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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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Mahanga TV appoints former AREWA24 staff Zuwairiyah Girei as MD

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Mahanga TV, a Kano-based television station, has appointed former AREWA24 staff member Zuwairiyah Adamu Girei as its new Managing Director, bringing her more than 14 years of experience in Hausa-language television production and broadcasting to the organisation.

Girei was formally welcomed into her new role during a reception held at Mahanga TV’s premises in Kano on Monday, November 2, 2026, marking a new phase in the organisation’s growthe barely three months after its launch.

Speaking at the reception, Girei expressed excitement over her appointment, describing her experience at AREWA24 as a significant milestone in her professional journey.

She said she would draw on the knowledge and experience acquired during her time at the television station to strengthen Mahanga TV and drive it towards greater achievements.

“All the experience I have at AREWA24, I will bring here, and I think I will do extraordinary because I know what I have learnt there. I pray that we will see success beyond our expectations,” she said.

Outlining her vision for Mahanga TV, the new Managing Director said the organisation would look beyond Northern Nigeria and target audiences across Africa and the rest of the world.

She identified the large Hausa-speaking population as a major opportunity for the industry, noting that despite the challenges facing Hausa-language broadcasting, the sector has a substantial audience.

“We have over 60 million Hausa speakers in Nigeria, so I think we have a target audience we have to try to reach,” she said.

Girei said her leadership would focus on understanding audience expectations, introducing improvements and positioning Hausa productions for international recognition.

“Our thinking is pan-African; our thinking is the world. Our thinking is now how can Hausa film reach the Oscars. That is the thinking,” she said.

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Looking ahead to the next decade, she expressed her ambition to see Mahanga TV secure three to four Academy Awards, earn international recognition and become a household name among viewers across different age groups.

She said she envisioned a future where Mahanga TV would be the preferred television platform in homes, with both adults and children identifying with its programmes.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mahanga TV, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, said Girei’s appointment was informed by the organisation’s rapid growth and the need for experienced leadership to sustain its progress.

Balarabe explained that he initially served as both Managing Director and CEO but decided to appoint a dedicated Managing Director to oversee the organisation’s daily operations and provide the leadership required to sustain its expanding activities.

He said the organisation needed someone who could provide consistent leadership and maintain its momentum as it continued to grow.

“She is well experienced, and I’m sure she will use that experience to take the organisation further from where it is,” he said.

Balarabe disclosed that Mahanga TV had recorded progress beyond its initial expectations within three months of launching, attributing the achievement to the dedication of its staff, consultants and advisers.

He said the organisation was expanding its content offerings through original productions and partnerships with independent producers to provide audiences with engaging programmes.

He also urged viewers to continue supporting the station and sharing feedback through its social media platforms and WhatsApp channel, assuring them that the organisation remained open to suggestions as it worked to improve its services.

Reaffirming the organisation’s broader ambition, Balarabe said Mahanga TV was committed to ensuring that Hausa stories, culture and experiences reached audiences across the world.

“We have a beautiful tale happening in Northern Nigeria, and I believe it is only we that can tell our own story. We want to make sure all our stories are told and they reach every part of the world,” he said.

Also speaking, Mahanga TV’s Creative Director and Brand Manager, Abdulbasit Abanikanda, described Girei’s appointment as a timely development that would strengthen the organisation’s management structure and provide better direction for its expanding workforce.

Abanikanda recalled that Mahanga TV started with a team of just three people but had since grown considerably, making the appointment of an experienced manager necessary to coordinate its activities.

He expressed confidence in Girei’s ability to advance the station’s creative vision, noting that her ambition of taking Hausa stories to audiences across the world aligned with the organisation’s objectives.

With Girei’s appointment, Mahanga TV aims to consolidate its early progress, strengthen its content production and expand the reach of Hausa storytelling, creating opportunities for Northern Nigeria’s stories, culture and creative talent to gain wider national and international recognition.

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Kano Governor Nominates Ex- Speaker, Spokesperson as Commissioners

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Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has nominated his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, and a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Balarabe Sa’idu Gani, for appointment as commissioners.

The governor has forwarded their names to the Kano State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly is expected to screen the nominees on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

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In a statement issued on Monday, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the legislature had received a formal communication from Governor Yusuf requesting the screening of the two nominees.

He added that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Gani served as Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2007, while Bature currently serves as the governor’s spokesperson.

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2027: Rep Abubakar Kabir Bichi holds strategic meeting with Kano lawmakers

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The Chairman, House of representatives committee on appropriations Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, has convened a meeting of all APC State Assembly Members and 40 Candidates in the upcoming 2027 General elections, led by the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore.

Crucial issues were discussed on how best to coordinate their campaigns programs to deliver the APC, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

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The meeting was held at his Bichi office, Sunday evening 1st November 2026.

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