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Again, Court Strikes out Suit Challenging Legality of Buni-led CECPC
NEWS
Residents Protest as Gunmen Kill Four Persons in Plateau Community
Seriki Adinoyi in Jos justice. There had been series of attacks and killings in recent Following a night attack by days without anybody brought gunmen on Dong Community to book. of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, there was a massive protest yesterday by residents of the community demanding for justice.
The angry residents protested with placards and leaves over their heads. They also blocked the major roads passing through the community while calling on the federal and state governments to stop the incessant killings in by suspected herders in the community.
Spokesman of the community, Mr. John Emmanuel, said: “Yesterday( Saturday), some gunmen suspected to be herdsmen invaded Dong community and went to a mining site where some people were working and opened gunfire on them, killing four persons on the spot and injuring two others who now in critical conditions in the hospital.
“So, this morning the residents of the community decided to come out to protest against the incessant killings in the community and demanded "By this protest, we are now demanding justice. Government cannot continue to look away while our people are serially attacked, maimed and killed." State Police Public Relations Officer Mr. Gabriel Ubah said that the command was aware of the killings, adding that security men had been deployed in the area maintain peace, while investigations are going on to unravel the perpetrators and get them arrested. FEELING THE DANGOTE FERTILIZER… L-R: Wife of the President, African Development Bank (AfDB), Yemisi Adesina, President/ Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; President, AfDB, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, and Chairman, Geregu Power Plc; Femi Otedola, during Adesina’s familirasation visit to the Dangote Oil Refinery Projects, Lekki Lagos…recently
Commission Warns Principals against Imposing Hijab on Students in Kwara
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Another religious crisis seems to be looming in Kwara State over the use of Hijab dress code in secondary schools in the state.
Meanwhile, the state Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has warned school principals in the state against imposing the use of hijab or beret on any students in the state.
THISDAY checks revealed that the principals of some schools in Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas in the state at the weekend sent Muslim students who used the Hijab in school to go back home.
The affected schools, according to THISDAY checks, are owned by the state government, but made to bear the names of the original
founders having been taken over since 1976 but reportedly denied Muslim girls wearing hijab entry into their respective Schools. The Schools affected according to report are St. Clares Girls High School, Offa and Oyun Baptist High School Ijagbo among others. The Ilorin High Court and Court of Appeal Ilorin had ruled in 2016 and 2019 respectively that state government is the owner of all schools handed-over to Muslim and Christian Missionaties since 1976. It was learnt that, the crisis might have resulted into another religious crisis but quickly intervened by the government by convening a peace meeting with stakeholders on the issue.
House Member Hails Akeredolu's Commitment to Security in Ondo
Fidelis David in Akure A member representing Odigbo/Oke-Igbo/Ile-Oluji in the House of Representatives, Hon. Mayowa Akinfolarin, has described Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State investment in security as one of the most valuable achievements of his administration, declaring that the governor’s commitment to Amotekun Corps has gone a long way in reducing fears of residents of any external invasion.
The lawmaker, who stated this during an interview said the governor's commitment to protecting and sustaining the security architecture of the state is one which must be commended by all.
Akinfolarin said: "For a man considered the chief security officer of the state, also regarded as the Amotekun Generalissimo, the governor has truly lived up to the expectations of the people, particularly, in the area of security in the state and the South-west in general. "Upon his emergence as the governor of the sunshine state, he made a salient promise to the good people of the state that he would always ensure that he leaves no stone unturned in making sure that there's a conducive atmosphere across the 18 local government areas of the state, one which he believes will herald the various progressive plans he has for the state.
Labour Gives 14-day Ultimatum to Kogi over Minimum Wage
Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja Members of the organised labour in Kogi State have issued a 14- day ultimatum to the Kogi State government to implement the N30,000 new minimum wage, threatening to embark on an indefinite strike action.
While addressing a media briefing in Lokoja at the weekend, shortly after the meeting of labour leaders, the Kogi State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Mr. Onuh Edoka, said the current administration in the state led by Governor Yahaya Bello was yet to add any value to workers since it was elected in 2016.
Kogi State is one of the seven states yet to implement the national minimum wage as directed by the federal government.
Consequently the President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabah had directed those affected to commence strike .
Edoka noted that the committee on minimum wage set up on February 14, 2020, by Governor Bello had refused to submit its report for the implementation of the new minimum wage and its consequential adjustment of 23 per cent.
Edoka added that, the present
administration also refused to cash back promotion arrears for workers and has continued to pay percentage salaries to local government workers and pensioners in the state without considering the present economic hardship. He disclosed that the strike action would take effect after the expiration of the two-week ultimatum which begins from January 25, 2022.
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia Troops of the Nigerian Army from the 144 Battalion Asa have been urged to exercise restraint in their reprisal attacks on Abia oil communities of Owaza and Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State to avoid further killing of innocent people.
Former state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka made the call for restraint in a statement he issued yesterday, expressing sadness over the killing of soldiers and the attendant havoc wreaked on the communities by angry soldiers.
Two soldiers were said to have been killed by hoodlums, believed to be oil bunkerers near an oil pipeline between Owaza and Obuzor last Monday, prompting troops to lay siege on the two communities, allegedly shooting people and burning houses indiscriminately. "It is disheartening that these soldiers died in the course of duty to fatherland. They didn't send themselves to that checkpoint. They were there on duty to protect lives and property,"
Nwaka said. He condoled with families of the fallen heroes and the Federal Government. While he described the killing of the soldiers as "dastardly, horrible, and criminal assault on the integrity of law enforcement in our beloved state", the former Abia ruling party chairman said that troops should be circumspect in their revenge operations to avoid killing innocent people.
Firm Partners African Institute to Build $2.5bn Lost City of TUSONDEL in Rivers
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) and a Nigerian firm, International Property Investment and Development (IPIAD), have forged a partnership to build a $2.5 billion ‘Lost City of TUSONDEL’ in Rivers State.
The project being championed by IPIAD, a historical tourism development firm, ADDI and other foreign partners was aimed at bringing back descendants of Africans that were sold into slavery all over the world, and who are interested in relocating to Nigeria or re-discover their ancestral roots, families, kingdoms and villages in Nigeria.
IPIAD's President, Mr. Kalada William-Jumbo, in a statement issued yesterday said the first phase of the proposed TUSONDEL City project was estimated to cost $2.5 billion, and it is expected to attract investments of around $10 billion over a period of 10 years.
On the choice of Rivers State as
the location, William-Jumbo, who is also a member of the ADDI advisory board, said Bonny Kingdom was one of the oldest, richest and most famous of all the kingdoms in the region. He stated that: "Historically, Bonny Kingdom was a major strategic trading and economic hub hundreds of years ago.
Alleged Negligence: Student Slams N2.1bn Suit against Abuja School
Alex Enumah in Abuja A student of Baptist High School Abuja Limited has dragged the school to court over alleged negligence which led to bodily injury he suffered while in care of the school.
The student of Junior Secondary School (JSS3) in the suit filed on his behalf by his guardian, one Mr. Davies Dada, is specifically claiming the total sum of N2 .1 billion from the school as compensation for cost of medical treatment, cost of instituting the legal action, general as well as exemplary / punitive damages.
According to the claimant, in the suit marked CV/2437/2021, the school failed in its duty as "loco parentis" by not noticing or providing necessary care and attention to claimant after he fell and could no longer walk while participating in the school's Physical and Health Education Practical Examination for the Basic Education Certificate Examination 2020/2021 academic session.
The fall and the alleged neglect of the school to either informed the claimant's parents or provide urgent medical attention, claimant said resulted in him suffering what doctors called "Slipped Upper Femoral Epiphysis (SUFE)" on his right leg and "Prophylactic Pinning-in-situ" on the left.
NDLEA Arrests Six in Abuja Garden with Drug Cookies, Noodles
Michael Olugbode in Abuja Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided a relaxation centre, popularly called Garden in Abuja and arrested six persons for selling drug cookies and noodles.
The raid, according to a statement by the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, followed credible intelligence, which led to the raid of the Garden at Wuse Zone 5 behind Shoprite.
He said during the raid a woman, Rachael Famiyesun, 29, who deals in drug cookies was arrested along with her salesgirl, Stella Sunday, 20, and beside the cookies, they were also caught selling bottles of black currant drink popularly called Zobo prepared with cannabis.
Also in case the Garden, another business operator, Moses Obi, 30, was arrested with his salesgirl, Aisha Abdulrahman, 19, for selling indomie noodles prepared with cannabis.
A barman, Ahonye Jonah, 31, who works with the owner of the Garden, was equally arrested with one of their customers, 38-year-old Ngozi Emelogu during the raid last Wednesday.
Babafemi said two days earlier, officers of the FCT command of the agency had raided the Zuba Yam Market, where a drug dealer, Haruna Hassan was arrested with 19.3 kilogrammes cannabis.
In other interceptions, attempts by drug traffickers to export 1.53 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside hair cream to London, and another 880 grammes of cocaine concealed inside synthetic hair to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as well as 3 grammes of cocaine and 5 grammes of cannabis to Cyprus packed inside locally made shoes through two major courier companies in Lagos have been foiled by narcotic officers attached to the firms.
Babafemi said in Edo State, operatives last Tuesday intercepted a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. FKJ 897 DG (LAGOS) loaded with 360.4 kilogrammes cannabis sativa heading to Abuja and arrested the driver, Nurudeen Subaru, 42, in Auchi, Etsako West area of the state. said the following day, the Edo command officers also evacuated 111 kilogrammes cannabis stored in a bush at Iruekpen, Esan West local government area while 276 compressed blocks of the same substance weighing 248.4 kilogrammes were recovered from one Austin Okongwu (a.k.a Igwe), 45, at Agenebode, Etsako East while moving the drug in a Lexus saloon car with registration number ABC 583 MJ (ABUJA). He said last Wednesday, a raid on a drug joint in the Edo state capital, Benin, led to the arrest of three drug dealers: Kelly Ogbebor, 38; Daniel Oviawe, 35, and Kelly Kenmakonam, 29 with different quantities of cocaine and heroin seized from them.
Oyetola Best to Provide Answers on Osun Debt Profile, Says Ex-commissioner
Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo A former Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning in Osun State, Dr. Wale Bolorunduro, has asked The Osun Masterminds Group to direct all information relating to debt profile of the state to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Bolorunduro said Oyetola was the Chairman of Debt Management Office under the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and can therefore, not shy away from his responsibility to tell the people the loans that were taken and what they were used for.
In a statement yesterday, the former commissioner said Oyetola was the supervisor of all debts issues and was the government official who sat over all cases of approvals for allocation of funds for projects.
The Osun Masterminds Group had last week asked Oyetola to demand from Aregbesola the debt profile of the state.
Reacting to the request of the group, Bolorunduro said it was clear that The Osun Masterminds was sponsored by and working for Governor Oyetola.
Bolorunduro said: “They have posed questions to Governor Oyetola and I have no choice than to let it be ab-initio, because of the following reasons: He was the Chairman of the Board of Osun Debt Management Office during the tenure of Ogbeni Aregbesola."
Abia APC’s Reconciliation Committee Hit by Partisanship
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia It has emerged that the reconciliation committee of the All Progressives Congress
Bandits Strike Again, Kill One, Abduct 15 Villagers in Niger Community
Laleye Dipo in Minna Bandits have a again struck in Niger community killing one person and abducting 15 other villagers.
It was learnt that the armed men stormed Batagari Village in the Maikujeri district of Rafi Local Government at about 10pm on Saturday.
THISDAY was informed by eyewitnesses that the gunmen rode on motorcycles into the village and shot indiscriminately into the air to instill fears into the villagers after which they started moving from house to house ransacking the buildings and taking away their valuable properties.
It was during the sporadic shooting that one person was reportedly hit by bullet and died instantly.
According to THISDAY findings, most of those kidnapped were women after the men had taken to their heels. "The gunmen also went away with many cattle and other household items" the eyewitness told THISDAY.
There has been no official confirmation of this incident but THISDAY can recall that Rafi Local Government and some adjoining communities and neighboring local governments have been under the siege of gunmen in the last one week.
Last week three policemen and two men of the local vigilance were killed by terrorists who stormed Kwana Dutse village in the Mariga local government of the state.
The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, yesterday disclosed in Abuja that the country’s migration policy is at the verge of being reviewed. Underscoring the importance of the review, she stated that migrants are a remarkable engine for growth as they account for more than 250 million around the world, which makes up three per cent of global population and contribute 10 per cent of global gross domestic product.
According to her, Nigeria remains a country of origin, a country of transit and a country of destination, hence, the country is not against migration but posited that Nigeria is in dire need of a migration policy that works for everybody, adding that the team from her agency and that of the foreign affairs would be in South Africa, to meet with other global stakeholders aimed at discussing how to strengthen labour migration policies.
Migration Policy to be Reviewed Soon, Says Commissioner
She said that the last review was done in 2015 and NCFRMI, being the lead agency for migration for government, “ we are the custodians of the migration policy. It is about to undergo a review.” The first joint Migration Dialogue with the Civil Society Day was conducted in collaboration with the CSONetMADE and IOM. This is in recognition of the role being played by the civil society organisation as key stakeholders in migration management.
Shangisha Landlords React to Planned Probe of Malami, IG, Say It’s Needless Witchhunt
Bennett Oghifo
The Shangiha Landlords Association, has reacted to the planned probe of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali in the execution of the court judgment at Magodo Estate in Lagos State, described it as a needless witchhunt.
According to a statement yesterday by the Counsel, Shangisha Landlords Association, Deji Fasusi, the call for probe was the handiwork of two members of the House of Representatives from Lagos State, who were either acting on behalf of themselves or in connivance with some disgruntled members of their association.
The association, therefore, said, "This attempt at a needless probe is nothing but a witch-hunt and it is a legislative over-reach in all the circumstances. "The Judgment-creditors (Shangisha Landlords Association) are certainly not surprised that the motion seeking to probe the Attorney-General of the Federation and the InspectorGeneral of Police were moved by two (2) members of the House of Representatives representing Kosofe: Ademorin Kuye and Rotimi Agunsoye. "The duo are illegal occupants on portions, part and/or plot within the Magodo Shangisha GRA Phase 2, Lagos, which by virtue of the Judgment of the Supreme Court, ought to belong to the Judgment-creditors. They are beneficiaries of an illegality, who have now decided to use the positions they occupy to subvert the cause of justice.”
(APC) has plunged into stormy water in Abia State following allegations that the committee was trying to use the back door to give upper hand to the faction that lost at the congress.
The Abia chapter of the ruling party had been involved in power tussle between the faction led by Hon. Donatus Nwankpa with the backing of Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and the group loyal to the Secretary of APC Contact and Strategy Committee, Chief Ikechi Emenike.
It was expected that the outcome of the APC congress would have put paid to the power struggle as the Emenike loyalists defeated their opponents at ward, local government and state congresses thereby taking firm control of party structure.
But the congress losers are now said to be looking up to the nine-member reconciliation committee led by the former governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu to give them a life line by leveraging on the long-standing relationship between him and Senator Kalu.
A chieftain of Abia APC, Mr. MacSolomon Alozie, who is the acting Chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency, expressed the alarm among the party faithful, noting that the body language and conduct of the Senator Adamu was already betraying his bias and partiality in handling the Abia APC leadership tussle.
MONDAY, THISDAY MONDAYSPORTS
Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY
Tunisian Captain, Youssef Msakni (left) was the hero last night as the Carthage Eagles defeated Super Eagles of Nigeria 1-0 to reach the quarter final of AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.
PHOTO: BBC
Beaten Super Eagles Crash out of AFCON in Cameroon
Augustine Eguavoen steps down, reverts to Technical Director role
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Tunisia last night ended Nigeria’s quest to go far in the ongoing 33rd Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon as the Carthage Eagles from North Africa qualified for the quarter finals with a lone goal victory in Garoua.
With the defeat ended moves to have interim Coach Augustine Eguavoen retain the job on a permanent basis. He is to revert back to his Technical Director role when Eagles land in Abuja tomorrow.
The Carthage Eagles who qualified as one of the third placed teams from the group stage are to meet Burkina Faso that edged Gabon 7-6 in penalty shootouts.
Tunisia’s game plan to muscle out Moses Simon worked perfectly.
After a barren first half in which the Tunisians frustrated Nigeria’s wing play that gave Eagles three straight wins in the group stage, Youssef Msakni long range volley from outside the box easily beat badly positioned Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye two minutes into the second half.
Nigeria's task was even made harder when Alex Iwobi who came on for Kelechi Iheanacho in the 59th minute was sent off barely six minutes on the pitch following a VAR review of his perceived dangerous tackle on a Tunisian.
Coach Augustine Eguavoen was expected to change Super Eagles game-plan in that second half when it became obvious that the long balls to the Nigerian forward line spearheaded by Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi and Iheanacho was not effective. But curiously, that didn’t happen until he made some rash substitutions bringing in the likes of Sadiq Umar, Peter Olayinka and lately Ahmed Musa.
The first half was generally cagey as both teams were full of respect for each other. Joe Aribo saw his effort from inside the box crash against the side netting after 12 minutes as Nigeria enjoyed more of the possession, while the North Africans were content to stay compact back in their defence.
Mskani’s goal however caused an urgency in the Eagles play before they suffered Iwobi’s blow for that tackle.
Simon’s predictable play limited Nigeria’s options and he was shut out by his Tunisian markers.
The ineffective Samuel Chukwueze threatened the Tunisian goal in the 72nd minute, but his effort missed target.
Goalkeeper Okoye was then forced to pull off a big save off Sliti three minutes later, before substitute striker Umar came close to drawing Nigeria level twice.
The UD Almeria striker first threatened the Tunisian goal in the 78th minute and then in stoppage time his shot from inside the box narrowly missed target with the goalkeeper well beaten.
The defeat was Tunisia’s revenge for the third place defeat they suffered against Nigeria at the last edition of AFCON in Egypt three years ago.
RESULTS
B’ Faso 1-1 Gabon (7-6 AP) Nigeria 0-1 Tunisia (Monday Jan 24)
Guinea v Gambia (5pm) Cameroon v Comoros (8pm) (Tuesday Jan 25)
Senegal v Cape Verde (5pm) Morocco v Malawi (8pm)
Osimhen Assists Napoli Beat Salernitana
Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen, yesterday made a 64th minute appearance for Napoli for the second time since his return from the cheekbone injury. Napoli thrash visiting Salernitana 4-1 in Serie A on Sunday.
The win move Napoli to 49 points, four points behind leaders Inter Milan.
Osimhen was up against two Nigerian internationals Joel Obi and Simy Nwankwo in the Salernitana line up.
Juan Jesus opened scoring for Napoli in the 17th minute but Salernitana equalized with Obi involved in the build up to the goal.
On the stroke of half-time, Eljif Elmas dribbled into the box and
SERIE A
was surrounded by defenders, Frederic Veseli with the ill-advised challenge for a penalty, which Dries Mertens converted to put Napoli 2-1 up.
In the 47th minute, Amir Rrahmani made it 3-1 when Zielinski flicked a header backwards, Mertens flashed his assist across the face of goal for the defender to bundle over from close range with his knee.
And in the 53rd minute Napoli were awarded another penalty which Lorenzo Insigne converted, allowing him to equal Diego Armando Maradona’s 115 goals for the club.
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Burkina Faso Edge Gabon in Epic Shootouts
Burkina Faso edged 10-man Gabon 7-6 on penalties – after a 1-1 draw – in an epic Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 clash at the Limbe Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Stallions really should have won the game in regulation time, having enjoyed a lead established through Bertrand Traore for over an hour (and against a team which was reduced to 10 men), but the Panthers simply refused to be beaten and sent the game to extra time and penalty shootout which went nine rounds before they were finally put away.
Gabon created most of the early play, but did not fashion any clear chances with which to test Burkina Faso goalkeeper Herve Koffi.
The Stallions then won a debatable penalty on 14 minutes, with Issa Kabore’s powerful run down the right ended by a challenge from Sidney Obissa, who was adjudged to have pushed over the Burkinabe attacker by Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed.
Bertrand Traore took the spot kick, but his left-footed shot rattled the crossbar and rebounded high into the air before being safely cleared from danger.
Traore made up for his penalty miss with a crisp finish on 28 minutes to put Burkina Faso 1-0 up, running onto Dango Outtara’s superbly-weighted pass before sweeping a low shot past the advancing goalkeeper Jean-Noel Amonome – with the ball finding the back of the net via the inside of the post.
The Panthers’ Aaron Boupendza thought he had scored an outstanding equaliser on 41 minutes, having picked up a diagonal ball to the left of the penalty area before cutting inside and finishing with his right foot, but the offside flag ruled out his effort to leave the score 1-0 in favour of Burkina Faso at the interval.
Gabon made three changes within the opening five minutes of the second half, sending on Louis Ameka Autchanga, Denis Bouanga and Axel Meye.
They created a couple of good chances to level the game, with Meye and Boupendza getting in each other’s way to meet a right-wing cross just before the hour mark, while shortly thereafter Guelor Kanga tumbled under a challenge which could have brought a penalty but was ignored by the VAR.
The Panthers then suffered a major blow midway through the second half when Obissa, already on a yellow card, pulled back Dango Ouattara on the edge of the box and was shown a second caution – reducing Gabon to 10 men.
The Panthers’ desperate scrambling at the back was not in vain, as defender
Bruno Ecuele Manga brought them level in the first minute of injury time at the end of the 90: the centre-back rose highest to meet a corner kick and headed home via a deflection off Adama Guira for 1-1 – and an extra half hour of play!
Aduda Applauds Mark D’ Ball Championship
Olawale Ajimotokanin Abuja
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Philips Tanimu Aduda has applauded the initiator of Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark for organising the event.
Aduda was one of the dignitaries at the final of this year’s Mark D’ Ball Women Basketball Championship held at the Indoor Sports Hall of Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja at the weekend.
He described Mark D’Ball initiative as a positive development that will better the lot of the players in the country.
The senator promised to partner Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship organisers to improve the fortunes of players in the FCT and Nigeria in general.
Aduda said the collaboration with the Mark D’Ball championship will sustain the competition and improve the lot of the players in the country.
“There is the need to sustain this Mark D’Ball Basketball Championship and develop the game in the FCT. Sustainability is key in the development of the game.
“Basketball is a game that I am in love with because I grew up playing it when l was in Zaria alongside Skambo Morrison. So, I commend the organiser of Mark D’Ball and I will partner him to grow the game in FCT and Nigeria in general,”Aduda said.
Nigeria Customs Ladies defeated First Bank of Lagos 54-49 to win the cup and pocket a N1 million cash prize while the runners-up, First Bank, were rewarded N750,000.
Kada Angels of Kaduna on Friday eveningedged Sunshine Angels of Akure 68-66 to win the losers final, and prize money of half a million Naira.
Multiple musical award winner, 2Baba; Joel, Goya Menor, Daddy Showkey, MC Smart, Pastor Nicodemus, Chucks D’General all performed live at the final ceremony which also served as the opening ceremony of the men’s championship which will run for 12 weeks and feature 24 teams.
