Once Rejected by Nigeria, How Anthony Joshua Became Champion of the World Tyson Fury accepts boxer’s challenge
Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report
The new IBF and WBA heavyweight champion of the world, Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua, could have fought Vladimir Klitschko, as world boxing champion, under the
green white green banner of Nigeria rather than the British Union Jack. But for one small and now ultimately significant rejection by Nigerian boxing officials
in 2008, when he wanted to represent the country of his parents at the Olympic Games, was to alter the course of history, ESPN reported yesterday.
Maybe his career would have taken an entirely different fork at the crossroads if he had been flying the green and white colours nearly a decade ago.
Joshua makes no secret of his Nigerian heritage. If anything, he embraces it. His middle name, Femi (short for Oluwafemi), is as Nigerian as they come. On numerous
Improved Dollar Liquidity May Boost Banks’ Earnings ... Page 10
occasions he has not been shy to speak about his Nigerian roots. Joshua was born in Watford to a Nigerian mother and a British father of Nigerian and Irish descent. He made his Continued on page 11
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NIA Probe Report Must Remain Classified, Bolaji Akinyemi Warns
NIA DG’s confession opens can of worms, causes disquiet among spy agencies DSS DG may be summoned, Oke to reappear tomorrow Bolaji Akinyemi in Abuja and Olawale Olaleye in Lagos A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, has warned that the report of the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo panel investigating the discovery of N13.3 billion in an apartment in Ikoyi by
the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should remain classified in order not to compromise national security. This is just as it emerged at the weekend that the panel is strongly considering at Continued on page 10
How Ekweremadu Rallied Igbos to Meet Kanu’s Bail Terms
IPOB names Fayose honourary Biafra governor, commends Soludo, Chidoka, others Olawale Olaleye in Lagos and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Interesting details have emerged on how the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in a space of 48 hours, rallied Igbos of different social strata
nationwide to meet the bail conditions handed down by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Continued on page 11
Police Arrest Sule Lamido over Utterances... Page 62
DESPITE GABRIEL SUSWAM’S DETENTION, THERE IS REASON TO CELEBRATE Wife of former Benue State Governor, Mrs. Yemisi Suswam (centre), flanked by other family members when she celebrated her 50th birthday at the central parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Abuja… yesterday. Mrs. Suswam’s husband has been in the custody of the Department of State Services without being charged to court for about 60 days on allegations of being in possession of firearms