News
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award: Top Contenders Emerge
The 2024 Ballon d’Or Award: Top Contenders Emerge
By Tobouke JEMINE
The Ballon d’Or, football’s most prestigious individual honor, has been annually presented by French Football since 1956. With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dominating the award since 2008, sharing 13 titles between them, it’s unlikely they’ll contend for the 2024 edition.
A recent fan vote on the Ballon d’Or website revealed the top five players poised to win the award:
1. Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid) – 64.6% votes
Vinicius impressed with 15 goals in 26 La Liga games and 24 goals in 36 games across all competitions, contributing to Real Madrid’s La Liga, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup victories.
2. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) – 8.2% votes
Martinez scored 27 goals for Inter Milan and 8 for Argentina, winning Serie A, Copa America, Copa America Golden Boot, Serie A top scorer, and Serie A Most Valuable Player.
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) – 8.2% votes
Bellingham netted 19 La Liga goals and 23 goals overall, helping Real Madrid win La Liga and earning La Liga Player of the Season, Team of the Season, and UCL Young Player of the Season.
4. Rodri (Manchester City) – 6.6% votes
Rodri contributed 8 goals for Manchester City’s Premier League title win and excelled for Spain in Euro 2024, winning Player of the Tournament.
5. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona) – 4.6% votes
Yamal scored 7 goals in 50 appearances for Barcelona and won Euro 2024 with Spain, earning Young Player of the Tournament.
The 68th Ballon d’Or Award Ceremony will take place on October 28 at 7 p.m. UK time at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
News
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
By: Daire Perez
Okija, Anambra State – Father and community leader, High Chief Sunny Gbegha JP, the Egbakarewei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, has expressed immense joy and gratitude to God as his daughter, Miss Gbegha Tamarauikiye Favour, successfully completed notable academic milestones at Madonna University, Okija.
Miss Favour graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance, earning an impressive Second-Class Upper (2.1) classification. Going a step further in her academic pursuit, she has also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance from the same institution.
This has received warm reactions from family and friends with many congratulating the young lad. I a message filled with joy, High Chief Gbegha described his daughter’s achievements as a testament to hard work, discipline, and divine grace. He noted that her academic excellence brings honour not only to their family but also to the wider community.
Community members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to congratulate Miss Favour for her outstanding accomplishments, celebrating her as an inspiration to young scholars across the region.
IduwiniVoice joins in this congratulations to our shining young lady.
(c) IduwiniVoice
News
ALUBEZE GREETS FORMER BOSS PONDI ON BIRTHDAY, EXTOL HIS LEADERSHIP AS HE EXPRESSES WARM WISHES
By: Divine Perezide
Former leader of Burutu Legislative House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Alubeze, has expressed heartfelt birthday felicitations to the his former boss and leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Gbabozor Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on the South-South Development Commission.
In his congratulatory message, Alubeze described Pondi as an astute leader whose antecedent smarcks of nothing but people-oriented service and dedication that continue to inspire many within and beyond the Constituency.
“Happy Blessed Birthday to you, my Dear Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi – Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and Chairman, South-South Development Commission,” he started.
He prayed for renewed wisdom, strength, and greater achievement for the federal lawmaker as he marks a new year. “May this new year of yours be filled with wisdom, strength, and greater accomplishments as you continue to serve with dedication and grace,” he added.
Hon. Alubeze, a former leader of Burutu House wished his principal Pondi, whose was his predecessor, many more fruitful years in good health, acknowledging his commitment to the advancement of the South-South region and the nation at large, closing his message with a heartfelt best wishes to the celebrant on his special day.
News
Good News: Presidential Amnesty Office Commences Second Phase of Laptop Distribution to Scholarship Delegates
By: Divine Perezide
Abuja – The Otuaro-led Presidential Amnesty Office, popularly known as PAP, has commenced the second phase of laptop distribution to its scholarship beneficiaries across Nigerian Universities for the 2024/2025 academic year.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the initiative is part of efforts to enhance learning and research amongst students under the programme.

The exercise, which began following the directive of the Administrator, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, makes a continuation of the first phase carried out between April and May 2025, during which over 663 final-year scholarship beneficiaries received laptops.

Dr Otuaro explained that the decision to promoting academic excellence and research productivity. He noted that the gesture also fulfills a promise he made to students during his tour of partner Universities in 2024.

“The laptops are intended to aid the beneficiaries in their studies and research activities” Otuaro state, urging the students to use the devices responsibility and to justify the Federal Governmtent’s modest investment in their education.

He also advised the beneficiaries to remain focus on their academic pursuit and avoid behaviours that could undermine their future prospects.
Reaffirming his administration’s objectives, Dr. Otuaro said the PAP will continue to achieve academic succes, contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta region.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support for the programme, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to bridging the human capital development gaping the region.
Dr. Otuaro further urged the youths and people of the region to reciprocate the President’s gesture by supporting his administration’s policies and programmes.
He reaffirmed the PAP’s dedication to consolidating on its achievements in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
(c) IduwiniVoice
