Connect with us

News

Ogun Govt Rewards National Youth Games Athletes with ₦7 Million

Published

on

 

The Ogun State Government has awarded over ₦7 million in prizes to exceptional athletes who represented the state at the National Youth Games held in Asaba, Delta State. This gesture underscores the government’s commitment to nurturing sports talent and grassroots development.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by Commissioner for Sports Wasiu Isiaka, presented the awards on Wednesday. Gold medalists received ₦300,000 each, silver medalists ₦200,000, and bronze medalists ₦100,000. Additionally, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, the immediate past Director of Sports, was honored with ₦500,000 for her dedication to young athletes’ growth.

Acknowledging the athletes’ achievements, Abiodun stated, “Your outstanding performances have not only brought glory to our state but have earned you invitations to the national camp for the Commonwealth Games next year. This milestone highlights the enormous potential within our athletes.”

He announced plans to use the upcoming National Sports Festival to strengthen sports development in the state, particularly at school and grassroots levels. The government is also revamping sports facilities to provide better opportunities for athletes.

Acting Director of Sports Oluseyi Sonde commended the Governor’s dedication to sports development and urged the medalists to maintain their focus and strive for excellence. He emphasized that sports, when properly harnessed, can inspire and transform lives.

Expressing gratitude, Ayomide Heritage, who won gold in the 42kg wrestling category, thanked the state government for the support, noting that the financial reward would significantly boost her career. She vowed to continue striving for excellence in national and international competitions.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

SDGs must be integrated into development plans – FG

Published

on

The Federal Government has emphasized that achieving the **Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)** requires their full integration into national and sub-national development plans rather than treating them as isolated initiatives.

 

The **Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire**, made this call during the **North-East Regional Consultation in Gombe**, part of Nigeria’s **2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR)** preparations for the **High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York this July**. Represented by **Dr. Bala Yunusa, Senior Technical Adviser**, she explained that the **United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)** established the HLPF as a global review mechanism for the 2030 Agenda. Nigeria, now conducting its third VNR, is engaging stakeholders across all six geopolitical zones to assess progress, challenges, and future opportunities.

 

A statement from her **Special Assistant on Media and Strategic Communication, Desmond Utomwen**, highlighted the urgent need to accelerate SDG progress. Citing the **2024 UN Sustainable Development Goals Report**, she revealed that only 17% of SDG targets are on track, nearly 50% show minimal or moderate progress, and over one-third have stalled or regressed. She attributed Nigeria’s slow SDG progress to dwindling financial resources, the COVID-19 pandemic, and persistent insecurity.

 

Orelope-Adefulire stressed the importance of **robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) mechanisms**, including SDG Progress Reports and the VNR, to track achievements and challenges. She called for stronger collaboration among public and private sectors, the UN Development System, donor agencies, academia, and civil society to ensure no one is left behind.

 

Referring to the **“Pact for the Future”** adopted during the **79th UN General Assembly**, she reaffirmed world leaders’ commitment to bold and transformative actions for SDG acceleration. She also echoed **UN Secretary-General António Guterres’** call for massive investments and strategic partnerships to drive key transitions in food security, energy, and digital connectivity.

 

She commended **Nigeria’s Multi-Stakeholder Core Working Group for the 2025 VNR**, acknowledging the contributions of members from government agencies, the UN Development System, private sector groups, civil society organizations, and academia.

 

The **North-East Regional Consultation** brought together 150 participants from six states, focusing discussions on institutional frameworks for SDG implementation, progress across the 17 SDGs, and challenges and lessons learned.

 

**Gombe State SDGs Focal Person, Engr. Sulaiman Turaki**, described the event as a critical dialogue shaping Nigeria’s next VNR. He urged stakeholders to actively contribute, ensuring the review accurately reflects progress, challenges, and opportunities while ensuring no one is left behind in the country’s development efforts.

Continue Reading

News

Nnamdi Kanu’s trial under ‘repealed’ law, mere charade – Lawyer

Published

on

Prominent human rights lawyer, Barrister Christopher Chidera, has raised concerns over the Nigerian government’s plan to prosecute Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the repealed Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013. He described the move as legally unsustainable and urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu to reconsider.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Chidera argued that since the 2013 Act has been revoked, it cannot serve as a legal basis for Kanu’s trial.

“Any attempt to prosecute the IPOB leader under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 is legally untenable and procedurally flawed,” he stated.

He warned that continuing with the case under an obsolete law could undermine Nigeria’s justice system and attract international criticism.

Chidera further urged the government to negotiate with Kanu before March 20, 2025, to avoid exposing systemic flaws in the judiciary.

“The section of the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013 on which the prosecution relies is no longer an active law in Nigeria. The jurisdiction to prosecute Kanu under this Act ceased with its repeal. Continuing with this prosecution would draw scrutiny and criticism both domestically and internationally,” he added.

With Kanu set to represent himself in court on March 21, 2025, legal analysts predict heightened scrutiny of the case.

“Reports that Mazi Kanu will assume his own defence signal a significant shift. His self-representation may reveal inconsistencies and vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s judicial system,” Chidera noted.

Describing the trial as a critical test for Nigeria’s judiciary, Chidera called on Tinubu’s government to seek a diplomatic resolution before the March 20 deadline.

“Political dissent cannot be extinguished by force, and the Biafran struggle will not be subdued by crackdowns or detention without trial,” he emphasised.

As the court date approaches, all eyes remain on how the government will handle the high-stakes legal battle, with potential implications for Nigeria’s political and judicial credibility.

Continue Reading

News

2027: Stakeholders allege Akpabio, others have sold APC to PDP in Akwa Ibom

Published

on

ey stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have raised serious allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, state party chairman Stephen Ntukekpo, and Minister of Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo. The group claims that these leaders have sold out the party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in return for the latter’s support for Akpabio’s bid for a third term as Senate President in 2027.

The accusations were made public through an open letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, titled “The Worrisome State of the APC in Akwa Ibom State: A Call for Your Intervention”. The letter was signed by Elder Okokon James, Peter Ibanga, and Chief Victor Affiah, who represent the Uyo, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial districts, respectively.

In the letter, the APC stakeholders express their frustration with the actions of the party’s leadership in the state, stating that Ntukekpo and Ekpo have openly claimed to be acting on Akpabio’s orders to deliberately weaken the party in Akwa Ibom. According to the group, this was done to facilitate an easy victory for the PDP in the upcoming 2027 elections. They argue that this arrangement is part of a deal to secure support for Akpabio’s third-term Senate ambitions.

The group warns that if urgent intervention is not taken to revitalize the APC in the state, party members will abandon the party and join a coalition of opposition forces, undermining President Tinubu’s prospects in his second term campaign. They allege that the APC in the state has been effectively dismantled by its own leaders, leaving little support for Tinubu when he visits next year.

“This is a betrayal of trust,” the stakeholders write, accusing Akpabio and Ekpo of undermining the party that helped propel Akpabio to the Senate Presidency. They further allege that if the party’s situation worsens, the responsibility will fall squarely on the shoulders of Akpabio and Ekpo.

The letter also criticizes the inaction of Governor Umo Eno and his team, suggesting that while the Governor is strengthening his political base, APC leaders in the state are failing to make any significant moves to bolster the party.

In response, the Senate President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, dismissed the allegations, calling them “spurious and mischievous.” Eyiboh defended Akpabio’s efforts, pointing to the numerous appointments the Senate President has secured for party members, which he argues are evidence of his commitment to strengthening the party.

Eyiboh further labeled the signatories of the letter as “non-existent” and stated that the claims were baseless and intended to stir unnecessary controversy.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2017 Zox News Theme. Theme by MVP Themes, powered by WordPress.