The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has expressed optimism that with the excellent performance of participants at the just concluded Under-17 Male and Female Chess Tournament in Benin, he has no doubt that the future is bright for Chess development in the state.

Enabulele spoke weekend at the final day of the tournament where over 50 young Edolites participated.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele, while celebrating the winners of the Under-17 Male and Female Chess Tournament, expressed joy at the impressive performances of the players.

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“This tournament was designed to promote talent discovery across the state, and I am very pleased with the performance of Kelechi Chukwudi, who scored 6.5 points, and Leonard Gabriel, who clinched 6 points, to emerge first and second in the male category of the Edo South U-17 Chess Tournament,” Enabulele said.

“In the female category, I commend Oyakhilome Christabel and Shadrach for scoring 4.5 points each to emerge as the best players,” he added.

Third place went to Onowaka Henry with 5.5 points in the male category, while Oyakhilome Victoria also secured 4.5 points in the female category.

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Other notable performers included Akinrogunde Divine, Ehiobolo Godliness, and Ogbegere Osaghatae (5.5 points each), as well as Edobor Osamuyimen, Ogbegere Afiangbosa, and Okundaye Efosa (5 points each).

In the female category, Oyakhilome Esther, Oriakpon Ofure, Dominion Osaghae, and Success Shadrack scored 4 points each.

Enabulele emphasized that “the number one mandate of Governor Monday Okpebholo in sports development is to discover raw talents from the grassroots, and this tournament is a practical demonstration of that commitment.”

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He further revealed that the top two male and female players will be selected for the National Youth Games camping exercise, creating a pathway for them to represent Edo State at the upcoming games in Asaba, Delta State.

Assistant Director (Technical) and Head Coach of Chess in the state, Mrs. Rosemary Amadasun, applauded both winners and participants for their commitment and determination, noting that the purpose of the tournament had been achieved.

To encourage participation and reward excellence, the overall winners in the male and female categories received ₦25,000 each, with ₦15,000 for second place, ₦10,000 for third, ₦5,000 for fourth, plus consolation prizes for other participants.

Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, has said that President Bola Tinubu’s track record in the Niger Delta in the past two years of his administration has proven his good intention for the region.

Otuaro, who said Tinubu has proven that he has best of intention for the region, noted that his administration, when re-elected, would consolidate on the laudable gains it had so far recorded.

The PAP boss, who spoke weekend at the closing ceremony of the ‘Stream 1’ batch 3, three-day strategic Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Training organised by the PAP for its stakeholders in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, declared that the Niger Delta will support only President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Otuaro reiterated that President Tinubu has genuine intention for the Niger Delta and he is determined to sustain the prevailing peace in the region while galvanizing development activities and socio-economic growth through his Renewed Hope Agenda.

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He urged the people of the region to unite firmly behind President Tinubu’s second term ambition for the greater good of the area.

He also cautioned the Niger Delta people to beware of political manipulators as activities gradually gather momentum towards the 2027 contest.

The PAP Boss urged the people of the region to be wary of the antics of desperate politicians with the intent to cause mischief in the region.

He noted that Tinubu has given unprecedented encouragement to the PAP, particularly his approval of an increase in the programme’s budget which has enabled the programme expand opportunities in formal education, vocational training and post-training empowerment schemes for ex-agitators and beneficiaries.

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Otuaro expressed optimism that President Tinubu would do much more for the region as he had demonstrated strong commitment and the political will to deliver on his mandate in the past two years.

The PAP boss said, “As Niger Delta people, we will support only His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, in 2027. Let us not allow anybody to deceive us that come 2027, there is a new and better agenda. That is not true and we are wise enough to know.

“We are sure that President Tinubu has the best agenda for the country and indeed the Niger Delta, and he is the only candidate that we will all support.

“The President has proved that he has genuine intentions to sustain the peace, security, infrastructure and human capital development, and the socio-economic advancement in our region. He means well for us, and this is incontrovertible.

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“We shall therefore fully support him. Supporting him is the right thing to do. Anywhere the President goes, we go. And that will be our mandate because the Niger Delta is our agenda.

“Though the elections are several months away, we must be aware of political manipulators who are out with their agenda of mischief.

“We must watch out as Niger Delta people. Let’s not allow anybody to use anyone against us and the agenda of the President. We are so focused that we cannot be distracted. We know what is working for us, and what is good for our region and we will work to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.

The PAP boss urged the people of the Niger Delta to shun divisiveness and work together in unity for the betterment of the area and to lay a solid foundation for the future.

Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has advised Point-of-Sale (PoS) owners to be security and promptly report any suspicious movements of individuals loitering around their business places to the police.

A statement issued on Sunday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu said CP Agbonika gave the advice when he met with the Executive members of the Association of Mobile Money and Bank Agents in Nigeria (AMMBAN) in his office in Benin City.

The CP, in the statement, while counseling the PoS operators to avoid night operations, also advised them to operate in well-lit, populated, and secure areas.

The statement partly reads: “On this note, the Command wishes to alert all Point-of-Sale (POS) operators and the general public to recent reports of criminal elements targeting POS agents in the state, particularly in isolated or poorly secured areas.

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“The Command therefore deems it necessary to issue the following security advisory to enhance the safety of all operators and their customers:

SECURITY TIPS FOR POS OPERATORS:

“Location Matters: Operate in well-lit, populated, and secure areas. Avoid conducting business in secluded or poorly visible spots.

“Limit Cash on Premises: Avoid holding large sums of cash. Make regular deposits to the bank and adopt digital transactions where possible.

“Stay Alert: Be vigilant of your surroundings at all times. Report suspicious movements or individuals loitering around your business.

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“Install Surveillance:
Use CCTV cameras where possible to monitor activities around your operating point. This also serves as a deterrent to would-be criminals.

“Secure Entry and Exit Points: If operating indoors, ensure you have controlled access to your business premises.

“Avoid Night Operations: Limit operating hours, especially at night or in areas with poor security presence.

“Know Your Customers:
Politely take note of new or unfamiliar customers, especially those who appear nervous or avoid eye contact.”

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The statement added: “Emergency Numbers:  08037646272 0r 08077773721:
Keep the Police emergency numbers readily available and do not hesitate to contact the Police when you feel threatened.”

The command’s imagemaker in the statement assured the CP and the entire operatives’ commitment to protecting lives and property.

He further urged residents to “cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting any criminal activity or suspicious behaviour.”