Sports
Religious Leaders Praise Uba Sani For His Inclusive Leadership Style
Governor Uba Sani’s inclusive leadership style, which emphasises even development across Kaduna State, and the governance philosophy of fairness and justice to all and sundry, have been applauded by religious leaders.
Muslim and Christian clerics commended the Governor for leading the State at a Special Interfaith Dialogue which held at the Brigadier Abba Kyari Banquet Hall on Monday.
The religious leaders pointed out that Kaduna State now enjoys relative peace and harmony, including peaceful co-existence between Muslims and Christians, since he assumed office over three years ago.
At the event which was organised by the Kaduna State Bureau of Interfaith, speakers noted that the present administration has recorded a lot of achievements and most of them canvassed for the Governor’s re-election to continue with what he has started.
Speaking at the occasion, Governor Uba Sani recalled that when he assumed office in 2023, he promised to run an inclusive Government which has now won the hearts and minds of not just the people of Kaduna State but the country at large.
‘’People have been asking me about our model. Our model is very simple. It does not need any study. It is about justice. It is about brining everyone to the table,’’ he emphasised.
‘’When we came into office, we inherited a state that was highly toxic and divided. As a Governor, I allocated land to some people but they refused to build in those places because of their faiths.
‘’For me, it is unacceptable and we should not allow it to continue in Kaduna State. We are supposed to be the model for everyone to copy in Nigeria. We are determined to restore the glory of Kaduna State.
‘’We are the most diverse state in Nigeria, the most cosmopolitan but unfortunately, we allowed politics to always dictate the direction of our political leaders,’’ he argued.
Governor Uba Sani reiterated that on May 29th, 2023, he took an oath of office and swore by the Glorious Qur’an to be fair to everyone, irrespective of their ethno-religious affiliations.
In his speech, the Kaduna State Chapter of the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Rev Caleb Ma’aji, said that the Governor has done and achieved a lot for the state.
Rev Ma’aji recalled that when Governor Uba Sani attend the Christmas Carol on the 22nd of December, 2024, he had request three main road projects on behalf of his people.
The CAN Chairman who listed the Nasarawa-UNTL-First Bank road, the PAN Drive-Television Garage-Sabon Tasha road and the Romi-Karatudu road, expressed gratitude that two of the roads have been completed and the third one is almost completed.
‘’Last year, His Excellency re-introduced the Christian pilgrimage to Jordan and Jerusalem. We want to place it on record that this is an act that we truly appreciate.
‘’His Excellency sponsored 50 Christians to Jordan and Jerusalem and this year we trust that he will double the number by the Grace of God,’’ Rev Maáji further said.
The clergyman also thanked Governor Uba Sani for the selection of Mr Jerry Adams as his running mate in the coming election, which ‘’is a departure from the culture of old.’’
On his part, the Secretary General of of Jamaátul Nasir Islam, Prof Khalid Aliyu, noted that the theme of the Special Interfaith Dialogue, which is ‘’An Overview of the Impactful Three Years of Peaceful Coexistence and Inclusivity In Kaduna State: Unveiling The Secret’’, coincides with the International Day of Peace.
Prof Aliyu who disclosed that the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace is ‘’Invest In Peace, For Everyone, In Everywhere, Everyday’’, described the Governor as a peacemaker.
Speaking at the occasion, Sheikh Haliru Maraya enumerated the achievements of the Governor Uba Sani administration, which include the slashing of tuition fees in all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions to increase access.
According to him, under the previous administration, 4,876 lives were lost due to insecurity and 7,694 people were kidnapped at that time, while 1,660 insecurity incidents were recorded.
‘’Before the coming of this administration, there were 534 schools that were closed due to insecurity. As at today, there is not a single school in Kaduna State that is not open.
‘’Before now, there were 500 hectres of uncultivated land due to insecurity. Right now, owners of those farmlands have returned to their farms,’’ he said, adding that Governor Uba Sani’s ‘’three years, four months and six days in office has brought development in Kaduna State. ‘’
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN), Bishop David Bakare, confessed that he didn’t vote for Governor Uba Sani in 2023 when he contested the election.
‘’I didn’t believe in anything that you were going to do. I didn’t know you. Your handlers didn’t effectively market you to us well. It is after you began your work in Kaduna State, that I asked myself why I didn’t vote for you.
‘’Now, another opportunity is standing in front of me and I didn’t have to think twice to take a decision this time around, it is not just about me but many,’’ he confessed.
Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre and Oluwatosin Demehin have withdrawn from Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifier against Comoros.
Oshoala requested to be excused from the fixture and has been replaced by Belarus-based former Falconets forward Blessing Okpe.
Plumptre, meanwhile, has been ruled out after sustaining a ligament injury.
Demehin and forward Flourish Sabastine will also miss the fixture as they continue their resident permit processes.
In addition, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Favour Nkwocha have been released from the Super Falcons camp to join the Flamingos ahead of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons began preparations for the Olympic qualifier on Monday evening, with 14 players taking part in the training session.
Eleven more players are expected to join the team, including defender Michelle Alozie, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, as well as captain Rasheedat Ajibade and forward Gift Monday.
IN CAMP: Goalkeeper: Christiana Uzoma. Defenders: Farida Abdulwahab; Tumininu Adeshina; Valentina Uroko; Glory Edet; Shukurat Oladipo; Glory Ogbonna. Midfielders: Oluchi Omenazu; Joy Igbokwe; Fatimoh Solaty, Suliat Abideen. Forwards: Shakirat Moshood; Blessing Nkor; Sandra John
EXPECTED: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie; Comfort Erhabor. Defender: Michelle Alozie. Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini. Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade; Gift Monday; Joy Omewa; Janet Akekoromowei; Uchenna Kanu
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has fined Inter Lagos N5.25 million and deducted from them three points and three goals, following attacks on match officials after Sunday’s week 7 1-1 draw with visiting Katsina United.
This was disclosed in a statement by the NPFL on their X handle on Monday.
“Inter Lagos have been charged for breaching #NPFL27 Framework & Rules in the course of their Matchday 7 fixture vs Katsina United on Sunday, October 4, 2026,” the league body stated.
“The Lagos club failed to provide adequate & effective security during their home game, thereby allowing unauthorized persons to gain access to restricted areas leading to attacks on the match officials who were proceeding from the dressing room to their vehicle.
“Inter Lagos also failed to ensure proper conduct of their officials and supporters, leading to the match officials being held hostage for more than an hour after the match.
“Furthermore, Inter Lagos officials in company of some of their supporters intimidated, harassed & verbally abused the match officials, thereby engaging in acts capable of bringing the game to disrepute.
“Inter Lagos team manager, alongside some of the club’s supporters, assaulted the match officials, resulting in the first assistant referee sustaining an injury to the face & loss of personal items including damage to his mobile telephone.
“The club are fined N2 million for failing to provide adequate & effective security & another N1 million fine for holding the match officials hostage for more than an hour.
“Inter Lagos have also been fined N2 million for assault on the match officials & a further N250,000 fine as compensation to the affected assistant referee for the loss of his personal items, damage to his mobile phone & treatment to the injury he sustained following the incident.
“Three points and three goals shall be deducted from the accrued points & goals of Inter Lagos for assaulting & causing injury on the first assistant referee.
“Inter Lagos have 48 hours from the date of notice to appeal the sanctions.”
Inter Lagos are currently in 19th on five points after seven matches played so far in the campaign.
Croatia captain Luka Modric admits that he felt “ashamed” of his side’s performance after their 7-0 demolition at the hands of a rampant England on Saturday.
It was the first time in 20 years playing for his country that the AC Milan star had felt that way, after what was a “catastrophic night” for the home team in the Nations League encounter.
Modric, 41, was making his 205th appearance for Croatia after recently agreeing to extend his international career under returning manager Slaven Bilic.
“You can’t play football like that… we looked like we had four or five players less,” said the former Ballon d’Or winner, who helped Croatia to second and third-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups during an incredible career.
“It is difficult to find an explanation for such a performance without duels, fouls, aggressiveness, togetherness,” Modric added.
“I’ve been here for 20 years, but for the first time I feel ashamed after a game.”
Croatia had actually begun Bilic’s second stint in charge with a 2-1 Nations League win away to the Czech Republic that put them above England in Group A3.
However, that was followed up by a 4-1 mauling away to Spain that left the door open for Thomas Tuchel’s side to lay down a marker for the rest of the competition by sealing victory in Rijeka.
That did just that in sensational fashion and, with the top two qualifying for the latter stages, England are now in the box seat to qualify alongside Spain.
By the time Modric was substituted in the 57th minute, Croatia were already 5-0 down after conceding two goals from Harry Kane and one apiece from Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka.
The veteran midfielder then watched on from the sidelines as further strikes from Saka and Morgan Rogers sealed an emphatic triumph for the visitors.
“You can lose, or play against an opponent who is better – and they are right now,” added the former Tottenham and Real Madrid star.
“But in any case, losing like this and squandering the reputation we’ve built over the years is unacceptable… [it was a] catastrophic night [for Croatia].”
It does not get any easier for Croatia, who next host Spain in Split on Tuesday, and will finish their Nations League campaign with games away to England (12 November) and at home to the Czech Republic (15 November).
“We need to pull ourselves together, stay together because a new difficult game awaits us,” said Modric, with Croatia third in the table, facing a battle to retain their status in the top tier of the Nations League.
“We have to show our true colours, that there is defiance and pride in us, desire, willingness, togetherness, these things cannot be lost overnight.”
-
Health & Wellness1 year agoPresident Tinubu Directs Cut in Dialysis Cost from ₦50,000 to ₦12,000
-
International News6 months agoIndian Police Arrest Nigerian Over ₦290m Drug Haul
-
News2 years ago
CBN Debunks Fake Circular on New ₦5,000 and ₦10,000 Notes
-
Business6 months agoDangote Refinery Reduces Petrol Gantry Price To ₦1,200 Per Litre
-
Business6 months agoAfter Plea Bargain, Court Discharges Stella Oduah of ₦2.5bn Fraud
-
Business2 years ago
Dangote; We Did Not Fix ₦600/Litre Petrol Price
-
Trending News1 year agoNELFUND Disburses ₦86bn To 449,000 Beneficiaries
-
News1 year agoPICTURE: In Lagos Couple Sentenced to 22½ Years for Cannabis Trafficking