NDDC Organises Novelty Football Match to Immortalise Late OMPADEC Pioneer Chairman Albert Horsfall

The Niger Delta Development Commission has paid tribute to its founding predecessor with a novelty football match in honour of the late pioneer chairman of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, Chief Albert K. Horsfall.

The commemorative match, which featured the NDDC All-Stars team, was held at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The event drew family members, friends, and well-wishers of the late statesman to celebrate his life, his enduring legacy, and his deep love for football.

The ceremonial kick-off was performed by the daughter of the late Horsfall, Dr Soibi Godwin-Clark, alongside the Director of Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, to officially start the friendly encounter.

Reacting to the gesture, the son of the deceased, Mr Sekuropribo Horsfall, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the novelty match was a befitting honour for his father. According to him, Chief Horsfall had a great passion for sports, especially football, and would have appreciated the initiative if he were alive.

He thanked the management of the NDDC for standing by the family during their period of grief, describing the tribute as a clear demonstration of the commission’s recognition of his father’s pioneering role as the first chairman of OMPADEC, which later transformed into the NDDC.

On her part, Dr Soibi Godwin-Clark recounted her father’s lifelong love for football, revealing that he continued playing football with his grandchildren even at 70 years old. She expressed joy that his grandsons also participated in the match organised in his memory.

She appreciated the NDDC for its thoughtfulness in putting together the All-Stars team for the game and noted that her father’s impact went far beyond sports.

She explained that during his tenure as chairman of OMPADEC, Chief Horsfall commissioned over 170 development projects across the Niger Delta and facilitated opportunities for many indigenes of the region to secure strategic positions.

She added that through the Horsfall Foundation, the late elder statesman sponsored about 60 persons up to master’s degree level and consistently supported widows and orphans in the region.

Also sharing his excitement, Godwin Clark Obaro, a grandson of the late Chief Horsfall, said he was delighted to be part of the football match organised to celebrate the life and contributions of his grandfather.

The statement was signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, on October 29, 2026.