Politics

Council approves Squash for Sports Festival as Federation celebrates Obasanjo @ 82

Published

6 years ago

March 16, 2019

It was a double celebration for Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) family on Friday, as the game formally got the approval of the National Council on Sports (NCS) to be a compulsory sport at the biannual National Sports Festival (NSF).

The National President of the Squash Federation, Boye Oyerinde broke the news when he led members of the Ogun State Squash Association to mark the 82nd birthday celebration of the former President and Grand Patron of the Federation, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Pent House residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

In a release by Obasanjo’s Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Oyerinde said that the approval by the NCS to have Squash on the list of compulsory games for the Sports Festival and coming to celebrate the former President (today) was a double celebration of sorts to the Squash family in Nigeria.

According to the NSF boss, “I have a good news, which I just received on my way here. The game of Squash has been approved by the National Council on the list if compulsory Sports and I will be breaking it here first.”

Shedding more light on the outcome of the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the National Council on Sports, Oyerinde said that Council reached the following decisions;

“A maximum of 32 sports shall feature at the Festival (27 compulsory and 5 optional) This is in line with practices obtainable in the organization of major International Games i.e. Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Continental Games etc. It is to reduce the burden of hosting, organizing and participating in the festival.
The compulsory sports were selected based on;
-Popularity of the sport in the 36 states and FCT
-State entries in the sport in previous Festivals
-Standard of Nigeria’s participation in the sport at the International level.”

He stated further that in alphabetical order, 27 compulsory sports, including Squash on number 20 have been approved, while only five out of 24 other sports got the nod as optional for the country’s National Sports Festival.

“To me, this is a double celebration for the Squash family in Nigeria, as we are equally celebrating our grand Patron today. If you say it is a coincidence, yes, because, having observed the birthday on March 5, God has destined it such that today that we choose to celebrate him, is the same day that we are getting the good news for this great sport,” Oyerinde disclosed.

He described Obasanjo as “a great Nigerian, who has been a pillar of the game of Squash in Nigeria. If you have observed quite well, there is always a Squash court around him. This is the passion he has shown to this sport. Our prayer is that all your efforts to make the sport grow higher and higher will manifest in your life,” the NSF President.

The Chairman/President Governing Council of the BELLS University of Technology, Rev. Dr. Wilson Badejo who was on a similar birthday visit to Obasanjo, said the game of squash has been “one of the secrets of Baba Obasanjo’s agility and good health.”

The former General-Overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church admonished the former President for his support and passion for the game, even as he prayed for him, his family and the Squash Federation.

A retired Judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Deinde Soremi, who is also a Squash player eulogized Obasanjo for his tremendous interest and concern for the game.

The Ogun State Chairman of Squash Association, Dipo Akingbade thanked Obasanjo for creating time to be around for the celebration.

Obasanjo in his reaction disclosed that his passion for the game started during his military training in India. “I saw it as a fascinating and challenging game. It is a very fast game and it was from there I picked interest in it.

“When I built my first house there was a Squash court. In my farm house also, we created space for a squash court. At the Hilltop residence, there is also a court. When we were building this place, I had to appeal for a Squash court to be located within the premises as one could not be attached to the library.

“I want to thank the Federation and Ogun State body for supporting and popularising the game. And they should be commended also for drawing sponsors for competitions.”

Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

3 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent