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Owan Enoh: Made For Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Sports Agenda
About eight months ago, when President Bola Tinubu assigned portfolios to members of his cabinet, a few surprises sprung up. One of such surprises was the deployment of Sen. John Owan Enoh (JOE), an experienced lawmaker to head the newly created Ministry of Sports Development.
In his twenty years sojourn in the legislative arm of government, which spans across both the state and national assembly, Sen. JOE, a former University Don, specialises in budget, appropriation, and public finance management. Most of his certificate courses, too, are in this area.
In terms of his life outside politics, the Cross River born politicians is a farmer. Perhaps this is not surprising as the economy of Etung where he comes from is built around agriculture.
However , even though he kept an open mind regarding where to be deployed to, most of his teeming supporters were looking at him mounting Ministry that was closely related to what he had done for twenty years in the public service. But as they were hoping and praying, the President saw something different in him and entrusted him with the responsibility of leading his ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda in the sports sector
But this was not received with the excitement that his works as Minister has brought. Rightly, there were some skepticism in some quarters because even though he had always been a sportsman who played football at the local level, he had done very little before this time in the area of sport administration in the country.
But eight months down the line, the Minister has not only justified the confidence reposed in him by the President but has also drew accolades from all and sundry because of his meticulous, calm and matured approach to tackling the difficult issues in the sector. Even those who had hitherto doubted his ability to lead the ministry have been humbled by his practical road map for the sector which is centred on facility/infrastructural development, athletes welfare, talents hunting and nurturing, etc.
Besides, since assuming office, he has motivated Nigerian teams to perform exceptionally in all the major tournaments the country had participated in. For instance, during the just concluded AFCON, he got the President to approve N12 billion to clear all the outstanding debts owed the national teams. The players, of course, repaid his good work by staying motivated throughout the tournament to finish second with a silver medal, even when a lot of people did not give them a chance.
At the recently held 13th All-Africa Games Competition in Ghana, he ensured the government played it part in keeping the athletes motivated throughout the tournament, leading them to finishing second in the medal table with 120. Egypt was only ahead because the country participated in more competitions than Nigeria; a situation the Minister had vowed to address ahead of the 14th edition.
In the 2024 budget, the minister’s vision for the sector was clearly captured. In the coming days, the country’s sports facilities will experience rapid upgrade and standardisation, there will be establishment of sports academies across the country to hunt and nurture talents, the country is working to establish its first Sports University, amongst others.
Stakeholders in the sector have expressed their delight over his impacts since his appointment. For example, the former President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, in an interview recently, gave a glowing commendation of the works he’s doing by describing him as the “best thing to happen to the Sports” sector since independence.
Similarly, in February this year, he became the first Minister to earned the President accolades when he (President ) told him during a video call with the Super Eagles Eagles ahead of the Angola versus Nigeria quarter-final match that he was doing his work well.
Unarguably, a lot still needs to be done, but that should not take away the fact that the sports sector in Nigeria is experiencing revival under Sen. JOE’s watch; that he had no prior experience in sports administration to create the kind of impact he has in the complex and technical environment in such a short period of time has made it even more noteworthy.
Maybe he is just a match made for the “Renewed Hope” sports agenda.
-Inyali Peter, Ph.D.
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NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
