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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
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Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
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Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
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Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
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