₦airaland Forum

MEE, Dele Momodu and MKO

naptu2:
1) Daily Times, Vanguard, Punch, Concord

Old Man originally bought Daily Times Newspapers. It was a proper newspaper at that time and I remember the main cartoon in the paper. The star of the cartoon was an old man who smoked a pipe and who always eavesdropped on other people’s conversation and always made comments about what he had heard. In this way he provided commentary about political, social and economic issues in the society. His name was Pa Johnson and he got his own comicbook called Fun Times in the early or mid-1980s.

Video: Channels TV interviews Moses Osawe, the creator of Pa Johnson and Gabriel cartoon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfHIGLu9wrk?si=DA51H6kwMszFFJ9-

However we had stopped buying the Daily Times by then. Daily Times was bought over by the Federal Military Government which proceeded to run down the company. The paper was probably the oldest newspaper that was still being published at that time (it was founded in 1925). It was the largest newspaper company in Nigeria and it published many newspapers and magazines, had one of the largest printing presses. It owned the Times Leisure Services (guest houses, motels, entertainment promotions) and also owned the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant. The government destroyed all these businesses.

The newspaper became quite boring, did not actually report the news and was filled with obituaries (we called it Obituary Paper) and government propaganda and so we staged a revolt and convinced Old Man to switch to two similar, newer and more exciting newspapers, Vanguard and Punch.

Vanguard had one of the best sports pages of any newspaper in the early and mid-1980s and it had a “National Newsreel” and an “International Newsreel” on its second and third pages. The National Newsreel had pictures of events that had happened across the country, while the International Newsreel had pictures of events that occurred around the world in the previous 24 hours. I followed the 1987 Palestinian Intifada on Vanguard’s International Newsreel.


The paper also had a “Page 3 Girl” feature. These were pictures of girls in skimpy swimsuits and bikinis which were published on the third page of the newspaper. Several other papers also had the page 3 girl feature. The Buhari government forced the papers to stop the practice in 1984.

Vanguard had great journalists and columnists like Bisi Lawrence, Chris Okojie, etc. It also had a full page of cartoons and it had the famous Mr and Mrs cartoon on the front page.

The Mr and Mrs cartoon was started by a cartoonist called Lawrence Akapa. He was not satisfied with starting one of the most famous cartoon strips in the country, so he left the Vanguard and started a magazine called Top News. It was one of the worst magazines in the history of Nigeria. It was filled with fake news, doctored pictures and outright lies. I remember that it ran a crazy story about a Nigerian girl that it claimed was Michael Jackson’s girlfriend. It also claimed that Tosin Jegede had died during an attempted abortion. Lots of people petitioned the police and the NUJ about the activities of Akapa’s Top News and the NUJ was forced to launch an investigation and publicise its findings at a press conference. The NUJ’s press conference about the magazine was shown on the NTA Network News. Tosin Jegede was at that news conference with her parents (so that everybody could see that she was alive). Michael Jackson's supposed Nigerian girlfriend was also at the news conference. She said that she had never met Michael Jackson and that she didn't know how Lawrence Akapa superimposed her picture on a picture of Michael Jackson (remember that this was before Adobe Photoshop became popular). There were many other people at that news conference that complained that Akapa used their names or pictures to cook up false stories. He was also in the habit of stealing pictures from foreign magazines and concocting fake stories about the pictures.

The Punch had very interesting entertainment pages (especially the Saturday Punch) and the paper was far more interesting than the Daily Times. I think it also had the page 3 girl feature. The National Concord was the backup newspaper that was bought whenever the vendor did not have Vanguard or Punch.

Then, in the late 1980s, National Concord introduced Weekend Concord. This was a magazine within the Saturday Concord newspaper and its primary focus was entertainment. Weekend Concord had interesting interviews with music and TV stars, information about concerts and fashion shows, song lyrics, etc. Therefore, Saturday became a three paper day; a day when we bought Vanguard, Punch and Weekend Concord.

Photo of Weekend Concord

As usual, great job Naptu2!

The idea of an eavesdroppeing character for Pa Johnson was a brilliant one.

I think there was also a female cartoon character who used to eavesdrop. Maybe she was Pa Johnson's partner. Can't quite recall now.

I think the Daily Times also had a publication which appeared on Fridays called Weekend Times. It was light hearted, unlike Daily Times, which carried hard (political, economic, etc) news.

Dele Jegede and Jossy Ajiboye were popular cartoonists then.

I think one was with Daily Times and the other with Punch. I can't recall fully now.

There was Boye Gbenro as well.

Obe Ess also had a cartoons series in The Guardian called CON-versation.

There was an adventure comic strip that used to appear in the Daily Times in the 70s. I can't remember the name now. It was my interest in that comic strip in the Daily Times that got me introduced to comics proper later.

Peter Obe documented major events through photographs which featured in the Daily Times. I think he set up his own agency later and syndicated the photographs.

Of note, was his visible presence at the National Stadium whenever there were important sporting events, notably matches of the Greren Eagles.

Sunmi Smart Cole was another notable photographer associated with the newspapers. His photographs appeared on the Guardian on Sundays. Unlike Obe's, they took on the form of art rather than news.

I don't know yet if you listed Classique Magazine below. It was founded by May Elken Ezekiel (MEE) after she left MKO Abiola's Weekend Concord.

Technically, books may not qualify as publications in the context here. I would have added the Pacesetters Novel Series!

Thanks for the memories!

I'll go through other posts and see what I can add to this important documentation.

ResearchHedge22:
I was actually waiting for Drum. Didn't know you featured it already...the good old days!

I was searching for Drum too.

The list is very comprehensive.

naptu2:
16) Complete Football and National Sportslink


17) World Football, Shoot and the magazine whose name I can’t remember



18) Foreign comic books

I bought, exchanged and read innumerable foreign comic books. There were the strange and bewildering horror comic books like Uncanny Tales and Strange Tales, the football comic Roy of the Rovers, the war comic book Commando and its naval equivalent whose name I cannot remember, the hilarious British comics Beano and Dandy, the hilarious Franco-Belgian comics Astrix and Obelix and Tintin, the Marvel and DC universes (including their Nigerian counterparts), Dennis The Menace, Archie and Veronica, etc.

I don't know why, but the charater, Asterix comes to my mind whenever I see the Croatian football player Luka Modric.

I learnt the German words, Achtung, Blitzkrieg, Schnell and others from the WW2 war comics. Also about D-Day.

Uncanny Tales and Strange Tales had very strange themes. I still think about some of their stories and just wonder.

There was an edition in which the main character was a smooth talking man who could talk his way out of any tight situation he found himself.

He got into trouble quite often and when charged to court would prove his case eloqeuently.

Eventually he died and along with others appread before a throne to be judged. Turned out that in that realm, people dont speak!

The following are characters from British comics (I can’t remember the names of the publications):
Hotshot Hamish
Mighty Mouse
Billy (of Billy's boots)
Denis the Menace

There were a few VERY good Nigerian comics as well. Unfortunately, I can't remember their names right now.

naptu2:
Television

We had a huge black and white TV with retractable doors. I sometimes imagined that there was a city behind the screen and the retractable door was the railway.

The TV had VHF and UHF dials and a V-Hold to stabilise the picture. I was basically like my dad's tv operator and human remote control (can you imagine that my dad would sometimes call one of us from the rooms to come and change the channel for him? And he's sitting right in front of the TV!)

One Christmas, years later, we had damaged several colour TVs and my dad exclaimed, "Thank God"! when the last one got spoiled. He decided that we were going to spend the Christmas without TV. We had other ideas.

There were two things that we did, first, the big black and white TV still showed pictures, but the volume was very low. My dad ordered that we must not put it on because we would damage it even more. We put it on whenever he was in his room and someone would sit near the speaker and tell everybody what was happening. His door made a distinct sound, so we would switch off the TV when we heard it.

Secondly, we had a spare key to his room and he had a small TV in that room, so we would bring out the small TV whenever he was not at home. I would keep watch by the window to warn everybody when he was coming back.

The TV is similar to the TV in the picture below, but ours had UHF and VHF dials. I think it was a National TV, but I can't remember for sure.

I can relate with this totally.

One obvious give away when you watched TV after you had been instructed not to, was the heat that could be felt by touching the top of the TV.

The second and most interesting is when NEPA decides to strike while you are watching a video cassette. You are unable to remove the casette until light is restored, if a generator was not available for use.

God help you if your parents get to the VCR before you when light is restored, especially if you had been watching "contraband."

bfire:
Yea, they were bought in Germany by my older sister whose husband was posted to Germany for military courses, and gifted to me

I bought that AIWA double cassette in 1987 when the other one was stolen at my friend's party

I forgot to mention Kenwood!

How could I?

bfire:
Yea, 60 or above

I had my own apartment in 1985 ( the whole house because it was a newly built story building then at Ketu, Lagos). I still prefer the Lagos Island, and hardly stays there until one fine babe made me

I was giving a Rowenta pressing iron, a color, round, Sony TV, and a double cassette grudng (not sure of the name now).

Those were good old days. I was having my industrial attachments (that's after OND, in those days) then at one of this big company in Ikeja

Grundig and Rowenta!

That's solid German engineering!

Those were the days of "decks." See images.

Sony, SANYO,AIWA. Panasonic, Sharp, and JVC were major Japanese brands.

The Koreans were not really in the global picture at the time.

They came up with Lucky Goldstar which later became LG much much later.

Samsung, which is now a global name, was not in the picture of household electronics at all.

naptu2:
And the cassette surgeries, when you need to open the cassette to disentangle the tape.

Yes o!

With those small screwdrivers.

You needed a lot of patience and dexterity to perform those surgeries.


Remember the premium audio casettes brands and types?

Metal, chrome

Maxell, TDK

naptu2:
Video cassette recorder (VCR)

We got our very first VCR in 1979. It was a top loading VHS VCR. The video cassette was loaded into the VCR from the top.

I've just remembered something funny. We sometimes banged the top of the VCR when the picture was not clear and it would become clear.

I thought our situation was bad, but I didn't know anything.

I spent my holiday with family friends in Ikeja in 1985 and you needed to see the way that they banged their VCR. In fact, someone suggested that they should take their VCR outside and ride their bikes on it.

Of course I knew how to use methylated spirit and tissue to clean the video head when it was dirty (although we sometimes had video head cleaning cassettes).


The VCR in the first picture looks very much like the type that we bought in 1979, but I can also see some differences (the socket for the remote control is not there). It was a top loading VCR and although we got other more modern VCRs, this one lasted until 1993.


That VCR had a remote control, but it came with a cord that you had to attach to the VCR before it could function.

Here is a picture of that exact type of remote control (second picture).


I made that remote my microphone.

Don't forget the manual and later electronic video cassette reminders.

For audio cassettes, your Bic biro pen was always very useful, especially after you manage to remove tangled tape from the cassette player.

Thanks for the memories!

naptu2:
Hi-Fi

We also had a hi-fi system. It consisted of a record player (with the hook that allows you to stack records), a casette player and an 8 track tape player (cartridge). It also had a radio and I remember that the radio dial was iluminated with green light.

This (the photo below) is not the exact type of hi-fi system, but it is similar. Ours had the same kind of glass cover over the record player and cassette player. I think the 8-track tape player was more central.

There were little shelves at opposite ends of the sitting room and they were for the speakers for the audio system (I assume that it produced better stereo sound in those locations). The telephone was on a similar but lower shelf at another end of the sitting room.

I got to know the meaning of LP, EP, Side A & B and tracks through this.

These carried on to the audio cassettes.

Those coming across the term "track" today may not realise it came from the tracks (circular ridges on the discs.

naptu2:
Video cassette recorder (VCR)

We got our very first VCR in 1979. It was a top loading VHS VCR. The video cassette was loaded into the VCR from the top.

I've just remembered something funny. We sometimes banged the top of the VCR when the picture was not clear and it would become clear.

I thought our situation was bad, but I didn't know anything.

I spent my holiday with family friends in Ikeja in 1985 and you needed to see the way that they banged their VCR. In fact, someone suggested that they should take their VCR outside and ride their bikes on it.

Of course I knew how to use methylated spirit and tissue to clean the video head when it was dirty (although we sometimes had video head cleaning cassettes).


The VCR in the first picture looks very much like the type that we bought in 1979, but I can also see some differences (the socket for the remote control is not there). It was a top loading VCR and although we got other more modern VCRs, this one lasted until 1993.


That VCR had a remote control, but it came with a cord that you had to attach to the VCR before it could function.

Here is a picture of that exact type of remote control (second picture).


I made that remote my microphone.

In the early days of the VCR, our parents used to warn us about taking the cassettes out of the house.

Why?

It was a way thieves knew which houses had VCRs and target!

At a time, musical videos became popular on shows like those hosted by Olisa Adibua on NTA 2 Channel 5 (can't remember the name of the show now).

We would set our video tapes in the VCR machine so we could selectively record the songs we liked live.

We would replay them after.

This was a good way to learn the songs, dance moves, etc.

do4luv14:
Omo see as I dey happy laff and smile at same Time,

Our ladies dey rep, give it to them, I was glad to watch the girls first worldcup outing, day of Florence and Co

According to the documentary, Florence Omagbemi (the first and, only until 2022, AFRICAN female player to win the Africa Women Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach) was fifteen years old at the time.

There were no age grade competitions for African women at the time.

Those who are quick to accuse Nigeria of age-cheating, what say ye?

bobman22:
A recent video has highlighted the remarkable rise of Nigerian women in sports, tracing a journey that spans over 70 years.

From limited participation in the 1950s to achieving Olympic gold and setting world records, the report showcases decades of resilience and excellence. It notes that despite early barriers, Nigerian women have grown into dominant forces on the global stage.

The video also points out that much of this history has only recently gained widespread recognition, sparking renewed appreciation for their contributions to sports.

Watch the full video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHtcuOibwiE?si=a_ydyQlbHYVECWCO

This video deserves to go viral!

The script is clearly well researched, and the use of archival photos and footage really brings the narrative to life.

The presentation is very good, though name pronunciations could have been better.

What stands out most is the perspective it offers.

Standing out for me:

Isn’t it remarkable that our women qualified for their first FIFA World Cup before the men secured an international gold medal in football?

Even more striking , a woman’s Olympic gold came first at Barcelona '92, setting a precedent that a men’s team would follow at Atlanta '96.

It really makes you reflect on what might have been lost along the way, from boycotts of international competitions for political reasons to the migration of some of our brightest talents to other nations.

And yet, through all of this, our women (and men) have continued to rise, breaking barriers and carrying the flag with pride.

They’ve come a long way and have done us proud.

johnie:
I just came across this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMUdu_eWMI4?si=9LpHwHiUKoT_MpFc

"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell". - William Sherman, Soldier and former Commanding General of the United States Army

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity". - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States. Five-star General, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II.

Yet another view on military rule, coups and armed conflicts.

This time from Abdul Oroh.

He was a senior journalist and editor in some of Nigeria’s leading newspapers and later led the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) during and after military rule.

He also made some remarks on Murtala.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpwwMdc4CJU?si=4qYAQQpD5AYvJKDq

femi4:
rip fast talker

The 1980s gen are going gradually

Yes.

Fast Talker - That was characteristic of him.

and yes, that gen is going gradually.

They gave their best.

This 2018 article lists the team members.

How many are still alive?
https://thesourceng.com/1980-green-eagles-squad-38-years-after-afcon-success/

Odegbami and Adokiye have done very well to keep memories of that team alive in the public space .

Unityp:
May his soul rest in peace..I remember Maroc 88 final against Cameroon .that fine header that was disallowed..

Definitely not offside! I wonder why it was disallowed.

Nwosu was the smallest, wore no 10 and was probably the most animated Nigerian on the pitch that day.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9ERlpgfRH4

This was a team in transition - Nwosu probably the last man standing from the old guard that included Odegbami, Okalla, Chukwu etc.

Keshi, Yekini, Eguavoen, Okparaji, etc

We appreciate your services to your father land, "School boy."

I know this is about Henry Nwosu but watching this video clip emphasises the fact that we lost Samuel Okparaji too early!

IMPARTIAL:
R.I.P!

62 years. He played for the Eagles in 1980 at the age of 16!

Yes.

Veteran broadcaster, Ernest Okonkwo, used to call him "Schoolboy"

Odegbami called him "Youngest Millionaire"

The Duke!

Great memories!

johnie:
The former Super Falcons safe hands shared the news on her Instagram page on Sunday, expressing immense joy over the development.


Former Nigeria women’s national team goalkeeper, Precious Dede, has announced the birth of quadruplets after many years of waiting for a child.

The former Super Falcons safe hands shared the news on her Instagram page on Sunday, expressing immense joy over the development.

She described welcoming four children at once after years of waiting as “proof that delay is not denial.”

She wrote: “After many years of waiting, God showed up in the most beautiful way — FOUR precious blessings at once. Double the boys, double the girls, quadruple the joy. Our hearts are full beyond words. Years of prayers, tears, and hope… now turned into four miracles. God is faithful. From waiting to overflowing.

“One pregnancy, four heartbeats… endless joy. Proof that delay is not denial. He turned our waiting into wonders. When God writes your story, He makes it beautiful in His time… God didn’t just answer… He overdelivered. Congratulations to my family.”

Dede is one of Africa’s most decorated goalkeepers, having earned more than 90 caps for Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.

She announced her retirement from international football in 2016 after making her final FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2015.

Dede represented Nigeria at four Women’s World Cup tournaments (2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015), three Olympic Games (2000, 2004 and 2008), and four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), winning the continental title twice — in 2010 and 2014.

Before retiring from professional football, she played for Delta Queens, Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria, as well as Arna-Bjørnar in Norway.

https://www.channelstv.com/2026/02/16/ex-nigeria-goalkeeper-precious-dede-welcomes-quadruplets-after-years-of-waiting/

In a chat with our correspondent on Monday, Dede clarified that she was celebrating her sister.


“The proud mum is my kid sister, Ify, not me. Just clarifying that I am the cool aunt. Thank you very much,” she said.

https://punchng.com/ex-falcons-goalkeeper-dede-rejoices-as-sister-welcomes-quadruplets/?utm_source=rss.punchng.com&utm_medium=web&amp

The former Super Falcons safe hands shared the news on her Instagram page on Sunday, expressing immense joy over the development.


Former Nigeria women’s national team goalkeeper, Precious Dede, has announced the birth of quadruplets after many years of waiting for a child.

The former Super Falcons safe hands shared the news on her Instagram page on Sunday, expressing immense joy over the development.

She described welcoming four children at once after years of waiting as “proof that delay is not denial.”

She wrote: “After many years of waiting, God showed up in the most beautiful way — FOUR precious blessings at once. Double the boys, double the girls, quadruple the joy. Our hearts are full beyond words. Years of prayers, tears, and hope… now turned into four miracles. God is faithful. From waiting to overflowing.

“One pregnancy, four heartbeats… endless joy. Proof that delay is not denial. He turned our waiting into wonders. When God writes your story, He makes it beautiful in His time… God didn’t just answer… He overdelivered. Congratulations to my family.”

Dede is one of Africa’s most decorated goalkeepers, having earned more than 90 caps for Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.

She announced her retirement from international football in 2016 after making her final FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2015.

Dede represented Nigeria at four Women’s World Cup tournaments (2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015), three Olympic Games (2000, 2004 and 2008), and four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), winning the continental title twice — in 2010 and 2014.

Before retiring from professional football, she played for Delta Queens, Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens in Nigeria, as well as Arna-Bjørnar in Norway.

https://www.channelstv.com/2026/02/16/ex-nigeria-goalkeeper-precious-dede-welcomes-quadruplets-after-years-of-waiting/

Main fishing competition happens later today.

https://www.nairaland.com/8617918/tinubu-embarks-one-day-visit-kebbi

KingRabota:
Same here
Heardthey only fish in the river once a year, dunno if thats true
Surprised im not seeing pix of the biggest fish caught.
That used to be the highlight , but im impressed that urs waaaay more than just fishing.
A beuatiful cultural diapaly

Very correct.

The highlight used to be the display of the largest catch.

I'm also surprised it's not shown.

Picture below from newspaper report of 2020.

Man with biggest catch got N10m, two cars, Hajj seats.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/381877-argungu-fishing-festival-man-with-biggest-catch-gets-n10m-two-cars-hajj-seats.html

naptu2:
AGF Abdulrazaq was also the first lawyer from northern Nigeria.

Very correct and Important detail.

naptu2:
This is the origin of the photo with Professor Bolaji Akinyemi. A lot of state occasions were held at the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs (on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island) in the 1970s, '80s and early 1990s).





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeEsFIUk1no?si=KbG5YSdG3uEWEpuQ

Interesting.

I've always wondered at what occasion the picture was taken.

This was the inauguration of the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Some notable personalities are in that video.

Prof. was just 33 years old at the time.

Lt. Akintunde Akinsehinwa - Murtala's ADC stood and looked just like in the photo below, even with the swagger stick.

Chief F.R.A. Williams (QC, SAN) - led the "49 wise men", theConstitution Drafting Committee being inaugurated here and which birthed the 1979 Constitution.

Alhaji AbdulGaniyu Folorunsho (A.G.F.) AbdulRazaq, SAN - Lawyer and father of the current Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and former house of reps member, Khairat Gwadabe

Samuel.G. Ikoku - he defeated his father (Alvan, who appears on the 10 naira note) by 59 votes in an Eastern House of Assembly election in 1957.

Alh Shehu Malami - descendant of Usman dan Fodio, member of the Committee and later Nigeria's High Commissioner to South Africa

Mallam Aminu Kano - there's so much to say about this man. I dont know where to start. He fought feudalism in the north.

I think the person sitting beside Mallam Aminu Kano is Paul Unongo.

Ikoku and Kano were prominent gadflys.

Kano and Malami were in a way from opposite ends of the political spectrum.

johnie:
Very true. People that long for military rule do not know what they are wishing for.

The case of Major Bamidele comes to mind.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPPI9DItpI?si=kpSiY2G0WrCePwVS

When the Vatsa coup happened. I was at the NYSC orientation camp.

The soldiers discussed the coup in hushed tones.

I remember the Sergeant (I think he was a Staff Sergeant) in charge of my platoon calling it kabu-kabu, maybe so we the civilians would not understand what they were referring to.

I think they would have been happy to be in the camp at the time of the coup, reducing the likelihood of them getting mixed up in it.

I also remember when the interrogation of Col. Lawan Gwadabe for plotting to oust the Abacha regime was broadcast on NTA.

Tears ran down my eyes as I watched him responding to his interrogator. I had no doubt in my mind that he must have undergone serious torture.

He was not the bold man I had come to love and respect - him, Col Abubakar Umar and Col. Adbulmumuni Aminu who formed what was the "three musketeers" of the Babangida Regime.

I just came across this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMUdu_eWMI4?si=9LpHwHiUKoT_MpFc

"It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood, more vengeance, more desolation. War is hell". - William Sherman, Soldier and former Commanding General of the United States Army

"I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity". - Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States. Five-star General, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War II.

This should make a significant impact on traffic management around Maryland, Opebi, Allen, Ojota all the way though Ikosi-Ketu to Ikorodu.

Good one!

Hope work on the VGC Bridge to Freedom Way will resume soon and be completed before the end of the governor's tenure.

Morocco may face ITF sanctions after fans threw water bottles onto the court during a Davis Cup match against Colombia in Casablanca.

🚨 De graves incidents sont survenus après la défaite du Maroc face à la Colombie en Coupe Davis à Casablanca.
Des supporters ont lancé des bouteilles d’eau sur le court, une scène choquante et inédite dans un sport connu pour son fair-play et sa classe.
L’ITF pourrait infliger… pic.twitter.com/qdJrvZFqlM

— KoraMaroc (@AtKoraMaroc) February 8, 2026

Morocco could be facing disciplinary action from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) after crowd unrest overshadowed its Davis Cup tie against Colombia in Casablanca over the weekend.

The incident occurred at the conclusion of the match, moments after Colombia sealed victory to progress in the competition. Frustrated home supporters reacted by throwing water bottles onto the clay court, forcing officials and attendants to step in and restore order in scenes rarely associated with the traditionally decorum-driven sport of tennis.

Colombia secured a 3-1 victory over Morocco in the Davis Cup World Group I playoff, with Nicolás Mejía delivering the decisive third point. The match, held in Casablanca, escalated beyond tennis into a tense confrontation, both in the stands and on court.

Footage of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, shows plastic bottles scattered across the court as ball kids and court staff hurriedly removed them under the watchful eyes of players and officials.

Although no injuries were reported, the scenes in Casablanca have placed Morocco’s tennis authorities under scrutiny. An official response from the ITF has yet to be released, but sources suggest that an investigation into the incident is likely.

Morocco’s elimination from the competition has now been overshadowed by the controversy, with the country’s tennis federation expected to issue a statement and cooperate fully with any disciplinary process.

https://www.pulsesports.ng/tennis/story/the-game-recognizes-game-king-carlitos-tennis-world-erupts-as-alcaraz-makes-australian-open-history-2026020112310814240

naptu2:
The Davis Cup is the World Cup of tennis.

Thanks for sharing this Naptu2.

I wasn't aware of this.

Brings back memories of Nduka "the duke" Odizor, in my view Nigeria's best tennis player of all time.

Also, memories of Deacon Ayo Ositelu and Chuka Momah's coverage of tennis on NTA.

Yes, Chuka Momah was more associated with boxing but I think he also discussed Tennis.

I hope we can begin our Tennis resurgence with this.

May 2026 be the year!

naptu2:
That's why I said that people that long for military rule do not know what they are wishing for. Coups are horrible things. Many innocent people are tortured and executed because they are roped into coups. Talking to someone, transfering money to someone, doing everyday things can get you in trouble if the person is accused of planning a coup.

Many innocent people are also killed during active coups.

It's also a terrible thing for soldiers because they don't know who is a friend or a foe.

Very true. People that long for military rule do not know what they are wishing for.

The case of Major Bamidele comes to mind.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqPPI9DItpI?si=kpSiY2G0WrCePwVS

When the Vatsa coup happened. I was at the NYSC orientation camp.

The soldiers discussed the coup in hushed tones.

I remember the Sergeant (I think he was a Staff Sergeant) in charge of my platoon calling it kabu-kabu, maybe so we the civilians would not understand what they were referring to.

I think they would have been happy to be in the camp at the time of the coup, reducing the likelihood of them getting mixed up in it.

I also remember when the interrogation of Col. Lawan Gwadabe for plotting to oust the Abacha regime was broadcast on NTA.

Tears ran down my eyes as I watched him responding to his interrogator. I had no doubt in my mind that he must have undergone serious torture.

He was not the bold man I had come to love and respect - him, Col Abubakar Umar and Col. Adbulmumuni Aminu who formed what was the "three musketeers" of the Babangida Regime.

naptu2:
I originally posted this on January 4th, 2021

We have often seen what happens when popular leaders are killed. It usually leads to violence and many more people end up dead and property is destroyed.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgmQ-P-cfCY

.

Watching this video, particularly the scene of the then Lagos State military governor, Adekunle Lawal in front of the Shitta Bey mosque on Martins Steet where chants of "Gowon Ole!, Dimka Ole!" can be heard in the background I remember some of the very nasty songs sung about the coup plotters. Some of the songs made references to the coupists' family members.

That impressed greatly upon me such that anytime a failed coup is uncovered, my greatest sympathy go to the families of the coupists.

I was glad that General Christopher Musa, made reference to the military supporting the family members of the alleged coupists in a recent interview he granted on Channels TV.

naptu2:
South Africa did not get its independence in 1990.

South Africa gained self government in 1910 and it became independent in 1934.

However, the minority white population ruled the country and discriminated against the blacks until 1994. One-man-one-vote democracy came in 1994.

Angola and Mozambique gained independence in 1975. However, both countries were in civil wars even before independence.

In both countries there were groups that were supported by most African countries (especially Nigeria), the Soviet Union and Cuba and they were opposed to groups that were supported by the racist government of South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom.

South Africa invaded Angola and Nigeria provided money weapons to the Angolan Government.

Africa was the focus of Nigeria's foreign policy under Murtala.

Despite being geographically distant from South Africa, Nigeria was regarded as a key Frontline State who put pressure for the dismantling of Apartheid.

As part of the pressure, Nigeria nationalised British Petroleum (BP) and Shell which were renamed Africa Petroleum (AP) and National Oil respectively.

It was through those activities of Nigeria that I got to know about organisations like SWAPO (Namibia), ANC (SA), Frelimo (Mozambique), ZANU (Rhodesia, later known as Zimbabwe) as well as people like Samora Machel, Sam Nujoma, Robert Mugabe and Nelson Mandela.