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Ganduje Decries the Poor Funding of NLO Clubs, Advocates Economic Diversification Through Sports

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji

The immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on public and private sector business operators past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on public and private sector business operators to embark on massive investments in grassroots sports development programmes as a tool to empower Nigerian youths and diversify the economy.

The former governor, who is the grand patron of Ganduje Babes FC, said that the development of young athletes, provision of adequate and quality sports infrastructure, alongside major sponsorships of grassroots sports events, are among the foremost approaches through which Nigeria’s human and capital development agenda can be further achieved.

Speaking when he received the players and officials of the Nationwide League One (NLO) side, Gandujiyya Babes, who paid him a courtesy visit, Ganduje thanked the management of the club for their persistence and consistency in running the affairs of the club since its inception a decade ago.

He decried the austerity pattern that had recently trailed the disbursement of support funds to amateur football clubs in Kano, reassuring NLO clubs in the state that with the latest political realignments, they would now witness a new regime in terms of monetary and moral support to clubs affiliated with the NLO Kano Forum.

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He lamented that since he left office as the executive governor of the state, the forum was deprived of the annual support funds and intervention funding that had in the past been disbursed to the clubs to ensure they carried on with their activities without disruptions to their calendar.

Ganduje admitted that he is aware of the constraints presently confronting NLO clubs domiciled in the state, stating that with the new political alliance that has brought him and the incumbent Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, together, he pledged to intervene to make sure the situation is reversed. This, he said, is to help breathe life back into the activities of NLO football clubs operating in the state.

He then appealed to operators in the public and private sectors of the economy to invest more in grassroots sports promotion and development programmes.

He pointed out that the global sports sector is the fastest-growing economy, saying that in Kano and Nigeria at large, the grassroots sports sector deserves massive commercial and social investments in tandem with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He said that under his tenure as the executive governor of the state, huge resources were invested in the sector with the motive of helping Kano youths pursue and realize their sports aspirations. He stated that hope is not lost, since he harbors confidence in the reliable commitment and vigor of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to pursue any project that will impact the lives of Kano youths, assuring that better days await grassroots sports activities in the state.

The chairman of Ganduje Babes FC, Ibrahim Usman Arzai, applauded the former governor for his support to the club since its creation 10 years ago, adding that Ganduje’s close confidant, Comrade Mohammed Garba, had always provided solid grounds for the club to survive tough times by rendering financial support.

He said the club was created to help recruit youths from all the 44 local governments of the state with the motive of empowering them, disclosing that plans are underway for the club to embark on an awareness tour of the 44 local governments to sensitize the youths on the new sports agenda of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

He disclosed that hundreds of Kano youths have benefited from the development initiative programmes implemented under the aegis of Gandujiyya Babes FC.

He then presented the newly recruited head coach of the club, Muhammad Inuwa Baba, to the grand patron.

 

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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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