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Tag: John Peters

  • Bishop urges Muslims, Christians to live in peace

    The President of the Niger Delta Bishops and Ministers Forum, Dr Julius Ediwe, on Friday appealed to Muslims and Christians to live in harmony and promote peaceful coexistence.

    Ediwe madé the call when he led a delegation of bishops and ministers of the region on a peace building visit to National Mosque in Abuja.

    The delegation was received by the Executive Secretary, Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega.

    Ediwe told his hosts that religious leaders had a duty to properly guide their followers on the true tenets of their faith.

    He warned that God will hold religious leaders responsible for the spate of violence in the country.

    Ediwe said that the role of religious leaders in promoting peace and tolerance between Muslims and Christians could not be overemphasised.

    Ediwe said that there could never be any meaningful development without peace in the country.

    The president called on Christian clergies to ensure that their followers shun all forms of violence, support the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and pray for his quick recovery.

    “I am here at the National Mosque Abuja to thank God for the month of Ramadan which is being observed in the Muslim community.

    “I want to say to Nigeria that the texture of violence that is going on in the country is the evidence of trouble coming to the country.

    “So I am using that to say all religion both Christian and Muslims should come together and pray for the peace of this country.

    “One of the reasons for coming here is to ensure that Nigeria witnesses sustainable peace and development.

    “We want peace for this country and that is why I came here to the National mosque to meet our brothers to come together and pray for the country,” Ediwe said.

    Bishop John Peters, the Secretary, United Bishops and Eminent Clerics Initiative, said that the group supports the anti-corruption crusade of President Buhari.

    He said, “Corruption is the biggest problem of Nigeria.”

    Responding, Jega said the visit of the President of the Niger Delta Bishops and the Ministers Forum signified that Nigeria was one entity under the almighty God.

    The executive secretary also said that the physical presence of the Bishop at the mosque in the month of

    Ramadan signified solidarity as it was not only Muslims that fast , Christians also do fast.

    “Nigeria is a country comprising of Muslims and Christians and so God wants us to be and so no nobody can separate Christians from Muslims or Muslims from Christians in Nigeria.

    “We will continue as one indivisible nation, as one Nigeria.

    “We will also continue as Christians and Muslims living under God with love and respect for one another despite the fact that our worship format may be different.”

  • Oyetayo stuns Jamiu as Otu-Akpan claims singles titles

    Oyetayo stuns Jamiu as Otu-Akpan claims singles titles

    The best of table tennis was on display at the weekend at the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships as Sola Oyetayo rallied from 0-3 down to stun Azeez Jamiu, to claim the men’s singles title.
    The colourful final was well-attended by dignitaries across the country include Director, Grassroots Sports of Ministry of Youth and Sports, Demola Are as well as proprietor of Nath FC of Lagos, Yemi Idowu and to their expectations, the tournament lived up to its billing.
    From the outcome of the men’s singles final, it was obvious that the country is blessed with abundant talents, while the comeback of the Sola Oyetayo was the climax of the championship.
    From the start of the encounter, it was as if Azeez Jamiu was in the driver seat racing to a 3-0 lead. But a sheer determination coupled with his calmness became the joker for Oyetayo, as the player rallied from 0-3 down to win at 4-3 to the admiration of the fans and dignitaries who enjoyed every moment of the encounter.
    Member of the female national team, Cecilia Otu-Akpan displayed her skill against Fatimo Bello as the Cross River-based star defeated the Lagos’ Bello 4-0 to claim the women singles titles.
    For her feat in junior and senior events, Ajoke Ojomu was adjudged the most valuable female player of the competition with cash reward to show for her efforts.
    Ojomu, a member of Abuja-based G20 team claimed the women and junior girls’ team titles at the five-day tournament held at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium.
    According to the Tournament Director, John Peters, the tournament would surely help members of the Nigeria junior team going to the 2016 ITTF World Junior Championships holding in South Africa later this month. “The championships served as a final training session for our South Africa- bound junior players. Happily, the young lads and lasses lived up to expectations. They not only won several prizes, but also won awards as the players of the championships in both female and male categories. The organisation was super and praise worthy. I wish our ambassadors to the ITTF Junior World championships a good outing. I must also give kudos to the NTTF President, Wahid Oshodi for rallying his friends to sponsor the competition. I call on al lovers of table tennis in Nigeria to support him to ensure that there are top performing players to succeed the Toriolas, the Oshonnaikes and the Arunas when they retire,” Peters said.

  • NTTF Championships: National Stadium comes alive as 300 players begin hostilities

    NTTF Championships: National Stadium comes alive as 300 players begin hostilities

    The Indoor Hall of the National Stadium was yesterday ignited, as over 300 players across the country began the race for titles and cash prizes at the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships.
    With 18 titles at stake at the five-day N2.8m prize money championship, the team event kick-started the competition.
    20 female teams and over 40 male teams will jostle for honours in the event, while the para and junior, as well as cadet events, will begin today at the National Training Centre.
    According to the competition manager, John Peters, the turn-out of players and teams will be the biggest in the last three years, as some of the retired players are also taking part in the championship.
    Among the old players rubbing shoulders with the young ones, is Taofeek Maya, who is a former African champion in the 1990s.
    Maya, who recently won a tournament in Gabon, told NationSport that he hopes to use the championship to inspire the junior players. “I am over 50 years of age but I can tell you that there is no age barrier in table tennis and that is why Segun Toriola can still be competing with the continent’s and world’s best in major competitions. For me, table tennis is my life and I am enjoying every moment. I hope to make a statement with my performance in this competition. I must also commend the NTTF under the headship of Wahid Oshodi for restoring the glory of the sport. Table tennis is now getting popular as it used to be in the 1990s. I am happy that I am part of this resurgence,” Maya said.

  • NTTF championships: 300 players begin hostilities

    NTTF championships: 300 players begin hostilities

    The Indoor Hall of the National Stadium was on Tuesday ignited as over 300 players across the country begin the race for titles and cast rewards at the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) National Championships.

    With 18 titles at stake at the five-day N2.8m prize money championship, the team event kick-started the competition.

    20 female teams and over 40 male teams will jostle for honours in the event while the para and junior, as well as cadet events, will begin today at the National Training Centre.

    According to the competition manager, John Peters, the turn-out of players and teams would be the biggest in the last three years as some of the retired players are also taking part in the championship.

     Among the ageing players rubbing shoulders with the young ones is Taofeek Maya, who was a former African champion in the 1990s.

    Maya, who recently won a tournament in Gabon told NationSports that he hopes to use the championship to inspire the junior players. “I am more than 50 years of age but I can tell you that there is no age barrier in table tennis and that is why Segun Toriola can still be competing with the continent and world best in major competitions. For me, table tennis is my life and I am enjoying every moment.

    I hope to make a statement with my performance in this competition. I must also commend the NTTF under the leadership of Wahid Oshodi for restoring the glory of the sport. Now table tennis is now getting popular as it used to be in the 1990s. I am happy that I am part of this resurgence,” May said.

  • NTTF: Registration deadline looms as teams brace up

    NTTF: Registration deadline looms as teams brace up

    Barring any last minute change, time is ticking on the maiden Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF)-organised National Championships as teams have started shaping up for the competition scheduled to serve off on November 15.

    Teams like Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun states are at present, rounding up their preparations for the competition after they have also confirmed their participation at the championship, as registration deadline looms for the five-day tournament.

    For the Secretary General of NTTF, Chinedu Ezeala-Ogundare, teams like Ondo, Ekiti, Osun and Ogun have all finalised their registration for the competition, while the final entry for the championship has been fixed for November 7.

    “We have already round off the first deadline on October 31 and while teams that failed to meet up with the deadline have been given the opportunity to register but they are expected to fail the fine for not meeting up with the first deadline. However, she said November 7 is the final entry of all the teams, adding that any team that fail to meet the date will not be allowed to be part of the championship,” she said.

    She, however, said the federation would want to finalise the arrangement for the kick-off of the championship on November 15 with mouthwatering prize money at stake at the tournament scheduled to hold at the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium as well as the National Training Centre. 18 titles are expected to be battled for at the six-day championship.

    For the tournament director, John Peters, the championship is aimed at complementing the efforts of the federation at unearthing talents, as well as keeps the local players active for major competitions within and outside the country.

  • Registration begins for NTTF national championship

    Registration begins for NTTF national championship

  • NTTF national championships to ignite Lagos

    NTTF national championships to ignite Lagos

    Lagos National Stadium will come alive in November as hundreds of players across the country are expected to battle for the 18 titles at stake at the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) national championships.

    As table tennis action returns to the Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, the six-day championship is expected to throw up talents for the country with senior, junior, cadet, para and veteran expected to compete for the diadems at stake.

    The tournament director, John Peters, said singles and doubles events would be part of the tournament while singles events will be the major event in all the categories.

    “This is another opportunity for our players to showcase their skills as well as play themselves into the national teams. After the performance of Aruna Quadri at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, it is clear to us that with more efforts we can produce more Quadri that will stun the world. This national championship is another platform that our players have to prove their mettle and we are set to ensure that it is of high standard. Also, we are adding that para events in order to give more of the special athletes to exhibit their talents so that we can have more of them making it to the Paralympic Games,” Peters said.

    Peters, who was one of the umpires that handled proceedings at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, said that that deadline for registration of teams and players for the championship is scheduled for October 31while the championship holds on November 15 to 19.

    According to the President of NTTF, Wahid Oshodi, the tournament is meant to complement efforts being made by the Federation to unearth talents as well as engage the players in order to keep them active for major competitions.

  • Jonathan approves 12 new judges for Industrial Court

    Jonathan approves 12 new judges for Industrial Court

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of 12 new Judges for the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NIC).

    This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja, on Friday, by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. John Tergema.

    They judges are; Justices Edith Agbakoba, Anthonia Ubaka, Olufunke Anuwe, John Peters, Oyejoju Oyewumi, Kenneth Amadi, Peter Lifu, Rakiya Haastrup, Waziri Abali, Rabi Gwadu, Lawal Mani and Ebeye Isele.

    The statement said the appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of 12 Judges for the National Industrial Court.

    “The approval is sequel to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that before the appointment the court had eight judges, including the president, Justice Babatunde Adejumo.

    According to the statement, the judges will be sworn-in by the CJN on May 22 at the Supreme Court.