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

6th JOF Kids Cup Kicks Off In Lagos

The much awaited 6th edition of the annual Under-13 JOF Kids Soccer competition kicked off on Sunday, 16th February 2025 at the Union Bank Sports Club playground on Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos with 64 neighborhood football clubs and academies taking part in the tournament.

This is one of the Corporate Social Responsibility programs of the sponsor company, JOF Nigeria Limited, a wholly indigenous manufacturing and supply chain services organisation, which took special interest in the development of talents of the Nigerian youths. The U-13 JOF Kids Cup this year promises to be more glamorous, judging from the display of the kids during the kick-off match between Shaker Boys from Oshodi and Omonia Babes of Oto Awori.

Though Shakers Boys won the grudge tie by a lone goal, it was obvious that Omonia Babes put up a display on the pitch to send a message to opponents in the course of the first round of the competition that they are not pushovers.

Chairman Organising Committee of the tournament, Samuel Omolola disclosed that the first round will be keenly contested across three centres, Union Bank playground in Surulere, Ojo Oniyun playground in Ebute-Metta and Lekki playground in Eti-Osa, adding that matches are scheduled to be played on weekends to give the children opportunity of concentrating on their studies during the week. Omolola commended the sponsor, JOF Nigeria Limited, for the support since the first edition. He assured everyone that Lagos State Grassroots Soccer Association will continue to organize a tournament of high football standards that will motivate the kid footballers.

Mr. Adeyinka Adetunji, the Director, Strategic Support Services, who represented the Chairman/CEO of JOF Nigeria Limited played the ceremonial kick-off. Adetunji advised the footballers to enjoy themselves on the pitch while displaying their God-given talents.

Other registered participating teams in the 6th edition of the tournament are, Small Tiger of Epe, Rufy Academy of Badagry, Puma Boys of Ojo, Latoyam Boys of Aguda, United Boys of Ogijo, Alaro Babes of Apapa, Yinka Babes of Badagry, Barca of Mainland, Adeomo Boys of Okoko, Junior Arsenal of Alimosho, Kola Babes of Ipaja, Miracle FC of Ijesha, Young Stars of Lagos Island, Warrior FC of Agege, Bariga United of Bariga, HB Utility of Ilupeju, Oron Academy of Oyingbo, Edet Academy of Aguda, Oloto Babes of Otto, ADC Academy of Ogba, Ajegunle Boys of Ajegunle, Idimu Bombers of Idimu, Tom boys of Orile, Oworo United of Oworo, Tobi Boys of Ojodu, Rock FC of Ojodu, Ultimate Villa of Ikorodu, Royal FC of Iwaya, Stricker Academy of Oko-Oba, Dollar Boys of Ifako, Landa Boys of Okoko, Demilade Boys of Ayobo, MRS Academy of Imota, Global FC of Mushin, Fagbems Boys of Ikeja, Alaba United of Alaba, Oluyole FC of Ayobo, Ikosi babes of Ketu, St. Michael of Alimosho, B. Unit of Surulere, Amazon Boys of Ikoyi, Abey Boys of Ajah, Afun Academy of Maryland, Kamin Boys of Oyingbo, Zamadek of Lagos Island, Chelsea Boys of Ketu, Ajiran Boys of Ajiran, Okota Academy of Okota, Ola’s Babes of Somolu, Greater Tomorrow of Lagos Island, Strong Dove of Orile, Adamu Academy of Idi-Araba, Glory FC of Ikotun, Mafe Ace of Ijegun, Botife Ace of Abule-Egba, Solution Boys of Apapa, Dopemu United of Dopemu, United Star of Mafoluku, Musiner FC of Mushin, Ultimate Stars of Apapa, Young Boys of Ojo, Abu Babes of Igando and Aket Babes of Iddo.

Local News

Nigerian Player Drags Super Eagles Coach Chelle To His Club

FK Rabotnichki star defender, Sodiq Anthony Rasheed is making the right headline in Southeastern Europe, distinguishing himself as the best productive player in the Macedonian top Football League.

The experienced 24-year-old has consistently maintained top form that ranked him as the best player in the league. His versatility on the pitch is what many Macedonian pundits have described as genius.

His club, Rabotnichki are currently in the 1st position with the same 37 points with the 2nd and 3rd positions. Thanks to the efficiency of Rasheed who has scored two vital goals so far and made himself a solid rock at the defence line of the team.

Speaking on his explosive form, he said: “I am enjoying every bit of my career in the league, my major focus is to remain consistent and help my team to win the title this season. I have been encouraged to do more and I am not going to let my current performance affect my main focus.”.

Rasheed exceptional and superlative performance is sending a message to the newly hired Super Eagles coach to take a stop at the Macedonia league as he is currently moving around to shop for new players.

“I am not going to be too desperate, I almost had a chance under the former foreign coach, and maybe this time around I can be invited to the national team to prove my experience can count at the defence line. My target for 2025 is to win the Macedonia league and take big advantage of Super Eagles camp and I hope this comes to pass.”

Rasheed has become the rave of the moment in the Macedonian top league following the superlative display that saw him nominated for several Macedonian 1. MFL Team of the Week player.

Local News

Play For Super Eagles – Chelle In Contact With 29 Year Old Newcastle United Forward

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is not leaving any stone unturned in his bid to ensure that the senior national team of Nigeria progress to the 2026 World Cup.Nigerian football apparel, as reported by OwnGoalNigeria.

The coach made a tour last week to see players of the team ahead of the world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. He is expected to submit his provisional list of players for the world cup qualifiers to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) later this week.

He is also planning ahead of both games, and we can exclusively reveal that he has made contact with Newcastle United forward Jacob Murphy who is eligible for the senior national team of Nigeria.

Chelle had a chat with the 29 year old to gauge his interest in switching to Nigeria due to his Nigerian descent. Details of how the discussion went wasn’t made available to us as at the time of this report.

Murphy who has represented England at various level is of Irish descent through his mother and he is of Nigerian origin through his father. He is yet to be capped by any of the above nation at senior level.