President Buhari's Minister Promotes ace journalist, Kola Daniel to Executive Media Aide level

 

Mr. Kola Daniel, One of the media aides, of the Honorable Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Chief Sunday Akin Dare has been promoted to the Position of Executive Media Aide.

Kola Daniel, an ace  Sportswriter and  Media Aide was elevated in status, following an appraisal carried out in November last year, to properly evaluate and situate performances by staff of the Ministry.

The report on the exercise, seen pressmen

rated Mr. Daniel and a few others, as top and most effective staff.

Kola Daniel thus  ventured into the new year in style, after a well deserved promotion by his principal, Chief Sunday Dare, who was unequivocal in heaping praises on the dexterity, commitment, foresight and deligence; in handling any task assigned to him.

"After appraising all of my staff, I considered him as one of the best, most productive member of staff, hence, my decision to elevate him to the position of Executive Media Aide". Dare said.

Receiving this news, the elated Mr. Daniel told pressmen  that, he is overwhelmed with the happiness and satisfaction, such a timely reward and recognition to his services, has brought him".

He reserved special thanks for his principal for finding him worthy of being relied on, and committed to remaining loyal, while learning under him.

Sports Minister adds glamour to Daura Emirate Football Competition final

... Bags Award of Excellence

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare Friday attended the finale of the Daura Emirate Football Competition held in honour of Emir of Daura, Alh. Farouk Umar in Daura, Katsina State. 

The finale which was played on the rehabilitated Daura Township Stadium featured Hadi Sirika FC and Gakuwa Pillars and ended in a penalty shoot-out, 5-4  in favour of Hadi Sirika FC. 

In recognition of the efforts of the Minister to rehabilitate the Daura Stadium,The Daura Emirate Soccer Coaching Society presented an Award of Excellence to Dare, lauding his commitment to sports development in the country.

The Daura stadium was rehabilitated under the Adopt-a-Pitch Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of the Minister. It will be recalled that the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja was revamped in the same guise, while remedial work is presently on-going in the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. 

Dignitaries that graced the Football competition finale include Emir of Daura, Alh. Farouk Umar, Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari, Alh. Nasiru Danu amongst others.

GYB is perfect fit as Buhari’s worthy successor- Ododo

 

President Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that the next president of Nigeria should be someone who can secure the country is an endorsement of the aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to become the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. 

Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, staunch supporter of the GYB2PYB agenda stated this in Lokoja the Kogi state capital at the weekend.

Alhaji Ododo while referring to the statement by President Buhari who spoke during a working visit to Maiduguri the Borno State capital, noted that the monumental achievement of the Kogi state government under Alhaji Yahaya Bello in securing lives and property in the state is a clear demonstration of the mastery of both kinetic and non-kinetic instruments of national security by Governor Yahaya Bello.

Alhaji Ododo who described Governor Yahaya Bello as the best person for the job noted that it is only natural that GYB would replicate the same string of successes recorded in the provision of infrastructure and security in all parts of Kogi state  at the national level when elected the President of Nigeria in 2023. 

 

While commending President Buhari for the renewed efforts in the military offensive against bandits and insurgents across the country, he called on Nigerians to support the presidential aspiration of Governor Yahaya Bello whom he noted is the only man ready to throw his hat in the ring to address current security challenges and infrastructural development in the country.

This he noted has been demonstrated through several projects like the construction of Ganaja flyover, Okene Reference Hospital and other health institutions across the state as well road networks in the nooks and crannies of the state and security interventions by Governor Yahaya Bello, one of which is the recent arrest of all 25 armed robbery suspects who attacked a bank in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of the state. 

Alhaji Ododo who expressed delight over the position of President Buhari on the expectation of his successor urged Nigerians to vote for a presidential aspirant who has demonstrated unimpeachable capacity to secure Nigeria in view of the strategic importance of security in national development.

He urged Nigerian youths to take up the challenge of securing the country by working for the realization of the presidential ambition of Governor Yahaya Bello come 2023.

2023: Comrade Abdulazeez Yakasi charges youths to determine who governs Nigeria

 

Youths in Nigeria have been asked to form a formidable force towards ensuring that they determine who becomes the nation's President in 2023.

Comrade Abdulazeez Yakasi former Secretary General of the Nigeria Labour Congress gave the charge while addressing students drawn from all tertiary Institutions in Kogi State who gathered at the Kogi State Polytechnic in a program organised by the Students' Wing, Coalition of Northern Groups, Kogi State Chapter, Maitama Sule Leadership Lecture Series with the theme: Equitable Revenue Allocation: A Panacea For Agitation and Contestation in Nigeria.

The Chairman described 2023 as a defining moments for Nigerian Youths, stressed that 2023 is another time for rethink, urged the Youths to come together in love and in unity to move the country forward.

He said the bringing together of the Youths is to particularly sensitize them and urged them to put themselves together towards raising raising their consciousness as Nigerian's youths towards salvaging the country from its collective problems.

The Chairman described the revenue allocation as a vexed issue misunderstood differently by many in the country, said bringing them together became necessary so as to educate them on reasons why the skewed nature of the revenue allocation in the country has caused imbalance.

He urged the Youths to rise up, stand up, take their place as the history will not be kind to them if they allow the old Politicians to decide who governs them in 2023.

Dr. Bitrus Dangiwa, in a key note address, described late Elderstatesman, Maitama Sule as a patriot who believed in the Unity of Northern Nigeria, says towards 2023, the North is looking forward to Presenting a young Nigerian with competence and capacity to govern the country.

He reiterated his dream that come 2023 only a man who believes in Justice and equity would be allowed to lead the nation, said the time to return Nigerian dreamt by late Maitama Sule, where Unity, peace and Justice prevails would be realised.

Also Speaking, Dorathy Aken-ova, lamented that young people have been corrupted and distracted not to understand the true meaning of leadership, by allowing leaders not to be accountable.

She urged young people above 18 years of age to ensure that the get their voters card, said the time for young people to determine who rules the country is now.

She warned that it would be catastrophic if Nigeria continues to recycle the old brigade Political actors if the Youths don't have a strategic plan, get their voters card, register in Political parties, come out enmass to vote their preferred choice of a young Nigerian as President.

She said Nigeria must change her style of electing leaders, said the country cannot continue with poverty, unemployment and other issues of underdevelopment, as statistics have shown that young people are more in the poverty and unemployment bracket.

She challenged the Youths to build themselves towards reclaiming the space that is theirs, stating that the nation can no longer continue in the direction in which it is heading.

Dr. Murtala Aliyu Ibrahim PhD, a Lecturer with Baze University, Abuja, while delivering a lead paper on Equitable Revenue Allocation: A Panacea For Agitation and Contestation in Nigeria, described Nigeria as a country that is disfunctional, with things not working right because of the misgivings in revenue sharing called on the need to look at the current revenue allocation sharing formular.

Abdulazeez Suleiman, spokesman of CNG, said the for Youths to reclaim their lost glory time is now, urged the Youths in the country to tell Leaders who have continuously purparize them to take what belongs to them, insisting that the time to take the country from old Generational Leadership, always recycling themselves is now.

Knocks, anger, frustration trail independence celebration

 

Mixed reactions bordering on anger, frustration and outright despondency, today trail Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary with a resonating conclusion among many prominent Nigerians that the country has substantially failed to meet the aspiration of its founding fathers.

Those interviewed told Daily Sun that rather than celebrate today, it should be a time for sober reflections on the journey so far. They also believe that only such deep reflections would produce the needed panacea for the myriads of maladies bedeviling the country at present.

Nigerians should mourn 61 years of backwardness –Ezeife

Former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife believes that Nigeria has not made any progress in its 61-year chequered history as an independent nation. To him, Nigerians should be mourning 61 years of backward growth and not celebrate failure. “It has been 61 years of non-achievement; everything is comprehensively going negative. “We have been saying the same thing for many years without any result. So, it is quite unfortunate and saddening that instead of growing forward, we have been growing backward,” he said.

Military cause of our woes –Yakasai

Elder statesman and Second Republic Presidential Adviser, Tanko Yakasai has blamed military involvement in politics for Nigeria’s economic and political misfortunes.

He said the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers could have been substantially realised if civilians were allowed to remain in the leadership of the country..

Alhaji Yakasai affirmed that Nigeria has not been able to exploit its full potentials and stressed that military intervention in politics had stalled the pace of rapid growth and development that heralded Independence.

“So far, we have not achieved what we had hoped to achieve. What brought about this? There is no doubt that it was the military’s intervention into the politics of Nigeria.

“If political parties had been allowed to flourish uninterrupted, perhaps we would have been closer to our dreams. I have said this before that what we are operating is a military constitution and not a civilian one. And that the set of real civilians that came to power since 1999 to date are few. A lot of them came to power through the instrumentality of the good offices of the military.

“From 1999 to date, we have had four Presidents – Obasanjo , Buhari, Jonathan and Yar’Adua, that is two from the North and two from the South. The question is why is it that these people were not able to make progress? The answer is that these political parties were not the creation of the people of Nigeria. They were the creation of military fiat.

“I was a member of one of the two political parties at the time of their creation and I know how the two political parties came to be through the intervention of the military.

“And you should note that the richest people in Nigeria are either the military or the people who are close to the military.  So, until we create a situation whereby we have political parties who are the creation of the people, we may not be there.

“The trouble is that the military had tasted power and they do not want to leave the stage or to do without it.”

Speaking on the growing agitation for secession and break up of Nigeria by different groups in the country years after independence, Yakasai admitted that there were calls for seperation but added that, “The people who are making this call for separation are the minority, not ethnic minority, but numerical minority when compared to those who are not opposed to the oneness of the country”.

He added: “Younger people who got university education and hoped to get jobs, but the system has not provided jobs for them. The opportunities are not there, a reason they resort to this call for separation”.

“The matured people like Edwin Clerk and Adebanjo and all those who are in the vanguard for the restructuring of Nigeria, I have been asking  them to produce a road map of what they meant by restructuring,  to provide us with a blue print for a restructured Nigeria.

“You cannot just go about calling for a restructured Nigeria without telling the people exactly what you mean by restructuring and how the country should be recreated and this is the result of the restructuring. I still have hope in Nigeria as a united country, I have hope in Nigeria because nobody has been able to produce an alternative to the Nigeria project”

Nigeria has not been fair to ordinary man –Ambassador Yahaya Kwande

Former Ambassador to Switzerland, said he was not happy and that the nation has been unfair to the ordinary Nigerians.

He said: “When we took over the government from the colonial masters in the 60s compared with the development that we have now, we should have been placed better than where we are today. This is because we haven’t added much; but people will see that there is much in the sense of the numbers of schools. There used to be only one secondary school in the whole of Northern Nigeria, today we have millions, not thousands but the quality of people produced in that millions schools you cannot compare it with what it used to be.

“We have been very careless, we misunderstand what is a government, we seem not to understand what is a government. Government is to look after the welfare of the people it is governing; see about their health, see about their security, see about the education of their children so that we can progress. But is it what we are doing. How can you have somebody who is coming from secondary school that cannot spell right and cannot make correct sentence or whatever language he is learning?

There are no teachers; we just park children into dilapidated schools under trees. To school under trees would have been 50 or 100 years back now. We should be ashamed about our education and the environment we teach, we are going backward and backward.

Nigeria at 61: Only with deliberate, scalable investment in our youth can Nigeria become greater - Sunday Dare

 

Today, Friday, October 1, 2021, as Nigeria clocks 61 years of independence, It has been 61 years of remarkable journey characterised by challenges, struggles and triumphs.

As the Minister of Youth and Sports Development of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I pledge my loyalty to Nigeria and look to her future with hope and optimism.

As a Ministry, we have adopted a number of programmes specially designed to uplift our youth, and the good news is that these programmes are already yielding positive results.

Nigeria's greatest natural resource is her youth. Only with deliberate, scalable investment in our youth can Nigeria become greater than she is today.

Our DEEL initiative which focuses on Digital Literacy and Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship, Employability and Leadership has led to some crucial breakthrough collaborations and partnerships with some technological giants and leading E-Commerce solutions platforms. These partnerships are guaranteed to get at least 200,000 youth trained and placed in Entrepreneurship by 2023. The Ministry’s Training into Enterprise continues to deliver results across the country. We appreciate many other Ministries, Departments and Agencies who also contribute to the training and empowerment of the youth in Nigeria. 

A lot of our youth are  being empowered through the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund(NYIF). Over 5,225 have benefited and recently over 20,000’have been screened and shortlisted for the final stage of training and funds disbursement. 

In the area of sports development, youth oriented programmes like the 'Adopt-an-Athlete' and 'Talent Hunt Program initiatives have been central to all our activities. These initiatives have led to podium finishes at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics Games, as well as the World U-20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya with Nigeria hauling 19 medals from these competitions. Just recently, the Nigeria women basket ball team, D’Tigress won the Afro Basketball Gold for the 3rd consecutive time making them the best women basketball team in Africa. 

Many young talents in all sports have been identified, a lot more will be identified. These talents will be adopted, harnessed, supported, financed and exposed to the best facilities, coaching and training programmes possible so they can become world beaters in the near future.

As a Ministry, we have also embarked on an aggressive drive to upgrade our sporting facilities so that our sports men and women can utilise them optimally.

The national stadia in Lagos and Abuja have had the football pitches of their mainbowls regrassed; because we know that great talents can only be birthed in an enabling environment and our infrastructure is key to creating it.

In addition, towards ensuring that sports enthusiasts at the grassroots have access to quality sporting facilities, the football pitch of the Daura Township Stadium in Daura, Katsina State has been completely rehabilitated and boasts of having one of the most modern synthetic AstroTurf pitches in Nigeria.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development also ensured the classification of sports as a business and not mere recreation.

We believe more glorious years are ahead for the Nigerian youth in all spheres of their endeavours.

Happy 61st independence anniversary Nigeria!

Nigeria @ 61: Expert seeks governments' collaboration to curb menace of insecurity

 

By Stephen Adeleye

A Security Expert, Mr Austine Ogaga, has advised the Federal Government to  partner with the private sector and individual to curb the rising insecurity in the country through the use of technology.

Ogaga gave the advise in an interview with our Correspondent on Friday in Lokoja, as part of activities to mark the Nigeria's 61st independent anniversary.

According to him, as the nation continue to grapple with incessant kidnappings, killings and other related security threats, the best way to tackling the disturbing menace in the country is through the use of technology.

The security expert, who is an American based Nigerian, said that he had recently developed a software that could prevent, respond and investigate crime digitally.

He, therefore expressed his willingness to collaborate with the Federal and State Governments and other relevant stakeholders in curbing insecurity in Nigeria.

He explained that his organisation, WestZone Services Limited, is a software development company, interested in partnering with the Government to manage insecurity through tailored security apps,trackers and monitoring systems both online and offline.

Ogaga reiterated confidence in the President Mohammadu Buhari, as well as Governor Yahaha Bello led administrations in addressing the rising security threats and enjoined them to adopt technology as a way out.

''The software developed by my organisation would go a long way in complimenting the proposed community policing and promoting Digital Policing System in the country.

"This is the 21st Century and war against terrorism, kidnapping and other insecurity are fought via technology globally. This is where Nigeria is lacking. 

''Technology should be deployed along with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fight insecurity. Once technology is deployed offline and online insecurity rate would drop drastically.

''Today, police departments around the world are using surveillance cameras, gunshot detection systems, automated license plate readers, facial recognition software, body cameras, drones, DNA Based Identification and Tracking System and numerous databases to prevent, respond and investigate crimes. 

Once deployed as designed and managed fully in line with recommendations, criminals would think twice before they act" he added.

The expert assured that Nigeria would be a safer country when the digital policing system is adopted. While saying the project could generate revenue for the nation and states.

Ogaga added that it would also create employment opportunities through the running of it's operations when his software is deployed to the fullest.

End

Youth Minister to speak at 76th UN General Assembly

On Thursday, 23rd September, the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, will deliver a keynote address at the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Side Event on Social Business, Youth and Technology.

The address, which will be delivered virtually, will focus on "Social Business Towards a Sustainable Revival of Post-Covid 19 Economy." The Minister is expected to draw on his extensive wealth of experience in engaging with young business owners, investors, entrepreneurs and innovators across the African continent and beyond.

This is the second time in two years that Mr. Dare has been asked to speak at this particular high-level event. In his keynote address at the 74th UNGA, he said the Youth in Africa’s biggest nation, Nigeria, are in a position to help solve major challenges of the world. He added that Nigeria will rely increasingly on its Youth population to develop smart products and solutions to conquer the challenges and problems of climate change, economic slowdown, unemployment and poverty.

“I am indeed honoured to be speaking at this very important event and I'm grateful for the platform to share some of the lessons I have learnt in the last 20 months," Mr. Dare said. "While the pandemic has tested every firbe of human capacity, it is heart-warming to see so many young people using their ingenuity for social causes and helping others in need. It is their stories that I want the world to hear."

To join the conversation, interested Nigerians are encouraged to log on to @yunuscentre or @YouthinkCenter on Facebook at 1pm Nigerian Time. They can also use the hashtags #Together4SDG, #SocialBusiness4SDG, and #Youth4SDG.

NFF Boss, Amaju Pinnick sees Infantino, Motsepe’s visit as a boost for girl-child advocacy

 

President of the Nigeria Football Federation and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick says that the presence of President of world –governing body FIFA, Mr Gianni Infantino and CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe at the opening ceremony of the maiden Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament in Lagos on Wednesday is a huge fillip to the push for more interest and attention to the challenges confronting the girl-child all over the African continent.

 

“I feel very happy that Mr Infantino and Dr Motsepe were able to grace the opening ceremony of this special tournament. It is a bonus and a boost for the girl-child advocacy. It shows there is genuine desire and keen interest of football leaders to not only improve the standard and visibility of the women’s game, but to also scale up the lot of the girl-player economically and ensure she can earn as well as the boy-player.

 

“Already, we can see that desire and interest manifest with the increase in the participating teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup to 32 – the same number as the men’s finals – as from the next competition in 2023. On the African front, the Confederation of African Football has put in place a CAF Women Champions League which finals will hold in November. All these are key building blocks to improving the lot of the girl-player.”

 

Infantino and billionaire businessman Motsepe who took reins of the African football –ruling body six months ago landed in the City of Lagos on Wednesday, hours before the commencement of a tournament staged in honour of the name and Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari and with the instrumental theme, Playing for Good. It also dovetails with the key objectives of the First Lady’s Future Assured Programme (under the Aisha Buhari Foundation), which is concerned with the health, education and economic empowerment of women and the girl-child.

 

The two prominent figures in the global game shared the presidential box of the remodeled Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island with top –ranking political figures such as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, his wife Ibijoke, Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare and the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen.

 

There were also FA presidents from other African nations, including Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku (who is also president of the WAFU B) and the president of Mali FA, Mamoutou Toure.

 

Infantino and Motsepe were then treated to a blue-riband dinner at the Sky Lounge of the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, where they mingled with the best of Nigeria corporates that included billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote, Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele and chief executive officers of NFF’s partner and sponsor-companies.

 

On Thursday morning, both eminent men flew to the nation’s Federal Capital, Abuja where they met with President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR at the Presidential Villa.

Line Up Live Up: Award Winning Journalist Aderonke Bello selected for Sports-Based Life Skills Programme

The Federal Government of Nigeria has selected Award Winning Journalist, Sports for Development Enthusiast and Gender Advocate, Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello as Representative and member of the Federal Government Team on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Line Up Live Up Programme (LULU).

LULU initiative is a sports-based life-skills training curriculum for youth aged 13-18. It strengthens the youth resilience to crime, violence and drug use by enhancing their personal and social skills and increasing their knowledge on the risk associated with these phenomena.

The Federal Government through office of the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Special Investments is partnering with UNODC to work with states on curbing violence and substance abuse by developing life skills through sports. 

Target is out-of-school youthsand kids which is part of the At Risk Children–Programme(ARC-P) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, set to address the challenges being experienced by this category of Nigerian citizens. UNODC is partnering with FG to integrate its LULU Programme into ARC-P, usingSports as a tool to provide life skills and support for the Youth and Children.

Ogunleye-Bello, an Alumni of the US Department of State’s, Global Sports Mentoring Programme (GSMP), will join other federal team members to serve as coaches and monitor the LULUprogramme nationally, provide UNODC and ARC-P Federal Office with detailed reports on project implementation of activities, monitoring and evaluation.

Nigerian government raises investment in youth to boost economy

The Federal Government has reassured that it will continue to harness youth potentials in the country with a view to enhancing sustainable economic growth and development.

The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Akin Dare disclosed this  in Lagos at the closing ceremony of the six-week training on Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), organised by the Ministry across the 36 States of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He said deliberate and strategic investment in young people is required for the high percentage of the youth population in the country to become a demographic dividend.

“When the youth are positively engaged, there will be a reduction in the indices of crime and delinquency, which are factors that are inimical to national development efforts”, Dare said.

He stated that the approach of the Ministry has been the inclusion of youth employment as a priority segment of the National Youth Policy (NYP) for which a framework for implementation has been provided in the Nigerian Youth Employment Plan (NYEP), adding that the agenda which will be launched in the next few weeks, will deliver a comprehensive approach to youth employment interventions through multi sector collaborations, that emphasize on the Four Es: Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation and Equal Opportunity.

“This framework will ensure the inclusion of partners across sectors and will create a robust partnership base through my Ministry that will ensure wider reach of youth employment programmes across the country. With new challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, innovative solutions and a robust partnership are required to support youth participation in the process of rebuilding through deliberate and strategic investment that will lead to sustainable economic growth and transformation”, the Minister added.

According to him, the programme is an expression of the priority focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration which is to among other things ensure “job creation for youth and to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next ten years”.

He therefore called on all Nigerian youth to take up the challenge for self-development that will support their inclusion in nation building, stating further that youth have the potentials, talents and energy for skills development and other opportunities that will give them leverage in the global economy.

Mr. Dare assured further that the present Administration is committed to the task of youth development and will continue to provide an enabling environment and innovative solutions to challenges of youth in the country.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Nebeolisa Anako while distributing starter packs and other empowerment tools to the participants at the closing ceremony in Abuja, stated that the Ministry will continue to ensure full implementation of the programmes and projects of the Federal Government in line with the policy thrust of the present Administration.

He explained that the Ministry will continue to monitor their progress periodically to provide guidance and ensure compliance in line with the objectives of the programme.

Mr. Anako who applauded the Federal Government on its various interventions on youth empowerment, particularly the DEEL initiative which was conceived and launched by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, said that the programme was designed to ensure a coordinated mechanism that will employ strategies to enhance the competitive aged of Nigerian youth with a focus on Digital Skills, Employability, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Mentoring.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Enterprise Development and Promotion Department of the Ministry, Mr. Gbenga Momoh  assured that participants will put the skills they acquired during the training into practice for the purpose of self-development so as to enhance economic growth.

FG pays cash transfer beneficiaries backlog stipends in Kogi State, introduces digitalised payment

By Stephen Adeleye

Some beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) in Kogi, have expressed joy over payment of their backlog of stipends by the Federal Government from January to April 2021. 

Thew CCT is the disbursement of N5,000 monthly stipend to the poor and the vulnerable households under the Household Uplifting Programme of FG's National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

The beneficiaries, who spoke to our Correspondent through interpreter on Tuesday in Okene, who were mostly elderly women, widows and vulnerable citizens, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the gesture.

They also thanked the federal government for choosing Okene as one of the LGAs to test run the introduction of the Digitalised mode of payment to beneficiaries.

Halimat Usman, 75, and Ikhmat Shaibu 70 , both from Upogoro-eba community, said they felt excited receiving the money to take care of themselves and cater for their well beings.

''We are very grateful to our President Buhari, for remembering the aged and widow in the rural communities, and we are very happy with the money'', Shaibu and Usman said.

A physically challenged female beneficiary, Oke Usman, 30, from Idiche community, told NAN that she was particularly happy about the introduction of digital payment, saying, ''I can now access my stipend anywhere without stress.

''I thank the President and the Governor for considering persons living with disability even in the rural communities''.

Aishat Suleiman, 60, and Sikiratu Isiaka, 67, from Orere and Ozi-Ahache communities respectively, expressed their gratitude to the President, and prayed God to bless and reward him.

In his remarks, the State Focal Person of NSIP, Mr Abdulkareem Onyekehi, commended President Buhari for his commitment to uplifting the people of Nigeria out of poverty through the social investment programme.

Onyekehi noted that on assuming office in 2019, the CCT beneficiaries was about 11,500, saying it has grown progressively to 74,111 in the state.

He said that the programme had brought development to the people of the state, adding that the payment of the N20,000 to the poor and vulnerable was ongoing simultaneously across the 21 LGAs of the state. 

''It is a good development for us as a people, as a government and the team involved; it has really impacted the lives of the poor and vulnerable people in Kogi'', he said.

He commended His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, for creating the enabling environment and supporting the full implementation of the NSIP in the state.

He noted that the Federal Government was test running 30 per cent of the payment to be digitalised, which was being practicalised in Okene, saying, ''you can see that the beneficiaries are very happy with the digitalised payment.

''But, we are still using cash payment in other LGAs, until we go into full automation and cashless payment.

''The FG decided to introduce the digitalised payment to reduce the risk involved in carrying cash about into rural communities''.

He added that the CCT was having a huge impact on the economy of Kogi State, saying the FG is paying each beneficiary 20,000 which is a backlog of N5000 for four months, from January to April 2021.

He advised the beneficiaries to take good advantage of the programme and make good use of the money to do something meaningful to their lives.

Also speaking, Mrs Falilat Abdurasaq, the Head of Kogi State CCT Unit, said a  total of 3, 632  CCT beneficiaries were captured in Okene LGA.

Abdulrasaq said that with digitalised payment, the beneficiaries would easily have access to their stipend anywhere they are without stress of queueing and waiting in the sun.

She explained that some beneficiaries who were pregnant or lactating women or have a child between zero to five years during the time of capturing were categorised under 'Top-Up' households.

She added that the top-up households were being paid N30, 000 instead of N20,000, to alleviate their burdens. 

''The program is to enable that we lift these women out of poverty; we don't want to leave them the way we met them at the beginning of this programme.

''We have built their confidence, introduced them to banking sector, and they formed themselves into cooperative groups, save their money in the bank or among themselves.

''Because of this, a lot of them have acquired assets, start businesses, farming, bought grinding machines, and canoe to transport their goods in riverine areas'', she said.

End

President Buhari hails outstanding achievement of Nigeria's U20 athletes

 

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulates Nigerian athletes on their outstanding achievements at the just concluded World Athletics U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

 

The President commends the team and their handlers for showcasing to the world that Nigeria is blessed with some of the best talents in the world of sport who by dint of hardwork and perseverance can dazzle anytime and anywhere.

 

With four gold and three bronze medals to finish third on the final medals table, the President believes that our sports ambassadors in Nairobi and the entire contingent have every reason to celebrate their well-deserved laurels, while putting the track and field world on notice of their intentions to surpass their achievements in the nearest future.

 

President Buhari thanks the victorious athletes for flying the country’s flag high at the competition, breaking new records from personal bests and national records all the way to championship record.

The President joins all Nigerians in celebrating our patriots for reinforcing the can-do and resilient spirit of the Nigerian at the Championships.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President  

(Media & Publicity)

August 23, 2021

Super Eagles will win World Cup if Orji Uzor Kalu becomes Nigeria's President

Nigeria’s hope and aspirations of winning the coveted World Cup trophy will become a reality sooner than later only if former Abia State Governor and current senator representing Abia North district at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, becomes the country’s president in 2023, www.bestchoicesports.com.ng can report.

Nigeria is due to conduct a general election in 2023 to elect new leaders including the country’s president to oversee their affairs at national and regional levels.

As the election date draws closer with each passing day, Nigerian Journalists who spoke on the background of the endorsement of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria by former military head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida IBB said should the Abia State born sports administrator and politician decides to contest for the number one position in the country and emerges victories, Nigeria’s hope of winning the World Cup is a huge possibility.

Recall that the former Military head of state, IBB in a recent interview disclosed that given Senator Orji Uzor Kalu the needed chance and support to become the president of the country, he would transform the nation.

Speaking, IBB noted that for equity and fairness in the country, the North should support the South-East region to produce the next president adding “We have the likes of Orji Uzor Kalu who is interested in ruling the country and why not,” he said.

Reacting to the endorsement, a renowned sports journalist and TVCNEWS presenter, Akiri Miyen said that he is convinced beyond doubt that if Orji Uzor Kalu becomes Nigeria President, Super Eagles of Nigeria will win the World Cup.

“I swear if Orji Kalu becomes President, Nigeria will win the World cup. Where is the God of Nigeria?,” He Said.

Another sports journalist based in Abuja, Ebube Dike said he has no doubt about Chief Orji’s pedigree in ensuring that Nigeria wins the World Cup under him as Nigeria’s President.

“There is no doubt about his capacity and ability as a seasoned sports administrator as well as a trusted politician who have governed his state for two terms and etched his name in sports history that no current or former Governor has attained.

As the governor of Abia State, hé sponsored the state’s Football club, Enyimba International to win the CAF Champions League twice in 2003 and 2004 seasons. He was the first and only Governor to achieve that in the country.

“If you look at Enyimba, despite their relative dominance in the domestic league, it has not been translated to the continent since the Senator left office in 2007.

“Do not also forget, that there was a time he had a go at the CAF presidency. It was because of his football antecedents as well as in sports generally that he was crowned Africa’s Pillar of Sports.

“So I have no doubt about what he can do with regards to sports especially football. Winning the World Cup under him as President is a realisable dream,” he said.

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu was the Executive Governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007 during which he reconfigured sports in general and football in particular in the state.

Under his governoship, Enyimba International Football Club became a dominant and fearsome club not just in the domestic league – Nigeria Premier League (now Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL) but that dominance was extended to African continent as the club made up of reputable players took the CAF Champions League and Super Cup by storm winning the two trophies back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, 2004 and 2005, respectively.

At the domestic league, the “People’s Governor,” as he was popularly referred by his beloved Abia people, made it possible for Enyimba to win the League on five occasions. Enyimba International FC were champions of the Nigeria league in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Ostensibly, the team had the greater chunk of their 8 league trophies under him.

It is undebatable, that since he left office in 2007, Enyimba have not been able to reincarnate their former self both at home and abroad.

They have only won the league three times since then in 2010, 2015 and 2019.

Since winning the CAF Champions League in the 2000s, Enyimba’s best performance at the continent post-kalu have been Semi-finals in 2008 and 2011 and Confederation Cup in 2018.

As an APC chieftain, It would be easy for the Igbos to clinch power through APC if Orji Kalu wins the presidential ticket in 2023.

Orji Kalu was born on 21st April 1960, he is representing Abia North in the Nigeria Senate. According to IBB, Nigeria “needs a President who is not above 70 who would lead us to the promised land.”

It is hoped that the Igbo political elite as well as the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC will give him the needed maximum support and encouragement to ascend the highest position in the land because beyond sports and football, the Africa’s Pillar of Sports have distinguished himself meritoriously.

And Nigeria football in particular and sports in general will breath a breath of fresh air.

Source: https://bestchoicesports.com.ng/2023-election-nigeria-will-win-world-cup-if-orji-uzor-kalu-becomes-president/ 

Pinnick charges Eagles to win CHAN trophy for Buhari

The firm exhortation by Nigeria FA boss Amaju Pinnick to win the African Nations Championship trophy for President Muhammadu Buhari will be ringing in the ears of the Super Eagles as they file out against host nation Morocco in the Final on Sunday.

Fashola to represent Buhari at Nigeria, Zambia match

.... Saraki, Dalung, others to cheer Eagles

 Sports –loving Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) will represent His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) at Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo.

2016 Rio Olympics; NASS Members MAY” Miss Trip to Brazil

There are strong indications that members of the senate and house committee on sports may likely miss the trip to the 2016 Rio Olympics, naijacombatcorner gathered.