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The Chairman of the Niger Tornadoes Football Club of Minna has announced that the team's return to Bako Kontagora Stadium for its home matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) is a significant advantage. This move is expected to reduce costs and bolster fan support.
Speaking to members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Niger State chapter, the chairman highlighted the challenges of playing home matches away from their traditional ground. He likened it to playing all 38 league matches away, emphasising the stress and financial burden it imposed on the team.
Returning to Bako Kontagora Stadium will alleviate the constant travel stress and expenses, allowing the team to enjoy the support of their home fans. Previously, while using Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, the team had to arrive four days before match day, incurring costs of about N5.5 million per match for stadium facilities, accommodation, and feeding.
Engr. Dada noted that despite the open gates at the Kaduna stadium, they rarely attracted more than a hundred supporters. He is optimistic that the home fans in Minna will fill the stadium to capacity, providing much-needed support.
Niger Tornadoes, funded solely by the Niger State government, aim to give soccer-loving Nigerlites the opportunity to watch their team play locally. The Chairman expressed gratitude to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and the state ministry of sports for their support in facilitating the team's return to Minna. He assured that the management would continue to work hard to maintain this arrangement.
The chairman also called on all stakeholders to support the team and urged fans to maintain a peaceful atmosphere during home matches to ensure the success of their return to Minna.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has assured residents of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Niger State that they will soon return to their ancestral homes.
Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima gave this assurance during a visit to the Gwada IDPs camp on Friday, where he led a federal government delegation to commiserate with victims of banditry and flooding.
He emphasised that the primary concern of the victims is to return to their communities. The federal government is actively working towards this goal, and the Vice President assured that their return will happen soon.
Sen. Shettima stated that their visit to the Gwada IDP camp was under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He noted that many states across the country have been affected by floods this year, resulting in the loss of lives, properties, and livelihoods. Despite these challenges, the affected communities have remained resilient.
The Vice President revealed that President Tinubu has provided each flood-affected state with three billion naira (N3 billion) and is committed to offering further support. He also mentioned that the federal and state governments, along with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), are working to provide more interventions and relief to the IDPs. He appealed for patience and support for the current administration.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State informed the IDPs that the Vice President had come to offer support and provide intervention items. He explained that the Gwada camp is one of 14 camps across the state, housing those displaced by floods and banditry. He expressed gratitude to the federal government delegation for their support.
Hon. Isiyaku Akilu Kuta, the council chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, appreciated the federal government's intervention but stressed that the primary wish of 95% of Shiroro's residents is to have security restored so they can return to farming. He highlighted that the people of Shiroro are predominantly farmers who have been unable to cultivate their lands due to insecurity.
During his visit, the Vice President toured the Gwada IDPs camp, interacted with the residents to assess their living conditions, and paid homage to the Emir of Minna, Dr. Umar Farouq Bahago.
The Vice President was accompanied by Minister of Information Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of State for Agriculture Sen. Aliyu Sahabi Abdullahi, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, NEMA Director General Hajiya Zubaida Umar, and other federal government officials.
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