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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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JUST IN: National Assembly to Re-gazette Tax Laws Amid Controversy

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

 

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four major tax reform acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions officially passed by parliament, following public controversy over discrepancies in the published laws.

In a Friday statement, House Spokesman Akin Rotimi said the leadership of both chambers authorized the move to “protect the integrity of the legislative record,” describing it as an administrative step to accurately reflect parliamentary decisions.

The directive addresses growing scrutiny over the Nigeria Tax Act (2025), Nigeria Tax Administration Act (2025), Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act (2025), and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act (2025)—particularly concerning harmonization of bills, documentation sent for presidential assent, and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.

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Rotimi emphasized that the legislature is addressing the matter within its constitutional authority. Last week, the House formed a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the legislative and administrative handling of the acts.

“The Committee, alongside relevant National Assembly bodies, is conducting an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and identify any contributing factors,” he stated, noting the review will examine potential “lapses, irregularities, or external interferences.”

The process, he added, complies fully with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and parliamentary standing orders.

While the re-gazetting aims to “clear any ambiguity,” Rotimi clarified that the review “does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority.” He also stated the action is without prejudice to other arms of government and does not affect existing rights or legal processes.

Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law, the House pledged to take “appropriate corrective measures” if procedural refinements are needed.

The public was urged to allow the institutional process to proceed “without speculation or conjecture.”

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Airstrikes: Activist Sowore Decries Reckless Breach of Sovereignty By the U.S Government

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a fierce condemnation of a confirmed U.S. military airstrike inside Nigeria, labeling the action a dangerous breach of sovereignty and an “imperialist move” by President Donald Trump.

Sowore’s warning follows President Trump’s announcement on Truth Social that he had ordered a “powerful and deadly strike” against ISIS fighters in northwest Nigeria. Trump justified the operation, stating the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians” and that he had delivered promised retribution: “there was hell to pay.”

While the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the strike was conducted “at the request of Nigerian authorities,” Sowore argued that direct foreign military intervention is a catastrophic precedent.

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“Nobody should be rejoicing about this,” Sowore stated. “The U.S. could help the Nigerian military, but U.S. military carrying out an attack inside Nigeria is extremely dangerous, reckless, and bad.”

He described the event as “a sad day for the so-called African liberation and Independence.”

The strike triggered panic on the ground in Sokoto State. Residents of Jabo village reported a sudden, loud explosion on Christmas night, with many fearing an imminent attack. “It happened suddenly… The explosion caused fear, but thank God it did not land among people,” one eyewitness said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed gratitude for “Nigerian government support & cooperation” and ominously added there would be “more to come.”

The operation marks a sharp and controversial escalation of U.S. counter-terrorism activity in West Africa, raising urgent questions about sovereignty, foreign intervention, and the future of regional security partnerships.

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Nigeria Aides U.S in Sokoto Airstrike Against ISIS

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Donald J. Trump has announced that the United States carried out targeted military strikes against ISIS–affiliated militants in north-west Nigeria, marking a sharp escalation in American counter-terrorism operations in West Africa.

In a late-night statement published on Truth Social, the U.S. President said the operation was conducted under his direct orders as Commander-in-Chief, describing it as “a powerful and deadly strike” aimed at extremist elements responsible for repeated attacks in the region.

According to Mr Trump, the militants had been involved in brutal assaults on local communities, particularly targeting Christian populations. He said he had previously warned the group of consequences if the violence continued.

“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians… I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was,” the statement read in part.

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He added that the “Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes,” asserting that the U.S. would not allow extremist groups to flourish under his leadership.

While the President praised the American military, he also issued a stern warning to the militants, saying there would be further consequences if attacks on civilians persisted.

Confirming the development, the Nigerian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that it provided the intelligence needed to the United States government concerning the airstrike.

“In line with established international practice and bilateral understandings, this cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security,” said the ministry.

It further stated that Nigerian authorities remain engaged in structured security cooperation with international partners, including the United States of America, in addressing the persistent threat of terrorism and violent extremism.

On the particular location of the strike in the northwestern part of the country, netizens, particularly from Sokoto State, have confirmed that a rocket landed in Jabo Ward, under Tambuwal LG of Sokoto State, Nigeria this same night.

Similarly, the United States Africa Command(AFRICOM), an organization responsible for the United States military operations in the continent, in a series of posts on X, said the airstrikes were launched based on requests of the Nigerian government.

“AFRICOM conducted a strike at the request of Nigerian authorities in Sokoto State killing multiple ISIS terrorists. Lethal strikes against ISIS demonstrate the strength of our military and our commitment to eliminating terrorist threats against Americans at home and abroad,” the statement reads.

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