World News Update

PRESS STATEMENT With just two weeks to go, excitement is reaching fever pitch as Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, prepares to welcome the continent’s finest young athletes for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, scheduled to hold from July 16 to 20, 2025. A total of 43 countries have confirmed participation, with 937 athletes and officials already registered for the prestigious event. Preparations are in full gear, with organizers working round the clock to ensure a world-class experience for all participants. From logistics and transportation to accommodation, feeding, competition services, and liaison support, every aspect is being meticulously fine-tuned to deliver a memorable championship. Africa’s athletics powerhouses—Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Egypt—are all confirmed to be represented, along with other strong contenders such as Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Uganda, and others. Host nation Nigeria tops the list with the largest dele...

Former boxer, Bash Ali’s case against former Sports Minister and the National Sports Commission was today struck out by the Abuja High Court and the life of the case terminated.  Sitting this morning in Abuja,  Honourable Justice U.P. Kekemeke, Court 4, High Court of the FCT, Maitama delivered the judgement to the objection to the suit. Lead Counsel Bode Olanipekun and Festus Keyamo (chambers) were court to argue the matter.  The court found Bash Ali’s case frivolous and a waste of the time of the court. The issue was status barred and the justice tendered that the Ministry or Sunday Dare did not sign any contract to execute any Guiness book fight.  Bash Ali for 5 years has leveled unproven allegations against former Minister Sunday Dare and the Federal government. For Five years he was unrelenting in defaming and attacking Sunday Dare. Five former Ministers of Sports suffered the same fate in the hands of Bash Ali.   The Facts of the allegations  are ...

PRESS STATEMENT Nigeria is set to welcome the King’s Baton Relay as part of the official countdown to the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with an event scheduled for July 1–2, 2025, in Abuja. In an event of international significance, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be formally presented with the Commonwealth Sport King’s Baton, as a delegation representing the Buckingham Palace arrives the country. The King’s Baton Relay is a unifying tradition of the Commonwealth Games, symbolizing peace, collaboration, and shared values among nations. This year, the Commonwealth Sport movement is partnering with the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) and Nigeria’s National Sports Commission (NSC) to champion a critical cause through the “Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign.” This initiative brings together athletes, young people, and communities across the Commonwealth to address the global crisis of plastic pollution. The campaign’s goal is to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Com...

PRESS RELEASE The Ogbomoso Togetherness Youth's Forum plans to bestow a befitting award on Ogbomoso sons and daughters in North America on his 29th Anniversary for their development strides in Ogbomosoland, recognizing their contributions to the city's growth and progress. This initiative acknowledges the efforts of individuals who have made significant impacts on Ogbomosho's development, particularly those residing in North America. The Ogbomosho Sons and Daughters in North America (OSDNA) organization, established in 1996, has been actively involved in various development projects, including,  - *Providing potable drinking water*: Installing boreholes in different parts of Ogbomosho -  Offering full-ride scholarships to students and donating educational materials to institutions - *Healthcare*: Supporting the Ogbomoso Baptist Medical Center/Hospital and other healthcare initiatives - *Community development*: Donating essential items to vulnerable groups, such as widows, p...

The countdown continues — just 20 days remain before Africa’s next generation of track and field stars converge for the 3rd African U18/U20 Athletics Championships, from July 16-20 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.  For Team Nigeria, it’s more than a championship — it’s a launchpad. A golden opportunity for rising stars to announce themselves on the continental stage and ignite careers that could shape the future of Nigerian athletics. Among the contingent gearing up to wear the green-white-green with pride, a standout group of talents is already turning heads both locally and internationally. Meet the names to watch as they prepare to dazzle in Abeokuta: *Chioma Nwachukwu*  • Events: 400m, 4x400m Relay • PBs: 400m – 51.26s | Indoor – 52.07s | 4x400m Relay – 3:26.90 • College: University of Iowa A gold medalist at the 2022 National Sports Festival and a champion at the Nigerian University Games (NUGA), Chioma has shattered school records at the University of Iowa in both th...

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has praised the leadership of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) under Dr. Zacch Adedeji, PhD, describing him as a visionary public servant and committed supporter of sports development in Nigeria. Hon. Olopade made this known during a visit to the FIRS Headquarters on Thursday, commending the FIRS’ involvement as one of the key partners of the upcoming CAA U18/U20 African Athletics Championships scheduled to hold in Abeokuta, Ogun State between July 16-20. The Championship is a continental gathering of rising athletic stars and is powered by public-private partnerships championed under the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Dr. Zacch Adedeji is not just a reformist in the tax administration space, but also a passionate lover of sports,” said Hon. Olopade. “The FIRS' support for this championship is a clear signal that sports and taxation can work hand-in-hand to build a stronger, healthier, and more unite...