Oborevwori Sues For Peaceful Kingdoms As His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III climax coronation with Thanksgiving

The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has called on Kings to ensure that their domains are peaceful.

According to the governor, peaceful kingdoms and peaceful communities would generally translate to peaceful, conducive state for socio-economic activities to thrive

The governor made the call on Sunday at the third coronation anniversary Thanksgiving of the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori was represented at the thanksgiving service which took place at the Olu Palace, Warri, by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA.

“Delta is made of Kingdoms and communities, so, if all the kingdoms and communities are peaceful, Delta will be generally peaceful and as Deltans, if we have ensured peaceful kingdoms and communities, investors will come to our state in their large numbers and with such, all of us will reap the benefits of good governance,” the governor said.

He congratulated the Olu saying, “It gives me great pleasure to be present at this very important occasion.

“First, I, on behalf of the government and the good people of our dear state, Delta, congratulate Your Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, on the occasion of your third coronation anniversary thanksgiving.

“It is also, a thing of joy that you are capping this anniversary celebration with thanksgiving to God.

“As Christians, we all are aware about King David and how he underscored the importance of thanksgiving to God when in Psalm 28:7, he said, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song, I give thanks to him.”

“As a King, it is important to also, put absolute trust in God just like Hezekiah who trusted in God so much and became a great King. 2 Kings 18:5

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28

“So, Your Majesty, Atuwatse III, CFR, it is good that today, you have come back to give thanks to God and we join you in saying, thank God, for His goodness upon the Itsekiri people, and our state, Delta.

“We have heard about how you are reaching out to other kingdoms, how you have also, shown commitment to attracting investors to Warri nay Delta State. We are happy with what you are doing as they are in line with the MORE Agenda of my Administration.

“As a government, we are working for the meaningful development of our state.

“Your Majesty and the wonderful people of God who are here today, let us continue to have the fear of God in us, support government and its activities because my administration means well for our state, support our traditional rulers because it is Biblically to do so and engage in positive activities, live peacefully with one another and we all will be happy.

“Once again, Your Majesty, congratulations on your coronation anniversary.”

The Olu at the occasion said, “We are here to say thank you to the Almighty God for His faithfulness and goodness upon our kingdom and the throne.

“This thanksgiving is the covenant we have with God for His faithfulness and goodness to us and the Kingdom.

“God will continue to bless us and we shall continue to serve and Honour Him,” the governor said.

Earlier in a sermon, Rev. Chris Akperi of the Foursquare Gospel Church, said that the people were gathered to celebrate the 3rd coronation anniversary of the Olu and urged the people to be united, speak with one voice, love the king just as the king loved God, and as well hate evil.

He observed that evil takes a people backwards and urged the people to embrace doing good, show love to one another, and respect those in authority.

Rev. Akperi also called for a more united Warri Kingdom, noting that when the people are united and speak with one voice, there was bound to be peace, progress and meaningful development.

At the service, prayers were offered to God for the king, the kingdom, Delta State and the country.

Colombia 2024: Falconets targets victory over Mexico to sustain winning mentality

Head Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma said on Sunday August 25, 2024 that Nigeria’s U20 Grls, Falconets, will go all the way in search of triumph over their Mexican counterparts, when both sides clash in a friendly game on the turf of Club Banco de la República in Bogota on Monday evening.

According to him “Our victory over Australia was such a sweet one, but I have told the ladies to drive it into the recesses of their minds and concentrate on Monday’s encounter. We need another victory to sustain our winning mentality. We won five of our six qualifying matches with healthy score lines and have now added victory over the Australians to boot.

“As I keep saying at every turn, the FIFA World Cup finals here will not be easy. The fact that we are up against Korea Republic and three-time winners Germany in our first two matches means we need to be at our best physically, mentally and psychologically. Physically and mentally, I believe we are in shape. Psychologically, we are good, and we will be great if we defeat the Mexicans to go into the competition unbeaten.”

In the African qualifying race, the Falconets routed their counterparts from Central African Republic 6-0 each in Douala and Abuja, sent packing Burkina Faso with a 1-1 draw in Bamako and 6-0 spanking in Abuja, and dismissed Liberia 4-1 in Monrovia and 2-0 in Abuja, in the process scoring 25 goals and conceding only two.

On Friday, the 2010 and 2014 silver medallists edged the Aussies 2-1 in regulation time, and then won a subsequent penalty shootout that happened at the instance of the Australian delegation.

The clash with the Mexicans, who are expected to provide much-stiffer opposition (having missed only one edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals since it started in 2002), will kickoff at 3.30pm Colombia time (9.30pm Nigeria time).

Danjuma’s squad from the qualifiers is now boosted by the presence of a number of players who have seen action with the Nigeria senior team, Super Falcons, including defenders Jumoke Alani, Rofiat Imuran, Comfort Folorunsho and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Flourish Sabastine. Folorunsho and Ajakaye were in the Nigeria U17 squad that finished in third place at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India two years ago.

Other members of that squad also with the Falconets in Colombia are goalkeeper Faith Omilana and forward Aminat Omowunmi Bello.

NYG: Kaduna Ready To Haul Medals, Sports Commissioner assures 

By; Jacob Onjewu Dickson

The Commissioner, Ministry Sports Development Kaduna State, Professor Ben Gugong has expressed optimism that the state’s athletes will be giving a good account of them selves as they storm the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba on September 9, 2024.

He expressed this, while fielding questions from newsmen at the closing ceremony of the SWAN Dr. Mohammed Maina Media Badminton Tournament held August 23 to 24, 2024 at the Exclusive Badminton Club, Kaduna State University (KASU).

Professor Gugong assured citizens of the state that preparations for the state’s participation is in top gears as they look forward to surpassing all previous editions medals haul.

He said they are confident because shortly, the athletes would go into closed camp to finalize their training ahead of the NYG.

“As you are all aware, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani is a sports loving governor who will ensure proper welfare of all athletes to spur them into winning medals for the state,” he said.

On the SWAN Dr. Mohammed Maina Media Badminton Tournament, the commissioner commended the organisers and the sponsors for a successful tournament, while calling on others to emulate.

“I must commend the Chairman of Badminton Association in the state for his efforts at developing the game,” he said.

Asagba-Designate, Obi Azinge Well Positioned To Sustain Effective Relationship With OFAAC- Ifeadi

By Patrick Ochei

The President of the Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) – the umbrella body of Anioma Culture and Chief Executive Officer of the Contemporary Group Limited, Arc. Kester Ifeadi has congratulated the Asagba designate for Asaba Kingdom, Obi (Prof) Epiphany Azinge, describing the process that brought him to authority as awesome.

The culture enthusiast in a statement, said he has keenly watched the process of producing the next Asagba of Asaba after the last occupant, and he could attest to the fact that Asaba people have proven to be careful custodians of culture and traditions of their forebears.

Ifeadi who hailed the emergence of Obi Prof. Azinge, affirmed that the Kingdom of Asaba has made the right and most suitably qualified choice for the stool of the Asagba of Asaba.

He further eulogized the sterling leadership quality of Obi Azinge both in the legal profession, community development services and humanity in general, confirming that he was adequately prepared for the throne of his forefathers as a culture enthusiast himself.

The OFAAC henchman, thereby posited that he has no doubts of the capacity of Obi Azinge to deliver on mandate in bringing Asaba and the rest of the Anioma nation to their deserved limelight.

Ifeadi while speaking on the relationship of OFAAC and the Asagba Palace, insisted that Obi Azinge has all the required credentials to not only advance innovative culture in Asaba and Anioma nation, but also sustain the years of relationship already built for cultural renaissance and traditional harmony within and beyond Anioma nation.

According to the statement, “We in OFAAC are pleased to associate with the Asagba Palace. We had a long standing relationship with the past Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, who was a strong pillar for OFAAC and supporter of all our cultural programmes for Anioma people.

“With Obi Azinge on the throne as Asagba of Asaba, we are more confident that this impeccable relationship would be nurtured and sustained for the benefit of Asaba people in particular, and Anioma people in general”, Ifeadi stated.

He therefore prayed for God’s grace and wisdom to guide the new Asagba in his traditional leadership roles, as well as help him ward off evil inclined traditional cum political sycophants.

Dr. Agbolaya congratulates newly inaugurated PDP Chairmen in Delta, hopeful of sustained victories

By: Celestine Ukah 

Special Adviser to Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Community Development, Amb. Dr. Toyin Orighomisan Agbolaya JP felicitates the newly inaugurated PDP Chairmen across the 25 LGAs in Delta State.

Dr. Agbolaya in his congratulatory remarks Saturday August, 24, 2024 expressed hope that the newly elected party chairmen would sustain the victories of the PDP in the state in any election whenever it is called for.

The Governor Oborevwori’s Special Adviser however charged the PDP Chairmen to work assiduously in maintaining unity among party faithful as well operate open door policy of trust and determination of success at any polls.

Dr. Agbolaya a grassrooted politician in Warri South, assured the PDP Chairmen of effective synergy in making them and the party to excel continuously.

Igbogidi FC Lifts 2024 Olu of Warri Community Peace Cup

By Odeya Ogbetuo

The 2024 Olu of Warri Community Peace Cup rounded-off with Igbogidi FC emerging as the winner with a penalty shootout.In a full time play the Ubeji FC slugged it out with the Igbogidi FC in the Olu of Warri Community Peace Cup in the 9th Edition at the Nana Model College Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State to commemorate the 3rd Coronation Anniversary of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR.

In the grand finale of the Olu of Warri Peace Cup 2024, a sports initiative aimed at rewarding talents and promoting peace among communities in Delta state was rounded – off with presentation of awards by the National Co-ordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Chief Sheriff Mulade and the Chairman of the Itsekiri Interest Group, Comrade Gbubemi Awala.

On behalf of the Organizing Committee and the Iwere Sport Centre, Chief Sherif Mulade presented the 2024 Olu of Warri Community Peace Cup to Igbogidi FC the winner with N1 Million First Price of the 9th Edition of the Tournament.With the support of Comrade Gbubemi Awala various categories of award were given to the best goal keeper- Great Edafe, Fair player of the team of the tournament, best player of the tournament among other consolatory prizes.

Chief Mulade commended the organizers of the tournament, stressing that football is a unifying factor as it promotes peace and unity.

He urged the organizers to improve on subsequent editions of the tournament, adding that he would continue to support any programme that will promote peace and unity among the people of the Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria at large.

Engineer Collins Edema said that talents will come out of this tournament and urged the continuation of this football competition.

He stated that soccer remains one of the ways to take youths from the streets and make them useful, adding that football promotes love, peace and unity among the people.

Speaking at the end of the tournament, the chairman of Iwere Sport Centre (ISC) and head of coach of JOETIA FC, Mr. Toritseju Igbiaye Samuel said that football requires regular practice, stamina and courage and a winner will emerge.

Igbiaye Samuel further said that ISC was ever ready to organize the yearly tournament to promote peace and unity, adding that ISC was committed to the success of the 2024 Olu of Warri Community Peace Cup which ended peacefully and successfully in a grand style.

He commended the 32 Communities both in Delta State and beyond that participated in the tournament.