Engaging Youths, Promoting Peace: Africa 4 Peace Games Village launches in Delta

The Africa 4 Peace Games - Village Gym and Event Centre has been officially opened in Ugolo-Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State. 

The games village was declared opened by the Delta State Chairman, Sports Commission, Hon. Onoriode Oborevwori who was ably represented by Mrs. Samirah Evru, Secretary Organizing, Sports Commission in Uvwie Local Government Are of the state.

In an address presented at the occasion, Hon. Oborevwori said, "It's with great pride and joy that I stand before you today to officially open the Africa 4 Peace Games Village here in Ugolo, Okpe near Osubi. This remarkable facility is not just a sports complex. It's a symbol of unity, development and the power of sports in promoting peace across Africa."

While noting that sports have always been a unifying force at breaking barriers and fostering relationships across diverse communities said, "This village will serve as a hub for nurturing talents, hosting international sports events and strengthening spirit of sportsmanship and peace building. 

"Delta State Government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori remains committed to the growth of sports, infrastructure and the development of athletes at all levels through the M.O.R.E Agenda. This facility aligns perfectly with us and our vision of making Delta State the leading sports destination in Nigeria and Africa.

"I commend the visionaries  behind this project for their dedication and unwavering belief in the power of sports to all stakeholders. 

"I urged you to make the most of this facility ensuring that it serves the purpose of fostering peace, development and excellence in sports. With great honour, I now declare the Africa 4 Peace Games officially opened."

Hon. Oborevwori who was flanked by the National President, Nigeria Mini-football Association, Alhaji Umar Datti, Victor Ikpeba, former Nigerian Striker, Sam Sodje and others also toured and inspected facilities at the games village. 

Earlier in a chat with newsmen, the President of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the games village comprises of all kinds of games anyone could think of. He noted that with games village, they try to engage the mindset of the youths so that they don't get involved in vices that will create unrest for the State. 

"As a sports lover, I decided to create a games village to give opportunity to our youths, to our veterans who have played and retired and we also have the gym. We have the 5 aside, we have the basket ball, tennis, snooker and all sorts of games to keep people fit."

While noting the importance of fitness, Comrade Mulade said the developed nations are involved deeply in football and other kind of games. According to Comrade Mulade, "We try to emulate it by bringing it closer to our people. We know it's a small games village but this is the first of its kind in Delta State and Niger Delta."

Comrade Mulade said, "This game village is to build and to promote peace and peaceful coexistence among the people of Delta and beyond. We're not just expecting only Deltans to be here. We're not expecting only residents of this area to be here. This game village is built for the people of the Niger Delta to enjoy themselves, to relax themselves and to experience games. 

"From this games village, we intend to promote sports that people will emerge from here to become great Nigerians that will even play for national team, that will play for State leagues and national leagues and so on."

While pointing out that they have short,medium and long term plans for the games village, Comrade Mulade said, the focus is to ensure to provide the services and enabling Environment for the people to enjoy themselves. 

He said, "Doing business in Nigeria is not easy because of the prevailing prices of various items, especially AGO popularly known as diesel. We run  24-hour diesel. So, it's not also easy for us as businessmen. What we need is for the State Government to create the enabling environment for business to excel. We will do our best to sustain it. In terms of service, we want to provide the best service that you can see anywhere in Delta and Niger Delta. For long term, we have a long-term plan to continue this game village. We have long term game village plan that's like 5 of this and it will be coming up in the shortest possible time."

Comrade Mulade said the games village will promote local content. "Today is February 14, Valentine's Day. Valentine is when we share love together and you see, all the artistes and comedians that will perform today, they're all Delta based. We try to localize, promote, identify and discover talents within Delta State that we can bring to limelight and from here, we know we're going to discover more and we are going to promote them. The game village is to promote Delta and Deltans."

Comrade Mulade said the people of Ugolo Community including the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM (Maj. Gen.) Felix Mukakperuo Rtd have been very wonderful, friendly and hospitable to him and his business concerns in their land. He said, "There's nothing that we will do that the King out of his busy schedule will not be here. He is a father."

The Africa 4 Peace Games-Village Gym and Event Centre has a VIP lounge and a bar, an outdoor VIP lounge, Games Village hosting different games like snooker, table tennis, scrabble, American Hockey and Chess amongst others. 

Also, the Africa4 Peace Games Village Gym and Event Centre has a basketball court, a mini-football pitch for exercises, a gym centre with update facilities and a basket court. 

The centre offers strength training programme, personal coaching and group fitness.