Featured

Nigerian Journalist raided, escaped death in Makurdi

Published

6 years ago

January 22, 2020

Nigerian Journalist, the Media Officer of the Golden Eaglets and the publisher of www.totorinews.com Francis Achi, on Sunday escaped death when he was robbed at his hotel room in Markudi, Benue state

Unfortunately, that day happened to be his birthday and he narrated the sad ordeal below.

According to him, I was robbed inside my hotel room at Makurdi. It was around 3.30 am. I am in Makurdi to cover the NPFL game between Lobi Stars and Dakkada FC of Uyo. I just finished night vigil of singing praises to God for the grace to celebrate another birthday. I then posted the birthday groove on my social media handles a few minutes past 3.00 am.

“Slept for about 10 minutes, only for me to be woken up at about 3.30 am by the strange movement of my phone and power bank towards the window.

I switched off the Samsung Galaxy A 30 to charge it, but the thief used a stick to drag both the phone and the power bank after he opened the window. The room was at the ground floor. Suddenly, I woke up and I quickly dragged the power bank back to the room, but the phone was gone.

I reported the matter at the police station in Makurdi around 7.30 am and they have arrested some staff of the hotel that was on duty last night.

It was later gathered that the Amoakachi Lane where City Gate Hotel and the entire area is a den of criminals in Makurdi and four persons were killed in the area in the past year. The City Gate Hotel itself has recorded cases of theft as reported at the Police station in B – Division Police station in Makurdi recently and the security agencies have put their surveillances on the hotel and the area in Makurdi.

The Police later informed me that I should be grateful to God that I was not shot and the attack did not turn fatal tragedy as in some cases in Makurdi where innocent Nigerians have been killed in a robbery.

Visitors to Makurdi should avoid lodging at the City Gate Hotel located at Amoakachi land in Makurdi due to the high rate of crime at the hotel and in the area and the security agencies have placed the area as the flashpoint of crimes in the capital of Benue state.

The Police detained the staff on night duty at the hotel, but they insisted on their innocence.

Share on Facebook

Featured

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

Published

7 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.

Share on Facebook