馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Nigerian throwers Amaechi and Oji achieve strong results in US meets
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Nigerian throwers Obiageri Amaechi and Jessica Oji began their outdoor season with notable performances in US invitational meets. Amaechi recorded a season's best throw of 61.79m in the women's discus B final at the Oklahoma Throws Series World Invitational, placing fifth. This improved on her 58.43m throw from the previous day and follows her silver medal win at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games. Oji, 18, finished second in the women's shot put at the Spec Towns Invitational in Georgia with a throw of 18.10m, trailing Jamaica's Danniel Thomas-Dodd. Oji, now competing for the University of Pennsylvania, recently set a Nigerian U-20 record of 17.74m and an Ivy League record of 18.45m. Other Nigerian athletes also performed well, with Sade Olatoye winning the women's hammer throw at the Joe Walker Invitational with 68.78m. In sprint events, Tima Godbless finished third in the women's 100m at the Baylor Invitational, while Joshua Caleb won the men's 100m at the same event. Precious Nzeakor placed second in the women's 100m at the Crimson Tide Invitational, where Faith Osamuyi also impressed in the 100m hurdles.
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The Federal Government has initiated a nationwide vocational and skills acquisition program for over 18,000 artisans and unemployed Nigerians. Training is scheduled to commence on Tuesday at 229 accredited centers across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This initiative, implemented by the National Social Investment Programme Agency NSIPA, aims to provide participants with vocational skills, entrepreneurship training, and trade-specific starter packs to foster self-employment and reduce poverty. Dr. Bernard Doro, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, stated that the program aligns with President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 Renewed Hope Agenda, moving vulnerable Nigerians towards economic self-reliance. The two-week training targets individuals with existing basic vocational knowledge, offering additional technical skills to enhance productivity. The ministry has established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, including a digital tracking system for beneficiaries and distributed starter packs. Badamasi Lawal, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, confirmed that the program will be delivered through accredited government technical colleges, vocational institutions, and approved training centers. Participants will receive training in 14 vocational trades, such as automobile technology, agriculture, baking, carpentry, electrical installation, and fashion design. Beneficiaries will also undergo entrepreneurship training cov
Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, met with the newly confirmed United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Frank Garcia, in Abuja. This meeting aimed to strengthen security cooperation between the two nations. Garcia's visit to Nigeria is his first since assuming office on June 1, 2026, and is part of a West African tour that includes C么te d'Ivoire and Mali. Ribadu stated on X that the discussion reviewed progress by the Nigeria-US Joint Working Group and reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and cooperation on shared security priorities. Garcia, a 28-year US Navy veteran, previously served as a senior adviser to the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. His appointment filled a vacancy in the Africa post that had lasted over a year.
The president of the Senegalese football federation, Abdoulaye Fall, stated on Monday that coach Pape Thiaw's salary demands created a toxic environment for the team at the World Cup. Thiaw, 45, was sacked on Sunday after Senegal's elimination in the last 32 by Belgium on July 1. Fall explained that a breakdown in trust occurred due to Thiaw's initial refusal to sign a new contract, as he had requested a salary increase from 20 million CFA to 30,000 CFA before the World Cup. Fall also mentioned that Thiaw threatened not to travel to the World Cup if his demands were not met, and it was Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye who convinced him to change his mind. The contract was eventually signed on the eve of their second game against Norway, after Thiaw reportedly refused to sit in the dugout until it was finalized. Fall indicated that Thiaw believed federation officials were his enemies, which affected the national team's operations. During the World Cup, the Lions of Teranga experienced two group stage defeats against France and Norway before a 5-0 victory over Iraq secured their place in the knockout rounds. Under Thiaw, Senegal had won the Africa Cup of Nations in January but were later stripped of the title for walking off the pitch during the final against Morocco.