Sports
New Champion Emerges in Gov Diri National Scrabble Championship. …Gov Diri Reaffirms Administration’s Commitment to Hosting 2028 National Sports Festival

By David Owei
Adebola Samuel of Ogun State has emerged winner of the Masters category in the 5th Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The two-day tournament, which featured over 300 players in five categories, including Masters, Intermediate, Opens, Veterans and Students, witnessed Adebola Samuel smiling to the bank with the trophy and star prize of One Million Naira (N1,000,000).
Samuel joins Avwenagha Oshevire of Delta, Nsikak Etim of Akwa Ibom and Enoch Nwali of Ebonyi State as winners of the annual fiesta.
Samuel won the Masters category with a cumulative of +856, Jimoh Abdulmumini came second with +672 cumulative while Chuks Nwaeze finished third with +354 cumulative.
Dorcas Innocent of Bayelsa was crowned winner of the Opens category, dethroning Theophilus Nimibo in the category. Former national champion, Doku Esan took home the Veteran’s title while Edowor Bobor emerged champions in the Intermediate category to overthrow Doubara Enai.
Pereowei Edidie of the Federal Government College, Odi retained the Students category title with a cumulative of +2060 while August Shannon came second with +1748 cumulative.
Declaring the championship closed, Governor Douye Diri commended the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association for consistently hosting the championship in the last five years which has become one of Nigeria’s premier intellectual sporting event.
Governor Diri, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, noted that the performance of the players has shown that sports is not just about physical contest but also an avenue for discipline and national unity.
He remarked that there is a deliberate effort by his administration to make Bayelsa the hub of sports in Nigeria, stating that the state’s triumph in the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State and the performance of Bayelsa in the last three editions of the National Sports Festival was indicative of the state government’s investment in sports.
According to him, Bayelsa is not a one-sport state but multi-dimensional, adding that the state won medals in over twenty different sports which showcases the versatility of Bayelsa sporting prowess, maintaining that his administration is using sports as a tool to curb crime.
Governor Diri, who hinted that Bayelsa has officially submitted a bid to host the 2028 National Sports Festival which the state is upbeat of winning, pointing out that the 2028 National Sports Festival would be well-organised and the most athletes-friendly National Sports Festival.
His words, “this tournament fully supported by the Bayelsa State Government has become one of Nigeria’s most premier intellectual sporting events attracting top players across the country with prize money this year amounting to N10,000,000.00”.
President of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation, Chief Olubake Aka in his remark, asserted that the overwhelming results of this year’s tournament signifies that the championship is yielding results.
While commending Governor Diri for financing the tournament, Chief Aka appealed to the government, corporate organizations and multinational oil companies to sponsor in order to improve the prize money.
Earlier in the address of welcome, chairman of the Bayelsa State Scrabble Association, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, opined that the Governor Douye Diri National Scrabble Championship has become a pride to the state, stressing that the tournament creates an avenue for frenzy.
He explained that the championship has improved the performance of Bayelsans in becoming better scrabble players, pointing out that a Bayelsan winning the Masters in the last National Sports Festival speaks volumes of the competition’s impact on the state.
The winner of the Master’s category, Adebola Samuel in an interview, expressed joy for his triumph, adding that his aim at the moment is to perform excellently at the World Championship in Malaysia this year and the African Scrabble Championship.
He explained that he won the championship from an English word “Volubly” derived from “voluble” which means “talkative”, having played averment earlier.
Sports
Atlanta : Usman Charges Women To Build Bridges Across Continents

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja
The interim national chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Saturday charged women to build bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment across continents.
She said her charge followed the unsettling decline in recent decades of the role of women in high leadership in Africa, Europe and America.
Insisting that the “world needs your leadership,” the Labour Party leaders said the world is stronger, more just and more hopeful when women lead.
She made the call at the graduation ceremony of the Lois Dewberry Leadership Institute which took place at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States of America.
Presenting a paper titled, “A Legacy of Leadership Across Continents: Reflecting on the Past, Conquering the Future,” the Labour Party leader seized the opportunity to congratulate the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) for “marking 40 years of Women’s extraordinary legacy of leadership, purpose, power, and impact.”
She described the anniversary as an “enviable milestone,” adding that it “did not emerge by chance; it is the product of vision, dedication, and hard work.”
While commending NOBEL Women’s leader, Senator Anderson, she assured her of appreciation of the group’s efforts “in shaping democracy, strengthening communities, and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.”
Senator Usman’s speech read in parts, “I address you today not only as the first and only woman to lead a political party in Nigeria’s nearly 65-year history, but also as one who has been an active participant in my nation’s complex democratic journey for over three decades.
“The theme of today’s event, “A Legacy of Leadership: 40 Years of Purpose, Power, and Impact,” resonates deeply with me. My own journey reflects the power of education, resilience, and purpose.
“Growing up in northern Nigeria – a region historically disadvantaged in terms of education – I understood early that access to education could change the trajectory of a girl’s life.
“At 37, I became Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, and subsequently, at 40, the nation’s substantive Minister of Finance – the youngest woman to hold that office at the time.
“From 2011 to 2015, I also served as Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, where I championed gender equality, advocated for special seats for women in parliament, and worked to prioritize the welfare of women and children – whom I regard as the most vulnerable members of society.
“Today, I lead the Labour Party of Nigeria – a party that has captured the hearts and hopes of millions as a credible alternative to a faltering ruling establishment.
“Why do I share this journey? To inspire our graduating women here today: your certificates are not an end, but a beginning.
“The world needs your leadership. Sadly, from Africa to Europe, to America and Asia, the role of women in high leadership has witnessed an unsettling decline in recent decades.
“History reminds us that this was not always so. Women of valour once led mighty empires. We once had Cleopatra VII of Egypt, renowned for her political acumen and strategic alliances; Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman to rule China as emperor; Queen Isabella I of Castile, who helped unify Spain and sponsored the voyage that led to the discovery of this very land; Queen Elizabeth I of England, whose reign heralded the Elizabethan Golden Age; and from my own homeland, Queen Amina of Zazzau – a fearless warrior queen whose leadership and military conquests expanded her empire and secured her place in African history.
“Even in more recent history, Benazir Bhutto defied the odds to lead Pakistan as Prime Minister in the 1990s. Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady,” led the United Kingdom for over a decade, shaping modern British history.
“Yet, paradoxically, the 21st century – an era of greater civilisation and globalisation – has witnessed a troubling decline in women occupying apex positions in leadership and business.
“In the examples of Pakistan and the United Kingdom cited above, Malala Yousafzai today lives in self-exile in the UK for merely expressing public views similar to those Benazir Bhutto held about two decades ago, while Liz Truss, emerging nearly three decades after Margaret Thatcher, bears the unenviable record of being the shortest-serving British Prime Minister in history.
“This paradox should compel us to act. It should challenge today’s graduates to rise, to aspire, and to lead. I encourage you not to view the above history solely through nostalgia. View it as a call to duty. The past proves what women can achieve; the present demands that we do even more.
“If I, a young woman from a marginalized region of Nigeria, could break barriers to become a federal minister at 37 and a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and now lead a major political party, then none of you here should see any dream as unattainable.
“Today, as we celebrate your achievements and the 40-year legacy of NOBEL Women, let us recommit ourselves to building bridges across continents – bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment. For when women lead, our world is stronger, more just, and more hopeful.
Congratulations once again, and thank you for the honour of sharing this moment with you.”
Sports
Atlanta : Usman Charges Women To Build Bridges Across Continents

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi,Abuja
The interim national chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Saturday charged women to build bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment across continents.
She said her charge followed the unsettling decline in recent decades of the role of women in high leadership in Africa, Europe and America.
Insisting that the “world needs your leadership,” the Labour Party leaders said the world is stronger, more just and more hopeful when women lead.
She made the call at the graduation ceremony of the Lois Dewberry Leadership Institute which took place at the World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, the United States of America.
Presenting a paper titled, “A Legacy of Leadership Across Continents: Reflecting on the Past, Conquering the Future,” the Labour Party leader seized the opportunity to congratulate the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) for “marking 40 years of Women’s extraordinary legacy of leadership, purpose, power, and impact.”
She described the anniversary as an “enviable milestone,” adding that it “did not emerge by chance; it is the product of vision, dedication, and hard work.”
While commending NOBEL Women’s leader, Senator Anderson, she assured her of appreciation of the group’s efforts “in shaping democracy, strengthening communities, and opening doors for the next generation of women leaders.”
Senator Usman’s speech read in parts, “I address you today not only as the first and only woman to lead a political party in Nigeria’s nearly 65-year history, but also as one who has been an active participant in my nation’s complex democratic journey for over three decades.
“The theme of today’s event, “A Legacy of Leadership: 40 Years of Purpose, Power, and Impact,” resonates deeply with me. My own journey reflects the power of education, resilience, and purpose.
“Growing up in northern Nigeria – a region historically disadvantaged in terms of education – I understood early that access to education could change the trajectory of a girl’s life.
“At 37, I became Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, and subsequently, at 40, the nation’s substantive Minister of Finance – the youngest woman to hold that office at the time.
“From 2011 to 2015, I also served as Senator representing Kaduna South Senatorial District, where I championed gender equality, advocated for special seats for women in parliament, and worked to prioritize the welfare of women and children – whom I regard as the most vulnerable members of society.
“Today, I lead the Labour Party of Nigeria – a party that has captured the hearts and hopes of millions as a credible alternative to a faltering ruling establishment.
“Why do I share this journey? To inspire our graduating women here today: your certificates are not an end, but a beginning.
“The world needs your leadership. Sadly, from Africa to Europe, to America and Asia, the role of women in high leadership has witnessed an unsettling decline in recent decades.
“History reminds us that this was not always so. Women of valour once led mighty empires. We once had Cleopatra VII of Egypt, renowned for her political acumen and strategic alliances; Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman to rule China as emperor; Queen Isabella I of Castile, who helped unify Spain and sponsored the voyage that led to the discovery of this very land; Queen Elizabeth I of England, whose reign heralded the Elizabethan Golden Age; and from my own homeland, Queen Amina of Zazzau – a fearless warrior queen whose leadership and military conquests expanded her empire and secured her place in African history.
“Even in more recent history, Benazir Bhutto defied the odds to lead Pakistan as Prime Minister in the 1990s. Margaret Thatcher, the “Iron Lady,” led the United Kingdom for over a decade, shaping modern British history.
“Yet, paradoxically, the 21st century – an era of greater civilisation and globalisation – has witnessed a troubling decline in women occupying apex positions in leadership and business.
“In the examples of Pakistan and the United Kingdom cited above, Malala Yousafzai today lives in self-exile in the UK for merely expressing public views similar to those Benazir Bhutto held about two decades ago, while Liz Truss, emerging nearly three decades after Margaret Thatcher, bears the unenviable record of being the shortest-serving British Prime Minister in history.
“This paradox should compel us to act. It should challenge today’s graduates to rise, to aspire, and to lead. I encourage you not to view the above history solely through nostalgia. View it as a call to duty. The past proves what women can achieve; the present demands that we do even more.
“If I, a young woman from a marginalized region of Nigeria, could break barriers to become a federal minister at 37 and a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and now lead a major political party, then none of you here should see any dream as unattainable.
“Today, as we celebrate your achievements and the 40-year legacy of NOBEL Women, let us recommit ourselves to building bridges across continents – bridges of justice, prosperity, and empowerment. For when women lead, our world is stronger, more just, and more hopeful.
Congratulations once again, and thank you for the honour of sharing this moment with you.”
Sports
Director of Sports showers Encomium on Team Bayelsa.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State acting Director of Sports, Mr. Andrew Aye, has praised the spirited performance displayed by the state’s athletes at the ongoing National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta State.
Mr Aye gave the commendation after watching team Bayelsa win two gold medals in succession in Greco-Roman (wrestling) through Lucky Okoriye, defeating team Oyo in the 48kg category and BelieveGod Emmanuel who defeated his opponent from Kwara in the 55kg class.
Flanked by Mr. Bibo Lambert, Head of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Bayelsa State Sports Council, Mr. Alaowei Opukeme, Technical Assistant on Sports to the Bayelsa State Government, and Olympic Silver medalist, Coach Blessing Oborududu, he applauded the athletes for their determination and consistency in the previous rounds.
The Director of Sports who emphasized that consistency, discipline, and focus remain key to building successful sporting careers, congratulated them on their achievements and urged them not to relent as the Games enter the final stretch with the females taking to the mat today.
In volleyball, Team Bayelsa’s male side which impressed throughout the competition, had to settle for silver losing to team Lagos, while the male Basketball team were not so lucky, narrowly losing the third place playoff 13–12 to Rivers State .
On the track, sprint sensation Perfect Faye lived up to his reputation by storming into the men’s 200m final with swagger and confidence, reaffirming his promise to deliver more medals for team Bayelsa in athletics.
At the end of Day 7, Team Bayelsa had added four medals to its tally: two gold in wrestling, one silver in volleyball, and one bronze in Scrabble totaling 8 Gold, 9 Silver and 21 Bronze medals.
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