Lagos Hosts Inaugural Schools Tennis Championship as Young Talents Shine

By Ade Oluwa, Lagos

The first edition of the Nigeria Tennis Live (NTL) Lagos Secondary Schools Championship kicked off on Thursday, drawing more than 100 student-athletes from across the state in a vibrant display of youthful talent.

The three-day tournament features participants from about 50 secondary schools and takes place at the Mainland Tennis Club within the National Theatre complex in Surulere. The competition is scheduled to run through Saturday, offering a platform for emerging players to compete and develop their skills.

Early matches delivered exciting performances, with Oluwatishe Ogungbade securing a straight-sets victory over Desmond Sikiru, while Daniel Israel comfortably overcame Godwin Fortune. Tobi Taiye also recorded a convincing win against David Awani, as Oluwajare Farinre and David Usoh triumphed in their respective encounters.

The organisers claim that the championship aims to identify promising young players and offer them opportunities for growth through competitive exposure. The initiative also seeks to strengthen grassroots sports development and inspire wider participation in tennis among students.

Damilare Okunola, the Tournament Director, clarified that the competition’s creation aimed to close the opportunity gap for junior players.

He noted that while many young athletes show outstanding potential, there are limited platforms for them to compete regularly. According to him, the championship represents an important step toward nurturing future champions who could represent Nigeria on global stages, including the Olympic Games.

Okunola described the turnout as encouraging, highlighting the strong participation from schools as a sign of growing interest in the sport. The event, he added, aims to lay the groundwork for long-term talent development.

Despite minor challenges such as late arrivals, he said the tournament has progressed smoothly, aided by favourable weather conditions and strong organisation.

Coach Itandayo Adekale of Corona Secondary School praised the standard of play and the discipline displayed by participants. He noted that competitions like this help young players assess their abilities and improve their performance over time.

A parent, Yvonne Ogunoiki, also commended the initiative, stressing the importance of exposing young athletes to competitive environments beyond their schools.

She said such tournaments allow players to build confidence, test their skills against different opponents, and develop the resilience needed to succeed in the sport.

As the championship continues, organisers and participants alike remain optimistic that the event will become a key fixture in Nigeria’s youth sports calendar, helping shape the next generation of tennis stars.

NDLEA Secures Landmark Conviction of Foreign Crew, Vessel Over Cocaine Smuggling

By Haruna Aliyu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against drug trafficking, securing the conviction of 10 Filipino sailors alongside their vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, for smuggling 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

Details of the development were disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, who confirmed that the court also imposed heavy financial penalties totalling six million dollars and an additional N1.1 million.

According to the agency, the illegal shipment was intercepted at the Apapa Seaport after operatives uncovered the narcotics carefully hidden within the cargo of the vessel, which had arrived from Santos, Brazil. The arrest of the crew and the ship took place on November 16, 2025, following a successful intelligence-led operation.

Reacting to the court ruling, the Chairman of NDLEA, retired Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, described the outcome as a strong affirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to enforcing its drug laws and protecting its borders from criminal networks.

He stressed that the judgement sends a clear warning to international traffickers that Nigeria’s maritime domain is no longer a safe route for illicit drug operations. Marwa noted that the hefty fine should serve as a deterrent to global drug syndicates and their collaborators.

The NDLEA’s boss further warned shipping companies and maritime operators against complicity in drug trafficking, emphasising that offenders risk losing both their liberty and valuable assets.

He highlighted that the agency is now intensifying efforts not only to seize illegal substances but also to dismantle the financial structures that sustain drug cartels.

Marwa also praised officers of the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance and professionalism in detecting the concealed drugs. He added that the success builds on previous convictions, including that involving MV Chayanee Naree, demonstrating the effectiveness of the agency’s sustained enforcement strategy.

The chairman equally commended the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for diligently handling the case, as well as the judiciary for ensuring a speedy trial.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Marwa said the fight against drug trafficking remains critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s youth and strengthening national security, adding that ongoing improvements in intelligence gathering and technology would further boost operations.

Adamawa Targets One Million Children in Major Immunisation Drive Amid Disease Concerns

By Jamila Muhammed

The Adamawa State Government has unveiled plans to vaccinate at least one million children between the ages of zero and 59 months in an upcoming statewide immunisation campaign aimed at curbing preventable diseases.

Deputy Governor Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta made the announcement known on Tuesday during the first quarter meeting of the State Task Force on Primary Health Care held in Yola. She explained that the gathering assessed the state’s readiness and reinforced collaboration among stakeholders ahead of key health interventions.

Farauta applauded development partners and health sector contributors for their continued backing of primary healthcare services. She reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to strengthen healthcare delivery and protect the well-being of residents.

She highlighted that the Sub-National Immunisation Plus Days (SNIPDs), scheduled for March 28, would play a critical role in boosting child health across the state. According to her, the exercise became imperative following reports of circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVPV2) in Gombi Local Government Area and nearby regions.

The deputy governor called on parents, carers, and community leaders to ensure that all eligible children are presented for vaccination, stressing that community participation is vital to the success of the campaign.

Farauta also raised alarm over a confirmed meningitis case in the Maiha Local Government Area, urging swift and coordinated health responses to contain any potential outbreak.

She also mentioned that plans are being made to start the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) programme and distribute Long-Lasting Insecticide-Treated Nets (LLINs) in certain communities. The initiative is expected to commence in June 2026.

She further emphasised the importance of strengthening emergency preparedness measures, particularly as the rainy season approaches, to minimise the impact of flooding across vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Mr. Felix Tangwami, and the Executive Chairman of the Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Suleiman Bashir, noted that the meeting reviewed ongoing health programs, assessed coverage levels, identified challenges, and mapped out strategies to improve service delivery across the state.