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BY Philip Nwosu
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has called on Nigerian youths to leverage sports as a tool for building a safer and more prosperous nation.
General Oluyede made the call at the opening ceremony of the maiden edition of the CDS Under-15 Boys Football Championship, held on 15 December 2025 at the Sharks Football Club Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Represented at the event by the Chief of Administration, Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Gideon Kachim, the CDS said the championship was designed to unite communities, promote healthy competition and develop essential life skills such as teamwork, discipline and resilience among young participants.
He explained that the initiative was also aimed at strengthening civil–military relations by positively engaging youths through sports, while fostering mutual understanding, respect and togetherness in the spirit of sportsmanship. According to him, the tournament is expected to stimulate youths’ interest in football as a legitimate means of livelihood, with the broader objective of discouraging unwholesome behaviour and youth restiveness in support of national security.
General Oluyede noted that the six-day championship seeks to promote unity and social cohesion among participating teams drawn from the South-South states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Edo, as well as Abia and Imo states from the South-East. He emphasised that the competition plays a vital non-kinetic role in security efforts, stressing that constructive youth engagement remains critical to curbing social vices.
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The CDS further stated that the championship aligns with the Armed Forces’ strategy to empower youths, promote discipline and nurture sporting talents across the country. He expressed appreciation to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his commitment to youth empowerment and national security. He also thanked the Rivers State Government and Greater Heights Global Sports Development Limited for their support in making the tournament a reality.
Earlier, the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, said the championship provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills, foster personal growth and inspire excellence, while promoting cooperation and brotherhood among participants. He added that the initiative aims to empower youths to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s sports development despite challenges such as insecurity and drug abuse.
Phillips also noted that the tournament reflects the CDS’s commitment to grassroots sports development and youth empowerment, with a focus on talent identification and the promotion of values such as integrity, resilience and unity. He urged participating teams to avoid unhealthy rivalry, compete with courage, respect the rules of the competition and uphold the principles of fair play.
The opening match of the championship saw the Rivers Military Team defeat the Delta Military Team 2–0. The tournament is expected to conclude with the final match on 20 December 2025.
