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Students of King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple Football Refereeing Academy (KEPRA) and the Administrator of the Academy, Elder Ere Dokubo.
 THE Rivers State Football Referees’ Council on Wednesday, 3rd March officially performed her 2024 barging ceremony, and the formal commencement of King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple Football Refereeing Academy (KEPRA), at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium Elikahia Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The twin events are part of the Dennis Charles Dima-led administration’s pet projects to place the council at the top echelon of comity of referee councils in the Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NRA).
Speaking to Journalists at the sideline of the events, the Patron of Rivers State Football Referees’ Council Engr. Joseph Olaleye Duntoye, said the barging ceremony and academic programme are part of the process of developing Nigeria Football; noting that it’s a sequence towards having Nigeria referee in the world cup.
Group picture of barged referees
“Yes the barging ceremony and academic commencement of King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple Football Refereeing Academy (KEPRA) today must actually move many referees to the next level which shows developing Football Referees in Nigeria; it’s a sequence, I am optimistic that with what has started more people will be promoted in such a way we will have Nigeria FIFA Referees in the World Cup”
Speaking to Journalists also Mr. Edwin Omiete, Secretary Rivers State Football Association pour encomium to the Rivers State Football Referees’ Council for her bold steps towards recruitment of younger referees. 
Engr Duntoye performing the barging exercise
“I appreciate the Rivers State Football Referees’ Council, for initiative of the refereeing academy and barging ceremonies we are having today.
“It is a good thing that has happened to football family in Rivers, because when people are retiring as an active Referees and there are people that are been recruiting for upgrading and catch them young from the academy shows that we are progressing.
The leadership of Rivers State Football Referees’ Council is in the right track and I charge them to do more because going forward there are still more areas to harness and exploit”. Rivers FA chief Scribe posited.
The visibly elated Dima Dennis Charles, Chairman Rivers State Football Referees’ Council opined; “What is happening at Yakubu Gowon stadium Elikahia in Port Harcourt is the council working in compliance with the statute of Nigeria Football Referees’ Association (NRA); we are grading, accessing and barging the Referees that are promoted to their new refereeing grades.
As well, today is the formal commencement of the King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple Football Refereeing Academy (KEPRA) tutorial class. It is a holiday tutorial programme for the young lads.
They are from age 9-12. So far, so good, we have 73 students, to the glory of God they are training under the scholarship of Rivers State Football Referees’ Council.” Dima Charles concluded.
Recall that on the 20th December, 2023 the Rivers State Football Referees’ Council unveiled the King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple Football Refereeing Academy (KEPRA). The Academy is fashioned for intending kids from age 9-12 years, and the aim is to checkmate the aging factor that impedes the growth and development of Nigeria football Referees, both national and international levels.”
The event featured barging of successful Referees from RIT to grade Three, Grade Three to Two and grade Two to one. Physical parade of students of the academy and friendly football match between Rivers State Football Council team and One Pack Football Club of Port Harcourt which ended 1-3 in favour of the visitors.
