AFCON 2025: Final Draw to  hold Jan. 27 in Rabat

The Super Eagles along with 23 other contenders will know the identities of their preliminary group opponents on January 25 as the Final Draw of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will be held in Rabat .

According to the continental soccer ruling body (CAF) the draw would be attended by the 24 Nations that have qualified for the AFCON 2025 while the draw will be conducted at 19h00 local time (7:00pm Nigerian time).

CAF further noted that draw ‘provides the National Teams with the opportunity to assess the excellent match venues, training facilities and hotel infrastructure in Morocco’.

The 24 teams will be placed into six pools each containing four sides. The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed sides advance to the round of 16.

Group of Entrepreneurs Caution Primate Ayodele, Say Seyi Tinubu Is The Best Choice For Governor

The hope of Ndigbo in Lagos was rekindled on Thursday as business leaders of South-East extraction reiterated their choice of Seyi Tinubu as the next governor of Lagos State.

‘’The 2027 governorship election lies in the hands of the electorate. They have the ultimate say in election matters’’

The South-East body also advised the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, detractors and willful critics to steer clear of Lagos politics.

‘’Certainly by 2027, Primate Ayodele and others like him, will acknowledge the people’s verdict and the present position of Igbo Entrepreneurs within and outside the shores of Nigeria’’

A statement in Lagos by the President of the Ndigbo Entrepreneurs in Nigeria and Abroad, Chief Linus Obi described the comments of Primate Ayodele as diversionary, misleading and part of a larger plot to market himself and his candidate.

‘’It is very clear from his misguided statements that Primate Ayodele has suddenly forgotten his past prophesies on football in Europe and politics in Nigeria. Perhaps Primate Ayodele has been out of touch with political realities which may explain why he seems not to have noticed the current direction of Lagos politics and development’’

The Igbo businessmen and women applauded the good people of Lagos for refusing to be hoodwinked by the tissues of lies, propaganda and fake prophesies manufactured and disseminated by people seeking attention and recognition in the country.

‘’We wish to reiterate that Seyi Tinubu is the choice of the stakeholders in Lagos State’’

The Igbo entrepreneurs praised Seyi Tinubu for his humility, diligence and respect for constituted authority.

‘’The governorship role requires someone with wisdom, honesty, empathy, courage, restraint, humility and discipline. Seyi Tinubu is decent, kind-hearted, approachable, generous and very bright’’

The pan-Igbo group is out to vigorously champion the cause of Igbo businessmen and women in a manner that is just, fair and constitutional.

Nwoamucha hails Mulade As Delta  Minifootball Association Chairman

By Ogo Clarkson

The former chairman of the Delta State Football Association, Chief Ken Nwoamucha,  has hailed Amb. Chief Comrade Sheriff Mulade on his appointment as the chairman of the Delta State Mini Football Association.

Nwoamucha praised Mulade’s contributions to developing football and other sports in the state without government support, saying the position is well-deserved .

As the Vice Chairman of Allstars International of Delta State, Nwoamucha commended Mulade’s efforts, emphasizing that he should be encouraged and supported.

He noted that it takes courage to sponsor and organize sports events, especially in difficult times.

According to him, Mulade has been a frontrunner in developing sports in rural and urban areas for a long time without government support, and Nwoamucha acknowledged that he needs support due to the significant burden he carries.

Nwoamucha also praised the ongoing construction of the Africa for Peace Game Village, which will host the forthcoming Mini football tournament from February 1st to 14th.

He described the idea of embracing mini football as “brilliant,” as it complements conventional football and creates opportunities for discovering talents in a different style of play.

The 2025 Africa4Peace Mini football 5-A-Side tournament for veterans aged 45 and above will launch the Africa for Peace Games Village at Ugholo-Osubi in Delta State. The event has attracted major football stakeholders and ex-Nigerian soccer legends including Victor Ikpeba, Victor Agali, Peter Rufai, Ifeanyi Ekwueme, Sam Sodje, Austin Eguavoen, to mention a few, who will be present at the grand final on February 14th. The occasion will also feature live performances by popular musical artists.

He also congratulated Warri Wolves away 1-2 victory against Edel FC at the weekend.

COCOSA in Collaboration with ‘Had I known Foundation’ presents uniforms to over 50 students

**I feel fulfilled, Lady Ezekiel speaks

By: Celestine Ukah 

College of Commerce Old Students Association, COCOSA in Collaboration with ‘Had I known Foundation” has presented uniforms to over 50 students at the school premises in Warri, Delta State.

The presentation which held Monday January 20, 2025 at College of Commerce Warri by the President of College of Commerce Old Students Association, COCOSA Worldwide, Comrade Victor Kolawole Enijuni, featured handover of school uniforms to indigent students whose school uniform were not in good condition.

Public Relations Officer, PRO of COCOSA, Celestine Ukah reports that, While presenting the uniforms to beneficiaries, National President of COCOSA Worldwide, Comrade Enijuni, commended the Managing Director of ‘Had I Known Foundation” Lady Hannah Ezekiel who is a member of the Alma Mater for her support in making the presentation possible as well as others for their solidarity..

President Enijuni expressed delight for the annual give back programme, saying over 50 male and female students benefitted from the Charity assuring that more support will be given to the school and its students whenever there’s availablity of resources.

He appreciated members especially those in diaspora to always collaborate with the COCOSA leadership as well think of other better ways to sponsor activities in and around the students, Comrade Enijuni used to opportunity to solicit for support towards the upcoming 80th anniversary of College of Commerce Warri to hold sometime in April 2026 even as he hailed members for their presence during the presentation.

Lady Hannah Ezekiel in an exclusive chat with our correspondent said she’s fulfilled in availing her resources on behalf of her foundation putting smile on faces of less privileged ones in the society.

The COCOSA National President Comrade Enijuni lauded the former President of COCOSA, Chief Dickson Najemoh, COCOSA Public Relations Officer, PRO, Celestine Ukah, COCOSA Publicity Secretary, Engr. Chuks Osaji, Comrade Ejiro Taruayen, Comrade Ese Bosini, Mr. Arare Emmanuel and Mrs. Violet Nana for creating time to be with them at the presentation.

Mulade appreciates Dr. Ekpemupolo, Engr,. Tonlagha, Chief Pondi Others for massive transformation of Riverine communities

Warri: Niger Delta-born human and environmental rights activist, Comrade Mulade Sheriff has commended High Chief, Dr Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo a.k.a (Tompolo), Engr Mathew Tonlagha, Managing Director, Maton Oil and Gas Services Ltd, High Chief Engr Kestin Pondi, Managing director, Tantita Security Limited and others for their effort towards the development of riverine communities in Delta State.

The renowned Delta State-born peace and development advocate applauded these illustrious sons of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of the State for their infrastructural revolution initiatives and human empowerment efforts across coastal dwellers in the state, has part of their corporate social responsibilities to the communities.

The United Nations Peace Ambassador and the Ibe-Serimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, Chief Mulade Sheriff, call on all sons and daughters of riverine communities to give them maximum support and cooperation towards opening up and expanding the development infrastructures in the coastal communities for economic growth, as Tantita continues to carry out its surveillance operations across the communities.

Sheriff noted, “it is imperative to state that the coastal communities that warehouse the nation’s economy but were totally neglected by federal and state governments in spite of their huge contributions, which environment has suffered several degradation ranging from oil and gas pollution, marine erosion/surge that as wash away many communities, leading to lost of traditional fishing rights and farming, etc”.

“I wish to sincerely commend Tompolo, Engr Mathew Tonlagha, and Engr Kestin Pondi for their doggedness towards the exposition and development of the riverine communities through the infrastructural revolution and human empowerment.. Permit me to equally use this medium to express my gratitude to them for saving our once bastardized environment through the Tantita Security Surveillance Contracts. I applaud and encourage you to continue to demonstrate that capacity by saving the Niger Delta environment, which is more critical to the region and the yet unborn generations” he asserted.

Stressing further, he emphasized, ‘it is imperative to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to sustain the Tantita security surveillance contracts to grow the nation’s oil production and sustain the relative peace in the Niger Delta”