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World Cup 2026: Journalists Urged to Promote Peace Through Sports at Sahel Sports Interactive Session

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Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Journalists have been urged to use their platforms to promote peace and unity through sports as preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The call was made during an interactive media session organized by Sahel Sports News in collaboration with the Kano State Library Board, and powered by the Fortress Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy (FOCHPA) and the Peace Initiative Network (PIN).

Delivering a keynote paper, Comrade Abbas Ibrahim, former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kano Council, emphasized the critical role of journalists in shaping narratives that foster peace. He noted that failure should not be seen as the opposite of success but rather as part of the journey toward achieving it.

“Failure is when you stop trying,” Ibrahim said. “Sports writers should write stories that promote peace among rival groups. We must check our words carefully, because the words we use can either build peace or fuel conflict.”

He recalled the tragic role of hate speech in the Rwandan genocide, where radio broadcasts incited violence that led to the massacre of over 800,000 Tutsis in just 100 days. He praised Rwanda’s post-genocide reforms under President Paul Kagame, which have fostered reconciliation and unity, including intermarriages between Hutus and Tutsis.

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“As journalists, we should stop taking sides when writing stories. We must rise and preach peace, setting our emotions aside to promote unity,” Ibrahim added.

 

The Chairman of the Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON), Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, commended the organizers, stressing that peace-building through sports is vital at a time when insecurity threatens communities.

“It is time for journalists to promote peace and encourage youth to engage in sports. With well-grounded initiatives, we can emphasize collaboration among communities and educate the citizenry. We are ready to work with journalists to promote peace,” Sumaila said.

In his remarks, Rilwanu Idris Maliksawa Garu, a member of the National Executive Committee of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), lamented Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 World Cup.

“Missing Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup is bad news for journalists and for the country. The NFF must go back to the grassroots to recruit national players. It should be a balanced process, 50-50, to ensure fairness and quality,” Garu stated.

 

Representing the Peace Initiative Network, Mr. Friday highlighted the unifying power of sports across cultural divides.

“Sports foster unity, teamwork, tolerance, and respect. It has the power to break barriers and bring people together. Among the youth, there are immense talents that can be nurtured through sports,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Kano State Library Board, Garba Ado Zakirai, pledged his support for the initiative, while Dr. Abdulgafar Oladimeji, News Editor of Sahel Sports News, emphasized the importance of professionalism in journalism.

“For journalists to achieve great feats in this profession, they must build themselves professionally and uphold the ethics of the craft,” Oladimeji said.

 

The interactive session urges intersection between sports, journalism, and peace-building. With Nigeria missing out on the 2026 World Cup, participants agreed that journalists have a responsibility not only to report sports but also to use their platforms to promote unity, resilience, and hope in society.

 

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Group warns Kwankwaso Against Using Social Media Handlers To undermine security and public order in Kano .

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The Kano Peace Coalition Group, has uncovered a report on how the Leader of Kwankwasiyya Movement, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, allegedly manipulate Youth groups to create uncertainty and chaos in the ancient City of Kano.

The State Coordinator of the Group, Datti Datti Tukur, said in a release, Tuesday, that the Youth’s who are members of Kwankwasiyya Movement from the branches of the Social Media, have recently taken on their accounts attacking prominent political figures including the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Abdullahi U GANDUJE and anyone that disagrees with his self serving political philosophy.
The group specifically singled out a case in which the Kwankwasiyya handlers degnirated the personality of Gov Yusuf depicting him in female attires wearing makeup.

Datti further added that, One of the characters involved in these atrocities was Abba Ibrahim Hussain aka Aiha, a notorious cyber stalker allegedly on the payroll of KWANKWASO.

“Available record shows that Hussain has been charged to a Magistrate Court 47 Zungeru Road, and reminded in Prison on 23 February 2026 for the offences of Cyber Bullying, Stalking and inciting public disturbances” by the DSS kano command.

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Similarly the Group also cited a case of one Abdulmajid Danbilki Kwamanda who was cautioned in the past by the security operatives for allegedly being used by Kwankwaso to denigrate the character of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and creat tension in the state.

The group further added that “Despite clear facts against him, Danbilki was neither detained nor harassed by the security Agency”.

They said, reports available to them, also identified one Samir Sani Hanga, Son of the Senator representing Kano Central, Sani Hanga, who was also accused of Cyber Bullying and Staking but cautioned by the security to desist from such criminal behavior in the presence of his father.

“Investigation also uncovered the involvement of one Abdullahi Aminu Warkal, another Kwankwasiyya social media handler who was alleged to have been harassed by the Security operatives.

“Report however indicated that Warkal was invited by the security agency to explain how he defrauded the government of N10 Million.

The Coordinator, appealed to Amnesty International who was said to have issued a statement alleging harassment of Political opponents in Kano to verify every claim with the spirit of fairness and professionalism before taking stand to avoid compromising the group’s reputation and credibility.

“That as a respected INGO, Amnesty International should not allow itself to be compromised by anybody but including KWANKWASO.”
The need to investigate and verify claims before rushing to the press is sacrosanct and complementary to the efforts of security agencies towards eradicating the menace of cyber bullying and disrespect for constituted authority.

He said, “Kano is a respected State with People of dignity, integrity and religious consciousness. No one will be happy to see some misguided individuals sponsored to disrespect elders and leaders. The Amnesty International should look at the issues of cyber bullying, stalking and incitement that clearly violates the law.

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President Tinubu Decorates Disu as New IGP

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decorated the newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, with his new rank at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The decoration took place during the swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday and attended by top government officials and some family members of the new acting IGP.

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With the swearing-in, the Acting IGP, Disu becomes Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.

His appointment follows the resignation of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The Presidency linked Egbetokun’s resignation to pressing family considerations.

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BREAKING: DSS Stalls Own Case Against El-Rufai, Claims Ex-Governor Not in Their Custody

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the scheduled arraignment of Nasir el-Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna State, until April 23.

Mr. el-Rufai is facing a three-count charge brought by the Department of State Services (DSS) related to the alleged unlawful interception of a telephone conversation. The charges stem from comments the former governor made during a television interview.

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The court had initially set Wednesday, February 25, for his arraignment. However, during Wednesday’s proceedings, Mr. el-Rufai was not produced in court.

Oluwole Aladedoyin, counsel for the prosecution, informed the court that the former governor is currently being detained by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with a separate matter.

“Unfortunately, the defendant is with the ICPC, and I do not know how far the investigation with the ICPC has gone,” Mr. Aladedoyin explained to the court.

The charges against the former governor pertain to an alleged breach of the Cybercrimes Act.

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