Sports
NVBF Board Member Celebrates Rise of Women’s Volleyball
By Joel Ajayi
After 12 days of intense action at the 2025 CGC Volleyball Premier League, newly elected Board Member of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Chinedu Odozor-Onikeku, has applauded the steady rise of female volleyball in the country.
Speaking on Thursday during the final day of the championship at the indoor sports hall of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, Odozor-Onikeku expressed optimism about the future of the women’s game.
“We are doing well so far, and I believe we are gradually getting there, even though there is still more to be achieved. These experiences have shown the value of perseverance, and I am confident that things will continue to improve,” she said.
She further stressed the importance of creating opportunities for young girls within and outside Nigeria who are eager to contribute to the sport, noting that such support would not only boost volleyball but also uplift communities.
“What matters most is building a system that benefits both the players and the society at large. With consistent effort—through training, mentorship, and exposure—female volleyball in Nigeria will surely reach greater heights,” Odozor-Onikeku added.
This year’s Premier League featured a total of 24 teams—12 male and 12 female—competing for supremacy in what has become one of the highlights of Nigeria’s volleyball calendar. With increased investment and stronger commitment from stakeholders, the 2025 edition is already raising the bar and positioning volleyball as one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports.
Sports
PremiumTrust Bank Abuja City International Half Marathon Earns World Athletics Label
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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