NEWS
Azibaola Using Tug-Of-War Game to Preach Climate Change
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Zeetin Engineering, Barry Azibaola Robert has advocated for re-inclusion of tug-of-war back into Olympic Games.
Azibaola who organized a Tug-of- War game among his kinsmen in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State, as part of activities of his Mother-in-Law burial at Kolo Community, said one of the essence of the game is to Foster unity amongst the people of the local government.
Speaking with Newsmen immediately after the game said, though the game has been taken out of Olympics for whatever reasons but not out of sports and can still be harnessed back into the system.
He said, Tug-Of-War is a completely new game especially in Bayelsa, saying maybe in another five years it might become a National event and the national event can be domicile in the state.
“If we are able to bring all the Youths in the country to Bayelsa for this game, you will see the multiplier effect, the ripple effect. People will stay in a hotel, they will feed, they buy all kinds of things and the economy will improve.”
“So forgive us for some of the lapses here and there because it’s the maiden edition. Let’s look forward to a better improvement.”
Speaking further, he also organized the game to preach the message of Climate Change. Saying the local does not understand what climate change is all about except you do practical examples.
“You must use practical examples to tell them and demonstrate what you mean by climate change. Nature is pulling and human beings are also pulling, if we allow human beings to pull through, nature will die and when nature dies all of us will die. So, I want to use a little game to practicalize climate change.”
“When I spoke with the governor about it, he was very happy. If I can partner with the State Government on this kind of thing, maybe the climate change thing would be domicile in BAYELSA. Nobody has thought of this kind of thing where you will use games to attract people and get People’s attention. People don’t just gather and allow you to talk to them unless you bring something on-board.”
“The competition has been taken out of the Olympics but it has not been taken out of sports. The competition is an intent sport especially in places like Canada, all these European countries, they do the competition over and over again.”
“We are looking at the future where we will get people home and abroad, hefty men that will come and do Tug-Of-War with Kolo, Otuasega, Imiringi people. When you make that connection between the people of Africa and most of the International communities, it would no longer be about migration, refugees and others. It is about healthy competition; healthy competition is what the World is talking about climate change. Yes, we can do it as a sport that will be more interesting than the Olympics.”
NEWS
FCDA Indigenous Contractors Protest Over Unpaid Contracts
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
A group of concerned indigenous contractors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Tuesday staged a fresh protest at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of outstanding debts for contracts executed on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration more than three years ago.
The contractors, led by their chairman, Adebola Ben, accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr.
Nyesom Wike, of failing to respond to repeated appeals for the settlement of outstanding payments owed to them.Addressing journalists during the protest, Ben said the contractors had exhausted every available channel to seek payment but had received no favourable response from the FCT Administration.
“For over three years, our requests for payment have not received any meaningful attention from the Honourable Minister. We had no option but to take our protest to his employers at the APC national secretariat,” he said.
Ben said the prolonged delay in paying the contractors has inflicted severe financial hardship on many indigenous firms, forcing some businesses to downsize while others battle mounting debts.
According to him, several contractors have laid off workers, while many are facing pressure from banks and other financial institutions over loans secured to execute the projects.
The latest demonstration came barely a week after the group staged a similar protest at the FCDA headquarters on June 22, 2026, demanding payment for completed local contracts. The protest reportedly turned chaotic after security personnel dispersed the demonstrators with teargas.
Ben disclosed that following the incident, the group petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Femi Haruna, seeking his intervention to ensure a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He added that the matter is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and expressed optimism that justice would prevail and the contractors would finally receive payment for services already rendered.
NEWS
Karu Councillor Organises Thanksgiving after APC Primaries
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Councillor representing Tattara/Kondoro Ward in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Hon. Barr. Ninda Yona, has organised a thanksgiving and appreciation summit for ward executives and local government appointees in recognition of their contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
The event held over the weekend in Tattara, attracted prominent political figures, party stakeholders and APC supporters from across the ward.
Speaking at the gathering, Barr. Yona commended the ward executives and appointees for their commitment and active participation during the party’s recent primary elections.
“Your role during the primaries is an indication that we are indeed making progress. You have demonstrated that you are true APC members,” she said.
The councillor also appealed to party members to put behind them any grievances arising from the primaries and focus on securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming general election.
“We apologise for whatever irregularities might have occurred during our primaries. Let us see them as challenges that will strengthen us as we work together towards success in the general election,” she added.
Also addressing the gathering, the APC candidate for the Karu/Gitata State Constituency seat in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Abraham Habu Ekpo, urged party executives, appointees and supporters to remain united and committed to the ideals of the APC.
He stressed that unity among party members would be crucial to securing victory in the forthcoming general election, calling on members to work collectively towards achieving the party’s electoral goals.
The gatherers expressed appreciation to Barr. Yona for organising the thanksgiving and appreciation summit.
The described the event as a morale booster and a demonstration of inclusive leadership, assuring the councillor of their continued support and commitment to ensuring the APC records a resounding victory in the forthcoming general election.
NEWS
FCDA Indigenous Contractors Protest over Unpaid Contracts
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
A group of concerned indigenous contractors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on Tuesday staged a fresh protest at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, demanding the immediate payment of outstanding debts for contracts executed on behalf of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration more than three years ago.
The contractors, led by their chairman, Adebola Ben, accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of failing to respond to repeated appeals for the settlement of outstanding payments owed to them.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Ben said the contractors had exhausted every available channel to seek payment but had received no favourable response from the FCT Administration.
“For over three years, our requests for payment have not received any meaningful attention from the Honourable Minister. We had no option but to take our protest to his employers at the APC national secretariat,” he said.
Ben said the prolonged delay in paying the contractors has inflicted severe financial hardship on many indigenous firms, forcing some businesses to downsize while others battle mounting debts.
According to him, several contractors have laid off workers, while many are facing pressure from banks and other financial institutions over loans secured to execute the projects.
The latest demonstration came barely a week after the group staged a similar protest at the FCDA headquarters on June 22, 2026, demanding payment for completed local contracts. The protest reportedly turned chaotic after security personnel dispersed the demonstrators with teargas.
Ben disclosed that following the incident, the group petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Femi Haruna, seeking his intervention to ensure a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
He added that the matter is now before a court of competent jurisdiction and expressed optimism that justice would prevail and the contractors would finally receive payment for services already rendered.


