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Group set to celebrate Chioma Ajunwa 25 years after winning olympic gold medal

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Chioma Ajunwa middle

 

 

Nigeria’s first individual Olympic gold medalist Chioma Ajunwa-Opara is set to be celebrated by Greatdynamics Talents, 25 years after winning Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medal at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of Greatdynamics Talents, Rev. Samuel Ikpea, during a Press Conference which took place in Lagos.

Ikpea who addressed Pressmen stated that a 3-day event tagged “Chioma The Musical” will take place to celebrate her Silver Jubilee anniversary as an Olympic Gold Medalist, as well as showcase her as a role model to youths in the country.

“We are making adequate preparations to honour her on her Silver Jubilee celebration as an an Olympic Gold medalist” Ikpea stated.

“The 3-day event tagged “Chioma The Musical” will hold on August 2, 6 and 7, 2021 at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan in Lagos” .

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“On the first day (August 2nd) we shall have a symposium with the theme: Sports, Youth And The Society“. “And the Youths are our major guests on that day” he noted.

Greatdynamics Talents appoints Vision FM’s Isma’eel Abba Tangalashi as Northern Spokesman

“The second day (August 6) is going to feature another event”. “We are going to have a Musical Show for Teens and Youth”. “The Musical Show will take the form of a documentary which shall explore the trials and challenges of Ajunwa prior to her success at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

“While the third day (August 7) will end with a Gala Night for Guests, Embassies, Sponsors and Partners. It will start with a Matinee on “Chioma the Musical”. The Matinee shall showcase the trials, Success and Testimonies of Chioma Ajunwa”, Ikpea concluded.

Meanwhile Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah who was also present at the Press Conference could not hold back her joy ahead of the celebration, as she recalled memories of her being nervous prior to winning the Olympic gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Spokesperson of Greatdynamics and Talents, Isma’eel Abba Tangalashi stated that the Inspector-General of Police and all the Commissioners of Police in the country will be part of the event. This is because Ajunwa who did the nation proud then as a Junior Police officer is also an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The event will further afford the IGP and his men the opportunity to raise their shoulders high for the the role the Police Force has played in making the nation proud in global sporting event.

Furthermore, the 36 Governors of the 36 States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have also been invited to be part of this landmark celebration put together by Greatdynamics Talentsas they shall be visited and a replica of the Olympic gold presented to them by Chioma Ajunwa.

In fact, notable and randomly selected corporate organizations and brands in Nigeria shall also be visited by Chioma Ajunwa, where the Olympic gold medalist shall identify with the brands and share her golden memories with them.

Greatdynamics Talents who are the facilitators of the event is an organization reputed for promoting talents in the fields of Sports, entertainment, Arts and Culture.

With about two months to the event, they are still open to partnership, sponsorship, advertisement and product branding for the event aimed at honouring Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medalist.

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Open Letter To Our Dear Kano Governor- AKY:AN SOS To Kano Pillars FC

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Kano Pillars Fans during Football Match

 

By Ahmad Rufai Bello Jr

I won’t say Kano PILLARS FC isn’t performing in the NPFL, but not exceptionally impressive considering its past antecedents.
Its current 8th position in the Nigerian premier League is not bad but deserves at least to be among the top 5 at all costs!
Please , our dear governor Abba Kabir Yusuf – AKY, do the needful to bridge the financial gap in the overall existence of this most marketable club in Nigeria.
Our excellent performances in the previous Leagues, resulting in winning numbers of the Premier League trophies were as the result of the players and management as well as the fans performance. But all these wouldn’t have happened without our past State governors’ all round support
I stand to testify that I was privileged to be among the Pillars entourage that travelled to Liberia, Central Africa Republique, Senegal, among others to report its great performance in the CAF champions League!
One may ask, CAF champions League?
Yes, the CAF champions League!!
I was also opportuned to be among those that were tasked to statistically assess the entire team’s/ individual performance.
Incidentally, the current captain, Rabiu Ali Pele was in that team.
The Kano State governors at their various times, then, gave this team all the desired support to win the league and delivered in the champions League.
Was that assemblage of players better than now? No. I repeat NO NO!.
Today’s PILLARS FC has
l1. Best Media reportage
2. Well coordinated fans club
3. Committed management
4. Young, talented and vibrant players and tech team ever ready to do it
5. A serious minded government, to mention a few.
What today’s PILLARS FC lack are:
* State government’s dedicated financial commitment to the club’s aspirations
* Vigorously aggressive marketing strategies to project Pillars big status to attract sponsors/ partners
* Highly creative Administrative/ Management techniques that’s of global standards.
* All round financial backing by the state government, most of all, the state governor’s financial attention.
We must not forget that these challenges may not be unconnected to the current unimpressive position in the Nigerian professional football league . These also attract; serious unethical interference from some quarters , if I may say, political stances.
Your Excellency Sir,
You are a sports lover and developer.
Your untiring commitment to the growth of our dear state is unmatchable!
You are an octopus whose hands, according to our forefathers, are on everything.
Your Midas touch should also be on all Kano sports, in particular, Kano pillars FC.
You are the only person I’m optimistic, that can make pillars redeem it’s lost status.
On a final note, Kano State used to be a giant sports state during governor, late Dominic Oneya, Kano PILLARS used to be a strong force even during governors, RM Kwankwaso, Shekarau and Ganduje.

 

YOUR EXCELLENCY SIR, YOURS SHOULD NOT BE AN EXCEPTION
Ahmad Rufai Bellojr
RUBEL MEDIA Concept
999ahmadbello@gmail.com
Tuesday 7/01/2025

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Deputy Senate President, Barau Jubrin, Nigeria’s new Pillar Of Sports

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji in Doha,Qatar

Nigeria’s deputy senate president, senator Barau Jubrin has stepped into the sports sector unannounced with enviable silent achievements that could best create an anticipation of his soonest possible initiation into the hall of fame, which houses those who are meritiously brandishing the prestigious rank of Nigeria’s Pillars of sports.

Barau’s initiation and support to projects in the sports sector in his private and public capacity as senator representing Kano north in the hallowed chambers has continued to attract enviable reactions from millions of sports adherents .

The northern Nigeria sports circle is currently drenched in debates around those dreams that invoke the wonderlands ,that where, if every senator and their political peers holding forth at various levels in public offices would resort to constructing one new sports facility or renovate dilapidated ones or upgrade excising ones , today the myriads of challenges associated with the unavailability of sports facilities in northern Nigeria would have been submerged, many averred .

Likewise the mass conviction that with the Barau sports facility development pattern , sports development and promotion in Nigeria could become a corner stone for economic pursuits and possibly make real the agreements reached by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his last visit to Qatar , earlier in the year 2024 .

One decade ago, Barau Jubrin, former chairman house of representatives Committee on Appropriation was no where a name that had featured on the lips of critical sports stakeholders and fanatical sports followers or was it known to those following happenings in the sports sector from afar.

Today his door steps play host to regional and national sports administrators in search of guidance nor one form of intervention or the other, that would help move the Nigeria sports sector forward in the axis of promotion or development , checks reveal that sometimes these sports visitors are there to solicit for DSP Barau to become their sports god father.

His name began to shone in the sports horizon, after the establishment of the popular grass root football club known as Barau Jubrin football academy, which was established with the motive to recruit and groom talented children from the streets and renowned football neighborhoods in Kano into an elite football development environment .

Barau proceeded to become a sports development giant with what is now described as the wonders of Kano sports, when he kick started the construction of 13 stadiums in all the 13 local governments that constituted his Kano north senatorial jurisdiction .

Our correspondent who toured the stadiums , reports that works in some of the facilities have reached an advanced stage.

A close ally to the senator, involved in the execution of the stadium projects , Ado Rabiu Dan Bayero, who took this reporter round Maliya stadium in Dambatta , said the investments into the construction of the stadium runs into mouth watering millions of naira.

Dan Bayero as he is preferably called , said that Barau has never hidden his love for sports and youths developments, adding that, they were under strict instructions from DSP not to default in working day and night to see that the projects come to see the light of the day, hence meeting Barau’s mission of reaffirming the status of Kano, as the hub of sports development and promotion in northern Nigeria.

He revealed that the football playing ground axis of the facility is comfortably seated on silka sand and granular on 6, 800 metres land space .

The representative of Kano north in the state football association, KSFA, Hassan Garo, who is overseeing ongoing works in the stadiums, responding to questions from this reporter, simply said, so far so good “ Allahamdullilahi”

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He said works in some of the stadium facilities are at completion stages, saying , stadiums like Dambatta , Bichi and others could now be designated to play host to major football and other sporting events.

Garo said “firstly let me thank most distinguish senator Barau Jubrin, for , what he has achieved for sports in Kano and Nigeria in general, with these new stadiums, now located in 13 local governments in Kano, I think, if you know the importance of stadiums in sports , then you will see reasons, why we have will applaud and commend DSP Barau.

“it is right to at this point to say that any region with the number of our youths and sports lovers in Kano , without a stadium is like a city without an hospital or police station , that city for sure you know is doomed.”

“these stadiums in their locations will boost economic activities, create jobs for our communities , help to fight anti social vices and will help social integration, tourism and hospitality, businesses in the areas will benefit immensely, likewise many more other benefits that will trail these new developments to the stadium beneficiary communities .

“these stadiums , as you can see all have a unique design , they have football playgrounds with standard turf of the best quality, that you can find in the market, the football ground has all the required features and markings.

“the stadium has a fans stand, VIP seating pavilion, media gallery, media cubicle, technical area, public addressing system and the required fencing, aside that the complex as a whole has a multi purpose sports hall, an administrative block for members of staff of the stadium management team , security post for the police and NSCDC personnel and a large parking lot.”

“it has a match commissioners room, referees room, rooms for the home and away teams, media offices, medical facilities in line with the set out standards, also we have adequate number of rest rooms, in all the areas as required by standards.”

Garo further said “lest I forget, we have restaurants , likewise outdoor basketball , volleyball and handball courts all within these new facilities .

“the stadiums are powers by solar system, standby generators, provisions of bore holes, giant overhead water tanks and drainage systems.”

“ it will amaze you, on the number of visitors or do I call them tourist, who visit these stadiums to see things for themselves and also to take pictures and have social fun around the facilities, it is really getting interesting.”

Our correspondents who visited Dambatta and Bichi reported that each of the new stadium facilities are sited on the sparse covering approximately about 42, 500 square meters of land .

A source , who confided in this reporter disclosed that former Kano state commissioner of youths and sports, now legislative aide on sports to the deputy senate president, comrade Kabiru Ado Lakwaya , is on the fore of pursuing the task to ensuring that the project sees the light of the day .

The Barau Jubrin sports recipe are evident in the recent qualification of an NLO side, Barau fc to the second most prestigious league in Nigeria, NNL.

Spear heading the campaign that resulted to the promotion of our NLO club to NNL came with huge financial and human resource, spendings and management skills, thanks to our financier DSP Barau and the club chairman, Ibrahim Chanji the club spokesman, Hamisu Gwale said.

He added that the NNL debutants will carryout their campaign at one of the newly built stadium named Maliya stadium in Dambatta.

Hamisu seized the platform to applaud DSP for the recently held ceremony , where brand new motorcycles were gifted to the club players and officials by DSP Barau in fulfillment of his promises, if they promote the club to NNL.

A freelance sports journalists attached to Kano based public owned media outfit has revealed that DSP has been and remained a strong supporter in the affairs of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria.

The source said “ the last SWAN Full council meeting in Kano Barau through comrade Kabiru Ado Lakwaya played a very vital role in making sure Kano state hosted the national SWAN event in May 2024.

“as I speak to you, SWAN Kano are on the list of those groups that will benefit from the next distribution of operational vehicles that will be donated by DSP to public interest groups .”

“I think, SWAN Kano is enjoying massive support from DSP.”

Many opine that Barau’s attitude and commitment to sports project is changing the narratives of sports development in Kano, which was and still remains the undisputed hub of sports in northern Nigeria ,regardless of its long suffering from abysmal state of sports infrastructure in the state.

Barau’s intervention could be a wake up call, a toast, a challenge , one fact remain judicious, Barau Jubrin’s stadium projects is a clear pointer to the rising of Barau as a sports development star, now in the block , who has risen from the east, whom sooner or later maybe be dressed by constituted sports authorities in the highly revered robe of the pillar of sports in Nigeria. If he sustains the momentum.

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Barau fc new stadium takes shape ahead of NNL season

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

Nigeria National League, NNL debutants, Barau fc have concluded plans to stage their upcoming NNL debut campaign at the newly constructed Maliya stadium in Dambatta located in Kano north senatorial district.

Barau fc had gained promotion ticket from the Nationwide League One, NLO, to the second most prestigious club football competition in Nigeria.

Kano state Football Association, KSFA, Kano north representative , Hassan Abdullahi Garo confirmed that major requirements have been fulfilled to bring NNL actions to the district.

Garo in his words said “I am happy to confirm to you that, Barau fc are set to play their NNL matches at the new stadium in Dambatta, let me inform football fans all over that the new stadium was constructed by the deputy senate president, Barau Jubrin.
“I can further confirm to you that works on the playground has been completed, the dressing rooms are ready, security post, media gallery, medical rooms, rest rooms, parking lots , all the pavilion sections are in shape.

Garo further said “ even before the kick off of the season, hundreds of Kano football fans, pay daily visits to the stadium , to take selfie photographs , I can say that, they the fans can no longer wait to wet their football appetite by surging out in mass to watch NNL matches , when the season finally kicks off.

“anyone would be hundred percent right to say that Barau fc will be playing their matches in Dambatta, because the facility in Kano north is in shape, let me add that this move will no doubt help promote the motive behind the decentralization of the game to other parts of Kano.
“ so that they can also enjoy the economic, social and pride dividends , in the axis of promotion and development that is associated with building such big football facility in the area and also enjoy the benefits of bringing a big league like NNL competition to Kano north district.”
When contacted, Media Officer, Barau fc, Hamisu Gwale affirmed that the club is roaring for an NNL campaign on their new ground in Dambatta.
According to him, all laid down regulations stipulated in NNL regulations have been complied with by the club, all leisure and safety measures have been accorded top priority attention by the club to ensure that the club play it home matches in the ancient town of Dambatta, north of the state capital.

He explained that, all paper works notifying the relevant football authorities about their planned move to their new home at the Maliya stadium have been completed.

“we are now expecting the inspection team to come and do their routine work in compliance with NNL regulations.” Gwale said.

It would be recalled that the NNL debutants as part of its preparations for their league debut, had secured the services of former Nigeria’s senior men’s national team coach Salisu Yusuf to superintend over its technical crew .
Our correspondent , who visited the new football facility in Dambatta reports that the club have also recruited fresh legs from across Nigeria and neighboring west African countries to fortify the squad that would be unleashed on their league foes.

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