Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi Named North-East Zonal Director for 2027 Campaign

Former Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi, Talban Muri, has been appointed Zonal Director, Election Planning, Coordination and Mobilisation for the North-East in the 2027 Presidential Re-election Campaign Council.

The appointment is seen as recognition of his political experience, leadership capacity and grassroots mobilisation across the region.

In his new role, Senator Danladi is expected to coordinate election planning and mobilisation efforts across the North-East in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.

His supporters and associates have described the appointment as a call to greater responsibility, expressing confidence in his ability to contribute to the campaign's objectives.

Congratulations to Senator Sani Abubakar Danladi on the appointment.

NORTH EAST TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP: ADAMAWA'S YAMAN PHILIP WINS GIRLS U-17 TITLE

By Nformi Desmond 

Yaman Philip of Adamawa State has won the Girls Under-17 title at the ongoing Dr. Agbu Kefas North East Tennis Championship after defeating Charity Ubandoma of Taraba State 6-1, 3-6, 10-8 in an exciting final at the Tennis Court of the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo.

Yaman dominated the opening set 6-1, but Charity responded strongly to take the second set 6-3 and force the match into a deciding super tie-break. Yaman eventually won the tie-break 10-8 to secure the championship.

With the victory, Yaman Philip finished as Champion, Charity Ubandoma emerged Runner-up, while Sophia Emeka of Yobe State claimed the Second Runner-up position.

The final attracted several dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State and North-East Zonal Representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, High Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, who is the sponsor of the championship; the Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Alhaji Yusuf Datti; the Secretary of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Mr. Aliyu Makpa; the Central Zone Representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Mr. Victor Hembah; the President of Jalingo Tennis Club, Brig. Gen. Jeremiah A. Faransa (Rtd); the Chairman of the Taraba State Sports Development Commission, Coach Bulus Husseini; and other government officials and sports administrators.

The match drew applause from spectators, coaches and officials, who commended both players for their determination and sportsmanship throughout the contest.

With the Girls Under-17 event concluded, attention now shifts to the Boys Under-14 and Boys Under-17 finals, which will be played on Thursday as the championship reaches its climax.

Tennis Enthusiast Bomwilliya Hails Chief Kataps for Strengthening Grassroots Sports Development

By Nformi Desmond Tumi

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Hon. Bomwilliya Emmanuel, has commended the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, High Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, for his unwavering commitment to grassroots sports development, describing the ongoing Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship as a timely investment in the future of young athletes.

A passionate tennis enthusiast, Hon. Bomwilliya said the championship goes beyond competition, providing a platform for discovering, nurturing, and inspiring young talents from across the North-East.

He noted that Chief Kataps' decision to sponsor the tournament demonstrates visionary leadership and a genuine commitment to empowering young people through sports.

Hon. Bomwilliya also commended the leadership of the Taraba State Sports Development Commission for their dedication to promoting sporting activities across the state, saying their collective efforts are laying a solid foundation for the growth of tennis and other sports.

According to him, Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas remains committed to creating opportunities for young people to excel, adding that sports have become an important tool for youth empowerment, discipline, and social development.

He stressed that greater attention will continue to be given to young athletes through proper mentorship, structured training programmes, and sustained grassroots competitions capable of producing future champions.

Hon. Bomwilliya expressed confidence that initiatives such as the Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship would encourage more young people to embrace tennis while positioning Taraba State as a hub for sports excellence.

He urged participating athletes to remain disciplined, focused, and committed throughout the championship, reminding them that today's tournament could become the first step towards representing Taraba State and Nigeria on bigger stages.

Taraba Hosts Maiden Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship, Spotlighting Emerging Young Talents

By Nformi Desmond Tumi

The atmosphere at the Tennis Court of the Jolly Nyame Stadium in Jalingo was filled with excitement on Monday as the maiden edition of the Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship officially got underway, attracting promising young players, coaches, sports administrators and tennis enthusiasts from across the North-East.

The championship, sponsored by the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii, who also serves as the North-East Zonal Representative of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), is designed to identify, nurture and promote young tennis talents while providing them with a platform to compete and prepare for higher levels of the game.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chief Kataps said the tournament reflects the vision of Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas to empower young people through sports and create opportunities for them to realise their full potential.

He noted that the North-East is home to many gifted young athletes whose talents can only flourish through sustained investment, quality coaching, mentorship and regular competitions.

According to him, sports remain one of the most effective tools for promoting unity, discipline and leadership while opening doors for young people to excel nationally and internationally. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that will strengthen tennis and encourage greater youth participation in sports across Taraba State and the North-East.

President of the Jalingo Tennis Club, Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (Rtd.), described the championship as a landmark initiative for youth development and the growth of tennis in the region. He said the competition is more than a contest for trophies, explaining that it offers young athletes the opportunity to discover their potential, build confidence and prepare for future national and international competitions.

Brig. Gen. Faransa urged the players to compete with discipline, determination and respect for the rules of the game. He commended Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii for sponsoring the championship and appreciated the coaches, parents, officials, security personnel and volunteers whose support made the tournament possible.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Taraba State Sports Development Commission, Coach Bulus Husseini, described the championship as a significant boost to grassroots sports development in Taraba State. He praised Governor Agbu Kefas for his continued investment in youth development and commended Chief Kataps for creating an avenue through which young people can showcase their talents and pursue excellence in tennis.

Coach Husseini encouraged the athletes to remain focused, disciplined and committed throughout the championship, noting that today's competition could become the foundation for tomorrow's national and international tennis stars.

In separate goodwill messages, the Member representing Nguroje Constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Nelson Cyprain Len, and the Chairman of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency, Hon. Gara Nongha, applauded Governor Agbu Kefas and Chief Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps Ngwii for providing a platform that enables talented young people from across the North-East to showcase their abilities and pursue greater opportunities through sports.

Competition began immediately after the opening ceremony with exciting displays of skill and determination. One of the day's standout matches saw Divine Denis of Adamawa State defeat Adamu Abba 6–4, 7–5 in the Under-17 Boys' Singles event after a fiercely contested encounter that drew applause from spectators.

The championship continues in Jalingo with more matches expected over the coming days as emerging tennis talents from across the North-East battle for honours and take important steps toward fulfilling their sporting ambitions.