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By Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Twenty-four secondary schools from Uromi and neighbouring communities are set to battle for honours in the 6th edition of the Uromi Like Minds Initiative (ULMI) Annual Secondary Schools Football Tournament.
The competition, which will feature male and female categories, will kick off on October 6, 2026, at the Council Sports Complex, in front of the Esan North East Local Government Secretariat, Uromi.
Chairman of the Main Organising Committee and Welfare Committee of ULMI, Hon. Matthias Osezua Igberaese, announced the commencement date in a statement made available to journalists in Benin.
According to him, the tournament will run until December 26, when the grand finale of both the male and female competitions will be held.
ULMI, in separate letters to the Esan North East Education Board and the management of Esan North East Local Government Council, formally notified the authorities of the tournament and its schedule.
The letters were signed by the Executive Chairman of ULMI, Dcn. Amb. Darlington Okpebholo Ray, and the General Secretary, Mr. Paulinus Onobhayedo.
The documents were made available to the media by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Mr. Armani Era Akhogba.
The statement said that the annual football tournament has become one of ULMI’s major community projects since the organisation was established in 2020.
It said the event provides secondary school students with an avenue to display their footballing talents while encouraging discipline, teamwork, healthy competition and unity.
Beyond sports, ULMI has carried out interventions in education, healthcare, security and infrastructure across Esan North East Local Government Area.
The statement further noted that the association’s projects include the provision of a security surveillance drone to support the local security network, reconstruction and continued support for the Edo State Library in Uromi, installation of street signs, free medical outreaches, recognition of outstanding teachers and scholarships for exceptional science students.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Membership Recruitment and Onboarding Committee, Engr. Godwin Ibadin, has urged more sons and friends of Uromi in Nigeria and the diaspora to join ULMI and contribute to its development programmes.
“There are still many sectors in Uromi that require our attention, and we intend to do more because our mission is to make Uromi a better place for us, our children and our grandchildren,” Ibadin said.
He added that government alone could not address all the community’s needs, urging individuals to support initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents.
Ibadin said interested persons could visit the organisation’s website or contact ULMI members, including himself and the Executive Chairman, for information on how to join.
