Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side Kano Pillars Football Club has officially unveiled Daniel Ogunmodede as its new Technical Adviser, with the club outlining an ambitious plan to rebuild the team, establish a world-class youth academy, and restore the club’s status as one of Nigeria’s leading football institutions.

Speaking during his unveiling in Kano, Ogunmodede said he accepted the appointment because the club’s vision aligned with his personal football philosophy and long-term ambitions. He said the project presented by the club’s leadership convinced him that Kano Pillars was committed to building a successful future.

“The vision and mission presented to me fit perfectly with what I want to achieve as a coach. This is an important project aimed at building a team capable of winning every competition we participate in. We are not just here to play football; we are here to win,” Ogunmodede said.

The new Technical Adviser revealed plans to restructure the club’s football development system through the establishment of a world-class academy beginning from the Under-12 level. According to him, the academy will serve as the foundation for sustained success while preparing young talents to compete at the highest level.

“We will restructure and organize a world-class academy from the Under-12 category upwards. Our goal is to compete in every competition available to us, including the CAF Champions League, and to build a team that consistently challenges for honours,” Ogunmodede stated.

Ogunmodede also stressed the importance of open communication within the club, saying he would operate an inclusive leadership style that encourages dialogue rather than authoritarian decision-making. He assured players, officials, and supporters that his office would remain accessible to everyone working towards the club’s success.

“My door is always open for proper communication. I dislike autocracy and believe in deliberation and teamwork. If you cannot meet the chairman, you can meet me. I am result-oriented, but I also believe we must work together as brothers and sisters to achieve our objectives,” he said.

Addressing Kano Pillars supporters, Ogunmodede acknowledged the passion of the club’s fans and appealed for patience and unity throughout the rebuilding process. He noted that while success cannot be guaranteed in every match, the team would remain committed to improving and competing for honours.

“I have seen how passionate Kano Pillars supporters are. It is impossible to win every game, but we want to build a team that competes and wins consistently. I appeal to the fans to remain calm and avoid the kind of crises the club experienced over the past three years. This project is built on respect, honesty, hard work and discipline. While I will not beg for respect, my players and I deserve it,” Ogunmodede said.

The Technical Adviser added that challenges were inevitable in football but expressed confidence that the club would be prepared to overcome them. He also noted his familiarity with northern Nigeria, saying he was pleased to return to the region.

“We cannot run away from problems, but whenever they come, we will be ready to handle them squarely. I have lived in northern Nigeria before, and I am happy to be back. I appreciate the warm welcome and hospitality I have received and the numerous goodwill messages. I promise not to let the people of Kano down,” he added.

Ogunmodede further urged all stakeholders to put aside political differences and unite behind the club’s collective ambition of returning Kano Pillars to the summit of Nigerian football.

Earlier, Chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club, Ahmad Musbahu Garo, expressed appreciation to the Governor of Kano State for his continued support for the club. He described the appointment of Ogunmodede as a demonstration of the club’s determination to build a competitive and successful team.

“The appointment of our new Technical Adviser reflects our unwavering commitment to assembling a competent team capable of achieving our goals. We pledge our full and unreserved support to him as he begins this important assignment, and we are confident that together we will return Kano Pillars to its rightful place among the top clubs in Nigeria and Africa,” Garo said.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally laid to rest months of intense speculation over the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general election, formally presenting Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s running mate.

A meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) alongside top party leaders is currently underway at the Continental Hotel in Abuja to seal the announcement. Senior APC leaders at the venue confirmed to Politics Digest that President Tinubu has re-nominated Shettima, effectively reaffirming the partnership that delivered victory for the party in the 2023 presidential poll.

The decision comes after months of speculation that the President might replace his deputy with a northern Christian candidate ahead of the election, a move that would have significantly altered the religious composition of the ticket. Friday’s development represents the clearest indication yet that the President has chosen continuity over political recalibration.

According to THEWILL, Tinubu’s decision was conveyed through his Special Adviser on Political Affairs, Ibrahim Masari, during the meeting. Masari presented the President’s nomination form to the APC leadership and simultaneously submitted Shettima’s nomination form, officially confirming the Vice President as the running mate.

The ceremony was attended by members of the APC National Working Committee, some governors, and members of the National Assembly elected on the party’s platform, who witnessed the formal presentation of the nomination documents. Also present were members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led by its Chairman and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

The announcement puts to rest sustained debate over the fate of the Vice President, who has faced repeated questions about his position on the ticket since the 2023 election. With this formal unveiling, the Tinubu-Shettima ticket is now set for the 2027 presidential race.

By: Umar Umar

The Gombe State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed Prof (Hon) Aishatu Umaru Maigari as a substantive commissioner following her nomination by the executive governor of Gombe State Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya as part of efforts to restructure the state’s Executive Council.

Her confirmation followed the governor’s submission of her name alongside those of other nominees to the House of Assembly for screening in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The confirmation marks another chapter in Maigari’s public service career under the administration of Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, having previously served in key positions in the state cabinet.

Maigari was first appointed Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation in 2019, a position she held until 2022.

Following a cabinet reshuffle by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in 2022, she was redeployed to the Ministry of Education, where she served as Commissioner for Education until 2023.

After the governor secured a second term in office, she was reappointed and continued to head the Ministry of Education from 2023 until 2026, when the governor dissolved the State Executive Council as part of plans to reconstitute the cabinet.

Her latest screening and confirmation by the House of Assembly clears the way for her return to the cabinet following her reappointment by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.

Over the years, Prof. Maigari has earned recognition for her contributions to public service, particularly in the Education and Science sectors.

During her tenure, she participated in the implementation of government policies aimed at improving education delivery, promoting innovation and strengthening institutional development in Gombe State.

Beyond her official responsibilities, Maigari is widely regarded by supporters and political associates as a grassroots politician who has maintained close contact with her constituents through various empowerment initiatives and community engagement programmes.

Supporters say she has consistently demonstrated commitment to improving the welfare of ordinary citizens through interventions targeted at women, youths and vulnerable groups across communities.

She has also been described by colleagues, associates and supporters as a leader who maintains cordial working relationships with employees at all levels. Those who have worked with her say she is approachable, encourages teamwork and promotes cooperation among both junior and senior staff in the various ministries where she has served.

Political observers believe her reappointment reflects Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s confidence in her experience and administrative capacity as the administration seeks to strengthen governance and accelerate the implementation of its development agenda.

The reconstitution of the State Executive Council is expected to inject fresh momentum into the government’s programmes and policies, with the newly confirmed commissioners expected to contribute their experience toward improving service delivery and socio-economic development across Gombe State.