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FG to Prioritize Entertainment, Culture in Sports Development- Enoh

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FG to Prioritize Entertainment, Culture in Sports Development- Enoh

Dabiri-Erewa Insists Sports Development Would Go A Long Way With Involvement of Diasporas

By: Michael Mike

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh has said the federal government would place entertainment and culture at the front burner of sports growth in Nigeria.

This is even as the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa said Sports Development in Nigeria will go a long way if its Diaspora Component is fully harnessed and developed through knowledge-sharing, expertise, skills and investment in the Sector.

Speaking at the reception ceremony organised by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for the National Basketball Association (NBA) legends “Lisa Leslie and Chinenye Ogwumike” in Abuja on Tuesday evening, Enoh said: “It is not just about their talent but collaborating cultural exchange; sport sector will not have made significant improvement without combination of entertainment and culture of our people and I am here to promote that.”

The Minister said both legends are in Nigeria to provide invaluable guidance to reinforce cultural, social, political, and economic ties between U.S. and Africa, and promote trade, investment, and educational exchanges between the U.S., and Africa.

He said, “Beyond football we have several sports: What I am trying to do is balance that beyond football, we have other sports, this is not about football therefore, this is about basketball.

“I am glad this is happening now that the U.S. President considered this as best time to send Leslie and Chiney to three African countries, it is good Nigeria is listed among the three.

“In terms of the NBA and the Women’s NBA (WNBA), Nigeria performing talents have been incredible, notably in the increase of talents and their contribution.“

NBA, a professional basketball league in North-America is composed of 30-teams, as major sports league in the U.S. and Canada. It is considered the premier basketball league in the world.

Leslie and Chiney are members of the inaugural President Joe Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States.

Also speaking at the reception, the Chairman/CEO, of NiDCOM, commended Leslie and Chiney for their passion to grow sport talents in Africa, describing the likes of Leslie and Ogwumike as strategic and important for the advancement in sports development in Nigeria since they are embedded with skills and resources to groom home-grown talents as a way of volunteerism and giving back to Nigeria.

She noted that there will be lots of engagement with the duo to promote growth of sports talent not just in Nigeria, but Africa at large.

She said: “We believe as Africans you are diasporas, if we cannot make Africa the way it should be as a continent, the world will continue to look down on us as black people.

“So, it doesn’t matter where you are, let us do all we can for the beauty and benefit of this continent.

“We will continue to engage with you and we hope that the NBA Vice-President Africa, Gbemisola Abudu will do a lot more while here in Nigeria.”

On her part, Abudu said since the establishment of the Council in Nigeria in 2022, there have been no opportunities to have the NBA legends in the country.

The NBA vice-president said, “The fact both of you are here today is a big honour,” stating that: “in the history of the NBA we have had 120 players of Africa descent, more than 50 of those have been of Nigeria descent.

“In the history of WNBA, we have had 10- First/Second generation WNBA-players of Nigeria descent and this tells you the level of talent Nigeria has, not just from talent standpoint, but commercial standpoint.”

She said the organisation has since past 10-years reached 250,000 youths in Abuja through its Power-Point programme, adding that plans are underway to expand the programme.

For his part, Mr Tochukwu Ebere, Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, said as a nation of more than 200 million people, the legends were celebrated for their doggedness.

He noted that Nigerians have achieved remarkable feats in various fields of life, including science and technology, medicine, arts, American football among others.

Ebere said: “We celebrate you and salute your sports doggedness, you came you saw and you both conquered.

“Whenever women successes are ranked one thing remains sacrosanct, both of you are in there with the very best.”

Meanwhile, Amb. Samson Itegboje, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, extolled the NiDCOM boss for putting the event together to honour the legends.

He said: “Leslie and Chiney have not just achieved unparalleled success in their respective fields, but become beacons of inspiration to countless individuals globally.

“Their unwavering commitment to excellence, resilience in the face of challenges and dedication to making positive impact is now example for all of us.”

Chiney, 31-year old Nigerian-American, is a Stanford graduate, WNBA player and an NBA analyst for ESPN, the youngest female in the council.

Leslie, an American former professional basketball player currently head-coach for Triplets in the BIG3 professional basketball league is an early-star of WNBA and four-time Olympic gold medalist.

FG to Prioritize Entertainment, Culture in Sports Development- Enoh

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National Progressive Hub (NPH) Urges Support for President Tinubu’s Second Tenure

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National Progressive Hub (NPH) Urges Support for President Tinubu's Second Tenure

National Progressive Hub (NPH) Urges Support for President Tinubu’s Second Tenure

By Comrade Philip Ikodor

The National Progressive Hub (NPH), a leading support group for the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on all Nigerians to rally behind President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR for a successful second term in office come 2027.

In a statement, National Coordinator/Convener, Honorable Bukie Okangbe, praised the APC administration for its efforts towards nation-building and economic stability. Okangbe highlighted the NPH’s previous support for President Tinubu, including a National Security and Endorsement event in 2022 that contributed to the party’s successful general election outcome.

The NPH is gearing up for a Grand Endorsement event for President Tinubu’s second term, scheduled to hold on February 26th at the Musa Yaradua Center, CBD, Abuja. The event will also feature the inauguration of 36 state coordinators, including the FCT, and address critical national issues.

“We invite everyone to join us at this significant event,” Okangbe said. “Your presence will be a testament to our collective commitment to Nigeria’s progress and the APC’s vision for a better future.”

The event promises to be a landmark occasion, showcasing the NPH’s dedication to the APC and President Tinubu’s leadership.

National Progressive Hub (NPH) Urges Support for President Tinubu’s Second Tenure

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Borno: Zulum distributes farm tools, commissions school in Damasak

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Borno: Zulum distributes farm tools, commissions school in Damasak

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, on Sunday, distributed farm tools to farmers and commissioned a new high Islamic school in Damasak, headquarters of Mobbar Local Government Area.

Governor Zulum was accompanied by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

Zulum’s agricultural intervention aimed to boost dry-season farming and enhance the livelihoods of returnees who are gradually resettling in the community.

Zulum said, “From the beginning of this administration, dry season irrigation farming was adopted as a strategic component of the state’s food security framework. Recognising the limitations of rain-fed agriculture in the context of climate variability, insecurity, and population growth, the government implemented a dual-season production strategy to ensure year-round farming.”

He added, “Today’s distribution of 1,000 solar-powered water pumps and 200 complete tubewell drilling kits build upon earlier targeted interventions in Damasak and surrounding communities, including irrigation infrastructure development, mechanisation services, farmer-training, cooperative support, and security stabilisation measures.”

He stated, “The state remains aligned with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit and continues collaboration with relevant Federal Ministries and development partners to strengthen agricultural productivity, processing, and market integration.”

At the commissioning of the newly constructed high Islamic school, Zulum noted, “the commissioning of the Higher Islamic College, Damasak, represents a major milestone in the state government’s policy to expand and modernise sangaya education across Borno State. This intervention reflects our commitment to building an inclusive education system that integrates spiritual development with academic and vocational advancement.”

“All Higher Islamic Colleges operate under the approved curriculum of the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), enabling students to obtain O-Level equivalent certification and pursue further education where desired.”

In his remarks, the commissioner of education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, underscores Governor Zulum’s giant strides, stating, “this institution forms part of a wider education recovery and expansion programme implemented across Borno State. Under the leadership of His Excellency,”

“The state has constructed One Hundred and Four (104) Mega Schools, rehabilitated and remodelled One Thousand and Eighty-Seven (1,087) classrooms, executed major works in forty (40) additional schools, restored thirty (30) flood-affected schools, and delivered numerous classroom projects through the State Universal Basic Education Board.”

“These strategic investments have yielded measurable progress. The number of out-of-school children has declined significantly from approximately 2.2 million to fewer than Eight Hundred Thousand (800,000). Current enrolment for the 2025 academic year stands at One Million Four Hundred and Eighteen thousand two hundred and seventy-nine (1,418,279) learners, with further increases expected as Women Leader, Hajiya Fati Alkali Kakenna.

Borno: Zulum distributes farm tools, commissions school in Damasak

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Air-ground offensive foils Kukawa attack, destroys gun trucks

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Air-ground offensive foils Kukawa attack, destroys gun trucks

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops have thwarted a coordinated multi-pronged terrorist assault on positions in Kukawa after a prolonged overnight battle supported by air strikes.

Military sources said the attackers, mounted on gun trucks, motorcycles and on foot, launched the assault from multiple directions late on Feb. 20.

Troops mounted a determined defence, engaging the insurgents in intense combat that lasted into the early hours of Feb. 21 before forcing them to withdraw while dragging away casualties.

Air strikes later destroyed one gun truck and several motorcycles carrying fleeing fighters, neutralising additional terrorists.

During follow-up exploitation, troops recovered 13 AK-47 rifles, 16 loaded magazines, three handheld radios, and other items believed to have been used by the attackers, as well as evidence of casualties evacuated by the group.

One soldier was killed during the encounter, while some equipment was damaged by rocket fire. Injured personnel were evacuated and are reported to be in stable condition.

Military authorities said the coordinated operations demonstrated sustained pressure on insurgent elements and continued efforts to degrade their combat capability across the theatre.

Air-ground offensive foils Kukawa attack, destroys gun trucks

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