The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ilorin

  • KFA appoints Adepoju as new CEO

    KFA appoints Adepoju as new CEO

    The Board of the Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin, has appointed ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju, as the new Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the academy.

    A statement signed on behalf of the academy by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Harmony Holdings Ltd., Tunde Abodunde, said the appointment takes effect from January 2.

    The statement said Adepoju was expected to use his multiple competencies as a football administrator to enhance the profile of the Academy. It added that Adepoju was considered for the position based on his skills garnered in football management.

    “We believe he will use his experience and proven ability to strengthen the development and marketing of youthful football talents at the academy,’’ the statement said.

    Adepoju, before his retirement from active football, had most of his career in the Spanish La Liga and represented Nigeria in three World Cup tournaments.

    The ex-Super Eagles player, a holder of the UEFA Professional Coaching licence, was once the manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan. He had after retirement, involved himself in football administration.

  • I prevented clash between Yorubas and Fulanis, says emir

    The Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari Thursday said he prevented clash between Yoruba and Fulani about two months ago.

    The emir who spoke this at the  at the  annual national delegate conference of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) at Fufu in Ilorin South Local Government Area said the war could have started off from his domain before it was averted.

    He disclosed that the clash between the Yoruba people and the Fulani herdsmen at Alapa area in Asa local government in the Ilorin Emirate was to trigger off the war before his intervention.

    The clash which was said to begin with a fight between a Fulani cattle rearer and a Yoruba man in the Alapa area had reportedly degenerated into a more dangerous violence in which many people lost their lives in the area.

    The emir said that some people alleged that after the death of a Yoruba man in the Fulani/Yoruba man clash, members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), a Yorruba militant group were mobilised to attack the Fulani people in the area the following day.

    He said that it was further alleged that after the OPC members killed many of the Fulani herdsmen, their wives and children they carried away their cattle and disposed them off in Ibadan.

    The monarch disclosed that this allegation made a group of militants from the far north of the country to mobilise themselves and prepared to come to Ilorin to avenge the killings of their Fulani kinsmen.

    He said that when he heard of this plan he quickly intervened by explaining to the people that the progenitor of the head of Ilorin Emirate is from the Sokoto sultanate and that both the Fulani and Yoruba people in the emirate are a one people cohabitating without discrimination.

    Sulu-Gambari disclosed that what he said discouraged the people to go ahead with their vengeance mission and thanked God that his  intervention worked saying the reprisal attack would have aggravated security problem of the country.

    He said that the remaining Fulani herdsmen who have been displaced after their huts were burnt were put in a camp where he volunteered N1m for their feeding alongside the assistance the Kwara state government rendered.

  • Where is Faysal Harb?

    Where is Faysal Harb?

    Close watchers of the social scene in Ilorin, Kwara State would know that one of the rockers of the social space, Faysal Harb, has been missing in action for some time. The Chairman of Bulletine Construction Company once bestrode the social and economic firmaments of Kwara State like a colossus. Not only did he enjoy a cult following among the youths who have been major beneficiaries of his enterprise and benevolence, being friends with him was always the desire of everyone, including the powers that be in the state.

    His footprints could be seen in every nook and cranny of the state as well as the neighbouring states courtesy his chain of businesses. But the billionaire businessman has been missing from social functions since his business suffered a downturn. The husband of notable Ilorin socialite, Jumoke, was also said to have taken a break from the social radar as a result of a health challenge he suffered some time ago. While he has since recovered from the health challenge, he has been living a very quiet life since then.

    However, Jumoke has kept the social flag flying in his absence. She runs the biggest private school and salon in Ilorin

  • Training plane crash-lands in Ilorin

    Training plane crash-lands in Ilorin

    Authorities of the International Aviation College, Ilorin, Kwara State, yesterday said one of their training aircraft crash-landed.

    The incident occurred within the college’s vicinity.

    On board were an instructor and two students, who escaped unhurt, Acting Rector Abdulmumini Abdulkarim said.

    Abdulkarim, who briefed reporters in Ilorin, said: “As a pilot of over 32 years experience, their escape is commendable.”

    He said: “Today, an incident involving a single-engine aircraft DA40 with registration number 5N-BRD occured at 11.33am. Three people were on board.

    “They escaped without injury. They were taken to the college’s clinic for proper check and certified okay.

    “The college contacted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), which are the regulatory bodies. We are awaiting their arrival from Abuja.”

    The rector added that the aircraft suffered structural damage, adding: “We operate single and double-engine aircraft for training. In the last two years of operations, we have not experienced any incident.”

     

  • Man remanded over culpable homicide

    An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Thursday remanded Salisu Bello, 37, for allegedly killing one Babuga Musa.
    The accused was alleged to have conspired with seven others now at large to inflict machete cuts on   the deceased.
    The incident was said to have occurred on Sept. 13 at Mugudu Village in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara.
    The prosecutor, Cpl. Sanni Abdullahi, told the court that the accused claimed the deceased was among some armed robbers who attacked his father while returning from the Kara market.
    Abdullahi said that the accused was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide contrary to sections 97 and 221 of the Penal Code Law.
    The plea of the accused was not taken by the court.
    The prosecutor, however, objected to the bail of the accused on the ground that the alleged offences were not bailable.
    Magistrate Mariam Mogaji ordered the remand of the accused at the Okekura Prison Yard, Ilorin.
    She adjourned the case to Nov. 24 for mention.
  • Ilorin stampede

    Ilorin stampede

    The Sallah stampede in Ilorin, Kwara State, is a reflection of the viral poverty level in a country of plenty. Yet, the nation wantonly fails in her duty to provide for her citizenry. It is poignant to note that over 20 people, virtually old women, died while jostling with others to have a bite of the Sallah crumbs donated by Sen. Bukola Saraki, the immediate past governor of the state. According to reports, most victims of the stampede were loyalists of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The Eid-el-Kabir catastrophe reportedly commenced as a carnival at Ile Arugbo, Ilofa Road, Ilorin. But, by the time scrambling for the Sallah gifts such as food items and other commodities was over, the end result was not what was bargained for. Many were injured, the aged and the weak reportedly fainted, some of them never regained consciousness; they passed on in their worthless pursuit of consumables that may not last them beyond 48 hours!

    We recollect that similar incidents occurred in the state in 2010 and 2011. Sadly, the condemnable act is not restricted to Ilorin. For example, in Sokoto State at the start of the last Ramadan fasting, three teenagers reportedly died during a related act of charity in a scramble for gifts at the governor’s residence.

    Senator Saraki, the donor of the gifts, expectedly had expressed sadness over the fatalities. However, the issue at stake is beyond mere outpouring of condolences but more importantly the lessons learnt to forestall a recurrence. No doubt, the former governor must have inherited the charity tradition from his late father who was a politician of national significance and ‘strong man’ of Kwara State politics during his life time.

    But the demeaning culture of alms-giving, not only in Kwara but other states in the country, is a manifestation of the high retardation level of the people. The trend of alms-giving under the guise of observing religious injunction has created a needlessly subservient citizenry – a people that wantonly look up to the rich and politically powerful in the society for their survival. In most cases, the men of power deploy alms as a tool more for reinforcing power than as a mark of adherence to almighty God’s injunction.

    We ask: Why must citizens rely on alms from the well-heeled members of the society, especially those in power, before they could be happy during any festivity? Rather than institutional development, why should a public officer derive joy in individual doling out of gifts to the governed in the society at the expense of their right to dignity? We still wonder whether if Saraki in his eight years of governing Kwara State had entrenched the required safety nets for the people, incidents such as the last stampede would not have been averted.

    A system that allows the weak to remain perpetual slaves of the powerful should be discouraged in all parts of the country. And if it has to be done, it must be done in such a way that would not jeopardise the safety and dignity of beneficiaries?

    We deplore a situation whereby a festivity like the Eid-el-Kabir that is meant to save and celebrate life was turned to one that has taken lives in Kwara State. Senator Saraki should deploy his resources to correct things that he did not do while he was in power that has made Kwara people to remain poor today.

     

  • ABS’ Suleiman gingers mates to go for victory

    ABS’ Suleiman gingers mates to go for victory

    From Tunde Liadi,Owerri

    ABS’ defensive midfielder, Ismaila Suleiman has charged his colleagues to go all out for a win against Warri Wolves and guide the Ilorin side to premier league safety in the final game of the Glo Premier League season slated for today.

    The Ilorin side must beat Warri Wolves at the Warri Township Stadium if they want to remain in the elite division but Suleiman has enthused that the task won’t be difficult if the players are ready to proverbially laid down their lives for the cause of ABS.

    “We all know the reason why we have come to Warri and we don’t need to be told at all. We must stick together and fight as one to ensure that we beat Warri Wolves. The odds we may say something differently but if we are confident of what we can do, Warri Wolves can be surmounted at their backyard,” Suleiman said.

    ABS are 13th on the log with 50 points from 37 matches but they could still be relegated if they lose at Warri today and their nearest rivals get positive results.

  • Ilorin has always been a good ground for us-Warri Wolves

    Ilorin has always been a good ground for us-Warri Wolves

    Warri Wolves has expressed they areconfident of picking the maximum points at the Kwara State Stadium,Ilorin today in their matchday 29 Glo Premier League clash with Kwara United.

    The Seasiders said the stadium has always proven to be a good hunting ground for them in recent times having remained unbeaten there this season.

    The club played two Federation Cup matches (against Spotlight of Katsina and Kano Pillars) and a league game against ABS which they won 2-0 earlier this season.

    Warri Wolves’ media officer, Moses Etu revealed to SportingLife that the club would ensure the unbeaten record is sustained when they face the Afonja Warriors today in the elite division tango.

    “Ilorin has always been a good ground for us. We are yet to lose there this season. We won a league match and two Federation Cup games there in the three matches we played there this season. We shall come out smoking against Kwara United on Saturday and ensure that we keep our unbeaten record intact,” Etu told SportingLife.

    Warri Wolves are sixth on the log with 42 points from 28 games while Kwara United are fifth with 44 points from same number of matches.

  • Akwa Utd rue Ilorin defeat

    Akwa Utd rue Ilorin defeat

    Akwa United media officer Uwem Ekoh has disclosed his side’s disappointment over the slim 1-0 defeat to Ilorin-based club, ABS FC in a Glo Premier League week 28 fixture at the Ilorin Township Stadium on Wednesday.

    After an impressive first half showing against the hosts, Kelvin Njoku’s own goal ten minutes after the break was all ABS needed to overcome a 10-man Akwa United side and earn maximum points.

    Ekoh, in an interview with futaa.com, said the visitors deserved to have left Ilorin with at least a point and also commended the effort of Akwa’s playing staff for a great display.

    “ABS defeat was a disappointing result for us. I think the team played well and deserved to have left Ilorin with at least a point.

    “Having said that we have put the defeat behind us and now focused on our next home game,” Ekoh said.

    The team departed Ilorin for Uyo on Thursday to begin preparations for their weekend Glo Premier League week 29 fixture against Sharks of Port Harcout.

    The Uyo-based club now sit 15th on the NPL table with 37 points from 27 league games after the week 28 round of matches with a game in hand.

  • Lobi seek to turn table in Ilorin

    Lobi seek to turn table in Ilorin

    For league fans who will be storming Ilorin the Kwara state Capital today for the tie between ABS and Lobi Stars, the question will be, can ABS re-enact the feat they achieved at about this time last season when they hit the Makurdi based side 2-1, or will Lobi who are currently having a good run in the Federation Cup turn the table with ease.

    With Lobi Vice Chairman Dominic Iorfa’ recent warning to opponents in both the league and FA Cup to prepare for battle royal whenever the face Lobi, soccer fans are sure to witness fireworks at Ilorin.

    The Makurdi landlords qualification for the semi finals of the FA cup where they will face two time CAf Champions league side Enyimba, has further warmed them into the hearts of their teeming fans who are likely to turn out in large numbers today.

    Although a few soccer fans attempted to predict possible result many prefere to wait and see which way the pendulum will swing.