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Bar. Edeh Offers Scholarship To Over 40 Players

Published

5 years ago

February 8, 2021

…Says Football Can Help Tackle Gender-Based Violence

Football as a sport is an important tool to bring people together and also educate boys about true masculinity, violence prevention, and the rights of women. That’s why NWFL Championship side, Naija Ratels Football Club took out time to play a novelty match against a team assembled by its President, Barrister Paul Edeh on the 6th of February 2021 at the Area 3 Football pitch, Abuja.

A minute of silence was held before the start of the match in memory of victims of Gender-based violence across the world.

The game which featured some notable individuals was filled with fun and excitement, as both teams united to end violence against women. The Naija Ratels Ladies scored first through Adanna Nwachukwu before Kenny Jubril equalized late on for the Barrister Paul Edeh side to make it 1-1.

“Sport is a vital tool for building peace and understanding across nations and can also be a powerful instrument to oppose violence against the girl child, helping promote gender equality and also children’s right”, said Naija Ratels President, Barrister Paul Edeh.

“I passionately believe in the power of sport. The values that I have as a man, leader, husband, and father must be used to help women who are being abused and to focus our attention on preventing abuse from happening by educating boys about true masculinity, violence prevention, and the rights of women.

The United Nations SDG Peace Ambassador further stated that he will be offering scholarships to all his players to the University level, noting that those who failed WAEC and NECO will retake it, while UTME forms will be brought for those with required credits.

“We live in a society where too much attention has been taken away from the girl child. We live in a society where the girl child appears to be abandoned and neglected. We live in a society where the emphasis on the social vices associated with what we do against the girl child isn’t highlighted.

“So today, I came together with my friends to be able to highlight a very topical theme which has to do with Gender-based violence, we have come here to say no to gender-based violence, that the girl child needs to be given the opportunity to express themselves in a society that belongs to them as well.

“When we forayed into the game of football, investing in the game of football, we decided we aren’t going to do it business as usual, we knew the education of these children was very key, hence we decided to give all of them scholarships and help them realize their dreams, also we diversified into farming and other business to keep funding these girls who have left their homes to come to play for Naija Ratels. Their welfare is well catered for and that’s very important for us.” He concluded.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Barrister Nicholas Elechi lauded the initiative and tasked the Federal Government, NFF, and other notable Stakeholders to give more support to Barr. Paul Edeh in the project.

“We are marking an end to violence against women in the society with this event. It’s amazing what Barrister Paul Edeh is doing. A single individual doing what so many Nigerians cannot do. He has given scholarships to over forty girls which will enable them to get the best of education. It’s really amazing

“He is a very good example of what it means to be a great Nigerian. Wilson Churchill once said: ‘ If every Englishman can defend his family, the whole of England will be defended.”

“I urge the Nigerian Government, NFF and other key stakeholders to support him in this course. I am really impressed.”

Also, Ex-International and Chairman of Kogi United and Confluence Queens, Abdul Sule, who was one of the participants, thanked the convener, Barrister Paul Edeh for giving support and recognition to the girlchild, noting that he will always be available for anything that has to do with gender-based violence.

The one-day event had notable individuals present, such as former Super Eagles striker Abdul Sule, legendary Goalkeeper John Gaadi, Barrister Nicholas Elechi, Future Eagles Manager, Usman Ilerika, Nigeria U-17 women football team manager, Bankole Oloowokere, Chairman Nigeria Coaches Association, FCT, Godwin Bamigboye, Special Assistant to the Minister for State, FCT, Ndaliman Babajirgi, Comrade Azikwe, Top Sports Journalists, Udeme George, Grace John, and many others.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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