News
REJOINDER: ADDRESSING SLANDEROUS ATTEMPTS BY ABUBAKAR ABUBAKAR ON THE PERSON OF HONORABLE KHAMISU AHMED MAILANTARKI, PRESIDENT OF MAILANTARKI CARE FC, ABUJA

REJOINDER: ADDRESSING SLANDEROUS ATTEMPTS BY ABUBAKAR ABUBAKAR ON THE PERSON OF HONORABLE KHAMISU AHMED MAILANTARKI, PRESIDENT OF MAILANTARKI CARE FC, ABUJA
By Adamu Usman Ahmed
The management of Mailantarki Care FC, Abuja, has noted with grave concern, the false, malicious, and misleading claims made by Abubakar Abubakar (Yellow) while granting an interview to a Morning Sports, a weekday English program by Amana Radio on Friday 18th April, 2025 in Gombe.
The fabricated statements made by Abubakar (Yellow) in its entirety was disgraceful to the Nigeria’s National team (U-20) for its official (Coordinator) who is neither a Media Manager nor the Administrative Secretary, to appear suddenly and without authorisation, on air for such spurious assertions aimed at tarnishing the remarkable image and overwhelming efforts of Honorable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki on football development in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
Abubakar blatantly lied during the radio interview on an internal issue concerning two clubs that he (Abubakar) was never in any point in time part of both teams (Mailantarki Care FC and Doma United FC) in whatsoever capacity neither was he a representative of the player in question (Haruna Aliyu) nor a spokesman of the National Team (U-20) or its administrative secretary.
In fact, during the partnership formalities of Haruna Aliyu between the two clubs in 2023, Abubakar was a coordinator at Gombe United and until date, he has never been part of any of the two clubs regarding any partnership of whatsoever player hence he had no genuine information to disseminate in public domain.
In his desperation to attack our club president’s effort on football development and progress in Gombe State and Nigeria at large by directly linking the exclusion of Gombe-born defender Haruna Aliyu in the final list of the National team U-20 ahead of the upcoming 2025 AFCON in Egypt.
To set the record straight, Hon Khamisu Mailantarki’s effort to elevate/promote Gombe State indigenes to the highest level of their respective football career, ensured an agreement reached between the two clubs and secured the services of the player (Haruna Aliyu) who further facilitated his invitation for a trial and consequently amazed the technical crew under the then U-20 National team Head Coach Isa Ladan Bosso ahead of the 13th African Games held in Ghana.
While Hon Mailantarki was busy sponsoring qualified Gombe State indigenes to a historic European tour in Denmark and Norway through his club, Mailantarki Care FC, instead of receiving motivations through commendations and accolades from the stakeholders in the state, people like Abubakar Abubakar opted for tort against the humble person of the President of the Mailantarki Care FC despite the fact that he operates as club owner with many officials including the club Technical Director, multi award-winning gaffer Manu Garba OON, the head coach of National team (U-17).
Thanks to the likes of Honorable Farouk Yarma, who provided an annual sports awards event (Prudential Sports Awards) for honoring outstanding sports individuals in the state, and of course in its maiden event Mailantarki was awarded for his immense contributions to grassroots football development in Gombe State.
More so on the issue raised regarding Aminu Muhammed (Obi) and Ibrahim Yahaya, who Abubakar falsely claimed were maltreated by our principle, which stand in contrast to the fact that both Aminu and Ibrahim were players of Mailantarki Care FC through a legitimate contractual agreement by their respective owners, and in the spirit of sportsmanship and the love of Gombe State, both players were allowed on free loan to continue playing for Gombe United considering their significant impacts towards the performance of the club in 2022/2023 season.
Both players are still rightful players of Mailantarki Care FC and are highly indebted with the show of great concern, commitment, and unending support towards their career development at various levels which includes successful outings with the National team U-20 at Niger Republic 2022 WAFU games in addition to a recent trial trip for Ibrahim Yahaya at Danish Super League club Aarhus Gymnastik Forening.
The then acting General Manager of Gombe United Abubakar Abubakar had deliberately blocked a potential career development trip facilitated by Mailantarki Care FC for the duo (Aminu and Yahaya) when they were clear favorite to clinch a professional contract with top European clubs moment after their brilliant outings at the WAFU 2022 zonal competition in Niger Republic, a move that could have generate an income to Gombe United as well.
Hon Mailantarki’s unending efforts towards the success and progress of young talented footballers in Gombe State and across the country Muhammed that he fully sponsored the first Gombe player Auwal Muhammed Adamu (Auwalulu) to secure a professional contract in one of the European clubs (Gandzasar FC, Armenia) in addition to young sensational full-back Jabir Hassan who is currently trading tackles with a Serbian club.
So many other players are currently undergoing trials in various elite development squads, beside several opportunities offered to Gombe based players for their respective career development through his Abuja based main team and the Gombe based U-17 feeders, Mailantarki is on the verge of sponsoring more qualified talents to yet another European scouting tours before the end of the current 2025 football calendar where more potential transfers are expected.
Abubakar’s lame attempt to smear Mailantarki’s praiseworthy efforts in the development of footballers’ career had ridiculed himself against the well established facts and record of players sponsored by Mailantarki (Flight ticket, accommodations, feeding, visas etc) to successful or otherwise trials in various European clubs while others formed part of the contingents that travelled to the 2022 and 2024 glorious international tours in Denmark and Norway as follows.
(Other Geo-political zones players not mentioned as we intended to repute the wrongly assertions by Abubakar Abubakar, who discredited the efforts of Mailantarki on the progress of Northern Players)
Gombe State:
Auwalu Muhammed Auwalulu (Gandzasar FC, Armenia), Abdulrahman Saidu (Salgeuros FC, Portugal), Sadeeq MB (Jammerbug FC, Denmark), Babawo Ibrahim (Jammerbugt FC, Denmark) Isiyaku Ligu (Denmark and Norway Cups), Amos John (Denmark and Norway Cups), Hamisu Ibrahim (Denmark and Norway Cups), Abdulazeez Maiyadi (Denmark and Norway Cups), Ibrahim Sani (Denmark and Norway cups), Adamu Gambo (Denmark and Norway cups), Abdulazeez Musa Bappa (Denmark and Norway cups).
Bauchi State:
Manji Williams (FK Abdish-Ata Kant, Kyrgyzstan), Sadiq Abdullahi (Jammerbug, Denmark), Promise Damala (Jammerbugt, Denmark), Nasiru Jibrin (Jammerbugt, Denmark), Abubakar Lamido (Denmark and Norway cups), Idris Ashiru (OPS Finland), Abdullahi Isa (Mosta FC, Malta).
Kano State:
Miko Dalha (Denmark and Norway cups), Usman Muhammed (Denmark and Norway cups), Hashim Muhammed (DFK Daivana, Lithuania), Usman Ghali (Jammerbugt IF, Denmark), Ishaq Usaini (Çorum FC, Turkey), Sabi’u Ibrahim (Aarhus FC, Denmark), Khalil Sammani (FDC Vista, Russia).
Adamawa State:
Ishaya Yuguda (St. Andrews FC, Malta), Silas Alfred (Hibbernians FC, Malta), Simon Gaston (Jammerbugt FC, Denmark), Auwal Abba (Mosta FC, Malta).
Benue State:
Victor Ochayi (Septemvri Sofia, Bulgaria), Miracle Williams (Kryvbas Rih, Ukraine)
FCT, Abuja:
Izuchukwu Daniel (FC Van, Armenia), Joel Zachariah (Monaco FC, France)
Borno State:
Tijjani Mohammed (Hammarby IF, Sweden).
Yobe State: Muhammed Abdullahi (Jammerbugt IF, Denmark).
Katsina State:
Yusha’u Armiya’u (Fredek-Mistek FC, Poland)
Abubakar, who is deploying all possible means to divert the attention of Gombe State football stakeholders and enthusiasts of the round leather game from his inability to facilitate even a trial call-up to any of Gombe State talented stars in the National team U-20 hence his desperate defamatory and baseless claims on the person of Honorable Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, who established himself as one of the brightest football club owners/administrators in Northern Nigeria and the country at large.
The Nigeria Football Federation NFF’s decision to de-list the player in question, Haruna Aliyu from the final list of the upcoming U-20 AFCON in Egypt was best known to them as the apex football governing body in the country, which has several committees under which respective decisions are made, and as at the time of writing this response there is no official statement issued yet by any of the NFF’s committees in that regard, beside they are at liberty of not issuing any statement since a certain number of players must be shortlisted from the invited players based on the recommendation of the team’s technical crew.
However, while we await a possible official statement regarding the reason for the player’s absence from the final list, we at Mailantarki Care FC are saddened with the development, especially on the part of the club president who champion the cause of Haruna’s National team assignment few years back.
Most likely, the decision could be connected to the conflict of interest on the player’s part whom was ill-advised and misled to signed another different contract despite having a binding pre-contract agreement with Mailantarki Care FC, a decision amount to a breach of contract, an act that can cause instability in the player’s psychological prowess as the shenanigans took place while he was in his final camping exercise ahead of the upcoming U-20 AFCON slated to kick start in few days.
Haruna Aliyu had already agreed and signed a pre-contract with Mailantarki Care FC that is binding, hence becomes a player of Mailantarki at the end of the current Nigeria National League (NNL) 2024/2025 season, the development ensured after the player’s decision not to extend his contract with his present club Doma United beyond the 2024/2025 season.
A pretence Abubakar Abubakar went further to even dragged the name of a high-profile staff of the NFF, Nasiru Jibrin, whom he said the latter clears ways and gave a go ahead to legitimized an act of ‘conflict of interest’ against the rule book of the apex football governing body.
Just so you know, Mailantarki Care FC made a name for itself in the football industry for its unique identity and accomplishments in just 4 years of existence so far where several talented players successfully transferred to various clubs in Europe, wins three International Youth Championships in a remarkable record breaking outings in Norway (Norway Cup) and Denmark (Dana Cup) in its debut year 2022 and 2024 respectively, won Abuja FA Cup, promoted to the 2nd tier of the league among others.
Furthermore, in its debut year of existence in 2021, the club held the first-ever scouting tournament (Gombe to Europe) involving European football managers in the history of Gombe State, a successful program held at the Pantami Stadium that paved way to so many Gombe State indigenes to travel to various European clubs especially Portugal and Denmark.
Upon completing its multi-billion naira ‘Mailantarki Sports Complex’ in the heart of Abuja, the club will become the standout among its peers not only in Nigeria but the continent at large, so the likes of Abubakar Abubakar, should rather follow suits in aiding headways to achieve an optimal desired success of the beautiful game of football in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
Sunday 20th April, 2024
Adamu Usman Ahmed ASM, AMInsTA
Director of Media and Communications
Mailantarki Care FC
Abuja, Nigeria.
REJOINDER: ADDRESSING SLANDEROUS ATTEMPTS BY ABUBAKAR ABUBAKAR ON THE PERSON OF HONORABLE KHAMISU AHMED MAILANTARKI, PRESIDENT OF MAILANTARKI CARE FC, ABUJA
News
Uyo Kingdom Issues Public Declaration Abolishing GBV, Harmful Traditional Practice Against Women

Uyo Kingdom Issues Public Declaration Abolishing GBV, Harmful Traditional Practice Against Women
By: Michael Mike
In a landmark move to promote gender justice and human dignity, His Royal Highness, Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon, Paramount Ruler of Uyo Kingdom, has issued a binding public declaration abolishing all forms of gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices within the Uyo community.
The declaration was made on 8th May 2025, follows months of in-depth consultations with elders, youth leaders, religious figures, women’s groups, and the broader community. In collaboration with the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF) and UN Women, with funding from Ford Foundation, the initiative reflects a unified stand against practices that have long endangered the rights and well-being of women and girls.
According to His Royal Highness
Effective immediately, the following practices are abolished within the State:
Wife battery and all forms of domestic violence; Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); Denial of inheritance rights to widows and other forms of economic disempowerment; Sexual violence, abuse, and exploitation
His Royal Highness emphasised that any individual found promoting, practising, or defending these outlawed acts will face both traditional and legal consequences, as such behaviour stands against the values of justice, equity, and the collective conscience of the Uyo people.
“This decision reflects our unwavering commitment to uphold human dignity, ensure gender justice, and foster a society grounded in peace, respect, and shared humanity,” stated His Royal Highness Edidem Okon.
Represented by the National Programmes Officer for UN Women, Ms Patience Ekeoba, the Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms Beatrice Eyong, applauded the paramount ruler and traditional council for this bold step, stating that traditional and religious actors should challenge harmful practices that directly or indirectly accommodate violence against women and girls.
A statement by UN Women, stated that moving forward, Uyo Kingdom will partner with the Government of Akwa Ibom State, WARIF, UN Women, and other stakeholders to implement community-based guidelines, launch education and awareness campaigns, support survivors, and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure the declaration is fully realised.
The statement said the historic declaration positions Uyo Kingdom as a beacon of progress in the region and reaffirms the community’s united stand to protect and empower every woman and girl.
Uyo Kingdom Issues Public Declaration Abolishing GBV, Harmful Traditional Practice Against Women
News
Failure of Nigeria Athletes to Attend Guangzhou World Athletics Relays, AFN Not Consistent with Fact- Chinese Embassy

Failure of Nigeria Athletes to Attend Guangzhou World Athletics Relays, AFN Not Consistent with Fact- Chinese Embassy
By: Michael Mike
Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has punched hole in reason given by the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN ) for inability of Nigerian athletes to attend Guangzhou World Athletics Relays scheduled to be held in China from May 10 to 11, 2025, following alleged visa delays by the Chinese authorities.
The embassy in a statement on Saturday accused the AFN of inconsistency in its allegations, expressing that the embassy has always assisted in such matters in time past and had equally not failed to give needed assistance in recent case.
The statement read: “The Embassy of China in Nigeria has noted that, according to Nigerian media reports, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN ) issued a statement announcing its withdrawal from the Guangzhou World Athletics Relays scheduled to be held in China from May 10 to 11, 2025, following visa delays by the Chinese authorities.
“The Embassy of China in Nigeria would like to state the following facts and position:
On April 24, the Embassy received a letter from the National Sports Commission of Nigeria (dated April 22) requesting assistance in processing visas for Nigerian athletes to participate in the event in China.
“The Embassy immediately communicated with the Commission and guided it to prepare the relevant materials so as to expedite visa application. On May 6, China Visa Application Centre received the relevant application materials submitted by the Nigerian athletes. The Embassy immediately activated the expedited procedure, provided the utmost assistance to the Nigerian applicants, and completed the visa issuance on May 8.
“The Embassy of China in Nigeria has always actively supported people-to-people and sports cooperation between the two countries, repeatedly expressed its welcome for Nigerian athletes to participate in events in China, and consistently assisted Nigerian citizens in visa applications in an efficient and professional manner. It should be noted as well that visa issuance is a matter of national sovereignty, and all foreign embassies require applicants to provide the corresponding documents and materials, as well as allow sufficient time for the application process.
“We regret that the Nigerian athletes were unable to participate in the event in China this time, but the statement issued by the AFN is clearly inconsistent with the facts. The Embassy of China in Nigeria remains committed to promoting friendly exchanges between the Chinese and Nigerian peoples and stands ready to continue providing support and assistance for exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including sports.”
Failure of Nigeria Athletes to Attend Guangzhou World Athletics Relays, AFN Not Consistent with Fact- Chinese Embassy
Crime
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing

ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
By: Zagazola Makama
The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has officially recognized the Lakurawa Group as its clandestine operational wing, formalizing a strategic corridor between its two major factions EIGS (Islamic State in the Greater Sahara) operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, and ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) active around Lake Chad.
The announcement, made in the wake of two deadly attacks on May 4 in Niger, marks a significant shift in the regional security landscape. On that day, armed militants attacked Dogonkiria in Dosso region, killing at least 30 security force personnel, and Danga in Tillabéri region, where six volunteer fighters for the defense of the homeland (VDPs) were slain.
Zagazola Makama believes the operational link now established between the Sarma Forest in Nigeria and Anderamboukane in Mali via central Niger will enable increased mobility for fighters, arms trafficking, intelligence sharing, and hostage transfers. This corridor, long suspected by observers, has now been confirmed as a key axis for extremist logistics.
Sources say the emergence of ISSP reflects a new phase in Islamic State operations in the region, marked by greater coordination, territorial fluidity, and strategic exploitation of Niger’s governance and airspace gaps particularly since the withdrawal or downsizing of key international security partners.
Zagazola reports that the central strip of Niger already marked by repeated attacks, pipeline sabotage, and mass civilian casualties is increasingly falling under the shadow of ISSP. Many of these incidents had previously gone unclaimed but are now attributed to the group’s covert campaign to secure this critical transit route.
Zagazola warn that if the current trend continues unchecked, the entire security architecture of West Africa may be destabilized, with spillover effects extending beyond the Sahel to Nigeria.
He called for renewed multilateral cooperation and intelligence-sharing, transcending political divisions and post-coup dynamics.
In recent months, Zagazola had raised alarm over the quiet expansion of Lakurawa, cautioning that the group was a proxy for EIGS. The confirmation by ISSP now validates those concerns, signaling an urgent need for proactive counterterrorism measures and regional solidarity.
ISSP Establishes Cross-Border Corridor Linking Mali to Lake Chad Axis, Claims Lakurawa Group As its Operational Wing
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