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Bash Alli: CHRSJ drags Minister of Sports, Dalung before anti-graft agencies for diverting N7.2b [DOCUMENTS]

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BY: Nmerichukwu Igweamaka

A reputable human rights organization, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ) has dragged the Minister for Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung before the   nations’ anti-graft bodies over criminal diversion of sum of N7.2b.

The rights group, maintained that the sum of N7.2billion was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Ministry for the promotion of a World boxing championship bout which involving a former world cruiser-weight champion, Mr. Bashiru Alli popularly known as Bash Alli.

signed by the Executive Chairman of CHRSJ, Comrade Adeniyi, Alimi Sulaiman and copies were made available to Journalists on Saturday,insisted that Mr. Dalung has diverted the fund which was meant for the promotion of the bout to pitched Alli, against one of the ten opponents that had slated to fight him(Alli) in a World Record Breaking event slated for Nigeria in January, 2019

According to CHRSJ boss, the Petition Letters were forwarded to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and also sent copies President Muhammadu Buhari,leadership of the National Assembly

CHRSJ drags Minister of Sports, Dalung before anti-graft agencies

and other concern agencies, calling for credible and thorough

investigation into the alleged diversion of N7.2billion by Dalung.

Comrade Sulaiman who disclosed that the anti-graft agencies had reported back to the group of receiving its Petition Letters and they have commenced investigation into the alleged corrupt practices of the Political head of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Development.

It would be recalled that Bash Alli Fans Club of Nigeria (BAFCON) in Lagos had earlier accused Mr. Dalung of frustrating the World Boxing Champion slated to hold early this year in the Country and also subjecting Mr. Alli to untold embarrassment and physical torture, which made them to condemn the lukewarm attitude of the outgoing Minister.

CHRSJ drags Minister of Sports, Dalung before anti-graft agencies

Speaking further on development, CHRSJ boss said that “We have been reliably informed that the current Minister of Youths and Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung has been sitting on the sum of N7.2b being the funds that have been approved (on two occasions) by President Muhammadu Buhari for the staging of a Guinness Book of Records world boxing event in January, 2019 in Nigeria.

“We are raising the alarm again to all Nigerians because we have seen that the minister has flagrantly disobeyed the President Buhari order by frustrating and sabotaging the effort of Mr. President to put Nigeria in the world’s sporting map through the boxing Champion because over 39 countries were expected to involve in the boxing game.

CHRSJ drags Minister of Sports, Dalung before anti-graft agencies

Sulaiman stated further that information reaching the group indicated that the out going Minister has not been living up to the expectations of sportsmen and women in the country by not ensuring that issues bordering on their welfare are giving top priority as the principal official who supervises the ministry.

“It is no gainsaying the fact that the activities of Dalung and other officials in the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports are very injurious to the sport development in the country.We have received so many complaints from various athletes complaining of outright neglect and gross diversion of public funds meant for their welfare and career advancement of athletes.We are using this medium to urge the anti-graft agencies to ensure that the culprits were brought to justice over the subject matter”, the rights activist submitted

CHRSJ drags Minister of Sports, Dalung before anti-graft agencies

Sulaiman who doubles as Convener, Save Lagos Group(SLG) urged President Buhari not to reappoint Mr. Solomon Dalung into his cabinet again because he has brought retrogression to the ministry in the last four years, adding that President Buhari should set up an independent investigation Committee into this matter of national importance.

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Hope Uzodimma Backs Chiney Ogwumike’s Vision for Girl-Child Empowerment Through Sports

Report by ORJI ISRAEL

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Imo State Governor welcomes ESPN Star (1)
L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development, Mrs. Dorothy Otazi; Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha; Chiney Ogwumike; Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD; Commissioner for Youths and Talent Hunt, Hon. Emeka Ukaegbu; and Chiney’s father, Nze Peter Ogwumike.

The Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on Monday, warmly received Imo-born American basketball player and ESPN host, Chiney Ogwumike, who visited the State to launch her foundation dedicated to empowering the girl-child through sports.

On behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD, warmly welcomed the American superstar to the State, describing her as a shining example of the excellence of Imo women in sports and other sectors.

Imo State Governor welcomes ESPN Star
L-R: Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD; and Chiney Ogwumike.

She reiterated the State Government’s commitment to talent hunt and sports development, recalling how the Governor recently hosted the triumphant Super Falcons of Imo state extraction and rewarded them handsomely for their commendable roles in the successful outing of the Super Falcons at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The Deputy Governor commended Ms. Ogwumike for her vision to inspire and support young girls in the state, pursuing their dreams through basketball and other sports. She noted that her remarkable gesture aligns with Governor Uzodimma’s broader vision of creating opportunities for youths across Imo State. She assured her of the government’s readiness to partner with well-meaning Imolites and Nigerians to bring positive development to the State.

Chiney Ogwumike is not only a celebrated WNBA athlete but also a global trailblazer whose achievements resonate deeply. In 2020, she became the first Black woman and the first WNBA player to host a national radio show for ESPN, and one of the youngest commentators ever named as an NBA analyst.

By 2016, she was elected vice-president of the WNBA Players Association, and in October 2023, she made history again as the youngest woman on the White House’s inaugural Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. Recognized globally, she is a 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree and an Executive Producer of the ESPN Films documentary 144, which chronicled the 2020 WNBA season.

In her address, Ms. Ogwumike expressed her commitment to helping young girls in Imo pursue their career in sports, especially, basketball. She credited her Igbo heritage for instilling in her the resilience and drive that propelled her to global success, pledging to use her platform to inspire the next generation of talents.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Obinna Onyeocha and the Commissioner for Youths and Talent Hunt, Hon. Emeka Ukaegbu, praised Ms. Ogwumike for being a true ambassador of Imo State. They pledged that the Government would support her foundation in achieving its objectives.

Also present at the event were her father, Nze Peter Ogwumike, senior government officials, and stakeholders in sports and youth development.

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MTN Nigeria Awards 150 million Naira to Super Falcons after Historic WAFCON 2024 Win

Reporter: Sandra Ani

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MTN Nigeria Awards The Super Falcons 150 Million Naira Following WAFCON Win
L-R: Dr. Muhammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation; Dr Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria; Rashidat Ajibade, Captain, Super Falcons; Ifueko Okauru, Director, MTN Nigeria; Chiamaka Nnadozie, Goalkeeper, Super Falcons and Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, President, Nigerian Football Federation at an MTN Super Falcons Breakfast Reception held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

MTN Nigeria has rewarded the Nigerian Super Falcons with 150 million naira following their remarkable victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). 

The announcement was made at a celebratory breakfast reception hosted by the technology company in Lagos, in the presence of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) leadership and female executives across key sectors, alongside a host of MTN executives who came out to celebrate the champions and reaffirm the company’s commitment to football, inclusion and youth empowerment.

The Super Falcons’ win goes down as one of the most thrilling in tournament history. Facing Morocco on their home soil, Nigeria came back from 2-0 down to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory, clinching their 10th WAFCON title and reinforcing their status as Africa’s most decorated women’s team. 

Delivering the opening remarks, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer, Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, highlighted the Super Falcons’ win as an inspiration for Nigerian women. “The Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is a championship that has been held 13 times and Nigeria has won 10 times. This is no small feat. It is a testament  to how determined  Nigerian women can be when they set out to achieve something. What you have achieved not only makes Nigeria proud, but it makes us, even we women, proud. Here at MTN, we believe, and one of our values is ‘Can Do’, can do with integrity. Your final match  exemplifies that.”

As the official telecommunications partner of the NFF, MTN presented the 150 million naira reward to celebrate the team’s resilience and achievement. MTN director, Ifueko Okauru explained that 115 million naira would go to the players and 35 million to the technical team. 

“At MTN we believe in the power of connection, not just through technology, but through our soul, through our spirits, what we share and what unifies us,” said Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.

Toriola described the company’s investment in the NFF as fruitful. “As proud sponsors of the Nigerian Football Federation, this long-term significantly financially-heavy investment in supporting the NFF has borne so many fruits. We followed you through every match, every challenge, every trial  and some of them losses. We followed you and we continue to support you and today we are so proud to say our efforts have not been in vain. We followed you for the big things, we followed you for the smaller things.

He added, “To the Super Falcons, you are more than athletes, you are inspirations. You are an inspiration for everyone in Nigeria, every young lady to go out there and make a difference. You are role models, you are ambassadors, and you are proof that when Nigerian women rise, the world will take notice.”

Captain of the Super Falcons, Rashidat Ajibade, thanked MTN and its board members for their warm reception and support. “We appreciate you a lot. We feel valued, we feel honoured, we feel respected, and this only inspires us to do better, and keep inspiring the next generation.”

“This win is for all of us,” she said, dedicating the 10th title not just to the current Super Falcons squad but to all the players who came before. While grateful for the milestone, she made it clear they were not content. “We want to take this to the next level. We want to be global contenders. We don’t want to be just local champions. It’s time to take it to the next level. We understand the huge responsibility on us,  and we hope that we can all work together, the Federation, the federal government, and also private bodies to keep investing and keep supporting  the Super Falcons Council so we can all  achieve this objective.”

The breakfast reception featured a classical string quartet, stirring soul-Afrobeats choir rendition that had the Falcons on their feet, dancing joyfully in celebration of their hard-won victory. Singer Praiz also delivered a performance that drew cheers from the audience and added to the festive energy in the room.

As the nation continues to celebrate their victory, this moment stands as both a reward and a reminder of what Nigerian women can achieve when backed by belief, investment and opportunity. The celebration was especially timely as it fell on Pan African Women’s Day, a fitting moment to honour the strength, resilience and achievements of Nigerian women on and off the pitch.

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Nwosu hails Super Falcons: You’ve shown the Nigeria spirit

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Super Falcons are 10th time WAFCON Champions
Super Falcons are 10th time WAFCON Champions

John C. Nwosu, governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has hailed the Super Falcons for lifting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s African Cup of Nations (WACON) held in Morocco for the 10th time, after a dramatic outing in Rabat, capital of the North African nation.

The Nigerian female team came from behind after a 2:0 lead they were handed down by the Atlas Lionesses at half time to turn the tide in a dramatic fashion, marked by energy, resilience, determination and skill, slotting in three goals in less than 30 minutes.

A totally enthralled Nwosu declared that feat clearly showed how with determination and focus, the most difficult tasks could be achieved and toughest challenges could be surmounted, adding that the feat embodied a lot of life’s lessons.

“What we saw today is the can-do spirit of that Nigerians are known for. It is a spirit that has broken many barriers and achieved great things. I particularly noticed the teamwork and synergy among the girls and their determination not to give up. It shows the reward of unity of purpose.

“As I watched our girls lift this beautiful trophy up, my spirit was also lifted. I am sure I am not alone. This spectacular achievement today shows how much we can achieve in Nigeria when we de-emphasise those things that divide the nation and emphasise the things that unite us.

“This is the focus of the ADC. We take it as a task to unite Nigeria by promoting unity, equity, justice and fair play in all facets of the society, knowing that together, working individually and collectively, we wake the sleeping giant.

“It is particularly so as we make deliberate moves to recreate a new Anambra where the government and the people will form an environment of common vision and move in the same direction, achieve a common goal. That vision has gained a strong fillip by this wonderful feat in Morocco.”

Well done girls. Once again, you have put smiles on millions of Nigerians, both home and abroad. May this joy continue to resonate everywhere in the life of our dear nation, now and in future.

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