July 12, 2024

[GIST] PFL, Helios Sports commit to invest, expand into Africa

[GIST] PFL, Helios Sports commit to invest, expand into Africa

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A global powerhouse in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Professional Fighters League (PFL) in collaboration with Helios Sports and Entertainment Groups (HSEGs) have committed to an extensive expansion into Africa through significant investments over the next 12 months, presenting fighters with the exceptional opportunity to compete for a substantial prize of $1 million in the upcoming Champions league.

  The PLF Chief Executive Officer, Peter Murray, disclosed this at the official launch of PFL Africa in Lagos which joins PFL Europe and PLF Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as part of a network of regional leagues.

  According to him, the investment will make the fighters have the ability, the capabilities, the experience, and determination to become champions.

  “We are really here to support each and every fighter that is with the PFL, and this is really a proud moment to launch PFL Africa.

  “Our vision is to create opportunities for the very best fighters all over the world and right here in Africa, to support their journeys as professional athletes, to give them consistent top competition on major media platforms, but also give them the ability to earn their way through a true sport format,” he said.

  Africa, he said is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world and some of the greatest fans in the sport noting that PFL Africa serves the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. “Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa league action in 2025.”

Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Helios Investment Partners, Tope Lawani, added that African talent has had disproportionate success on the global MMA stage and currently has a scarcity of events despite significant demand, creating a huge opportunity for growth as young Africans consume more digital content on their devices.

  “We are looking forward to partnering with the PFL, a world-class organisation, and with Francis Ngannou, who is a manifestation of the success of African talent on a global stage. This marks HSEG’s fourth investment following our successful partnership with the NBA in Africa.  We see several areas of direct synergies between PFL Africa and HSEG’s existing unique portfolio and we are excited by the opportunities such collaboration can bring to the continent,” Lawani stated.

Chairman of PFL Africa, Francis Ngannou stated that the league will shape the very foundation of African MMA.

His words: “As we have seen there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”

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July 11, 2024

[GIST] Sultan congratulates new Olubadan on coronation

[GIST] Sultan congratulates new Olubadan on coronation

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The Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has congratulated the new Olubadan of Ibadan Land, Oba Owolabi Olakunlehin, on his coronation and presentation of staff of office by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, tomorrow (Friday).

Sultan Abubakar, who is also President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), noted that Ibadan, as a strategically self-regulated kingdom of historical warriors yet very hospitable people, requires in its sequence successive royal leadership to keep its tempo of growth and development, hence his conviction that Oba is the one fitted for the throne at this time.

He applauded Governor Makinde for his continued respect for traditional institution thus ensuring that any action that his government would take on same must be one that is devoid of doubt and capable of winning the hearts of the people as traditions demand.

In a statement released by the Media Team of the Sultan on Wednesday, he saluted the good people of Ibadan Land on the coronation of their new Oba, while reiterating his commitment to use his chairmanship of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria co-chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan, to continue to mobilise for peace, unity, harmony and progress among all Nigerians across the various religious and ethnic backgrounds.

To the new Olubadan, the Sultan prayed: “On behalf of myself, the Usmaniyyah throne of Sokoto Caliphate and all Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, I wish you a healthy and very impactful reign in life.”

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[GIST] PFL unveils Africa competition, names Ngannou as chair

[GIST] PFL unveils Africa competition, names Ngannou as chair

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THE Professional Fighters League (PFL), the global mixed martial arts (MMA) franchise, has unveiled its plans to create a competition for Africans. This was announced at an event held in Lagos yesterday.
The newly established PFL Africa will introduce an engaging sports-season format with a regular season, playoffs, and championship featuring top African fighters at all events to be hosted on the continent for the first time.

Francis Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, will chair the African league partnered with Helios Sports & Entertainment Group.
According to Peter Murray, the chief executive officer (CEO) of PFL, the African project will begin by the second quarter of 2025. He added that the bouts will be hosted in Nigeria and other African countries and are part of the plan to create a “Champions League of MMA”.
Murray said the initiative will ensure that African mixed martial artists do not have to leave the continent for elite training in the sport, adding “this will happen here in Nigeria and throughout the continent of Africa.”
“This is really about providing the athletes the opportunity to compete and earn a living as professional athletes. PFL Africa is an established African entity that will be led by an African management like Francis (Ngannou) It is a true African company that we are launching.
“In the long term, we will develop not only talents that we sign into the league but also amateur fighters and give them the opportunity to become professionals.

On his part, Tope Lawani, co-founder and managing partner of Helios Investment Partners, said the need to tap the underserved talent of African youth spurred the company’s partnership with PSL.

“We are looking forward to partnering with the PFL, a world-class organization, and with Francis Ngannou, who is a manifestation of the success of African talent on a global stage. This marks HSEG’s fourth investment following our successful partnership with the NBA in Africa.
We see several areas of direct synergies between PFL Africa and HSEG’s existing unique portfolio, and we are excited by the opportunities such collaboration can bring to the continent.”
Juliet Ukah, a Nigerian fighter in PFL, said the establishment of PFL Africa aligns with her dream of bringing MMA to young girls in the country.
“My dream is to have a gym here in Nigeria, train young girls to have confidence in themselves and make them proud,” she said.
“I am happy that the PFL is coming down to Nigeria, and I think this is a good dream to achieve.”

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July 10, 2024

[GIST] Past nine years by APC devastating, says Edo govt

[GIST] Past nine years by APC devastating, says Edo govt

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The Edo State Government, yesterday, said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is clueless about how the government runs, adding that this is the reason Nigerians have been suffering over the past nine years under the APC led Federal Government.

Briefing newsmen in Benin on the state of the nation, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said that the APC has messed up the country’s economy since it came to power at the centre nine years ago, adding that Edo people do not want the APC.

Nehikhare noted that Edo people will continue to support and vote for the PDP, not minding the antics by the opposition to hoodwink Edo people ahead of the governorship election.

He said: “Despite our best efforts to mitigate the suffering that Edo people and Nigerians have been plunged into by the APC government through increase in minimum wage, free WiFi in different parts of the state, free transport scheme that has benefitted over six million Edo residents since its launch in September 2023, food palliative to millions of Edo people, free registration for pensioners into the state’s health insurance scheme,  among others, we want to restate that the people are still going through untold hardship.”Nehikhare added that the nation is slowly descending back into terrorism with the rise of suicide bombing, among others.

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July 9, 2024

[GIST] Hyena escapes Jos Wildlife Park

[GIST] Hyena escapes Jos Wildlife Park

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The management of the Plateau State Tourism Corporation (PSTC) yesterday announced the disappearance of a hyena which escaped its cage at the Jos Wildlife Park.

This was contained in a statement issued by the corporation in Jos after the animal was discovered missing. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Jos wildlife park is known as one of Plateau’s topmost tourist attractions and a place in Nigeria where nature has been conserved.

The parks management made the announcement as a cautionary measure to safeguard the public and help in apprehending the animal.

“The hyena is currently being tracked by our dedicated team of Game-guards and Park-rangers with the assistance of drone technology. We assure the public that we are taking all necessary measures to locate the escaped animal and ensure its safe return to its enclosure soonest.

“We kindly request the public to remain calm and avoid any approach to the hyena if sighted and you can kindly notify the park authorities immediately on 09026927620 & 09131000945.

“We thank you for your cooperation and promise to update the public as soon as the situation is resolved” it stated.

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July 8, 2024

[GIST] Students’ loan: 115 state-owned institutions yet to submit enrollees’ data

[GIST] Students’ loan: 115 state-owned institutions yet to submit enrollees’ data

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Osun ranks top with 13, Delta, Rivers, Sokoto, Kwara, Anambra, others missing 

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has revealed that 115 out of the 151 state-owned tertiary institutions are yet to submit data of their students to enable them to access the students’ loan. 
   
This, according to it, represents 76.2 per cent of the total number of state tertiary institutions. 
   


The agency specifically said that only 36 state-owned tertiary institutions (representing 23.8 per cent) had been onboarded on the platform. 
 
A statement on the official X handle of NELFUND, @NELFUND, yesterday, said that students enrolled in the “36 state-owned tertiary institutions could now apply for student loans effective July 7, 2024.”
 
It urged other state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their complete student data to the NELFUND Student Verification System timely to enable their students benefit from the scheme.
 
According to the Fund, the 36 state institutions include Adamawa State University, Mubi; Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri; Borno State University; Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Borno State; Edo State University, Uzairue; Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; Gombe State University; Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University, Imo State; Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo; Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria; Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina.

Others are Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero; Confluence University of Science and Technology, Kogi State; Lagos State University of Education; Lagos State University (LASU); Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State; University of Medical Sciences, Ondo; Osun State University; University of Ilesa, Osun State; GTC, ARA Osun State; GTC, Gbongan Osun State and GTC, Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.
 
The rest are GTC, Ile-Ife, Osun State; GTC, Inisha, Osun State; GTC, Iwo, Osun State; GTC, Osu, Osun State; GTC, Otan-Ayegbaju, Osun State; Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun; Government Technical College, Ile-Ife; Osun State College of Technology; Taraba State University, Jalingo; Umar Suleiman College of Education, Gashua, Yobe State, and Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara. 
 

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[GIST] Group decries marginalisation of Lagos indigenes in FG’s appointments

[GIST] Group decries marginalisation of Lagos indigenes in FG’s appointments

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Says representative in NNPC acting as MD without confirmation

A group of eminent Lagosians, De Renaissance Patriots, has again condemned the marginalisation of Lagos State indigenes in Federal Government appointments.

In a statement signed by President of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, Adelani Adeniji-Adele, and Secretary-General, Yomi Tokosi, the group, while dispelling the misconceptionthat since President Bola Tinubu assumed office, he had been nepotistic in his appointments by favouring Lagos State or its indigenes, said that most of the so-called “Lagos boys” that are beneficiaries of the appointments were not indigenes of Lagos State but indigenous to other states.

It said that only three of the appointees were actually indigenes of the state, including Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of staff to the President), Hakeem Muri-Okunola (Principal Private Secretary to the President) and Yemi Cardoso (Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose appointments are not subjected to any constitutional provision that stipulates spread as in Federal Character.

The statement reads in part: “We are making this clarification so that Nigerians will know that Lagos State has not unduly benefited from the current administration and we are seizing this opportunity to appeal to the President to treat Lagos State indigenes fairly and equally in his appointments. Let’s give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”

“To demand adjustment in federal institutions that will reflect Federal Character, especially in NNPC and its top managerial levels.

“Out of the 55 chief executives in the NNPC, 36 are from northern Nigeria, while only 16 represent the entire southern region.

“When we look into our state’s representation in NNPC, we could only identify one indigene at that level and the person’s career progression has been thwarted unfairly for sometimes.

“We reference Dr AdebimpeFoluso Pearce that joined the NNPC in April 1992 as a medical officer and rose through the ranks and became a Deputy Manager, Occupational Health in 2007 (one of the youngest). She became a full manager three years later in 2010.

“She managed Mosimi Zone (2013 to 2016), Lagos Medical zone (May 2016 till September 2023) and moved to Abuja as acting MD, NNPC Medical Services, but had been stagnated on the acting position since then even after the substantive holder of that position had retired.

“Against the normal trend of things, she ought to have been confirmed as she will retire next year.”

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