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Month: October 2024

NSF: Ogun begins reconstruction works on MKO Abiola Stadium

Prince Odutola04 mins

The Ogun State Government has commenced reconstruction and renovation works on the MKO Abiola International Stadium and the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta, ahead of the National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged “2024 Gateway Games.” Speaking after inspecting the two facilities, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, assured that the renovation works would be completed within the stipulated time and would be tested before the games. The scraping of the pitch at the main bowl of the stadium, the removal of the tartan tracks, as well as the roofs at the indoor hall of the Alake Sports Centre, Ijeja, are ongoing simultaneously as the commissioner led journalists to the sites. He revealed that the VIP section of the stadium would be expanded, while an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, and handball courts would also be constructed within  the stadium. The commissioner noted that the current administration is intensifying its efforts to develop sports and youth development programs in the state, as well as to discover and nurture young athletes. He highlighted the importance of harnessing the potential of the youth and channeling their energy into productive ventures for their personal success and the socio-economic gains of the state, reiterating the government’s commitment to organizing a world-class National Sports Festival. Hon. Isiaka submitted that the festival will bring together the best athletes from the state, inspiring the next generation of athletes, promoting the rich cultural heritage, and promising to reward outstanding performances. He stated that the massive renovation will not only help develop the skills and dedication of local athletes before, during, and after the games but will also underscore the commitment and readiness of the state government to host the National Sports Festival, calling on corporate organizations and other well-meaning individuals to join hands with the government to make the NSF a huge success. The Commissioner added that the Sports Festival is a moment for the state to shine and show the world the abundance of talents, potentials and inherent hospitality in the state. He, therefore,  reaffirmed the readiness of the state government to host a befitting festival, adding that the facilities would be top-notch and would attract national and international events. The National Sports Festival has been slated  to hold between January 12 and January 26, 2025.

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FG launches portal for youth access 2000 CNG tricycles

Prince Odutola04 mins

Federal Government has launched the Portal to enable youth access the 2,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tricycles to improve transportation infrastructure and foster economic growth. The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande unveiled  the Porter   in collaboration with the Presidential CNG Initiative (PI-CNG) and National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners & Riders Association (NATOMORAS) at his office in Abuja. While launching the Portal, Comrade Olawande explained that  it is dedicated to fostering transparency in the enrollment of youth into the Presidential CNG Initiative within the transportation sector.  He explained that the portal empowers youth from all regions of Nigeria to register and be connected with aggregators or owners who are directly involved in the programme.  The Minister said; “this aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for all government programmes and initiatives to provide equal opportunities to people of all backgrounds, regardless of wealth or social status.” He stressed that young individuals in the country will not require any influential connections to benefit from the Ministry of Youth Development’s programmes, adding that the launching of the Youth portal  reaffirms the commitment to ensuring that all the initiatives and programmes are equally accessible to everyone.  The Minister encouraged all young people working in the commercial transportation sector or those interested in joining the sector to take advantage of the benefits provided through the Presidential Initiative on CNG, noting that the initiative is a significant component of the President’s palliative programme. The Minister further explained that there are two ways to accessing the CNG Portal for tricycles; youthcng.ng, pci.gov.ng/tricycle. The Representative of the Presidential CNG Initiatives, Mr. Tosin Coker, in his remarks disclosed that partnering with the Ministry and NATOMORAS will create opportunities for many youths. He stated that the youth have the chance to gain employment by becoming partners with aggregators through the launched scheme. He added that they will have the option to own these tricycles if they desire.  He expressed his appreciation to the Ministry for taking the lead and to the aggregators for supporting the initiative. Earlier, the Chairman of NATOMORAS, Alhaji Sani Hassan, noted that the launch of the portal is historic for their association and its members across the country. He expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to witness and participate in the launch of the important portal, which he said will provide opportunities for all members.  He assured the Minister of the Association ‘s full commitment to mobilize and educate their members to be actively involved in the programme and to ensure that they make the most of the opportunity.

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Bobrisky: Minister vows to sanction erring Correctional Service Officers 

Prince Odutola05 mins

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to holistic reform the Correctional Service.  He made this assurance at the official launch of the report on the  National Assessment of the situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty on Tuesday in Abuja. He stated that the Nigeria Correctional Service Act of 2019 mandates that issues on juvenile deliquesce be addressed through reforms, rehabilitation, reintegration of offenders into the society.   “I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance, as I strongly believe that a minor action of a minor should not be a major setback for his future,” he said.  He decried the high number of correctional centres across the country as against the ratio of inmates to the population saying,  “there are certain questions we need to ask ourselves; like do we need 256 Correctional centres in Nigeria? When you do the ratio of inmates to the population, Nigeria is one of the least. We have 84,000 inmates in a country of about 200 million people, so why should we have 256 correctional centres? How many armed correctional guards do we have to secure the 256 centres? We need to ask ourselves these questions “.  The Minister said that in the Bobrisky case,  it is not going to be business as usual. “We are resolute. By next week the committee will be ready with the report. My concern is not about Bobrisky, but about my officers. If any officer is found wanting, he must face the penalty.” He reiterated that beyond a name change from prisons to corrections, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to taking all necessary measures to reform the Correctional Service into a hub for rehabilitation, reformation, and redemption.  “The correctional service cannot continue to be a point of disgrace to the Nigerian Government.We will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the integrity of the generality of the institution,” Tunji-Ojo said. Adding that, the committee will be expanded to address such issues when they arise in future. “We will expand the committee because when the crisis calls it is an opportunity for reform.” While appreciating the efforts of all contributors to the report, Tunji-Ojo assured the public that the government will carefully pay attention to all issues raised, and ensure that sustainable solutions be sought.  He further assured UNICEF of his ministry’s support in addressing issues relating to juvenile justice.  In attendance were key stakeholders and partners including officials of the Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), UNICEF, Nigerian Bar Association, British High Commission, US Embassy, European Union, NBS_Nigeria, Nigerian Police Force and National Human Rights Commission, amongst others.

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AFCON 2025: Cape Verdean referee to officiate Libya, Nigeria battle in Benina

Prince Odutola01 mins

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi. He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official. Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer. Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).  

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Morocco 2025: Eguavoen targets double over Libya that will send Eagles to final tourney 

Prince Odutola04 mins

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has set as objective, the maximum six points from this month’s double header between the Super Eagles and Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in the teams’ group D attrition as the race to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals hots up. Nigeria host the first game at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday evening, with the return at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, 19 kilometres from Libya’s second city Benghazi, on Tuesday night. “We have to be practical about it: our best and surest route to the finals will be to pick up the six points in the matches with Libya, and be somewhat guaranteed of a place in Morocco even before Matchday 5. We don’t want to be in any anxiety in the run-in in this qualifying campaign. “I admit we will miss Victor (Osimhen), but I believe in the other strikers available to get us the goals that will give us the three points in Uyo, and the three points in Libya.” Twenty of the 23 invited players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening, with defender Bright Osayi-Samuel and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke arriving on Wednesday morning. Leaders Nigeria have four points from their two matches so far, one point ahead of Benin Republic and two ahead of Rwanda. The Eagles will go to 10 points with a double win over Libya, while both teams on Nigeria’s heels are in attrition and are bound to chop at each other’s advantage one way or the other. Wins for Benin Republic in both matches will take them to nine points, still short of Nigeria’s probable tally of 10, but Rwanda will remain stuck at two and Libya one, with only two matches left in the campaign. Wins for Rwanda will leave Benin Republic stuck at three points and Rwanda at eight. “There are possibilities and opportunities for us to sail home at the end of these two matches, and we will do our best to take our chances and have the ticket in hand before the final round of games,” Eguavoen reiterated. The delegation of Libya’s Mediterranean Knights landed at the Port Harcourt International Airport around noon on Tuesday, before moving to Uyo by road. Malawian referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, who will be at the centre during Friday’s encounter, alongside the other match officials, are already in the Akwa Ibom State capital. The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti as assistant referees 1 ad 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official.

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Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie on life-support 

Prince Odutola03 mins

A former Green Eagles goalkeeper Peter Fregene has been reportedly in critical condition.  The ailing former footballer, according to his national team, Dr. Segun Odegbami (MON), is currently on life support.  “Peter Fregene is in hospital and on life-support. His situation is critical.  “The Creator of Life has shown up.  “What Peter Fregene needs the most now are our collective prayers that the will of His Creator be done!  “I thank all Nigerians for their concern and response to the humble cry of their hero currently in distress,” Odegbami wrote on social media.  The Mathematical also thanked Nigerians who overwhelmingly turned up for Fregene.  “The interest generated by my story on Peter Fregene earlier today has been overwhelming.  “Nigerians made me proud.  “I thank all those that responded in messages, particularly in prayers and in their desire to contribute to any funding.” He however emphasised that he is not raising funds for the ex-player, saying all financial supports should be directed to Fregene’s wife.  “I am NOT involved in raising funds from the public on behalf of Fregene because I have no such authority. I would also not be involved in any thing that can be abused if not handled properly. As important as funds are for his treatment, they are secondary considering the stage of Peter’s condition in hospital.  “The Creator of a life has shown up.  Three Nigerians that I know, read me and volunteered to support his treatment in hospital. I accepted their offer and channelled their wish to Tina, Peter’s faithful wife that has stood by him completely through all the decades of his medical ordeal.  “Once again, I am NOT raising or collecting any funds on behalf of Peter’s family. If the need arises, and I am requested and authorized to do so, I shall.”

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CHAN 2024 qualifiers: Nigeria, Ghana renew rivalry 

Prince Odutola02 mins

Nigeria has been drawn against their eternal rivals, Ghana in the Second Round of the CAF African Nations Championship qualifiers.  The draw held on Wednesday paired the two West African countries together.  Ghana will host Nigeria in the first leg between 20th and 22nd of December, while the reverse fixture is slated 27th and 29th of the same month.  Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the tournament between 01 – 28 February 2025. Since its 2009 inception, the CHAN tournament has been an exceptional platform of showcasing the world-class talent and quality of African football as well as its ever-evoling landscape. Algeria played host to the last edition of the tournament which drew thousands of supporters, millions of global audiences and digital engagement as a result of the rising popularity and quality of the tournament. In line with CAF’s key objective of increasing the commercial strength of its competitions, the CAF CHAN competition has also seen an increased rise in commercial value. This has also been supported by CAF’s 60% increase in the tournament’s prize money that sees the winners walking away with $2 Million.

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