Sports
3 Weeks to Go: FIRS, BOI, LEDCO, Others Partner with NSC for African Junior Athletics Championships
By Joel Ajayi
With just three weeks to go, preparations are in full swing for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, set to take place from July 16–20, 2025, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
As anticipation builds for the continental youth event, top corporate organizations — including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Bank of Industry (BOI), and LEDCO Limited — have joined forces with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to ensure a successful tournament.
The partnerships underscore growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s emerging sports economy.
The upcoming championships align closely with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative for the Nigerian Sports Economy (RHINSE) — a transformative policy designed to position sports as a key contributor to national GDP, job creation, youth empowerment, and international competitiveness.
Through RHINSE, the Federal Government is opening the sports sector to private investment and innovation, actively encouraging public-private partnerships to unlock its vast economic potential.
“This is not just a competition; it’s a strategic platform,” said Hon. Bukola Olopade, Director General of the NSC and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee. “Under RHINSE, we are building a future where sports drive economic growth, create jobs, and put Nigeria on the global map.”
More than 50 African nations are expected to participate in the five-day tournament, with contingents scheduled to arrive as early as July 12.
Beyond showcasing athletic talent, the 2025 African U18/U20 Championships will serve as a celebration of youth, leadership, and Nigeria’s rising profile as a hub for international sporting excellence.
Sports
LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Salifu Usman Receives SWAN Fellowship In Recognition Of Sports Development Efforts
Salifu Abubakar Usman, Group Sports Editor of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, has been honoured with the Fellow of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) award, in recognition of his exceptional support for the association, professional journalism, and his significant contributions to sports development in Nigeria.
The esteemed accolade was presented during SWAN’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, held in Abuja, marking 60 years of excellence in sports journalism across the nation.
Upon receiving the award, Salifu expressed profound gratitude, describing the honour as a source of inspiration and renewed motivation to further his lifelong dedication to sports reporting, promotion, and growth.
“This award gives me hope and motivation to do more. It’s a source of inspiration for me and my family, and I believe it will encourage me further in sports reporting and sports development in Nigeria,” he stated.
Salifu highlighted that this recognition serves as a morale boost following decades of hard work and impactful contributions within Nigeria’s sports community and beyond.
The SWAN Diamond Jubilee Celebration attracted prominent figures from sports administration, the media, and government sectors to celebrate individuals and organisations whose efforts have significantly advanced sports development and journalism in Nigeria.
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