Nigeria News (Standard)
Folmus to Host Four-Team Wheelchair Basketball Invitational in Lagos, Promotes Disability Sports
Tournament expected to boost wheelchair basketball visibility; organisers target improved inclusion for athletes with disabilities
Tournament expected to boost wheelchair basketball visibility; organisers target improved inclusion for athletes with disabilities
Folmus, a local sports development organisation, has announced plans to host a four-team wheelchair basketball invitational tournament in Lagos. The event is scheduled to take place within the city, with the aim of promoting disability sports and providing more competitive opportunities for wheelchair basketball athletes in Nigeria.
According to the organisers, preparations are underway to ensure a successful tournament that will bring together teams from across the country. The invitational will feature four selected teams who will compete for honours, with matches expected to hold at a designated sports centre in Lagos. Details regarding participating teams and exact fixtures are yet to be released by Folmus as at Thursday.
Stakeholders say this initiative is coming at a crucial time for disability sports in Nigeria, where athletes living with disabilities often face limited access to quality competitions and training facilities. The tournament is designed not only to showcase sporting talent but also to raise awareness about the challenges and achievements of wheelchair basketball players in the country.
Organisers expressed hope that the event would attract attention from both government officials and private sector sponsors. “We believe that this competition will help draw more support for disability sports and highlight the potential of our athletes,” a Folmus representative said in a statement on Thursday. The group also called on Lagos State authorities and corporate organisations to collaborate in promoting inclusive sporting events.
The tournament is expected to become an annual fixture, with organisers planning to expand participation in future editions. Stakeholders anticipate that increased visibility could lead to more investment in wheelchair basketball infrastructure and inspire greater participation among persons living with disabilities across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Gunmen Kill Six in Ogun’s Obafemi-Owode as Residents Flee After Failed Kidnap Attempt
Police confirm soldier and local hunter among dead; deserted homes reflect fears of renewed attacks in Ogun communities
Police confirm soldier and local hunter among dead; deserted homes reflect fears of renewed attacks in Ogun communities
No fewer than six persons, including a soldier and a local hunter, have been killed in Fowowawo, Ajerogun, and Magbon-Etido communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State following a failed abduction attempt by suspected gunmen on Monday. The incident has triggered mass exodus, with residents abandoning their homes for fear of further violence.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stormed a dredging site in the early hours of Monday targeting a Chinese national. Security operatives and local hunters responded swiftly, leading to an exchange of gunfire which resulted in the deaths. Police Public Relations Officer Babaseyi Oluseyi confirmed that one of the suspected kidnappers was also killed during the shootout.
The affected communities have witnessed reduced activities since the attack, with many houses and shops remaining locked as at Wednesday when our correspondent visited. This latest incident comes three years after a similar kidnapping occurred in the area, during which ransom was reportedly paid before victims were released. Residents expressed concerns over poor road conditions linking the communities to Ofada, where the nearest police post is located, saying it hampers timely security response.
A resident who participated in the rescue efforts recounted that about five gunmen were involved. “We thought there was a fight among workers at the dredging site when we heard gunshots,” he said. “But when we got there with other hunters, we found ourselves surrounded by kidnappers.” He explained that an attempt to alert others led to heavy gunfire from the assailants.
Ogun State Police Command has assured that security presence will be reinforced in the area to prevent further attacks. However, some residents continue to flee out of fear, leaving many buildings deserted. Stakeholders are calling on government to address security lapses and rehabilitate access roads to ensure effective response in future emergencies.
Source: https://punchng.com/residents-flee-ogun-communities-after-six-killed-in-foiled-abduction/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Senate Leader Bamidele Unveils Plan to End Presidential, Governorship Second Term with Six-Year Single Tenure Bill
Proposed constitutional amendment aims to shift focus to governance; two-thirds of state assemblies’ approval required for passage
Proposed constitutional amendment aims to shift focus to governance; two-thirds of state assemblies’ approval required for passage
The Nigerian Senate, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), has initiated steps to introduce a bill that would end the current two-term system for presidents and governors, replacing it with a single six-year tenure. The proposal, revealed in Abuja on Tuesday, seeks to amend the constitution so that elected chief executives at federal and state levels can no longer seek re-election after their first term.
Currently, both the President and state governors are allowed to serve two four-year terms under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. If the new measure becomes law, future presidents and governors will be limited to a one-time six-year term, with no opportunity for re-election. Bamidele stated that the rationale behind the move is to enable leaders focus squarely on governance rather than spending their first term preparing for a second-term campaign.
“This idea is meant to strengthen our democracy by allowing leaders devote themselves fully to development programmes without the distraction of re-election politics,” Bamidele said during a press briefing at the National Assembly Complex. He explained that the bill is part of wider ongoing constitutional and electoral reforms targeted at improving Nigeria’s political process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, such a significant change requires more than just passage in the Senate. As presidential and governorship tenure are stipulated in the constitution, any amendment must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the National Assembly and also secure endorsement from at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 State Houses of Assembly. The Senate leader noted that this broad support is necessary to ensure legitimacy and national consensus.
While similar proposals for single tenure have surfaced in past administrations but failed at various stages of constitutional review, analysts say this fresh attempt could spark robust debate about Nigeria’s political future. If enacted, it would represent one of the most consequential reforms since Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1999. Lawmakers are expected to begin formal deliberations on the bill after next year’s general elections as part of ongoing efforts at constitutional reform.
Nigeria News (Standard)
NICRAT DG Says Private Sector Key to Boosting Cancer Care in Nigeria
Director-General stresses need for corporate investment to bridge funding gaps in cancer diagnosis and treatment nationwide
Director-General stresses need for corporate investment to bridge funding gaps in cancer diagnosis and treatment nationwide
The Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) has emphasised that private sector involvement is crucial for improving cancer care delivery across Nigeria. Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the NICRAT DG highlighted that government resources alone are not enough to address the rising burden of cancer cases and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
According to the NICRAT chief, public health facilities often face shortages of equipment and trained personnel, leading to delays in diagnosis and limited access to lifesaving treatments. He noted that increased partnership with private investors can help provide modern diagnostic machines, support training of health workers, and fund awareness campaigns aimed at early detection.
Cancer remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases reported annually. Experts say most patients present at advanced stages due to lack of awareness and inadequate screening services. The NICRAT DG stressed that without substantial private sector investment, efforts to reduce cancer-related deaths may fall short, especially in underserved communities.
He called on banks, telecommunications companies, oil firms and other major players in Nigeria’s economy to channel part of their corporate social responsibility budgets into cancer care initiatives. “Private sector participation will not only enhance service delivery but also ensure sustainability of intervention programmes,” the DG stated.
While government continues to invest in primary healthcare centres and regional cancer treatment hubs, stakeholders say collaborative funding models involving both public and private partners are needed for long-term impact. The institute plans to convene a national summit later this year to engage business leaders on concrete partnership frameworks for supporting Nigeria’s fight against cancer.
Gunmen Kill Six in Ogun’s Obafemi-Owode as Residents Flee After Failed Kidnap Attempt
Senate Leader Bamidele Unveils Plan to End Presidential, Governorship Second Term with Six-Year Single Tenure Bill
NICRAT DG Says Private Sector Key to Boosting Cancer Care in Nigeria
SEDC Defends ₦153 Million Expenditure on Abuja Liaison Office
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Ụlọ akụ Nigeria Welie Ogo Ego Naira Maka Ịkwụ Ụgwọ Mba Ọzọ N’ihi Ndokwa N’ahịa Ego Mpụga
