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The Shameful Export of African Glory: Why Can’t Africa Host Its Own Championship Games?

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The Shameful Export of African Glory: Why Can’t Africa Host Its Own Championship Games? By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

The Shameful Export of African Glory: Why Can’t Africa Host Its Own Championship Games?

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

In a world where sports serve as both a symbol of national pride and a multi-billion-dollar industry, Africa shamefully continues to be nothing more than a talent supplier and spectator. Our athletes are celebrated in foreign lands, our dancers perform at global halftime shows and our footballers bring in millions to European clubs; but when it comes to hosting the world’s greatest sports championships, Africa is nowhere to be found.

The question is not rhetorical anymore: Why can’t Africa organize and host its own world-class championship games? Must we always dance to the tunes of Europe, America and the Middle East, while begging for inclusion on platforms built with the very muscles of our people?

This is not a logistical problem. This is a psychological, cultural and leadership crisis.

Africa: A Giant Whose Feet Are Tied. Africa, home to 1.4 billion people, has the youth, the energy, the weather, the space and the passion to dominate the global sports scene not just with players, but as organizers, curators and hosts. Yet, major continental sporting events like the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), All-Africa Games and even athletics meets are often plagued with poor funding, last-minute preparations and international ridicule.

Meanwhile, the Middle East is rewriting the sports playbook. Qatar hosted the most expensive World Cup in history in 2022 and Saudi Arabia is now the face of boxing, UFC, Formula One and even wrestling. They built stadiums from scratch, created partnerships with top athletes and are now bidding to host the Olympics.

What do we do in Africa? We wait to be invited. Or worse, we export our best talents to fill up the rosters of European and American sports leagues.

As South African sports analyst Robert Marawa once said:

“Africa’s greatness is undeniable, but our leadership and vision in sports are embarrassingly absent. We keep giving birth to gold but dying in poverty.”

Sports As Business, Not Just Entertainment. The global sports industry was worth $512 billion as of 2023 and continues to grow rapidly. From broadcasting rights to tourism, merchandise, digital media, sponsorships and job creation, the ripple effects of hosting games are massive. Hosting even a mid-size international championship generates billions in revenue and global visibility.

Take the Barcelona 1992 Olympics; before the event, Barcelona was a gritty, underdeveloped port city. After hosting the Olympics, it was reborn into a major global tourist destination. South Africa’s 2010 FIFA World Cup was another case. Despite criticisms, it put the country on the map as a sports and tourism destination and created jobs, infrastructure and business opportunities.

So why can’t Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Ghana or Algeria lead the way in establishing Africa’s own championship legacy?

Our leaders don’t believe in Africa.

Excuses, Excuses and More Excuses. The most common excuses for Africa’s inability to host major games are:

Lack of infrastructure

Security risks

Corruption and mismanagement

Poor planning and organization

These are not permanent obstacles. They are problems created by bad leadership and sustained by apathy. Other continents also faced these challenges. Yet, they rose above them. Africa, on the other hand, seems content with excusing incompetence rather than solving it.

Adewale Ajadi, a Nigerian development strategist, once said:

“We cannot outsource our pride. We cannot wait for Europe or America to validate us. African dignity begins with African ownership.”

From Talent Exporters to Event Organizers. Let us be honest: Africa has always produced talent. From Haile Gebrselassie to Eliud Kipchoge in long-distance running, from Victor Osimhen to Didier Drogba in football, from Francis Ngannou in MMA to Hakeem Olajuwon in basketball, the world celebrates African excellence.

Where are the African-hosted arenas showcasing this excellence?

Why must African boxing champions fight in Vegas or Jeddah?

Why must top African footballers play the UEFA Champions League and not an African Football Super League?

Why must athletes break world records in Zurich, not Nairobi or Lagos?

It is time Africa stopped exporting glory and started hosting greatness.

What Needs to Be Done is to Create the African Championship Games (ACG). A biennial, pan-African event that includes athletics, football, boxing, tennis, wrestling and martial arts. Rotated between capable nations, funded by both public and private sectors.

Establish a Sports Development Fund
Managed by an independent continental body, this fund would provide long-term investment into stadiums, training centers, logistics, athlete welfare and local federations.

Leverage Africa’s Billionaire Class. Men like Aliko Dangote, Patrice Motsepe and Strive Masiyiwa must be challenged to sponsor sports events, build stadiums and support leagues just as their Western counterparts do.

Build Continental Media Powerhouses. Africa must stop relying on foreign broadcasters like Supersport or ESPN. Let us fund continental networks that cover and promote African games across the continent and the diaspora.

Develop Sports Academies and Infrastructure. If Saudi Arabia can build a futuristic city like NEOM, Africa can surely build stadiums, athlete hostels and sports universities.

Involve the African Diaspora. The African diaspora (especially in the U.S. and U.K.) has the skills, funding and media know-how to help build a sustainable sports ecosystem back home.

Time to Wake Up, Africa. Africa does not need foreign validation to be great. What we need is self-respect, unity and vision. The youth of Africa are not LAZY. They are not UNTALENTED. They are just UNDERVALUED and UNDERFUNDED.

We cannot continue to stand on the global podiums with our flags waving high, yet have no stadiums back home to train. It is a contradiction. It is a shame.

As Ghanaian football legend Abedi Pele once said:

“If Africa can produce the best players in the world, then Africa can also host the best tournaments. We just need to believe in ourselves.”

The Final Whistle. Africa’s pride cannot be bought with foreign invitations, medals or television rights. It must be built BRICK by BRICK on AFRICAN SOIL, by AFRICAN HANDS, for AFRICAN PEOPLE.

We can either keep exporting our glory and begging for a seat at someone else’s table or we can BUILD our own TABLE, our own GAMES, our own LEGACY.

The choice is ours.

LET US RISE. LET US HOST. LET US OWN.

The Shameful Export of African Glory: Why Can’t Africa Host Its Own Championship Games?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

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Buratai, Fagbemi , Shagaya, Olofa, Others Eulogise Olowu Kuta’s Olori On 60th Birthday, Foundation Launch

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Buratai, Fagbemi , Shagaya, Olofa, Others Eulogise Olowu Kuta’s Olori On 60th Birthday, Foundation Launch

 

Eminent personalities across the Nigeria stormed the TFK Event Centre, Bala Mohammed Way, Guzape, Abuja, to celebrate the 60th birthday of Olowu Kuta’s Olori, Queen Jumai Amoke and her Foundation Launch on Saturday 28, March 2026.

From former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai rtd, to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi. Even top businesswoman and socialite, Chief (Mrs) Bola Shagaya, was in attendance.

Buratai, Fagbemi , Shagaya, Olofa, Others Eulogise Olowu Kuta's Olori On 60th Birthday, Foundation Launch

Other dignitaries were newly promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Police and former AIG Zone 2 , Lagos , Adegoke Fayoade, Major General Abdumalik, Major General Samuel Adebayo rtd (Fmr CDI);

Major General Anthony Omozoje rtd (Fmr Copp);

 

Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi (Asiwaju of Offa and CEO Radisson Hotel Nigeria;

 

Dr Waheed Olagunju, former managing director of Bank of Industry, Oniba of Iba, Lagos State, HRM Oba Dr Suleiman Raji ;

Justice Falola, Olu of Ile-Ogbo , Oba Adetoyese amongst many traditional rulers and captains of industry too numerous to mention.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Host, Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr Adekunle Oyelude Makama, CON , Tegbosun iii, who is also the husband of the celebrant commended Queen Jumai for ‘ her slender arms full of kindness’ to establish such humanitarian Foundation, ‘Amoke Children and mother in Need Foundation’ at a time Nigerians are going through economic crisis occassioned by the global meltdown.

Olowu also commended her steadfastness and love for the less privileged and downtrodden.

The monarch refrenced the task before his wife’s humanitarian gesture said her best is yet to come.

” Olori Amoke Jumai, I celebrate you. You will celebrate 70, 80, 90 and continue to shine as you continue to put a smile on people’s faces. I love you, “Olowu Kuta added.

To Lt Gen Buratai, a former army chief and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, the reward of hard work is more work.

Buratai, who also doubles as Balogun Agba of Owu Kuta, a chieftaincy title reserved for a generalismo congratulated Queen Jumai for attaining the age of 60 in good health.

The retired army General said he’s not surprised by the turn out of eminent personalities across the country to celebrate the Olowu Kuta’s Olori because she merited it through her hospitality to all, adding that Allah the most merciful, most beneficial would accept all her act of ibadah.

The minister of Justice, Prince Fagbemi, was full of praises for Queen Jumai for deeming it fit to have a place in her heart to accommodate the needy and less privileged in ‘our society.’

Prince Fagbemi urged the guests to contribute generously to support the Foundation in order to continue to alleviate poverty and put a smile on the faces of the people.

” I congratulate you on your 60th birthday and Foundation Launch. I wish you many happy returns of the day and many more fruitful services to the country and motherland”, Prince Fagbemi added.

The celebrant, Queen Jumai who was grining from ear to ear thankfully said she was excited by the turn out and the response of the people to her foundation.

Queen Jumai, however, promised to continue to use her resources and donations received for the good of the needy and less privileged in the society.

” I want to appreciate my own Kabiesi Olofa of Offa , for his presence and im I’m using him as a point of contact to all other Kabiesis present here, the minister of justice and Attorney-General, you’re welcome, sir; Mrs Bola Shagaya, I salute your enterprise, Lt Gen Buratai, I’m grateful, sir; DIG Fayoade, Justice Falola and other dignitaries too numerous to mention, I thank you, all. To my darling husband, Kabiesi Olowu , I thank you immensely for your support. And to my family and friends, I thank you , all. E se pupo!”, she said.

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Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta

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Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta

Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta

 

The ancient city of Abeokuta came alive in a grand display of culture, history, and unity as dignitaries from across Nigeria converged at the iconic Ake Palace Ground for the 39th edition of the Lisabi Festival, an annual celebration deeply rooted in the Egba people’s heritage.

The event, proudly supported by Adron Homes and Properties Limited, witnessed an impressive parade of distinguished personalities, traditional rulers, government officials, business leaders, and cultural enthusiasts, all captured in vibrant pictures that tell the story of a people united by history and pride.

From richly adorned monarchs in regal attire to elegantly dressed guests reflecting the depth of Yoruba tradition, the images from the festival encapsulate moments of honour, reverence, and celebration. Each photograph portrays not just faces, but influence, leaders, and stakeholders who continue to shape cultural preservation and community development.

At the heart of the celebration was the revered Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, whose presence underscored the festival’s significance as a symbol of Egba resilience and identity. Surrounding him were eminent dignitaries whose attendance further amplified the prestige of the event.

Adron Homes and Properties Limited stood out prominently, not only as a sponsor but as a key driver of cultural sustainability. Through its strategic support, the company reinforced its commitment to preserving indigenous heritage while fostering community engagement. The brand’s visibility across the venue and within the pictorial highlights reflects a deliberate alignment with culture, tradition, and people-centered development.

 

Beyond real estate, Adron Homes has continued to position itself as a cultural partner, investing in platforms that celebrate history and strengthen communal bonds. Its involvement in the Lisabi Festival is a testament to its broader vision of building not just homes, but legacies rooted in identity and pride.

The 39th Lisabi Festival, as captured through the lens of dignitaries in attendance, is more than an event, it is a narrative of continuity. And through its unwavering support, Adron Homes has once again set the pace, demonstrating that corporate institutions can play a vital role in sustaining the cultural heartbeat of a people.

 

As the echoes of drums fade and the colours of the festival linger in memory, one thing remains clear: the story told through these images is one of unity, heritage, and the enduring partnership between tradition and progress.

 

Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta

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Obasa Felicitates President Tinubu @ 74, says Renewed Hope Agenda is steering Nigeria toward stability and prosperity

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Obasa Felicitates President Tinubu @ 74, says Renewed Hope Agenda is steering Nigeria toward stability and prosperity

 

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 74th birthday, commending him for fulfilling his Renewed Hope Agenda promises to Nigerians.

Speaker Obasa’s birthday message is contained in a statement signed by Adeshina Oyetayo, his Special Adviser on Research, Media, and Documentation.

Speaker Obasa described the President as a purposeful and pragmatic leader whose commitment to enthroning a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria should be appreciated by all

“Mr. President, today should be a national day of celebration honouring your selfless and visionary leadership.

“I commend your courage and conviction to initiate and implement necessary economic reforms that have pulled Nigeria out of the doldrums, stabilized the nation, and set it on the path of prosperity.”

Speaker Obasa said that those otherwise painful reforms are now being hailed as ingenious and effective worldwide, citing a January 2026 article in the influential The Economist magazine titled “Nigeria’s economy may be back from the brink.”

The article acknowledged that President Tinubu’s reforms are beginning to yield bountiful returns as evidenced in the easing of headline inflation for the 11th consecutive month, unification of the foreign exchange market, and foreign reserves rising to $46billion.

Notably, the article also referenced the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s upgraded 4.4% GDP growth forecast for 2026 despite global headwinds, while stating unequivocally that Nigeria’s golden years will return under President Tinubu.

Speaker Obasa said that this submission by an international journal signifies that Nigeria is in safe hands under President Tinubu. He, therefore, urged Nigerians to rally round him and support his re-election bid, promising that the gains of the Renewed Hope agenda will reach every household.

“Our prayer is that the Almighty will grant our dear President long life in robust health and the strength and wisdom to help him achieve the Nigeria of our collective dreams,” Speaker Obasa concluded.

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