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History Made in Lagos: Presidency-Backed National Basketball Combine Gives Nigerian Youth New Hope
History was made in Lagos as hundreds of young basketball talents from across Nigeria stormed the newly renovated Dolphins Basketball Court for the groundbreaking SSA- Templar-Adrenale National Basketball Combine, a first-of-its-kind grassroots basketball development event backed by the Presidency.
The atmosphere was electric as players, parents, guardians, coaches, scouts, and sports stakeholders gathered in large numbers for what many described as a defining moment for grassroots sports development in Nigeria.
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Organized through the partnership between the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development and the Templar-Adrenale Athlete Development Initiative, the event brought together over 200 elite young basketball prospects from across the country for final evaluations and selections into an international-standard athlete development program.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, who was present at the event, described the initiative as a major step toward building the future of Nigerian sports from the grassroots level.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains deeply committed to youth development and sports empowerment across the country.
“We need to do more for grassroots sports in Nigeria. Mr. President loves the youth and is passionate about their future, especially through sports development,” Hon. Adeboye stated. “I am happy with this partnership, and I want every athlete here to be assured of government support. We must continue to build the next generation that will make Nigeria proud globally.”
He further encouraged the young athletes to remain disciplined and focused, expressing confidence that many of them would one day represent Nigeria internationally, secure opportunities in the NBA, play for clubs in Europe and America, and become future ambassadors of the country through sports.
For many of the players, the combine represented more than just a basketball event it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Several athletes who spoke during the event described the experience as inspiring and life-changing.
“This is a great opportunity for us, and we are not taking it for granted,” one player said. “This combine is preparing us for the future.”
Parents and guardians also praised the initiative, applauding A5 for creating a platform capable of exposing young talents to bigger opportunities beyond Nigeria.
According to A5, only 14 outstanding athletes will be selected from this first phase into the Templar-Adrenale High-Performance Development Program, where they will receive elite training, mentorship, education support, NIL investment and international exposure opportunities.
The organizers also revealed that the partnership between Templar-Adrenale (A5) and the SSA’s office is backed by a 10-year development agreement worth about $525 million, designed to create sustainable opportunities for grassroots athletes not only in basketball but across multiple sports nationwide.
Officials say the long-term vision is to build a structured athlete pipeline capable of transforming Nigerian grassroots talents into globally competitive professionals.
With the overwhelming turnout, strong government backing, and excitement surrounding the combine, many observers now believe the event could mark the beginning of a new era in Nigerian and African sports development one where talent is not only discovered but intentionally developed for global success.
From Lagos to the world, A5 and the President of Nigeria have partnered in Nigeria’s next generation of stars. Which today just has taken their first step.
The Kano State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KSCHMA) says it has enrolled vulnerable groups, including hypertensive and HIV patients and inmates in correctional centres, into the state’s healthcare insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Rahila Aliyu-Mukhtar, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano.
Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar said the agency had enrolled more than 6,000 vulnerable hypertensive patients across the state to help them access medications and investigations they ordinarily could not afford.
According to her, the intervention has contributed to reducing complications arising from hypertension in the state.
“We received a nationally generated report indicating that Kano State has reduced complications arising from hypertension.
“This can be attributed to the hypertensive patients we enrolled under the scheme,” she said.
The executive secretary added that more than 6,000 people living with HIV have also been enrolled in the programme.
She explained that although antiretroviral drugs were provided through donor support, beneficiaries still require healthcare support for other illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and hypertension.
Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar further disclosed that the agency had concluded plans to enrol 6,000 tuberculosis patients under its vulnerable group programme.
“We realised that TB patients also need support beyond their TB medications because secondary health conditions may arise,” she said.
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She also said the agency had enrolled all inmates in correctional centres across the state, describing it as the first initiative of its kind in the country.
Ms Aliyu-Mukhtar noted that the initiative earned the Kano State government commendation from the Controller-General of Corrections.
According to her, other states have contacted the agency to understudy the implementation model adopted by Kano State.
She said the agency remained committed to reducing out-of-pocket healthcare spending and improving access to healthcare services for vulnerable residents.
(NAN)
Nigerian youngsters Abiodun Toheeb and Olude Muyideen have emerged as champions of the Azerbaijan U19 League after helping Qarabag FK secure the league title with outstanding performances throughout the season.
Both players played crucial roles in Qarabag’s successful campaign, delivering impressive goal contributions that highlighted their attacking quality and consistency.
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Toheeb enjoyed a phenomenal season, recording an incredible 29 goals and 8 assists in just 20 matches, making him one of the standout performers in the league.
Muyideen also produced remarkable numbers, contributing 16 goals and 12 assists in 20 appearances to further strengthen Qarabag’s attacking force on their way to the championship triumph.
The impressive performances of the Nigerian duo have continued to attract attention, with many football observers praising their development and impact in youth football abroad.
Their success further reflects the growing reputation of Nigerian talents making waves across European and international football academies, while also providing optimism for the future of Nigerian football.
Winning the Azerbaijan U19 League marks another important milestone in the careers of both players as they continue their progression in professional football.
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