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Zinox Chairman, Ekeh: Nobody Has Done What Uzodimma Is Doing In Imo

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The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has graduated the 15,000 Cohort 2 Skill-Up Imo Project students with a promise that the Cohort 3 will soon start the training of 40,000 youths on different digital skills.

The Governor spoke on Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri where the 15,000 graduates were, each, also handed over an HP brand new laptop to enable them put what they have learnt into practice. The total number of youths so far trained under the Skill-Up Imo Project is 20,000.

At the event, the Chairman of Zinox Technologies Ltd, Mr. Leo- Stan Ekeh challenged the 15,000 youths who graduated from the Cohort 2 Skill-Up Imo project to take advantage of the training they have acquired to be what God says they should be.

He insisted that in Imo, “nobody has done what Governor Hope Uzodimma is doing.”

Apparently referring to the huge investment Governor Uzodimma has made on Imo youths to turn around their fortune around, Mr. Eke noted that with the Skill-Up Imo project, he foresees billionaires emerging in no time from the graduates who have embraced technological innovations.

Mr. Ekeh also advised the families of the lucky graduates to commit Governor Uzodimma in their prayers so that God will continue to use him to improve on the lives of the people.

“I am not a politician. But I can tell you this is not politics. I come from here, from one remote community here in Imo State. If I was given an opportunity like this many years ago, I would have been one of the five richest men in the world. Nobody has done what Governor Hope Uzodimma is doing in Imo,” Mr. Ekeh whose Zinox Technologies Ltd dominates the market in Africa said.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani in his remarks congratulated Governor Uzodimma for taking such bold step to impact on the lives of the youths.

Dr. Tijani said going by what he has seen, Imo State is emerging as the digital headquarters of Nigeria. He said that the Governor can conveniently be referred to as a Professor in digital affairs.

The Minister who admonished the graduates not to misuse the opportunity which has been given to them promised that his ministry will partner with the Governor and government on all areas that concern the welfare and upliftment of the youths.

In Governor Uzodimma’s remarks he said that “the Skill-Up Imo project is one of the key programmes of our shared prosperity agenda,” noting, “for the records, five thousand youths had earlier graduated from the programme, thus bringing the total number of graduates to 20,000.”

The Governor’s speech read in full: “Today, we make yet another effort to etch the Eastern Heartland on the sands of history. For the avoidance of doubt, Imo is the first State in Nigeria to successfully equip this number of young citizens with vital digital skills, thus getting them equipped and ready for today’s technology-driven world and economy.

“Just as I pointed out during the flag-off, the aim of the Skill-Up Imo Project is to up-skill, re-skill and train 300,000 Imo youths to acquire the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) skill sets needed to align and fit into the evolving digital world.

“As I have said repeatedly, no infrastructure is as important as educating our youths and equipping them with crucial skills they need to succeed in life. This explains the sense of fulfilment that I feel at this graduation ceremony of the second batch of youths, who have been successfully trained and equipped with literacy, digital and entrepreneurial skills.

“The initiative to infuse Imo youths with digital skills is in line with the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) 2022 to 2026 with the aim of making Imo one of the digital skills hubs of Africa and curbing the menace of unemployment and insecurity. The Agenda is also in sync with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy & Strategy (NDEPS), 2020-2030.

“You may recall that at the inauguration of this programme, I stated that in today’s world, literacy no longer means the ability to read and write. To be considered literate in today’s world, you must be familiar with and fluent in digital skills. Today, our daily lives depend, to a large extent, if not entirely on technology and the digital economy.

“Never in the history of mankind have ideas ruled the world than in this age of artificial intelligence (A.I). In fact, not only do digital ideas govern the world today, but they are doing so and transforming the world at such a speed that we cannot afford to sit back and hope to play catch-up.

“My dear future technology tycoons, the Skill-Up Imo project means the world to me, and I desire to see you succeed. To me, Skill-Up Imo is the investment of our administration in a future that has already arrived. I see an array of opportunities in the digital sphere that if exploited, will give Imo the competitive advantage among the comity of states affording us the enviable status of the technology hub of the country.

“If this is achieved, we would have succeeded in re-writing the economic history of our dear state. This is why we have spared no expense to make you competent to fish in this digital pond instead of merely giving you fish from the pond.

“The Digital literacy skills you just acquired have the potential to transform your life like a miracle, with the greater benefit belonging to our society. I am sure you all know the story of how at the age of 10, Elon Musk bought his first computer and taught himself programming, or the story of how in the late ‘60s, Bill Gates was fortunate to attend one of the only few high schools in the whole world that had a computer, the Lakeside School in Seattle.

“No more than 13 years old back then, Bill Gates seized the opportunity. He absorbed everything he could and practised with the computer at every opportunity he got. Today, his diligence has paid off. That is what happens when diligence meets opportunity. But then one might ask: what could have been if more people like Bill Gates had access to the computer or digital literacy? How many ‘Microsofts’, dollar billionaires and Gates Foundations could have been if more students had the same opportunity?

“This is why our Shared Prosperity administration has set a target to expose, not one, not a few, but at least three hundred thousand Imo sons and daughters to the digital ecosystem. Hopefully, you will all succeed and take Imo State off the poverty map.

“The prospects are simply endless. It is impossible to overemphasize this. Digital literacy will make you better no matter your profession or trade. As a teacher with digital skills, you can create personalized learning for your pupils so that you leave no one behind. As an artisan with digital skills, you can easily respond with new concepts to the changing needs of your clients. As a trader with digital skills, you can collapse physical barriers with e-commerce.

“As a doctor with digital skills, you can reach more patients leveraging telemedicine. As a content creator, the world becomes your audience. Even as a government, we can, through digitalization, deepen inclusion and break the mold of unemployment and unrest, which is exactly what we are doing today through Skill-Up Imo.

“As good as it sounds, that is just one half of it. Skill-Up Imo is a strategic investment in the economic growth or GDP of our dear state. Your instructors might have told you already that digitally transformed companies are outcompeting regular enterprises. Let me reiterate this point with some data.

“Statistical reports that ‘in 2018, digitally transformed enterprises accounted for 13.5 trillion U.S. dollars of the global nominal GDP. In 2023, they are forecast to account for 53.3 trillion U.S. dollars, more than half of the overall nominal GDP. This signals that digital supremacy in the global economy is near.’

“By comparison, in the first quarter of 2018, the digital economy, or if you like, digitally transformed enterprises, contributed about 3 trillion naira to Nigeria’s nominal GDP. By the second quarter of 2023 (the most recent assessment), the contribution of the digital economy or digitally transformed enterprises to Nigeria’s nominal GDP is put at about 6.8 trillion naira far more than crude oil. This is according to the National Bureau of Statistics. That is a remarkable growth, and Imo State needs to own a large piece of this pie.

“I am happy to note that the skills that you have acquired are in demand and they are top earning skills that will not only grant you financial freedom, but will give you the capacity to collaborate with one another to imagine and co-create solutions to problems of Imo State and our country at large. You should now be able to rationally consume digital products and thus shift our society towards greater digital adoption, create your own digital products for the benefit of others and effectively communicate your product to the market and laugh all the way to the bank.

“In furtherance of this, I am glad to inform you that we already have an understanding with some European and Canadian Companies. Through this understanding, Companies in these countries have agreed to send us a list of specific digital skills they require to service their production in their home countries, and requested us to train our youths in these specified skills.

“On our part we train the youths to the specified digital skills standard, which qualifies them for automatic employments in these companies abroad. Also to facilitate their movement to their employers, the government has agreed to foot the bills for their air tickets and initial living expenses.

“My dear young ones, in this world of technology, there is no room for laxity, arms folding, or aimless slumber. The world has virtually been reduced to a small village that sits on the palm of your hand. If ever the maxim ‘your destiny is in your hands’ were true, it is now. I urge you to get up and maximize this opportunity for destiny favours the diligent.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we are here to present to the world the second batch of our ‘finished products’ from our lofty Skill-Up Imo Programme. The graduates are the second batch of 15,000 youths, who were transparently selected and diligently trained under the digital empowerment scheme.

“These young men and women were put through very intense and hands-on digital entrepreneurial and literacy training, covering entry, intermediate, and advanced level courses over the past 4 to 12 weeks.

“It is, therefore, gratifying that our graduands, who came in with little or no experience in digital technology, are today equipped with skills in Digital Marketing, Web and App Development, LAN Networking, Content Creation, Basic Data Analytics, Graphics Design, Programming, Cyber Security, Virtual Assistance, as well as skills to repair phones and other digital devices, among others.

“There is no doubt that they can favourably compete with their counterparts anywhere in the world in their areas of specialization and, as such, contribute to the economic growth of Imo State and Nigeria as a whole This will, in turn, help transform Nigeria into one of the leading economies through a digital economy, which is the ultimate goal of the federal government.

“These expectations from our modest effort in Imo State are giving concrete expression to the Wiley Digital Skills Index Report (2021), which clearly indicates that the strongest economies will be those best able to establish a clear lead in the development of digital skills.

“The good news is that we have recorded significant milestones. Within a short time, we have been able to train 20,000 youths in the first and second cohorts and equipped them with relevant digital tools to enable them to launch their own startups, create new ventures and become self-reliant. Today, some of these startups are taking advantage of the freelancing opportunities that come with the digital economy to provide tech services for local and foreign based companies right here from Imo State.

“In addition, we have continued to record high graduate employment in the Skill-Up Imo programme as tech-based companies such as Zinox Technologies Ltd, Konga Online Ltd, Wakanow.com and businesses within and outside the State have variously engaged technological talents from the programme.

“Consequently my administration will leave no stone unturned in our commitment to leverage technology to build a sustainable digital economy that will generate new jobs for the labour force and expand the economic space for increased participation of Imo people, in line with our Shared Prosperity Agenda.

“Today, I call on all our graduates to make the best use of the skills learnt towards transforming Imo State and, by extension, the entire country into a bedrock of technological advancement in Africa.

“I am pleased to announce that the Cohort III batch of the Skill-Up Imo programme which will commence soon will train another set of Forty Thousand (40,000) youths in digital skills

“Let me also assure you all that we shall not relent in our efforts towards making the quality of the Programme a world-class standard by strengthening our collaborative partnerships with global tech giants like Microsoft, CISCO and Hauwei. In this regard, the experiences and feedback from the just-concluded sessions will be duly considered with a view to enriching subsequent training rounds of the Programme, which we intend to inaugurate shortly.

“Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you very much for creating time to be part of this epoch-making event, which will help balloon our dear state to greater socio-economic development.

“Please join me to wish our graduates the very best of luck as they march confidently into the lucrative world of digital technology.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E- Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi thanked Governor Uzodimma for all he has invested on the youths.

He reminded the audience that in the history of Nigeria, no Governor or government has invested as much as Governor Uzodimma in one single swoop for a graduation programme like the one under review.

Dr. Amadi said that the graduates will not forget Governor Uzodimma in a hurry.

Some of the graduates who gave testimonies of their experiences regarding the programme,on behalf of their colleagues, noted that through it the Governor has turned their lives around for the better.

The event was attended by many dignitaries including the wife of the Governor, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of States, Labour and Employment, Rt. Hon Nkiruka Onyejiocha, the Director General of South East Governors Forum, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka, among others.

Kogi: SDP, APC Trade Blame Over Spate Of Election Violence; “Nobody Has Monopoly Of Violence”, SDP Warns

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Ahead of the November governorship election in Kogi state, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) have been trading words over continued attacks on opposition members in the State.

SDP on Wednesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to wade in and stop incessant attacks and carnages occasioned by the Governorship electioneering in Kogi.

Mr Isaiah Ijele, the Director General, New Media, SDP Campaign Council, made the plea at a news conference in Lokoja.

Ijele alleged that innocent citizens are being maimed and killed across the state by sponsored political thugs.

According to him, members and supporters of the SDP Governorship Candidate, Alhaji Muritala Ajaka, were constantly under attack, allegedly, sponsored by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

But the APC Campaign Council’s Spokesman, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, denied that the Party is sponsoring any attack against SDP supporters in the State.

Ijele, in his accounts, said: “There were gun shots throughout the night of Tuesday in Anyigba and Ankpa towns where houses and property of innocent SDP supporters were vandalized and destroyed.

“Our campaign Coordinator in Anyigba and his family were victims as they were chased away from their house, and property destroyed, including his motorcycle.

“As it is now, two persons are missing as a result of the attacks being unleashed on Ajaka’s supporters across the Kogi East.

“We are under siege, given the intimidation, harassment and attacks on us simply because of the humongous support our governorship candidate is enjoying in the state.

“As law abiding citizens, we are appealing to the President and the Inspector General of Police to come to our aid by calling Governor Yahaya Bello to order.

“Election is not a war nor do or die affairs, but a game of numbers based on candidates’ pedigree and acceptability before the electorate.”

He warned that nobody has the monopoly of violence but that courtesy demands that people of Kogi should be allowed to peacefully choose the person they want to govern them on Nov. 11.

“We want the quick intervention of the President to save the lives of innocent citizens before they are brutalized and destroyed by sponsored political thugs.”

But, Fanwo, the APC Spokesperson, debunked the SDP’s claims, saying: “We are a Government and our priority is to protect all the people of Kogi State, irrespective of political leanings.”

Fanwo said that all allegations without proof are as good as no allegations.

“As a Government, our concern and responsibility is to create an enabling environment for all to pursue their normal businesses.

“The SDP is a nest of funny birds that cry by the pain of their losses rather than the action of anyone.

“We won’t glorify them and we won’t be dragged into their frivolities, gasping lies and lack of direction.”

Why Christians Must Join Politics – Gov Oyebanji

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has stressed the need for greater involvement of Christians in partisan politics as a way of deepening democracy and development in the Country.

Governor Oyebanji, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, when he received the  General Overseer, of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev’d Sam Aboyeji and his wife, Olabisi said more inclusive political landscape would lead to policies that better reflect the values and concerns for the people.

The Governor said a good number of Christians who can add value to the system would rather stay out of politics, because of their belief that politics is a dirty game, meant for a certain group of people. Sadly, he noted, those who avoid politics are not immuned against effect of bad policies.

Rather than see politics as a dirty game, Oyebanji advised that Christians should consider it as a viable opportunity to contribute to nation building, make positive impact on the society, and promote the values aligned with God.

He pointed out that more Christians’ participation would also provide moral leadership in politics, promote honesty, integrity and ethical behavior among elected officials and be a voice for right decision-making and accountability in Governance.

While urging Ministers of God and Churches in general to play a pivotal role in inspiring and educating their congregation about the importance of civic participation, the Governor admonished the General Overseer not to relent in praying for more development in Ekiti State and the country in general.

“Most Christians don’t want to come near politics, but the Bible says when the righteous is in authority, the people rejoice. And to get to authority in Nigeria you have to be involved in politics and so when the bible says the righteous must be in authority, there must be a path to get to it and the only path we have now is through political office or appointment.

“So, we should continue to pray and encourage Christians to participate in politics.”

Earlier, the General Overseer of Foursqare Gospel Church, Rev Sam Aboyeji, who appreciated the Governor for receiving him and his team, despite his busy schedules, commended the Governor’s leadership style, saying he is representing God very well in Governance.

Rev Aboyeji explained that the visit  was to intimate the Governor about the activities of the Church in Ekiti, especially the newly planted church and skills acquisition centre.

The General Overseer  said an important aspect of his visit was to to pray and pronounce God’s blessings on the state, adding that God’s hands is upon the state as evident in the level of peace and development being enjoyed.

Enugu East Senatorial Seat: Chimaroke Nnamani Loses to LP Candidate, Fined N.5m

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chimaroke Nnamani

By Adesina Soyooye

A-two term Senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, has lost his bid to go back to the Senate. Nnamani, a Medical Doctor-turned politician, was also a Peoples Democratic Party  two-term Governor of Enugu State.

He lost the Senatorial election in the 2023 General Election to Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party. Chukwu replaced his elder brother, a Lawyer, who was the LP Candidate, but was gruesomely  murdered a few days to the Election.

Chukwu went on to defeat Nnamani for the Enugu East Senatorial seat by scoring 69,000 votes to Nnamani’s 49,000 votes.

Dissatisfied with his loss,  Nnamani approached the Enugu State Senatorial Election Petition Tribunal and asked that he be either declared the winner or have the election cancelled.

But the three-man panel of Judges headed by the Honourable Justice  Nusirat  Umar, dismissed Nnamani’s petition on all grounds, and upheld Chukwu’s election.

The Panel also awarded the sum of N500,000 against Chimaroke in favour of Chukwu, LP and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

For the records, Nnamani has long been expelled from the PDP for alleged anti-party activities, chief amongst them:  his public support for the then Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC,  Bola Tinubu, against his Party’s Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

APC Chieftain, Cole Expresses Shock Over President Tinubu’s Appointment Of PDP Members Into Cabinet

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

The appointment of some Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike into the Cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been described as shocking by Rivers Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers, Tonye Cole.

Cole said it was really surprising to him and members of the Party in the State that President Tinubu would appoint card-carrying members of the opposition.

He lamented that loyal supporters of the APC don’t deserve to be left in the cold, stressing and assuring that the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee, NWC, are ready for reconciliation provided the President compensates some of their ‘sons and daughters’ with key positions in his administration.

Cole made this appeal when he led a delegation of Rivers APC chieftains on a courtesy visit to see Ganduje at the National Headquarters of the ruling party in Abuja, the nation’s Capital.

Speaking with Journalists aftera the meeting, Cole lamented that the state chapter of the party lost  members and properties to political violence after the general elections, added that they are ready to work with the new APC leadership for reconciliation.

He said, “We can only urge the President and leader of our great party to do more for God’s glory and the APC’s good. This includes appointing our sons and daughters to key positions and other forms of empowerment of our members to cater for our faithful supporters who despite the human and material losses they have encountered remain longstanding in faith with the APC.

“The scale of violence and all sorts of ambushes we suffered were scary, but they didn’t stop us. Not only were our gubernatorial flag bearer and other candidates not allowed to get materials from INEC to file their petitions at the Tribunals after the elections on February 25 and March 18, 2023, our party also withdrew as a petitioner soon after we completed the filing process. That has never happened in the history of Nigeria’s major political parties. The party that sponsored our candidates pulled the rug beneath their feet when the party was needed the most.

“If the event described above shocked us a little, what happened next was card-carrying PDP members of Rivers State got appointments in our APC Federal Government left us completely confused and very upset. Those being rewarded are PDP members who spent huge State resources trying to destroy APC in Rivers State since 2013 and failed, primarily because these loyal APC members here resisted them fiercely.

“Your Excellency would be shocked that as we address you in this meeting, the Rivers State Chapter of the APC has no representation at any level of governance in our country. There isn’t a single Rivers APC member appointed at any level of the Federal, State or Local Government.”

The APC National Chairman, Ganduje reassured them that the ruling party would look into their request and pass the same to the president for urgent consideration.

He added that the compensation in politics is an important factor that can’t be ignored, especially in the process of reconciliation.

“I believe we have taken the right way to rebuild APC in Rivers State; the party that we know its history. So, we assure you the founding members of APC in the state. We know how much you suffer. We cannot allow your suffering to wither away like that. We will do our best to protect you. Compensation in politics is very important. We are taking this up for consideration. And I assure you. We have your leadership. The gubernatorial candidate is here. The party chairman and other caliber of members are also here.

“But I think with this your determination to rebuild the party, we urged to create an even environment to keep your doors open so that those who left the party, no matter how big they are in another party where they went for sabbatical leave, can come back to their original base,” he noted.

AFCON 2025: Nigeria Withdraws From Bid As CAF Names Morocco Host

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
CAF Logo

By Ayodele Oni

North African country, Morocco will, for the second time host the African Football Confederation (AFCON) Football Championship, Organisers  confirmed Wednesday.

They said Morocco will host the 2025 Championship.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF)  named the North African Country hosts, while a joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania got the nod for the 2027 AFCON.

Morocco won the hosting right by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia and a joint bid by Nigeria/Benin Republic withdrew before the voting.

Report said during their voting  at the Cairo Marriott Hotel in Egypt on Wednesday, the Executive Committee of CAF announced the North Africans and East Africans as hosts for the 2025, 2027 editions respectively.

A joint bid by Nigeria and Benin Republic to host the 2025 or 2027 AFCON did not make the cut. Nigeria hosted the competition in 1980 and co-hosted with Ghana in 2000.

Morocco won the hosting right by garnering 22 votes, after Algeria, Zambia withdrew before the voting.

CAF also unveiled the joint bid from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, as the winning bid for 2027 fiesta, after second round of voting.

Morocco first hosted the AFCON in 1988, while Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will be hosting for the first time.

Obi Celebrates Oyedepo at 69yrs, Says He Is A Soldier In The Lord Vineyard

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi and Oyedepo

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has congratulated the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, and presiding Bishop of the Faith Tabernacle in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria Bishop David Oyedepo on his 69th birthday anniversary.

Obi in a statement by his media aide, described the great clergy as forthright and courageous in his spread of the message of salvation.

Obi On behalf of his family joined millions of his followers and admirers worldwide to celebrate with him as marks his 69th birthday today.

Obi noted that he deserved all the accolades especially, for the many ways God has continued to use him to positively impact our society, particularly our generation.

According to the former Anambra state Governor, Oyedepo has stood out courageously as a fearless soldier of Christ as he has demonstrated enormous wisdom and consistency in speaking against the many ills that pervade our society.

“Aside from your dutiful preaching of the gospel of salvation, you have also continued to contribute meaningfully to national development by investing heavily in education – a very critical ingredient for national development. Through your other business ventures, you have also provided jobs to thousands of Nigerians and contributed to national productivity.

Obi prayed to God to continue to protect,  bless, and grant him more healthy and fruitful years ahead as he continues to serve God’s humanity.

The LP standard bearer finally charged the Bishop not to relent in praying for our dear nation for God’s divine intervention.

Osimhen’s Crisis With Napoli Gets Messier, As He Deletes Club Related Posts On His Instagram

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Victor Osimhen

By Akinwale Kasali

After Sunday’s penalty loss by Super Eagles Striker, Victor Osimhen against Bologna in the Italian Serie A, the Napoli Striker has continued to receive criticism from Napoli fans.

Today, the former Lille Football Club of France forward has deleted Napoli-related posts on his Instagram page.

This is coming after a contentious ‘mockery’ video was posted by Napoli’s verified TikTok handle.

It was observed on Wednesday morning that Osimhen’s Instagram page is left with one post in which he wore a Napoli jersey, while other posts have been deleted.

After criticisms and reactions from Nigerians and social media users, the video, posted on Tuesday on Napoli’s TikTok page, was pulled down.

Meanwhile, Osimhen could take legal action against Napoli according to the player’s agent, Roberto Calenda.

Calenda in a statement released on Tuesday described the video as unacceptable.

The statement read: “What happened today on Napoli’s official profile on the TikTok platform is not acceptable. A video mocking Victor was first made public, but now belatedly, deleted.

“A serious fact that causes very serious damage to the player and adds to the treatment that the boy is suffering in the last period between media trials and fake news

“We reserve the right to take legal action and any useful initiative to protect Victor.”

A video has emerged showing Osimhen shaking hands with team manager Santoro, while snubbing teammates, Piotr Zieliński and Diego Demme as he arrived at Napoli’s team hotel ahead of Udinese game.

The video posted by sports journalist Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday afternoon has the caption, “Victor Osimhen arriving @ Napoli’s team hotel ahead of Udinese game after the public statement considering legal action against the club. Not greeting Demme and Zielinski but shaking hands with team manager Santoro.”

This development comes after Osimhen in the early hours of Wednesday morning deleted Napoli-related posts on his Instagram page after a contentious ‘mockery’ video was posted by Napoli’s verified TikTok handle on Tuesday.

There is speculation that Osimhen could leave the Club in the January transfer window.

LAWMA Shuts Down Oke-Odo Market For Filthy Environment

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Less than 72 hours after the closure of Oyingbo Market and Alayabiagba Market, the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has stretched its dragnet in continuation of its onslaught on filthy markets in the state, as it has shut Oke-odo Market, near Ile-Epo, Abule Egba, for reckless waste disposal and gross environmental abuse.

LAWMA’s Managing Director. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said the move became necessary, to make them comply with environmental laws and regulations, and to warn defaulting markets around the state, to do the needful or risk a closure.

He said, “The closure of Oke-odo Market underscores LAWMA’s commitment to ensuring that public spaces meet the required cleanliness standards. We will not compromise on the health and well-being of residents.”

Gbadegesin emphasised that the decision was a significant stride in LAWMA’s efforts to sanitise the state, ensuring that public spaces are conducive for business activities and safe for all residents, adding that the closure of the market served as a stark reminder that adherence to cleanliness standards was not negotiable.

“This action is part of a broader initiative by LAWMA to create awareness and enforce sanitation regulations across various markets in the state. Markets that do not meet the prescribed cleanliness standards will face similar consequences as Oke-odo Market. Market operators and stakeholders are urged to take this as a wake-up call to institute robust cleanliness practices within their premises. LAWMA remains dedicated to providing guidance and support to markets striving to comply with the sanitation regulations”, he said.

The LAWMA boss called on residents and business owners to support current efforts of the Authority to establish a more hygienic and livable environment across the metropolis, adding that a clean environment was not just an aesthetic concern but a fundamental aspect of public health.

He employed the populace to engage the services of assigned PSP operators, instead of resorting to disposing of their waste indiscriminately, adding that LAWMA would not fail to wield the hammer against markets or individuals that flout environmental laws in the state.

Ekiti First Lady Boosts Morale Of Female Footballers, Promises Govt Attention

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Olayemi Oyebanji - Ekiti State First Lady

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has urged parents to encourage their female children to participate in sporting activities especially football to make name and money for themselves and their families.

Dr. Oyebanji said sports development is very central to the Ekiti development agenda of her husband, Governor Biodun Oyebanji and has been recognized as a big business that can be tapped into to take the state’s economy to greater heights and generate more employment opportunities.

The First Lady made the remarks on Wednesday when she hosted members of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) Board led by the Chairman, Nkechi Obi, who were on a visit to the state to commend her support for female football especially Ekiti Queens Football Club.

Obi, who doubles as a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), also led other executive members to the state to intimate football stakeholders on the agenda of the NWFL Board for the development of female football in Ekiti and others states in Nigeria.

Obi also used the forum to officially invite Ekiti First Lady to the NWFL Annual General Assembly (AGA) holding on 5th October, 2023 as a special guest of honour in recognition of her contribution to female football in the state.

Dr. Oyebanji who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Peju Babafemi, said she was impressed by the Women Football Right Strategy, which was unveiled by the NWFL boss noting that Ekiti was ready to key into the blueprint to give a lift to female football in the state.

According to her, the Oyebanji Administration places much premium on human capital development and that the state government was ready to join hands with the NWFL in ensuring that the vision is actualized to the benefit of stakeholders.

The First Lady also commended the Ekiti State House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill for the establishment of the Ekiti State Sports Commission to ensure that sports gets adequate attention its deserves and also serves as a springboard for empowerment and to be driven as business and not as a leisure only.

“Sports development is central in Ekiti development agenda and for us in Ekiti, sports is a very big business. I also want to appeal to parents to encourage our female children to participate in sports especially football.

“Football is a good avenue to empower girls and so parents must support their girl child in ensuring that they are not discouraged at that. We know that traditionally football is a male dominated sport but things are changing and eyes are opening.”

The First Lady restated her readiness to always give maximum support to Ekiti Queens Football Club and make it a recognized brand in sports and an instrument to empower Ekiti girls economically and socially.

She urged players, coaches, administrators and other officials of the Club to always work together as a team to realize the state government’s ambition of making it a number one female football club in the country.

Earlier in her remarks, NWFL Chairman, Obi said the Board came to Ekiti to share its vision and agenda for development of female football league because of the recognition of the roles of the First Lady and other stakeholders in female football.

She equally noted that since majority of football clubs in Nigeria are owned by state governments, they are in the state to acquaint them with the right steps to take to broaden the scope of female football league as it concerns stakeholders like players, coaches referees, administrators, among others.

She unveiled the initiatives to include capacity development, more media presence for female clubs on digital media, sponsorship packages, mentoring and twinning with clubs in Spain, Italy, Germany, among others and discovery of more talents for national teams.

The NWFL chair disclosed that the league has been redesigned from next season into a 16-team Premier League, 20-team Championship and State Leagues for players between age 14 and 19 while a coaching development programme is coming up in February.

“For all these to happen, we need the support of all of you stakeholders and we want to tap into the generosity of the First Lady for Ekiti to benefit from all these programmes we have outlined.”

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