerged champions of Constituency 2 to qualify for the league format stage comprising the 3 constituencies champions. Torugbene 2 Community FC eventually emerged Local Government Champions having recorded 7 points in the Ekeremor centre.
The third-place match which would be between Kabiama Community FC of Sagbama and Isampou Community FC of Ekeremor will kick off by 12 noon.
Other highlights of the occasion would be the presentation of the 6 Constituency Champions from Sagbama and Ekeremor.
The Constituency Champions in Ekeremor LGA are; Constituency 1 champion, Isampou Community; Constituency 2 champion is Toru- gbene 11 Community; while Ogbotobor Community emerged as the Champion of Constituency 3.
In Sagbama LGA, Ebedebiri Community are Constituency 1 Champions, while Kabiama Community are Constituency 2 Champions and Odoni Community emerged champions of Constituency 3.
The Henry Seriake Dickson Football tournament popularly known as the Ofurumapepe Cup is sponsored by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation and this year’s theme is, “Youth Empowerment for Peace and Development.”
…As Senator Dickson Gifts Her N2Million For Winning Silver Medal At The Tokyo Olympics
By Michael Egiethua
Blessing Oborodudu, the Bayelsa born wrestler who won Nigeria’s only medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a Silver medal, has been presented a check of Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000) by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation at an event in Abuja on Tuesday, 14th of December 2021. The award and Presentation were for her role in inspiring our youths and girls as a Living Legend.
Speaking to the publisher of Crossfire Reports after the ceremony, Blessing Oborodudu said that in the 2014 Glasgow Games (Commonwealth Games), then Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson was the first Governor to visit the athletes in Camp.
She, along with other Wrestling Living Legends and Icons of Ijaw extraction was honoured by the Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD) Foundation in recognition of their outstanding performance over the years.
Oborodudu described Senator Dickson as a unique man in the sense that, in 2014, at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, he was the first Governor to visit the Nigerian Wrestling Team. She said he did not stop at that, but that he was also the first Governor to receive the Nigeria Wrestling Team in 2018 after the Commonwealth Games and that he gave generous cash donations to the athletes.
Oborodudu said she was not surprised at Senator Dickson’s donation today as he has been consistent with his love and support for sports development, but that, what surprised her was the amount involved, Two Million Naira (N2, 000, 000) which she was gifted by the Henry Seriake Dickson Foundation.
She noted that there are many dignitaries in Bayelsa State that can do this kind of gifting but that because of Dickson’s unique nature, he is indeed the first to make such a generous donation by publicly honouring her and her coach and also went as far as inviting a good number of wrestlers from Bayelsa State to Abuja for the recognition and award as Living Legends and Icons of Traditional Ijaw Wrestling.
She thanked and appreciated Senator Dickson for his love and promotion of wrestling in Bayelsa State and Nigeria. She said with the Nanaye Dickson Wrestling Tournament, she was sure that it will produce younger Wrestlers who will take over from her and others and that they will bring bigger honours to Bayelsa State and Nigeria. It was her prayer that the younger athletes will surpass her performance and go to the Olympics to win Gold medals for Nigeria.
She thanked Senator Dickson and the Henry Seriake Dickson (HSD) Foundation, his family members, the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mr Sunday Dare, Senator Obinna Ogba, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Royal Father of the Day, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, representative of the President of the Nigerian Wrestling Federation and Vice President of the Federation, Mr. Christopher Amkpila as well as her coaches and all others who made the occasion a truly special one.
She advised Nigerian and Bayelsa youths in regards to sports excellence to maintain their focus always and never give up on their dreams. She also advised the youths in athletics to always train and never miss their training sessions no matter what the circumstances may be. She said it was her consistent training that paved the way for her performance at the Tokyo Olympics and other competitions she has excelled in.
She promised the HSD Foundation, the Minister of Sports and Nigerians in general that she will work harder to win Gold at the next Olympics once her knee was fixed. The Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, had earlier in his address requested that Oborodudu hand over her medical care and treatment to the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to enable the ministry to do the needful to make her get the required surgery.
The Minister for Sports and youth development called on all the 109 Senators in the National Assembly to sponsor a sport in their constituencies to start discovering new talents just like Senator Henry Seriake Dickson is doing.
In his remarks, the first Military Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete-Spiff congratulated Senator Seriake Dickson for his love for sporting activities in Bayelsa State.
He urged the winners to go into grassroots sports to discover new talents.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the occasion and Chairman Senate Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Senator Obinna Ogba commended Senator Dickson for promoting Grassroots sport.
“I am not surprised at Senator Dickson’s initiative. When you invest in sport, you invest in yourself. I will continue to support you. You supported me on the bill of the establishment of the University of Sport.
“It will help Nigerians to develop their talents. There will be no dropout in Nigeria again. Nigerians youths will continue to be proud of you Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Obinna Ogba said.
The President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali represented by his Vice President said the Seriake Dickson Foundation initiative is not new to the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.
He thanked Sen. Dickson for his support towards wrestling development in Nigeria and pledged the Federation’s support to the Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition.
In her vote of thanks, the daughter of Senator Dickson who spoke on behalf of the family, Helen Dickson thanked all for their time and devotions. She also thanked her father for the massive support towards grassroots sport in Bayelsa State.
The Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Competition is meant to engage youths of Bayelsa in an attempt to promote grassroots Ijaw Traditional Wrestling culture, as well as to serve as a talent hunt for the youths of the State.
The Nanaye Dickson Traditional Wrestling Tournament, which is an annual event, is in honour of Senator Dickson’s late father, a community leader and great wrestler of his time.
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson as Governor supported and revamped sports in Bayelsa state and the Nanaye Dickson wrestling competition is simply a continuation of the promotion of the sector by the Henry Seriake Dickson foundation.
The Foundation is currently running a football tournament in the Sagbama-Ekeremor Senatorial district and will now officially kick off the wrestling competition this Saturday.
