Sports
Gov Wike Wrestling Championship Promotes National Unity
Governor Nyesom Wiike National Wrestling Championship has come and gone, but Rivers people and those living in the State and its environs are still counting and recalling the benefits, most especially sportsmen and women in Nigeria.
The competition was hosted at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt. It commenced on the 23rd November through 30th, but had the closing ceremony on the 1st of December.
Apart from hosting the National Wrestling Championship, the Rivers State Government led by Chief Nyesom Wike is also ready to host the forthcoming African Wrestling Championship billed to hold in February next year.
In a bid to promote other sports and national unity, Governor Nyesom Wike at the closing ceremony granted the request of the President of the National Wrestling Federation (NWF), Daniel Igali to make the “Governor Wike Wrestling Championship” an annual event.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Kobani, said the aim of the Championship is to exhibit the peaceful and secure nature of Rivers State against the negative speculations of some persons.
The Wike Wrestling /Championship was attended by 25 States and 12 wrestling clubs in the country that saw Bayelsa State emerging the overall winners of the event.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Minister of Sports and Youth Development , Solomon Dalung called on other state governors to emulate Wike’s style of sports development, saying that sports is one thing that brings unity and friendliness.
“Many people do not know that sports create wealth, boost economy of a country and increase integration. You are aware that sports do not have any language. Sports do not belong to either APC or PDP, what sports bring is peace and unity”, Dalung said.
The minister equally advised Nigerians to stop negative narratives against the country, adding that they should change their attitude to become good people.
He used the forum to appeal to Governor Wike to forgive all those that have wronged him one way or the other, saying that great leaders forgive.
According to him, this is the first time a West African country will host African Wrestling Championship, adding that Wike has invested in peace and security.
“For Governor Wike to host the National Wrestling Championship here in Rivers State, he has invested in peace and security,” he said.
The minister further commended the governor for providing infrastruc-tural facilities that met world class standard.
“I really appreciate and commend Governor Nyesom Wike for developing sports and making Nigeria proud. Honestly, the facilities I saw for this championship met international standard”, he stated.
Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyaye agreed with the Minister of Sports that sports is one of the unifying factors that promote global peace and co-existence.
According to him, Governor Nyesom Wike’s national championship was the biggest championship ever hosted by any state and the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF).
“I want to say that this Championship was beamed live on social media and has over 10million viewers worldwide,” Iyaye said.
President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Daniel Igali, while speaking with sports journalists shortly after the event commended the governor for accepting to host the two wrestling Championships, not minding the present economic situation in the country.
He explained that the state would benefit in various ways during and after the tournaments, because the facilities would be for training of athletes in the state, apart from increasing revenue drive and boosting tourism potentials for the state.
World number two wrestler in women category and gold medalist in Wike’s wrestling tournament, Odunayo Adekuoroye said the facilities she saw were second to none in Africa.
Adekuoroye, who is also the sports woman in Nigeria, commended Governor Wike for his interest to develop sports in the country, most importantly in the area of wrestling.
“I think this is the first time I have seen world class facilities being used for national wrestling competition in Nigeria, honestly, the facilities are wonderful”, she said.
Another gold medalist, Blessing Ogebuchi, a member of Nigerian Army equally lauded the governor for providing a conducive atmosphere for athletes to compete.
According to her, Wike is an exceptional governor because he has bias for sports development.
“No doubt, I have not seen any governor in the country that has the passion to develop other sports apart from football as Wike. I am practically excited about the facilities I saw, besides, the atmosphere is very conducive”, Ogebuchi said.
Veteran sportsman, Solomon Odikibo said the wrestling championship actually reduced the high rate of youth restiveness in the state within the period, because the attention of many youths was diverted to the tournament.
Odikibo, who was a silver medalist in1992 Police Games, further said that the competition gave hope to coaches and athletes of other sports.
“It has been long Rivers State experienced such national tournament apart from football. If the governor continues like this, the state will always perform creditably in sports meets. Frankly speaking, other sports are dying. That is why many people are happy about this wrestling championship”, Odikibo said.
Mrs Mary Okonkwo, a petty trader in the state, thanked the governor, saying that the hosting of the wrestling tournament increased her profit, because she had quick turnover.
“I wish the governor can attract more competitions to the state, so that I can make more profit from my small business”, Mrs Okonkwo said.
By: Tonye Orabere.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun believes the 22nd National Sports Festival (NSF) will set a new benchmark for future editions of the multi-sports event.
Apart from being the first host state to house all participating athletes under one roof, the Governor assured contingents, spectators, and residents of maximum security during the NSF, which will take place in Ogun State from May 16 to 30.
During a parley with journalists in Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun highlighted that Babcock University has been chosen as the games village.
Over 10,000 athletes and officials will compete at the games in Ogun State. The Governor also named former Green Eagles captain, Segun Odegbami, as Grand Sports Ambassador, emphasising the state’s readiness to break new ground with the sporting fiesta, which has revitalised all its sporting facilities.
“As the Gateway State, we want to set the pace for others to follow. For the first time in NSF history, all participating athletes and officials will be accommodated under one roof, just like it is done globally. They will be well catered for, with high standards of security and safety. Shuttle buses will convey athletes to their venues daily, and we will ensure the roads are clear for them during the games. We are excited to host the NSF and aim to make Gateway 2024 a benchmark for future games because, as the Gateway State, we want to lead while others follow,” the Governor said.
Abiodun also mentioned that the state government would use this opportunity to build a sports economy for the state. “Ogun’s business circle will experience a bumper harvest during the event, with major hotels fully booked and petty traders making brisk business,” he said.
If the grassroots development of Nigerian sports is to be actualized, the private sector would play a pivotal role. The Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko said while speaking at the grand finale of the MTN Champs Season 3 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium Uyo on Friday.
The NSC Chairman commended the organisers, partners, and participants of the MTN Champs for their outstanding contributions to the growth of academicals and grassroots athletics in Nigeria.
His words, “The MTN Champs is a shinning example of how private sector collaboration can drive youth development and sports excellence across the country. Mr. President places so much premium on grassroots development of sports. You will see this in the fact that he appointed an SSA on Grassroots Sports Development. That is why we are very deliberate in ensuring that sports are developed right from the grassroots. We are aggressively pursuing the revival of our school sports. It is a mandate that we must carry out.
“Over the years, we have had issues with our conveyor belt of talents. That is why we find it hard to replace ageing talents. We have set out to ensure that there is regular supply of talents from the grassroots. We can’t do this alone without the involvement of the private sector. This is why I must commend MTN for their consistency in this project. This is really the way to go. I am sure that the talents discovered here will serve this nation in a long while to come. We need more of such initiatives. Kudos to MTN.”
He noted that the MTN Champs aligns perfectly with the Commission’s RHINSE strategic framework, which prioritises results, holistic development, Inclusion, nationwide impact, sustainability, and engagement in all sports development initiatives.
“The MTN Champs has demonstrated the transformative power of education and grassroots sports programmes. It is a model of how strategic partnerships with the private sector can unearth young talents, inspire communities, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Mallam Dikko stated.
The NSC Chairman reiterated the Commission’s commitment to supporting similar initiatives that align with the Renewed Hope Initiative for Nigerian Sports (RHINSE) framework, particularly those focused on creating structured pathways for young athletes to grow into elite performers while receiving education and life skills training.
He further reiterated NSC’s commitment and objectives to provide all the enablers to drive grassroots sports and creating a professional pathway for growth as evidenced with the NSC introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) to compete at the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun State under the sponsorship of the commission as the 38th State and the ongoing collaboration with Federal Ministry of Education towards the revival of school sports.
Mallam Dikko applauded MTN Nigeria for setting a commendable template for corporate participation in sports and encouraging other private sector organisations to emulate this example by investing in sustainable developmental sports programmes that empower Nigerian youths and promote national unity.
The NSC Chairman was joined by the Chief Finance Officer of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Modupe Kadiri, the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah and other dignitaries
The MTN Champs, in its 3rd season, a nationwide school and grassroots athletics competition, witnessed widespread participation from students across Nigeria and served as a platform to identify and nurture the next generation of champions.
On the sidelines of the programmes, the NSC Chairman engaged with MTN executives on further areas of possible collaboration between the two organisations in the advancement of sports in Nigeria. Subsequently MTN reaffirmed its commitment to continued support of the sector.
Court documents obtained by our correspondent reveal that Omo-Agege’s lawsuit, filed on Monday, names the National Sports Commission, International Olympic Committee, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Rtd. General Kenneth Minimah, Mr. Akinyele Oladapo, World Boxing, and the Board of Nigeria Boxing Federation as defendants in the case.
The legal action primarily challenges the controversial affiliation with World Boxing, which Omo-Agege claims was executed without proper consultation with stakeholders and board members.
In the nine-point suit, Omo-Agege seeks several declarations, including that “the inclusion of Nigeria Boxing Federation as a member of World Boxing by the defendants is illegal, void, and not in compliance with the Articles of Association of Nigeria Boxing Federation, and therefore Nigeria Boxing Federation still remains a member of International Boxing Association.”
The interim president also asked the court to declare that Minimah “is no longer the president of Nigeria Boxing Association, parading himself as the president of Nigeria Boxing Association after being suspended by the International Boxing Association and already completing his tenure.”
A key component of the lawsuit is Omo-Agege’s claim that the November 11, 2023 meeting that led to his suspension was “illegal, null and void and all decisions made in the said meeting are invalid and inconsequential.” He maintains that as the former vice president, he became the rightful interim president when Minimah’s tenure expired.
The plaintiff is seeking “an order of mandatory injunction restraining the 4th defendant (Minimah) from further parading himself as the President of Nigerian Boxing Federation” and “an order of perpetual injunction restraining World Boxing from further naming Nigeria Boxing Federation as one of its members.”
Additionally, the lawsuit asks the court to order all defendants to recognise Omo-Agege as the interim president of the federation.
The legal action comes just days after the African Boxing Confederation officially lifted Omo-Agege’s suspension in a formal letter dated April 26, signed by AFBC Interim Secretary General Yohannes Brehane.
“The African Boxing Confederation is writing to formally inform you that, during its Board of Directors meeting held on February 9, 2025, the matter of your suspension was reviewed and resolved. The Board has decided to lift your suspension with immediate effect,” the letter stated.
In the court documents, Omo-Agege alleges that the move to World Boxing “was as a result of the International Olympic Committee’s pressure through the NOC by the machination of World Boxing.”
He claims that a letter was written to all African federations “mandating all International Boxing Federations across the world, especially Africa, to withdraw their membership from the International Boxing Association and join World Boxing as members.”
The factional leadership has significantly affected Nigeria’s boxing performance, with athletes expressing concerns about preparation and administration.
The lawsuit also contains allegations of financial misconduct, claiming that “monies belonging to the NBF have been expended fraudulently” by Minimah and Oladapo, including partial payment of athletes’ allowances and diversion of funds to private accounts.
The case, which has been filed through the law firm of Karina Tunyan (SAN) & Co, is expected to further complicate matters for Nigerian boxing, which has already struggled with administrative challenges affecting athlete preparation and performance at international competitions.