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Tag: 2023

  • Nigeria Scrabble Federation name 26 players for World Cup Qualifiers

    Nigeria Scrabble Federation name 26 players for World Cup Qualifiers

    The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), has named a 26 man list for the World Championship Qualifiers which holds this weekend in Sapele, Delta State.
    The list which was made public on Monday, by the NSF is dominated by players from Warri Scrabble Club, Benin Scrabble and Yenagoa Scrabble Club. Warri Scrabble Club has six players, Benin Scrabble Club and Yenagoa Scrabble Club have four players each.
    Apex SC, Central Scrabble Club Abuja, Shell Scrabble Club, Surulere SC, Abeokuta Scrabble Club, Unilag SC, Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos and Sapele Scrabble Club are the other Clubs that the players are drawn from.
    23 of the 26 players Invited for the Qualifiers are male while double National Sports Festival gold medalist Malafakumo Best Akpos, Bukunmi Afolayan and Tuoyo Mayuku are the amazons that the made the cut.
    Former African and World Champion, Wellington Jighere, who is the current national number one player as well as the highest ranked African in the world at the moment is the biggest name on the roaster.
    Four other African Champions, current African Champion, Enoch Nwali, two times African Champion, Dennis Ikekeregor, 2004 African Champion, Nsikak Etim and Wale Fashina who won the African Championship in 1998 will be heading to Sapele for the grueling battle to make Team Nigeria squad to the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in July.
    Other wordsmith called up for the three day Qualifiers are, current West African Champion, Eta Karo, Doko Oluwatimilehin, Prince Omosefe, Oshevire Avwengha, who captained Team Nigeria to the last African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Champion of Champions, Olatunde Oduwole, Emmanuel Umujose, Emmanuel Ofidi, Cyril Umebiye and Okiemute Tega.
    Ben Quickpen, Jimoh Abdulmumin, Ezinore George, Joseph Aniso, Victor Godwin, Hakeem Olaribigbe, David Yuwa, Anthony Odok and Vincent Munanyo completes the 26 man list.
    Players on standby are Precious Igali, Jacob Ryan, James Ewruje and Olufemi Gbadebo.
    The Technical Director, of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, in a press statement made available to newsmen, on Monday, explained that the top twenty players in the NSF ranking along with six wild cards that include female players are part of the list.
    At the end of the three-day Qualifiers, the best ten players will be selected to represent Team Nigeria at the World Championship, in America from the 22nd-26th of July this year.
    We understand that the NSF holds the right for the final selection of Team Nigeria to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA as well as any other international Championships.
    The Technical Director, stated that the trials will last for three days and it’s ten games per day and each player has twenty five minutes per game.
    All invited players for the Qualifiers must have an international passport valid till the 30th of March 2024 and must submit the a squeaky clean, clear and legible photocopy of the data page of their passport to the NSF on or before the 30th of January.
    Invited players are expected to arrive Frank N. Luxury Hotel, 18 Lawrence Road, off Bowen Street, Sapele, Delta State, for the Qualifiers on the 25th of this month, while the trials begins the next day by 8am. The Qualifiers will carry ranking points as it’s an NSF rated event.
    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), said that the very best at the end of the grueling trials will be selected based on an indebt summary, analysis, player by player projection, word power and dexterity as well as game strength, coupled with their experience on the board.
    “We are going to the World Championship with our top ten who are the best hands in the game. We are not just going to Las Vegas for the individual title, we are also heading there to defend our team title too.” The Hydro-Engineer said.
    We also gathered that inclusion of any female player in the final team selection will not be coloured by their gender, but the female player or players must merit it.
    Current African Champion, Enoch Tochukwu Nwali, came fifth at the last World Championship in Goa, India in 2019.
    In 2015, Delta State born, current national number one and recently crowded King of the Jungle, Wellington Jighere, became the first African player to win the World Championship crown. He did that in Australia.
    Wellington Jighere
    ✓ Prince Omosefe
    ✓ Wale Fashina
    ✓ Doko Oluwatimilehin
    ✓ Eta Karo
    ✓ Olatunde Oduwole
    ✓ Dennis Ikekeregor
    ✓ Emmanuel Umujose
    ✓ Jimoh Abdulmumin
    ✓ Ben Quickpen
    ✓ Okiemute Tega
    ✓ Ezinore George
    ✓ Aniso Joseph
    ✓ Godwin Victor
    ✓ Emmanuel Ofidi
    ✓ Olaribigbe Hakeem
    ✓ David Yuwa
    ✓ Anthony Odok
    ✓ Munanyo Vincent
  • Just In: PDP suspension came as a rude shock – Nnamani reacts

    Just In: PDP suspension came as a rude shock – Nnamani reacts

    Senator Chimaroke Nnamani representing Enugu East on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to his suspension by the party’s
    National Working Committee (NWC).

    The Federal lawmaker said the suspension came as a rude shock and a huge surprise.

    PDP announced the suspension of the former governor of Enugu State on Friday night over allegations of anti-party activities.

    Nnamani, in his defense of the suspension, said he was never notified or invited by the party.

    The former governor said: “I have since been inundated with telephone calls and messages from various persons, seeking my clarification on the matter.

    “Just like every other person, the decision and announcement of my purported suspension from the PDP came to me as a rude shock and huge surprise.

    “I was never at any time notified of any petition or complaint against me or informed of the grounds that formed the decision of the NWC of the PDP to suspend me from the party.

    “I was not also invited to any meeting, proceeding, or hearing of the NWC of the party where my supposed offense (s) was/were discussed. I was, therefore, not afforded the opportunity to make representations on my behalf at any meeting where the proposal and decision to suspend me from the party was made. My right to a fair hearing was consequently violated against the clear provisions of the Constitution of the party, especially in disciplinary proceedings. More importantly the Superior Constitution of the FRN.”

  • Heavyweight Boxing: Joshua’s opponent to be unveiled next week

    Heavyweight Boxing: Joshua’s opponent to be unveiled next week

    British boxer of Nigeria descent and two time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is expected to announce his comeback opponent next week.

    Joshua and promoter Eddie Hearn are finalizing the contract talks for the fighter’s next opponent following an agreed date of April 1st, 2023.

    The 33-year-old has not fought since August’s rematch defeat to Oleksandr Usyk which made it back-to-back defeats to the Ukrainian after a previous loss in September 2021.

    Joshua’s last victory came over two years ago when he took down Kubrat Pulev.

    Tyson Fury wanted a fight with Anthony Joshua in December 2022 but it didn’t see the light of the day as both fighter’s promoters couldn’t agree on a deal.

    Fury had to settle for Derek Chisora in a thrilling heavyweight battle.

    Fury batters brave Chisora over 10 brutal rounds. Tyson Fury retained his WBC heavyweight title with a one-sided beatdown of Derek Chisora which ended with a 10th-round stoppage

    However, Joshua’s promoter  Hearn is now  keen to secure a big-name opponent who can put Joshua back on track to fight the likes of Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder.

    There had been talk of a brutal battle against Filip Hrgovic, but he has been ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr in an IBF eliminator.

    Meanwhile, Hearn has also effectively ruled out Otto Wallin and Demsey McKean after revealing Joshua does not want to take on another southpaw since it doesn’t align with his plans to face other orthodox fighters.

    That could leave Jermaine Franklin as the man to fight Joshua on April Fool’s Day, with the American looking to avenge November’s London defeat to Joshua’s rival, Dillian Whyte.

    However, fans won’t have to wait too long to find out the former champ’s next opponent, as Hearn is currently finalising contracts with a plan to confirm the bout next week.

    “(Franklin) is definitely in the mix. Demsey McKean is still in the mix,” he told Boxing Social.

    “The link-up with a new trainer means a southpaw fighter, even though Joshua just boxed one of them twice, is not ideal. When you look at the future for Anthony Joshua, the future revolves around Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte. They’re three orthodox fighters. It is likely that he will face an orthodox fighter next.

    “I think Jermaine Franklin is a great fighter. People say ‘it’s definitely Franklin’. Nothing is signed and agreed with. But Franklin is coming off a fight where it was very close with Whyte. Some people felt he won that fight.”

    A blockbuster summer rematch with Whyte is believed to be in the offing for the former unified world champion, provided he successfully emerges from his comeback bout this spring.

  • 2023: Ortom explains reason why PDP ‘ll retain power in Benue

    2023: Ortom explains reason why PDP ‘ll retain power in Benue

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has given reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will retain power in the state in the forthcoming elections.

    Ortom spoke on Thursday at a political rally in Oju and Obi Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said that the party had done all that it needed to do to win the forthcoming general elections with clear margins.

    “As we speak, all the 276 councillors in the state are members of PDP while 26 out of 30 members of the state assembly are also members of our party.

    “We also have seven House of Representatives members out of 11 and all the three Senators from Benue are members of PDP. Also, the Deputy Governor and the Governor are members of PDP.

    “This goes to show that Benue is purely a PDP state and this we will maintain,” Ortom said.

    He advised the people to arm themselves with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), emphasising that the forthcoming elections were different from the past ones.

    “The era of snatching ballot boxes is over. Now is the era of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BIVAS).

    “With the introduction of BIVAS, you must be there at the polling unit to vote because the machine must capture you before you will vote. You should take this election very seriously,” the governor advised.

    Meanwhile, the party’s governorship candidate, Mr Titus Uba, appreciated the people for their prayers while he was on medical vacation abroad.

    Uba encouraged them to entrust him and his deputy, Mr John Ngbede, with their mandate, promising that they would never be disappointed if they gave them their votes.

    He said that they would consolidate on Ortom’s outstanding legacies, stating that the governor  had built a solid foundation for security and they would leverage on it.

    “We are blessed with arable land in the state, as such, we will use agriculture to develop the state through modern agricultural techniques,” Uba said.

    Also, Ngbede said that they would build on what Ortom had done, pledging that they would not leave the civil servants out in their programmes.

    The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Sen. Abba Moro, promised to facilitate construction of the Otukpo-Obi-Oju-Yahe road and its completion before the end of his second term.

    “The All Progressives Congress (APC) did not give you hope, as such, you should reject it and vote for all candidates of PDP from the bottom to the top,” Moro said.

    Earlier, the Acting state Chairman of PDP, Mr Isaac Mffo, said that a vote for the party means securing the future of their children.

  • LP finally resolves crisis in Lagos as new caretaker c’ttee emerges

    LP finally resolves crisis in Lagos as new caretaker c’ttee emerges

    The National Leadership of the Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday,  inaugurated a new 25-man Caretaker Committee to steer the affairs of the party in Lagos State.

    Inaugurating the committee at the party’s secretariat in Ikeja, Mr Akingbade Oyelekan, the LP National Legal Adviser, called for unity and hardwork in the party to face the tasks and challenges ahead.

    Oyelekan said the newly inaugurated Pastor Dayo Ekong-led committee was inclusive and duly approved by the LP National Working Committee (NWC)-led by Mr Julius Abure.

    “We have a very new set of people who are vibrant and committed to taking the business of Labour Party beyond where it is now. For the first time in LP, the party is fully gender sensitive.

    “We believe in the capacity of the  Ekong-led committee.

    “I want to state that no other executive exists outside what we are inaugurating here today. The  Ekong-led executive is authentic for LP.

    “Any other acclaimed faction is illegal, we no longer have faction in Lagos state executive of our party,”  Oyelekan said.

    According to him, Lagos remains the fundamental base of LP now, hence the need for the party to put its house together in the state, project the party well in order to win the forthcoming elections.

    “The party is ready for the task ahead. Before now, the narrative was that we don’t have structure but the structure is all over the world now for those who can see,  LP has come to stay.

    “Our appeal to all our teeming supporters out there is to go and work because we want to win 100 per cent in Lagos state,” he said.

    Oyelekan, who administered Oath of Allegiance on the committee, listed other members to include Pastor Lanre Adenuga and Dr Olatunbosun Oswald (Deputy Chairmen) while the Zonal Deputy Chairmen were Mr. Igene Ayere, Pastor Funke Awolowo, Mr. Dauda Yusuf, and Mr. Tony Masha.

    Other members of the committee were Mrs. Olubunmi Odesanya (Publicity Secretary), Lady Jeniifer Ukachi (Treasurer), Lady Chinwe Chinwego (Financial Secretary), Laura Ogunsola (Organising Secretary), Ebuka Morah (Auditor) and Abass Ibrahim (Legal Adviser).

    Others were Hajia Amina Usman (Woman Leader), Abiodun Okubena (Youth Leader), Mrs. Olabisi Osungboye (Deputy Woman Leader) Mrs Toyin Shokunbi (Deputy Woman Leader), Mrs Jane Nwaoguala (Deputy Women Leader) among others.

    Oyelekan said the inauguration of the new committee became imperative after the expiration of the tenure of the former caretaker committee and the need to urgently reposition the party for effective service.

    He said that members of the committee were expected to provide effective leadership to ensure growth and development in terms of membership drive.

    The newly inaugurated LP Excos in Lagos state

    In her remarks, Ekong, who commended the LP NWC for finding her and her team worthy of the task, vowed not to let the party and its teeming supporters down.

    “I want to assure you that peace will reign in Lagos LP. We are ready to work and our work will speak for us, and this will lead us to victory for our Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and other candidates and they will be sworn in.

    “There is hope for a good tomorrow for Nigeria. The unity which was missing in LP is here and it has come to stay,” Ekong said.

    She pledged loyalty and undivided attention to assure that LP rose to be the first political party in the state.

    Ekong, who assured youths of better future with Peter Obi, said: “Obi will give you the hope that you have been long waiting for. LP will give every frustrated Nigerian hope. LP will make Nigeria work.

    “All Nigerians who have gone away to other climes will be looking forward to coming back home when Obi emerges.”

    She urged political actors and their followers in Lagos state to put a stop to all alleged harassment of LP  loyalists.

    On some acclaimed factions, she said that the committee had instituted machinery to united house and for all to work together.

    “Everything is being put in place for us to have a unified house,  we will reach out to others and settle all things in house,” she said.

  • 2023: I hawked amala, rice to support my parents – PDP Rep candidate

    2023: I hawked amala, rice to support my parents – PDP Rep candidate

    Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for House of Representatives in Kwara, has said that he hawked ‘amala’ and rice as an indigent child to support his parents.

    Ajia is seeking to represent Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

    He stated this on Wednesday in Ilorin while unveiling his “Presentation of Offer to Serve” to the constituents.

    Ajia assured voters that he identified with their plight because of his poor family background and would not disappoint them.

    His speech was tagged “Responsible and Effective Representation with Honesty, Openness, Patriotism, and Excellence”.

    Relating his experience, Ajia explained that he was not born with a silver spoon and went through rigours of life while struggling to get formal education.

    He recalled his school days when he traveled in truck loads full of goats and rams up North.

    According to him, as some body who has passed through rigours of life, he will never abandon his people.

    Ajia promised that he would strive towards service of his people in order to better their lives.

    “My vision is a safe, secure, and prosperous Asa and Ilorin West Federal Constituency.

    “My mission is to give the good people of Asa and Ilorin West a responsible and effective representation in the Green Chamber,” he said.

    Besides, Ajia added that growing in his constituency, he has seen mothers struggle to feed their families everyday.

    He expressed sadness to see desperation and fear in the eyes of the youths about what tomorrow holds for them.

    “What our people need is basic support from the government that will empower them to fend for themselves.

    “My commitment is to deploy public and private sector experience and networks with people and institutions across all levels of government to atract projects, amenities and programmes that will create a better life for the people,” he said.

    In their remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Babatunde Mohammed, and the Iyaloja of Kwara, Hajia Adenike Lambe, said that the candidate’s desire to serve was borne out of constructive thinking and intellectual ideology.

    His life history as a person from humble background would make him perform well because he would be able to feel the needs of the people to make people oriented legislation, they said.

  • 2023: I’m worried about new trend in political space – Jonathan

    2023: I’m worried about new trend in political space – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed worry about the new trend ravaging political space in the face of the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    Jonathan expressed concern over the politics of bitterness presently witnessed by politicians during campaigns.

    The Bayelsa-born politician made this known during the commissioning of the 1.15 kilometer Afi-Uko Nteghe Uda bridge on Etebi-Enwang road, in the Mbo Local government area of Akwa Ibom State, on Monday, Jonathan said he was worried over the negative energy that the forthcoming elections have generated.

    He stated that politics of bitterness hinders development, and called on politicians to market their politics with ideas, rather than fight, insult and abuse their opponents.

    “I’m a bit worried by the negative energy generated ahead of the 2023 elections. We have noticed a level of bitterness in our politics that does not bring development and I plead with politicians that marketing is about marketing your ideas. Politics is not about fighting, is not insulting, is not about abusing.”

    “We have been reading in the newspapers and social media of how billboards of Presidential candidates, governorship candidates are pulled down and I believe by hoodlums, but sometimes, they say some governments even support those kind of things.

    “If you are a part of the team doing that, then know that you are among the unfortunate miscreants, virus or pathogen that is really decomposing our democracy. Please stop doing that; but in all these, I believe the security services have a lot to do.

    “I believe anybody who commits a crime should not be covered under politics. Arson is arson and is never status bound, so somebody who commits a crime, burn houses, kill people, the record must be kept, and whatever the investigation is completed, such people should be prosecuted; that is the only way people would stop doing this.

    “But if people commit criminal offences and walk away, then, of course, other people would be encouraged to do same. So security services in Nigeria have a lot to do, they must not spare any criminal,” he stated.

    Jonathan who described the bridge as one of the longest in West Africa, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for his developmental achievements, saying his administration has good intentions for Akwa Ibom people.

    He noted that some major ongoing projects which Governor Emmanuel had assured would be completed before the end of his tenure in May, is proof of his commitment to improve the life of the people.

    While speaking, Governor Udom Emmanuel said he had satisfied his conscience with his achievements across the state, adding that despite criticisms and the falsehood peddled against his government, he tried not to be distracted.

    Emmanuel commended the community for supporting the construction of the project, saying the project confirms his promise to open up the riverine areas.

    He revealed that the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility is waiting for commissioning, adding that it can service two 747 800 series of an aircraft and is appreciated across the world.

    Governor Udom Emmanuel’s tenure in office will end on May 29 2023 after serving two terms in office.

  • 2023: Nigeria needs a stingy leader – Peter Obi

    2023: Nigeria needs a stingy leader – Peter Obi

    The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has hinted that the country needs a stingy leader at the moment, saying the presidency of Nigeria is not a retirement loan.

    Obi added that apart from being accused of being stingy he’s the youngest, the fittest, and the most qualified candidate amongst the four major contestants in the forthcoming presidential elections.

    The Anambra-born politician made these comments at the All Saints Cathedral Field, Onitsha, Anambra State, before a crowd of supporters and party faithful as part of his nationwide campaign.

    Before coming to Onitsha, the Labour Party candidate had earlier met with Anambra Traditional Rulers and other stakeholders at the Government House, Awka.

    He said, “The presidency is not about turn, but about capacity because if it is about turn, people like us would insist that it is our turn and should be considered.

    “The job of a President is not a retirement home or for any kind of settlement but about uniting and rebuilding the country.

    “They said that I am a stingy man and I say they didn’t say that I am extravagant or that I embezzled public funds only that I am stingy and I tell you the job and the Presidency of our country needs a stingy person.”

    He said would negotiate with agitators to make peace in the country which has been taken over by restiveness, but if those causing insecurity and restiveness refuse, “we will tell them that we have a government in Nigeria.”

    He said, “All we are coming to do is to end suffering and build a new Nigeria. In Nigeria today, nobody is safe, and families are begging to eat. We will secure and unite Nigeria.

    “What I did in Anambra, I will do in Nigeria. We will negotiate, but whoever refuses, we will tell him there is a government.

    “Anambra is a trading and manufacturing city, we will support all businesses. We will do same in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Borno. Every part of Nigeria will be productive.

    “We will open roads. Any tarred road you see in Onitsha was tarred by me. I built the best road network in Nigeria. Those who left Nigeria will come back; we will face exportation to stabilise and reverse the dwindling fortunes of the naira if we assume power.

    “There is no combination between us and others, if you have not created wealth, you cannot manage it. Datti and I are businessmen. The only way Nigeria can change is to hand it over to wealth creators.

    Obi’s running mate, Yusuf Datti said he decided to work with Obi because he believes in justice, equality and fairness.

  • President Buhari makes shocking revelation about his father

    President Buhari makes shocking revelation about his father

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, made a shocking revelation, saying he does not know his biological father.

    He made the revelation while speaking at the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential campaign rally in Damaturu.

    Selling the candidacy of Tinubu and Shettima, the President said a vote for both party flagbearers, would guarantee the sustenance of progress made in the security, economy, and education sectors of the country.

    The president addressed the importance of education and urged the crowd at the stadium to ensure they send their children to school.

    He disclosed that he was an orphan and spent nine years in a boarding school to enable him to get enlisted into the Nigerian Army.

    ‘‘Make sure you send your children to school and make them understand that whatever you have in this world can be taken away from you except the knowledge you have in your head,” said Buhari.

    He then added: ‘‘I was an orphan; I did not know my father. I spent nine years in a boarding school and because of [my] education, I was enlisted into the Nigerian Army.”

    ‘‘I want you to strengthen your faith, try your best to uphold the children and family God has entrusted to you. Do not betray that trust.”

  • FIFA Women’s World Cup: 88 referees, 19 video match officials named

    FIFA Women’s World Cup: 88 referees, 19 video match officials named

    The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), has named 33 referees, 55 assistant referees, and 19 video match Officials (VMO) for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand 2023.

    This is contained in a statement on the website of the world football governing body on Monday.

    It said the team  were chosen in close cooperation with the six confederations, based on the officials’ quality and their performances delivered at FIFA tournaments and other international and domestic competitions.

    It added that for the first time in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, six female VMOs have also been selected.

    ”As always, the criteria we have used is ‘quality first’ and the selected on-field match officials represent the highest level of refereeing worldwide.

    ”We all remember the very successful FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 in France.

    ”The high standard of refereeing contributed significantly to that success.

    ”The aim for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 is to repeat that success and to convince again with excellent referees’ performances,” the statement quoted chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina as saying.

    The statement also quoted Kari Seitz, FIFA’s Head of Women Refereeing, saying that the match officials will continue to receive all necessary support from FIFA.