Sports
Obaseki’s Sports Reform: Ogbemudia Stadium Excels In Consecutive AFN Trials
The exceptional sports reforms implemented by Governor Godwin Obaseki in the past six and a half years have elevated the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to the status of a preferred venue for the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) national trials.
The eagerly anticipated 2023 National trials took place in Benin, with a remarkable participation of over 160 athletes from July 5 to 7.
Benin’s illustrious stadium has the distinction of hosting the second consecutive AFN national trial, which showcased prominent athletes like Tobiloba Amusan, the world champion, Ese Brume, the silver medalist at the previous World Championships in Oregon, USA, and various other internationally acclaimed athletes.
Under the visionary leadership of Governor Obaseki, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium has undergone a remarkable transformation into a state-of-the-art sports arena.
The stadium now boasts a covered arena with a seating capacity of 12,000, equipped with natural turf and upgraded running tracks.
Additionally, the facility comprises outstanding amenities such as tennis and squash courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and an indoor suspended gymnasium.
Furthermore, the stadium has dedicated facilities for weightlifting, wrestling, and other combat sports.
To enhance the overall spectator experience, the venue has been equipped with new high-capacity electronic score screens, floodlights, and Video Assistant Referee technology.
In an impressive display of skill and tenacity, Tobiloba Amusan successfully defended her 100m hurdles national title, clocking an impressive time of 12.70 seconds.
Meanwhile, Usheoritse Itsekiri emerged victorious in the men’s 100m final, crossing the finish line in a remarkable time of 10.02 seconds, outperforming Seye Ogunlewe and Alaba Akintola.
Blessing Ogundiran triumphed in the women’s 100m final, securing first place with a commendable time of 11.50 seconds. Faith Okwose, the AFN Golden League winner, followed closely in second place, clocking an impressive time of 11.51 seconds. Ese Brume, the African record holder in long jump, secured third place with a time of 11.52 seconds.
It is worth noting that these athletes are fiercely competing for the opportunity to represent Nigeria at the prestigious 19th World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Notably, the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium also served as the venue for the trials preceding both the World Championships in Oregon and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, last year.
The success and recognition garnered by the Ogbemudia Stadium, coupled with Governor Obaseki’s relentless pursuit of excellence in sports, have solidified its reputation as a world-class facility.
With its impressive infrastructure and ability to host prominent events, the stadium has become a symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to sporting achievements.
As Nigeria continues to produce exceptional athletes, it is evident that the transformative sports reforms enacted by Governor Obaseki have significantly contributed to the nation’s sporting prowess.
The Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium stands as a testament to the remarkable progress and unyielding spirit of Nigerian sports. The legacy of Governor Obaseki’s visionary leadership will undoubtedly propel Nigerian athletes to even greater heights on the international stage.
Nigerian Afrobeats singer Davido has claimed that he started his life in a one-room apartment in a public compound, known locally as a face-me-I-face-you.
The singer made the claim on a song titled CFMF, off his fifth studio album, 5ive, which was released on Friday.
He claimed that he is now living a flamboyant life due to Jesus’s divine intervention.
“Take a step and walk into my life…
Started all the way from face me I face you
Face me I face you
And now, I am living real large all thanks to Jesu
All thanks to Jesu oh,” he sings.
His claim has been met with a groundswell of doubts, especially on social media, as the singer is known to be the son of billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke.
This is not the first time Davido has attempted to paint a grass-to-grace story in his music.
On his debut 2011 single, Back When, Davido claimed many ladies rejected his advances when he had no money but began chasing him after he achieved fame and success.
The song didn’t achieve much commercial success, partly due to the doubts that greeted his claims of humble beginnings, as he was known to be from a wealthy background.
Davido finally gained widespread prominence after the release of his 2012 breakthrough single, Dami Duro, where he embraced his wealthy background and boasted that he was unstoppable as the son of a rich man.
Nigeria’s popular stand-up comedian, Oluwaseyitan Lawrence Aletile, aka Seyi Law, has vowed never to support the presidential ambition of former Labour Party, LP, candidate, Peter Obi.
Seyi Law said he would never support Obi’s presidential ambition due to his failure to call the Obidient movement to order.
In an interview on the Teju Babyface podcast, Seyi Law recalled how Obidients attacked his wife and children because he supported President Bola Tinubu.
He lamented that Obi has refused to admit that Obidients attacked those who did not support him.
According to Seyi Law: “I don’t feel down at all because when you talk too much, I swear for you. One of the good things that God has done for me is that my anger doesn’t last long.
“Personal anger for me doesn’t last long. The only place it lasts long is when you leave me and attack my children, mother, and wife.
“The moment you cross that boundary from me to my children, mother, and wife — there is no forgiveness.
“That is why there is nothing on earth that Peter Obi can do that will make me support him. They (Obidients) attacked my children and my wife.
“As long as Peter Obi will not call them to order and he keeps denying that they are doing that, he will never get my support.
“Let Peter Obi wear the garment of Jesus Christ today — he will never get my support. Hate or love me, my personal way of life is between me and God.
“Any organization that does not support free thinking is a cult.”
Inter Miami superstar, Lionel Messi, has admitted that he desired to return to Barcelona, but it did not eventually work out.
Messi was keen to return to the LaLiga giants after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The 38-year-old, who won the tournament with Argentina, eventually left Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent for the Major League Soccer, MLS.
“I had the intention of returning to Barcelona and being able to go back to a place I always wanted to be, but it wasn’t possible again,” Messi told Simplemente Fútbol.
“After that, it (deciding on a new club) became a family decision. The fact that we won the World Cup also had a big impact.
“I was clear that I didn’t want to be at another team in Europe, I didn’t want to go to any of them.
Messi wasat Barca for 17 seasons, winning a total of 35 trophies, including ten (10) Laliga titles and four (4) Champions League titles.
At Inter Miami, he has lifted two trophies – the 2023 Leagues Cup and the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.