Canada-based basketball player Somachi Agbapu has described Hakeem Olajuwon and Serge Ibaka as his idols in basketball.
The Lagos-born defensive anchor for University of Toronto’s men’s basketball team was on an upward trajectory at the beginning of 2020 after earning a career-high 16 points in a game against Ottawa.
Agbapu, who is 6’7, said the Orlando Magic legend Olajuwon’s footwork in his heyday inspired him to become a better basketball player.
“I saw The Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon, and I thought…‘man, his footwork is nice. So I started working on my footwork,” he said.
On Serge Ibaka of Toronto Raptors: “He was a team player, who supported his team to the NBA finals. And this ability to service your skills for your teammates is not undervalued. Ibaka is a three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and a well-recognized great,”
Like Ibaka, Agbapu adapts his game to his strengths and to how he can best help his team.
“I’m very good at defense, so you have to play, catch a ball on the low post, boom, finish. One, or two dribble jump-hooks and now I are trying to add mid-range jumpers.”
Dare, Halogen boss counsel youths on enterprise
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare has saluted Nigerian youths’ exploits in sports, entertainment and the creative industry at the maiden edition of the National Youth Conference organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Abuja.
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“Our movies and music are the biggest Nigerian export today and we have not even scratched the surface yet,” the minister said. “The giant strides of our Youth in the movie industry popularly referred to as Nollywood for instance have placed Nigeria on the global pedestal, contributing at least $7.2bn to Nigeria’s GDP.”
Also speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Halogen Group, Wale Olaoye, has challenged Nigerian Youths to develop strong national character anchored on courage, commitment and conviction in their pursuit of self-development and career growth.
Olaoye noted that Nigeria is blessed with a huge population of hard-working, creative and innovative youths who can make a huge difference when their energies are well channeled to productive enterprise.
According to Olaoye, “To create an inclusive environment for the Nigerian youth to thrive, leaders at all levels must show commitment, integrity and embrace innovation.
“The youths themselves must understand that building a life of purpose requires self-awareness, commitment, and conviction,” Olaoye added.
He advised that respect must be earned by the youth and sustained through economic capacity, cultural depth, innovation, accomplishment, and exemplary conduct in all aspects of life.
Olaoye also announced a youth empowerment scheme in which Halogen will be sponsoring a national cyber security competition amongst the youth in collaboration with The Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.
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