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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.
Nigerian female tennis umpire, Rose Onoja Abu, has earned recognition after officiating at the WTA 125 tournament in Luanda, Angola, marking a significant milestone in her professional career and another proud moment for Nigerian tennis.
Sports247 reports that the tournament made history as the first-ever WTA 125 event to be staged on African soil, bringing an important international women’s tennis competition to the continent. Abu’s involvement as an official at the landmark event further highlights Nigeria’s growing presence beyond the playing court in international tennis.
Her appointment and participation represent an encouraging achievement for Nigerian sports officiating, particularly for women working to establish themselves in the highly competitive world of international tennis administration.
Officiating at a tournament of this level requires professionalism, consistency, sound judgement and a strong understanding of the rules of the game. Abu’s presence at the Luanda event reflects the value of dedication and sustained commitment to developing a career in sports officiating.
The achievement also provides inspiration for aspiring Nigerian umpires and other sports professionals, demonstrating that opportunities at the highest levels can emerge through discipline, diligence and continuous improvement.
For Nigerian tennis, milestones such as this are important in showcasing the contributions of officials who help drive the sport forward, often away from the spotlight enjoyed by players.
While the WTA 125 assignment represents a significant step in Abu’s journey, it could also serve as a platform for greater opportunities on the international stage.
With consistency and continued dedication, the ambition of seeing a Nigerian umpire officiate at a Grand Slam tournament remains a possibility worth pursuing.
Congratulations to Rose Onoja Abu on this remarkable achievement. The journey continues, and a Grand Slam appearance could be the next milestone.
SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Nigeria Limited has launched Esusu, an innovative savings initiative designed to encourage a consistent savings culture, promote financial discipline and help Nigerians take practical steps towards achieving their financial goals.
Inspired by the traditional Nigerian Esusu savings system, the initiative combines the familiarity of regular savings practices with the added benefits of a structured insurance-backed savings arrangement. It provides individuals with an opportunity to build their savings through flexible daily contributions, with the option to make additional contributions as their financial capacity allows.
Through Esusu, customers can make regular contributions towards their savings goals and receive a maturity benefit based on their accumulated contributions, less applicable withdrawals, in line with the policy terms and conditions. The initiative also incorporates death cover, providing an additional layer of financial protection for beneficiaries in the event of an unfortunate occurrence, subject to applicable policy provisions.
Speaking at the launch, Tunde Mimiko, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Limited, said: “At SanlamAllianz, we recognise that achieving financial confidence begins with the right financial habits. Saving should not be an overwhelming responsibility; it should be a consistent practice that individuals can incorporate into their everyday lives. With Esusu, we are bringing a familiar savings culture into a structured financial solution that encourages consistency while providing additional protection. Our goal is to empower more Nigerians to take charge of their financial future, one contribution at a time.”
The initiative reflects SanlamAllianz’s commitment to developing customer-focused solutions that respond to the evolving financial needs of Nigerians. By encouraging small, consistent contributions, Esusu seeks to demonstrate that building financial security does not necessarily require having large sums of money available at once. The product is available to eligible individuals between the ages of 18 and 80, subject to the applicable policy requirements and conditions.
Shedding more light on the product, Chris Ekwonwa, Group Head, Strategy, Marketing and Customer Relations, SanlamAllianz Nigeria, said: “Beyond providing a savings opportunity, Esusu reinforces the importance of financial literacy and long-term planning. It encourages individuals to become more intentional about managing their finances, preparing for future responsibilities and building a stronger financial foundation using a financial instrument they are very familiar with. With the campaign message “Esusu – Savings Wey Confam!”, SanlamAllianz is taking a relatable approach to financial empowerment, connecting with Nigerians through a savings concept deeply rooted in local culture while providing the structure and additional protection of an insurance solution.”
Industry watchers have long called for a retail driven product for the underserved markets, the launch of SanlamAllianz Esusu clearly is a stab at that target audience and expectations are rife as to the potential impact of the product.
SanlamAllianz Nigeria is no stranger to taking bold initiatives in the market space. With its first-of-its-kind SanlamAllianz Campus Takeover with Ayo Maff kicking off this weekend at the iconic OAU Amphitheatre at Ife, there are progressive signs that the brand is not paying lip service to its oft-stated quest to drive insurance penetration and financial inclusion in the Nigerian insurance market.
ABOUT SANLAMALLIANZ
SanlamAllianz is a Pan-African financial services joint venture between Sanlam, Africa’s largest non-banking financial services group, and Allianz, a global financial services and insurance leader.
In Nigeria, SanlamAllianz operates through its Life and General Insurance businesses, providing a range of insurance and financial solutions designed to protect individuals, families and businesses while supporting their financial aspirations.
The post SanlamAllianz Launches Esusu to Promote Savings Culture Among Nigerians appeared first on Business Today NG.
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