BY PATRICK MGBODO
By day, they are the quiet engine room of government, buttoned-up men and women in well-pressed suits, neckties snug, shoes polished to a mirror shine. Their fields are offices and conference rooms, their tools are files, memos and minutes. When the workday ends, they file home dutifully, often as the sun withdraws behind the gigantic Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat.
But for that memorable afternoon of December 10, the desks were abandoned, the files closed, and the polished shoes traded for football boots. The 2025 Delta State Civil Service Football Tournament transformed civil servants from bureaucrats into ballers, as officers from different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) stormed the pitch with the kind of passion usually reserved for office debates and budget defences. Clad in contrasting jerseys and armed with youthful energy, they revealed talents long hidden behind office doors.
At the centre of the spectacle, the Delta State Sports Commission proved once again that excellence, like muscle memory, does not fade. The defending champions successfully retained their title after narrowly edging out the spirited Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in a tense final decided by penalties at St Patrick’s College, Asaba.
Regulation time ended in a goalless draw, but the scoreline did little justice to the drama on display. Both teams traded attacks in a match that swung between moments of brilliance and occasional lapses, drawing gasps, cheers and groans from the stands. When the referee finally pointed to the penalty spot, nerves took centre stage.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the tournament’s underdogs, battled bravely but faltered at the crucial moment, failing to convert all their spot kicks. In contrast, the Sports Commission kept its composure, calmly dispatching two penalties to clinch the title and send its supporters and cheerleaders into celebration. Truly, it was a moment to behold.
Earlier, declaring the final open, the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Mininim Oseji, described the competition as one of the most unifying and anticipated fixtures on the civil service calendar. According to her, beyond trophies and bragging rights, the tournament serves as a platform for wellness, bonding and talent discovery within the service.
“You may recall that the last full Civil Service Week celebration was held in 2019,” she said. “This year, despite obvious challenges, we successfully carried out other components of the celebration earlier in June and July, including the public lecture, quiz competition, golf tournament and thanksgiving service.”
Determined to add flair to the ceremony, Dr Oseji unveiled a delightful twist. “To add colour and excitement to this event, we have introduced cheerleaders from the Office of the Head of Service to support the teams and entertain during halftime,” she said with a smile. “And I must confess that I will be joining them in the performance, and I am certain you will enjoy it.”
She used the opportunity to remind civil servants that greatness is not confined to job descriptions. “No one should ever underestimate what they can achieve when they set their mind to it,” she said. “This platform is designed to help you discover and express your hidden talents, whether physical, mental or creative. The Civil Service is committed to creating spaces where every employee can shine beyond the office desk.”
But Dr Oseji was not done. She expressed appreciation to those who made the event possible. ’’I thank everyone who has contributed to making today a reality. I wish to specially appreciate the Director of Personnel Management (Senior Management), Mr Williams Okolope, whose tireless efforts ensured that this event was held successfully. I am sure that after today (Wednesday), he will finally get some well-deserved rest, having worked relentlessly for days.
‘’I also want to deeply appreciate the players; without you, there will be no tournament. We are eagerly looking forward to an exciting display of talent today. Who knows? We may discover the next Jay-Jay Okocha within the Delta State Civil Service, just as we once produced the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from the civil service.
‘’Let me seize this opportunity to remind every civil servant and public servant in Delta State that no one should ever underestimate what they can achieve when they set their mind to it. The purpose of this platform is to encourage you to bring out your hidden talents, whether physical, mental or creative, and allow them to flourish’’ Dr Oseji said.
Assisted by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Service, Mr Wilson Chukwuka, the Head of Service officially kicked off the tournament after inspecting both teams. The ceremony was graced by former Heads of Service, including Sir Okey Ofili and Mr Paul Evuarherhe, alongside several permanent secretaries.
True to her promise, halftime was anything but ordinary. In a moment that delighted spectators and players alike, Dr Oseji led a troupe of cheerleaders onto the pitch, delivering an animated performance that brought laughter, applause and renewed energy to the arena. The display turned the football ground into a carnival, reminding everyone present that the civil service is not just about structure and protocol, but also about community, vitality and joy.
As the final whistle blew and the champions celebrated, one thing was clear: for a few hours, the Delta civil service rediscovered itself, not behind desks, but on the pitch, where teamwork, discipline and resilience mattered just as much as they do in governance.
Although the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources failed to bring their farming dexterity to the fields, the joy was not diminished at all as the Sports Commission raised the golden trophy, which kissed the sun’s glow to reflect the future of the service.
