•As Bonny King Advocates Unity
Emma Sunday
Police FC has emerged winners of the inter-security agencies football tournament organised by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in honour of the King of ancient Bonny kingdom, HRM King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple III.
The NDLEA FC and FRSC took second and third respectively in tournament in Port Harcourt, which also featured teams from Nigeria Navy, Airforce, Army and Honourary members of the Mess, with the aim of strengthening collaboration between sister agencies.
Speaking at the event, His Royal Majesty, HRM King Edward Asimini William Dappa-Pepple III, Perekule XI Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Ancient Grand Bonny Kingdom, commended the PCRC for organizing the tournament, saying it promotes unity and cooperation among security agencies.
King Dappa-Pepple described the tournament as a symbol of unity, discipline, partnership, and the enduring commitment to peace and community development that binds all of us together.
He said, “The Police Community Relations Committee has, over the years, remained an essential bridge-cementing trust, communication, and cooperation. Your work ensures that security is not just enforced but understood, supported, and co-owned by all.
“To the participating teams the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the NDLEA, the PCRC, and the Honorable Mess Members-1 commend you. Your presence here reflects the unity of purpose among all agencies responsible for safeguarding lives, ensuring order, and upholding the dignity of our people.
“Sports, especially football, teaches us values that are vital to our national and community life: teamwork, fairness, strategy, respect, and the pursuit of excellence. It reminds us that although we may wear different uniforms and answer different calls of duty, we are united in service to one nation and one people” the King of grand Bonny said.
The Monarch commended the organizers, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters who worked tirelessly to bring the tournament to life.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations, DCP Al-Hassan Kawu Yahaya, noted that the tournament would foster greater synergy between the Police and other sister agencies, adding that security threats cannot be addressed alone.
“We hope to achieve greater collaboration between the Police and other sister agencies to ensure security of lives and property in Rivers State.
“So coming together as we are doing now, will definitely help us in fostering unity and also improve collaboration to ensure security of lives and property in Rivers State,” DCP Yahaya said.
He commended the PCRC for organizing the football match and also acting as a bridge between the Police and the community.
Earlier, in his remark, Voke Emore, Chairman of PCRC in Rivers State, said the tournament was part of efforts to bring sister agencies together to foster better cooperation and promote community policing.
He said “the PCRC has hosted this football tournament for three times consecutively. What we are doing is to bring sister agencies together to foster better cooperation and we bring the community where the PCRC and honourable members of the mess also play in this competition.
“This year, we are doing it in honour of the king of grand Bonny kingdom. As our grand patron we decided to honour him and we are bringing all the sister’s agency together which they are here live playing the matches today.
“PCRC is Police Community Relations Committee. The Community factors involves traditional rulers and members of the public. One of the highest position in the community is when you are the traditional ruler of that community.That is the person that tells the world that Police is your friend .
“We try to reach out to as much traditional rulers as possible.This year we decided to honour the King of Bonny because he was very welcoming and accommodating to PCRC members in Bonny and Rivers,” he said.
