Chairman of Kano State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Zahradeen Saleh, has been elected Vice President, North-West Zone of the association.

Saleh emerged unopposed during the 2026 National Triennial Delegates Congress of SWAN held in Kaduna on Friday.

The election brought to a close activities at the congress, which provided delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) the opportunity to review the affairs of the association and elect new leaders for another three-year tenure.

Incumbent SWAN President, Mr Isaiah Benjamin , was returned for a second term after emerging unopposed.

Only two positions Deputy President at the national level and Vice President for the North-East Zone required voting.

In the contest for Deputy President, Nyong Bonny of Akwa Ibom State defeated Chigozie Chukwuleta of Anambra State.

For the North-East Vice President position, Samuel Gangwaja of Adamawa State defeated incumbent Ahmed Kagana Amshi of Yobe State.

The remaining positions were uncontested, making the election largely a ratification exercise.

Other national officers elected alongside Benjamin are Ikenna Okonkwo, Secretary-General; Samuel Ahmadu, Deputy Secretary-General; Amusan Olufemi Ayorinde, Treasurer; and Ijeoma Nwante, Financial Secretary.

At the zonal level, Gangwaja will serve as Vice President, North-East; Saleh, Vice President, North-West; Azuka Chiemeka, Vice President, South-South; Ikemefuna Asika, Vice President, South-East; and Ayodeji Ogunsakin, Vice President, South-West.

Following the conclusion of the election, the newly elected executives were sworn into office by Ben Churchill Aniekwene.

Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office, Benjamin expressed appreciation to SWAN members for their confidence and pledged to prioritise members’ welfare.

“The welfare of our members will remain a priority for this administration,” Benjamin said.

He said the new leadership would continue to strengthen the association and ensure that members were better positioned to discharge their professional responsibilities.

Benjamin also called for unity among members, urging state chapters, zones and individual members to work together for the growth of the association.

He said the task ahead required collective efforts irrespective of individual choices during the election.

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By Abbas Bamalli

No fewer than 5,600 school bags have been distributed to vulnerable adolescent boys and girls across 10 public secondary schools in Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, disclosed this on Tuesday during the distribution of 500 kits at Government Day Junior Secondary School, Fago.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the learning kits were distributed by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria, with support from Cuppy Foundation.

The commissioner, represented by the Director of Schools (Junior), Kabir Dodo, said the beneficiaries received school bags, exercise books, biros and other items.

He said the intervention would reduce the burden on parents, improve school attendance and enhance learning outcomes among vulnerable children.

Jibia commended Save the Children, the Cuppy Foundation and other development partners for supporting education in the state.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Dikko Radda’s administration to provide inclusive and quality education through partnerships.

According to him, the benefiting schools include GJSS Fago, GJSS Sandamu, GJSS Kwasarawa, GJSS Rijiyar Tsamiya, GSS Kagare, GJSS Lemon, GJSS Tsadoji, GJSS Karkarku, Smart School Kwasarawa, and GJSS Katsayal.

Earlier, the Principal of Government Day Junior Secondary School, Fago, Bishir Salisu, said the 5,600 school bags had been distributed across the 10 beneficiary schools in Sandamu.

He added that SCI was also implementing the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL), Reading Club, Safe Space and School Father and Aunty programmes to improve pupils’ learning and well-being.

The SCI Education Officer, Abubakar Sadiq-Fema, said the learners’ kits were sponsored by the Cuppy Foundation through the support of philanthropist Femi Otedola.

Sadiq-Fema said the project began in Rimi Local Government Area in 2019 before expanding to Sandamu, adding that it would continue until 2031.

Representatives of the Sandamu Local Government Education Authority, the traditional institution and the School-Based Management Committee commended the initiative and pledged continued support.

NAN

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Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has offset registration fees for more than 60 Nationwide League One (NLO) clubs in Kano State, amounting to ₦25 million.

Jibrin said the gesture was part of his commitment to youth development through sports, stressing that football and other sporting activities remain vital tools for engaging young people.

He noted that sports foster peace, discipline, national unity and talent discovery, adding that future champions who will bring pride to Kano and Nigeria can emerge from such initiatives.

The lawmaker reaffirmed his resolve to prioritize youth-focused interventions in education, sports and development programmes, describing them as crucial in steering young people away from drug abuse and other social vices.

Over the years, Jibrin has supported sports growth across the 44 local government areas of Kano State, including the construction of mini stadiums and sports complexes.

He disclosed that a mini stadium in Gwarzo Local Government Area would soon be handed over, while 13 sports complexes have already been developed in Kano North Senatorial District.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting clubs, Alhaji Salisu Ibrahim (Danladi Lato) commended Jibrin for his contributions to sports development in Kano and Nigeria.

He also congratulated the Deputy Senate President on his team’s performance in the FA Federation President Cup and their standing in the Nigeria Premier League.

In recognition of his efforts, Jibrin was presented with an award of excellence for advancing sports development.

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