Sports
From Okada rider to ‘world champ’: Story of Ridwan Scorpion thrills NCC boss, Akande
The chairman, board of Nigeria Communication Commission, (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande has called for more inclusion of physical education and extracurricular activities as an integral part of our education system, saying the only way to harness youth’s capacities is to catch them young and groom them through the educational system in order to have more world champions.
Akande made the call while hosting the current World Boxing Federations (WBF) Champion, Ridwan ‘Scorpion’ Oyekola and his team on Sunday at his Ibadan residence.
The Oyo APC guber aspirant, who was thrilled after listening to the story of the boxer, how he rose from an okada rider to become a world champion in boxing, also described Oyekola’s tale has a Nigerian story that portrayed “irrespective of the challenges we have as a nation, anybody who is focused can get to whatever height sets for himself”.
He stressed, “personally I am excited by his story, rising from an Okada rider to a world champion, he’s the Nigerian story. A model that speaks to the Nigerian youths, that irrespective of the challenges we have as a nation, anybody who is focused can get to whatever height it sets for himself.
“Secondly it shows the capacity of Nigerian youths and places more challenges on Nigerian government, because the government has a duty to let the citizens be the best they can be and this is an instance of somebody coming from grassroots to conquered the world, so the government has a role to play so that it is not limited to him, there are thousands in Oyo state and hundreds of thousands of him all over Nigeria”.
Continuing, he said “we have to put structures in place to make sure that Nigerians who have these potentials can get to the highest level that their capacities can take them”.
The NCC Chief added that he always believed that the way forward for Nigeria is to develop our sports from grassroots, “you cannot begin from the top, Nigerians with great potentials are at the grassroots and that is why we have to go back and make physical education and extracurricular activities an integral part and important of our education system.
“So that it is not enough for a student to do well in English and mathematics but also in sporting activities, as you can see what he has done, he has put Nigeria on the world map and we have hundreds if not thousands of Nigerians who can do that and the only way we can harness that capacity is to catch them young and groom them through the educational system so that they can become world champions not only in boxing but also in athletics, tennis, other sports and all aspects of human endeavor”, he noted.
In his remarks, the CEO of Core Afrique Boxing Promotion (COABOX), Sola Ayodele who doubles as the manager of Oyekola, explained challenges faced before winning the title and challenges they are facing defending it.
He gave details of how Oyekola is to defend his super featherweight WBF belt against an opponent from Georgia, Giorgi Gogatishvili on 31st October in Ibadan and challenge of getting finances to prosecute the bout.
Former Arsenal star, Jack Wilshere, has sent a message to the Gunners ahead of their UEFA Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal will take on the French Ligue 1 giants in the Champions League final this year in Budapest on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta’s side had lost 3-1 on aggregate against PSG in the Champions League semi-final stage last year.
Speaking on TNT Sports (via GOAL), Wilshere remembered Arsenal about their last year’s defeat to PSG and urged them to use it as a revenge to get a win against Luis Enrique’s side when both sides meet again this weekend.
“Now that the Premier League is over the line, I know that the Premier League was the one. I know that Mikel wanted that. I know that the boys wanted that,” Wilshere said.
“Now you have to go through some tough times and learn from it. I hope that the Champions League semi-final [PSG 3-1 Arsenal] last year hurt them enough that they can go on and use that [against PSG].
“I think when you are on the pitch, and you are playing against your direct opponent, you learn so much about them. And to face them next year, they will be better for that.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
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