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Coach Lucky Jolly Iduseri Hails Discipline and Preparation After Team Nigeria’s Strong Showing at Central African Powerlifting Championship

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National Head Coach of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association, Lucky Jolly Iduseri, has credited discipline, thorough preparation, and strong administrative support for Team Nigeria’s impressive performance at the inaugural Central African Zone Powerlifting Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Iduseri reflected on the team’s successful campaign, revealing that the athletes arrived in Cameroon several days before the start of the three-day competition to acclimatise and finalise their preparations.

Read Also: Alexander Osayemi Achieves World U20 Standard with Impressive Fourth-Place Finish at USATF Championships | Sports247 Nigeria

According to the coach, Nigeria’s achievements were the result of months of structured planning rather than last-minute adjustments.

“The key factors behind our success were discipline, clearly defined roles, and the unwavering support of the President of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association,” Iduseri said. “We prepared our athletes to handle unexpected situations before leaving Nigeria, so when logistical issues arose in Cameroon, they remained focused on their performances.”

Iduseri explained that the coaching staff placed equal emphasis on physical readiness and mental resilience. Training sessions were designed to simulate pressure-filled situations, while athletes were encouraged to remain composed regardless of changing circumstances.

One of the tournament’s standout moments, according to the coach, was the silver-medal performance of debutant Odok Answer. Seeing a first-time competitor reach the podium was a source of immense pride and highlighted the depth of talent within the Nigerian team.

The coach also acknowledged the challenges encountered during the competition, including travel delays and schedule adjustments. However, he noted that prior planning and collective discipline enabled the squad to adapt quickly without allowing distractions to affect their performances.

Looking ahead, Iduseri said the Nigeria Powerlifting Association intends to build on the success in Cameroon by raising performance standards through additional training camps, enhanced discipline, and greater support for athletes.

He also delivered a message to aspiring powerlifters across the country, encouraging them to remain committed to the process and trust in consistent hard work.

“Stay disciplined and trust the process,” he said. “This championship has shown that when Nigerian athletes receive the right preparation and support, they are capable of competing successfully and winning medals on the international stage.”

With momentum from their achievements in Cameroon, Team Nigeria will now look to carry that confidence into future continental and global competitions as the sport continues to grow in prominence across the country.

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DHQ Intensifies Multi-layered Campaign, Neutralises 435 Terrorists, Rescues 717 Hostages

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Defence Headquarters says the Armed Forces of Nigeria has sustained an unrelenting multi-layered campaign of coordinated land, air and maritime operations across all geo-political zones.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, said this on Thursday in Abuja, at the Joint Security Press Briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Uba said under the strategic leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, troops executed 588 distinct security operations in September and October.

He said troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, including high-profile commanders like Ali Mandara, Abba Gajiri, Habu Ikkima, Nakif Yana Faruk, Commander Gogore and Abdussamad Ohida.

He also said that troops arrested 809 suspects, secured the voluntary surrender of 198 insurgents and successfully liberated 717 kidnapped victims and captives.

Uba listed the rescued victims to include 20 prospective NYSC members in Owerri, Imo, and 11 individuals in Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi.

According to him, troops recorded major tactical breakthroughs in Buniyadi, Baga, Kukawa, Bittai and the Owo forest, which severely fractured enemy networks.

He added that to dismantle their war-making capacity, troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices, alongside vital logistical assets.

He said that in the Niger Delta, economic protection operations destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and recovered over 1,061,000 litres of stolen petroleum products thereby directly boosting national crude production.

The defence spokesman said while security hotspots persist in Borno, Yobe, Taraba, Katsina, Kwara, Zamfara, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, Niger, Oyo and Kaduna States, forces continue to adapt through aggressive synergy clearance patrols and deep inter-agency.

He also said that beyond tactical theatres, the DHQ championed indigenous defence manufacturing and technology transfer at Africa International Defence Exhibition 2026.

He further said that the DHQ also convened high-level regional forums to reposition the Multinational Joint Task Force in Lake Chad basin and prioritised personnel welfare through veteran engagement tours and launch of Defence Discount Shop in partnership with Konga and Zinox.(NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

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Benue: Gov Alia inaugurates 2027 campaign council, says re-election will ensure sustainability

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Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated the Tinubu/Alia 2027 Campaign Council as the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue begins preparations for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia in the 2027 general elections.

Alia said Nigeria and Benue State had no reason to look elsewhere, insisting that he was steadily delivering on his promises while President Tinubu was also making progress and providing relentless support to the state to regain its lost glory.

The Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council, which has Hon Citizen Richard Asema as Director-General, was inaugurated by the governor at IBB Square on Thursday. The event was followed by the commissioning of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Office at Wurukum, Makurdi.

Speaking during the occasion, Governor Alia charged members of the council to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication, describing their appointments as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by the party leadership and the people of Benue State.

The governor also urged party members in the state to put aside personal grievances, embrace reconciliation and work collectively towards securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections.

He described the Director-General, Citizen Asema, as an experienced political leader with the capacity to coordinate the campaign and deliver the desired result.

Highlighting his achievements in office, Governor Alia attributed the successes recorded by his administration in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation to the cooperation and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government.

He particularly acknowledged federal interventions that had strengthened security operations and supported efforts to restore peace to previously troubled communities in the state.

The governor also listed the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, improvements in public school infrastructure, regular payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and the establishment of agricultural processing facilities among the achievements of his administration.

He noted that the partnership between the state and the federal government had contributed significantly to these developments.

On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that efforts to connect all 23 local government areas of the state through road networks were nearing completion, with approximately 25 per cent of the work remaining.

He also cited the revival and completion of previously abandoned projects, including Taraku Mills, the International Conference Centre at IBB Square and the Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of his administration's commitment to continuity.

He promised that, if re-elected, he would concentrate on consolidating existing achievements rather than starting new projects from scratch.

According to the governor, his administration remained committed to implementing its development blueprint since assuming office in 2023 and would focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, strengthening completed projects and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits if re-elected in 2027.

In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor further stated that industrialisation, agriculture and strategic investments in education, healthcare and commerce would remain central to his administration's determination to break the cycle of poverty and expand economic opportunities for the people.

He expressed confidence that Benue's enormous agricultural potential, coupled with its emerging oil and gas prospects, could provide the state with the resources needed to build a stronger economy and generate substantial internal revenue, thereby reducing its dependence on federal allocations.

Benue: Gov Alia inaugurates 2027 campaign council, says re-election will ensure sustainability

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