Connect with us

latest

Enekwechi Withdraws As Amusan Targets Hurdles Crown At African Championships.

Published

2 months ago

on

Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 African Senior Athletics Championships in Accra have suffered a major blow following the withdrawal of three-time African shot put champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi from the national team.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Enekwechi will no longer defend his title at the competition, which begins today, May 12, at the University of Ghana Sports Complex and will run through May 17.

His withdrawal was confirmed on Monday, leaving Nigeria with a significant gap in the throws category.

The development adds to Nigeria’s growing concerns, as the team is already without women’s African shot put record holder Jessica Oji, while national decathlon record holder Jami Schlueter has also been ruled out due to visa complications.

As of the time of reporting, officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) had not provided reasons for Enekwechi’s withdrawal, leaving the cause of his absence uncertain.

The 33-year-old recently competed at the Simbine Classic in South Africa and boasts a season’s best of 21.74m, recorded during his second-place finish at the Drake Relays on April 24.

Since making his African Championships debut in Asaba in 2018, Enekwechi has dominated the event, winning the last three editions.

In 2025, he made history as the first African athlete to surpass the 22-metre mark, throwing 22.10m to secure bronze at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene and set a new continental record.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s world record holder Tobi Amusan is set to begin her campaign for a third African 100m hurdles title in Accra.

Amusan heads into the championships with five continental gold medals from both individual and relay events.

She won the 100m hurdles and 4x100m relay titles in Asaba in 2018, repeated the feat in Mauritius in 2022, and added another relay gold in Douala in 2024.

Liberia’s Ebony Morrison enters as defending champion after setting a championship record of 12.7 seconds, while Nigeria’s Adaobi Tabugbo and Janet Sunday will also compete in the event.

The heats are scheduled for 5:30pm on Tuesday, with the final billed for the following day.

Following the championships, Amusan is expected to head directly to Shanghai to begin her Diamond League campaign in a highly competitive field that includes Ditaji Kambundji, Masai Russell, Danielle Williams, and Devynne Charlton.

Related Topics:
Advertisement

latest

From Terror To Freedom: 951 Hostages Rescued As Troops Decimate 662 Enemy Fighters!.

Published

27 minutes ago

on

July 2, 2026

By

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has introduced a new toll-free emergency hotline, 193, designed to empower Nigerians to report security threats directly to the authorities. The announcement was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, during an Abuja press briefing on Wednesday, where he detailed the military’s performance for June and the second quarter of 2026.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Call to Public Action

Maj Gen Onoja emphasized the critical role of public cooperation in counter-insurgency efforts, urging citizens to share reliable information with the nearest military units or via the 193 hotline. He provided strong assurances that all reports submitted through these channels will be handled with strict confidentiality.

Q2 2026 Operational Highlights (April – June)

The military reported significant successes in its campaign against insurgency and criminal activity throughout the second quarter:

  • Neutralizations: 662 terrorists and criminals were neutralized.

  • Arrests: 1,084 suspects were taken into custody.

  • Rescue Operations: 951 kidnapped civilians were successfully liberated.

  • Surrenders: 39 insurgents laid down their arms.

  • Logistics & Arms: Troops recovered 328 weapons, 12,590 rounds of ammunition, and dismantled 12 illegal refining sites while seizing over 464,268 litres of stolen petroleum products.

June 2026 Performance Snapshot

For the month of June specifically, the military’s efforts included:

  • Neutralizing 129 terrorists and criminals.

  • Arresting 486 suspects.

  • Rescuing 542 kidnapped individuals.

  • Securing the surrender of 11 insurgents and recovering 130 firearms along with 5,538 rounds of ammunition.

Strategic Accomplishments

The briefing also highlighted specific tactical achievements, including the apprehension of suspected terrorist informants across Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Oyo states, as well as the successful repelling of attacks in Borno and Adamawa. Maj Gen Onoja concluded that these results serve as clear evidence of the military’s consistent professionalism and steadfast commitment to operational excellence across all theaters of conflict.

Continue Reading

latest

Your Money Is Safe! NDIC Begins Multi-Billion Naira Refund Following Nationwide Bank Closures!

Published

30 minutes ago

on

July 2, 2026

By

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has initiated the process of taking over the operations and assets of 46 microfinance banks after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) withdrew their operating licenses. The revocation follows the banks’ failure to satisfy the regulatory requirements necessary to maintain their standing within Nigeria’s banking sector.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on Wednesday by Hawwau Gambo, the Head of Communication and Public Affairs, the NDIC issued a strict warning to the public to cease all banking transactions with these institutions, as they are no longer authorized to operate. Furthermore, the corporation cautioned against any interference with the banks’ records, assets, or property, noting that such actions are illegal and could result in prosecution.

Liquidation Process and Depositor Protection

Appointed as the official liquidator under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 and the NDIC Act 2023, the corporation is now managing the closure of these institutions. Key aspects of this process include:

  • Asset Management: The NDIC has begun taking possession of the failed banks to settle their affairs.

  • Verification: Efforts are currently underway to verify depositor claims to facilitate the payment of insured deposits.

  • Transparency: The agency has committed to providing regular updates to depositors regarding the liquidation process and any subsequent necessary steps.

Is there anything else you would like to know about this development?

Continue Reading

latest

Sowore Takes On The Establishment: A Promise To Abolish JAMB And End NYSC Service!.

Published

35 minutes ago

on

July 2, 2026

By

Omoyele Sowore, the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has outlined a platform focused on major structural reforms to key Nigerian institutions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sowore has pledged to implement the following changes if elected President:

  • Abolition of JAMB: He intends to dissolve the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, arguing that university admissions should be handled directly by the institutions through a transparent, merit-based process rather than through additional bureaucratic layers.

  • Replacing NYSC: The current National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be scrapped in favor of a two-year, voluntary “National Job Corps”. This new program is intended to provide participants with practical skills, entrepreneurship support, and clear pathways to permanent employment.

  • Focus on Youth Opportunities: Sowore emphasized that instead of compulsory schemes, young Nigerians require genuine job opportunities and the autonomy to determine their own futures.

Allegations Regarding Kuje Correctional Centre

Following his recent release from detention, Sowore also highlighted concerns regarding the conditions at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.

  • Overcrowding and Health Concerns: Sowore alleged that the facility is severely overcrowded, housing over 1,158 inmates, including 37 individuals currently receiving treatment for tuberculosis.

  • Legal Context: Sowore had been remanded at the facility by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja following a case linked to comments he made regarding President Bola Tinubu.

  • Criticism of State Institutions: After being granted bail on Tuesday, July 30, 2027, Sowore condemned the alleged use of government institutions to intimidate critics and suppress political dissent.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 NIVONEWS