New Champions Rise at Nigeria’s Premier Table Tennis Event
The 5th edition of the Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial National Table Tennis Championships in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, crowned thrilling new champions as Abdulbasit Abdulfatai (Kwara) and Hope Udoaka (Cross River) dominated the Men’s and Women’s Singles finals, respectively. The tournament, sanctioned by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) and backed by a N11.5 million prize pool, blended fierce competition with cultural festivities, drawing dignitaries like Osun State Governor Senator Ademola Adeleke and the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
Men’s Singles: Abdulfatai’s Flawless Victory
Abdulbasit Abdulfatai stormed to victory with a commanding 4-0 sweep (12-10, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7) over giant-killer Matthew Fabunmi in the final. The Kwara star capitalized on the early exit of defending champions, showcasing precision and composure to claim his maiden national title.
Women’s Singles: Udoaka Outshines Veteran Foe
Hope Udoaka overcame a spirited challenge from Oyo’s Halima Hussain, securing a 4-1 triumph (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7). Her tactical versatility and resilience marked her ascent as Nigeria’s newest table tennis queen.
U-15 Stars Shine Bright
- Girls’ Champion: Lagos’s Ifeoluwa Ajasa defeated Edo’s Deborah Faleye 3-1 (11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7).
- Boys’ Champion: Kogi’s Marvelous Joseph edged Osun’s Umar Ayoola 3-1 (11-9, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8) in a nail-biting finale.
Tournament Highlights: Sports Meets Entertainment
- Upsets Galore: Defending champions fell in the quarterfinals, paving the way for fresh faces.
- Cultural Fusion: Daily performances by local artists energized players and fans.
- Community Impact: University volunteers supported event logistics, adding a grassroots touch.
Tournament Referee John Peter remarked:
“This edition was unique—a blend of elite play and vibrant entertainment. The rise of new champions and community involvement set a new standard.”
CTA: Who will dominate next year’s championships? Share your predictions and stay tuned for updates!
Final Take
The 2025 championships not only celebrated new champions but also highlighted Nigeria’s thriving table tennis culture. With youth talent rising and community spirit soaring, the sport’s future shines brighter than ever.
About the author
Adenta Building Collapse Linked to Illegal Construction and Ignored Stop-Work Orders
A preliminary investigation into the collapse of a three-storey building at Adenta New Site in the Greater Accra Region has revealed that the project was carried out without the required regulatory approvals and in defiance of official stop-work directives issued by local authorities. The findings were released by a Joint Technical Investigative Committee comprising structural engineering experts and representatives from the Ghana Institution of Engineering (GhIE), the Institution of Engineering and Technology, Ghana (IET-Gh), and the Architecture Registration Council (ARC). According to the committee, the incident highlights serious violations of Ghana’s building regulations and raises concerns about compliance and enforcement within the construction sector. The building collapsed on June 3, 2026, trapping five occupants beneath the debris. The victims included three adults and two children. Rescue teams successfully pulled four individuals from the rubble alive and transported them to the […]
Kpandai Residents Encouraged to Promote Unity and Peace for Sustainable Development
Residents of Kpandai in the Northern Region have been encouraged to put aside tribal, linguistic and political differences and work collectively toward the development of their communities. The call was made by the Parish Priest of St. Kizito Parish, Rev. Fr. Moses Nseaminya, during the launch of the St. Kizito Parish Feast, Partnership and Cultural Day Celebration. The event seeks to promote peace, social cohesion and stronger relationships among the various ethnic groups living within the district. Speaking during the launch, Rev. Fr. Nseaminya emphasized that diversity should be viewed as a strength that can drive development rather than a source of conflict and division. He noted that although residents come from different cultural backgrounds and hold varying political views, they all share a common goal of improving the welfare and future of Kpandai. According to the parish priest, meaningful […]
ECG Explains Power Outages in Greater Accra and Western Regions Following Technical Faults
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has attributed ongoing power interruptions in parts of the Greater Accra and Western regions to separate technical faults affecting its distribution network. In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, the power distributor said a technical fault at the Nsawam Primary Station has disrupted electricity supply to several communities within the Accra West operational area. The affected communities include Hebron, Medie, Samsam, Satellite, Koleman and nearby areas, where residents have been experiencing intermittent power outages. According to ECG, engineering teams have been deployed to the station and are actively working to identify and rectify the fault to restore stable electricity supply as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, in the Western Region, a broken high-tension (HT) electricity pole at Ankasa has caused a separate power disruption, affecting multiple towns and communities across the area. Communities […]
Burkina Faso forme 8 000 jeunes VDP agricoles pour renforcer l’autosuffisance alimentaire
La cérémonie officielle de sortie de la 3e cohorte des Volontaires pour la Défense de la Patrie (VDP) agricoles et de fin de formation de 8 000 jeunes en entrepreneuriat agricole s’est tenue le 5 juin 2026 à l’École nationale de formation agricole (ENAFA) de Matourkou. L’initiative s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’Initiative présidentielle pour l’agriculture et l’autosuffisance alimentaire, portée par les autorités burkinabè. Cette formation vise à renforcer les capacités des jeunes dans le secteur agricole tout en les impliquant dans une dynamique de production locale et de souveraineté alimentaire. Une jeunesse formée entre agriculture, civisme et engagement citoyen Le directeur exécutif du Bureau national des grands projets du Burkina Faso, Hamidou Sawadogo, a salué l’engagement des bénéficiaires. Selon lui, le programme traduit la volonté des autorités de transformer durablement le secteur agricole afin de réduire la dépendance alimentaire […]
Clément Zongo dédicace trois ouvrages littéraires à Ouagadougou
Le journaliste-chroniqueur burkinabè Clément Zongo a procédé, le 6 juin 2026 à Ouagadougou, à la dédicace de trois ouvrages intitulés La fille aux cheveux châtains, Les Chroniques de Clément Zongo et Juste un coup de plume. La cérémonie, organisée dans la grande salle du Centre national des arts du spectacle et de l’audiovisuel (CENASA), a réuni des acteurs du monde culturel, des professionnels des médias ainsi que de nombreux passionnés de littérature. De son vrai nom Alexis Yaméogo, Clément Zongo est titulaire d’une maîtrise en sciences et techniques de l’information et de la communication. Conseiller des affaires culturelles, il s’est distingué au fil des années grâce à plusieurs récompenses obtenues dans le domaine littéraire. Un roman consacré à la lutte contre les préjugés liés à l’albinisme Parmi les œuvres présentées figure La fille aux cheveux châtains, un roman qui aborde […]
Three Rescued as Rescue Teams Search for Trapped Victims After North Industrial Area Building Collapse
Rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and extract individuals believed to be trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in Accra’s North Industrial Area following a structural failure that has left several people injured. According to Alex King Nartey of the Ghana National Fire Service's communications team, three people have so far been rescued from the scene and are currently receiving medical treatment. However, emergency responders fear that at least three more individuals may still be trapped under the debris. Speaking at the site, Mr. Nartey explained that rescue operations have been slowed by the absence of earth-moving equipment needed to remove large sections of collapsed concrete and debris safely. He disclosed that the Fire Service has requested assistance from the military, while the Mayor of Accra has also facilitated the deployment of heavy machinery to support the […]
Related
Tinubu’s administration ‘lying with statistics’ over economy, says Atiku
The former vice president said no amount of statistical presentation or creative accounting can hide what he described as the worsening state of the economy under President Bola Tinubu. In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed comments defending the administration’s reforms, including fuel subsidy removal, debt management and workers’ welfare initiatives. He argued that the government’s claim that subsidy savings are being used to reduce debt is contradicted by borrowing figures he said show federal exposure to the Central Bank of Nigeria rising sharply. Atiku said the Federal Government’s debt to the CBN rose from about ₦26.9tn in May 2023 to over ₦40.38tn by May 2026, describing the move as debt restructuring rather than debt repayment. He also said workers are yet to feel the benefits of subsidy savings, alleging that […]
Popular Juju singer Saint Janet is dead
The Nigerian entertainment industry is in mourning after the death of veteran Juju and Highlife singer Saint Janet, whose passing was announced on Sunday. According to publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies, Saint Janet died on Saturday after a brief illness. He described her as a popular performer known for her vibrant live shows, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party tracks. Saint Janet, born Iyun Janet Ajilore, was widely celebrated for her distinctive style and lively performances, which earned her a loyal following in Nigeria’s Juju music scene and beyond. As of the time of reporting, funeral arrangements had not been announced
US introduces $20,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others over overstay concerns
The United States says the new rule is aimed at curbing visa overstays and improving compliance among visitors from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weak identity or document verification systems. Under the policy, consular officers will decide whether an applicant must post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on factors such as travel purpose, employment, income and ties to the home country. The bond will be refunded without interest if the visitor leaves the US within the approved period and complies with visa conditions, but it will be forfeited if the holder overstays or violates the terms of the visa. The policy formalises and expands a pilot programme launched in August 2025, which the US State Department says showed a sharp drop in overstays among affected applicants. It also said the pilot reduced demand significantly, […]
Flooding hits communities in four Yobe LGAs as SEMA begins assessment
Following heavy rainfall, floodwaters have submerged homes and farmlands in several Yobe communities, prompting SEMA to activate rapid assessment teams and pledge urgent life‑saving support and protection for affected residents. SEMA said its field team has been deployed to the flooded areas to conduct a detailed on‑the‑spot assessment of the damage, noting that no lives had been reported lost at the time of its initial statement. The agency stressed that the Yobe government has committed to providing immediate relief, including emergency shelter, food and basic services, once the assessment is completed. Officials explained that the assessment will cover households, critical infrastructure and farmlands across the four impacted LGAs, building on earlier flood‑preparedness measures such as real‑time river monitoring and digital community reporting platforms in high‑risk zones. Local Government Early Warning and Action Committees, already activated and trained, are working with […]
How family support helped me through scandals, grief – Davido
In an interview with Vibe Q, David Adeleke said his father, brothers and sisters have always been the first to reach out whenever something bad happens, staying by his side until he was okay. Davido recalled how his family rallied around him after the death of his son, saying they “stayed with me till I was fine” and that they understand the depth of the pain he went through. He added that even when he is too busy to call them, they always check in on him, stressing that “family should not be played with The singer noted that seeing his family happy when he performs reminds him of how far he has come from the period when he was “broken” after his child’s death. He credited this strong family support system with helping him stay strong throughout his career […]
Ban on sale of sachet alcoholic drinks remains – NAFDAC
NAFDAC says the crackdown on manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcohol has already begun, with arrests and seizures recorded across the South East zone. The NAFDAC Zonal Director, South East, Dr Festus Ukadike, disclosed this in an interview in Enugu, adding that the next phase is to mop up remaining sachet alcoholic products still in the market. He stressed that businesses would not be adversely affected because companies can still produce alcohol in bottles of 200ml and above. According to Ukadike, the health of children was a major factor behind the ban, as sachet alcohol has fueled unhealthy drinking habits among young children and contributed to antisocial behaviour and disease risks. He urged consumers to control their alcohol intake, saying public health considerations outweigh commercial interests and affordability concerns. NAFDAC expects that within 12 months, Nigeria will have a standard […]