Connect with us

Abuja

CBN Tennis Tournament: Emmanuel, Adesuwa Crowned Champions In Abuja

Published

on

CBN

CBN Tennis Tournament: Emmanuel, Adesuwa Crowned Champions In Abuja

CBN Tennis Tournament: Emmanuel, Adesuwa crowned champions in Abuja. Mr Akindoju lauded the CBN for sponsoring the tournament after two years’ absence.

Michael Emmanuel and Adesuwa Osabuohien on Saturday emerged champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories respectively, at the 46th edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship in Abuja.

The championship held at the Tennis Court of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, was organised by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) and sponsored by the CBN.

In the men’s singles final, Emmanuel, who showed resilience and tactical brilliance, delivered a commanding performance to defeat tennis prodigy, Ikenna Okonkwo, in a thrilling 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 display.

The women’s singles final saw Adesuwa Osabuohien come from behind to defeat Emmanuel Essien 2-1 in a rain-interrupted final.
After dropping the first set, Osabuohien rallied to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to claim the title.

Osabuohien started her campaign by beating Khadijat Salami 2-0, RTD in the round of 32, and also defeated Timipre Maxwell 6-2, 6-0 in round of 16.

She won against Mary Udofa 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals and later overpowered Blessing Omotayo 6-1, 7-5 in the semi-finals to reach the final.

On her part, Essien started her campaign by beating Bajo Punriniman 4-2, 4-0 in the Round of 32. She defeated Blessing Otu 6-3, 6-3 in the Round of 16.
She won against Blessing Etoro 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals, and struggled to beat Aina Goodnews 6-4, 6-3 to reach the final.

Speaking at the closing, President of the NTF, Ifedayo Akindoju, lauded the CBN for sponsoring the tournament after two years miss.

He said, “The CBN has been a strong pillar for tennis growth in the country. This tournament continues to provide a vital platform for our athletes to grow and compete at the highest level.’’

Also, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said that the championship had seen men and women rise from obscurity to become national and international champions.

Mr Cardoso, who was represented by CBN’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing talents, promoting excellence and supporting initiatives that foster unity and development.

Mr Cardoso said, “In furtherance of our vision, the CBN Junior Tennis Tournament was launched in 2006 to serve as a nursery for grooming young talents who would graduate to this prestigious Senior Open.

I am pleased to note that some of today’s senior finalists were once champions on that junior stage, a true testament to the value of continuity and investment in youth. Beyond the courts, the CBN remains passionate about the holistic development of Nigerian youth.

“We recognise sports as a powerful platform not just for entertainment but for empowerment, engagement and national integration.

CBN

CBN

This belief drives our numerous youth-focused initiatives such as, Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme (YEDP), MSME Development Fund (MSMEDF), Agri-Business/SME Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) and so on.’’

Canice Abua and Micheal Emmanuel won the men’s doubles after beating Thomas Otu and Abubakar Yusuf 6-4, 6-0 in the final on Friday.

Goodnews Aina and Favour Moses won the women’s doubles with a commanding 7-5, 7-5 defeat of Blessing Anuna and Rebecca Ekpeyong 7-5, 7-5 in the final, also on Friday.

The 46th edition of the CBN Tennis Championship once again affirmed its status as one of Nigeria’s premier sporting events, drawing top talents and reinforcing the importance of long-term investment in grassroots and elite tennis development.

The CBN senior open tennis championship in Abuja which began on July 18, ended on Saturday.

Abuja

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

Published

on

By

Peter Obi

Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.

Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.

TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.

Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.

In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.

Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.

Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.

Peter Obi

Peter Obi

He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.

The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.

Continue Reading

Abuja

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

Published

on

By

Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities

President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.

“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.

“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.

The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.

Tinubu Swears In Aminu Yusuf

Tinubu

According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.

It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.

Continue Reading

Abuja

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

Published

on

By

Plateau Police

NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement

False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.

In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.

The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.

Plateau Police

Police

The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.

DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026

Continue Reading

Trending