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Suspended Abia Health Commissioner, Finally Resigns

July 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, the suspended Abia State Commissioner for Health, has finally bowed out of office.

A statement by Governor Alex Otti’s Media aide, Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, on Wednesday, July 24, said the embattled Health Commissioner’s resignation has been accepted by the Governor.

The Source reports that Dr Okoronkwo was on June 11, 2024, suspended from office by Governor Otti.

The State authorities had cited some alleged official misconducts and the need to investigate same as reasons for her suspension.

Governor Otti had, also, insisted the Commissioner was not sacked as some people had speculated, noting that she was only asked to step aside to allow for an unfettered inquest into the allegations raised.

He promised that the Commissioner will return if not found wanting.

But she was said to have resigned on Tuesday July 23. The statement noted that the State Governor while accepting the resignation, also, appreciated her services and contribution to the health sector.

“The suspended Abia state Commissioner for Health, Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, has tendered her resignation letter to the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr Alex Chioma Otti,.

The Governor, while accepting her resignation, thanked Dr Okoronkwo for her services to our dear state and her modest achievements in repositioning the Health sector for better service delivery in the last one year. He wished her well in her future endeavours.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to the transformation of Abia State and reminded Abians that they gave him the mandate to assemble his team and this includes hiring, suspending or sacking his appointees and/or rejigging and reshuffling his cabinet whenever the need arises for the sole purpose of delivering all his promises to the people”, the Governor’s CPS stated.

But no mention was made about the state of the investigation and/ or its outcome.

With her resignation, the erstwhile Health Commissioner, joins her two other former colleagues from Agriculture and Science and Technology Ministries who left in similar circumstances a couple of weeks ago.

NLC Distances Itself From Planned Nationwide Protest

Akinwale Kasali

July 24, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

The Comrade Joe Ajaero-led Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has said it was never part of the planned nationwide strike.

NLC said it cannot pull out of the planned national protest over hunger and high cost of living in the country because it cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise, and was never part of.

The NLC said it was not involved in the planned Nationwide protest, and was not called upon to be part of it.

It, however, advised the Federal Government and the sub-national Governments to listen to the cries of the hungry Nigerian people and do the needful.

Ajaero, in a statement, reiterated the earlier call by the labour movement that Government should dialogue with the organisers of the protest and warned that any resort to the use of brute force would be counter-productive.

The statement entitled “The Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise,” partly reads:

“A news report of the withdrawal of the Nigeria Labour Congress from the widely discussed national protest has been brought to our attention. The Nigeria Labour Congress debunks such story as patently false.

“The truth is that the Nigeria Labour Congress cannot withdraw from a protest that it did not organise. It is only the organisers of the speculated national protest that can decide to pull out or continue with the protest.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress has internal trade union mechanisms especially leadership decision-making processes that its industrial actions such as protests pass through before such activities are undertaken.

“Yet, the fact that the Nigeria Labour Congress is not the body organising the protest does not mean that Organised Labour is oblivious of the dire living conditions Nigerians have been subjected to by the harsh economic policies of government.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in this very trying and excruciating times.

“Pursuant to proactive engagement with the issues canvassed by the protest organisers, we have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leaders of the protest movement to dialogue on their demands.

“We have advised that it would be counter-productive for government to meet the widespread anger in the land with brute force.

“Once again, we implore the Federal Government and the sub-national governments to listen to the cries of the Nigerian people and do the needful. After all, it is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

House of Reps Applauds Tinubu For Signing South East, North West Development Commission Bills Into Law

Ayodele Oni

July 24, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The House of Representatives has applauded the Presidential assent to the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill.

The House noted that it marks a significant milestone in efforts aimed at addressing developmental challenges and promoting regional growth in Nigeria.

A statement on Wednesday by Akin Rotimi Jnr, Spokesman for the legislature stated that the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, praised President Bola Tinubu, for signing both bills into law “at such a crucial time, highlighting the President’s commitment to national development and unity.

“President Tinubu has demonstrated utmost patriotism by assenting to these critical bills.

“The establishment of the North West Development Commission will not only bring development closer to the people of the North West, but will also address key challenges such as unemployment.

“I congratulate the people of the North West and South East and all Nigerians for this historic achievement.”

Reflecting on the legislative journey, Speaker Abbas noted that he previously sponsored the North West Development Commission Bill during the 9th Assembly.

“Despite not receiving presidential assent at the time, the current approval underscores the persistence and dedication to regional development.”

Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, lauded the President for signing the South East Development Commission Bill into law.

He also expressed gratitude on behalf of his constituents and colleagues from the South East region.

“The signing of the South East Development Commission Bill is a landmark achievement.

“This commission will play a pivotal role in reconstructing and rehabilitating infrastructure damaged by the civil war, tackling ecological problems, and addressing other developmental challenges in the Southeast States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

“I profusely thank President Tinubu, my colleagues in the National Assembly, and all Nigerians for supporting this bill. This is a significant step towards positive attention and development for the South East region.”

Both leaders emphasized the collaborative efforts of the legislature and the executive.

“The House of Representatives remains committed to supporting these Commissions through necessary legislative actions and oversight to ensure they achieve their intended goals of fostering sustainable development and regional equity in Nigeria.”

Allegation Against Obi: Reckless Propaganda, Will Plunge Nigeria Into Chaos – SERG Warns FG

The Source

July 24, 2024

The South East Revival Group (SERG) has said it is appalled and condemns in the strongest terms the allegations made by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, that supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, is behind the planned nationwide protests against hardship scheduled to begin on August 1, 2024.

In a statement signed by its National Secretary, Hon. Agu Chineme, the SERG said “this shameful position by a government that has chosen to spread falsehoods and lies about Peter Obi instead of finding ways to help hungry and suffering masses of Nigeria who are struggling to find their next meal amid insecurity, unemployment, and lack of access to adequate healthcare across the country is unacceptable.”

The frontline South East socio-political pressure group urged the Federal Government not to politicize hunger and deprivation in the land and impacts of bad governance does not spare anybody on basis of tribe, religion or political affiliation.

The SERG therefore warned that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handlers could plunge the country into chaos with their reckless propaganda and desperation to continue the now nine years of blame games of the failed successive All Progressives Congress (APC) administrations.

“It is ridiculous and unbecoming of a government that has failed to deliver on its promises to resort to spreading falsehoods and lies about a citizen who has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria.

“The SERG demands that the government should focus on addressing the pressing issues facing Nigerians rather than trying to divert attention from its failures.

“We call on all Nigerians to continue to condemn this reckless and unreasonable acts by the government appointees and demand that the government takes immediate action to address the suffering of Nigerians”, the SERG stated.

Three Bag Life imprisonment For Gang-ra××ng Hearing Impaired Kebbi House Wife

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

For gang ra××ng an 18-year old hearing impaired house wife in her matrimonial home, three men are to spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Bashar Dan-Inno, Amiru Umar, and Aliyu Umar were on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, handed down life imprisonment terms by Justice Shamsudeen Jafar of a Kebbi state High Court..

Earlier, the prosecution Counsel, Farida Muhammad, had told the Court that the three convicts committed the act in Wararin Zaromawa Village in Gwandu Local Council of Kebbi State .

He submitted that the convicts broke into the victim’s matrimonial home while she was deeply asleep, and forcefully took advantage of her carnally.

“They had choked her with thick pieces of clothes as well as tied her two hands with rope before having carnal knowledge of her one after the other”, the prosecution stated .

He, therefore, prayed the Court ,to sentence the convicts, in line with the provisions of sections 259 and 60 of the Kebbi State Penal Code law of 2021.

Justice Jafar in his ruling found the defendants guilty of criminal conspiracy and raxe.

He noted that the prosecution counsel had established beyond any doubt that the defendants forcefully had carnal knowledge of the victim .

” Iam of the firm view that all the defendants conspired in perpetrating the act .The defendants conspired and raxed the victim, who is an 18-year old deaf and dump, and also married woman, at her husband’s residence.

“All the ingredients needed to establish a criminal conspiracy to commit rape were established beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution.

“The court has no option than to act upon the evidence before it .

“Similarly, the court holds the view that it has found the first ,second ,and third defendants guilty as charged. You are hereby convicted as charged.

“Having found you guilty of the charge, you, Aminu Sani, Aliyu Umar and Bashar Dan-Inno, are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment for finding all of you guilty under Section 259 and section 60 of Kebbi state Penal Code Law 2021” Justice Jafar ruled

“The prosecution had called three key witness, as well as tendered six exhibits in both English and Hausa languages to prove the case against the defendants.

The Defence Counsel, Ahmed Abubakar Fingila had prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

However Justice Jafar described the offence as heinous and reprehensible, as the defendants took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability.

NSDC Official Killed, Palace Razed In Osun Obaship Crisis, Gov Adeleke Orders Deployment Of Security Agents

The Source

July 24, 2024

Ademola Adeleke - Osun State Governor — Governor Ademola Adeleke

By Ayodele Oni

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has ordered a massive deployment of Security Agents to restore peace in two communities feuding over chieftaincy issue.

Already, an official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command, has reportedly been killed in the process, Many others sustained various degrees of injuries.

Also a Palace belonging to one of the communities was completely razed.

Crisis erupted between Orile Owu and Araromi Owu communities in Ayedaade Local government area of the State since Tuesday evening.

Many residents were thrown into panic to the extent that some have relocated from their homes for fear of an attack over the Obaship selection tussle.

According to sources, the injured NSCDC officers have been rushed to the hospital for treatment.

The State Government, in a statement, issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said many properties were lost to the violent confrontation.

The Commissioner said Governor Adeleke has directed the immediate deployment of Security Personnel to fish out those behind the dastardly act and bring them to justice.

While calling for calm, Alimi stated that, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved and directed that security operatives should immediately be stationed in the areas to protect the communities by maintaining law and order.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for calm between Orile Owu and Araromi Owu communities in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.”

He also announced that the Government has ordered that the chieftaincy selection process which caused the communal clash be, henceforth, suspended.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has also directed the Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Ojo, to mobilize security operatives to the towns to maintain law and order, ensuring that anyone caught not abiding by the law is arrested and prosecuted appropriately.

“The Government has the duty of protecting the lives and properties of the people of Araromi Owu and Orile Owu in Ayedaade Local Government, hence directing that any act or movement contrary to peace, and which may lead to a breakdown of law and order in the communities, is not acceptable.

“The Government, particularly, commiserates with the families of those who lost their properties in the communal clash and added that the rift will be duly investigated.

“The Government reiterates that peace is germane in every environment and assured Osun residents of security, while also calling for the support of residents, and urged everyone to embrace peace.”

Dangote Left It All In Lagos

The Source

July 24, 2024

By Femi Otedola

My brother, the Visionary, has built the largest single train refinery in the world, not in Kano, but in Lagos State. He is the owner of the second-largest sugar refinery in the world, also in Lagos State, and the largest cement factory in the world, not in Kano, but in Kogi State. Additionally, he has established one of the second-largest fertilizer plants in the world, soon to surpass the biggest one in Qatar, also in Lagos State. Furthermore, he has built a fertilizer plant in Lagos that already exports globally. Aliko Dangote is a titan that God created specially for mankind.

Aliko Dangote is also the largest private sector employer of labor in the country, and his companies are among the largest taxpayers. In fact, the Dangote Group often pays more in taxes than the top banks combined. If not for him, we would still be importing cement. His contributions extend beyond industrial facilities to critical infrastructure, having built major roads such as the Apapa Oshodi-Owonrosoki Express Road, Wharf Road, and the Obajana-Kabba Road.

Countries in the nascent stages of industrialization require visionary leaders. This is why it’s no surprise that the United States was built by the vision and tenacity of a few remarkable individuals—Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, and Henry Ford—THE MEN WHO BUILT America’s industrial landscape. These men left the world without these assets but left behind a legacy that has kept their country thriving generation after generation. Their contributions were immortalized not in the material wealth they amassed but in the enduring institutions and industries they established. These visionaries were also supported by their government, which recognized the importance of fostering local champions.

Similarly, today’s tech giants like Microsoft and Tesla received substantial support from the US government. For example, in January 2010, the Department of Energy issued a $465 million loan to Tesla Motors to produce specially designed, all-electric plug-in vehicles and to develop a manufacturing facility in Fremont, California to produce battery packs, electric motors, and other powertrain components for powering these innovative vehicles. This initiative is part of broader efforts, such as the federal EV-charging program supported by the infrastructure law known as the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, or NEVI.

In India, the government has been instrumental in supporting business titans like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. Their companies have received significant backing to grow and expand, contributing substantially to India’s economic growth and global business footprint.

There are also records of emerging market countries like Vietnam, South Africa, Brazil, and China where their governments have supported local businesses to jump-start industrialization. In Vietnam, the government has provided various incentives to tech companies, fostering a rapidly growing technology sector. In South Africa, government support for the mining industry has been crucial in maintaining its global competitiveness. Brazil has seen substantial government investment in its agricultural sector, transforming it into one of the world’s leading food exporters. In China, government backing for companies like Huawei and Alibaba has propelled them to global leadership in technology and e-commerce.

In Nigeria, we have our own titans, and it is imperative that we recognize and support them. Aliko Dangote has broken every boundary in worldwide business and industry. His contributions are not just a testament to his brilliance but a beacon of what is possible when vision meets opportunity. Supporting local champions like Dangote is crucial for our national development and economic independence. Let us continue to foster and support these visionaries who drive our nation’s progress… F.Ote💲

Hmmmm!

Otedola, serial entrepreneur, businessman, is the Chairman of First Bank Plc

State of the Nation: Obi Is “An Embittered Loser, Spoiler”, APC Slams LP Candidate

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 24, 2024

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has replied Peter Obi, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, that the APC destroyed the country economically.

The party said the APC government could not be blamed for the current economic crisis, that President Bola Ahmed is trying to salvage.

According to a statement released by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka on Tuesday, the ruling party said the former presidential candidate was being economically with the truth, describing him as “an embittered loser and spoiler”.

Obi had recently claimed that Nigeria has witnessed economic downturn since the party took power nine years ago.

For instance, the former Anambra state governor said the country witnessed consistent economic growth for years while the People Democratic Party, PDP, was in power.

The PDP lost power to then APC in 2015 after ruling the country for 16 years.

Reacting to Obi’s claim, Morka said the former governor was only looking for cheap publicity after losing election last year.

Obi, he said, has been making remarks which were at variance with “the best interest of Nigeria” since he lost to President Tinubu in 2023.

‘His warped conclusion that Nigeria’s economic crisis was caused by nine years of APC-led administration is a highly revisionist,” APC said.

The party stated that the current economic hardship in the country is not the fault of President Tinubu, it said the country is affected by various global challenges including COVID.

“The country’s economic decline began under the watch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with GDP growth plummeting from 7.98% in 2010 to 2.79% in 2015. And since 2015, the global oil price crash, geopolitical tensions, climate change, global COVID pandemic and rising population have all taken a toll on Nigeria’s economy that is almost entirely dependent on drastically reduced oil export earnings,’ APC said.

BELOW IS APC STATEMENT:

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has continued, unabashedly, to showcase his obsessive devotion to self promotion against the best interest of Nigeria.

Mr. Obi’s latest statement on the country’s economic situation is an admixture of half truths, blatant distortions and misinformation calculated to mobilize outrage against the All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His warped conclusion that Nigeria’s economic crisis was caused by nine years of APC-led administration is a highly revisionist, dishonest, distorted and deliberately misleading assessment of the country’s economic trajectory in the last decade. He opined, rather mischievously, that no efforts were being made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to tackle poverty and unemployment in the country.

The facts tell a far more complex and different story. The country’s economic decline began under the watch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with GDP growth plummeting from 7.98% in 2010 to 2.79% in 2015. And since 2015, the global oil price crash, geopolitical tensions, climate change, global COVID pandemic and rising population have all taken a toll on Nigeria’s economy that is almost entirely dependent on drastically reduced oil export earnings.

The growth recorded during the PDP years was due entirely to high price of crude oil and increased government spending that it supported.

It is noteworthy that between 2007-2014, Nigeria earned $531.2 billion under the PDP, compared to $287.8 billion under APC between 2015-2022. This drastically reduced export earnings under the APC administration was even further stretched thin by the country’s population surge from 184 million in 2015 to 229 million in 2024.

Despite the huge revenues available to it, successive PDP administrations neglected to address underlying structural challenges and distortions in the economy leaving the country vulnerable to economic shocks and volatility. Had the PDP undertaken a sustained programme of economic reform as President Tinubu is currently engaged, Nigeria’s economic situation would be far better than it is today.

But in his selfish political desperation, Obi will never acknowledge the complexity of the causation of our economic challenges but would rather attempt to scapegoat the APC administration for all of the country’s economic ills while turning a blind eye to the bold and thoughtful policy interventions of President Tinubu’s administration.

The administration’s focused and determined efforts to tackle the country’s challenges through diversification, massive infrastructure development, social welfare, agricultural revolution and sustained improvements in national security are certain to accelerate Nigeria’s resurgence, create jobs and lift millions of our people out of poverty.

Quite contrary to Obi’s jaundiced and gloomy analysis, in the last one year alone, the country has attracted over $20 billion into the economy, aside recording an all-time high N6.52 trillion trade surplus in the first quarter of 2024 marking a positive shift from a long history of trade deficits.

Despite clearing the backlog of the foreign exchange debts owed foreign airlines and other economic actors by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the nation’s foreign reserves has continued to expand, hitting upwards of $34 billion, the highest in recent times. Capital inflow into the country increased by 66.27 percent this year alone.

Notable financial experts and the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report that for the first time in our economic history, the All Share Index (ASI) of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) crossed the 100,000 benchmark this year, making the Nigerian Stock Exchange currently about the most profitable capital market in the world with a return on investment (RoI) as high as 22.90 percent.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that the nation’s economy will have a 3.1 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in 2024, one of the highest projections for any African country.

Initiatives such as the Credit Corps, Students Loan, the newly approved minimum wage, the construction of 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, and many more are tailor-made by the President Tinubu’s to combat poverty and expand economic opportunities for Nigerians.

Mr. Obi is a loquacious and disruptive backseat driver who has assigned himself an ignoble role of an embittered loser and spoiler. Economic challenges and hardship are a stark reality of most countries of the world today, both developed and developing. It is an existential condition that must be tackled and transformed. This is an arduous task that requires collective patriotic collaboration.

Mr. Obi must know that inflaming passion and mobilizing outrage through false and manipulative narratives are not legitimate tools of opposition politics. Expecting President Tinubu to accomplish total transformation of Nigeria in one year, a feat he failed miserably to accomplish in eight years as Governor of Anambra state, is the height of disgraceful hypocrisy.

President Tinubu remains focused and committed to building lasting blocks of economic prosperity for Nigeria.

Signed:

Felix Morka, Esq.

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC

CBN: Business Leaders Reject Cardoso’s Interest Rate Hike

Tosin Olatokunbo

July 24, 2024

The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has sparked an out rage in the business sector following its decision to raise the benchmark interest rate to 26.75 percent, 50 points basic point from its May figure.

The MPR or interest rate is the basic lending rate in the country, lending or financial institutions charges as high as 40 percent interest rate on loans, according to experts, who said the continuous hike in the rate will further discourage investment.

The Yemi Cardoso-led CBN announced during its monetary Policy Committee Meeting, MPC, on Tuesday that it needed to push back on inflation by hiking the interest rate.

The apex bank has raised the rate five times since the beginning of the year.

The latest hike, Cardoso state was necessary to urgently bring inflation under control.

He said: “The Committee was mindful of the effect of rising prices on households and businesses and expressed its resolve to take necessary measures to bring inflation under control. It re-emphasized its commitment to the Bank’s price stability mandate and remained optimistic that despite the June 2024 uptick in headline inflation, prices are expected to moderate in the near term.

“This is hinged on monetary policy gaining further traction, in addition to recent measures by the fiscal authority to address food inflation

Last month, the MPC raised the rate by 100 percent with the expectation that inflation will be tamed. That has not happened, according to experts who said, the CBN has failed to attack the high cost of goods and services in the country with the right instrument.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the headline inflation now stands at over 36 percent, with no end in sight to the rising cost of basic essentials in the country.

Rather than hiking the interest rate, what should be done by the government, according to Johnson Chukwu, the Managing Director, Cowry Asset management is to grant more credit to Nigerians to enhance their purchasing power.

Chukwu said the current inflation is driven by shortage of supply, rather than demand, as being suggested by the CBN as reason for consistently hiking the interest rate.

Also, Muda Yusuf, a former president of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, said the continous hiking of interest rate is not preferable considering the current economic challenges.

Yusuf in a statement on Tuesday said the 50 points moderate increase for the month is tolerable, uring the CBN to stop any incrase forthwith.

He said the CBN listened to the fedback from the business community that any hike beyond the current threashhold will be unacceptable.

“The marginal increase marks a softening of the tightening stance. It is tolerable,” Yusuf said.

Reacting, National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, NACCIMA, Dele Oye, said the increase will put more pressure on businesses in the country, adding that accessing loan has become more difficult with the decision.

He said: “A hike in the benchmark interest rate (MPR) by CBN can have several potential consequences for businesses, including: Increased Borrowing Costs – Higher interest rates mean that loans and lines of credit become more expensive, which can increase the cost of financing for businesses, leading to higher operational costs; Reduced Investment – As borrowing becomes more expensive, businesses may delay or scale back on investments in expansion, new projects, or capital improvements and this can slow down business growth and innovation; and Decreased Consumer Spending – Higher interest rates can lead to increased borrowing costs for consumers as well, which can reduce their disposable income, which typically results in lower consumer spending, which can negatively impact businesses, particularly those in the retail and service sectors.

Africa’s Richest Man Aliko Dangote had following last month’s hike in the rate by the CBN, slammed the Cardoso-led apex bank, arguing that the decision will hurt businesses in the country.

“Nobody can create jobs with an interest rate of 30 per cent. No growth will happen,” the Chairman of Dangote Group said.

“We Will Leverage Superlig To Transform Abia, Export Our Talents To The World” – Vice President, Aba Club Owners

The Source

July 24, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Vice President of the umbrella body of Aba Football Club owners, Hon. Chijioke Kalu Ukpai, has assured that members will key-in to the recently introduced Abia state Superlig.

He described the concept as a real watershed which holds a very bright prospect both for the economy of Abia and the fortunes of clubs in the state.

The Source reports that the Abia State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development in partnership with Alliance 51, a spots and entertainment management outfit, had, on July, 3,2024, unveiled the State’s novel Superlig.

The State Commissioner for Sports, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba said the new football league was conceptualized to add value to existing sporting infrastructural facilities, shore up the State’s internally generated revenue ,grow the GDP through a cluster of businesses ,and provide a veritable platform for talents, and stakeholders in the football field to make a worthy living.

The Superlig, Ananaba noted, is anchored on a 9- team format ,with three clubs each from the three Senatorial zones of Abia state.

Addressing the Media after a crucial parley with the Chief Executive Officer of Alliance 51 and top member of the League Management Committee LMC , Dike Dinmiri, in Aba, on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, the Vice President of club owners ,noted that the programme represents a paradigm shift from what is known to the club owners.

Hon Ukpai said with over 50 private football clubs in Aba, they are mulling a merger process to enable them reap maximally from the new opportunities presented.

“Initially, when the idea was sold to us (football club owners) we were lost. However after a considerable discussion with key operators, I can confidently say that what we have been introduced to is a very wonderful development.

“We have not seen such before in the annals of football management and development. Particularly, we are excited by the huge economic prospect which in turn will positively impact on all stakeholders within the chain.

“We thank God that today, private football club owners in Aba will begin to see a spectacular change in the administration of the Sport in this important city.

“It is a massive paradigm shift from what we are used to. The Superlig will be transformational, both economically, and in talents hunt and development.

“We have a whole lot of serious clubs that are redundant,good players that are unknown,with zero opportunities to be exposed to the world” Hon Ukpai stated.

Further speaking ,he emphasized that the Abia Superlig provides a rare opportunity for Nigeria’s talents out side the Nigerian Professional League to get exposed, sign contracts and play professional football all over the world.

He noted that the live broadcast aspect of the Superlig will serve as rehabilitation therapy for hidden talents and private clubs in Aba and the entire Abia state.

“We have the factories for football talents here in Aba, and what is remaining is the enabling environment to distribute the products from the factories to the entire country and the world in general. The biggest chance, has been presented through the introduction of the Abia Supelig and we will grab it with both hands” the Vice President, Aba club owners promised.

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