By Azuka Offor
The 2026 Anambra State Civil Service Week has commenced with the Solution Novelty Cup, an inter-ministry football competition designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork and productivity among civil servants.
The tournament kicked off on Oct. 15, at the rear grounds of the Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka, with civil servants from various ministries gathering to participate in the opening fixtures.
The Head of Service, Barr. Ngozi Anuli Iwouno, in a welcome address, described the competition as an important prelude to the annual Civil Service Week celebrations.
Iwouno urged participating civil servants to demonstrate discipline, dedication and fair play, noting that the values displayed on the football field should guide their conduct and commitment to effective public service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, welcomed the Head of Service, permanent secretaries, directors and other civil servants to the competition.
He said the tournament aligned with the vision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to promote grassroots sports through school competitions, market tournaments and community based health and lifestyle programmes.
According to the commissioner, maintaining a healthy workforce is essential to achieving the administration’s vision of a livable and prosperous homeland, noting that physical fitness, teamwork and mutual respect could strengthen relationships among civil servants and contribute to improved productivity.
Agha Mba disclosed that the matches would last 15 minutes each and be complemented by mandatory pre-match health screenings to encourage participants to prioritise their wellbeing.
He subsequently declared the inter ministry football competition open, urging the teams to compete enthusiastically while upholding discipline, sportsmanship and respect for their opponents.
The commissioner reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to using sports to promote healthy living, unity and teamwork across the state, declaring, “Solution is here, and Anambra State is rising!”
The opening matches produced a mix of results, with the Ministry of Health recording a 3–0 walkover victory against the Ministry of Physical Planning after the latter failed to appear for the fixture.
In another encounter, the Ministry of Environment defeated the Ministry of Agriculture 1–0 in a penalty shootout, while the Ministry of Women Affairs secured a 1–0 victory over the Ministry of Petroleum.
Beyond the competition, the Solution Novelty Cup offers civil servants an opportunity to embrace healthier lifestyles, build stronger working relationships across ministries and reinforce the importance of teamwork in public administration.
The tournament forms part of activities marking the 2026 Public Service Week, highlighting the connection between employee wellbeing, workplace cohesion and an effective, productive civil service.
Azuka Offor is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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