Nigeria News (Standard)
Cape Town to Host First African Qualifier as World Schools Chess Championship Expands Continental Reach
Nigeria Chess Federation urges schools to register for July event; winner to join Asia, Americas, Europe at global final
Nigeria Chess Federation urges schools to register for July event; winner to join Asia, Americas, Europe at global final
The Nigeria Chess Federation has called on school teams nationwide to prepare for the first-ever African qualifier of the World Schools Team Chess Championship, set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa from 6th to 11th July. The move follows FIDE’s decision to expand the championship’s format to include separate continental stages ahead of the grand final in December.
According to organisers, school teams across Africa must register through their national chess federations for a chance to compete in the Cape Town event. The winner will represent Africa at the December grand final, joining continental champions from Asia, the Americas, and Europe. This marks a significant shift from previous editions, which did not feature a distinct African qualifying stage.
The 2026 cycle began in April with the Asian Continental Stage held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where 26 teams from 19 countries participated. Wisdom School of Tashkent emerged victorious and secured a slot at the grand final. Kurchatov School of Moscow and Velammal MHS School of Chennai placed second and third respectively. The Americas qualifier is scheduled for August in San José, Costa Rica, while a European tournament will be held before December’s global showdown.
Chess stakeholders say the new format is expected to deepen school-level competition across Nigeria and increase opportunities for young players to compete internationally. Officials at the Nigeria Chess Federation have welcomed FIDE’s decision and are urging interested schools to complete registration promptly through official channels.
With Africa now included in the path to global chess honours, attention will turn to Cape Town next month as Nigerian school teams aim for a historic qualification spot. Further details on fixtures and team lists are expected from organisers ahead of the July kick-off.
Source: https://guardian.ng/sport/school-chess-goes-continental-as-wstc-adds-an-african-qualifier/
Nigeria News (Standard)
Lagos Police Foil Attempted Abduction of Newborns by Woman Disguised as Nurse
Suspect apprehended after hospital staff raised alarm; incident highlights growing concerns over child abduction in health facilities
Suspect apprehended after hospital staff raised alarm; incident highlights growing concerns over child abduction in health facilities
A woman disguised as a nurse was apprehended at a Lagos hospital on Thursday after allegedly attempting to abduct newborn babies, according to reports from hospital authorities. The incident occurred within the premises of an undisclosed health centre in Lagos, where vigilant staff noticed suspicious behaviour and intervened promptly.
Eyewitnesses said the suspect, who was dressed in a nurse’s uniform, tried to blend in with regular hospital personnel before making her move towards the maternity ward. She reportedly attempted to take away two infants before being challenged by staff members, who quickly alerted security officers attached to the facility. The woman was subsequently detained pending further investigation.
Cases of child abduction from hospitals have become an increasing source of worry for many Nigerians, particularly in urban centres like Lagos. Health sector stakeholders have repeatedly called for tighter security measures and better verification processes for staff and visitors to prevent such incidents. Many families remain cautious about leaving their children unattended in public hospitals due to these fears.
Hospital management commended the vigilance of its staff and urged parents to always be on guard while within medical facilities. “Our team acted swiftly when they noticed something was amiss,” a senior official at the hospital stated. “We will continue to strengthen our protocols to protect patients and their families.” Efforts to reach Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer for additional comments were unsuccessful as at press time.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and the suspect will be handed over to law enforcement for possible prosecution. The incident has reignited discussions on the need for hospitals across Nigeria to enhance surveillance and ensure that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive wards.
Nigeria News (Standard)
CISLAC, HEDA Condemn Assault on Sowore and Mob Killing in Kaduna
Civil society groups urge government to ensure accountability after recent violence against journalist and mob victim
Civil society groups urge government to ensure accountability after recent violence against journalist and mob victim
Two leading Nigerian civil society organisations, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), have strongly condemned the recent assault on journalist Omoyele Sowore as well as a mob killing incident in Kaduna State. The condemnations were made public on Thursday, following growing concerns over attacks on press freedom and rising cases of mob justice across the country.
The groups expressed alarm over the physical attack on Mr Sowore, who has been a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights in Nigeria. They also decried the reported lynching of a yet-to-be-identified individual by a mob in Kaduna, calling attention to the dangers such incidents pose to rule of law and public safety.
CISLAC and HEDA said these violent acts reflect a troubling pattern that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions. They stressed that both journalists and ordinary citizens must be protected from arbitrary violence if confidence in the justice system is to be restored. The organisations called on government at all levels to investigate both incidents thoroughly and bring perpetrators to book.
In their statements, CISLAC and HEDA urged security agencies to respect citizens’ rights while carrying out their duties. They also called for improved public enlightenment campaigns to discourage mob actions, which often result in the loss of innocent lives. Both groups reiterated that attacks on journalists threaten freedom of expression guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution.
The civil society bodies further appealed to lawmakers and policymakers to strengthen legal protections for journalists and introduce stiffer penalties for those found guilty of mob violence. They emphasised that justice must not only be done but seen to be done, warning that unchecked attacks could embolden others. As at press time, there was no official response from security agencies regarding investigations into either incident.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Access Holdings Executive Director Retires from Board, Company Announces Leadership Transition
Retirement marks significant change in Lagos-based financial institution’s board composition as company initiates succession planning
Retirement marks significant change in Lagos-based financial institution’s board composition as company initiates succession planning
Access Holdings Plc has announced the retirement of one of its executive directors from the company’s board, signalling a major leadership change within the Lagos-based financial group. The announcement was made public on Thursday, 25 June 2026, by the firm’s management.
According to information released by Access Holdings, the retirement of the executive director takes effect immediately and is part of an ongoing process to strengthen corporate governance and reposition the board for future growth. The company did not disclose the name of the outgoing executive director or provide details regarding their years of service at press time.
The move comes as Nigeria’s banking sector continues to undergo significant regulatory and market-driven changes, with increased focus on transparency and board renewal among listed companies. Access Holdings, which is one of Nigeria’s largest financial services groups with subsidiaries in banking, insurance and asset management, has consistently emphasised adherence to best practices in board appointments and retirements.
The company stated that it is already implementing a succession plan to ensure continuity and maintain investor confidence. While no official statement has been issued by shareholders or industry analysts regarding this development, Access Holdings noted that further information about the successor and any interim arrangements will be communicated in due course.
Industry watchers say such leadership transitions are not uncommon in Nigeria’s competitive financial sector, especially as institutions seek to align with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) guidelines on board tenure and governance. The retirement is expected to pave way for new perspectives at Access Holdings as it continues to expand its footprint across Africa.
Lagos Police Foil Attempted Abduction of Newborns by Woman Disguised as Nurse
CISLAC, HEDA Condemn Assault on Sowore and Mob Killing in Kaduna
Access Holdings Executive Director Retires from Board, Company Announces Leadership Transition
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