When the intention of Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu, Member representing the good people of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency, to inaugurate his 2025 Unity Cup Football Tournament Planning Committee was announced to the Constitutes on the 24th of October, 2025; to some persons, it sounded like one of the empty promises that were usually made by politicians.
Those that were present at the Frank & Gene office of the Honourable member, precisely on the day of the over N15m Supplementary Empowerment programme of Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu to his Constituents, would attest to the fact that Hon. Dibiagwu is never a man of double standards.
Shortly after the inauguration of the Tournament Committee was announced and subsequent distribution of the football kits to the teams, across the 33 wards of the Constituency; the committee ably led by Hon. Gideon Meffor, SA to the Governor on Palm Plantation (Adapalm), quickly swung into action.
The tournament which commenced in the month of December, 2025 was played between 33 teams that emerged from the 33 wards of the Federal Constituency, leaving Mgbidi Ward II and Oru Ward as the two finalists of the tournament, which was played on Sunday, the 22nd day of February, 2026 at Izombe Central Field in Oguta LGA, Imo State.
The ground finale match between Mgbidi Ward II and Oru Ward, both in Oru West LGA, Imo State, ended goalless after 90 minutes of normal play time and even after extra time.
However, Mgbidi Ward II team emerged victorious after scoring 5 goals and Oru Ward team scoring 4 goals out of the 7 attempts by both teams during a penalty shootout. While Ekwuato Ward in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, won the 3rd position.
Earlier, the Chairman, Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu N50m Unity Cup Tournament, Hon. Gideon Meffor before the final match kicked off, charged the players to see themselves as brothers and to imbibe the spirit of fair play in the course of the game.
He equally enjoined them to maintain the spirit of sportsmanship, as there would be “no victor no vanquish,” despite the fact that a winner must emerge at the end of the day.
The duo of Hon. Williams Ejiakor and Hon. Adonis Nick, that were among the personalities that graced the football match, thanked all the teams across the 33 wards for their show of sportsmanship in the course of the tournament.
They equally lauded the committee members for the successful outcome of the tournament, while thanking in a special way, Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu for living up to his promise, and actualising the mandate of his Constituents.
It was evident at the ground finale that the essence of the football competition which is aimed at ensuring peace and unity amongst youths of the Federal Constituency during the 2025 festive season, and beyond, has been achieved.
What the successful outcome of the tournament implies is that Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu has cemented his relationship with his Constituents in all ramifications, looking back at his empowerment and other developmental projects across the Federal Constituency in the last two years.
Comr. Blaise Tochukwu Elumezie
Publisher & media consultant, wrote in from PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital.
