The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Oshiomhole to Ajaero, Osifo: strike is misplaced priority

    Oshiomhole to Ajaero, Osifo: strike is misplaced priority

    • Full, partial compliance in states
    • CONUA opts out
    • Affiliate unions join

    The ongoing nationwide strike declared by organised labour is a misplaced priority, Senator Adams Oshiomhole declared yesterday.

    According to him, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) should take up issues on workers’ welfare rather than what will portray them as partisan.

    Oshiomhole, who shot into the limelight as a labour activist, crowning his career as president of the NLC, wondered why the labour centres would not take on state governments that are not paying the N30,000 minimum wage but would embark on industrial action simply because its leader was assaulted.

    The former Edo State governor spoke at Aso Villa yesterday after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    The NLC and TUC called the strike yesterday to protest last week’s physical attack on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Ajaero flew into Owerri to protest the non-payment of outstanding salary arrears to workers.

    Despite the workers’ leadership rejection of his intervention, NLC vowed to “occupy Imo State”.

    During his picketing at the airport on arrival, he was beaten up and the police took him into “protective custody”.

    A few hours later, a photograph of Ajaero’s swollen face surfaced on social media.

    He was not seen in public for days. On his return, he claimed that the police arrested him and handed him over to hoodlums who assaulted him.

    Although the police denied involvement, Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun redeployed Imo State Commission of Police Mohammed Barde and ordered an investigation.

    TUC President Festus Osifo announced the industrial action on Monday, saying it will be indefinite.

    But Oshiomhole said: “Unfortunately, this strike is not about those issues. 

    “And I think we have to be careful not to mix our political opinion with our responsibilities because the issues confronting workers are so many that they should become the priority.”

    Oshiomhole urged the NLC to prioritise holding state governments accountable to the N30,000 minimum wage agreement, which covers both local government and state workers.

    He wondered why the NLC was not mobilising workers against states still failing to implement the approved minimum wage while targeting the Federal Government.

    Advising union leaders to engage vigorously on issues like unpaid salaries, he cautioned against actions perceived as overtly partisan.

    He said: “The Federal Government had granted N35,000 increase. And those discussions were supposed to be for and on behalf of not only the Federal Government but on behalf of all workers in Nigeria, including those employed by local governments and state governments.

    “Additional revenue accruing from the withdrawal of subsidy should trickle down to the states and the local government areas.

    “I would have wished that somebody in the NLC recognises that the hunger in the stomach of federal employees is not any worse than the hunger in the stomach of those state employees, nor local government employees.

    “If these are the issues on the table, even as a senator, I will publicly support action against any government that thinks that we should lament away our hunger while the people do what they do.

    “Labour cannot be apolitical because politics is about the people. And I have argued when I was in NLC that nobody has a right to be partisan much more than those who turn the will of our industrial progress.

    “You have to be careful not to be seen to be doing the bidding of a particular candidate or a particular political party. As President of the NLC, I made no friends with any politicians.”

    He reiterated his stance against brutality against any Nigerian while stressing that addressing the hierarchy of workers’ needs should be NLC’s focus.

    “But, let me be clear. I do not support the brutalisation of any Nigerian. I emphasise, any Nigerian, including a journalist, including the unemployed. Of course, including a Labour leader,” he added.

     Affiliate unions join strike

    The strike got the support of affiliate unions.

    Oil, bank and electricity workers, as well as a section of university teachers, joined the industrial action in compliance with their unions’ directive.

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    Among Labour’s demands are the redeployment and investigation of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command; arrest, prosecution and dismissal of all police officers involved in the incident; and arrest of all thugs who partook in beating Ajaero and other workers.

    Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of Mr Chinasa Nwaneri, Uzodimma’s aide on special duties who allegedly supervised the terror on workers and “bestial brutality” meted out to Ajaero.

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) asked their members to join the industrial action. 

    The Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) and the National Union of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions Employees (NUBIFIE) joined the strike. 

    Federal workers were also asked to join the action. 

    General Secretary of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Joshua Apebo, directed federal workers to withdraw services nationwide. 

    But some federal workers showed up for work yesterday.  

    At the Federal Ministry of Education, offices were opened as workers went about their business.

    In the education sector, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics asked their members to stay off work. 

    Labour unions in the maritime and health sectors asked their members to comply with the directive. 

    The health sector is not left out as the nurses’ union asked their members to down tools. 

    Acting General Secretary of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Salihu Abubakar, said they would stay home. 

    The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives also asked its members to comply strictly with the directive. 

    The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) asked its members to shut the courts. 

    However, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) said it would not join the action because it was not yet an official TUC affiliate.

    Its National President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, said: “The position of CONUA is not to join the strike for the fact that we are yet to be an official affiliate of TUC even though our application is before them. 

    “TUC with whom CONUA submitted an affiliation request has not communicated this position on strike action to it. 

    “Distinguished comrades should therefore note that CONUA cannot be part of the strike action that is not communicated to it. 

    “In addition, the affiliation process with the TUC has not been officially established.”

    SSANU and NASU joined the nationwide strike.

    NASU Chairman, University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch, Abiodun Olayinka, told The Nation that the national body had directed all branches to join the strike.

    Other affiliates who joined the action are the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW), Nigeria Union of Food and Beverage Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), among others.

    But, unions in the aviation industry did not comply fully as there were no flight disruptions yesterday.

    Aviation unions affiliated with the labour movement were yet to meet on how to implement the directive by their parent bodies.

    Secretary General, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), Comrade Abdulrazak Saidu said that was why there were seamless aerospace operations.

    All scheduled flights operated without hitches, while activities at the local and international airports in Lagos went on as usual.

    The strike went on despite Friday’s interim injunction granted by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) president, Justice Benedict Kanyip.

    He ruled on an ex-parte application brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The presidency and AGF Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) had reminded Labour that the restraining order was still in force.

    NLC to Presidency: we won’t be cowed

    Labour faulted the statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy Bayo Onanuga, saying contrary to the presidency’s position, the issues were beyond Ajaero.

    NLC Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, said Ajaero does not work in Imo and is not owed salary but is fighting for civil servants that are owed.

    The Congress insisted the strike was far from personal.

    The union said: “Nigerians and indeed, the world to know that the joint national strike by the NLC and TUC is not about ego tripping move intended to blackmail the government as Bayo Onanuga mischievously describes it.

    “If Onanuga were not suffering from selective amnesia, Onanuga ought to have known that this government should remain grateful to the Organised Labour for its uncommon patience with a government that was not prepared for the consequences of its fundamentalist market policies.

    “The massive currency devaluation and subsidy removal which imposed on Nigerians social violence, upheaval, dislocation, displacement or punishment they never experienced.

    “Onanuga ought to have known that the Organised Labour, by not opting for a strike as a first option, acted as a bulwark against the rage of Nigerians thereby saving this government from itself.

    “Ajaero is not a member of any union in or outside Imo State nor is he owed a salary or pension payment arrears, but in his capacity as president of the NLC, he has oversight over all the unions affiliated to the congress including the civil servants and pensioners who have been owed in varying degrees of arrears.

    “We want Bayo Onanuga and those who sent him and the police much earlier to know that we shall not be cowed by anybody or force no matter the resources at that person’s disposal. 

    “No government can be bigger than the people over which it presides.”

  • Blue Economy to net $20b yearly, says Oyetola

    Blue Economy to net $20b yearly, says Oyetola

    Marine and Blue Economy Minister Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday unveiled his ministry’s plan to generate $20 billion and create two million jobs annually.

    He said the goal would be achieved through strategic development within the maritime sector.

    The minister also spoke of a four-year plan to transform the Marine and Blue Economy sector into a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, to compete with the oil and gas sector in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution.

    Oyetola, who dropped the hints yesterday at the 2023 Investment Summit and Expo in Abuja, said his ministry has a goal to redefine the marine and blue economy sector for sustainable national socio-economic growth and development.

    Represented by his technical aide, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, the minister said efforts were ongoing on the expansion and optimisation of the ports, infrastructure refurbishment, deep-sea ports development and the streamlining of operations through policies, like online clearing and National Single Window.

    According to him, the newly created ministry had mapped out workable strategies in formulating a comprehensive policy and roadmap to harness Nigeria’s maritime and ocean resources for sustainable economic growth and development.

    Oyetola a Stakeholders’ Roundtable would soon be organised as a platform for engaging with key players in the marine and blue economy sector.

    He said: “In Nigeria, experts have noted that the untapped potential within the Marine and Blue Economy sector is estimated to be a staggering $296 billion.

    “Recognising this immense opportunity, we are committed to driving forward with policies and initiatives aimed to unlock this latent value.

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    “Our ambitious goal is to generate up to $20 billion annually and create about two million jobs on an annual basis through strategic development within this sector.

    “We aspire for the Marine and Blue Economy to become a substantial contributor to our nation’s economy, with a target to at least match the GDP contribution of the oil and gas sector within the next four years.”

    Oyetola noted that the ministry has been strategically balancing the fortification of existing strengths with the exploration of new avenues for growth within the marine and blue economy.

    He said: “As we work towards completing key port projects like Ibom, Badagry, Ondo, Snake Island, Bonny, Burutu Sea Ports, the Funtua Dry Port, Lokoja River Port, and Jos Inland Dry Port, we anticipate the creation of new economic hubs, increased employment opportunities, and improved goods movement, all of which will contribute significantly to our nation’s growth and development.

    “Our commitment to the development of inland waterways is unwavering. We aim to link all regions of the country through our inland waterways by exploring PPP arrangements that would facilitate the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the inland waterways.”

    He said the government was considering the re-establishment of a National Shipping Line, through a strategic PPP arrangement.

    The minister explained that the move was aimed at capturing a substantial share of the estimated $10 billion annual ship charter market within the country.

    Oyetola said: “It is important to note that this initiative will not seek to impede the growth of local players but rather to provide an avenue for them to create and extract more value from the sector, especially through ship construction, maintenance, and repairs.

    “We will support indigenous ship owners through the Cabotage Fund to acquire more vessels. This would enable our local businesses to better leverage the Cabotage Act, which gives Nigerians the exclusive right to control locally-generated seaborne trade.”

  • Stock market to lose N224.2b to Union Bank’s delisting

    Stock market to lose N224.2b to Union Bank’s delisting

    Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc is finalising arrangements to delist its shares from the Nigerian stock market, a move that will reduce the market’s capitalisation by N224.23 billion.

    The board of directors of UBN yesterday confirmed that the 54-year old bank has entered the final phase of its delisting process, highlighting the imminent exit of the first generation bank after more than 53 years of listing at the stock market.

    Incorporated in May 1969, UBN, one of the oldest listed company on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), was listed in January 1970 and it has been one of the active stocks in the highly influential banking sub-sector. The banking sub-sector is the most influential group at the stock market, in terms of key indicators of capitalisation and activity.

    The board said the second oldest bank “is finalising the process of obtaining approval to delist” its shares from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX). The shareholders will be paid a final price of N7.70 per share, estimating the value of the bank at N224.23 billion. However, the bank closed yesterday with a market value of N193.65 billion at N6.65 per share.

    “Consequent upon the approval, the Registrars will remit the scheme consideration (N7.70 per share) to all shareholders of the bank, pursuant to the decision of the court-ordered meeting and the subsequent sanction by the Federal High Court. All shareholders of the bank are enjoined to ensure that their accounts have been duly mandated, for the purpose of receiving the scheme consideration,” the board stated.

    The imminent delisting followed the acquisition of the shares held by minority shareholders by Titan Trust Bank Limited, the new majority core investor in the bank.

    Titan Trust Bank had in May 2022 completed the acquisition of the shares of UBN’s major shareholders, including Union Global Partners Limited (UGPL), Atlas Mara Limited (ATMA), Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Montane Partners West Africa Limited (Montane) and Mr. Emeka Emuwa, resulting in a transfer of 93.41 per cent of Union Bank’s issued share capital to Titan Trust. UGPL and ATMA had taken over the first generation bank in 2012.

    The acquisition of the majority shareholding by Titan Trust Bank triggered mandatory takeover offer (MTO) for the acquisition of minority shares.

    Offer circular for the mandatory takeover offer (MTO) showed that Titan Trust Bank offered to acquire about 1.928 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each of UBN held by minority shareholders at N7 per share.

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    With the acquisition of 1.928 billion shares under the MTO, Titan Trust Bank, which had acquired 27.337 billion ordinary shares or 93.41 per cent majority equity stake in UBN in May 2022, would have 100 per cent holding of the first generation bank.

    After the full acquisition of the minority shares, Titan Trust Bank had indicated it would delist UBN and reregister the bank as a private limited liability company, ending 53 years of active listing and trading on the shares of the first generation bank at the stock market.

    Re-registration of UBN as a private company implies that beyond delisting from the NGX, its shares will also not be traded on the NASD OTC Securities Exchange, the platform for trading in the shares of unlisted public limited liability companies.

    The MTO was primarily triggered by Section 131, Part XII of the Investment and Securities Act, No. 29, 2007 and Rule 445 of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Rules and Regulations, 2013. Section 131 of the Investment and Securities Act (ISA) and Rule 445 of SEC make it mandatory for any institution or person that acquires at least 30 per cent of a company to make an MTO to other minority shareholders. The MTO is usually at the transaction price for the deal that led to the emergence of the major shareholding.

    While many MTOs in recent period have been for part of shares held by minority shareholders, Titan Trust Bank’s offer was for full acquisition of the minority shares, which enables the new major investor to take over UBN fully and turn it into a private company.

    Titan Trust Bank was incorporated in December 2018 and obtained its National Banking license in April 2019 from the Central Bank of Nigeria; to operate as a commercial bank with national authorisation.

  • BON Awards: 34 films make 29 categories for 14th edition

    BON Awards: 34 films make 29 categories for 14th edition

    Thirty-Four films have made the 29 categories of the 2023 edition of the Best Of Nollywood awards.

    Netflix’s 2023 Nigerian crime thriller ‘Shanty Town’ leads the pack of  most nominated films with a total of 15 nominations.

    Xavier Ighorodje and Chichi Nworah’s ‘Shanty Town’ is joined by Tunde Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ and ‘Herdsmen’ to dominate 2023 BON awards nomination list.

    Joining ‘Shanty Town’ with 11 nominations is Toka Mcbaror and Chloe Coko’s ‘Herdsmen’ while Tunde Aina’s ‘Underbelly’ also takes the stage with 11 nominations.

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    BON Awards which was first held in December 2009, in Ikeja, Lagos State has continued to be a creative strata for the Nigerian movie industry.

    The last 13 editions have been hosted by different states in Nigeria including Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Ekiti, Delta, Abia among others.

    The host state for the 2023 edition will be unveiled by the founder and chief executive officer of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi.

     This year’s edition of the annual award ceremony will be held on December 22.

  • 2026 FWCQ: Super Eagles camp bubbles with 23 invited players

    2026 FWCQ: Super Eagles camp bubbles with 23 invited players

    • Crocodiles of Lesotho  settle in Uyo

    The Super Eagles camp in Uyo has taken shape as all the 23 invited players have all landed in Uyo ahead of  tomorrow’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

    Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Joe Aribo and Bright Osayi Samuel were among the last batch of players received at the Victor Attah International Airport by members of the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee and taken to the team’s camp at Four Point by Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene.

    The new arrivals  completed the list of the 23 players invited for the double  header  against Lesotho  and Zimbabwe in Rwanda on Sunday.

    Others in the camp are Bendel Insurance goalkeeper, Amas Obasogie who was drafted in to replace Maduka Okoye who opted out of the upcoming international fixtures.

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    The team had their first training session yesterday at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    Meanwhile, A 33-man  Crocodiles of Lesotho contingent , making up of 23 players and nine  officials, have arrived Uyo ahead of tomorrow’s  tie against the Super Eagles.

    The team handled by Coach Leslie Notsi was received by members of the Akwa Ibom State Football Normalization Committee at the Victor Attah International Airport and taken to their Ibom Hotel and Resorts camp.

    The encounter against Lesotho will take place on the main turf of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo tomorrow by 5pm.

  • Tella, Onyedika relish  chances  against Lesotho

    Tella, Onyedika relish  chances  against Lesotho

    Bayer Leverkusen attacker, Nathan Tella is relishing the chance to star for the Super Eagles in  the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

    Tella, who played for England at youth levels , has changed his allegiance to Nigeria for a chance to represent the country at next year’s African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire and the 2026  World Cup scheduled for the United States, Mexico and Canada.

    The former Southampton player said he was thrilled to be given a chance to play for Nigeria and that having played with top players at club level, he would be delighted to feature along with Super Eagles top players in the World Cup qualifiers.

    “It was good. Obviously I have come to a very talented team with a lot of good players and it is nice to be part of them. They welcomed me well. I am happy and I am looking forward to the upcoming games,” Tella told NFF TV.”I am happy to be in the midst of the best players the country can boost of. I always like to push and challenge myself to play with and be among the best.

    “I have the opportunity to do it at club level and will like to replicate that at national team level.”

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    Tella who has featured in eight German Bundesliga games and two in the UEFA Europa League said he.

     Was at the ready to do his best for the super Eagles. 

    “I will offer a direct approach to the game and will like to put myself in a situation to be in one on one,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Club Brugge midfielder, Raphael Onyedika has described the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and  Lesotho as a must win fixture.

    “It was good to be back and to train and prepare for the game with Lesotho. It is a must win game,” Onyedika said to NFF TV. “We must put all our efforts together to ensure we win their game because our fans and everyone is counting on us to deliver.”

  • Super Eagles ‘ll fight for  three points against Lesotho, says Awaziem

    Super Eagles ‘ll fight for  three points against Lesotho, says Awaziem

    Defender Chidozie Awaziem has reiterated  the desire of the Super Eagles  to fight for the three points in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho  tomorrow in Uyo.

    Awaziem, who echoed Nigerians aspirations to ensure the Eagles make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup slated for the USA, Mexico and Canada,  said they are poised to open their qualifying account with a win at the God’swill Akpabio Stadium.

    “It was a wonderful training session today(yesterday). We are all preparing for the first qualification game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Awaziem told NFF Tv.

    “It is our dream. We know it is the wish of every Nigerian that the Super Eagles feature at the World Cup. We will like to make it too. We must make sure we get all the three points against Lesotho and immediately prepare for the next game.

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    “The boys are ready to fight.”

    The former Hajdut Split defender praised the current state of the God’swill Akpabio Stadium while  thanking the Akwa Ibom Government for ensuring that the stadium facilities are well maintained and in good order.

    “The pitch is looking like. The Akwa Ibom Government has done well to take good care of the pitch. I give a good kudos to them on how they have maintained the pitch to look such nice. We hope to get a good game here,” he added.

  • CAF  Awards Women’s categories : Oshoala, Ajibade, Nnadozie, four other Nigerians shortlisted

    CAF  Awards Women’s categories : Oshoala, Ajibade, Nnadozie, four other Nigerians shortlisted

    Five-time winner and Super Falcons’ captain Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and four other members of the national  women’s team, have been shortlisted among 30 players listed for the preliminary nominees of the CAF Female Player of the Year by the continental football ruling body.

    CAF yesterday unveiled the preliminary nominees for the various women’s categories for the CAF Awards 2023 with Barcelona striker Oshoala, Atletico Madrid’s Ajibade and Paris FC goalie Nnadozie making the cut.

    Other Super Falcons players that made the list of nominees include Christy Ucheibe (Benfica), Osinachi Ohale (Alaves/Pachuca), Toni Payne (Sevilla) and Uchenna Kanu (Tigres/Racing Louisville).

    Also, Falconets’ stars Deborah Abiodun (Pittsburg Panthers) and Esther Opeyemi Ajakaye (Delta Queens) have been listed among the 10 nominees for the Young Player of the Year.

    Super Falcons’ coach Randy Waldrum has been nominated for the coach of the year while Nigeria’s Super Falcons was also nominated for the National Team of the Year.

    A distinguished panel made up of CAF Technical Experts, Legends, and selected media representatives selected the nominees, taking into consideration their performances at all levels from December 2022 to November 2023.

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    Just as in the men’s category, the best women’s goalkeeper will be rewarded for the first time to celebrate the heroic efforts of the shot-stoppers and Super Falcons’ Nnadozie topping the list of the 10 players nominated for the first-ever CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

    In the other categories, 30 players will vie for the prestigious Player of the Year, which Nigeria’s Oshoala claimed for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.

    Ten nominees each have been pencilled for the Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Young Player of the Year, limited to players not more than 21 years.

    The finalists of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Cote d’Ivoire 2023 have each been rewarded with a place in the Club of the Year category.

    The winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved at the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

    The Awards Gala is to be graced by the crème de la crème of African football on December 11, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco.

  • Organisers  plan  big for 10th  Nigeria  Pitch Awards 

    Organisers  plan  big for 10th  Nigeria  Pitch Awards 

    The organisers of the annual  Nigeria  Pitch Awards  have expressed plans to make this year’s edition special in many ways.

    The Pitch Award, which started in July 2012 is in its 10th  edition.

    The President of the Pitch Award s, Shina Phillips, said yesterday  in Lagos that it was important to make the 10th  edition special and, adding there  are big plans on the cards to make \it a momentous event.

    Phillips stated that a symposium to discuss the future of Nigerian football would be staged before the event.

    “We are going to announce some of the big initiatives we are adding to the award ceremony with time,” Phillips said.”I say  big thank you to our independent vote collating partners-SIAO- and the Nigeria Football Federation and also college of voters for standing by us over the years.

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    “It is deliberate working without sponsors in the past years just to protect the standard and integrity of the award.”

    He added: “Our  determination  was to create  an award platform built on integrity , credibility  and transparency . To achieve  this, we completely  removed ourselves  as organisers  from the award  decision process , giving organisers  zero vote  in the entire voting  process.” 

    The Pitch Awards gala  is scheduled to take place in March  2024 after the voting exercise  between December 4  and January 12, 2024.

     Director of Communications of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) , Ademola Olajire, commended Nigerian journalists for supporting the award project over in the past 10 years,  adding  the Nigeria Pitch Award  has lasted  the distance because it was based on integrity, credibility and transparency.

    “It has been a huge success story and it cannot be done without the media,” Olajire noted.

  • Ardova H’ball: Rima Strikers, Niger United begin

    Ardova H’ball: Rima Strikers, Niger United begin

    Champions, Kano Pillars’ poor run continued in the Ardova Handball Premier League as they were beaten 27-23 by Rima Strikers in the opening day of the second phase of the competition yesterday.

    Despite suffering some unexpected lose in the first phase of the league, the  defending champions were favourites against Rima Strikers but they surprisingly  fell to their opponents.

    The loss may have dented Pillars ambition of retaining their title as they now have six win from 12 games, drawing  two  and losing four.

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    With the loss to Rima Strikers, Pillars will have to change their strategy to finish strong in the league.

    Meanwhile, it was a good outing for Niger United of Minna as they beat Correction Boys  30-22. The Minna team were the better side and made their dominance count with the win.

    The Coach Yekini Adebayo boys were solid defensively and a repeat performance against other teams would go a long in claiming the title after a long hiatus.

    In the women’s category, Rima Queens defeated Bayelsa Queens 30-21 while Delta Queens lost to Venue Queens 18-19, while Seasiders Babes beat Bendel Dynamos 25-24.