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Dalung urged national federations to start preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympics

Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youths and Sports, has urged national sports federations to commence preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in order to achieve success.

Dalung who spoke at the closing ceremony of the 2017 National Karate Open Championship in Abuja said sports federations hoping to win laurels at the 2020 Olympics must commence preparations early.

Represented by Tayo Oreweme, the Director of the Sports Ministry’s Federation and Elite Athletes Department ( FEAD ), the minister noted that the Tokyo Games would be karate’s first Olympic outing.

“This will be the first time karate will feature at the Games, hence the need to commence preparations and be part of that history,’’ he said.

Dalung said it was important that preparation should commence immediately in view of the need for the Karate Federation of Nigeria to have its athletes qualify for the Games.

“I hope that the federation’s technical team has been able to identify high-profile athletes from this championship who will be nurtured to stardom to win medals at the Olympics.

“To qualify for the Olympics, all hands must be on deck.

“I want to encourage the federation to spread its tentacles, to get to the corporate and private organisations, as well as the World Karate Federation, for financial and technical support which will ensure successful outings at the qualifying competitions,” he said.

Dalung also called on the national federations to concentrate more on constant organisation of zonal and national competitions for all age categories.

“This is what will help you to identify and nurture potential athletes to represent Nigeria at international competitions,’’ the minister said.

Earlier, President of the federation, Silas Agara, had said karate was becoming a global sport capable of building bridges of love, friendship and cooperation among nations.

“It is for this reason that its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games has come to us as a positive development.

“It is my hope and expectation that all stakeholders, athletes, coaches, referees, administrators and sponsors will strive to make our collective dream come true in our determination to place our country on the map of world recognition.

“I urge all participants in the national championship to commit themselves to the sport with all sense of patriotism, having in mind that the essence of participating in competitions is not only the euphoria of winning.

“Have it in mind that there is more fulfillment in the coming together to enhance national integration,’’ he said.

Agara restated the federation’s resolve to open up opportunities for all athletes, regardless of gender, class or age, in order to enable sportsmen and women realise their aspirations.

He promised to ensure equal development and promotion of karate in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT through sustained courses, seminars, competitions and provision of access to facilities.

Agara said no stone would be left unturned as the federation sets out to identify athletes who possess the needed potential for the 2020 Olympics.

NAN reports that FCT and Lagos won gold in the kata female and male team events respectively.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Rotary Club screens 118 people for eye diseases in Lagelu North LCDA

No fewer than 118 residents of Oyedeji Community in Igbo Elerin, Lagelu North Local Government Area of Ibadan have benefited from the free eye screening carried out by the Rotary Club of Ibadan, Jericho-Metro.

The exercise was a collaboration of Rotary Club of Ibadan, Jericho-Metro and the Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

Kunle Are, the President of the club of Ibadan said on Sunday that substantial funding for the outreach was provided by Kakanfo Inn and the Conference Centre, Ibadan.

According to the Rotary president, the exercise was part of Rotary’s corporate Social Responsibility to provide free healthcare services for the communities, school children and people at the grassroots.

He disclosed that 118 patients were screened, for various eye diseases, including cataract, glaucoma and allergies, while 16 patients were referred to UCH for further eye treatment.

Are said that Rotary Club would not relent in its efforts to provide healthcare services to the communities and the nation at large.

Mr Akanmu Arowomole, Chairman, Lagelu North LCDA, who was also one of the beneficiaries, thanked Rotary Club for its laudable efforts in taking healthcare services to the grassroots.

The traditional leader of the community, Chief Oyetunji Owolabi, also thanked the Rotary Club for the outreach.

He said the community and all beneficiaries would always pray for members of the club for bringing succour to the health needs of the masses.

Children, old people and indigent patients enjoyed free drugs, eye glasses and other medications.

People from other communities around Oyedeji town also benefited from the outreach.

NAN

November 26, 2017
FIDA urges stakeholders to push for adoption of VAPP Act

The International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA ) on Saturday urged government and relevant stakeholders to push for the adoption and effective implementation of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, 2015 (VAPP Act).

The National President of FIDA, Mrs Inime Aguma, made the call in a statement to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in Abuja.

“The legislation addresses all forms of violence; it is a legal instrument and if diligently utilised, it will aid in improving the various forms of violence against women,” she stated.

She noted that the theme for this year’s celebration — “Leave no one behind: End violence against women” focused on women and girls.

She explained that “from Nov. 25 to Dec. 10, 2017, our focus is on raising awareness on issues of violence against women and girls, and mobilising people to bring about change.

“FIDA Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate the commencement of the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

“It is a huge cause for concern that despite efforts to put a stop to violence against women and girls in our societies, women are still subjected to all forms of violence.”

According to her, the reports from FIDA Nigeria and other branches across the country reveal high number of incidences of violence against women on a daily basis.

She said the acts include rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment, reproductive coercion, female infanticide, prenatal sex selection, obstetric violence, and mob violence.

Aguma said others include detention of pregnant women, as well as harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation, marriage by abduction and forced marriage, maltreatment of widows and killings for ritual rites.

“Other forms of violence organised by criminal networks include trafficking in women and forced prostitution.

“FIDA Nigeria condemns every form of violence meted on our women.

“We will continue to carry out campaigns to sensitise the public and government on the need to key into the global call for violence-free societies for all women by 2030.”

NAN

November 26, 2017
300 women receive vegetable seeds, farm implements in Delta

At least 300 women in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta have been empowered with vegetable seeds and farm implements, an aide to the state governor, said on Saturday.

Speaking in an interview in Asaba, Dr Genevieve Mordi, the Senior Special Assistant to Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on International Relations, said the empowerment programme was to encourage more women to engage in agriculture, especially vegetable farming.

Mordi said that the vision was driven by the need to instill in the people of the state the “Western-style’’ mind-set of farming.

“The vision is also aimed at erasing the erroneous notion that some particular crops cannot do well in the state.

“I am particularly worried that sometimes, we are at the mercies of our northern brothers for the supply of some crops and vegetables such as tomato and onion, among others.

“These crops some of us earlier believed cannot do well in this part of the country.

“Delta state, by divine coordination is well situated geographically and my vision is to see a Delta State where farming becomes a specialised profession as it is in the western hemisphere where farming is not just limited to supplying the food chain but also expands into agri-tourism ,’’ she said.

According to her, Agri-tourism, hotels are built within organised farming settlement, activities such as fruit picking, customised foods, custom smoothness and juices blends by the hotel guests could be included as part of the tourism package to attract guests nationally and internationally.

“We already have this in Aqua-culture termed as ‘point and kill’. It is just adapting same practice to fruits and vegetables.

“This will definitely lead to job creation and increased revenue generation. We will get there one day and real soon,’’ Mordi said.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Messi signs new contract with Barca until 2021

Lionel Messi has signed a new contract with Spanish clubside FC Barcelona until 2021, the Liga leaders confirmed on Saturday.

This ended speculation that the five-times World Player of the Year could leave the club he has spent his entire career for free next June.

“FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi signed on Saturday morning a new contract that will keep the Argentine superstar at the club through the 2020/21 season,” said a statement from Barca, posting a picture of Messi signing the deal alongside club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

“The buyout clause was set at 700 million euros (626.25 million pounds).”

Messi agreed the new contract with FC Barcelona in July but the club did not release the usual photo of the player putting pen to paper.

This had fuelled speculation he could depart in June 2018, when his previous deal ran out, for free.

Messi leads the scoring charts in La Liga with 12 goals and on Friday picked up the 2017 European Sports Media Golden Shoe.

It was for being the top scorer in a domestic league last season with 37 goals.

Barca can extend their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points if they beat second-placed Valencia on Sunday

Reuters/NAN

November 26, 2017
Borno to convert Boko Haram leader’s house to museum

The Borno Government says it will convert the house of the former leader of Boko Haram sect, Mohammed Yusuf, to a museum.

The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Dr Mohammed Bulama, disclosed this at the sidelines of the 9th National Council for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation held in Dutse, Jigawa.

The Council with the theme “Tourism and Culture as Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery’’ was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Bulama said in an interview that the museum would help to archive all things related to Boko Haram insurgency to attract tourists and for the benefits of future generation.

“We are going to convert the house of the leader of the Boko Haram sect Mohammed Yusuf where the insurgency all started from, to a museum.

“The place is called Maarcas; we want to build a museum there where all the things that had happened relating to the insurgency will be archived.

“We want to document and archive all that had happened so that our future generation will be able to have first hand information,” he said.

Yusuf, sect leader and founder of the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram was killed in 2009 and his group has continued to constitute serious security threat to Borno and other states in the North-east.

The Commissioner said the State was also planning to turn the Sambisa forest, which used to be the insurgents’ haven, to a tourist centre by reviving the already existing games reserve in the forest.

“Last year, Gov. Kashim Shettima made a pronouncement to the effect that every Dec. 22, will be declared a public holiday in Borno because that is the day the military declared that they had captured Ground Zero in Sambisa forest.

“What we intend to do when stability is fully achieved is to convert the forest into a tourist attraction in order to show the world what has happened.

“Before insurgency, we used to have a game reserve in the Sambisa forest, we are going to revive that,” he said.

According to Bulama, Borno is very rich in culture and diversity; and the government would use the security situation in the State for tourism advantage.

Bulama said that the meeting in Dutse witnessed very robust contributions in form of memorandum presentations and intervention by participants and other stakeholders in the culture and tourism sectors.

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, who also spoke at the event, said that “culture and tourism are intertwined and cannot be separated.”

He explained that “culture is the brand that tourism sells” and it should be approached based on the strength and rich potential of each state or political zone.

Runsewe said the meeting would enable stakeholders strategise on harnessing the potential in culture and tourism to become a new oil for the country.

Speaking in the same vein, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr Garba Abari, said his Agency would use its various platforms to sensitise the people on the country’s diverse cultural heritage and tourism potential.

He said the Agency would work with all States and stakeholders to boost local tourism for employment generation and other economic advantages.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Gov. Wike National Wrestling Challenge kicks off with 22 states

The maiden edition of Gov. Nyesom Wike National Wrestling Championships started on Sunday with 22 states participating.

The states are Jigawa, Kano, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Ebonyi, Delta, Edo, Niger, Bayelsa, Rivers, Kogi, Osun, Ondo, Anambra, Enugu, Lagos, Bauchi, Ogun, Sokoto, Katsina and Kebbi.

Other participants includes the Nigeria Army, Mountain of Fire Ministries Wresting club and the Federal Capital Territory.

All the participants at the Wike National Wrestling Championships converged on the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civic Centre, Port Harcourt the venue of the five-day competition.

Daniel Igali, the President, Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), told our correspondent that exciting dimension would be introduced in this tournament.

“Every weight category event in a day will end at the quarter finals so that the remaining semi and final matches will be done the next day.

“We are no longer finishing all weight categories in a day. I get a lot of questions from people on how all is been done in a day.

“The essence of this is to make it more interesting and allow spectators to enjoy the games very well,” he said.

The 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist, however, urged wrestling enthusiasts not to miss this one of a kind competition.

“This competition is entirely different from what we used to have and it’s unique,” said Igali.

The wranglers at the venue wore determined faces and ready to fight for spaces in the national team ahead of next years African Championships.

NAN

November 26, 2017
PDP chairmanship: Bode George challenges co-aspirants to public debate

A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) national chairmanship aspirant, Chief Bode George, has challenged other contestants to an open debate on their vision and agenda for the party.

This was contained in a statement issued by his political adviser and media aide, Mr Uthman Fadipe on Sunday.

According to the statement, George gave the challenge during his visit to party delegates in Sokoto on Saturday as part of his campaign tour of the country.

He said whoever wanted to lead the party should come a debate that would showcase the norms and traditional values of the party.

The former PDP Vice-Chairman told the delegates that he was a committed party man who would deliver the best if elected.

He also said that the micro-zoning of the national chairmanship to the South West would be in the best interest of the party.

George said this was in line with the resolve of the founding fathers to promote equity and balance in the distribution of party offices.

He praised the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III for his patriotism and embracing of all Nigerians irrespective of their faith or tribe.

The party has fixed Dec. 9 for its elective convention.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Willian helps Chelsea hold Liverpool at Anfield

A strange 85th minute goal from Brazilian Willian earned English Premier League champions Chelsea a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.

This was after Mohamed Salah’s 15th goal of the season looked to have given the hosts the three points.

Two minutes after coming on as a late substitute at Anfield, Willian whipped in an attempted cross from the right which floated over Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and into the net.

Salah, who was outstanding for Liverpool, had put his team ahead in the 65th minute when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain poked the ball away from a hesitant Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The Egyptian then pounced on the loose ball to fire past Courtois.

The result leaves Chelsea in third place on 26 points, eight behind leaders Manchester City who play on Sunday, while Liverpool are fifth on 23 points.

In other Premier League games also played on Saturday Jose Mourinho’s United bounced back from their surprise UEFA Champions League defeat at Basel in midweek to win.

It was their 39th straight home win in all competitions.

The win also meant the Red Devils equalled a 51-year-old record set by Sir Matt Busby, thanks to Lewis Dunk’s second half own goal.

“I think we were more spirit and heart than quality. My boys didn’t play well but they gave everything,” Mourinho said.

“For me probably Brighton deserve more than the result they got.”

Also, Tottenham’s bid to win the title for the first time since 1961 was left in tatters after a 1-1 draw with lowly West Bromwich Albion left them 10 points behind City.

Spurs have had mixed results at Wembley since moving into their temporary home while White Hart Lane is rebuilt.

But, once again, they lacked a cutting edge against supposedly inferior opponents.

“We weren’t clinical. It is always difficult in the Premier League when you concede a goal so early,” Pochettino said.

“I’m disappointed because the effort was massive, but we lost two points.”

Reuters/NAN

November 26, 2017
Lai Mohammed solicits incentives for creative, tourism investors in Jigawa

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has urged Jigawa Government to give incentives to creative and tourism investors to explore the rich cultural potential of the state.

The minister made the call in Dutse at a Gala night hosted in his honour by Gov. Badaru Abubakar to mark the end of the 9th National Council on Tourism, Culture and National Orientation held in the state.

The 9th edition of the Council with the theme, “Tourism and Culture as Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Recovery” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and hosted by Jigawa Government.

Mohammed, who commended the giant strides recorded in agriculture by the state government through its goat rearing and cluster farming schemes, said similar programmes should be replicated in the tourism sector.

He added that “we all know that Jigawa is one of the foremost agricultural states in the country with the very successful experiment of the governor in the goat rearing scheme.

“Jigawa is also leading in cluster farming, a concept of getting many farmers as possible in one place and the government providing them with farm input, fertiliser and encouraging them to grow more food.

“The farmers are also assured that they can pay back not only in cash but in kind.

“I want the state government to extend the same courtesy and support to the Creative Industry, particularly the culture and tourism sector.

“I want the state to emulate the Federal Government by giving out incentives in terms of tax rebate, tax holiday and others to encourage film producers to come and set up film villages in the state

“This is because Jigawa has very fantastic scenery and tourism sites which will be ideal to shoot film of any genre.”

The minister also urged the state to get involved in capacity training for artists and make available small scale loans for artisans who were talented in arts and crafts.

He said the efforts would provide another avenue for revenue for the state in addition to employing as many youths as possible.

He added that the IT hub infrastructure in the state which the governor was planning to expand would further encourage youths in the state to unload their talents.

He commended the governor and the people of Jigawa for maintaining peace, tranquility and stability which he said were the keys to economic growth.

He also thanked the government and the people for successful hosting of the event and the honour bestowed on him by the governor and the Dutse Emirate.

“I thank you for organising this Gala night in my honour. Just yesterday, the Emir also organised a mini Durbar in my honour.

“I remain gratified and indebted to the governor, the government and people of Jigawa.

“I want to assure you that we are leaving the state with very fond memories and will not hesitate to come back as soon as possible.

“I believe that Jigawa has a lot to harvest from cultural and tourism sector and we are glad that we are here to look at how culture and tourism can be a panacea to economic development.”

The governor, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Fanini, thanked the minister and organisers of the Council for the choice of Jigawa to host the event.

Fanini said Jigawa had a lot to contribute to the development of culture and tourism as alternative to oil and gas and the event would help to promote the state.

NAN

November 26, 2017