…As 5 Players Set To Jet Out To Europe

Bayelsa State is gearing up to host the 6th edition of the prestigious Douye Diri International Scouting Tournament, a platform that showcases Nigeria’s brightest young football talents. This year’s event is scheduled to take place from December 4th to 8th, 2024, at the iconic Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

The tournament is organized by the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, also known as the Prosperity Cup. According to the Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, the event promises to be an exciting opportunity for young players to gain international exposure and secure lucrative deals with top European clubs.

The invitation-only tournament is a direct result of the outstanding success of the Prosperity Cup, which has attracted global attention for its exceptional talent showcase. This year’s event will feature top European scouts, coaches, and club representatives seeking to discover Nigeria’s next football sensations.

Some of the esteemed scouts and coaches attending the event include Ertugun Yusuf Emre Adanyspor, sporting director of Turkey, Fred French, Vice President FC Quomi of Malta, and Fatih Ates, Coach of Bulusopor of Turkey.

Other scouts include: Naujot Singh Brar, X-One Agency of Norway, Turan Aykut, Adabademin FC of Turkey, Hillary Azado of OTP Sporting Director Finland, Peter Neketein UEFA Coach B, Kelvin Etemike, Chief Scout OTP of Finland and CEO Tristone Sport Management and Hakan Uyammis, Top Agent Turkey.

As a testament to the tournament’s success, five talented players from the previous edition have been selected to undergo trials in Lithuania, Malta, and Turkey. These players have already undergone intensive medical examinations to ensure they meet the required standards for the January transfer window in Europe.

The Scouting/Coaching clinic programme will take place from December 4th to 8th, 2024, with coaches advised to feature players between the ages of 18 and 21. A pre-season coaching clinic will also be held in preparation for the Prosperity Cup Season 7, scheduled for February next year.

The organizers of the tournament would like to extend their gratitude to the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, for their unwavering support and vision for sports development in the state.

“We are committed to harnessing the vast football talents in Bayelsa State and providing a platform for them to shine on the global stage,” said Mr. Ono Akpe.

The Nigeria Wrestling Federation has extended its congratulations to Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olawale Olopade on their appointment as Chairman and Director-General National Sports Commission respectively by President Tinubu.

The Wrestling Federation, in a goodwill message by its President, Honourable Daniel Igali, on behalf of the Wrestling Fraternity, lauded the appointment of the two seasoned Sports Administrators by the President.

According to Igali, Shehu Dikko, as former NFF vice-president and Bukola Olopade, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Ogun State signals a rebirth and revival of sports development across the country.

“Dikko and Olopade are not new in the sports sector. They are distinguished men who have worn different caps to reposition sports.”

“Having looked at their records over the years in the sports sector, we at the NWF have no doubt the duo possess the wisdom, knowledge and understanding to justify the confidence reposed in them by President Tinubu, in growing the Nigerian Sports.”

“We believe that the sports sector in the country will take a new turn to soar under the leadership of Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, and we pray God Almighty to guide and direct them right.”

The Wrestling Federation in conclusion pledged to willingly cooperate and collaborate meaningfully with the duo to harness the potentials locked in Wrestling to take it to a whole new level of a thriving industry, capable of bringing more pride to the nation.

The Kano royal palace was a beehive of activities on Friday as relatives, friends, and dignitaries gathered to witness the turbaning of DSP Aminu Sanusi Lamido as the Ciroman Kano by the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

LEADERSHIP reports that the traditional title of ‘Ciroma’, reserved for a crown prince and heir apparent in the Kano Emirate system, is of significant traditional importance. It also carries responsibilities, including oversight of certain districts within the Emirate.

The grandfather of the new Ciroman Kano, DSP Aminu Sanusi Lamido, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi, held the same traditional title until his passing in the 1990s. The title was most recently held by Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who later served as Emir of Bichi before his removal in 2024. This makes DSP Aminu the 17th holder of the prestigious title.

Speaking during the ceremony, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II said his son was chosen for his loyalty, philanthropy, and service to the community. “I chose to honour him with this crown because of his good nature and philanthropy,” the Emir stated.

He further praised DSP Aminu’s educational achievements and contributions as a police officer and his work at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). “You inherited the title of Ciroma from your grandfather, and you will now be the 17th to hold this title. I urge you to walk in the path of righteousness they have paved,” he added, while urging him to emulate the virtues of discipline and respect.

In his acceptance speech, DSP Aminu Sanusi expressed gratitude to God and the Emir for the honour. “I thank His Highness for this honour and pledge to serve the Kano Emirate diligently,” he said.

The event attracted a host of high-profile guests, including Kano State governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf and his deputy, Comrade Abdulsalam Gwarzo, clerics, traditional tittle holders and prominent business figures in the State.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has assured its stakeholders that the Commission will remain committed to delivering on its mandate of fast-tracking the development of the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a solidarity visit by leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council worldwide, IYC, to the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, in a statement by NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama on Saturday.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, said it was important to aggregate the views of major groups to give impetus to the development programmes driven by the NDDC.

The NDDC boss commended the IYC leaders for supporting and defending the NDDC to ensure that those trying to destabilise the Commission by calling for protests against the leadership did not have their way.

He stated that the Commission would not be distracted in its determination to do things differently and effectively transiting from transaction to transformation.

The Managing Director restated the commitment of the NDDC to finalise action on the selection of beneficiaries of the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme to ensure that they would start receiving their N50,000 stipend from next month.

According to him, the NDDC has also given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through its innovative programme called Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, HOPE.

He further said that the Commission was focused on completing and commissioning legacy projects across the Niger Delta region.

Speaking earlier, the President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Ambassador Jonathan Lopkobiri, represented by the Deputy National President, Comrade Atigbi Freedom, apologised to the NDDC for a group claiming to speak for the IYC threatening to protest against the Commission.

He commended the NDDC for making genuine efforts to stabilize the Niger Delta region through youth empowerment programs.

The IYC Deputy National President wondered why any Niger Delta would want to protest against the NDDC under Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director, describing Ogbuku as “a man who has shown and demonstrated a clear commitment to redefining the NDDC for the betterment of the people.”

In a related development, the IYC leaders specifically cautioned Mr. Theophilus Alaye, who led a group that called for a protest against the NDDC.

Comrade Atigbi Freedom, who addressed a press conference in Port Harcourt, lamented that the Alaye group’s pronouncements and actions had tarnished its image.

He warned: “As a council, while we will continue to advocate for the growth, advancement, unity, and progress of the Ijaw nation and the Niger Delta at large, the Council will not sit idly by and watch as people try to trample on the hard-earned peace that we have collectively fought to achieve.”

“We are responding to correct the wrong impression created by Alaye before the public that the IYC is at war with the NDDC. If not corrected, this misleading information might be seen as the truth. The IYC, as one united family, is solely under the leadership of Sir Jonathan Lokpobiri as President.”

A secret Iranian nuclear weapons research facility was destroyed in Israel’s attack on the Islamic Republic last month, according to US and Israeli sources.

US officials said the facility, 20 miles east of Tehran, was being used to design the explosive mechanism needed to detonate a nuclear bomb.

Israeli strikes also destroyed three other nearby buildings that were being used to mix solid fuel for ballistic missiles, the Institute for Science and International Security said.

Taleghan 2, which is part of the larger Parchin military complex, was previously reported to have been closed down in 2003.

But US intelligence from earlier this year detected Iranian scientists conducting research at the facility that would “lay the ground for the production of a nuclear weapon”.

Few knew about site’s purpose
US and Israeli officials said that this included metallurgy, explosive testing and computer modelling.

The Taleghan 2 facility was so secretive that only a select few in the Iranian regime were aware of the site’s real purpose.

“It was a top secret thing. A small part of the Iranian government knew about this, but most of the Iranian government didn’t,” one US official told the Axios news site.

After activity was detected at the site, the US sent a private warning to the Iranian regime. It was hoped that Iran would then cease operations, but nuclear activity continued, officials said.

In July, the US director of national intelligence delivered a report to Congress, which warned that Iran had “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so”.

The same report also notably omitted a sentence used as standard by US intelligence in recent years, which says that Iran “isn’t currently undertaking the key nuclear weapons development activities necessary to produce a testable nuclear device”.

Iran has repeatedly denied having a nuclear weapons programme, though supreme leader Ali Khamenei has said that world leaders “wouldn’t be able to stop us”.

“Iran is not after nuclear weapons, period,” said Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian foreign minister, last week.

Trump’s ‘maximum pressure’ strategy
Israel has been locked in a multi-front war since Hamas – backed by Iran – launched the October 7 attacks on southern Israel in 2023.
Hezbollah – also supported by the Iranian regime – then escalated attacks on Israel from Lebanon the following day.

Iranian-backed militias have also frequently fired on Israel from Yemen and Iraq.

Iran and Israel have also attacked each other directly. Israel’s October 25 attack on Iran was in retaliation for Tehran’s mass missile barrage of the Jewish state on October 1.

When Donald Trump returns to the White House in January, he is expected to take a more hardline stance on Iran than President Joe Biden.

During his first term, Mr Trump pursued a “maximum pressure” sanctions policy on Iran, intended to force Tehran to stop funding its regional allies and abandon its hopes of a nuclear weapon,

Israel signed the US-brokered Abraham Accords during Mr Trump’s first term, which normalised its ties with some Muslim countries, such as United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Israel said it hopes to forge a similar deal with Saudi Arabia, although the kingdom has said it will not normalise ties with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Axios said the Iranian mission to the UN declined to comment on its report.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, revealed on Friday that the Federal Government will unveil the Clean Nigeria Campaign Strategic Plan next Tuesday, aiming to accelerate progress towards the nationwide 2030 Open Defecation-Free target.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the strategic plan’s launch and the commemoration of the 2024 World Toilet Day, themed “Toilets: A Place for Peace,” Utsev noted that only 135 Local Government Areas in the country had attained ODF status.

He explained that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, had implemented several initiatives to bridge gaps in basic sanitation services and actualise Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) for water and sanitation in Nigeria.

Some of the initiatives include the development of a National Action Plan to revitalise the sector, partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene programme; Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply; Sanitation and Hygiene programme; and the “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” Campaign supported by the Presidential Executive Order 009 on ODF Nigeria by 2025, and among others.

The minister said, “The Strategic Plan for the Clean Nigeria Campaign is a comprehensive, actionable framework that outlines our path to a clean Nigeria where everyone will have reasonable access to a toilet by the year 2030. The importance of this campaign cannot be overemphasised because every step taken toward ending public education will improve health, boost productivity, and enhance the dignity and safety of our citizens.

“Achieving this will definitely require active advocacy and engagement of relevant stakeholders to mobilise high-level political support that will drive the campaign, especially at the sub-national level.”

He said the theme for the 2024 WTD highlights toilets as a place of peace, protection, and progress, essential for public and environmental health.

WTD is celebrated annually on November 19 to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and help achieve SDG 6, which promises sanitation for all by 2030.

“The activities highlighted for this year’s celebration include the launch of the Clean Nigeria Campaign Strategic Plan by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima on November 19, 2024 at the State House in Abuja, a commemoration event by the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Kano State Government on November 19, 2024.

The celebration of ODF communities in Kwali Area Council by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in collaboration with partners, the launch of State’s ODF roadmap as a celebration of two ODF LGAs in Borno State, the decoration of the Wife of the Anambra State Governor and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation as WASH ambassadors as a celebration of ODF LGAs, and the celebration of Ikenne as ODF LGA in Ogun state,” he noted.

The minister emphasised that the event will help to trigger the needed campaign commitment at the sub-national level that will mobilise stakeholders, relevant government institutions, private sector to supply sanitation facilities in homes and improve access towards facilities in working places.

He disclosed that about 11.58 million toilets have been built so far as an intervention for Nigeria to achieve ODF and efforts are still ongoing to provide more sanitation facilities.

“The “Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet” campaign is an ambitious national movement, which requires States and LGAs to join in the move to end open defecation across Nigeria. Since the launch of the campaign in 2019, significant success has been recorded, as 135 LGAs have attained an ODF status.

“I am happy to state that more LGAs are currently undergoing a verification process in line with the National Protocol on ODF, while over 30,000 other communities were certified as ODF. Despite the achievements so far made, it still appears difficult to meet the campaign target for 2025, therefore, the need to identify and re- strategise the critical elements that will progressively increase the level of advocacy and awareness,” he added.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwah said the government is committed to ensuring Nigerians have access to dignified sanitation facilities.

“Our gathering here today is not just to mark a new Nigeria using toilet campaign and launch of a new strategic plan, but rather to commit ourselves to a future where every Nigerian looks forward to having access to safe and dignified sanitation facilities.

“I sincerely wish to commend our Honorable Minister for championing the cause towards actualising the national programme to end open defecation in Nigeria,” he highlighted.

The governor said the minimum wage would be implemented when workers’ verification is completed.

Governor Umo Eno has said that civil servants in the oil-rich Akwa Ibom State will not enjoy the new minimum wage until staff verifications are completed.

Mr Eno approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state weeks ago—N10,000 higher than the national minimum wage—following a similar move by his Lagos and Rivers State counterparts.

Lagos and Rivers announced N85,000 as minimum wage, with Rivers State commencing payment in November.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State approved N80,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the state, with October as the date of commencement while Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State approved the new federal minimum wage for workers in the state with payment beginning from August, according to Daily Trust newspaper.

“I am aware that quite a number of our civil servants have relocated within Nigeria while others have gone abroad. We have to be sure that those receiving payments are real civil servants,” Mr Eno said at a Church Service in Uyo on Sunday, justifying a delay in the commencement of payment of the new minimum wage to workers.

“My watchword since assuming office has been transparency and honesty in service deliverables and we have to ensure that we carry this through this verification exercise, which would soon be completed,” Mr Eno’s spokesperson, Ekerete Udoh said in a statement on Sunday.

The governor, after approving the new minimum wage, constituted a committee to work on consequential adjustments and submit a report within a month – November.

Labour leaders, including the chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Sunny James, are member of the committee.

Apparently sensing that the decision to delay the commencement of the new minimum wage may not go down well with the Organised Labour in Akwa Ibom, the governor warned those who he said are constantly agitating for disruption of the “smooth and seamless” relationship that exists between the state government and Organised Labour to “have a rethink.”

Workers across the country were supposed to begin enjoying a new minimum wage in May following the expiration of the old N30,000 in April.

A new minimum wage bill was signed into law in July by President Bola Tinubu after months of failed negotiations with the Organised Labour.

Governor Eno did not mention when the state government would start paying arrears of minimum wage but offered to pay civil servants a 13th month’s salary by next month.

“Since we came in, we have paid critical attention to the needs and the welfare of civil servants in this State. To date, we have paid N35 billion in gratuities to retired state, local government workers and primary school teachers in the State,” he said, highlighting his commitment to workers welfare.

The election that brought a political loyalist of President Bola Tinubu, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo to emerge the National President of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is invalid, SaharaReporters has learnt.

This is because the Court of Appeal in Abuja already affirmed Tajudeen Baruwa as the re-elected NURTW president, according to a court document seen by SaharaReporters.
On Saturday, it was reported that MC Oluomo had been elected as the president of NURTW after being the only candidate to run for the position.

He had secured unanimous votes from all of the delegates in the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference for Zone 2 Council of the Union, which was held in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Meanwhile, the appellate court in a unanimous judgement delivered on Friday, November 8, affirmed the March 11, 2024 ruling of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, affirming the re-election of Tajudeen Baruwa as the National President of the NURTW

The ruling was delivered by the trio of Justice Hamma Akawu Barka, Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba and Justice Asmau Ojuolape Akanbi.

In the Appeal numbered CA/ABJ/CV/293/2024 between Alh. Najeem Usman Yasin, Alh. Tajudeen Badru Agbede, Alh. Aliyu Isa Ore, Kayode Agbeyangi, Alh. Alhasan Haruna 313, Aliyu Tanimu, Alh. Hakeem Adeosun as 1st to 7th Appellants and Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, Bello Adamu, Eugene Eze Job, Danjuma Saidu, Prince Isah Dahiru Uman, Suleiman Adamu, Odion Olaye J.P and Chief Herbert C. Iwuji as the 1st to 8th Respondents, the three Appeal Court judges dismissed the Appellants appeal and awarded a cost of N100,000 against them.

The enrolled order of the judgement obtained by SaharaReporters on Friday evening, shows it was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar, Judith M. Jabbe, and read by Justice Hamma Akawu Barka. The Appeal Court declared that “this Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed”.

The judgement reads, “This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi. Upon Reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument;

“And After Hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, esq) Jimoh Balogun, Esq O. D. Emole, Esq I. Yunanah Esq) for the Appellants. Tolu Babaleye Esq with Adeniyi Adejoke Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin Esq, B. T Ataine Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that: This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.

“I affirm the Judgment of the Trial Court delivered on the 11th day of March, 2024 in respect of Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023. I award the cost of N100,000 against the Appellant and in favour of the Respondents,” it adds.

The National Industrial Court in its judgement on Monday, March 11, 2024, sacked the Tajudeen Agbede-led Caretaker Committee of the NURTW.

While delivering her judgment on the leadership crisis rocking the union, Justice O. O. Oyewumi held that the delegates’ conference across the six zonal councils held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa emerged as President for a second term in office was valid.

The presiding judge also restrained the former President of the Union, Najeem Yasin, who was the Board of Trustees chairman, from interfering in the day-to-day running of union affairs.

She held that Najeem could only act as chairman of the board.

The court also validated the Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held on August 23, 2023, at Ta’al Hotels in Lafia, Nasarawa State where the president and other national officers were inaugurated.

Oyewumi declared illegal, null, and unconstitutional the national delegates’ conference held on October 25, 2023, where the then Acting President, Isa Ore, and his National Administrative Council were said to have emerged.

According to the judge, there was no evidence of a crisis in the union.

Consequently, she held that there was no basis for the invocation of the ‘doctrine of necessity’ that led to the constitution of the caretaker committee.

“The National Delegates conference held on October 25, 2024 cannot stand and therefore declare null and void.

“Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin is also restrained from interfering in the day-to-day running of the affairs of the union. Though he can act as Chairman of the board of trustees of the union,” the judge ruled.

The election that took place on November 9, 2024, which saw MC Oluomo emerge as the National President of the NURTW, is, therefore, null and void. Notably, the election was overseen by Aliyu Issa-Ore, the acting National President, whose own election was nullified by the National Industrial Court in March 2023. The Appeal Court has upheld this verdict. This means that the election that brought MC Oluomo to power is not legitimate, considering the Appeal Court’s judgment.

MC Oluomo – President Tinubu’s Loyalist
SaharaReporters earlier reported that MC Oluomo’s rise to power as the sole candidate for NURTW National President might be linked to his strong ties with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. This connection is particularly concerning, given his history of controversy.

In March 2023, MC Oluomo sparked outrage when he threatened Igbo people in Lagos, warning them to stay home during the governorship election unless they planned to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates. He was caught on video threatening Igbo people in Lagos, warning them not to vote for candidates outside the ruling party. This incident sparked widespread concern, as it undermined Nigeria’s democratic process and unity.

The video, which went viral, showed MC Oluomo addressing a gathering and issuing the threatening statement during the 2023 general election. The Nigerian Police Force promptly denounced MC Oluomo’s actions, but despite this, he has yet to face punishment for his conduct.

MC Oluomo’s history of controversy is well-documented. As the former chairman of the Lagos State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, he has been accused of using thugs to disrupt elections and intimidate opponents. His influence and wealth, accumulated during his six-year tenure, have made him a formidable figure in Lagos politics.

Meanwhile, MC Oluomo has publicly described himself as being owned by Tinubu. In October 2018, MC Oluomo, in an Instagram post, said Tinubu owned him and that whatever he (Tinubu) wanted was what he (MC Oluomo) would support.

He wrote on his Instagram page, “I am an Asiwaju Bola Ahmend Tinubu Jagaban loyalist, I wear the Jagaban jersey, I’ve been a loyalist since 1999, the first mecca i went is through his execellence in the year 2000, moreso, he as done alot for me, he made me who i am today our relationship has been was very cordial and strong in the area that I grew up in.

“So I’m one of his loyalist that have strong believe in him, he own the party and any where his interest belong I Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya Mc oloumo belong. I and my people in Oshodi formerly endorse HE Akinwunmi Ambode for 2nd term because his government is still working in the shadow of the party national leader, but now the case is vice-visa i have to follow the interest of Bola Ahmend Tinubu and the party decision. If Asiwaju Bola Ahmend Tinubu again says is no more Babajide Sanwoolu but someone else, so shall it be.”