The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Dates fixed for 24th  African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra

    Dates fixed for 24th  African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra

    The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has confirmed that next year’s  24th  African Senior Athletics Championships will take place between  May 12  and May 17 in Accra, Ghana.

    The confirmation was issued by Ghana Athletics following formal approval by the Minister for Sports and Recreation in conjunction with the CAA for the hosting of the continental’s athletics  event.

    Ahead of the championships, activities will begin early, with CAA administrators and technical officials scheduled to arrive in Accra on May 8, 2026. Members of the CAA Council are expected a day later, on May 9, while the council meeting and the arrival of participating teams are fixed for May 10.

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    A technical meeting has been slated for May 11, paving the way for the start of competition on May 12, as athletes from across Africa battle for honours.

    The championships will wrap up on May 17, with all teams expected to depart Accra on May 18, 2026.

    The Minister for Sports and Recreation is expected to officially receive members of the CAA Council and deliver a keynote address before the event fully transitions into the competition phase.

    Meanwhile, Ghana and the CAA are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on or before January 8, 2026, subject to the availability of the Sports Minister. In addition, the Local Organising Committee for Accra 2026 had been inaugurated yesterday.

  • UEFA Women’s Champions League: Echegini  scores as Babajide shines in  Roma win

    UEFA Women’s Champions League: Echegini  scores as Babajide shines in  Roma win

    Super Falcons stars Jennifer Echegini, Rinsola Babajide and Shukurat Oladipo were all in action for their respective clubs as the UEFA Women’s Champions League matches were decided in Portugal and Italy.

    In Portugal, Echegini was on target for Paris Saint-Germain Women, who settled for a 1–1 draw away to Benfica, the club of fellow Nigerian Christy Ucheibe. The midfielder gave PSG an early lead in the fifth minute, but Benfica responded in the 32nd minute through Carole Costa’s penalty to restore parity.

    While Ucheibe remained an unused substitute for the hosts, Echegini completed the full 90 minutes for PSG. Rasheedat Ajibade was absent from the matchday squad as she continues her recovery from injury. Despite the draw, PSG are still searching for their first victory and sit 17th on the table with two points, one place below Benfica, who also have two points.

    Read Also: Mikel berates  NFF on Super Eagles’ preps for AFCON 2025

    In Rome, AS Roma enjoyed a convincing outing as they recorded their first win of the campaign, thrashing Austria’s SKN St. Pölten 6–1. Super Falcons duo Babajide and Oladipo featured prominently in the emphatic victory.

    Babajide may not have found the back of the net but she provided the assist for Roma’s second goal in the 19th  minute, finished off by Alayah Pilgrim. The former Real Betis forward was substituted in the 66th  minute, while Oladipo continued her ever-present run, featuring in her sixth match of the competition.

    The win lifts Roma to 14th  position on the standings with four points from six games.

  • BetKing  offers fans all-expenses paid trip  for AFCON 2025

    BetKing  offers fans all-expenses paid trip  for AFCON 2025

    Leading sports entertainment brand, BetKing, has unveiled a country-wide fan campaign tagged “Feel It First in Morocco” ahead of the  2025 Africa Cup of Nations(AFCON).

     The initiative aims to give football lovers an opportunity to experience the thrill of  the AFCON with  just N5,000.

    BetKing is giving fans the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to Morocco to witness the AFCON Final live.

    Fans are expected to stake a minimum of N5,000 on BetKing Sports or Virtuals, and you could feel the AFCON vibe LIVE in Morocco. BetKing also announced its first confirmed winner, Samuel Dairo, who will be travelling to Morocco in January to watch the tournament’s final match live.

    Read Also: Nigeria, Egypt friendly in doubt as NFF shift camp to Morocco

     Samuel obtained his international passport two years ago with the hope of one day travelling outside Nigeria, although the opportunity never materialized until now. Through the first campaign draw, he has been selected as one of the fans who will enjoy the AFCON experience directly from the stadium in Morocco.

    Speaking on the campaign, Nengi Akinola, Head of Marketing at BetKing, said: “AFCON is a unifying force across the continent, and this campaign allows our customers to experience that unity and excitement firsthand. Samuel’s selection marks the beginning of a series of rewards we have lined up for football fans as we countdown to the tournament.”

    BetKing confirmed that additional winners will be announced throughout December as more draws are conducted, giving fans across the country multiple opportunities to be selected.

  • African Youth Games: Nigeria’s weightlifters clear 8 Gold, Silver in Luanda

    African Youth Games: Nigeria’s weightlifters clear 8 Gold, Silver in Luanda

    Team Nigeria produced a stunning show of strength, skill and composure yesterday as three teenage weightlifters powered the country to an impressive haul of eight gold medals and one silver on Day One of the weightlifting event at the ongoing African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.

    Competing at the Dream Space Hall, Favour Cornelius (44kg), Esther Chidalu Ezenwa (48kg) and Chinaza Cecilia Ezenwa (53kg) dominated their respective categories, announcing Nigeria’s intent to rule the platform and placing the nation firmly among the leading medal contenders at the Games.

    Fourteen-year-old Favour Cornelius set the competition alight in the women’s 44kg category, delivering a flawless performance to sweep all three gold medals on offer.

    Cornelius opened Nigeria’s campaign in emphatic fashion, lifting 50kg in the snatch to claim her first gold of the day. She followed it up with a composed and powerful 64kg in the clean and jerk, once again topping the field. Her combined effort of 114kg total sealed a memorable three-gold-medal sweep, outclassing rivals from Angola and Ghana.

    Momentum continued in the women’s 48kg category, where Esther Chidalu Ezenwa delivered another commanding display to also secure three gold medals despite stiff competition from her counterparts from Madagascar and Kenya.

    In the women’s 53kg category, Chinaza Cecilia Ezenwa capped Nigeria’s remarkable day with two gold medals and one silver, taking the country’s tally to eight gold and one silver overall.

    An elated President of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF), Dr Ibrahim Abdul Aladi, praised the athletes for living up to expectations and justifying the confidence placed in them.

     “I am extremely proud of these young lifters. Winning eight gold medals and one silver on the first day is a clear statement of our preparation and potential,” Dr Aladi said.

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    “This performance shows that Nigeria’s future in weightlifting is very bright. The athletes were focused, disciplined and fearless on the platform, and they truly made the nation proud.”

    Dr Aladi also reiterated his appreciation to the National Sports Commission for providing the athletes with exposure at the continental level, stressing that such opportunities are crucial for long-term development.

    Equally delighted, NWF Technical Director, Sefiya Onubaye, who is serving as one of the technical officials at the competition, described the day’s performance as exceptional.

     “What we saw today was the result of hard work, proper coaching and mental toughness,” Onubaye said.

    “The girls executed their lifts beautifully and competed with confidence. This is a big motivation for the rest of the team, and it shows that Nigeria is on the right path in youth weightlifting.”

    Team Nigeria’s weightlifting campaign could get even better this morning, when Florence Olarinoye steps onto the platform in the women’s 58kg category. With the momentum already firmly in Nigeria’s favour, officials and supporters are optimistic that the country could achieve a clean sweep of gold medals in the women’s events.

  • Ivorian hero Haller faces anxious wait ahead of Cup of Nations

    Ivorian hero Haller faces anxious wait ahead of Cup of Nations

    Striker Sebastien Haller, whose goals took Cote d’Ivoire  to the last Africa Cup of Nations title, could miss out on this month’s tournament in Morocco through injury.

    The striker hurt his hamstring playing for Utrecht in the Dutch league at the weekend and has been undergoing treatment since joining up with the Ivorian squad at their training camp in Marbella, Spain this week.

    The Ivorian federation said it was still waiting for test results before making any decision on the 31-year-old’s availability.

    Read Also: Mikel berates  NFF on Super Eagles’ preps for AFCON 2025

    Haller missed the start of the 2023 finals because of an ankle injury but returned to the side in the knockout stages and scored the winning goal in both the semi-final and final as they won the tournament.

    Cote d’Ivoire  kick off the defence of their title against Mozambique in Marrakech next Wednesday.

  • Morocco edge Jordan after extra time to clinch Arab Cup

    Morocco edge Jordan after extra time to clinch Arab Cup

    Morocco defeated Jordan 3-2 after extra time to claim the Arab Cup on Thursday thanks to two goals from Abderrazzaq Hamed Allah following a stunning long-range strike from Oussama Tannane.

    Morocco opened the scoring after four minutes when Tannane’s audacious shot from the centre circle caught advancing goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila off guard.

    Jordan, set to make their World Cup debut in 2026, hit back with a second-half double from Ali Olwan’s header and penalty in the 48th and 68th minutes respectively.

    But Hamed Allah scored three minutes from the end to force extra time before grabbing the winner from close range.

    Read Also: Mikel berates  NFF on Super Eagles’ preps for AFCON 2025

    Morocco enjoyed another success despite missing several Europe-based players ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

    They became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup – also in Qatar three years ago – eliminating Spain and Portugal before falling to France.

    Morocco were crowned Under-20 world champions in October when they beat Argentina 2-0 in the final to become the first Arab nation to lift the trophy.

    The under-17 side reached the World Cup quarter-finals, while the under-23 team won the Africa Cup of Nations and a place at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where they took bronze.

    Morocco is set to host AFCON from December 21 to January 18.

  • Tinubu Media Force hails pro-market reforms amid Dangote–regulators dispute

    Tinubu Media Force hails pro-market reforms amid Dangote–regulators dispute

    The Tinubu Media Force has reaffirmed its unwavering support for a free, competitive, and well-regulated market structure as Nigeria navigates ongoing disagreements involving major conglomerates and regulatory agencies. 

    Speaking on the issue, Gbenga Abiola, National Coordinator of the Tinubu Media Force, emphasised that regulators must stand as transparent and independent checks against the excesses of market dominance, particularly where monopolistic tendencies threaten competition, distort pricing, and expose Nigerians to exploitation.

    According to Abiola, regulatory agencies are not obstacles to industrial growth but stabilizing institutions designed to prevent the concentration of market power in the hands of a few. 

    He noted that when such dominance goes unchecked, it leads to artificial scarcity, hoarding, price manipulation, and the exclusion of alternative market players, creating a non-competitive market structure that ultimately works against Nigerian consumers.

    The National Coordinator further highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decisive intervention through the stoppage of the 15 percent import duty on petroleum products, describing it as a bold and strategic move aimed at restoring balance to the downstream sector. 

    Abiola explained that by removing this duty, the administration dismantled artificial barriers that fueled fuel queues, speculative price increases, and supply restrictions, while opening the market to broader participation.

    He stated that this policy shift reflects the administration’s clear opposition to monopolistic control and its commitment to open competitiveness. 

    Read Also: OAU undergraduate Rashidat Fagbenle wins US-Nigeria video talent contest

    With the import duty removed, Abiola noted that petroleum pricing is now better guided by demand and supply realities rather than restrictive practices, ensuring a more transparent pricing framework that protects Nigerians from exploitative costs.

    Gbenga Abiola stressed that these reforms align squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises consumer protection, regulatory strength, and private-sector-led growth without favoritism. 

    He added that the Tinubu administration is deliberately empowering regulators to enforce rules fairly while deploying market-friendly policies that stabilize prices, improve supply, and strengthen investor confidence.

    In conclusion, Abiola said the Tinubu Media Force commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership across all sectors of the country, describing it as strategic, decisive, systematic, and people-oriented. 

    He noted that the administration’s interventions in market regulation, petroleum pricing, and institutional reforms reflect a deliberate commitment to protecting the interests of Nigerians while building a resilient, competitive, and inclusive economy.

  • Iyewo Healthcare launches pop up clinic for traders, others

    Iyewo Healthcare launches pop up clinic for traders, others

    By Ummusalamoh Kamorudeen

    The Founder of Iyewo Healthcare Limited, Dr. Folake Idowu, has organised a comprehensive pop up clinic target.

    She said the initiative was borne out of findings from the organisation’s ongoing community-based care model.

    She noted that the pop-up clinic complements Iyewo’s Market Health product, where clients pay a modest monthly subscription and receive regular visits from community health workers for routine checks, medication delivery and telemedicine consultations with doctors.

    “We currently have over 300 clients in this market alone, Where our community health extension workers started visiting them under the Market Health subscription plan, we discovered that more than 60 per cent were hypertensive, which is higher than the national average. Many were also diabetic,” she said.

    She said that the programme expanded into several markets, Iyewo has provided care to over 5,000 clients, achieving more than 60 per cent hypertension control rates overall and over 80 per cent blood pressure control among market enrollees.

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    She explained that the services were subsidized with participants paid a token fee to encourage commitment, with additional support coming from partner organisations and donations.

    “As the year comes to an end, it’s important for people to reflect on their health. When you understand what’s going on in your body, you have peace of mind and can take the right steps early,” she said.

    Convener of Life Care Global Partners, Dr. Olwakemi Bakare, explained that life global is a non-profit organisation committed to raising breast cancer prevention through awareness and early detection.

    She noted that women were educated on self-breast examination, clinical breast examination, and appropriate referrals for sonograms and mammograms, adding that cervical cancer screening were conducted using visual inspection with acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine.

    “Breast cancer and cervical cancer are among the commonest cancers affecting Nigerian women. Cervical cancer, in particular, has a long pre-cancer stage without symptoms. Screening allows us to detect changes early and prevent progression to advanced disease,” she said.

  • Folorunsho Alakija fulfills her promise

    Folorunsho Alakija fulfills her promise

    When asked about the most significant moments in her life, billionaire Folorunsho Alakija, renowned as Africa’s richest woman by Forbes, often refrains from discussing her considerable wealth. Instead, she attributes her success and achievements to her Creator, emphasizing that her greatest fulfillment comes from dedicating her life to the service of God. This deep conviction drives her philanthropic endeavors, particularly through her ministry, the Rose of Sharon Ministry, which has made remarkable strides in advancing spiritual outreach and winning souls for the kingdom of God.

    Recently, Alakija celebrated an important milestone in her philanthropic journey with the grand opening of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital—a project she generously funded years ago. This state-of-the-art facility, valued in the billions of naira, stands as a beacon of hope for the community, equipped with essential services that include a Community Health Unit, Maternity and Neonatal Care, and advanced Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. The hospital boasts a cutting-edge operating theatre, along with sophisticated diagnostic imaging services such as CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound scanning, and comprehensive radiotherapy suites.

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    As the founder of Famfa Oil and a prominent figure in the fashion industry, Alakija’s commitment to this healthcare project underscores her belief in making impactful contributions that benefit humanity. While many in her financial bracket may focus on lavish expenditures, she has chosen a path of social responsibility, dedicated to creating a legacy that will endure beyond her lifetime.

    Her role as the chancellor of the university highlights her commitment to nurturing future generations of healthcare professionals. By improving medical education and addressing the acute shortage of healthcare personnel in Nigeria, Alakija’s donations are not merely acts of charity; they are strategic investments in the health and well-being of the communities she serves. With this hospital, she aims to strengthen healthcare provision in the region and save countless lives, fulfilling her promise to give back to the people and honoring her devotion to God.

  • Abdulsamad Rabiu rewards hard work

    Abdulsamad Rabiu rewards hard work

    In the realm of billionaires, few stand out not just for their wealth but for their deep compassion and commitment to humanity. One such individual is Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, the esteemed chairman and founder of the BUA Group. Throughout his life, he has dedicated himself to uplift others, channeling a significant portion of his earnings into charitable endeavors. Rabiu firmly believes that true wealth is best demonstrated through unconditional giving, which explains his consistent support for those in need.

    Rabiu has an unwavering conviction that hard work is inherently deserving of reward. Understanding that the value of time cannot be measured, he has never missed an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of those who have helped elevate the BUA brand to its remarkable stature. Those who work alongside him note his belief that exceptional dedication should be met with equally exceptional rewards. This commitment was clearly reflected in a recent year-end celebration, where he surprised his staff with substantial monetary rewards in recognition of their hard work.

    His philanthropic philosophy goes beyond mere gestures; Rabiu is determined to foster lasting prosperity among his employees. He is not one to simply “give a fish” to those in need; instead, he advocates for empowering his staff to establish themselves effectively, thereby allowing them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. At the BUA Group Night of Excellence, held on December 13th at the prestigious Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, countless long-serving employees were celebrated and rewarded. In an astonishing display of generosity, he distributed a remarkable N30 billion in rewards: five employees each received N1 billion, another five were granted N500 million each, seven employees received N100 million each, while dozens others were awarded N20 million each.

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    This event was part of a larger pattern of transformative welfare initiatives spearheaded by Rabiu and the BUA Group. In February 2024, in response to the rising inflation challenges in Nigeria, he approved an impressive 50% salary increase for all employees, both permanent and contract staff. Additionally, in 2021, to recognize the extraordinary efforts of BUA Cement employees amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he awarded a ₦2 billion share bonus from his personal holdings.

    During his remarks at the recent celebration, Rabiu emphasized the essence of teamwork and perseverance, stating, “Every factory built, every system strengthened, every challenge overcome, and every milestone reached carries the imprint of employees who believed in the vision long before the results were visible.” This sentiment underscores his belief that success is a collective achievement and serves as a call to all his employees to maintain their dedication to the shared vision of the BUA Group.