The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), has issued May 20, 2024 as deadline for political parties contesting in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election, to submit names of their candidates.

The chairman of the commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this while hosting chairmen and other leaders of political parties to a meeting at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

According to him, parties are expected to finalise and submit the names of their candidates before the 20th of May, when the portal for candidates in the forthcoming Ondo governorship election will close.

The meeting is the second quarterly meeting for the year 2024, happening barely four months before the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State in September. The electoral umpire has already published her final list of candidates and their running mates for the election.

The national chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, the Labour Party, Julius Abure, and of the Social Democratic Party, Shehu Gabam were some of the party chairmen in attendance.

Yakubu also urged the political parties to adhere strictly to all electoral guidelines for the exercise.

The Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, has officially unveiled Finidi George as the new head coach of the Nigerian men national team, the Super Eagles.

The Minister unveiled the former Super Eagles forward at an event in Abuja attended by the leaders of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) at the Media Centre of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Monday morning.

“Any country I find an indigenous coach sitting on the bench, I always feel very proud and I am glad that we have an opportunity that have a Nigerian coach, Finidi George, as football men national team coach,” Enoh said during the unveiling.

The former Real Betis winger was appointed permanently after the departure of the Portuguese gaffer Jose Peseiro. He an assistant to Peseiro at the last African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast where the team finished second place.

George’s appointment was announced a few weeks ago after he took charge of the team on an interim basis for the doubleheader international friendly against Ghana and Mali.

His first assignment as the substantive Head Coach will be the 2026 World Cup qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in June.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has congratulated the World record holder, Tobi Amusan, for emerging as the fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles this year after running a blistering 12.40s to win the first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.

Amusan won the race ahead of Jamaican and World Champion, Danielle Williams.

Abiodun, in a congratulatory message, described Amusan as a woman of strong will and character, adding that the athlete has made Ogun State and Nigeria proud for her exceptional talent and skill.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Ogun State, I heartily congratulate our illustrious daughter, Tobi Amusan, as she emerged as the fastest woman in the women’s 100m hurdles for the year 2024, after running a blistering 12.40s to win the first Jamaica Athletics Invitational in Kingston.

“Winning the race ahead of Jamaican and world champion, Danielle Williams clearly x-rayed her tenacious tendency and strong will for optimal performance.

“We are indeed proud of her as a worthy ambassador and priceless export from our dear State,” the governor averred.