Sports
UNIMAID: VICTORY OF THE TROUBLED.
UNIMAID: VICTORY OF THE TROUBLED.
By: Inuwa Bwala
The University of Maiduguri: one of the highly rated second generation universities in Nigeria is located in the hotbed of the Boko Haram crisis. It has had its own share of the attacks, but has refused to allow that to disrupt both academic and other activities on campus.
Coupled with the COVID-19 protocol, which also disrupted life generally, nobody thought the situation permits any form of luxury, especially sporting activities which have the tendency to pull crowds.
It was therefore a surprise that a sporting team from Borno could win in a competition against others, which came from other environments where things are normal.
The victory by the University of Maiduguri contingent at the just concluded Higher Education Institutions Football tournament in Lagos was both a shocker to many and a proof to others that something good could still come from that troubled enclave.
Nobody gave the Desert Warriors: as they are christened, a chance beyond the preliminaries, in the competition, against the background that they were coming from a troubled environment and against the perception that sporting activities no longer take place in the entirety of Borno state.
But apparently determined to prove bookmakers wrong, the University of Maiduguri team did not only advance, but went on to win the coveted trophy; contrary to pre- tournament permutations.
Also Read: 21 Council Chairmen refuses to release financial record in…
Like the parabolical lizard falling from the top of an iroko tree and surviving, the vice Chancellor, Professor Aliyu Shugaba declared a work free day as a mark of honour and in celebration of the feat achieved by his lads. Shugaba called out the entire university community, who in turn rolled out the red carpet for the team last Monday. The Government and the people of the state were not left out of the celebrations, as they trooped out in thousands to the airport to receive the Desert Warriors.
As they drove through the streets of Maiduguri to the University campus, people: including non sports enthusiasts cheered them on and sang and danced the victory songs along with them.
To many, it was beyond the victory of the team at a sporting meet, as Borno is not new to such victories, rather it was the triumph of hope over despair, in the face of fears that Borno may never smile again.
That the streets of Maiduguri, which were hitherto deserted as citizens flee from Boko Haram is today the scene of merry making is partially what informed this piece. The fact also that the situation confirms Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s promise to the University that he will collaborate with the Armed Forces in ensuring continuous flow of activities in the University, is yet another reason for this writing.
While the Vice Chancellor, the University community and indeed the entire citizenry wallow in this moment of victory, I wish to say that: something good could still come from this troubled state. Congratulations to you all in the University of Maiduguri.
UNIMAID: VICTORY OF THE TROUBLED.
Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates AJ for Defeating Ngannou
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/ CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa has congratulated Anthony Joshua, a British-Nigerian boxer for defeating Francis Ngannou on Friday night in Saudi Arabia.
The NiDCOM boss gave the commendation on Saturday in a statement issued by the Head of Media, Public Relations and Protocol, Abdur- Rahman Balogun.
Dabiri-Erewa said that the victory has brought more glory to Nigeria and has shown what can be achieved by being resilient.
She said: “We are proud of you and urge you to continue to use your professional prowess to extol the virtues of Nigerian heritage.
Anthony Joshua secured his unflinching victory against Ngannou with a destructive second-round knockout at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This knockout has delivered the most powerful statement to the heavyweight division as he has done what his compatriot Tyson Fury could not do to Francis Ngannou.
Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates AJ for Defeating Ngannou
Musa to Build School in Kano, other parts of Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Captain of Super Eagles, Ahmed Musa has revealed his plan to build school in his hometown Kano and other parts of the country.
Musa, who had already built sports academy in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Plateau, said his new plan is to build school in Kano, his hometown first and later other parts of Nigeria.
The Team Captain of the silver winning Super Eagles at the just concluded African Nations Cup in Cote D’voire, speaking during a reception by the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa
thanked the NiDCOM Chairman for the kind gesture and for all her support to the Diaspora, especially during the crisis in Sudan.
Musa, in an emotional laden voice, recalled his humble beginning which prompted his generousity to assist the less privileged in the society across the country.
Musa said he wanted to inspire others with his story, especially those that looked down on footballers in the past,
He assured Nigerians that in addition to other executed projects, he plans to establish a school in his hometown, Kano and subsequently expand to other states in Nigeria in the future.
Dabiri-Erewa on her part commended the Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa for being an exemplary Nigerian Diaspora and a great mentor of Nigerians youths.
She noted that the player has heeded to the mandate of being a good ambassador, remembering the country and excelling in the art of football.
She said Ahmed Musa earned the Commission’s maiden National Diaspora Merit Award in the sports category due to his philanthropic gesture and mentoring of the youths.
Dabiri-Erewa said: “We are very proud of you as a Great Soccer Ambassador, Philanthropist and mentor of our younger ones with the building of sports academy in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos and Plateau
“I have always been saying it that success is about how many lives you have touched and Ahmed Musa here have done so much for humanity.”
She re- echoed her congratulatory message to the entire Super Eagles team for coming second in the just concluded AFCON 2023 in Cote Divoire.
Also, the FCT State Diaspora Focal Point Officer, Mrs Sarah Areo, lauded the Nigerian player for his achievement and assured him that the FCT is ready to support his future philanthropic projects especially in Abuja.
Musa to Build School in Kano, other parts of Nigeria
Dabiri- Erewa Congratulates Anthony Joshua on Victory, Describes it Long Awaited
By: Michael Mike
Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NIDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has congratulated British-Nigerian former World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (AJ) for getting his mojo back by defeating American Jermaine Franklin on Saturday.after successive lost.
Dabiri-Erewa, in a signed statement on Sunday by one of the officials of the Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of NIDCOM, Gabriel Odu, expressed joy over the boxing exploits of the two-time World heavyweight champion as he made a victorious comeback to the global boxing books by defeating the American.
Dabiri-Erewa, while describing AJ’s win as a “never- say-never, the I-can-do-spirit of Nigerians anywhere in the world,” added that AJ is a true ambassador at large, making Nigeria super proud and projecting the good image of Nigerians globally.
This is Joshua’s first victory since 2020 after he successively suffered defeats from Oleksandr Usyk.
The 33-year old former World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, on saturday, returned to the boxing stage with a unanimous points-decision over Jermaine Franklin with the three judges giving the fight to on 118-111, 117-111, 117-111, at London 02 Arena, Saturday.
Dabiri- Erewa Congratulates Anthony Joshua on Victory, Describes it Long Awaited
NSCDC PARTNERS NILDS FOR IMPROVED SECURITY ADVOCATES FOR NON-KINETIC STRATEGIES TO TACKLE EMERGING CHALLENGE
Ondo APC youths protest at APC secretariat, demand election rerun
FUNE LGA: Baba Goni applauded Buni on the promise kept with the people in Yobe
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
EYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
A History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
News1 month agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
News1 month agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 months agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 months agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTHE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions2 months agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Opinions1 month agoUMTH:…and the testimonies of patients and patient relations
-
National News2 months agoFraud and Mismanagement Rock INGO’s IDP Cash Assistance Effort in Bama
