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Osho, Adebayo confirm availability for Eagles

England-born Luton Town players of Nigerian descent, Gabriel Osho and Elijah Adebayo, are both open to playing for Nigeria at international level, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Both players were born in England to Nigerian parents but have never made any appearance at international level despite being eligible to play for England and Nigeria.

They have been outstanding for Luton Town, who are battling to stay in the Premier League after gaining promotion to England’s topflight division for the first time in the club’s history in 2023.

For Adebayo, Luton Town’s top scorer with nine goals in 23 Premier League games, is one of the surprise stars of the EPL season and a key player in Luton’s battle to avoid the drop.

The 26-year-old striker scored against Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and made history becoming the first Luton Town player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League when he spearheaded their 4-0 rout of Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

Irish international of Nigerian descent, Chidozie Ogbene, scored the other goal in the famous win.

Speaking on where his international future lied, Adebayo told The Times, “I would like to play for Nigeria.

“It would make my mum happy, make her proud. That’s something we’ve spoken about.

“Playing for England? It would be a case of whichever comes first. My mum would be proud if I played for Nigeria or England, but Nigeria especially.”

Osho, on his part, has made 14 Premier League appearances for the Hatters, helping them to four wins, three draws and two clean sheets.

Meanwhile, UK-based David Doherty, who contested the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation at last year’s election, added that both players were open to playing for Nigeria.

“Let us make it clear here once and for all, Gabriel Osho and Elijah Adebayo have always been open and committed to the Nigeria project and there has not been interest or move from England for the duo,” Doherty wrote on Instagram.

“Osho and Adebayo are both guaranteed for Nigeria from age 16 and nothing has ever changed since then. Osho has always been open to Naija, no doubt.”

If they eventually switch allegiance to Nigeria, Adebayo and Osho will follow the path taken by the likes of Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman and Leon Balogun.

Luton are currently 17th in the EPL table and are just a point away from the relegation spot with Everton closely behind them.

The Hatters will face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday aimng end their three game winless run in the EPL.

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Francis And Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation Unveils New Logo, Announces 2025 Essay Competition

 

Sequel to the name change effected four years ago as published in a National Newspaper from Francis Ibhawoh foundation to ‘FRANCIS AND FIDELIA IBHAWOH FOUNDATION’, the body in a press statement reiterate it’s are pleasure to announce that the name change reflects the shared values and lifelong commitment of Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh to Education, Community Development, and Youth Empowerment. 

“While the foundation’s name has evolved, our mission and core values remain unchanged, as we continue to strive for a positive impact in our local communities, while also empowering young people to find their voices and shape their future.”

Speaking at an event held in Lagos on the 16th of March 2025 to unveil the Foundation’s new logo, the Chairman of the Foundation, Gerard Ibhawoh states that, “the name change is more than symbolic. As it is a testament to the shared vision, values, and dedication of Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh, whose lifelong commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people and communities continues to inspire us”.

He also announced that in line with the foundation’s commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and critical thinking, the Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation, is pleased to announce the call for entries for the 2025 edition of its annual essay competition for undergraduates.

The 2025 Essay Competition has the theme, ‘Sports As a Catalyst for Social Change and National Development: In what ways can sports foster social inclusion, peacebuilding and youth empowerment?’

It further remarked that sports have the power to bridge divides, inspire communities, and drive meaningful change. How can we harness this power for a better society?

Entries for the essay competition opened April 01, 2025, and closes on

May 15, 2025. Winners will be announced on June 02, 2025, and with a prize money of N100,000 each for the best essays. And for further information, interested participants can reach out to:  www.ibhawohfoundation.com, and contact@ibhawohfoundation.com

The Francis and Fidelia Ibhawoh Foundation reaffirms its dedication to championing education, youth development, and community progress. As it looks forward to receiving insightful essays from young thinkers across the nation, in the bids to continue to inspire positive change.

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Aiyedatiwa Charges Team Ondo To Win Niger Delta Sports Festival

 

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has attended the opening ceremony of maiden Niger Delta Sports Festival at Uyo Township Stadium, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State.

The sports festival, promoted by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is holding in Akwa Ibom State between April 1 and 9, 2025, with states from the Niger Delta region participating.

Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Chairman, National Sports Commission, Alhaji Shehu Dikko, who represented President Bola Tinubu; Akwa Ibom State Governor and the Chief Host, Pastor Umo Eno, Executive Director, Corporate Services, NDDC, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, MD/CEO, NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, Permanent Secretary, Ministry Youth and Sports Development, Tolulope Adeyemi, among others

In his remarks at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa commended the management of the NDDC for putting the competition together, stressing that the initiative will go a long way in promoting grassroots Sports and engaging the youths of the region.

The Governor also thanked his Akwa Ibom State colleague for hosting the competition, describing the atmosphere at the venue as electrifying.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also took time to interact with members of the Ondo State contingent at the competition.

Adressing the athletes and coaches from the State, the Governor urged them to make Ondo proud by bringing home laurels.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also charged officials of the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to take good care of the team throughout the competition.

Team Ondo was the first contingent to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State’s capital, for the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).

The team is made up of 313 athletes and 56 coaches, participating in various track and field sports at the competition.

The Ondo State contingent is led by Mrs. Tolu Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development.

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Niger Delta Sports Festival opens with glitz and glamour

 

It was an exhilarating exhibition of beauty, enchantment and the wealth of cultural diversity in the Niger Delta region at the Uyo Township Stadium on Wednesday as the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF) was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid a special feel of splendour and magnificence.

 

The president was represented by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko who charged the athletes to replicate the glitz of the festival’s opening ceremony in their performance during the actual competition.

 

In what was a gathering of personalities and participants from all walks of life, the much talked about opening ceremony lived up to its lofty billing – graced by the powers that be and embraced by a cheering stadium spectators and millions of TV audience across the globe.

 

In the audience were the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, representative of the Delta State Governor, Senator Emmanuel Aguarivwodo, state sports commissioners from the nine states, members of the National Assembly and top officials of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

 

The showpiece was about the best way to kickstart what promises to be an intense sporting event which is expected to leave a lasting legacy, not only for the host state Akwa Ibom but the Niger Delta region and Nigeria as a whole.

 

Led by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, no fewer than 10,000 persons defied the torrential downpour that lasted hours to throng into the re-born sporting facility at the heart of the emerging metropolis of Uyo which is gradually becoming the hub of sporting activities in Nigeria.

 

In one voice they sang and danced in the rain to usher in a competition poised to become the major talking point in the discovery of future Kings and Queens of Sports in the continent, especially since the Niger Delta region reserves the right as one that gave birth to some of the best sporting heroes the continent of Africa can ever boast of.

 

Pastor Eno’s commitment to this cause was evident for all on the night, showing everyone why his administration gracefully accepted the hosting rights to stage the festival, stressing that this was just one of his administration’s conscious efforts at promoting sports and giving youths a chance to make a name for themselves and the nation.

 

The festival torch was lit by Olympian, Enefiok Udo-Obong and was supported by Festival Ambassadors including Victor Ikpeba, Seun Ogunkoya, Paralympian Patience Igbiti and Tamunosiki Atorudibo.

 

Afrobeat star, Phyno brought the night to an entertaining close with some of his hit songs which got the athletes cheering, chanting and dancing.

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