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Agbebaku promises inclusive leadership after consensus endorsement

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By Maxwell Kumoye        The political landscape in Owan West Local Government Area received a major boost for unity and reconciliation ahead of the 2027 elections as the All Progressives Congress adopted Rt. Honourable Chief Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku as its consensus candidate for the House of Assembly race. The development has been widely applauded by party stakeholders, supporters and prominent sons and daughters of the constituency, who described the move as a significant step toward strengthening peace, cohesion and political stability in the agric-rich local government. In a message of appreciation to party leaders and supporters, Agbebaku expressed gratitude to God and the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in him, noting that the consensus arrangement reflected a collective commitment to the growth and progress of Owan West. “This moment is not merely a personal victory; it is a triumph of peace, reconciliation, maturity, unity of purpose, ...
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James Emmanuel hails team chemistry after Team Nigeria’s 4x100m silver finish

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By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra           James Emmanuel has described Team Nigeria’s second place finish in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Senior Africa Athletics Championship as the result of friendship and the bond within the squad. Emmanuel who made his debut on the continental scene was impressed by the results. He expressed his happiness in having something to show for the team's effort. Team Nigeria finished second in the fiercely contested Final with a time of 38.70 behind Côte d’Ivoire's 38.52. In an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye shortly after the race, Emmanuel described the result as encouraging. He admitted there was still room for improvement ahead of future competitions. “It was a good race, and we are happy that we left here with something,” he said. The Nigerian sprinter credited the bond within the relay quartet for the strong showing, noting that despite ...
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I’m back and better — Favour Ashe

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…As the Nigerian nightmare returns to winning ways By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra           An influential member of Team Nigeria’s silver-winning 4x100m relay squad at the Senior Africa Athletics Championship, Favour Ashe says the performance marks the beginning of a stronger phase in his career. Popularly known as the “Nigerian nightmare,” Ashe said the relay result is only a glimpse of what lies ahead for him and Team Nigeria Athletics. Although the quartet had to settle for silver, Ashe was upbeat about the podium finish, even as he admitted that gold had been the ultimate target. He pointed to a shaky final baton exchange as one of the key moments that denied the team top honours. “Firstly, I want to give thanks to God Almighty for the win. We wanted gold, but I’m happy we made it to the podium,” Ashe said. “There are a few rooms for improvement. We could have gotten the gold. The last baton exchange was a bit shaky.” Fo...
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Golden girls again – Nigerian women power Team’s triple gold haul in Accra

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By Maxwell Kumoye        Nigeria’s women once again carried the nation’s golden hopes on their shoulders, delivering all three gold medals for Team Nigeria at the ongoing African Athletics Championships in Accra. From the last Solidarity Games to the World Championships in Tokyo and the previous Commonwealth Games where Nigerian women swept all 12 gold medals, the pattern has remained unmistakable, when medals are needed most, the women rise. The latest statement came in emphatic fashion as the quartet of Rosemary Nwankwo, Jennifer Obi Chukwuka, Rosemary Chukwuma and Miracle Ezechukwu stormed to victory in the women’s 4x100m relay, clocking a blistering 42.94 seconds to set a new Championship Record. Nigeria held off a determined challenge from Liberia, who settled for silver, while host nation Ghana claimed bronze in front of an energetic home crowd at the University of Ghana Stadium. The triumph further cemented Nigeria’s long-standing dominance in the ...
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Akure set for thrilling Asiwaju Renewed Hope Southwest 3x3 Basketball Challenge

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By Maxwell Kumoye        The ancient city of Akure is set to come alive with thrilling basketball action as the Southwest Basketball Association gears up for the highly anticipated Asiwaju Renewed Hope Southwest 3x3 Basketball Challenge. The championship, scheduled to hold at Democracy Park, Oja Oba, Akure, Ondo State, will bring together top talents from across the six Southwest states, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, in a showcase of skill, speed and competitive spirit. According to the Southwest Representative on the board of Nigeria Basketball Federation, Olumide Oyedeji, teams are expected to arrive on the 15th, while games will tip off on the 16th before the grand finale on the 17th. The tournament, which continues to gather momentum within the Nigerian basketball community, is aimed at discovering and promoting grassroots talents while strengthening the culture of 3x3 basketball in the region. The event is powered by the Honourable Minister...
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How Okon-George inspires Team Nigeria’s golden run in Accra

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...Everyone should focus on their goal, sky is their limit By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra        “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step” this proverb aptly captures Team Nigeria’s road to becoming African champions. These were the words of one of Nigeria’s finest quarter-milers, Patience Okon-George, who anchored Team Nigeria’s 4x400m squad to continental victory in Accra, the Ghanaian capital. Okon-George led a young Nigerian quartet to international glory, stressing that execution was all that mattered. “4x400m mixed has always been for Nigeria. Yesterday it was all about execution, right from the first leg to the end, just the way we planned it. It was great,” she said. The quartet of Ezekiel Asuquo, Toheebat Jimoh, Victor Imeh and Patience Okon-George combined brilliantly to overpower the opposition. Asuquo kept Nigeria in contention on the opening leg, while Jimoh electrified the race by surging from third place into the l...
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Tobi Amusan, a positive influence in my career — Adaobi Tabugbo

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...Begins final preparations for Commonwealth Games By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra          A member of Team Nigeria at the Senior African Athletics Championships, Adaobi Tabugbo, has described world record holder Tobi Amusan as a true friend and a major positive influence on her career. In an exclusive interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG’s Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye, Adaobi Tabugbo said following in the footsteps of the world champion gives her the push she needs to keep striving for greater heights. She added that Amusan has always been someone she looked up to, describing it as a privilege to compete alongside her. “Tobi is more of a blessing than she knows to me. I’ve always looked up to her and I’m happy to have her in my space,” she said. Amusan delivered Nigeria’s first gold medal of the championships after winning the women’s 100m hurdles final, while Adaobi Tabugbo clinched bronze to secure her first individual...
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South Africa overtake Nigeria as African Track Championships intensify in Abuja

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By Maxwell Kumoye      Team South Africa has surged to the top of the medals table after Day 2 of the 2026 African Track Championships at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, overtaking hosts Team Nigeria in a fiercely contested battle for continental dominance. Nigeria had ended the opening day in commanding fashion, powered largely by an impressive showing from the junior women cyclists who delivered four gold medals, while the elite men added another gold to place the hosts atop the standings with five gold, two silver and three bronze medals.  South Africa trailed closely behind with four gold, two silver and one bronze medal. However, the momentum shifted on Day 2 as the South Africans produced a dominant display across several events, harvesting seven gold, three silver and two bronze medals to move into first place with an overall tally of 11 gold, five silver and three bronze medals. Nigeria, meanwhile, managed one gold, three silver and ...
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EFCC arrest Kogi State Basketball Chairman as NBBF leadership ambition suffers major blow

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  By Maxwell Kumoye        The Nigerian basketball community has been thrown into fresh controversy following the arrest of Mustapha Abdullahi by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged money laundering offences reportedly involving more than N500 billion. FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG gathered that Abdullahi, who is also the Chairman of the Kogi State Basketball Association and proprietor of Confluence Kings Basketball Club, was arrested in Abuja on Wednesday and remains in EFCC custody as investigations continue. The development is already sending shockwaves through Nigerian basketball circles, particularly amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the next leadership battle in the Nigeria Basketball Federation. Abdullahi had recently emerged as one of the names being heavily packaged by influential stakeholders to assume a major leadership role in the federation, with sources alleging that NBBF boss Engineer Musa Kida ...
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Representing Nigeria, an experience I will always cherish — Oyesade Olatoye

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...Pans silver in Hammer By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye in Accra           'No two sunsets are ever the same', these are the words of an influential member of Team Nigeria at the Senior Africa Athletics Championship, Oyesade Olatoye, as she describes what it feels like when representing Team Nigeria. She made this statement in an interview with FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG's Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye. Oyesade Olatoye emphasized that despite representing Team Nigeria for years, she feels very honoured every time she dawns country's jersey. Olatoye, fondly called Mrs. Reliable, lived up to her name and the expectation of her nation, clinching silver in the Women's Hammer. She threw a distance of 69.60 to secure the podium finish, re-enforcing her presence in the Hammer Event. “The experience, is never enough, every championship comes with a new opportunity, coming out to represent the country is a feeling that can never get old, day...
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