Arts Council Boss, Labo Congratulates Dagidi On Election As Bomadi Chairman

** Lauds Oborevwori, Leadership of PDP, Entire Bomadi People For Supporting Andaye Dagidi Project

The Chairman of the Delta State Arts Council, Mr Pius Labo has hailed the emergence of Hon Andaye Dagidi as the chairman of Bomadi Local Government Area of the State.

In a Press Statement, Mr Pius Labo while felicitating with Dagidi on his victory at the Saturday, July 13th, 2024 local polls, described it as a well deserved victory.

He said that; “I wish to heartily congratulate Hon Andaye Dagidi on his well deserved victory as the chairman of Bomadi Local Government Area in the just concluded local government elections in the state. Your emergence as the chairman is a victory for all the people of Bomadi Local Government Area and never came to me as a surprise’.

“As a grassroots politician and man of the people, I know that you are going to bring your wealth of experience to bear in piloting the affairs of our great local government area. I do not have any doubt in my mind about your ability and capacity to move Bomadi Local Government Area to the next level”, he said.

He further said that; “I want to appeal to the good people of Bomadi Local Government Area to give the new council boss the needed support in order for him to spread development to all parts of the local government area. He is not going to disappoint the people because he is coming very prepared to take our local government to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey and all of us are going to be happy for”.

While describing the conduct of the July 13th, 2024 local government polls in the area as very peaceful, free and fair, he commended the people for the massive turnout to elect Dagidi as the chairman, just as he added that; “Once again, I want to congratulate the new brand chairman of Bomadi Local Government on his overwhelming acceptance by the people in the local polls. Am also using this medium to express my profound appreciation to the governor of the state, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for his support and the entire leadership of the party in Bomadi Local Government Area for supporting Andaye Dagidi project “

“We must do our utmost to protect the game of football” NFF President– Gusau declares

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has declared that it is the responsibility of the current governors of the game in the country to do their very best to protect the game, and ensure its sustainability through necessary developmental projects that will eventually empower everyone in the game’s ecosystem.

On a visit to Osun State at the weekend, the NFF boss stated that the game of football is for all – men and women, young and old – and expressed delight that the Osun State Football Association led by Mr. Sola Fanawopo is promoting inclusivity with the upcoming Women’s League, and the Corporate Football League meant to promote the recreational side of the game.

“Football belongs to all: players, coaches, referees, supporters, volunteers and communities. It is good to know that a community-based club, Igbajo United FC has qualified to play in the Nigeria National League. I must say the community-owned clubs in the NNL are doing quite well.

“Grassroots football must remain the foundation of our football. It is the bedrock of the vision of the present NFF administration. I am excited by what is going on in Osun State in this regard. I have been told that 32 grassroots Football Clubs participated in the SmartCity Osun State Football League, that there are over 400 grassroots clubs affiliated to the Osun State FA, that there are over 400 grassroots coaches here alongside 13 referee societies and 15 independent grassroots leagues. This is commendable and I recommend this model to all other States in the Federation.”

Gusau acknowledged that the government plays a huge role in the Nigeria game, and used the opportunity to appeal to the Osun State Government to help the Football Association by building more stadiums and modern training pitches, and to also support privately-owned and community-owned Football Clubs with monetary grants.

The Gusau administration has been taking practical steps to improve Nigeria Football, with farsighted projects and developmental programmes. The administration has opted to, in focus on infrastructure, build a 3-Star accommodation facility for the National Teams through the FIFA Forward 3.0 project, alongside excellent training facilities.

Only last week, not less than 40 upcoming referees were involved in a 5-day training programme organized by FIFA, with the objective of having exceptional talents among them take over from the present guard and return Nigerian refereeing back to its bold state of reckoning at international level.

Beginning on Monday this week, a three-module CAF C Coaching Course, exclusively for women, will commence at the NFF/FIFA Technical Centre, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. A total of 30 women coaches will be involved.

On the tour with Gusau were Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman, Ondo State FA, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi; Member of the NFF Executive Committee and Chairman, Ogun State FA, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi; Chairman of Oyo State FA, Kabiyesi James Odeniran; Chairman of Ekiti State FA, Mr. Oluwole Oloworemo and; the host, Chairman of Osun FA Mr. Sola Fanawopo.

Delta LGAC Polls: Oyibode Dedicates Victory To God, Oborevwori, Udu People

** Says For the first time in Delta State political history that Udu irrespective of political parties can speak in one voice

The first Council chairman to emerge in the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State, Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode has dedicated his victory to God, the state Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and the good people of Udu Local Government Area.

Olorogun Vincent Oyibode of Udu LGA was the first to emerged as chairman in the 25 Local Government Areas of the State as he was returned unopposed by DESIEC as published in the Sunday POINTER NEWSPAPERS of June 30th, 2024 and yesterday he officially became Udu Council Boss.

Speaking to journalists Olorogun Vincent Oyibode who was Oil and Gas Commissioner before he threw in the towels for the local polls, expressed gratitude to God, the state Governor and the people of Udu Local Government for making his dream come true and dedicated his victory to them.

According to him, “Remember that I was the first to emerge as chairman in the 25 Local Government Areas because I was returned unopposed by DESIEC as published in the Sunday POINTER NEWSPAPERS of June 30th, 2024. Now the local polls have been conducted, and I am now the officially elected chairman of Udu LGA. ”

“First and foremost, I want to dedicate this well-deserved victory to God Almighty for seeing me through. I want to commend our dynamic governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, for supporting my dream, and I am grateful to all the good people of Udu Local Government Area for their love and support.

He also said that; “I will not take this opportunity given to me for granted. I will bring dividends of democracy to our people and I want to use this medium to appeal to my wonderful people to give me the needed support in order to move our dear local government area to the next level in line with the MORE Agenda of our hard working Governor. The time to spread development to the grassroots has come, and I am up to the task with the support of all our people.

“For the first time in Delta State political history that Udu irrespective of political parties can speak in one voice”, he added.

DSIEC Declares Agbateyiniro winner & Warri South Chairman – Elect With 52,928 Votes

**As 20 PDP councillorship candidates sweeps all seats

The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC has declared Warri South PDP Chairmanship candidate, Mr. Weyinmi Isaac Agbateyiniro as the Chairman – elect of Warri South Local Government Area, after Agbateyiniro polled 52, 928 votes in the local government election held Saturday July 13.

The DSIEC Returning Officer for Warri South Local Government, Faith Lori, who declared the result in the wee hours of today, Sunday July 14, put the total valid votes cast in the election at 57, 023.

Despite boycotting the election yesterday morning before commencement of the poll, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Prince Francis Yonwuren, was said to have garnered 2,538 votes to emerge runner -up.

According to the Returning Officer for Warri South Local Government, the total number of accredited voters, was 60,400, while 791 votes were rejected.

Result of other political parties as declared by Faith Lori, are: AP – 11, AA – 09, ADC – 246, APN – 19, APP – 39, LP – 968, NNPP – 27 and SDP – 26.

According to Fresh Angle International, the 20 councillorship candidates of PDP, were also declared winners by DSIEC.

ABU, UNESCO-ICHEI, IIOE plan national dialogue on use of artificial intelligence

By: Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

A national dialogue aimed at guiding the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigerian higher education will be held in Abuja on Thursday, 18th July, 2024.

It is jointly put together by Ahmadu Bello University, International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) and UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (UNESCO-ICHEI).

The one-day national dialogue, which will take place at the Communication and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora, Abuja, will be declared open by the Honourable. Minister of Education, Professor.Tahir Mamman, SAN.

In a Press statement made available to newsmen by Director Public Affairs Directorate, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, maintained that.

Entitled “National Dialogue on Consensus Framework Towards a Policy/Guidelines Roadmap for Nigerian Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, the event is part of an effort to empower policymakers, educators, learners and researchers to fully take the advantages of artificial intelligence in teaching, learning, and research.

Specifically, the objective of the national dialogue is to examine the potential benefits of incorporating AI technologies in teaching, learning, and research to improve innovation, global competitiveness and preparedness for the future workplace.

“It is to also identify challenges related to the responsible, ethical and safe use of AI and cybersecurity concerns within the higher education landscape.

Further, the gathering is to facilitate collaboration among academia, industry, and government to ensure a holistic approach to the integration of AI in higher education.

The Hon. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and His Excellency, Cui Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, are among the numerous personalities who will speak at the occasion.

A total of 10 chief executives of national and international agencies are expected to give keynote speeches.
The IIOE Nigeria National Centre is domiciled at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. And presently, the University is hosting the Global IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit 2024.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor. Kabiru Bala, who assumed the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit 2024, will give the opening remarks at the one-day occasion.

Profy. Muhammad Bashir Mu’azu, Director, IIOE Nigeria National Centre, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, will make a presentation on “AI in Higher Education: Ethical Challenges and the Need for a Governance Framework”.

Delta Decides: Guwor excercises his franchise @ Okerenkoko, describes process as Peaceful

Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, today, voted at Okerenkoko Ward, Unit 17, for the Chairmanship and Councilorship candidates of his choice in the July 13th 2024 Local Government Council elections in the state.

The Speaker who was accredited for the civic exercise, alongside some of his aides and relatives who share same voting unit, casted his votes at exactly 11:20am.

The exercise was hitch free as electorates maintained decorum and were orderly while they waited for their turns to cast their votes.

It was gathered that officials of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, including the ADHOC staff arrived the wards early, the development that exited the electorates for not having to wait so long to perform their franchise.

Security agencies were also involved and strategically positioned to ensure peace and order before, during and beyond the voting process.

Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor who was elated by the large turnout of voters in the ward, said nothing can be compared to democracy as it allows the electorates to pick their leaders.

Rt Hon Guwor commended the people for their commitment to the development and growth of democratic governance, assuring that by so doing they will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

The Speaker, who represents Warri South West in the House, stated that from feelers across his constituency, the voting exercise were going on smoothly as at the time of the interview, even as he expressed confidence that the entire process will end in praise.

Rt Hon Guwor appreciated DSIEC for its efforts to conduct free and fair elections in Delta State, stressing that it is expected that the best candidates would emerge victorious.

He said governance at the grassroots is key to delivering the MORE agenda of the State Government, emphasizing the need for strong synergy that would further promote peace and prosperity in the local government area.

The Speaker commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his leadership in the state and for ensuring that the local government councils election was conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures in the conduct of elections.

Guwor enjoined Deltans to remain peaceful and to help ensure a rancour free local government council elections in the state.

Just In: APC Councillorship candidate, Engr. Samson Uwatse boycott Delta LGAs Councils election

The Councillorship candidate for Orugbo Ward in Warri South Local Government Council in today’s Local Government Council election, Engr. Samson Uwatse has pulled out of the LGA election.

Engr. Uwatse said “they have removed the sensitive and non sensitive materials both result sheets not included in the electrical materials hence he has decided to pull out of the poll after consulting with the party leadership”.

He accused Delta State Government of not being fare to them and that they have directed their agents and supporters to buycot the election as the process is fake, he also accused the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DSIEC, saying have lost hope in DSIEC.

Noting that in order not to cause any violence they have dropped their interest in the election as they have lost hope on DSIEC, stressing that they have compromised the process.

Eighteen Players Invited As Nigeria’s Women Under 18 Handball Team To Begin Preparation For IHF Women Under 18 World Cup in China.

Coach Shittu Adewunmi Agboola of the Nigeria’s under 18 Women Handball team has invited 18 players ahead of the IHF Women Under 18 World Cup in China.

The 2024 IHF Women’s U18 Handball World Championship will hold in the city of Chuzhou, China August 14 to 25, 2024 and Nigeria is one of the four countries that will represent the continent of Africa in the world cup after they qualified for the first time at the Africa Women’s Under 18 Handball Nations Cup in Monastir, Tunisia last year.

They had played in the IHF Trophy series and finished second globally and are in pole position as one of the most exciting handball teams for the world championship.

Captains Esther Mathew and Taiwo Babatunde with her twin sister make return to the team alongside the Munira sisters from Rima Queens of Sokoto and Oparaugo Amarachi of Imo Grasshoppers.

Also the Samuel sisters and Rivers Queens Damilola Akinlade are also amongst the invited players.

Coach Shittu Adewunmi Agboola, who penned down a heartfelt appreciation post on his social media pages, dedicating the success of the team thus far to the HFN led by the president Mr. Samuel Ocheho, said the team is determined to do well in the competition as they commenced preparation from Sunday July 14th, 2024 at the Etete Indoor sports hall in Benin City, Edo State.

“As we sojourn to the IHF Female U18 World Cup with the Nigeria flag, hopes and dreams of our teeming fans and population all behind us, we are fully motivated to give it a memorable tournament and remarkable outing.

“We will give it our best shot and make Nigeria proud” Coach Shittu said.

Invited Players For IHF Women Under 18 World Cup

Goalkeepers

1. SAMUEL PRECIOUS GK (SOKOTO RIMA)
2.BABATUNDE KEHINDE GK (ASPAC HBC)
3. EMMAMUZO EMUORE GK (DELTA FORCE)

Right Wing

4. ONYEKWERE LUCY (SOKOTO RIMA)
5.IGBENEDION BLESSING RW (DELTA FORCE )

Right Back

6. MATHEW ESTHER RB (ADDIJA HBC)
7. OGBUSIMBA CHIDERA RB (SOKOTO RIMA)

Left Back

8. SAMUEL PRUDENCE LB (SOKOTO RIMA)
9.BABATUNDE TAIWO LB (SEASIDERS BABE)
10. OPARAUGO AMARACHI LB (IMO GRASSHOPPERS)

Left Wing

11. MUHAMMAD AMINA LW (SOKOTO RIMA)
12. KASIM MUNIRA LW (SOKOTO RIMA)
13. OKOLO JOAN LW (DELTA FORCE)

Center Back

14. BELLO RAHIMA CB (SOKOTO RIMA)
15. OPARA MONICA CB (SOKOTO RIMA)
16. IZUOBA IJEOMA CB (DELTA FORCE)

Pivots

17. AKINLADE DAMILOLA PV ,(RIVERS QUEENS)
18. MUHAMMAD MUNIRA PV (SOKOTO RIMA)

Sports Minister Tasks Nigerian Referees to Deepen Capacity for Greater Participation in FIFA/CAF Flagged Competitions

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh on Wednesday tasked Nigerian referees to deepen and strengthen their professionalism in order to attract greater participation in FIFA and CAF flagged competitions. Speaking during his interactive session with the 2024 FIFA Member Association Refereeing Development Course, the minister regretted that Nigerian referees are not playing critical roles in both FIFA and CAF flagged competitions as a result of failure to reach the performance and professional threshold set out by both international bodies.

Describing the situation whereby Nigerian referees are neglected and relegated to the background in the perking order by FIFA and CAF as unacceptable, he said that the current administration would do everything within its powers to reverse this ugly trend. The Minister stated that his engagement with the referees was part of ongoing efforts by him to get to the root of the problem and proffer solutions to solve the problem.

He recalled that at inception as minister, one of the early engagements that he initiated was to invite referees and critical stakeholders in sports for a parley when his attention was drawn to the fact that no Nigerian referee was considered qualified enough to officiate in the just concluded CAF flagged African Cup of Nations.
He said, “I thought that this was unacceptable. It was for this reason that I started series of engagements with Referee Associations, the NFF and other critical stakeholders. Sadly, even in the next AFCON, no Nigerian referee was listed to participate in officiating duties by CAF. This is a shame. As a country, it is important that we get right things that we are not doing right to change this ugly narrative.”

He challenged the elite referees to raise the bar in terms of their commitment to improving their professionalism adding that government is ready to support and work closely with them to put an end to this neglect.

Responding to the Minister, the lead FIFA Technical Instructor, Mr. Felix Tangwarinma thanked the Minister for his commitment to the development of Nigerian referees. He observed that not too long ago, Nigerian referees were doing very well as officials in international competitions but regretted that lack of continuity left a huge gap when they retired. The FIFA Technical Instructor stated that that training was part of ongoing efforts to close the gap.

He explained that one of the major problems that impacted the relegation of Nigerian referees in FIFA and CAF organized competitions is the fact that presently, there is no Nigerian referee is certified to officiate with VAR. He said that as a country, Nigeria needs to train the referees with VAR to enable them cover the required number of hours stipulated by FIFA and CAF to enable them to be picked to officiate in championships.

The FIFA instructor informed the Minister that the VAR equipment was very expensive to procure. Given the huge financial exposure, he called on the sports ministry to assist with funding since NFF may not be able to fund the procurement of the required number of VAR to be deployed for use in the national league. In the interim he suggested that Nigeria can bridge the gap by sending referees for VAR training in countries like Morrocco and Tunisia while it puts its house in order.