Nigeria did not Apologize to Libya over Super Eagles detention fiasco – Foreign Affairs Minister

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian government has said it at no time offer an apology to the Libya government over actions or inactions of the country’s national team during the fiasco of the detention of the Super Eagles at an airport in the North African country’s airport.

The Nigerian government made the clarification on Wednesday after it was reported in a Libyan media that it gave an apology.

A statement signed by Alkasim Abdulkadir,
the Special Assistant on Media and Communication Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar read: “On October 15, 2024, the Libya Observer published an erroneous report to gain political leverage and cause disaffection amongst continental football administrators and fans.

“The publication by the Libya Observer, which misrepresents the phone correspondence between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the East-based Government’s Foreign Minister, is a clear case of misinformation. The fact of the matter was that the CDA of the Government of National Unity was summoned to the Ministry to seek an immediate end to the unfortunate incident. However, not much diplomatic headway was made during the meeting with the Acting Charge of Affairs, Imad Mohammed Matooq Aboud, as they insisted that it was not under the jurisdiction of Tripoli, which they represented, but that of the Eastern Government in Benghazi.
This prompted the Minister to take immediate action by contacting the Foreign Minister of the Eastern Government, Abdelhadi Lahweej, to intervene and ensure that the detention ended. After that, the aircraft was given the necessary permits to fly, and aviation fuel was accessed.
Both Ministers agreed that the matter should be de-escalated immediately. Even when Lahweej insisted on rehashing the untruth about the treatment of Libyan players in Nigeria, Amb. Tuggar once again corrected the misinformation about the mistreatment of Libyan players during the Nigerian encounter. He did not apologise or regret the treatment of Libyan officials and players because the account was inaccurate.

“Lahweej proposed a joint statement, which the Ministry rejected because it erroneously misrepresented the facts of the incident. Above all, the federal government of Nigeria only shares a diplomatic relationship with the government of the National Accord and not with the Eastern government.”

The statement emphasized that: “Nigeria remains unequivocal in expressing its displeasure and disappointment with how the Nigerian Football Federation officials were treated in Libya. It calls on the Confederation of African Football to urgently ensure that its Disciplinary Board investigates the matter and imposes appropriate sanctions based on its statutes.”

Nigeria did not Apologize to Libya over Super Eagles detention fiasco – Foreign Affairs Minister

Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention

By: Michael Mike

The Nigerian government has described the incident with the National team, the Super Eagles in Libya as a detention.

The government in a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Eche Abu-Obe said it received with dismay the news of the unfortunate detention of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials and the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Al Abraq International Airport several hours after arriving ahead of Tuesday’s 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya.

The statement said: “To resolve the incident, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, initiated a phone call to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Eastern Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Lahweej. This spawned a series of actions, culminating in steps taken to assuage the officials and reassure the players of their safety. Subsequently, the contingent departed for Nigeria.

“In ending the phone conversation, Amb. Tuggar commended the authorities’ actions in resolving the incident, and both Ministers appreciated the amicable resolution of the unfortunate situation in the spirit of African brotherhood.”

Nigerian Government Says Super Eagles Was Placed in Detention

France 24 Olympic: When Kida’s administration speaks again

By: Dr. James Bwala

Although the Nigeria women’s basketball team exited the Olympics after losing to the US, they left earning a new position in the rankings and with new records to keep their heads high in the world of basketball. The US defeated the Nigerian women’s basketball team 88-74 in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympic Games on Wednesday. But more accolades follow the Nigerian team as they vacate the Olympics, with D’Tigress coach Rena Wakama named the best basketball coach, and remarkably, Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu was named to the All-Second Team of Paris 2024 Women’s Basketball.

Nigeria became the first African team, men or women, to reach the knockout stage of an Olympic basketball tournament. The plucky Nigerian underdogs have been one of the feel-good stories of the Paris Games for their spirited, joyful play and boundless self-belief that have embodied the Olympic spirit. 

But an Olympic first is one thing; bringing an end to the US 58-match winning streak and run of seven consecutive gold medals would have been a contender for the biggest upset in sporting history. The Nigerians also would not be intimidated by the US and stood their ground at the finish when the Americans vented some frustrations with Kahleah Copper of the US swatting the ball at Ezinne Kalu after she drove in for a layup as the final second ticked off the clock.

The Nigeria women’s basketball team coach, D’Tigress, Rena Wakama, was announced the best basketball coach by 

the International Basketball Federation (FFIBA) on Sunday as the Paris Olympic Games came to an end. The recognition by FIBA is a testament to Wakama’s exceptional leadership and tactical prowess, which propelled Nigeria to unprecedented heights at the Olympic Games. 

At 32, Wakama masterminded an incredible Nigerian run, leading D’Tigress to become the first African country to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Her team’s remarkable journey was marked by unforgettable victories over world number 3 Australia and world number 5 Canada. Wakama’s coaching expertise and strategic brilliance were on full display as D’Tigress pushed the USA to the limit in the quarterfinals, ultimately bowing out after a gallant display.

The Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress, has become the first African team to ever qualify for the quarterfinals of the Olympic women’s basketball tournament. They achieved this feat in Paris, France, after defeating the #5-ranked Canada by a score of 79-70 in their last group game of the tournament. En route to the quarterfinals, they also pulled a major upset by defeating #3-ranked Australia. 

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While the world and indeed Nigeria continue to celebrate coach Rena Wakama and her team for this achievement as a landmark moment for Nigerian basketball and a proud milestone for African sports, we are equally celebrating Engr. Musa Kida (Oshun, 78-Set) for his foresight in unveiling the new face of administration for Nigeria’s basketball. These feats have been made possible by the stellar leadership of the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Engr. Musa Kida. 

Musa Kida, who remains the pride of his alma mater as captain of the school team, keeps the line of the donging game and takes position on the professional pitch, as well as pursuing his engineering calling to become an accomplished oil and gas professional. He rose to the exiled position of Deputy Managing Director of Total E & P, and since retiring from Total, he has been at the forefront of repositioning Nigerian basketball.

His achievements and records in the NBA keep speaking for themselves. Today, Rena Wakama is one of the products of his strategic administration. 

Dr. James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

France 24 Olympic: When Kida’s administration speaks again