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[OPINION] Enabulele At The Wheel: Powering Governor Okpebholo’s Sports Revolution In Edo

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By Edoko Wilson Edoko

Under his “A New Edo is Rising Agenda” incorporating “Project SHINE”, Edo State Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo and his deputy, Rt Hon Dennis Idahosa’s vision is for a revolution in the sports sector. With Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, on the driver’s seat, the governor’s sports agenda is witnessing a massive turnaround incorporating feats.

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Since his appointment, Enabulele has made remarkable strides in transforming the sporting landscape across the state through visionary leadership and dedicated implementation of the governor’s goals for youth development, excellence, and inclusion in sports.

Under his leadership, Bendel Insurance Football Club witnessed an impressive turnaround, moving from 20th to 5th position in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), and becoming strong contenders for continental competitions. This resurgence is credited to strategic funding, improved player welfare, and enhanced technical support.

Enabulele has championed grassroots sports development by initiating programs that identify and nurture young talents through school sports and community engagement. These efforts align closely with Governor Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” vision, ensuring that Edo’s next generation of athletes is well-prepared for excellence.

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READ ALSO: Priotize Okpebholo’s ‘Catch Them Young’ Initiative, Enabulele Charges Sports Association Chairmen

Under his watch, women’s sports have reached new heights. Edo Queens FC advanced to the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League—a landmark achievement for Nigerian female football. As the team gears up for the Super Six playoffs in Ikenne, Ogun State from May 8 to 17, 2025, and the President Federation Cup Round of 16 clash with Osun babes which Edo Queens FC won 3-0 this weekend. Enabulele’s leadership emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum. A win would crown an already impressive season and reinforce Edo Queens’ status as title contenders and continental trailblazers.

Highlighting, Edo State’s performance at the maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from April 1 to 9, Team Edo finished 3rd overall with 89 medals—23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze—an outcome he described as “a remarkable outing.”

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In recognition of the synergy between education and sports, Enabulele has forged partnerships with schools and educational institutions to promote student engagement in physical activity and competition. The Governor’s Cup, backed by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, is a key initiative aimed at discovering young talent from an early age.

On infrastructure, Enabulele has prioritized upgrading sports facilities to meet international standards. These improvements are vital for effective training and hosting of national and regional competitions that draw widespread participation.

READ ALSO: Enabulele Praises Team Edo for Displaying Resilience, Consistency At Ongoing N’Delta Sports Festival

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Enabulele has successfully organized major sporting event, the South-South Zonal Eliminations for the National Sports Festival. This event earned him accolades from national sporting bodies. The National Sports Commission, in particular, commended Edo State’s successful hosting of the Ball Games Zonal Eliminations from February 23 to 28, 2025, noting the transparency, efficiency, and professionalism displayed.

Community engagement has also been a core pillar of his administration. Through outreach efforts, Enabulele has raised public awareness about the role of sports in promoting health, unity, and social development. These efforts have galvanized support for local athletes and enhanced participation across all levels.

Most crucially, Enabulele has established and executed development programs that provide training and mentorship to young athletes, equipping them for competition on local, national, and international stages. His unwavering commitment to talent discovery and capacity building is central to Edo State’s enduring sporting success.

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Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele’s leadership reflects the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo for a thriving, inclusive, and dynamic sports sector. His achievements are not only a testament to personal dedication but also to a broader commitment to making Edo State a formidable force in Nigerian and African sports. As he continues to implement the governor’s agenda, the future of sports in Edo State holds great promise.

Edoko Wilson Edoko is a blogger and media aide to the Executive Chairman.

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SERAP, NGE Drag Niger Gov, NBC To Court Over Radio Station Closure Threat

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have filed a lawsuit against Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, and the National Broadcasting Commission over what they described as “the ongoing intimidation” of Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, and the threat to shut down the station.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, accusing NBC of failing to stand in defence of the local station.

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Recall that Bago ordered the closure and the revocation of the licence of Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM in Minna over alleged public incitement.

However, in suit number FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE are seeking to determine “whether by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from the ongoing intimidation from the governor.”

READ ALSO:Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation

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They are also seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Niger state governor and NBC from further harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence and profile the station’s owner.”

The groups argued, “The ongoing intimidation and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the station’s premises and profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.”

They described allegations of inciting violence against the station and its owner as “vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated and apparently made to silence the radio station.”

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The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part, “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.

READ ALSO:Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Intimidating, harassing and silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

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“The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

SERAP and NGE are therefore asking the court for the following reliefs, “A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 22 Nigerian Constitution and section 2(1)(t) of the National Broadcasting Act, the NBC is obligated by law to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from undue interference from unauthorised persons or entity.

“A declaration that the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of the radio station against arbitrary executive interference constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria.

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READ ALSO:NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

A declaration that the ongoing intimidation and threat issued by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its operational licence and further threat to demolish the station’s premises is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

“A declaration that the threat issued by the Bago to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its operational licence encroaches upon the statutory powers of the NBC as provided for under section 2 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act.

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“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and NBC, its agents and privies from harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to revoke the operating licence of Badeggi FM station or any other broadcasting outlet in Niger State.”

It was said that no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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Radio Station Suspends GM For Criticising Ebonyi Gov

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A privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM (The Sound of Now), has suspended its acting General Manager, Mr Godfrey Chikwere.

His suspension, it was gathered, followed his alleged persistent “negative” projection of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his policies during radio broadcasts and on social media.

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Announcing his suspension on Saturday, the management of Legacy FM claimed the ousted official acted in a manner contrary to the station’s code of conduct.

It said, “The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice.

READ ALSO:Drama As Ebonyi Politician Declares Self ADC National VC South-East

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This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the Legacy FM.

“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his position to the next senior officer.”

The PUNCH gathered that the radio personality, in a post on his Facebook page on Friday, called on the governor to be stringent in his handling of state matters.

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He alleged that public perception of the governor’s administration was being cajoled, while also claiming Nwifuru’s administration was marred by poor communication, underperformance by his appointees, and lack of clear-cut policy direction.

Chikwere also advised the governor to “step on toes” to achieve results, adding that the current state of affairs weakened his support base.

READ ALSO:Panic As Armed Robbers Kill 2 In Ebonyi

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Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, criticised the suspended radio staff member over what he described as undue criticisms of his boss’ administration.

In a statement on Friday, Uzor described the criticisms as baseless and unfounded, accusing the former of ingratitude for attacking the governor despite what the state government had done for them.

He said, “It is regrettable that despite the radio station thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attack and run down the government whose support has kept his medium afloat.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, the governor gifted the medium a brand new Changan SUV, donated a brand new transformer that powers the station, constructed the road leading to the broadcasting house.

READ ALSO:NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

But rather than give at least balanced coverage of government activities, it has been turned into a slaughter house of the governor’s genuine development efforts and goodwill, what a way to be ungrateful to good deeds.”

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On his part, the state Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Ikeuwa Omebeh, also condemned Chikwere’s criticisms of Nwifuru, describing them as “derogatory and inciting.”

In a statement on Saturday, the commissioner accused him of “overstepping his bounds.”

He said his remarks against the governor were unacceptable and an affront to the collective identity of all the people of the state.

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Lagos Orders Mandatory Inspection Of All E-hailing Vehicles

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The Lagos State Government has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all vehicles operated by licensed e-hailing platforms in the state, citing safety risks and poor service delivery.

In a statement on Sunday titled “LASG to Roll Out Inspection Schedule for E-Hailing Operators”, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the move is aimed at improving safety, service quality, and regulatory compliance across the sector.

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He added that the ministry had observed “the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated by drivers under licensed e-hailing platforms within the state, necessitating a comprehensive audit of all vehicles in use,” warning that “any vehicle found unsuitable will not be allowed to operate on Lagos roads.”

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Osiyemi also raised concerns over inadequate databases among some operators, saying this hindered the tracking of crimes committed through their services.

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Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, said the use of vehicles not registered with the state “will no longer be tolerated,” stressing that such practices “pose significant security risks.”

He added that all drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute and urged residents to avoid offline bookings to maintain safety and accountability.

The meeting at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by representatives from Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv, who presented updates on safety upgrades, including panic buttons and enhanced driver verification systems.

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