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Lagos Boxer Esepo Signs Management Deal With Balmoral Promotions, Eyes World Title

Lightweight champion Taiwo Agbaje says partnership with Lagos-based Balmoral will boost Nigerian boxing and his global ambitions

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Lightweight champion Taiwo Agbaje says partnership with Lagos-based Balmoral will boost Nigerian boxing and his global ambitions

Undefeated Nigerian lightweight champion, Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje, has signed a management and promotional deal with Balmoral Promotions, a leading Lagos-based sports management company. The official signing took place on Wednesday, 12 June 2026, in Lagos State, as Agbaje looks to advance his professional career on both local and international stages.

Agbaje, who boasts an unblemished record of 19 wins and no losses, recently clinched the WBA Africa lightweight title after defeating Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo by unanimous decision in April. The Mushin-born boxer described the new deal as the most important step of his career so far. “I feel so good because this is the type of deal I have been looking for in my life. I believe that Balmoral Promotions is the best promotion in Nigeria,” Agbaje said during the contract signing ceremony.

Balmoral Promotions is known for its ‘Chaos in The Ring’ boxing franchise and has become one of the most ambitious outfits in Nigeria’s growing sports sector. The company aims to provide a platform for Nigerian boxers to gain recognition and compete at global levels. Industry observers say Agbaje’s signing could inspire more young talents from Lagos and beyond to pursue boxing professionally.

Speaking at the event, Ezekiel Adamu, Chief Executive Officer of Balmoral Promotions, said the company was committed to supporting homegrown talent and raising the profile of Nigerian boxing internationally. “We believe Esepo has what it takes to become a world champion, and we are ready to give him all the support he needs,” Adamu stated.

With this new partnership, Agbaje is expected to feature in upcoming high-profile bouts organised by Balmoral Promotions. Boxing analysts say this move could open doors for international title fights and sponsorships for the Nigerian champion.

Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/undefeated-boxing-champion-esepo-joins-balmoral-management-group/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

Daddy Freeze Explains Wearing Black at Alex Ekubo’s Service of Songs in Lagos

Media personality says black attire reflects mourning, as Nollywood remembers late actor who died at 40

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33 minutes ago

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June 14, 2026

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Media personality says black attire reflects mourning, as Nollywood remembers late actor who died at 40

Media personality Daddy Freeze has clarified why he chose to wear black to the service of songs held in honour of late Nollywood actor Alex Ekubo in Lagos on Sunday. Speaking during an Instagram Live session, Daddy Freeze said he wore black because he saw the event as a moment of mourning and not a celebration.

The service of songs, which took place on June 10, 2026, at The Monarch Event Centre in Lekki, was attended by family members, colleagues and friends who gathered to pay their last respects to Ekubo. The actor died on May 11, 2026, at the age of 40 after a battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

According to Daddy Freeze, wearing black was his way of expressing respect for the departed and aligning with what he described as the somber mood of the occasion. He explained during his live broadcast that while some people may choose colourful attire for such gatherings, for him it was important to acknowledge the pain and loss felt by many in the entertainment industry.

Ekubo’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes across social media and within Nollywood circles. Stakeholders have described him as a talented actor whose presence will be greatly missed. Many noted that his struggle with illness highlighted challenges faced by actors in accessing quality healthcare.

Further funeral arrangements are expected to continue this week, with industry associations urging government and relevant bodies to invest more in health insurance and welfare schemes for entertainers. As the film community mourns Ekubo’s passing, tributes continue to pour in from fans and colleagues nationwide.

Source: https://guardian.ng/life/why-i-wore-black-to-alex-ekubos-service-of-songs-daddy-freeze/

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Nigeria News (Standard)

NBA Anti-Corruption Committee, LPDC Demand Tougher Sanctions for Unethical Lawyers in Abuja

Legal bodies call for stricter penalties as concerns mount over rising professional misconduct within Nigeria’s legal sector

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June 14, 2026

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Legal bodies call for stricter penalties as concerns mount over rising professional misconduct within Nigeria’s legal sector

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Anti-Corruption Committee and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) have jointly called for more stringent disciplinary measures against lawyers found guilty of unethical conduct. The demand was made in Abuja on Sunday, as both bodies expressed worry over increasing cases of professional misconduct among legal practitioners.

According to the NBA Anti-Corruption Committee, recent incidents have highlighted lapses in the current disciplinary framework, prompting urgent appeals for reforms that will deter errant lawyers from tarnishing the image of the profession. The LPDC echoed these sentiments, emphasising that weak sanctions undermine public confidence in the legal system and compromise justice delivery in Nigeria.

The call comes amid mounting complaints from members of the public and stakeholders about unethical behaviour by some lawyers, including allegations of corruption and abuse of privilege. The NBA said it is committed to upholding high ethical standards and warned that failure to act decisively could erode trust in the legal sector at a time when Nigerians are increasingly demanding accountability from public institutions.

In separate statements, both committees urged relevant authorities to review existing disciplinary procedures and introduce tougher penalties for proven cases of misconduct. They also encouraged lawyers to adhere strictly to professional codes, noting that self-regulation remains crucial to maintaining integrity within the bar.

The NBA and LPDC said they will continue working together to propose amendments aimed at strengthening the enforcement of discipline among legal practitioners nationwide. Further consultations with key stakeholders are expected as part of efforts to restore confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/887618-nba-anti-corruption-committee-lpdc-seek-stronger-disciplinary-action-against-unethical-lawyers.html

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Nigeria News (Standard)

South African Women Protest Deportation of Foreign Workers, Warn of Factory Closures

Protesters urge President Ramaphosa to halt xenophobic policies, citing threat to jobs and textile industry survival

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June 14, 2026

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Protesters urge President Ramaphosa to halt xenophobic policies, citing threat to jobs and textile industry survival

A group of South African women marched through major cities on Friday, protesting renewed efforts to deport foreign workers and warning that such actions could force many local factories to shut down. The demonstration comes as anti-immigration sentiments rise across South Africa, with calls for tighter deportation measures against undocumented migrants.

The protesters, most of whom work in the clothing and textile industry, carried banners reading ‘No to Xenophobia’ and ‘Foreigners Must Stay.’ Many insisted that factories depend heavily on skilled migrant workers—especially machinists—and that removing them would threaten the jobs of both South Africans and foreigners. One participant, who identified herself as a five-year factory worker, said: ‘When they are taking the foreigners away, that’s the foreigners who are giving us jobs. We won’t have jobs.’

This protest highlights growing anxiety among workers in sectors facing skills shortages. According to the demonstrators, employers have struggled for years to find and keep qualified local machinists for factory positions. They claimed many South Africans hired for these roles often quit soon after joining, while foreign workers tend to stay longer and help keep production lines operational. ‘Most of the foreigners are machinists. We don’t have local machinists,’ another protester stated.

The women appealed directly to President Cyril Ramaphosa, urging government to rethink any mass deportation policy targeting foreign nationals in the workforce. ‘Mr Ramaphosa, you can’t chase the foreigners. They are part of us, they are our people,’ one protester said during the rally. The group stressed their action was about safeguarding both migrant and local livelihoods in a challenging economic climate.

Their demonstration comes at a time when South Africa is considering charging other countries for the repatriation costs of undocumented immigrants—a move that could affect Nigeria and other nations with citizens working in South Africa’s industries. As debates continue over immigration laws and employment priorities, protesters argue that removing foreign workers without adequate replacements could result in widespread job losses and deepen economic hardship for ordinary families.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/if-foreigners-leave-we-are-finished-south-african-women-take-to-the-streets-to-protest-xenophobia-deportations-2026061417534726035

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