November 2024 | Trendbrio.com

Habeeb Akeem wins 1st Kwara Governor’s Cup Open Golf Tourney

Prince Odutola4 weeks ago4 weeks ago07 mins

The 1st edition of the Kwara State Governor’s Cup Open Golf Tournament took place from the 15th to 17th November, 2024 at the prestigious Ilorin Golf Club. Akeem Habeeb of Ilorin Golf Club has emerged the champion of maiden Kwara Governor’s Open golf tournament. The rising star playing handicap 4 emerged winner with a gross of +5, 149 over 36 holes. Habeeb who also won the 7th edition of the Kwara Open Golf Tournament which took place at same venue in August and Insurance Open at Ibadan Golf Club carded +6; 78 on Sunday after opening the event with a – 1, 71 gross on Saturday. Despite the hot pursuit by the Nigerian number one amateur golfer, Olajide Owolabi of Abeokuta Golf Club and Oladele Samson of Ekiti Golf Club, Habeeb held tightly to his lead to see of the two challengers who finished +7, 151 and +8, 152 gross in 2nd and 3rd respectively. The event which featured over 140 players from different clubs across the country such as Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ekiti, Tiger, Ibadan, Ikeja, Dolphin, IBB, Rosanny golf clubs and of course Ilorin Golf Club saw Olaitan Kayode of Ilorin Golf Club winning the best net prize with a net of 137 over 36 holes, beating Onoyivwe D. of Sagamu Golf Club to 2nd place with a net of 143 and pushing Oladele I of Rossany Golf Club to the 3rdplace with a net of 145. Adekeye Ayanfeoluwa and Paul Adache both of Ilorin Golf Club returned 146 and 149 net to clinch 4th and 5th positions respectively. For Handicap 13-28 category it was an Ilorin Golf Club affairs with Hamza Ojo clinching the star price with 137 net, followed by Dr. Lucky Itsekor in 2nd place with 139 net, Ibrahim Adeyemi in third place with a net of 140 Babatunde Abdulwahab returned 141 net to clinch the fourth place while Muhammed Ibrahim 142 net was good enough to earn him the fifth position and Aliu Shola losing on count back with 142 net to Muhammed Ibrahim in the 6th position. Part of the participants who registered his name in the winning list is the B.O.T. Chairman of the Club, Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd) of Ilorin Golf Club who won the BOT category with 70 net over 18 holes. Men’s veteran went to Alaba Yahaya of Ilorin Golf Club, who carded 73 net pushing Commodre A.J. Taiwo (rtd.) to the 2nd Position with 74 net. Super Veterans category went to Prof. Ben Ogunlade of Ogbomoso Golf Club. Best gross ladies was won by Opeyemi Adenigba of Ekiti Golf Club with a gross of 171 over 36 holes while Nihilola Olawuyi of Ilorin Golf Club won the best net with 128 net over 36 holes. Folashade Ajala and Patience Ekwere both of Tiger returned 152 net and 160 net to finish 2nd and 3rd in the ladies net category respectively. The ladies super veterans’ prize category went to Ms Zulu Omo-Ikerodah of Ikeja Golf Club. In his remark, Director of the tournament and representative of Slqufort Nigeria Limited, the marketing outfit that put the event together, Barr. Oludare Akanbi thanked the Title Sponsor, Kwara State Government and other co-sponsors and donors for their financial and material support which contributed to the huge success of the tournament. Among the corporate sponsors are First Bank Plc, Femtech IT, Emirates Global Hotels Limited, Yolas Consultants, Momrota Pharmacy, Rotamedics Pharmacy, Kam Abioye Estates and Adeslam Properties Limited. Other sponsors are Senator Sadiq Umar, Senator Lola Ashiru, Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi (Rtd), Engr. Lanre Sagaya, Otunba Olusola Adekanola, Otunba Layi Malik, Dr. AWA Ibraheem, Professor Dibu Ojerinde, Hon. Tunji Olawuyi Ajulo Opin, Dr. Isaac Ishola, and Engr. Babatunde Ibikunle (ATM). In his speech, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq pledged government’s continuous support towards the development of Golf and sports generally in the state. The Governor who was represented by the Executive Chairman Kwara State Sports Commission, Malam Bolakale Mogaji pledged the State Government continued support for the next edition of the tournament which he promised will be bigger and better and the forth coming Ilorin Ladies Open Golf Tournament slated for early 2025.

EFCC arrests suspected internet fraudster in Abuja

Prince Odutola4 weeks ago4 weeks ago01 mins

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, 27 November 2024, arrested one suspected internet fraudster. The suspect was arrested at No.25 Aliyu Modibbo Street, Guzape Hills, Abuja following credible intelligence on his alleged involvement in internet fraud. Items recovered from him include a Range Rover Velar 2019 model, $4100 (Four Thousand One Hundred United States Dollars), N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) cash, One AP silver wrist watch, two mobile phones and one laptop. He will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

International Friendly: Super Falcons, team officials jet into France for big game

Prince Odutola4 weeks ago4 weeks ago04 mins

Players and officials of nine-time African champions Nigeria have started arriving in the city of Angers, France from Wednesday morning, ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated international friendly game between the Super Falcons and the Les Bleues. It is the second time both teams will engage in a friendly encounter – the first being a forgettable experience for the Falcons as they lost by eight goals in freezing weather inside Le Mans’ Stade Marie-Marvingt on 6th April 2018. Only goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays her club football in France, and Mexico- based defender Osinachi Ohale, remain from that squad that was undone by, among other things, a hat-trick from Valérie Gauvin and an own goal by defender Faith Ikidi-Michael. The defeat equalled the Falcons’ biggest-ever defeats – by Norway at the 1995 FIFA World Cup finals in Sweden and by Germany in a friendly in Leverkusen’s Bay Arena on 25th November 2010. However, clashes at the FIFA World Cup finals have been much closer, with the Falcons losing by the odd goal against the Les Bleues in Germany in 2011, and by the same margin at the Roazhon Park when both sides clashed at the 2019 finals hosted by France. The consummation of Saturday’s encounter is further confirmation of the Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led administration’s commitment to fully blood a new Super Falcons’ squad, by implementing a process of exposure and experience-garnering for the new squad, following an under-par outing at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in France this summer. The big game with the Les Bleues comes up only five weeks after the first of two friendly matches with Algeria’s Green Ladies in Nigeria (2-0 and 4-1 wins), and eight days after the Super Falcons learnt they would be playing Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in the group phase at the 13th Women AFCON in Morocco next summer. Saturday’s match will commence at 9.30pm France time, same time as in Nigeria. SUPER FALCONS FOR LES BLEUES CHALLENGE: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lioness, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey) Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons) Forwards: Blessing Nkor (Pyramids FC, Egypt); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Mercy Omokwo (Bayelsa Queens)

NFF congratulates Felix Owolabi on 70th birthday anniversary

Prince Odutola4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has felicitated with former Nigeria captain, Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye as the former defender-turned-winger celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary at the weekend. General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said the former wing wizard deserves all the adulation on the occasion of his Platinum Jubilee Anniversary. given his immense contributions to Nigeria football both as a player of immense repute and an administrator. “The NFF congratulates Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye on this landmark occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary. It is not everyone who gets to attain the septuagenarian level. We celebrate him for his many wonderful outings for Nigeria and his excellent service as an administrator after his playing days. “As a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, we value his contributions at meetings and advice and suggestions through the telephone on the direction that Nigeria Football and the various National Teams should take each time.” Felix Owolabi Akinloye, who started as a defender, became a fascinating winger for then Green Eagles, and played a key role as Nigeria won her first Africa Cup of Nations title, on home soil, in 1980. Owolabi was captain of the team to the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libya, where the team got off to a promising start with a 3-0 defeat of Ethiopia in Benghazi, before forfeiting a one-goal lead to lose 1-2 to Algeria and then fell 0-3 to Zambia. The pacy forward retired from international duty afterwards, but continued playing club football, and was in then IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) that won the inaugural edition of the CAF Cup in 1992.

Boniface suffers thigh injury

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria striker Victor Boniface is set to miss “a few games” after returning from international duty with a leg injury, coach Xabi Alonso said Friday. “He’s got a small injury in his thigh muscle, it’s a shame,” Alonso told reporters ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Heidenheim. Nigerian media reported Boniface could miss the remainder of 2024 but Alonso was optimistic the striker would be back soon. “He won’t be there tomorrow or against Salzburg (Champions League). “We hope he will play again this year. We have to wait and see, but it’s not going to be six or eight weeks.” Forward Patrik Schick, who has started just twice in the league this season, is expected to step up in the Nigerian’s absence. “He is always ready — we don’t just need him now, but always.” The defending champions, who did not lose a game in Germany last year on the way to an unbeaten league and cup double, have stuttered this season. Leverkusen are currently in fourth, nine points behind league leaders Bayern Munich. Alonso’s men have dropped 13 points so far this season, one more than the 12 they leaked in the entirety of the last campaign. Boniface is Leverkusen’s highest scorer in the league, with six goals and an assist in 10 games.

NFF President, Gusau, elected 1st Vice President of WAFU B

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has been elected as the 1st Vice President of the West African Football Union (WAFU) B zone. The election took place in Niamey, Niger Republic on Friday, on the margin of this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship (WAFU B qualifying tournament) taking place in that country. President of Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku, was elected President of the zone, while Oumarou Sawadogo, President of the Burkinabe Football Federation, was elected as the 2nd Vice President. The WAFU B zone is made up of seven countries, viz Nigeria, Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger Republic and Cote d’Ivoire. Gusau, who became President of NFF in September 2022, has served in several high-level capacities in African football, including being on the Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and serving as a top security officer of both FIFA and CAF.

EFCC arraigns REA Director for alleged N223.4m fraud

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, Mr. Sulieman Garba Bulkwang before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja for fraud. He is being prosecuted on a five-count charge, bordering on criminal diversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N223,412,909 (Two Hundred and Twenty-three Million, Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine Kobo). Count one of his charge reads “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG, while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did counsel one Umaefulem Donatus Chibueze, the Managing Director of Cees Assist Resources and Brainstask Value Resources (consultants to REA) to transfer the sum of N138,123,969 (One Hundred and Thirty eight Million, One Hundred Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty Nine Naira) out of the sum of N279,330,000.00 (Two Hundred and Seventy Nine Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira) paid to the consultants by REA, when you knew that the said sun of N138,123,969.000000 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (a) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18(3) of the same Act.” Count two reads “That you SULEIMAN GARBA BULKWANG while being the Director of Human Resources Management of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) sometime in July, 2023 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court indirectly converted the sum of N45,000,000.00 (Forty Five Milion Naira) being part of the money cumulatively paid to the bank accounts of Dammy Gold Programme Ltd, World Class Business, Green Haven Company And De-Sam Rose – Base Ltd by consultants to REA when you know that the said sum of N45,000.000 .00 constituted proceed of unlawful activity and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(b) (b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” He pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges after they were read to him and in the absence of defence counsel, prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional center. Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter till February 3, 2024 for the defendant’s bail application and ordered that he be remanded in Kuje Correctional Center.

Edo Governor, Okpebholo suspends recruitment into cicvil service

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the suspension of recruitment into the State’s civil service until further notice. The Governor has also ordered for a comprehensive review of all recruitment exercises carried out by the Godwin Obaseki-led administration between May-November 2024. In a communication notice signed by the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor on Friday, the Governor accused heads of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of carrying out clandestine recruitment exercises into the State’s civil service. The notice read: “The Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo is in receipt of report of the clandestine activities being perpetuated by some Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government in the State. “Preliminary investigation reveals that these bodies have continued to issue back dated letters of employment to their cronies without due process. “For the avoidance of doubt, this Administration believes in the principle of fairness and equity which expects that all employment exercise should be merit based, competitive and accessible to all Edo indigenes. “In light of the foregoing and in order to arrest this ugly trend, the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has directed the immediate suspension of all employment processes as well as the review of all appointments carried out since May, 2024 by Commissions, Boards, Parastatals and Agencies of Government. “Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to note and comply with the above directive.”