The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, has urged Nigerian youths to leverage sports as a tool for building a safer, more united and prosperous nation.
He made the call on Monday, 15 December 2025, at the opening ceremony of the maiden CDS Under-15 Boys Football Championship held at the Sharks Football Club Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Represented 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 inculcate vital life skills such as teamwork, discipline and resilience among young people.
General Oluyede noted that the initiative also seeks to strengthen civil–military relations by positively engaging youths through sports, fostering mutual understanding, respect and togetherness in the spirit of sportsmanship. According to him, the tournament would further stimulate interest in football as a legitimate career path, thereby discouraging youth restiveness, social vices and other unwholesome behaviours that threaten national security.
He explained that the six-day championship brought together teams from the South-South and parts of the South-East, including Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Abia and Imo states, with the aim of promoting unity and social cohesion across the regions. The CDS stressed that such non-kinetic engagements play a critical role in complementing security efforts by channeling youthful energy into productive ventures.
General Oluyede added that the event aligns with the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s broader strategy of youth empowerment, talent development and discipline building. He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his commitment to youth development and national security, as well as the Rivers State Government and Greater Heights Global Sports Development Limited for supporting the championship.
Earlier, the Director of Sports, Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Babatunde Phillips, said the tournament provides a platform for young talents to showcase their skills, inspire excellence and promote cooperation and brotherhood. He noted that the initiative is particularly significant at a time when the nation is grappling with challenges such as insecurity and drug abuse among youths.
Air Vice Marshal Phillips further described the championship as a reflection of the CDS’s commitment to grassroots sports development and talent discovery, aimed at instilling values of integrity, resilience and unity. He urged participating teams to embrace fair play, shun unhealthy rivalry and adhere strictly to the rules of the competition.
The opening match of the tournament saw the Rivers Military Team defeat the Delta Military Team 2–0. The championship is scheduled to climax with the final match on 20 December 2025.
