Praise Ikweki has won Nigeria’s first bronze medal in the High Jump event at the ongoing 2025 African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championship, held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

The event featured the finals of the high jump, triple jump, and 1500m, as well as the 100m heats for both male and female categories.

Ikweki, who competed alongside Melvin Ododo, began at 1.80m, achieving a perfect record until a near miss at 2.03m. He succeeded on his third attempt to advance to the next round.

However, he failed all three attempts at 2.06m after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux to clinch the gold medal.

In the U-18 Heat One 100m event, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela finished in 11.38 seconds, just behind Nigeria’s Igbigbidje James Clifford, who clocked 11.44 seconds, with both qualifying for the semi-finals.

Also, Adeola Adeniji Muideen led Heat Two, finishing in 11.08 seconds, while Algeria’s Bouhdila Yasser followed with 11.14 seconds to also book a semi-final spot.

Jayen Foure sprinted to victory in Heat Three with a time of 10.65 seconds, followed by Egbon Destiny Chinedu who finished in 10.85 seconds.

In the female category, Nigeria’s Mariam Jegede won the first heat of the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 12.13 seconds. Congo’s Boukama Gladys finished second in 12.47 seconds, and Ghana’s Darkoah Kwateng came third with 12.64 seconds.

In Heat Two, Miracle Ezechukwu outran her opponents in the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 11.79s (0.1). She beat South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze, who ran 11.93s, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Andre Marie Joseph, who placed third in 12.26s.

In Heat Three, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo emerged winner of the U-18 Girls’ 100m.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that in the U-20 100m heats, Nigeria’s Lucy Nwankwo recorded a new Personal Best of 11.80s (-0.5) to win her heat, while Success Oyibu claimed victory in Heat One of the U-20 Women’s 100m with a time of 11.87s (-1.4).

The Interim National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has raised concerns about the rising insecurity in Nigeria, saying bandits have taken over his farmland.

Speaking to journalists in Ilorin, Mr. Abdullahi said he could no longer visit his farm in parts of Kwara State like Patigi, Ifelodun, and Babanla because of the growing activities of kidnappers and bandits in the areas.

He said, “Kwara State used to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, but now, it’s no longer safe. I have a farm in that area, and I can’t go there anymore because of insecurity.”

Mr. Abdullahi blamed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the current challenges facing the country.

He said the party’s poor policies had made life harder for Nigerians.

He added that the ADC was created to offer a better alternative and bring an end to poverty, hunger, and insecurity in the country.

He said, “Nigerians are already suffering. People know they can’t continue like this. The real work now is to convince them that we, in ADC, are truly different and can fix these problems.”

A Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media at Kennesaw State University, Farooq Kperogi, has alleged that Aisha was no longer married to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kperogi made this claim in a post on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday.

According to him, Aisha had dropped Buhari as her surname and reverted to her maiden name, Halilu.

He further alleged that Aisha was reluctant to travel to the United Kingdom to care for Buhari when he became ill.

Kperogi was reacting to quotes attributed to Aisha, which claimed Buhari had asked her to seek forgiveness from Nigerians on his behalf.

Although Kperogi said he could not confirm the authenticity of the quotes, he maintained that the couple were no longer married.

He wrote: “They had divorced, and Aisha reverted to her maiden name, Aisha Halilu. If you paid close attention, you would notice that Aisha didn’t go to Daura when he retired to the town after leaving office.

“Buhari was also alone when he later relocated to Kaduna. In fact, when he fell ill and it was suggested that Aisha travel to London to care for him, she reportedly hesitated because she was no longer his wife.”