Headline

African Legend Celebrate Ambode At Testimonial Match

Published

7 years ago

May 18, 2019

Editor

The Agege Stadium in Lagos was buzzing with excitement on Saturday as top African and Nigerian football legends honoured the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode with a testimonial match as he gets set to exit office.

Virtually all the biggest African and Nigerian stars to have played the round leather game turned up for the thrilling match which was watched by a full capacity crowd at the stadium.

Among the players on the Nigerian legend team coached by Olympic gold medal winning coach, Bonfere Joe, include Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu, Samson Siasia, Daniel Amokachi, Augustine Eguavoen, Mutiu Adepoju, Emmanuel Amunike, Taribo West, Uche Okechukwu, Garba Lawal, Peter Rufai and Ike Shorunmu.

Others include Finidi George, Victor Ikpeba, Obafemi Martins, Tijani Babangida, Julius Aghahowa and Sam Sodje, while Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shuaibu and Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, featured in the game.

The African legend team, coached by former U-17 Golden Eaglets coach, Fanny Amun had the likes of El Hadji Diouf, Diomansy Kamara, Titi Kamara, Christian Karembeu, Stephen Appiah, Didier Zokora, Lomana Lua Lua, Khalilou Fadiga and Seydou Keita.

Watched by an unprecedented crowd that thronged the Agege Stadium, Kanu Nwankwo opened the scoring in the first half before Titi Kamara drew the African legends level within a space of two minutes. A fowl in the penalty box by Taribo West on El Hadji Diouf was converted by Titi Kamara which put the African stars 3-1 at half time.

In the second half, Garba Lawal fired in a free kick from the edge of the 18-yard to half the deficit for the Nigerian Legends. But a cheeky penalty from El Hadji Diouf put the African legends 4-2 up.

With the game heading for its final minutes, Obafemi Martins charged through the defence of the African Legends and scored a rebound with a header, while a stoppage time goal by comedian, AY ensured both team shared the spoils, with the game finishing in a thrilling 4-4 draw.

Before the game, Governor Ambode was given a guard of honour by both teams as he walked through with fireworks display, before he was given the honour of performing the official kick off for the match.

Earlier, there was a novelty match between an U-15 side from Lagos and their counterpart from Kebbi State, with the visitors running away with 5-0 victory.

Governor Ambode was also inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Nigeria Supporters Club (NSC) for his unwavering support towards sports development and especially football in Nigeria.

President of the NSC, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo while presenting the award to the Governor said the Governor would forever be remembered for his giant strides in sports development especially in the State.

The event was also spiced up by music performances by top Nigerian artistes, including Two Baba, Small Doctor, among others.

Speaking to journalists after the match, Victor Ikpeba said Governor Ambode deserved to be commended and appreciated for what he had done for Lagos, saying that he would be greatly missed.

“It’s a long time that we witnessed the fans come out in numbers for this kind of game and it just shows that the fans still appreciate their former greats in African football. It’s great for Lagos State today; we are all excited. It’s not about the result, but just coming together to have this fantastic game. Credit to Ambode; we are going to miss him. We wish him all the best in life in the future,” he said.

Also in a letter addressed to the Governor, four times African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto’o expressed his regret of his inability to participate in the match, however saying that he was glad to have been invited as he holds the Governor in high esteem.

“I hold you in high esteem, the love and support I get from Nigerian football lovers and fans in Nigeria at large. It would have been a pleasure attending this celebration. I love you Governor Ambode, I believe the event will be a success and I give you my warmest regards,” he said.

Headline

Supreme Court Fixes April 22 for Hearing in ADC Leadership Crisis

Published

3 days ago

April 14, 2026

Eric

The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.

Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.

The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.

It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.

The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.

Headline

Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.

First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.

The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.

The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.

Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.

According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.

The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.

The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.

INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.

Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.

The Guardian

Headline

Shettima Lacks Respect, I Won’t Engage Him, Atiku Responds to VP’s Challenge

Published

4 days ago

April 13, 2026

Eric

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has hit back at incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima over the latter’s poser over achievements in office, saying he won’t take the challenge because Shettima was disrespectful.

Shettima had reportedly challenged Atiku to provide details of eight projects he executed for the development of Northern Nigeria during his tenure as vice president for eight years, as well as name eight individuals he empowered while in office.

But, speaking in an interview with GTA Hausa podcast, Atiku said he would not engage the vice president on the matter.

“I will not respond to Kashim Shettima because he is disrespectful. I am older than him and I have more experience in governance than he does, so I will not respond to him,” he said.

The former vice president further argued that cultural values in Northern Nigeria discourage younger individuals from publicly challenging their elders in such a manner.

“It is not part of our tradition in the North to disrespect elders. You cannot look at someone who is above you in both age and accomplishments and start taunting him. That is not our tradition, so I won’t engage with him,” Atiku emphasised.