Sports
Emmanuel Akpakwu MFR Congratulates Benue Born James Nnaji on NBA Draft Pick and Spanish League Victory
Urges him to channel the spirit of Naija and the strength of Benue
Republic of Phillipines Consul to Nigeria and youth advocate, Emmanuel Akpakwu MFR has congratulated James Nnaji for being drafted in round one by the Boston Celtics during the NBA Draft event.
Akpakwu also felicitated with the rising star for winning the Spanish basketball league, with FC Barcelona, as his team defeated Real Madrid 93-82 points earlier this week.
In the early hours of Friday, Nnaji got picked by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Draft and he finally settled at Charlotte Hornets in a trade agreement.
Akpakwu said “we’re proud of James Nnaji, who is a shining light to the world and embodies the enterprising spirit of the Nigerian youth, as well as the strength of Benue people. We remain proud of his profund achievements and we know that the best phases of his career still lies ahead of him. We wish him the best in this next stage”
Borned in Makurdi, Benue state, Nnaji picked up basketball as a teenager in the middle belt state and has continue his meteoric rise to stardom, from Makurdi, to Hungary, to Spain and now the NBA, in the USA.
Sports
Kukkiwon President Hails Popoola’s Impact on Nigerian Taekwondo, NTF Boss Celebrates One Year of Progress
The President of the Taekwondo Federation of Nigeria, Grand Master Tayo Popoola has received a letter of commendation from the president of Kukkiwon, Yun Ung- Suk, for her outstanding contribution to the development of the sport.
Grand Master Popoola was hailed for her consistent drive improving the game within a short time of her stewardship in the NTF and the dissemination of Taekwondo activities in Nigeria to the global space.
The commendation letter dated October 25, 2026, was personally signed by Kukkiwon President, Ung-Suk.
Popoola said the commendation came to her as a pleasant surprise.
“I did not see that coming but It is a good one not only for me but the entire federation. I did not do it alone and it is also a challenge to do much more in the days, weeks and months ahead. I thank all the board members and I am optimistic that we will do more for the athletes,” Popoola said.
Incidentally, it is just about one year in office for Grand Master Popoola who has recorded a string of successes in the federation including the National Open Trials in Abeokuta, the Africa Taekwondo Championship 2026 in Bamako Mali where Nigeria won several Medals, the first ever Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele National Taekwondo Championship which took place last month in Lagos and the recently held Korean Ambassador Cup in Abuja which also had in attendance the World Kukkiwon Demonstration team.
The demonstration team dazzled fans in Abuja with spectacular display only last weekend just as the para-athletes in taekwondo were duly classified by experts from the world body in preparation for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.
“I want to thank the National Sports Commission for the support given to me and the entire NTF. Things can only get better,” Popoola stressed.
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