₦airaland Forum

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam and lasts 29 to 30 days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Lent is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year in preparation for Easter. It echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.

Lent is usually observed in the Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, United Protestant and Orthodox Christian traditions, among others. A number of Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, Reformed (including certain Continental Reformed, Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches), and nondenominational Christian churches also observe Lent, although many churches in these traditions do not.

I have voted twice while I was in Nigeria, and even though I had eaten breakfast and Lunch, the mental stress to remain in the queue and become vigilant was both physically and mentally exhausting.

I don’t want to imagine the Muslim Ummah fasting and still going through this!

Dear @INECNigeria

This is a respectful observation following the announcement of February 20th and March 6th, 2027, as the date for the next Presidential and National Assembly and Governorship and State Assembly elections respectively. The proposed dates fall within the holy month of Ramadan, a period during which many Muslims devote significant time to fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection.

If the intention is to encourage full and inclusive participation in the electoral process, scheduling such a critical national exercise during Ramadan may present challenges for a large segment of the population. Many Muslims tend to reduce engagement in demanding worldly activities during this period in order to focus on religious obligations.

Given the significant Muslim population in this country, it may be worthwhile to reconsider the timing to ensure broader participation and convenience for all citizens.

I do hope this observation will be taken in the spirit of inclusiveness and national cohesion.

Thank you.
Bashir Ahmad, OON

johnie:
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.

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 a 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.

KomonSense:
May we know the names of those representing Nigeria pleaseeeee

PulaPower:
Okay. I been think say dem wan cheat us.

If we win Morocco in September, what happens next?

PulaPower:
Morocco lost their match, so why are we playing Morocco again?

I don’t watch this sport at all

naptu2:
Tennis was big business in Nigeria from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. Stars came from all over the world to play in tournaments in Nigeria. People like Thomas Muster, Jacob Hlasek, Paul Haarhuis and of course Arthur Ashe, played at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club at one point or the other. We had great tournaments with considerable prizes, like the following big three tournaments:


Lord Rumens Tennis Classics:
Prize = $75,000. Venue = Lagos Lawn Tennis Club.

Chief Olatunji Ajisomo Alabi (aka Lord Rumens) was a multi-millionaire who served as president of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club from 1966 – 1975. He led other millionaires like his cousin, Sir Mobolaji Bank-Anthony, his nephew Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Chief Raheem Adejumo, etc, to invest heavily in tennis, particularly in the LLTC. The centre court at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club was named after Lord Rumens after his death in 1998.

The Lord Rumens Classics was the biggest tennis tournament in Nigeria in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. It was part of the ATP Tour (the ATP called it “The Lagos Classics” or “The Lagos Open” ). Lots of foreigners played in the tournament in order to gain ATP ranking points. It offered very good prize money, between $60,000-$75,000 in the 1970s and ‘80s and this attracted stars from around the world like Karel Nováček , Thomas Muster, Jacob Hlasek, Paul Haarhuis, Arthur Ashe, Dick Stockton, etc. Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas funded the tournament after the death of Lord Rumens in 1998.

The Lagos Lawn Tennis Club originally had grass courts, but they were converted to clay courts in the 1970s and then to hard courts (concrete) in the late 1980s. A new centre court was also built for the 1976 tournament.

The Lord Rumens centre court at the LLTC




Ogbe Hard Court
Prize = $50,000. Venue = Ogbe Stadium, Benin.

Brigadier General Samuel Ogbemudia was the sports loving governor of the Mid-West State from 1967-1975. He built Ogbe Stadium (now Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium), set up the College of Physical Education, Afuze (to train coaches and PE teachers) and started the Ogbe Hard Court tournament in 1971. It was also during his tenure that Bendel Insurance was formed and the Mid-West/Bendel State dominated sports in Nigeria.

The Ogbe Hard Court tournament was part of the ATP Challenger Tour. It was sponsored by the Bendel State Government, by Pepsi/7up (in the 1970s) and by Guinness in the 1990s. It attracted players from all over the world who came to acquire ATP ranking points and also for the $50,000 cash prize.



Dala Clay Court
Prize = $50,000. Venue = Kano Tennis Club

Dala Clay Court tournament was started in 1980 and it quickly eclipsed the Kaduna Clay Court Tournament to become one of the big three tennis tournaments in Nigeria. It was sponsored by Aminu Dantata, Isyaku Rabiu, etc (and is now sponsored by Aminu Dantata’s grand-nephew, Aliko Dangote).




There were several other tennis tournaments in Nigeria in the 1980s, such as the following

Kaduna Clay Court Tournament. Prize = $25,000). Venue = Kaduna Club.

Premier Hard Court Enugu. Prize = $25,000. Venue = Enugu Sports Club.

Ogun Green Court. Prize = $25,000. Venue = Abeokuta Sports Club.

John Player Classics. Prize = $25,000. Venue = Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.

Nuel Ojei Classics. Venue = Ikoyi Club.


Nigerian tennis stars

Nigeria had so many tennis stars (some of whom were personal friends of mine) who won ATP tournaments all over the world. They included:

1950s and ‘60s: Walter Obianwu, Herbert Oranye, etc.

1960s and ‘70s: Patrick Obi, Lawrence Awopegba, Thompson Onibokun, Yemi Allen, Kehinde Ajayi, etc. and among the women there was Elizabeth Ekong.

1980s: Nduka “The Duke” Odizor (who got to the 4th round at Wimbledon in 1983 and was ranked number 52 in the world in 1984 and number 20 in the doubles. He won 28 titles overall, including in Taipei, Lagos, Thessaloniki, Monterey, Tokyo, Forest hills in New York City, Benin City, etc), David Imonitie, Sadiq Abdulahi, Tony Mmoh, Yakubu Suleiman, Chike and Emeka Obianwu, etc. We had such great female tennis players like Veronica Oyibokia, Nosa Imafidon, Rolake Olagbegi, Nwando Obianwu, etc.


1990s: Katya and Tanya Okpala, Clara Udofia, Osaro Amadin, etc. We also had male tennis players like Sule Ladipo, Jonathan Igbinovia , Kyrian Nwokedi, Priye Hamilton, etc.

Nduka Odizor




Veronica Oyibokia receiving the top prize after winning the All Nigeria Open Tennis Championship in Lagos. In the middle is boxing aficionado, former host of Big Fight of The Decade and former president of the Nigerian Tennis Federation, Mr Chuka Momah.

Morocco is ranked 48 in the world and are Africa’s second highest-ranked nation just behind Egypt.

Since our first meeting in 1973, Nigeria has never defeated Morocco in the Davis Cup.

Their dramatic 1-3 loss to Colombia in the World Group I Playoffs is why they’re back here.

Scenes when Nigeria Tennis Federation appeals Morocco’s Davis Cup hosting rights over crowd violence - with empirical evidence, and the hosting is revoked and given to Nigeria! 😭😭😭

We will be there 🤲🏽

🚨 UPDATE!

🇳🇬 Nigeria will face Morocco 🇲🇦 in September for a spot in the #DavisCup World Group I play-offs (Feb 2027).

📅 18-20 Sept 2026

#DavisCup

Davis Cup: Nigeria set for another showdown against Morocco

Only recently, Morocco edged Nigeria on penalties in a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations semi final match, a result that still resonates with Nigerian sports fans
by Tunde Eludini
 
 February 12, 2026


Nigeria will face Morocco in the Davis Cup World Group II this September following a commanding victory over Uzbekistan in Lagos, as the country’s tennis team continues its steady rise on the international stage.

The draw, concluded by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) on Thursday, paired Nigeria with the North African side and confirmed Morocco as host of the tie.

The two-day event is scheduled for 18–20 September, meaning Team Nigeria will travel to Morocco for the crucial encounter.

The fixture adds fresh intrigue to a growing sporting rivalry between both nations. Only recently, Morocco edged Nigeria on penalties in a high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations semi final match, a result that still resonates with Nigerian sports fans. Attention now shifts from football to tennis, where Nigeria will hope for a different outcome.

Building momentum


Nigeria secured their place in World Group II with an impressive sweep of Uzbekistan in Lagos. Backed by home supporters, the team delivered confident performances in both singles and doubles.

The doubles pair of Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel defeated Denis Istomin and Khumoyun Sultanov 7–6, 6–4, edging a tight first-set tie-break before taking control in the second. In singles, 19-year-old Daniel Adeleye beat Sultanov 6–3, 6–4 in a composed display that highlighted his growing maturity on the court.

The victory strengthened Nigeria’s Davis Cup campaign and underlined recent efforts to rebuild the sport locally. Tennis administrators have repeatedly pointed to renewed grassroots programmes and increased international exposure for players as signs of progress.

Nigeria Tennis Federation President Victor Ochei described the win as a significant step for the sport, noting that the team had defied expectations against opponents considered stronger on paper.

For Adeleye, who switched allegiance from Zimbabwe to Nigeria, the tie in Lagos marked another milestone in his development, with the teenager continuing to emerge as one of the country’s brightest prospects.

Morocco, however, present a tougher test. With a stronger tennis pedigree and home advantage, they will enter the September tie as slight favourites.

For Nigeria, the challenge will be to translate the momentum from Lagos into another statement performance on foreign soil and keep alive hopes of climbing further up the Davis Cup ladder.

Colombia beat Morocco in Davis Cup

Morocco didn’t like it

pic.twitter.com/KKeL8KGYbx

— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) February 9, 2026

Fight nearly broke out after Colombia defeated Morocco in the Davis Cup in Casablanca as fans were seen throwing bottles on to the court.

pic.twitter.com/glpmuDBARO

— Latifat Adebayo-Ohio (@Phatill) February 9, 2026

When Dr Mo (who is the candidate for AMAC) wanted to pay, PO prompted him to give one of their orderlies to pay.

With cameras documenting every step, political detractors will use it as propaganda.

"They will say that you are giving bribe..." PO said. Man is so self aware😊

Mr Peter Obi Patronize a business woman while campaigning for Dr Mo 4 AMAC election. pic.twitter.com/HXf0RI1obb

— PETER OBI LAST BORN (@ikangbo_gabriel) February 11, 2026

Peter Obi makes a quick purchase of a bottle of groundnut on the campaign trail in Abuja. Street Credibility Is 1st Class.