Ex-DSS DG, ex-NIA boss, envoy tipped as ambassadors

Three top public officials have been nominated as Ambassadors by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They are the first set of individuals to be tipped to lead Nigeria’s Missions abroad by the Tinubu’s administration.

Those recommended for screening and clearance by the Senate are: Ambassadors Ayodele Oke and Amin Mohammed Dalhatu. Also on the list is former Head of the Secret Service, Lateef Kayode Are.

The President nominated the three seasoned security and diplomatic figures to represent Nigeria in the United States (U.S.); the United Kingdom (UK) and France, a post by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said yesterday.

Ambassador Dalhatu, one of the nominees, previously served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea duringr the administration the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dalhatu, who was appointed in 2016, completed a tenure marked by strengthened bilateral cooperation between Abuja and Seoul.

Ambassador Oke, a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta, served as Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

He earlier represented Nigeria at the Secretariat of the Commonwealth of Nations in London and is widely regarded for his extensive diplomatic and intelligence background.

A technical committee rated him the best among those considered for ministerial posting during the Buhari Administration. The committee considered his impeccable pedigree on international relations.

But before the name was announced, a former Oyo State governor rushed to the Presidency and engineered the removal of his name and replaced it with his own stooge.

Col. Are will be bringing decades of national security experience to the diplomatic corps, having served as Director-General of the State Security Service (SSS) from 1999 to 2007 and later as National Security Adviser (NSA) in 2010.

The former officer in the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), graduated with First Class Honours in Psychology from the University of Ibadan in 1980.

The three nominees are expected to play strategic roles in strengthening Nigeria’s diplomatic presence in key global capitals once their postings have been finalised after Senate confirmation.

Boxers jostle for spots ahead of LBHF Governor’s Belt Showdown

The race to secure places in the prestigious 2025 Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor’s Belt intensifies this weekend as fighters step into the ring for the November Monthly Championships.

On Saturday, November 29, the Agege Stadium will host a fierce contest where boxers battle for coveted slots in the end-of-year Governor’s Belt bouts.

With competition heating up, every punch will carry the weight of ambition, as athletes aim to prove themselves worthy of a place in one of Nigeria’s most respected grassroots boxing events.

LBHF’s monthly championship will deliver fireworks this weekend as three female bouts and seven male contests headline the card.

In the women’s category, Mistura Otenaike of Surulere will slug it out against Aina Adekiwonsa of Lagos Island in the 48kg division. Eniola Idowu faces Oyindamola Agboola in the 45kg class, while an exhibition bout will see Zainab Ibrahim of Queen Elizabeth Junior Secondary School take on Peculiar Ifemaye of Glory International School, Agbado, in the 27kg class.

The men’s contests promise fierce action. The opening bout pits Kareem Yusuf of Amuwo against Olamide Bello of Yaba in the 53kg category. In the 60kg division, Kola Ogunsemore of Lagos Mainland battles Qudus Akinwande of Badagry, while Ganiu Ayomide of Agboyi Ketu faces Daniel Nkem of Oshodi in another clash at the same weight.

Other bouts include Seun Habu vs Fasosi Paisol in the 70kg, Christian Obi vs Paul Melvin in the 85kg, and Victor Okagbue vs Daniel Nwose in the 90kg.

In the men’s exhibition contest, Modeed Omotayo of Layeni Junior Secondary School will square off against Michael Adedapo of Julius International School in the 30kg division.

The tournament serves as a crucial qualifier for boxers seeking slots in the prestigious Governor’s Belt Championship later this year.

According to LBHF Director David Mohamed, this weekend’s event is crucial as the last qualifying bouts before the Governor’s Belt finale.

‘Since we resumed LBHF in October, there has been serious interest from boxers across Lagos. We cannot accommodate everyone, so we aim to select the very best for the Governor’s Belt. This weekend’s bouts will surely produce another set of boxers for the end-of-year tournament,’ he said.

The monthly LBHF show series returned in October 2025 after a hiatus. Founded in 2010 by Minister of Finance Wale Edun, LBHF is a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing amateur and grassroots boxing in Nigeria. It is best known for hosting the Governor’s Belt Championship and monthly boxing shows.

Recently, LBHF partnered with Mainstay Bulletproof Limited to support its events, strengthening its platform for young athletes to showcase their talent. Looking ahead, plans are in place for a new format starting in 2026, involving divisional championships across weight categories, followed by regional and national finals.