Again! We are at the crossroads to another Democratic dispensation where our destinies and the fate of this country will either be trampled on or be raised above.

Every electionering period has its own dimension and if ours is still being decided by money, it speaks a doom to the future of this country; for the umpteenth time.

Political desperadoes would always find a way to deceive the citizens and secure the mandate after which all they will jettison their trust.

In the light of the above submission comes to mind the shenanigans of Honourable member of House Representative, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele representing the good people of Ado-Odo/Ota Federal constituency at Green chamber in Abuja.

Ojugbele in his desperate move to secure his return ticket to the National Assembly for the fourth time has squandered N700 million Constituency fund meant to deliver the dividends of democracy to his constituents.

Alas! Hon. Jimoh has not only squandered the constituency fund, he has in his desperate move bribed some notable leaders within his constituency and the state up to the tune of N5,000,000 each in order to compromise the primary process by moving the voting centre of APC primary election from Ota to Ado-Odo.

The Honourable has also with evidence induced the delegates with 1000 dollars each and a brand new motorcycle to get their vote. What an extravagant and unholy way to get people trust, which some of the delegates still stand by the truth and voted him out by not giving him their mandate.

In this part of the world where some jester like Ojugbele has turned electoral process to highest bidder, but majority of delegates from his constituency prove him wrong.

One would wonder why Honourable Ojugbele is so bent on securing his return by squandering the Constituency fund meant to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.

It’s logical that he might not have encountered any difficulty in going back to the National Assembly if he had done the right thing.

At this juncture, it’s important that party delegates and stakeholders be wary of all these moves by Honorable Ojugbele who hasn’t given the consituents reasons to return him back to the National Assembly.

We must, for the sake of the future of the unborn generation and our country reject people like Honourable Ojugbele to represent or lead us. We need to make the right choice. We must not sell our future and that of our country to desperadoes. A stitch in time they says saves the Nine.

The flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming local government elections in Ado-Odo/ Ota, Ogun State, Honourable Sheriff Adewale Musa has called on the good people of his local government, Ogun state and Nigerians to remain hopeful of a better Nation.

The Asiwaju of Iju-Ota in a statement to commemorate the June 12 democracy day enjoined Nigerians to be more united saying that the unity of the country will serve as the basis in addressing the pressing challenges facing the development of the country.

“I realized it’s a tough time for us in the course of our journey to the promise land. Even some of the most successful countries of the world have had to deal with obstacles and challenges, ours is not a different but as they conquered, we shall also revel in our victory at the end.

While calling on leaders to work together for the betterment of the society and improve the lives of the citizens, he appealed to the youths to remain calm in this turbulent period of the nation building and charge them to take leadership responsibility.

He stressed the need to continue to abide with the principles, ideals and values of democracy which he said has successfully served top countries of the world in attaining the top level.

“I want to also appeal to our youth to remain calm and resolute in this trying times. We can’t afford to destroy the country in a bid to get what we want because no war has ever been settled on the battlefield, hence only on the table.

SAM20 as he is fondly called now called on the electorates in Ado-Odo/Ota to troop out en masse in the upcoming elections pledging that he will deliver the best of governance.

Hon Sherrif promised to uphold the party’s core values which is to let the people in the grassroots enjoy the benefits of democracy.

“My appreciation message goes to the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Deputy Governor Engr. Noimat Salako-Oyedele, all the great leaders of our party at the state, local govt, ward levels and the good people of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

“I am grateful for this great opportunity, for the love shown to have bestowed upon me the chance to emerge as the party candidate for the forthcoming chairmanship election.

“I promise to justify the choice of choosing me for the responsibility which is to let an average person from Ado-Odo Ota LGA feels the positive side of democracy.

He continues by saying that this is call to serve his people and pledge to be a good ambassador of the APC and Ado-Odo/Ota.

“I take this as a call to serve and defend the good people of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government and I’m using this appreciation message to pledge my 100 percent commitment to the development of the gateway to Gateway State.

“This victory is for all the aspirants and our great party, a call to collectively take our dear local government to another greater heights.

“I thereby call on the stakeholders and the good people of Ado-Odo/Ota to rally round us to clinch the victory so as to fulfil our promises and bring dividend of democracy down to them, so help us God.”

The National Sports Festival, NSF, is set for a major review after the 20th Sports festival which was held in Benin City, Edo State.

The review, which will be along the lines of strengthening the games, athletes’ protection and template for bidding among other things will have a committee announced soon.

The Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare disclosed this during a courtesy call to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Sunday.

Mr. Dare stated that “There is a new template for the NSF which will have a 360 geo political spread. This spread will be introduced such that we move it for the northwest zone to bid this year and two years later it goes to the southwest so that it moves around the whole country.”

The Minister highlighted that this is the only way to avoid the scenario of back to back hosting of the games within the same geo political zone.

He said, “The terms of reference for a committee to review the National Sports Festival will be stated clearly and we would look at how to  further strengthen the NSF for better sports Development.

“We have started the process and next week we will announce the review committee,” the Minister stated.

Signed
*Media office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development*

The Governor used the occasion of the Minister’s visit to adopt Nigerian 100m Hurdler Tobi Amusan , thereby brightening the propect of her winning medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The Adopt a- Talent initiative has seen State Governors, individuals and corporate bodies adopt some Olympics- bound athletes to support their preparations for the Olympics. The initiative was halted by the outbreak of covid-19 pandemic last year. Mr Abiodun said he decided to adopt Amusan not just because she is an Indigine of Ogun State, but because she is a symbol of the Nigerian spirit of talent and hardwork.

Amusan made her mark at the big stage by winning silver in the African Youth Championships in 2013, capped it with a Gold medal at the 2015 African Junior Atheletics Championship in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, emerged Commonwealth champion in 2018 African Champion in 2019. She is a two time African Champion.
She was ranked 4th in the World following her feat at the World championships in Doha in 2019.

The money would be paid directly into the athlete’s account to fund her preparations for the Olympics.
In his response, the Minister reiterated his commitment to youth development, while commending the Executive Governor for keying into youth and sports development agenda. He lauded the efforts put into the Digital Hub launched in the state few weeks ago as well as the Youth -based Agriculture programmes.

Signed

Media Office of the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development

Chief Sunday Dare arrived Ogun state in the early hours of Sunday April 25 with two missions at heart. The first was to get the Ogun state governor Dapo Abiodun’s endorsement for a daughter of the soil ahead of the Tokyo Olympic games and the second, was to grace the final of this year’s Super 6 football competition as guest of the NFF. Both were achieved in grandstyle.

On a bright Sunday afternoon when state house protocols had to be relaxed for an August visitor, Governor Dapo Abiodun, said he was honored by the visit and accorded Dare special reception reserved for distinguished personalities.

The meeting was brief but fruitful as the executive governor of Ogun State, adopted Nigeria’s 100m hurdler, Tobi Amusan by agreeing to sponsor her preparation and participation at the Tokyo Olympic games with the sum of $20,000 (twenty thousand dollars)

The governor also used the ocassion to pledge his total commitment to sports development in Ogun state, stressing that he will do everything within his powers to support and empower outstanding youths who have the capacity to do the state proud.

Same day, the minister took a quick dash to the Dipo Dina stadium in Ijebu Ode and arrived the venue, just on time, for the final game of the NWFL,NFF organized Super 6, a competition that decides Nigeria’s representative at the inaugural edition of the WAFU regional qualifier and ultimately, the maiden edition of the CAF Champions league for women.

Flanked by NFF president Amaju Pinnick and NWFL chairperson Aisha Falode on arrival at the stadium, Dare expressed his profound gratitude to the organizers of the women’s league and the NFF for putting up a showpiece event. He pledged government resolve to always support Nigeria football and promised that the federal government will give maximum support to any person, team or athlete that is representing the country at international competitions.

The Oyo state born sport administrator has not rested since the successful conclusion of the National sports festival, as he has promised never to rest on his oars until Nigeria sports retains it’s lost glory.

In an Exclusive chat with Owosports.com.ng, Comrade Lawal stated that in bid to support the growth of talented youth and boxers in the state, the government is looking to get a boxing Arena for the use of grassroots boxers.

“In line with the vision of the governor to always support every successful young persons in all ramifications and areas of their chosen fields, like Anthony Joshua, we are making arrangements to make sure we have a space in Sagamu Stadium to see if we can turn it to a boxing tune and work in collaboration with Philanthropists to equip the place.

“We are are doing everything possible to make sure we develop the grassroots sporting events to discover more talent, it is when we take the activities to nooks and crannies of the state, there are lots of areas you just wonder that in this ghetto there is this talent here and you know it is also a door to prosperity for many young people that never thought they will ever make it in their lives, we are doing so and we must give kudos to the Governor who has made it possible.

Nigerian Born British Boxer Anthony Joshua defended his heavyweight titles against Bulgarian mandatory Challenger Kubrat Pulev early hours Sunday morning at the SSE Arena in Wembley, knocking him out in the 9th rounds and the State government organized viewing fiesta across the three senatorial districts of the State