Sports

NLO: Hon. Ekene splashes N20-million on 8 Kaduna Teams

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2024

The House Committee Chairman on Sports, Federal House of Representatives, and Member, representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency, Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams has donated N20-Million naira to Kaduna teams ahead of the Nationwide League One, (NLO) competition slated for next month across various centers in the country.

The Lawmaker who announced the donation during a media parley with members of the Sport’s Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Kaduna state chapter amongst other sport stakeholders on Friday, at the popular Ahmadu Bello Stadium, (ABS) Kaduna said he desired good things for sport in Kaduna state.

Eight teams that qualified from the Division One to the Professional cadre at the end of every season are expected to slug it out in the championship play-off to determine the overall winner for the NLO season.

Speaking in Kaduna on Friday on the need for the various teams to put up their best in the competition, the Honourable Member said the donation is for logistics of the eight teams who qualified for the game, adding that when the teams are motivated, they will showcase their potentials to the fullest.

“We will do everything humanly possible to support the teams in other for them to do well in the forthcoming game. For that reason I am supporting the eight teams with the sum of N20-million naira for their logistics.

“I desire good thing for sport in Kaduna state we have 8 teams that are competing in the NLO, and as the House Committee Chairman on Sports, from Kaduna state here, I want the team to do very well to the best of their abilities.

“Under my administration, we are trying to do everything differently as a seasoned Administrator. I have played, I have managed and I can say that I have risen to the peak of my career in sport. We are now the one in government so if the previous government was doing anything wrong, we are to correct those mistakes and carry everyone along.” He said.

In his response, the Chairman Football Association, (FA) Kaduna state Mr. Faiza Mohammed Abdullahi, said that since the Lawmaker assumed office, they have been able to record a significant giant Strides.

He added that some of the steps that they have taken so far would take a little time to materialized, meanwhile he revealed that there was a disconnect from the previous government but since the coming of Hon. Ekene he has been able to sit down with Governor Uba Sani twice on the need to revitalize sporting activities in the state.

Also, the National President, Sport’s Writers Association of Nigeria, (SWAN) Comrade Isaiah Benjamin, (JP) appreciated the Hon. Member for his efforts and determination to see that sport thrive in the state and the country at large.

He urged members and well meaning Nigerians to prioritize the Lawmaker in their prayers so that God can give him the courage and the enablement to match action with his words even as he said that governance requires the contribution of all and sundry.

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Sports

NSC DG, Olopade Celebrates Nigeria at 66, Assures of More Progressive Sports Development Under President Tinubu

Published

20 hours ago

October 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has congratulated Nigerians as the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, describing the milestone as a reflection of Nigeria’s resilience, unity and remarkable capacity to excel on the global stage, particularly through sports.

Hon. Olopade said Nigeria at 66 is an occasion every Nigerian should be proud of, noting that despite the challenges encountered over the years, the country has continued to make significant progress and produce achievements capable of inspiring generations.

The DG said the sports sector has particular reasons to celebrate, pointing to a series of performances and milestones by Nigerian athletes and teams across the global sporting landscape.

“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our people, the strength of our unity and our belief in the promise of our great country, especially through sports.

“As we raise our flag with pride, may we remain committed to building a nation where every Nigerian has the opportunity to dream, thrive and succeed.”

Hon. Olopade said the progress being witnessed in Nigerian sports aligns with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigeria Sports Development (RHINSE), which he said is focused on creating a stronger and more sustainable pathway for athletes, while positioning sports as a tool for national development, youth empowerment and global recognition.

He pointed to Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as one of the latest examples of the country’s sporting potential. Team Nigeria returned from Glasgow with 24 medals, comprising 10 gold, seven silver and seven bronze, finishing seventh overall and as the highest-ranked African nation at the Games. The campaign also produced three world records and a number of historic milestones across para powerlifting, athletics, weightlifting, para athletics and judo.

Among the standout performances was that of Team Nigeria captain Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who won gold in para powerlifting and twice broke the world record during the competition, ultimately lifting 175kg. Goodness Nwachukwu also successfully defended her Commonwealth title in the women’s para discus and set a new world record, while Nigeria recorded historic Commonwealth gold medals through Samuel Ogazi in the men’s 400m, Ezekiel Nathaniel in the men’s 400m hurdles and Chukwuebuka Enekwechi in the men’s shot put.

“Today, Nigeria is a global force in para-sports, and athletes such as Folashade Oluwafemiayo and Goodness Nwachukwu continue to demonstrate the extraordinary talent and determination that exist within our country,” Hon. Olopade said.

He also celebrated the continued dominance of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s senior women’s basketball team, which in 2025 became the first nation to win five consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket titles after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final in Abidjan in the last edition. The achievement extended Nigeria’s unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games and secured qualification for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup pathway.

On the global athletics scene, Hon. Olopade highlighted the continued excellence of Tobi Amusan and the emergence of a new generation of Nigerian sprinters. Amusan won silver in the women’s 100m hurdles at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September 2026, clocking 12.34 seconds in the final, while Kayinsola Ajayi added another significant milestone by winning Commonwealth bronze in the men’s 100m and helping Nigeria to bronze in the men’s 4x100m relay in Glasgow.

Nigeria’s football heritage, Hon. Olopade noted, remains another major source of national pride. The country holds the record for the most FIFA U-17 World Cup titles, with five championships won by the Golden Eaglets in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

He also pointed to the country’s growing influence in emerging sports, including flag football. Nigeria made history by winning both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural IFAF Africa Flag Football Championship in Cairo in 2025, earning qualification for the 2026 IFAF Flag Football World Championships ahead of the sport’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028.

“These achievements across athletics, para-sports, basketball, football, weightlifting, flag football and other sports remind us that Nigeria possesses immense sporting talent,” the DG said.

“From our champions who continue to break world records to our young athletes who are announcing themselves on the international stage, the Nigerian flag continues to fly with pride around the world. This is why the development of sports must remain a national priority. Our responsibility is not only to celebrate champions after they emerge, but to build the systems, facilities, competitions and opportunities that allow more young Nigerians to become champions.”

“As we celebrate 66 years of our independence, we celebrate Nigeria’s past, but we must also look confidently toward the future. Our athletes have shown us what is possible when talent meets opportunity, preparation and support. The task before us is to ensure that more Nigerians have that opportunity,” the DG added.

“On behalf of the National Sports Commission, I wish all Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary. May our great nation continue to grow in strength, unity, prosperity and sporting excellence,” Hon. Olopade concluded.

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