News
Enugu gov’t announces Coal City Marathon, as night matches commence at Azikiwe Stadium
As part of its effort to promote sporting culture and fitness in the state, the Enugu State Government has announced that it would be hosting the Coal City Marathon Sport Festival on 4th May.
While announcing the development in Enugu on Monday, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Llyod Ekweremadu, also said the state had already commenced playing night matches at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.
This, he said, became possible because of the governor’s giant strides in the security sector, which has made the state the safest in the country.
The commissioner, who said the half marathon would traverse the city and parks, encouraged lovers of sports to seize the opportunity by registering for the sports festival regardless of whether they fall within the level of professional or amateur as it was meant to revive the spirit of the “huge sporting culture” the state is known for.
He announced that there would be degree of prizes to be won by participants even as he disclosed that both male and female winners would go home with the sum of one million naira each, with the first and second runners-up in both categories clinching the sum of five hundred and three hundred thousand naira, respectively.
The commissioner added that there would be consolation prizes, stressing that Enugu was becoming the premier destination for sports tourism in the region.
“It is a half marathon that will treverse the city. It is an opportunity for us to invite everyone, every lover of sports, regardless of your level of participation in long distant running; whether you are an elite marathon runner or amateur or even if you think you just want to test yourself out and run.
“So, our people should take advantage of it and get registered.
“Registration is open and the website will soon be up for those outside the state,” he added.
Ekweremadu further noted that Rangers Football Club would be hosting rival clubs at Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in night matches because of the avalability and installation of the modern facilities at the stadium.
According to him, this was also possible because of the improved security situation in the state, which has already put the state in the map as the most secure and peaceful state in the federation.
He explained that the first night match was played at the stadium last week after many years, adding that “nightlife in Enugu state is back and we are elated about that.”
“We are happy we were able to host the finals of the Ball Ogbe at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. It was the first night match we had at the stadium in several years now, just to test out our facilities. We appreciate the governor for the support he has been given towards the remodelling and the modernisation of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium.
“Enugu is steadily becoming a premier destination for sports and tourism. So, people from all over the place can come here, host their sports event, and enjoy the hospitality and the sports culture that we have here,” the commissioner said.
The African Democratic Congress has raised the alarm over an alleged plan to arrest its National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The party said it had received what it described as “credible reports” of plans to arrest the former Osun State governor in the days leading to the poll.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, on X on Wednesday, the ADC said it was concerned that the alleged arrest could be aimed at disrupting the party’s election activities.
“Given the pattern of intimidation, harassment and misuse of state institutions that has increasingly characterised the conduct of this government towards the opposition, we cannot afford to dismiss these reports,” Abdullahi said.
Aregbesola, who served as governor of Osun State from 2010 to 2018 and later as Minister of the Interior, is currently the National Secretary of the ADC.
The party said there were established procedures that should be followed if any security agency had lawful reasons to question its national secretary.
“Ogbeni Aregbesola is a former Governor of Osun State, a former Minister of the Federal Republic and the National Secretary of the opposition political party. If any security agency has a lawful reason to invite him, there are established procedures for doing so,” it said.
The ADC argued that arresting Aregbesola on the eve of an election in which the party is participating would raise questions about the motive behind such an action.
“An arrest on the eve of an election in which his party is participating would invite only one reasonable conclusion: that the purpose is to prevent him from leading and coordinating the party’s election activities,” the statement said.
The party consequently put the Federal Government and security agencies on notice, urging them to avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election.
“The eyes of Nigerians are on Osun,” Abdullahi said.
“Whatever happens before, during and after Saturday’s election will be judged not by the explanations offered afterwards, but by the actions taken now.”
The ADC also warned the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government against taking any action that could trigger political tension in the state.
“The APC Federal Government must be wary of doing anything that could plunge Osun State into needless crisis,” the party said.
The party further called on the government to respect democratic principles and ensure that political parties are allowed to participate freely in the election.
“Nigeria is still a democracy, and the government would do well to remember that before Saturday,” Abdullahi said.
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of nine dead bodies on the Wawa-Lumma road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger.
The victims were suspected to have been killed by bandits while travelling on the road.
The Spokesperson for the Niger Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Minna.
He said that a team of police and military was dispatched and evacuated the bodies after information was received on Tuesday.
He said clearance operations had been intensified with a view to securing the area from any security threat.
“Police and military tactical teams were mobilised to the scene; the bodies recovered, while clearance operation was intensified to secure the area,” he said.
NAN
Nigerian streamer, Peller has dragged his parents for attending his wedding ceremony with their partners.
Peller had his white wedding, which was attended by many dignitaries over the weekend.
Peller’s parents, who have separated from each other, attended the ceremony with their respective partners.
Expressing his frustration over the development, the TikTok streamer, in a video on Wednesday, revealed that he had confronted his parents for turning his wedding into a party despite his earlier warning.
“I’m tired, I’m tired of all these things. I changed it for them oo, no be small.
“Because I told them to invite just a few people, but my mummy dey carry her own boyfriend come, my daddy carry his own girlfriend come.
“All of them just turned my wedding to party. Polygamy is very hard, I’m from a polygamous family”, he said. (sic)
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