by Ijeoma Chigbu

Former Nigerian , Commonwealth and World Wrestling Champion, Morris Atula says he has fully returned home after about forty years stay in Europe with bold intent of reviving the sport in the country.

Atula, Former Chairman of Edo State Wrestling Association said on arrival at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja that he is inspired by the return of the National Sports Commission (NSC) and presence of technocrats like Malam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olapade as Chairman and Director General of the NSC .

He stated that he has fully returned home to partake in nation building directly and commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s appointment of Technocrats to run the NSC adding that he has a key role to play if elected as the next president of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation.

“I’m tested and trusted having wrestled all over the World. I’m a technocrate with varst experience garnered as amateur and professional wrestler. I have been a successful coach beside being a sound administrator. I will work with key stakeholders to make Nigeria be among best wrestling nations ,as it were when late Mike Bamidele was our coach.

Morris Atula stressed that he will work with Veterans and technocrats in reviving Wrestling in Nigeria and ensure massive sponsorship drive to boost regular training and championships in all the 36 States of the federation and  the FCT

“There would be further training opportunities too for coaches towards impacting more on Wrestlers and my board will put more programmes in place for effective grassroot development”. He said 

Chairman Lagos boxing Hall of fame Olawale Edun has praised the performance of boxers who emerge champions of the annual Lagos governors belt tournament. Edun said the quality of boxers who come through the governors belt have displayed nothing but top class boxing

The renowned monthly Saturday Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) had undergone a rebranding, expanding its scope to include Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) alongside its traditional boxing tournaments. ” We are indeed very excited and proud of the performance of boxers who have over the years won the governors belt.

“Thats why the Hall of fame championship is consistent in availing the pugilists a platform to excell in their chosen career . We are grateful about the support we are getting but we need more people to come on board to discover more young boxers who will become worthy ambassadors for Nigeria ” He said

Oyebamiji Oluwasegun won the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt – Hall of Fame (HOF) 139 on December 26th (Boxing Day) at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Oyebamiji Quadri “Ekete” Oluwasegun defeated Qudus Lateef by a split decision in their 3 rounds Bantamweight (54KG) bouts, to claim the 15th Annual Governor’s Belt title and a cheque of five hundred Thousands Naira (#500k).

The tournament featured 13 heart-pounding boxing matches across various weight categories for both male and female fighters. Each athlete stepped into the ring with a fierce determination to claim victory and etch their names in the annals of combat sports history. In the 48kg male category, Abijuwon Farouq showcased his exceptional skills, decisively defeating Bolarinwa Micheal after three intense rounds. Abdulahi Robiu also shone brightly in the 60kg male category, exhibiting remarkable pace and precision to secure his win,

Nigeria has launched an emergency response centre after recording 190 deaths from Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic illness, the country’s disease control agency said on Monday.

The disease, mainly transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or excrement, has infected 1,154 people in six Nigerian states.

Jide Idris, head of the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC), said the agency’s risk assessment has categorized it as high, prompting the activation of the emergency Operations Centre to manage the outbreak.

“While the disease occurs throughout the year, peak transmission typically happens between October and May, coinciding with the dry season when human exposure to rodents increases,” he said at a press briefing in Abuja.

The centre will ensure seamless coordination of the control and management of the outbreak.

Symptoms of the virus – which can also be passed between people through bodily fluids of those infected – include fever, headaches and, in the most severe cases, death. The World Health Organization classifies Lassa fever as a priority disease due to its epidemic potential and lack of approved vaccines.