Sports
Rugby: Azeez Ladipo and Angulu Clinch NRF Technical Posts, Target Game’s Growth
By Joel Ajayi
The Nigeria Rugby Federation (NRF) has welcomed new board members as Azeez Ladipo and Mr. Angulu Sulaiman emerged victorious in the just-concluded elections held on Friday at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
In a transparent and peaceful exercise, Ladipo was elected as Athletes’ Representative with 16 votes, while Sulaiman clinched the position of Technical Representative with an emphatic 28–1 win after his opponent, Ntiesse Williams, stepped down before voting began.
Sulaiman, dedicating his victory to the wider rugby family, pledged to elevate the game and enhance the role of coaches across the country. “This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to all stakeholders, coaches, and board members. Even my opponent is my mentor in rugby, and his decision to step down shows the family spirit we share,” he said. “My mission is to elevate rugby in Nigeria and strengthen the position of coaches in particular.”
On his part, Ladipo vowed to make player welfare his top priority while also focusing on long-term structures to develop young talents. He emphasized the need for insurance, medical support, concussion management, and proper bonuses for players representing Nigeria, alongside the establishment of age-grade pathways and regional competitions to build the future of the sport.
Supervising the election, NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are commended the harmony and unity on display, describing it as a good omen for the game. He reaffirmed the federation’s focus on grassroots development through schools, the second phase of the Rugby Rising initiative, and increased female participation.
With both Ladipo and Sulaiman joining the board, the NRF has signaled a renewed drive to promote welfare, deepen grassroots structures, and position Nigerian rugby for continental competitiveness.
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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