Simplegist

As the NPFL 2023/24 came to an end with the conclusion of MD 38 across the country, the Chairman of Kwara United football club, Kumbi Titiloye says preparation for the next season starts with immediate effects. Kumbi Titiloye who was speaking with sports writers after watching his club dismantled the visiting Heartland Fc of Owerri in the last game of the season by four goals to nil at the Kwara state stadium complex, Ilorin, noted details of the club's programs for 2024/25 season will be released without further delay. Kumbi attributed the challenges of the club to insufficient funds and playing larger part of the away games on artificial turf as against home natural pitch which made it difficult for the team to strike a balance. "Despite all the identified obstacles in the just concluded season, we ensured effective welfare package for our players which covered their match bonus, allowance and medical"  " On finance, our budget was based on old price of fuel for th...

Kwara Kiddies YEG league has signed a four year sponsorship deal with the Nigeria Super Eagles Striker, Taiwo Awoniyi and Unicorns Football Club.  The sponsorship was formally sealed at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the league organisers and the Nottingham forest striker the Unicorns FC on  Friday in Ilorin, Kwara State capital in the full glare of the media. The event which attracted football stakeholders in the state highlights the towering status of the league which is touted as the biggest Kiddies league in Nigeria. It's also another leap in the roll call of Awoniyi's contribution to the development of football and his effort to give back to society. Now in its third season, the league is designed as a foundation platform that will herald a new crop of talents and next generation of football big stars that will make fame and fortune from the round leather game through a 5 year developmental progressive plan. With infusion of data and performanc...

  In a bid to promote peace, unity, and community development, the Pantokranto Grassroot Foundation is set to launch an inter-community unity football competition in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State. The soccer tournament, scheduled to take place from August 20th to 31st, 2024, aims to bring together youths from the 10 wards of Ekiti Local Government Area, including Eruku, Isapa, Koro, Obbo-Aiyegunle I, Obbo-Aiyegunle II, Obbo-Ile, Osi I, Osi II, Opin, and Oke-Opin/Etan. According to the Chairman of the foundation, Hon. Oluwaseyi Franklin Oluwabusuyimi, the competition is designed to achieve several objectives. “The reason behind this competition is to promote peace and unity in the community through sports, encourage teamwork and collaboration among participants, foster a sense of community and belonging among residents, and provide a platform for young people to showcase their talents,” he explained. The tournament is expected to be a vibrant display of soccer talent, t...

  The Association of Shop Owners (Kwara State Stadium) have described Super Eagles player, Taiwo Awoniyi as a blessing to Kwara State. Association of Shop Owners showered encomium on the Nottingham Forest player for impacting positively on the community at the Kwara State Stadium during the festive period in 2023. Grace Adeniyi of Shop 35 said Awoniyi humility will continue to pave the way for him both at the Club Side and National Team. Adeniyi said, “During the festive season, Taiwo Awoniyi surprisingly distributed bags of rice to shop owners at the Kwara State stadium. Some of the shop owners who went on vacation also benefited from his kind gesture. “Awoniyi is our son and we shall continue to pray for him to excel in his club side as well as the senior National Team. Since Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest, all the women at the stadium have started supporting the club. “Our prayer is that God will continue to protect you in all your endeavours, you will not get injuries that wi...

The Launching of Ruqia Centre and Spiritual book, tagged Sword of Believer 2.0 holds on Saturday 22nd June 2024 at Radio Kwara Jummat Mosque, Police Raod GRA, Ilorin by 10: am. Sword of Believer 2.0 is written by Imam Saheed Surudara, Chief Imam Haruna Kannike Central.

A Chieftain of the Zenith Labour Party and Abuja based business mogul, Alhaji Usman Danjuma Zakari has felicitated with Kwarans on the occasion of this year's Eld Kabir festival, calling on all and sundry to celebrate with decorum before, during and after. Alhaji Usman Danjuma in a statement on Saturday said Eld Adha called for sober reflection considering the circumstances sorrounding the occasion, adding that teachings and lessons of the festival must be emulated . Alhaji Danjuma also rejoiced with the state's traditional rulers, particular, the chairman of Oba's and Emirs, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari on this year's Ilorin Emirate grand durbar and Etsu Tsaragi,  Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Kpotwo on the this year's Eld Adha celebration . He called on Muslims especially those on Hajj to use this sacred  period to pray for the country to overcome her numerous economic challenges to fast track uneven development. "I enjoined Muslims on Hajj to pray fervently for o...

Nigeria youngster, Abdulbasit Abdulfatai has emerged champion of the 1st Hon Mukhtar Shagaya Table Tennis Competition in Ilorin, Kwara State. Abdulbasit Abdulfatai defeated African Games silver medallist, Sukurat Aiyelabegan 3-1 (11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7) in the singles event on Friday. Abdulbasit Abdulfatai got a wildcard entry into the main draw of the WTT Contender Lagos which will be played at the Molade Okoya Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere from 19th to 23rd June, 2024. The former National Junior Champion said the competition will help put him in shape ahead of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender in Lagos. He said, “I feel very great to win a gold medal in my state (Kwara); it is a great achievement for me. I want to thank Honourable Muktar Shagaya for the opportunity to play competitive table tennis before the WTT Contender in Lagos.  “I have to display my talent and show determination during the WTT because a lot of top players will grace the tournam...

  Mall. Idris Abdullahi Musa , Kwara State Football Association, FA, chairman, on Friday, said that he does not by habit or practice organize mediocre football competitions as a soccer administrator. According to him, this explains why the finals of the 2023 Under -15 Governor's Cup and that of two other competitions, namely the NLO and Usman Mustapha Cup, have been held off for some time now.  According to Mall. Musa, otherwise known as Thuraya, holding the finale of a prestigious football tournament like the Governor's Cup requires the presence of the man in whose honour the championship is being held. "How do you hold Governor's Cup final without the presence of the governor there," He asked, rhetorically. The FA boss further added that the association plans not only to have the governor in place, but also the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, President, Ibrahim Gusau, and 11 ex-Super Eagles players for a novelty match before the grand final. "It is withi...

  Numerous Customers of Ilorin branch of Ace Supermarket have lamented their inability to transact business with the supermarket since Tuesday morning due to poor Internet network. Some of their customers who spoke to simplegist9ija on the condition of anonymity expressed disappointment over the ugly development. They called on the management of the supermarket to as a matter of urgency tackle the the problem without further delay "As Ileya festival is approaching, we want to shop for our family and friends, we can't have access to the supermarket due to the breakdown of server, they should find solution before they lost their customers to other  competitors"

The multimillion naira Offa Zeems Sports Arena has been described as an edifice which aimed at developing and nurturing sports talents not only in Offa but the state in general. Founder of Zeems Sports Arena, Aare Musbau Olaniyi stated this while briefing sports journalists on Wednesday at the Kwara State Stadium in Ilorin. Aare Musbau who explained that the sports facility is billed to be commissioned on June 15th 2024 (Saturday) explained that it is a veritable platform to discover new talents as well as nurture them to stardom. He added that the sports centre will also boost and fast track socioeconomic development of the host community.   According to Aare Musbau, Zeems Sports Arena which housed standard seven aside pitch where football matches can be played in the morning and night will be commissioned for public use, the open lounge which contains table tennis, snooker board, air hockey and kids session will also be opened to the public at the affordable prices . "We are pl...

Pascal Atuma, Nigerian Film maker based in Canada, has joined voice to the growing outrage over the poor fortunes of the Super Eagles in the ongoing FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers, asking that the country’s football body have questions to answer. According to football enthusiast who once led calls to crowd fund salaries for a top grade coach to manage the national team, the Super Eagles loss to the Benin Republic on Monday is simply unacceptable. Atuma who attributed the recent disappointing outing by the Nigeria senior national men’s team in the race to USA, Mexico and Canada world cup 2026 to the insensitivity of NFF hierarchy in the nation’s football administration, added that football in the country must be rescued. Atuma blamed NFF for the Super Eagles woes and predicaments in the qualifying campaign, stressing that shifting the blame to Coach Finidi George is unjustifiable. “NFF is only looking for flimsy excuse for blaming Coach Finidi George for embarrassing display of super ea...

 A Corp Member Serving in Kwara State, Sogunwa Anjolaoluwa Micheal, has donated Books and writing materials to Isare Opin Grammar School, Ekiti Local Government area of Kwara state.  The selfless NYSC corp member has made a difference in the lives of the students and even the host community at Isare-Opin Grammar School. Despite his own limited resources, Anjolaoluwa generously donated countless writing materials to his pupils, funded from his monthly stipend received as corp member. His kindness and dedication to education are an inspiration to us all. Let's celebrate and encourage more acts of service like this!

Coach Bola Mogaji, Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission (KSC), has responded to recent critics accusing him of various wrongdoings, urging them to familiarize themselves with the regulations governing stadium facility management. He emphasized that his commission is open to providing clarifications. Coach Mogaji, a respected figure in Nigerian sports and a seasoned educator, spoke to journalists in Ilorin, recently, following allegations on a blog claiming mismanagement and embezzlement of funds related to the use of the main stadium by teams and football clubs. "I believe the authors of that report have a narrow understanding of stadium facility management. While I could have taken legal action against them for attacking my reputation, I choose to advocate for peace and enlighten them," he stated. The report claimed 'mismanagement and embezzlement of funds' from stadium usage at the KSC. It alleged that Coach Magaji collected money directly from fo...

  Arrangements are in top gear by the Leadership of Ilorin East Local Government chapter of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria TAMPAN to stage a 5-aside football competition among six local government chapters in the state. According to the statement from the chairperson of the Local organizing Committee, Mr Mauritala Olaitan, said the competition is billed for Wednesday, 19th June  2024 at Karuma Secondary School, Akerebiata, Ilorin beginning from 10:am. The Competition which is expected to feature participants from Ilorin South, Asa, Isin, Ilorin west, Offa and Ilorin East Local Governments will also attract prizes for the first position, Second Position, Best goal Keeper, Highest Goal Scorer and presentation of Certificate to all Participating teams. The Chairman of TAMPAN, Ilorin East, Mr Bolaji Suleiman has called on members and lovers of the association to come en mass and support the program as it is also meant to raise funds for i...

  ..Donates 200k To Kwara Poly Accountancy Department* Less than a month that the Head of Finance, NNPCL , Alhaji Dr AbdulKadir Tunji Nagode doles out over two million naira to the aged within Ilorin Emirate, He has done it again with a whopping sum of Nine hundred thousand naira to community based development associations to support their various Ileya programmes and two hundred thousand naira to Kwara Poly Accountancy Department. While Delivering the message of Dr Nagode to the affected associations on Sunday in Ilorin, his close ally, Engr Kale Aiyegun disclosed that out of the magnanimity and love for his immediate community, Dr Tunji Nagode has approved the sum of two hundred thousand naira for Ajia Ijesha Progressive forum for their Ileya empowerment program, two hundred thousand naira for Oke-Ogun Progressive forum for the Launching of their Secretariat and Five hundred thousand naira for Ilorin Emirate Youth Development Association IEYDA for their durbar publication and two...

  Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Kwara State Chapter has congratulated Senator Sadiq Umar on the auspicious occasion of his birthday. Senator Sadiq Umar is representing Kwara North in the 10th National Assembly  In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Ayodeji Ismail and Secretary, Dare Kuti on Saturday, identified with Senator Sadiq Umar for using his office to uplift sports through sponsorship of grassroots football and support to the administrators. SWAN particular referenced his support for members for the coverage of NYG 2023 and other underground assistance, asking him to sustain the spirit "We celebrate you today for adding another blissful year, we wish you more prosperous and productive years to come, congratulations and Happy Birthday from all of us at Kwara SWAN" While praying to Allah to grant him more years to celebrate and to serve humanity, the statement enjoined the senator not to relent in supporting policy and programs geared towards the...

  A 300 level Student of History and International Relations, University of Ilorin, Miss Ajayi Bibilomo Omoyeni revealed her dream of representing Nigeria at the National and International Athletics Championship. Bibilomo Omoyeni was the cynosure of all eyes as she stole the show in the athletics competition of History Department's 2024 organized sports program, winning gold in 100 metre, 200metres and 4×100 metres relay.  Bibilomo who is being tutored by Jasmine Academy at the Kwara state stadium said training and retraining is her secret and combining sports with academic doesn't affect her studies. "I'm glad for winning three medals in this year's Unilorin, History Department HOD sports program, I have been training under jasmine at the stadium, I'm ready to represent my state or even the country If opportunity comes, it's being God for everything"  Bibilomo's performance however caught the attention of the executive Chairman of the state's ...

Lagos, Nigeria - The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) is pleased to announce that the annual Olympic Day celebration will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, across the country. The Olympic Day is a global event that commemorates the birth of the modern Olympic Movement, founded by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. This year's celebration holds special significance as it precedes the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Nigerian athletes will compete and inspire the world with their achievements. "Olympic Day is a chance for people of all ages and abilities to experience the magic of the Olympic Games in their own communities," said Babatunde Popoola, the Secretary-General of the NOC. "It's an ideal platform to highlight the benefits of physical activity and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect." The NOC has received positive responses from various states and stakeholders, and preparations are well underway for the nationwide cel...

The Chief Imam of Haruna Kannike Central Mosque, Ipata, Ilorin and prominent staff of the Kwara state broadcasting Corporation, Radio Kwara, Imam Saliu Saheed Surudara will on Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 launch the edition of the sword of Islam. Sword of Islam is a selected prayers from the glorious Quran and published by Imam Surudara which is to be launched at Radio Kwara Central Mosque. The program is also expected to feature presentation of certificate to Ruqia trainees and official inauguration of Nuru Islam Foundation  Imam Surudara however called on members of Nuru Islam both home and abroad as well as lovers of Islam to support the event with their presence and financial assistance.

As the FIFA world cup qualifiers resumes this week across the continent, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been called upon to approach their games against Bafana Bafana of South Africa and Cheetah of Benin Republic with winning mentality to stand a better chance of making it to the next world cup to be hosted by three nations in the history of the competition.  Award winning film maker and Actor  Pascal Atuma stated this while speaking with Sports writers via phone ahead of next Friday Nigeria's world cup crucial ties in Uyo and Benin. Pascal Atuma explained that for Nigeria to have garnered two points from possible six in the opening two fixtures of the qualifiers demands renewed approach and mentality from the Super Eagles in the remaining fixtures to guarantee our old new anthem to be sang at the biggest world football show piece.   "Eagles must remained focus and approach match day three and four of the world cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic...

Niger Tornadoes were lucky to run away with a point in the Matchday 34 encounter of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) against Kwara United, decided at the Main-Bowl of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna today, June 2, 2024.  Niger Tornadoes started well, but lost the initiative mid-way into the first half, as the visitors took full control of proceedings, dictating the phase with good positional play that saw Issa Gata, Emmanuel Ogbole and Alalade Wasiu creating chances, but couldn't bury them. Tornadoes, despite playing under relative pressure, also created chances, which brought out the better side of goalkeeper Solihu Sulaiman in goal for Kwara United.  The introduction of Deinde Ibrahim, Sadeeq Yusuf, Victor Adeoye and Shola Abdulraheem also changed situations for Kwara United, but was cautious in putting Tornadoes in check. The second half resumed with the home team raising their game to push Kwara United back, but that only lasted for few minutes, as Issa Gata...

Ayodeji Ismail The People of Edun Community in Ilorin South Local Government area have hailed Dr AbdulKadir Tunji Nagode for his constant financial assistance to various development associations, aged and Ilorin Emirate in general. Dr Tunji Nagode had earlier in the beginning of the year donated the sum two million naira to the maintenance of Ilorin central mosque, a million naira to Ilorin Emirate youth Development Association for their annual empowerment program and five hundred thousand to Edun Development Association for their yearly Ramadan Quran Competition. According to a Community Leader and traditional title holder in Edun area, Alhaji Shuaib Aliyu Ajia, said the support of Dr Tunji Nagode to widow, widower, community based development associations and aged in Ilorin Emirate is unprecedented, stating that the gesture deserves commendation. On Friday May 31st 2024, Dr Tunji Nagode made another symbolic donation of fifty thousand naira each to twenty five carefully selected peop...