By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Alagura Football Club has again emerged as the winner of the 2024 Community Football Competition organised by Egbin Power Plc to foster unity and youth development in its host communities.

The tournament recorded an impressive turnout of supporters and a display of football skills by players of the 16 participating teams drawn from Egbin, Ijede, and Ipakan in Ikorodu, Lagos.

The 16 football clubs were Alagura, Sterling Ipakan, Dragon Ipakan, Ebute Olowo, Abule-Eko II, Alaanu-Omo, Igbe-Ogunro, Egbin Classical, Egbin Diamond, Abule-Eko, Estate Boys, Alajede, Oko-Ope, Ajeri, Igbopa, Oke-Eletu.

At the finals held at Ipakan Community Stadium, Ikorodu, the defending champions, Alagura FC, retained the title after defeating Oke-Eletu FC 5-3 in a penalty shootout. The match had ended in a 1-1 draw. In the third-place encounter, Ajeri FC won against Igbe FC by 2 – 1 to clinch the 2nd position.

The winning team went home with a cash prize of N1 million, while the first and second runners-up received N700,000 and N500,000, respectively, with the Best Goalkeeper award going to Yusuf of Sterling Ipakan FC and Usman Multala winning the Highest Goal Scorer Award.

Speaking on the competition, the Head of Corporate Communication and Branding at Egbin Power, Mr Felix Ofulue, said, “As a responsible organization, we are proud to provide a platform that fosters unity, promotes sports development, and showcases the talents of our youth. This competition is a testament to our commitment to investing in the future of our host communities.”

“The football competition is eagerly anticipated by the youth every year, as it fosters sportsmanship among communities and provides a reputable platform for them to showcase their talents.

“We are thrilled by the resounding success we are witnessing annually and will continue to make it better for the growth and development of our host communities,” Mr Ofulue noted.

Nigeria’s ex-international player and Atlanta ’96 Olympic Gold Medallist, Mr Abiodun Obafemi, who was the special guest at the finals, applauded Egbin Power Plc for creating a strong platform for the development of sport and fostering unity among youths in the host communities.

“This is a high-level football exhibition sponsored by Egbin Power. Two years ago, I was here, and it shows that the competition is growing bigger every year. What I saw here today gladdens my heart, seeing the progressive development. I saw some players that have a bright future in football.

“Kudos to the company for the wonderful work they are doing for these communities. This is another way of engaging the youth. It’s a platform that will prepare a majority of them for a football career. My advice to the players is for them to embrace this gesture, to be serious about it and build on it. Congratulations to the winners and Egbin Power for putting up a top-class competition,” Obafemi said.

Egbin Power’s Head of Maintenance, Felix Ebiware, and the Head, of Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSE), Julius Akpong, including community leaders such as the Olisa of Ijede, High Chief Musediq Aliu and Baale of Ipakan, High Chief Mustapha Lasisi were among those in attendance at the occasion.

The Olisa of Ijede, Mr Musediq Aliu, commended Egbin Power for contributing to youth and sports development in the host communities.

“Egbin Power has consistently demonstrated its interest in promoting unity, growth, and development of our communities. We are grateful for the success of this competition, and we urge the company to keep investing and promoting youth and sports development,” he stated.

Gambling has always attracted people with its unpredictability and the possibility of winning a large sum. With the advent of online casinos, there was a question: How to ensure the integrity of the results in the virtual space? The answer was a random number generator (RNG)—a program that simulates the unpredictability of the real world in a digital environment.

Many players wonder whether the random number generator really guarantees the fairness of the gaming process or if it is just a trick of the casino. Let’s understand what a random number generator is, how it works, and whether it can be trusted.

What is a random number generator, and how it works

A RNG is a program or device that creates a sequence of numbers that cannot be predicted in advance. In the world of gambling, it acts as a virtual croupier, determining the results of each round of play.

There are two main types of GSCs: hardware and software. Hardware generators use physical processes to produce truly random numbers. However, due to the complexity of implementation, online casinos more often use software GSCs.

Software generators work by a complex mathematical algorithm. They take an initial number (seed) and pass it through a series of mathematical operations, resulting in a pseudo-random number at the output. This process is repeated millions of times per second, providing unpredictable results for players.

Examples of random number generator games

Random number generators are used in many gambling games, including slots and various arcades. These games are played by both beginners and experienced customers of online casinos.

According to statistics, the most popular game is plinko. This is an arcade where you need to watch the fall of the ball. The fall corrects a lot of obstacles, which can change the trajectory unpredictably. Despite the simplicity of the gameplay, many players call plinko interesting.

Finding plinko on the internet is easy. The game is in almost all sites and applications of gambling themes. Our authors realized this after studying online casino review sites—especially PlinkoGames, which gives the most complete and up-to-date information. To start playing plinko games for real money in India, you need to study the list of casinos and choose the right one. The game with real bets becomes available after registration and replenishment of the account. To run a free demo version, you do not even need to register.

Reliability and control of the GSC in online casinos

The question of the reliability of the GSC worries many players. Are the results really unpredictable, or can the casino manipulate the system?

In fact, the reputation of an online casino directly depends on the integrity of the gaming process. Therefore, the industry has created a multi-level system of control over the work of the GSC:

• Game software developers are interested in creating high-quality and honest products.
• Independent laboratories regularly test the GSC for compliance with the stated characteristics.
• State regulators monitor compliance with the rules of online casinos.
• The casino operators themselves value their reputation and do not risk the license for short-term gain.

By choosing a licensed casino with games from well-known providers, the player can be confident in the integrity of the results. However, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of fraud, especially when it comes to little-known sites.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

For the third consecutive year, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC has once again thrown its full weight on the Lagos Polo Club to reaffirm its unwavering dedication to sports development in Nigeria.

The subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group believes that sponsoring the tournament highlights its commitment to fostering excellence in sports and promoting community engagement through one of Nigeria’s most cherished sporting traditions.

“At Stanbic IBTC, we recognise the unifying power of sports and its potential to drive community development. Our continued partnership with the Lagos Polo Club reflects our commitment to not only fostering athletic excellence but also supporting platforms that bring people together to celebrate culture, passion, and shared values,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC, Mr Wole Adeniyi, said.

The Executive Director for Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Eric Fajemisin, said, “This season is set to be an extraordinary highlight on the sporting calendar, attracting not only polo enthusiasts but also international participants and spectators.

“We anticipate thrilling matches that will showcase the incredible talent of the players as they compete in various tournaments. Additionally, attendees will enjoy a variety of engaging activities that illuminate the intricacies of the sport.”

Also, the president of the Lagos Polo Club, Mr Bode Makanjuola, said, “We are proud to have Stanbic IBTC Bank as a key partner of the Lagos Polo Club for the third consecutive year.

“Their continued support has elevated this season’s calendar, creating a platform for our players to showcase their talent. This partnership underscores our shared vision of promoting excellence, community development, and the growth of polo in Nigeria.”

The Lagos Polo Club, renowned for showcasing athleticism, precision, and teamwork both on and off the field, continues to attract players, enthusiasts, and spectators from across Nigeria and beyond.

As a leading financial services provider, Stanbic IBTC leverages this platform to strengthen its connection with customers, stakeholders, and the broader community.

This year’s polo season promises to be even more exciting, featuring high-profile tournaments, increased participation, and an elevated experience for attendees. Stanbic IBTC’s sustained support underscores its pivotal role in driving growth and development within Nigeria’s sports and entertainment sectors.

Beyond sports, Stanbic IBTC remains steadfast in its commitment to initiatives that enhance the socio-economic well-being of the communities it serves. Through efforts like this, the organisation aims to inspire excellence, strengthen social bonds, and foster sustainable development.