By Anne Azuka
Pessu Primary School, Warri, on Thursday emerged champion of the 2025 Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup after defeating Destiny Group of Schools, Ughelli, 2–0 in the final played at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.
The winning goals came within the last 10 minutes of the encounter, sealing a deserved victory for the Warri-based school in the keenly contested finale.
For emerging champions, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, donated a bus and a cash prize of ₦2 million to Pessu Primary School, Warri South Local Government Area. Destiny Group of Schools, Ughelli North Local Government Area, received ₦1.5 million for finishing second.
Oghene Primary School, Okuokoko, which placed third, was awarded ₦1 million, while Godly Kings Primary School, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, received ₦500,000 for finishing fourth.
Governor Oborevwori, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said his administration remains committed to transforming grassroots sports into a viable pathway for youth development and excellence.
He described the Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup, a partnership between the Delta State Government and Zenith Bank Plc, as a symbol of unity, discipline, and excellence among primary school pupils across the state.
“I am delighted to join you today at the grand finale of the fourth edition of the Zenith Bank Delta Headmasters’ Cup Football Competition,” the governor said.
“This competition has become a symbol of unity, discipline, and excellence, promoting grassroots sports development among our primary school children across Delta State.”
He stressed that sports play a critical role in character building, teamwork, discipline, and resilience, noting that his administration has made inter-house sports competitions mandatory in all primary and secondary schools in the state.
Governor Oborevwori also highlighted the successful hosting of the National Milo Basketball Competition finals as further evidence of Delta State’s status as a hub for youth sports development.
He commended Zenith Bank Plc for its consistent sponsorship of school sports competitions, describing the bank’s support as a strong contribution to youth empowerment, education, and community development in line with the MORE Agenda of his administration.
“The donation of a bus to the winning school once again demonstrates our resolve to reward excellence and support effective school administration,” he added.
The governor congratulated all participating schools, urging pupils to continue to display discipline, sportsmanship, and passion, regardless of the final outcome.
In his remarks, Zenith Bank’s representative, Mr. Obaka Igumbor, commended Governor Oborevwori for creating an enabling environment for sports and youth development to thrive in Delta State.
He noted that the governor’s support for grassroots sports has reinforced football as a powerful tool for social inclusion, economic empowerment, and positive youth engagement.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Primary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, explained that the 2025 edition of the competition commenced in October 2025 and progressed smoothly through the preliminary rounds to the semi-finals, which were concluded on November 11, 2025.
She said the final match and closing ceremony, initially scheduled for November 13, 2025, were postponed due to circumstances beyond the ministry’s control, expressing satisfaction that the competition had now been concluded successfully.
