Sports
NOVA Bank Sponsors The Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament to Champion Golfing Excellence
NOVA Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to the well-being and interests of high-net-worth individuals by sponsoring the 27th Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament.
Hosted at the prestigious Ikoyi Golf Club 1938, the annual tournament for 2024 took place from September 21st to Saturday, September 28th, 2024.
The Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament, organized by the Ikoyi Golf Community Nigeria Association (IGCNA), showcased the remarkable talent of golfers and the sport’s capacity to foster connections across the board.
NOVA Bank has long valued golf as a recreation sport for business executives to network and relieve stress.
This year, Mr, Tayo Babalakin emerged as the Nigeria Cup 2024 Champion, clinching the title with a stunning 85 gross with Handicap (HCP) 19 = 66 net. This victory etched Tayo Babalakin’s name in the history books as the 27th champion of this celebrated tournament.
As a former merchant bank serving high-net-worth clients, NOVA Bank has long valued golf as a recreation sport for business executives to network and relieve stress.
The Bank’s transition to a national commercial bank has not diminished this commitment but has instead deepened its relationship with the golfing community, as reflected in its ongoing partnership with the Nigeria Cup.
Mr. Phillips Oduoza, Chairman of NOVA Bank and an avid golfer, highlighted the importance of the partnership in a speech presented by Mrs. Esther Adino, on his behalf. “As a long-term partner of the Nigeria Cup and the Ikoyi Club Golf Section, this annual event is always a delight for us at NOVA.
It provides a unique opportunity to engage with our esteemed customers and the broader community while celebrating the beautiful game of golf.
For over four years, NOVA Bank has been a proud supporter of this tournament, a sponsorship that aligns with our dedication to fostering wealth creation and enhancing the well-being of our customers.
Golf plays an essential role in that mission, allowing us to connect with our HNI clients in a meaningful and engaging environment.
We consider ourselves long-term sponsors of this tournament, and we are pleased to deepen our partnership with Ikoyi Golf Club. We look forward to exploring new opportunities for collaboration to elevate this esteemed club further.”
Reiterating NOVA’s involvement, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, Executive Director of Institutional and Commercial Banking at NOVA Bank, added, “Our support of the Nigeria Cup reflects our commitment to offering our high-net-worth clients and C-suite executives an atmosphere of relaxation, well-being, and healthy competition.
As a commercial bank, we continue to develop tailored products for SMEs and retail clients, including our groundbreaking NOVA Phygital mobile banking, which redefines personal banking experiences.
The NOVA Phygital platform is designed to provide seamless financial solutions, ensuring our clients can manage their wealth effortlessly while enjoying the lifestyle they deserve.
We remain dedicated not only to supporting our corporate customers’ businesses but also to helping them stay fit, relaxed, and focused. Golf is the perfect avenue to achieve this balance.”
Mr. George Etomi, Chairman of the 2024 Nigeria Cup Organizing Committee, commended NOVA Bank for their unwavering support.
“NOVA Bank’s consistent sponsorship of the Nigeria Cup truly embodies the spirit of this club—harmony through recreation.
Their partnership exemplifies the harmony and shared vision that has made them an integral part of our journey. We are thankful for NOVA’s dedication and look forward to more opportunities to create lasting impacts together.”
As NOVA Bank continues its growth trajectory, expanding its exceptional services to retail and SME markets, it remains committed to creating meaningful experiences for its high-net-worth clientele, while embracing a broader audience through innovation and customer-centered solutions.
The partnership with the Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament reflects the values that define NOVA Bank— Uniqueness, Leadership, Teamwork, and Passion
Sports
Football Analysts Question CAF’s Exclusion of Nigerian Referee on 2026 World Cup List
The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled the African referees and video assistants selected to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, notably without a single Nigerian official on the list.
This absence has fueled a wider discussion about African referee representation at the global tournament. While CAF’s selection features a blend of experienced and emerging talents, the most surprising omission for many across the continent is highly-rated Somali official Omar Abdulkadir Artan, whose exclusion has largely overshadowed other selections
The chosen officials include Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, recognized for consistent performance, alongside established names like Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, DR Congo’s Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo, Egypt’s Amin Omar, and Gabon’s Pierre Ghislain Atcho.
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) team comprises Algeria’s Lahlou Benbraham, Egypt’s Mahmoud Ashour, and Eswatini’s Letticia Viana.
CAF stated that selections were based on “rigorous assessments of consistency, experience, and performance in continental and international fixtures.”
However, the complete lack of Nigerian representation, coupled with Artan’s unexpected omission, has prompted significant scrutiny and questioning of the selection criteria and process for the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
(Source: Leadership)
Sports
Mexico to deploy 100,000 security operatives for securing World Cup Venues
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with the United States and Canada, from June 11 to July 19.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that Mexico will deploy 100,000 police, military and private security forces to secure the 13 games it will host during this summer’s football World Cup.
Mexico is co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with the United States and Canada, from June 11 to July 19.
Sheinbaum made the disclosure during a press conference at a military base in Zapopan, Guadalajara state , Mexico, on March 6, 2026.
Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state, Mexico City and the northeastern city of Monterrey will host 13 games between them, including opening match on June 11 at Azteca Stadium in the capital.
President Claudia Sheinbaum unveiled the country’s security plan less than two weeks after an explosion of violence in Guadalajara, and other parts of the country, triggered by the death of a notorious drug lord.
Mexico City and Monterrey were spared by the violence.
Sheinbaum presented her plan at a military base in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, which was rocked by the killing of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera, leader of the fearsome Jalisco New Generation Cartel (JNGC) in an army raid on February 22.
Sports
Wakama names D’Tigress squad for FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifiers
Players named in the squad include Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi and Ifunnaya Okoro.
Others on the roster are Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Victoria Macaulay, Sarah Ogoke, Murjanatu Musa and Rita Igbokwe.
Photo: D’Tigress
D’Tigress head coach Rena Wakama has named her final 12-player squad for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Villeurbanne, France.
The qualifying tournament will run from March 11 to 17, with Nigeria set to face France, the Philippines, Colombia, Germany and South Korea during the series.
Wakama has largely retained the core of players who powered D’Tigress to their historic continental dominance.
Eleven members of the squad were part of the team that defeated Mali women’s national basketball team in Abidjan to secure a fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as the dominant force in African women’s basketball.
The final squad was selected from a 17-player provisional list released on February 25 as preparations intensified for the qualifiers.
Players named in the squad include Ezinne Kalu, Promise Amukamara, Amy Okonkwo, Elizabeth Balogun, Blessing Ejiofor, Nicole Enabosi and Ifunnaya Okoro.
Others on the roster are Pallas Kunayi-Akpannah, Victoria Macaulay, Sarah Ogoke, Murjanatu Musa and Rita Igbokwe.
Nigeria will open their campaign against Colombia on March 11 before facing South Korea the following day. D’Tigress will then meet the Philippines on March 14 after a two-day break, followed by a clash against hosts France on March 15. The team will conclude their fixtures against Germany on March 17.
(Source: Business Day)
Mojtaba Khamenei named Iran’s supreme leader
Bank of Industry and Sugar Council Unveil N10bn Fund for Greenfield Sugar Projects
PDP Vows to Fight On as Court of Appeal Upholds Suspension of National Legal Adviser and Other Officers
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News2 days agoSenator Oluremi Tinubu Hails Nigerian Women’s Resilience, Calls for Greater Empowerment on International Women’s Day 2026
-
News3 days agoJUST IN: IGP appoints CSP Ali Giwa as Force new media officer
-
Opinions2 days agoIWD: 50 rights female gender should enjoy
-
News2 days agoIGP Disu Replaces Hundeyin with DCP Anthony Placid as new Police PRO
-
Politics1 day agoBREAKING: Rivers House of Assembly Confirms Five Out of Nine Commissioner Nominees Submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara
-
News2 days agoAPC Mourns Death of Party Chieftain Dr. Chamberlain Dunkwu at 54
-
News2 days agoIWD: My greatest investments are my three daughters – Otedola
-
Sports2 days agoFootball Analysts Question CAF’s Exclusion of Nigerian Referee on 2026 World Cup List