Local News

Lagos SWAN Urges AFRO SPORTS To Compensate Late Kola Omoniyi, Others

The Lagos Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has called on Mr Rotimi Pedro the owner of AFRO-SPORTS, who the late Mr Kola Omoniyi went on an assignment for, before he was shot by members of IPOB in Anambra state last week, to as a matter of urgency, compensate the family of the deceased.

The late Omoniyi and some sports journalists in various departments, were on official duty to cover the recently held AFCON 2025 qualifying match between Libya and Nigeria, slated in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

They were ambushed by suspected members of IPOB in Iseke, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State. Late Kola Omoniyi, a police officer and the driver of a coastal bus were killed by gunshots, four of them had fled into the bush while the others who all were Afro Sports journalists, were captured by the IPOB members, before, the rescue operations of the military, 34 Brigade in Owerri, Imo State and 302 Artillery Regiment in Anambra came to their rescue.

Chairman of Lagos SWAN, Ambassador Olatutu Oladunni, in a press statement on Monday, while commiserating with the family of Kola Omoniyi, Management of Afro Sports, wants a deserving compensatory package for the journalists rescued in the attack and most especially to the late Kola Omoniyi’s family, who is known to be a professional per excellence in his field and also one of the best hands in Africa broadcast industry when it comes to camera operations.

“I want to commiserate with AFRO-SPORTS on the untimely death of Kola Omoniyi and for the collateral damage the incident might have caused other journalists involved.

“The emotional damage, trauma and shock the noblemen experienced are not what one should wish for anyone.

“We have been in constant communication with the Defence Headquarters, the head of the military operations in the southeastern state and the Commander of General Support in the region. The Defence Headquarters have played a significant role and rendered a list of support on this incident and I am glad that a reasonable number of them were able to survive this horrible attack through the help and timely intervention of our military forces, who immediately engaged their medical team to take charge and ensure the shock and tension are subsided immediately after they were able to rescue our people from this evil attack.

The Lagos SWAN would like Mr Rotimi Pedro and the entire AFRO-SPORTS management to do the needful by taking over the full medical treatment of these journalists as they were also injured and compensating them.

“We want due compensation to the family the late Kola Omoniyi left behind. No amount of money can be compared to the value of life, and losing a loved one in a tragic attack like this is not a good memory. So, due compensation to Kola Omoniyi’s family and other journalists involved in the attack will be appreciated.

“We appeal to Mr Rotimi Pedro of AFRO- SPORTS to take quick action as three lives have been lost already in the process and as it stands, one of them (Quadri Abdul) is yet to be found”.

“The executive committee wants to also appeal to AFRO-SPORTS management to always put in place adequate security when embarking on long-distance journeys in the future as it is important we secure human lives at every cost.

“We understood through the commander of the team in the rescue operations led by Col. Muhammad of the Nigerian Army Artillery Regiment under the supervision of GOC 82 Division, that one of the mobile policemen attached to the buses was not armed. It was opined that they might have embarked on the journey without an official release from their command. One of them was even in mufti, and one was eventually shot by the IPOB members.

“Looking at the unfortunate incident and the hazard of the work we are doing as journalists, Lagos SWAN wants to appeal to all media organizations across the country to put in place functional insurance packages and pensions for their staff henceforth. Those that have already should show more interest in this because it is very important.

“Journalists face different levels of situations daily in the discharge of their duties to the society, hence the need to value their lives and welfare,” Oladunni said.

“We are glad the late Kola Omoniyi’s body has been exhumed by the military forces from the shallow grave the suspected IPOB members buried him. The body is currently in the mortuary fully supervised by the military.

One of the team members, Quadri Abdul, who travelled to cover the 2025 AFCON qualifier game in Uyo, is still missing and the military forces are still in search of him in the bush, we pray for his safe arrival so he can reunite with his family.

Local News

NOC/Jigawa State Sports Council host Sports Administration Course in Dutse

The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Sports Council, will organise a Sports Administration Course for key stakeholders in the sports sector.

The course will be held from April 23 to April 25, 2025, at the Manpower Development Institute in Dutse, Jigawa State.

The participants are expected to arrive on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and depart on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

The Sports Administration Course is an introductory training programme open to elected officials and paid NO staff members, the National Federations (NFs), club managers, physical education teachers, sports journalists, and other individuals or organisations responsible for developing sports.

The course has been designed using a framework and manual provided by Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) educational arm.

The objective is to reach a broad audience and share insights about the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Games, and sports organisation management.

Participants will gain knowledge of the Olympic values, the principles of good governance, and effective organisational management, all of which aim to enhance the support provided to athletes.

This initiative, part of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global educational programmes through Olympic Solidarity and the NOC, would seek to empower sports administrators with essential tools and knowledge to drive development and excellence within their organisations.

The 2025 edition specifically targets stakeholders from State Sports Councils/Commissions and Institutions of higher learning.

The programme will be delivered on-site and virtually and facilitated by two IOC-certified National Course Directors, Mr Emmanuel Nweri and Dr (Mrs) Esther Oluwatoyin Aluko—with support from Mrs Chidobi Deborah, the NOC Project Officer, and other distinguished speakers, including:

* Prof. Fasan Clement, Programme Director, IOC Advanced Sports Management Course

* Dr Akin Amao, Former Chairman/Member of NOC Medical & Scientific Commission

* Prof. Dominic Leah Funmilayo, University of Ilorin

* Prof. Abiodun Moronfolu, Lagos State University

* Mr Oyebode Oluseyi, CEO, Dynaspro Sports Academy

*Dean, School of Physical and Health Education & Special Education,
Edo State College of Education, Afuze Campus, Edo State. – Dr.Oyahkire Rasheed

The course will be officially declared open by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel in the company of Hon. Sagir Musa Ahmed, the Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports, and Culture, Jigawa State.

Local News

U-13 JOF Kids Cup: Sponsor Retains N1.925k Prize Monies For Winners, As 6th Edition Final Holds 27 April In Lagos

BY ADELU PRAISE DEBORAH

Just as it did for the 2024 edition, the sponsor of the annual U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament, JOF Nigeria Limited, has announced the sum of N1,925,000 as prize monies to be given to winners in the 6th edition of the grassroots soccer championship which final will hold on Sunday 27 April, 2025.

Speaking earlier on Thursday at the corporate headquarters of JOF Nigeria Limited on Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos southwest Nigeria, Mr Adeyinka Adetunji, Director of Strategic Support Services of the company told a media conference that the firm has set a very good standard for the grassroots football tourney last year with handsome rewards for excellence for the winners coupled with an exciting and glamorous final ceremony held at the University of Lagos (Unilag) Sports Centre in Akoka, Lagos, hence any package for the winners this year of the 6th edition must not be low.

Adetunji therefore unveiled the sum of N250,000 for the fourth-place winners. N350,000 will go to the third place, while the second-place winners will pocket the sum of N500,000.

“The winners of the 6th edition of U-13 JOF Kids Cup will go home with the sum of N750,000. We also monetary rewards for individual awards such as the Best Goalkeeper (N25,000), Highest Goal Scorer (N25,000) and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament who will pocket the sum of N25,000,” Adetunji said.

The JOF Nigeria Limited’s manager also announced the 27 April 2025 date for the final ceremony scheduled at the Unilag Sports Centre in Akoka, Yaba. He also disclosed that of the 64 teams that started the 6th edition on 16 February 2025, four teams would be on display during the final ceremony.

He said: “Strong Dove of Orile will trade tackles against 1st Class FC of Lagos Island for the third-place prize, while the final match will be a titanic battle between B. Unit Boys of Mainland and Versity Boys of Lagos Island.”

Some of the kids participating in the U-13 JOF Kids Cup

Adetunji applauded the support the tournament has been receiving from the sporting press since the first edition, just as he also commended various private companies which have been given services and product support to the tournament.

“This support has kept us going to give these kids a future in the round leather game. We are so much grateful. I want to assure you that the final ceremony this year will be more glamorous than what we saw last year,” Adetunji said.

The U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament is organised by the Lagos State Grassroots Football Association and sponsored by JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous Nigerian company, which prides itself in the development of talent of the Nigerian youth.

Local News

NDSF: Igali Hails Champions Team Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Honourable Daniel Igali, has praised Team Bayelsa for their exceptional triumph at the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital — where they emerged overall champions, finishing ahead of Delta and Edo States.

In a statement personally signed on behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Senator Douye Diri, Igali lauded the team’s fierce determination and excellence, which led to an impressive haul of 86 medals — 42 gold, 29 silver, and 15 bronze.

“Our athletes ran, swam, wrestled, paddled, and fought their way into history,” Igali declared. “From the thunder on the tracks to the brilliance on the mats and in the water, Bayelsa’s sons and daughters showcased the new, unstoppable spirit of our state — proud, prepared, and poised for greatness.”

“On behalf of His Excellency Governor Douye Diri, I say welcome home, champions! Thank you for making Bayelsa the pride of the Niger Delta at this historic maiden edition of the festival. You stood tall at the centre of a region redefining its future — a future beyond oil, driven by talent, hard work, and excellence.”

He continued: “To the Director of Sports, Braveman Wodi, our dedicated coaches, technical staff, secretaries, media team, and every single athlete who gave their all — you have etched your names into gold. We celebrate you. You have made us proud.”

Igali, however, reminded the team to stay grounded and focused as the journey continues: “While we revel in this remarkable achievement, our eyes must now turn to the bigger challenge ahead — the National Sports Festival, Gateway 2025, in Ogun State. It’s time to rest, recover, and prepare to raise the bar once again.”

Delta and Edo States finished second and third respectively, with Delta securing 41 gold, 26 silver, and 32 bronze medals, while Edo claimed 23 gold, 35 silver, and 31 bronze medals.

Bayelsa has spoken — and the message is clear: this is only the beginning.