Nigeria’s frontline voluntary paramilitary organisation, Man O’ War Nigeria, has expressed its readiness to partner with sports stakeholders to discover and develop grassroots sporting talents across the country.

The National Commander of the organisation, Ademola Gbenga, disclosed this while reaffirming Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to youth development in line with its vision of “Build the Youth, Build the Nation.”

Gbenga, who was represented by MC A. R. Ikumapayi, made the remarks during a strategic partnership visit by the Editor of Sahel Sports Newspaper, Abdulgafar Oladimeji, to the organisation’s national headquarters in Abuja.

He said Man O’ War Nigeria was prepared to deploy its structures across the country to support grassroots sports development, talent discovery and programmes aimed at promoting physical fitness, discipline and national unity.

According to him, the organisation has an extensive presence across Nigeria, which positions it to contribute to efforts to identify young athletes and provide them with opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.

“Man O’ War Nigeria is a youth-focused uniformed voluntary organisation with a presence in all 36 states and the FCT, across tertiary institutions, secondary schools and communities,” Ikumapayi said on behalf of the national commander.

“One of our core mandates is youth development, leadership training and positive engagement of young people. Sports is one of our strongest tools to achieve that,” he added.

He noted that sports should be viewed beyond competition, describing it as an important instrument for instilling discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism among young Nigerians.

“We believe sports is not just about competition; it is about discipline, teamwork, resilience and patriotism. These are the values that Man O’ War stands for,” he said.

The national commander’s representative stressed that collaboration with sports stakeholders would help expand opportunities for young people to participate in organised sporting activities and contribute to national development.

In his remarks, Oladimeji described Man O’ War Nigeria as one of the country’s long-established voluntary paramilitary organisations, noting its history and contributions to youth engagement and community development.

The Sahel Sports Newspaper editor called on the organisation’s national leadership to strengthen the integration of sports into its activities, particularly in promoting physical fitness, agility and the overall preparedness of its members.

Oladimeji emphasised that regular sporting activities were essential for maintaining physical readiness, developing mental toughness and strengthening unity among members of uniformed organisations.

He further highlighted the importance of sustained engagement in sports as a means of improving individual fitness while encouraging teamwork and discipline.

The proposed partnership is expected to provide an opportunity for Man O’ War Nigeria and sports stakeholders to explore ways of using the organisation’s nationwide structures to promote grassroots sports development and identify emerging talents.

The Chairman of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi, has resigned from his position following his nomination by Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointment as a commissioner.

The resignation was announced in a statement issued by Bashir Habib Yahya, Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman, who disclosed that Professor Malumfashi communicated his decision during a farewell address to commissioners and staff of the electoral commission.

In his farewell address, Professor Malumfashi expressed appreciation to the commissioners and staff for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure, particularly during the conduct of the 2024 local government elections in Kano State.

The outgoing chairman acknowledged the contributions of the commission’s personnel to the electoral process and thanked them for working with him during his leadership of the institution.

Professor Malumfashi also urged the commissioners and staff to extend the same level of cooperation and support to the incoming leadership of the commission to ensure continuity in its activities.

He called on the personnel to maintain their commitment to the responsibilities of the commission, stressing the importance of cooperation in supporting the new leadership.

The former chairman further sought forgiveness from anyone he might have offended in the course of his service, assuring the commissioners and staff that he was leaving office without holding grudges against anyone.

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, the Commissioner for Media and Publicity, Alhaji Lawan Badamasi, popularly known as Galadiman Gezawa, commended Professor Malumfashi and advised him to justify the confidence reposed in him by Governor Yusuf through his nomination for the commissioner position.

The statement did not disclose the specific portfolio for which Professor Malumfashi had been nominated or provide further details regarding the confirmation and swearing-in process.

Professor Malumfashi’s resignation marks a leadership transition at KANSIEC following his nomination to serve in the Kano State Government’s executive arm.

The development comes after the commission conducted the 2024 local government elections, which formed a major part of its responsibilities during his tenure.

The statement was signed by Bashir Habib Yahya, Media Aide to the KANSIEC Chairman.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council has alleged a plot to pressure the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the January 16, 2027 presidential election over the Ebola outbreak.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Phrank Shaibu, director of strategic communication of the campaign council, said the opposition party had received information that Joash Amupitan, INEC chairman, could be summoned to the Presidential Villa and instructed to change the election date.

Shaibu, however, did not provide details or evidence to substantiate the allegation.

The ADC campaign council spokesperson urged President Bola Tinubu to abandon any alleged attempt to alter the election timetable, saying he should seek re-election through the ballot box rather than postpone the poll.

“Professor Joash Amupitan must refuse any instruction to change the timetable and immediately make any such approach public,” the statement reads.

“The election date belongs to Nigerians. It must not be rewritten behind closed doors at the Villa.

“Nigerians have endured three and a half years of soaring prices, shrinking incomes and relentless hardship. They have the right to judge this government at the ballot box on 16 January.

“A government that has made life this difficult for Nigerians must not be allowed to postpone its day of judgment.”

While acknowledging that Ebola was a serious public health concern, Shaibu cautioned against using the outbreak as a justification for delaying the election.

He called on health professionals to sustain containment efforts and urged INEC to take necessary measures to protect voters and election workers.

The council spokesperson also cited comments by Jide Idris, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), who said there was no current reason to postpone the 2027 general election over the outbreak.

“As of now, there is no need for that. We in the health sector will not use disease issues as a political weapon,” Idris said on Monday.

Shaibu called on INEC, domestic observers and international election monitors to scrutinise any proposal to change the election timetable.

He said any such proposal should be made openly, backed by published health evidence and subjected to public scrutiny.

On Sunday, Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), cautioned against postponing the election or cancelling political campaigns over the outbreak.

Speaking at a dinner organised by the SDP presidential campaign council in Abuja, Adebayo said a single confirmed case was insufficient to justify shutting down public activities.