By Rosemary Ugiomoh Nigeria is set to make its mark at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy, with Samuel Ikpefan as one of its representatives. Samuel Ikpefan made history as Nigeria’s first athlete to compete in two consecutive Winter Olympics, he proudly carried the nation’s flag at the 2026 Milano Cortina Games opening ceremony. This achievement marks Nigeria’s fourth consecutive Winter Olympics appearance, showcasing the country’s growing presence in winter sports. Ikpefan, a cross-country skier, will compete in the men’s sprint classic and 10km freestyle events, aiming to inspire young athletes from non-traditional winter sports nations. Born to…
Author: ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is stepping up its game with a high-level training session for senior officers, aimed at grooming them for bigger responsibilities. The Senior Customs Command and Leadership Course kicked off on February 3, 2026, at the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, and it’s all about preparing these officers for the challenges ahead. CGC Adewale Adeniyi made it clear: leadership is all about character, competence, and discipline. “At this level, your success is determined less by what you know and more by who you are,” he said, emphasizing that authority can reveal…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Enforcement, Investigation, and Inspection) DCG Timi Bomodi checked out a fresh fleet of patrol boats in Port Harcourt on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at SeWa West Africa Ltd. Joined by Eastern Marine Command’s Customs Area Controller Comptroller Anderson Jaja, the visit focused on finalizing operational details before the boats hit Nigeria’s waterways to ramp up surveillance and security. This move is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s maritime safety framework. The inspection,took place on Thursday, 29 January 2026, at SeWa West Africa Ltd, Port Harcourt, was conducted alongside the Customs Area…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH The International Olympic Committee regenerates how it will pick the 2036 Summer Games, aiming for more transparency and member involvement after the opaque, fast-track process that gave Brisbane the 2032 host spot 11 years early. In Milan, IOC members held a panel led by former Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović propose a new short-list phase that would require cities to submit detailed venue plans, financial guarantees, and past multi-sport event experience well before a final decision, with closed-door briefings and secure online updates for members to keep the process confidential but more accountable. New IOC President Kirsty Coventry…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH Man United just edged Fulham 3-2 in a thriller at Old Trafford, with Benjamin Šeško netting a stoppage-time winner after the team had been 2-0 up via Casemiro and Matheus Cunha. The victory gives interim boss Michael Carrick three straight league wins and lifts United to fourth on 41 points. The January window closed quiet – no senior signings, but a handful of academy players went out on loan (Harry Amass to Norwich, Toby Collyer to Hull, Ethan Wheatley to Bradford, etc.) . Wayne Rooney highlighted the “box” of Maguire, Martínez, Mainoo and Casemiro as the key…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH Ademola Lookman is heading to Atlético Madrid. The Nigerian winger has a full agreement with the Colchoneros for a long-term contract, with a €35 million fixed fee plus €5 million in add-ons to Atalanta. The club is already arranging his travel and medical, and Lookman chose Atlético over Fenerbahçe’s big offer because he wants to play in La Liga under Simeone, who values his 1-v-1 pace and versatility on both flanks. Fenerbahçe had a €40 million package and a four-year, €6-7 million per season salary on the table, but the player preferred the Spanish project and higher-profile…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) reaffirmed its commitment to tech-driven border management and international collaboration at the 2026 World Customs Organisation (WCO) Technology Conference and Exhibition kicked off on 28 January 2026 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in the UAE.The event, themed “Customs Agility in a Complex World: Securing and Facilitating Trade through Innovation,” gathers customs administrations, tech providers, policymakers, and industry leaders worldwide to explore how new technologies can enhance border security while easing legitimate trade. CGC Adeniyi and the Trade Modernisation team are actively engaging global customs leaders at the conference, highlighting Nigeria’s…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH Ademola Lookman’s €40 million move to Fenerbahçe is shaking up Turkish football and sparking a fierce reaction at Galatasaray. The 28-year-old Nigerian winger, who has been a standout for Atalanta with 53 goals and 25 assists in 128 games, is set to join Fenerbahçe on a four-and-a-half-year contract worth about €9 million per season — a huge jump from his current €2.3 million salary at Atalanta. The deal is structured as €35 million upfront plus €5 million in performance-related add-ons, m.aking it one of the biggest transfers in Süper Lig history. Galatasaray had been pushing hard to…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze is grieving the loss of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Chukwueze, who passed away after a brief illness. His siblings, Princess and David Chukwueze, announced the news on social media on Thursday, January 29, 2026, with David sharing emotional posts like “Can’t even post your picture to say RIP Mum” and “My forever love just left me without saying goodbye” . The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) expressed deep sadness, describing Mrs. Chukwueze as a vital and supportive presence in Samuel’s life. NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi acknowledged Samuel’s appreciation for his mother’s…
BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has finally handed out sanctions following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco. The match, which was marred by controversy, saw Senegal emerge victorious with a 1-0 win in extra time. Morocco’s appeal to be declared AFCON champions has been rejected by CAF. Instead, the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has been slapped with fines totaling $315,000. These fines include $200,000 for the misconduct of stadium ball boys, $100,000 for players and staff invading the VAR review area, and $15,000 for fans’ use of lasers. Additionally,…