In a landmark gesture aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and promoting sports development, the British High Commission has made a generous donation of jerseys, boots, rugby balls, and other essential equipment to the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF).

The initiative is part of a strategic partnership with UK-based charity, SOS Kit Aid, known for supporting emerging rugby nations across the globe.

The symbolic handover ceremony took place in Abuja where British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever, expressed the UK’s commitment to fostering grassroots sports development and social inclusion through rugby. She applauded Nigeria’s rapid rise in African rugby, noting the country’s remarkable climb from 24th to 8th position in just under three years.

“Over 120 countries around the world now play rugby. There’s no reason why Nigeria shouldn’t be one of the leading nations on the continent and a force globally,” Lever said. “It’s been exciting to witness the growth of rugby in Nigeria, especially with initiatives aimed at encouraging young girls and women to take up the sport. Rugby builds character, promotes discipline, and teaches the value of teamwork, all of which are qualities that benefit society at large.”

She also emphasized the British Government’s belief in the power of sports as a unifying force and a tool for youth empowerment. “Rugby’s core values—respect, integrity, resilience—mirror those needed to build a strong and inclusive society. By investing in sports, we are investing in the future of communities.”

Representing the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Maigidasama, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Sports, commended the British High Commission and SOS Kit Aid for their support. He described the donation as timely and impactful, especially for a sport like rugby which is still developing in Nigeria.

“With over 40 sports federations under our purview, this support for rugby is a big encouragement,” he said. “We sincerely thank the British High Commission for this gesture, and we hope it can be extended to other federations in the near future. These kits will go a long way in aiding training programs and national team preparation.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, NRFF General Manager Azeez Ladipo traced the journey that led to the donation. He revealed that the process began with an application submitted in March 2024 to SOS Kit Aid. Through diplomatic collaboration and logistical support provided by the British High Commission, the equipment was delivered to Nigeria at no cost to the NRFF.

“This is a major milestone for us,” Ladipo said. “We are especially grateful for the role played by the British High Commission in ensuring these kits made it to our shores. It’s partnerships like this that give life to our ambitions for rugby in Nigeria.”

He went on to highlight several achievements under the current administration led by NRFF President Dr. Ademola Are, which include:

Climbing from 24th to 8th in Africa’s rugby rankings in less than three years.

Launching the Rugby Rising Play Programme, a girls-only initiative currently running in 15 states across Nigeria targeting teenagers aged 10 to 18.

Appointing Steve Lewis, a two-time USA Rugby Coach of the Year, as head coach of the Nigerian national rugby team.

Reviving the women’s rugby programme, which had been dormant for several years.

Winning the President’s Cup against Ghana, reaffirming Nigeria’s position as a growing force in African rugby.

The event concluded with a symbolic handover of kits to  state representatives  present at the ceremony, sparking excitement among young players and coaches who lauded the gesture as timely and transformative.

As Nigeria’s rugby story continues to unfold, this collaboration with the British High Commission marks a promising chapter—one defined by opportunity, empowerment, and a shared vision for the future of the sport.

Solange Ngonda Tibesa, a Ogoja based Cameroonian refugee will be representing Nigeria at the fifth edition of the World Table Tennis Day 2025 event.

The WTTD 2025 is an event that is supported by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) to promote the development of the game of table tennis at the grassroots level all over the world.

According to the ITTF, “30 promoters were selected for World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) 2025, representing 27 countries and territories across all 5 continents. These passionate individuals will play a pivotal role in uniting communities and sharing the joy of table tennis on 23rd April 2025.”

A record 160 persons applied to be considered as a WTTD 2025, promoters, out of which Solange and 29 other applicants from 27 counties and 5 continents applied to be considered.

Furthermore, the ITTF stated that they will provide Solange and the other promoters, with the financial assistance, capacity-building resources, and personalised guidance to align their initiatives with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the theme of diversity and inclusion.

Solange, who is currently a full-time staff of Save the Children, is also a trained netball coach, who supervises the compulsory twice a week training of the more than thirty netballers that are based at the Adagom 3 refugee camp.

During a telephone interview with journalists, Solange, stated that on 23rd April 2025, she and the Ogoja refugees table tennis organising committee hope to hold the event in the Adagom 1, Adagom 3 and Ukende camps. Over one thousand persons are expected to attend this event in the three separate refugee camps. The event will be spiced up with table tennis challenge, live music, health and well-being talks, and some light refreshment for the spectators.

Furthermore, Solange stated, “as an experienced community worker, I know the important role sports can play in bringing people together and giving them the opportunities to compete with each other under set rules, in a respectful manner.

“I am also aware that sports could be used to empower and provide psychosocial support to vulnerable persons, including the physically challenged. We hope to use the game of table tennis to reach out to my fellow Cameroonians and members of our host community in Ogoja.”

Finally, Solange commended CSED (Community Sports and Educational Development) Initiative, for bringing the WTTD 2025 grant advertisement to her attention and encouraging her to apply for WTTD 2025.

The Boxing Promoters Association of Nigeria has pay a condolence visit to the family of former West African and national light-heavyweight champion, Segun ‘Success’ Olanrewaju, whose shocking death still troubled boxing stakeholders and sports enthusiasts.

BPAN executives led by the President, Hon. Omonlei Imadu were in Sango Otta, Ogun State to commiserate with the family and expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident which occurred on Saturday, March 29. Imadu and his team were recieved by the sisters to the late pugilists Folarin Olarenwaju, Rachel Olarenwaju, the wife Olarewaju Adebusola Maria and other senior members of the Olanrewaju’s family.

Olanrewaju collapsed during a bout, an eight-round international light-heavyweight contest, sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority, at the Bukom Arena in Accra.

It was alleged that the boxer was pressured to take the bout because of certain financial commitments, even when he was not medically certified and cleared to face the Ghanaian boxer. Jon Mbanugu.

BPAN empathized with the family over their lost, pledging support to ensure that the late boxer’s death is throughly investigated and culprits face the music if found guilty, as a way to deter unscrupulous persons and organizations from treating boxers as noting, for their own gains.

While seeking justice and compensation for the deceased family, for the irreplaceable loss of the 40-year-old boxer, BPAN as a matter of great concern calls on Nigerians, government and organizations to support the family at this difficult time.

BPAN President, Imadu with the approval of the executive board, announced educational scholarship for the late boxer’s first child Olanrewaju Irenitemi to the secondary school level. Imadu, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Yucateco Boxing Promotions, on behalf of the outfit further donated half a million (500,000) naira to the family.

Imadu said the gesture to show support to the late boxer’s family was born from a place of grief and solidarity with them in this difficult time. The BPAN boss also called on other well-meaning Nigerians beyond the boxing fraternity to come to the aid of the late Olanrenwaju’s family.

” this is a very sad incident that must not be allowed to happen again to any Nigerian boxer, as members of BPAN we have resolved to stand behind the late boxer’s family hence our visit to his home here in Sango-Otta”.

” My personal donation to the family is also a way of taking the lead as I urged other well-meaning Nigerians to follow suit “.

Olanrewaju’s death further exposed zero structure and regulations that support and guaranteed athletes safety, Imadu advocates for serious measures to be taken before boxers step into the ring.

He noted that BPAN recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with Lagos based New Ikeja Hospital to provide free and adequate healthcare, medical support and insurance for Nigerian boxers.

Other BPAN executives present at the visit to the late Olanrenwaju’s home includes Saleh Fawaz, the body’s
International Vice, President, Patrick Ekujumi, Chairman BPAN-Care, and
Yusuf Olowolekomoh, Sec.General. Also on the lists are Ezekiel Oshinmi BPAN’s regional president, and Onyeka Elum, ex-officio member.