Sport

Sports Minister Delighted at MKO Abiola National Stadium Facelift

By Web News 416

By Olawale Asake

 The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has expressed joy with the completion of work and the handing over of the rehabilitated pitch and scoreboards at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd.

 The Minister, who commended the companies on Tuesday over the completion of their two-year post-maintenance rehabilitation, called for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to further develop sports in the Country.

According to a Press Release from the Media Office of the Minister, the rehabilitation of the National Stadium facilities by Dangote Group and Aron Nigeria Ltd is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the Federal Government to enhance sports infrastructure in Nigeria.

Senator Enoh appreciated the commitment and resources invested by the Dangote Group, describing its involvement as a shining example of the positive outcomes achievable through collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector.

“As a country, we are indebted to Dangote Group for the huge resources it committed to the rehabilitation of the National Stadium. I look forward to seeing more collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to develop sports in our country.”

The Minister of Sports urged the private sector to display greater interest and commitment to investing in sports, emphasizing the pivotal role sports play in shaping the destinies of teeming Nigerian youths. 

He noted that sports, beyond its recreational value, have become significant businesses, saying the Ministry of Sports Development is ready to engage in fruitful partnerships with the private sector to harness this potential.

Despite the significance of the handover, Senator Enoh highlighted a critical issue—the non-certification of the pitch at the National Stadium by CAF and FIFA, preventing Grade A matches from being played,  promising to reverse this tide, that the Ministry under his leadership would work diligently to ensure the pitch meets international standards.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar, lauded the partnership between the government and the private sector that led to the successful handover, commending Dangote Group for its substantial rehabilitation efforts as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and called on other stakeholders to emulate such significant investment in sports development.

Representatives of contractors, Aron Nigeria Ltd, Soji Adeniyi expressed satisfaction with the successful execution of the project. 

He commended Dangote Group for its sponsorship and timely payments, acknowledging the cooperation of the Ministry’s facility managers in completing the project.

Senator John Enoh laid down a marker for the continued maintenance of the National Stadium beyond the handover, pledging that the Ministry of Sports Development would ensure the facilities remain in perfect condition.

In conclusion, the Minister of Sports Development reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to fostering a robust partnership between the government and the private sector, ensuring the continued growth and success of sports development in Nigeria.

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Sport

Beyond Limits Lifts MKO Abiola Cup

By Web News 547

By Olusegun Folarin

Ogun state has emerged winner of the 5th edition of National under 18 boys football tournament tagged MKO Abiola cup.

The Ogun state team, Beyond Limits Football Academy defeated their counterpart from Kwara State by a lone goal in the final match of the competition organized by the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON,

Kparobo Arierhi got the only goal of the match in the first half of the encounter played at the MKO International Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta while Edo state defeated by Kaduna state by two goals to one in the third place match.

Speaking after the game, the YSFON Chairman in Ogun state, Alhaji Waheed Lawal who was full of praises for the successful hosting of the championship, described the competition as a benchmark for age-grade competitions where true raw talented players are discovered for the national teams and  clubs in the Country’s top flight, Nigeria Premier Football League

Alhaji Lawal expressed satisfaction with the quality of participation of 12 teams comprising of two teams from each of the six geo-political zones in the country, assuring that the tournament has come to stay with a promise to package a better edition in  2024 

In their separate contributions, two ex-Internationals, Kadiri Ikhana and Tajudeen Disu expressed dissatisfaction with the low turn out of fans and non-representation of the Ogun State Government in the competition’s final organized to celebrate an icon and pillar of Sports in Africa, late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola who was from the state and contributed immensely to the development of sports in the the state

The duo however commended YSFON in the state for organizing the competition to discover more talented players for the development of Nigerian football.

Also, the YSFON National Organising Secretary, Mr Abdulrazak Usman said the body would continue to organise age grade competitions that would assist in the discovery of talents for the nation.

He advocated training and retraining for grassroot coaches to enable them to meet the international standards.

Sport

MKO Abiola Football Competion Kicks Off

By Web News 962

By Olusegun Folarin

The National Under-18 Football Competition put together by Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, tagged, “MKO Abiola Cup” has kicked off with a call on stakeholders to support initiatives geared towards sports development in the country.

The Technical Director, Lagos State Football Association, Mr Tajudeen Disu, who made the call at Dipo Dina Stadium Ijebu-Ode, said the competition would go a long way to discover hidden talents for the country.

Mr Disu, who is also the Chairman of YSFON Lagos State, said late Bashorun MKO Abiola deserved to be honoured for his contributions to the sports sector in the country, Africa and the entire world

Speaking in the same vein, the Ogun State YSFON Chairman, Alhaji Waheed  Lawal noted that the Under 18 National football competition was part the efforts to revive the defunct MKO Cup in line with the directive of the national body of YSFON.

Alhaji Lawal who expressed confidence that the MKO Abiola Under-18 Cup had come to stay as an annual event, disclosed that plans were on to ensure that the Ogun State government adopt the competition.

In a contribution, former chairman, Ogun State House of Assembly Committee on Sports, Mr Olufemi Allen-Taylor said talks were on with the current House Committee Chairman on Sports, to legislate the MKO Abiola’s Cup to fast track the process of the competition’s adoption by the state government.

Ogun, Gombe and Kwara States are in group A, group B has Oyo Bauchi and Lagos states.

Group C comprises Ogun, Kano and Kaduna States, Edo, Rivers and Ekiti States are group D of the competition.

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Sport

Twelve Teams Trade Tackles for MKO Abiola Cup

By Web News 1003

By Olusegun Folarin

Twelve teams from the six geo-political zones of the country will converge on Ogun State for the National Under -18 Boys Football Competition tagged ” MKO Abiola Cup” 

The Chairman, Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria, YSFON, Ogun State Chapter, Alhaji Waheed Lawal made this known in an interview with Radio Nigeria in Abeokuta.

Alhaji Lawal, who noted that the competition had suffered a setback due to lack of funds and sponsorship, explained that arrangements had been concluded to stage the fifth edition of the tournament.

He pointed out that the competition was to honour the first Pillar of Sports in Africa, late Chief M.K.O Abiola for his contributions to the growth and development of sports in Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.

Alhaji Lawal said the competition to be played at the Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode would take place between 20th and 26th August while the final would be held at the MKO Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

He said there would be a friendly match between All Stars Football Club, Abeokuta and Ogun State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, for the posthumous birthday of the late Philanthropist.

Also, a Football psychologist, Coach Adeyemi Kehinde said National teams’ coaches would be on ground to select players for the various national teams.

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Sport

Ogun FA Picks Election Date, Inaugurates Committees

By Web News 590

By Olusegun Folarin

Ogun State Football Association, OGSFA, has inaugurated electoral and appeal committees ahead of the forthcoming election into various offices of the association.

The FA Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Majekodunmi, while speaking with sports journalists after the Congress of the association held at the Secretariat, MKO International Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta, noted that the committees had been saddled with the responsibility of conducting a free, fair, and credible election.

Alhaji Majekodunmi explained that the electoral and appeal committees were inaugurated in line with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF statutes and regulations.

He said the election which would be held on June 1, 2023, was ratified by the Congress.

Alhaji Majekodunmi pointed out that Congress also approved the six-month extension of Interim Members of Abeokuta North and South Football councils towards the development of the round leather game at the grassroots level.

He solicited the continued support and cooperation of various stakeholders to enable the association to achieve its developmental programmes.

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Politics

Those seeking to tear Nigeria apart will fail – Tinubu

By Web News 594

On this day, I join with all Nigerians in commemorating Democracy Day. The book of the life of this nation has many chapters already written and many more yet to be written.

One of the most profound and inspiring accounts that shall be written of our nation’s history will be the chapter on how we moved from the darkness of authoritarian military suppression into the light of democracy and the establishment of popular government based on the sovereign will of the people.

On this memorable day, we mark, with respect, and honor the sacrifices that have allowed democracy to come to pass. We also celebrate in anticipation of a future in which our democratic institutions, concepts and practices take firmer root; transforming this society from what it is to what it can be.

The pages of our national book inexorably turn. We have seen and experienced much. Victory and setback have entered and exited. The departure of friend and foe we have witnessed. The song of peace and unity we have sung as one national family while others have pounded the drums of war and hate. Laughter and sorrow, we have known.

Through it all, our gaze has remained fixed as if it were focused on a star in the firmament. Our road has remained certain for it is the only road we can reasonably tread. We have moved toward a better Nigeria and a greater democracy.

This path has not been without peril. There are many who care not for the journey we take. They embark on a different trek for they hold to a different concept of governance and of the relationship of government to the people.

They do not believe in a nation where every person therein has substantive rights, freedoms and liberties as God intended for all of his human creations regardless of place of birth, ethnic origin, social station or religious creed. These people hate democracy and despise you for choosing democracy over them and their oppressive ways.

They are violent and cold-hearted. They love nothing, save the destruction of the happiness and peace of others. They will not go away quietly or in consideration of the compelling logic of democratic governance.

Instead, they set us up in hopes of laying waste to the good society we seek to build. They levy terror against us in vain hope that their violent impositions might cause us to lose our way. They raze villages, destroy homes assault and kill innocent people. They even attack important symbols of a just society including religious institutions, schools of learning and INEC offices as if they can snuff out, through violence, mankind’s will to worship God, seek knowledge or engage in participatory governance.

However, with all that they do, they will not succeed. In trying to pluck a democratic and just society from our hands they are as mistaken as they are evil.

Our democracy was not here established to be destroyed by the terrible likes of people such as these. Those who sacrificed their lives for democracy did not give of themselves so that we would be turned back by terrorists or by those who seek to tear the nation asunder just so they might imperially rule over some small part of it.

Despite the troubles we face, and those troubles are serious, we must stand up for democracy lest we shall find ourselves falling to oblivion. Democratic good governance offers the only reasonable solution to the challenges confronting Nigeria.

Thus, we must stand for democracy today. We must stand for it even more tomorrow. Ask this question 10, 20, 100 years from now, the answer must remain the same: the people of Nigeria stand for democracy and stand against that which would chase democracy from our land.

Thus, we stand against those who traffic in insurrection and violence. We stand against those whose commerce is bigotry and hatred. We contend against those who would render the people ignorant and poor.

We stand for a better way. We celebrate Democracy Day not only because we have come far but to help give us the social fuel and encouragement to continue onward because we have farther to go and even greater things to achieve as one nation and one people.

On this day, let us remember MKO Abiola whose victory in the June 12th 1993 presidential election was stolen from him. Yet he remained steadfast and surrendered his own life so that we all might enjoy the democratic victory that was taken from him. Without his historic effort and sacrifice, this day would not be democracy day. It would be a downcast and disappointing one. Let us also remember all others who also sacrificed so much to bring democracy to this land.

We best honor these people not by reciting their names but by injecting the spirit and hope of democracy into our words and deeds. In becoming better democrats, we also become better at being Nigerians.

I wish all of you a meaningful and happy Democracy Day.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

June 11, 2021.

Sport

National Stadium To Be Ready By August- Sunday Dare

By Web News 768

Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, says National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos will be ready for use in August, after 19 years of abandonment.

Mr. Dare who announced this in Abeokuta during a visit to Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said the stadium was rehabilitated through the “adopt-a-stadium initiative” of his ministry.

The minister, also said his ministry’s initiative of partnering private individuals in the country to adopt a stadium for rehabilitation, had helped in rebuilding the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abuja and the National Stadium, Lagos.

While explaining that he was in the state for the final of the Super Six Female Soccer Tournament in Ijebu Ode, Mr. Dare called on Governor Abiodun to key into “adopt-an-athlete initiative” of his ministry, by adopting an indigene of the state, Tobi Amusan, a 24 year old 100 metre hurdle athlete.

Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the immediate adoption of Tobi Amusan and commended the Minister for his ministry’s initiative on rehabilitation of the country’s stadia and nurturing of sports talents. 

Bolanle Adesida