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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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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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