The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Is Israel God’s country?

    Is Israel God’s country?

    A New Book, The Genius of Israel by Dan Senor, is attracting love from the west today. It tells the story of how a people, bordered by fiery foes and little natural resources, has become one of the great successes. The book touts Israeli cooperative ethos, its creative energy, its  historic blessedness across centuries. Today, it is second to the U.S, in top NASDAQ firms, second to the US in patents. Over 30 percent of Nobel prizes, especially in the Sciences are Jewish. Some tend to say it is because it is their destiny. It will remain an issue of debate, and some have canvassed it to justify Israeli savagery in Gaza.

    It is the leading nation in semi-conductors today, and people say, hail Israeli. When I was reporting technology in the US, I learned that the US gave billions of dollars every year in subventions to Israel. US supports Israel in many ways. It is a nation on welfare cheques. Some critics have said any nation can do so well with so much support. Today, America’s weapons and intelligence is helping Israel. Two issues. One, unlike those who rewrite the scriptures, Israel is not God’s favoured nation today.They don’t accept Christ. They even forbid their kids to marry Christians. God deals with individuals, not nations. Or shall we say, he deals with nations based on the aggregate righteousness of the people. “Work out your salvation,” says Paul, who also says he  is a Jew not outwardly, but inwardly. Hence, he urges all to circumcise the foreskin of the heart. Two, the Jews have transformed ages of persecution into material inspiration for success. It is culture, not destiny. Israel is not less endowed than Nigeria. We hate cohesion and one-ness of spirit the Jews advance. If our leaders work a united ethos and spirit, we can develop. The destiny is not some mystical fact but, as Jose Ortega Y Gasset assert, a factor of history.

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    The author eulogises Israel that mounts an ungodly system of apartheid with Christians, Arabs and others holed up in Gaza and West Bank without light, water, and basic infrastructure. I am no Hamas fan. The Arab nations need a Nasser to work out a Two-state solution. Even their Arab leaders have little imagination and vision to compel the world to a genuine two-state solution.

  • NPFL: Lobi Stars hold tight to top spot

    NPFL: Lobi Stars hold tight to top spot

    Lobi Stars held to the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League table following a battling 1-0 home win over Sporting Lagos.

    But Remo Stars won big at home against Gombe United while Shooting Stars, Enugu Rangers and Bendel Insurance all grabbed important away points among other results recorded in the Matchday Eight ties played across the country.

    Lobi Stars remained at the top of the table after a third successive win this term against Sporting Lagos at the Lafia Township Stadium, Lafia. Chinedu Sunday’s 29th  minute strike  proved to be the difference.

    The Pride of Benue tops  with 17 points while Sporting Lagos dropped to the ninth spot with 11 points.

    Elsewhere, Remo Stars recorded a four star performance to beat hapless Gombe United 4-0 at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne.

    A brace from Sikiru Alimi in the 27th  and 84th  minutes and a goal each from Franck Mawuena and Aniekeme Okon in the 33rd  and 58th  minutes helped catapult the Sky Blue Stars to the second spot with 15 points from seven games.

    At the Ondo Sports Complex, Akure Sunshine Stars dropped two points at home for the second time this season after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Enugu Rangers.

    Godwin Obaje shocked the Owena Whales with the opening goal in the fourth minute but Ibrahim Yusuf restored parity nine minutes later for the home team.

    Moses Omodumueke thought his goal has won the game when he put the home team ahead for the first time in the game in the 81st  minute but Emmanuel Jonas stabbed home the equaliser in the 90th  minute off a heavy deflection from Duke Osimaga.

    With the draw, Rangers are third on the table with 14 points from eight games while Sunshine Stars are in 13th  spot with nine points.

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    At the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium, Katsina, Mansoor Saleh’s 47th  minute strike was enough to hand them the three points against Rivers United while Kwara United needed a last ditch goal by Muhammed Alao before rescuing a point at the Kwara Sports Complex, Ilorin against Gbenga Ogunbote led Shooting Stars. Taofeek Malomo scored his third goal of the season when he shot the Oluyole Warriors ahead in the 44th  minute.

    Shooting Stars are fourth on the league table with 14 points while Kwara United are 14th  with nine points.

    At the New Jos Road Stadium, Plateau United bagged their fourth home him of the season after a 3-1 home win over Abia Warriors.

    All the game’s four goals were scored in the opening 27 minutes. Christopher Nwaeze, Barnabas Daniel and Jerry Ogu’s own goal in the fifth, ninth and 16th  minutes in that order put the Peace Boys the head up while Meme Okike’s 27th  minute effort was mainly a consolation goal.

    Due to the win, Plateau United moved to the fifth spot with 13 points while Abia Warriors slipped to the seventh spot with 12 points.

    Niger Tornadoes failed to win their home game for the second consecutive game after they were held to another goalless draw by Bendel Insurance. Insurance are now in the sixth spot with 12 points from seven games.

    Kano Pillars pipped Enyimba 1-0 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano through Abah Adams 71st  minute.

  • Ugandan Envoy applauds visiting Nigerian Golf and Tour Group

    Ugandan Envoy applauds visiting Nigerian Golf and Tour Group

    The Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Amb Nelson Ocheger, has commended the Nigerian Golf and Tour Group that  recently  went  on a golfing tour of Uganda.

    He made this commendation during the prize presentation ceremony at the end of the group’s  two-day golf tournament that began at the Serena Golf Course and ended at the Ugandan Golf Club in Kampala- which was established in 1908.

    He stressed that the much desired integration of Africa can best be achieved through  interactions amongst Africans  even as he encouraged Nigerians as well as Ugandans to identify areas of possible investments in both countries and get involved in defining both country’s collective socio-economic prosperity.

    Leader of the Group, Air Vice Marshal Clement Aroriode (Rtd), was full of praises  to the government  and Ugandans as  well as  leadership of  Ugandan Golfing Union including captains and their members for hosting  the Golf & Tour Group Nigeria.

    He applauded the Ugandan golfing community for the warm reception accorded the Group, adding the Nigerian  contingent had an exciting and memorable time visiting and playing in three different golf courses in Uganda.

    The Group’s experiences in Uganda Golf Club, Kampala established in 1908, Serena Golf & Country Resort and the Entebbe Golf Course which was established in 1901 and the oldest in the East African sub-region which can better be imagined than overtly expressed.

    The Deputy Leader Rear Admiral Goddy Ayankpele (Rtd),  in a vote of thanks, thanked the Captain of the Uganda Golf Club, Kampala for availing the Group the facilities of the club to host it’s tournament. He appreciated the leadership of the Group including the Coordinator, Maj Gen David Ahamdu (Rtd). He commended specially the Group’s International Coordinator, Maj Gen Adamu Jidda (Rtd) for his dedication, commitment and tireless efforts put in to ensuring the smooth conduct of the maiden edition of the Group’s international tour.

    Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion included Moses Matsiko-President Uganda Golf Union, Anthony Agaba-Hon Secretary, Uganda Golf Union, Anne Abeja-Immediate Past President Uganda Ladies Golf Union, Emmanuel Wamala-Captain Uganda Golf Club Kampala and Jovia N. Tugume-Lady Captain Entebbe Golf Club.

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    Prizes were presented at the occasion to members of the Golf and Tour Group Nigeria including Dr Ademola Makinde who emerged the overall Champion, Maj. Gen OW Ali (Rtd) Runner up Net, Mr Hassaan Mundu, First Runner Up Net, Maj Gen Habila Vintenaba (Rtd) 2nd Runner Up Net and Brig Gen Mustapha Onoyiveta (Rtd), won the Tournament’s Best Gross Trophy. Maj Gen Chukwuemeka Abraham (Rtd) won the Closest to the Pin and Brig Gen David Lubo (Rtd) won the Longest Drive.

    In a related development, the Group also participated in the Stanbic Entebbe Open sponsored by Stanbic Bank, Uganda. The Tournament which was played over  four days saw the Golf & Tour Group members participating in the amateur category. One of the Group’s members Maj Gen Godwin Umelo (Rtd) was the winner of the Category C event.

    The Golf and Tour Group Nigeria which is a non-governmental organization, non-partisan and non-profit making golfing entity was established in 2021. The main objective of the Group is to foster golfing unity and advance the game of golf in Nigeria.

    The Group also embarked  on humanitarian activities by reaching out to orphanages in the host communities during their tours.

    Members of the Golf and Tour Group Nigeria were in Uganda  between  29th  October and  5th  November and  has since returned to Nigeria with sweet memories of Uganda.

  • Leverkusen 4-0 Union Berlin

    Leverkusen 4-0 Union Berlin

     Tella celebrates Super Eagles call up with a banger

    Super Eagles’ newest player, Nathan Tella, celebrated his call-up by scoring his maiden Bundesliga goal in Leverkusen’s 4-0 win over Union Berlin.

    The Nigerian, according to Soccernet.ng,  joined Leverkusen in the summer from relegated Premier League side, Southampton, but has mostly played second fiddle to in-form Jonas Hoffmann.

    Union Berlin have been winless in the Bundesliga since September, and Alex Grimaldo made sure they’d be leaving the Bay Arena with no points.

    In the twenty-third minute, the Spanish full-back swung a stunner into the back of the net from outside the box to score the first of the evening.

    Victor Boniface and Florian Wirtz had opportunities to extend the lead for Xabi Alonso’s men but were denied by Union Berlin goalkeeper, Frederik Ronnow.

    Twelve minutes into the second half, a corner-kick from Hoffmann was met by Ivorian centre-back, Odilon Kossounou in the eighteen-yard box to double the lead for Die Werkself.

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    Grimaldo turned provider for the third goal, playing a corner which was met by one of the longest serving Leverkusen players, Jonathan Tah, making sure Union were demoralized and dispirited.

    With nine minutes to go, Tella was introduced, as he replaced Jonas Hoffmann. Two minutes later, he got on the scoresheet. A free kick from Union fell into the path of Wirtz who spread the ball to Tella.

    The 24-year-old winger started a counter-attack and fed the ball to Moroccan Amine Adli. Adli then played the ball in behind an outnumbered Union defence, finding Tella in space. The player had the chance to pick out Boniface or go for goal, but went with the former, and scored his first-ever Bundesliga goal.

    The addition of Tella to the already talented front line of the Super Eagles has come as good news for Nigerian football fans, at home and abroad.

  • Colombia 2024 Race: Falconets  held 1-1 in Dar es Salaam

    Colombia 2024 Race: Falconets  held 1-1 in Dar es Salaam

    Nigeria and Tanzania U20 girls battled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup African qualifying series second round fixture in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

    After a scoreless first period, substitute Chioma Olise put Nigeria in front three minutes before the hour mark at the Azam Sports Complex in Tanzania’s commercial and industrial capital.

    The home girls responded 13 minutes later when Asnath Ubamba fired home from a free kick, to which Nigeria’s goalkeeper Anderlin Mgebchi had no answer.

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    Both teams fought hard to establish superiority at the tail end of the encounter on the artificial turf, but the scoreline remained the same.

    The Falconets will return to Nigeria on Tuesday with high expectations to overpower the Tanzanians when both teams clash in the second leg on Sunday, 19th  November.

  • 4th CIO Classic: Willy pockets tour’s biggest cash prize 

    4th CIO Classic: Willy pockets tour’s biggest cash prize 

    Homeboy Gift Willy upstaged Nigeria’s number one golfer, Francis Epe,  three-day leader of the 4th  CIO Classic, to lift the prestigious title at the Python Golf Club in  Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Saturday.

    Willy put up a commanding performance despite the pressure, and the rain halted third-round, which piled up for a 27-hole nerve-wrecking closing day. He shot 68 to close the shut-out all contenders at eleven-under par, 277 (72, 68, 69, 68) after 72 holes.  “If you compete with a player like Francis Epe, you will almost be distracted by the talent at play,”  Willy said during  presentation ceremony.“ I came prepared and had my game plan for every round we played. My goal was to play bogey-free and pick all the birdie opportunities that presented itself.”

    The win fetched Gift Willy 4.4 million of the 22 million  Naira total purse available for the 35 players that made the final cut.

    Francis Epe settled for the runner-up position after closing out with 279 (66, 69, 73, 71), while Abubakar Mustapha placed third at the event with 282 (72, 73, 69, 68).

    Chief Executive of the sponsoring company, Keves Global Leasing Limited, Chief Ikenna Okafor,  applauded the brilliance and the high level of competition at the fourth edition.

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    He said:“We had seven countries at this edition, and they all represent the best from each of these sides. Our goal is to set this event as a platform for African players to come and showcase their talent at the professional level.”

    He said he was  very happy that Gift Willy won as he sees him as one player who has shown dedication to the game and has contributed a lot in making the CIO Classics itself reach the height it has gotten to.

    The CIO Classic teed off November 5th   with  kids event that involved the Junior members of the Python Golf Club.

    The caddies had their round on November 6 while the professionals took to the field on Wednesday for a 72-hole round that ended on Saturday.

    Amateur players, including gentlemen, ladies, and veterans rounded off the event on Sunday, November 12.

  • Ardova H’ball Premier League Niger United, Safety Babes set for second phase

    Ardova H’ball Premier League Niger United, Safety Babes set for second phase

    Leaders of the first stanza of the 2023 Ardova Handball League, Niger United of Minna and Safety Babes of Abuja will  return to court  tomorrow  to continue their quest for the top prize.

    The second phase of the league returns to Lagos after the first stanza took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, Edo State in July.

    The Indoor Sports Hall of the National Institute for Sports, National Stadium, and the main court at Rowe Park Sports Centre, in Yaba, will host the matches.

    A total of 22 teams made up of 10 female teams and 11 male teams are in contention for honours.

    Niger United will lock horns with Correction Boys of Abuja in the men second opening day match which throws off at 8:30am while, the female defending Champions, Safety Babes and counterparts, Benue Queens battle on Wednesday morning.

    According to the tournament fixtures for the second phase of the league, third place Rima Queens will take on Bayelsa Queens in the opening in female category, as D Defenders play against Confluence Stars of Lokoja.

    Other matches for the day are between Kano Pillars and Rima Striker while  Bendel Dynamos of Edo take on Lagos Seasiders at 10am in female category.

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    Speaking ahead of the tournament, the Technical Director of the Handball Federation Nigeria (HFN), Balla Mohammed was full of excitement, saying that the followers of the game have a lot to enjoy at the tournament.

    He said: “Handball in Nigeria has taken a new dimension in the country. There are underdog anymore so all the teams must be ready to give their best. All thanks to Ardova Plc for giving the HFN the opportunity to handball a very serious game in Nigeria.

    “For players and clubs thinking that can wangle their way to the top, it’s not going to business as usual this time.”

    President of the Handball Federation of Nigeria, Samuel Ocheho, urged the teams to abide with  the rules of the competition, begging players and officials to eschew violence.

    Other matches slated for the afternoon of the opening include; Defender Babes vs Safety Babes (female) while the host state team, Lagos Seasiders take on Benue Buffalos (men); Plateau Peacocks battle Imo Grasshoppers of Owerri as Bendel Dynamos contend with Police Machine, while Tojemarine test their might against Safety Shooters.

  • 2026 World Cup Race: Delegation of Crocodiles arrive today

    2026 World Cup Race: Delegation of Crocodiles arrive today

    The delegation of Lesotho’s senior men national team, known as Likuena (Crocodiles) for Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying series Day 1 encounter with the Super Eagles of Nigeria will arrive in Lagos tonight  aboard a Kenyan Airways flight.

    The delegation, according to  Thenff.com , will sleep over in Lagos, and then fly into Uyo on tomorrow’s  morning where players and officials will be accommodated at the Ibom Hotel and Resorts.

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    The match officials, including the contingent of Tunisian referees, are also expected to arrive in Uyo tomorrow  ahead of Thursday’s battle.

    Officials of the Super Eagles have already arrived in the Akwa Ibom State capital, with the players expected to start trooping into town on Monday.

  • Olivet Baptist, Fortress College dominate MTN Champs in Ibadan

    Olivet Baptist, Fortress College dominate MTN Champs in Ibadan

    With the conclusion of  a three-day  competition at the Lekan Salami Stadium and University of Ibadan Sports Complex respectively, winners of the five team trophies  have emerged at the MTN Schools Athletics Championships otherwise known as MTN Champs.

    Olivet Baptist emerged champions in the Girls’ Cadet (U-14) category with 51 points, finishing ahead of Oluyoro Grammar School and Queen of Apostles who bagged 42 points and 21 points respectively.

    Fortress College won the Cadet Boys’ trophy with 43 points, going nearly 20 points clear of St. Peter Catholic as the latter claimed 26 points in 2nd place. Keke Senior was 3rd with 24 points.

    Queen of Apostles amassed a total of 59 points to win the Youth (U-17) Girls’ trophy while Apata Ajele Community followed with 57 points, and Best Legacy International with 32 points.

    However, Best Legacy International scored 52 points to exert revenge and claim the Youth Boys title ahead of Brightville College and Apata Ajele Community who scored 38 points and 34 points respectively.

    In an interesting turn of events, No Sweat Athletics Club and Altivelis both scored 119 points to emerge joint Junior Champions. TI Oyesina Model was  third  with 110 points.

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    Best Legacy International’s Aishat Abiodun Muraina won the sprint double in the Cadet Girls’ class to emerge MVP, while Olamilekan Oladapo of Asegun Comprehensive was named the Cadet Boys MVP after storming to victory in the 100m.

    Mariam Jegede of Lanreleke Sports Academy who won the Youth Girls’ 100m, became MVP in the category, and was joined by James Clifford who claimed the Boys’ 200m title for Brightville College.

    In the Junior category, Tunmininu Sanyaolu of Altivelis who raced to victories in the 100m, 200m, and 100m Hurdles, emerged MVP, while Olalekan Owoyemi of Talented Champions, emerged the Boys MVP in the same category.

      The four Golden Performers were Aina Precious Oluwakayode who finished Top 3 in the 100m and 200m; 200m Silver medallist in the Junior category – Kabiru Mohammed; Kehinde Okunola, the 100m Silver medallist in the Girls’ Youth class, and Ayomide Omotosho.

    All six MVPs and four Golden Performers will be sponsored to the Grand Finale in Abuja.

  • 1XBET Cup:  Organisers unveil kits for Final Eight 

    1XBET Cup:  Organisers unveil kits for Final Eight 

    The organisers of the waves-making maiden edition of the 1XBET Community Football Championship, Match International Limited at the weekend unveiled specially designed jerseys for the Final 8 starting today.

    According to the Chief Executive Officer of Match International Limited, Engr. Waidi Akanni, the top of the range jerseys  was given to the final 8 teams, as a form of motivation and support, in line with the vision of 1XBET, which is to give a veritable platform to non-league players and teams to thrive and excel.

    It could be recalled that the 1XBET Cup have been on tour of five different communities in forms of conferences in Lagos State, and with five automatic qualifiers emerging, alongside three wild card entries.

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    And to do battle for the ultimate prize are, the five conference winners, namely;  Bariga FC, Ighalo FC, Joint FC, Glory Boys and Young Strikers. While the three wild card entries went to De’ Elite FC, Fackson FC and Edunz FC.

    These teams will lock horns at the LASU stadium, in a three-day football fiesta that would lead to the emergence of finalists, for the grand finale slated to hold November 23, at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.