Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has hailed Zenith Bank for its consistency in investing in the development of sports in the state and urged other corporate organisations to emulate the bank.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2025 edition of the Delta/Zenith Bank Principal Cup Competition in Asaba, Governor Oborevwori said the bank has been living up to its corporate social responsibility of developing youth football.
Oborevwori spoke through Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who represented him at the occasion.
‘Without doubt, football is the biggest sport in Nigeria, and I am glad that Zenith Bank, in collaboration with the Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, has consistently organised this football tournament, which is a veritable breeding ground for future stars.”
Read also: UK Government funds sports program to empower vulnerable youths in Lagos
I expect that this year’s competition will be as exciting and memorable as the previous editions.
“I must commend Zenith Bank for this noble and worthwhile investment in this youth football development. Indeed, Zenith is a model in corporate social responsibility.
He said that the partnership has yielded a lot of results, even as he expressed hope that it would get better.
“We have a long list of people who have benefited and who have been made by this football platform, and are doing well in several countries of the world”
”I expect that Zenith Bank will evolve from just this programme, judging from the successes recorded so far, to building a sports academy in the state”
Apart from the obvious objective of helping to discover new talents, football tournaments like this promote discipline, teamwork, physical fitness, goal setting, endurance, mentorship, and personal discipline among participants.
“These are invaluable skills required for success in life. When our youths imbibe these qualities early in life, it becomes easier for them to work in a corporate setting or political environment.
Ifeanyi Atama, Zenith Bank Zonal Branch Manager, in his remarks, said, The partnership between Zenith Bank and the Delta State Government underscores our commitment to unlocking the potentials of our youths who are vital to our community development”
Meanwhile, this year’s edition of the tournament commenced with Omu Boys Secondary School, Ibusa and Zappa Basic Secondary School, Asaba playing a 2-2 draw.
The event, which was witnessed by the presence of top government and bank officials, as well as a delegation from the Delta State education sector and supporters of both schools, had Omu Boys opening the scoring in the 11th minute of the first half.
Read also: Tinubu pledges more investment in sports development as 6,000 athletes compete in 9th NYG
The team could, however, not maintain the early lead despite many scoring opportunities as Zappa Basic Secondary School drew level towards the end of the first, and increased the tally to two.
At the resumption of the second half, Omu boys equalised to make it two goals apiece.
Captains of both sides expressed satisfaction with the officiating, saying that their players did their best.
”The match went well, and glory be to God that our opponents did not triumph over us. Our next match will be better as we set our eyes on the Principal Cup, exclaimed Bernard, Captain of Omu Boys.
“We expected a straight win, but due to the way we played in the field, the match ended in a draw. Notwithstanding, we are hoping to bring the Principal Cup home, Eze Ifechukwudi of Zappa Basic Secondary School assured.
