Senator representing Taraba South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, David Jimkuta, has denied allegations that he received N500 million earmarked for women’s empowerment programmes in the zone.

Jimkuta, through the Director-General of his campaign organisation, Garleya Gambo Suntai, described the allegation by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate for Taraba South, Dr Jessy Adi Ashimate, as false, baseless and misleading.

Suntai, in a statement on Monday, said neither the government nor any organisation had at any time handed Jimkuta N500 million for women’s empowerment.

Ashimate had, during the commencement of his campaign at the weekend, accused the senator of allegedly withholding N500 million allocated for the empowerment of women across southern Taraba.

According to the PDP candidate, N250 million was budgeted twice for the training and empowerment of women in the senatorial district through the senator.

“For the women in the southern zone, there was a budget of N250 million two times that was supposed to be used for your training through the senator. Was there any training?” Ashimate asked.

He further alleged that official records indicated that the project was ongoing despite what he described as the absence of the corresponding training programme.

Ashimate said he raised the issue to demand accountability over the management of public funds.

However, Suntai challenged the PDP candidate to produce evidence supporting his claim, including details of the alleged allocation and its disbursement.

“Everyone expected the PDP candidate for the southern senatorial district to come out and tell the people where the N500 million came from, when the money was released and his sources of information. He rather threw a vague allegation without substantiating it,” he said.

Defending Jimkuta’s record of empowerment initiatives in Taraba South, Suntai recalled that Ashimate had served as Commissioner for Finance in Taraba State and questioned his record of empowerment during his tenure in public service.

Nigerian striker Gift Orban delivered a sensational performance for Amed Sportif, scoring a hat-trick in their emphatic 5-0 victory over İstanbul Başakşehir in the Turkish Super Lig.

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Orban was at the heart of Amed Sport if’s dominant display, producing a clinical performance in front of goal to help his side secure a comprehensive victory.

Sports247 reports that the Nigerian forward’s three-goal haul earned him the Man of the Match award, further underlining his growing influence since making his move to Turkey.

The hat-trick also extends Orban’s remarkable recent run of form, with the striker now having scored six goals in his last five matches. His recent performances suggest that the confidence and sharpness that made him one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards are returning in emphatic fashion.

Interestingly, İstanbul Başakşehir is an opponent Orban has tormented before, with the Nigerian producing one of the most extraordinary hat-tricks in European club football history against the Turkish side.

On March 15, 2023, while representing Belgian side Genk, Orban scored three goals in just three minutes and 24 seconds against Başakşehir in the UEFA Europa Conference League.

That remarkable feat was recorded as the fastest hat-trick in European club competition history.

More than three years later, Orban once again found himself on the scoresheet three times against the same opponent, this time in the Turkish Super Lig, demonstrating his remarkable scoring record against the Istanbul-based club.

His latest performance will further boost his confidence as he continues to establish himself as a key attacking figure for Amed Sportif.

With six goals in his last five appearances and another hat-trick added to his growing collection, Orban appears to be rediscovering the ruthless finishing that previously attracted widespread attention across European football.

For Amed Sportif, the 5-0 triumph represents a statement victory, while for Orban, it was another reminder of the devastating goalscoring ability that can make him a nightmare for opposition defenses.

And against Başakşehir, the Nigerian has once again proven to be a particularly difficult opponent to contain.