July 2025 | Page 15 of 48

Ranking Points, Cash Prizes Up for Grabs at WTT Contender Lagos

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Beyond the allure of the $100,000 prize pool, players at the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos are also chasing valuable ranking points at Africa’s most vibrant WTT Contender Series event, hosted at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. As the qualifying rounds enter Day 2 on Wednesday, July 23, Lagos remains the epicentre of thrilling table tennis action. Winners in each event will earn a substantial 400 ranking points—enough to trigger a significant leap in the global standings. Runners-up will receive 280 points, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will take home 140 and 70 points, respectively. All eyes are on Denmark’s Anders Lind and Japan’s Hina Hayata, who headline the Men’s and Women’s Singles events. Both are strong contenders for the top prize in Lagos. Hayata, 25, is widely regarded as the most successful player in the now-retired ITTF Challenge Series, which began in 2017. Known for her exceptional spin on both wings, she is coached by the experienced Daisuka Ishida. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 WTT Star Contender in Doha, Hayata has claimed five WTT Contender titles and a WTT Star Contender crown. Making her debut in Lagos, she aims to add her first African WTT Contender title to her growing list of achievements. On the men’s side, 13-time Danish champion Anders Lind—who has secured six singles titles along with multiple doubles and mixed doubles crowns—returns to Lagos, where he enjoys strong fan support. The 2025 WTT Contender Tunis runner-up sees Lagos as a favourable battleground, thanks to the passionate local crowd that fuels his performances. Meanwhile, the qualifying rounds have been marked by flashes of brilliance and a fair share of unforced errors. Yet, for the determined competitors, the goal remains the same: a coveted spot in the main draw of the singles events, where the sport’s elite await. With only a limited number of slots available, the journey from the qualifiers to the main stage has been anything but easy. Local Nigerian players have featured prominently in both the Men’s and Women’s Singles, joined by fellow African hopefuls, all vying for a breakthrough moment. While some players wrapped up their campaigns on Day 1, the action intensified on Day 2—Wednesday, July 23—as the final contenders for the main draw began to emerge. The spotlight will also shift to the Doubles and Mixed Doubles events, which kick off from the first round. Unseeded pairs will battle for a place among the top teams, hoping to make their mark in the elite rounds of the competition.

Sport Integrity Foundation Presents Half-Year Report of Activities in Nigeria Football

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday received an independent Mid-Year report of Activities in Nigeria Football from the Sport Integrity Foundation. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON) hailed the efforts of the Foundation and praised it for contributing its quota as partners-in-progress to moving Nigeria football, which is in line with the objectives of the Ibrahim Gusau-led administration to inspire all stakeholders to contribute what they can to grow the Nigeria game. “We’re very impressed to see such initiative coming from your organisation. The NFF cannot see everything but having organisations like yours delights us. You are becoming an important eye for the integrity of the game. “The NFF board is very committed to ethics and integrity and we’re doing everything to make sure that anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute will be punished. We also need the collaboration of law enforcement agencies so that when we pass resolutions, such individuals can be punished within the ambit of the law,” Dr Sanusi said. The delegation of Sport Integrity Foundation included Abiola Shodiya, Co-ordinator and; Sammy Ejegwa, Georgina Bode and Taofeek Lawal, who are members.

WAFU B U20 Boys Tourney: Flying Eagles Strategise to Stop Ivorians in Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles know they must be at their very best to surmount the challenge of in-form Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Wednesday’s Final match of the WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament in Accra, Ghana. The Ivorians have taken no prisoners at this tournament, winning all their four previous matches. They edged Burkina Faso 2-1 in their first match, and went on to conquer Niger Republic and Togo with 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines in their other two matches in the group phase. In Sunday’s semi finals, they came from behind to defeat host nation Ghana 2-1, underscoring their strength, resilience and adversity quotient. Forward Mohammed Abdullahi earned Nigeria a point with an 84th minute equalizer against the Black Satellites of Ghana in the competition’s opening match, and the Flying Eagles then came from behind to rout Benin Republic’s U20 boys 4-1 in the three-team group A. In their semi final, two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up Nigeria edged the U20 boys of Niger Republic 4-3 after a penalty shootout, following 0-0 in regulation time. There will be plenty of fireworks at Ghana’s Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Wednesday, with the Nigerian President of WAFU B, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), seated alongside other top officials of WAFU at the grand finale. Wednesday’s encounter is an opportunity for Head Coach Aliyu Zubair to put some polish on his rising reputation as a winner, having led the Flying Eagles to win the WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo last year and coming away with a FIFA World Cup ticket from the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt a couple of months ago. Mohammed Abdullahi and Ezekiel Kpangu are the players to watch out for in the Nigerian side, while Abdoul Bamba and Ali Kone constitute potent threats at the fore of the Ivorians.

Nigeria Defeat South Africa 2-1 to Reach WAFCON Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have booked their place in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Rasheedat Ajibade put Nigeria ahead in the 35th minute from the penalty spot after Folashade Ijamilusi was fouled in the box. South Africa fought back early in the second half, with Linda Motlhalo converting a penalty in the 58th minute to level the score. With the game finely poised, Nigeria’s resilience paid off as they capitalized on a late counterattack to secure the winning goal, sealing a dramatic 2-1 triumph. The result sends the Super Falcons to yet another WAFCON final, where they will battle for a record-extending 10th title.

Tension as Security Operatives Block Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from NASS

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

There was tension at the National Assembly on Tuesday as security operatives barred Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from entering the complex. The Kogi Central lawmaker, who was suspended from the Senate for six months, attempted to resume legislative duties following a court order directing her reinstatement. However, security personnel stationed at the gate stopped her convoy, refusing her entry despite the ruling. Senator Natasha, seated in a black SUV, was denied access alongside another vehicle in front of hers carrying activist Aisha Yesufu. The standoff drew the attention of onlookers and supporters, who questioned why the judgment of the court was being disregarded. The incident has sparked fresh debate over the enforcement of judicial orders by legislative authorities.

Climate Crisis Fuels Global Food Price Surge, Scientists Warn

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Extreme weather events driven by climate change are causing sharp increases in food prices worldwide, according to a new report released on Monday by six European research organizations in collaboration with the European Central Bank. The report highlights how heatwaves, floods, and droughts have disrupted agricultural production since 2022, triggering steep price hikes for staples like rice, corn, coffee, cocoa, potatoes, and lettuce. Among the most dramatic examples cited is a 280 percent surge in global cocoa prices in April 2024 after a heatwave in Ghana and Ivory Coast, and a 300 percent spike in Australian lettuce prices following severe floods in 2022. Similarly, cabbage prices in South Korea rose by 70 percent in September 2024 due to extreme heat, while rice prices in Japan jumped 48 percent during the same period. The report also links droughts to major price increases, including a 55 percent hike in global coffee prices in 2024 after a prolonged 2023 drought in Brazil. Ethiopia saw overall food prices soar by 40 percent in 2023, following drought conditions in 2022. “Until we get to net zero emissions, extreme weather will only get worse, but it’s already damaging crops and pushing up the price of food all over the world,” said Maximillian Kotz, the lead author from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center. The analysis underscores that rising food prices are one of the most visible effects of climate change, second only to extreme heat itself. Low-income households are hit the hardest, as food costs consume a significant share of their income. In the UK, climate-linked weather disruptions added an estimated £360 ($482) to the average household food bill between 2022 and 2023, said Amber Sawyer of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). England recorded its second-worst arable harvest on record in 2023 due to intense rainfall exacerbated by climate change. The report was released ahead of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, scheduled for July 27–29 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It comes as global leaders face increasing pressure to meet emissions reduction targets under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which currently fall short of the cuts needed to keep global temperature rise below the 1.5°C limit set by the Paris Agreement. On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected to issue a historic advisory opinion on states’ legal obligations to combat climate change, a case spearheaded by Vanuatu and supported by many Global South nations.

Imo Police Arrest Over 2,000 Suspects, Rescue 100 Victims in Six Months

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Imo State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime, with over 2,000 suspects arrested for offences including kidnapping, terrorism, murder, and armed robbery within the last six months. In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, the police confirmed the rescue of 58 kidnapped victims and 42 stolen children, many of whom have since been reunited with their families. Okoye credited the success to the strategic initiatives and relentless operations of the Command aimed at reducing insecurity across the state. During the same period, a large cache of arms and explosives was recovered, including 2 General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 14 AK-47 rifles, 20 pump-action shotguns, 4 fabricated rocket launchers, 7 gas-cylinder-based explosives, locally made hand grenades, and assorted live ammunition and cartridges. Reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding lives and property, the Imo State Police Command urged residents to provide credible intelligence to support its ongoing security operations. By: Kamal YalwaJuly 22, 2025 – 8:04 AM GMT+1

Kenyan Activist Boniface Mwangi Charged Over Deadly June Antigovernment Protests

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Prominent Kenyan activist and photojournalist Boniface Mwangi has been formally charged in connection with the deadly antigovernment protests that swept across Kenya in June. Mwangi, known for his outspoken criticism of state corruption and police brutality, is accused of inciting violence during the demonstrations. The protests, which were sparked by public anger over economic hardship and new tax policies, turned violent, leading to multiple deaths and widespread injuries. Authorities claim Mwangi played a key role in mobilizing crowds and encouraging unrest, allegations he has strongly denied. Speaking to reporters outside the court, Mwangi said the charges were politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissenting voices. “Protesting against bad governance is not a crime. This is an attempt to intimidate Kenyans into silence,” he stated. The case has drawn international attention, with human rights groups warning that Kenya’s government is increasingly clamping down on civil liberties. Mwangi’s next court hearing is set for later this month.