Featured

2019/2020 Niger State Gov. Cup:Suleja FC crowns Champion, Kontagora FC Settles for Bronze medal

Published

5 years ago

February 25, 2020

Suleja local government have emerged champions of 2019/ 2020 Niger state governors’ cup, after edging Chanchaga local government 5-3 on penalty shoots out, as normal duration ended 0-0 at Sani Bello football complex- Kontagora Niger state.

The 39 edition of power state annual competition was historic in nature, as the finalists displayed good football artistry which rivets the attention of over 5,000 bystanders and other top dignitaries who thronged Sani Bello football field in their large numbers; Suleja FC and Chanchaga FC had to stretch out themselves to penalties after normal duration ended nil-all draw.

The highlights of this year’s final were centered around reigning champ (Suleja local government), as they continued to show brilliance in all their displays on that day. Although, the neatness of Sani Bello football complex, was advantageous to Chanchaga FC football fans seeing them everywhere at the stadium – cheering their team passionately the eventual winners were not technically and tactically pressured by the fans’ antics throughout the encounter.

Based on facts, match odds did not really favor Suleja as bookmakers and punters believed Chanchaga FC would coast home to victory hinging it on the motivation by its local government chairman who had promised to compensate them handsomely if they win this year’s Niger state governors cup final.

Meanwhile, the host city, Kontagora walked over Katcha local government in the third-place match -prior to the finals. The third-place match was scheduled for 8 am, however, Katcha FC came about 9 am, after giving grace of 20 minutes by the local organizing committee. The organizers felt Katcha were nonchalant to the rules of football thus, they activated the section of football statutes which frowns at such a scenario in a football competition.

En route the final match, Chanchaga local government and Kontagora played 3-2 on penalties whilst Suleja FC defeated Katcha local government 4-3 on penalties.

Historically, Suleja local government has now hoisted Niger state governors cup 11 times, trailing this year’s runners up -Chanchaga local government, who has won lifted the diadem 13 good times since the inception of the tournament in 1980.

This year’s outstanding performers :

Highest goals scorer; Emmanuel John, from Kontagora FC – cliched the golden ball award with 7 goals.

Most valuable player; Chanchaga FC midfielder -Mohammed Ajayi was adjudged as MVP.

Best goalkeeper;

Suleja FC’s Junior Kolo went home with the golden gloves.

Moreover, the 2019/2020 Niger state governors cup was kneeling contested between 24 teams from 25 local governments in the state, which obviously is one the memorable takeaways from this year’s 2 weeks marathon of – epic football showpiece in Niger state.

Share on Facebook

Featured

RMRDC: Making Giant Strides Under Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso

Published

11 hours ago

September 19, 2024

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

As we embark on a journey, we always pray for an able, experienced, and courageous driver, pilot, or sailor depending on the means of transportation.

This is because the captain will have enough experience and boldness to navigate out of turbulence and to bring all the passengers and crew to the intended destination.

Interestingly, these fine qualities of ability, experience, boldness, and many more, abound in the man, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, who we all are pleased was appointed the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, the Director General/CEO by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a few months ago. This is because he has brought his knowledge, ability, experience, and doggedness to bear in carrying out his assignment in charge of the Council.

The RMRDC, operating under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is pivotal in driving Nigeria’s industrial growth by optimizing local raw materials exploitation, development, and utilization. RMRDC, ab initio, was conceived as a child of necessity when Nigeria was reeling from the throes of global recession and plummeting crude oil prices.

Without an iota of doubt, today, the council is experiencing a transformation with massive innovation in raw material exploitation, development, and utilization, supporting business and industrial growth, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, in Abuja to commemorate his 100 days in office, he said the council is laying a solid foundation through numerous innovations that will further enhance growth in the country.

According to him, “In the past 100 days, my strategic pursuits have been to lay solid foundations for enduring success in these goals.

“Upon assuming this position, I set five crucial deliverables which include, refocusing the Council as a premier research institution; Strengthening the Council’s productivity and operational efficiency; and Significantly improving the staff welfare to be the best in the class of similar organizations.

“Others include, Boosting the Council’s visibility and instituting remarkable culture change that encourages ownership and productivity as well as Strengthening and deepening the Council’s place in the international arena.”While speaking on his Achievements so far, the DG revealed further: “My first task, therefore, was to implement a strategic goal-setting for the Council’s staff to define and set out clear objectives and targets to be achieved by the Council within a specified period towards refocusing on this historical mandate. We unleashed five significant initiatives in that regard.

“The nationwide raw material data collection exercise that focused on technical and investment information to drive our mission forward.

“The restructuring and renaming of the former Technology Innovation Complex (TIC), at the Obasanjo Space Center at Airport Road, Abuja, to a Research and Demonstration Plants Complex (RDPC). This complex will be Africa’s first center of excellence in raw material research, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, technology development workshops, and proof of concept demonstrations.

“We have reactivated the Council’s Journal and repositioned it internationally. The repositioned Journal of Raw Material Research (JORMAR) will host RMRDC’s researchers’ publications, which are crucial in promoting awareness, facilitating knowledge sharing, and informing stakeholders about the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. “The collaboration with universities and academies will strengthen our capacity for conducting market-guided research, ensuring sustained workforce training while deepening our orientation in science.

“The council has reformulated a new template for all our research proposals to ensure and sustain a clear departure from the old culture of blue-sky and deliberately endless research.”Speaking further, Prof Nwanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso stated that Staff welfare remains a top priority as an issue of unpaid salaries is settled as well as set up a comprehensive welfare program. “Similarly, we established the RMRDC Training School to sustainably build our staff and stakeholders’ capacity to further the staff welfare improvement goal.

“We are committed to openness, inclusiveness, and performance management and have initiated steps to continuously improve staff ownership, orchestrate transformative culture change, boost our corporate visibility, and enhance.

“To further strengthen our visibility and communication strategies, we are upgrading our media infrastructure, which includes the launch of the RMRDC online media platform, The RMRDC TV Online.

“Additionally, we are working hard to effectively enhance the intellectual property and patent portfolio of RMRDC from its current 40 to approximately 200 new patents within the next 24 months. This proactive approach secures valuable IP assets and positions the Council as a leader in innovation within the raw materials sector, contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic growth.“As well as launching an e-registration and certification portal to enhance transparency in the raw materials sector,” DG revealed.

He however reaffirmed his commitment to reshape the future of research, technology, and innovation, driving Nigeria towards an industrially vibrant and technologically resilient economy.

“As I mark 100 days in office, I boldly say that the Council is on the verge of rewriting its history.

“I believe that in no distant future, RMRDC will play a leading role in enhancing raw materials’ development to boost raw materials’ industrial trial processing and attain sustainable industrial growth in Nigeria.

The DG, however, applauded the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, for his unwavering support and mentorship, saying the Minister’s leadership has been instrumental in the progress made so far.

In his opening remarks, the Directorate of Corporate Affairs, Mr Chucks Ngaha commended the hard-working DG who has weathered the storm further to put the Council on the ladder of more prosperity.

Share on Facebook