By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State youth leaders on Thursday celebrated the birthday of the General Manager of Tantita Security Services, Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi with a novelty football match in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The youths drawn from all the local government areas of the state in their numbers gathered at the Doncont Five-Aside ultra modern sports arena to partake in the birthday tribute match played between Bayelsa Friends of Godfrey Pondi FC and Bayelsa Youths All Stars FC

Organiser of the Godfrey Pondi birthday tribute football match, Apostle Bodmas Prince Kemepadei, who is also a youth leader and Chairman of the Izon Heritage Cultural Centre , ICHC, a socio-, cultural organization, said the football match was sponsored by youths who have fallen in love with the philanthropic virtues of Pondi.

Kemepadei, who extolled the positive impact of Pondi in the lives of youths across the Niger Delta region through employments, scholarships and empowerments opportunities, noted that despite his humble background, Pondi has always imbibed the philosophy of giving which he believes that no man can become rich without himself enriching others.

He urged him to continue to work on the part of service to humanity, continue to show love to the less privileged, continue to work on this divine path and radiate light , development and progress for the Ijaw people.

He said: “Chief Godfrey Tare Pondi’s life principle has been consistent with sacrifice, love and service to humanity; recognized as a philanthropist and a just man , Godfrey Pondi remains with the memories of his childhood background of modesty.

“As Tantita General Manager of Operations and Technical, he has been significantly involved in the successes gained so far by the private security firm and has used his capacity to influence peace, unity, in the Niger Delta region and engagement of Niger Delta youths in a large scale.”

Kemepadei also used the opportunity to admonished youths in the state to shun criminality and immoral vices and emulate the virtues of hard work, humility and discipline as exemplified by Pondi.

At the end of the thrilling encounter, Bayelsa Friends of Godfrey Pondi FC won the match by six goals to five and the winners and outstanding players were presented with plaques and cash prizes donated by lovers of Chief Tare Pondi.