Sports

SOHO24 Foundation Champions Greater Investment in Girl-Child Through Sports, Education

Published

1 week ago

September 22, 2026

‘Every Girl Deserves a Future’ — Christy Opara

By Joel Ajayi

Nigerian Olympian and Chief Executive Officer of SOHO24 Foundation, Ambassador Christy Opara MON, has called for greater investment in the education, protection, rights and sporting development of the girl-child, stressing that sports and education remain powerful tools for empowerment, confidence-building and leadership development.

Opara made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the foundation’s 2026 commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, organised with the support of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), among other partners.

The programme, themed “Empowerment of the Girl-Child Through Sports Development, Education and Performance,” is scheduled to hold on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the SOHO24 Foundation Sports Park in Abuja, ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child observed annually on October 11.

Opara said the initiative was designed to go beyond the celebration of girls by creating practical opportunities for them to acquire knowledge, discover their talents, participate in sports, develop confidence and prepare for leadership.

She stressed that every girl should have access to quality education, protection, mentorship, sporting opportunities and the freedom to pursue her aspirations.

According to the Olympian, sports provide an effective platform for developing qualities that are essential for personal and leadership growth.

“Sports teach discipline, build confidence, develop leadership, promote teamwork and teach resilience,” she said.

Opara noted that participation in sports could help young girls discover their abilities, overcome barriers and develop the confidence needed to contribute meaningfully to society.

She said the foundation’s initiative was also in line with the broader objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly quality education, gender equality and the reduction of inequalities.

The SOHO24 Foundation CEO called for collective action to address challenges affecting the girl-child, including child marriage, lack of access to education, inadequate opportunities and other forms of vulnerability.

She said government, parents, schools, communities, traditional and religious leaders, corporate organisations and the media must work together to create an environment where girls can thrive.

Opara emphasised that investment in girls was an investment in the future of the country.

“When we invest in a girl’s education, we invest in knowledge. When we invest in her talent, we invest in possibility. When we invest in her confidence, we invest in leadership,” she said.

She also urged the media to use their platforms to amplify the voices, achievements and aspirations of young girls, saying greater visibility could inspire more girls to pursue their dreams.

The Olympian announced the ICPC and NCWS as new institutional partners of the foundation, noting that their participation would further strengthen the programme’s focus on protection, empowerment and development of the girl-child.

She said the 2026 edition would build on the foundation established during last year’s programme, while expanding its focus to sports, education, mentorship, performance development and community engagement.

“As an Olympian, mother, performance coach and founder of SOHO24 Foundation, I understand the transformative power of opportunity,” Opara said.

She added that her goal was to ensure that every girl participating in the programme leaves with greater confidence, stronger skills, positive experiences and a renewed belief in her potential.

Opara therefore urged stakeholders to move beyond awareness campaigns and celebrations to concrete measures that would protect girls, expand opportunities and empower them to become productive members of society.

Her message, she said, remained simple: “Every girl deserves a future, every girl deserves an opportunity, every girl deserves protection, every girl deserves education and every girl deserves a voice.”

In her vote of thanks, SOHO24 General Manager, Grace Opara, expressed optimism that the programmes lined up by the foundation would achieve their objectives.

She thanked the partners, stakeholders and participants for their support and expressed confidence that sustained collaboration, commitment and dedication would ensure the success of the programmes and enable the foundation to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young girls.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

8 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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