The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • I commit to your welfare, Abbas tells Assembly workers

    I commit to your welfare, Abbas tells Assembly workers

    House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, has told National Assembly workers he understood their plight and will mobilise resources to ensure their welfare.

     The Speaker said having been a primary school teacher, he understood what it meant to be at the lower rung.

     Abbas spoke when officials of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) visited him in yesterday.

    The Speaker promised to reach out to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to address some issues affecting the workers.

     Commenting on issues the PASAN leadership raised, Abbas noted the workers played critical role in the National Assembly, stressing the need to make life and work comfortable for them.

     He said: “I am with you 100 per cent. I am somebody who is passionate about labour matters because I was there (in the service) at the very bottom.

    “If somebody taught in a primary school, you don’t need to tell him about the plight of workers. I taught at a time when teaching was undesirable.

     “So, I understand your plight. I want to tell you I am with you. I share your pains.

     “I wish to assure you the 10th National Assembly will ensurE all problems we have inherited terminate during this time.”

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

     Abbas promised to liaise with his Senate counterpart on how to kick-start pension remittances and payments.

     The Speaker noted with the passage of the bill establishing National Assembly Pension Board, he would get in touch with Akpabio on how to constitute membership of the board. He also said the leadership  would look into how to fuel the buses provided to convey workers daily.

    Abbas directed the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission be invited to a meeting with him next week to discuss how parliamentary workers would benefit from the N35,000 post-subsidy salary bonuses declared by President Bola Tinubu.

    Sabiyi had decried the impact of the removal of subsidy

    The PASAN chairman called for a review of the salary and conditions of service, as well as payment of arrears.

    “We don’t want strike and picketing,” Sabiyi said, adding:  workers want to have a smooth running of their offices.”

     He regretted that PASAN members in the Assembly retire without pension and gratuity, except management.

     He urged the Speaker to accelerate the pension scheme.

  • Journalists are endangered species, says Lawan

    Journalists are endangered species, says Lawan

    Former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said journalists are endangered as over 1,600 have been killed in 17 years.

    He noted impunity against them threatens democracy and undermines press freedom.

    A statement in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Ezrel Tabiowo, said Lawan spoke yesterday to mark this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

    Citing data by United Nations Observatory of Killed Journalists, he urged governments, institutions, and civil society to hold perpetrators accountable.

    It reads: “I join the world in marking International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists today.

    “This day serves as a reminder of the perils faced by journalists and the need to address impunity for crimes committed against them.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    “This year is especially significant as it highlights the crucial role journalists play in providing unbiased information, promoting accountability, and upholding democratic values.

     “However, journalists continue to face violence, intimidation, and targeted killings, for reporting critical issues or exposing corruption…

    “According to UNESCO Observatory of Killed Journalists, over 1,600 have been killed  between 2006 and 2023, with close to nine of 10 cases remaining unresolved.

    “It is imperative for governments, institutions, and civil society to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for journalists. Through legal frameworks, investigation, and unbiased judiciary, we can combat impunity, safeguard freedom, and protect journalists…

    “Education is vital to end impunity. Media literacy can foster respect journalism.’’

  • Threat to life: Ruling fixed in Edo businessman’s suit

    Threat to life: Ruling fixed in Edo businessman’s suit

    • Three respondents absent, represented by counsel; petitioner, lawyer present 

    Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, sitting at Court 1 on Sapele Road, Benin, on Monday, has fixed November 28 for ruling on a motion in a suit by Benin-based businessman, Michael Okojie, who alerted to threat on his life by his alleged lesbian bank manager wife, Mrs. Ann Okojie, who has three kids (minors) for him, but unlawfully removed his property and documents from the matrimonial home.

     Okojie wants his estranged wife to deposit with the court registrar for safe keeping, the documents she removed from his bedroom, pending hearing and determination of the suit/divorce petition, for her not to run away with the’ highly-cherished’ three children to an unknown destination, which he said would make it impossible for him to see them again.

    The motion was dated  July 21 without reply by the counsel to the respondents, Edoba Osifo, who was in court , without his clients, but rather filed counter-affidavit on October 4, which was replied by Okojie’s counsel, Imarhiagbe Edewi, on October 26.

     Edewi moved the motion, which was brought in pursuant to Section 73 (1) (D) (H) of Matrimonial Causes Act, 2024; Order 1, Rule 11 (a) (b) (c) of the Matrimonial Causes Rules, 1990; and Order XI Rule 10 of the Matrimonial Causes Rules, 1990; under inherent jurisdiction of the court, but was kicked against by Osifo, necessitating adjournment.

    Okojie  said in Benin his wife, manager of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) in Uselu, Benin branch, was involved in alleged bigamy and adultery with a married man, Felix Aganbi, the Benin-based producer of Akogate water.

     The petitioner also said his wife got deep in alleged lesbianism with a serving army officer, Major Ebinyo Ayah, then Finance officer of Supply and Transport (S&T) Barracks, Isihor, Benin, who hurriedly sought transfer from Benin to Abuja, when the alleged act was exposed, even with courage to commit the crime in his home, when Ayah was accommodated, based on his wife’s lies.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

     In order not to continue to endanger his life, the businessman, on May 25, at Edo High Court of Justice, filed a divorce petition for dissolution of the marriage, with his estranged wife, Ayah and Aganbi as respondents in the suit B/447D/2023, with the three respondents, yet to appear in court, represented by Osifo.

      Okojie described as unbelievable, his discovery Ann, without dissolution of their marriage, applied on May 12 to use the swimming pool section of Benin Club, with the name: “Mrs. Ann Aganbi,” and her address as No. 1-6,Akogate Industrial Layout, Oluku, Benin, office of her illegal husband, which was approved by management of Benin Club on May 15.

     He wants the court to dissolve the marriage, grant him custody of the kids, to continue to give them quality education, care and for Ann, alleged lesbian and adulterer, not to corrupt the innocent kids, as well as to return the landed property and the documents.

     In the counter-affidavit, Ann said the grounds for the petitioner’s application were misrepresented and a fluke, stressing there was no valid marriage known to law between them, noting Okojie deceived her and her family into a bigamous relationship.

     The bank manager said: “There was solemnisation of holy matrimony between Janet Owenaze and the petitioner at St. Ambrose’s Catholic Church, Ekpan, Delta State, on October 11, 1997, and produced the petitioner’s first two children: Abiodun and Jennifer Okojie, but their statutory marriage was never dissolved, before the petitioner married me, and has remained undissolved till this moment.

     Ann was silent on allegations of lesbianism, bigamy and adultery levelled against her by her husband.

     Okojie, in his reply to Ann’s counter-affidavit, said her responses were false, lies and misleading, saying he did customary law marriage with Janet Owenze, but went to Catholic church for blessing, as she was six months pregnant, with no certificate of marriage issued, and that the traditional marriage was dissolved on September 23, 2008.

  • Impeachment: Another court restrains Rivers Assembly, others

    Impeachment: Another court restrains Rivers Assembly, others

    A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has warned the state’s House of Assembly and others from taking any further steps on the planned impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    Justice Phoebe Ayua issued the warning while ruling on Wednesday on an ex parte motion in a suit filed against the House of Assembly and eight others by two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state – Amadi Madubuochi and Goya Oluka.

    Justice Ayua’s pronouncement followed a restraining order issued on Wednesday against the Rivers State’s lawmakers by a High Court of the state, stopping them from proceeding with the planned impeachment.

    The judge had listened to lawyer to the applicants/plaintiffs, Eric Omare, who argued that the move to impeach Fubara was unlawful because the legislators had not established any wrongdoing against the governor.

    In a copy of the enrolled order, which our correspondent obtained yesterday in Abuja, Justice Ayua said: “An order is made, directing that all parties on record respect the court and should not take any step concerning the subject matter in this matter, since the matter is already before this court (sub judice) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notion.”

    The judge also ordered that the respondents be notified about the pending suit and motion on notice for interlocutory injunctions.

    He adjourned till November 9 for hearing of the motion on notice.

    Listed as respondents/defendants in the suit are: the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, the state’s Chief Judge, the state’s Commissioner of Police, the state’s Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), the governor, the deputy governor, and the Inspector General of the (IGP).

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiffs stated that from the impeachment notice served on the Governor and his Deputy, no verifiable allegation of gross misconduct or dereliction of duty on their part or the commission of any impeachable offence recognised by the Constitution was stated therein.

    They averred that before an impeachment proceeding could be initiated against the holder of the office of a governor or deputy governor of a state, there must have been a notice containing an allegation of gross misconduct against them in the performance of the functions of their office.

    Such a notice, the plaintiffs added, must contain detailed particulars of such an allegation of gross misconduct, which would amount to a violation of the provision of the Constitution, before an impeachment process could be commenced.

    The plaintiffs are, in the substantive suit, praying the court for, among others, a declaration that, having regard to the absence of any verifiable allegation of gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, or the commission of any impeachable offence recognized by the Constitution, the Rivers State House of Assembly could not initiate any proceedings seeking to impeach or howsoever remove the governor and his deputy from office.

    They are also seeking, among others, a declaration that, having regard to the absence of any verifiable allegation of gross misconduct, dereliction of duty or the commission of any impeachable offence recognised by the Constitution by the governor and his deputy, the purported impeachment process activated by the Assembly, its Speaker and Deputy Speaker, is unconstitutional.

  • PDP rejects Umoren’s appointment as REC

    PDP rejects Umoren’s appointment as REC

    • Party sues Tinubu, Senate

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to nullify the appointment of Etekamba Umoren as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Akwa Ibom State.

    Umoren was among seven REC-nominees confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday.

    The suit was filed by the party’s State Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, and Secretary, Mr. Harrison Ekpo.

    The PDP also addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja, describing Umoren’s appointment as provocative and unconstitutional.

    In their originating summons, the plaintiffs are praying the court to hold that Umoren is not qualified to be a REC because he is a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    They attached photographs of Umoren on campaign grounds adorning the APC regalia and campaigning for Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Senate are the respondents.

    The plaintiffs are also praying the court to declare Umoren’s appointment illegal, null and void because President Tinubu did not consult with the Council of State before appointing him.

    The plaintiffs area seeking “a declaration that the appointment of the third defendant (Umoren) as REC for Akwa Ibom State is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional, null and void ab initio, and of no effect whatsoever”.

    Counsel to the plaintiffs, Dr. Charles Mekwunye (SAN), refused to speak on Umoren’s confirmation, saying the matter was in court but assured that justice would be served.

    Also yesterday, the PDP kicked against Umoren’s confirmation.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described Umoren as a card-carrying APC member in Akwa Ibom State.

    The main opposition described Umoren as a known APC leader who was at the forefront of its campaigns.

    It regretted that the REC-nominee was confirmed despite widespread outcry and rejection by Nigerians.

    Read Also: Imo/Bayelsa/Kogi polls: Tinubu appeals for free, fair process

    The PDP said the appointment was in flagrant violation of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and the universal demand for impartiality and non-partisanship of an electoral body and its officials.

    “Section 141 of the Electoral Act 2022 is clear and unambiguous in barring partisan persons, like APC’s Etekamba Umoren, from holding any position whatsoever in INEC.

    “For clarity and emphasis, Section 141 of the Electoral Act, 2022 states: ‘No person holding an elective office to which this Act relates or a registered member of a political party shall be eligible for or be appointed to carry out the duties of a returning officer, an electoral officer, presiding officer or a poll clerk.’”

    “Section 141 of the Electoral Act 2022 is clearly a major provision that confers, affirms and protects INEC’s statutory independence and guarantees its impartiality and non-partisanship in the electoral process.

    “The violation of this key provision as in the case of Etekamba Umoren is a grievous assault on INEC’s credibility as an institution of democracy and the sanctity of the electoral process.”

    The PDP said if Umoren was retained, dwindling public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an umpire would worsen.

    “Umoren’s imposition as a REC is, therefore, a provocative and vexatious defilement of the independence, integrity and credibility of our electoral system, which cannot be allowed to stand.

    “This imposition has started generating serious agitation, which is a recipe for crisis and possible breakdown of law and order in Akwa Ibom, if not immediately addressed,” the party said.

  • Akpabio inaugurates Akpoti-Uduaghan as Kogi Central senator

    Akpabio inaugurates Akpoti-Uduaghan as Kogi Central senator

    • Appeal Court: Ndume, Lawan, Jibrin validly elected

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday swore in Mrs. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as the senator representing Kogi Central.

    The brief ceremony climaxed a protracted legal battle for the senatorial seat.

    The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had, on Monday, affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the duly elected candidate for Kogi Central senatorial election on February 25.

    The appellate court dismissed the appeal filed by Senator Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.

    In September, the Kogi State Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Lokoja, had nullified the victory of Ohere and declared that Akpoti-Uduaghan won the senatorial poll.

    Ohere had appealed the tribunal ruling but the appellate court upheld Akpoti-Uduaghan as the winner of the poll.

    The oath of office and oath of allegiance were administered on the new senator by the Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Chinedu Akubueze, at 11:41 a.m on the directive of the Senate President.

    The new senator shook hands with Akpabio who handed her a copy of the Senate Standing Rules, and she exchanged pleasantries with her colleagues.

    Also, the Court of Appeal in Abuja yesterday affirmed the election of Senators Mohammed Ali Ndume and Kaka Lawan of Borno South and Central senatorial districts.

    The three-member panel, presided over by Justice Biobele Georgewill, held that the two appeals lacked merit.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the duo as winners of the National Assembly election held on February 25 into the two senatorial districts.

    Read Also: Fubara: Rivers NASS caucus declares support for Wike

    But Muhammed Kumalia and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the election of Lawan while Kudla Satumari and the PDP filed petitions against Ndume at the state’s election tribunal.

    The Borno National and State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the two petitions.

    But Kumalia and Satumari headed to the Court of Appeal in the suits against Kaka Shehu Lawan and others, as well as the appeal between Kula Satumari & another Vs. INEC and others.

    Delivering the judgments, the Court of Appeal upheld the submissions of the counsel to the respondents and affirmed the election of Lawan and Ndume.

    Also, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Abdulmumini Jibrin of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    The appellate court, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the appeal filed by Muhammad Said Kiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for being unmeritorious.

    In the judgment read on Wednesday by Justice Anthony Ogakwu, the court upheld the earlier judgment by the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Kano, which had dismissed Kiru’s petition against Jibrin.

    The Court of Appeal awarded N100,000 cost in favour of Jibrin and against the appellant.

    The respondents at the tribunal were the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jibrin, and the NNPP.

  • PitStop Lagos Criterium produces new winners

    PitStop Lagos Criterium produces new winners

    Winners have emerged from the October 2023 PitStop Lagos Criterium (Dolphin loop).

    The competitive event featured over 50 cyclists covering 15 laps in total. It also had in attendance dignitaries including the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh.

    The riders demonstrated grit, strength and resilience, pushing their various bikes to limits, stamping on their pedals, to deliver a spectacular race.

    The General Manager, Pitstop community, Opeyemi Adegboro explained that the community is made up of professional cyclists and recreational cyclists.

    He said: “The objective of the Pitstop community is to have cyclists who are ready for any competition at any time, we don’t want a situation where there’s a competition and we now start a fire brigade approach.

    “Secondly to develop grassroots cycling, Nigeria has a lot of potential in the sport industry but we are not maximizing this potential.

    “We are excited to see the Minister of Sports in our midst and this is a sign that the grassroots sports development in Nigeria is growing.

     “We are happy with the Tinubu administration and we wish the administration success in every regard.”

    Crossing the finish line, Isaac Gana emerged as the winner. The winners got various cash prizes ranging from N250,000 to N40,000.

    Read Also: Gusau affirms NFF commitment to futsal, beach soccer

    Expressing joy, the winner Isaac said: “This is my first time, and I am very glad and happy and speechless because I have been planning on winning but it keeps falling out of hand.

    “I’m planning on pushing forward competing in higher stages and I am planning on winning this competition again because winning is a sweet thing.”

    In a related development, Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, who was  at the event,  said the Federal Government is paying keen attention to various sports including  cycling for proper development.

    Enoh said: “This is a great event, I met a community very happy with itself, I met a community very excited about the race, very excited about the competition,” Enoh said as he revealed further plans for the cycling federation. “The plan is like every other federation, it is to encourage private initiative of this nature and hoping that what I have watched here can be replicated not just in Lagos but in other cities and other places across the country and like I said, it not just for cycling but for other sports as well and I think the greatest support that the ministry and I can give is making myself accessible.”

  • Amadi deserves to train Super Eagles goalkeepers, says Okala

    Amadi deserves to train Super Eagles goalkeepers, says Okala

    Foremost Nigeria international goalkeeper , Emmanuel Okala, said the  goalkeeping issues befuddling the Super Eagles must squarely be dealt with ahead of the coming engagements even as he advised  that  tested  trainer  Emeka Amadi be  quickly  drafted  into the national team  set up.

    The highly revered  Okala who  had a storied career with  Rangers International of Enugu as well as  the then  Green Eagles  and won  the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations in 1980, said he was worried with the  quality of training  for the current  goalkeepers  in the Super Eagles  hence his clarion call on  the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF)  to get  the vastly experienced Amadi.

    “I’m as worried as every Nigerian about the standard of our goalkeepers   and you know I don’t necessarily join the crowd just to be heard,” Okala told NationSports. “Of course,  the goalkeepers might be good in their own right  but it’s the quality of  training that they get  that can make them better  and  I have been following the development of  Amadi over the years but I wonder why we have not find him useful for the Super Eagles.”   

    Read Also: Goalkeeper Udoh gets rave reviews with Maltese Mosta

    Amadi  stood between the sticks for Bendel Insurance, Rangers in his heyday  and equally  had  stints  in Germany with SV Steinheim; FC Brakel and Hannover’96.He also featured for Tus Celle; FC Oberneuland and SV Nienhagen where he retired and took coaching appointment.

     He was on the technical crew  of Nigeria’s national U17 team  where he blooded  Dele Alampasu  who won the Golden Gloves award as the Golden Eaglets  clinched the FIFA World Cup in 2013  as well as  Akpan Udoh  who  made  four clean sheets  when  the Golden retained the U17 World Cup title in 2015.

    Apart from being  the goalkeeper trainer  for the coach Emmanuel Amuneke-led crew that qualified Tanzania for a historic AFCON qualification at Egypt 2019,  the German-trained Amadi  who is a holder of UEFA C/B License as well as CA F A License, has also worked  with Al-Khartoum in Sudan  as well as in Zambia with Zanaco FC .

    “I have looked around and presently, Amadi is about the best goalkeeper trainer we have in Nigeria and I’m really proud of what he’d done in the past and I believe he’s fit to help the current goalkeepers because some of them actually passed through his hands at the junior level,” Okala equally noted. “A team without a good goalkeeper would struggle to compete.

     “A goalkeeper is like a gladiator that can motivates his team to greater heights and I’m really proud of the quality of goalkeepers that Amadi discovered and trained during his time with the Golden Eaglets and we should find a way of co-opting him into the current Super Eagles,” added the legendary Okala.

  • Zenith Bank/ Delta Principals’ Cup LG winners emerge

    Zenith Bank/ Delta Principals’ Cup LG winners emerge

    The ongoing 2023 Delta State Principals’ Cup football competition which started on October 19 is fast gathering momentum at the various Local Governments in the state.

    All the winners are expected to emerge tomorrow with some LG finals already decided.

    The developmental grassroots competition sponsored by Zenith Bank Plc is expected to produce one winner in each of the 25 LGA of Delta State and the battle has been intense in the past few days in various parts of the state.

    Some of the LGs are in the semi-final stage while some are in the final and according to the timeline, all LG representatives are expected to emerge by this weekend.

    On Wednesday, at the Ika North East Local Government, Ute Okpu Secondary School defeated Efizomor mixed Secondary School 2-1 to book a place in the LG final to meet Owa Alero Secondary School that defeated Owa Oyibu Secondary School 3-2 on penalties after full time score stood at 0-0.

    Read Also: Gusau affirms NFF commitment to futsal, beach soccer

    In the final match decided on Wednesday at the Uvwie LG, Opete secondary school defeated Urhobo College 5-4 on penalties to emerge the representative of the Uvwie LG in the zonal playoffs expected to start next week.     

    The CEO of Hideaplus, organisers of the competition, Tony Pemu, told our correspondent that the competition has been very interesting at the LGA level.

     “Only one ticket is at stake in each of the 25 local governments and so it is tough. Some of the finals already decided ended in penalties just as we witnessed keen semi- final contests across the centres but in the end only one team will emerge for us to draw the zonal preliminaries,” Pemu said.

    The zonal matches are billed to take place later in November as all the 25 finalists from LGs will be known by Monday November 6.

    Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba will host the final of the competition on November 30.

  • Preps begin for 2024 Niger Delta Polo Festival

    Preps begin for 2024 Niger Delta Polo Festival

    • Agbodjan, Kollere head committees

    Preparations for the 2024 edition of the biggest polo festival in the Niger Delta region is already underway as Port Harcourt Polo Club  named top  players and administrators into  various committees with a mandate to deliver a most memorable festival.

    The Main Tournament Committee of the prestigious polo carnival is headed by Prince Henry Agbodjan, while Abubakar Kollere and Dr. Ikenna Nebolisa were picked as Tournament Manager and Assistant Tournament Manager respectively.

    Other members of the seven-man main committee include Fineman Olungwe who will function as the Secretary, while the Polo Captain, Alabo Harry, Victor Ojum and Kester Buzugbe complete the list.

    President of Port Harcourt Polo Club, Ebi Diriyai confirmed that other equally capable members have been appointed to the various committees have since been working hard to ensure a befitting polo festival that is billed to gallop off from January14, 2024 at the foremost GRA Polo Ground in the Garden City,

    He disclosed that Prince Agbodjan is the Chairman of the Finance/ Fund Raising Committee that has Bolaji Oshobukolaas Alternate Chairperson, former President, Shehu Bob-Manuel, Otti Ikechukwu Dave Okarevu, Kalada Jack, Omuso Abbey, Victor Ojum, and Robert Omole as members.

    The Polo Committee is headed by the Captain, Alabo Hary with Dr. Ikenna Nebolisa, former captains, Tella Atoni, Cassiel Irimagha, Captain, Iyene Amapakabo and Davis Sikpa as members. Other committees include the medical, security, publicity, and accommodation, among others.

    Read Also: Goalkeeper Udoh gets rave reviews with Maltese Mosta

    Diriyai, who would be presiding over the fiesta as the new boss , has made a solemn pledge to build on the successes of previous tournaments with an added exciting innovation that    take Port Harcourt Polo Club to greater heights as the premier polo club in Niger Delta region.

    Former Vice President who received the mandate of members to lead the new management committee after the expiration of the Chukwudi Dimkpa-led committee is confident that Rivers State will still remain the flagship of sports tourism in the south-South geopolitical region.

     “My task, my mission, my commitment to my club and the Nigerian Polo Association is to lead it to the achievement of all of the opportunities that we have and to promote the game and reposition the Nigerian polo globally,” he said.

    He maintained that the 2024 Port Harcourt polo Tournament would be the most exciting in years as the President; he has all the required experience and capacity to deliver and urged all members to rally the management committee for a successful festival next January.

    Last January, the prestigious 2023 Port Harcourt Polo Tournament ended with a thrilling climax last weekend with home teams led by Strata base, Wiltten Aviation, Bob Tract and Sidefeco Ventures and the Navy and sweeping top laurels.

    After seven days of bumper polo actions pitting top teams with all the big names in the noble game of kings and professionals from Europe, Port Harcourt Bob Track and Strata Base Group teams emerged winners and runners-up champions, carting home the event’s biggest laurel, the King Diette-Spiff Cup and the General Hassan Katsina Cups respectively.

    As the biggest sporting festival in the oil rich Niger Delta region, the polo fiesta lived up to its cutting-edge thrills and excitements, with The Nigerian Navy successfully defending the T.Y Danjuma Cup, while David Sikpa’s Sidefeco Ventures team left the loudest roar, finishing runners-up.