Sports
NFL champion Reveal plans to unveil sports academy
The Nigerian-born American football player, Morotoluwa Ojomo, who recently won the 2025 National Football League Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, has revealed plans to establish an academy in Nigeria aimed at empowering young athletes.
Ojomo, who arrived in Lagos on Wednesday with his parents and sister, spoke about his vision to create opportunities for the youth and to nurture the next generation of athletes in Nigeria.
Ojomo, at a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Saturday in Abuja, shared his belief that the future of Nigeria lies in investing in its youths.
In addition to his plans for the academy, Ojomo also discussed his commitment to working with local organisations to promote flag football in Nigeria, with the hope of qualifying teams for the 2028 Olympics.
In the meeting yesterday, we proposed a plan to ultimately build an academy that not only promotes Nigerian-born athletes overseas or Nigerian descendants who come back and visit but also points to the youths and gives them abilities to grow in strength and grow into skill. That is what is in the pipeline.
“The goal is to see Nigerians doing well in American football. I believe the sport is not popular in Nigeria because people do not understand it.
“There is a lot of work being done with the flag football team. Some tryouts are happening in Lagos right now. I think they want to get them ready for the Olympics in 2028,” the footballer explained.
He emphasised the importance of providing young people with the resources and platforms to grow in both strength and skill, with the ultimate goal of making Nigeria the greatest country in the world.
“The youth is where change is made, and investing in them is of the utmost importance,” he said.
Ojomo, who was born in Lagos and moved to California at the age of seven, reflected on his own journey to success and how his Nigerian roots played a vital role in shaping his determination and perseverance.
He credited his upbringing for the values that helped him achieve his Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, a feat that has now placed him alongside other Nigerian-born NFL champions.
“I would not be here without Nigeria. I think that there is a saying that the grass is not greener where you go, it’s greener when you water it. We have the opportunity to water it,” he said.
He expressed his belief that Nigeria is a country full of potential, and through collaboration and investment in the youth, Nigeria can become a global leader in sports.
“What we are working on now is just to provide more opportunities for the youths and ultimately make Nigeria the greatest country in the world. So that’s the goal,” Ojomo remarked during the meeting.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in her remarks, congratulated Ojomo on his Super Bowl victory and his contributions to promoting Nigeria’s name on the global stage.
She acknowledged the national honor that will be conferred on him by the Nigerian government, noting that his success serves as an inspiration for younger Nigerians.
She expressed her appreciation for Ojomo’s dedication to his roots and his vision for creating lasting change in the country.
“We thank you for making us so proud and I know that you are passionate about your country. You are passionate about the younger Nigerians, and you want to make a difference in their lives.
“Home will always be home, no matter how much you excel abroad,” she said, inviting him to participate in the upcoming Diaspora Day on July 25 to share his story and inspire others.
Ojomo, who was born in Lagos in 2001 and moved to California at age seven, played a key role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl win, securing their second-ever championship title.
His victory places him alongside other Nigerian-born NFL champions, including C.J. Uzomah, Chukwuebuka Godrick, Chris Oladokun, and Charles Omenihu.
Sports
Ogba, Others Endorse Niger Delta Sports Festival
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Sports
Onyedika Not Sure For Super Eagles W’C Qualifiers
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Sports
‘I Must Win Trophy Before Retirement’
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”
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