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FG to Prioritize Entertainment, Culture in Sports Development- Enoh
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
News
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected ISWAP/JAS logistics supplier and intercepted a large quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) concealed in a tricycle in Borno State.
Security sources said the suspect was apprehended at about 9:10 a.m. on April 21 by troops of 159 Battalion at a checkpoint within Sector 2 Area of Responsibility.

The suspect was reportedly conveying PMS concealed in 15 sacks, disguised with bags of sachet water in an attempt to evade detection.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the consignment was being transported to Kanama town and neighbouring communities around Dikwa and Bultuwa, areas believed to be within terrorist influence.
Items recovered from the suspect include a mobile phone and the sum of ₦34,950.
The sources said the suspect and recovered exhibits are in military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
They added that the interception forms part of ongoing operations aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics networks and denying them access to critical supplies across the North-East theatre.
Troops Intercept Suspected Terrorist Logistics Supplier, Seize PMS in Borno
News
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have repelled a Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist infiltration into Kanama town, neutralising four insurgents during a swift response operation in Borno State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 6:00 p.m. on April 22 when troops of 159 Battalion, deployed in Kanama, responded to sounds of gunfire within the town.

On arrival, the troops reportedly discovered that terrorists had infiltrated parts of the community.
The troops immediately made contact and engaged the attackers with disciplined fire, forcing them to retreat in disarray.
Subsequent exploitation of the general area led to the neutralisation of four terrorists.
One member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) sustained injuries during the encounter and has been evacuated for medical attention.

No military equipment was lost during the operation.
Items recovered from the terrorists include two torchlight mobile phones and the sum of ₦21,000.
Security sources said the general situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and fighting efficiency remain high.
Troops Repel Terrorist Infiltration in Kanama, Neutralise Four Insurgents
News
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
By: Michael Mike
A high-level United Kingdom trade mission on education and skills has concluded a week-long skills and schools trade mission to Nigeria, laying a solid foundation for expanded collaboration in education and workforce development between both countries.
The mission, which ran from April 19 to 23 in Abuja and Lagos, brought together leading UK private schools, skills providers and education institutions with Nigerian stakeholders, including policymakers, investors and school operators.
Organised by the UK Department for Business and Trade, the engagement is part of the UK’s broader International Education Strategy, which identifies Nigeria as one of five priority markets for global education partnerships. The initiative is being championed by Steve Smith, who is expected to return to Nigeria later this year to sustain momentum.
The mission builds on diplomatic and educational engagements during a recent state visit to the United Kingdom in March, further reinforcing the growing importance of education within UK–Nigeria bilateral relations.

At the heart of discussions was the expansion of in-country delivery of British education, including the establishment of internationally recognised UK schools in Nigeria, as well as the development of industry-aligned skills programmes, particularly in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
In Abuja, the delegation held high-level talks with Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, securing strong political backing for deeper institutional cooperation. Both sides explored pathways for partnerships that would strengthen Nigeria’s education system while equipping young people with skills tailored to labour market demands.
The delegation also visited several British curriculum schools and colleges in Abuja and Lagos, gaining first-hand insight into teaching standards and operational models already in place within Nigeria.
Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, highlighted education as a key pillar of bilateral engagement.
“The UK and Nigeria share a deep and longstanding relationship, and opportunities in education are one of its most exciting frontiers,” he said, noting that the mission demonstrated “strong appetite on both sides to deepen collaboration.”
He added that connecting UK institutions with Nigerian partners would help build sustainable, in-country education systems, while positioning Nigeria as a regional hub for high-quality learning.
Also reflecting on the mission, Sarah Chidgey described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the UK’s education strategy in action.
According to her, progress in UK–Nigeria education collaboration has grown steadily since her first visit in 2022, with the current mission reinforcing mutual commitment to expanding access, quality, and innovation in the sector.
The delegation included representatives from prominent UK institutions such as Harrow International School, The King’s School Canterbury, Whitgift School, Bedford School, and Pearson, among others.
The mission concluded with a robust pipeline of follow-up activities, including one-on-one engagements, memorandum of understanding (MoU) discussions, and agreed next steps aimed at translating dialogue into tangible partnerships.
Analysts say the initiative signals a shift toward more structured and commercially viable education cooperation between both countries, with potential benefits spanning student mobility, local capacity building, and skills development aligned to Nigeria’s economic priorities.
With sustained engagement expected in the months ahead, stakeholders believe the mission could mark a turning point in positioning Nigeria as a major destination for international education investment in Africa.
UK–Nigeria Trade Mission Deepens Education, Skills Partnership
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