NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

We’re working towards generating own electricity in Osun — Adeleke

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun

By Victor Adeoti

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun says the state is working towards generating its own electricity and will also distribute it to neighbouring states when this was achieved.

Adeleke said this Thursday in Ilesa during the inauguration of the construction of the Obokun 33KV feeder line, a project expected to enhance electricity supply in the state.

The governor said the state had a robust plan to transform its energy and electricity market through appropriate policy and legislation.

Adeleke said the state had a draft electricity bill and policy which would expand power generation and distribution.

“As a government committed to the welfare of the people, it is our focus to bring economic light to the people of the state.

“The policy and the bill, when finally passed and signed into law, will change the face of Osun electricity space.

“Being so blessed with many rivers and solar assets, we will generate our electricity.

“We will issue licences to those capable of generating electricity and we will regulate our power distributor, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

“We are acting fast in the energy space because power supply is an engine room of economic growth.

“Regular power supply boosts economic activities and our vision is that Osun will be self-sufficient in power supply and also export to neighboring states,” he said.

Adeleke, who noted that the feeder had been abandoned for 11 years, said people of the affected areas suffered untold hardship, blackout and economic loss during the period.

“From today, that era of darkness has come to an end. Light has come and darkness has vanished,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Festus Adeyemo, the state’s Commissioner for Energy, said contract for the repair of the feeder line was first awarded on Jan. 25 in 2013.

He added that this was with 30 per cent funding being released to the contractor.

Adeyemi, however, said the project was later abandoned due to lack of interest by successive administrations.

The commissioner said, when completed, the feeder line would supply electricity to some communities in the four local government areas (LGAs) of Ilesa West, Obokun, Boluwaduro and Atakumosa West. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

VE/KOLE/EMAF
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Edited by Remi Koleoso and Emmanuel Afonne

Remo Stars crash out of CAF Champions League

Remo Stars Football Club of Ikenne on Sunday at Rabat in Morocco crashed out of the 2024/2025 African Champions League in the competition’s first preliminary round.

The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) runners-up crashed out after losing 2-3 aggregate to Moroccan side AS FAR Rabat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Remo Stars lost 0-2 on the night at the Stade Prince Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.

The Nigerian side had won the first leg fixture on Aug. 18 in Ikenne 2-1, but they could not withstand the Moroccans’ offensive blitz in the second leg game.

Two second half goals did the job for the hosts, with Joel Beya who scored their lone goal in Ikenne opening scores in the 53rd minute.

With about 12 minutes left and Remo Stars holding out, a penalty kick was awarded to the home side and El Amine Zouhzouh made no mistake from the spot.

NAN reports that Remo Stars loss meant two of Nigeria’s representatives in club football on the continent have crashed out just one round into their respective competitions.

On Saturday, El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club of Maiduguri had been eliminated from the African Confederation Cup competition’s first preliminary round after a 2-3 aggregate loss.

Nigeria now has only one club each in the two continental competitions.

Enyimba International FC of Aba had drawn bye in the opening round into the second preliminary round of the African Confederation Cup competition.

Rangers International FC of Enugu had on Friday advanced into the second preliminary round of the African Champions League competition, after a 2-1 aggregate victory in the opening round.(NAN)

(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

 

 

 

Team Nigeria weightlifters, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal (Right) and Adijat Adenike Olarinoye (Left)

I feel bad losing but also happy, weightlifter Lawal says

 

By Olawale Alabi

Rafiatu Lawal says she is battling with a mixture of the emotions as she ended up fifth in the weightlifting competition of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Lawal told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday at the Paris South Arena that she was both sad and happy at the end of her performance.

She placed fifth in the women’s 59 kilogramme event with a total of 230, made up of 100 snatch score and 130 in clean jerk.

It was a result which placed her well away from the medal positions, even though she was ahead of six others in the 12-lifter field.

”I feel bad though, because I really worked hard to get here and perform well for a good result.

”In fact, I have done more here (in Paris) than I ever did during the preparations.

“And I am sad because I could have done better, if my result in the snatch had been better. I had laid my hopes in achieving a good result in the snatch,” Lawal said.

However, she said she was happy she had competed well and finished without injuries, with the future holding out more for her.

”I am happy that I didn’t come here by my power but by God’s plans for me, and I have done my bit with no injuries after.

”I thank God for everything, and I will utilise the lessons of this outing to do better in future competitions,” the 27-year-old said.

She however acknowledged that she was still grateful to God in view of Paris 2024 being her first Olympics.

”The Olympics is always a different ball game and I am happy and thank God for my performance.

”Now, it is only God that will determine my next plan.”

Lawal however said she was grateful for all the support she received in the course of getting to where she was by now.

”I must say a big ‘thank you’ to all who have supported me with their prayers and all other things. I appreciate you all and may God bless you all,” she said.(NAN)

 

 

Akuh says no cause for alarm regarding wrestling’s medal hopes

By Olawale Alabi

Purity Akuh, head coach of Nigeria’s female wrestling team, says there is no cause for alarm regarding Team Nigeria’s medal prospects at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that two of the five Nigerian female wrestlers are already out of reckoning for a medal at the Games.

But Akuh told NAN on Wednesday in Paris at the Olympic Games Village that the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) had already done all that was necessary for success.

”There is no cause for alarm. So far, we are on course. There is nothing to worry about.

”We did all we needed to do in terms of preparations before the Games,” he said.

NAN reports that Christianah Ogunsanya on Wednesday crashed out of the women’s freestyle 53 kilogramme event of the wrestling competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Ogunsanya lost 1-3 to Khulan Batkhuyag of Mongolia in her round of 16 bout at the Champ-de-Mars Arena, making her the team’s second casualty in the competition.

Blessing Oborududu had earlier failed in Nigeria’s opening quest to win medals in the sport at the Games.

She got to the semi-finals though, but then lost in the bronze medal match.

But Akuh said there was going to be moments of happiness and celebrations very soon.

”We will soon be having cause to smile. What we are seeing now is normal in sports, whereby what you prepared for may not be what you will see.

”While we tried as much as possible to take care of all ends, but we cannot say it was going to be a smooth sail all the way.

”Some things will definitely change, and we are now taking care of that to forestall more losses,” the coach said.

He assured that the team’s handlers were already working on ensuring that the remaining members of the wrestling group in Team Nigeria end up with medals.

”Starting from Thursday morning, when Chaimaa Alg Aouissi will face Odunayo Adekuoroye in the women’s freestyle 57kg event at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, we are going to see something better.

”We are determined, and ready, and we shall succeed,” Akuh said.(NAN)

 

 

 

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