Sports
Bidding To Host The 2027 AFCON Is Not Nigeria’s Priority Following Current Economic Hardship-Hon. Ekene Adam
Chairman House Committee on Sports Honourable Ekene Adams has shed more light on his position to oppose Nigeria’s bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup Of Nations.
The Kaduna State-born lawmaker said that as much as it is a good thing for a Country to be able to host Major Championships it is however not a current priority for a Nation like ours.
” We are not kicking against bidding for the Nations Cup but I am against the timing of such a step in relation to our current economic realities which every one of us is not ignorant of “
” As someone who has the fear of God, I can tell you for free that now that we are talking about hosting the Nations Cup, it has to do with building new facilities, and renovating stadiums but all of these things are only beneficiary to we the Stakeholders and Politicians to make more money”.
” I don’t think we mean well for the common man if this is our current priority as a Government.
” The common man can hardly feed three times a day with the effect of the subsidy and it will not be good to hide under the disguise of Sports and things like this to enrich ourselves at the expense of Nigerians”.
” For example, the palliatives the National Assembly approved for Nigerians to cushion the effect of the subsidy hardship have not gotten to Nigerians across the country and the only thing we the stakeholders are concerned about now is wanting to host the AFCON “.
” And after spending so much money to host this AFCON we will then leave the facilities dilapidated as usual and the lack of maintenance story will continue which another Government will come again to spend so much on and nothing meaningful would have changed”, he stressed.
As a lawmaker representing the People, I must also stress that I am an apostle of good change and will not support anything I know will not benefit the common man.
Nigeria and Benin are presenting a joint bid to host the 2027 AFCON and the Minister of Sports Senator John Enoh will be attending the CAF Executive meeting in Cairo, Egypt, for this purpose on Wednesday.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
Nigeria’s foremost Sports Company, Nilayo Sports Management Limited (NSML) has announced the second edition of the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon, set to light up Nigeria’s capital city on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
With the theme “Steady Strides,” this year’s race captures the measured rhythm and determined pace that define world-class long-distance running, a reflection of the steady progress and ambitious vision shaping the marathon’s evolution into a global platinum-labelled event.
In a historic milestone for Nigerian sports, the PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon has been officially awarded the prestigious World Athletics Label for its second edition, a distinction achieved in record time. This remarkable feat makes it the first marathon globally to earn the label so swiftly, underscoring both the organizational excellence of NSML and the dynamic rise of PremiumTrust Bank, currently celebrated as Nigeria’s fastest-growing commercial bank.
The 2025 edition is expected to attract elite international athletes, top local runners, and marathon enthusiasts from around the world, alongside officials from World Athletics who will oversee the competition.
Speaking on the announcement, Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, Yetunde Olopade, expressed excitement about the unique partnership with PremiumTrust Bank.
“This second edition is fundamentally unique because it represents the first-ever true super-partnership on such a dynamic sports property in our nation and arguably, globally. PremiumTrust Bank is not just a sponsor but the sole partner anchoring the establishment, organization, and consolidation of a global marathon in Nigeria’s capital city.
” We are proud and grateful for the bank’s visionary leadership, which not only recognized the immense potential of the first edition but is now single-handedly driving the race toward international acclaim.”
Managing Director of PremiumTrust Bank, Dr. Emmanuel Efe Emefienim (CON) emphasized the shared values underpinning the partnership.
“PremiumTrust Bank is built on the philosophy of rapid, impactful, and sustainable growth, and the theme of this year’s marathon perfectly reflects our operational ethos.”
“Attaining World Athletics Label status in just the second year validates that our investment is yielding world-class outcomes. We are deeply proud to be the sole partner building this monumental legacy, reinforcing our commitment to sports development, community wellbeing, excellence, and platforms where champions are made.”
The PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon 2025 promises to be a spectacular celebration of endurance, athleticism, and community spirit, further strengthening Abuja’s status on the global racing calendar.
Registration for participants is currently open as it promises to be another marathon spectacle on the 6th of December 2025.
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