Sports

CDS Musa seeks collaboration with NIS to enhance military coaches, athletes

Published

4 months ago

July 4, 2025

The Gleamer

… Says, Sports is an engine room to fight insecurity

… Sports can open doors for the Nation economic…. Shaibu

Joel Ajayi

The Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Gen. Christopher Musa has expressed the military readiness to partner with the National Institute for sports in the training and retraining of its coaches and athletes for ultimate performance.

The CDS also called on all stakeholders in sports to revived all grassroots sports across the States saying that sports remains an engine room to fight insecurity.

Gen. Christopher Musa who said he still remain a member of the Edo State Handball Association stressed that Nigeria is blessed with talents said, “once we engaged the youths, there will be no crime. In Nigeria, we are bless with talents. I can assured you of the military readiness to collaborate and partner with national Institute for sports in training and retraining of our coaches and athletes . Am an advocate of catch them young. We will give you the needed support in this direction”, he said.

Earlier, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute for Sports, Comrade Philip Shaibu said that the institution management visited the CDS to seek for collaboration and partnership with the military and also to introduce themselves to the CDS.

The former deputy governor of Edo State stressed the need for individual, government and cooperate bodies to invest in sports adding that, “sports can deal with all aspects of the economic.

“Funny enough Sir, NIS was established 50years ago, but can I tell you that the institution only breakground for 5 years. Since then , NIS has been in the limbo.

“NIS is a training institution. It has the capacity to train all management of the sports eco-system, is our responsibility. Looking at the military structure in terms of sports, we will have no choice but to visit and seek for collaboration and partnership.

While lamenting the death of state League across the country, Comrade Philip Shaibu, the DG/CEO of National Institute for Sports therefore advocated for the return of the league pointing out that the league can employ thousands of young Nigerians , thereby reducing the rate of crime.

The DG /CEO NIS who also briefed the CDS of the core mandate of the institute, said he is ready to work along with the renewed hope agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu in ensuring the certificate of the institution is well recognized here in Nigeria and globally.

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Sports

PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label

Published

2 days ago

October 29, 2025

The Gleamer

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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