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Author: Patrick Anaso

  • NDLEA boss says athletes can be winners without drugs 

    NDLEA boss says athletes can be winners without drugs  

     

    Drugs 

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 13, 2024(NAN) The Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has tasked the country’s athletes to excel and be tournament winners drugs clean.

    The NDLEA Commander in Anambra, Mr Ogbonna Onyishi, said this when receiving executives of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Anambra Chapter, in his office  on Thursday in Awka.

    He described drugs as any banned performance enhancing substance capable of derailing a persons ambition.

    Onyisi said that athletes should subject themselves to constant training and discipline in order to excel in their chosen sports.

    He advised budding athletes particularly to shun all performance enhancing substances, which could derail their ambitions of becoming world champions. 

    The commander said that the agency had adopted a two-prong approach of supply reduction and demand reduction to fight the drug war in Nigeria.

    He said that the NDLEA was working assiduously to bring every Nigerian to join in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse.

    “It is not drugs that make you what you are, it is the training, professionalism that makes you a star.

    “We will be willing to partner SWAN in sensitising the youth on the need for them to compete clean.

     

    “Youth love and engage in sports, so we need to partner in our campaign against drugs. 

     

    “Training and developing your skills is what makes you a star and not drugs. Doping is a crime, it can ruin one’s career,” he said.

     

    In a short remark, Chimezie Anaso, Chairman of SWAN, Anambra Chapter expressed the readiness of the association to work with NDLEA in the campaign against drugs in sports.

     

    Anaso called on NDLEA to promote sports as a veritable preventive and rehabilitation tool that youths could engage in.

     

    “Drugs are largely abused by youths and sports is for the youth.

    “While the NDLEA prevents drug abuse, SWAN promotes sports, so there is a symbiotic relationship that we can explore to achieve a drug free and healthy society,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    APC/AOS 

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    Edited by Bayo Sekoni

     

     

  • ‘‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ seeks Southeast governors support for entertainment industry

    ‘‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ seeks Southeast governors support for entertainment industry

     

    Album

     

    By Chimezie Anaso

     

    Awka, June 13, 2024(NAN) Shedrack Nnanna, popularly known as ‘SheddyJoe De Entertainer’ has solicited for the support of the governors from the southeast for a vibrant entertainment sector.

    SheddyJoe who is set to launch his 8-track album titled ‘This Naija’’ on June 29 said this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Thursday.

    He is a standup comedian, master of ceremonies, musicians, civil servant and presently Senior Special Assistant to Gov Chukwuma Soludo on Events and Protocol.

    He said though Anambra was growing in terms of showbiz activities but its still a far cry from Lagos which is the melting point of entertainment in Nigeria.

    ‘Lagos is the melting point of entertainment today because the state government took special interest and created an enabling environment with cinemas, halls, event centres, parks and all that. 

    “The South East has a problem with showbiz because the  environment is not supportive, what we have here are mainly beer parlour and maybe clubs we go to eat and drink.

    “However, I am beginning to see the light in the tunnel, Chief Willie Obiano tried a lot for the entertainment industry, and people were coming to perform in Awka.

    “That was when we began to have studios, sound engineers and stage shows, though, it still cannot be compared with what we have in Lagos,” he said.

    SheddyJoe who described himself as a ‘’Total Package Entertainer’ said the launch of his album entitled “This Naija’’  would be a turning point for the entertainment industry in Anambra and an inspiration to upcoming artists.

     “I believe that with what I am doing by setting the pace at people will understand that things will definitely change for good”

    He advised upcoming artists in Southeast not to be discouraged by the challenge but lead the crusade for the change they desired in the industry.

    He said Lagos did not become the hub of showbiz overnight because some people started it when there was no reward but for the passion they had. 

    “There will always be challenges, just face that challenge, you will surely surmount it, if  you have a dream,  go after it.

     

    “If you know anybody that can help you realize your dream, talk to him about it because the dream will die if you do not express it,” he said.

    Speaking on his album, SheddyJoe said the genre of his music is Soft Reggae, a blend of Reggae, Afrobeat, Highlife and Jazz which appealed to every stratum of the society.

    According to him, songs in the album include ‘This Naija’  ‘My World’ which is for lovers, and ‘’God Bless the Day I Found You’  which I wrote in my secondary school days. It is a true life story of a young girl I met.

    “All the songs in that album were specially inspired, like Uri Oma is a popular folklore in Southeast but I used one popular in my town, Anaku in Ayamelum LGA to make the song in a modernised way,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.n

    APC/EAL

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    Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

     

  • Anniversary: Anambra Assembly passes 11 bills, 62 resolutions in 1yr – Speaker

    Anniversary: Anambra Assembly passes 11 bills, 62 resolutions in 1yr – Speaker

    Anniversary
    By Chimezie Anaso
    Awka, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Eighth Anambra House of Assembly says it passed 11 of the 21 bills, including three private member bills, brought before it since its inauguration on June 12, 2023.

    The Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, disclosed this at a news conference held on Monday in Awka to mark his first anniversary in office.

    Udeze said that of the  21 bills brought to the House, 11 were executive bills, while 10 were from private members.

    The list includes the “Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission Bill”, “Revenue Administration, Consolidation and Harmonisation Bill”, “Anambra State Touting Prohibition Bill”, “2024 Appropriation Bill”, Health Facilities Monitoring And Accreditation Agency Bill”.

    Others are the “Anambra State Peace Building and Conflict Management Agency Bill”,  “Anambra State House of Assembly Service Commission Amendment Bill”, “Anambra State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission Bill” and “Trafficking in Persons Prohibition, Enforcement and Administration Bill”.

    The speaker also listed “Secret Cultism and Similar Activities Prohibition Bill”, “Private Colleges of Nursing and Midwifery Bill” and “Anambra State Newspaper and Printing Corporation Repeal Bill”, as products of the Assembly.

    He said the Assembly also considered 62 motions and made over 70 resolutions from reports of various committees.

    “To date, we have passed 11 bills, including three member bills, while 10 are still being considered.

    “When compared with previous assemblies, this is the highest we have had in one year,” he said.

    Udeze further said that even though the 30-member House comprised three political parties, including APGA-17, PDP-2, YPP-3 and LP-8, “the relationship with the executive has been harmonious and progressive”.

    He said that the vision of the eighth  Assembly was “to be the best legislature in Nigeria, championing the interest of the people of Anambra through effective and responsible representation”.

    He said: “This eighth Assembly has been able to enact quality laws and passed numerous people-oriented resolutions emanating from motions.

    “As the House celebrates its first anniversary, we are thankful to God who has led us thus far in our legislative engineering.

    “We are equally commending Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for transforming the Assembly complex into a modern edifice with the massive reconstruction of the entire complex, offices and the ongoing landscaping of the premises.

    “I express gratitude to Anambra people for appreciating the work and achievements of the House in the last one year,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

     

  •  NPFL: Turnout at Rangers, Enyimba game excites football enthusiasts

     

    NPFL: Turnout at Rangers, Enyimba game excites football  enthusiasts

    NPFL

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Football  enthusiasts were excited at the large turnout  of football fans at the Rangers International FC of Enugu and Enyimba FC of Aba, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu on Sunday.

    In spite of the late minute disruption of the Match day 35, spectators  were excited with the  scintillating display of skills and energy from both teams before the game was abandoned.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 22,000 capacity stadium was filled to capacity with about the same number standing in the overflow section.

    Rommy Ezeonwuka, Managing Director of Rojenny Stadium and Games Village, Oba near Onitsha,  said the crowd at the stadium was a reminder of the golden days of the Nigerian football league.

    He expressed happiness that the Nigerian league which had been abandoned for European leagues could be appreciated once again in his time lifetime

    “What I saw can only be compared to the crowd that we used to have at Rojenny Stadium in the 90s and early 2,000s during the days of the defunct Udoji United FC.

    “I am impressed with the crowd in Enugu, that is how our league used to be before European football killed it. I am hopeful that our football will be great again; I hope to see Rojenny come alive again.

    “I cannot talk about what led to the abandonment of that beautiful match but our league officials must convince us that they mean well, how the whole crowd can be against their decision,” he said.

    Also speaking, Olisa Onuchukwu, an ex-Rangers International player, said the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium had not seen such a crowd since it was inaugurated in January 1986.

    Onuchukwu said the game would have gone down as the greatest in the history of the league if not for the last minute confusion.

    Ikem Asika, an ace sports journalist, regretted the circumstances that brought the game to an abrupt end.

    He called on the officials of the football league to be careful in their decision in order to save the game from disrepute.

    NAN reports that a win would have guaranteed Rangers the league trophy while a victory for Enyimba, would have given them an advantage over Remo Stars…

    Rangers FC currently have 61 points from 34 games ahead of Enyimba`s   59 points from the same number of matches and Remo with 59 points from 35 games.

    (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Bubendorff, Nanka win Football gold as Anambra school sports festival ends 

    Bubendorff, Nanka  win Football gold as Anambra school sports festival ends

     

    Festival

     

    By Chimezie Anaso

     

    Awka, June 8, 2024(NAN) Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha defeated CKC Onitsha 5-4 on penalties to win gold in the U18 male event of Anambra Sports Development Initiative ANSSI) festival for primary and secondary schools in the state.

     

    The thrilling and highly anticipated final held at the Awka Township Stadium on Friday, ended 1-1 a piece in  regulation time with both teams displaying exceptional and promising skills and determination.

    Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School opened scoring in the first half but CKC equalised  after the break.

    The game was witnessed by Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra.

    Earlier, skilful Community School Nanka beat their rivals, Uncle Ralph de Great Academy Mgbakwu 2-0 to clinch the gold in the U14 male football event.

     

    Speaking at the event, Patrick-Estate Onyedum, Chairman of Anambra Sports Development Commission, said that the 2024 edition was a more successful and promising one.

    He said the journey started on May 3,  with 756 primary and secondary schools across the 179 communities of the state taking part in 12 sporting events.

    According to him, the first edition of ANSSI in 2023 prepared Anambra for a remarkable impact at the National Youth Games in Asaba, Delta where they dominated in the 100m , 200m, 4x100m, High Jump, Taekwondo and Karate.

    “Anambra was rated the most age compliant team and about five children who excelled at that festival are enjoying academic scholarships in schools in Abuja and Anambra, where they are also undergoing great mentorship.

    “We shall support the very talented ones to explore the immense opportunities available in sports for their long term benefits.

    “Already, our preparation for this year’s National Youth Games have started and talents discovered from this festival will make up  80 percent of that team,” he said.

    Onyedum congratulated participating  schools in the festival, saying they had not only competed for glory, but had bonded and created lifetime memories.

    Declaring the festival closed, Soludo commended the students for their zeal to develop themselves and promised that his administration would continue to support the sports sector.

    He assured that the 2025  edition would be bigger and better.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/JPE

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    Edited by Joseph Edeh