Sports

NLO: Hon. Ekene splashes N20-million on 8 Kaduna Teams

Published

7 months ago

March 29, 2024

The House Committee Chairman on Sports, Federal House of Representatives, and Member, representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams has donated N20-Million naira to Kaduna teams ahead of the Nationwide League One, (NLO) competition slated for next month across various centers in the country.

The Lawmaker who announced the donation during a media parley with members of the Sport’s Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Kaduna state chapter amongst other sport stakeholders on Friday, at the popular Ahmadu Bello Stadium, (ABS) Kaduna said he desired good things for sport in Kaduna state.

Eight teams that qualified from the Division One to the Professional cadre at the end of every season are expected to slug it out in the championship play-off to determine the overall winner for the NLO season.

Speaking in Kaduna on Friday on the need for the various teams to put up their best in the competition, the Honourable Member said the donation is for logistics of the eight teams who qualified for the game, adding that when the teams are motivated, they will showcase their potentials to the fullest.

“We will do everything humanly possible to support the teams in other for them to do well in the forthcoming game. For that reason I am supporting the eight teams with the sum of N20-million naira for their logistics.

“I desire good thing for sport in Kaduna state we have 8 teams that are competing in the NLO, and as the House Committee Chairman on Sports, from Kaduna state here, I want the team to do very well to the best of their abilities.

“Under my administration, we are trying to do everything differently as a seasoned Administrator. I have played, I have managed and I can say that I have risen to the peak of my career in sport. We are now the one in government so if the previous government was doing anything wrong, we are to correct those mistakes and carry everyone along.” He said.

In his response, the Chairman Football Association, (FA) Kaduna state Mr. Faiza Mohammed Abdullahi, said that since the Lawmaker assumed office, they have been able to record a significant giant Strides.

He added that some of the steps that they have taken so far would take a little time to materialized, meanwhile he revealed that there was a disconnect from the previous government but since the coming of Hon. Ekene he has been able to sit down with Governor Uba Sani twice on the need to revitalize sporting activities in the state.

Also, the National President, Sport’s Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, (JP) appreciated the Hon. Member for his efforts and determination to see that sport thrive in the state and the country at large.

He urged members and well meaning Nigerians to prioritize the Lawmaker in their prayers so that God can give him the courage and the enablement to match action with his words even as he said that governance requires the contribution of all and sundry.

Share on Facebook

Sports

Gusau Praises President Tinubu, ValueJet crew for diligence and endurance

Published

3 days ago

October 15, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Tuesday expressed the deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria Football family for the warm words of encouragement from the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR following the Super Eagles’ return from a better-forgotten Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match adventure in Libya.

On Monday, Mr. President put out a statement warmly welcoming the team back to home, and asking for prompt justice from the Confederation of African Football following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian contingent. Mr. President also commended the proactive coordination between the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Sports Development in addressing the unfortunate episode and ensuring the safe return of the players.

“We hereby express our deep and sincerest appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his warm and kind words of encouragement. These words have gone a long way to reassure the players of the firm support of the Government and people of Nigeria for what they do and the efforts and sacrifice they make in representing this great country.

“The commitment and love for the team by the Government and the entire nation was aptly demonstrated by the physical presence of the Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh at the airport to welcome the team back to Nigeria.

“Mr. President as the father of the nation, has once again demonstrated his concern and keen interest in the beautiful game of football that unites our peoples from all walks of life and across all known mental, physical, spiritual, political and economic boundaries, and which fosters national unity and friendship among peoples and nations of the universe.”

Gusau, who led the delegation to Libya, also commended the captain and crew of the ValueJet aircraft that flew the delegation to and from that country, saying that their patience, diligence, good manners, warmth and endurance made the trip less arduous for the contingent.

“The captain (Mr. Abdul-Latif) and crew were awesome. I must commend, in particular, the captain. He did his job professionally and with a touch of excellence, and even intervened at a point to talk to the airport operatives to allow the NFF leadership to go outside the airport to find a way to hire vehicles for the team. As a fellow North African (Tunisian) who had worked in Libya previously, they were ready to offer him hotel accommodation but not any other member of the crew or any Nigerian, as all the hotels in the city disclosed that they had strict orders not to welcome any Nigerian nationality. He refused their offer and rather opted to sleep in the aircraft with the rest of the crew.

“The captain and crew showed great maturity and kindness. We will never forget them.”

Share on Facebook