F.J.M Media

By Uche Aguoru Like a seasoned product strategist unveiling a world-class brand, Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, took center stage at the European Parliament in Brussels, presenting Africa as the next frontier of innovation, investment, and opportunity. Participating in the high-level European Union Visitor Program, facilitated by the Pan African Parliament, Kalu didn’t just attend, he delivered. With clarity, poise, and conviction, he made the case for a new kind of partnership between Europe and Africa, one anchored not on dependency, but on mutual prosperity through “near-shoring. Taking a quote from one of his declarations ”We have the raw materials, you have the technology. Do not take our raw materials and return finished goods to us. Come and set up these processing plants where the raw materials can be found,” Kalu’s advocacy transcended politics it was diplomacy with substance. He proposed a recal...

... DG PROSPERITY CUP SALUTES INNOVATIVE INITIATIVE OF NFF PRESIDENT.  In a significant milestone for Bayelsa State's football development, 18 talented young players from the Prosperity Cup have received an invitation to participate in the South-South Zonal U-17 National Team screening.  This innovative initiative, spearheaded by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the leadership of President Ibrahim Gusau, aims to identify and nurture young football talents across the country. The invited players, all aged 17 and below, showcased their exceptional skills during the 2025 edition of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, widely regarded as Nigeria's largest grassroots football fiesta. This tournament has consistently provided a platform for young players to demonstrate their abilities, and it's heartening to see the fruits of this labour being recognized on the national stage. The formal invitation, dated June 25, 2025, was extended to the Direct...

The 3rd Edition of the Ohuhu Spelling Bee, a flagship educational event sponsored by the Member Representing Umuahia North (Ohuhu) State Constituency, Hon. Barr. Anderson Kelechi Akaliro, was held successfully on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, bringing together young minds from across Ohuhu in a vibrant celebration of literacy and academic excellence. The event, organized under the theme “Raising Readers, Building Leaders”, featured eight secondary schools within Ohuhu, namely: Afugiri Girls Model Secondary School Okaiuga Nkwoegwu Secondary School Ofeme Technical School Oriemeanyi Secondary School D Great Ambassador Nelcinn Community Secondary School, Isingwu Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuda-Isingwu Ohiya Community Secondary School After a fiercely contested series of rounds, Afugiri Girls Model Secondary School emerged the overall winner, with D Great Ambassador Schools clinching the 1st Runner-up position, and Okaiuga Nkwoeg...

***As Defending Champions, Advance Dreams FA Begin Title Defence Against Glitch FC... Advance Dreams Football Academy will begin their title defence this weekend in the 2024/2025  Bayelsa State Football Association League against Glitch FC of Yenagoa at the Bishop Dimieari Grammar School pitch.  This year's Bayelsa State Football Association League will see over 20 teams jostling for glory in four different centres with the both finalist representing the State in the nationwide division two play-off this year. According to the draws released by the state football association secretary, Mr Diseye Nwankwe, Famgbe FC will be up against Better FC in group A, Kingdom Stars FC will take on Saturday FC while Creek FC entertains Foundation FC on Saturday.  Kolombia FC in group B, will face youthful Bayelsa FA, The Rhema FC United Stars of Okaka, defending champions Advance Dreams FA and debutant Glitch FC with group games coming up on Sunday at the BDGS ce...

...Urges Other Corporate Citizens To Emulate The CEO. The Central Organizing Committee of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, popularly known as the Prosperity Cup, extends warm congratulations to Mr. Emmanuel Emefienim, Managing Director of Premium Trust Bank, on his birthday. In a statement signed by the Director General of the tournament, Mr. Ono Akpe, the Committee commends Mr. Emefienim for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence. The statement highlights the bank's consistent sponsorship of the Prosperity Cup, Nigeria's largest grassroots football tournament, as a testament to its passion for sports development and youth empowerment. Mr. Akpe noted that Mr. Emefienim's leadership style has not only elevated Premium Trust Bank to a prominent position in the nation but has also made a significant impact on sports development in Bayelsa, the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria as a whole. The Prosperity Cup Organizers laud Mr....

.. ..... As Afini FC Crowned Women's Champions  By Francis Joseph   Eternal Grace Ministries Football Club of Yenagoa has emerged champions of the 2025 Bayelsa Governor's Cup 7th edition tagged Prosperity Cup after defeating Advanced Dreams FA on Penalties. The match which was played at the Main bowl of the Samson Siasia Stadium Yenagoa was a closely contested, high-stakes encounter that ended 0-0 after 90 minutes of play. Both Eternal Grace Ministries and Advanced Dreams FA created scoring opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net despite their best efforts. The tension was palpable as the game remained deadlock locked, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. On the lottery of penalties EGM FC triumphed over Advance Dreams Football Academy 3-2 in a nail-biting shootout. The victory earned them a prize money of 10 million naira and also became the first team to win the prosperity cup twice after their 2022 triumph over Odiom...

Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene and Bayelsa Stars Queens FC of Yenagoa have claimed third best of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament christened the Prosperity Cup. In their highly anticipated third place matches, former champions, Crusaders FC of Peretorugbene in Ekeremor Local Government Area humbled Bayelsa United Feeders FC by four goals to one in an encounter watched by the NFF Technical Director, Austin Eguavoen, former Bendel Insurance Head coach, Monday Odigie, Akwa United coach Kennedy Boboye and FIFA Agent, Paul Ojo, who represented Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa.  Goals from Anthony Moses on 15 minute, Vincent Great's brace on 54 and 60 minutes and Chukwuma's late minute goal as well as Ebimoghen's consolation goal was all the Peretorugbene side needed to console themselves, having failed to reach the Prosperity Cup final. Earlier in the w...

Dr. Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, the current Vice-Chairman, Bayelsa State Athletics Association has been appointed into the new board of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) as the Auditor of the Federation. The newly elected President of the AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa announced the appointment of Dr. Oredipe in Abuja, shortly after taking oath of office for his 2nd term in office. Dr. Oredipe, is the founder of Samkay Athletics Club and candidate for the South-South Zonal Rep in the last election in Benin City, Edo State. Dr. Oredipe, a former middle distance athlete, is Assistant Director, News with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and currently Director-General, New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor. Also appointed into the board are ace sports commentator, Dr. Nneka Nkem Anibieze , as AFN Chief Operating Officer, Barrister Bamidele Edokpaye, as Legal Adviser and Mr. Babajide Odedeji as Safeguarding Officer.

***As Prosperity Cup Selected Side Beat Kingdom Stars; Loses to Afini FC Following the successful screening of exceptional players selected from the ongoing Nigeria's biggest grassroot football competition, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament, the selected side tested their might against two prominent Yenagoa based teams, Kingdom Stars FC and Afini FC. The game was put together by the organizers of the Prosperity Cup to get the boys to begin to understand each other, ahead of some forthcoming scouting event. While the Selected side, to be known as Prosperity Starlets beat Kingdom Stars two goals to nil, they were not able to muscle their way to victory against the second team, Afini FC, as they lost one goal to nil. According to the Director General of the Prosperity Cup, the game was to get the boys in shape ahead of other major friendly games as well as some scouting programs, noting that plans are also on ground to expose them to the handlers of the Golden...

***** Over 50 Million Naira Up For Grabs On The Final Day By Francis Joseph   The 7th edition of the Bayelsa Governor's Cup , tagged Prosperity Cup will come to a climax this weekend as Eternal Grace Ministry (EGM) do battle with Advanced Dreams FA in the Male category while the Female category will see Ezuoha Soccer Academy trade tackle with Afini Ladies FC on Friday, 13 June 2025 at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa. At a press briefing with journalist ahead of the final this weekend, Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr Ono Akpe noted that this year's finals is set to be the best in years as every modalities has been put in place. Mr Ono noted that the total prize money for the tournament is over 50 million Naira. The men's champion will receive 10 million Naira, the runner-up will get 5 million Naira, and the third and fourth places will receive 2.5 million and 1.5 million Naira, respectively. The women's champion will get 5 million Naira, with sm...

The Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup has continued to be the bedrock of many grassroots players in Bayelsa in the last seven years of the tournament existence. Prosperity Cup has given many players the platform to showcase their talents with some  plying trade in the Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL and foreign clubs. The latest player to enjoy the Prosperity Cup benevolence is Precious Benjamin. Benjamin was discovered from the season five of the tournament after dazzling for Dream Football Academy now called Advance Dreams FA. Precious was an attacking sensation during the tournament and the toast of fans and scouts in the SPOCS scouting programme at Remo, Ogun State and in the 3rd Douye Diri International Scouting Tournament in Yenagoa, thereafter he moved to Gambian league, where he put up a brilliant performance before joining German Bundesliga side, TSG Hoffenheim after a brief stint in Gambia. Okardi Inikurogh...

The Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament scouting and screening programme has begun in Yenagoa, the state capital with over 200 players from the tournament seeking to unleash their potentials. The exercise is intended to identify outstanding young footballers between the ages of 16 and 21 years across Bayelsa State, to participate in various post Prosperity cup local and international scouting programmes.  which provide another opportunity to discover future superstars in the state Speaking shortly after day two of the programme, Head, Community Relations and Governmental Affairs of Prosperity Cup and coordinator of the scouting programme, Rev. Vincent Dowell, said he was impressed with the turnout of players, urging them to give their best. He noted with a strong sense of conviction that with the quality of football displayed by the lads more Precious Benjamins would be discovered at the end of the various scouting programmes. Former Bayelsa U...

The Chief Executive Officer of Cabo construction limited Mr. Taiwo Babalola popularly known as Topshot have congratulated Governor Douye Diri on the occasion of his 66th birthday.  Mr. Babalola in a birthday message, described Governor Diri as a humble, compassionate, selfless and exceptionally resourceful leader who continues to demonstrate an uncommon sense of duty in the service of Bayelsa State. According to him, he is pleased with Governor Diri for his numerous landmarks and legacies in infrastructure, human capital development projects and economic empowerment of the people in all critical sectors with which he has further repositioned Bayelsa State in the last five years of his very impactful administration. The statement extolled the virtues and hardwork of the governor, especially the peace and stability the state has enjoyed as well as his patriotic and unrelenting service to his state and the nation. It notes the governor’s developmental drive in the state wh...

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), Bayelsa State Branch, has re-elected its Chairman, Comrade Julius Laye (PhD), for another four-year term.  The election which took place during the Association's 5th Quadrennial Delegates’ Conference held on Wednesday 4th of June 2025 at it's Secretariat building in Yenagoa with the theme “Scaling New Heights,” also returned nine other executive members. Speaking shortly after the emergence of the new executive, Dr. Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, Deputy National Secretary and representative of the National President of ASCSN, who supervised the election, commended the maturity and unity displayed throughout the process and urged the new leadership to continue to prioritize the welfare of members and building on the achievements of the past administration. In a goodwill message, Head of Service, Barrister Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, represented by Yela Alagoa, Permanent Secretary, Establ...

Organizers of Nigeria's biggest grassroots football spectacle, the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament tagged the Prosperity Cup, have congratulated Governor Douye Diri on the occasion of his birthday.  Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Mr. Ono Akpe in a congratulatory message, described Governor Diri as a humble, compassionate, selfless and exceptionally resourceful leader who continues to demonstrate an uncommon sense of duty in the service of Bayelsa State. According to him, he is pleased with Governor Diri for his numerous landmarks and legacies in infrastructure, human capital development projects and economic empowerment of the people in all critical sectors with which he has further repositioned Bayelsa State in the last five years of his very impactful administration. The statement extolled the virtues and hardwork of the governor, especially the peace and stability the state has enjoyed as well as his patriotic and unrelenting service to his state ...

  The Bayelsa State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) extends warm felicitations to His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, on his birthday. In a statement signed by the Chairman of Bayelsa SWAN, Comrade Mrs Timinepre Ohia and Secretary Mr Patrick Ndubuisi, the association described Governor Diri as a pillar of support for sports development in Bayelsa State. The statement says that since his assumption in office, sports has continued to witness massive transformation to the extent of winning almost every competition it has participated in. The association is delighted that Bayelsa has become a household name in sports, and is also serving as a case study for other states that are hoping to rise the way it did. "We are delighted to felicitate with Governor Douye Diri on his birthday," the statement reads. "His Excellency's commitment to promoting sports development in Bayelsa State has been impressive, and we are gratefu...

We are pleased to announce the commencement of the Bayelsa Governor's Football Tournament Scouting and Screening programme, scheduled to take place from Wednesday, June 3rd, to Saturday, June 6th, 2025. This programme aims to identify and select talented young footballers from across Bayelsa State to participate in various local and international scouting programmes A list of initially selected players listed below, will also be published on the tournament's website, Facebook page and other social media platforms.  We urge coaches, managers, and relevant stakeholders to release their players to participate in this programme, which promises to nurture and develop young football talents in Bayelsa State. The scouting and screening programme will be coordinated by: Rev. Vincent Dowell (Head, Community Relations and Governmental Affairs) - Werepre Diegbegha, DFA - Coach Ada Gwegwe - Coach Richard Bubugha - Coach Diepreye Teibowei (Technical Advis...

Director of Sports, Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi has attributed the state's sporting excellence to Governor Douye Diri's unwavering and steadfast passion for the development of sports.  Sir Wodi in an interview with journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said since the governor assumed office as the state helmsman, he has not looked back in funding sports, describing the governor as a blessing to Bayelsa and beyond. He noted that his relationship with the commissioner for Sports Development, Dr. Daniel Igali and his management is also a factor behind Bayelsa's success story, pointing out that the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who supervises the ministry, has made their job easier. According to him, all the sporting associations in the state are flourishing as a result of the governor's concern to see that the youths are positively engaged, maintaining that beyond funding, that government has ensured facilities are...

****Calls For State's Representative To Be Part Of Medal Collation  ****Lauds Governor Diri's commitment To Sports Development  The Bayelsa chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN), has given thumbs up to the State contingent at the just concluded 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun state, tagged, "The Gateway Games 2024". Team Bayelsa proved once again to be one of the best following their impressive performance at the festival, which saw them maintain the lead in the first few days before bowing to the eventual winners, Delta state. The state contingent garnered a total of 228  medals, comprising 92 gold, 65 silver, and 71 bronze medals. A statement by the Chairman, Mrs. Timinepre Ohia and Secretary, Mr. Patrick Ndubuisi, commends the athletes and coaches for their doggedness and fighting spirit throughout the festival. This is as it also praised the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri for prioritizing sports development, which has m...

The Director-General of the Prosperity Cup, Nigeria's largest grassroots football tournament, Mr. Ono K. Akpe has extended warm congratulations to Sir Itiako Ikpokpo (Malik) on his appointment as Chairman of the Delta State Athletics Association. Sir Ikpokpo's appointment comes on the heels of his successful organization of the Niger Delta Sports Festival in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership,commitment and dedication to sports development. In a congratulatory message, Mr. Akpe praised Sir Ikpokpo's passion for sports development, describing him as a goal-getter who would undoubtedly affirm Delta State's dominance in athletics. "Your smooth organization of the Niger Delta Sports Festival showcased your unending passion for sports development, and I am confident you will deliver on your new assignment as Chairman," Mr. Akpe stated. "Your unwavering dedication to the welfare of athletes, as exemplified dur...