The President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF), Engineer Musa Nimrod, has expressed confidence in the country’s readiness to host the African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, scheduled to take place from April 1 to 14 in Abuja.

Speaking during an inspection of facilities, Nimrod commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the main sponsor of the championship, for their unwavering support.

“With the help of the Nigeria Customs Service, who are the main sponsors, we want to say thank you very much. They are doing a very good job, and we appreciate them,” he said.

The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, is determined to deliver a world-class tournament, with its volleyball team aiming to surpass their fourth-place finish in 2021 and make history by winning on home soil.

Nimrod assured that Nigeria Customs’ women’s volleyball team is in top form ahead of the competition, having embarked on a West African tour in preparation.

“I know they are in full preparation. They are on a West African tour, and I know they would do their best. We are well prepared. It is left for the players now, but I know that everything required for them has been provided by the Nigeria Customs Service,” he stated.

He also called on volleyball enthusiasts across the country to come to Abuja and support the tournament.

“The opening ceremony is taking place on the 3rd, and the closing ceremony on the 13th. I want to request all Nigerians, particularly volleyball enthusiasts and players, to come to Abuja,” he urged.

The African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship will bring together top teams from across the continent, further strengthening Nigeria’s position in international volleyball.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has pledged full media support for the upcoming African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship, set to take place in Abuja from April 1-14, 2025.

In a courtesy visit led by SWAN President Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the Customs Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja, discussions centered on fostering a productive working relationship to amplify the championship’s impact and promote volleyball’s growth in Nigeria.

The NCS volleyball team, Nigeria’s sole representative, is eager to improve on its fourth-place finish in 2021 and aims to leverage home advantage to make history as both hosts and potential champions.

The Nigeria Customs Service, as the sole sponsor of the event, has committed significant resources to ensure a world-class tournament, making it the first-ever African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship hosted in the region.

Speaking on behalf of the SWAN President, Secretary-General Ikenna Okonkwo praised the Customs Service for taking the bold step to bring Africa’s top club volleyball tournament to Nigeria.

“This is a historic moment for Nigerian sports. Hosting an event of this magnitude is a testament to the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to sports development. As the sporting media, we are proud to partner with Customs to ensure this championship gets the visibility it deserves, both locally and internationally,” Okonkwo stated.

FCT SWAN Chairman, Kelechi Onwudiwe, assured that the sporting press in the capital city would fully mobilise to give the event maximum coverage, working together with the SWAN National leadership.

“We are committed to delivering a viral championship, one that will showcase the passion and dedication of the Nigeria Customs Service and its Comptroller General. This partnership goes beyond the championship; it is a foundation for a stronger relationship between Customs and the sporting media,” Onwudiwe emphasised.

Responding, NCS Comptroller General CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (MFR) welcomed the collaboration, highlighting the vital role of the media in making the championship a success.

“We are not just hosting this championship; we are aiming to make history. With SWAN as a strategic media partner, we are confident that this event will leave a lasting impact. Beyond volleyball, we look forward to a sustained working relationship with the sporting media for the promotion of various sports under Customs,” the CG said.

With this landmark collaboration, SWAN and the Nigeria Customs Service are set to make the 2025 African Women’s Club Volleyball Championship a defining moment for Nigerian sports.

The SWAN delegation also included FCT SWAN Vice Chairman Victor Okoye, FCT SWAN Secretary Samuel Ahmadu, and FCT SWAN Welfare Officer Joan Iwuchukwu.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Sports Development, Dr Daniel Igali, has called on the National Sports Commission and the Main Organising Committee of the National Sports Festival in Ogun State to include traditional wrestling known as “Kuwa” and Canoeing as part of the events for the festival.

Honourable Daniel Igali made the call when he received Bayelsa athletes who represented Nigeria at the recently-concluded 13th ECOWAS African Wrestling Tournament at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja which was part of activities lined up to celebrate ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary.

Honourable Igali commended the Bayelsa athletes for yet again, making the country proud after Ebi Biogos 76K and Ebipadei Mughabofa 66K won gold each for Team Nigeria while combining with their teammates to win two silver medals in team events.

Igali, who heaped praises on Nigeria’s abundant talents in every sport called on the National Sports Commission being led by proven sports administrators, Shehu Dikko
and Bukola Olopade to consider including traditional wrestling and canoeing in the events to be competed for, at the Sports Festival coming up in Ogun State.

According to Igali, traditional wrestling is one of the local sports in the country and Africa that connects our cultural heritage. Thus, it deserves to be part of the events for the Nigerian version of the Olympic Games.

Also, the world and Olympic wrestling champion expressed shock at canoeing being excluded from the festival despite successively qualifying for the last two editions of the Olympics.

He described canoeing as one of the potential sports that can win Nigeria medals at the Olympics if properly encouraged and invested in.

While formally receiving the athletes Igali said “On behalf of the Bayelsa State Government, I receive you all with pride, celebrating what you have done. This shows clearly the focus of sports development in Bayelsa.”

“Arising from that, it is a bit of an irony that Nigeria has hosted the whole of West Africa in traditional wrestling, and we don’t have it at the next sports festival in Ogun State. My appeal to the National Sports Commission is that this is one cultural event that is relatable to virtually every culture and tribe in Nigeria,” Igali said.

“Let me also use this opportunity to mention another sport canoeing, this is one sport that Nigeria has a good opportunity to win a medal at the next Olympics if we plan very early. Over the pa8st Olympics, it has qualified athletes who have done very well and need to be encouraged by harnessing its potentials” Igali maintained.

Igali concluded by appreciating the Bayelsa State Government led by Senator Douye Diri for massively encouraging sports development through approval of funds to execute its programmes.

Meanwhile, the Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, who is the overseer and direct principal of the wrestlers, applauded them for representing the state and being good ambassadors of the Ijaw Nation.

Braveman noted that their triumph speaks volumes of the developmental policies of the Prosperity administration of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo