By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has commended a Nigerian sports management company, XO Sports, for its kitting deal for the state-owned Bayelsa United Football Club.

Diri said he was excited that a young Nigerian entrepreneur, Mr. Ken Odogu, was behind the deal to kit the team at no cost to the state government.

The governor gave the commendation in Government House, Yenagoa, when the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Daniel Igali, presented the official kits of Bayelsa United to him.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor called on multinational oil companies and corporate organisations to take over the sponsorship of sports as government ownership of teams was no longer fashionable.

He noted that for sporting activities to thrive in Nigeria, the private sector must participate in its development while urging private firms to harness the potential of talented youths in the state through sports.

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Diri said: “Sports are no longer fashionable with government. It is now private sector driven. This is the only way we can grow sports across Nigeria. We must allow the private sector to participate in sports development.

“Let me again make a clarion call on private sector companies and individuals to come on board and copy from this youthful company.

“Let me call on multinationals and our Nigerian companies to support sports development and indeed take over the administration and control of most of these areas in sports development.

“For us in Bayelsa, our emphasis is always on multinational oil companies as we see them sponsoring these events outside this country. So why not here in Bayelsa where you make all the billions of dollars?”

Diri, a one-time Commissioner for Sports, directed his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, to ensure the immediate constitution of substantive boards for Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens football clubs.

He also directed the procurement of buses for both teams, stating that his government was committed to enhancing sporting activities in the state.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Daniel Igali, said over the years, the state spent huge sums of money buying kits for its football teams.

He noted that with the sponsorship initiated by XO Sports to supply and partner the ministry on club jerseys, that chapter was closed.

Also speaking, Managing Director of XO Sports, Mr. Ken Odogu, explained that the idea behind sponsoring, kits for Bayelsa United was to bridge the gap of government’s financial burden on state-owned clubs.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Southsouth Bureau Chief

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Edo State chapter has suspended its 19-day strike.

Edo NUT, in a statement issued on Friday by its Chairman, Pius Okhueleigbe; the Assistant Secretary-General, Mike Itua; and three other members of the executive disclosed that the suspension of the indefinite strike, which commenced on January 18 this year, was made possible by the national leadership of the union.

It urged all public primary school heads and teachers in Edo state to resume work on Monday, February 8, 2021.

The union declared that any form of victimisation against Edo NUT leaders and members should be promptly reported to the leadership for necessary action.

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It urged the Godwin Obaseki’s administration to utilise the opportunity of the suspension of the indefinite strike to urgently meet Edo NUT’s ten-point demands, in order to restore hope and confidence between the government and the union, thereby enhancing the welfare of the primary school teachers.

While appreciating the entire members of NUT in Edo state for their unprecedented solidarity and sustenance of the indefinite strike for the past 19 days, the union passed a vote of confidence in the state and branch leaders of the NUT in the state and its affiliates.

Edo NUT also hailed the genuine efforts of the national leadership of the union, members of Edo state government transition committee, NUT Edo state Wing Elders Council, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity’s Edo state office and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo state council, among others, for the unprecedented support to have the issues resolved amicably.

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

The traditional ruler of Uzoubi Umuna, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, Boniface Okereke, has narrated how policemen attached to the Orlu Area Command assaulted him.

Okereke said he was tortured and treated like a miscreant before his subjects at the peak of the crisis that rocked some communities in Orlu.

The incident, the monarch said, happened at the Carrot Junction roundabout on January 27 while returning from a security meeting.

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He said: “About 2pm on January 27, I was returning from a meeting of the Orlu Council of Traditional Rulers which held at the palace of monarch of Umudioka, Thomas Obiefula.

“At Carrot junction, I met some mobile policemen who, in spite of the inscription on my car number plate which identified me as the traditional ruler of Uzoubi autonomous community, ordered me to come out of my car or they would shoot me. Despite explanations to that effect, and my appearance as an elderly man, they ordered me to get down from the car and lie on the ground for more than eight minutes before one of them intervened and told me to get up.

“This is the height of disrespect to me, my community and the traditional institution.”

The 77 year-old monarch lamented that despite his age, the policemen were ready to flog him for coming out, not minding that curfew was only imposed between 6pm and 6am.

He said he had been restraining the youths from taking any action pending when the commissioner of police acts to identify the officers who ridiculed him.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended the Ohenosa (Chief Priest) of Holy Arousa Cathedral, Harrison Okao, for unauthorised ministration.

Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC) Frank Irabor, in a statement yesterday, said Okao’s suspension followed recommendations from the Joint Elders’ Committee of the cathedral and some senior chiefs of the palace.

Irabor said Okao’s suspension was predicated upon long-standing lingering breach and his non-charlatan attitude over many years and age-long customs and traditions.

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He noted that the suspension would further bring peace and sanity to worship at the Holy Arousa Cathedral, Benin.

The statement reads: “The decision is expected to bring lasting peace, sanity and tranquillity to the holy spiritual environment that is imperative in the Holy Aruosa Cathedral of Benin, which has hitherto been absent, because of the non-compliance with traditions and customs by Harrison Okao.”

Okao was asked to stop parading himself as Ohenosa and hand over property of the cathedral, including the keys, to Esere, and to desist from operating the cathedral’s bank account.

By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

The Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State, on Thursday affirmed the decision of the governorship election petitions tribunal to defer ruling in an application seeking to strike out the Action Democratic Party (ADP) petition.

Respondents in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate for the September 19, 2020, election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

The appellate court also affirmed the tribunal’s decision not to strike out the fourth and fifth respondents as parties to the petition.

Justice Jummai Sankey of the Court of Appeal, who delivered the lead judgment, held that Section 285 (8) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, made it mandatory for the tribunal to defer ruling on interlocutory applications challenging its jurisdiction and/or the competence of the petition till the final judgment stage.

Sankey also struck out another appeal by Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Ukonga Onaivi, against Obaseki, PDP and INEC, on grounds that the appellants filed their brief of argument out of time.

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The appellate court, however, considered AA’s appeal on its merit and dismissed it after all the issues raised were resolved against the appellants.

The appeal filed by AA and its governorship candidate bordered on whether the tribunal was right to strike out the petition without deferring the ruling till the final judgment. The court however held that the petitioner’s failure to apply for hearing notice within the stipulated time contravened Paragraph 18 (4) of the first schedule to the Electoral Act, and that the provision was not inconsistent with the provisions of Section 285 (8) of the constitution.

The tribunal fixed February 9 for adoption of final written addresses in ADP’s petition.

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tony Aziegbemi has admonished members to always abide by the party constitution.

Aziegbemi, who spoke yesterday in Benin, said the PDP is governed by its constitution.

He said: “PDP has a constitution which is the supreme document that dictates and determines the various organs, their composition, functions and roles. The party constitution is clear on its administrative and decision-making organs.

“It is our belief that these organs of PDP, as enshrined in the constitution, must be empowered and given unwavering support, devoid of any external consideration. Two organs exist at the senatorial level, which are recognised by our constitution – the senatorial executive committee (an elected body) and the senatorial district caucus (an advisory body). We hereby ask all senatorial chairmen and local government party chairmen to send a list of their proposed caucuses to the state secretariat for approval before its inauguration…”

By Emmanuel Oladesu

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) in Edo State, Chief Charles Idahosa, has described Prince Tony Momoh’s death as a huge loss to the nation.

Momoh, a former Minister of Information, died on February 1 in Abuja. He was 81.

Idahosa, a former Commissioner for Information, said the deceased was a respected elder statesman and politician who spoke the truth, even in difficult situations.

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He said: “Prince Tony Momoh’s death is a big loss to Edo State and Nigeria. I knew him personally. I visited him many times at Daily Times and during his tenure as Minister of Information.

“His death is a great loss to Edo. He was a fantastic person and a highly detribalised Nigerian who contributed immensely to the development of this country.

“He was a great politician, a great teacher, a great journalist and a respected elder statesman. We pray to God to rest his soul.”

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

Stakeholders from Isiala Ngwa federal constituency in Abia State, comprising Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa councils, have condemned the burning of the Omoba Police Station and killing of a policeman. They warned against a recurrence.

Lawmaker representing the constituency in the House of Representatives Darlington Nwokocha, who addressed reporters on Thursday at Eziama Nvosi, said the people are against the incursion of criminals.

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He called on security agencies to intervene and arrest the hoodlums who burnt the police station and killed a policeman.

He said: “We woke yesterday to the burning of the police station at Omoba, headquarters of Isiala Ngwa South. One policeman died and many others were injured.

“We rise against it. The people of Isiala Ngwa are ready and working to do everything to protect our territory. We stand against any incursion in our area. We support the security agencies to unravel the perpetrators.

“Isiala Ngwa people don’t harbour criminals. Our people support the security agencies to rise to the occasion.”

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has urged parents to withdraw their children from public schools over the rumoured reintroduction of fees and levies.

A statement by its Publicity Secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere, alleged that the state has reportedly directed the payment of N500 levy by each student, and another undisclosed amount.

The party said payment of fees and other levies negates the free and compulsory education which was introduced by the Godswill Akpabio administration.

The statement reads: “We have been disturbed by the news that the government has approved the reintroduction of fees in public schools.

“But more distressing and worrisome is the fact that the government has not been open with this matter. In one report, we read that the government has approved a levy of N500 on each student, and another report said an unstated amount was approved as fees.

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“Whatever the case, we say that any imposition of financial burden on the already impoverished citizens, whether levy or school fees, would lead to serious negative consequences. We therefore call on the government to cancel such action. There is a limit to what our people can endure.

“Former Governor Akpabio introduced free and compulsory education in the early days of his administration. He later expanded the programme to include scholarships and bursary awards to medical and law students.”

But the government, in a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, said it has not reintroduced fees and levies in public schools.

The government said its commitment to free and compulsory education was still intact.

The statement reads: “There are more than 300 projects ongoing in different schools across the states. The government is still fully committed to the sustenance of the free and compulsory education policy. Government does not receive, and has not indicated any interest to receive money from pupils and students or their parents.

“However, where parents, groups or communities, in response to calls for contributory development of education, choose to voluntarily support schools, government shall not oppose it.

“The 10-year educational development plan is being pursued. The education machinery has been reinvigorated to deliver on the targets set by the proposal. We urge the people to continue to support the government’s drive to ensure qualitative education at all levels. Parents, guardians, responsible companies and community leaders are encouraged to contribute and participate in the development of education in the state.”

By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State are at loggerheads over the November 6 governorship election.

The PDP has asked the APGA-led government to prepare its handover note ahead of time, but APGA described the former as ‘noise makers’.

A statement yesterday by PDP Publicity Secretary, Nnamdi Nwangwu, said the APGA controlled government has failed in all ramifications, and should prepare to handover to PDP ‘which is ready to give Anambra quality, responsible and responsive government’.

According to Nwangwu, no level of distraction would stop the people from showing the fraudulent APGA government the way out and hold it accountable for its actions.

Nwangwu lamented that the government touched everything good handed over to it with leprous hands, and relegated Anambra to a laughing stock.

He said: “Anambra had the best road network in Nigeria; all its towns and communities were effectively linked when leadership was handed over to APGA. But today, the roads are not maintained and new ones are not built.

“Anambra had the best primary healthcare delivery, with the highest accredited tertiary institution for training of health workers. All the senatorial zones had two or three accredited health centres, well equipped. But let APGA apologists tell us what has happened to the hitherto functional sector.”

But APGA Chairman Sir Norbert Obi said his party would not join issues with a ‘sinking ship’. He said the party was still mourning the death of its Publicity Secretary, Chinedu Nkwonta.

Obi urged PDP to focus on resolving its numerous court cases and other problems before talking of winning elections in Anambra State.

According to him, APGA was no longer a political party but a movement.

By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

Akwa Ibom State would henceforth use disputed land for development projects rather than allow deaths, Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo has said.

The deputy governor spoke on Wednesday at a meeting to resolve the boundary dispute between Uko Akpan Enwang and Uko Ntighe Uda villages in Mbo Local Government Area.

Ekpo, who condemned the communal clashes, described the destruction of lives and property as senseless, unwarranted and criminal.

He said: “I called this meeting as a warning because you lose so much anytime you inflict yourself with crises. The little palliatives given by the government could have been used for more profitable things, and may never be enough to replace the things destroyed.

“Destroying lives and properties because of land, which originally belongs to God and only held in trust by the government, is wrong.

“We will rather take over the land and manage it than leave it to be the reason for killings and destruction. An industry could be sited there for the interest of both communities.”

Ekpo, who hailed the traditional rulers for their efforts so far, urged them to further engage all parties involved and stakeholders in peaceful discussions to arrive at a peaceful resolution.

He also appealed to the youths to remain peaceful and law abiding as lasting solution was being brokered.