In a bid to sustain a civil-military relationship, the 6 Division Garrison, Nigerian Army, organised a novelty football tourney at the Okrika Grammar School Field.

The football tourney, which had six participating teams competing with mutual respect, was part of activities outlined to mark the 2025 Army Day celebration.

Speaking shortly after the final match between Python Football Club of Port Harcourt and Okochiri All Stars Football Club, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Emmanuel Adamu, while commending the footballers for displaying skills and character, appreciated the host community for their cooperation and positive engagement.

According to him, “The football match we just had was to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which is an annual event celebrated on the 6th of July to commemorate the soldiers of the Army and their sacrifices to the nation.”

Also speaking, the 6 Division Garrison Commander, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, applauded the participating teams for their display of sportsmanship and congratulated the winner of the tourney for their performance.

Brig Gen Ahmed noted that the activities put together to sustain the civil-military relationship were continuous and appreciated the cordial relationship that the Nigerian Army has enjoyed with the people of Okrika.

“The relationship I have with the civil populace has been very cordial but to make it stronger we organized activities to invite them, and they take part in all we do to make the relationship stronger.

“We are having series of activities to engage our host communities; this is one of such endeavors, and the participation is encouraging.

“The competition which we started earlier in the week culminated in the winner, which is the host community—that is, Okochiri Football Club—and we hope that engaging the youths in constructive developments like this will take their minds off criminalities,” said Brig Gen Ahmed.

Meanwhile, the third-place match in the tourney, which was played earlier in the day between Damisa Football Club and Kalifornia Football Club, had Damisa FC claiming victory with a 2–1 scoreline. Chinedu Uneke scored first while Stanley Osita converted a penalty kick to give Damisa FC a 2–0 lead over Kalifornia at half time, but Ibinabo

Adolphus pulled one back in the second half for Kalifornia FC.

The final match played between Python Football Club and Okochiri All Stars Football Club ended in a goalless draw, but Okochiri All Stars FC won the tourney after claiming a 4–2 victory in the penalty shootout.

The six participating teams and officiating referees were awarded complete sets of football jerseys and footballs in appreciation for their participation and diligent display of skills.