Nigerian Television Authority Bow Out Of Restoration Cup In Style After Marathon Penalty Shoot Out

Foremost Media giant, Nigeria Television Authority, (NTA), on Saturday, were shown the exit door of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, after losing on penalties.


The media boys proved that they are not just information seekers and broadcasters, but also good at the round leather game, as they played out a goalless draw with Famgbe Community at the BDGS match centre in Yenagoa.


At the shoot out, both teams showed resilience, scoring nineteen spot kicks, but it was Famgbe FC who had the last laugh, after NTA lost their 20th spot kick, loosing 19-20 to Famgbe community.


Still at the BDGS match centre, the second match witnessed Agbura Community losing 4-2 on penalties to Akenfa Community, after it ended two all at regulation time.


Two matches were played at the Tombia center with Yenagoa FC progressing to the next round as they beat Biogbolo FC 5-4 on penalty shoot-out, after scoring two goals apiece in 90 minutes of play in the first game, while Yenizue-gene FC beat Ovom FC 4-2 on penalties after a One all draw at regulation time in the second game.


The Okodia/Zarama match centre also came live with two exciting matches, with Kpansia community progressing to the next round after beating Nedugo-Agbia by a lone goal, while Tein Community, saw off Zarama by the same scoreline.


At the Brass Centre, Buo-ama Community FC defeated Mini-Amgba Community FC by two unreplied goals to progress to the next round.



Restoration Cup 2018 Results

BDGS CENTRE:

Famgbe 0 (20) vs 0/(19) NTA

Akenfa 2 (5) vs 2 (4) Agbura


TOMBIA CENTER:

Yenizue-Gene 1 (4) vs 1 (2) Ovom

Yenagoa 2 (5) vs 2 (4) Biogbolo


OKORDIA/ZARAMA CENTER:

Tein 1 vs 0 Zarama

Nedugo-Agbia 0 vs 1 Kpansia


BRASS CENTRE:

Buo-ama 2 vs 0 Mini-Amgba

GOV DICKSON FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF IN YENAGOA, AS DEPUTY GOVERNOR, OTHERS LAUD INITIATIVES

…CHRISTOPHER JUNIOR SCORES HAT TRICK AS AGUDAMA COMMUNITY FC THRASH ONOPA COMMUNITY FC 3-0.

Deputy Governor of Bayelsa state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, (rtd) at the weekend in Yenagoa took the ceremonial kick off of the second edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, tagged Restoration Cup 2018.

The kick off which had in attendance notable personalities including sport analysts within and outside the state witnessed an encounter between Agudama- Epie and Onopa communities. It ended three nil in favour of the former.

Rear Admiral Jonah enjoined the youth to eschew violence and other vices, rather they should deplore their energies to profitable venture.

He warned them against being used by self centred politicians, especially now that the 2019 general elections is around the corner.

Speaking in the same vein, the Bayelsa Sports Commissioner, Perekiye Buruboyefe, lauded the vision of the competition just as he called on the 136 participating teams to be peaceful, which he stressed was part of the aim of the competition.

He called on youths in the state to be law abiding and take advantage of the numerous policies and programmes of the Governor Seriake Dickson administration, such as the Restoration Cup, to better their lot.

The opening match produced a hat-trick by Junior Christopher of Agudama Epie who went home with the match ball.

The recipient commended the organisers of the competition for giving him the opportunity to showcase his skills.

He expressed his team's readiness to win the tournament and said he plans to be among the best players from the competition.

Highpoint of the kickoff was the reading of the tournament's pledge by captain of the Onopa team on behalf of the participants, which is to ensure a cultism-free, drug abuse-free and violence-free Bayelsa.

Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament (Restoration Cup 2018) Kicks Off Today

RESTORATION CUP 2018

The Central Working Committee of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament (Restoration Cup 2018) wishes to inform all registered communities and the general public that the competition kicks off on Friday, April 27, 2018.

The first game is between Agudama community and Onopa community.

Venue: Samson Siasia Sports Complex 

Time: 3pm

Kick-off by Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, His Excellency Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) and supported by Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Kemela Okara.

There will be a march past of all the registered communities from the Yenagoa Local Government Area only.

The teams are to dress in their official jerseys.

All political appointees, chairman and officials of the Bayelsa Football Association, Bayelsa Referees Association, sports writers, football coaches, ex-footballers, captains of all registered communities, football stakeholders and the general public are cordially invited.

Signed

Hon. Daniel Alabrah

Media Director

Restoration Cup... towards a cultism-free, drug abuse-free and violence-free Bayelsa

Gov Dickson Receives Victorious Gold medalists, doles Out Millions To Them

Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has doled out millions of naira to the victorious Bayelsa contingents to the Common Wealth Games in Gold coast, Australia.

A press statement signed by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo stated that a total of eight medals were won: three gold, two silver and three bronze medals.

The gold medalists include Bayelsa-born Blessing Oborodudu in the 68 kg Class, Aminat Adeniyi in the 62 kg and Adekuroye Odunayo in the 57 kg class, all in the female freestyle. Onyebuchi Blessing won silver in the women's 76kg and Melvin Bibo in the men's 86kg division.

Amas Daniel and Ebikewenimo Welson won bronze medal in men's 65kg and 57kg weight classes while Samuel Boss captured bronze in the women's 53kg.

Speaking today at the Council Chamber, Government House, the Governor congratulated the champions for making Bayelsa State proud. While noting that the state is the headquarters of Wrestling in Nigeria and Africa, Governor Dickson said he will not relent to consolidate on the gains recorded by the wrestlers in the recently concluded competition in Gold coast. He said Bayelsa communities have wrestling champions waiting to be harnessed and supported. He expressed confidence that the state will continue to dominate future championships. 

He said: "I want to congratulate you for winning medals making Bayelsa State proud once more. Bayelsa is the headquarters of Wrestling in Nigeria and Africa. We are serious about promoting and supporting Sports in this state. Every Bayelsan is a wrestler. Before the end of this year, we shall commission a wrestling Gymnasium we have started building. We have a way of supporting and encouraging all sports men/women. All gold medalists will go home with one million, five hundred thousand naira, Silver medalists will go home with one million naira only, bronze medalists to get seven hundred thousand naira only while participants who didn't win medals will smile home with the sum of five hundred thousand naira only. Coaches to get one million each and the medical personnel will also have a handshake from the Governor."

In his remarks, Hon Daniel Igali, President Nigeria Wrestling Federation and Vice President of Commonwealth Wrestling commended the Governor for creating the enabling environment for the wrestlers to prepare for the games, stressing that his support served as an inspiration to the medalists.

Dickson Establishes Varsity Education Loan Board In Bayelsa

The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson has signed into law, the Bill establishing the Bayelsa State Students Tertiary Education Loan Board.

Dickson said that the board specially designed to provide unfettered access to tertiary education in the state would be inaugurated in the next two weeks.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the governor as having said that a percentage of the state’s monthly internally generated revenue would be committed by law to fund the board.

The governor explained that funding of the new board would be similar to the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Funds which was established by law to guarantee the arrangement for free education at the primary and secondary school levels in the state.

Dickson said that the new board was being established with a consciousness to ensure that no Bayelsa youth with the requisite qualification and intent for university or tertiary education was deprived access to such schools because lack of funds.

“We have also taken care of the issue of access in another way that i have not heard done in any state in this country. Your government has also established the Bayelsa State Student Tertiary Education Loan Board Law. I have signed that bill into law, and in the next one or two weeks I will be setting up that board.

“And just as we dedicated 5% of the internally generated revenue of our state to the Education Development Trust Fund, the Government of Bayelsa State will also every month, allocate some amount of money that I will announce shortly to the funding of the Student loan Board.

“The whole idea is that we don’t want any Bayelsa youth, boy or girl, whatever your background may be, whatever your circumstances in life maybe, (once you have the basic qualifications that will enable you to gain admission into university, either in the UAT or in our state-owned premiere Niger Delta University or any other university in Nigeria) to be left behind.”

“As a responsible government, because we know all fingers are not equal and we do not want any child to be left behind, we are establishing the Students Loan Board. The loan that the board will give will be paid directly to the universities.”

On the arrangement for the repayment of the loan, the Governor said that beneficiaries of the loan would be required to repay within 10 to 20 year of graduation after they commence work.

Dickson added that the board which would be empowered to formulate its policies would pay for the cost of university education especially school fees.

“The board will formulate its rules and the board will pay for the university education cost particularly with regard to tuition fees. I expect the university to cooperate with the board so that when the students graduate, when they begin to work, they can repay within 10 to 20 years without feeling it. That is the standard across the world.” He added

GOVERNOR DICKSON FLAGS OFF 2018 RESTORATION CUP

...PRESENTS KITS TO PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has emphasized the need to use sports as a veritable tool to change the mindset of youths in the state.

Governor Dickson who disclosed this during the official draws and kits presentation to the participating teams in Yenagoa, reiterated government’s commitment to sports development.

No fewer than one hundred and thirty communities and tertiary institutions registered to participate in the second edition of the Governor Seriake Dickson Football Tournament, tagged, "The Restoration Cup 2018", scheduled to kick-off in few days.

The Governor emphasised that the football tournament is yet another tool in unifying and integrating the communities, and also discovering hidden talents among youths for self sustenance and development.

Dickson said the state government was making plans to support football in all the communities, as he urged the participating teams to take advantage of the tournament to launch their careers.

" I must commend the Central Working Committee, and the private individuals that has supported this competition. I must also commend the participating teams. I encourage you to give your best, as I look forward to be present at the finals. Most importantly, this tournament has come to stay, as I would ensure its continuity, even after my tenure as Governor".

He added that though the competition had being private sector driven, the successes recorded so far has encouraged government to provide some support for the competition.

Commissioner for Sports, Hon Perekiye Buruboyefe in his remarks, said that the competition was aimed at taking sports development to the grassroots, and would go a long way in discovering football talents.

Also speaking, Director General of the Competition, Ono Akpe, noted that the game was strictly on knock-out basis, and only the final two teams would emerge from the eight local council are as of the state.

According to him, “The prize money remains the same (N11 million) as the maiden edition. The winners will get N5 million, N3 million for the second best team, and N2 million for the third best team.

“Consolation prizes include, N500,000 for the fourth best team, N200,000 for the best behaved team, N100,000 each for the best goalkeeper, highest goal scorer, and of course, the most valuable player,” he explained.

With the draws now concluded, action is expected to get underway, at selected centres in the various communities.

He appealed to well meaning Bayelsans and Nigerians alike to support this initiative that would foster peace and harmony amongst communities in the state.  

He concluded by saying " I must salute the support and contribution of people like Ken Etete, Amagbe Kentebe, AK construction group who have have stood solidly by us. I hope other well meaning Nigerians will work hand in hand with us to celebrate the great, talented youths of Bayelsa".

Anti-Corruption War; Young Professionals Commend NEMA DG

Engr Mustapha Maihaja

The United Young Professionals has commended the the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Engr Mustapha Maihaja for promoting the anti-corruption crusade of President Buhari in NEMA.

In a press release in Abuja on Friday, the National Coordinator of the United Young Professionals, Adewole Kehinde particularly commended the Director General for upholding the suspension of officials that misappropriated sums totaling over a Billion Naira belonging to NEMA.

"It takes a man of integrity to expose such highly networked corruption under his agencies without fear or favour; some other DGs would have cooperated with the officials to loot the agency dried at the mercies of Nigerians especially those in the IDPs, Adewole said.

It will be recalled that that the affected persons, in league with a former Director General of NEMA have formed an alliance with certain already identified House Committee members and illegally procured and stole various papers from NEMA files in their bid to exonerate themselves and challenge their suspension, claiming they were innocent whistleblowers being victimized by the board.

"We call on the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to be honourable in their sitting as investigation by our members is indicating that some members of the Committee are making an attempt to protect the suspended directors in an unwholesome deal.

Adewole further called on the Presidency to urgently take actions on the report submitted to it which has shown the enormity of the crimes committed by the officials which comprised misappropriation of public funds, frivolous claims of personal emoluments and conspiracy with the other officials to short-change the Federal Government of due revenues, among others.

We are fully in support of the suspension of the NEMA officials which will enable the EFCC carry out full investigations as their reinstatement will surely tamper with evidence in the process of due investigation by EFCC, the statement concluded.