The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is set to partner with Match Makers Consult, Ministry of Youth Development and Sports,Brand Football Ambassadors,Ministry of Women Affairs, Relevant Football Bodies and Government at all levels as well as relevant stakeholders for First Ever POCACOV/Sam Okwaraji youth Football tournament (male and female) category on 12th August, 2020, to commemorate his death.
CSP Ebere Amaraizu, the National Coordinator of POCACOV said that the event has become necessary as he wants the youths to look at Late Sam Okwaraji’s story of hard work, patriotism as well as selflessness with a view of embracing those good values and virtues.
Amaraizu said that “late Okwaraji exhibited the spirit of Hard Work and patriotism within his youthful age up till the time of his death.
“In late Sam Okwaraji as a youth, we saw patriotism, hard work, education and soccer. As a world class footballer and as a youth, he embraced academics and acquired his masters degree in international Law which showed that he never allowed his soccer ambition to deny or shut him out from educational pursuit.
“He also exhibited selflessness and patriotism as each time he is called upon, he comes to put in his best for his dear country at his own expense, what a patriot!
“Our youths should look at this late Sam Okwaraji’s story, embrace it and build on it in order to replicate the story of looking for what they can do for their country and not what their country can do for them.
“We are working out modalities in partnership with Match makers Consult the owners of Nigeria Pitch Award, Ex Internationals, Relevant Football Bodies and stakeholders and looking at participants within the South East Region for a start of the first cluster.
“The Tournament will be used to further deepen the campaign message of POCACOV and enhance oneness as well the those of late Sam Okwaraji’s legacies as mentioned,” Amaraizu said.
Late Sam Okwaraji died on the 12th of August, 1989 at the age of 25 years at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos during the 1990 World Qualifier match between Nigeria and Angola.
POCACOV is the Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force Under IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu aimed at saving the youths from the Claws of cultism, thuggery, violence, substance abuse, sexual and gender based violence and other vices thereby promoting good morals and values amongst Nigerian Youths for a safe and secured environment.
