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17th NSF: Rivers Is Hosting To Win – Director
Rivers State Sports Director, Sir Daobu Harry, says the State is hosting to win the on-going 17th National Sports Festival, tagged ‘Garden City Games’ 2011.
Harry who was speaking in Port Harcourt said, everything that ought to be done had been done to ensure a hitch-free sports festival and ensure the state comes out tops at the end of the festival.
Based on the level of preparation for the games, he said, he was sure that the state would win, adding however, “we’re saying, we’re hosting to win but not hosting to win by all means, but by the rules of the game”.Harry provided insight into why the government undertook the construction of a new facility for the games, when he said, “… the Executive Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has the vision, his vision is: “we would not want to host the National Sports Festival with debilitated facilities and old facilities. He wanted to host this games in a new facility, a new stadium for the whole of Rivers people”.
The Sports Director said what the state stands to gain by hosting the games when he drew our correspondent’s attention to the new Games Village, saying that “these facilities will be one of the benefits that we have gotten through the National Sports Festival. Anybody who sees the stadium will know why we hosted the National Sports Festival. He insisted that the imposing stadium will speak for itself as one of the gains Rivers State recorded in hosting the games.
In addition, according to the sports administrator, there will be a lot of economic activities in the state within the period of the festival because the 36 states and FCT Abuja had come into Rivers State with money to spend in the state. As a result, he contended, “you can see that many Rivers State indigenes will be economically empowered. Of course, athletes that will represent the state will make a fortune, economic fortune out of it, (especially since most of them will have one thing or the other to fall back on after the festival in particular those that will win medals, so you can see that the state has a lot to gain”.
By hosting the festival, Harry said Rivers State under Amaechi was also sending a message across to the international business community that the state was very safe for national and international programmes and a haven for investments. Through the festival, he sai the state would earn international confidence and more expatriate companies and investors will want to do business in the state.
He also gave a message to Rivers people: “Well, the game is not for the Governor alone, not for the state Executive Council alone, not for PDP alone, not for the Rivers Sports Council alone, not for the LOC alone, the game is ‘Rivers game’ and ‘Nigeria’s game’ so we’re calling on everybody to support this game, and not only to support but come out as ‘partners’ to support this game. Your contribution to this game, even if it’s one kobo, will be appreciated”.
Harry expressed optimism that the state’s athletes were in high spirits for the game and were poised to win medals and write their names and that of the state in gold, explaining that most of the athletes were very serious and very focused, and really know what they want to do.
Harry said the indices on ground showed clearly that Rivers state would come out strong at the end of the day and Rivers people would be the better for it, as everything was geared towards taking the state to the next level in sports in particular.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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