The Ikono Clan Youth Summit 2021 organized by Think Ekuh Initiative (TEI) has gathered more momentum as the Akwa Ibom State chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Friday 5th November endorsed the Football Tournament fixed to mark the youth summit.
SWAN gave the endorsement after a partnership pact with the organizers of the summit as the Official Partner of Think Ekuh Initiative on the Football Tournament.
The football match which is tagged Elder Ndanti Ekuh Football Tournament will be played between the youths of Ikono Ward 8 and Ikono Ward 9 and has both the male and female youth categories.
Addressing members of the Sports Writers Association at the NUJ Press Center, Uyo, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Elder Ndanti Ekuh who led the organizers of the Summit to the SWAN Congress announced that the winner of the football match in the male category will win a trophy accompanied by one hundred thousand naira cash prize and a medal while fifty thousand naira is set for the first and second prize in the female category.
Further, he said the match will take place on Wednesday 1st December at Secondary School, Ikot Oku Ikono by 3pm after a kick-off by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang accompanied by the Chairman of Uyo Capital City Development Authority, Otuekong Prince Enobong Uwah.
In his part, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of SWAN, Comrade Emmanuel Akpan commended Elder Ndanti Ekuh and his advocacy group, ‘Think Ekuh Initiative’ for putting up the sporting activity as part of events for the youth summit, noting that it was an indication that the Governor’s Aide is not only a youth, but also feels the pulse of the youth in his clan and therefore assured cooperation between SWAN and ‘Think Ekuh Initiative’ for the success of the tournament.
Elder Ekuh was accompanied by the Chairman of the summit planning committee, Atauko (Deacon) Ekemini Etukho among others.
Meanwhile, the Ikono Clan Youth Summit 2021 will take place on Thursday 2nd December at the Civic Center, Ikot Ekpeyak Ikono by 10am and will be Chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Sir Monday Uko while the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo will be the father of the Day.
The summit which has as its theme, “Come Let’s Reason Together” will have the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong as the Keynote Speaker while the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Akparawa Michael Bush and the Dean of Students Affairs in the University of Uyo, Dr. Aniekan Brown are the guests speakers.
It could be recalled that “Think Ekuh Initiative” has recently sponsored an essay competition with the theme – FOR THE LOVE OF UYO in which the winner took home seventy thousand naira and a certificate.
The Chairman Caretaker Committee of the Handball Federation of Nigeria (HFN) Mr. Samuel Ocheho has resigned. Madam Halima Benjamin, who was a member of the same committee also tendered her resignation.
According to the Secretary General of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, the resignations were received on Wednesday.
These resignations are not unconnected to their interest in contesting at the forthcoming zonal representative election which will hold on the September 22, 2021.
Mr. Ocheho is expected to vie for zonal representative of the South-West which will hold in Ibadan while Madam Halima will contest for the zonal representative of North Central.
The resignation is in line with the National Sports Federation election guideline under Electoral Committee article 4.3 which state that “the caretaker committee members of the board of each of the National Sports Federation presently constituted shall not be members of the Electoral Committee neither shall they be eligible to contest any election unless they resign from their office or appointment not less than one week prior to the election”.
They appreciated the Federal Ministry of Sports for giving them the opportunity to serve as caretaker committee members of the HFN after the board of the National Sport Federations were dissolved in June.
Mr. Sam Ocheho who came in to be the President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria in 2017, has done a whole lot to reposition handball and make it one of the profitable sports which so much accolades locally and internationally with him recently elected president of CAHB Zone 3.
He was selected as Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the HFN alongside Madam Halima Benjamin after the Sports federation boards were dissolved.
Zonal Representative elections will hold across the country on September 22, 2021 in Ibadan for the South-West, Enugu for South-East, Benin for South-South, Markudi for North-Central, Bauchi for North-East, Kaduna for North-West.
The winners of the different zones will meet in Abuja for the President and Vice President election on September 30, 2021 with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD) and the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) acting as election monitors
The Ministry of Youth and Sports Development headed by Sunday Akin Dare has released a breakdown of the Sports Federation elections timetable, enable all participants prepare towards the forthcoming elections.
As stated in the Guidelines,
1. Nomination forms will be released on September 15, and completed forms should be submitted on September 17 2021.
2. The election of all representatives from constituencies, except Zonal Reps are expected to be concluded on September 21, 2021.
3. The Zonal Representatives Election will be held on 22 September, 2021.
4. Appeal therefrom will be heard on September 25, 2021.
5. Bye elections from the Appeal (If Any) will be conducted on September 28, 2021.
6. The National Elections are scheduled to take place on September 30, 2021 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja .
7. The hearing of any petition arising from the election will be on October 4, 2021.
8. Bye Elections from the Appeal (If Any) will take place on 6th October.
9. All duly elected boards of the Federations will be sworn in by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare in Abuja on October 8, 2021.
Meanwhile, all constituted Caretaker Committees of the affected Federations are to be dissolved a week before the election.
The most sought-after striker in the Nigeria Professional football league at the moment and Akwa united’s goal poacher, Ndifreke Effiong Udo today reiterated his focus on the Nigerian League title and the success of his team amidst speculations that He had just put pen to paper to Join Al-Ahli Benghazi of Libya.
Speaking Exclusively to Inspiration 105.9 fm at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, ahead of their Match day 20 fixture against Sunshine stars of Akure to Herald the start of the 2nd stanza of the NPFL 2020/2021 Season, Ndifreke laid out his plans to keep his sight on the goal and help his team achieve their set target for the season
The Promise Keeper’s goal machine currently has 8 goals to his credit in the Nigerian League, where Akwa United currently sit 3rd with 34 Points from 19 games played so far.
Ndifreke highlighted positive mindset of his team; Akwa United towards winning the NPFL this season and making it to the continent however the League Management Company and League owners intend to conclude the season.
It may interest you to know that the Confederation of African Football; CAF on Monday gave June 30, 2021 as the deadline for member Federations to send names of clubs representing them in the Champions League and Confederation Cup.
