Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) Ilorin FC, has unveiled 47-year-old Yomi Elijah as its Technical Adviser.

Speaking at the ceremony, the club’s Director of Football, Alloy Chukwuemeka, said he is delighted to have Elijah rejoining the Ilorin based team. 

Chukwuemeka said the club will build on a solid foundation that would keep the club going and also create an avenue for young talented footballers at the grassroots level to become superstar. 

According to the management of the club, the coach will be handed two bedroom flat apartments and also an official car to ease his job.

“At ABS we work day and night to discover talents with dedicated staff. “Presently, we have two of our players at the U-17 level as we speak and we will have more this season by God’s grace” Chukwuemeka said.

The Nigeria Premier League Club Owners Scribe, also announced that a grassroots Coach, Shuiab Abdulkadir will assist Elijah on the job. 

He said the club picked Abdulkadir because of his meritorious service to grassroots football development. 

Chukwuemeka disclosed that the team will train Abdulkadir just as it has done to those who had passed through the club like him. 

Reacting after his unveiling, Elijah promised to bring programme that will encourage and develop Youth football, insisting that he came to ABS Ilorin FC to make a positive impact.

He said ABS has always been close to his heart and he is delighted to return to the club that gave him his first opportunity to lead a team. 

“I am here to make a difference, this is one of the best club in Nigeria with a modern day structure in football. 

“My passion is to bring out the best in players and we will do this with some of the young lads here at ABS. 

“My return to ABS will produce more players that will represent the country now and in the future” Elijah said. 

Meanwhile, the club has announced that it will resume on Monday, Sept. 30

Arinze Nwachukwu played for Nigeria at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

Nwachuwu passed the medical checkup at the LIV hospital and participated in the pre season camp of his new team at Topuk Yaylasi base of Fenerbahçe Sporting Club at Bolu Mountain.

According to the president of the Volleyball branch of Fenerbahçe, Turker Bayazit revealed that the club is investing in the future and some other young talents will join Arinze Nwachukwu.

She said, “We are happy to sign Nigeria promising volleyball player, Arinze Nwachukwu. The club side is focusing on the future and that is why we decided to sign the player for the 2019/2020 season. As time goes on, other younger players will be injected into the team”.

The President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Engineer Musa Nimrod urged the former Plateau Rocks player to be a good ambassador of the country in Turkey.

Nimrod said he is happy the youngster will be flying the flag of the country in Turkey.

He said, “I am elated that Fenerbahçe Sporting Club signed Arinze Nwachukwu; this is also a good sign for Nigeria Volleyball Federation. I urge you to be a good ambassador of Nigeria and be of good conduct. I am optimistic that the move will make your become a better player”.

The Conference phase of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League dunks off on Monday, September 30, 2019.

The ancient city of Ibadan in Oyo state and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have been chosen to host the 16 teams that qualified for the stage. 

The Secretary General of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Afolabi-Oluwayemi Olabisi said this followed the conclusion of the group stage after which the 16 teams were divided into the traditional Atlantic and Savannah Conferences.

In the Savannah Conference, new entrant, Nigerian Army Amazons who remained unbeaten after 12 games will face Kaduna Angels, Taraba Hurricanes and Adamawa Flames who all emerged from the Zaria Centre.

Other teams in the Savannah Conference include Air Warriors who only lost one game out of 14 alongside 2018 Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League bronze medalists, Nigerian Customs, Plateau Rocks and Black Gold Queens.

In the Atlantic Conference in Ibadan, the bitter rivalry between 2018 Zenith Women’s League champions, First Bank under Lateef Erinfolami and the Peter Ahmedu tutored Dolphins Basketball Club is expected to be reignited with a battle for a place in the National Final 8.

All eyes will be on fast rising MFM Basketball Club who narrowly lost in the 3rd place game during the 2018 edition as well as Ogun Babes and Oluyole Babes.

Sunshine Angels of Akure and Delta Force complete the Atlantic Conference.

The Conference phase ends Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has picked in-form Granada of Spain midfielder Ramon Azeez and Czech –based forward Peter Olayinka in Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the prestige friendly with five –time world champions Brazil in Singapore on Sunday, 13^th October.

Rohr also have defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem back from injury, otherwise the squad is largely unchanged from the side that was forced to a 2-2 draw by Ukraine in Dnipro on 10^thSeptember.

Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Maduka Okoye are retained, but England –based Leon Balogun and Russia –based Bryan Idowu are left out of the defence equation.

Former U20 team captain Ramon Azeez is called just as Leicester of England’s Kelechi Iheanacho is left out, while Girondins Bordeaux’s Joshua Maja will sit this one out, his place taken by another new boy, Peter Olayinka.

England –based midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also returns after missing the Ukraine encounter with injury. Alex Iwobi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Scotland –based Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, who scored on his debut against Ukraine, are all back in midfield, with Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis all back in the frontline.

Substantive captain Ahmed Musa is still down with injury.

All invited players are expected to arrive in Singapore on Wednesday, 9^th October.

Nigeria and Brazil will tango in a much –anticipated encounter at the Singapore National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore on Sunday, 13^th October, 23 years after Nigeria, on their way to winning Africa’s first Olympic football gold, spanked the Selecao in the semi finals at the Athens Stadium in the State of Georgia, USA.

23 EAGLES TO BATTLE BRAZIL

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Emil Maduka Okoye (Fortuna Dusseldorf, Germany)

Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (CD Leganes, Spain); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England)

Midfielders: Alexander Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Anderson Esiti (PAOK Salonica, Greece); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Ramon Azeez (Granada FC, Spain)

Forwards: Victor Osimhen (Lille OSC, France); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Emmanuel Dennis (Club Brugge, Belgium); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

A team of 21 players and six officials flew by Air Cote d’Ivoire early on Thursday morning from Abuja to Abidjan, and then connected the Senegalese capital by the same airline.

The updated fixtures show that Nigeria, silver medallists at the inaugural edition staged in Cape Coast, Ghana two years ago, will tango with the Sparrow Hawks of Togo in their first match of the competition at the Stade Lat Dior Thies on Sunday.

It is an opportunity come quickly for the Eagles to avenge their 4-1 lashing by the Hawks in a 2020 African Nations Championship qualifying match in Lome last Sunday.

Victory over the Sparrows in the first elimination round will take the Eagles to the second phase, before the semi finals and the final. The tournament ends on 13^th October.

All 16 participating teams will partake in the first elimination round, with host nation Senegal up against Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso against Mauritania, Cote d’Ivoire against Cape Verde and Guinea against Benin Republic.

Sierra Leone, drafted in to replace Morocco that executed a late withdrawal, will be up against Liberia, while Mali takes on Niger Republic and Gambia will tackle Ghana.

21 EAGLES B FOR WAFU CUP

Goalkeepers: Adamu Abubakar (Wikki Tourists); Galadima Mohammed (Nasarawa United); Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Olisa Ndah (Remo Stars); Stephen Manyo (Enyimba FC); Udochukwu Anumudu (Lobi Stars); Okon Nya (Akwa United); Ebube Duru (Lobi Stars); Etboy Akpan (Akwa United); John Lazarus (Lobi Stars);

Midfielders: Sikiru Alimi (Lobi Stars); Fatai Gbadamosi (Shooting Stars); Williams Ukeme (Wikki Tourists); Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United); Chisom Orji (Collin Edwin Academy); Olatunji Oluwadamilare (Enyimba FC); Samuel Matthias (Akwa United)

Forwards: Sunusi Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Seth Mayi (Remo Stars); Tosin Omoyele (Plateau United); Mfon Udoh (Akwa United)

Ahmodu was elected candidate of the party at the MAJA primary election in Lokoja on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech, Amodu said if elected he will entrench good governance that will engender socio-economic growth in the state.

The governorship candidate said he is in the position of leadership to  advance the development of the state.

Amodu pointed out that there are partners ready to flock and flood the state to bring state of the art development in agriculture, education, tourism and others.

He said the governorship position will accord him the greater opportunity to harness human and material resources for the development of the state.

“My focus will include unity, collaboration, partnership of the Kogites, which will results in the transformation of the state.

“I will empower the next generation of Kogi state for community development; the era of political thuggery will end during my tenure as governor of the state,” he said.

Ahmodu admonished youths not to allow themselves to be used during and after election adding that any serious government will always empower the youths by providing skills acquisition centers.

He also called on the people of the state not to allowed money bag politicians hijack them so as not to mortgage there future.

The National Chairman of PDP, Mr Uche Secondus, gave the advice on Friday in Abuja at the presentation of Certificate of Return to winners of its governorship primary elections in Kogi and Bayelsa.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the certificates were presented to Sen. Diri Douye and Mr Musa Wada as PDP Candidates for Bayelsa and Kogi in the coming elections.

Secondus said that it was not yet time for celebration, but for all to work for party’s victory in the two states, adding that the ceremony was not for jubilation but for stakeholders to come together.

“For our candidates in Bayelsa and Kogi. It is not yet time for celebration because this nation is in distress.

“It is time for you to go and bring people together, to reconcile our people so that they can team up with all of you and restore the hope of the ordinary man, especially in Kogi.

“The responsibility on you today is not to be the master but the servants of the people.

“As you move from here, our party is going to set up two committees, for reconciliation and campaign. You must move from here and know that you have a lot of work to do.

“You must go out in unity to show the spirit of oneness to the people of Kogi and Bayelsa; they need you, they need the PDP to restore the hope of Nigerians.” he said.

The chairman said that the transparency of the primaries was a confirmation of pledge by PDP leadership under his watch that there was no more need for aspirants to lobby party leadership for favour, but to meet with people at the grassroots for votes.

Secondus commended supporters and the aspirants for the time and resources they spent in mobilising support for the PDP during the primaries, adding that they were all qualified but only one man would be a winner.

“I want to encourage all aspirants that you have lost nothing but you have written your names in gold. You have fulfilled the requirements of a good citizen by volunteering yourselves to contest, ” he commended them.

Mr Ibrahim Tsauri, PDP National Secretary, said it was time for all stakeholders to work together to retain Bayelsa and win Kogi.

Sauri said that it was the wish of the opposition for the PDP to disintegrate after the primaries “but we remain united.”

In his remarks, Douyen said that he had already started reconciliation process with all other aspirants in Bayelsa.

“I have started calling all the former aspirants, pleading with them to supports me and our great party in Bayelsa.

“We believe that the only way to win Bayelsa is for us to work together and be focus on achieving that goal,” he said.

Douye said that he was ready to serve the state and never let the party and the people down.

On his part, Musa Wada said that he had also started the process of reconciliation with all aspirants, with retired Capt. Idris Wada, a former governor and co-contestant, leading the course for him.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate my fellow aspirants who have extended hands of fellowship. Together with me, Kogi will never be the same again,” he said.

Wada assured the party that he was going into the election with confidence and faith in God.

“We are ready for peaceful election and we will never be party to violence,” he stated.

(NAN)

NOUN won a total of 11 gold, 17 silver and five bronze medals to emerge champions.

Federal Ministry of Education came second with 35 medals comprising 11 gold, 11 silver and 14 bronze while the National Examination Council (NECO) emerged 3rd with 33 medals comprising eight gold, nine silver and 16 bronze.

In the same vein, UBEC, TETFUND, NBTE, LRCN, NABTEB and TRCN emerged 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th positions respectively at the end of the tournament.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the five day sporting event, Chairman of the Main Organising Committee of the games, Auwalu Koko, expressed delight over the successful outcome of the games and urged the contingents to imbibe the spirit of team work as they return to their various offices.

Kogi State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Prince Salisu Ogu, assured the organisers of the state’s readiness to host the games in subsequent editions.

Sir Dee, speaking on Monday night during Truth or Dare game in the house, disclosed that he would give N60m worth of prizes to charity if he wins.

He also promised to develop Kogi State if he wins the grand prize.

Sir Dee said: “If I win the game, I would like to give the money back to charity and develop my state, Kogi.”

However, some fans have perceived his statement as a strategy to gather votes and win the game.

Ebira land in Kogi state is currently agog with various cultural exhibitions and ancient masquerade outings as part of the third month and final burial rites of world’s oldest monarch, Chief Jeremiah Aka’ava JP, the Obobanyi of Ohionwa who transited in the late hours of April 26.

Arguably the world’s oldest monarch, Chief Aka’ava who was approaching his 116th birthday before his demise was born in 1903 and was the 12th occupant of the over 300 year old ancient stool and ruled for about 36 years.

The final rites which began on July 13 with a wave of cultural activities is expected to end this Saturday at a grand ceremony to be chaired by a retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Abuja, Justice Moses Bello with other dignitaries including the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and others as part of proceedings.

Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon Idris Ozi Shaib who thanked the people for turning out enmasse for the series of events lined up for the burial expressed optimism that a new culture of peace and orderliness was fast gaining grounds in the area. 
Residents and guests have enjoyed days of colourful parade of ancient masquerades who thronged Oboroke-Ihima to pay their last respects to the traditional ruler.

Historian, YJ Itopa in a written tribute said as a young boy, Aka’ava began his life farming for his parents and uncles as custom required before starting his personal farm work at Akunnu-Akoko in present day Ondo State where he also sold jute bags, Ebira handwoven clothes and associated wears.

A two term Councillor in the early 1960’s, Aka’ava was a member of the Olujumu of Ijumu’s cabinet as Ohinoyi Anebira in Ijumu local government of then Kwara state before he was invited home to wear the crown of his great ancestral fathers, Obobanyi of Ohionwa – so named after the first clan head who performed the feat of killing the very rare white Buffalo.

Ohionwa is one of the three aboriginal clans in Ihima whose traditional stools bear Obobanyi (great hunter), the others being Emani and Ohueta clans.