INTERNATIONAL GOLFERS ARRIVE DELTA STATE

· LATE OLARE-AJA OF KOKO GOLF TOURNAMENT BEGINS IN KOKO

· AKOGATE, COUNTRY CLUB UNVEIL ACTIVITIES FOR AGANBI MEMORIAL

By: Our Reporter

The Late Olare-Aja of Koko Golf Classic is due to begin on Friday, April 25, 2025 in Delta State.

The tournament scheduled from April 25-27 will be held at Country Club, Canaan Land.

‘’The invitational event is to celebrate the life and legacy of Deacon S. E. Aganbi, Second Republic Politician, Bible Interpreter and Revered Founder of Canaan Land, who served his people with unwavering dedication until his passing. It is also to honour his enduring values of leadership, integrity, love and cultural stewardship’’ a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi said.

The statement issued in Koko, headquarters of Warri North Local Government Area, expressed excitement about the tournament’s potential success.

‘’ ‘’There is a huge amount at stake. We are looking forward to the top talent from across the world competing at the Late Olare-Aja of Koko Golf Classic. We are also looking forward to a memorable weekend filled with friendship, competition and community spirit.

The statement highlighted Akogate’s role in the advancement of sports and inspiration of sportspersons in Nigeria and abroad.

‘’We are excited by the overall enthusiasm of amateur and professional golfers towards the history making Late Olare-Aja of Koko Golf Classic’’

The statement unveiled badminton, table tennis, darts, Ayo, Ludo, cocktail night and award presentation party as activities lined up for the celebration of the life of the renowned lawyer and politician’’.

It further highlighted the exceptional opportunity for rising stars to compete against world-class players.

‘There are a lot of players who will be playing. There are also many players on the waiting list hoping to gain entry. It will be a star-studded field’’ the statement added.

INTERNATIONAL GOLFERS ARRIVE DELTA STATE

Council Durbar inaugurated to revive cultural heritage—Committee Secretary

By: Yahaya Wakili

The Bade emirate council durbar committee was inaugurated three years ago by His Royal Highness, the Mai of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman, with sole responsibility to revive and improve the cultural heritage of the emirate.

The secretary of the committee, Alhaji Sale Garba Suleiman, disclosed this to newsmen in Gashua, the headquarters of the emirate. He said, By reviving our cultural heritage, our younger generation will grow up with their own culture.

He revealed that the committee will solicit advice and cooperation from the Yobe State Art and Culture Board to improve and boost our cultural heritage and also advise other emirates to emulate what the Bade Emirate Council is doing.

Sale maintained that his royal father was the first person who put his contribution into the committee account; therefore, he appealed to all sons and Bade emirate lovers to contribute generously to this committee.

The Secretary thanks and deeply appreciates the leadership of His Royal Highness, the Mai of Bade, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman, for his dedication to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Bade.

He also commended the effort of Hon. Yau Usman Dachia, Deputy Speaker of the Yobe House of Assembly, for his support, encouragement, and contribution to rendering this committee able to execute its function successfully.

Council Durbar inaugurated to revive cultural heritage—Committee Secretary

CLARIFICATION: No New Terrorist Group in Kwara, Mahmouda is a Boko Haram Commander Collaborating with Bandits

By: Zagazola Makama

Contrary to recent reports circulating on social and traditional media suggesting the emergence of a new terrorist organization in Kwara State, security sources have clarified that no new group has been formed. The figure at the center of these reports, Mahmouda, is not a name of a new terrorist group, but rather a known Boko Haram commander.

Mahmouda is a veteran Boko Haram fighter who initially operated in Borno State before relocating to Kaduna, where he briefly collaborated with the notorious terror kingpin, Sadiku. He later moved into the Shiroro and Rafi axis of Niger State, where he aligned with the remnants of Darul Salam, recruiting dozens of youths and enforcing extremist laws particularly on Fulani herdsmen.

Security intelligence confirms that Mahmouda has since moved some of his fighters further southwest into the forests bordering Kwara State, where he has established ties with local bandit groups. These elements are not a new organization but are extensions of Boko Haram collaborating with bandits already operating in the North West.

This clarification comes in the wake of past denials from security agencies. When intelligence analyst Zagazola Makama previously raised the alarm about the movement of terrorists toward Kwara, the Police issued a rebuttal, describing the report as fear-mongering.

However, with recent attacks and the presence of insurgent elements now being confirmed in parts of Kwara, observers are questioning the responsiveness and preparedness of authorities.

“What will the Police say now that the very thing they denied has begun to happen?” a senior security source queried.

Authorities are now being urged to act swiftly and decisively to prevent Mahmouda and his collaborators from entrenching themselves in the North Central corridor. Analysts warn that failing to address this threat early could result in Kwara becoming another flashpoint in Nigeria’s protracted insurgency.

Security agencies have been advised to increase intelligence operations, deploy special forces, and establish a proactive counter-insurgency presence in border forests between Niger and Kwara states to neutralize the threat before it escalates.

CLARIFICATION: No New Terrorist Group in Kwara, Mahmouda is a Boko Haram Commander Collaborating with Bandits