Cricket has been played (continously) in Nigeria for around 150 years.
Most cricket lovers play the game at secondary school level (mainly between schools that were established by the missionaries or colonialists between the 1850s and 1950s) and at university level (NUGA).
At senior level it is mainly a Sunday recreational activity and a tool for socialisation. Cricket is not taken as a professional sport in Nigeria, it is used more as a chance to have good family fun on a Sunday.
The Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos is the home of cricket in Nigeria. The oval (along with the larger race course) was built in 1859.
The oval remained even after the Race Course was demolished and converted into the Tafawa Balewa Square in the 1970s.
The oval continues to be the spiritual home of cricket in Nigeria, even after the construction of the Abuja Cricket Oval (where this tournament was held).
More photos of the Tafawa Balewa Square Cricket Oval in the next post.
Photo 1) Race Course in the early 1900s
Photos 2 - 4) More recent photos of the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.
It's a well known fact that the 2027 election is between Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar. All other candidates are only there to reduce the votes of either of the two men.
The YellowGreens complete an unbeaten campaign, winning all five matches to emerge champions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C in Abuja.
Cricket: Nigeria stun Uganda to win Africa W’Cup Qualifier C
Nigeria produced a remarkable late recovery to edge Uganda by one run in a frenetic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C encounter at the Nigeria Cricket Federation Oval 1, Abuja, on Sunday.
The hosts, who had never beaten Uganda in their previous 13 T20I meetings, finally ended that long-standing losing run with a nerve-shredding victory.
The result also completed Nigeria’s perfect five-match campaign in the qualifier, claiming the Africa Sub-Regional C title, having also qualified for the last round of the qualifying series scheduled for next year.
Nigeria, batting first after winning the toss, were bowled out for 148 in 19.4 overs, with Isaac Danladi leading the charge with a brisk 47 off 28 balls, including three fours and four sixes.
Selim Salau contributed 30 off 24 balls, while Ali Rahmon added a valuable 35 off 23. But Nigeria lost wickets regularly after a promising start, with Uganda’s Joseph Baguma claiming four wickets for 21 runs.
Nigeria appeared to be losing momentum after reaching 129 for six, before their lower order squeezed out crucial runs to take the total to 148 runs.
Uganda’s chase initially looked under control.
Riazat Ali Shah, who had tormented Nigeria in previous meetings, once again threatened to settle the contest, smashing 60 off 36 balls with three fours and five sixes. He shared a 78-run partnership with Olipa Gerald, who made 18, to put Uganda in a strong position.
Nigeria, however, fought back through their bowlers.
Sylvester Okpe dismissed both Riazat and Gerald, while Isaac Okpe claimed two wickets, including Alpesh Ramjani for 20. Uganda slipped from 108 for four to 117 for six before rebuilding through Ramjani and Cyrus Kakuru.
By the end of the 19th over, Uganda were 143 for seven and needed only six runs from the final over, with the hosts seemingly staring at defeat.
Vincent Adewoye conceded only four runs from the first five deliveries of the final over, while Cyrus Kakuru ran out for 11. Uganda then needed two runs from the last ball to force a tie, but Juma Miyagi was run out after completing one run, leaving Uganda stranded on 147 for nine as Nigeria held their nerve to secure arguably their most significant victory of the qualifier.
The National Leader of our Party, H.E. Seriake Dickson, alongside the incoming President, H.E. Peter Obi, the Vice President, H.E. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas and other members of the NWC, today unveiled the National Headquarters of our great Party.
The National Leader dedicated the building to God and to the vision of a New Nigeria that is very POssible. ✌🏻
The National Leader of our Party, H.E. Seriake Dickson, alongside the incoming President, H.E. Peter Obi, the Vice President, H.E. Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas and other members of the NWC, today unveiled the National Headquarters of our… pic.twitter.com/AmDHbik5qv
The Izala Society or Jama'atu Izalatil Bid'ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (Society for the Removal of Bid'ah and Re-establishment of the Sunnah), also known as JIBWIS or by its Hausa nickname, Ƴan Izala is a Salafi organization originally established in Northern Nigeria in 1978 to fight what it sees as the Bid'ah and Shirk practiced by the Sufi orders. It is one of the largest Sunni societies in Nigeria, Chad, Ghana, Niger, and Cameroon.
The Yan Agaji is the voluntary and humanitarian arm of Jibwis. They provide first aid, crowd control, etc at Islamic events. They also engage in community service. They are basically like the Boys Scouts, Boys Brigade, Red Cross, etc.
The First Aid Group (F. A. G) is an arm of the Yan Agaji.
Yesterday a video of a man wearing F. A. G. uniform and leading children on a walk/jog went viral. The man in the video had changed the words of a popular moral song (moral songs are chanted or sung when jogging or marching) into an anti-Christian chant.
In the video the man is asking for AK guns and saying that they would go to Enugu and use the guns to kill "infidels" on a Sunday. He also said that they would go to Jos and use the guns to kill "infidels".
It was in a call and response format and the children were repeating what the man said.
The leadership of JIBWIS has called on the police and DSS to investigate the incident and apprehend the man. They said that the fact that the man was wearing a F. A. G. uniform does not mean that he represents the views of JIBWIS. They condemned the anti-Christian chants.
According to a translator, this person is saying:
He should be given AK47 He would then go to Enugu The land of the infidels On Sunday when they are worshiping and clapping He would then open fire Rudu dududup (sound of gun) So that he can klll the infideels
Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, the National Chairman of JIBWIS, condemning a viral video of a young man and calling for a investigation by the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies. pic.twitter.com/tge5NSgUQm
First Aid Group of JIBWIS, National Directorate, National Headquarters, Utako (District), Berger Junction. FCT - Abuja, Nigeria.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR GENERAL, ENGR. MUSTAPHA IMAM SITTI , FIRST AID GROUP OF JIBWIS NIGERIA
CONDEMNATION OF VIRAL VIDEO CONTAINING THREATS OF ATTACKS AGAINST ENUGU AND JOS
The First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria strongly condemns the disturbing statements and alleged threats of violence contained in a viral video showing an individual wearing a uniform associated with the organisation during a jogging exercise and reportedly calling for AK-47 rifles to carry out attacks in Enugu and Jos.
We wish to clarify unequivocally that wearing a uniform associated with the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria does not, in itself, establish that an individual is acting on behalf of the organisation or with its authorisation. The statements and actions depicted in the video do not represent the official position, teachings, directives, or activities of the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria.
We unequivocally condemn any calls for violence, intimidation, or attacks against any community. Such conduct is contrary to the teachings of Islam, the principles of JIBWIS, and the humanitarian values upheld by the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria. Our uniform represents service, compassion, the preservation of human life, and assistance to people in need—not threats or violence against innocent citizens.
The National Chairman of JIBWIS Nigeria, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has also strongly condemned the inflammatory statements contained in the viral video and called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly, identify those responsible, and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law.
Furthermore, the individual in question does not possess an official identity card or certificate confirming membership of the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria. The organisation wishes to state that the individual has been discharged from the First Aid Group following disciplinary action and is no longer recognised as a member of the organisation. Consequently, he is not authorised to represent or speak on behalf of the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria.
For approximately 48 years, JIBWIS Nigeria has remained committed to authentic Islamic teachings, moral reformation, education, humanitarian service, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence. Its longstanding efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding, and unity among Nigerians remain unwavering.
We therefore firmly dissociate the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria from the statements and alleged threats contained in the video. We reaffirm our commitment to peace, mutual respect, the protection of human life, and the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic differences.
We urge members of the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and allow the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. We also remind all personnel to uphold the discipline, responsibility, and humanitarian principles expected of anyone serving under the First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria.
The First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria remains committed to peace, unity, humanitarian service, and the protection of lives and property in accordance with its established principles and responsibilities.
SIGNED:
ENGR. MUSTAPHA IMAM SITTI National Director General First Aid Group of JIBWIS Nigeria
JIBWIS Urges DSS, Police to Investigate Viral Video Threatening Attack on Enugu
The National Chairman of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, has called on security agencies to investigate a viral video showing a man in the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform allegedly calling for an armed attack on Enugu.
Sheikh Bala Lau condemned the video, which reportedly shows the man participating in a jogging exercise while making provocative statements demanding the provision of AK-47 rifles to enable the group to travel to Enugu on Sunday and launch an attack.
In a statement issued by JIBWIS Nigeria, the chairman urged the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to identify the individual, establish the circumstances surrounding the video and prosecute anyone found culpable in accordance with the law.
He categorically dissociated JIBWIS from the statements, stressing that violence, intimidation and threats against any community were contrary to the organisation’s principles, teachings and objectives.
According to him, wearing the organisation’s First Aid Group uniform or appearing alongside its members does not automatically establish that an individual is acting on its behalf or with its authorisation.
The JIBWIS chairman also expressed concern that the incident might be an attempt by individuals or external interests to misrepresent the organisation and undermine its reputation. He therefore called for a thorough investigation into the identity, affiliation and possible motives of those involved.
Sheikh Bala Lau cited the organisation’s recent international conference in Abuja, which brought together Christian leaders, Muslim scholars from different Islamic schools of thought, prominent personalities and participants from various parts of the world.
He said the conference was organised to promote interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, questioning the basis for associating an organisation committed to such objectives with statements advocating violence against fellow Nigerians.
The chairman further reaffirmed JIBWIS’s commitment to the propagation of Islamic teachings, the promotion of the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), moral reformation, education and humanitarian services.
He said that, throughout its approximately 48 years of existence, the organisation had pursued peaceful coexistence among people regardless of their religious, ethnic or geographical backgrounds.
JIBWIS urged security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the viral video and ensure that appropriate legal action is taken against anyone found responsible for making or promoting unlawful threats.
Sports › Re: Nigeria Wins Africa Group C Of T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers. by naptu2(op): 9:59am On Oct 27
