From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has announced an increase in the prize money for the Diri National Scrabble Classic.

Speaking during the closing ceremonies of the sixth edition on Sunday night in Yenagoa, the state capital, an impressed Governor Diri announced that the winner of the Masters category in next edition will get N5 million and the total prize money raised to N40 million from N20 million.

The Bayelsa governor also directed the Commissioners for Sports and his Education counterpart to work out the modalities for the game to be introduced in secondary schools in the state, saying it would help develop students mentally.

Diri said scrabble developed his vocabulary, spelling and thinking ability while growing up, noting that it is a mind game that builds intellect and strategic thinking.

His words: “Scrabble is a game I started playing as a youth and it helped my vocabulary and spelling ability. Today, I am very happy to hear the waves this tournament has made not only in our country but also beyond it and I like to appreciate all of you who have made the game interesting.

“Scrabble is a mind game. It is something that I will personally recommend even for our secondary schools as this is not just a sport, it is also education.

“The importance of scrabble cannot be over-emphasised as it makes you think strategically. We will continue to support the game till I leave office.

“Next year will be the last time I will have this interaction with you. So, in the next edition, the prize money for the Masters winner will be N5 million and the general category will be N40 million.”

Responding to requests from President of the Nigeria scrabble Federation, Engr. Bright Idahosa, the Bayelsa helmsman promised to influence the introduction of scrabble in the 2028 National Sports Festival scheduled to hold in the state as well as support players from Nigeria participating in the World Youth Scrabble Championship in Kenya this weekend.

He said the state’s investment in sports was due to the abundance of talents and the desire of his administration to harness them and engage youths positively.

“We have the hosting right for the 2028 National Sports Festival and the practice is that as host, you can introduce some new games, and scrabble will be part of it. We will also support those going to Kenya as requested.

“We have a lot of talented youths and sports is one way to develop them. We are among the top sporting states in Nigeria and that is why we are investing in sports to develop our talents.”

In his remarks, Bright Idahosa said scrabble brought global attention to Nigeria after the country won the world championship in 2015 and that the game has continued to gain national and international prominence.

He said the NSF was profoundly grateful to Governor Diri for his unrelenting support for the game, saying it reverberates all over as Nigeria is the best scrabble playing nation in Africa and the world.

Idahosa hailed the performance of the governor, whom he described as a silent achiever while highlighting some of his infrastructure development projects in the state.

The Commissioner for Sports, Dr. Daniel Igali, in his remarks, said scrabble was a mind sport that needed to be supported and celebrated.

He also stated that the 2028 national sports festival would be the best in the country, saying work on the 30,000-capacity and 15,000-capacity stadia was progressing well and will be delivered on schedule.

Chairman, Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, Daniel Alabrah, said this year’s edition was significant as it had the highest number of registered players in any scrabble tournament in the country with over 300 participants just as it offered the highest prize money so far.

Alabrah appreciated Governor Diri for supporting scrabble, saying it has redefined and increased the interest of youths in the game in Nigeria.

He said the state scrabble association alongside the NSF would work towards making the next edition an international tournament as the just ended classic had participants from Ghana.

He also stated that the edition witnessed some improvements such as online registration, online recording of scores and live-streaming, which took the game to the entire world as it was on.

Abdulmimin Jimoh emerged champion of the Masters and took home the N2 million prize and a trophy while Bayelsa-born Felix Igolukumo won the Intermidiate category with N1.2 million and a trophy, and his compatriot, Godwin Angoye, came tops in the Opens with a prize of N700,000 and a trophy.

For the third time, Oladokun Esan took the Veterans category and a N900,000 prize and trophy while Godwin Joseph claimed the top spot in the Students category with a N150,000 prize and trophy.

Each category had between 10 and 15 prize winners while the governor announced a special gift of N1 million each to seven-year-old Abdulsalam Yusuf from Kwara State and nine-year-old Bayelsa-born Elizabeth Fun-ere.

The Highlight of the event was the exhibition game between the NSF president and the governor, which the latter won.

From Wins Charity, Owerri

The Traditional Ruler of Assa, Obosa-Umuepe Communities Eze Emmanuel Asor has decried insisant attack by Fulani herdsmen for killing, abduction and destruction of farmland in the Communities in Ohaji Egbemna Local Government Area of Imo State.

Asor said that In Abacheke Community Fulani herdsmen on motorcycle fired sporadically Four Confirmed dead, one injured Farmland destroyed, and intimidation heightened in Assa, Obosa-Assa, Umuepe communities

He further stated that Fulani herdsmen with cows have repeatedly invaded farmlands and destroyed cassava, yam, plantain amongst others.

The traditional ruler Eze Emmanuel,Asor said that the little land they have been invaded by Fulani herdsmen and no fewer than,260 Cow grazing in farmlands adding that hunger is imminent because crops were eaten by the Fulani Cow

Eze Asor further said that in Abacheke Community, Gunmen on motorcycles fired sporadically four people confirmed dead on arrival, one person injured and right now Police have deployed tactical teams to the areas.

He highlighting that in Asaa Fulani herdsmen recently killed 1 dead, 9 injure while, five were abducted

Eze disclosed that HURIWA has accused “armed Fulani herders” of “sustained killings” in Imo which is well acknowledge across the State.

He however condemned misinformation and urged the Youths in the Areas to remain calm and he noted that oil companies have took most land, leaving little for farming which is now invaded my Fulani herdsmen

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has announced the successful completion of the insurance sector recapitalisation exercise, with 43 insurance and reinsurance companies meeting the new minimum capital requirements, while eight others are undergoing final regulatory verification.

The recapitalisation exercise, which lasted 12 months, was carried out pursuant to the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA) 2025, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 31, 2025.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Commission described the completion of the exercise as a major milestone that would strengthen the financial capacity of insurance operators, enhance policyholder protection, and position the industry to play a greater role in Nigeria’s economic development.

According to NAICOM, the recapitalisation marks the beginning of a new era for the country’s insurance industry, creating a stronger, more resilient, professionally governed and policyholder-focused market.

“The successful conclusion of the exercise marks a defining milestone in the transformation of Nigeria’s insurance industry and signals the beginning of a new era for insurance in the country,” the Commission said.

It noted that the recapitalisation process followed the implementation of NIIRA 2025, under which the Commission issued comprehensive guidelines detailing the new minimum capital requirements, eligible capital instruments, admissible assets, verification procedures, reporting obligations and supervisory expectations for operators.

NAICOM said the rigorous review, verification and validation process significantly strengthened the industry’s financial resilience while attracting substantial domestic and foreign investments.

“The verified outcome of the exercise indicates that 43 insurance and reinsurance companies successfully met the prescribed Minimum Capital Requirements.

“However, eight insurance companies that submitted evidence of compliance shortly before the statutory deadline are currently undergoing final verification and regulatory review. This would be concluded within fourteen days,” the Commission stated.

The NAICOM further stated that the higher capital base would improve insurers’ capacity to underwrite larger and more sophisticated risks across key sectors of the economy, honour policyholder claims promptly, absorb emerging risks and support long-term investments, including infrastructure financing.

It added that the exercise would also strengthen the Commission’s risk-based supervisory framework by ensuring that regulatory capital remains aligned with the size, complexity and risk profile of each licensed operator.

The regulator reassured policyholders, investors and other stakeholders that it would continue implementing the reforms contained in NIIRA 2025 while modernising the insurance ecosystem through innovation, technology and digitisation.

The Commission said it remained committed to strengthening consumer protection, promoting sound market conduct, expanding insurance penetration and building a globally competitive insurance industry.

It also pledged to provide regular updates on post-recapitalisation supervisory actions, the status of companies undergoing final verification, industry restructuring developments and the implementation of the Risk-Based Capital Framework.

NAICOM expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, shareholders, investors, insurance operators, professional bodies, development partners and other stakeholders for their support throughout the recapitalisation process.

“The successful completion of this recapitalisation exercise is not the destination but the foundation. It marks the beginning of a new era in which stronger institutions, stronger governance and stronger public confidence will make insurance work better for every Nigerian,” it added.