Kano 2026: 19 Northern States battle for glory at maiden table tennis championship

The ancient city of Kano is set to become the epicenter of Nigerian Table Tennis as the maiden Northern Nigeria Table Tennis Association (NNTTA) Championship officially kicks off tomorrow, Saturday, January 31st, 2026. The high-stakes tournament will be hosted at the Indoor Sports Hall of Sa’adatu Rimi College of Education, Kano.

This landmark event is powered by the massive support and strategic vision of the Vice President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), His Excellency, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki. The championship marks a dramatic shift in the promotion of the sport, aiming to elevate Northern talent to national and global elite status.

For the first time in recent history, elite athletes and rising stars from all 19 Northern States will compete for glory. The debut championship features three highly anticipated categories that includes the Men’s Single (battle for the region’s top ranking), Veterans’ Category (celebrating the legends and mentors of the game) and the Super Cup (A high-intensity clash for the ultimate trophy) which will see the region’s top stars compete against the Championship’s top four to be crowned at the end of the maiden NNTTA tourney.

Athletes will be competing for a prestigious haul of Medals, Trophies, and significant Cash Prizes, setting a new standard for regional tournaments in Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice President during the pre-tournament press briefing, Adamu Usman Ahmed emphasised that this championship is not just a one-off event but a long-term developmental blueprint.

“His Excellency, Hon. Khamisu Mailantarki, gives his full assurance that this Kano Championship is just the beginning. Our mission is to bridge the regional gap and provide a platform where Northern players can transition into national heroes. We commend the Kano State Table Tennis Association for their hospitality and readiness to host this historic first edition.”

The Vice President further promised that outstanding performers, especially in the active player categories, will receive dedicated support for advanced career development, including potential national team invitations and international exposure.

Meanwhile the Chairman of Kano State Table Tennis Association, Dr. Mustapha Garga stated that about 10 million naira has been set aside for the success of the maiden Championship with participants already arriving the host state of Kano.

Mustapha further commended the massive contribution and support of the NTTF Vice Hon Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki in ensuring a historic and befitting championship where potential elites are expected to emerge to represent Nigeria at National and international Championships respectively.

Kano 2026: 19 Northern States battle for glory at maiden table tennis championship

NGX to strengthen economic environment to woo more investors- Kwairanga

Dr Umaru Kwairanga, the Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group has restated the NGX’s commitment to providing market infrastructure that inspires investor confidence and supports both domestic and international participation.

Kwairanga made the pledge at a dinner organised by the US-Nigeria Council held in Lagos on Thursday.

He stated that capital markets remained a vital bridge in the partnership between the United States and Nigeria.

According to him, efficient, transparent, and well-regulated markets enable businesses to grow, infrastructure to be financed, and innovation to scale.

“From the perspective of Nigerian Exchange Group, we remain committed to providing market infrastructure that inspires investor confidence and supports both domestic and international participation, including from American institutions and enterprises.

“The growing engagement of global investors in Nigeria reflects confidence in our long-term fundamentals and in the reforms underway to strengthen our economic environment.

“As market operators, our responsibility is to ensure that opportunities discussed in forums like this can find practical expression through credible platforms for capital formation and investment,” he said.

Kwairanga lauded the leadership of the US–Nigeria Council for its continued commitment to strengthening the bonds between the two nations.

According to him, the relationship between the United States and Nigeria is one of strategic importance and deep potential.

He described the partnership which he said was grounded in mutual respect, economic complementarity, and a shared belief in enterprise, as a driver of prosperity.

He said that Nigeria as Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, remained a key partner for the United States in advancing trade, investment, and sustainable development across the continent.

“The US–Nigeria Council plays a critical role in translating goodwill into tangible outcomes.

“By convening leaders from government and business, it helps move conversations from intent to implementation, supporting collaboration in areas that directly affect livelihoods, from food security and agricultural value chains to trade expansion and long-term investment.

“In today’s interconnected global economy, our complementarities are clear. Nigeria brings scale, a youthful and entrepreneurial population, abundant resources, and expanding markets.

“The United States brings capital, innovation, technology, and deep institutional expertise. When these strengths align, the results can be transformative, not only for our two countries, but for broader regional growth,” he said.

The NGX boss thanked American partners for their enduring engagement with Nigeria, stressing that, “your participation in our economy and confidence in our future is deeply valued.”

Governor Buni seeks FG’s support to establish a kidney center in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe state governor, Hon, Mai Mala Buni CON,COMN has appeal to the federal government to establish a Federal Kidney Disease Center in the state to save the people of the state from this deadly scourge.

Buni added that the government will establish an additional dialysis center in Gashu’a to save patients of kidney disease from travelling long distances to access care.

The governor made the appeal today while commissioning the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BIORTC) permanent site and celebrating Teeneagle Champions and the Identification of Talent Potentials at Yobe State University, Damaturu.

Governor Buni maintained that Africa has been subjected to relying on medical and other research that is conducted in different climes, environments, cultures, and lifestyles without recourse to our peculiarities and genetic diversity.

“I am proud that BIORTC has established Africa’s first major Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (IPSC) biobank with an African-centered focus, and also BIORTC is leading the establishment of one of Nigeria’s most ambitious and deeply characterized dementia research cohorts. ” he added.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the state-funded kidney disease initiative because this is what responsible governance demands: policy guided by evidence and investment guided by the health needs of the people. Governor Buni is the first African governor to be honored; this is quite inspiring, and he dedicated this award to the good people of Yobe with a pledge to do more.

“For many decades, several communities along the banks of the River Yobe have been plagued by chronic kidney disease, losing precious lives and throwing many families into agony on a daily basis, and this has been a major driving force for the establishment of the center to find a solution to this scourge.

“This administration is equally keen to see the innovative open-science work at BIORTC, including the building and testing of low-cost microscopes that can support field diagnosis and strengthen community-level health services, and urges the federal ministry of health to partner with BIORTC for open diagnostics on malaria microscopy and other related community-level diagnostic programs,” the governor said.

He maintained that the extraordinary performance of three young girls indigenous to Yobe State, Nafisa Abdullahi, Rukkaya Muhammad Fema, and Hadiza Kashim Kalli, at the 2025 TeenEagle competition reflects the success story of our investment in the education sector and noted that the federal ministry of education has designated Yobe State as a role model in foundational education, describing it as exemplary and worthy of emulation.

Buni emphasizes that under this administration, no child in Yobe state will be denied his or her right to education because of his or her economic background. He announces a government scholarship for the three young girls up to the tertiary level and a donation of ₦10 million to each.

Governor Buni seeks FG’s support to establish a kidney center in Yobe