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Gov Mbah runs 10km, as East Africans clear Elite Prizes in 1st Enugu Int’l Marathon

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Gov Peter Mbah and other marathoners during the race in Enugu City on Saturday
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…Mbah promises continuous improvement, world-class standard

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Saturday, participated in the 1st Enugu City International Marathon, completing the 10km road race in 45 minutes, while East African athletes cleared the first, second, and third positions in the elite 42km full marathon.

The event, which was supervised by the World Athletics represented by Nadeem Khan, who is also the President of International Ultra Runners; President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria led by its President, Chief Tony Okowa and the 1st Vice President, Nigerian Olympic Committee, Chief Solomon Ogba, drew participants from Kenya, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Nigerians, who trooped out in their numbers to compete for the prizes.

In the female elite category, Shaoline Chepriroi of Kenya finished in 2:44:37 (Two hours, forty-four minutes, thirty-seven seconds) to clinch the premium prize of $15,000, Tilahu Birul of Ethiopia finished in 2:45:10 (Two hours, forty-five minutes, 10 seconds) to place second and walk away with $10,000 prize money, while Rita Busiengy of finished in 2:47:17 (Two hours, 48 minutes, seventeen seconds) to finish third, earning her $5,000.

Gov Peter Mbah doing the marathon race in Enugu Saturday morning

Nigeria’s Blessing Shambo completed the 42 kilometres in 2:48:04 (Two hours, forty-eight minutes, four seconds) to finish fourth and place first among Nigerian female elite runners and went home with N1 million, while Charity Agofure and Elizabeth Pam finished in 2:55:03 (Two hours, fifty-five minutes, three seconds) and 3:01:45 (Three hours, one minute, forty-five seconds) to clinch the second and third prices, respectively, in the Nigerian elite runners category. Agofure and Pam got N750,000 and N500,000, accordingly, for their efforts.

In the men’s category, Ken Kopos of Kenya, ran the 42km in 2:22:32 (Two hours, twenty-two minutes, thirty-two seconds) to claim the star prize of $15,000, while his compatriots, Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang placed second and third, respectively, to earn themselves $10,000 and $5,000, accordingly.

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Davou Gyang finished in 2:29:03 (Two hours, twenty-nine minutes, three seconds) to emerge Nigeria’s best in the elite category, beating compatriot Boyi Nyango with just three seconds, while Iliya Pam placed third. They got cash prizes of N1 million, N750,000, and N500,000, respectively.

Lydia Akusho, Esther Afigbo, and Mwantiti Davou came first, second, and third, respectively in the women’s category of the 10km Road Race, while Francis James, Iliya Raymond, and Boyi Gang placed first, second, and third, respectively, in the male category.


While congratulating the winners and participants, Mbah assured of continued improvement of the sporting event, noting that Enugu City International Marathon was in line with his administration’s vision to position Enugu State as the premier destination for investment, business, tourism, and for living.

“What we have just witnessed is a spectacular event. It is a testament to the power of sports. Remember that I told you all that participated in our last year’s Enugu City Half Marathon that we are going to make the Enugu City International Marathon, an international event. Have we not done that?

“The International Marathon attracted elite runners across Africa. We have long distance runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea. Next year, we are going to attract elite runners from across the world, not just Africa. Our objective is to make the Enugu City International Marathon a major highlight in the calendar of the World Athletic. The world will be watching.

“Meanwhile, what you are witnessing is not a happenstance. It is connecting the dots. When we said that we were going to attract three million visitors every year and make Enugu state the premier destination for tourism, these are all part of the dots. Sports, for us, is beyond recreation. It is a serious business.

“We are going to make sure that through our sporting event, we are going to nurture talents, dreams will be born, goals will be achieved, and talents will blossom. We will be able to attract a lot of businesses. That means our business will thrive. People will come to Enugu and they will spend their money,” Mbah stated

He commended and thanked the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu and his team as well as the consultants led by Yetunde Olopade, who is the Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, as well as the security agencies, among others for putting up a great show.

Meanwhile, the flag-off was also witnessed by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu and former governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, while the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, federal and state lawmakers, as well as commissioners and other officials of the state government came out in their numbers to participate.

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Trump to attend World Cup Final, present Trophy alongside Infantino

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2 months ago

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June 24, 2026

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.

Infantino revealed that he and Trump will watch the showpiece event together and jointly present the World Cup trophy to the winning team after the final.

The FIFA chief highlighted his close working relationship with the American president, stating that they have collaborated closely throughout his current tenure.

According to Infantino, hosting the expanded 2026 World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico would have been significantly more difficult without Trump’s involvement and support.

“We will be together with the president [Trump] enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino told Fox & Friends.

“We are together all the time.”

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The decision comes after controversy surrounding the trophy presentation at the FIFA Club World Cup final, when Trump joined players of Chelsea on stage following their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in New Jersey.

Trump had been invited to present the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, but drew attention after remaining on stage during the team’s celebrations.

While recent World Cup trophies have traditionally been presented by FIFA presidents, including Infantino and former FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, heads of state have also played a role in trophy presentations at various tournaments throughout the competition’s history.

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Tell Super Eagles we are not happy about Nigeria’s World Cup absence – Wike tells Yobo

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2 months ago

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June 24, 2026

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Nyesom Wile
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Minister of the  Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has voiced his disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Wike made the remarks during the inauguration of the Gwagwalada-Kuje Road, where he lamented Nigeria’s absence from the tournament.

The former Rivers State governor said he was surprised to see countries he had barely heard of competing at the tournament while Nigeria, a three-time African champion, failed to secure a place.

“Let me use this medium through you to tell the Super Eagles we are not happy. I watched the World Cup, and countries I had never heard of before qualified to play,” Wike said.

Addressing former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo, who was present at the event, he added: “Yobo, go and tell them we are not happy.”

Wike’s comments quickly generated reactions on social media, with many football fans expressing frustration over the state of Nigerian football.

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Nigeria failed to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and subsequently lost to DR Congo in the African qualifying playoff, extending the Super Eagles’ absence from football’s biggest tournament to eight years.

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Mbah Rewards Rangers Players, Management with Plots of Land, N150m for Winning NPFL

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2 months ago

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June 4, 2026

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…charges team to bring home continental trophy

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has gifted players and management of Rangers International Football Club with plots of land and the sum of N150 million for winning the 2025/2026 NPFL title.

Mbah announced the gifts during a dinner reception he hosted in honour of the players, technical crew and management of the team at Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday night.

Rangers FC won the league for a record-equaling ninth time and also for a second time in three years under the Mbah Administration following a 2-1 win over Ikorodu City Boys in Lagos on May 24, 2026.

Speaking at the event, Mbah likened the reception to welcoming home a child who had excelled academically, saying the government and people of Enugu State were delighted to celebrate the team’s success.

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“We are providing you with a cash gift of N100 million for the players and N50 million for the technical and management crew.

“In addition to that, we have approved a plot of land in Enugu for every player, while additional plots will be allocated to the General Manager, Head Coach, Secretary and Assistant Coach,” Mbah said.

The governor noted that Rangers was more than a football club, describing it as a symbol of resilience, unity, hope and social renewal established in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War.

According to him, the club carries a rich history and legacy associated with football legends such as the late Christian Chukwu, Emmanuel Okala and Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha.

He commended the players, coaches and management for their hard work, sacrifices and discipline throughout the season, noting that the trophy was the product of countless acts of determination and effort.

Mbah also praised Rangers General Manager, Amobi Ezeaku, for his leadership, resilience and commitment, saying the qualities required to build a successful football club were similar to those needed to build a successful state.

The governor assured the team of continued government support, stressing that sports remained a key component of his administration’s development agenda.

He also stated that renovation works at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, popularly known as “The Cathedral,” would be completed in time and to international standards for Rangers’ continental matches.

He added that Enugu State, under his leadership, would continue to invest heavily in sports infrastructure and development, noting that the state would host the 2026 National Sports Festival in a manner that would leave lasting marks in the sands of time.

Mbah, however, identified complacency as an enemy of success, urging the team not to rest on their laurels and well-deserved accolades.

“So, brace up, fight on, keep winning and ensure you bring the continental trophy home,” he concluded.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, thanked the governor for hosting the champions and for his sustained investment in sports development.

Ekweremadu described the league triumph as a testament to the governor’s commitment to excellence and service delivery across sectors.

The commissioner recalled that Enugu State emerged overall winner of the National Para Games in March with 55 medals comprising 40 gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals.

Responding, Ezeaku noted that success was built on discipline, preparation and ambition, drawing inspiration from renowned philosophers such as Aristotle, Seneca and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
He emphasised that the celebration extended beyond the lifting of a trophy and represented a celebration of leadership, vision and the power of unity among government, management, players and supporters.

The General Manager expressed profound gratitude to Governor Mbah for his unwavering support of the club, stating that Rangers had enjoyed one of its most successful periods in recent history under the governor’s administration.

According to him, Rangers has won two NPFL titles within three years of Governor Mbah’s tenure, a feat he described as remarkable in contemporary Nigerian football.

“This is credited to the governor’s commitment to sports development, youth empowerment and excellence, helping to restore the club’s competitive edge,” he said.

The club also highlighted the governor’s broader achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, technology and economic development, while stressing that his contribution to sports deserves equal recognition.

Reflecting on the club’s title-winning campaign, Ezeaku revealed that the journey was marked by intense competition, with rival clubs reportedly receiving promises of substantial incentives, including cash rewards, vehicles and landed properties.

“Despite these developments, the club maintained focus and confidence, believing that hard work and excellence would ultimately be rewarded.

“We remained resolute and focused throughout the season. Our confidence came from our belief in the leadership of Governor Peter Mbah and our conviction that sacrifice and excellence would not go unnoticed,” he stated.

Looking beyond domestic success, he declared Rangers’ intention to compete among Africa’s elite clubs and challenged stakeholders to support the club’s continental ambitions.

The general manager described Rangers as one of Africa’s historic football brands with the fan base, identity and pedigree to compete successfully at the highest level.

He expressed confidence that with strategic investment and continued government support, Rangers could one day lift the CAF Champions League trophy and bring continental glory back to Nigeria.

“Every great achievement begins as a dream. Today, we dream of Rangers defeating Africa’s biggest clubs and bringing the CAF Champions League trophy to Enugu,” the management said.

Meanwhile, Rangers FC and their fans had earlier celebrated their NPFL win at Okpara Square and paraded their trophy through the capital city with much jubilation and fanfare before retiring to Government House for the dinner reception and presentation of the trophy to the governor.

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