Team Nigeria dominated the medals table at the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025, with 36 medals, including 10 gold, 13 silver and 13 bronze as the competition concluded on Sunday.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya came in second position with 11 medals, comprising four gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the tournament hosted at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia.

Egypt rounded off the top three with eight medals, including three gold, one silver and four bronze.

Republic of Benin came in fourth position with one gold, two silver and two bronze, whereas Congo Democratic got fifth with one gold and two bronze.

Tunisia occupied the sixth position with  one silver and one bronze, as  Cameroun got six bronze for the seventh position.

Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, and Rwanda round off the top 10 with two bronze each as Mauritius  completed the medal table with one bronze.

Only Mozambique failed to win any medal among the 12 countries that participated in 19 events of the tournament that started on Oct. 7.

Meanwhile, African queen of para badminton,  Eniola Bolaji,  Chigozie Nnanna, Chukwuemeka Eze, Ijeoma Chukwuemeka, Mary Nathan, Chinyere Okoro, Munkwoba Gomanand Bello Tukur were among Nigeria’s gold medalists.

The trio of Bolaji, Nnanna and Nathan had won gold medals in their categories at the just-concluded First Abia Para Badminton International held between Sept. 30 and Oct. 5, at the same venue.

Also, Odinachi Uwalaka, Obinna Nwosu, Ifeanacho Ohaeri, Ebikoboere Brown, Abel David, James Akpan and Nendimwa Monday and others won silver for Nigeria on Sunday.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia extended warm congratulations and gratitude to all the athletes, officials and delegation that the event an extraordinary celebration of resilience and unity.

Otti, represented by Nwaobilor Ananaba, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said that the experience has been a priceless classroom for Nigeria.

“We have learned, improved and been inspired.

“And let me assure you – Abia will bid to host again, and when we do, we will offer an experience that will far surpass this pioneering effort,” he said.

In a goodwill message, President Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih said that the para athletes had demonstrated that sport is a powerful expression of ability, resilience and human dignity.

He thanked the Badminton World Federation and Badminton Confederation of Africa for their guidance, presence and unrelenting commitment to the advancement of para badminton in Africa 

 Orbih also expressed profound gratitude to Abia State Government, saying  governor Alex otti has  not only provided a world-class environment for competition, but  also created a home for friendship and unity among others.

Nottingham Forest striker and Nigeria international Taiwo Awoniyi has returned to full training after recovering from a serious abdominal injury sustained in May.

The 27-year-old forward had been sidelined after suffering a ruptured intestine, which required a two-stage surgical procedure.

PUNCH Online reported in May that the first phase of the operation was conducted and followed by an induced coma to allow medical staff to closely monitor his condition.

The second stage of the surgery, which involved closing the wound, was successfully completed on the third day.

Following the challenging recovery period, Awoniyi has now rejoined his teammates in training for the first time since May.

A post from Soar Super Eagles on Tuesday via X announced his return, stating, “Taiwo Awoniyi returns to full training after that serious abdominal injury in May. Great to see him back on the grass

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima led a galaxy of Nigeria’s elite, including former Presidents, to Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday to pay their final respects as the nation laid to rest the ex-military Head of State and two-term democratically elected President, Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu personally received Buhari’s flag-draped remains at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina shortly after 2 p.m., following its departure from London earlier that morning aboard the Presidential Aircraft on which Buhari rode during his eight-year tenure.

The burial ceremony, conducted according to Islamic rites by the Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Salisu Rabiu, attracted international dignitaries, including President Umaru Sissoci Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Niger, Ali Zeine, and former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou.

Former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar were also present, alongside the National Assembly leadership, including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Barau  Jibrin; Senator Kawu Sumaila, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Senator Sani Bello, Senator Abu Ibrahim, and Senator Yariman Bakura.

Security chiefs in attendance included Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Olufemi Oluyede; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai (retd.), and former Director General of DSS, Yusuf Bichi.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda led the state government delegation, which included Deputy Governor Faruq Jobe, Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly Nasir Daura, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Faskari, and members of the State Executive Council.

Federal Government officials present included Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Ibrahim Masari; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Isiaq Salako; and the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, among others.

Former President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital.

Vice President Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, President Buhari’s wife Aisha, and other family members accompanied President Buhari’s remains to Nigeria.

President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, received the casket of the late President at the foot of the aircraft.

A joint team of military pallbearers comprising nine senior officers laid the casket, draped with the Nigerian flag, on a trolley. The team included Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Major-General Shuaibu Nuhu, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka. Major General Mike Alechenu coordinated the team.

The pallbearers wheeled the former leader’s casket in a slow march, in sync with the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” passing through a full military guard of honour comprising six officers and 96 soldiers drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Tinubu and others walked behind the casket trolley in a solemn procession. The pallbearers escorted the casket into a waiting military hearse for the one-hour journey to Daura, where funeral prayers and the burial ceremony took place.