Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is determined to ensure that the local government system is working well in the overall interest of the country.

Speaking at a sporting event organised by the office of the Mandate Secretary in charge of Youth Affairs in the FCT, the Minister appealed to stakeholders to support grassroot sports development in the Federal Capital Territory as a way of discovering young talents in the country.

He described the football competition as another way of turning youth away from crime and other social vices.

Special Adviser to the President on Youth and Sports, Anthony Adeyinka, said the event shows support for the present administration by the FCT youths.

He said Tinubu is committed to youth development and empowerment. He reiterated different empowerment programmes for youths that have been put in place to get them engage in different entrepreneurship skills.

The Mandate Secretary of the FCT Bitrus Garki said FCT youth are happy that the president is interested in the development of hitherto forgotten communities, adding that the people are happy with the policies of the government which are beginning to yield positive results in all the area councils across the FCT.

Garki said the competition is aimed at appreciating the deliberate policies of the present administration which is now integrating the rural people into governance by giving them a voice.

The Zakari of Karu Chiefdom, Danfulani Narayi said the traditional institution in the Federal Capital Territory is happy with the present administration for its efforts in building a strong communities across the FCT.

He said competition like this will also help to unite the youth and create a sense of ownership by the people in the development of their communities.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Adeboye Adeyinka, popularly known as Zulu, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development.

Zulu, a seasoned sports administrator, previously served as the Special Assistant to the immediate past Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh. His extensive career also includes working with four different Lagos State Governors in various capacities, further cementing his reputation as a dedicated advocate for grassroots sports.

With a wealth of experience in sports administration and grassroots development, Adeyinka is poised to play a pivotal role in supporting the National Sports Commission’s mission to transform and revitalize Nigerian sports.

This appointment is widely seen as President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering sports development at the grassroots level, a crucial foundation for building a sustainable and thriving sports ecosystem in Nigeria.

Oleksandr Usyk on Sunday beat Tyson Fury by split decision to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

The Mirror noted that Usyk toppled Fury with a stirring second-half comeback to be crowned the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

Fury dominated the first half of the fight, belying the magnitude of the night by clowning around at every opportunity.

But Usyk made a stirring comeback in the desert, forcing the referee to issue a count when only the ropes held his rival up in the ninth round.

Accordingly, Fury struggled to regain the momentum and would have been the happier of the two men to hear the final bell.

But his relief was short-lived as Usyk was announced the winner – and the division’s first undisputed ruler for 25 years – by split-decision.

The Brit, who was making the fourth defence of his world title, had weighed in 40lb heavier than bid rival and also enjoyed a six-inch height advantage.

He towered over Usyk as they touched gloves, telling the smaller man he was “going to school”.

Despite the occasion, Fury was in a playful mood from the first bell, taunting Usyk by lying back on the ropes. He then repeatedly punched himself in the head, beckoning his rival on.

Usyk landed a one-two at the start of the second round as Fury began to target the body – before punctuating the three minutes with an uppercut.

Fury was content to box on the back foot but began to use his size to lean on Usyk.

He switched to southpaw in the fourth round and prematurely raised his hands in victory after landing a back hand.

Such was Fury’s reach advantage that Usyk was at times struggling to close the distance.

Fury whipped in hooks to either side of the Ukrainian’s midriff as the former cruiserweight champion showed the first signs of struggle.

By the sixth round Fury looked to be in complete control as Usyk began to tire. Now the Brit was on the front foot as his rival backtracked and he reached the halfway mark with his hands behind his back.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Joshua had the best seats in the house alongside boxing’s new power broker Turki Alalshikh.

Steven Gerrard paid a visit to Fury’s dressing room before the first bell while Brazilian superstar Neymar also made an appearance.

And they would have enjoyed Fury’s performance in front of 28,000 fans, including a travelling contingent of Fury’s loyalists.

But Usyk was never going to lie down easily and returned fire in the seventh round with two left-hand reminders.

Usky lands a blow on Fury (Credit: The Mirror)
Usyk lands a blow on Fury (Credit: The Mirror)
Fury was alive to the threat however and immediately answered back.

Usyk increased his urgency in the eighth round as he chased down his fellow champion, appearing to demand he meet him for a fire-fight.

It was Usyk’s best round of the fight as he roared back into contention, landing a left-hand flush.

And he put his foot on the gas in the next round when a left hand against the ropes left Fury stunned.

Fury staggered around the ring as Usyk rushed after him and with only the ropes holding him up, the referee issued him a count.

The bell sounded to ensure Fury could fight on but Usyk smelled blood.

Fury had been down seven times before in his career and recovered each time but he looked vulnerable.

But that didn’t stop him showboating in the corner in an attempt to prove he wasn’t still stunned.

Fury had regained his composure by the penultimate round but the momentum was with Usyk as he flashed in a right hand.

A left hand against the ropes worried Fury again as Usyk looked to close the show.

The result was up in the air as the bell sounded for the final round but neither man was prepared to go for broke.

Fury landed the final telling blow but the result was left in the judges’ hands, The Mirror noted.