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Gov Diri Inaugurates World Class Table Tennis Facility in Yenagoa …As Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association Unveils Foreign Coach and Festival Squad…

By David Owei, Bayelsa
It was a joyous moment as stakeholders in the sports sector across the country converged on Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital to inaugurate a world class ultra-modern table tennis facility, the “Coastal Fortress”.
The Coastal Fortress is a state-of-the-art facility built by Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow, the chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association to give table tennis players adequate preparation for tournaments.
Inaugurating the beautiful edifice, Governor Douye Diri who was accompanied by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and other political appointees, noted that the initiator of the project, Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow has written his name in gold, describing the event as a momentous occasion.
He noted that sports development remains one of the key pillars of his administration’s “Assured” Prosperity programme, maintaining that sports is one area that can positively take the youths away from crime and criminality.
According to the state helmsman, sports has given the youths in the state a means of livelihood apart from education, stating that sports as a skill has ensured many youths in the world are self-reliant.
He noted that team Nigeria’s brilliant outing in the just-concluded African Senior Wrestling Championship in Casablanca, Morocco was a reflection of the huge investment in the development of sports, saying that wrestling remains a sport in which Bayelsa enjoys comparative advantage.
Governor Diri, while appreciating the Bayelsa State Table Tennis Association chairman for his investment in table tennis, asserted that Mr. Stow has reduced the pressure on government, urging other well meaning Bayelsans to invest in sports development.
Governor Diri equally announced the appointment of the South South representative of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, as Technical Adviser to the governor on sports, Table Tennis, describing him as a role model to the younger generation.
“As you know, sports development is one of the key pillars of our Assured development programme. Sports is one area we can use to remove our youths from crime and criminality”
“For me, it brings a very great pleasure to be here to see what this young man has done. I believe this facility will be so beneficial to the people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria”, Governor Diri stated.
Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bukola Olapade, represented by the Special Advisers to DG on sports Mr. Ebidowei Oweifie, said the event was a testament of the governor’s unwavering passion for sports development.
Earlier in his address of welcome, Commissioner for Sports Development Dr. Daniel Igali, opined that the development of sports would not be complete without good facilities, pointing out that Mr. Stow’s gesture has lifted the soul of the government.
In a remark, chairman of the Bayelsa State Table Association, Mr. Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow, reflected on his journey in table tennis, which began in 2018 when he served as Vice Chairman under former Director of Sports, Chief Patimidi Tukuru.
He explained that the Fortress is more than a personal venture but a contribution to the sporting future of Bayelsa State, and that the facility is designed to close the gap between the kids of the poor and the rich, stressing that every athlete would be treated with equal opportunity, regardless of background.
The NTTF South South rep noted that the facility is equipped with a range of modern amenities designed to support both training and comfort which includes, two restaurants, chairman’s office, reception, sports lounges, separate changing rooms for athletes and four conveniences.
In separate goodwill messages, Senator Benson Agadaga, the Senator representing Bayelsa East who doubles as chairman of the occasion and Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon Tare Porri, appreciated the vision bearer Ama-Ebi Ebikpolade Stow for complimenting the government’s efforts, adding that the facility would keep young people in the state busy.
The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the foreign coach, Luciano Esposito from Italy as well as Bayelsa State Table Tennis Team to the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
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2nd Phase Leaders Complete Training on Leadership and Mediation – Gen. Elaye Lauds Otuaro’s Visionary Drive

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The 2nd Phase Camp Leaders’ training on “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation”, sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has successfully come to a close Friday on a commendable note.
The intensive leadership-building initiative, held under the distinguished leadership of the Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, aimed to equip leaders with practical skills in peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict resolution—critical tools for sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region.
Reacting to the successful completion of the programme, General Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh, National Chairman of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, alongside his national leadership, congratulated the participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training.
General Elaye commended Dr. Otuaro for his visionary leadership and strategic direction, which is rapidly changing the dynamics of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, shifting it towards human capital development and long-term peace.
He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for reinforcing grassroots leadership and consolidating the peace already being enjoyed in the region.
> “This training is not just a success for the 2nd Phase; it is a win for the entire Niger Delta. The wisdom of High Chief Otuaro in investing in leadership and conflict resolution will continue to bear fruit,” General Elaye stated.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to champion developmental engagements that bridge gaps, empower beneficiaries, and promote sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.
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Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards
By Our Correspondent
Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh has been conferred with two Awards by the Institute of Professional Economists and Management Policy (IPEPM) tagged ‘ Excellent Leadership Award and Professional Doctorate Fellowship Award”.
Receiving the Awards today in his office, Engr. Momoh, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reiterated that true governance is about leaving a lasting legacies.
He further said “My track record speaks for itself and is a testament to the awards I have received “.
He used the opportunity to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and resilience in ensuring the holistic development of the country.
According to him, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development is a bold step to integrate all Regional Development Commissions under one coordinated umbrella.
The Ministér said that the recognition bestowed upon him further reinforces his commitment to service and to impact mankind.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is the Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode, said the courtesy visit was to present the prestigious Awards in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contribution to regional and national Development, as well as to seek partnership in strategic training programmes.
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Minna Lack of Sensitisation responsible for transporting small arms and light weapons to criminal gangs-Enanch and offi officials

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna
The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche made the submission during a visit to the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Minna.
Of recent, many Nigerians have been apprehended with cache of arms and ammunitions meant for delivery to bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.
This has raised questions as to why some individuals will willingly allow themselves to be used as couriers of illegal weapons to criminals.
The Zonal Director, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche said lack sensitisation on dangers of such acts and intelligence from people are contributing to the spread of arms.
He observed that porous or poorly managed borders and activities of local fabricators who manufacture guns are other sources of weapons proliferation that the Centre is trying to address.
Mr Adamu Enenche who solicited the support of members of the NUJ to enable the Centre to achieve its objectives, promised to synergize with other sister agencies.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed optimism that there would be great reduction of criminal activities once the issue of small arms are resolved.
Comrade Nmodu urged the Centre to be open for collaboration with the Union especially in the area of training members on it’s activities.
Across section of members of the Union who spoke on the occasion stressed the need for the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to deploy officers of the Centre to the grassroots for easy intelligence gathering.
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