Sports

Seahawks beat Giants on MNF, defense steals the show

Published

3 years ago

October 3, 2023

Seahawks beat Giants on MNF, defense steals the show

The Seattle Seahawks‘ defense shined as they beat the New York Giants 24-3 at MetLife Stadium on Monday night. Giants QB Daniel Jones turned the ball over three times and was sacked 10 times.

It wasn’t all great for the Seahawks as safety Jamal Adams was lost early in the first quarter after being evaluated for a concussion. It was his first game back since he suffered a torn left quad tendon in last season’s opening game.

This season marks the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII, a feat that seems like longer than a decade ago given all the suspect defense Seattle has played of late.

But on Monday night, in the same stadium where they claimed their lone Lombardi Trophy, the Seahawks turned back the clock and delivered a dominant defensive performance reminiscent of that 43-8 trouncing of the Denver Broncos.

Eleven sacks. Three takeaways plus a pair of turnovers on downs. A defensive touchdown. Only a field goal allowed.

Eat your heart out, Legion of Boom.

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, the high-flying rookie cornerback whose aggressive style would have fit right in with the LOB, helped turn a close game into a runaway victory for Seattle with a 97-yard pick-six in the third quarter.

The Seahawks are 3-1 despite a long list of injuries, and they appeared to dodge another serious one when Geno Smith briefly left the game after hurting his knee. Teams usually don’t like byes in Week 5, but the Seahawks won’t complain about that right now.

Buy on a breakout performance: This was already shaping up to be Witherspoon’s breakout before his pick-six. He had a sack of Jones on a blitz and was credited with another sack on a backward pass. His touchdown came at a clutch time, with the Giants knocking on the door of a score that could have cut Seattle’s lead to three points. The Seahawks were second-guessed left and right after taking Witherspoon fifth overall instead of Jalen Carter, who would have filled their most glaring need. But in addition to their off-the-field concerns with Carter, they also thought Witherspoon was the better player. Time will tell there, of course, but Witherspoon’s immense talent is starting to shine after a slow start.

Promising trend: Eleven sacks is a beyond promising development for Seattle’s pass rush. It had been inconsistent over the first three games before exploding against the Giants. The 11 sacks tied a franchise record and more than doubled their combined total (five) heading into Monday night’s game. Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Witherspoon and Uchenna Nwosu all had two sacks apiece. This marks the first time since 1987 that a team had four players with multiple sacks in a game, per ESPN Stats & Information. The Seahawks have generated an NFL-best 46 pressures over the last two games, according to ESPN Stats & Info. They’ve had 20-plus pressures in both games, the first time they’ve done that in consecutive games since ESPN began tracking pressures in 2009.

QB breakdown: Smith hadn’t missed a snap in his first 21 games as the Seahawks’ starter until he went down with a knee injury in the second quarter on a sideline tackle. He returned for the start of the second half and finished 13-of-20 for 110 yards and a touchdown. Drew Lock went 2-of-6 for 63 yards in relief, including tight end Noah Fant’s 51-yard catch-and-run that set up a Walker III touchdown.

Troubling trend: Adams’ much-anticipated return lasted all of nine plays. He went down on the opening possession after taking a knee to the helmet and was ruled out after being evaluated for a concussion. Adams can’t catch a break. Entering Monday night, he has missed 28 of a possible 53 regular-season games since Seattle acquired him in the blockbuster trade with the Jets in 2020. Also on Monday night, the Seahawks lost guards Damien Lewis (ankle) and Phil Haynes (calf) to injuries. Nose tackle Jarran Reed (shin) also left. — Brady Henderson

Sports

University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue

Published

3 weeks ago

April 10, 2026

Sahara Weekly

University Farms Urged to Drive Innovation, Boost Revenue

A former Director in the Directorate of Environmental Management, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Dr. Akinpelu Basiru Ojo has called for the transformation of university farms into centres of innovation and sustainable revenue generation.

Dr. Ojo made this call at the 2026 Pre-Season Farming Seminar organised by the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), held recently at FUNAAB.

While delivering his keynote address on the theme of the seminar, “The University Farm as an Incubation Ground for Innovation and Revenue Generation,” Dr. Ojo noted that university farms have evolved beyond their traditional roles into dynamic hubs for research, entrepreneurship, and industry collaboration.

He identified key areas where university farms could drive innovation, including research and development, student entrepreneurship, technology transfer, and interdisciplinary collaboration. He further urged DUFARMS to explore opportunities in commercial agricultural production, value addition and agro-processing, consultancy services, research partnerships, agritourism, and intellectual property commercialisation.

Highlighting potential challenges confronting university farms, the former Director listed inadequate funding, weak industry linkages, climate change, environmental risks, and limited commercial orientation. He, however, proposed strategies for optimisation, including the adoption of agribusiness models, integration of modern technologies, strengthened partnerships, promotion of student-led enterprises, and the development of sustainable value chains.

Reflecting on the evolution of DUFARMS, Dr. Ojo paid tribute to past Vice-Chancellors, beginning with the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nimbe Adedipe, whose vision led to the establishment of the University Farm. He also acknowledged milestones recorded under successive administrations, including the expansion of cashew and oil palm plantations, as well as the establishment of processing facilities for value addition.

He further commended the contributions of past and present staff, alongside former students who have attained notable academic positions, encouraging staff to uphold discipline, integrity, and continuous professional development.

As part of his recommendations for future growth, Dr. Ojo proposed the establishment of crop collection plots, revival of underutilised crops, exploration of cashew nutshell liquid production for revenue generation, and expansion of tree crop plantations such as cashew and oil palm.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who declared the seminar open, emphasised the importance of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning in achieving institutional objectives. He described the seminar as timely and essential, noting that the University was established not only for teaching and research but also for meaningful community engagement, particularly in supporting farmers to enhance productivity.

Prof. Kehinde also commended DUFARMS for its efforts, especially its introduction of value addition initiatives, and urged staff, particularly in livestock production, to scale up activities in poultry, beef, pork, and egg production to improve the visibility and impact of the University Farms.

The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment by participants to reposition DUFARMS as a hub for innovation, practical training, and sustainable revenue generation, in line with global best practices.

Sports

FirstBank Sponsors Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship 2026, Promotes Education Through School Sports

Published

4 weeks ago

April 1, 2026

Sahara Weekly

FirstBank Sponsors Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Football Championship 2026, Promotes Education Through School Sports

Lagos, 31 March 2026 – FirstBank, the premier bank in West Africa and a leading financial inclusion service provider, is thrilled to announce its sponsorship of the maiden edition of the Samuel Okwaraji Under 16 Football Championship, a nationwide youth football tournament organised to honour the late Samuel Okwaraji, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated football legends renowned for his patriotism, discipline, and commitment to national service.

The tournament will engage secondary schools from all 36 states and the FCT, in a two-stage competition. The first stage will feature zonal eliminations across the six geopolitical zones, followed by a national final in Abuja featuring the top 12 qualifying teams. The event will also include cultural displays, memorial lectures, and talent scouting opportunities by national team coaches, ensuring a blend of sporting excellence and social impact.

Speaking on the sponsorship, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Olusegun Alebiosu, said: “Football is the strongest unifier of Nigerians. It brings communities together, inspires discipline, and nurtures talents across the country. FirstBank is making a deliberate incursion into grassroots football development with this sponsorship, creating an enabling environment for the next generation of Samuel Okwarajis to discover, refine, and maximise their potential, thereby shaping the future of Nigerian football.”

In his remarks, Senator Osita Izunaso, the Chairman of the Championship Organising Committee commended FirstBank for throwing its weight around the championship. He said “FirstBank’s legacy predates modern Nigerian football. The bank has once again shown that true corporate leadership lies in nation building. We thank FirstBank for their participation in this championship and we hope that other corporates will take a leaf and provide an enabling environment for young ones to thrive in education through sports.”

Through its First@Sports initiative, FirstBank has sustained an unbroken role in promoting the development of football and sports across Nigeria. The Bank is invested in nurturing talent through its ownership of the Elephant Boys Football Team currently competing in the Nigerian National League. The FirstBank Basketball Club popular known as the “Elephant Girls” is also owned by the Bank.

The Bank has supported youth-oriented and sporting initiatives including the National Sports Festival, South-West Youth Games, the Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship for 35 years, Lagos Amateur Golf Open Championship for 65 years, and the Georgian Polo Cup for 105 years.

The Bank’s sponsorship of the Samuel Okwaraji U-16 Tournament underscores its commitment to national unity, empowering communities, and fostering youth development.

Sports

Adeniyi Urges Customs Officers to Stay Fit, Commissions Sports Arena at Western Marine Command

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Adeniyi Urges Customs Officers to Stay Fit, Commissions Sports Arena at Western Marine Command

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Adewale Adeniyi, has reaffirmed the importance of physical and mental fitness among officers, stressing that the demanding nature of their duties requires them to remain in top condition at all times.

Adeniyi made the statement during the commissioning of the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena at the Western Marine Command of the NCS in Apapa, Lagos.

He noted that Customs officers must prioritise their health to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

According to him, the daily operational demands placed on officers necessitate a culture of consistent exercise and wellness.

“Our job requires that we remain physically and mentally fit. I encourage all officers to embrace regular exercise. Every Saturday morning, I make out time to exercise to keep myself fit,” Adeniyi said.

He described the newly built sports facility as a strategic investment in the well-being of officers, urging the command to ensure that the arena is fully utilised.

“This facility was built to be used. I urge officers to embrace and make regular use of it so they can remain physically and mentally fit,” he added.

The Comptroller-General also commended traditional rulers and members of the host community for their support and impressive turnout at the commissioning ceremony, describing their presence as a reflection of strong community partnership.

In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Western Marine Command, Comptroller Paul Ntadi, said the sports arena was dedicated in honour of Adeniyi in recognition of his diligence, professionalism and dedication to service, including his past role as National Public Relations Officer of the Service.

Ntadi explained that the Wale Adeniyi Sports Arena (WASA) represents more than just a recreational facility, noting that it aligns with the broader security and community engagement objectives of the Nigeria Customs Service.

“WASA is a practical expression of our belief that security is not only about enforcement, patrols and interceptions. It is also about prevention,” Ntadi said.

He added that providing safe spaces for recreation, mentorship and healthy competition would help steer youths away from crime, restiveness, drug abuse and other social vices.

“When we provide safe and positive spaces for recreation, mentorship and healthy competition, we are investing in peace, stability and the future of our communities,” he stated.

The CAC further noted that the presence of the Comptroller-General at the event underscores the importance the NCS places on community development, youth empowerment and sustainable peace.

He emphasised that the facility is designed to take young people off the streets and channel their energy into constructive activities.

“WASA is aimed at taking youths off the streets and into constructive engagement. It is built to become a centre of unity, growth and positive transformation — to nurture talents, inspire dreams and keep youths away from negative influences,” Ntadi said.