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Dele Momodu Endorses South West Games 2025, Hails Event As Catalyst for Empowerment, Growth

Published

1 year ago

February 26, 2025

Eric

Renowned media mogul and former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party, Bashorun Aare Dele Momodu, has thrown his weight behind the highly anticipated South West Games 2025.

The veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine described the event as an initiative that will foster sports development, youth empowerment, and regional unity.

Momodu gave his endorsement today at his Home-office at the prestigious Eko Atlantic, Lagos, as he received the President of the Organising Committee, Dr. Lanre Alfred and his team. He lauded the vision behind the tournament, emphasizing its significance in reviving grassroots sports and uniting the South West states under a shared purpose.

“The South West Games 2025 is a remarkable initiative that will not only harness the sporting potential of our young people but also serve as a rallying point for regional integration. I commend the organizers for their dedication to this historic event, and I wholeheartedly lend my support to its success,” Momodu stated.

Scheduled to take place in March this year, the South West Games 2025 will host 1,200 athletes and 120 officials from all six states in the South West, promising an electrifying display of talent and competition. Momodu emphasized that beyond the sporting excellence, the event presents a unique opportunity to showcase the cultural and economic potential of the region.

“Sports is a universal language that transcends boundaries. The South West Games will not only provide a platform for talent discovery but will also promote our rich cultural heritage and stimulate economic activities within the region. This is a brilliant initiative that deserves the support of all stakeholders,” he added.

A key highlight of the Games is the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Southwest Alliance Games (BATSWAG), a flagship sub-tournament dedicated to nurturing young talents under the age of 18. This five-day competition will see young athletes from the six South West states compete across seven sporting disciplines, positioning the region as a breeding ground for future champions.

Momodu expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, describing it as a strategic approach to talent development. “The initiative is a masterstroke. Giving our young athletes a platform to shine at an early stage will significantly contribute to the growth of sports in Nigeria. Many global sports icons were discovered at similar grassroots competitions, and I am confident this event will produce the next generation of superstars.”

A staunch advocate of youth empowerment, Momodu reiterated the role of sports in shaping national development. He emphasized that beyond competition, sporting activities help to curb social vices, promote discipline, and instill the spirit of excellence among young people.

“As a journalist and a keen observer of global trends, I have seen how sports can change lives. The South West Games has the potential to inspire thousands of young Nigerians to dream big and achieve greatness. It is a cause that should be embraced by all those who care about the future of our nation,” he affirmed.

Momodu’s endorsement adds to the growing list of prominent figures who have pledged their support for the South West Games 2025. Recently, the President of the Nigerian Golf Federation (NGF), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe (OON), and former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, also backed the initiative, underscoring its significance in shaping Nigeria’s sporting future.

With key stakeholders rallying behind the Games, expectations are high for an event that will redefine grassroots sports development in Nigeria. The Organising Committee, led by Dr. Alfred, has expressed gratitude for the widespread support and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a world-class sporting festival.

With less than a month to go, preparations for the South West Games 2025 are in full swing. Organizers are working round the clock to ensure a seamless and impactful event that will not only elevate the region’s sports ecosystem but also contribute to its socio-economic development.

As excitement builds, Momodu’s endorsement serves as yet another testament to the developmental potential of the Games, reinforcing its position as a model of hope for Nigerian sports and youth empowerment.

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Tinubu Nominates Oyedele As Minister of State for Finance, Moves Anite-Uzoka to Budget Ministry

Published

14 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, has announced that “President Bola Tinubu has nominated Taiwo Oyedele as the minister of state for finance, replacing Doris Anite-Uzoka.

“Mrs Anite-Uzoka will now move to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, as the Minister of State, her third portfolio in the administration.

“President Tinubu has today conveyed the nomination of Mr Oyedele to the Senate for confirmation in a letter to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

“Until President Tinubu nominated him as a minister, Mr Oyedele from Ikaram, Akoko, Ondo State, was the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system.

“Mr Oyedele, 50, is an economist, accountant and public policy expert.

“He attended Yaba College of Technology, where he obtained a Higher National Diploma (HND) in accountancy and finance. He attended Oxford Brookes University and earned a BSc in applied accounting.

“He also completed executive education programmes at the London School of Economics, Yale University, the Gordon Institute of Business Science, and the Harvard Kennedy School.

“Mr Oyedele spent 22 years of his working career at PwC, joining in 2001 and rising to become the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader.

“Mr Oyedele is also a professor at Babcock University in Ogun State and a visiting scholar at the Lagos Business School.”

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Defection: Atiku’s Son, Adamu, Resigns As Adamawa Commissioner

Published

19 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Adamu Abubakar, the first son of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has resigned as Adamawa State’s commissioner for works and energy development, days after Governor Ahmadu Fintiri defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

Abubakar’s resignation letter, dated 2 March 2026, was addressed to the governor through the Secretary to the State Government. He gave no reason for his departure.

The timing is pointed. Fintiri announced his defection to the APC in a statewide broadcast last Friday, saying his cabinet and the PDP’s state structure had moved with him. Within 24 hours, 22 commissioners and special advisers publicly announced they were following suit. Abubakar, whose father remains one of the PDP’s most prominent national figures, was not among them.

In a statement issued Monday night, Abubakar’s media aide Abdulaziz Jauro said the former commissioner thanked the governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged continued loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda. He also expressed gratitude to his father “for granting him the moral support and blessing to serve the people of Adamawa State” — a line that, read in context, suggests Atiku was consulted on the decision.

Abubakar said his resignation was not a withdrawal from public life. “This does not mark the end of his commitment to public service,” the statement read, “but rather the beginning of new avenues for developmental collaboration.”

The resignation leaves unresolved the question of whether it reflects a political break with the governor over his defection or a personal decision unconnected to the broader party realignment now reshaping Adamawa’s political landscape.

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DSS Nabs Man over Assassination Attempt on Peter Obi

Published

21 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has detained a man in connection with the recent attack and alleged assassination threats targeting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

According to AIT, the shooting incident took place on February 24, 2026, in Benin City, Edo State, during a political gathering attended by Obi and several figures from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The meeting was hosted by former APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. Gunmen reportedly opened fire at the venue, causing panic and forcing attendees to disperse for safety.

According to security sources, shortly after the attack, an individual identified as Udeme Monday Stephen allegedly took to social media claiming responsibility and issuing additional threats against Obi, warning of further violence.

Intelligence officials reportedly initiated swift investigations, employing digital tracing and forensic tools that led to the arrest of the 26-year-old suspect in Rivers State. He is said to be a teacher at a private secondary school in the Eliozu area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.

The suspect remains in DSS custody and is expected to face prosecution. The agency reiterated its commitment to responding to credible threats and safeguarding lives and national interests without bias.