Sports
Group clarifies controversy over bill on sports Varsity, Afuze
Afuze-Emai Development Association (AfDA) has taken an exception to a press Statement credited to Senator Francis Alimikhena that the Afuze Sports University bill which is being sponsored at the Federal House of Representatives by Hon.(Prof) Julius Ihonvbere, is a plagiarized idea.
Alimikhena had alleged that the Distinguished Professor from Owan stole idea of the bill from Sen. Obinna Obla (Senator representing Ebonyi Central District) who is sponsoring a similar bill at the Senate with the only variant being that the Varsity should be at Nkalagu in Ebonyi State instead of Afuze in Edo State.
A statement by the President of association Prince F.S.S. Ojealaro indicated that Senator Alimikhena’s release stinks with untruths as he did not even hide the fact that he is only not supporting a bill to uplift his Constituency but expressly and actively making a case for the Varsity to be taken to Ebonyi.
“Professor Ihonvbere is blameless in the accusation of plagiarism as he sponsored his bill in a different and independent legislative chambers.
“The idea and the bill to site a Federal University of Sports at Afuze was originally nurtured by Emai people through a body styled ‘Emai Assembly’. Prof Julius Ihonvbere was not the first recipient of the proposal.
“This Proposal was developed principally by Prince M.M Ogedengbe of Afuze Emai and sent to Sen. Domingo Obeide and Hon. Pally Iriase (both Representatives of Owan at both Chambers of the National Assembly at the time). Both of them snubbed the proposal.This was before the time of Senators Alimikhena and Obinna Obla at the National Assembly.
“Prince M.M Ogedengbe and other Emai and Owan people with Mr Oisamaye Alegbe from Otuo playing a pivotal role, repackaged the proposal and sent it to Senator Alimikhena as soon as he took over from Sen Domingo Obeide. Senator Alimikhena sat over the proposal and did nothing about it. This was how the proposal was sent to Hon.(Prof) Julius Ihonvbere who became the person that bought the idea and developed a bill that got us to the current stage.”
He said for Sen Alimikhena to turn around to gift the idea of the Sports University to a complete stranger (Sen Obinna Obla of Ebonyi State) after getting it first from Emai people, is highly suspicious and reinforces the accusation against him that he sold Owan out.
The statement pointed out that Emai and Owan people will not be deterred by the political mishiefs of Senator Alimikhena.
“We have not complained against him for abandoning Owan people in his 2 terms at the Senate but we are now appealing to him to stop dragging the hard-earned name of Prof. Julius Ihonvbere in the mud and to desist from sabotaging Owan people. God and not man will fight for us!!!
***Urges Super Eagles To Go For Gold
By Friday Idachaba Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has applauded the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their Wednesday night triumph over Bafana Bafana of South Africa and qualification for the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ododo who gave the applaud in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Ismaila Isah on Thursday in Lokoja commended the Super Eagles for their display of resilience and the “Can-do Spirit” of Nigerians.
He said that the Eagles in the thrilling semi final encounter held their nerves throughout the game and the emotionally charged penalty shootout won by the Super Eagles 4:2.
The Governor noted that the build up to the game demonstrated the undiluted passion by which Nigerians are known to rally in defence of their country in difficult times.
Ododo equally urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles to soar in their quest to bring home the coveted continental trophy.
“This win by the Super Eagles proves that Nigeria has what it takes to bounce back from its temporary setbacks as a nation.
“We are inspired as a country and we must all support the Super Eagles to bring home the trophy as they go against the Ivory Coast in the Final this weekend”, Governor Ododo said.
The Governor also urged all Nigerians to pray fervently for the Super Eagles to clinch the Nations Cup adding that the team needed the support of all Nigerians to bring home the trophy. (Ends)
The Nigerian National Team, Super Eagles has defeated South African Bafana Bafana on penalties at the Stade de la Paix (Stadium of Peace) in Bouake, Ivory Coast to advanced to the final of the African Cup of Nations
Kelechi Ihenacho scored the winning penalty for Super Eagles as Nigeria displaced the South African team from the final of Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria opened the scoring in the 67th minute through a penalty after Osimhen made his mark.
South Africa star player Mokoena equalised in the 90th minute sending the game to extra time, the extra time ended in a stalemate, and the game advanced to penalties.
Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, saved two penalties, while Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning penalty to send the Eagles to the final
The Super Eagles of Nigeria has defeated Angola in the quart final duel with Angola to advance to semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Lookman’s first half goal
Moses Simon’s perceptive pass gave Lookman the rear chance to score his third goal of the knockout stage
With the victory over Angola the Super Eagles have been tipped to be the new tournament favourites however their opponents with confident had created occasional scare.
This is the first time Nigeria have won four consecutive matches at a single Afcon edition without conceding a goal.
Having scored two goals against Cameroon in the last 16 as his first ever Afcon goals, Lookman has become the fourth Nigerian to score at least three goals in the knockout rounds of a single Afcon tournament, after Odion Ighalo in 2019 (4), Jay-Jay Okocha in 2004 (3) and Rashidi Yekini in 1994 (3).
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