Uncategorized

Mark ‘D’ Basketball Tournament Will Be Back Soon-Mark

Published

2 years ago

November 18, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The initiator and founder of Mark ‘D’ Basketball Championship, Igoche Mark, has assured that the much-anticipated tournament is set to return in Abuja soon with a bang.

Mark said this during the 2023 Sam Oguche/Bullet Energy Drink Invitational tournament’s final at the Mo Arena in Abuja on Friday said that the championship Mark ‘D’ Ball Basketball Championship, which had helped to resurrect the moribund domestic basketball in the country, took a short break due to some circumstances beyond the control of the organizers.

He promised that the next edition of the basketball tournament would be the best ever, adding that plans were ongoing to ensure that it surpassed the previous tournaments.

The plans, he said, included improving the quality of the tournament, the venue, and welfare of players, coaches, and officials, the number of participating teams as well and the competition’s prize money.

“Let me use this medium to inform all stakeholders that the next edition of the Mark ‘D’ Ball Basketball Championship will become a reference point in Africa.

“We are currently working on using a new basketball arena for the championship, which was one of the reasons for the break.

“But by the grace of God, we are excited that we have one now as the Mo Arena just opened.

“So, we are in discussion with the owner as we intend to use this magnificent facility for our next tournament,” he said.

He restated his commitment towards the growth and development of grassroots basketball in the country.

He stressed that his love for the game was undying, adding that he would continue to support the discovery and development of young talents across the country.

“The Mark ‘D’ Ball brand and its affiliations have contributed so much to the game of basketball in the country and will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of basketball at the grassroots.

“Our little impact in the game of basketball last year was as a result of a partnership with stakeholders; players, coaches among others, and we will continue to contribute our own little quota,” he said.

Mark also commended Oguche for his consistent contribution towards the development of basketball at the grassroots.

He said the zest and commitment that the former Nigeria basketball international has shown towards giving back through basketball was a virtue others must emulate.

“This is very impressive. I think this is about his second or third tournament this year and they have been improving each time.

“I am also excited about the discovery and development of the young talents in the competition over the years.

“We need more of such tournaments right now so that the players can come out and showcase their talents and that will also help them improve their game.”

Share on Facebook

Uncategorized

UniAbuja Awards PhD To Former Lawmaker, 3 Others

Published

15 mins ago

November 6, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Former Akwa Ibom State lawmaker Hon. Patrick Nathan Ifon, alongside three others, was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Governance and Leadership on Tuesday at the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) at Yakubu Gowon University, formerly known as the University of Abuja.

According to the external examiner, Professor Chika Oguonu from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, the academic achievements were conferred after the candidates successfully fulfilled all requirements, including defending their theses on November 4, 2025, and pending approval of the University’s Senate.

Other recipients of the Doctoral degrees in Public Governance and Leadership include Obichi Godwin Obiajunwa, Ibiam Okechukwu Owora and Mohammed Hadi.

After the event, the Centre’s Director, Professor Philip Dahida, commended the external examiner for her professionalism, knowledge transfer, and commitment to evaluating the candidates’ work.

He charged all graduates to heed the advice of both external and internal examiners, while emphasising the need for them to put what they have learnt into practice in the wider society.

In his remarks, Hon. Patrick Ifon, who hitherto represented Eket/Onna/Esit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, lauded the institution for enhancing his capacity and vowed to impact his environment positively with the acquired knowledge.

Speaking on his thesis, which dwelt on the media in Nigeria and issues around agenda setting, the former lawmaker decried the challenges affecting media personnel from delivering on their mandate as watchdogs of the government.

He called on the government to collaborate with the Nigerian media and see them as partners rather than enemies. Adding that the government must invest in training and retraining of media persons to encourage balanced reportage. While urging members of the Nigerian media industry to maintain high ethical standards.

“The media is supposed to be like the gatekeepers in society, and is supposed to be keeping the government on its toes, but if the problems that militate against the media for a long time remain, then certainly it will not be able to function.

“The military must be transparent with the media and vice versa. they must relate in a way that makes them better professionals.

“My advice will be that the government should see the media as partners in progress, and once that is done, then it will be easier for them to deal with the media in a very transparent way and give them information,” Ifon stated.

The Abuja Leadership Centre is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership in Nigeria and beyond.

Share on Facebook