NFM Digest: Top Stories You Need to Know This Week
From the IOC’s new Olympics policy to rising concerns over gender-based violence in Nigeria, here are the stories that shaped the week.
- IOC Restricts Women’s Category to Biological Females Ahead of 2028 Olympics
The International Olympic Committee announced on March 26, 2026, that only biological females will be eligible to compete in women’s events at the 2028 Olympics, introducing mandatory genetic testing for athletes.
Under the new policy, athletes will undergo a one-time genetic test to confirm eligibility. The rule effectively excludes transgender women from competing in women’s events.
- Nigerian High Jumper Temitope Adeshina Named Mountain Region Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
Nigerian high jumper Temitope Adeshina has been named the Women’s Field Athlete of the Year for the Mountain Region by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, after an undefeated indoor season. The national record holder delivered a dominant performance throughout the season, placing her as one of the top collegiate high jumpers in the United States
- Comedian Princess Condemns Biola Adebayo Over Convicted Rapist Baba Ijesha Interview
Actress and comedian Princess Damilola Adekoya has strongly condemned actress and podcaster Biola Adebayo for interviewing Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, a convicted rapist. Princess accused Biola of insensitivity and causing deliberate pain to the family of a child sexual assault survivor.
Baba Ijesha, whose real name is Olanrewaju James, was convicted by a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on July 14, 2022, for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a 14-year-old girl, the foster daughter of Princess. He was sentenced to five and three years’ imprisonment, to run concurrently, and his name was added to the Lagos Sexual Offenders Register.
- Women in Jos Form Vigilante Group to Fight Insecurity
Women in Jos, Plateau State, have formed an all-female vigilante group to confront insecurity in their community. According to Reuters, the women patrol their neighbourhood nightly, armed with whips and identification cards.
The group is led by Blessing Ngozi Emmanuel, who stated that their presence has begun to yield results. It was formed four years ago following the death of the community’s main vigilante commander, known as Big Tan, after which the existing security force collapsed.
- Female Students Flee Ozoro After Rape Festival Assaults
In Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, panic has gripped Ozoro following the assault of women during the controversial traditional festival. Female students, particularly those of Delta State University, reportedly fled the community over safety concerns.
The development follows the Alue-Do festival, where viral videos showed groups of males chasing, stripping, gangraping and assaulting young women in public, sparking widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
