PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State – Football stakeholders in Rivers State have applauded Chief Ikenna Okafor for his commitment to philanthropy and grassroots sports development through the continuous sponsorship of the Rivers State FA/Keves Global Football Competition.
Who is Chief Ikenna Okafor
Chief Ikenna Okafor, also known as Ide Akwaeze, is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Keves Global Leasing Limited and Chairman of 9 Payment Service Bank. A native of Akwaeze, Anaocha LGA, Anambra State, he holds a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Calabar and advanced management training from Pan African University Lagos and Wharton University of Pennsylvania. Beyond business, he is widely acclaimed as a philanthropist with a “heart of gold”. His projects include building library complexes, renovating schools, constructing civic centres, Marian grottos, and medical facilities across Anambra, Rivers, Ogun and other states. In 2017, Pope Francis conferred on him the Papal Knight of Saint Sylvester for his service to God and humanity. He also instituted the ₦250 million Nzekwuabuo Foundation in 2014 to support indigent pupils, students, and widows.
Sustained support for sports development
Chief Okafor’s investment in sports has been consistent since 2016. He is President and major sponsor of the Kodian Tennis Foundation, which has produced national tennis players. He has bankrolled the Rivers State FA/Keves Global Football Competition for four editions and has sponsored the Zonal Tennis Championship in Rivers since 2018, secondary school swimming competitions since 2016, golf tournaments in Rivers, Enugu, Cross River and Bayelsa, and secondary school table tennis since 2018.
RSFA Stand-in Chairman, Chief Benjamin Akobo, said the 2026 Keves Global Football Competition with ₦7 million prize money reflects Chief Okafor’s belief that sports is a veritable tool for youth empowerment and community unity.
Stakeholders hail model of giving back
Club Administrators described Chief Okafor’s model of corporate social responsibility as rare and impactful. They noted that his sponsorship has kept the dreams of young footballers alive while providing scouts a credible platform to discover talents from Rivers State. “Chief Okafor has proven that giving back is not just talk, but deliberate action,” a club administrator stated on Thursday in Port Harcourt. Stakeholders urged other corporate bodies to emulate his example as the 4th edition kicks off in July at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Written by Mr Charles Mayuku
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