By Victor Okoye
Ebere Benard, the Youth Director, Nigerian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (NMMAF) says they are organising an International Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event to promote peace and unity in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event would witness 16 professional martial artists trade blows and kicks against each other in eight blockbuster, intense bouts on Saturday at the Mo Arena in Abuja.
Benard who doubles as the CEO, Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, an MMA Organisation and sponsors of the event said it was geared towards promoting peace and safety of lives and property in the country through sports, dialogue and entertainment.
He said the Abuja MMA Fight Night tagged “The Battle of Paikokun Mountain” was inspired by one of the mountains located in the FCT.
He noted that recent happenings in the country in the last few months have not been pleasant, ranging from one issue of insecurity to the other.
“So, as an organisation we thought of how best to reach out to the public and send out a positive message inspite of all the challenges being faced by Nigerians.
“It so happens that Abuja is surrounded by alot of fortresses and mountains, one of which is the Paikokun Mountain.
“Historical narrative has it that the first settlers in the Bwari area of the FCT were warriors and hunters who came from Maiduguri and found peace and refuge at the Paikokun Mountain.
“But due to civilization they now live on the plain lands. So, our goal is to re-echo and invoke the spirits of our ancestors to ensure that peace permeates the whole of Abuja and its environs.
“The event thus has a hastag #a safer Abuja together and last week as a build up to this event, we organised a hiking exercise that featured over 500 participants,” he said.
He thanked all the major hiking groups in the FCT who participated in the exercise as well as the Police who he noted played a vital role.
He reserved special thanks to the IG of Police, Kayode Egbetokun as well as the AIG Zone 7, Ogundele Ayodeji, who he said received the group in his office and promised to be a special guest of honour at the Abuja Fight Night.
“Indeed, his presence will really add colour to the event as combating crime is a collective effort. Everybody has to be involved, and whatever you see, you report.
“That is why the event taking place tomorrow is very important to every well-meaning and peace-loving Nigerian, not just in the FCT alone, but across the country,” he said.
He added that the Ministry of Sports had been very supportive of the organisation’s activities, noting that just last year, the Minister granted recognition to MMA as a Federation.
He also said that MMA featured at the just concluded African Games in Ghana with the Nigerian contingent giving a good account of themselves.
Agamaye Rowland, President, Apex Fighting Championship (AFC) and a consultant for the event said the female fighters were not left out as two of the best fighters in the country were in the event’s cards.
He said the event was coincidentally taking place in the month of March, which is dedicated to celebrating the women internationally and advocating for more inclusiveness as well as equal pay.
He added that the organisers have ensured that the female fighters would receive equal pay equivalent to those of their male counterparts.
Chuma Mencity, the PR consultant for the event, said that the Fight Night would feature two international bouts pitting Nigeria against Cameroon and DR Congo.
He explained that the idea behind involving other African countries was to showcase Nigeria as a strong MMA powerhouse.
He stressed that the goal was also to send a strong message to the rest of Africa that we are ready to take the lead and drive the game in the continent.
NAN also reports that the main and co-main events of the evening would see Nigeria’s Vincent Ebenezer, aka “the Iron Fist,” do battle against Octave Ayinde of Cameroon in the -77kg weight class
While Nigeria’s Yahaya Yahuza take on Christopher Molly of DR Congo in the -84kg weight class(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)