Talent hunt: Eze Omenife may include women in annual tourney

The annual youth football tournament in Lilu community in Ihiala Council Area of Anambra state has ended with a promise to positively consider the inclusion of women.

In an interview with journalists during the final match at St Charles Catholic Church field, the sponsor and the Deputy National Vice President of Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora, Peter Olikenyi said he would include female tournament in future.

Community leader and the Ajitana Aje of Oto Awori Kingdom; Atoyeje of Ijaniki Kingdom; and Eze Igbo of Oto-Awori (LCDA) Lagos state said the football talent hunt tournament amongst other employment opportunities in his factories have been his own contribution in checking youth restiveness and anti-social behaviours and also stimulates joy, happiness and relaxation for holidaying citizens at the end of the year in Lilu community.

Olikenyi expressed joy that some of the nation’s big time international professional football players were discovered from the annual tournament he has been sponsoring since 1990. He provides balls, jerseys, the cups and refreshments, urging other public-spirited citizens to support his effort.

The traditional ruler of Lilu, Igwe Godson Onyediri who took the kick-off, commended Olikenyi and that the community now rising from the ashes of the past needs steady electricity, healthcare, roads, security to stem series of burglaries of transformers.

Onyediri disclosed that he would establish a water processing plant in the community soon as part of measures to create jobs.