News
Iloenyosi endorses FCT Correspondents Chapel football tournament
Former Super Eagles defender, Chikelue Iloenyosi has endorsed the football tournament of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
Iloenyosi, who is the current Chairman of Anambra State Football Association, was a member of Nigeria’s team to the FIFA U20 World Cup on home soil in 1999.
Popularly known as The General, Iloenyosi endorsed the NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel football tournament in Abuja on Friday when executives and members of the Chapel led by Chairman Jide Oyekunle paid him a courtesy visit.
Speaking during the visit, the Anambra FA Chairman disclosed he does not joke with journalists, and that he is excited about the prospect of the football tournament.
“I do not joke with journalists. I am very happy that the NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel deemed me fit as the ambassador of the football tournament. 
“I am excited about the prospect of the football tournament, which I learnt is to strengthen the relationship among participating organisations. I fully endorse the tournament,” Iloenyosi said.
Earlier, Chairman of NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel had disclosed that the visit was to express gratitude and sincere appreciation to the former Super Eagles defender for accepting the request to be the ambassador and the face of the tournament.
Comrade Oyekunle informed Iloenyosi that the football tournament will hold between July 11th and 13th, 2024 and that the draws for the tournament will take place on June 18th, when the Anambra FA Chairman would be unveiled officially as the ambassador of the tournament.
“We are here to express our gratitude and sincere appreciation to you for accepting our request to be the ambassador and the face of our tournament.
“Your contribution to sports development within and outside the country will continue to be a reference point. We consider your positive disposition to our request as honour and privilege. We do not take it for granted but with gratitude,” Oyekunle said.
Speaking on the essence of the football tournament, the NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel Chairman said it is to strengthen the friendly relationship among the participating organisations through football.
Oyekunle listed the participating organisations to include: Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Federal High Court (FHC) and Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
Others he said are: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Sports Writer Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Correspondents Chapel football team and amongst others.
Oyekunle said: “The 3-day tournament will be held at the Area 10 football field by Old Parade Ground. It is aimed at providing avenues for journalists and security agencies and government organisations to come together as one family with the aim of strengthening friendly relationships through football.
“Sport does not have a language. Sport is an integral activity that unites the people and has the power to change the world irrespective of religion, ethnic and political background.
“Football makes people forget their differences because it is a unifying factor. It heals wounds and bonds people together.
“This is our own little way of contributing and lending our voice to national unity, peace and harmony.
“As a media friendly football legend in the country, you have been a role model in your chosen career for the younger generation.
“Your exceptional and invaluable contributions towards sports development within and outside the country will continue to be a reference point in the annals of history.
“You have impacted so many lives through your humanitarian programmes and projects and this kind gesture will continue to resonate and never go unnoticed.
“It is my pleasure to also inform you that the formal unveiling as ambassador will come up on Tuesday June 18th by 12 pm at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja during the Pre Tournament Press Conference and draw.
“As Ambassador you will also help to supervise the draw which will be attended by the sports enthusiasts, dignitaries, the representatives and team leaders of the participating organisations.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of a gigantic thank you card to the former Super Eagles defender. The NUJ FCT Correspondents Chapel football tournament is in its 2nd Edition.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) under his leadership, inherited a debt burden of N8.9 billion.
Ganduje revealed this in Abuja while speaking at the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC
According to him, the expenses incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections
The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” he stated.
He, however, noted that Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN), the National Legal Adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the National Executive Committee to intervene accordingly,” he pleaded.
The meeting was attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; state governors; NWC members; and other party chieftains.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos has rejected the request to step down from the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Emefiele is facing 19 counts bordering on abuse of office, receiving gratification, and corrupt demands, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During Monday’s court proceedings, Olalekan Ojo, counsel for Godwin Emefiele, orally requested that Justice Rahman Oshodi should recuse himself from the trial on the grounds of alleged bias.
The request specifically followed a dispute that arose while the seventh prosecution witness, John Adetola, was testifying.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the EFCC’s counsel, was cross examining Adetola’s testimony and referenced an earlier statement in which Adetola claimed he received a bribe from John Ayoh and delivered it to Emefiele at his office.
Oyedepo then asked Adetola to verify a WhatsApp message from Eric Odoh, which had been extracted from his phone by EFCC investigators.
Ojo had objected, arguing that the document was only for identification and had not yet been formally accepted as an exhibit.
The defence had contended that the witness should not read or comment on the document at that point.
The court overruled the objection, citing section 224 of the Evidence Act, which allows for leading questions on introductory or undisputed matters.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the defence declined to cross-examine the witness and instead filed a motion for the judge to recuse himself from the case.
On Wednesday, Justice Oshodi delivered his ruling, stating that after reviewing the arguments and legal authorities presented, the request lacked merit and was therefore dismissed. [With The Witness report]
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Four female students of the Joseph Saawuaan Tarka Federal University, Makurdi, formally known as Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, have been kidnapped by gunmen.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, said that investigation and rescue efforts had begun.
Also speaking on the situation, a senior staff member in the school said the students were going for night study when they were kidnapped between their hostels and the reading point at the North Core area of the school campus.
Meanwhile, the news of the kidnap of the female students sparked wild protests from students.
The students in their numbers marched around the school with tree branches in their hands, demanding immediate action from the school authorities.
The institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Itodo, had yet to respond to any inquiry as of press time.
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