Sports
32 Boys for NNPC Under-16 Tennis Tourney

By Dipo Olowookere
A total of 32 lads from six states of the country including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja are competing in the 1st edition of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC/IBB Golf and Country Club Under-16 Tennis Tournament which served-off in Abuja on Thursday.
The three day tournament which comes to a climax this weekend also has players from Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Nassarawa and Plateau.
Serving off the tournament at the tennis court of the IBB golf club, the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru who was represented by Mr Samson Makoju, General Manager in charge of External Relations said the tourney is a testament to the Corporation’s youth empowerment agenda.
“NNPC does so many positive things within and around the country, we are not only in the business of exploration and production of hydrocarbon but we are also interested in giving back to the society and the development of our youth,” he said.
Mr Makoju assured said the Corporation as always would continue to work with relevant stakeholders like the leadership of the IBB golf club to ensure that youth tournaments like the Under-17 competition are sustained on long term basis.
Chief Tom Nwakolo, Captain of the tennis section of the IBB golf club, said the leadership of the club would remain grateful to the NNPC for coming to its rescue.
“We decided to partner with NNPC because of its pedigree in youth development and high level of corporate social responsibility. We are delighted to have NNPC on board and we hope the lads would make Nigeria and NNPC prod in future,” he said.
Similar sentiment was echoed by erstwhile national tennis player and Vice-Captain of the IBB golf club tennis section, Anne Abimiku who paid tribute to NNPC for the bold effort at resurrection of tennis in Nigeria.
Sports
Ubisoft’s Impact On Video Games Evolution

With a yearly revenue of over $2.25 billion, Ubisoft is one of the most successful video game developers in the world. Many of its titles have sold over a million copies, meaning that if you’re a gamer, you’ve probably come across some of Ubisoft’s games – Prince of Persia, Assassin’s Creed, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, Far Cry, etc.
And even if you’ve never played those games, Ubisoft has most certainly had an impact on your gaming experience. This company has done so much for the industry, bringing all kinds of new innovations into the video game universe. In this article, we’re going to focus on the things Ubisoft has done to push the gaming industry forward. We’ll start by discussing one of its early games, which helped the company grow in its early days.
Ubisoft Creates the World’s First Cinematic Platformer Game
In 1986, Ubisoft released Zombi, a horror-themed video game based on the 1978 film Dawn of the Dead. It was met with positive reception from players, providing the company with enough success to stay afloat. Three years later, Ubisoft released its most ambitious project yet: Prince of Persia. Widely considered the world’s first cinematic platformer, this game featured fluid animations and characters that seemed to come straight from a movie or cartoon.
This was a revolutionary concept that had never been seen in earlier games, leading Prince of Persia to become an instant classic. Its influence can be seen in a myriad of other titles, such as Flashback, Another World, and Tomb Raider, all of which were developed by Ubisoft’s competitors.
Assassin’s Creed’s Impact on Online Gaming Industry
Assassin’s Creed is another Ubisoft project that has had a significant impact on other games. Although it was not the first open-world video game to hit the market, it was certainly one of the most successful. Since its first release in 2007, Assassin’s Creed has spawned 12 sequels and 16 spin-offs. Some of them have unusual characteristics that are uncommon in the gaming world. For example, there are a couple of Assassin’s Creed installments that have an in-game casino.
Unfortunately, gambling with actual money is not feasible in Assassin’s Creeds so those who wish to do so must visit one of the French online casinos. Assassin’s Creed Unity is set in Revolutionary France and features a Gambling Den, which plays a significant role in the gameplay. Casino games can be played in this virtual Parisian venue using in-game currency.
Ubisoft Revolutionizes First-Person Shooters
Ubisoft has also played a big role in the popularization of first-person shooters (FSP). It all started in 2000 when it bought Tom Clancy’s video game company Red Storm Entertainment, thus getting the rights for the Rainbow Six brand. The first game created under the new management was Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield. Released in 2003, it was an instant hit, but its importance doesn’t end there. The game provided a blueprint to other developers on how an FSP game should look. One of the innovations was the players’ ability to clearly see their weapons in front of them.
A year after Raven Shield, Ubisoft released another FPS game that’s considered a classic in 2023. The game in question is Far Cry. What makes it unique is that it’s one of the first FSP games to be set in an open-world environment. The first edition of Far Cry was set on an island in the South Pacific, but some later versions had different settings. None of them, though, were set in space, which is where the next big Ubisoft project is situated.
Next Project: Star Wars Open-World Game
EA Software has held a monopoly on Star Wars video games for many years, but the next game will be produced by Ubisoft. Ubisoft was hired by LucasFilm Games to produce an open-world game set in the Star Wars universe in a galaxy far, far away. The project will be one of the most ambitious in Ubisoft’s history. Such projects often take years to complete, but the good news for Star Wars enthusiasts is that development has already begun. The game is already under development, with Ubisoft’s Creative Director Julian Gerighty hinting at a 2023 release date in a New Year’s Day tweet.
Final Thoughts
It is clear that Ubisoft has had an undeniable effect on the video game industry, revolutionizing the gaming experience with its groundbreaking titles and innovative design. One of the most successful games in the Ubisoft library is the renowned series Assassin’s Creed, which is widely regarded as the best video game set in France. From Zombi to Star Wars, Ubisoft is constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the video game universe. It is safe to assume that Ubisoft will continue to be a leader in video game development, as it is sure to bring us more amazing projects in the years to come.
Sports
Highest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn

Highest-Paid footballer from Nigeria
The phrase “Naija no dey carry last” has been evident in football recently as there has been an influx of Nigerian footballers playing abroad. Football is the most popular sport in Nigeria with millions of fans supporting their clubs abroad. Nigeria has always been a home of incredible football talents and with more amazing young footballers showing in recent years, the weekly wages of Nigerian footballers has been on a rise.
The huge wages being paid to Nigerian footballers isn’t a surprise as the impact of the players is evident in those teams. Aside from the high wages they earn, Naija footballers are being traded for a huge amount of money. In the summer of 2020, Victor Oshimen became the most expensive African footballer of all time as he joined Napoli from Lille for about $80 million-plus add-on. Hardly any top European league without a Nigerian footballer performing at a high level and earning huge wages. A good sign for the Super Eagles as the national squad is now full of top talents.
We have decided to go on an adventure to reveal the highest-paid footballers from Nigeria, who are also featured in the best football predictions bettors will find on Takebet Nigeria. We have searched all leagues where Nigerian players compete, from European leagues such as English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundesliga to other top leagues.
Let’s dig into the list of the highest-paid footballers from Nigeria.
Odion Ighalo – Striker, Al-Hilal – $170,000 (last know)
Odion Ighalo is one of the most popular Nigerian players. The striker became the first Nigerian international to play for Manchester United after he joined the club on loan from the Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020. Odion Ighalo scored five goals in 23 appearances before returning to Shanghai Shenhua at the end of his loan.
The Nigerian international joined Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab from the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in 2021. Ighalo scored 10 league goals in 19 appearances for Shanghai Shenhua. Odion made his debut in 2005 and moved to Europe in 2008 where he joined Udinese. The Nigerian international joined Watford during the 2014-15 and scored 36 league goals in 90 appearances for the club.
Odion Ighalo represented the Super Eagles during the 2018 World Cup. The Nigerian international holds the record for the most goals scored during a single Africa Cup of Nations with seven goals in 2019.
Ighalo earned $170,000 per week in Al Shabab. Odion Ighalo joins Al-Hilal, another Saudi football club, after the AFCON 2021. His salary in the new club is currently unknown, but the striker is sure to keep his #1 spot.
Victor Osimhen – Striker, Napoli – $110,000
Victor Osimhen is currently one of the best strikers in Europe. The Nigerian international has been amazing for Napoli this season after a slow start to life in the Italian Club. Victor Osimhen became the most expensive Africa striker in history after he joined Napoli from Lille for a fee of about $80 million in the winter transfer of 2020.
The Napoli striker has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for the Italian side. Osimhen had an incredible rise to glory as he wasn’t able to join either Zulte Waregem or Club Brugge in his early days due to Malaria. Victor was in Nigeria’s under-17 team that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian international won the Golden Boot in the tournament with 10 goals. He also won the Silver Ball award during the tournament.
Osimhen missed out on the 2018 World Cup squad. He made his debut for the national team in 2017. The Nigerian international made the squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and has been brilliant since then. He has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for the national team.
Victor currently plays in Napoli and he earns $110,000 per week.
Wilfred Ndidi – Midfielder, Leicester City – $100,000
Wilfred Ndidi is currently one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. The Nigerian international has been incredible since he joined Leicester City from Genk in the winter transfer of 2017 for $20m. Ndidi has scored 10 goals in 196 appearances since he joined the club.
The Nigerian international won the most tackles in the Premier League (138) during the 2017-18 season. He also won the most tackles in the league in the following season of 2018-19. Wilfred Ndidi was an important player of the squad that won the 2020-21 FA Cup as they defeated Chelsea by a goal to nil.
Ndidi represented Nigeria during the 2016 Summer Olympics. He made the squad for the 2018 World Cup as they were knocked out in the group stage. Ndidi also represented the Super Eagles in the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He has 47 caps for the Nigerian national team.
Wilfred Ndidi currently plays for Leicester City and earns $100,000 per week.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Striker, Leicester City – $80,000
Seniorman Kelz as he is widely regarded came into the limelight after an impressive outing during the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup. The Nigerian international won the Golden Ball award as the Super Eagles won the tournament. Iheanacho scored six goals during the competition as he won the Silver Boot.
Kelechi Iheanacho joined Manchester City in 2015. Iheanacho scored 21 goals in 64 appearances for Manchester City as he won the English Football League Cup. The Nigerian international joined Leicester City for a fee of about $30 million in the summer of 2017. Iheanacho was brilliant during the 2020-21 season as he scored 12 goals in the Premier League, overperforming his expected goals of 8.20.
Iheanacho represented Nigeria during the 2018 World Cup. The Leicester City striker also represented the Super Eagles during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Iheanacho has scored 12 goals in 42 appearances for the national team.
Kelechi Iheanacho currently plays for Leicester City and earns $80,000.
Alex Iwobi – Midfielder, Everton – $68,000
Alex Iwobi started his club career with Arsenal as he joined the youth team in 2004. The Nigerian international made his senior debut in 2015 for Arsenal against Sheffield Wednesday.
Iwobi scored 15 goals in 149 appearances for Arsenal as he spent four seasons with the senior team. The Nigerian international joined Everton from Arsenal for a fee of about $45 million in the summer of 2019. Iwobi won the FA Cup and two Community Shields with the Gunners. The Nigerian international has scored six goals in 80 appearances for Everton.
Alex made his international debut for Nigeria in 2015 although he started as a youth international for England. The Everton player has scored nine goals in 53 appearances for the Super Eagles. Iwobi scored the winning goal against Zambia to secure a spot for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup. He was featured in the 2018 World Cup as Nigeria was knocked out in the group stage.
Iwobi played for the Super Eagles in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian international was sent off in the Round of 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations as the Super Eagles suffered a 0-1 defeat to Tunisia.
Alex Iwobi currently plays for Everton and earns $68,000.
Victor Moses – Midfielder, Spartak Moscow – $56,000
Victor Moses was a popular player amongst Nigerian fans after he played a huge role in Chelsea’s Premier League triumph during the 2016-17 season. The Nigerian international started his club career in Crystal Palace before joining Wigan in 2010. Chelsea signed Moses in the summer of 2022 from Wigan. Moses went on loan to Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham United before returning for the 2016-17 season.
The Nigerian international was converted to a right wing-back under Antonio Conte as Chelsea won the league. Moses was later loaned out to different teams such as Fenerbache, Inter Millan and Spartak Moscow. The latter club signed the player on a permanent basis in July 2021. Victor Moses scored 18 goals in 128 appearances while playing for Chelsea. He won the Premier League, FA Cup and two UEFA Europa League titles with the Blues.
Victor Moses scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for the Nigeria national team. The Spartak Moscow player was an important player in Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph. Moses featured for the Super Eagles in the 2014 World Cup and the 2018 World Cup where he scored a goal in the 1-2 defeat to Argentina.
Victor Moses currently plays for Spartak Moscow and earns $56,000.
Moses Simon – Winger, Nantes – $40,000
Moses Simon was Nigeria’s best player during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerian international started his senior club career with AS Trencin in 2014 where he scored 17 goals in 39 appearances before joining Gent in 2015. Moses scored 21 goals in 136 appearances with Gent as he spent four seasons at the club before joining Levante. The Nigerian international won the Belgian Pro League and Belgian Super Cup while in Gent.
Moses joined Levante on loan for the 2019-20 season with an option to buy. The deal was made permanent the following season as he signed a four-year deal. Moses has scored 17 goals in 85 appearances for Nantes.
Simon made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2015 against Uganda. He has scored six goals in 45 appearances for the national team. Simon represented Nigeria during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Highest paid Nigerian footballer FAQ
Who is the highest-paid footballer in Nigeria?
Odion Ighalo is the highest-paid Nigerian footballer. Ighalo joined Al Shabab from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020 where he was being paid $402,000. The Nigerian international was the first player to play for Manchester United after he took a pay cut and received $200,000 to join the club on loan.
The Nigerian international was paid $170,000 in Al Shabab, and he is thought to stay in the same salary range in his new Saudi club, Al-Hilal, which he joins after the AFCON 2021.
Who is the richest Nigerian football player overall?
John Obi Mikel is the richest Nigerian footballer with a net worth of about $57 million. The Nigerian international is one of the greatest footballers in the country’s history. Mike Obi made his fortunes while playing for Chelsea in the Premier League. He spent 11 seasons at Chelsea where he scored six goals in 372 appearances for the club. Mikel won two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Europa League, three FA Cup, one English Football League Cup and one FA Community Shield during his time at Chelsea.
Mikel Obi is currently a free agent after his contract with Kuwait SC was terminated just four months after joining the club.
Who is the most expensive footballer from Nigeria?
Victor Osimhen is the most expensive Nigerian footballer. Osimhen joined Napoli from Lille for a fee of about $80m in 2020 after scoring 18 goals in 38 appearances for the French club. The Nigerian international has scored 19 goals in 45 appearances for Napoli. Osimhen is being paid $110,000 per week in Napoli.
Sports
CAF President Tasks Infantino on African Football Growth

By Adedapo Adesanya
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr Patrice Motsepe, has congratulated President Gianni Infantino on his re-election as President of the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), calling for more development for the sport on the continent.
He said CAF and football in Africa have had a committed and dependable partner in President Infantino and FIFA in the development and growth of African and global football.
“CAF is committed to developing and promoting football for boys and girls as well as amateur and professional football on the African Continent. The construction and upgrading of football infrastructure and facilities and improving the standard and quality of football in Africa are essential for African football to become globally competitive and self-sufficient.
“President Gianni Infantino and FIFA have been committed and dependable partners in developing, uplifting and promoting African football. CAF is delighted and welcomes the re-election of President Infantino as FIFA President and is confident that football in Africa and globally will continue to develop and grow and be a force for good under his leadership,” the CAF president noted.
The re-election of President Gianni Infantino took place in Rwanda and was the first elective congress in the history of FIFA to take place in Africa.
The 52-year-old Italian-Swiss, renewed under the same conditions in 2019 by the delegates of the 211 member federations, could remain at the head of world football until 2031, with his first three years (2016-2019) being considered incomplete because he completed the tenure of the scandalous former helmsman, Mr Sepp Blatter.
The FIFA chief has seen some changes in his first official term at the helm of affairs. One such was an 18 per cent increase in income and 45 per cent in reserves over the 2019-22 cycle compared to the previous one, allowing the body to increase its subsidies to confederations and federations further.
African football is set to benefit more, starting with the passage of the men’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams in the 2026 edition, which will be shared between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The continent could see up to 9-10 countries representing in the tournament moving forward from the current five teams.