2025 | Page 97 of 264 | Trendbrio.com

23rd African Fencing Championships Fallout: Akinyosoye Emerges as Nigeria’s Highest-Ranked Fencer

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Following a standout performance at the 23rd African Fencing Championships, Oluwafolayemi Akinyosoye has emerged as Nigeria’s highest-ranked fencer globally. The latest rankings released by the International Fencing Federation (FIE) earlier this week place Akinyosoye at 65th in the men’s senior sabre category. Akinyosoye, a quarterfinalist in the individual men’s sabre event, stunned spectators by defeating top seed and Olympic silver medallist Fares Farjani of Tunisia in a tense preliminary round bout, edging him 5-4 at Charterhouse Lagos. The 20-year-old UK-based athlete, who previously represented England at cadet and junior levels, has now overtaken Inkosi Brou as Nigeria’s top-ranked fencer. Despite being displaced in the senior rankings, Brou remains Nigeria’s highest-ranked junior fencer, holding the 23rd position globally. The US-based athlete, and grandson of former NAFDAC DG Prof. Dora Akunyili, continues to be a key figure in Nigeria’s fencing development. In the senior men’s epee category, Mahadi Idongesit leads the Nigerian contingent at 206th, followed by Wisdom Okanlawon (209), Mahathir Idongesit (212), and Adegbola Babade (215). For senior men’s foil, Oritsematosan Egbesemirone is ranked 116th, with Olumuyiwa Ige (502) and Alex Aninyei (504) also making the list. Among the women, 13-year-old Peluola Akinbamiro is Nigeria’s sole representative in the senior women’s foil rankings, placed at 441st. In senior women’s epee, Adebodunrin Thomas leads at 186th, followed by Sara Idongesit (190) and Somtochukwu Eribenne (530). Team rankings also saw a boost. The Nigerian women’s epee team, which finished fifth at the African Championships, is now ranked 36th globally. In the senior men’s team rankings, Nigeria holds 43rd in epee and 28th in foil. President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, described the rankings as a reflection of the country’s growing potential in the sport. “Hosting the African Championships was not just about welcoming international athletes; it was about empowering our fencers to improve their global standing,” Samuel said. “These rankings open doors for our athletes to participate in more international tournaments and enhance their chances of qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.” He added, “We are excited about this development and hope it will attract the support needed from both the private and public sectors, especially following the success of the 23rd African Championships.”

Omotayo, El-Beiali Lead African Charge in WTT US Smash 2025

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

African table tennis stars are set to make their mark at the WTT US Smash 2025, with Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali spearheading the continent’s campaign in the preliminary round of the prestigious tournament. The event, which runs for 11 days (July 3 to 13) at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, is the first WTT Grand Smash to be held on American soil and boasts a prize pool of $1.55 million. Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, returns to the international stage with a challenging opener against wildcard Victor Xie of the United States. The Nigerian, currently ranked 162nd in the world, will rely on his experience and ranking advantage over the 777th-rated Chinese-born American when they clash on Friday, July 4. Now based between the United States and France, Omotayo faces a tough path to the main draw, where elite global stars await. His performance will be closely watched as Africa seeks representation among the tournament’s top contenders. Joining him in the preliminary round is Egypt’s El-Beiali, who will face Slovenia’s Deni Kozul. El-Beiali’s compatriot, Mahmoud Helmy, is set to take on American Ved Sheth, while Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa will battle Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson. Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou rounds out the African men’s singles lineup with a match against Spain’s Juan Perez. In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Yosura Helmy stands as the sole African representative in the preliminary round, facing American Mandy Yu. Meanwhile, top African players, including Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar, have secured spots in the main draw of the men’s singles. Egypt’s trio of Hana Goda, Dina Meshref, and Mariam Alhodaby will also begin their campaigns directly in the women’s singles main draw. Excitement is building among global stars ahead of the tournament. Men’s singles world champion Wang Chuqin of China expressed his enthusiasm: “Las Vegas often hosts world-class sports events. I’m looking forward to showcasing myself in such a unique atmosphere where sports and entertainment meet.” Sweden’s Anton Kallberg echoed the sentiment: “There’s so much buzz about visiting Vegas, so I just want to see and feel all of it.” American star Lily Zhang, a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, shared her anticipation: “The city has everything — it hosts all the big events and has glitz and glamour.” Homegrown talent Kanak Jha added, “There’s no city in the world like it. So many experiences, great vibes, and stimulation.” As the WTT US Smash 2025 kicks off, African players will be looking to make a strong impression and advance to the main draw, where the world’s best will battle for glory in one of table tennis’ most exciting arenas.

Sarkin Ningi Ya Kaddamar da Kwamitin Yaki da Sare Daji Ba Bisa Ka’ida Ba

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

By: Kamal Yalwa – Ningi, Bauchi Mai Martaba Sarkin Ningi, Alhaji Haruna Yunusa Danyaya III, ya kaddamar da wani babban kwamitin yaki da sare daji ba bisa ka’ida ba, musamman don hana sare bishiyoyi domin gawayi da katako. Kaddamarwar ta gudana ne a Fadar Ningi, inda Sarkin ya bayyana cewa kwamitin zai fara aiki nan take, domin kawo karshen irin wannan barna da ke haddasa dumamar yanayi da lalata muhalli. A cewar Sarkin, aikin kwamitin zai mayar da hankali ne wajen hana sare dajin da ba bisa ka’ida ba, yaki da gawayi da katako har da gudubale, wato sare bishiyoyi don sarrafa su. Sarkin ya kara da haramta sare wasu bishiyoyi na musamman kamar su Tsamiya, Dorawa, Kanya Dinya da Tabo, ko da kuwa bishiyar tana cikin gidan mutum ne. Ya bayyana cewa duk wanda aka kama da karya wannan doka zai gurfana a gaban kwamitin, kuma ba za a yi wasa da batun ba. Tarkon Kwamitin ya kunshi: Sakataren kwamitin shine Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu Halad, Daraktan sashin aikin gona na Karamar Hukumar Ningi. Sarkin ya ja kunnen jama’a da su guji yin kunnen uwar shegu da wannan sabuwar doka, yana mai cewa ba za a lamunci cin zarafin muhalli ba a masarautar Ningi.

Wike Blasts ADC-Led Coalition Labels Members Desperate Power Seekers and Defectors

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Abuja — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fierce attack on members of the newly formed opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), dismissing the group as lacking credibility, cohesion, and the capacity to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking during a media chat with journalists on Thursday, Wike described the coalition as a “desperate alliance of failed political actors” who, according to him, are merely regrouping after being edged out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). “There is no coalition,” Wike said bluntly. “The opposition has decimated themselves. The only party that can, if they put themselves well, challenge this government is the PDP.” Wike specifically took aim at former Senate President David Mark, now interim chairman of the ADC coalition, accusing him of previously attempting to hijack PDP’s leadership. “David Mark wanted to be chairman of the PDP, and we resisted it,” Wike said. “Now he has gone to chair the coalition. Let’s see who Nigerians will listen to.” Also in his line of fire was Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a former presidential aspirant, whom Wike described as “politically irrelevant.” “Dele Momodu ran for president and didn’t get one vote. That one is in the coalition too,” Wike mocked. The minister, known for his hard-hitting political commentary, accused many in the coalition — including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar — of serial defections driven by personal ambition. “Atiku left PDP for AC, came back, joined APC, returned to PDP, and now he’s in ADC again. They just want to control wherever they go,” Wike alleged. He also questioned the sincerity of coalition members who frequently invoke national discontent as a rallying point. “They keep saying Nigerians are angry. Just say you’ve been defeated and stop projecting your failure onto Nigerians.” Wike challenged any member of the coalition to match his record in public office, particularly in his current role as FCT minister. “If I leave office today, I can list my achievements. Let any of them do the same.” He also hinted that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai’s involvement in the coalition may be due to political frustration. “If the President hadn’t dumped El-Rufai, would he be in a coalition today?” With the 2027 general elections looming, Wike stressed that despite internal wranglings, the PDP remains the only viable opposition party — if it maintains its unity and structure. “Politics is about interest. They did everything to hijack the PDP chairmanship and we resisted. If the PDP stays united, it alone can challenge the APC,” he concluded.

Opposition Defections to ADC Strengthen APC Ahead of 2027 — Analyst Claims

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

A political analyst has described the mass movement of members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a few disaffected All Progressives Congress (APC) elements into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a development that ultimately strengthens the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Reacting to the widely publicised “coalition” formed earlier today, the commentator argued that, by law, individuals cannot belong to more than one political party, making today’s declaration of support for ADC a formal abandonment of their original parties — particularly the PDP. “Their open declaration for ADC today is a clear abandonment of their previous parties,” the statement read. “In fact, belonging to two political parties is a ground for disqualification in an election.” The defection, according to the analyst, marks the beginning of the end for the PDP, which he says has now been fractured beyond repair, with older party stalwarts sidelined by emerging forces within. He described the new ADC-led coalition as a desperate attempt by Atiku Abubakar’s faction to secure a new platform for the 2027 presidential race. “The so-called coalition is just Atiku’s faction of the PDP looking for another vehicle to the 2027 election. It is a gathering of ‘former this’ and ‘former that’ of the PDP,” he stated. The defection of a few APC members was dismissed as inconsequential, with the commentator arguing that many of them had worked against President Tinubu in the 2023 elections or had lost political relevance. “Their movement takes NOTHING away from the APC. In fact, it’s like removing a disease from within — the APC is better off without them,” he said. He further suggested that Labour Party’s Peter Obi is being lured into the coalition by Atiku’s camp only for his electoral value, with no intention of giving him the presidential ticket. “They want Peter Obi’s votes, but not to hand him the ticket. That’s why David Mark is interim chairman. Politics watchers know what that means,” he added. “And how do you make someone who won two regions in 2023 (South-East and South-South) a running mate to someone who won only one (North-East)?” In conclusion, the statement claimed that APC has emerged stronger since the 2023 elections, with significant defections into its fold from elected officials, while the opposition is “fragmented and weakened.” “For now,” he concluded, “let us focus on governance and allow them to exercise their constitutional right to associate and assemble.” The remarks highlight the deepening rifts within Nigeria’s opposition bloc as the 2027 electoral race begins to take shape.

Peter Obi: Coalition Adopts ADC for 2027 Elections David Mark Named Chairman Aregbesola Secretary

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Abuja — A newly formed political coalition officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday as its platform for contesting the 2027 General Elections, unveiling former Senate President, Senator David Mark, as National Chairman and former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, as National Secretary. The coalition, which brings together former members of major political parties, declared its intention to offer Nigerians a credible and compassionate alternative in the next election cycle, pledging to prioritise competence, unity, and the welfare of citizens. “This decision was not made lightly,” the group stated in its formal announcement. “It comes from deep reflection on where we are as a country and what must be done to move forward.” In a statement read at the unveiling, coalition leaders emphasised the need for collaborative sacrifice and cross-party unity, noting that “no one group can change Nigeria alone.” They stressed the urgency of building bridges across divides to dismantle systemic issues such as poverty and insecurity. The coalition’s vision aligns with the recurring call for a “New Nigeria,” a phrase frequently echoed by former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who is believed to be aligned with the movement, though his official stance remains unconfirmed. “A new Nigeria is possible,” the statement concluded. The coalition’s emergence signals a potential realignment in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027, with growing efforts among opposition figures to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Liverpool Star Diogo Jota Killed in Car Crash in Spain at 28

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

Liverpool forward and Portuguese international Diogo Jota has tragically died in a car accident in Spain at the age of 28, authorities have confirmed. According to Sky Sports News, the Guardia Civil in Zamora confirmed Jota’s death following a fatal crash that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday on the A-52 motorway in Cernadilla, Zamora province, in Spain’s Castilla y León region. Also killed in the accident was Jota’s younger brother, André Silva, aged 26, who played for Penafiel, a Liga Portugal 2 side. Authorities said the accident occurred at 12:30 a.m. local time (11:30 p.m. BST). The vehicle reportedly burst a tyre while overtaking, veered off the road, and subsequently caught fire. The tragic news comes less than two weeks after Jota’s wedding to his long-time partner. The couple shared three children, making the loss even more devastating for the family and football community. Jota, known for his dynamic play and goal-scoring prowess, was a key player for both Liverpool FC and the Portuguese national team. His untimely death has sent shockwaves across the global football landscape, with tributes pouring in from teammates, clubs, fans, and football federations worldwide. The football world mourns the loss of one of its brightest talents, whose career and life were cut tragically short. Further details about funeral arrangements and tributes are expected in the coming days.

N14.4bn for Luxury Cars: Customs Faces Backlash Over 2025 Vehicle Budget Amid Economic Hardship

Fola Badmus3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Abuja — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has come under fire from civil society organisations following revelations that it plans to spend ₦14.39 billion on luxury vehicles for senior officers in 2025, as part of a broader ₦35.27 billion vehicle procurement budget. According to details obtained from the service’s proposed 2025 appropriation bill, 579 new vehicles are to be purchased, with the most expensive models earmarked for senior ranks such as Comptrollers, Assistant Comptroller-Generals (ACGs), and Deputy Comptroller-Generals (DCGs). Unit prices for these vehicles range from ₦44 million to ₦75 million. Brands listed for acquisition include BYD hybrids, CHANGAN, MAXUS D90, NISSAN MG5, MIKANO, and NORD, with a breakdown showing 20 CHANGAN CS95 vehicles at ₦68m each for ACGs and 15 MAXUS D90 SUVs at ₦70m each for DCGs. Also budgeted are 20 QIN BYD hybrid sedans (₦65m each) and 15 HAN BYD hybrids (₦75m each), along with 180 sedans for Comptrollers valued at over ₦9.5bn in total. Additionally, operational vehicles such as 50 NORD TUSK trucks, 100 JIM 4WDs, and 10 30-seater buses are included in the proposal. Civil society groups have slammed the plan as wasteful, tone-deaf, and morally unjustifiable, especially as millions of Nigerians grapple with severe economic challenges. Ayo Ologun, convener of the Transparency and Accountability Group (TAG), accused the Customs of hypocrisy. He questioned why the agency would spend billions on imported vehicles when it had impounded thousands of serviceable cars in recent years. “Customs claim to be generating revenue but squander it on luxury. Why can’t they refurbish seized vehicles instead of this extravagant spending?” Ologun asked. In 2024 alone, the Customs reported 397 seizures of vehicles valued at ₦5.64 billion, while over 3,400 vehicles were seized in 2023. Anti-corruption groups argue these could meet the agency’s operational needs if refurbished, saving the nation scarce resources. Debo Adediran, Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CAROL), described the procurement as “obscene opulence,” saying it reflects the public sector’s insensitivity to citizens’ struggles. “This is a time for empathy, not extravagance,” Adediran stated. “Many Nigerians are struggling to survive, yet government officials continue to flaunt immoral affluence.” He added that funds allocated to vehicle purchases could instead support critical sectors such as health and education. As public frustration over government spending grows, critics are calling for greater fiscal responsibility and a reassessment of luxury spending in governance—particularly during a time when many Nigerians face worsening inflation, unemployment, and economic hardship.