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Mba, best choice for Enugu, drop litigations – Rep Okechukwu tells opposition

Mba, best choice for Enugu, drop litigations – Rep Okechukwu tells opposition

By Stanley Nwanosike

Chief Toby Okechukwu, Deputy Minority Leader, House of Representative, says that Dr Peter Mbah, the Enugu State Governor-elect remains the best choice for the state.

Okechukwu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/oji River Federal Constituency, made the remarks in Enugu on Sunday, while congratulating the new Governor-elect of the state, Mbah.

The lawmaker said that Mbah’s election by the people of the state was a right step at a time of severe national economic challenges.

He called on the opposition candidates to drop their court cases and join hands with Mbah and work for the greater good of the state.

“I pity Nigerians who see some Labour Party politicians as progressives because they moved out from the dominant parties (either PDP or APC) to the LP to cruise on the Peter Obi bandwagon.

“They won seven out of the eight House of Representative seats in Enugu State, but PDP did not complain.

“They won the senatorial seat of the governor and even the governor’s polling booth during the Presidential and National Assembly Election, yet neither PDP nor Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi complained.

“They won the Enugu East senatorial district where Nkanu East LGA is located and celebrated it. But they would not accept the governorship result that came from the same process the same day,” he said.

Okechukwu explained that Enugu people supported Peter Obi in the name of justice because “we believed it was South-East turn to produce the next President”.

On accusations of Mr Frank Nweke of APGA that the election was marred by irregularities, the lawmaker said, “it beats imagination how a man who managed 17,983 state-wide votes against Dr. Mbah’s 160,895 votes hoped to win the governorship election in the first place.

“On behalf of the good people of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, I congratulate the governor-elect of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the people of Enugu State on this massive victory.

“It is a hard-won victory, but it is worth it, given the quality that Mbah is expected to bring to bear on the leadership of the state.

Okechukwu commended Mbah for his commitment in his acceptance speech to run an all-inclusive government, saying that the unity and brotherhood were imperative if the state must experience the much-needed development under the Mbah administration.

He equally urged the people of the state to continue to support and pray for Mbah as he embarked on the onerous mission of building a new Enugu State.

Sack Peseiro from Super Eagles job now, 3 sports writers urge NFF

By Emmanuel Afonne

Three sports journalists based in Abuja on Sunday urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to relieve Jose Peseiro of his Super Eagles Head Coach job before it is too late.

They made the call following the Eagles’ 0-1 loss to Guinea Bissau on Friday in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Romanus Ugwu, a sports writer and an Assistant Editor with the Sun Newspaper, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that retaining Peseiro was like holding on to expired drug.

“There is nothing we can do unless the NFF takes action, but if you ask me, I will automatically ask for the sack of Peseiro because he has not given us anything.

“Subsequently I will have to decide whether to watch Super Eagles match. I can’t be devastated like this all the time after Super Eagles match.

“I have learnt not to invest emotions in the team because I know that certainly they will disappoint.

“I am not surprised with the outcome of the game but I expected that after we lost the World Cup ticket to Ghana, that we are going to see something else.

“All of a sudden, we are seeing thunder striking twice at the same place,” Ugwu said.

For Ndubueze Chidoka, Chairman of a faction of the FCT Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), noted that everything about the country’s football was on the decline.

“I am disappointed that the Eagles could not fly considering the fact that we are nursing the pain of not qualifying for the World Cup when Ghana came to deny us the ticket at this same venue.

“And many football fans were looking up to the Super Eagles to make up in subsequent matches.

“It was unfortunate that the Super Eagles lost to Guinea Bissau barely 42 hours after the under-23 team drew against Guinea.

“This is a humiliation. The worst would have been a draw. For Guinea to come here and defeat us means that we don’t have a team and a coach.

“Everything about our football is going down drastically and something urgent must be done,” Chidoka said.

A former chairman of FCT SWAN, Victor Iroele, on his part said a lot of factors contributed to the team’s lacklustre performance in recent times.

Iroele noted that weather and the pitch could be contributing factors to the poor show of the team.

But he added that the technical crew had a lot of work to do if they would be retained

“NFF needs to apply the big stick if necessary, to save the country from further embarrassing outings and to ensure the country did not miss the AFCON ticket, the way it missed the World Cup ticket

U-20 World Cup draw postponed amid protest against Israeli participation

FIFA U-20 World Cup trophy

The draw for the Under-20 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place in Indonesia next week, will be postponed after Bali’s governor refused to host the Israeli team.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said the draw that was to be held on Friday had been cancelled.
FIFA were still conducting checks on tournament readiness.

The 24-team tournament is scheduled to be held from May 20 to June 11 across six cities and Israel were set to make their debut in the competition.

A report earlier this month said that Bali’s governor, Wayan Koster, had written to the Ministry of Youth and Sports imploring them to “adopt a policy forbidding the Israeli team from competing in Bali” due to the conflict with Palestine.

The letter was also sent to the PSSI.

“Previously, the Bali governor rejected the presence of the Israeli national team in the FIFA U-20 World Cup event. This can be a reason for FIFA to cancel the U-20 World Cup draw.

“Because, for FIFA, the governor’s refusal is the same as cancelling the organising guarantee that has been issued by the Bali provincial government,” the PSSI said in a statement.

Earlier this month, protesters marched in the capital of Jakarta waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags while demanding that Israel should not be allowed to participate.

Indonesia’s population is predominantly Muslim. Most Indonesian Muslims practice a moderate version of Islam, but recent years have seen a rise in religious conservatism that has crept into sports.

Over the past year, Israeli forces have made thousands of arrests in the West Bank and killed more than 200 Palestinians, including fighters and civilians.

Meanwhile, more than 40 Israelis and three Ukrainians have died in Palestinian attacks.

If Indonesia lose hosting rights as a result, PSSI Executive Committee member Arya Sinulingga said he was worried about how FIFA sanctions could “isolate Indonesian football from the world”.

Indonesia automatically qualified for the Under-20 World Cup as hosts but the last time they played in the tournament was in 1979.

Indonesia were also suspended by FIFA for nearly a year for government interference, with the global soccer body lifting the suspension in May 2016.

But at the time, the suspension had denied Indonesian teams the chance to qualify for upcoming major tournaments.

Sinulingga said the PSSI hoped for a solution where politics could be separated from sport, with its chairman Erick Thohir set to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“The chairman will also report to Mr President at the first opportunity to find a solution to all this, both diplomacy and foreign policy to save Indonesian football that we love,” Sinulingga added.

The PSSI said losing hosting rights would harm Indonesian football teams’ chances of taking part in other FIFA tournaments in the future while the economic losses would amount to “trillions of rupiah”.

Indonesia is also trying to rebuild its reputation after a deadly stampede last year led to the deaths of 135 spectators at a stadium in East Java in October.

Many were crushed as they fled for exits after police fired tear gas into the crowd

Twin penalty strikes earn Rangers Int’l 2-1 win over Bayelsa Utd in Awka

By Chimezie Anaso

Rangers Int’l FC of Enugu on Sunday secured the three points at stake in their Day 10 match in the 2022/2022 abridged national league encounter with Bayelsa Utd at the Awka Township Stadium.

The visitors from Yenagoa had gone ahead through Alax Oyowah in the 36th minute after absorbing a number of attacks by the hosts.

But Rangers returned to parity through a penalty through Godwin Obaje in the 48th minute and later went ahead in the 87th minute when Chidera Ezeh curled a spot kick into the net.

The victory which is the first after the break, placed the Flying Antelopes on seventh position on the log of the Group B after three wins, three draws and four loses in the National Professional Football League (NPFL).

In a post-match press conference, Rangers Coach Mbwas Mangut described the victory as hard fought and well deserved.

Mangut said his team remained a work in progress as their performance wasn’t the best they could offer while pouring encomiums on the competitive prowess of the visitors.

He said they placed more emphasis on garnering more points in their away games and ensuring that they do not drop any point at home.

China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era to keep advancing at high level

By Xiao Xinxin, People’s Daily
During his three-day visit to Russia starting on March 20, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had sincere, friendly and fruitful talks on the bilateral ties and major regional and international issues of mutual interest, and reached new, important common understandings in many fields.
In March 2013, Xi chose Russia for his first trip abroad as Chinese president. Ten years later, Xi again picked Russia for his first overseas visit following his re-election.The visit is a trip of friendship, cooperation and peace.
On the streets of Moscow, it’s easy to see Chinese signs in public places, merchants speaking Chinese to greet customers, as well as Chinese brand vehicles. These Chinese elements are a vivid epitome and witness of the continuously upgrading China-Russia ties.
“Old friend” is a term for more and more Russians to address China. Messages and articles about Xi’s visit to Russia are seen on many Russian newspapers and magazines.
A student named Sophia from Moscow State University told People’s Daily that Xi’s visit will bring more vitality to China-Russia ties and make China-Russia friendship even closer.
Head-of-state interaction is the compass and anchor of China-Russia relations. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state of the two countries, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has maintained strong momentum for development. The two countries’ political mutual trust, strategic coordination and pragmatic cooperation have reached new heights. They have set a good example of good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation between major countries and neighboring countries.
Today, our world, our times and history are changing. China and Russia have worked together to fulfill their responsibilities as major countries and played a leading role in bringing stability to a world of change and disorder. They have always maintained strategic focus, remained committed to promoting a multi-polar world, championed and practiced true multilateralism and played a constructive role in promoting world peace and global development.
The two countries have delivered remarkable performance in pragmatic cooperation. In the first two months of this year, bilateral trade between China and Russia increased 25.9 percent year on year to nearly $33.69 billion. China and Russia have continuously synergized the Belt and Road Initiative with the Eurasian Economic Union, witnessed progress in cooperation in both traditional and emerging fields.
Besides, the two countries are also seeing closer sub-national cooperation, frequent people-to-people and cultural exchanges, as well as the development of the Years of Sports Exchange. The social foundation for China-Russia friendship has been further strengthened.
As a Chinese saying goes, a partnership forged with the right approach defies geographical distance. To develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is a long-term strategic choice made by the two sides.
Both China and Russia are at a key stage of development and vitalization. The cooperation between the two countries enjoys huge potential and promising prospects.
It is believed that the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between China and Russia will keep advancing at a high level, better benefit the two countries and the world at large.

Guber Poll: KWASU Celebrates Gov AbdulRazaq’s Reelection

By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Council, Management, staff and students of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete has felicitated with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on his reelection for the second term in office.

A statement personally signed by the institution’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Shaykh-Luqman Jimoh, said the Governor’s electoral success is testimony of the exemplary leadership he has shown since he assumed office and which has set the State on an unprecedented path of development.

He said: “Human and infrastructural growth in the past four years, especially in the education sector, will definitely be consolidated with the reelection of a consummate administrator as Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

“We are joyous that the people of the State recognise this and have chosen to allow him govern us for another four years.

“It is our hope that KWASU grows more under the Governor’s leadership just as the entire KWASU community prays that Allah guides the Governor to even greater success as he pilots the affairs of the State for another four years.”

End

Diya was courageous, brave as a solider, says ex-Kwara MILAD

By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

A former Military Governor of Kwara State, Chief Salaudeen Adebola Aliyu Latinwo, has described the passing of the retired Chief of General Staff,
Lt-General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, as heartbroken.

Latinwo, who stated this in a condolence message to the family of the ex-military leader and made available to Journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, identified late Diya as a strong, courageous and brave soldier whose loyalty to the corps was indisputable.

The elder-statesman noted that the late retired General would be remembered for his ideals and uncanny sense of responsibility, which he brought to bear during his tenure of office, adding that the late Diya was a fine officer who worked with like minds for the stability of the nation.

While commiserating with the bereaved family, Latinwo urged them to be comforted and take solace in the fact that the retired General bequeathed good legacies and etched his footprints in the sands of time.

“The death of General Oladipo Diya is a sad news. He was a strong, courageous, awesome, brave and reliable soldier loyal to the corps.

“I’m utterly heartbroken to have been inundated with the reports of the retired General’s passage. It is one death, too many.

“It is sad to say a peace good bye to a soldier of soldiers. May he find solace in the bossom of his lord with his soul rest in perfect peace”, Latinwo’s condolence message read partly.

The late retired General Diya died in the early hours of Sunday. The news of his demise was broken by his son, Prince Oyesinmilola Diya.

End

Rights Activist, Omoba Aigbegbele, becomes a member of ISSS

Foremost Civil Rights Activist Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele has been inducted as a member of the esteemed institute of security and strategic studies.

The event, which took place on Saturday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja, saw in attendance high profiled personalities amongst other stakeholders.

Omoba who is the Executive Director Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative (CWAI), an anti-corruption organization,under the umbrella of the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), was inducted alongside, comrade Umar Farouk, a foremost human rights activist and intelligence guru amongst others.

The Institute of Security and Strategic Studies was established to provide informed policy advice to government and enlightenment to the public on security and defense matters. Through conferences,seminars, roundtables, public lectures, workshops, and publications, the study provides materials on the security situation and challenges in the country, the sub region, africa, and stakeholders in the international system.

By this induction, Com. Aigbegbele henceforth possesses the rights to carry out research on issues and provide security reforms and strategy for national development.

Taraba Stakeholders Task Gov Ishaku On Court Order

Uhuru Samuel Adaji Jalingo

Stakeholders and elders of Gassol 1 Constituency in Taraba have urged Gov Darius Ishaku to respect the order of a Jalingo High Court restraining the government from creating a new chiefdom out of the present Gassol Chiefdom.

Addressing a press conference in Jalingo on Saturday spokesman of the forum Alhaji Hamman-Tukur Kawu explained that they were out to put their records straight on issues surrounding the creation of Kwararrafa Chiefdom.

“You are all aware that the creation of the Kwararafa Chiefdom and the appointment of Late John Agbu TSokwa as 3rd Class Chief in 2019 was vehemently opposed and rejected by the stakeholders/Elders of Gassol I Constituency’he said.

This was owing to the fact that the creation of the new chiefdom out of Gassol Chiefdom was improper and had no basis, Kawu explained.

“This Culminated into a legal action taken by the stakeholder/Elders at the High Court in Jalingo in order to compel the Government to revert her decision on the creation of the new chiefdom with a view to maintaining the status quo.

Subsequently the suit before Justice D.N Buba of the High Court stopped the state government from taking further actions on the new Chiefdom, Kawu said.

“On 10th March 2023, His Lordship, Justice D.N. Buba, through a motion Ex-pate filed by our counsel granted the following orders:

1. An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent, who are the Executive Governor of Taraba State, the Attorney General and the Kwararafa Chiefdom traditional Council to either by themselves, previes, Agents, Representatives directly or indirectly from appointing, installing, recognizing, coronating any person, temporary or permanently and or otherwise as the substantive 3rd Class Chief of Kwararafa Chiefdom of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State pending the determination of the motion on notice in suit No.TRSJ/85/2018 BETWEEN M IBRAHIM J. ISA VS. THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF TARABA STATE & 2 ORS: and

2. An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendants/Respondents from redirecting any person whosoever, directily or indirectly from parading himself or themselves as the Representatives of the Departments in kwararafa Village of Gassol local government Area of Taraba State pending the determination of the motion on notice in Suit No. TRSJ/85/2018.

Kawu observed that despite the Court Order which was served on the State government and the other defendants, they were shocked to hear that the State government flagrantly disobeyed the court order and went ahead to appoint one Meithusela E. Adamu as a 3rd class Chief of Kwararafa on March 23, 2023.

“We do not only view this appointment as a gross contempt of court, but an abuse of the rule of law and a mockery of judicial process.

“We therefore call on the State Governor Darius Ishaku to respect the order of the Court and suspend all actions on the creation of Kwararafa Chiefdom and appointment of a new Chief in the area.

Kawu also appealed to the people of the affected area to remain calm and not do anything that will disrupt the peaceful coexistence of the residents as, according to him, he was sure that the law will always be respected.

Enugu guber: Don’t go to court – Ohanaeze youths beg opposition parties, congratulates Peter Mbah

*Enugu guber: Don’t go to court – Ohanaeze youths beg opposition parties, congratulates Peter Mbah

By Abdulateef Bamgbose

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has reacted to the outcome of the Enugu State governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

This is coming as the key opposition political parties in the Coal City State have all rejected the declaration of Barr. Peter Mbah of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the winner of the election.

They have all indicated intention to challenge the outcome of the polls before the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

However, in a statement by the Ohanaeze Youths National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he urged the aggrieved parties to jettison the idea of challenging Mbah’s victory in court.

Okwu said Mbah, having extended a hand of fellowship to his opponents, they should accept it in the interest of the entire State.

He said, “we are gladdened that the people of Enugu State gave their mandate to Barr. Peter Mbah, just as we pleaded with them when we gave him our endorsement.

“Now that Mbah has emerged as winner of the election, the time of politicking is over; only one person will be declared winner, but in the real sense of it, everyone won. It is a victory for everyone, including those who contested against him.

“We, therefore, appeal to all the aggrieved parties to sheath their swords and join the governor-elect to move Enugu State forward. The period of litigation always comes with so many distractions and this may not augur well for the State.”

The Ohanaeze youths then called on Mbah to make real his olive branch to the opposition parties.

“We urge the governor-elect to work his talk by embracing the other candidates genuinely and making them part of his government,” Okwu advised.