SWAN congratulates Shehu Dikko, hails Tinubu for returning to National Sports Commission

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has hailed the emergence of astute administrator, Mallam Shehu Dikko, as the Chairman of the newly reinstated National Sports Commission (NSC). In a congratulatory letter to the NSC helmsman dated October 23, 2024, signed by the Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, described Mallam Dikko as an experienced and hardworking sports doyen who has proven himself over the years. Part of the letter reads, “SWAN as a professional body celebrates your emergence as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission. Your appointment is a strong indication that the Sports sector will soon experience huge relief from the current burden of ineffectiveness and inefficiencies. “As a known Sports personality, you are not a stranger in the system, both within Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Having undertaken previous responsibilities and delivered outstandingly, your new position as the number one man on the saddle presents new opportunity for you to once again prove your mettle as a team player. “As sporting media, we are quite optimistic in your ability to turn things around as we assure you of our support as always. Being a friend of the media, we believe our partnership will continue to be strengthened as you creatively evolve a progressive and sustainable grassroots development strategy for Nigeria’s Sports.” Meanwhile, the SWAN President has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his apt initiative in reinstating the NSC years after it was jettisoned by his predecessor. The number one sports writer in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said the action of the President is a clear demonstration of his determination to revolutionise Nigeria’s sporting architecture. “This single approach to Nigeria’s Sports Development back with immediate action shows that our President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is headed towards the right direction in returning the lost glory of Nigeria among the comity of Nations as far as Sports sector is concerned. “Sports as second most viable economic growth option globally after ICT requires intense funding and attention as it gives teeming youth the opportunity to be engaged, empowered as well as thrive in their chosen area of endeavours,” he said.

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Breaking: Tinubu scraps Niger Delta, Sports Ministries

President Tinubu and Federal Executive Council have scrapped Niger Delta Ministry and the Ministry of sports development.  According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, there will now be a ministry of regional development to oversee all the regional development commissions, such as Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, North East Development Commission. The National Sports Commission will take over the role of the Ministry of Sports.  The FEC also approved the merger of the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy.  The decisions were taken today at the meeting of Federal Executive Council in Abuja.

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EFCC docks fake nurse for alleged N28.2m fraud

The Enugu Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has arraigned one Blessing Amaka David-Agwa, a fake fertility nurse before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu State. The defendant was arraigned on 45-count charges bordering on fraudulent impersonation, forgery and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N28,278,600.00 (Twenty-eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-eight Thousand, Six Hundred Naira). Count 41 of the charge reads: “That you, Blessing Amaka David-Agwa sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, did obtain the total sum of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,600,000.00) only from one Okenwa Joy Chiamaka, under the pretence of being a Medical Fertility Nurse (Specially trained to assist women get pregnant with ease) which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. Count 24 of the charge reads: “That you, Blessing Amaka David-Agwa sometime in 2024 in Enugu, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria with intent to defraud, did obtain the total sum of One Million, Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N1,250,000.00) from one Amarachi Okpala, under the pretence of being a Medical Fertility Nurse (Specially trained to assist women get pregnant with ease) which pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all counts when they were read to her. In view of her pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Blessing N. Obasi prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility. However, defence counsel, G. C. Madubuegwu informed the court about a pending motion on notice for bail, dated October 4, 2024, and filed on the same date. “It is brought pursuant to Section 162 and 165 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ” he said. After moving the said application, he prayed the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms. Obasi vehemently opposed the application for bail on the grounds that the allegation against the defendant was a weighty one, citing the mental health of the defendant’s victims. After listening to both sides, Justice Umar adjourned the matter to November 12, 2024, for ruling on the bail application. The defendant was thereafter remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility. David-Agwa’s criminal issues commenced on August 28, 2024, when the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA handed her over to the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC for investigation and possible prosecution after discovering that the defendant paraded herself as a medical fertility Nurse, thereby defrauding unsuspecting victims. Investigation into the matter revealed that the defendant allegedly forged the certificate of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the Certificate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka and used the same in parading herself as a Medical Fertility Nurse, specially trained to assist women in getting pregnant with ease. It was also discovered that the defendant successfully defrauded over 45 innocent women who fell for her false claims.

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Reps move to split Oyo State into two

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed for second reading, a bill seeking to create the New Oyo State with Oyo town as the Capital City. The bill was sponsored by Hon. Adeniyi Adeyemi and six other lawmakers. Leading the debate on the bill, Adeyemi, who observed that the bill was not new to the parliament. He recalled that the bill was successfully passed in the Second Republic by both chambers (National Assembly) awaiting the presidential asset before military takeover. Adeyemi explained that the  National Assembly in 1983 successfully passed a motion on the creation of New Oyo State with Oyo Town as its Capital. (See National Assembly Debates (Senate) Official Report. Volume 2. No. 24 of Wednesday 23” February, 1983). “The 2014 National Conference held in Abuja also recommended in its final report for the creation of New Oyo State with Oyo town as its capital.  “This is stated in volume II page 708 of the report, It’s noteworthy that present Oyo State deserves to be split into two being the largest state in terms of landmass in the South-West geopolitical zone with thirty-three Local Governments and it has a population of 5,580,894 people (2006 census). 

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Nigeria Immigration confirms  Bobrisky’s arrest 

The Nigeria Immigration Service has confirmed the arrest of Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, at the Seme border while he was attempting to leave the country. In a statement issued by DCI KT Udo Service Public Relations Officer. “In keeping with its commitment to securing the borders, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju otherwise known as Bobrisky at the Seme Border over an attempt to Exit the Country. “The Service wishes to inform the public that OKUNEYE IDRIS is a person of interest over recent issues of public concern. He is undergoing interrogation and will be handed over to the appropriate Authorities for further action. “The Service assures the public that it will continue to be civil and professional in its statutory responsibility of manning the Country’s Borders.”

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EFCC, NAPTIP join forces against money laundering 

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr Ola Olukoyede has expressed the readiness of the Commission to work closely with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, in order to tackle the scourge of Money Laundering more fiercely. He gave this indication in Abuja when the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Bello Adamu, led the management team of the agency on a courtesy visit to  Olukoyede at the corporate headquarters of the Commission.  The EFCC’s boss explained that there was a strong linkage between human trafficking and money laundering and that all efforts should be made to confront and conquer the two crimes together. “There’s a very strong nexus between human trafficking and money laundering. Wherever human trafficking takes place, there will definitely be money laundering, so that makes it necessary for us to work together,” he said. While assuring NAPTIP of EFCC’s support, he pledged the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the relationship is further strengthened for optimal outcomes, noting that NAPTIP plays a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development and good international image. “Even though there’s an existing relationship, the essence of enhanced collaboration is to strengthen it and take it to a higher level. So, we will always be willing to collaborate with you, especially in areas like joint investigation, public awareness, resource mobilization, and manpower development as you have requested. The mandate of your agency is critical to our economic development and in giving a good international reputation to our country. So we will always be willing to support and to collaborate with you,” he said. Earlier in her remark, Bello pointed out that “the key points for this visit today are to seek collaboration on joint investigation, cybercrime and online trafficking investigation because this kind of crime involves a lot of finances, intelligence sharing, and capacity building, public awareness, and resource mobilization. I need all the support that will make us succeed in this fight so as to curtail the menace of human trafficking and violence against persons to the barest minimum,” she said. She noted that NAPTIP has been working closely with the EFCC since its inception, adding that “because of that, we think it is very important to come and present ourselves again before the Executive Chairman, particularly regarding the fight against human trafficking.”  She recalled that the landmark conviction her agency got in 2022, involving a transnational human trafficking syndicate operating between Nigeria and European countries was achieved through a robust collaboration with the EFCC, adding that “Previous joint efforts also yielded notable results, such as the 2021 rescue operation that liberated 500 human trafficking victims from Libya, Europe, and the Middle East, and the 2020 partnership that resulted in the arrest of several traffickers and the recovery of over N100 million illicit funds.”

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Senate passes vote of confidence on Akpabio 

The Nigerian Senate, on Thursday, passed a Vote of Confidence on Godswill Akpabio, reiterating loyalty in his leadership as President of the red chamber. The lawmakers also passed a confidence Vote on the entire leadership of the 10th Senate. Repots claimed that the assurances of loyalty to the leadership of Akpabio by the senators followed social media reports on Wednesday, that some aggrieved senators from the North planned to impeach the Senate President. While the the Presidency and the upper chamber refuted the reports, the Senate also directed its Committee on Special Duties chaired by Shehu Kaka to investigate and reports findings within 24 hours.

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Ademola Lookman makes African Footballer of the Year final shortlist

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially revealed the final three-man shortlist for the highly anticipated CAF Player of the Year award. Ahead of the grand ceremony in Marrakesh, the original ten-man list has been narrowed down to just three players, recognized for their outstanding contributions to both their clubs and national teams. These players were shortlisted due to their stellar contributions on the field, making them top contenders for Africa’s most prestigious football award. The following players made the final cut: Ademola Lookman (Nigeria): The Super Eagles and Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman, earned his place on the shortlist due to his exceptional performances for both club and country. In the 2023/2024 season, the 26-year-old helped his team win the UEFA Europa League and was also named Atalanta’s Player of the Year. Victor Boniface (Nigeria): The Super Eagles and Bayer Leverkusen striker, Victor Boniface, played a crucial role for both his club and national team. During the 2023/2024 season, the highly regarded forward secured victories in the Bundesliga, the German Cup, and the German Super Cup. Brahim Diaz (Morocco): Moroccan and Real Madrid playmaker Brahim Diaz was equally instrumental in his club’s and country’s successes. The 25-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2023/2024 season, winning the Spanish La Liga title, the UEFA Champions League, the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.

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