The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NUGA

  • NUGA facilities ‘ll be ready in record time – Prof. Kucha

    NUGA facilities ‘ll be ready in record time – Prof. Kucha

    The 25th edition of the NUGA billed for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State come November, 2015 may still be nine months away but Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Emmanuel Iornumbe Kucha  has stated in very strong terms that his institution will not wait till the last minute to get all the facilities needed in place.

    Prof. Kucha, while fielding questions on the state of readiness of the university for the Games noted that there is absolutely no reason for the NUGA Council to have doubts over their readiness as work is already in progress to ensure that construction of the facilities commence by March.

    “We’ll do the Games and very well too. NUGA Council had their meeting here in Makurdi and I must say that the outcome was not bad from what the NUGA president, secretary and the LOC chairman reported to me. The council saw what we have on ground with a promise that work would soon commence on the other facilities. We bided for this NUGA hosting and we’re not joking about it. That’s why as soon as we got it, we started preparing for it.

    “As a government establishment, there are processes that must be followed. As we speak, processes for some of the facilities to come on board are already on and I can assure you that our October target of all the facilities being on ground and ready for use will be achieved.”

    Though, he admits that sourcing of funds has not been an easy one, he believes things are beginning to fall in place as bids for the tender has already advertised for the construction of four additional hostel blocks, a multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall and the construction of a squash court.

    Prof. Kucha, however noted that the recent devaluation of the naira might pose some little problems but measures have been put in place to take care of such unforeseen development.

    “We’re not unaware of the situation in the country as regards the devaluation of the naira but I can assure you that we won’t let that be a setback to achieving our set targets. Our only area of concern in this regard will be in the areas of facilities that are coming in from abroad but for construction, I think we’re still on course.

    In terms of construction taking off, I can tell you that by mid February to early March when the NUGA council will be in Makurdi, work would be on at various sites. In fact, the council will meet work in progress when they come for their next meeting.”

    He stated that the university is working towards adding more football pitches, two sports hall –one for squash and the other for multi sports likes table tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball and other indoor games. “There will be a new main bowl that would have a football pitch as well as serve athletics events. This will be in addition to the construction of four hostels blocks in addition to the five we already have on ground. There’s also a build, operate and transfer project that would give us another two hostel blocks and I believe all of these will take care of accommodation issues. Let me state here that the main objective of bidding to host the NUGA is to help put lasting structures in place given the fact that we’re located out of town. Having recreational activities on campus makes it a lot easier for our students to recreate from time to time. The idea is to help develop the students in all areas so that they don’t just concentrate on reading all the time.”

  • The frills and thrills of NUGA

    The frills and thrills of NUGA

    The 24th Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, ended last Saturday. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts) reports.

    Sportsmen and women from 56 universities showcased their skills in the just-concluded Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

    Although, the sport fiesta ended last Saturday, its memories would linger on students’ minds. The sporting event, which was organised to commemorate OAU’s golden jubilee, featured 15 games.

    Elated by the outcome of the event, the Vice-Chancellor Prof Bamitale Omole, said: “I am happy this event happened in my time and was executed according to plan. With the level of participation and outcome, this may be the best NUGA ever. The success of OAU team shows that, not only have we excelled in the academic world, we have equally achieved a great feat in sport. OAU is the first university to host the game on the campus.”

    The Chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Prof Bayo Amole, said the event was successful because strict measures were put in place to execute the plan.

    During the fiesta, the campus was a beehive of business activities. Traders were provided with a makeshift market to offer various services to the participants and guests. Hawkers also had a field day.

    One of the traders, who came from Babcock University, said NUGA was an event that attracted national attention. “I came all the way from Ogun State to sell bread here. I am aware that there are so many traders around for the event, but we felt the participants needed our products to excel in the game,” she said.

    When CAMPUSLIFE visited New Bukateria, sport representatives from different universities were seen in group discussing. Restaurants and bars, which were almost closed down as a result of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike, had hectic time controlling movements of customers in and out of the places.

    A few days before the event, OAU students were asked to vacate their Halls of Residence to accommodate the over 5,000 participants and guests. On arrival, the sportsmen were lodged in the school hostels.

    The decision of the management did not go down well with the students. They expressed displeasure over the behaviour of the visitors, some of who were seen smoking and drinking alcohol in the hostel.

    The event was not without drama. Temidayo Akinyele, a final year English student of OAU was attacked by an athlete from the University of Port-Harcourt (UNIPORT) over missing mobile phone.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Temidayo was battered when he attempted to pick some personal effects in his room, which had been occupied by UNIPORT athletes. It was gathered that the phone got missing during the period Temidayo visited the hall.

    The student was accused of stealing the phone and he was dragged into the room by a group of UNIPORT students led by one Justice Onyekachi. Temidayo was injured in the ensuing melee.

    On another occasion, a student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) assaulted another OAU student, who was accused of taking his picture while bathing. The UNN student, it was learnt, also attacked the hall porter, who tried to settle the matter.

    It was not all sport. Participants were thrilled at musical shows organised by Diamond Bank and MTN Nigeria. The OAU Amphi theatre was filled to capacity as popular artistes, Whizkid, Banky W and Wande Coal buzzed the crowd with their songs.

    The closing ceremony was held at the Main Bowl of the university stadium, which also was the venue of the final match between the OAU team and their opponents from the University of Calabar (UNICAL). The match was tough for both sides, but the OAU carried the day after a lone goal scored by Olanrenwaju Ajibola at the 53rd minute of the match.

    After the final match, it was time for medal presentation. The OAU team came third on the medals table with 12 gold, nine silver and 15 bronze medals. The University of Lagos (UNILAG) was the first runner up with 13 gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals. The UNIPORT led the table with 63 gold, 41 silver and 16 bronze medals. It was the fifth time the UNIPORT would come first in NUGA.

    Dr Ken Anigweje, UNIPORT’s head coach and outgoing NUGA president said early preparations made his team to be ahead of their counterparts from other institutions.

    The OAU head coach, Chike Egbunu-Olimene, said the feat achieved by his team qualified the school for the West Africa University Games and World University Games.

  • AAUA satisfied with athletes’ performance

    AAUA satisfied with athletes’ performance

    Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) on Monday said it was satisfied with the performance of its athletes at the 24th Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games concluded on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Games were held at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun, from February 12 to 22.

    AAUA emerged 13th on the medals table with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal. AAUA Sports Coordinator, Ayodeji Oladuti, told NAN in Akure that the school was satisfied with the outcome of the Games.

    “We are satisfied with our athletes’ performances at the Games. They did not disappoint us after all during the games. Our school is the second best state university after LAUTECH which was the best at the event and seventh on the NUGA medals table.

    LAUTECH won six gold, four silver and five bronze medals at the Games.

    “I am satisfied with the performance of my athletes, in sports, you win some; you lose some, you just have to take it as it comes,” he said.

    According to him, Omolara Omotoso, an Olympian, won the first gold in 400m female athletics event, while Blessing Fajugbagbe won the second gold in chess.

    The coordinator added that Alabi won the first

     

    silver in taekwondo, while the pair of Adesola

     

    Afolabi and Olorunmaye Bolanle won two silver

     

    medals in table tennis female doubles event. He

     

    said that Gbemisola Obanoyen won bronze in 100m

     

    female swimming.

    Oladuti said the school would work on its male

     

    taekwondo and female swimmers where, he said, it

     

    lacked athletes to fully represent it at the Games.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Coach advises against parading recycled athletes at schools’ sports festivals

    Coach advises against parading recycled athletes at schools’ sports festivals

    Mr Kola Afinni, a tennis coach on Monday has advised universities against recycling athletes to represent them at competitions.

    Afinni, one of the officials at the just-concluded 24th Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) Games at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said if budding talents were allowed to come to the fore, it would provide the country a wide array of talents to pick from for major international competitions.

    “I understand the fact that many universities would want to win by parading readymade athletes, but such festivals are not just about winning. Such Games are like a nursery where fresh talents are supposed to be discovered and nurtured with a view to keeping the flame of sports burning. Even, for those that have made their marks at previous competitions, they would always want to come back again when they are yet to be absorbed into professional leagues,’’ Afinni said.

    The tennis coach advised sports administrators to focus their attention on the products of competitions like the Universities’ and Polytechnics’ Games.

    “This is the only way that we can uplift and preserve stars that are being raised from these festivals. Many of the products of these Games get spent after featuring in about two or three festivals without having a feel of professional sports. There should be a seamless transition from schools sports to professional sports to save schools’ champions from going into early extinction,’’ Afinni added.

    The tennis coach said there had been improvement in the staging of schools’ sports which, he said, would put an end to the incidence of “mercenaries in sport’’.

  • NUGA: Students reject ‘forceful eviction’

    Students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have condemned the order to vacate their hostels for participants in the Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA).

    Students expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, wondering why the management wanted them out after they had p `aid for accommodation in the school halls.

    In a release signed by the institution’s Registrar, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, students were directed to vacate their rooms before 12 noon last Friday to allow management to make adequate preparation for the contingents.

    Students, however, rejected the move, saying the ejection was forceful. Some of the students have taken to writing open letters pasted on strategic locations on the campus.

    Oluwajuwon Sanyaolu, chairman of Pace Setters Movement, a students’ group, in a release titled: “The NUGA: Contempt and sacrifices”, said his group was not opposed to the hosting NUGA, but said the risks the game posed to students, the safety of properties and the threat of cult invasion without an elected students’ union to counter this menace remained worrisome.

    The letter reads: “Students are going to be exposed to the danger of Nigerian roads for a game that is supposed to last just for ten days. This is not only illogical but also insensitive. Why can’t the NUGA be held at the end of the session? Why must students be exposed to the dangers of our roads? We are not opposed to the NUGA games, but we are not happy with the fact that the university management has hastily concluded plans to force students to go back to their respective houses, shortly after returning to campus following the six month strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).”

    Oluwajowon said students were not supposed to be spectators during games, saying any attempt to evict the students could defeat the objective of the sport fiesta.

    Adejinmi Babafemi, a student, said the management could lodge the sportsmen at the university’s Conference Centre and hotels outside the campus with funds that had been earmarked for the event.

    Another student, who did not want to be named, said the absence of students union in the school would encourage management to take decisions without consulting the students. He urged the university management to restore the students’ union.

    The Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr Paul Ogidi, said that the decision was in the interest of the university. He added that plans were in top gear to ensure safety of the participants.

    “Men of the Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), Man ‘O War, Red Cross and students’ volunteers would be on hand to ensure security. We are aware of the security situation in the country and we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that everything works out as planned,” he stated.

    The games are expected to hold between February12 and 22.

  • ‘Nigerian educational system is world-class’

    ‘Nigerian educational system is world-class’

    The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, has said that a world-class training can be acquired in the Nigerian educational system.

    He said that the system is unique because it teaches its products hard work, diligence, persistence and the ability to make something out of nothing.

    Adesina made this remark when he received the award of the Grand Commander of the Obafemi Awolowo University in Abuja at the award night/ NUGA fund raising dinner of the institution’s Alumni Association.

    He said, “What I learnt from my education in Ife basically is to make something out of nothing, which I think is very unique about our educational system. That is why I will always remain humble being a product of Great Ife.

    “In OAU, you learn to be very persistent in everything you do. They taught us to work very hard and be very persistent.”

    President, Great Ife Alumni Association, Deola Shokobi, explained that the event was prompted by the need to recognise members who have made their marks in the society and raised money for the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) games which will be hosted by the institution.

  • Looking forward to NUGA 2013

    Looking forward to NUGA 2013

    Whether or not the on-going “total, comprehensive and indefinite” ASUU strike persists, there are indications that the 24th edition of the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) will go on.

    The host institution, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said it is ready. It will be the third time the university will be hosting NUGA, having done so in 1970 and 1984.

    Athletes will play from 39 Nigerian universities will converge for the Games which will hold from October 2 to 10. “The Nigeria University Games is a bi-annual event where Nigerian universities come together in a selected university, mainly for sports. The aim of this event is the celebration of sports among the Nigerian youth, and for the discovery of new talents that can represent Nigeria at international tournaments.”

    The first NUGA Games was hosted in 1966 by the University of Ibadan, following a successful West Africa University Games (WAUG) that the premier university hosted in 1965. Five universities participated in that event – Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), University of Lagos and University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

    Today, about 36 Nigerian universities participate in the NUGA Games. “NUGA became a member of the World Federation of University Games (FISU) in 1970, and in 1974, it became a founding member of the All African University Games Association. “NUGA approves of 16 sports for its games. These are: track and field, badminton, football, squash, swimming, handball, hockey, judo, taekwondo, tennis, chess, basketball, cricket, table tennis and volleyball.

    The last edition of the NUGA Games was held in 2011, by the University of Benin. At the end of the games, the Vice Chancellor, specially thanked Insurance and General Institute (IGI) Plc, saying that “their contribution had helped us in ensuring that the University of Benin successfully hosted the NUGA Games”.

    It is widely believed that the games was a success, though there were some flaws noticed during the games. Construction for the games at OAU, self-styled “Africa’s most beautiful campus”, is going on as a new swimming pool has been built, and renovation is taking place at the football pitch, the tennis court, the table tennis court, the cricket pavilion and other centres.

    According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole, who was speaking at the unveiling of the mascot for the Games, “efforts are being made to put in place all facilities and infrastructures needed for the hosting of the games, apart from other facilities that exist in the sports complex.”

    The NUGA Games is a celebrated sporting event, and OAU, hosting the games this time, with former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju as the games ambassador, promises to provide an event not to forget in a hurry.

  • Town & Gown Gigs to run alongside NUGA

    Town & Gown Gigs to run alongside NUGA

    AS the 2013 edition of the Nigerian University Games (NUGA) goes to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, The Town and Gown Gigs, a musical festival, has been slated to hold alongside the competition.

    Scheduled for October 1 14, organisers say that Town and Gown Gigs will be a memorable musical festival that will run in a manner that would remain in the minds of all participants for a long time to come.

    Bayo Bankole, aka Boy Alinco, Director of Communication, T&GG, says that the target is to create an atmosphere of celebration in the spirit of sportsmanship, provide the platform for relaxation after daily sporting activities, create an atmosphere of friendship among sportsmen and women, supporters, officials, and the general public, and also build a platform for brands to merchandise.

    “Apart from the daily dose of music and comedy, there will be enough to eat and drink, from the popular akara Osu, Ife palm wine, NUGA biscuits, Isedale fruit tarts, and barbeque, among others. As part of our delivery plans, we are working to put together a parade of brands, festival products, fashion show, tie and dye show-off, with a huge array of competitions so that participants from time to time shall have one prize or the other to show for their attendance. There will be Yoruba traditional poetry, dance competition, stage plays, and a collection of time-fulfilling entertainment to keep body and soul together,” Alinco stated.

    Put together to spice up the atmosphere of friendship that NUGA games will create, he added that Town and Gown Gigs would feature all grades of artistes from different genres of music such as hip hop, R&B, highlife, juju, fuji, and apala, among others. The show will also parade world class DJs, comedians, fashionistas and competitions.

  • All set for varsity games

    All set for varsity games

    The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, has announced the date for the Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) which it is hosting. The sporting event will hold next month. DHIKRU AKINOLA (400-Level Political Science) writes on the preparations so far.

    Barring any last-minute changes, the 24th edition of the Nigeria Universities Games (NUGA) to be hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, will begin next month.

    Last Thursday, officials of the university unveiled the logo for the sporting event at the conference room of the OAU Guest House in Ikeja, Lagos. The starting and closing dates of the event were also chosen at the event, which was attended by former Nigerian international Mutiu Adepoju and ex-Super Falcon goalkeeper Ann Chiejine.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, spoke of the institution’s readiness to host the “best-ever NUGA,” despite the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    The partial suspension of academic activities for the sporting fiesta by the hosting institution underscores the importance of NUGA’s platform to the discovery of talents and promotion of unity.

    Over 60 universities across the country participate in the annual sport festival, which has been an avenue through which youths are engaged to tackle poverty and insecurity.

    Omole said all the events of the games would take place in the university, stressing that the facilities would be ready before the games begins. He commended the Federal Government for releasing the funds for the construction of an Olympic-size swimming pool for the event.

    The games were billed to take place last December but it was postponed because of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the university. In January, the university’s NUGA committees began preparation for the event.

    Recently, our correspondent was conducted round the game facilities by NUGA committee chairman, Prof Bolaji Oluseye, OAU Sports Council chairman, Prof Godwin Isichei and the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, to show the readiness of the university to host the games.

    Our correspondent saw the ongoing construction of spectators’ seats for the swimming pool. The construction work was being carried out by an Italian firm. One of the engineers, identified as Alexandra, was seen working on the track lane.

    Prof Oluseye said the track lane would take weeks for completion. He observed that the pool must have, at least, an eight-lane track, adding that the facility could be used to train world-class swimmers in the country.

    The don boasted that the university would cart away all the gold medals in the games given the facilities put in place by the management to train OAU participants.

    Assuring on security of participants and logistics, Oluseye said there were 12 committees to manage the hosting of the event, adding that each committee was working round the clock to ensure a hitch-free fiesta.

    The only game new to OAU team is swimming, Prof Isichei said, adding: “We are going to train our students on this before the event starts and we hope to win some medals in it.”

    He said the OAU team had won gold medals in hockey and cricket, stressing that the institution would repeat the feat in the games.

    On sponsorship, Prof Oluyemi said the institution had partnered with some corporate bodies but added that “our door is still open” to other firms that may want to partner with the school. He noted that accommodation would be provided for participants from other institutions on campus and some selected off-campus halls of residence.

    The Chief Security Officer of the university, Mr Paul Ogidi, confirmed that latest security gadgets had been procured to forestall security breaches during the event. He noted that the management had made efforts to equip the fire service unit to combat any untoward incident.

    Also, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that officers of the police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Command (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Nigerian Red Cross would be on ground to support the school’s security personnel.

    Adepoju, who was named NUGA ambassador, observed that it was necessary to identify with the game, which he said could produce a generation of educated sportsmen in the country. He urged the Federal Government and corporate bodies to support the fiesta to fight youth restiveness.

    Some students, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said they were looking forward to the games. Kehinde Adefolayemi, 400-Level Economics, said: “I am hoping that the local economy will be boosted by the event.”

    Tayo Ibrahim, an Urban and Regional Planning student, observed that the sporting festival would afford OAU students the opportunity to rob minds with their counterparts from other institutions. “I have the expectation to feel the spirit of oneness during the period, because this is our own Olympic games and I want to experience it. I am anxiously expecting the commencement of the game,” he said.

     

     

     

  • NUGA Games to hold Oct 2 in OAU

    NUGA Games to hold Oct 2 in OAU

    The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State will host the 2013 Nigerian University Games (NUGA) from October 2 to 10 , this was revealed by the organising committee during the official unveiling of the games yesterday.

    Speaking with reporters at the press briefing, the Vice-Chancellor, OAU, Professor Bamitale Omole, said the school has prepared adequately for the event stating that the school is well equipped.

    His words: “Efforts are being made to put in place all facilities and infrastructures needed for the hosting of the game, apart from the following facilities which exists in the sports complex and an all purpose pitch with pavilion and another football pitch, eight tennis courts, a cricket oval with a pavilion, a hockey field, a handball court, an all-purpose gymnasium with a tennis court, four badminton courts, and basketball court which are being renovated and upgraded, an Olympic size swimming pool with sitting terrance, a changing room, toilet facilities and offices have been constructed.

    “Also being constructed are four volleyball courts and two handball courts with terrances and the construction of an eight lane tartan track of IAAF standard will soon be completed. We are also putting all logistics in terms of accommodation, transportation and security in place for sportsmen and women as well as the officials and coaches of the games for a successful hosting of the games.”

    He thanked the government and other corporate bodies for their support towards the games.