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SWAN confers fellowship award on sahel sports news editor, Abdulgafar Oladimeji

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The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN has honored the news editor, sahel sports news, Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji with the professional status of the Fellow of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, FSWAN.

 

The association in a letter dated October 13, 2025, signed by the secretary general of the association, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo said the recognition is given to Abdulgafar Oladimeji , for his outstanding professionalism and enduring service to the growth and strength of sports journalism in Nigeria.

 

Amb. Ikenna said “ as a valued pioneer and pillar in our profession this recognition is a token of appreciation for your sacrifice and legacy in promoting excellence and credibility in sports reporting.

Our checks reveal that, Abdulgafar Oladimeji began his sports journalism career in 1996 as a cub sports reporter with now defunct People and Events newspaper.

In his career as a journalist, he worked as a freelance sports presenter with Super Screen TV in Lagos, before he travelled abroad to work with Daily Express newspaper, he served as the West African correspondent with goal.com.

He is the founding sports editor of Daily Express newspaper, republic of The Gambia. He also served as the co sports anchor, sportsfile with wel respected African sports media guru, Peter Gomez, West Coast Radio, The Gambia, co anchor sports panorama with veteran sports journalist, Moses Ndene , City Limit Radio , The Gambia.

He returned to Nigeria in 2007, he worked briefly with Independent newspaper as a special correspondent, before joining Daily Trust newspaper as a reporter , he worked with National Mirrors , Kano Correspondent, then proceed to Leadership newspaper also as Kano correspondent.

Abdulgafar Oladimeji is in the era of the pioneer digital sports journalists in Nigeria, when founded pyramid sports news in 2007.

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He played an frontline role in founding the now defunct judicialsketch.com, pyramiitportsnews ,com, he is the CEO of Bantabba Sports owners of sahelsportsnews.com.

He is currently member of the editorial board, Nigerian tracker,.

He obtained his certificate in arbitration from Chattered Institute of Arbitration, CiArb in 2013, he is currently member of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, ICCA, Netherland.

He is winner of the City Limits awards in 2007. He has facilitated over 30 sports journalism human resource development sessions organized by SWAN, NFCA, SWIBODA, CS-CRIN. GPSJA.

 

Abdulgafar Oladimeji is an doctoral fellow of the Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management, he hold qualifications in philosophy, journalism and law from renown institutions in the UK, Qatar, France and Ireland.

Aside his degree in the field of philosophy, he obtained over 60 Continuous Professional Development . CPD certificates from prestigious institutions from across the globe.

In the years of his work as a sports journalist, covering major global sports events, Abdulgafar Oladimeji has travelled to over 30 countries across Africa, America and Asia.

An PFSA and IPSO football scout, he is a licensed Corporate and Business law consultant.

He is the founder, Sports Without Borders development Association. SWIBODA, he is the CEO Naim Adebayo Limited, Arab republic of Egypt.

Nigeria electoral umpire, INEC Kano, under Prof Risqua Arabu Shehu in 2023 had appointed Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji as an INEC Youth and Sports ambassador.

He is the CEO, Wazobia Sports Events services , state of Qatar.

Born in Kano in 1975, into the family of Alhaji Busari Oladimeji of the Gbadamosi family in Offa, Abdulgafar Olawale Oladimeji is an indigene of Offa, Kwara state.

He has two handbook to his credit, namely “Know The Game” and “Laws you Must Know As A Journalist.”

A renown clergy and sports commentator, Pastor Joseph Andishu described Abdugafar as an sports institution.

According to him, Abdulgafar has always demonstrated how sports could be deployed to develop citizens and also communal growth.

He said “ one quality has stood Abdulgafar tall like an iroko, he is decent, transparent and a firm believer in huma development through sports.”

Pastor Andishu prayed that God would continue to grow SWAN and endowed it with the right membership roll call that would be forthright in the pursuit of the truth in their work , serving as the mirror of the society. He enjoined SWA members to aways remain fearless and dedicated to their work and service to humanity.

In his reaction , Abdulgafar Oladimeji said ” this is heart warming and distinguish, distinguish in the sense that this is an award that is recognized by SWAN statues.
” I am delighted and am happy, I am a SWAN person and would always be one all the days of my life. Thank you SWAN for the honour.”
” I dedicate this award to my maternal grand father, his royal highness ,late chief Samson Andishu.

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Kwankwasiyya Coalition Condemns Governor Yusuf’s Defection to APC, Calls Move a Betrayal of Kano Mandate

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The Coalition of Kwankwasiyya Support Groups has strongly opposed the defection of Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a betrayal of trust and a disregard for the mandate given by the people.

Addressing a press conference on behalf of the coalition, its Chairman, Hon. Usman Namama, said the governor’s decision had shocked millions of Nigerians, particularly the people of Kano State who overwhelmingly supported him at the polls.

Namama stated that democracy thrives on transparency, loyalty, and accountability, stressing that political leaders owe it to the electorate to consult widely before making decisions that fundamentally alter the mandate they were given.

According to him, Kano’s political history has consistently shown that the people do not tolerate betrayal. He recalled how the late Malam Aminu Kano laid the foundation for progressive politics in the state, which later brought the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi to power, noting that Rimi was voted out in 1983 after falling out with his mentor.

He also referenced the political journey of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who lost his re-election bid in 2003 as an incumbent governor but accepted the outcome with humility, a gesture that later strengthened his bond with the people and paved the way for his political comeback.

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Namama further recalled that Kwankwaso later supported Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje to become governor in 2015, only for Ganduje to later sever ties with his political benefactor, a development he said further reinforced the recurring lesson of Kano politics.

The coalition chairman said Senator Kwankwaso subsequently introduced Abba Kabir Yusuf into the political family under the NNPP platform, adding that Kano voters rallied behind Yusuf largely because of their trust in Kwankwaso’s leadership and judgment.

“Despite legal battles, intimidation and other challenges, the will of the people prevailed, and Abba Kabir Yusuf emerged as governor because the people believed in Senator Kwankwaso,” Namama said.

He expressed deep disappointment that the governor had now chosen to defect to another party, describing the move as a repetition of past betrayals against Kwankwaso.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Namama declared that its members remained firmly loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, insisting that their allegiance was not to any political party but to character, sacrifice, and proven leadership.

“Our loyalty is to Kwankwaso. Whoever he supports, we will support. Whoever he endorses, we will vote for, and wherever he leads, we will follow,” he said.

He emphasized that the relationship between Kwankwaso and his supporters was rooted in trust, consistency, and shared struggle, adding that the coalition represented the grassroots voters who form the backbone of democracy in Kano State.

Namama concluded by stating that the coalition was patiently awaiting directives from Senator Kwankwaso, warning that the people, history, and the political class were closely watching developments in the state.

The press conference was attended by members of the media, Kwankwasiyya supporters, and other invited stakeholders

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Hikima Radio Appoints Auwal King Abdul Aziz As Station Manager

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The Management of Hikima Radio & TV, Kano, hereby announces some strategic changes in its leadership and departmental structure. These changes take immediate effect and are aimed at strengthening operations and improving the quality of service delivery across the station.

After careful consideration, Management has approved the following appointments:
Mr. Auwal Mohd. Abdulaziz has been appointed Acting Station Manager with immediate effect and will assume all duties and responsibilities of the office.
Ms. Zainab Namadi Haruna will temporarily oversee the Programs Department, in addition to her current role as Head of News and Current Affairs.
Mr. Mubarak Auwal has been appointed Acting Head of the Political Unit and New Media with immediate effect.
Veteran journalist, Muhammad Musa Muhammad Inyaa, will continue to serve as Acting Managing Director.

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Management reaffirms its commitment to growth, professionalism, and periodic restructuring where necessary. These decisions align with our vision to sustain excellence, innovation, and high standards in broadcasting at Hikima Radio & TV.

 

 

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As ES Kano History And Culture Bureau, Ahmad, Is Set For National Award of Excellence

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By BALA BATURE KARAMI

Stage is set for the Executive Secretary, Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Arc Ahmad Abba Yusuf, for an Award of Excellence, among many selected, screened and chosen, for an Award concerning the protection of our history and culture around Nigerian communities, through established state agencies.

An amalgamated and just infused together spaces, of different platforms under the aegis of Protection of African Culture Forum (PACUF), based in Edo state, reaches an advanced stage for the presentation of Awards of different categories, to some selected and lucky Nigerians, who play important role in promoting and protecting Nigerian history and culture, in the year 2025.

Chief Executive Officers of states’ history and culture departments or agencies are one of the categories chosen for the proposed Award of Excellence in the area. Kano’s Executive Secretary of the History Bureau, Arc Ahmad, is among the top prospective Awardees, for this distinguishing recognition among other selected Nigerians.

From the preliminary report of the assessment, it is hinted that, the Forum is keen about how Kano’s ES makes headway in preserving the ancient history of Kano and the culture of the citizens, altogether.

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The research shows that, Kano Bureau was neglected for many years by the previous administrations in the state. But the coming of the present Governor, Eng Abba Kabir Yusuf, who appointed Arc Ahmad as the Executive Secretary of the Board, makes rooms for sustainable development in the area. As it also deepens commitment and clarity of purpose of the current administration in history and culture spaces.

With the Award, it means, the state could attract foreign intervention from governments and other development partners, in the area of cultural exchange and exploration in the culture of global communities.

Where Kano could create corridor for such engagements. With this, we can also understand that, an Award for Arc Ahmad, means an Award for Kano state.

The Award, according to my source of information, will take place in Lagos or Abuja, for wider media coverage. Not minding where the event would take place, the main objective of the situation is, Kano, is becoming another turning point for cultural preservation and historical advancement. For the overall development of our dear nation.

As such, Kano is fast becoming a melting pot where cultural efforts and historical benevolence are well protected, preserved and presented for better consumption. Whereas the state government’s effort is being rekindled, re-engineered, reinforced, redirected and rejuvenated. Kudos to the people’s Governor, Eng Yusuf.

Arc Ahmad’s sterling qualities, as an Executive Secretary, creates other opportunities for the Bureau in incorporating the agency with other similar agencies across the nation. As well as breaking global barriers, that were hitherto in a state of comatose.

Ahmad’s involvement in making the agency greater under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, keeps our history and culture alive and competing with other administrative spaces in governance.

When history and culture are kept alive, there is every likelihood that, society becomes upright, enduring endearing and progressive in its own right.

The research believes that with the kind support the Bureau is getting from Governor Yusuf, Kano History and Culture Bureau would bounce back to glory. With Arc Ahmad, the current state administration, is capable enough to rewrite history of feats achieved from all standpoints.

Karami writes from Abuja
06/02/2026

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