Prosperity Cup Season 6: Six Teams Book Round of 32 Qualifications in Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament

More teams have qualified for the round of 32 of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup after weeks of electrifying football in different centers.

The latest team to book a place in the round of 32 of Nigeria's prestigious tournament is defending champions Krusaders Feeders FC. Others who have justified their entry into the tournament are Nembe City FC, Petroleum Boys FC, Fisherman Son's FC, Kongho United, Kurotee FC and Water Striker from Ekeremor, Nembe and Brass Local Government Area centers.

To reach the round of 32 Nembe City FC and Fisherman Son's FC, qualified from the Ogbolomabiri Centre. Nembe City FC beat B.M.U Feeders 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 in regulation time having drawn bye in matchday one.

Fisherman Son's FC in the other fixture pipped Okoroma FC 2-1 to progress into the round of 32 of the showpiece. At the Ekeremor centre defending champions, Krusaders Feeders FC made a clear statement of intent with a resounding 3-0 victory over Oburu FC.

Petroleum Boys FC on matchday one defeated Isampou FC 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a barren draw in regulation time. Petroleum Boys FC in the second game beat Ekeremor FC 4-2 on penalties to advance to the round of 32 in the tournament.

Kurotee FC, Water Striker FC, and Kongho United FC came out on top in the two centres in Brass LGA -  Twon Brass and Ogbokiri Akassa Centers.

Kurotee FC who were on bye at the opening of hostilities at the Twon Brass Center pipped Twon Brass FC 5-4 on penalties after a barren draw in regulation time in their opening match and went ahead to defeat Agbalakoko 2-1 in the third fixture to seal one of the tickets for the round  of 32  slots. 

Water Striker FC in the same centre pummeled Egwe-ama FC and Diema FC to move into the round of 32 alongside Kurotee FC. 

At the Ogbokiri/Akassa Center, Kongho United pulled out two slim victories over Blue Sea Strikers FC and Sangana FC to progress to the round of 32 in the ongoing biggest grassroots football tournament in Nigeria and beyond.

Action continues in other centres in the spectacle, having completed the preliminary round fixtures in Brass, Nembe, and Ekeremor centres. 

Unsurprisingly more players, teams and football stakeholders have continued to express their joy at seeing the display of  wonderful skills by young lads in the tournament and showered their appreciation on the Miracle Governor for his steadfastness in sponsoring the tournament saying this will go down as one of his undeniable legacies in his time as governor of Bayelsa State. 

Presidential Amnesty Office Deploys More Aviation Industry Trainees To South Africa

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed four cadet pilot trainees for type-rating training at the SIM Aerotraining Ltd in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the implementation of the vocational objectives of the programme.

It is in pursuit of the PAP objectives to ensure that delegates and beneficiaries acquire the requisite skills for gainful employment in the aviation sector.

This is a continuation of the PAP's deployment of its delegates and beneficiaries to aviation training institutions locally and around the world to enable them to become useful to themselves and the society.

In September and November 2023, the PAP Office sent 40 trainees (20 in each month) for aircraft maintenance engineering at Leadstream Aviation Training, Lagos, who finished their programme and are currently undergoing on-the-job training.

The PAP Office had also in November 2023 deployed two batches of six cadet pilot trainees each to SIM Aerotraining Ltd and ALT Academy, also in Johannesburg.

In January this year, the PAP Office also sent eight cadet pilot trainees for type-rating training at SIM Aerotraining Ltd on ERJ-145 and another six to ALT Academy on Boeing 737 aeroplane, while two trainees were also sent for helicopter instrument-rating and type-rating training, respectively, at Henley Airfreight Training Ltd, also in Johannesburg.

Lambert Daunemighan (middle), Head of Vocational Training Unit,
Presidential Amnesty Programme,  representing the Administrator
during the pre-departure briefing for four cadet pilot trainees
in Lagos for training in South Africa.

Speaking at the pre-departure briefing in Lagos for the four cadet pilot trainees, the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro noted that vocational training was a key component of the programme in the planned development of the Niger Delta manpower base.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, quoted Otuaro to have noted that the deployment was in continuation of the significant feat achieved by the Presidential Amnesty Office in the aviation training of its delegates and beneficiaries.

Represented by Lambert Daunemighan, PAP's Head of Vocational Training Unit, Otuaro thanked President Bola Tinubu for his strong support to the programme to achieve human capital development, peace and security in the region.

He said, "The enlisting of these four cadet pilots for training, also highlights our passion and commitment to the implementation of the mandate of the PAP in the area of human capital development for our teeming youths in the Niger Delta.

"The Office has received the unwavering support of President Bola Tinubu, who has demonstrated the desire to ensure the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta. This event is a product of Mr. President’s commitment to peace and development in the Niger Delta.

"We will continue to thank Mr President for his favourable disposition towards achieving the noble objectives for the establishment of the Programme."

Congratulating the trainees on their deployment, the PAP boss urged them to take their training seriously, shun all forms of distractions and social vices and "be good ambassadors of Nigeria, the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the Niger Delta as well as your communities while in South Africa."

He further said, "The aviation sector is a huge industry. You now have the rare opportunity to acquire the relevant skills and knowledge that will prepare you to begin a career in the aviation industry. Please, grab it with both hands and make yourself worthy ambassadors of this programme."

The trainees expressed gratitude to the Administrator and the Federal Government for the opportunity, saying they would take their training seriously and also be of good conduct.

Prosperity Cup Organizers Salute Gov Diri At 65

...Describe Him As A Focused,Visionary Leader.

The organizers of the biggest grassroots football spectacle in Nigeria, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup   felicitate with Governor Douye Diri on the occasion of his 65th birthday anniversary.

Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono K. Akpe in a statement made on behalf of the Central Organizing Committee, commended the governor for his  infrastructural drive in the state, describing him as a focused, visionary and down to earth administrator,who leads with the fear of God.

The statement extolled the virtues and hardwork of Governor Diri especially for the peace and stability the state has enjoyed thus far, as well as his patriotic and unrelenting service to his state and the nation, praying God to continue to grant him good health and wisdom to sustain his good works for the people.

According to the statement, the governor's  developmental drive in the state has crystallized the success of Bayelsa in the sports sector with a continuous dominance of the state’s athletes in all the national events they have participated in in recent years, particularly the National Sports Festival, Para Games, Nestle Milo Basketball Championship, Bayelsa United and Bayelsa Queens triumph in the 2021 AITEO CUP in Benin City, Edo State.

The statement lauded the governor, Senator Douye Diri for his tireless commitment to see that the Prosperity Cup remains the biggest grassroots football tournament in the nation, noting that the showpiece has impacted positively upon the lives of many youths in the state, especially in hosting all three of the female, para soccer and male editions of the tournament.

“Since your emergence as Governor of Bayelsa, you have remained irrevocably committed to your prosperity mantra which centres largely on infrastructure, sports, human capital development, education, healthcare, political tolerance and justice for all irrespective of tribe, creed, party and religion. Your leadership prowess has continued to reverberate across the entire state and beyond and we celebrate your unforgettable contributions to advancing our state, your commitment to humanity and how at different times various impactful approaches and activities on the people you lead has marked you out as a light that cannot be hidden. 

On behalf of the Central Organizing Committee (COC) of the tournament, I congratulate you, Your  Excellency, our father, our boss, as you clock a year older today. It is our prayer that God will grant you more years in good health to render more services to the people of Bayelsa State and the entire nation.” Akpe stated.

Gov Diri's Spokesman Thumbs Up Prosperity Cup Organisers

Defending Champions, 3 Others Qualify For Round Of 32

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, has commended organisers of the ongoing Prosperity Cup in the state for their consistency in discovering football talents through the competition. 

The Prosperity Cup, which is the Bayelsa Governor’s  Football Tournament, is Nigeria's biggest grassroots football showpiece.

Mr. Alabrah, a former youth international and professional footballer, gave the commendation at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa when he was presented the tournament’s branded jersey by the Director-General, Mr. Ono Akpe.

The governor's spokesman noted that youths in the state look forward to the tournament yearly as it offers them the opportunity to showcase their talent just as it promotes unity among Bayelsans.

He said for the competition to have reached the sixth edition, it tells a lot about the consistency in the sports policy of the state government and the organisers.

According to him, the continuity of the tournament in the last four years of the Governor Diri administration was also indicative of the governor’s unparalleled commitment to sports development.

Alabrah stressed that this has manifested in the performance of the state’s athletes within and outside the country, describing it as heartwarming.

He urged the youths to take advantage of the tournament as it is capable of exposing them to foreign scouts and clubs, noting that the inclusion of the female competition, para soccer as well as the scouting programme were a testament to the tournament’s growth.

He further commended the organisers for adopting a holistic approach to the tournament, particularly for also giving the physically challenged persons a sense of belonging.

The former footballer equally lauded the inclusion of the foreign scouting programme, which he said was a veritable initiative for  players discovered during the tournament to be exposed to foreign clubs, stressing that the competition had gone beyond mere participation and winning trophies to a platform to showcase Bayelsa youths to the world.

He expressed the optimism that in the next few years, Bayelsa youths would populate the country’s national teams as the competition has positioned Bayelsa as a brand in youth soccer coupled to with the avalanche of talents it has produced.

Meanwhile, defending champions, Krusaders Feeders FC, romped into the next round of the tournament with a 3-0 spanking of Oburu FC in a fixture decided at the Ekeremor centre. 

Goals from Anthony Moses, Handsome Iwasoma and Tony Akpagra gave the Peretorugbene based side the deserved victory.

Petroleum Boys FC in the second game beat Ekeremor FC 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. 

At the Ogbolomabiri centre in Nembe Local Government Area, Fisherman Son's FC pipped Okoroma United FC 2-1 to progress to the next phase while BMU Feeders FC suffered a 4-3 defeat against Nembe City on penalties having played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time. 

Action continues in other centres.

Otuaro Tasks Presidential Amnesty Programme Employees On Productivity

 

Pix 6- Chief Dennis Brutu Otuaro, PhD. Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP), Edgar Biu Daniel, Technical Assistant, PAP, and other management Staff in a group photograph, during the Orientation/Operational Excellence Workshop for Presidential Amnesty Programme Staff, held at NAF Conference Centre, on Saturday 1st June 2024 in Abuja.

Dr Dennis Brutu Otuaro, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has urged members of staff to be more efficient and productive in accomplishing the programme's mandate of ensuring enduring peace and security in the Niger Delta.

Speaking at a re-orientation workshop for new and existing PAP Office employees in Abuja at the weekend, Otuaro reiterated his commitment to diligently working towards achieving the goals for which the programme was established.

He assured the President that the programme was in "safe hands" and vowed to leverage his position to make a positive impact in the region by achieving sustainable peace and security through the proper implementation of the programme.

"I know all the major stakeholders in the Niger Delta and don't need intermediaries to engage with anyone," Otuaro stated. "I am not here to make money. My passion is the peace, security and development of the Niger Delta through the mainstreaming of ex-agitators and creating opportunities for them to become self-sufficient and independent."

Otuaro explained that the purpose of the workshop was to foster an environment where workers could collaborate rather than work in isolation, to achieve the programme's objectives more effectively. 

He said, "This exercise aims to enhance our efforts to harness the elements of collaboration and teamwork for effective implementation of the mandate of the Presidential Amnesty Office.

"In this regard, we will strive to deepen collaboration and consultations with critical stakeholders in the implementation of the Programme. This noble objective can only be achieved with the effective, efficient and dedicated input of our staff members."

The Administrator further stated that the programme would explore funding opportunities for beneficiaries who have been trained in vocational skills, assuring all stakeholders that they would be treated fairly.

Established in 2009 to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former Niger Delta agitators, the Presidential Amnesty Programme, currently in the reintegration phase, aims at mainstreaming the former agitators and providing institutional support for impacted communities in the region.

At the workshop, all department and unit heads made presentations to the participants on their respective divisions. 

External resource persons also delivered talks on themes such as "Building a World-Class Organization," "DDR – A Global Interventionist Model for Peacekeeping," and "Focus on Personal Effectiveness."

Some PAP members of staff including, Theophilus Tikpa and Mirabel Idoh of the Technical Support and Administration Departments, respectively, commended the Administrator for the workshop saying it was very educative and that lessons gained would help the workers to work better as a team in the discharge of their duties.

Niger Delta: Ex-agitators hail Asari Dokubo at 60

...say He is foremost freedom fighter against injustice, oppression

Ex-agitators, leaders and stakeholders from the Six States of the Niger Delta region under the auspices of Niger Delta Advocate for Peace And Good Governance Group, NDAPGGG have showered encomiums Leader of the defunct Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo on his 60th Birthday anniversary, describing him as one of Niger Delta region's freedom fighter that stood against Injustice and oppression.

The National leadership of the NDAPGGG, during a meeting held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and convened by Ex-militant leader, Comrade Fiawei Pathfinder also known as General Osama; Secretary, Comrade Sir Dr AK Peters and National Woman Leader, Comrade Bridget Eyimosaon, described Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo Asari as the Opu Alabor Da Amakiri Tubor, the Inabio Buari II, the Paramount Head of Edi, Group of Houses in Kalabari Kingdom and an acceptable face of the Niger Delta struggle in quest of Resource Control and emancipation of the Niger Delta people.

The National Leader of the group, Comrade Fiawei Pathfinder also known as General Osama while addressing newsmen after the meeting, said the personality of Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari is a symbol of a universal freedom fighter that could be described to the likes of Nelson Madiba Mandela of South Africa, The Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew and many more global freedom fighters who stood firm fearlessly in the liberation of nations and their people.

"Mujahid Dokubo Asari, The Ediabali of Kalabari kingdom is known to be a fearless, dogged, outspoken, courageous, and defender of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality and by extension the Niger Delta region, a patriot and force to reckon with in the Nigerian state as a whole, therefore we deemed it necessary to honour their own leader who is always at the forefront in agitating for the right and it's privileges of the Niger Delta people".

He said: "There is no doubt about this that this day is special and a unique celebration day to give full and complete honour to a selfless vocal and foresighted leader and a freedom fighter with a global repute, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo Asari, the Ediabali of Kalabari kingdom, the paramount head of the Ediabali ruling house as he clocks a triumphant diamond 60".

"Indeed, it is a day that every son's and daughters of the Ijaw Nation, and Niger Deltans in general should be elated to celebrate with, and so we deemed it fit to celebrate our own renowned son of the Niger Delta region, a relentless and passionate Niger Delta Freedom Fighter, a living legend of our time, the Hero and face of the emancipation struggle in liberating the people of the Niger Delta region".

"This is a man with the lion heart who has remained a fearless voice and an outspoken and courageous fighter that says it as it is, and he had demonstrated that he is the defender of his people, who also.is seen as the Emeritus President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, and his a man that make things happen with uncommon doggedness, and he is a patriotic Nigerian elder statesman who will always advocate for unity and peaceful coexistence of the Nigerian state".

"We see him as a beacon of hope for liberation of the Niger Delta people in the agitation of resource control and icon of true federalism even at 60 years, and he has never lost the vision and strong believe in the struggle for the holistic emancipation of the entire Niger Delta region who still commits himself to the emancipation of the Niger Delta region".

"He is a strong voice who have pressed and sustained the fight for fairness equal rights, equity and justice to ensure the issue of resource control and fiscal federalism is actualized in the interest of the people of the region and Nigeria as well."

However, while acknowledging the dogged, rugged and fearless spirit of Asari Dokubo as a freedom fighter of international repute and defender of the Niger Delta people, Pathfinder described him as the living legend, asserted that the Ediabali of Kalabari kingdom stood with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his presidential project but was not appreciated and refused to be acknowledged.

"We and Nigerians know how our leader and patriotic son of the Niger Delta region stood by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's presidential project and stick it's neck without any compromise from the onset of the campaign to the election victory."

"He stood firm in defense of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu' victory both at the Presidential Election Tribunal even to the Supreme Court for the final declaration of Tinubu's victory, and even though the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu refuses to acknowledge all his tireless efforts and sacrifices with financial commitments and dedication in making sure that Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the last presidential election"

"We the leadership of Niger Delta Advocate for Peace And Good Governance Group, who are the foot soldiers will continue to acknowledge this known fact and such cannot overemphasize this strong believe in the Tinubu project even though, that same Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration refuses to acknowledge all his tireless sacrifices, efforts and commitments contributed to the overall victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency"

"Rather the administration deem it necessary to reward some group of persons with their allies who were standing at the corner of the fence when their voice and personal contributions were most needed but they where nowhere to be find, but today they are the sole beneficiaries and got all the rewards from that same president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration, and no matter what he Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari has not derailed to ensure equity, justice and fairness to his people in the region", he added.

The group concluded by saying, "Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo Asari Abubakar, The INABIO BUARI 11 PARAMOUNT HEAD OF EDI GROUP OF HOUSES IN KALABARI KINGDOM, MAY YOU LIVE LONG IN YOUR REIGN."

Don’t Allow Embittered, Ethnic Jingoists Mislead You On Yahaya Bello's Case, Kogi Indigenes Tell EFCC

Indigenes of Kogi State have cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  against those they described as embittered and desperate ethnic jingoists who are strengthening the public opinion that the Commission is collaborating with certain opposition figures to persecute the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello. 

The indigenes said since the allegation of corruption by the EFCC against the former Governor became a national discourse, "some persons who are afraid of chasing their dreams at the polls have hidden under the veneer of activism to sponsor their tribesmen to impugn on the character of ex Governor Yahaya Bello maliciously".

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Chairman of Kogi Youth Leaders Forum, Benjamin Oguche, PhD, specifically noted that those still calling for the arrest of Bello even in the face of an ongoing court process, were either uninformed or out to rubbish the image of EFCC while pursuing their prolonged vendetta mission.

The Kogi youth leaders said this particular group had consistently pursued a "we against them" agenda, causing division and hate among the ethnic groups in Kogi,  spreading falsehood and propaganda to the public on the matter.

"It is sad and regrettable that the so-called corruption allegation against Bello, which remains an allegation until established in the court of law, has become an opportunity for chronic political failures to unleash their intolerance and deep-rooted frustration on a state that our founding fathers have laboured so hard to unite. 

"Without credible reasons, they have been said to have mobilised resources to fight him for daring to govern a state he hails from and for overseeing a free and fair election which produced another Governor, not from their fold," they stated.

According to them, the polarization, ethnic and religious colouration that have been introduced in recent times into the EFCC trial of the immediate past Governor calls for worry, especially among every Kogi indigene who has a firm belief in the peaceful co-existence of the state as an indivisible entity.

"Suffice to say that what we see playing out today is a microcosm of what our country represents, where the so called minority is discriminated against, sidelined and treated like a lesser citizen in a country he has made equal, if not greater, contributions to building. The so called minority has been made to believe his voice does not count and his fundamental right to pursue social, economic and political interest taken away.

"Since through divine providence that former Governor Yahaya Bello became governor in 2016, several arrow of ethnic bitterness, needless attacks and corruption profiling have been targetted at him and his government for no offence other than for the simple reason that the responsibility to lead our dear state at that time fell on his shoulder.

"While God saw him through his four years in office, the people of our dear state equally and overwhelmingly renewed their mandate for him, sending him to go again, amidst hate campaign, violence attacks and ethnic war by some ethnic driven elites who have sworn never to allow certain ethnic groups have a taste of leading the state. While this gathering is not about catalogue of exploits he achieved and the records he broke within these eight years, it is important to note that since he left office, same known tribal jingoists and ethnic champions have been having sleepless nights plotting the downfall of the man.

"The anti-Bello protests in the UK last week, Lagos last week and Abuja today highlight the glaring danger those they regard as minority ethnic groups face in the hands of those who feel that their population is for the purpose of suppressing the fundamental rights of others to seek political interest. One continues to wonder where the protesters gathered the money to go on a protest spray, if some people are not bankrolling them, which suggest a sinister plan different from genuine fight against corruption as the public is made to understand.

"We understand that the case for which these hate-induced protests are going on is in the court and the court is a place of orderliness where every party will push their stands without necessarily drawing dagger to murder our peace. We are, however, surprised that dimension of sustained protests have been added to their inglorious mission.

"We have often expressed our confidence in the judiciary and irrespective of how long it could take, the wheel of justice must grind to a logical end. We, however, frown at the seeming open hands the EFCC has been showing to the protesters which is fueling an unfortunate suspicion that must be immediately corrected.

"While we welcome in its entirety the probe of the former Governor, we, however, reject the deliberate image smearing against him. We call on the EFCC to disregard the propaganda of ethnic agents and face the task of diligent prosecution," the Kogi Youth Leaders advised.