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WAUG: Heritage Bank Reaffirms Commitment to Youth, Sport Devt

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By Dipo Olowookere

Tier-two Nigerian lender, Heritage Bank Plc, has restated commitment to improved youth and sport developments in the country, thereby attaining rapid growth in these areas, through sponsorship of sporting activities in tertiary institutions.

MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Mr Ifie Sekibo, affirmed this at the just concluded 14th edition of the West African Universities Game (WAUG) held in Port Harcourt at the University of Port Harcourt.

The bank recently supported the premier edition of Africa Freestyle Football Championship and continued to sponsor youth entrepreneurial initiatives, particularly, The Next Titan,” a reality television show.

Mr Sekibo, who was represented by a Senior Manager, Mr Oladapo Lawal, stressed that the financial institution has strong desire to see young Nigerians succeed in other areas other than what they studied in school, whilst urging government at all levels and private institutions to pay closer attention to sponsorship and innovation.

He stated that Heritage Bank, as the sponsor of WAUG, is working assiduously towards achieving its vision to become a bank of national reckoning for which it was established.

He noted that there is need for institutions to give back to society through sponsorship.

“Heritage Bank believes in development. These are University Students and we want to level our legacy on University students that is one of reasons we decided to sponsor the event. We have the tenacity to develop and sport is a way of developing youths in the country. We want to encourage the youth and I believe that this type of games are capable of robbing off on the students in future.

“I would advise the federal government to look in this direction, because when we support this kind of project, we are developing our country. The government needs to do more in sponsorship drive of sports in the country,” he noted.

Meanwhile, UNIPORT emerged the overall winner of the 14th WAUG, 2018 amassing 125 medals to top the log.

A breakdown of the figures shows that UNIPORT won 75 gold, 26 silver and 24 bronze medals to beat University of Lagos (UNILAG), the first runners up that scored 16 gold, 24 silver and 16 bronze. The second Runners up was University of Cape Coast, Ghana that bagged 9 gold and 16 silver medals.

The football event went to University for Development Studies, Ghana that beat Bayero University, Kano (BUK) 4-2 on penalties after the duo played out a  1-1 draw within  90 minutes regulation time and 30 minutes extra time.

Declaring the competition closed, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu congratulated the winners and indeed all the participants for a job well done.

He commended UNIPORT for organizing what he described as one of the best championships in the history of WAUG.

The Minister said university games and sports generally should be encouraged in our institutions to build friendships and bridge barriers among the students in Nigeria and beyond, promising that federal government will continue to encourage sports in our schools.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of UNIPORT, Prof Ndowa Lale commended Heritage Bank for its sponsorship to the successful competition. He congratulated he winners and the losers alike. The VC particularly commended University of Cape Coast for coming all the way from Ghana  to lift  the football trophy regarded as the king of sports.

Prof Lale who said the hosting of the games was not perfect, expressed confidence that subsequent editions will be better.

Dipo Olowookere is a journalist based in Nigeria that has passion for reporting business news stories. At his leisure time, he watches football and supports 3SC of Ibadan. Mr Olowookere can be reached via [email protected]

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When Weather Hijacks Betting Odds

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1xbet

Weather conditions such as rain, wind, snow, or extreme heat could have an impact on the nature of both teams’ style of play, the way that goals might happen, and the way they are priced by bookmakers like 1xbet. Therefore, in recent years, the weather has been seen as one of the quickest, non-visible influences on wagering and gambling.

In the final hours leading up to a game, many individuals who wager money will either check the weather or look to confirm it has been altered before they access the relevant sites to wager on the game. The result is often that there has been a change in price immediately after the event has been confirmed. There is no requirement for a weather press conference to take place, as weather conditions will dictate when to make price adjustments.

Mobile alerts make weather-driven moves faster

Modern weather surprises spread instantly in modern betting with radar images on social media; waves of bets have begun flooding in before even national broadcasters are reporting current weather conditions. The overwhelming influence of weather bets is multiplied by players being able to place their wagers using mobile devices, as they are able to follow thick and thin markets by paying close attention to their mobile betting devices via 1xbet apk, to be ready and able to react immediately when weather-related news breaks. When rain starts to come down heavily or winds start to pick up, bettors adjust their expectations and place bets on things like totals, corners, and/or cards, respectively.

The fact that bets can be processed and accepted instantly when betting with mobile devices provides tremendous value and importance to how pre-match odds can be pushed up and down quickly, even though the movements in pre-match odds may have been created with only a small portion of the total stake being made by the total number of bettors.

Why wind and rain hit the goal markets first

Players from getting enough distance on long balls, which can cause problems with crossing the ball. Heavy rainfall can affect pass accuracy and create unexpected deflections due to players slipping or losing their footing. High temperatures can affect the pace of play and increase fatigue.

Bookmakers commonly will alter goal-related markets first when weather has a significant impact on shot quality and chance conversion. If the pitch is heavy, teams may be able to create attacking chances but not be able to finish them. Strong winds can disrupt how set pieces are taken, which makes them unpredictable.

Typical types of weather effects that drive odds adjustments include:

  • strong wind reducing the accuracy of crosses and long shots;
  • heavy rain reducing pace of play and increases slips, getting muddy pass accuracy and less cleanly taken.
  • waterlogged playing surface, creating difficult passing;
  • very high temperatures causing slower second halfs;
  • and cold weather reduces stamina and touch.

These elements affect total point spread lines and sometimes also point spread lines in instances where either team is using more of a certain style of play.

How odds shifts look when the forecast changes

Weather-based movement often follows a recognizable sequence: forecast update, market pause, then adjustment. It can happen in minutes.

Weather shift before kickoff What bettors expect Where odds usually move
Wind picks up sharply Fewer clean chances Under goals shortens
Heavy rain starts Slower play, more mistakes Totals and corners adjust
Heat wave confirmed Lower tempo late Second-half totals drift
Sudden storm warning Match may stop or delay Markets suspend briefly
Pitch declared heavy Physical game, fewer patterns Cards and unders tighten

The public reacts late, the market reacts early

Oddsmakers adjust the line in their favor before the average bettor has even thought to make a wager on a particular matchup. Many recreational players are betting based on team name and recency—weather is an afterthought, if that at all.

Trained bettors will typically make their move much earlier in the process by being tuned into the weather forecast and any stadium information. Once they get their money in early, the oddsmakers adjust the odds and the recreational players will wager at a different price.

That’s why the weather has such a huge ability to create a “pre-match surprise”; it can quickly change assumptions and betting markets are based on assumptions.

Smart ways to handle weather-driven chaos

The weather offers chance and also risk. Quick checklists come in handy when making smart choices:

  • Check the current market movement before betting on a new weather event.
  • Don’t accept forecast headlines generally; look back for context.
  • Assess style of play: crossing the touchline, tempo, and physical size.
  • Don’t rely solely on morning weather updates; check late changes to match timing as well.
  • Be cautious when betting on the live market after the weather created chaos.

The forecast does not match, but the forecast could create a change to the match, which can createa change to the odds.

Weather is not background noise anymore

Today’s weather plays a major factor in today’s gaming and gambling markets. Weather conditions can completely alter game pace and a gambler’s approach to betting. Many times, sportsbooks have to adjust pricing for an entire section of the board at the last minute due to these changing weather patterns.

The important piece is understanding the reasons behind odds movement in order to take advantage of them rather than just noticing they have moved. As weather conditions change at the end of a sporting event, the betting market is reacting to uncertainty, and when uncertainty increases, the odds do not typically remain as displayed on the betting screens.

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Golf Training, Tournament Hold March 8 in Warri North

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Canaanland Golf and Country Club

By Henry Ovie

A one-day golf training and tournament specifically for girls has been fixed for Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Koko, in the Warri North of Delta State.

A statement from the organisers of the event, Canaan Land Golf Training and Tournament, disclosed that about 50 girls would be accommodated.

Tagged The Biggest Giving Day of the Year, the programme, according to the chief executive of Akogate Group, Mr Felix Aganbi, will entrench the attitude of excellence and develop young, highly quality golfers in terms of their golf quality and personal character.

He urged parents in Nigeria and abroad to allow their daughters to attend the event, saying it will build their confidence.

“The golf training and tournament will introduce girls to golf in a social and engaging environment. It will also help them build confidence, learn vital skills, and connect with others in a friendly community,” he was quoted as saying in the statement on Thursday.

The programme, which will take place at the Canaanland Golf and Country Club, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women as well as raises awareness for accelerated gender parity

“Open to girls in years 8-16, the training and tournament provide high-quality coaching to assist the girl child in pursuing excellence in the sport of golf,” Mr Aganbi noted, listing technical skill development, comprehensive fitness and mental conditioning as key features of the training.

“The girls will learn the basics of golf grip, stance, posture alignment, golf rules and etiquette. They will also be taken for an 18-hole playing lesson.

“The training and tournament will broaden opportunities for girls in Nigeria to realise their potential through education.

“Canaanland Country Club shall continue to encourage the education of females, improve the economic position of women and enhance their participation in matters relating to both the family and the society.

“It is also to join hands with the government in making our state a better place to live, campaign for the dismantling of systemic barriers and push for the power of reciprocity and abundant giving,” he disclosed.

Driven by Sir Alfred and Mrs Warami Temile, Mr Aganbi said the “club would continue to provide necessary assistance for the general development of people, especially those who live in the rural areas.”

In a related development, Mr Aganbi said the Oluremi Tinubu Golf Classic would take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Canaanland Golf and Country Club, Koko.

“The tournament will attract international talent, create opportunities for emerging players and motivate the next generation to see what is possible in the women’s game,” he stated, adding that over 75 women are expected to participate.

The event is another important step in strengthening the women’s game in Nigeria, delivering significant benefits to the Niger Delta, drawing women, officials and fans to Warri North and boosting tourism and hospitality industries in Delta State.

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Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Top 10 Finishers Share N10m from Aquafina

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Aquafina Top 10 finishers

Aquafina took centre stage at the 11th edition of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon on 14 February 2026, rewarding the first ten groups to complete the 10-kilometre race with N1 million each. The initiative highlights the brand’s continued investment in fitness, wellness, and the spirit of collective achievement within Nigeria’s growing running community.

Under its campaign theme, “Run am with your Padi of Life,” Aquafina encouraged runners to participate alongside friends, teammates, and running crews, celebrating the role of support systems in pushing limits and sustaining performance.

Throughout the race, Aquafina ensured strong on-course visibility while providing hydration support to help participants maintain energy levels. Its on-ground activations added excitement for both runners and spectators, contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the event.

By rewarding groups rather than individual runners, Aquafina spotlighted the value of shared goals and mutual accountability. The N1 million prize elevated the competitive energy of the 10km race while reinforcing the importance of collaboration within Nigeria’s evolving fitness culture.

Widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most prestigious road races, the marathon once again attracted elite athletes, recreational runners, corporate teams, and fitness enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. Within this high-energy environment, Aquafina positioned itself as a trusted hydration partner supporting endurance and peak performance.

Speaking after the race, Funso Elubeku, Assistant General Manager at Seven-Up Bottling Company (SBC), said:

“The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon represents resilience, discipline, and the power of community. Through Aquafina, we ensured participants remained hydrated while celebrating the teamwork and support that helped runners push beyond their limits. Rewarding the first ten finishers underscores our commitment to recognising dedication, performance, and personal achievement.”

Aquafina’s presence at the marathon underscores its broader mission to promote active lifestyles and support platforms that inspire healthier living, strengthening its connection with Nigeria’s fitness community through meaningful engagement.

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