In a move perceived as underscoring the spiritual undertone of the festival to the Yoruba race, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has felicitated traditional rulers in the state and across the globe on the celebration of this year’s World Ifa Festival.

Gov Adeleke, a government statement has it, congratulated the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja I, and the Araba Agbaye, Araba Awodotun Aworemi Mokoranwale II, on the occasion, in recognition of the deep spiritual bearing of the festival on adherents.

He urged traditionalists in the state and beyond to use the occasion to renew commitment to religious harmony and peaceful co-existence, emphasising unity as a strong force for development.

He said, “I rejoice with Ifa adherents in Osun and beyond on the celebration of this year’s World Ifa Festival. The festival is significant not just because it afforded traditionalists a time to come together and celebrate their faith, but also marks Yoruba New Year.

“As they celebrate and reconnect, I urge the faithful to pray for the continued peace and prosperity of not just Osun state but Nigeria as a whole. I also urge them to build bonds and promote harmony in the state and Nigeria.”

Hosting the Rivers International Marathon 2024, was with the objective of opening up the state’s economy to global investment opportunities.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, made the assertion on Saturday, in Port Harcourt, during the closing ceremony and presentation of prizes and medals to the winners of Rivers International Marathon 2024, themed ‘Power On, Conquer the Distance’, which took place at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium.

According to Gov Fubara, his administration overcame lots of challenges to achieve the feat.

Biztellers reports that Gov Fubara and his wife, Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, dominated the 30-meter race by clinching first and second places respectively.

He expressed his administration’s commitment to youth development, which would be marked by expanding the space and exposing them to a variety of sporting activities to groom potential talents for excellence and attainment of their aspirations.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi detailed these in a statement he issued on Saturday.

The governor expressed delight that the event, the first of its kind was successfully hosted by the state, even though it was initially difficult, to reconcile the position of the organisers and the sponsors on its importance, objectives and how to make it glamorous.

He said, “When we started the planning, we had a lot of issues but somehow along the way, we finally agreed and resolved all the bottlenecks, challenges more especially, finances to host this event.

“But, I can say, on our part as a government and also as host of an event that has never taken place in Rivers State before, we were a bit far on our part from the organisers. This is because all they were saying was that if I could liken it to anything, the cost could even help me renovate a school.

“So, I asked, why should I spend such money for just a marathon? But they convinced us that this event would open the doors economically to the world and for Rivers State. And for that reason, we gave them all the support that was needed for it to be a success. And I can say to the glory of God that I am happy that we are here today witnessing it live and direct.”

The governor indicated that there would likely be a second edition, which would be better than the first because detected mistakes would be corrected.

Congratulating the winners of the competition, he assured that his administration would sustain support for all youths who want to explore their sporting talents in the state and help them to blossom.

“Let me also say that, we might not have gotten it very, very right in this first one because it is the first.

“I strongly believe that when we are going to host the second one, most of our mistakes, most of the areas that we did not consider, we will consider them and make the second event a more glamorous one that will be better than this.

“For us as a government, we know the importance of sports. We know that sports and youth development go together. For that reason, we are not going to joke about the aspect of youth development. We are not going to joke in the aspect of sports development,” Gov Fubara stated.

Gov Fubara also commended the Commissioner of Sports, Christopher Green, for his leadership in the ministry which had led to the state winning lots of trophies during his tenure.

He said such winning, on the side of women’s teams and the side of the male teams, clearly showed that so much has been done right to place the sports sector on a good footing in the state.

He said, “So, I want to commend the Commissioner, continue to do what you know how to do best. We didn’t bring you here for nothing, we know that you are a man who has made his name in the sports industry, continue to make us proud.”

He decorated the winners with their medals and presented them with their prizes while also announcing N5 million apiece to each of the first-place winners as support from the state government.

Gov Fubara announced a complimentary monetary award of N1 million to the athletes in the first 20 places behind the gold medal winners as an encouragement to them.

He expressed optimism that it would motivate others to consider joining the competition in the future.

Interestingly, in the 30-meter race, Gov Fubara emerged the winner and had his medal presented to him by the Chairman, Governing Council of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka.

The wife of the governor, Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, won second place in the 30-meter race and had her medal presented to her by the Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu.

Ahmed Jalam, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Bauchi State, tragically died in a car accident on the Bauchi-Misau Road on Saturday.

The incident was confirmed by Mukhtar Gidado, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Bauchi State Governor, in an official statement.

The statement reads “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the sudden death of the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Bauchi State, Ahmed Aliyu Jalam (Mai kankana).

“Jalam was a dedicated public servant whose commitment to the development and well-being of his local communities was unwavering. During his lifetime, he championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving good governance and community relations,” Gidado stated.

Governor Bala Mohammed expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Jalam, describing him as a longtime confidant and a tireless worker dedicated to the administration.

In a condolence message issued by his new media aide, Lawal Muazu Bauchi, the governor said, “Jalam’s sudden passing leaves a profound void and casts a shadow of mourning over the state.”

Governor Mohammed prayed for Almighty Allah to grant Jalam Aljannat Firdaus and provide strength to his loved ones during this difficult time.