The Rising Son

CREDIT: Pulse Sports

Nigeria’s Male and Female Flag Football Teams both won gold at the inaugural African Flag Football Championships in Cairo, Egypt, making history as the first African Champions.

The tournament, which ran from Friday, June 20 to Saturday, June 21, brought together 11 teams from 8 African Nations, and it was Team Nigeria that dominated both categories, clinching gold in the male and female events.

Kenny Nwankwo, Head Coach and Quality Control Director of the Nigerian male team shared a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s intense journey to gold.

“It all started with two tryouts, one in Abuja and another in Lagos. We scouted for the best flag football players in the country, and from those camps, we narrowed it down to 50 players who were invited to our camp in Lagos for an intensive 9-week program.”

The rigorous 9-week camp, which began on April 6, laid the foundation for Nigeria’s eventual dominance in Egypt.

“I pushed the boys to the edge of the world and back. Mentally and physically, we moulded them into high-level players. They paid the price in blood and sweat and they came home victorious. I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Nwankwo said.

Nwankwo initially served as Quality Control Director, a role he credits to Bobby Okereke, Nigerian-American linebacker for the New York Giants, and General Manager of the national team initiative.

“Bobby tasked me with keeping the process as pure as possible, to ensure our football mirrored the standards of pure American flag football. It was important to us that the sport remained unadulterated.”

Nwankwo was later named Head Coach by the leadership of the Nigerian American Football Association (NAFA), led by President Babajide Akeredolu, Vice President Seye Obatolu, and Secretary General Lawrence Ojaide.

With flag football gaining momentum globally including its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Nigeria’s double gold marks a powerful statement on the African and world stage.

CREDIT: Yemi Africa on Facebook

Bob Marley’s wife, Rita Marley, has spent more than 20 years residing in Ghana. In the 1990s, she relocated to Ghana with Bob Marley’s family. In 2013, she petitioned for and was granted citizenship in Ghana. Rita Marley now has a Ghanaian name — Nana Afua Abodea.

In Ghana’s Aburi, she also has a home. In Accra, Ghana, Rita Marley created a studio in memory of her deceased husband, Bob Marley. The name of it is Studio One. In Ghana, she runs a nonprofit organization. Her foundation, The Rita Marley Foundation, supports charitable endeavors.

Nana Rita Marley started her musical career in the early 1960s as a vocalist with the all-female group The Soulettes, which performed with the Four Tops, Johnny Nash, and other performers of the time. Her single ‘One Draw’, which she released in 1982, was a major hit in Europe but Jamaica said it was not fit for airplay. One Draw was the first reggae single to top the Billboard Disco chart, according to Jamaica Observer.

A prominent Nigerian Law Firm based in Abuja, by name the LAW THEATER, has petitioned the Honourable Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, accusing Bosun Ajibogun, Comptroller FCT Command, of gross extortion, intimidation, and human rights abuses against inmates at Kuje Correctional Centre.

The firm alleged that Bosun Ajibogun Is extorting from inmates perceived to have financial means, threatening to transfer those who refuse to comply to the notorious ” Horrible Cell”, an alleged Inhuman Detention Facilities ountside Kuje Prison.

In a press statement signed by Dr. SD OKORO, Esq., Managing Partner of LAW THEATER on Thursday, the law firm explained that this latest petition is a follow-up to some previous complaint submitted to the HonourableMinisterofInteriorandthe Comptroller General. The earlier petition prompted an internal investigation ordered by the Honourable Minister. However, LAW THEATER expressed concern that despite the high-level probe, the findings of the panel have not been released to the public, nor have the victims or the law firm received any official feedback.

According to the statement, instead of seeing improvements, the situation inside Kuje Correctional Centre has deteriorated further. Inmates who courageously provided testimonies during the earlier investigation are now reportedly facing renewed harassment, psychological torture, and heightened financial exploitation. The law firm also alleged that Bosun Ajibogun continues to boast that his actions are fully backed by the Honourable Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General, emboldening him to act without fear of consequences.

LAW THEATER described the situation as a worsening humanitarian crisis that demands immediate intervention. The firm called for the urgent public release of the investigative panel’s findings, an independent probe into the fresh allegations, and the immediate suspension and prosecution of Bosun Ajibogun to allow an unbiased inquiry.

It further urged authorities to deploy an independent human rights monitoring team to Kuje Correctional Centre to protect the welfare of inmates and to provide adequate protection for whistleblowers among the prison population who have become targets of revenge.
The law firm emphasized that prisons are correctional centres, not torture chambers, warning that continued silence and inaction will only deepen impunity and erode public trust in the Nigerian criminal justice system.

Nigerian Favour Ofili 🇳🇬 has made history at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, smashing the women’s 150m straight world record with a blistering time of 15.85s (2.0m/s wind)!

She becomes the first woman ever to break the 16-second barrier, surpassing the previous world best of 16.23s set by Shaunae Miller-Uibo 🇧🇸 in 2018.

Tamari Davis 🇺🇸 finished 2nd in 16.14s, while Ashanti Moore 🇯🇲 claimed 3rd in 16.50s.

What a day for the star girl Ofili 🎉💪

COURTESY: Juba Global News Network

Sunday, May 18, 2025
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – In a powerful display of national pride and Pan-African solidarity, the people of Burkina Faso have unveiled a grand statue of their former president, Captain Thomas Sankara, at a vibrant ceremony in the capital, Ouagadougou. The monument, inaugurated on May 17, 2025, by Burkina Faso’s current leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, stands as a tribute to the revolutionary leader assassinated in 1987, widely believed to have been orchestrated by Western powers due to his uncompromising Pan-Africanist ideals.

Thomas Sankara, often called “Africa’s Che Guevara,” led Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, renaming the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Upright People.” During his brief tenure, Sankara championed self-reliance, anti-imperialism, and social justice, implementing policies that boosted literacy by 60%, built 350 schools, constructed roads and railways without foreign aid, banned forced marriages, redistributed land to the poor, and vaccinated 2.5 million children. His outspoken criticism of Western interference in Africa, including France’s neocolonial grip, made him a target, leading to his assassination at age 37 in a French-backed coup led by Blaise Compaoré.

The statue, part of the newly opened Thomas Sankara Memorial and Museum, designed by renowned Burkinabe architect Francis Kéré, symbolizes a resurgence of Sankarist ideals. The 14-hectare site includes a mausoleum honoring Sankara and his 12 aides killed alongside him, an 87-meter tower, an amphitheater, and green spaces for community gatherings. “This is not just a statue; it is a beacon of African dignity and resistance,” said Kéré, emphasizing the memorial’s role as a space for reflection and celebration of Sankara’s vision.

Current President Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has been hailed as Sankara’s ideological heir, earning the nickname “Sankara’s reincarnation” among supporters. Traoré’s policies echo Sankara’s anti-imperialist stance, including expelling French troops, nationalizing resources like gold, and banning British legal wigs in favor of traditional Burkinabe attire. His leadership in forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside Mali and Niger marks a bold step toward regional sovereignty, uniting African armies to protect their resources from Western exploitation. The AES, established in 2023, is seen as a realization of Sankara’s dream of a unified, self-reliant Africa.

Sankara’s vision continues to inspire beyond Burkina Faso, resonating with Pan-Africanists across the continent and diaspora. In Kenya, renowned scholar and activist Professor PLO Lumumba frequently invokes Sankara’s principles, urging African leaders to prioritize sovereignty and resource control. “Sankara spoke truth to power, challenging global powers while uplifting his people. His legacy is a clarion call for Africa’s awakening,” Lumumba said at a recent lecture in Nairobi, echoing sentiments shared by many at the statue’s unveiling.

The ceremony, attended by thousands waving Burkinabe and AES flags, also drew international attention, with solidarity protests across West Africa denouncing foreign interference. However, Traoré’s leadership, like Sankara’s, faces challenges, including alleged coup attempts and accusations from Western powers, such as U.S. AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley, who claimed Traoré misuses gold reserves—a charge supporters dismiss as a smear tactic reminiscent of those used against Sankara.
As Burkina Faso navigates ongoing security challenges, with parts of the country under insurgent control, the statue stands as a symbol of hope and defiance. “Sankara’s spirit lives in us, in Captain Traoré, and in every African fighting for our land and resources,” said a young protester at the event, reflecting the sentiment of a new generation.

The Thomas Sankara Memorial is expected to become a pilgrimage site for Pan-Africanists, reinforcing Burkina Faso’s role as a beacon of resistance in the Sahel and beyond. As Traoré continues to push for economic and cultural independence, the world watches to see if he can fulfill Sankara’s vision while avoiding the fate of his predecessor.

By Juba Global News Network Correspondent in Ouagadougou
Follow us for more updates on Africa’s journey toward sovereignty.

Didier Drogba has posited that the only difference between Victor Osimhen, Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other great players is just the color of their skin…”

Victor Osimhen deserves to be honored as the first African man to win the Ballon d’Or.

He’s not just talented — he’s earned it, he’s proven it, and now the world must recognize it. Let’s put racism aside and give this African king the respect he deserves.

Congratulations, Victor Osimhen — you are not just the Turkish Cup Champion, you’re the people’s champion.

I love you, brother. Your hunger, dedication, and fire every time you touch the pitch is unmatched. And guess what? This is only the beginning. There’s an even greater version of you the world is yet to see — and that version lifts the Ballon d’Or.

Let’s learn to celebrate our own — the world watches how we treat our heroes.

Congratulations once again, Champion.

It came as an exciting development at Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management (IBUAM), which is newly licensed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, as IBUAM is poised to revolutionize the aviation industry, with partnerships in place, to embark on an ambitious project of developing the first Nigerian indigenous aircraft.

This groundbreaking initiative underscores the University’s commitment to innovation and advancement in aeronautics.

The Young African mind behind this revolutionary institution, Engr Isaac Balami reveal this yesterday in an interview with the Arise News.

He asserted that the University posses the capacity to achieve this lofty dream considering his years of experience and vast network of partners and industry players.

He assured that given the needed support that IBUAM will actualize building of Aircraft in the soil of Nigeria.

An African Youth from Nigeria by name AIYENURO JOSHUA has been unveiled by the African Civil Society Forum (AFRICSOF) in collaboration with T-Jos Signature TO set Guinness World Record for the Longest Haircut Marathon in the World.
Mr. Aiyenuro Joshua popularly known as T-Jos, of T-Jos Signature is an official barber of the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Nigeria National football team

The event is scheduled to hold between June 10 – 17, 2025 at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja.

In a Press Conference held today Abuja, the African Civil Society Forum (AFRICSOF) leadership led by Amb. Blessing Akinlosotu, said the Forum is collaborating with T-Jos Signature to drive and actualise this continental vision of an African youth.

He said: “The Record of Longest Haircut in the World would not only catapult young Joshua to global limelight and empowerment, but much more, would drastically reposition him as a viable human tool to generate consciousness for Skills Revolution in the continent, especially in Nigeria.
“Today marks the official commencement of a strategic and historic Journey which we strongly believe will birth a new era in Civil Society Community operations across the Continent, while stimulating positive change that would definitely result in talent / skills revolution among the Young People of Africa.
“It is in this light and against this essential background, that AFRICSOF sees need to intentionally and purposely make a strategic departure from the conventional programming and activities of regular Civil Society, to a partnership venture to promote and manage a young and talented African with lofty aspirations of setting a World Record in the Guinness Book at a Barbing Marathon for the longest haircut in the world.”
Akinlosotu noted that Africa is highly endowed and renowned for young population, strength, resilience and high survival instinct, yet out of the 60,000 (sixty thousand) records holders as at year 2022, in this prestigious book, Africa and Africans can only boast of a very insignificant number of listings.
“This has become an open challenge to us in AFRICSOF, explaining the passion, energy, and resources we intend to invest and mobilize for this Project.
“AFRICSOF and T-Jos have already started looking and working beyond the Phase One of Record Setting, to the Phase Two of Pet Projects designs and implementation, that would break Skill Acquisition Records in Africa,” he added.

While addressing the press, Mr. Aiyenuro confirmed reasons for recording breaking project is not for personal gain, but to empowers several Youths across each State of the Federation, through pet projects.

I would like to express my gratitude to all the peace-loving, freedom-loving patriots and pan-Africanists who rallied around the world on Wednesday April 30, 2025 to support our commitment and our vision for a new Burkina Faso and a new Africa, free from imperialism and neo-colonialism.

Your active solidarity and this demonstration of sympathy strenghtens our conviction that the fight we are waging for a fairer and more equitable world is justified.

We will never bend our backs in the face of adversity; we will stand firm until our peoples are truly emancipated. With you, we are certain that victory over the forces of evil is at hand.

Together, in solidarity, we will defeat imperialism and neo-colonialism for a free, dignified and sovereign Africa.

CREDIT: Own Goal Nigeria, Ade Emmanuel

World Football Governing Body – FIFA, is expected to deduct three points and three goals from South Africa in the World Cup Qualifiers after they fielded an ineligible player in their 2-0 win over Lesotho.

In time past, FIFA have treated such cases with the above mentioned penalty and many expect it to be the same this time around. However some section in South Africa are saying that the absence of a protest by Lesotho could work in their favour

That is not entirely true as FIFA has taken action similar to this same incident without any protest from other countries. That will likely be the case and it has caused unrest in the camp of South Africa as it will largely throw the game open, by narrowing the point gap of their lead to just one point over Lesotho, who will be awarded the points.

Lesotho will move from their current position of 5th in the group to second and a point behind South Africa when FIFA takes the expected decision. But what is worrisome to the FA of the group leaders is that it will bring their point gap over Nigeria to just three.National team match tickets

Many in the FA including top chiefs said the incident was flagged and currently been pushed by Nigeria and not even Lesotho nor the other teams in the group. They are however hopeful that FIFA will for the first time not act as in previous cases.