Sports
Onikeku Promises Bigger, Better Second Phase of CGC Volleyball Premier League
By Joel Ajayi
As the curtain fell on the first stanza of the 2025 Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League in Abuja, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) assured fans and players of an even more exciting and competitive second phase.
The prestigious competition, now a highlight on Nigeria’s volleyball calendar, features 24 teams—12 men’s and 12 women’s—battling for supremacy. At the end of the first phase, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) team emerged leaders in the men’s category, while Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) dominated the women’s division, crowned halfway champions after winning all their matches.
The decisive second phase will once again hold in Abuja from November 29 to December 10, when the overall champions will be officially crowned. Beyond the grand prizes at stake, the CGC has demonstrated strong commitment to the league, investing ₦24 million as subsidies in the first phase, with the same support guaranteed for the finale.
Speaking after the closing of first Phase in Abuja, NCS Director of Sports, Samuel Onikeku—representing the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi—promised an improved final stage.
“We are committed to delivering a better and more competitive second phase,” Onikeku assured, stressing that the Customs leadership remains determined to strengthen volleyball and promote sports development across Nigeria.
Reflecting on the first phase, Onikeku expressed satisfaction with the performance of the female team, which played 11 matches and won all. He noted that reorganization and strategic trials held two months ago helped the squad overcome earlier challenges.
On the men’s side, he described their second-place finish as a significant improvement compared to last year, while promising more work ahead. “Even though our women won all their games, we will still make improvements. The ultimate goal is to perform strongly at the continental club championship,” he said.
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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