The trial of President of the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ), Paul Usoro, over N1.4 billion fraud, could not proceed on Tuesday before Justice Muslim Hassan of Federal High Court Lagos, following the transfer of the case to a new judge, Prof. Chuka Obiozor.
Usoro is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 10-count charge bordering on fraud.
Also named in the charge, is the incumbent governor of Akwa Ibom, Gov. Emmanuel Udom, who is described in the charge as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.
Others charged are: the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon Udomah; the Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe.
The defendants were said to be at large.
Usoro was charged on Dec. 18, 2018 before Justice Hassan, and his plea was taken.
Hassan had subsequently admitted him to bail in the sum of N250 million with one surety in like sum.
The court had then adjourned the case until Feb. 5, March 5, and March 6, for continuation of trial.
However, on Tuesday, when journalists approached the court for coverage of the trial, it was observed that the case was not on the cause list.
On enquiry, journalists were informed that the case had been transferred to Justice Obiozor by the Chief Judge, following application to that effect.
Meanwhile in Justice Obiozor’s Court, the case was also not itemised on the cause list, as the judge was said to be away on a workshop.
In the charge marked FHC/418c/18, the anti graft agency alleged that the accused committed the offence on May 14, 2016.
The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others, to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.
He was alleged to have conspired to convert the sum of N1.4 billion, property of Akwa Ibom State Government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity.
The prosecution said that the unlawful activity include criminal breach of trust which contravenes the provisions of section 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Akwa Ibom State governor Emmanuel Udom and its All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Obong Nsima Ekere on Thursday failed to participate in a live audience participation platform organised by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Tagged, ‘Governorship debate with BBC News Pidgin’, the exercise took place at the permanent site of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO).
Only four out of the six governorship candidates invited to the programme attended.
There were Iboro Otu of the Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP); Ekong Eyo of the Young Democratic Party (YDP); Ezekiel Nya Etok and Nature Udoh of Young People Party (YPP).
Emmanuel, in a statement by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Charles Udoh, said he could not attend the debate due to an official engagement outside the state.
It was also learnt Ekere was out of the state as well.
Giving his general assessment of the programmee, the Editor of the BBC Pidgin Service, Adejuwon Soyinka, explained that 10 states were selected for the governorship debate expressing the hope the candidates in other states chosen will equally honour the invitation.
“This is the first governorship debate organised by the BBC News Pidgin.
“We chose to come to Akwa Ibom because of the interesting development in politics in the state and similar debate will hold in Port Harcourt on January 21st.
“It is the audience that selects the candidate and asks us to invite them for the debate of this nature.
“We are audience lead. A lot of things we do we listen to the audience and try to save them with what they requested of us.
“We hope that the candidates that have been invited at Rivers, will honour the invitation of their people.
“It is an opportunity created to deepens democracy in Nigeria, create opportunity for candidates to listen, interact and meet with the people, electorate and explain to them what you want to do,” he explained.
On the absences of the two other candidates from the debate, Soyinka said: “I am totally indifferent. What we have done as a BBC is to create a platform for the candidates to interact with the electorates.
“The candidates were chosen on the invitation of their people. Other candidate who otherwise engaged could not make it have given their reasons.
“Ultimately, the judgment call is not for me is for the electorate and good people of Akwa Ibom whom this gentlemen are proposing to lead.”
On his impression about the debate, he said: “I am impressed with what happen today. I am happy with the turnout of Akwa Ibom people from different segment of the society, I am happy with the engagement from the audience and online people.
“I feel fulfilled that the purpose of this exercise has been achieved and the purpose is to create that platform for interaction and get responses.”
The governorship candidates were subjected to various forms of questions bordering on their knowledge on governance and why they want to be the governor of the state.
They also answered questions on how to improve the economy, Internal Generated Revenue, health, education, agriculture, reduce unemployment, tackle insecurity, infrastructure, and environment among others.
At a posh event in the nation’s capital, Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom renders account to his people in the North. ONYEDI OJIABOR reports
Indigenes of Akwa Ibom in the 19 northern states and Abuja thronged the imposing Women Development Center, Abuja to listen to their governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
The unmistakable rich dress culture of the people of Akwa Ibom State ignited the main bowel of the Centre.
Cultural dances were not left out. Conviviality enveloped the event venue.
The hall literally exploded when the governor arrived in grandeur. Expectedly, the governor did not come alone. Apparently for effect, Udom practically relocated the state government to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Speaker of the State House of Assembly, commissioners and cabinet members as well as members of the National Assembly from the state, were on hand to support the governor.
“This is a full house,” one of the indigenes intoned from the swarming crowd.
After some protocols, Governor Udom moved promptly to the business of the day. It turned out to be the presentation of his scorecard to the state indigenes in the northern states and Abuja.
The governor seized the opportunity offered by the meeting with both hands. He reeled out what he has been able to achieve since he came on board as the first citizen of the state about three years ago.
The people appeared not to have been disappointed in their governor. They did not hesitate to chorus that Udom was the first sitting governor of Akwa Ibom State to honour their invitation for an interactive session. The disposition of the attendees showed they were prepared to grab every minute the governor stayed with them with both hands.
Requests and questions came in torrents. “Udom is at home with his people in the diaspora,” a member of Akwa Ibom indigenes in Abuja jokingly chanted.
“Diaspora?” Another asked, “Yes, we’re in diaspora in Abuja far away from Akwa Ibom.” They laughed and ended the discussion.
The governor was not short of answers and explanations to satisfy the curiosity of the people.
Udom meandered through his exploits in education, health services, agriculture, road infrastructure, industrialisation, job creation, construction of deep seaport, sports. He did not forget the international airport. The list appeared endless.
The governor punctuated his narrative with intermittent sonorous songs in praise of God to the delight of the cheering attendees.
Before he called it a day, Udom reminded those allegedly plotting to unleash mayhem in the state during the 2019 election to fear God.
For him, power belongs to God, and He gives power to who He desires.
“This is the first time in the history of our dear state that we are hearing how Warsaw will see war and war will see Warsaw. Satan shame unto you because all power belong to God. God alone decides the leader He gives to the people He loves,” he told the people.
Udom professed his love for the people of the state “and I’m showing my love through selfless service to the people.”
He was sure that with airport of international standard and a deep seaport, the state would be ready to go.
Udom told the people that the state was set to commission one of the best plywood processing plants in the country in December.
What appeared to be the essence of the meeting emerged when Udom promised that given a second term, more than 80 percent of the food consumed by the people would be produced in the state.
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, Hon. Nduese Essien, who also graced the event said the governor was fully on the ground after some initial setbacks.
Essien listed huge debts the governor had to settle and suit cases instituted by those who lost to him in 2015 as part of the draw backs Udom had to contend with.
The high point of the event was when the crowd overwhelmingly endorsed Udom for a second term in office.
Urbanisation is widely acknowledged to be an engine of growth if efficiently implemented through attention and sound policies. Only few countries become high income earners without high levels of urbanisation as more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and by 2030, it is estimated that two-thirds of the world’s population will be urbanised.
Urbanisation is generally associated with higher income and productivity. In fact, it can be an important driver of productivity increase and growth.
Urban areas offer positive agglomeration effects including larger and more efficient labor markets, lower transaction costs, and easier knowledge spillovers. They also provide easier access to markets, and links with the global economy.
In a bid to achieve optimisation of the urbanisation project, the Emmanuel Udom administration in Akwa Ibom State has embarked on massive infrastructural development across the state with emphasis on rural areas to achieve this set goal. There is an ongoing improvement in the road network, establishment of factories and projects in the rural areas and provision of social amenities as well.
As we speak, there are over 300 rural development projects across 31 Local Government Areas of the state. There are also over 400 inter-ministerial rural intervention projects which include; an ongoing rehabilitation and construction of over 500km of rural feeder roads.
In Uruan Local Government Areas, the following projects were executed in tandem with the urbanisation drive. There was a construction of 19.317km Anua – Mbak – Ishiet Road, Construction of 8.5km Nduetong Oku Ibiaku Uruan-Ekritam Road and Spur in Itu/Uruan LGAs under the Alternative Project Funding. Other projects under this scheme (Alternative Project Funding Approach), more projects like the construction of 9.0km Mbiaya Uruan – Ita – Ikpa – Mbiakong Uruan road with 60m Span Bridge, Construction of 4.0km Mbiatok Ekritam – Mbiaya Uruan Road with Spur, Renovation of Ituk Mbang General Hospital, Vegetable Green House, Akwa Prime Hatchery and ongoing construction of Cattle ranch were also executed in the same local government.
Some Inter-ministerial projects include the construction of Assembly Hall at Methodist P/S Adadia, four classroom block at Methodist P/S Adadia, three classroom block at Ekpene Ibia. Others are renovation of four classroom block at Ekpene Ibia, renovation of Assembly Hall at AME Zion School Ndon Ebom, renovation of three classroom at AME Zion School Ndon Ebom, renovation of Civic Centre at Ekim Enen, renovation of four classroom block at Ikpa Uruan, Electrification at Ikot Inyang Esuk and supply of 220 No CBT Desk.
At Nsit Atai Local Government Area, projects like construction of 6.0km Idiaba – Nda Nsit – Ikot Abasi (Nung Udoe) road in Nsit Atai, renovation of four classroom block at P/S Essien Itiaba/ Ikot Asua and Renovation/ Extension of Assembly Hall at Secondary School, Ikot Akpan Ike among others.
While trying to open up the rural areas to development, there is an increased acreage of cultivated land growing by over 40,000 hectares comprising of 11,000 hectares earmarked on, for an ongoing coconut plantation, 24,000 hectares for new rice projects including two rice mills, 3,000 hectares of cassava plantations with rehabilitated processing facilities for garri, cassava pellets, flour, and ethanol, and the rehabilitation of competitive oil palm and cocoa estates. This will also see to Akwa Ibom’s position as a leading food producer and exporter in Nigeria, assured.
In furtherance of this agenda till date, over 20,000 hectares of land have been cleared providing businesses and economic activity for equipment owners, farmers, input producers and direct/indirect jobs for households within rural areas of the state and beyond.
One great indicator in the assessment of the success of the urbanisation of rural areas is the industrialisation policy of Akwa Ibom State. This is a clear merit and highly progressive departure from an epoch of oil revenue dependency and federal allocations. The governor placed premium importance of power on this quest by securing additional licensing for the state-owned power company, increasing capacity from 190MW to 685MW, unlocking distribution via massive investment in substations and feeder lines, and installing a network of new power infrastructure around the state, also enabling parts of the state capital with 15-18 hours of power per day. This alone transformed an average rural settlement into an urban centre.
Dedicated lines and infrastructure have targeted special projects such as the airport, the Ibom Specialty Hospital and the industrial clusters in Onna, Uyo and Itu.
In the quest to achieving urbanisation through industrialisation, both road and power infrastructure were being addressed as the state government has pursued the first phase of its ambitious industrialisation agenda by delivering an Electric Digital Metering Plant providing metering solutions that unbundle the legitimate concerns of investors, namely tracking power tariffs.
The state is also proud of its strategic investment in syringe manufacturing with capacity large enough to cater to Africa’s 2.4 billion-strong demand for syringes by producing 350 million units with capacity to upscale to 1 billion, adequate to cater for both local and international markets.
The state has also increased progress in a proposed flour mill within the Onna Industrial Cluster. Hundreds of Akwa Ibom daughters and sons have been trained abroad to take up various technical and managerial aspects of these investments as part of the 350-strong human-power needs of the cluster.
As part of the overall vision, companies like the Peacock Paints Factory in Etinan have received fresh funding and rehabilitation, several state-owned enterprises and assets have become prized possession of new investors who’ve encouraged that resources be assigned to business development from the state’s investment structure.
The recent establishment of the Itu Cluster which houses the Akwa Ibom Enterprise and Employment Scheme (AKEES) has promoted the creation and opening of a state-of-the-arts toothpick factory, pencil production and particle wood processing facility as well as bamboo conversion facilities increasing economic impact with 200 new, direct jobs and 400 to 500 indirect jobs, and creating foreign exchange opportunities with these products as exports.
Several Memoranda of Understanding and Expression of Interests are in place at the moment as the state continues to be the second highest destination for Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria, and prospects for growth in the Small and Medium Enterprises sector look promising.
With this urbanisation drive of the Emmanuel Udom’s administration, almost 65 per cent of the approximated five million indigenes and residents of the state have been pulled out of poverty, there has also been a quantum leap in the life expectancy age of an average Akwa Ibomite, increase in the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of the state and above all, a massive improvement in the quality of life of everyone in Akwa Ibom as there is an equal exposure to business opportunities, and social amenities.
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Friday, declared his intention to seek re-election, saying his current performance would return him to the Government House.
Emmanuel made the declaration in Uyo and said that his industrialisation efforts in the state was part of his major achievements since his inauguration in 2015.
His achievements, according to him, include the conglomeration of industrial clusters, which houses toothpick, pencil, syringe, electric metres and coconut factories as well as Peacock Paint, fertilizer firms and many kilometres of roads.
“No man is God. I submit myself for consideration to continue with the good work that I have done and I seek your support for my candidature as governor for second term,” he said.
The governor urged the people to support his aspiration for second term for the sustenance of the tempo of good governance he had introduced in the state.
He said that his predecessor left behind some uncompleted projects, including the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel at Ikot Ekpene and the Uyo – Ikot Ekpene road project.
He said that his administration had been working hard to ensure the completion of the projects and others begun by the former administration.
“Who said they had completed the Sheraton by Four Points Hotel?
“It is only today that we are negotiating with Starwood Group for the retaining of the name, which some people surreptitiously put up on a building,” he said.
In a remark, the Speaker, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr Onofiok Luke, charged members and supporters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to work towards the party’s victory at the polls in 2019.
Chairman of Emmanuel’s Re-election Committee and former military administrator of the state, Mr Idongesit Nkanga, also appeal to the people to support the governor for a second term.
Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers in his solidarity message, assured Gov. Emmanuel that he would be returned based on track record of his quality works in the state in the last three years.
He urged the people not to allow external influence to alter “the political arrangement ably directed by the PDP since 1999 in Akwa Ibom.’’
An Abuja based Human Rights lawyer, Leo Ekpenyong has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the security situation in Akwa Ibom state.
The activist said there was urgent need to address the situation before it escalated.
Ekpenyong was reacting to an alleged attack on the country home of Senator Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, in a statement in Abuja.
He said the level of insecurity in the state was becoming worrisome, and showed failure on the part of the state governor.
According to him, with the humongous security votes accruing to the state government, there is no excuse for the worsening security situation, which he said has degenerated.
He said the incessant attacks showed the failure of governance by the state government, and called on the governor, Emmanuel Udom to immediately resign or be voted out of office in 2019.
The statement reads: “The fundamental responsibility of any government is the protection of the lives of its citizens. When this is not guaranteed, when security votes accruable to the state cannot be justified, then there is no need to allow such a government to continue.
“Where a public servant, a leader who holds an office in trust for the people fails in the discharge of his responsibilities, the right thing to do is to bid him farewell.
“We cannot continue to lose lives and properties in scores, in large numbers without any remedial measures on the part of government to check these anomalies.
He expressed concerns that the situation might be taking a political twist, following the recent defection of senator Akpabio to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that the state government should be held responsible should anything happen to the former senate minority leader.
“The recent attack on the country home of Senator Godswill Akpabio leaves so much to be desired. The security situation in the last two years has gone from bad to worse.
“It’s a clear signal that there is need for urgent federal government intervention. The governor of the state, being the chief security officer of the state has failed in the maintenance of law, order and protection of lives and properties.
“It is on this note that we call on Mr. President to wade into the security breaches in Akwa Ibom state with a view to ensuring safety of lives and properties, until normalcy returns,” the statement said.
While urging the youths to eschew violence, Ekpenyong said the people cannot resolve to self-help, but have resolved to follow the constitutional process of calling on the federal government to take drastic action to avoid recurrence of the attacks.
“We call for peace and calm among the indigenes of the state. Some of the youths are worried with political hostilities that are budding in Akwa Ibom.
“We call on the youths to eschew all forms of violence and to resist the temptation to be used by desperate politicians to be used as agents of violence,” the statement added.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Akwa Ibom on Saturday described the former governor of the state, Godswill Akpabio, as a huge financial burden to the state government.
The elders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom Elders Vanguard said Akpabio’s excessive demands from Governor Udom Emmanuel’s administration had ended with his exit from the party.
Addressing journalists in Uyo, the leader of the group, Senator Anietie Okon, said Akpabio’s defection would allow Governor Udom to focus on the development of the state with steady financial resources instead of distraction from the ex-governor.
The elders, who were accompanied by Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, Obong Bassey Inuaeyen, Hon. Ndueson Essien Dr. Emmanuel Ukpong among others, also accused Akpabio of hypocrisy by making negative comments against Governor Udom.
The Akwa Ibom state government is currently taking care of over 800 orphans and vulnerable children in 5 homes belong to it, the state commissioner for women affairs and social welfare, Dr. (Mrs.) Glory Edit has said.
Edet, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in Uyo at an event to commemorate the 2018 International Day of the African Child, also disclosed that the state government is supporting women to take care of their children through the provision of loans and grants.
“The state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare is caring for over eight hundred orphans and vulnerable children in the five government homes.
“It is also giving loans and grants to our women to help them take care of their children”.
She explained that the essence of the event was to remember the protestation of the South African apartheid educational system in 1976, which culminated in the death of several children.
The commissioner also emphasized that the day provided an opportunity for the African continent to reflect on the agony and sufferings of the children with a view to consolidating efforts towards addressing the challenges.
She pointed out that the Child Right’s Law that was domesticated in 2008 is to principally protect children from anything that may militate against their safety, survival and right to maximize their God given potentials.
Edet commended the state governor, Mr. Emmanuel Udom for sustaining the free and compulsory basic education in public schools and for putting in place policies and programmes that impact on the lives of children in the state in different dimensions.
While commending Mr. Emmanuel for providing free health care services to children below five years old, she also showered encomiums on the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel for her unrelenting efforts in caring and providing for children in the state.
In her address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Edem thanked the children who attended the event and charged them to be involved in the fight against child abuse by reporting cases of abuse, stressing that their involvement will go a long way in reducing the scourge.
The theme of this year’s International Day of the African Child is ‘Leave no child behind for Africa’s development,.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night hinted that he might contest future elections.
Buhari gave the hint jokingly while interacting with the Nigerian community in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, even though he did not say if he was going to recontest the 2019 Presidential elections.
The President is in Abidjan, for the 5th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit.
The President while apologizing for keeping those that came for the interactive session waiting, explained that he insisted on having governors Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State and Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi State present, so that Nigerians in Côte d’Ivoire from the two states will be happy that he was accompanied by their governors and that might earn him votes in future.
He said “First I want to apologize for keeping you for too long seating; this is because I insisted on the governors attending this meeting. This is why I came along with them so that when we are going to meet you, when you are going to meet the rest of Nigerians if you tell them that their governors were in the accompany of the president, I think that will be another vote for me in the future. I’m very pleased that they were able to turn up,” he said
The hall immediately erupted in laughter and clapping.
The President also said that his support for President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, despite serving as minister in a PDP-led government was to further confirm his remarks at his inauguration on May 29th, 2015, that he belongs to everybody and nobody in particular.
The President who was reacting to Adesina’s gratitude to his administration for supporting him to get the job, leading to becoming the first Nigerian to head the continental bank since it was set up in 1964.
He said, “the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), who forgot to mention that he was serving in the PDP government as minister but all the same I picked him and recommended him for AfDB. I think it emphasized what I said during my swearing in that I’m for everybody, I’m for nobody. As long as you are a Nigerian be prepared to be on the receiving end from me.”
President Buhari also thanks the national leader, of the All Progressive Congress Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bringing him a beautiful piece of information which he was not aware of until now.
Buhari however did not disclose what piece of information it was but promised to discuss it in detail with Tinubu.
He said “I also thank our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has brought me a very beautiful piece of information which I was not aware of it until I sat down and read it this evening (Tuesday night). Thank you very much for your hardwork and I will discuss that paper with you.”
Adesina in his remarks noted that the economy picked up soon after the President’s health, adding that “so it seems there is a correlation between the President’s health and the improved economy.”
On security, Adesina said the bank has released $250 million for the construction and rehabilitation of the Northeast, destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
He also told the President that the AfDB has constructed a big building behind the Yar’Adua centre started in 2016 and completed.
He said it is the first of such building by AfDB outside its Abidjan headquarters which he will want President Buhari to commission.
Adesina said, “I want to thank you immensely. I want to thank God for your health because I must say that for all of us that has been a big concern. But seeing you fit as a fiddle and seeing you back in action, we thank God for that and may God continue to give you great strength.
“Mr. President as you must have noticed, there is a very strong correlation between your health and the economy and when you came back the economy picked up after that. So we wish you great health so that the economy can continue to pick.
“I also want to congratulate you for the economic growth and recovery plan that you have put in place and the incredible plan that you have put in place to bring the economy out of recession and also in terms of the fact that Nigeria has moved up in the World Bank ease of doing business index. Is to your leadership, vision and commitment that we want to from the African Development Bank commend you Mr. President and to assure you of our strong support behind you and your government for the efforts to try and move Nigeria forward. We are solidly behind you, you can count on that.
“I also want to thank you for your leadership on the Boko Haram issue because to draw investments into Nigeria, you absolutely have to have security. I think that securing our borders is very important thanks to your leadership for that. I also thank you for all the efforts you have made in the Lake Chad Basin Area.
“I was with you in Paris where you led the efforts in reviving the Lake Chad Basin. As you know Mr. President, the bank is very strongly behind that. We put in $250 million to support the northeast of Nigeria rebuilding. I know you were criticize for rebuilding but I don’t see anything wrong, if things get destroyed they have to be rebuilt and the African Development Bank has contributed $250 million towards that,” he said.
What has fallen us again this time? Not the winter but a night set to ditch out awards to sports men and women who have been excellent and consistent in the course of the year. It is no other than the Nigerian Sports Awards ( NSA ).
Last year’s edition’s glamour was stolen by the Paralympic athletes – as the duo of Kehinde Paul and Lucy Ejike, who were gold medalist at the Rio Paralympic Games against all odds emerged as the Sports Man and Woman respectively.
And ahead of the sixth edition of the biggest sporting award in the country which has been billed for Friday, November 17, 2017 in Lagos, and with no iota of disrespect to other award categories that even include both Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom who will be battling it out for the Governor of the year, we take a look at who deserves the Sportsman of the year between Basketball star, Ike Dihogu, 2017 ITTF Polish Open Champion – Aruna Qadri and Super Eagles star – Victor Moses.
Ike Dihogu
Ike Dihogu
The Jiangsu Monkey King of China power forward display at the last FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia was a testament to the fact that ‘age could at times be a number.’ Dihogu, who is D’Tigers’ captain was the only member of the 2015 AfroBasket squad invited for the title defence in Tunisia.
Though unable to lead a title defence, – as D’Tigers lost out to host nation Tunisia in the final 77-65, Dihogu was still able to manage a game high of 20 points in the final.
Asides record game high points in the final, the veteran recorded a tournament high 22 points per game and averaged 8.7 rebounds per game and it was by no chance or surprise when at the end, Dihogu emerged as the 2017 FIBA AfroBasket Tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
With a total of 132 points and Nigeria’s highest point scorer in four of the six games, Dihogu also emerged as the Tourney’s highest scorer and was also named on the All-Tournament Team.
Does Ike Dihogu deserve the Sportsman of the year award?
Aruna Quadri
The 2014 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Star Player of the Year is a household name when it comes to Nigeria Sports Award. The 29-year-old won the 2013 and 2014 Ball Sports Personality, the same category he has also been nominated for asides the Sportsman of the year for 2017 edition.
The 2016 Olympic quarter-finalist had a disastrous campaign at the ITTF Nigeria Open as he was defeated 4-3 by Bode Abiodun in the quarter-final of the championship. Undeterred by the upset and ignominious campaign at the Nigeria Open, Quadri righty predicted that the future is still his.
“It’s the strongest open so far – it wasn’t as expected. I gave all my best but it was a very good game for Bode Abiodun but I strongly believe the future is mine.” Quadri said.
Less than three months after the prediction, Quadri against all odds and expectations became the First African to win an ITTF open outside the shores of the continent. He defeated Japan’s Kali Yoshida in six sets (11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 14-12).
Quadri’s feet both on the African continent and outside made ITTF describe him as a record setter.
ITTF publication editor, Ian Marshall wrote after Quadri’s feet at the Polish Open: “At the Liebherr 2014 Men’s World Cup in Dusseldorf, Quadri Aruna became the first player from Africa to reach the quarter-final stage of the prestigious tournament.
“Just over one year ago in the Men’s single event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, he replicated the feat. Against all expectation he reached the round of the last eight.”
Also fellow Nigerian table tennis star, Omotayo Olajide sees Quadri as a great leader.
He wrote this on his facebook timeline after Quadri’s Polish Open triumph: “Continue paving way for us and may God continue to empower you … You are a great leader #respect# Aruna senior.”
With the remarkable feet at the Polish Open, Quadri joined Omar Assar as the only African players that represented the continent at the Men’s ITTF World Cup that held in Liege, Belgium.
Should the Sportsman of the year award go to Aruna Quadri?
Victor Moses
Victor Moses
The 2013 Nigeria Sports Award Footballer of the year has been one of the most consistent and if not the most important player for Nigeria in the year 2017.
His contributions to the National team was vital in the quest for the country qualifying for her sixth World Cup billed for next year in Russia.
The 27-year-old former Crystal Palace footballer has also been one of the most vital players in the Chelsea’s dressing room – raking up 40 appearances for Chelsea last season. With 28 starts and five substitution appearances in the English Premier League last season, Moses became the Nigerian with the most appearances for a title winning team.
With loans to Liverpool and West-ham, Moses, last season became one of Conte’s most trusted and loyal disciples.
His contributions has been vital for the Blues as many including club legend, Frank Lampard, who believes Chelsea’s struggle prior to the Blues 1-0 victory over Manchester United last two Sunday was as a result of the unavailability of the Nigerian due to a hamstring injury.
Asides his nomination for Nigeria Sports Award, Victor Moses has been nominated for BBC African Footballer of the Year award and as well in contention to win the Confederation of African Football’s player of the Year award.
On his recent nominations, Moses, in an interview with Goal.com said his teammates and Manager have been vital for his recent nominations. According to him, he wants to be the best player not just in Nigeria but Africa.
“I am pleased with the position I am in today, Moses said. “My manger and teammates helped me and encouraged me. It shows how hard I worked last year but it isn’t about being nominated but winning.
“Whatever the outcome is, I know that I have had a great year at the club and with the national team as well.
“I was part of the first African team to qualify for the World Cup as well which was good for us. Every season I want to be the best I can be to be Africa’s best player. I will do the best I can.”
With enviable records and statistics set by the trio of Ike Dihogu, Aruna Quadri and Victor Moses in 2017, it is a disrespect if any of them should win the award at the expense of the other two. But the truth is, one person must go home with the award.
With what the duo of Dihogu and Quadri have achieved this year, one do not need a soothsayer to know that Victor Moses will emerge victorious.
No disrespect to Dihogu and Quadri feats, but the fact that basketball and table tennis are not as popular as football in Nigeria might give Moses the edge.
Regardless, Dihogu or Quadri are still darlings of Nigerian sports fans, and have equal probabilities of winning. The media, especially, social media will definitely be agog this with reports, predictions and celebration for whoever among the three excellent sportsmen wins the award.
