Knockouts and submissions Dominate the Battle Of The Hood MMA Tourney.

 

Combat sports lovers witnessed an action-packed evening of knockouts and submissions as the 'Battle of The Hood' Mixed Martial Arts MMA showpiece lived up to its billing at the Honourable Lukman Oluomo Sports Arena in Ajegunle.

The tournament, organized by Akalaka Spirit Of The Warrior, lasted into the early hours of Sunday 27 April 2025 with fight fans in Ajegunle asking for more.

Heavyweight star Kabiru 'Hulk' Adediran dominated Atiti Fidelis with a first-round technical knockout in the main event, confirming his reputation as one of Nigeria's most intimidating fighters.

Dr Ebere Bernard, President of the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior MMA Promotion and Director, Youth Development in the Nigeria Mixed Martial Arts Federation, expressed satisfaction with the quality of bouts on display.

"For me, it's one of the best fights I've witnessed this year. As you can see, we have a lot of knockouts, submissions, and very entertaining fights. Gradually, we will get to identify with the game of MMA as a means of entertainment," he said.

In the light heavyweight category, Fabian 'Gentle Giant' Texas emerged as the standout performer, winning both his bouts via first-round knockouts to claim the division's honor. 

His path to the final victory over Martin Aziba included a first-round demolition of Imohi Prince in the semi-final.

Aziba had knocked out Ennis Abdulkareem in another semi-final of the light heavyweight class.

The lightweight category saw Joseph James claim victory by split decision against Effiong Bassey in a closely contested final, while Jeremiah Akpan secured a first-round submission win against Ichendu Victory in the bantamweight division.

The women's flyweight competition produced equally thrilling encounters with Immaculata Nelson emerging as the Best Fighter of the Night after defeating Miracle Andrew by submission in the third and final round. 

Nelson had earlier advanced by submitting Khadijat Idowu in the second round of their bout, while Andrew reached the final by securing a unanimous decision victory over Quadri Balikis.

"I'm very excited about winning the Best Fighter of the Night award. I was prepared, I knew I was going to fight two fights and so I did all I could so that I'll be able to withstand anything that comes," Nelson said after her triumph.

"You know people have talents but they don't have the platform to showcase their talents so this kind of platform makes the athletes go back home and train more, knowing that there is an avenue that can showcase us to the world so I thank the organizers."

Chris Nwokolo, vice president of the Akalaka Spirit of the Warrior, highlighted the organization's mission to change perceptions about Nigerian youth through combat sports.

"We're all about youth empowerment, creating opportunities for youths and an avenue for them to express themselves. How can we catch those very energetic youths and channel their energies in the MMA world," he said.

"We want to feed that culture and put Nigeria out there. So when people think about Nigeria, they're thinking of strength, they're thinking of youth, and that way they stop thinking of us as a nation of fraudsters, but rather as a nation of energy."

The event, which was broadcast to over 35 countries across Africa and beyond, represented another significant step in Nigeria's developing MMA scene.

According to Dr Bernard, fighters who reached the finals will be signed to the promotion with opportunities to compete internationally.

"The ultimate goal of Akalaka promotion is to depopulate the streets with youth that are associated with negative vices and by so doing, provide them with an economic means, job opportunities, and training," Dr Bernard explained.

Commonwealth Games 2026 Baton Relay Reaches Nigeria.

The buildup to next year's Commonwealth Games will be under the spotlight in Nigeria as the country hosts the King's Baton Relay KBR between 15 and 18 July 2025.

Launched at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day, Monday 10 March 2025, the relay is expected to traverse 74 Commonwealth nations and territories.

The KBR for the Commonwealth Games 2026 commenced on 11 March 2025 in the Caribbean.

Africa is the second region to host the relay, with Nigeria joining the rest of the continent for the six-day festivities.

For the first time, each nation and territory will receive a baton which will be designed to showcase its culture, creativity, and vision.

In Nigeria, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games, Nigeria will decorate the baton.

To facilitate this, a joint committee comprising the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the National Sports Commission will be established to plan and execute the program.

The baton will be presented to His Majesty during the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in Scotland on 26 July 2026.

Second Tier Club Competition Throws Out Lagos Based Side

After failing to honour three consecutive games in the Nigeria National League NNL, Lagos based side 1472 FC will take no further part in the 2024/25 season.

The NNL relied on the league’s article 14.11 to expel the club.

In the letter signed by the NNL’s Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, the defaulting side 1472 are also fined the sum of N5 million.

Consequently, the results of all their played matches have been nullified, and unplayed matches canceled. 

1472 failed to hhonormarches against Abia Comets (Match 9), Dakkada FC (Match 53), and Ijele FC (Match 74).

Story by Kelechi Bernard @woramangra

LSG launches National Immunization week...as immunization begins May 3rd

The wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-olu, has flagged off the  National Immunization Week in Lagos, with a call on parents to avail their children from age zero to five years of polio vaccines between May 3 and May 6.

At the kickoff ceremony at the Lagos House, Alausa, Dr Sanwo-olu, said the state government remains committed to ensuring no child in Lagos dies of any disease that can be prevented by immunization.

The theme, Humanly Possible, Saving Lives Through Immunization, challenges us to do everything we have power to ensure again, no child suffers or dies from a disease. We have the tools and knowledge to prevent. In line with the vision of our governor, young governor, Mr. Mabajidio Nishola, and the Teams Plus agenda, it prioritizes health and health development.

The state remains resolute, and " I keep on repeating it, no child should be left behind "

"We will keep on talking to them to ensure that all the children that have missed out are covered. We've done it before, we'll do it again. We will find them.

Let us make a collective pledge today that no child in Lagos will suffer from a disease we can prevent, that we will reach the unreached, that we will end polio once and for all. Like I said, we will find them. We will advocate continuously, update the community regularly.

She commended the Commissioner of Youth for supporting the young ones by ensuring that the immunization campaign achieved the desired results.  

Quoting the youth leader, "He told us 60% of our community is made up of youth.

He reminded us, of no youth, no nation. No nation, no youth. The work is now being passed down to our youth". She said

They have to continue campaigning so that we can save the young ones out there.

According to her, "From Saturday, May 3rd to Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, the leg of state, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and our development partners, will roll out the National Immunization Plus Games. Children aged 0 to 59 months at 0 to 5 years will receive two doses of oral polio vaccine, free of charge."

She urged Community and religious leaders as well as the Media to champion the course of the advocacy to correct all misinformation and myths about vaccines, noting that "it is safe.

We will keep on talking to them to ensure that all the children that have missed out are covered. We've done it before, we'll do it again. We will find them.

Let us make a collective pledge today that no child in Lagos will suffer from a disease we can prevent, that we will reach the unreached, that we will end polio once and for all. Like I said, we will find them. We will advocate continuously, update the community regularly.

The Chief of the UNICEF Field Office for Southwest Nigeria, Ms Celine Lafoucriere, maintained that over two million children in Nigeria are still not immunized which pose threats to their well-being and that of others in their communities, hence the need for aggressive awareness to reduce Polio to ground zero, noting that oral polio vaccine prevent over twenty four million cases of paralysis.

On his part, Director Health Education and Information, Lagos State Health District 1, Mr Olawole Abiola, appealed to parents especially mothers to ensure their children take the full doses of immunization saying one off vaccination is not good enough, with emphasis that the many myths around vaccines are not true and children should not be deprived of their fundamental human rights.

High point of the event was the commemoration immunization walk from the  office of the first lady at Alausa to Ikeja with health workers displaying placards with the immunization week theme Immunization for all is humanly possible, for every child: complete vaccination.

Use alternative routes: Lagos to close popular bridge in phases for 110 days.

The Lagos State Government has announced a detailed traffic diversion plan ahead of the emergency repairs on the Oworonshoki/Third Axial Bridge.

The schedule is to begin on Tuesday, 6th May, and run until Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025.

The repairs, which will span a total of 110 days, will be executed in eight phases across both lanes of the bridge.

According to a statement issued by the Commissioner,  Lagos Ministry of Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, Phases 1 to 4 would cover the stretch of the Oworonshoki/Third Axial Bridge inbound the Third Mainland Bridge and would last from 6th May to 14th July, adding that phases 5 to 8 would focus on the outbound section of the bridge and would run from 15th July to 23rd September.

He said during the first phase, motorists heading to Oshodi or Victoria Island through Oworonshoki would be diverted about 50 meters before the work zone and returned to their original route shortly after the affected area.

“Commuters approaching from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are advised to reroute through the Ojota Slip Road, continue onto Ikorodu Road, and access Anthony, where they can make a right turn by the Taxi Park to reach Oshodi,” he said.

“Other alternate routes include using Anthony via Town Planning Way to link Gbagada and proceed via Third Mainland Bridge, or travelling from Mowe and its environs through Ojota and Funsho Williams Avenue to connect Eko Bridge and proceed to Victoria Island.

“For those coming from Ikeja, a route through Maryland, Funsho Williams Avenue, and onward to Outer Marina is advised. Drivers heading to Oshodi from Ikeja should use Ikorodu Road through Maryland, turn at Anthony by the ramp near the Taxi Park, and continue to Oshodi,” Osiyemi added.

According to the commissioner, when the repair moved to the outbound section from 15th July, motorists heading to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Oworonshoki would also be diverted 50 meters before the affected area and merged back to their original lane afterward.

He said commuters traveling from Victoria Island to areas like Alapere, Ketu, and Ikorodu were encouraged to use Eko Bridge and continue on Funsho Williams Avenue through Ikorodu Road towards their destination.

Osiyemi added that travelers heading to Mowe and surrounding areas from Victoria Island could also follow the Eko Bridge through Funsho Williams Avenue and proceed via Abiola Garden Ramp.

He assured that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials would be on the ground throughout the repair period to manage traffic flow and reduce inconvenience to road users.

He urged motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials, stressing that the partial bridge closure is necessary for vital maintenance work on the bridge’s expansion joints by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

The government reiterated its commitment to minimizing disruptions while ensuring the safety and structural integrity of the bridge.

Confident Flying Eagles Target Win in Under 20 AFCON Opener

Flying Eagles coach Aliyu Zubairu is excited that his boys are riding on an immense psychological wavelength ahead of Nigeria's Under 20 AFCON opener on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

Buoyed by a 2-1 friendly win over hosts Egypt recently, the Nigerian team will play their Tunisian opponents in the opening Group C tie at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.

“That result has provided a good impetus for us as we prepare to face the Tunisians – another North African opposition. You need a result like that when preparing for a competition like this. It does not mean that we will rest on our oars; it only serves to give us much-needed confidence and ginger us to face our challenges better," Zubairu pointed out.

“We will go for the maximum points against the Tunisians and then take it one step at a time as we forge ahead.”

After Thursday’s battle with Tunisia's Junior Carthage Eagles, the seven-time African champions Nigeria will be up against 1997 hosts and winners Morocco, also at the 30 June Stadium, before wrapping up their group campaign against Kenya.

Forty years ago, the boys from Carthage were the victims as the Flying Eagles won the second of their seven African titles, in the era when the winner was decided over two legs. 

Two years ago, the Carthage Eagles again bowed to the Eagles 0-4 in the third-place match of the U20 AFCON, also hosted by Egypt. 

Kparobo Arierhi, who scored three goals at the WAFU B U20 Qualifying Championship and netted the first goal in the Egyptian friendly on Tuesday, Germany-based Precious Benjamin and home-boys Clinton Jephta and Divine Oliseh are the key foremen that Zubairu will be hoping to deliver against each and every opposition.  

However the West Africans understand that they must take it one match at a time as they aspire for glory, with Cup holders Senegal (who head Group C), hosts Egypt (who head Group A), and four-time winners Ghana (in Group C) also in the hunt for honors.

Four-time champions Egypt (winners in 1981, 1991, 2003, and 2013) already pocketed three points from their opening match against South Africa on Sunday, while Zambia and Sierra Leone fought themselves to a scoreless draw.

Ghana have their work cut out in Group C, where they must negotiate survival with title-holders Senegal, a Central African Republic side that eliminated Cameroon, and the nifty Democratic Republic of Congo.

All four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, 27th September – 19th October.

24 FLYING EAGLES AT EGYPT 2025:

Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)

Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United)

Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)

GROUP A: Egypt, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Tanzania

GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

Story by Kelechi Bernard @woramangra

News: My "apology" to Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio - Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan

 

The embattled Senator Natasha  Akpoti Uduaghan has tendered an apology to Senate President Godswill Akpabio having accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

The letter reads:

From the Desk of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan

Dear Distinguished Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

It is with the deepest sarcasm and utmost theatrical regret that I tender this apology for the grievous crime of possessing dignity and self-respect in your most exalted presence.

Natasha said, "I have reflected extensively on my unforgivable failure to recognize that legislative success in certain quarters is not earned through merit, but through the ancient art of compliance — of the very personal kind.

How remiss of me not to understand that my refusal to indulge your… “requests” was not merely a personal choice, but a constitutional violation of the unwritten laws of certain men’s entitlement. 

Truly, I must apologize for prioritizing competence over capitulation, vision over vanity, and the people’s mandate over private dinners behind closed doors.

She says, "I now realize the catastrophic consequences of my actions: legislation delayed, tempers flared, and the tragic bruising of egos so large they require their postcodes. 

For this disruption to the natural order of “quid pro quo,” I bow my head in fictional shame.

Natasha continued, "Please find it in your magnanimous heart - somewhere buried deep beneath layers of entitlement - to forgive this stubborn woman who mistakenly believed that her seat in the Senate was earned through elections, not erections".

I remain

Yours in eternal resistance,

Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan

Unafraid, Unbought, and Unbroken