NEWS
Bayelsa Gov’t Pledges More Commitment for Sports Development
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye said his administration would continue to prioritize the development of sports development as a tool to positively engage the youths in the state.He made this known at the finals of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season Tournament on Sunday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Ovom in Yenagoa.
Diri, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said his administration was not worried about the resources being allocated for the development of sports in the state. The Deputy Governor said sports remain one of the easiest ways to engage the youths positively.He emphasized that sports and education would remain focal areas in his prosperity administration because the two sectors have the capacity to take youths away from drugs, criminality and other social vices that are capable of destroying their lives.Diri, who described Bayelsa as the Mecca of sports in Nigeria, said he was elated to hear that ten players who took part in the Prosperity Cup would be leaving Nigeria to earn a living through sports, describing the pre-season tournament as a laudable initiative.He informed that the government was working round the clock to host a similar tournament for Bayelsa Queens to put the girls in shape before the commencement of the Nigeria Women Premier Football League (NWFL) later this year,Expressing satisfaction over the success recorded in the competition, he also promised to make the Douye Diri Pre-season tournament an annual competition to prepare Bayelsa United ahead of every season.Diri congratulated the champions, Bayelsa United, their Coach, Ladan Bosso, and all the participating teams for their show of dexterity and professionalism throughout the tournament, and urged them to build on their achievements so far.In a remark, Chairman Central Organizing Committee, Mr. Ono Akpe, said he is confident that Bayelsa United would have a productive season in the NPFL, noting that the essence of the tournament has been achieved.He explained that apart from preparing Bayelsa United for the new season, the competition has also exposed more local players to some NPFL teams, adding that some of them would be traveling to Turkey and Finland in the coming days.Akpe, who described Bayelsa as the home of grassroots football, appreciated Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo for giving sports premium attention.He equally thanked the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali and the Local Organizing Committee for translating the vision of the governor.Bayelsa United emerged champions of the Governor Douye Diri Pre-season tournament, beating Bendel Insurance 7-6 on penalties to clinch the trophy and the prize money.The Prosperity Boys’ smiled home with 1.5 million naira, second place Bendel Insurance got One million naira while Akwa United received 500 Hundred Thousand naira for finishing third in the tournament.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Sen. Monday Okpebholo remains its governorship candidate in Saturday’s governorship election in Edo.Mr Felix Morka, the party’sNational Publicity Secretary made the party’s position clear in a statement issued in Abuja.Morka said the clarification became necessary following fake news thatOkpebholo had been disqualified by a magistrate court.
“In the final hours to the Edogubernatorial election scheduled to hold Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, certain political parties have desperately resorted to forgery and disinformation on our candidate.“The blackmail is to the extent of circulating a fake magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Sen.Okpebholo, the APC gubernatorial candidate in the election.“The circulated ruling is fake, a fabrication and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls,” Morka said.He said the magistrate court that purportedly issued the fake ruling had issued a disclaimer, stating categorically that it did not emanate from him.Morka added that the fake ruling meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate, was a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate.“We call on our law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and bring the perpetrators of this falsehood to book,” he said.He, therefore, urged Edo voters to remain vigilant and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights at the polls.He expressed trust that Edo people would ignore this and other illegal devices by desperate candidates and their parties to subvert the election.“Sen. Monday Okpebholo is and remains, the standard bearer of the APC in Edo gubernatorial election,” Morka stated. (NAN)
The Federal Government has condemned the terrorist attack on the military airport in Bamako, Mali.Amb. Eche Abu-Obe, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, disclosed the Nigerian government’s position in a statement on Saturday. Eche said, “The Federal Republic of Nigeria strongly condemns the abominable terrorist attack that took place on Tuesday, Sept.
17, 2024, targeting a military airport, training Centre and other sensitive locations in Bamako, Mali. “This heinous act, which has claimed lives and caused destruction of several military aircraft, is yet another stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by extremist groups in the region.“It must be emphasised that acts of terrorism, regardless of where they occur, represent a threat to peace and security for the entire region.“Nigeria extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Mali, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this tragic incident.” (NAN)
The Kwara Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called for maximum protection for journalists and observers assigned for the coverage of the state’s local government elections on Saturday.The Council’s Chairman, Abdullateef Ahmed, in a statement on Friday in Ilorin by the Council Secretary, Olayinka Alaya, emphasised the need for safety for the journalists and observers.
He said this was necessary in view of the critical role journalists play in ensuring transparent and fair polls. ”The Council urges security personnel deployed for the elections to ensure that journalists across the 16 local government areas (LGAs) of the state carry out their duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.”The NUJ also cautions that any form of harassment or intimidation of journalists while performing their constitutionally-guaranteed duties will not be tolerated.“As the watchdog of the society, members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm must be accorded their due rights and respect before, during and after the electoral process.“Any attack on journalists is an attack on democracy itself,” Alaya quoted the Council Chairman as saying.The Kwara Council of NUJ also stressed the need for security agencies to ensure watertight security throughout the period allotted for the electoral process.”We urge security personnel to be proactive in addressing potential threats that may compromise the integrity of the elections or put media professionals at risk,” Ahmed said.He also called on the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWASIEC) to maintain an unbiased position throughout the entire process.Ahmed appealed to the electoral umpire to ensure timely distribution of both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials to polling units.The Council Chairman also encouraged eligible voters across the state to exercise their voting rights responsibly, urging them to remain calm and law-abiding during the process.“This exercise is an opportunity for the people of Kwara to shape the future of their LGAs.“It is fundamental that eligible voters come out and utilise their franchise and do so without any fear,” he advised.(NAN)
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