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  …We are leaving no stone on turn in order to deliver a world class event – Governor Dapo Abiodun
  By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye

“The construction firms handling the renovation works at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Kuto in Abeokuta, the Sports Complex in Ijeja and other venues to be used for the 2024 National Sports Festival will complete their various projects before the start of the event.”

This is the assurance from the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Isiaka Wasiu in an interview with your authoritative and award-winning news channel FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG on Thursday.

Honourable Wasiu explained that the State Government under the dynamic stewardship of His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun is committed to deliver a National Sports Festival that will be remembered for a long time to come.

The State Government is giving a facelift to the Moshood Abiola Stadium built over three decades ago.

THE FACILITY UPGRADE:

★ Re-Grassing the pitch
★ Re-Laying the tartan track
★ Construction of tennis courts
★ Expansion of the media gallery
★ Construction of handball courts
★ Ultra morden digital score board
★ The VIP section will be upgraded

“Similarly, the Sports Complex in Ijeja that houses basketball, squash, table tennis and scrabble among other sports is receiving equal attention.

The renovation works there has reached an advance stage,“ the Commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olawale Olopade, who until his appointment was the Boss of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), for the Festival paid a visit to the State governor His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta.

During the visit, the Governor said, “As we prepare to host the 22nd National Sports Festival, the “2024 Gateway Games,” in Ogun State this January, we are proud to welcome 12,000 to 15,000 athletes from across the country.

This Festival promises to be historic, with a state-of-the-art games village accommodating all athletes—a first in the event’s history.”

He went on to state that, “We have made significant upgrades to key facilities, including the MKO Abiola Stadium, Ijeja Sports Centre, and Remo Stars Stadium, alongside new basketball courts.

These legacy projects will serve Ogun State and the nation for decades, fostering talent development at world-class standards.”

“Innovations such as a digitized feeding system, efficient transport clusters, and comprehensive support for journalists will ensure a seamless experience for all participants.

With the invaluable support of Premium Trust Bank as lead sponsor, our Local Organizing Committee is working tirelessly to deliver the best Festival ever hosted in Nigeria.” the governor added.

“This event reaffirms Ogun State’s commitment to youth empowerment and sports development, creating opportunities for the next generation to shine. Together, we are setting a new standard for excellence.” He concluded.

For the first time in the history of the National Sports Festival, Babcock University, a private university will be providing standard accommodation facilities for all the athIetes.

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has said that President Bola Tinubu should be blamed for the crisis rocking the party.

He said this while criticizing Tinubu’s appointment of the former governor of Rivers State and PDP member, Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Speaking in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme on Wednesday, Sowunmi lamented that the president didn’t consult the elders of the party before making the appointment.

He said: “President Tinubu is the problem of the PDP, he has no business taking Wike from our party and appointing him as minister without talking to us.”

Sowunmi said Tinubu ought to have learnt from former president, Olusegun Obasanjo who consulted the Peoples Democratic Party before forming a government of national unity.

He explained that for the crisis in the PDP to be resolved, Wike should be relieved of his duty by the president and returned to the party.

According to him, once that is done, the opposition party will have the stamina to move fast in unity and clear ambition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has nominated Super Falcons stars Rasheedat Ajibade and Chiamaka Nnadozie for the prestigious 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.

The pair, who have consistently showcased their exceptional talent on both national and international stages, are part of a ten-player shortlist for the coveted honor.

Ajibade and Nnadozie were key members of the Nigerian women’s national football team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Despite the team’s overall performance, the duo stood out with their remarkable contributions, solidifying their status as two of Africa’s finest female footballers.

Beyond their national exploits, they also excelled with their respective clubs, further cementing their reputation as world-class players.Rasheedat Ajibade, a dynamic forward, played a crucial role for Atletico Madrid during the 2023/24 season.

Her performances were instrumental in helping the Spanish club secure a third-place finish in the highly competitive Spanish Iberdrola league.

Ajibade’s ability to deliver in critical moments and her consistent goal-scoring prowess have made her one of Atletico Madrid’s most dependable players.

Her agility, vision, and knack for finding the back of the net have earned her widespread acclaim and recognition.

On the other hand, Chiamaka Nnadozie has continued to redefine the goalkeeping position with her exceptional talent and composure under pressure.

The Paris FC shot-stopper played a pivotal role in her club’s qualification for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, a feat that underscored her importance to the team.

Known for her quick reflexes, commanding presence in the box, and remarkable shot-stopping abilities, Nnadozie has consistently proven to be one of the best goalkeepers in Africa and beyond.

Her outstanding performances during the year also earned her the Best Goalkeeper award at the 2023 CAF Awards, a testament to her excellence between the posts.

The nomination of Ajibade and Nnadozie reflects the growing recognition of Nigerian female footballers on the global stage. It also highlights the legacy of excellence maintained by Nigerian players, with Asisat Oshoala winning the Women’s Player of the Year award in 2023.

As the countdown to the 2024 CAF Awards begins, fans and football enthusiasts eagerly await the final announcement.

Whether Ajibade or Nnadozie clinches the title, their nominations alone are a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional contributions to the beautiful game.

The Nigerian naira has resumed its depreciation against the United States dollar, recording significant losses at both the official and black market foreign exchange (FX) platforms on Wednesday.

Data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange reveals that the naira weakened further to ₦1,687.52 per dollar at the official FX market, down from ₦1,678.93 per dollar traded on Tuesday.

This decline represents a loss of ₦8.59 in just one day, signaling continued challenges for Nigeria’s currency amidst ongoing economic uncertainties.

Similarly, in the parallel or black market, the naira exchanged for ₦1,750 per dollar on Wednesday, reflecting a ₦10 drop from the ₦1,740 rate recorded the previous day.

The sustained weakness in the naira is a source of concern for businesses, investors, and citizens, as it exacerbates inflationary pressures and increases the cost of imported goods and services.

The depreciation occurred despite a rise in FX transaction turnover, which climbed significantly to $173.29 million on Wednesday compared to $128.59 million on Tuesday.

This 34.7% increase in trading volume indicates a higher demand for foreign exchange, which may have contributed to the naira’s weaker performance.

Market analysts believe the persistent volatility of the naira stems from a variety of factors, including high demand for foreign exchange, speculative trading activities, and limited supply of dollars in the economy.

The widening gap between the official exchange rate and the black market rate further underscores the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s FX management system, raising concerns about the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention strategies.

Over the past several months, the naira has been on a fluctuating trajectory against the dollar, despite various policy measures and interventions implemented by the CBN.

These measures, aimed at stabilizing the currency, include adjustments to interest rates, efforts to attract foreign investments, and targeted funding for critical sectors of the economy.

However, the results have been mixed, with the naira continuing to face significant headwinds.

The challenges with the naira’s value reflect broader economic issues, such as dwindling foreign reserves, heavy reliance on oil exports, and subdued revenue generation from non-oil sectors.

Experts are urging the government to adopt more holistic and sustainable economic reforms to address structural problems and restore confidence in the naira.The current depreciation trend highlights the urgent need for coordinated policy responses to stabilize the FX market, manage inflation, and ensure long-term economic stability in Nigeria.

Benin Republic’s Cheetahs head coach, Gernot Rohr, has weighed in on the shocking defeat of Nigeria’s Super Eagles against Rwanda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The match, which took place at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Monday, saw the underdog Rwandan side claim a memorable victory over the three-time African champions.

Despite the result, the Super Eagles had already secured their qualification for the tournament in Morocco after Libya’s earlier triumph over Rwanda.

However, the defeat on home soil has raised questions, and Rohr, who previously managed the Super Eagles, offered insights into what might have gone wrong.

In comments attributed to him via Fraternit, Rohr suggested that Rwanda’s victory was partly due to Nigeria’s perceived complacency following their confirmed qualification.

He highlighted that this overconfidence often leads to a lack of intensity, allowing opponents to capitalize.

“Against Nigeria, we were pegged back by Osimhen a few minutes before the end,” Rohr explained, reflecting on his own experiences coaching against the Super Eagles.

“I know this team well from having coached them. They sometimes tend to take their foot off the gas when they think they have qualified.

This can give their opponents the opportunity to spring a surprise, as was the case with Rwanda.”

Rohr’s analysis resonates with a recurring issue in football where already-qualified teams approach subsequent matches with reduced urgency.

For the Super Eagles, this complacency might have given Rwanda the motivation and space to exploit their vulnerabilities, especially in front of their home crowd.

Nigeria’s squad, filled with star players like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, was expected to dominate the match.

However, the team seemed to lack the sharpness and determination typically required to overcome a resilient opponent like Rwanda.

Rohr’s comments suggest that while the Super Eagles possess immense talent, maintaining focus and intensity, even in seemingly inconsequential matches, remains a challenge.

Rwanda’s victory is a significant milestone for the East African nation, underscoring the unpredictable nature of football and the importance of mental preparedness.

For Nigeria, the loss serves as a wake-up call as they prepare for the main tournament in Morocco, where they will face stronger teams with little room for error.

The defeat has sparked discussions among fans and analysts, with many hoping that the Super Eagles will address these lapses in future matches.

As one of Africa’s football powerhouses, Nigeria’s expectations remain high, and performances like this serve as reminders that success requires consistent effort, regardless of prior achievements.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna has sentenced a 30-year-old unemployed man, Vincent Danladi, to sweep the court premises for three weeks after he was found guilty of theft.

The items stolen included a carton of floor tiles and other materials valued at ₦130,000.

Danladi, a resident of Ungwan Pama in Kaduna, was charged with theft under the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

He pleaded guilty to the offence during his court appearance on Wednesday, admitting to the allegations brought against him by the prosecution.

In his ruling, Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel emphasized that the court had taken into account Danladi’s status as a first-time offender when determining the sentence.

Instead of imposing a fine or custodial punishment, the magistrate ordered Danladi to report to the court daily to sweep its premises for a period of three weeks.

This judgment reflects a rehabilitative rather than punitive approach, particularly for minor offences.According to the prosecution, led by Inspector Chidi Leo, the theft occurred on November 9 at a house under renovation in Sabon Tasha, Kaduna.

Danladi, along with two accomplices who are still at large, was accused of stealing a carton of 3×3 floor tiles, a bucket of paint, and a carton of wall tiles.

The total value of the stolen items was estimated at ₦130,000.Leo explained that during the course of the investigation, the stolen items were recovered, and Danladi was apprehended. His accomplices, however, remain unidentified and are yet to be arrested.

The prosecutor further stated that the theft contravened the provisions of the Kaduna State Penal Code, highlighting the legal consequences of such acts.

While delivering the sentence, Magistrate Emmanuel highlighted the importance of justice tempered with mercy, particularly for first-time offenders.

The court considered Danladi’s economic circumstances and his admission of guilt as mitigating factors. The decision to impose community service instead of imprisonment or a fine aims to provide an opportunity for Danladi to reflect on his actions and reintegrate positively into society.

This judgment has drawn mixed reactions from the public.

While some praise the court’s decision as a progressive move toward restorative justice, others argue that stricter measures are necessary to deter criminal behaviour.

Nonetheless, the case underscores the judiciary’s efforts to balance justice with compassion, particularly for individuals who show remorse for their actions.

Danladi is expected to begin his court-ordered community service immediately, sweeping the premises under the supervision of court officials for the stipulated three weeks.