News
Gateway Games: National sports festival postponed to January 2025
The Federal Government has postponed the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival, tagged, ‘Gateway Games, Ogun 2024’, to January 2025.
Recall that Sunday Dare, the then Minister of Youth and Sports Development, announced Ogun as the next host in Asaba during the closing ceremony of the 21st NSF on December 10, 2022.
However, in a communique released after the first National Council on Sports, at the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu State, the Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, announced the postponement of the games.
The minister commended Ogun State Government for its commitment ahead towards hosting the festival, noting that the event plays a vital role in national unity, while also increasing socio-economic growth for the sustainable development of the hosting state and the country in general.
He called on the federal and state governments to bid and host national and international sports competitions, to fast-track the development of sports in the country.
The minister stated that the Council of Sports was in favour of the establishment of the Sports Development and Investment Fund (NSIDF) due to its attendant benefits in promoting sports development in Nigeria, even as he urged all important stakeholders to play active roles towards the successful hosting of the Gateway Games.
Fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting, Ogun State Commissioner for Sports Development, Wasiu Isiaka, stated that the state government was prepared to host the festival.
He explained that NSF has the ability to unite people, promote collaboration and teamwork, instill values of discipline and perseverance, and encourage youth to participate in sports for socio-economic development.
“Through the power of sports, we have the opportunity to come together, forge connections and celebrate our shared humanity. We are leveraging on the ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda of the governor to leverage on sports development at the grassroots,” he said.
News
U.S. returnee arrested at Lagos airport for duping 139 Australians
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested a suspected online fraudster known as Osang Otukpa for allegedly duping 139 Australians to the tune of eight million Australian dollars.
Otukpa was arrested by EFCC operatives in a stakeout at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, after arriving from the United States of America on December 6.
“Otukpa goes by five aliases, namely: Ford Thompson, Oscar Donald Tyler, Michael Haye, Jose Vitto and Kristin Davidson.
“He scammed his victims by luring them on social media to invest in his rogue cryptocurrency investment platform, Liquid Asset Group (LAG).
“The proceeds of the alleged crimes were routed to his bank accounts through a global cryptocurrency exchange platform,” a statement by EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale on Friday in Abuja reads.
Oyewale said that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
News
Ex-kogi Deputy Speaker is dead
The immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon Enema Paul, is dead.
He died of an undisclosed illness in Abuja at a private hospital in the early hours of Saturday.
Before his death, Hon Paul was the member representing Okura State Constituency in the current 8th Assembly in Kogi State.
Hon Paul stepped down as Kogi State Deputy Speaker on health grounds, and he was later replaced by the member representing Ibaji State Constituency, Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has commiserated with the family of the former Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Enema Paul, whose demise was announced early Saturday.
This is contained in a press statement signed and made available to journalists in Lokoja by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed.
He described the deceased Assembly member as a friend, temperate, humble, team-playing, committed lawmaker, and public servant.
According to Rt Hon Umar, the former Deputy Speaker was a man who exemplified commitment to the unity of the state, having demonstrated a genuine desire to enhance pro-people legislation for overall development.
He noted that the late Enema Paul was also a devoted Christian who saw beyond religion and whose godliness and commitment to family values were unquestionable.
The Speaker prayed to God to grant the immediate family and members of the current and immediate past Assembly the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
News
Lagos doctor, Femi Olaleye, regains freedom after appeal court nullified his rape conviction
Nigerian doctor, Femi Olaleye, has regained his freedom weeks after the Appeal court sitting in Lagos nullified his rape conviction.
Olaleye was arraigned in 2022 by the Lagos State Government at the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, in Ikeja, Lagos and was in October 2023, found guilty of defiling his wife’s 16-year-old niece.
The judge held that the prosecution proved the two counts charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration against Olaleye.
After his conviction in August 2023, his lawyer, Kemi Pinhero, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), filed an appeal in November 2023, arguing that there was no direct evidence to confirm the alleged victim’s age.
In a judgement delivered on November 29, 2024, the appeal court held that there was no direct evidence to establish the alleged victim’s age, claiming the prosecution failed to provide documentation proving she was 16 years old at the time of the offence.
The court then discharged and acquitted Olaleye.
Taking to his Instagram page this afternoon, he shared photos of him leaving the prison on December 3. He wrote;
‘’Freedom is not just a release—it is a rebirth. And on Tuesday, 03/12/24 my new chapter began! @drfemi is back and active!”
-
News3 days ago
NAFDAC recalls Deekins Amoxycillin batch following adverse reactions
-
News5 days ago
Body of Benchers dismisses NBS rating of judiciary as one of the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria
-
News4 days ago
Court denies Yayaha Bello bail
-
Politics3 days ago
Reps to investigate Customs’ alleged involvement in smuggling activities
-
Business4 days ago
NCAA to punish airline operators for delayed tickets refund
-
News4 days ago
Youth in Agriculture: Oyebanji doles out N140million to young farmers
-
News2 days ago
Court vacates arrest warrant against Ex-AMCON boss Kuru
-
Business4 days ago
BOI disburses N22.89bn to 29 manufacturers
-
News4 days ago
Man arraigned for unlawful possession of human skull
-
Local News1 day ago
Police discover three shallow graves, arrest man and herbalist for murder of his sister in Niger State
-
Business2 days ago
Dangote Refinery announces first PMS exports to Cameroon