By Israel Bulus

The Kaduna State Government has assured that it will revive scholarships for young sports enthusiasts as part of efforts to promote talent development and youth engagement.

The State Commissioner for Sports, Professor Benjamin Gugwong, gave this assurance on behalf of the government on Sunday during the kickoff of a unity football competition organized by Kamrum Integrated Farms in Zango Kataf Local Government Area.

Gugwong emphasized the government’s commitment to nurturing sports talents, stating that reviving the scholarship scheme will provide young athletes with opportunities to further their education while excelling in their chosen sports.

He commended Kamrum Integrated Farms for organizing the competition, describing it as a vital initiative that fosters unity and peace among youths in the state.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Kamrum Integrated Farms, Mr. Rijo Shekari, explained that the competition was conceived to promote peace and youth development within the area.

” Sports has a unique way of bringing people together, and through this tournament, he hopes to encourage youth participation in productive activities while identifying and nurturing football talents.

In their show of support, the Chairman of the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr. Jerry Adams, announced a donation of ₦500,000, and the Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr. Sankye Obadiah also gave ₦200,000 towards the competition, promising continued support for initiatives that promote youth empowerment and community engagement.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Chairman of Zango Kataf Local Government, the Vice Chairman, Mr. Godwin Ishaya Dandaura, commended Mr. Shekari for organizing the tournament.

He urged all participating teams to play with the spirit of sportsmanship, stressing that the competition should not be seen as a do-or-die affair but as a platform to build friendships and unity.

Also speaking, the Chairman, organising committee of the tournament, Mr. Gunners James, said the winner of the competition will receive one million naira cash price aside from the trophy, while the first runner up will get five hundred thousand naira.

ELANZA NEWS reports that a total of twenty-three football teams have registered to participate in the competition.

Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.

Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.

He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?

“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”

The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.

“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.

“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.

Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has announced revoking 4,794 land titles for failure to pay Ground Rent for more than four decades.

In a briefing, it was revealed that property owners in key districts, including the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama, and Guzape, have not settled their Ground Rent bills for an average of 43 years, with a total of 8,375 property owners in breach of their obligations.

During the media briefing, the minister’s senior special assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the FCTA Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, provided further details.

“The FCTA has repeatedly warned defaulters through publications in national newspapers and broadcasts since 2023, urging them to clear their outstanding Ground Rent. Unfortunately, the response has been minimal, and many property owners have failed to comply,” stated Olayinka.

He emphasised that Ground Rent payments are mandated by existing legislation and are required under the terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy. I just wanted to let you know that payment is due on January 1 each year without needing reminders.

“A comprehensive list of land titles in arrears has been compiled for ten of the oldest districts in Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC): Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zones A05 and A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zones A07 and A08), and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).

“As of the end of 2024, the total outstanding Ground Rent is N6,967,980,119 owed by 8,375 property owners. Among these, 4,794 land titles have not been paid for more than ten years, violating the stipulations of the Rights of Occupancy outlined in Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

“As a result, the titles of properties with over ten years of unpaid Ground Rent will be revoked immediately. Additionally, a grace period of 21 days is being granted to title holders who owe Ground Rent for periods of one to ten years, after which their titles will also be revoked,” he said.