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Budget Minister reaffirms FG’s commitment to Agri-food system transformation

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agrifood system through stronger collaboration, institutional reforms, science-driven agriculture and increased private-sector investment to achieve national food security and reduce poverty.

Speaking during the second biannual meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group (ASWG), convened by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, Bagudu commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for leading the implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026-2035.

He noted that the continental framework aligned with Nigeria’s long-standing commitment to building a resilient and inclusive food system.

The Minister of Budget stressed that although the African Union’s agricultural agenda runs from 2026 to 2035, food security remains central to Nigeria’s development agenda and is enshrined in the Constitution, which describes agriculture as a shared responsibility of the Federal, State and Local Governments within the country’s cooperative federal system.

Bagudu highlighted the scale of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, disclosing that the country has more than 42 million agricultural households, predominantly smallholder family farms, which he described as the backbone of the nation’s food system.

He said supporting these households to become more productive and profitable remained critical to ensuring food security, generating surplus production, reducing poverty and stimulating economic growth.

‘The success of Nigeria’s food system depends on empowering our millions of farming households with the support, technology, financing and market opportunities they need to produce more efficiently and improve their incomes,’ he said.

According to a statement by the minister’s media team, Bagudu reiterated the strategic importance of agriculture and cited key institutional reforms, including the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the integration of fisheries into the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to strengthen specialised interventions across the agricultural value chain.

He also highlighted ongoing government initiatives to de-risk agriculture, including increased support for the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), to expand agricultural financing, improve land development and promote climate-resilient farming practices.

Bagudu emphasised that agriculture must no longer be seen solely as the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, describing it as a sector that requires coordinated contributions from science, technology, finance, women, youth, research institutions and the private sector.

He underscored the need to modernise agricultural production through innovation and scientific research, noting that improved technology would increase productivity and profitability while attracting greater investment into the sector.

Describing Nigeria’s agricultural sector as predominantly private-sector-driven, the minister said government policies were focused on creating an enabling environment that allowed farmers and agribusinesses to thrive, while ensuring coordinated support across all levels of government.

Bagudu further called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address domestic and global challenges affecting food systems, including rising fertiliser and energy costs driven by international conflicts, as well as trade distortions that threaten local agricultural production through subsidised imports.

While acknowledging that security challenges had affected agricultural productivity in parts of the country, he said significant progress had been made in restoring farming activities in previously affected communities, particularly in the North-East, where improved harvests demonstrated the resilience of Nigerian farmers.

Benue govt confirms one positive case of Lassa Fever

The Benue State Government has stated that only one of the 45 suspected cases of Lassa fever investigated in the state tested positive.

Disclosing this to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi, the State Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr Paul Ogwuche, said the ministry had investigated 45 suspected cases of Lassa fever during epidemiological Week 27, from 28 June 2026 to the date of the announcement.

He explained that although the peak transmission season had subsided, the ministry had deliberately sustained a high level of vigilance, noting that Lassa fever remains endemic in Nigeria and sporadic cases could occur at any time.

According to the commissioner, ‘During the period under review, the ministry investigated forty-five suspected cases of Lassa fever covering epidemiological Week 27, and laboratory analysis confirmed only one positive case, while the remaining suspected cases tested negative.’

Dr Ogwuche, however, announced that no Lassa fever-related deaths had been recorded during the reporting period, describing the outcome as evidence of the effectiveness of the state’s disease surveillance system, prompt response mechanisms and improved clinical management.

The commissioner attributed the encouraging progress to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of the state Governor, Hyacinth Alia, whose administration, he said, had continued to prioritise investments in the health sector through strengthened disease surveillance, improved emergency preparedness, enhanced healthcare service delivery and strategic partnerships aimed at protecting the lives of the people of the state.

He stated that the ministry had sustained a comprehensive response strategy to prevent any resurgence of the disease. The measures included continuous surveillance and prompt reporting of suspected cases, rapid laboratory investigation and confirmation, and strengthened infection prevention and control practices in both public and private health facilities.

He listed other measures as regular training and mentoring of healthcare workers, sustained public enlightenment on environmental sanitation, food hygiene and rodent control, as well as close collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and other development partners.

Dr Ogwuche further disclosed that the ministry had intensified community engagement through traditional rulers, religious leaders, community volunteers and the media to promote preventive practices, encourage early health-seeking behaviour and strengthen public awareness of Lassa fever prevention and control.

He assured the people of the state that the present administration remained resolute in its commitment to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of every citizen through sustained investments in disease prevention, surveillance, emergency preparedness and rapid response systems.

The commissioner further assured residents that health facilities across the state remained adequately equipped and prepared to respond swiftly to any suspected case.

He, however, urged residents to complement government efforts by maintaining good environmental sanitation, storing food properly to prevent contamination by rodents, avoiding contact with rodents and their excreta, and promptly reporting to the nearest health facility if they experienced symptoms such as persistent fever, weakness, sore throat, vomiting or unexplained bleeding.

He emphasised that early diagnosis and prompt treatment remained the most effective means of improving survival and preventing the spread of Lassa fever.

Lankan Professor co-edits Scopus Q1 International Finance Volume honouring legendary scholar

Sri Lanka has added another milestone to its global academic achievements with the publication of Review of Finance Literature – Volume 6, an internationally recognised scholarly volume published by Emerald Publishing.

The book is indexed in Scopus (Q1) and SCImago Journal Rank (Q1), with an impressive 2025 CiteScore of 8.4, reflecting its significant scholarly impact and international standing. The publication is believed to be the first-ever finance book edited by a Sri Lankan academic to be indexed in both Scopus (Q1) and the SCImago Journal Rank (Q1), achieving an outstanding 2025 CiteScore of 8.4.

The volume is co-edited by Professor Narayanage Jayantha Dewasiri of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, together with Professor H. Kent Baker (American University, USA), Professor Jitender Kumar (Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, India), and Dr. Shubham Singhania (FORE School of Management, India).

As the sixth volume in Emerald Publishing’s prestigious Review of Management Literature series, the book brings together internationally recognised scholars to synthesise contemporary knowledge and identify future research directions in finance.

A tribute to Professor H. Kent Baker

The publication carries profound emotional significance, as it was completed during Professor H. Kent Baker’s passing, an internationally renowned finance scholar whose work transformed the fields of behavioural and corporate finance. Ranked among the world’s top 1% of finance scholars by the Journal of Finance, Professor Baker was celebrated not only for his exceptional research achievements but also for his generosity as a mentor to researchers worldwide.

The editors dedicated the volume to his memory through a special preface titled ‘In Memory of Professor H. Kent Baker.’ The tribute acknowledges Professor Baker’s extraordinary academic legacy, unwavering commitment to research excellence, and his remarkable mentorship that inspired generations of scholars across the globe.

Professor Dewasiri noted that Professor Baker was not only a distinguished co-editor but also an exceptional mentor whose guidance, generosity, and scholarly vision profoundly influenced the development of the Review of Finance Literature series.

A Comprehensive Review of Contemporary Finance

The volume comprises 11 comprehensive review chapters covering some of the most significant and emerging areas in global finance, including:

Asset-based mutual fund performance

Loan portfolio diversification in banking

Financial news and stock market volatility

Microfinance

Sustainability-oriented investor activism

Climate risk and financial stability

Women’s financial literacy

Forensic accounting

Corporate governance in family firms

Non-performing loans

Financial inclusion

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Union Green Taxonomy

Among these contributions is a chapter co-authored by Professor Dewasiri titled ‘Non-Performing Loans: An Integrative Review of Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Trends Through Bibliometric and Systematic Analysis,’ highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing contribution to international finance scholarship.

Global collaboration with lasting impact

The volume reflects a successful collaboration among researchers from leading universities across Asia and North America. Beyond synthesising existing knowledge, the publication identifies research gaps, proposes future research agendas, and serves as a valuable reference for academics, doctoral researchers, policymakers, and finance professionals worldwide.

According to Professor Dewasiri, the objective of the series is to consolidate fragmented knowledge, provide evidence-based insights into emerging areas of finance, and facilitate the development of impactful future research.

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s global research reputation

Professor Dewasiri’s role as co-editor of this internationally recognised publication further reinforces Sri Lanka’s growing presence within the global research community. His contribution demonstrates the increasing involvement of Sri Lankan academics in leading international publishing initiatives and high-impact scholarly collaborations.

Published by Emerald Publishing, Review of Finance Literature – Volume 6 represents an important addition to the finance literature and is expected to become an essential reference for researchers, postgraduate students, policymakers, and practitioners seeking a comprehensive understanding of contemporary developments in banking and finance. The publication further highlights Sri Lanka’s capacity to contribute meaningfully to global knowledge creation while showcasing the country’s academic excellence on the international stage. For more information about the publication, readers may visit the official Emerald Publishing page: https://www.emerald.com/books/edited-volume/21518/Review-of-Finance-Literature

Extortion point returns at Lagos ports, truckers lament losses

HAULAGE operators have raised the alarm over an extortion point along the Creek road axis of the Apapa Port, stating that after similar oneswere dismantled.

According to them, security operatives now gather at this new point to extort truckers.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, chairman, Dry Cargo section of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Abdullahi Inuwa, explained that truckers are subjected to unreceipted levy at the Mr. Biggs junction along Creek Road in Apapa by state and non-state actors after the dismantling of illegal checkpoints around Lagos ports.

‘The new hotspot is the Mr. Biggs junction along Creek Road when you are approaching the Apapa Port gate.

‘After the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) led other security agencies to dismantle illegal checkpoints around the Apapa Port axis, the unscrupulous elements extorting truckers have now moved to the Mr Biggs junction,’ he said.

‘You will see them hanging around that axis. Once a truck is approaching the port along Creek Road, men in uniform and non state actors emerge from nowhere at the Mr. Biggs junction and subject truckers to all manner of extortion.

‘Haulage operators are losing millions at this junction because it is a major route strategically stationed in-between Apapa and Tin-Can Ports. So, there is no way a truck can come into Apapa or Tin-Can without passing through this axis.’

Recall that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), alongside the Nigeria Police Force and the Lagos State Government, recently launched a joint task force to dismantle illegal checkpoints and extortion points along the Apapa and Tin Can Island port corridors.

The initiative aims to eliminate unauthorized levies that cause severe traffic gridlock and inflate the cost of doing business.

Among the …… illegal checkpoints were on and beneath the Liverpool Bridge, the approach to the Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT), PTML, and Ports and Cargo terminals.

Also, extortion points at the NAGAFF Junction, Etisalat, and Fidelity roundabouts in the Apapa axis were dismantled.

New Anthoney’s takes on antimicrobial resistance to make Sri Lankan poultry safer

Sri Lanka consumes roughly 258,000 metric tonnes of chicken annually, according to the Department of Animal Production and Health, and that figure has been climbing steadily as protein awareness grows and fast-food culture deepens. Behind that volume lies a practice that most consumers never see: the routine use of antibiotics in commercial poultry farming, applied not to treat disease but to accelerate growth and compensate for poor biosecurity. New Anthoney’s Farms, one of Sri Lanka’s few antibiotic-free poultry producers, has spent years building a credible counter-argument to that norm, and the science increasingly backs its position.

Antimicrobial resistance, or AMR, is the process by which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evolve to defeat the drugs designed to treat them. The World Health Organization has described AMR as one of the greatest threats to global public health, attributing 1.27 million deaths directly to resistant bacterial infections in 2019 alone, with the broader toll estimated at 4.95 million deaths when infections to which AMR contributed are included. The WHO now projects that without coordinated action, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths per year by 2050, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of mortality.

The livestock sector is a significant driver. Antibiotics administered to animals pass through the food chain and into the environment, accelerating resistance in bacteria that affect both animals and humans. In the poultry industry specifically, the pattern is well established: farms under pressure to produce faster and at lower cost turn to antibiotics as a management crutch rather than a last resort.

What the data shows in Sri Lanka

Local research confirms the scale of the problem. A study published in the Sri Lanka Veterinary Journal examining commercial poultry farms in the Kurunegala district found that 98% of farms surveyed were using at least one antimicrobial drug, with enrofloxacin, amoxicillin and tetracycline among the most common. Resistance profiles from faecal samples showed tetracycline resistance at 81.8% and resistance to fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin at 31.8%. These are not obscure compounds: ciprofloxacin is a critically important antibiotic in human medicine, classified by the WHO as essential for treating severe infections where few alternatives exist.

The implications are direct. When resistance builds up in poultry gut bacteria and those bacteria enter the food chain, soil, or water supply, they carry their resistance traits with them. Consumers who never take an antibiotic themselves can still be exposed to resistant organisms through the food they eat.

New Anthoney’s position in the market

New Anthoney’s established its antibiotic-free model not as a marketing angle but as a production philosophy tied to long-term commercial viability and public health responsibility. The company’s Harithahari range of chicken is certified antibiotic-free, produced under strict biosecurity protocols that eliminate the conditions that prompt conventional farmers to reach for antimicrobials in the first place. Harithahari, which means ‘green’ in Sinhala, is positioned as a premium product for health-conscious consumers who understand what antibiotic-free means and why it matters.

The company’s approach received formal academic recognition through a memorandum of understanding with the University of Peradeniya, one of Sri Lanka’s foremost agricultural research institutions. That partnership reflects a broader commitment to grounding its production standards in science rather than self-certification, and gives the Harithahari claim an independent layer of credibility that most competitors cannot match.

New Anthoney’s has also positioned itself as a future export business. Antibiotic-free certification is increasingly a non-negotiable requirement for entry into export markets, particularly in the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, where food safety regulations are tightening around antimicrobial use. Establishing the production standard now, before export ambitions mature, means the company will not face a costly retrofit of its operations when it is ready to compete internationally.

Building awareness at every level

The challenge with AMR is that its consequences are diffuse and delayed, which makes it difficult to communicate with urgency. New Anthoney’s has approached this through layered awareness work that reaches different audiences in different ways.

Internally, the company has run staff awareness programs at its Hanwella facilities, focusing specifically on the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and what antibiotic-free production actually requires from the people involved in it. These sessions covered the company’s own Harithahari protocols, the ethical basis for antibiotic-free farming, and the role each employee plays in maintaining standards that cannot be compromised at any point in the production chain.

Externally, New Anthoney’s has engaged industry peers, food sector stakeholders, and the wider public to make the case that responsible food production is not a niche concern. The company’s argument is straightforward: the same logic that governs responsible medicine use applies to food production. Antibiotics keep people alive. Overusing them, whether in hospitals or in chicken farms, erodes the very efficacy that makes them valuable.

Sri Lanka has a historically rich food culture, and New Anthoney’s frames its work within that tradition. Food that sustains people properly has always been a national value. What has changed is the industrial context in which food is now produced, and with it the responsibility that producers carry.

Why this matters now

The WHO’s Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance calls on all sectors, including agriculture and food production, to reduce unnecessary antimicrobial use and preserve the effectiveness of existing drugs. Sri Lanka adopted a National Action Plan on AMR in 2017, but implementation across the food sector has been uneven. Industry leadership, rather than regulation alone, will drive the change that the plan envisions.

New Anthoney’s is one of the few Sri Lankan poultry producers putting that leadership into practice at scale. Its model demonstrates that antibiotic-free production is commercially viable, scientifically defensible, and responsive to where consumer demand and regulatory standards are heading. For a country working to build export-credible food industries, that matters considerably.

Delta approves financial assistance to 533 Law School graduates

At least 533 graduates from Delta State who successfully completed the Nigerian Law School in the 2025 session can now celebrate, as the state government has approved the disbursement of financial assistance to support human capital development and alleviate the financial burden on these young professionals.

The approval was announced by the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, which stated that all beneficiaries, who are of Delta State origin, will receive this financial assistance following the governor’s endorsement.

Dr. Godfrey Enita, the Executive Secretary of the State Bursary and Scholarship Board, encouraged all eligible graduates to adhere to the submission requirements to avoid delays in processing their financial assistance.

‘The latest intervention underscores the Oborevwori administration’s commitment to investing in education and professional development under its MORE Agenda, which places a premium on human capital development and the empowerment of young Deltans.

‘It is also expected to provide financial relief to newly qualified legal practitioners as they begin their professional careers.’

Our candidate will be on ballot for 2027 elections, says Turaki PDP camp

The Tanimu Turaki camp of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) on Thursday allayed the fears of candidates sponsored by it on whether or not they will be able to contest the 2027 general elections, insisting that they will be the ones that will fly the party flag in National and state elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Turaki said emphatically that nobody will be able to kill the PDP, while assuring that the party was on course and will participate in the elections.

He said, ‘I want to say, without fear of contradiction, that PDP, your party is on course. The essence of every political party is to legitimately capture power in a given polity. You cannot capture power unless you are on the ballot. I want to tell you that PDP shall be on the ballot for all rounds of the 2027 elections, from the presidential down to the states houses of assembly election PDP, this PDP shall be on the ballot’.

He commended those who have kept fate with the group for their tenacity, for your loyalty, for your conviction, for your belief in democracy, and for your resoluteness in working towards ensuring that democracy that believes in a multi-party system survives in our country.

Turaki said ‘there comes a time in the life of a human being when challenges, ups and downs become the order of the day. But as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, it’s only the tough that ultimately gets going.

‘For us in PDP, we’ve seen all seasons. We’ve seen the good times. We’ve also seen the bad times. We’ve seen days of prosperity, just as we’ve also seen days of adversity. We’ve seen successes, and we’ve seen challenges. For us, the kind of challenge that the People’s Democratic Party is facing today is not something that is new to us.

‘People may recall a time in the past when attempts were made by some charlatans to take the leadership of our party and then give it in the hands of some impostors, and when the party and the party leadership rose in unison and said, ‘We will not allow anybody to run away with our party’, a caretaker committee was set up under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi.

‘Those who were there and those who are conversant with what happened during that period of serious challenge, will appreciate that what we are now witnessing in our party is even a child’s play. By the special grace of God, we shall overcome. We will overcome. Indeed, we are overcoming.

‘Today we are witnessing in Nigeria, a time that is different from what we all are used to seeing. There are a lot of tension. There are a lot of crises. There are a lot of upheavals in the domain of most of the opposition political parties. It’s regrettable, indeed very sad and unfortunate, that when you begin to trace the genesis of those crises, that they will take you back to the footsteps of the party in government.

‘We used to think that more than any other person, that people in government, people who are on the surgeon of leadership, should prefer peace to reign than crisis in their domain. But for us in PDP, while other political parties are having existential threat, while their existence is threatened and their lives is shaking, nobody, and I dare say, nobody can kill the PDP.

‘PDP will continue to live. There may be challenges here and there regarding the leadership of our party. Again, for us in PDP, this is nothing new. We will overcome. We shall overcome. We are overcoming.

He said the party intend to discuss the judgement of the Federal High Court on the suit instituted by its Board of Trustees against the Independent National Electoral Commission on the leadership of the party and ‘agree on where we need to get to, for the purpose of taking our people and our nation out of the woods, and then we will maybe when we get into the private session, discuss exhaustively what our strategies would be’.

Former Niger state Governor, Babandiga Aliyu regretted that the crisis rocking the party came from within the party, regretting that those he called fugitives and nomadic politicians have been using the party for their own selfish.

He said however that those who thought they could kill PDP by running away to another party, are the ones who suffering more, and don’t even know what is there on the ground for them.

He said, ‘It is unfortunate that people are not patient enough. It is unfortunate that some people try to play god by taking decisions that really belongs to God. We have seen many of them jumping from one party to the other, for every election that has been conducted, but they forgot the success is not only in their effort.

‘Success is also in the way your heart functions, because our creator judges you by what is in your heart, not what is in your pocket or what is in your mouth. So, if you have clean heart, He knows it, and He will reward you at the end of the day. Believe me, we will be rewarded, and we will be surprised by our creator on the way and manner He is going to reward those of us who have stayed tenaciously to ensure that there is justice in our country.

‘Whatever is happening now, let us see it as a temporary way of making people understand that we messed up as we were coming along. If I will borrow from our creator, whatever you do, you will reap it, you will get it back. We will get yourselves back. You will get our party back, and we will succeed in the final analysis. We want people to be alive to see when we succeed. We will not laugh at them, but at least they will also learn some lessons as we go along.

‘You might think you are cheating me if you collect bribe to get me down. For you, you think you have made something, but believe me, you will pay both here and in the in the hereafter. So please let us continue patiently, and let us try to continue to at least organize properly.’

’It has not been easy,’ Sydney Talker opens up on four years of celibacy

Nigerian skit maker and content creator, Sydney Egere popularly known as Sydney Talker has revealed that he has been practising celibacy for almost four years.

In a video shared on his social media page, the comedian said the 27th of this month will mark four years since he last slept on the same bed with a woman.

He admitted that maintaining the decision has not been easy but said he is grateful to God for giving him the discipline to remain committed to it.

’27th of this month will make it four years of celibacy for me. What I am trying to say is I have not slept on the same bed with a woman for the past four years. It has not been easy but I thank God,’ he said.

The content creator also said he hopes to continue his celibacy journey for as long as possible.

’I am fully APC’, Sani Bello distances self from Niger Rescue Movement

Former Governor of Niger State and sitting lawmaker representing Niger North Senatorial District, Senator Abubakar Sani Bello, has dismissed reports linking him to opposition political groups, reaffirming his ‘unwavering loyalty’ to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement by his Media Adviser, Muawiyah Yusuf Muye, the lawmaker categorically dissociated himself from the ‘Niger Rescue Movement’ (NRM) and any political faction operating against the interest of the APC-led government at both the state and national levels.

Addressing recent speculations sparked by the exit of some of his political associates from the ruling party, Sani Bello clarified that he neither authorized nor endorsed the formation of any group opposing the APC.

‘The Senator wishes to categorically dissociate himself from reports linking him, directly or indirectly, to the Niger Rescue Movement (NRM) or any political group that opposes the APC-led government and its interests across Niger State,’ the statement read.

‘Senator Abubakar Sani Bello has neither endorsed nor authorized the formation of, or participation in, any such movement. Any attempt to associate his name with the activities, statements, or decisions of the group is false, misleading, and should be disregarded.’

Acknowledging that some of his close associates had recently defected to opposition parties, the former governor noted that while political choices remain individual rights, their decisions should not be misconstrued as an endorsement from him.

‘The Senator recognizes the fact that some of his associates have defected to opposition parties for one reason or another, and they reserve the right to do so as adults,’ Muye stated.

‘However, this does not in any way indicate that the Senator supports such a move, as many other associates, political mentees, and supporters have remained in the APC and continue to work for the progress of both the party and the APC-led government.’

The statement maintained that the former governor being one of the founding leaders of the APC, reiterated his commitment to democratic values, peace, and the development of Niger State through official party channels.

‘As a respected statesman and former Governor who is one of the founding fathers of the APC in Nigeria, Senator Sani Bello remains committed to promoting peace, unity, democratic values, and the progress of Niger State and Nigeria,’ the statement added, recalling a previous interview where the senator publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the party.

The lawmaker’s media team urged party members, media organizations, and the general public to disregard unverified rumors and rely strictly on official channels for information regarding the senator’s political stance.

Bloomfield, Negombo CC and BRC complete quarter-final line-up

Bloomfield beat Tamil Union outright by five wickets at the P. Sara Oval yesterday to qualify for a quarter-final place from Group A in the Under-23 Inter-Club 2-Day Tournament.

Joining Bloomfield for the last three quarter-final spots were Negombo CC from Group D and BRC from Group C.

Earlier, Moors SC from Group A, CCC and Chilaw Marians CC from Group B, Kurunegala YCC from Group C, and SSC from Group D had already assured themselves of a place in the quarter-finals.

Tamil Union’s batting faltered for a second time in the match, getting bowled out for 104, which left Bloomfield with the formal task of knocking off 53 for victory, which they achieved losing five wickets. Bloomfield scored 204 in their first innings, with former Sri Lanka U19 off-spinner Vihas Thewmika taking 6/67.

Negombo CC recovered from their overnight score of 117-4 in reply to Police SC’s first innings of 207 to total 283-7 declared and win on first innings at the Air Force Grounds, Katunayake. Thathsara Eshan was instrumental in Negombo CC gaining the win, scoring a defiant 95 off 159 balls (7 fours) and figuring in a vital seventh wicket stand of 69 with Kaveen Deneth (52* off 99 balls, 8 fours). Off-spinner Damith Kappagoda took 4/86.

Moors SC fell short by 30 runs to overhaul Ragama CC’s first innings of 183 despite a spirited knock of 71* off 86 balls (8 fours) from Sandaru Malshan at the Moors SC Grounds. Ragama CC in their second innings came up with a better batting display, scoring 338-8. Denura Dimansith made 137 off 184 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) and shared a 114-run stand with Lahiru Abeysinghe (62 off 73 balls, 9 fours, 1 six). Off-spinner Sandaru Malshan took 5/89.

In the other matches concluded yesterday, CCC, SSC, Kandy Customs SC, Ace Capital CC, and United Southern SC won in the first innings.

The left-arm spin of Inuka Karannagoda (7/56) resulted in Leo CC being dismissed for 241 in reply to CCC’s first innings of 348 at the CCC Grounds. Salindu Pathirana alone stood tall, compiling a century off 108 balls (15 fours, 1 six) for Leo CC. CCC made 15-0 in their second innings when the match was called off before the start of the mandatory overs.

SSC took a first innings lead of 115, scoring 292 in reply to Panadura SC’s first innings of 177 at the SSC Grounds. SSC Captain Shevon Daniel went on to complete a fine century (121 off 144 balls, 14 fours, 2 sixes) sharing a fourth wicket stand of 156 with Ranuda Somarathne (47). Off-spinner Malintha Silva picked up five wickets for 86. Panadura SC in their second innings scored 199-9, with Liviru Fernando notching 85 (108 balls, 14 fours) and off-spinner Malsha Fernando taking 5/74 for a match bag of 12/113.

Kandy Customs SC put up a marvellous all-round batting display to overhaul Kurunegala SC’s total of 314 by scoring 339 at the Welagedara Stadium. Helith Edirisinghe led the way with a compact 87 off 114 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes) and Kaveesha Induwara scored 52 (62 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) in addition to five other batsmen making 25 or more.

Ace Capital CC came up with a similar batting display to overhaul BRC’s total of 387-6 declared at the BRC Grounds. Six batsmen made over 25 and played around Thisara Ekanayake’s knock of 143 off 173 balls (20 fours) as Ace Capital CC replied with 391-9. Off-spinner Tharushka Ashel took 4/108. Despite the loss, BRC qualified for the quarter-finals.

NCC and United Southern SC played out a thrilling draw at the NCC Grounds, with both sides in with a chance of pulling off an outright win. Chasing a target of 223, United Southern SC finished on 214-9, with NCC requiring one wicket and United Southern SC nine runs. Having already conceded first innings points on the first day, NCC tried their best to win outright by declaring at 244-7 courtesy a century – 107 off 118 balls (9 fours) – from Dineth Goonewardena, who added 142 with Yenula Dewthusa (64 off 83 balls, 8 fours), but ran out of time.

Like Badureliya CC the previous week, Nugegoda SWC went on a run splurge to no avail as their fixture against Navy SC ended in a tame draw at the Panadura esplanade. Nugegoda SWC ran up the highest total of the tournament, scoring 661-6 declared, a larger part of the runs coming off the bat of former Peterite opener Lahiru Dawatage, who went on to complete a triple century – 314 off 321 balls (36 fours, 3 sixes) – and Sandun Mendis (124* off 180 balls, 15 fours). The two shared a double-century stand of 267 for the sixth wicket. Navy SC in reply scored 149-7. – [ST]