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Imo Strikers Win 2023 Sheroes Cup, RSDF Splashes N2m Cash On Teams
Imo Strikers are champions of the 2023 Sheroes Cup following their 1-0 defeat of Dannaz Ladies of Lagos in the final match held inside Area 3 playground.
An own goal after Oparanmegwa Pattra’s well-taken corner kick in the 57th minute of the keenly contested final separated the two sides.
The slim victory means the Owerri-based women team are champions of the Nigeria Women Football League pre-season tournament organised by Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF).
A total of eight clubs drawn from different parts of the country participated in the week-long competition.
Imo Strikers coach Nelly Orisakwe who spoke shortly after her side emerged Champions attributed their success to hardwork and prayer.
Also speaking, Dannaz Ladies coach Bashiru Fatai said the competition has helped them to discover areas where they will focus and make needed corrections before League kick-off.
At the closing ceremony, President of RSDF, Barr. Paul Edeh, who reeled out several milestones of the Foundation, spoke of the essence of the pre-season tournament which is at its 5th edition with a promise to sustain the tempo.
He said, “This pre-season tournament for Championship and Nationwide teams was conceptualized to help prepare the clubs ahead of NWFL Championship and Nationwide leagues.
“Amazingly, the competition has also thrown up lots of talents as well as revealed that the FCT Football Association is supportive of women’s football development in Nigeria. We will continue to partner with the FCT FA which indeed is one of the best football associations in Nigeria.”
The RSDF boss announced and made N2 million payments to winning and participating clubs.
From the total amount, the overall winners got N700,000, while the runners up and third place sides smiled home with N300,000 and N200,000.
A total of N400,000 was shared among the other six participating teams at the end of the competition.
The Foundation also gave N50,000, totaling N400,000 as feeding allowance in the beginning of the tournament to all teams.
A member of RSDF board of Trustees Barr. Nicholas Elechi donated N300,000, being part of prize money handed over to the overall winners.
The Foundation also gave a set of jerseys and five balls each to all participating clubs.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a significant step towards guaranteeing a smooth and transparent electoral process for the 2027 general elections with the inauguration of the Election Project Plan Committee (EPPC).
The Commission announced this development in a statement on its website on Wednesday. The committee, tasked with formulating a strategic framework for the elections, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, 11th March 2025, at the INEC Conference Hall in Abuja.
Chaired by Professor Rhoda H. Gumus, the committee is mandated to create a comprehensive roadmap for conducting the elections. Its responsibilities include reviewing the Terms of Reference, developing a Work Plan, establishing sub-committees, designing an Elections Project Plan (EPP) Template, and setting submission deadlines for planning documents.
In her address during the inauguration, Professor Gumus highlighted the vital role of early planning in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.
She stated, “The significance of early planning cannot be overstated when it comes to ensuring a seamless electoral process. I urge all committee members to diligently fulfil their responsibilities to uphold electoral integrity and transparency.”
The committee comprises several senior INEC officials, including:
1. Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu – Chair, Tenders Board (Member)
2. Dr. Baba Bila – Chair, EOLC (Member)
3. Mr. Sam Olumekun – Chair, EPMC (Member)
4. Professor Abdullahi Abdu Zuru – Chair, BEI (Member)
5.
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has expressed its appreciation to the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, in partnership with the Back to School Initiative, for their commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for girls from low-income backgrounds.
Professor Usman Abubakar Zaria, the Director General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, made this statement during an advocacy visit from the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria and the Back to School Initiative, aimed at improving access to education for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds.
He stated that improving education in the state would significantly contribute to reducing social vices, emphasising his strong belief in the initiative to ensure that girls from low-income families receive the education they deserve, both in the state and across the country.
The Director General highlighted that last year, the state government covered the Junior WAEC examination fees for 136,000 students, and this year, a further 173,000 junior students will benefit from this government policy aimed at raising educational standards in the state.
He further explained that the state government has implemented policies to eliminate obstacles that hinder the revitalisation of education in the region.
Reverend John Joseph Hayab, Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, assured that they would continue their efforts to enhance quality education for all, particularly for children from low-income backgrounds, enabling them to fully realise their academic potential.
He added, “We recognise that many students who could have completed their secondary education have been unable to do so, which has prompted civil society to advocate for the Kaduna State Government to reinstate the policy of assisting students from low-income backgrounds in exploring their full potential in society.
Yet another beneficiary of the New Nigerian Newspaper scheme has tragically passed away while awaiting payment, raising the death toll of those who have died in this situation to 107.
A statement published on the official WhatsApp group for NSGF Beneficiaries announced, “In submission to the will of God Almighty, I regret to inform you of the passing of our former colleague, Mr Zakka Bitiyong from the Commercial Printing Department and Radio Room. His death occurred last night, 11th March 2025.”
Investigations reveal that approximately 29 other beneficiaries awaiting payment from the Northern Governors are currently experiencing severe health issues and are hospitalised.
The Northern Governors have accrued 7 billion naira from the sale of New Nigerian Newspaper properties, ostensibly to pay the beneficiaries. However, to date, not a single kobo has been disbursed from the 2.5 billion naira owed to the retirees.