Sports – Page 2 – National Daily Newspaper

African Teams Dream Big in Pursuit of World Cup Glory

African teams dream big in pursuit of World Cup glory

African nations are entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed confidence and heightened expectations as the continent fields a record 10 teams in the expanded...

Bellingham says England better connected ahead of World Cup after lessons from Euro 2024

Football3 days ago

Bellingham says England better connected ahead of World Cup after lessons from Euro 2024

England midfielder Jude Bellingham has said the national team is entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a stronger sense of unity and connection than...

Opta SuperComputer predicts Spain as 2026 World Cup favourites with 16% winning chance

Football4 days ago

Opta SuperComputer predicts Spain as 2026 World Cup favourites with 16% winning chance

The Opta SuperComputer has predicted that Spain will emerge as champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, placing the reigning European champions at the...

Injury scare allegedly halts Serena Williams’ doubles return

Sports4 days ago

Injury scare allegedly halts Serena Williams’ doubles return

Reports circulating online suggest that former world number one Serena Williams’ doubles comeback appearance at Queen’s Club was cut short after her partner, rising Canadian tennis...

Nigeria left out as World Cup kicks off, fans react to Super Eagles’ absence

Football4 days ago

Nigeria left out as World Cup kicks off, fans react to Super Eagles’ absence

Emotional reactions have trailed Nigeria’s absence from the FIFA World Cup as the tournament begins without the Super Eagles, with fans and content creators expressing disappointment...

New York honors Thierry Henry, Pelé with street names ahead of 2026 World Cup

Featured4 days ago

New York honors Thierry Henry, Pelé with street names ahead of 2026 World Cup

New York City has honored football icons Thierry Henry and Pelé by temporarily renaming two streets after the legendary players as excitement builds ahead of the...

Rising Street Begging in Major Nigerian Cities Raises Concern Over Urban Poverty and Migration Pressures LAGOS, Nigeria — An increase in street begging across major Nigerian cities has sparked renewed concern among residents, urban planners, and social welfare advocates, with experts linking the trend to worsening urban poverty, rural-urban migration, and gaps in social support systems. In cities including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, more individuals—particularly women, children, and persons with disabilities—are being seen at busy intersections, markets, transport hubs, and religious centres, where they rely on alms for survival. The visible rise has prompted debate over the underlying economic and social drivers pushing vulnerable populations into street begging. Poverty and migration pressures driving the trend Social researchers and urban development analysts attribute the increase largely to deepening economic hardship, especially in low-income households affected by unemployment, inflation, and rising living costs. Many families migrating from rural areas to urban centres in search of better opportunities reportedly struggle to secure stable jobs or housing, forcing some into informal survival strategies. Experts also point to widening inequality between urban and rural areas, noting that cities continue to attract large populations without a corresponding expansion in social welfare infrastructure or affordable housing. Concerns over children and vulnerable groups Human rights advocates have raised particular concern over the presence of children among street beggars, warning that many are exposed to exploitation, unsafe environments, and interrupted education. Disability rights groups have also highlighted the lack of adequate social protection for persons with disabilities, many of whom rely on begging as a last resort for survival. There are growing calls for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and improved access to education and social support services to reduce the number of vulnerable individuals on the streets. Government and NGO responses In response to the trend, government agencies and non-governmental organizations have reportedly intensified outreach efforts, including rehabilitation programmes, street-to-school initiatives for children, and temporary shelters in some urban areas. Social welfare agencies have also been encouraged to expand identification and support systems for vulnerable populations. However, stakeholders say these interventions remain limited in scale compared to the size of the problem, citing funding constraints and insufficient coordination among relevant agencies. Some city authorities have also explored measures to discourage street begging in high-traffic areas, though such efforts have drawn criticism from advocacy groups who argue that enforcement alone does not address the root causes of poverty. Call for long-term solutions Policy experts emphasize that addressing the rise in street begging will require long-term investment in social welfare systems, job creation, and rural development to reduce migration pressure on urban centres. They also stress the need for integrated approaches that combine enforcement with rehabilitation, education, and economic empowerment programmes to support vulnerable individuals off the streets. As the debate continues, stakeholders warn that without coordinated intervention, the visibility of street begging in major cities is likely to persist, reflecting deeper structural challenges in Nigeria’s urban economy.

Featured4 days ago

Davido turns global spotlight on abducted Nigerian Schoolchildren at World Cup concert

Nigerian music star Davido used the global stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert to draw attention to the plight of abducted schoolchildren and...

Infantino defends FIFA amid visa disputes, ticket price backlash at 2026 World Cup

Football4 days ago

Infantino defends FIFA amid visa disputes, ticket price backlash at 2026 World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended football’s governing body against growing criticism over ticket prices and visa-related challenges as the 2026 FIFA World Cup...

Galatasaray enlists Osimhen to persuade Lookman in ambitious summer transfer move

Football6 days ago

Galatasaray enlists Osimhen to persuade Lookman in ambitious summer transfer move

Turkish champions Galatasaray have reportedly turned to Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in a bid to strengthen their chances of signing fellow Super Eagles star...

Omewa Double, Oshoala strike as Super Falcons beat Senegal 3–0 in friendly

Football6 days ago

Omewa double, Oshoala strike as Super Falcons beat Senegal 3–0 in friendly

The Nigeria women’s national football team secured a commanding 3–0 victory over Senegal in a friendly match, completing a double-header sweep with another dominant performance. Forward...