– By Ike Philip Abiagom
The ancient town of Ibusa (Igbuzo) was agog with excitement as the Ibusa Annual Football Competition concluded its historic 40th edition in grand style on Saturday, January 3, 2026, marking four decades of uninterrupted grassroots sports development, unity and community pride.
What began in 1985 as a modest and experimental initiative has grown into one of the longest-running and most consistent grassroots football competitions in Delta State. Founded by the visionary sports enthusiast and community patriot, Mr Emmanuel Kwasa Amatokwu, the tournament has survived changes in government, economic challenges and social transitions, while remaining steadfast in its core mission of youth engagement and community cohesion.
Over the past 40 years, the Ibusa Annual Football Competition has evolved beyond football into a major unifying platform for the people of Igbuzo, especially during the Christmas and New Year festivities when indigenes return home to reconnect, celebrate and strengthen communal bonds. The competition has consistently provided entertainment, discovered football talents, promoted discipline among youths and reinforced the social fabric of the community.
The grand finale of the 2025 edition was an epic contest between defending champions, Ogbeowele Quarter, and Anyalobum Quarter. In a thrilling encounter, Ogbeowele emerged victorious to successfully retain the trophy, further cementing their dominance in the competition’s history.
Individual and team excellence were also celebrated. Ike Adigwe of Ogbeowele emerged as the highest goal scorer with six goals and also clinched the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, earning a total of ₦100,000. Onyeka Bright of Ogbeowele won the Best Goalkeeper award (₦50,000), Tony Anuchi of Ogbeowele was named Best Coach (₦50,000), while Megwai of Ogbeowele took home the Best Defender award (₦50,000). The Best Behaved Team award went to Umuodafe Quarter, which received ₦150,000, while the Best Midfielder award went to the captain of Anyalobum, who received ₦50,000.
In the overall prizes, Ogbeowele claimed the gold medal and a cash prize of ₦700,000, Anyalobum took the silver medal with ₦500,000, while Umuodafe settled for bronze and ₦300,000.
Special recognition was given to sponsors and supporters who made the landmark edition a success. MTN supported the competition with ₦1 million, while North-West Petroleum Ltd served as a major partner. In addition, sons and daughters of Igbuzo rallied round the tournament. Notably, Ogbeowele Quarter received ₦450,000 from Mr Mike Ajukwu for qualifying for the finals and ₦300,000 from Evangelist Nyemike Nkadi. The benefactors further supported the champions with additional donations of ₦500,000 and ₦1.5 million respectively for lifting the trophy.
The 40th anniversary edition stands out as a rare achievement in grassroots sports administration, reflecting resilience, consistency and strong community ownership. With sustained support from corporate bodies and indigenes alike, the Ibusa Annual Football Competition continues to serve as a symbol of unity, talent development and enduring sporting heritage in Igbuzo.
The event attracted several dignitaries, including High Chief Charles Okonkwo (Odogwu Igbuzo), Pastor Idowu Okeze, the Onowu of Ibusa, Chief Paul Okobi, Sir Gilbert Okonji, Mr Chris Mogaha, Chief Austin Ndinwa, staff of North-West Petroleum Ltd and other notable personalities.
At the conclusion of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of North-West Petroleum Ltd, alongside Comrade Emmanuel Amatokwu (Kwasa), was honoured by the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN). The award to the CEO of North-West Petroleum Ltd was received on her behalf by the company’s Brand Manager.
