It was a friendly, cool and serene weekend as ardent soccer
lovers gathered to keep a date with physical fitness. All garbed in their sport
kits and ready to show the good people of Bayelsa the stuffs they are made of
as far as football is concerned. One of the great sons of Bayelsa on the field
is the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in the
forthcoming November 16th election in the state, Senator Douye Diri. Though, it
initially appeared to spectators that the Senator representing Bayelsa Central
at the Upper Chamber may just be at the occasion just to acclimatize with his
people, only few knew that he would be a major participant of the soccer
fiesta. He, indeed made the football showpiece a wonderful and memorable
experience for all and sundry.
Acording to one of the participant, he attended the
showpiece with his brother to watch the Bayelsa ‘superstars’ displaying their
God-given skills and soccer artistries. He is one of the best things to happen
to the people of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri was on the other side. The
celebrities among others were indeed cynosure of all eyes as the epic football
match started. The performances of the two sides brought back an unforgettable
memory of past football matches held in the state.
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Senator Diri’s side was trailing the other team by 2 goals
to 3. This development brought a heavy sad look on the faces of those in
support of the Senator’s side.
Despite being led by the one goal margin, the Senator Diri’s
team kept playing as if they were the ones leading, not allowing the strikers
of the opposing team to add more to the goal tally. And within a twinkle of an
eye, as the match was about to come to an end, even when the supporters of the
Senator’s team almost gave up hope on any equalizer, the in-coming governor
stroke brilliantly and he leveled up scores to bring back smiles on the faces
of Diri’s supporters. It ended 3 apiece and Senator Diri’s goal was adjudged
the golden goal of the match. This is simply a signal to the unique administrative
abilities and skills Senator Diri will bring into the affairs of Bayelsa State,
given the mandate on November 16th, 2019.
There is no doubting the fact that Senator Douye Diri will
put the development of sports and youths in Bayelsa State on the front burner
as the number one citizen of the oil rich state and he is ever ready to put
smiles on the faces of the youths. As a patriotic Nigerian and a man who knows
the importance of the youths in any sane society, Senator Diri would not leave
any stone unturned in including the youths in his government, giving them the
benefit of being stakeholders in the affairs of the state. He knows quite well
also that the youths are very energetic and ready to tap on a necessary
opportunity and this has paved way for the Nigerian youths in engaging in
several anti-societal behaviours and crimes to the detriment of their images.
Senator Diri believes vividly that if an avenue like sport could be well tapped
into, the sky will only be the limit in youth emancipation, rehabilitation and
reorientation. According to him, he will embark on massive employment of the
youths and also not leaving out the elders who are also potent members of the
communities all across Bayelsa State. The philanthropist of note also plans to
bring on board several sports stars of Bayelsa origin who have made huge names
for the country both locally and internationally. Cutting across football,
swimming, boxing, athletics, wrestling and many other sporting activities,
Senator Diri will, no doubt deliver Bayelsa sports to the highest peak.
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He is indeed a man of his words and it will be very
justifiable to vote such a man of passion and willingness into seeing to the
affairs of Bayelsa State, a state that has been deprived of its rightful dividends
of democracy for many years regardless of the fact that the state has produced
one of the duly elected civilian presidents of Nigeria. A feat only a few
states could boast of.
It is left for the people of Bayelsa State, most especially
the youths to cast their votes for the man that will breathe a new life into
sports development which is one of the most vital tools of their young minds
and ensure their sporting careers and future.
While speaking to some residents of the neighbourhood where
the football match was played, some are of the view that Senator Douye Diri was
only using that as an opportunity to win the hearts of the people of Bayelsa
State in order for them to cast their votes for him but many debunked that
criticism saying that Senator Diri is never a man who hides his feelings and he
would not stoop so low to deceive anybody just because he wants to be governor
of Bayelsa State. He has been doing this sort for things for years while
serving in all the offices in found himself up till today as a Senator. More
than 90 percentage of people in his locality vouched for his open-mindedness,
caring and undented spirit of brotherhood. He is a man who wants people
around him regardless of class and caliber. He never looked down on anyone and ensures
that he maintains cordial and mutual relationships with everybody he comes
across. He loves football and his passion for the game is not only in watching
it, but practicing it physically on the pitch whenever the opportunity
arises.
His coming in as the 5th civilian governor of Bayelsa State
will surely bring a new dimension for sports in the state thereby improving
tourism, hospitality and business in general. This is a state that has been
yearning for the return to action of all sporting activities so as to enable
the young talents in the state discover to the outside world for international
recognition, accolades and laurels just like the likes of Samson Siasia, Daniel
Igali, etc who are all Bayelsans that took the great name of Nigeria to global
sporting perspectives.
NANS Commends NOA’s Leadership and Unveils Partnership to Uphold National Core Values
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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) extends warm commendations to the leadership and management of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for their unwavering commitment to restoring Nigeria’s core values and fostering positive attitudinal change among the youth.
Following an absolutely engaging and productive meeting between NANS and NOA’s leadership, held on Friday, the 17th of March, 2024, NANS proudly announces its full support and partnership with NOA in championing initiatives geared towards national development and value reorientation.
Under the dynamic leadership of Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of NOA, significant strides have been achieved in the past four months. Mallam Issa-Onilu’s visionary leadership has propelled the agency towards revitalizing the nation’s economic and patriotic landscapes, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s identity and unity.
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Among the notable achievements within this short span include:
– Spearheading initiatives to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerian youth towards positive values and attitudinal change.
– Advocating for the adoption of the second stanza of the National Anthem as our national prayer, emphasizing the pursuit of peace and justice.
– Launching the National Value Charter, which outlines seven promises of the country to its citizens and underscores the importance of patriotism.
– Introducing innovative platforms like “The Mobiliser” app, designed to disseminate government policies, programs, and activities, while engaging Nigerian youths through quizzes and informative content.
– Intention to establish a Citizen Brigade, modeled after the Boy Scouts, comprising 1000 students from each state of the federation, including the FCT, totaling 37,000 individuals. This initiative aims to provide a platform to train and educate young people through a value system.
In addition to these accomplishments, Mallam Issa-Onilu has unveiled ambitious plans to further enhance NOA’s impact, including the imminent launch of the app and continuous efforts towards promoting national values and development.
Furthermore, NANS, under the leadership of the Senate President, Ekundina Segun Elvis, reaffirms its commitment to the partnership with NOA. Recognizing NOA’s extensive platforms for national orientation, NANS pledges to actively collaborate with NOA in advancing the nation’s core values and fostering positive societal change.
In conclusion, NANS urges the public to disregard any misinformation circulated by faceless individuals, as it does not represent the genuine interests of the association. Together, NANS and NOA stand united in their resolve to build a prosperous and morally upright Nigeria.
Signed,
Dist. Sen. Ekundina Segun Elvis
President of the Senate
National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) National.
Orhionmwon Council boss inaugurates Ward SAs, Liaison Officers; Get monthly allowance
….says appointment; a call to serve
By Elvis Omoregie
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The Chief Executive Officer of Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Honourable Newman Ugiagbe has appointed twelve Special Assistants and sixty Liaison Officers representing the twelve-wards of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
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He asked the new appointees to view this appointment as an opportunity to contribute significantly to the ongoing development of Orhionmwon while complementing the Council’s efforts in taking good governance to the grassroots.
Hon. Ugiagbe said the appointees were carefully selected by leaders of the various wards with special preference to those who have sincerely dedicated their time and resources to the growth of the party. He said nominations were also based on credibility, track records of loyalty to the party while also considering capacity to promote and propagate the activities of the government in their various domains.
“I want to congratulate you for the appointments, it’s a testament that you all have truly dedicated your time and resources to our great party. This is a reward for your loyalty, I want you to join me on the course of taking Orhionmwon to the next level. It’s a call to serve the people and I am confident you wouldn’t want to betray the confidence your Leaders reposed on you”.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated appointees, Special Assistant to the Council Boss, Mr. Enogieru Osaro said, “as your foot soldiers representing you in our various wards and units, we’ll do our very best to ensure we deliver on our responsibilities. We appreciate the rare privilege to serve our people and we promise to be true disciples of this people’s friendly administration”.
According to the chairman, nominations are distributed fairly among the 12 wards of the local government with all interest seriously taken into account. He promised to expand the number of appointments to include more reliable and competent hands.
NIGERIA OPENS LAND AND AIR BORDERS WITH REPUBLIC OF NIGER, LIFTS OTHER SANCTIONS
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President Bola Tinubu has directed the opening of Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger and the lifting of other sanctions against the country with immediate effect.
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This directive is in compliance with the decisions of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government at its extraordinary summit on February 24, 2024, in Abuja.
ECOWAS leaders had agreed to lift economic sanctions against the Republic of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.
The President has directed that the following sanctions imposed on the Republic of Niger be lifted immediately:
(1) Closure of land and air borders between Nigeria and Niger Republic, as well as ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger Republic.
(2) Suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between Nigeria and Niger, as well as freeze of all service transactions, including utility services and electricity to Niger Republic.
(3) Freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and freeze of assets of the Republic of Niger, state enterprises, and parastatals in commercial banks.
(4) Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions, particularly EBID and BOAD.
(5) Travel bans on government officials and their family members.
President Tinubu has also approved the lifting of financial and economic sanctions against the Republic of Guinea.
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