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Tag: Dan Anyiam Stadium

  • Glamour as Southeast women, youths mobilise for Buhari

    The Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital was filled to capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity. OKODILI NDIDI reports that if huge crowd could be a criterion for victory in any election, then the APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast

    Saturday, January 12 will remain evergreen in the minds of Imo electorate, especially lovers of President Muhammadu Buhari who believe he deserves a second term.

    That day, the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, the Imo State capital, was filled to its capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity.

    As early as 12 noon that day, the expansive arena had begun to witness massive influx of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    So, for several hours party enthusiasts sang and danced to beautiful music provided by some artistes. In their chants, party faithful extolled the sterling qualities of President Buhari, even as they encouraged others to support the APC presidential candidate based on their conviction that he has achieved much within very short time.

    Nature, as if in total agreement with the frame of mind of proponents of Buhari’s second term bid, played very rewarding role. The hot scotching sun became humane. The harsh atmosphere suddenly turned out to be friendly as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

    Expectedly, Igbo women known for their panache were a marvel to behold. Even in political gatherings, you can’t take away the shine from them.

    It was glamour and frills as thousands of women across the Southeast geo-political zone gathered in solidarity for the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    Their beautiful regalia were as distinct as the ode, so much so that one may be tempted to conclude that the gathering was for a colourful festival. This much was as a result of the fact that the rally was not as hostile and electric as some typical political events.

    Gaily dressed women from across the five states of the Southeast namely Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu, took turns to flaunt their costumes and beautiful songs, before settling down for the business of the day.

    The massive turnout at the rally organised to mobilise the Southeast women and youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was enough to cheer the hearts of the proponents of President Buhari’s second term agenda.

    Apparently impressed with the massive support, leader of the Presidential Campaign team for women and youths and wife of the President, Aisha Buhari advised the women and youths to protect their votes.

    She urged the APC supporters not to leave the polling units after voting on the Election Day but should wait until the votes were counted and recorded.

    The President’s wife assured that the APC will take Nigerians to the next level and they should therefore vote for President Buhari for second term.

    According to Buhari’s wife who was represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, the APC is taking us to the next level. The government of President Buhari is working for men, women, youths and children. The government cares for all. Everybody should vote for the APC. Nobody should be at home on the day of elections, but should vote for President Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    Continuing, she said: “Again, do not vote and go home. Wait until the votes are counted. Nobody should fight on the day of election. The government of President Buhari is interested in the youths. I am proud to be a Nigerian woman because our women are hardworking, beautiful and successful.”

    In his speech, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said: “In Imo State and, by extension, southeast, need Buhari more than any other zone in Nigeria because we know what President Buhari’s victory in the 2019 general elections will be beneficial for Ndigbo. It is for this reason that we therefore urge all of you, the campaigners for Buhari, not to waste your time in Imo State. Imo victory for President Buhari has been signed, sealed and delivered.”

    Continuing, the governor said: “Standing here today, is that lonely voice in 2015 that stood for President Buhari when no one believed in him. It was still on this same place that I renamed Mr. President in order to woo the votes of Ndigbo. I renamed him Okechukwu Buhari.

    “Then, most of the gladiators or those who seek interest now were never there. I provided victory when it was very difficult.”

    The governor maintained that: “We have equally consulted with other political parties, especially those with weak presidential candidates or those with no presidential candidates at all. In Imo State, we have about 47 political parties supporting the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    “The leading party in this regard with strong support for Buhari is the Action Alliance (AA) led by Ugwumba Uche Nwosu. Let me inform all of you that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is APC in spirit and AA in dressing. He is still one of you and only using the platform to correct an injustice done to Imo people.

    “The APC leadership owes Imo people an apology. They treated Imo people poorly. There is no point bothering yourself, Buhari will win this election not because APC has supported us but because of our love for Buhari. Let me inform those from Abuja, don’t be deceived by what they tell you, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu will win the governorship election in Imo State.”

    In his speech, the Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the Presidential Campaign Council for women and youths, General Buba Marwa, said with the mammoth crowd that attended the rally; it was obvious that APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast.

    Earlier in her speech, the Southeast Director of the Women and Youths of the Presidential Campaign team, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha stated that the women and youths have agreed to vote massively for President Buhari to enable him to take Nigerians to the Promised Land, adding that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

    Some of the APC stalwarts at the rally included the Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, General Buba Marwa, wives of three governors namely Mrs. Obaseki (Edo), Nana Shettima (Borno), Zainaba Shinkafi Baguda (Kebbi) and Mrs. Chibuike Amaechi,

    Others were, Chief Uche Ogah, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Majiri Okadigbo, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio, Chief Hope Uzodinma and the National Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Salamatu Eluma.

  • Owerri rocks with Star Music Trek

    Owerri rocks with Star Music Trek

    …Bright Chimeze makes surprise appearance

    …Olamide’s Yoruba lyrics popular among young Easterners

     

    DJ Neptune took the lead in the music rave, setting the mood for the much anticipated occasion.

    Anchored by notable Lagos MC Laffup, the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, played host to an amazing number of revelers who were determined to keep vigil with the widely advertised music stars in this year’s Star Music Trek, an annual city-to-city tour of trending artistes,  put together by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    As early as 9pm, last Saturday, the atmosphere was turbocharged with ecstatic youths who were not only anxious for live performances, but to savour the moment with familiar artistes in concert.

    On the line-up included Flavour Nabania, Olamide, M,I Abaga, Kcee, Nigga Raw, Humble Smith and  Runtown. And it was obvious the crowd couldn’t wait.

    The icing on the cake was having burgeoning artistes show their stuff on the glamorous stage, before these big masquerades. Not less than 30 of these wannabes artistes took their turns to impress the crowd. Although theirs were not popular tunes, they sounded promising to the ears, lending credence to why they were selected among the multitude that approached the organisers for chance on stage.

    Hash-tagged ‘mycityrocks’, the road-show had made previous stops in Makurdi, Abuja and Calabar, with the last leg billed to hold in Lagos on November 26, 2016.

    Kicking off the show proper, the dramatic entry of Mr Raw was indeed a show production delight. The MC had feigned a random search for freestylers in the crowd, and after putting the microphone to the mouths of three guys who struggled with their rap lyrics, the compass rested on Mr Raw who was only revealed when he lifted the hood from his face. The crowd roared as the artiste made his way to the stage, singing his popular song, Obodo, which he did with Klint da Drunk. That was soon followed by tracks like ‘Baby Baby’, ‘Odi Okay’ and ‘Mr Raw Nwanne’, ‘Spiritual Congi’ and ‘Hip-hop Gyration’ among others.

    Mr Raw’s act was followed by that of Runtown. Then, Humble Smith who was introduced by actor Osita Iheme, aka Pawpaw through a recorded video. A rare gem, the Humble Smith, with his live band, comprising of a back-up singer, two guitarists and a pianist, thrilled the crowd with some high life tunes that changed the tune of the show. He disclosed that he started music 18 years ago through the influence of the legendary Highlife singer, Bright Chimeze. Then came a moment of surprise, as the Zigima sound-styled crooner climbed the stage to do back-up for Humble Smith who sang his hit, ‘African Style’.

    It was homecoming for Kcee who, alongside his former band member, Presh, started his journey at the Star Quest academy in Lagos. Kicking off his performance with ‘Limpopo’, he raised the tempo of the beats which was gracefully toned down by Humble Smith’s kind of songs. However, Kcee’s entry continue the live aspect of the show going by his inclusion of a back-up singer and a pianist. He introduced two members of his 5Star Music label, Xbustar and Skiibii who rocked the stage with him. But Kcee’s shows are usually not complete without some show of generosity. Despite throwing a bunch of N500 notes into the crowd, one Lucky Azubuike won N30, 000 for being a good dancer. Someone in the crowd also got his golden anklet, and another, his sweat shirt.

    Next in line for performance, M.I Abaga entered with his ‘Africa Rapper No 1’ song, a mix of rap and highlife. For Christian, a guy spotted from the crowd for being versed in M.I’s raps, the artiste’s sun glasses and a brand new shoe became his take-home. Like Bright Chimeze, Kelly Handsome made a surprise appearance with his ‘Maga Don Pay’ song.

    When Olamide climbed the stage at 3:17am, a new spirit appeared to have entered the fun seekers. It was unimaginable how the leading South-west hip star could have so much impression on the Easterners. They know his songs and were almost ahead of the artiste in rendering the lyrics which are mostly delivered in Yoruba. The shout if Bodoo, as Olamide is often called rent the air. The artist himself appeared to be amazed by the sing-along, as he stopping the music once in a while to examine their mastery of the lines. Then, singing ‘Fada Fada’, predominantly Igbo song he did with Phyno, Olamide showed he too was at home with the Easterners.

    Now, who is best to close the Owerri show if not Flavour, the rumoured bae of Project Fame winner, Chidinma Ekile, whose sexy biceps makes as much news as his music across the continent.

    He was the third artiste on the night to deliver a live performance with a guitarist, a pianist and a trumpeter. He rendered his popular highlife music to the delight of all – Some tales by moonlight, some romantic poetry, a bit of adult remarks – he did tracks like ‘Ada Ada’, ‘baby Oku’, ‘Oyi’, ‘Mmege’ and ‘Obianuju’ among others.

    By the time Flavour hit the last note at 4:37am, Star Trek Owerri had delivered a sterling night of fun and the crew could only look forward to a fortnight when the last leg of the series will berth in Lagos.

  • Heartland will return to Dan Anyiam stadium, says Nkwopara

    Heartland will return to Dan Anyiam stadium, says Nkwopara

    The Management of Heartland FC of Owerri has assured its fans that the club will resume playing its home matches at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri after the mid-season break.

    Cajetan Nkwopara, the club’s Media Officer, who told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Owerri, noted that even though the club had not lost any match since playing outside the state, they would want to return to their home base in Owerri.

    The League Management Company (LMC) banned the use of the stadium because of dilapidation of the pitch. Heartland now plays its home matches at Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha in Anambra State.

    Nkwopara said the stadium went out of use after a series of political programmes held at the stadium in the lead up to the general elections, but added that management had commenced intensive refurbishment work on the pitch.

    “We apologise to all our fans for the development, but we are happy that we have not lost any of our home games, since playing outside the state.

    “Intense renovation work is ongoing at the stadium; we are going to invite the LMC to come and inspect the stadium with a view to lifting the ban on its our club, after the mid- season break.

    “Before then, we will only play two more game outside the state,” he said.

  • Okorocha charges Heartland to reclaim lost glory

    Okorocha charges Heartland to reclaim lost glory

    GOV. Rochas Okorocha of Imo on Sunday tasked Heartland FC of Owerri to put in more efforts this season to reclaim its lost glory.

    Okorocha gave the charge at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri during an interactive section with reporters journalists after the club 1-1 drew with Dolphins FC of Port-Harcourt. He said the draw was a good beginning for the club but that three points would have placed them in a greater advantage.

    “This is a home match and the first game of the season. I expected noting less than winning the game but since it ended that way, they have to put in more efforts in subsequent games.”

    The governor urged the technical crew not to relent but to strive harder in making the state proud.

    The Chief Coach of the club, Ramson Madu, said the players were wonderful on the pitch but were unlucky not to have won the game.

    Madu observed that Heartland lost many chances that would have given them victory, assuring that more efforts would be made in subsequent matches. He commended the referees, stating that the game was balanced.

    A Heartland supporter, Jude Ibe, who expressed dissatisfaction over the draw, said that the players should have won the match with all the incentives given to them by the State Government.

    The Media Officer of the club, Cajethan Nkwopara, urged supporters to remain optimistic about the club. Nkwopara said that some of the players were new to the club and that they needed little time to adapt.