From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Prosperity Cup Women’s defending Champions, Niger Delta University Queens have been ousted from Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football showpiece.In a keenly contested match at the BDGS battle ground, high-scoring Ezuogha Queens defeated defending champions, NDU Queens by a lone goal to progress to the next round of the competition.

Ezougha, which had put up a ruthless performance in their opening fixture scoring eight goals against Diamond Stars, had to dig deep to find the back of their opponents net in the 67th minute through Numulayefa Princess. In the second match of the day at the same venue, Stardom Life Sports Academy of Ogboloma pipped Seaside Academy of Ovom by a lone goal. Paul Favour’s goal on 37 minutes was all the Ogboloma-based team needed to advance to the next round of the tournament.The Kpansia arena will take centre stage on Wednesday, when Jerry Queens FC of Ogbia confront Afini Ladies of Yenagoa at 3.00PM, while Crystal Stars will keep a date with Global Queens by 4.30PM.Action continues today at the same venue with Akeddei Queens from Sagbama LGA taking on Bayelsa State College of Nursing Sciences, BYSCON Queens by 3.00PM while Niger Delta Queens trade hard tackles with Golden Sun Sports Club of Yenagoa at 4.30PM.Speaking of Tuesday’s game, victorious coach of Stardom Life Sports Academy, Inemotimi Kofi, said both sides gave their best, pointing out that his team would have done better if not for some players who missed the match because of examination commitments.According to him, he knew the game was going to be tough for his team, stating that they have been in close camping preparing for the competition, which gave his team a slight advantage.He, however, expressed the hope that his full squad will be available for their next tie.Also speaking, head coach of Seaside Academy, Awusa Anthony, said in addition to the cheap goal his players conceded which demoralized them; his team’s wastefulness in front of goal was one of their greatest undoing. He said they would go back to the drawing board, correct their mistakes and come back stronger next season.

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has commiserated with the Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mahmoud Mariya over the death of her father, Alhaji Sani Baban Koko.In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the FCT Minister prayed for the repose of the soul of Alhaji Sani Baban Koko.

”My heart went out to you when I heard of the death of your beloved father, Alhaji Sani Baban Koko. ”I may not have been opportune to meet Alhaji Sani Baban Koko, when he was alive, but it is commonly said that by the quality of a product, one can judge the character of the manufacturer.”Going by the personality of Dr. Mahmoud Mariya, who is one of his children, I can conclude that Baba was a good man.”Though the death of a beloved father can be painful, especially at the age of 74 that Baba died, the entire Baban Koko family should be consoled by the fact that death is the end of all mortals and it must come when it will come.“It is therefore my prayer that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) in His infinite mercies will grant the deceased Al-firdaus and give the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement said.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has won both first and third positions at the 2025 Federal Public Service Innovation Competition.

The corporation clinched the two positions out of 155 competing entries from across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

In a statement by NDIC Acting Head of Communication & Public Affairs, Hawwau Gambo yesterday, the remarkable achievement was announced by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(HOSF), Didi Walson-Jack, during the award ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday.

“The NDIC’s winning entry, the Carpooling Team, developed an innovative digital carpooling application that acts as a rideshare platform aimed at reducing commuting costs for federal workers — a solution that earned them the coveted top prize of N5 million.

According to the statement in addition to this, a second NDIC team came in at third place with the prize of N3 million for an innovative digital platform to enhance staff productivity and streamline administrative processes called Perfoma.

It acts as a convenient online secretariat that facilitates the creation and tracking of documents, as well as measuring the output and implementation of tasks to monitor performance of staff – a fully packaged office-suite. 

Speaking at the event, HOSF, Walson-Jack, emphasized that “Innovation is one of the six key pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25)” commending participating agencies for aligning with the federal government’s vision for a dynamic and efficient public service.

The MD/CE, Bello Hassan, who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Strategy Development Department, Gwa Uduwak Zachary, lauded the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) for sustaining the innovation tradition while commending the NDIC’s teams for their ground-breaking achievements underlining the Corporation’s commitment to excellence, problem-solving, and a forward-thinking approach to public service delivery. While receiving the teams at his office, the MD/CE, NDIC stated that

“This double recognition is a testament to the innovative spirit and professionalism that NDIC nurtures. Our teams have once again demonstrated the Corporation’s leadership in deploying technology and creative thinking to solve real-world challenges”, he stated.

The MD further noted that the NDIC’s success in the competition, organized by the OHCSF, is a strong endorsement of its ongoing drive to embed innovation into its operational culture. It also reflects the Corporation’s strategic alignment with national priorities on public service reform, digital transformation, and cost-effective governance.

“The NDIC remains committed to supporting and scaling solutions that improve service delivery across the civil service and contribute meaningfully to national development”, he added.