SWAN prays for safe return of abducted Kaduna members

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter has joined its Kaduna Chapter counterpart to ask for an unconditional release of two Sports Writers who were kidnapped by suspected bandits on Saturday night in Kaduna.

SWAN, Imo in a press release signed by its Chairman, Cosmos Chukwuemeka and made available by the Secretary, Tunde Liadi, said no sports journalist deserves to be made to go through such harrowing experience and has beckoned on their kidnappers to release them and their family members.

Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu of the Blueprint Newspapers and The Nation Newspapers’ Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe along with their family members were both abducted in their various homes in Kaduna and SWAN, Imo is joining other sports journalists to repudiate the act and called for their immediate freedom.

“Sports journalists are peace loving people that do not deserve to go through what Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu of the Blueprint Newspapers and The Nation Newspapers’ Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe and their families are going through in the hands of their kidnappers. We pray that they are released without condition and safely to reunite with their families,” the press statement read.

“SWAN, Imo urged the law enforcement agents to be steadfast with their job and strive to apprehend those behind the dastard act. SWAN, Imo also called on the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government to do the needful to ensure they are released.”

Gov. Abiodun Splashes 500K, 350k, 250k Cash On Ogun State Scrabblers For African Games Performances

It was all smiles on the faces of Ogun State scrabble players and officials who were part of Team Nigeria to the delayed 2023 African Games as they were rewarded with cash prizes for their performances by the State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun.

“The scrabble team who converged at the State’s Sports Council, Ijeja, Abeokuta along with athletes, coaches and officials from other disciplines were presented with their rewards.

Athletes who won Gold medals were awarded 500,000 each, Silver medallists were given 350,000 each, bronze winners got 250,000 each while coaches and other athletes who couldn’t make it to the podium received 150,000 naira each.

The colourful reception which was part of Ogun State Mid-Year Sporting Activities Report, provided the opportunity for Governor Abiodun to appreciate Team Ogun members who were part of Team Nigeria to the Accra 2023 Games held in March.

Adebisi Adekansi created history as she became the first Nigerian to win two gold medals at the Scrabble event which was one of the demonstration sports at the ‘African Olympics.’

She won the top medal in the Women’s Single event and she would again, teamed up with Joy Ola another Team Ogun player to provide the push which ensured Nigeria claimed gold in the women’s Team Event.

Both gold medallists along with Jimoh Abdumumin and head coach Bukunmi Afolayan were appreciated with the rewards.

Commissioner of Sports Isiaka Wasiu who represented the Governor said the State was proud of Team Ogun for contributing to the success of Team Nigeria.

“To our own Ogun Athletes who made the list of TEAM NIGERIA at the 13th African Games in Accra Ghana, your dedication and perseverance have paid off, and your names will go down in history as champions. You have proven that, with hard work and determination, anything is possible. Your achievements will continue to inspire a new generation of athletes, and your legacy will live on for years to come.”

“For being so outstanding to have been picked from Team Ogun to represent our country, our sports loving governor, in his continuous effort to reposition sports in Ogun state has graciously approved a reward of N500,000.00 to all the gold medalist, N300,000.00 for silver medalist, N250,000.00 for bronze medalist while N150,000.00 goes to those that did not win and the coaches. You will recall that this gesture has become a norm with Prince Dapo Abiodun’s government as financial rewards were extended to medalists from the 2022 National Sport festival held in Asaba, Delta State.”

A total of 11 athletes from the state contributed to Team Nigeria’s 121 medal haul at the Games.

FIFA President, Infantino felicitates NFF President, Gusau on his 60th birthday

President of world football-governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino has personally congratulated the President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau on the latter’s 60th (Diamond Jubilee) birthday anniversary, on Sunday, 7th July 2024.

Infantino wrote: “I would like to extend my best wishes to you on this very special day. As we celebrate your birthday, it is the occasion to reflect on our collaboration and to thank you for all your work and for your contribution to the development of the sport that unites us all, football.

“May this year bring you good health, joy, success and fulfilment on both a personal and professional level.”

Gusau, born on 7th July 1964, served as Chairman of Zamfara State Football Association and also as Chairman of the Zamfara State Sports Commission. He was a special adviser to the Governor of Zamfara State, before serving two terms as Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman of Chairmen of Nigeria Football.

A FIFA and CAF Security Officer and Member of the Organizing Committee for the African Nations Championship, Gusau mounted the saddle as President of NFF on the last day of September 2022.

Natufe to Tinubu: It makes no sense to concentrate Nigeria’s import-export business in Lagos seaports

· **Says Sapele seaport completely abandoned, Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri seaports left to rot, and severely underutilized

· **Describes performance of Okpe politicians as poor

· Tells Oborevwori, Dafinone, other Delta top government officials what to do

President General of Okpe Union, Prof Igho Natufe has expressed concern about the concentration of seaports in Lagos.

‘’From the perspective of the Okpe Nation and the Niger Delta region, the concentration of seaports around Lagos grants overwhelming power to the Yoruba and the entire South West region of Nigeria’’.

Natufe spoke at the 94th anniversary of the Okpe Union in Lagos.

‘’It is baffling that imports from Asian countries are directed to Lagos ports, when Calabar, Port Harcourt, Sapele, and Warri seaports are closer to Asia than Lagos. This phenomenon clearly demonstrates an over balance of power problematic which we need to address in Nigeria, if restructuring is to be taken seriously’’.

He charged President Bola Tinubu to revive Sapele, Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri ports.

‘’Sapele seaport, a natural seaport, which was second to Lagos before the military coup of January 15, 1966, has been completely abandoned, while Calabar, Koko, Port Harcourt, and Warri seaports have been left to rot, and severely underutilized.

He lamented the concentration of seaports in the South-West geo-political zone.

‘’While political leaders of the Yoruba Nation have used their access to power to monopolize the concentration of seaports in their region, it must be stressed that this monopoly has caused a grave disequilibrium in access to power on the distribution of seaports in the Niger Delta region, including the Sapele seaport. It makes no sense to concentrate Nigeria’s import-export business in only the Lagos seaports.

The renowned scholar, activist and author described the performance of Okpe politicians as poor.

‘’It must be acknowledged that, since the establishment of Delta State in 1991, Okpe political leaders have performed very poorly in attracting businesses to Okpe Nation. Their access to power has not led to infrastructural development in Okpe Nation, compared for example, the achievements of Isoko political leaders in Isoko Nation. In fact, the Isoko Nation has debunked the argument that you need a governor of your ethnic nationality to develop your region. The Isoko political and traditional leaders conscientiously utilize their access to power to benefit their constituencies while, sadly, their Okpe counterparts are primarily concerned about their respective pockets’’

He listed the plans of the Okpe Union towards repositioning the Okpe Nation.

‘’Okpe Union shall continue its advocacy of investments in Okpe Nation, including reaching out to the Delta State Government on this important subject. We shall intensify our lobbying of both the Federal and State governments to ensure the revival of Sapele seaport and the attraction of industries to Okpe Nation. We shall utilize the extensive experience of Okpe nationals, especially those in the Diaspora, to identify prospective investors to invest in Okpe Nation, under the framework of a public-private partnership (PPP)’’

To address the worrisome situation in Delta State, Natufe urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to improve the infrastructural deficits in Delta State, especially in Okpe Nation, make the environment attractive to foreign and domestic investors.

‘’An environment where an investor has to provide electricity, water, and good roads is hardly conducive for economic growth and development’’.

He underscored that Okpe Union must continue to instil positive change in Okpe Nation, by liaising with other Okpe organizations on the strategies for development.

The former university don also spoke on banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

‘’The fragility of the Nigerian state is aggravated by the insecurity in the country. We call on the federal government to take immediate actions to evacuate Fulani herdsmen, bandits and terrorists from the territories of the indigenous ethnic nationalities across Nigeria. While we advocate for the unity of Nigeria, we strongly believe that the unity can only be strengthened if it is anchored on the principles of justice, fairness and equity, serving the interests of the indigenous ethnic nationalities in the country’’.

He mentioned other ways of addressing the country’s challenges.

‘’We are facing an existential crisis in Nigeria. A resolution of this crisis requires inputs from all indigenous ethnic nationalities at a round table conference, if the National Assembly proves incapable of producing a renewed federalism of the 1963 variant. If not properly handled, the current crisis can lead to unwanted confrontations between ethnic nationalities with severe consequences for Nigeria. It is on record that the Hausas have given the Fulanis an ultimatum to vacate their territories’’.

Natufe also expressed the commitment of the Okpe Nation to work with other ethnic nationalities in restructuring the Nigerian edifice to guarantee the safety of all indigenous ethnic nationalities, on the basis of justice, fairness and equity.

‘’We, Okpe, have no secessionist intentions. But, we recognize that the Nigerian edifice is cracked and haemorrhaging. We are committed to working with other ethnic nationalities in restructuring the Nigerian edifice to guarantee the safety of all indigenous ethnic nationalities, on the basis of justice, fairness and equity, where our rights are recognized and protected under a renewed federal constitution. However, if by omission or commission, the Nigerian edifice disintegrates, we pray it is via the velvet model of Czechoslovakia and not via the Yugoslav variant’’.

Okpebholo is the next governor of Edo State – Esan Youths declare

*Call Asue Ighodalo stranger

*Say Federal High Court judgement, victory for democracy

*Lament failure, broken hopes

*Praise PDP defectors

Youths in Edo State on Saturday explained that the issue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo winning the September 21 governorship election was a forgone conclusion.

“There is no alternative to Monday Okpebholo in the September 21 governorship election”

They said Okpebholo’s governorship was an idea whose time had come.

“It is time to rescue Edo State from the unstoppable path towards disorder and catastrophe. Monday Okpebholo will usher in change and accountability.

Reading from a prepared text on behalf of Esan Youths, community leaders and women on Saturday in Igueben, the President General of Esan Youths Movement, Pastor Jonathan Omozokpia said Okpebholo’s governorship ambition was practically signed, sealed and delivered.

“Monday Okpebholo has succeeded in building a network of friends across Nigeria and abroad. He is a darling of the grassroots and will definitely win the September 21 governorship election in Edo State”

The youths stressed that Okpebholo’s governorship ambition was an answer to the clarion call by well-meaning individuals, including traditional rulers, frontline politicians and Edo professionals in Nigeria and abroad.

“We want a governor who can launch a rebirth and lead Edo State away from backwardness to true greatness.

They dismissed the governorship ambition of Asue Ighodalo, describing him as a complete disadvantage and stranger in Esanland.

“Monday Okpebholo shares our values”

The youths applauded the judiciary for declaring invalid the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primary election held on February 22, 2024 which produced Asue Ighodalo as its governorship candidate.

They noted that the Federal High Court Abuja decision was a victory for democracy.

“Many people are tired of incompetent and inept leaders, people who are unable to dream great dreams for Edo State. They are tired of mediocrity and selfishness”

Particularly, the youths criticised Governor Godwin Obaseki for disappointing the good people of Edo State.

“We need to break from the past, save Edo State from ruins. There has been too much noise but far less action in Edo State. There is a lot of retrogression in several areas”

They also praised PDP members who recently announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Stop Blackmailing Keston Pondi as he genuinely bought land from us, Ovwere Family in Ekpan caution Avwomakpa

The Ovwere Family in Ekpan, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, took a swipe at the Founder of Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church, Archbishop God-do-Well Avwomakpa, over his claims that the Managing Director of a private oil pipelines security firm, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Chief Kestin Pondi, trespassed and illegally acquired his land.

The Ovwere Family is the landlord to Avwomakpa and other land owners in the areas opposite NNPC Housing Complex Main Gate in Ekpan community.

The Ovwere Family said Avwomakpa was the one, who was actually trepassing and acquiring its natural heritage illegally.

The family said was acting without its consent and authorization.

The group accused the cleric of being dishonest and blackmailing the Tantita boss for pecuniary gains.

The aggrieved family appealed to the state’s Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevworiand widely acclaimed Niger Delta leader and freedom fighter, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo as well as members of the public to ignore Avwomakpa’s calls for help, describing his pleas to the duo in particular as “rantings by a frustrated land grabber.”

The family further described the calls by Avwomakpa for intervention by Oborevwori, Ekpemupolo and the public as an “emotional blackmail by Avwomakpa, who is the oppressor in the unfolding drama.”

The Ovwere Family said it sold land to Avwomakpa in the same manner it sold different land to Pondi at opposite NNPC Housing Complex Main Gate, in Ekpan, Uvwie LGA.

The Ovwere Family accused the cleric of exhibiting unbridled expansionist tendencies by acquiring and surveying the land he did not purchase abinitio in a desperate selfish bid to gain all lands in the neighbourhood of his Church.

Avwomakpa had in a save-my-soul message to message to Oborevwori and Ekpemupolo accused Pondi of alleged tresspass and illegal acquisition of a portion of land belonging to his Church located opposite NNPC Housing Complex Main Gate, Ekpan.

The family, at an elaborate press conference in Warri, however, told newsmen that Avwomakpa lied to the public by his claims.

The duo of Daniel Orogho and William Ovwurie, spoke on behalf of their family at the media encounter.

The representatives of the community said Avwomakpa actually bought 2.024 acres of land in 2,000, adding that he later went ahead to forge and manipulatedeeds of conveyance and survey plans to lay claims to the ownership of 4.304 Acres within the vicinity of his Church.

According to them, as at now, Avwomakpa has illegally acquired 2.280 Acres in addition to 2,024 Acres marked as Area A which he legitimately got from the family in 2000.

They said the land legitimately acquired by Pondi from the family was among those Avwomakpa illegally claiming through fraudulent deeds and survey.

The family which backed its claims with Deeds of conveyance, survey plans and relevant court documents, said it was conscious of the nefarious antics of Avwomakpa, in which the cleric has illegally acquired and surveyed its land marked Areas B, C and D within the environment of his Church.

The family accused Avwomakpa of forging the signatures of deceased leaders of the family to generate fresh deeds of conveyance in 2007 to justify the acquisition of the fraudulent 2.280 Acres, in Area B, which the family neither offered to him for sale nor sold to him.

“He said he bought Area A and B the same year. If he is right that he bought the two the same year, how come about that he registered Area A in the year 2,000 and he claimed to have bought
Areas A and B together again in 2007 and prepared a fresh survey plan , by forging the signatures of some deceased members of the family, especially Madam Doris Okoro Ovwere, Chief Gift Edjewhro and Mr. Jackson Ovwurie.

The family said one Joel Afoke that Avwomakpa allegedly used as witness in the controversial deeds of 2007 was “fake, strange and unknown to Ovwere family. Joel Afoke can best exist in the imagination of ArchbishopGod-do-Well Avwomakpa as an impostor and a fugitive.”

“When we discovered that Avwomakpa was confisticating our land and that , he has positioned to fraudulently seize Areas C and D of our land heritage, by virtue of his fraudulent deeds of December 24th, 2007, which he manufactured when he discovered that our parents who signed for him in 2,000 are all dead, we dragged him and three others to an Effurun High Court, in a suit numbered EHC 228/2014 for succour.”

Following his (Avwomakpa) plea for an out of court settlement, that he would return the illegally acquired land, the family was persuaded to withdraw the suit. He returned the land initially as promised.”

“But before we say Jack Robbinson, Avwomakpa failed to honour his commitment as he approached and petitioned us to the Ovie of Uvwie Palace. The Palace’s meeting presided over by our revered monarch, HRM (Dr.) Emmanuel E. Sideso, Abe 1, JP, OON, after hearing from all the parties, issued a communique dated June 23rd, 2023, in which the two parties were advised to engage in further consultations to resolve the imbroglio in the spirit of give and take.”

“Like a rabble rouser desperate to achieve his nefarious intentions by all means possible, lawful and unlawful, Avwomakpa again jettisoned our respected monarch peaceful overtures by running to an Effurun High Court, where he secured a motion ex-parte against Chief Kestin Pondi, who didn’t have any business with him as far as land acquisition was concerned, after feeding the honourable court with lies.”

“What he got was not an interrogating injunction and his lawyers should know the implications of that. The order has since expired.”

However, contrary to the claims by Avwomakpa, the Ovwere Family disclosed that it didn’t have any affinity and blood relationship with any other family within and outside Ekpan in connection with inheritance.

“The Ovwere Family in Ekpan did not own any land jointly with any other family as claimed by Avwomakpa. His claims that he acquired our Area B land in 2007 jointly with Owhojivwieme, Otome and Esiyokpo Families in Ugboroke and Ovwere Family of Ekpan was a blatant lie unexpected from a man of God, whom he claimed to be.”

“In 2002, he didn’t claim to have acquired the land from other families.”

The family cited the letter written by Avwomakpa to the District Manager of National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) on August 30th, 2002 and titled “RE- OWNERSHIP OF PERMANENT SITE OF CHRIST’S MISSIONARIES (CRUSADERS) CHURCH
/TRANSFORMER LOCATION” , as an admission that Ovwere Family was and remains Avwomakpa’s sole landlord.

The letter partly reads: “I wish to inform you that the above named site and position where the transformer is located was legally acquired from Ovwere Family of Ekpan by the Church.”

“Enclosed herewith are copies of the survey plan, the Gazette by the government acquiring NNPC land and the letter by the then state government, excluding where we now occupy, through the Ovwere Family, from the area acquired by NNPC.”

“Any other claimant laying claim to the piece of land in question, especially as regards the transformer, which is equally a government property, should ignored.”

“Gentlemen of the Press, Archbishop God-do-Well Avwomakpa is the one oppressing us and yet he is the one crying wolves. He is the one actually encroaching, trespassing and illegally acquiring and surveying our family heritage, without our consent. He is busy forging documents and signatures of our deceased family members to generate fake deeds to achieve
his sinister intentions.”

“We are wondering what Avwomakpa wants to achieve with these fraudulent worldly acquisition as a man of God, that he claimed to be. To the extent that he at a time, approached the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry, Ekpan, which is also a tenant of Ovwere Family, to vacate their land and Church close to his own Church and sell the property to him.”

“We are in receipt of a letter addressed to the Ovwere Family of Ekpan from the Resident Pastor of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Ekpan,” Ovwere Family stated in a letter to Avwomakpa dated 11th January, 2021 and signed by Orogho and Famous Ikaka.

“From the content of the letter, we are made to understand that you invited the Resident Pastor of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, Ekpan branch and informed him that you desire them to relocate from their present location at Ovwere Family land, Ekpan and that they are disturbing your Church. You even went as far as promising them that you are ready and willing to assist them financially if need be”

“Sir, we will want you to know that you have no such rights whatsoever to ask a legal land occupant like you to quit a land legally acquired by them. You are tenant to the Ovwere Family same as the Church. We equally want you to understand that the Mountain of Fire Church worship same God like you, sir you cannot say they are disturbing you.”

“We are therefore writing you this letter to let you know that we are now aware of the issue and want you(Avwomakpa) to desist from dictating to the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministry. They deserve the enjoyment of their land just as you do.”

“Gentlemen of the Press, it appeals to common sense if one concludes that Avwomakpa is deploying his usual strategies of intimidation and blackmail to dispossess Chief Kestin Pondi of the land he genuinely and legitimately acquired from Ovwere Family, the same way Avwomakpa acquired Area A, where he currently built his Church from us in 2000.”

“Chief Kestin Pondi has no business with Avwomakpa and it’s unGodly for him to embark on the mission to tarnish the reputation of Chief Pondi in the public. We sold land genuinely without encumbrance to Chief Pondi, the same manner we sold land to Avwomakpa in 2000. We can only appeal to Avwomakpa to purge himself of wicked acquisition of worldly material things, which may be detrimental to his gaining entrance into the Kingdom of God.”

“Our man of God should try as much as possible to practice what he preaches. We sold land to him and sold land to others. What we sold to Chief Pondi didn’t belong to him. He should wait until the court says otherwise before he can lay claims to what rightly and legitimately belong to others.”

“God-do-Well Avwomakpa should stop seeking public sympathy and whipping up emotions and sentiments against innocent persons like Chief Pondi, who has not done anything
wrong by buying land from us the same he bought his own.”

“Finally, we urge our Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and highly respected Ijaw leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and indeed general public to ignore the baseless and nonsensical protests by Avwomakpa as he is the one oppressing Ovwere Family and disparaging innocent souls like Chief Pondi, apparently to curry undeserved sympathy and understanding.”

Osun Babes Handball Club Completes Signing of Two New Players

As the 2024 National Division One Handball League for the Women’s category approaches, excitement is becoming palpable within the ranks of Osun Babes Handball Club. The team, known for its relentless pursuit of excellence, has been one of the busiest clubs in preparation for the competition, which is set to take place from July 14th to 20th in Benin City, Edo State.

Head coach Taiwo Joshua Aogo, with the support from the Osun State Sports Council hierarchy and Chairman of the Osun State Handball Association, Mr. Abu Adamu, has been working tirelessly to ensure the team is well-prepared. The goal is clear: to secure promotion to the prestigious Ardova Handball Premier League, the top-tier league and the biggest handball event in Nigeria.

Osun Babes Handball Club confirmed the signing of two promising players from Oluyole Babes Handball Club, Ibadan—Olatunji Anuoluwapo Omobolanle and Okunlola Praise. The announcement was made by the team’s handler, coach Taiwo Joshua Aogo just a few days to the upcoming season opener.

Coach Aogo had been scouting talent across the country, and the addition of Olatunji and Okunlola is seen as a strategic move to bolster the team’s chances in the fiercely competitive league. Both players will bring with them a wealth of experience to add spice to the squad.

With less than ten days to go, preparations are in full swing. Training sessions are becoming more intense, and the focus is on enhancing team cohesion, refining strategies, and building the physical and mental strength needed to compete at the highest level.