Okija’s Unity tourney returns with N10m prize pool

The fourth Abig Nwankwo Foundation Okija Annual Unity Football Tournament will return in December with the top three teams sharing a N10m prize pool, organisers have announced.

The tournament, which involves all nine villages of Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, will start in the first week of December 2026 and run through the yuletide season.

The final is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2027, and all matches will be played at the Okija Central School Pitch, also known as St. Mary’s Pitch, Umuofo Okija.

The winner will receive N5m and gold medals, the runner-up N3m and silver medals, and the third-placed team N2m and bronze medals. The six other villages will receive N200,000 each.

The tournament was created by Chief Chimezie Ken Nwankwo, Chairman of Bigly Group and founder of the Abig Nwankwo Foundation, to promote unity, peace and youth development.

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“This tournament is not just about football; it is about unity, it is about giving our young people a sense of belonging. We are doing this to give opportunities to budding football talents in Okija to express themselves, to be discovered, and to stay away from social vices,” Nwankwo said.

Local Organising Committee Chairman Uwaoma Odili Iheabunike said the committee was ready to deliver a fair, transparent and memorable tournament. “Okija is one family. Football is our bond,” he said.

The opening ceremony and the final will feature music, cultural displays and dignitaries including traditional rulers, political leaders and business figures.

Ubahu won the 2025 edition after beating Ubahumonum with an extra-time goal in the final, while Umuhu finished third. The champions received N3m that year.

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