By Dave Ikiedei Asei

Rewarding Selfless Service Across the Nation
There is a wave of excitement across the country as the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) redefines national values by recognizing selfless service in a manner not seen in over six decades. For the first time in 65 years, the federal government has made an intentional move to celebrate outstanding contributors to national development while they are still alive. This symbolic shift, under PBAT’s leadership, is breaking the longstanding pattern of posthumous recognition and setting a new tone for national appreciation.

This was contained in a statement signed by the chairman of the planing Committee, Hon Uroh Kiani ,Esq.

Presidential Recognition and Renewed Hope is a welcome development which deserved the commendation by every patriotic Nigerian.

According to him,the turning point came with President Tinubu’s gesture toward the Super Falcons following their victory, as each team member received a $100,000 cash reward and a house in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Abuja. This act not only highlights the government’s renewed commitment to rewarding excellence but also underlines the importance of motivating individuals who bring pride and honor to Nigeria.

He said “Celebrating the Living,is Conscious Choice
This emerging culture of recognizing living legends mirrors the ethos behind the celebration of Chief (Ambassador) Ogunu Miebi Samson, a towering figure in grassroots sports development, who recently marked 50 years of tireless service to youth and sports in Nigeria. The planning committee for his anniversary emphasized the need to celebrate individuals while they are alive—a belief that is increasingly gaining acceptance at various national and community levels”

“A Lifetime of Dedication to Grassroots Sports
Chief (Ambassador) Ogunu Miebi Samson, President of the Independent Grassroots Sports Development Association, has devoted his youth and adult life to nurturing sports talents across the nation. His sacrifices have laid the foundation for sports growth in numerous local communities, fostering opportunities for the youth and creating a lasting legacy in the sports development sector”

“Unrecognized Sacrifice in a Society that rewards Conflict,
The committee lamented that in a society where acts of violence often attract more attention than quiet service, individuals like Chief Ogunu might have received more recognition had he chosen a more disruptive path. Had he blown up oil pipelines, it is likely that both international oil companies and governments at all levels would have intervened swiftly. But because his noble efforts in youth empowerment through sports did not disrupt the economy, they have largely gone unnoticed by major stakeholders”

“A Call to Action for Philanthropists and Stakeholders
In light of this, the planning committee is urging wealthy sports philanthropists, international oil companies, and all tiers of government to take part in this global celebration of Chief Ogunu’s legacy. His lifetime of service is a compelling reason to support and promote selfless individuals who invest in national development without expecting anything in return.

This of course ,will be inspiring a new generation of Patriots,hence
the committee believes that recognizing and celebrating the likes of Chief Ogunu will serve as a powerful motivation,worthy of emulation for the next generation as it will also be a source of mentorship and encourage and spur more Nigerian youth to commit to selfless service, knowing that such contributions can and will be honored in their lifetime. This approach will go a long way in building a better and more patriotic Nigeria”

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has sparked a timely and necessary shift in the national culture of recognition by celebrating the living not only boosts their morale but also deepens the sense of national purpose. The legacy of individuals like Chief (Ambassador) Ogunu Miebi Samson must be appreciated now—not when they can no longer hear the applause. This is how nations globally grow by honoring those who build quietly, serve passionately, and live selflessly”

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.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The chairman of Bayelsa Queens FC, Pastor Robin Angonimi Apreala has hailed Governor Douye Diri for the show of love towards the reigning Nigeria Women Football League champions.

Pastor Apreala said the governor’s gesture to reward the players and officials of the Prosperity Girls after their heroic outing in the NWFL Super Six was indicative of his unparalleled passion for sports development, maintaining that the latest reward has affirmed the Governor’s love for sports.

The Chairman commended the Governor for always acknowledging hard work irrespective of the sports, stating that the continuous gesture has made Bayelsa to be the envy of other states in the nation, describing the Governor as a blessing to sports in the State and the entire country.

“The gesture by the governor is a tonic that will lift the team, ahead of the WAFU Zone-B tournament in Cote d’Ivoire this month”, Apreala said.

“The players will not rest on their oars till they return home with the WAFU Zone-B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifying trophy”.

Pastor Apreala opined that the emergence of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor has brought about a new dimension in sports in the state, adding that the premium attention accorded the team has positively engaged the youths in the state.

He equally appreciated the Deputy Governor Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs Grace Alagoa, Board members, supporters and the media for their immense support and contributions to the team’s success.

Pastor Apreala also lauded the team’s sponsors, Premium Trust Bank for rewarding the players as well as donating a bus to the team to execute their matches.