News
LGAN Seeks Culture Ministry Partnership for 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy to Drive Tourism
Joel Ajayi
The Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria has proposed a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to co-host the 2026 All-Africa Challenge Trophy in Abuja.
Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, FNIM, President of LGAN and Chairperson of the AACT 2026 Local Organising Committee, made the proposal on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa in Abuja.
Under the proposed collaboration, the Ministry will serve as Cultural Night Partner, programme and curate the evening’s showcase of Nigerian arts, music, fashion and cuisine for African teams, diplomats, Ministers and global media.
The Ministry will also be requested to officially designate AACT 2026 as an Official Cultural Economy Event. LGAN further sought facilitation for the inclusion of the AACT 2026 Sports-to-Business Investment Pavilion in Nigeria’s creative economy presentation at the 4th Nigeria-Belgium-Luxembourg Business Forum in Brussels from 28th to 30th October 2026.
In her response, Minister Musawa promised to review the proposal and consider areas for collaboration.
“Golf is not just a sport. It is a community. It builds resilience, gives you a huge appreciation of nature, and from a mental health point of view, it is a sport that should be spread and encouraged for young Nigerians to embrace. This Cultural Night partnership falls squarely within the mandate of the Ministry. This is what we want to encourage,” she said.
The Minister added that hosting the championship from 2nd to 7th November 2026 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, will present an opportunity to expand Nigeria’s tourism narrative beyond Lagos.
“Abuja, being the capital of Nigeria, is a great opportunity for us to make that a staple for people to come in. We have to move that conversation away from Lagos to show what other parts of Nigeria have to offer. The local community is going to benefit as we leverage this opportunity in the FCT.”
Dr. Lami Onayi Ahmed, FNIM, President of LGAN and Chairperson of the AACT 2026 Local Organising Committee, said the proposed partnership will mark a defining moment for women’s golf and Nigeria’s creative economy.
“AACT 2026 is more than a tournament. It is Africa’s premier platform where sport meets culture, tourism and investment. By partnering with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, we are ensuring that the world sees the richness of Nigerian creativity while creating real opportunities for our youth, artisans and entrepreneurs. Abuja will host Africa, and Nigeria will show why we are the heart of the continent’s creative future.”
AACT 2026, sanctioned by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, is expected to attract over 30 African national delegations, diplomats, government representatives and international media to the FCT for seven days of sport, cultural exchange and business dialogue.
Foreign news
Algeria’s Glorious Revolution: Embassy Marks 72nd Anniversary in Abuja
Joel Ajayi
The Embassy of Algeria in Nigeria has commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the country’s Glorious Revolution of November 1, 1954, with a reception in Abuja, highlighting Algeria’s liberation struggle and strengthening diplomatic relations with Nigeria.
The event, held on November 9, 2026, at Continental Suites Hotel, attracted prominent personalities, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abbas, members of the Federal Government, senior government officials, heads of diplomatic missions and other friends of Algeria.
Speaking at the reception, Algeria’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Hocine Mezoued, welcomed guests and paid tribute to the country’s freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for independence.
He described the November 1, 1954 revolution as the foundation of modern Algeria, noting that the sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs made it possible for the country to reclaim its sovereignty.
On Algeria’s development agenda, Mezoued said President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s administration had continued to pursue economic reforms, diversification and national development under its New Algeria vision.
He noted that the country was recording progress in non-hydrocarbon exports, while improvements in the business environment had boosted investor confidence and attracted significant foreign investments.
On foreign policy, the ambassador reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to non-interference, respect for national sovereignty, peaceful conflict resolution and the right of peoples to self-determination.
Addressing security challenges in the Sahel, he stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military measures alone, insisting that economic development, inclusive dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes remained essential.
Turning to Nigeria-Algeria relations, Mezoued described the partnership as one founded on shared values and the commitment of both countries’ leaders to advancing African development.
He identified the Trans-Saharan Highway, Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline and Trans-Saharan Fibre Optic Backbone as major strategic projects receiving attention from both countries.
The ambassador also disclosed that Algeria had continued to provide scholarships to Nigerian students to strengthen human capital development and capacity building.
He further announced that Air Algérie expanded its Nigerian operations on October 26, 2026, with the introduction of two weekly flights to Lagos, expressing confidence that the service would boost trade and tourism.
Looking ahead, Mezoued said 2027 would offer fresh opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation, particularly through the fifth Joint High Bi-National Commission scheduled to hold in Abuja.
He expressed optimism that the meeting would provide an opportunity to assess existing partnerships, identify new areas of cooperation and move Nigeria-Algeria relations towards a more practical and results-driven phase.
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