‎By David Owei,Bayelsa

‎The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, have presented the tournament branded jerseys to its lead sponsor, Premium Trust Bank.
‎
‎The presentation was done at the Premium Trust Bank Regional Office in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, ahead of the grand finale of the tournament on May 8, 2026
‎, Bayelsa
‎Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje, alongside Yenagoa Branch Manager, Mr. Festus Anwulichukwu Osih received the jerseys on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim.
‎
‎Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe in a remark, said the essence of the visit was to appreciate the financial institution for their unwavering support towards sports development in the State, stating that their continuous involvement has given sports a new direction.
‎
‎He noted that the institution has in no small measure played a pivotal role in advancing the popularity rating being enjoyed by the tournament, describing the bank as a sports-friendly financial institution.
‎
‎According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding for an FC Barcelona-affiliated academy will be signed on the 8th of May in Bayelsa, maintaining that the academy in the first year will be Bayelsa Starlets Academy affiliated to FC Barcelona and thereafter, on satisfying the assessment criteria, will metamorphose to a full-fledged FC Barcelona Academy.
‎
‎The DG equally informed the sponsors of the number of teams participating in the tournament, 257 teams, comprising 227 in the men’s category, 28 in the women’s and two para soccer sides.
‎
‎Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje in his response, remarked that the institution was pleased with the smooth organization of the tournament, maintaining that it will continue to invest in the development of sports in the State.
‎
‎Mr. Omeje who described this year’s tournament as massive, noted that they will be actively involved in the grand finale of the competition on Friday, 8th of May, 2026, urging Bayelsans to invest with Premium Trust Bank as a sure institution for the development of sports.
‎
‎He noted that Premium Trust Bank has in the last four years of its existence become a reference point to many financial institutions in the nation as a result of its excellent performance, in addition to its passion for sports development.
‎
‎Among the Director General’s delegation were, the Deputy Director General, Mr Perela Aboro; the Tournament Director, Ebi Avi; the Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Werepre Martin Diegbegha; Head of Marketing, Mrs Morenikeji Adewole; and the Representative of the Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere.
‎
‎Others are the Representative of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Mr Fubara Owonaro; Director of Media, Mr. Chris Odi; Media Officer, Mr. Hananeel Jackson, and the Logistics Coordinator, Mr. Aaron Ebipere.
By David Owei,Bayelsa

‎The organizers of Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, tagged the Prosperity Cup, have presented the tournament branded jerseys to its lead sponsor, Premium Trust Bank.
‎
‎The presentation was done at the Premium Trust Bank Regional Office in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, ahead of the grand finale of the tournament on May 8, 2026
‎
‎Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje, alongside Yenagoa Branch Manager, Mr. Festus Anwulichukwu Osih received the jerseys on behalf of the Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim.
‎
‎Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe in a remark, said the essence of the visit was to appreciate the financial institution for their unwavering support towards sports development in the State, stating that their continuous involvement has given sports a new direction.
‎
‎He noted that the institution has in no small measure played a pivotal role in advancing the popularity rating being enjoyed by the tournament, describing the bank as a sports-friendly financial institution.
‎
‎According to him, the Memorandum of Understanding for an FC Barcelona-affiliated academy will be signed on the 8th of May in Bayelsa, maintaining that the academy in the first year will be Bayelsa Starlets Academy affiliated to FC Barcelona and thereafter, on satisfying the assessment criteria, will metamorphose to a full-fledged FC Barcelona Academy.
‎
‎The DG equally informed the sponsors of the number of teams participating in the tournament, 257 teams, comprising 227 in the men’s category, 28 in the women’s and two para soccer sides.
‎
‎Regional Head of Premium Trust Bank, Mr. Danjuma Omeje in his response, remarked that the institution was pleased with the smooth organization of the tournament, maintaining that it will continue to invest in the development of sports in the State.
‎
‎Mr. Omeje who described this year’s tournament as massive, noted that they will be actively involved in the grand finale of the competition on Friday, 8th of May, 2026, urging Bayelsans to invest with Premium Trust Bank as a sure institution for the development of sports.
‎
‎He noted that Premium Trust Bank has in the last four years of its existence become a reference point to many financial institutions in the nation as a result of its excellent performance, in addition to its passion for sports development.
‎
‎Among the Director General’s delegation were, the Deputy Director General, Mr Perela Aboro; the Tournament Director, Ebi Avi; the Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Werepre Martin Diegbegha; Head of Marketing, Mrs Morenikeji Adewole; and the Representative of the Ministry of Sports Development, Mr. Mike Ede-Alakere.
‎
‎Others are the Representative of the Bayelsa State Football Association, Mr Fubara Owonaro; Director of Media, Mr. Chris Odi; Media Officer, Mr. Hananeel Jackson, and the Logistics Coordinator, Mr. Aaron Ebipere.

By Tasie Theodore – Owerri

Chief Fan Ndubuoke (KSC), former national president of the sports writer’s association of Nigeria (SWAN) (1992-
1996), has identified the shift from professional excellence to political patronage as one of the most damaging but often overlooked causes of declining creativity in the nation’s sports journalism.

He expressed sadness that many practitioners no longer pursue mastery of their craft but rather position themselves for government Favour, political connection and easy money. Ndubuoke former chief press secretary to former sports minister, commodore Emeka Omeruah stated this in a paper entitled the Burden of finding a balance between patriotism and professionalisms” the ethnical questions” which he delivered at a workshop organized by Imo SWAN in Owerri.

According to him the unhealthy situation has retrogressively produced a generation of sports writers who are laid back unmotivated and Unwilling to challenge themselves.

The former SWAN kingspin who enumerated the consequences of the above to individe loss of investigative spirits erosion of independence and weakening of critical analysis, warned that when journalists become beholden to politicians, sports administrators, agents or scouts, they lose the independent required to elevate the profession dwelling extensively on illegality and the Ponzi structure of sports Administration in the country as well as the foundation of sports governance in the country, Ndubuoke also a former board member, NFA and Pioneer chairman of Imo State Sports Commission noted that when institutions lack lead clarity, they become tools for manipulation, while policies shift with political winds and appointments made on sentiments with funds sent without oversight.

This is why sports administration in Nigeria’s today resembles a Ponzi scheme money flows from government budget into the hands of a small aide of administrators and their allies while very little reaches athletics coaches or grassroots programmes”.

Ndubuoke warned that until the nation confront the institutional illegality and Ponzi style governance at the heart of her sports, over talks about professionalism, patriotism, ethnics would remain empty slogans.”

He also counselled that ethnical journalism demands truth Accuracy, fairness, objectivity, accountability, stressing that the sports writer must resist the temptation of unbalanced reporting that undermine sports manger.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

*The Kiloshele Campaign Organisation (KCO)* recorded a significant milestone as its principal, *Mr. Kiloshele* held a strategic engagement with key student leaders in the *Federal Capital Territory (FCT)* including representatives of *NAUS FCT,* *NANS FCT* and *YSCN* leadership.

The meeting, which took place at the *University of Abuja at noon on Monday, 13th April 2026*, highlighted ongoing efforts toward political alignment and coalition-building within the Nigerian student movement.

In a show of solidarity and institutional cooperation, the *NANS FCT JCC* Chairman formally received the NAUS presidential aspirant, reaffirming the importance of synergy between NANS and allied student bodies as vital stakeholders in advancing the collective interests of Nigerian students.

*The NAUS CMC* Chairperson, while apologizing for her late arrival, emphasized the importance of the engagement and commended the coordination among leaders, describing it as a reflection of respect, unity and political maturity.

A member of the *KCO* team presented *Mr. Kiloshele’s* candidacy, highlighting his impressive track record in student leadership, grassroots mobilization and consistent involvement in student advocacy. In his address, *Mr. Kiloshele* described himself as a tested and resilient leader, reiterating his sacrifices and long-standing commitment to the student movement, including his advocacy for the restoration of *Student Union Government structures.*

Anchored on the theme “*CAMPUS R.E.S.C.U.E Agenda*,” Mr. Kiloshele unveiled a reform-driven vision aimed at repositioning *NAUS* as a proactive, solution-oriented body. His agenda includes the establishment of an academic support e-commerce platform for students, the revival of the *National Entrepreneurship Training and Capacity Building (NETCAB)* initiative and the expansion of student economic empowerment opportunities. He also aligned his vision with national development efforts by acknowledging the Federal Government’s *NELFUND* initiative.

During the interactive session, stakeholders raised critical issues affecting students, including campus security, financial protection and effective institutional engagement. In response, *Mr. Kiloshele* proposed a decentralized campus security framework (Campus Policing), enhanced student sensitization programs and a results-driven engagement model with government and university authorities, anchored on experience, competence and strategic partnerships.

Participants further emphasized the need for inclusivity, loyalty to and equitable political representation, particularly within the FCT bloc. In response, Mr. Kiloshele assured stakeholders of an inclusive and broad-based administration, pledging to integrate all institutions into his political structure through the creation of a functional media architecture, security committees and strategic appointments.

The engagement concluded on a note of unity and optimism, as stakeholders expressed confidence in *Mr. Kiloshele’s* capacity to unify, reform and reposition *NAUS*. The meeting further strengthened political relationships and set the stage for sustained collaboration ahead of the forthcoming *NAUS* leadership process