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Rivers, Six Other States Qualify For Quarter Finals In Men’s Cycling

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Seven states have qualified for the quarterfinals of the men’s 200m cycling event in the on-going  17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt.

The states are Rivers,Imo,Kaduna, Oyo, Edo, Nassarawa and Abuja. The quarter finals will be held on June 30.

Cycling is one of the  event which began ahead of the opening ceremony of the festival scheduled for July 3 at the Liberation Stadium Port Harcourt.

The men’s 200m sprint heats were decided along Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt .

The Secretary-General of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria,Mrs Thecla Opara told correspondents in Port Harcourt on Tuesday,  that 13 of the 18 states which reported for the festival took part in the first cycling event.

Cycling has a total medal capacity of 15 gold,15 silver and 15 bronze medals.

Opara said the states have been doing well since the cycling event began.

“We had our first race today (yesterday) with the cyclists and presently, we have about 18 states that have reported for the festival.

“So, our first race was 200 meters sprints and it took place at Aggrey Road and we have about 13 states that participated and so far they have been doing very well.

“The event has been going very well and am impressed with the turn out. A lot of states were present and hopefully  by tomorrow (today), I know most of them would have reported for the festival, so far, the festival is going very well,’’ she said.

Opara said the federation would use the festival to discover new talents for future national and international cycling events.

Coach Bashir Mohammed,national cycling coach says new talents have been discovered in the sport in the on-going 17th National Sports Festival.

One of them is Edward Osim of Rivers State who came first in the men’s 200 m sprint heat.

Mohammed told correspondents in Port Harcourt yesterday that the new talents have knocked out the defending champion in the men’s 200m sprint.

He said the new talents would be camped after the National Sports Festival.

“In today’s (yesterday) race I am  impressed indeed, in the fact that there are some new discoveries. You can see that the defending champion in this event did not even qualify to take part in the sprint event.

“So, I am impressed with the turn out and there are some boys coming up. “We will try to encourage them and to expose them to national and international competitions

“Like the person I forsee picking the gold medal is one young cyclist from Rivers,he is a new boy and we are going to  take him to the national camp immediately after this sports festival

“We are going to  have a kind of five day coaching clinic at the Valedrome,so that we can introduce them to the track racing,” he said.

He said  Nigeria has  a lot of talents that could  become world and African champions in the track.

Mohammed said there might be more upsets in the cycling event and that the inability of the defending champion to go beyond the first round of the 200m men’s sprint, was an indication that the events would be keenly contested.

“There are lots of revelations and there will be lots of upsets. New boys will emerge champions in the sprints,’’ he said.

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Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.

By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi

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Okafor, Eminent Nigerians Celebrate Osagwe-Ogo At 70

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Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.

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Fubara Commended For Sustaining Peace In Rivers As Sirawoo Receives Democracy Day Recognition

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.

By: Jessica Sambol

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