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Kogi United reclaims State FA Cup

Published

5 years ago

April 28, 2019

Kogi United reclaims State FA Cup

Kogi United on Saturday reclaimed the state FA Cup trophy after beating their city rivals, FC Lokoja in dramatic shootouts.

The final played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja witnessed by a sizeable crowd ended 1-1 at regulation time as both sides rekindled their age long rivalry.

Both sides could not lived up to the billings in first half of the encounter as it was a cagey affairs which produced less talking points.

FC Lokoja, formerly known as The Teachers, were the first to show real potency as they almost took the lead two minutes into restart but Adepoju Augustine shoot straight at United goalkeeper, Salisu Ogbe when gifted with clear chance.

The introduction of both Francis Savior and Omajagun Umoru who replaced Obasesam Edet and Eghe Osas changed the game for Kogi United and put them on the driving seat.

The dominance would later payed off as the Confluence Boys took the lead in the 59 minutes when Salisu Tanko took advantage of FC Lokoja’s keeper, Bello Dada who failed to quickly react and head home John Jerome’s cross.

FC Lokoja raised their game soon after and pressed for an equalizer which they later got in the 73 minutes.

Danjuma Suleiman had beaten the offside trap and fed Edeh Sunday with a through pass and the latter finished well with low drive past Ogbe.

The game became an end to end stuffs into the closing minutes as both sides went in search of the winning goal. United created the best chances to win at regular time but had Idris Muye, Umoru and substitutes Etuk Akanimo to blame for not taking the initiatives.

The encounter went into the shootouts which was tensed for both sides.

United’s keeper Ogbe saved FC Lokoja’s first two kicks and his side converted their first three. The duo of Savior and Akanimo missed what should have earned United the victory in the regular shootouts and forced it into the sudden death.

It was Apeh Omatiga who missed FC Lokoja’s ninth kick to give United the victory they conceded to their Feeders in last year’s final.

Both finalists will however represent Kogi State at the National Aiteo Cup later in the year.

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FG to Harness the Digital Economy to Empower Youth

Published

3 days ago

April 17, 2024

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Honourable Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande has disclosed that the Federal Government is making efforts to harness the potentials of the digital economy in empowering the youth and creating sustainable jobs.

He made this disclosure in Abuja when he received the participants of the Senior Executive Course 46, 2024 of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Plateau State who were on study tour to the Ministry.

Mr Olawande said over 50% of the population below the age of 30 have a significant demographic advantage in the digital age.

“Our youths are tech-savvy, innovative and eager to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, they face numerous challenges including limited access to quality education, skills training and job opportunities.

The digital economy offers a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leapfrog traditional development challenges. With the rise of e-commerce, digital payments and remote work”. “Our youths can assess global markets, skills training and job opportunities like never before,” he added.

According to the Minister, challenges hindering the growth of the digital economy in Nigeria must be addressed.
He explained that to overcome the challenges, the Ministry has implemented initiatives such as digital skills training programs for youths, focusing on areas like software development, data analytics and digital marketing especially in the NYSC.

This, he disclosed is alongside partnering with Galaxy Back Bone to improve infrastructure, Internet connectivity and alternative electricity supply as well as funding opportunities such as grants, loans and venture capital for startups of small businesses with launching of the National Youth Investment Fund.

The Honourable Minister who hinted that the Ministry’ s goal is to create an ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for youth stated: ” We recognise that sustainable job creation is critical to Nigeria ‘s economic growth and stability”

”I urge you all to join us in this journey to harness the potential of the digital economy for youth empowerment and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.”, he added.

Mr Olawande further said that the opportunities and challenges underscore the need for a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to harness the potential of the digital economy for sustainable development.

The Minister who observed that there is a gap between the Government and the young people expressed his heartfelt desire for the Youths of the nation to feel the Government. He opined that the country has the most intelligent youths in the world.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation from NIPSS, Barrister Nima Salman Mann, mni said they are in the Ministry to research, proffer solutions, recommendations and strategies to help Government chart its course for the the year, with the theme : ‘Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities’.

.She also added that Ministry of Youth Development is very germane to this year’s theme .” We are with the Ministry of Youth to listen to what you are doing to help the youth, how you are doing it, strategic plans and way forward as well as how we can use the digital economy to chart the goal for sustainable job creation,” she concluded.

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