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NUJ President, IGP,Transcorp Hilton Hail Inspiring FCT Correspondents Chapel Tournament
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Encomiums have continued to pour in for the FCT Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ ) after the successful conclusion of the second edition of a 3-day football tournament that brought private and public organizations together.
The Correspondents Chapel Football Tournament which had twelve participating teams, came to an end at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja on Saturday, as the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC) emerged champions after beating the Federal High Court 1-0.
Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel Comrade. Jide Oyekunle said the tournament was aimed at strengthening synergy amongst the participating organisations.
“This tournament is not just a competition; it is a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the unifying power of football.Football, as we all know, is more than just a game. It is a language that transcends borders, a passion that brings together people from all walks of life.”
“Going by the theme of the tournament “ Football for Friendship and Peace “ The 3- Day tournament is aimed at strengthening the relationships between the media and participating organizations particularly the security agencies. It is also aimed at shaping and promoting synergy and collaboration,” he revealed.
NUJ President Chris Isiguzo described the tournament as highly ‘inspiring’.
“The success of the inaugural edition last year and the enthusiasm that has carried over to this year is a clear indication of the Chapel’s leadership and organizational prowess. I hope I’m not going to burst your head when I declare you as the numero uno Chapel in the country. You’re clearly living to that expectation, setting a high standard for others to follow.”
“Engaging in activities such as this football tournament remains very crucial for our general wellbeing. As Journalist, we often find ourselves engrossed in a demanding task of gathering, reporting and analyzing news.
“ It is essential to create opportunities for relaxation and recreation. To rejuvenate our minds and bodies. Sports, particularly football, offers a perfect avenue for this.
Because it helps to promote physical fitness mental alertness and team spirit. This tournament is more than just a games, it is a celebration of our unity and strength as professional.
“ It is also a platform for us to bond and build lasting relationships that transcend our professional interaction. Such initiatives indeed offer a sense belonging and solidarity which clearly are essential in the high pressure environment of journalism,” Isiguzo stated.
“Moreover as we indugle in this exciting tournament, we must not lose sight of the essence of our profession. Your efforts in organising this tournaments are highly commendable and truly inspiring,” NUJ President affirms.
One of the main partners of the tournament, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, through marketing manager Ifeanyi Nnadi urged the sponsors to make the event a bigger one next year.
“I want to first of all thank the organisers of this event for a very well turned out event, congratulations to the participant’s and to everyone who won today. And of course we’re very happy to be a part of it. All the sponsors, all the planning committee, what I’ll just say is let’s make the next edition bigger and better. Thank you very much, all the best.” Nnadi declared.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police represented by Patrick Attahiru while appreciating the organisers for giving security operatives the opportunity to compete with others, pleaded for more collaboration with journalists to help strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
“I want to assure our brothers and sisters that the IGP is very keen to foster a very healthy and friendly relationship with the fourth estate of the realm. We understand the critical role journalists play in sustaining a vibrant democracy such as we’re trying to establish for our country. Together with the police we’re both key stakeholders in nurturing our democracy to fruition.”
“And I want to assure you that in any case or any instance a journalist feels any police man has stepped out of line or overuse his authority in any way or prevented you from doing your job, I’m sure you all have access to the highest echelon of the force. And I can assure you, the IGP has made it clear, if such a complaint is received, it’ll be dealt with and dealt with appropriately. So we’ll continue to support you and we hope you’ll continue to support us. Because we rely on you as a force multiplier to achieve the strategic objective of the IGP in policing our great country. We seek your understanding, it’s a difficult job for us as well as for you, but with mutual understanding we’ll continue to collaborate and to cooperate,” IGP assured.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau also pledged a continued collaboration with the media, as he called on the organisers to make subsequent event a 20-team competition.
The representative of AIBEN, Elder Timothy Elerewe said the company would continue to support the media in their quest for positive change and development of the society. He thanked all participating organizations for the spirit of sportsmanship, resilience and determination.
Those participating in the second edition are as follows Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited ( NNPCL ), Nigerian Police Force , Nigerian Customs Service ( NCS ), Nigerian Immigration Services ( NIS ), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Federal High Court, Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC ), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), AIBEN Group, Sport Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Following the 1-0 victory over Federal High Court, the FRSC retained the title it won last year
…leaders urge resilience as pressure mounts within ADC ranks
By Gloria Ikibah
Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have thrown their weight behind Rep. Leke Abejide, urging him to remain steadfast amid ongoing political tensions within his party the African Democratic Congress.
The messages of support were delivered during a dinner in Abuja held to celebrate the 50th birthday of his wife, Esther Abejide, where both leaders praised his resilience and commitment to democratic ideals.
They encouraged the Yagba Federal Constituency representative to stay the course and continue his efforts to stabilise and strengthen the African Democratic Congress, despite mounting internal challenges.
Bello described Abejide as a determined political figure who remains focused on his goals, while Gbajabiamila urged him to remain within the party and push for what he believes is right.
Their intervention comes at a time of heightened uncertainty within the ADC, with calls for unity and perseverance growing louder among party stakeholders.
Bello said, “Honourable Leke Abejide sought to be a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of APC then, and there are some mathematical miscalculations. But that never stopped him. He came second time and he is performing and touching lives across the board.
“Honourable Leke Abejide is acting as if he was the governor. At a point I was like, do you want to overthrow me? Honourable Leke Abigide sought to be the governor of Kogi State. He contested keenly with my amiable and wonderful successor. I know how many times our brother, the chief of staff, the president, intervened, called me, and several meetings were held. And I maintained one thing. I said, look, this is my brother. I will never deceive him. The politics of Kogi State, nobody knows better than I do at this stage. Let him just try his luck and learn and wait for an appropriate time.
“Honourable Leke Abejide did not lose. He only came to learn the act of politicking especially for governorship at that level in Kogi State. Honourable Leke Abejide did not hesitate to support and give all of his backings to my governor immediately after the election. He was under serious pressure to go to court. He was the first person who said he was not going to challenge it. Rather, he collapsed his structures and supported.
“Honourable Leke Abejide at National Assembly level, despite he belonged to ADC, he was supporting our president actively, both physically and covertly. Honourable Leke Abejide, we thank you for all your performance. Your Excellency, thank you for your guidance. The Chief of Staff, the President. Tell Mr. President that we appreciate you. And that myself and my governor, we have conferred on each other. And that we are calling on Chief Leke Abejide and telling all of the Yagba Federal Constituency’s persons that are here, please take this message home, that we want Leke back in APC”.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila commended Rep. Abejide for his doggedness which he said kept him on track in his democratic journey and winning elections on a platform which he kept alive and running for long.
He said, “I keep saying people to people when I talk about him, that for a man to contest an election in a face-to-face state where elections are fierce, and to contest under a platform of a relatively unknown party, ADC, and to win back-to-back-to-back, it tells you who that man is. Not when he won the first time, he came on a sole ADC carry to the house. Four years later, he went back to Kogi. He brought somebody else from the ADC.
“Honorable Abejide, I know you to be a committed party man. I know you to be a fighter. I know you to be someone who does not like to be cheated. So please, my charge to you is to stay in that same ADC. Fight. Fight them. Scare them. Hold on to your party, ADC. Do not allow them. We like what you are doing. Continue.
“Don’t let the former governor say that you should come and join the APC. No, no, no, no, no, no. Stay in the ADC. Win your election in the ADC as you will. Bring Gombe. We will support him. Bring him. Do the right thing. You are a fighter. Do the right thing. Nobody can come and take your party away from you. A party that you’ve been to for years with your sweat and your money and everything. No. Continue. Good luck in court”.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators Serving and Former Forum has tasked all stakeholders especially the Judiciary on projection of Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum gave the charge on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja while reacting to comments allegedly made by some top politicians and public officials that do not advance Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Ms Nnenna Ukeje, a member of the 8th House of Representatives said that as patriots, the forum is committed to national interest and have defended democracy on many fora.
According to her, their intervention stands for the defence, stability, protection of democracy and preservation of our beloved country.
“We must reiterate that there is a clear difference between the tyranny of the majority and true democracy; between illiberal civil rule and a system grounded in democratic contestation; between constitutional governance and authoritarian subjugation.
“Nigeria must remain firmly on the side of democracy, resisting overreach by any arm of government is not subversion; it is a constitutionally given right and duty.
“To the judiciary, we reiterate: this is a defining moment; the tipping point, the nation’s eleventh for survival.
“Your independence must remain sacrosanct. Your integrity must be unquestionable and your patriotism unapologetic. Your decision will determine the drift,” she said.
Ukeje said that Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by the very forces that once fought to build it saying that the preservation of democratic space is not a favour to the opposition but a duty owed to the nation.
The former lawmaker said that Nigerians must be very vigilant as democracy does not defend itself but survives only when citizens, institutions, and leaders commit to its protection.
“In conclusion, Nigeria must remain a nation governed by law, not expediency; by robust institutions, not strong individuals; and by the will of the people, not predetermined outcomes.
“Let the judiciary act without interference. Let opposition thrive without intimidation. Let citizens participate without fear.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people, and it must be protected and defended by all.
We remain committed to defending it through all lawful means; through the courts, through civic engagement, and at the ballot box,” she said. (NAN)
——-
…..Oyedele elevated to Finance Minister
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.
According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.
Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy.
He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.
Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.
The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”
Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.
The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
Stand Firm and Keep Fighting, Bello, Gbajabiamila Rally Abejide
Forum of legislators calls on Judiciary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy
Tinubu approves minor cabinet reshuffle, sacks Edun, Dangiwa
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