…promises world-class marathon
…Participants win big

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has received cheers and commendations from residents of the state for actively participating in the 2024 Coal City Half Marathon held in the state’s capital on Saturday.

This was even as the governor promised that his administration was working towards strengthening and improving subsequent marathons in the state by making it attractive enough for international athletes to participate as a world-class sporting event.

Governor Mbah, who joined in the 21.79km half marathon, which kicked off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, stated that the event would serve as an opportunity to discover young talents and for all sports lovers as well as the elderly to keep fit and live a healthy lifestyle.

He said his administration was keen on sustaining and consolidating the huge success recorded in this year’s marathon through the right investment in the development of the sports industry in the areas of sporting infrastructure and facilities, adding that the state saw sports as business and source of wealth creation for the people.

“We’re investing hugely in our sports sector, and we’re not only treating sports as leisure or recreation, but we’re also seeing the sports industry as key business. That’s why in addition to quickly returning the pitch, once we came in, to enable Rangers International return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, we just awarded the contract to renovate and overhaul our stadium and bring it to world-class standard.

“You also know that in that sector, we’ve just recently entered a memorandum of understanding to build a world-class entertainment and sports centre and this is all going to reinforce our position in the sports industry,” he added.

While congratulating the participants, who came from over 20 states across the country, the governor stressed that the goal of the event was to promote unity, discipline and cooperation amongst Nigerians, saying in a few years, the state would join the league of world athletics competitions because of the level of investments the administration was committing to the industry.

“What is even more important is the desire of the state to take the Enugu State Marathon event to the next level. In few years, I want you to note that the Enugu State Marathon is going to be part of the world international athletic events. Just as you have the Boston Marathon, the London Marathon, you’ll also have the Enugu Marathon in the international athletics calendar,” he added.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr Lloyd Ekweremadu, explained that part of the goals of the marathon was to continue to foster the culture of sports and fitness, which engenders healthy development.

He expressed satisfaction over the success of the event, saying participants from other states were happy about the hospitality and the excellent works the governor was doing in the state through his infrastructural drive.

Commending the Zenith Bank PLC for partnering with the State Ministry of Youth and Sports, the commissioner maintained that this year’s event couldn’t have been possible without the support of the governor, community patrons, and other businesses.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to the winners of this year’s Marathon. Francis James, Israel Sadjo, and Nenfort Mathias clinched the sum of ₦1,000,000, ₦500,000 and ₦300,000 as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places respectively in the male category, while Patience Dahyop, Agofurb Charity and Munitikat Emmanuel also clinched the same amounts as the winner, 1st and 2nd runners up, respectively, in the female category

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has revealed names of 58 former governors who allegedly looted, embezzled, laundered or misappropriated the sum of N2.187 trillion in 25 years.

This figure excludes seized properties across the globe and others under probe, which run into billions of Naira.

The looted N2.2 trillion is equivalent to the entire 2024 budget of Lagos State, valued at N2.25 trillion, as well as the combined budgets of all the South-East states in the same year, totaling N2.29 trillion.

Notably, this sum surpasses the budgets of both the North-Central and North-East states for 2024.

The 58 former governors under EFCC scrutiny hail from various regions of the country, reflecting the widespread nature of the alleged corruption.

Since the inception of civil rule on May 29, 1999, Nigeria has seen a total of 170 governors across its 36 states.

A breakdown of the governorship landscape reveals significant variations among states.

For instance, Abia State has seen four governors, including notable figures like Orji Uzor Kalu and Theodore Orji. Conversely, Ekiti State, despite being the second least populated state in Nigeria, has witnessed a revolving door of eight governors within the same period, indicating a high turnover rate.

Furthermore, the EFCC’s data highlights the complex legal battles faced by some former governors.

While 18 governors served in acting capacities or had their elections annulled, 36 are currently serving, and 114 completed their terms. Only four former governors have been convicted of fraud-related charges, including prominent figures like Lucky Igbinedion and James Ibori.

Despite the EFCC’s aggressive prosecution efforts, no former governor has been among the 6,981 individuals convicted of fraud by the commission between 2020 and 2022.

However, cases against several ex-governors are still pending, while others have been dismissed or resulted in acquittals.

The EFCC’s list of former governors under investigation includes names like Timipre Sylva, Ayo Fayose, and Peter Odili, with alleged amounts ranging from billions to hundreds of millions of Naira.

The commission has vowed to revisit cases involving a total of N772 billion against 13 former governors, signaling its determination to hold corrupt officials accountable.

Amidst allegations of operating a Ponzi scheme, retired Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adedoye has come under scrutiny for his involvement in an investment club.

Adedoye, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing, asserts that the club operates legally and transparently, with assets valued at around N20 billion.

The EFCC’s pursuit of justice against corrupt officials underscores the ongoing battle against graft in Nigeria.

As investigations continue and legal proceedings unfold, the fate of these former governors hangs in the balance, with accountability and transparency at the forefront of public discourse.

The 58 ex-governors who are currently or have previously faced investigations by EFCC, with alleged amounts in question, consist of:

Late Abubakar Audu (N10.966 bn),

TA Orji and sons (N551 bn)

Yahaya Bello (N80.2 bn)

Chimaroke Nnamani (N5. 3 bn)

Sullivan Chime (N450 million)

Kayode Fayemi (N4bn)

Ayo Fayose (N6.9 bn)

Abdullahi Adamu (N15bn)

Danjuma Goje (N5bn)

Aliyu Wamakko (N15 bn)

Sule Lamido (N1.35 bn)

Joshua Dariye (N1. 16 bn)

Timipre Sylva (N19.2 bn)

Saminu Turaki (N36bn)

Orji Uzor Kalu (N7. 6bn)

Bello Matawalle (N70 bn)

Lucky Igbinedion (N4. 5 bn)

Musa Kwakwanso (N10bn)

Peter Odili (N1000 bn)

Jolly Nyame (N1.64 bn)

James Ngilari (N167 m)

Abdulaziz Yari (N84 bn)

Godswill Akpabio (N100bn)

Abdul fatah Ahmed (N9 bn)

Ali Mode-Sheriff (N300bn)

Willie Obiano (N43 bn)

Ibrahim Dankwambo (N1. 3bn)

Darius Ishaku (N39bn)

Ramalan Yero (N700m)

Achike Udenwa (N350m)

Rochas Okorocha (N10. 8bn)

James Ibori (N40 bn),

DSP Alamieyeseigha (N2.655bn)

Gabriel Suswam (N3. 111bn)

Samuel Orton (N107bn)

Murtala Nyako (N29bn)

Rashid Ladoja (4.7bn)

Christopher Alao-Akala (N11. 5 bn)

Abdulkadir Kure (N600m)

Babangida Aliyu (N4bn)

Abubakar Audu (N10bn)

Idris Wada (N500m)

Ibrahim Shekarau (N950m)

Adamu Aliero (N10bn)

Usman Dakingari and wife (N5. 8bn)

Attahiru Bafarawa N19. 6bn)

Jonah Jang (N6. 3bn)

Aliyu Doma (N8bn)

Tanko Al’Makura (N4bn)

Boni Haruna (N93bn)

Bindow Jibrila (N62bn)

Adamu Muazu (13bn)

Isa Yuguda N212bn)

Mohammed Abubakar (N8. 5bn).