Dr. Usman stated this during the budget defense of the institution before the House Committee on Education, Science and Technology.

The Rector noted that instead of increasing tuition fee, the management has decided to introduce new courses that are unique to Polytechnic education such as Mass Communication, Printing Technology, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering among others.

He said the move was to expand spaces to accommodate more students instead of using tuition fee to cause hardship on the people.

Dr. Usman explained that his administration will introduce more innovations and reforms with unflinching support of the State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

By Kuti Dare

Congratulations to the good people of Kaduna state especially the ‘working’ Governor, Mallam Nasiru El Rufai as Kaduna won two gold medals in the volleyball and beach volleyball (men) events at the just concluded 21st National Sports Festival in Asaba, Delta State.

Not only did Kaduna state win two gold medals in the volleyball and beach volleyball (men), the state finished second in the women’s beach volleyball event behind Edo state.

Kaduna state would have lost out if they did not participate in these events as the quick intervention of the State Government led by Mallam Nasiru El Rufai ensured the state featured in the 21st National Sports Festival.

The success story of the volleyball and beach volleyball teams will not be complete without mentioning the name of Engineer Musa Nimrod who doubles as the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association. 14 years after winning Gold meda (in the men’s volleyball event) at the 2008 National Sports Festival tagged ‘Kada Games’, Engineer Musa Nimrod through his selfless service puts the map of the state on the world again as Kaduna state struck twice again.

Engineer Musa Nimrod has invested huge resources in the development of players in the state, took children off the streets and made them National and African Champions. It is on record that 10 out of the 12 players that featured in the men’s volleyball event made their debut at the 21st National Sports Festival while the gold medallist in the men’s beach volleyball event are making their second appearance in the beach volleyball event at the National Sports Festival.

Before the commencement of the men’s volleyball event, Ogun state and Delta state were fanced to win the volleyball event due to the highly experienced players paraded by both teams but Kaduna stole the show with younger players that started their career in beach volleyball. These winnings at the National Sports Festival is a manifestation of Engineer Musa Nimrod belief in giving the younger generation the platform and opportunity to showcase their God given talents.

Kaduna State Governor, His Excellency Mallam Nasiru El Rufai should use the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod as a role model for others to emulate. Nimrod should be seen as an ambassador of sports in Kaduna state who has used sports to alleviate, librate as well as take youths off the street of Kaduna.

It might interest His Excellency that Kaduna state youths have attended various African and World Volleyball Championship through sports. Currently, the Zone 3 U17 Beach Volleyball Boy’s and Girl’s Champion are Nigerians from Kaduna state

Your Excellency sir, the time is overdue for Engineer Musa Nimrod to receive an award, commendation as well as recognition for his investment in sports. Kaduna state is blessed to have such a reputable sports administrator in the state.

God bless Mallam Nasiru El Rufai,
God bless Kaduna state and
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Kogi Government on Friday, threatened heavy sanctions to any school and principal involved in any form of examination malpractices in the state.

The State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, gave the warning at the inauguration of distribution of free Chemistry and Physics textbooks to 95 public school students in Kogi West Senatorial district at Saint Augustine College Kabba.

He noted that 61 secondary schools in Kogi was recently de-recognised by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) on account of malpractices in the 2022 West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE).

According to him, similar complain was tendered by the examination body in 2019, where 51 secondary schools were involved, noting that things got better in 2020 and 2021 when the numbers of derecognised schools were reduced drastically from 51 to only one.

This, he said was as a result of serious warning by the ministry of education to principals of schools coupled with the commitment and determination of the state government to halt examination malpractices in the state.

The Commissioner lamented that just on Thursday, WAEC officials forwarded a letter to his office intimating the ministry that 61 secondary schools were grossly involved in examination malpractices in the 2022 examination.

“This, I am not going to let it go. We are going to sanction any principal found wanting in this unwholesome behaviour trying to tarnish the good image and reputation we have built in examination conduct in the state.

“The ministry of education will set up a committee that will investigate the involvement of principals in this disgraceful act before we sanction appropriately to serve as deterrent to others.

”The state government can not be investing hugely in education sector then somebody somewhere will be sabotaging our efforts

“We are aware that when WAEC charged registration fees of N23,000, but principals charged over N40,000 ” logistic” involved to indulge in examination malpractices.

”We are not unaware, we will curb the situation by sanctioning whoever found wanting in the act according to the 2020 Kogi State Educational Law.

”We will kill ‘miracles centers’ in Kogi, we will halt all forms of examination malpractices, and some erring schools would be closed down,” the commissioners warned.

He, therefore warned all schools’ principals in the state against involvement in any form of examination malpractices, saying defaulters would face heavy sanctions according to the state’s education law.

Jones also frown on the existing of illegal private tertiary institutions in the state, and assured that very soon the ministry would clampdown on them..

The commissioner enjoined the affected tertiary institutions to put their house in order by doing the heedful.

End

Kaduna state beat Ogun state 3-2 (25-21, 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 15-13) to win gold in the men’s volleyball event at the 2022 National Sports Festival in Delta State on Friday.

Kaduna state produced an outstanding performance against Ogun state who were unbeaten till the final match.

Kaduna surprisingly took the first set by 25 to 21 points in a set that saw the Ogun players struggle to get their rhythm. The second set produced a spectacular display from both sides as Ogun won by 26 to 24 points.

The young Kaduna players held Ogun state ransom in the third set 25 to 23 points before Ogun came back from behind to win the fourth set by 25-17. Kaduna finally cruised to victory in the fifth set winning by 15 to 13 points.

The Coach of Kaduna men’s team, Adamu Nitte expressed delight over the win against highly rated Ogun state.

Nitte revealed that most pundits did not give Kaduna state the chance of winning the finals adding that the Ogun team crushed all their opponents before entering into the finals.

He said 10 players out of the squad are making their debut at the National Sports Festival.

He said, “I am overwhelmed and cannot express myself because I am overfilled with joy. Kaduna was not the favourite to win the National Sports Festival but God is our strength and fortress.

“Ogun state is a very good side looking at their statistics but my boys did not respect them. 10 of my players are playing the National Sports Festival for the first time and this win will further boost their profile”.

He commended the Chairman of Kaduna State Volleyball Association, Engineer Musa Nimrod for believing in the team.

Meanwhile, Rivers State beat Kano state to win the men’s bronze at the 2022 National Sports Festival.

The National Rice Producers, Processors, Millers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NARPPMMAN), has distributed farm inputs to over 1000 farmers in Kogi.

Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday in Lokoja, the National Prisdent of the association, Mr. Mustapha Ahmadu, noted that the inputs was to boost dry season farming activities of farmers affected by the recent flood disaster.

Ahmadu said that the project would mitigate the devastating flood effects in the lives of the farmers, prevent food crisis and ensure food availability in the country.

He added that the gesture would also empower farmers with low economic structures to be able to cope with the impending challenges ahead of the Federal Government’s plan to remove fuel subsidy in 2023.

He said the association had mobilised its members across the 14 States especially those affected by flood to benefit from the 14 hectares’ dry season farming project sponsored by the association and its private partners.

He urge beneficiaries to guard the initiative jealously to achieve the desired goals and for its sustainability.

He further appealed to traditional rulers of each benefited local government to encourage their subjects to adhere to the agreement by paying their equity loans to attract more Agric projects to the communities.

He enjoined the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development not to relent its effort at ensuring that Nigeria attain food sufficiency.

He stressed that food security remained fundamental and panacea to some of the societal problems facing the nation.

Ahmadu sympathised with flood victims and commended Governor Yahaya Bello for working tirelessly in mitigating the flood effects residents.

The NARPPMMAN’s President further praised the governor for creating the enabling environment for agricultural businesses to thrives in the state.

In his remarks, Kogi Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr David Apeh, appreciated the association for the initiative and assured that the state ministry of Agriculture would give necessary support to the programme.

Apeh, who was represented by Mr Enejoh Alih, a Director in the ministry, said over 200 two hundred communities were affected by the recent flooding.

The commissioner appealed to the association to monitor the distribution of the inputs to ensure they get to the targeted farmers in the rural communities..

Apeh advised beneficiaries not to sell the inputs, but make proper use of them to better their lives and contribute their quotas to the development of Agriculture in the state.

On his part, the Vice National Prisdent, North Central Zone, Mr Ishaku Samaila, said the dry season private partnership project of the association was an initiative to ensure that farmers get the necessary inputs at a right time to boost food production in the country.

He explained that farmers would provide the equity contribution of the cost, and advised them to make judicious use of the inputs.

This, he said would enable them to pay the loans to enable the association do more for them in subsequent farming seasons.

The state’s Chairman of the Association, Mr Ikani Davidson, expressed the commitment of the association in Kogi to partner with the state government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the association achieved the set objectives in food productions.

Two beneficiaries, Ebiloma Ogbogbo and Memunat Suleiman, appreciated the association for the initiative and promised to use the inputs judiciously according to expectations.

The inputs distributed include: Rice seed, fertilizers, herbicides among others.

End

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on Friday, inaugurated the distribution of 11, 000 free textbooks to to all Senior Secondary Secondary (SSS 2) students in public schools across the three senatorial districts state.

The donation of the Chemistry and Physics textbooks was sponsored by Alh. Ahmad Usman Ododo, the Kogi Auditor General of Local Government in support of the State Government’s School Adoption and Mentorship Programme.

Speaking at the flagg-off ceremony at Abdulaziz Atta Memorial College, Okene, the governor commended the donor for the gesture in supporting education in the state.

Bello, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones, FCIB, said his Administration had given topmost priority to education especially Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The governor emphasised that his commitment to revamping education sector in the state necessitated the 30 per cent allocation to education in the 2022 budget beyond the UNESCO benchmark of 26 per cent.

This, he said had reflected in the execution of massive education infrastructure projects as well as the ongoing recruitment of qualified secondary school teachers across the state.

Bello said that aside building school infrastructures, the government was committed to equipping the schools with well qualified teachers.

He explained that the teachers’ recruitment had reached the final stage after the aptitude tests and the oral interviews were concluded, saying the final list was waiting for final approvals.

He added that the state had enacted education law which empowered the ministry to sanction any person or group who tried to jeopardise government’s efforts in revamping education in the state.

He emphasised that the state government had shown sufficient commitment, hence the need for individuals and organisations to support government’s efforts through its School Adoption and Mentorship Programme.

He, therefore commended the donor, Ahmad Ododo for providing 11,000 Physics and Chemistry textbooks to public schools in the state, describing it ”as the biggest intervention by individual in the sector so far”.

He said after the distribution at Kogi Central, the textbooks would subsequently be distributed to schools in Kogi West and East senatorial districts.

He further disclosed that another Kogi citizen has promised to make provision for mathematics textbooks for the students.

He urged all the political appointees, well meaning individuals and organisations to embrace the state’s school adoption and mentorship programme.

He, however cautioned schools’ principals and teachers against commercialising the textbooks, saying it was not for sale but to be given to students free of charge.

He assured that the ministry had put mechanisms in place to monitor the distribution of the textbooks, warning that erring individuals would be sanctioned.

The governor advised the students to justify the donor’s effort by making judicious use of the textbooks.

Earlier, Dr Elizabeth Animoku, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), commended the commissioner for his achievement in education sector since he assumed office.

She said the textbooks had been thoroughly reviewed by the ministry through the Quality Assurance department, and were certified suitable for students’ use.

NAN reports that many dignitaries, royal fathers, school alumni and relevant education stakeholders were in attendance at the occasion.

In their goodwill messages, the Chairman of Okene Local Government, Mr Abdulrasak Mohammad; the Ohi of Adavi, HRH Alh. Muhammad Bello, commended the donor for the gesture and the state for the initiative.

End

Lagos, the Centre of Excellence will be the conglomeration centre, as wild jubilations rent the air for the 6th edition of the Adron Games, which will hold at Yaba College of Technology, from November 10th – 12th, 2022.

GMD of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking stated that the foremost Real Estate firm is out to unify Nigeria through sports and provide a platform for budding talents all around the country to find expression and leverage upon.

Emmanuelking also stated that the games will give Adron homes customers and Nigerians in general, an opportunity to break away from their daily routines and undertake physical activities, which is important for the body.

Executive Director, Finance at Adron Homes, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking also stated that Adron Games is a show of the organization’s corportate social responsibility to the society and their pride in the Nigerian people.
She added that the Games is means of socio-economic empowerment, even as Adron Games continues to hold its place of pride, as a leading real estate firm in Nigeria, with a heart of the people.

Adron Homes management and staff members from all across the nation will be at the Games, as fans will be thrilled with sports, music and dance.

Adron Homes will reward one lucky raffle winner with a trip to Qatar to watch the FIFA World Cup, on a fully paid trip by the GMD, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking and event chairwoman, Mrs Jesuyemisi Odeyemi.

Lots of other prizes including, deep freezers, washing machines, etc will be won in raffle draws.

Food lovers will not be left out with Rite Foods, Mimmee Foods all on board, just as Zenith Bank and Lotus Bank.

Known as “Aderonlympics”, this year’s event will feature 18 sports, including football, athletics, volleyball, table tennis amongst others.

By Ibitoye Shittu

People call him the Dean of the Sports faculty based on his achievements and ways he painstakingly made name for himself locally and internationally.

As far as Sports is concerned in Nigeria, there is no land where the name “Bayour Issah” is not known or heard, thanks to his brilliancy, rugedity, and even if you decide to call him a god of Sports reporting, he worth it.

For those that don’t know who Mr. Bayour Issah, he’s one of the veterans in Sports Journalism in Nigeria.

Mr. Issah is the CEO of Sportspro International, a sports firm that has produced many great sports journalists and administrators. Chief Alloy Chukwuemeka, Wale Mustapha, Shogo Shodunnke, yours truly and many more.

He’s one of the founding reporters of Complete Sports and Sports Souvenir.

On a Monday morning in Offa in the year 2004, I was in my Mum’s place of work then at the General Hospital where she worked for years as a Nurse…..she then turned on the Radio to Radio Kwara AM, and I started listening to a man vibing and disseminating local sports which inspired me excellently.

That was the day I made up my mind to become a Journalist and I also chose Sports as a beat I would move into going against my mum’s and dad’s interest of me becoming a Lawyer.

Initially, I wanted to become a Lawyer, but Bayour Issah’s excellent ways of reporting made me change my mind.

How will I also forget another role model called Jide Allen. He inspired me a lot and was the first man on earth to mention my name on air.

After listening to Bayour Issah on Radio Kwara 3 times, I later bought a private Radio device that I used to monitor his show and that of Jide Allen.

If you are a Kwaran or reside in Kwara and you’re lover of Sports, then you must remember years back that when it’s 7:45am on Radio Kwara AM, it’s time to listen to Jide Allen.

Making my first appearance on TV/Radio

In August 2006, I got a call from Bayour Issah who invited me to come to Radio Kwara for Sports analysis. I was in cloud 9 that day and I rushed to my mum to tell her.

On that evening that I entered the Radio Kwara studio, I was very happy and sitting beside me was a very young and agile man (Wale Mustapha) whom we later became close friends.

Bayour Issah also gave me my first ever appearance on TV which was on Kwara TV in which we both analyzed Sports together for 30 minutes in 2007.

Bayour Issah’s inspiration paved ways for me to start Sports Reporting on Okin FM when the station was newly created.

I started the first ever Sports show in Offa on Okin FM before SBJ Malawi and Wale Mustapha later joined me as Offa people, Kwarans and my fans would still remember how they used to on their radios by 7am Monday to Friday to listen to me.

Landing my first professional job

In July 2010, a Legend in Sports industry Emeka Enyadike reached me on Facebook after reading one of my articles that I posted on a Sports Group.

He then asked for my number and promised to call me. Enyadike called me on a Monday afternoon and introduced himself as the African Football Manager at SuperSport.

I was very happy and we started talking in which he later asked me to tell him who trained me.

I told Enyadike that Bayour Issah trained me and he was impressed.

He said:” Bayour Issah is my friend, but I have not spoken to him since I relocated to South Africa. Send me his number, and if it’s true that he trained you, I will hire you.”

I sent Bayour Issah’s number to Enyadike and they spoke and it was also a chance for two old friends to reunite.

Then, I was serving in Delta State and Emeka Enyadike said he would monitor me for six months in which he gave me many assignments to do.

After my NYSC, Enyadike hired me as a reporter for SuperSport.

SuperSport helped me to go places as I traveled to many nations covering Sporting activities.

It also gave me the chance to meet new colleagues like Sammy Wejinya and Andrew Randa who up till today treat me like their younger brother.

Bayour Issah is indeed a blessing not to only me, but to many generations.

The Dean of Sports worth getting a Statue at the Kwara state stadium in Ilorin.

Thank you Bayour Issah as my lineage will never forget you.

Ibitoye Shittu writes from Ilorin.

By Ayoola Adeleke

It was a night full of glamour as NPFL Undiluted, foremost Nigeria Professional Football League WhatsApp group honored the best performers of the 2021/2022 NPFL season.

Veteran sports journalist and former football player, Andrew Randa joined by a flourishing female sports journalist, Joy Ojeabulu anchored the award that was spiced with wonderful music and other side attractions on the WhatsApp platform on Friday.

Ishaq Rafiu who now plays for Maribor FC scored 14 goals and provided 3 assists for Rivers United in the 2021/2022 NPFL season, helping his team to clinch the league title beat former Enyimba International striker, Victor Mbaoma and former teammate, Chijioke Akuneto who won the golden boot of the season with 19 goals to emerge as the Player of the year.

In the coach of the year category, the league-winning coach with Rivers United, Stanley Eguma emerged winner as he beat Gbenga Ogunbote formerly with Remo Stars FC and Plateau United coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu to the award.

In the Content Creator of the Year (Journalist) category, a young Nigerian popular journalist, Michael Imianvan popularly called “Mike the Pundit” pipped Christopher Emenyonu of NPFL Tori Podcast and NPFL statistician, Samuel Areo to cart home the award.

CAF’s Confederation Cup debutants, Remo Stars Sports Club of Ikenne with their super content creation beat Nigerian league powerhouses – the league champions, Akwa United and 8-time champions of the league, Enyimba International FC – to emerge as the Content Creator of the Year (club).

A veteran sports editor with years of reputable records, Enitan Obadina came top above sports lawyer, Amobi Ezeaku and another top Nigerian journalist and graphics expert, Andrew Randa to clinch the Most Educative member of the forum.

In recognizing the wonderful, innovative and consistent works of the NPFL Media Officers, the group voted Mfon Patrick, Akwa United’s Media Officer over his colleagues, Chris Okunnuwa of Sunshine Stars and Eche Amos of Nasarawa United as the Media Officer of the year.

For the Most Active Administrator of the Year category, Veteran journalist cum administrator, Elder Paul Bassey, Chairman Akwa United edged Club Owners Secretary, Chief Aloy Chukwuemeka and Kwara United Manager, Bashir Badawiy to win the award.

Atinuke Esan defeated the duo of Grace Johnson and Oluchi Faith to take home the most Active Female Member of the group.

In the Most Active Male Member category, one of the most celebrated sports journalists, Adepoju Tobi Samuel known as Oganla Media floated above Andrew Randa and Michael Imianvan to win the award.

Elder Paul Bassey stole the show at the awards as he, for the second time emerged the Administrator of The Year after beating – former NFF second Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko and Rivers United’s Chairman, Barrister Chris Green.

Uyo-based journalist, Akila Matawal popularly called Akila Wotowoto beat Samuel Areo and Fisayo Dairo to clinch the Matchday Reporter of the Year.

Top Nigerian music artistes Burna Boy, Asake and other celebrated pop stars all featured on the DJ’s playlist in entertaining the award attendees who were treated to massive excitement on the night.

Source: https://platinumnewsng.com/

After his Position as Chairman of Anambra State Football Association was ratified by the Nigeria football federation,NFF, Ex Nigeria international Chikelue Iloenyosi has Continued to receive Congratulatory messages from across the football circle in Nigeria.

Proprietor of the Popular Kamar Football Academy Idah, Kogi State Coach Abubakar Kamar Olachene has joined millions of football loving Nigerians who have been sending in Congratulatory messages to the Anambra FA boss.

In a letter dated 28th July 2022 issued by the Kamar Football Academy boss ,he described the new development as way forward for the development of the round leather game in Anambra and indeed Nigeria,Most especially at a time like this when the players union is aggressively agitating for more representation in the Nigeria football federation Congress.

Coach Kamar Olachene described Chikelue Iloenyosi as a dogged fighter and a goal Getter whose resilience and persistence in trying to recover his mandate has accorded him maximum respect across board.

He said this is the time for for the Ex Nigeria international to chart a new course for football in Anambra State by aggressively developing the game especially from the grassroot.

The Nigeria Football Association in a letter addressed to the Secretary of Anambra FA dated July 28 2022 recognized Chikelue Iloenyosi as winner of the contentious election conducted on 30th October 2022 thereby laying to rest all issues emanating from the contest.