One of such initiatives is the company-sponsored annual football tournament for host communities, which has continued to serve as a unifying platform for youth development, positive engagement, and shared identity among neighbouring communities.

Now in its fourth edition, the programme has evolved into a signature programme that brings together young people from neighbouring communities, encouraging positive interaction, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose.

Over the years, it has consistently demonstrated the GenCo’s belief that sustainable development thrives where communities are united and actively engaged.

The final of the tournament, held at the Egbin Power sports field, saw Alanu-Omo FC edge Dragon Ipakan FC with a 1–0 victory in a closely contested encounter, capping weeks of spirited participation marked by discipline, camaraderie, and exemplary sportsmanship.

Speaking on the significance of the programme, Felix Ofulue, head of Corporate Communications & Branding at Egbin Power, described the initiative as a strategic investment in people and communities.

“At Egbin Power, we are deeply passionate about initiatives that bring people together and create lasting value. This programme has grown into a platform for nurturing talent, engaging young people constructively, and strengthening bonds across communities. Beyond recreation, it instils critical life skills such as teamwork, leadership, discipline, and resilience, qualities that are essential for personal growth and societal progress,” Ofulue said.

He added that the objective is to evolve the initiative into a unifying force that strengthens relationships across communities while reinforcing Egbin Power’s brand as a responsible and people-centred organisation.

Captain of the winning team, Alanu-Omo FC, Samad Ojikutu, expressed appreciation to Egbin Power for its sustained commitment to youth empowerment.

“We commend Egbin Power for consistently creating opportunities for young people in the host communities. This is a programme we always look forward to. Winning is exciting, but what matters most is the unity we experience as a team and as a community. It reminds us that we can achieve so much more when we work together,” he said.

From the opening fixtures to the final match, the programme featured 16 teams drawn from the host communities, with participants displaying not only skill and competitiveness but also camaraderie and respect for fair play, reinforcing the programme’s positive social impact over the years.

At the end of the competition, Alanu-Omo FC emerged champions and received a cash prize of ₦1million, while the runners-up and third-place teams received ₦700,000 and ₦500,000 respectively.

The event also attracted notable stakeholders, who commended Egbin Power for creating a credible platform that promotes youth development.

Community leader and retired Grade 1 referee, Prince Samson Ekundayo, described the initiative as impactful and timely.

“Programmes like this are critical for community development. They provide young people with opportunities to showcase their talents, while also learning the values of cooperation, discipline, and respect,” he noted.

Egbin Power reiterated that initiatives of this nature remain central to its commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable community relations, noting that deliberate investments in youth and social cohesion are essential for building trust, strengthening brand affinity, and driving long-term shared value.

Speaking to a gathering of Community Media Publishers, Felix Ofulue, Head Corporate Communications, Ikeja Electric, said the alarming cases of illegal connections, meter bypass, apathy to payment of electricity bills and vandalism have been on a steady rise recently.

He narrated instances where customers using prepaid meters connive with electricians to bypass meters with the aim of evading payment for energy consumed.

“Despite the company’s huge investments in power equipment, infrastructure upgrade and network optimization which runs into billions of Naira, the negative impact of the rising cases of energy theft and vandalism has become worrisome to the company, that is why we have commenced intensive campaign against energy theft and vandalism across our Business Units in order to curb the illegalities, while we are also soliciting the support of communities to assist Ikeja Electric in curbing these illegal activities.”

“The provision of improved and stable electricity supply is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration of stakeholders and should not be treated lackadaisically, as the ricocheting effect will not only impede progress in the power sector and affect revenue, but will also erode the quality of electricity supply to our customers,” Ofulue explained.

According to him, the company has intensified efforts towards closing the metering gap within its network by ensuring postpaid customers acquire prepaid meters seamlessly, whilst the Disco has also stepped up its sensitization campaigns against meter bypass across the six Business Units.

He warned of dire sanctions for offenders, saying it is a punishable offence under Section 94(3) of the EPSRA Act 2005 and culprits are liable to imprisonment for period of not less than five years and not more than seven years.

Ofulue reiterated the company’s commitment to curbing energy theft, vandalism and other illegalities perpetrated by these unscrupulous elements within the network.

He also urged community leaders and customers to avoid taking laws into their hands by carrying out what is popularly known as jungle justice.

According to him, community leaders or members should endeavour to report energy theft through our whistle-blowing platform exopressyourself@ikejaelectric.com and also handover any apprehended vandals to police authorities for prosecution, while making sure that adequate security measures are put in place to safeguard the infrastructure within their communities.

The company noted that it has been working closely with security agencies to address issues of vandalism, energy theft including assault on IE staff.

He used the occasion to advise customers not to attack Ikeja Electric staff in the course of carrying out their legal duties.