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On Saturday at Wembley, Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko in the 11th round to unify the heavyweight division and effectively become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. The British boxer’s win immediately triggered the question of his identity, nationality and how it all relates to his success. The 27-year-old former Olympic champion was unbeaten in 19 fights when he stepped into Wembley ring in front of 90,000 British fans and millions of Nigerians watching on television around the world. Born in Watford, England to a Nigerian mother and a British father of Nigerian and Irish heritage, Joshua spent some time in Nigeria before he returned to Britain at the age of seven. His exploits in boxing have always raised the question of how he identifies himself. It reached fever peak with his latest win. In an undated video interview with Nigerian sports journalist, Oma Akatugba, Joshua credited eba and egusi soup as the secret of his boxing success. ...

Born in Watford, England to a Nigerian mother and a British father of Nigerian and Irish heritage, Joshua spent some time in Nigeria before he returned to Britain at the age of seven

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says Nigeria will invite Anthony Joshua, world heavyweight champion, to the country. At the weekend, Joshua, who is of Nigerian descent, defeated Wladimir Klitschko, a far more experienced boxer, to emerge heavyweight champion. In a statement issued by Segun Adeyemi, media aide of the minister, on Tuesday, Mohammed congratulated the pugilist on his feat. He said the government would invite him to the country since he had indicated he would like to give something back to Nigeria. The minister said Nigeria was proud to be associated with the new unified world champion, whose Nigerian heritage he has publicly acknowledged. “My heart is in Nigeria, My heart is in Britain. I am a Nigerian man by blood, yes,” he quoted Joshua as saying in a recent interview, during which the boxer also said the secret of his success was eating pounded yam, eba and egusi. He hailed Joshua for his humility,...

The Federal Government on Monday in Abuja assured Nigerian workers of speedy passage of the new National Minimum Wage. President Muhammadu Buhari said this in a message to workers on the occasion marking the 2017 May Day Rally with the theme, “Labour Relations in Economic Recession: An Appraisal”. “I am happy to inform you that Government will give expeditious consideration to the proposal contained in the Technical Committee’s Report which was submitted to it on April 6, 2017. “Government will take necessary steps to implement the final recommendation of the Main Government/Labour Committee as it relates to the setting up the new National Minimum Wage Committee and the needed palliatives. “This is in order to reduce the discomfort currently being experienced by the Nigerian working class. “I want to assure you that government will continue to do all at its disposal to better the lots of all Nigerians and more importantly to provide a commensurate ...

Three former Nigerian leaders, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) yesterday met behind closed doors in Minna, the capital of Niger State. LEADERSHIP gathered that the meeting which lasted for over two hours was held at the hilltop home of former military president, IBB. It was learnt that visitors who usually besiege Babangida’s house were streamlined, with some of them stopped from entering the house ahead of the arrival of former President Obasanjo at about 3:00pm yesterday. Before the arrival of Obasanjo, former head of state, General Abubakar was already in IBB’s house waiting. On arrival, Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, recieved Obasanjo at Minna airport and took him to IBB home at hill top without official retinue. Sources told LEADERSHIP that the governor led Obasanjo to the inner chamber where the duo of IBB and Abubakar were waiting. It was learnt that after the usual pleasant...