By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

‎The Senate through its Committee on Sports yesterday threw its weight behind the significantly increased budget proposal for the National Institute of Sports (NIS) from ₦2.8 billion to approximately ₦60 billion in 2026.

Presenting the 2026 budget proposal, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Philip Shaibu said the objective of the Institute is to support the improved training, infrastructure, and preparations of sports for international events.

‎Shaibu who is the immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State solicited the support of the legislature in achieving his mandate for the Institute, revealing that the Institute plans to train grassroots coaches on the basic knowledge and techniques of modern Sports.

However, the Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi however promised to move a motion for the resuscitation of the Board of the National Sports Commission adding that the Commission should not be run like a one man show.

‎The Senate Committee Sports Chairman said by the first quarter of this year, the Commission should have a Board to run its affairs.

‎He added that there was no way Nigerian Sports could move forward without the National Institute for Sports.

From Aliyu Askira, Kano

 Kano State is tense with security operatives arriving the state from Abuja to monitor the visit of President Bola Tibunu and Vice President Kashim Shettima who will be visiting the state on Monday to formally receive Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The planned visit is coming against allegations by a senior figure in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Alhaji Buba Galadima that the presidency and the office of National Security Adviser (NSA) had turned down a written request to stop the leader of NNPP, Dr.

Alhaji Buba Galadima made the allegation while speaking to a DCL Hausa television outfit yesterday in Kano.

“We are aware that the Kano State Government has written to Federal Government to Prevent Kwankwaso from Visiting Kano and when this was not granted, we now saw the so called Christian persecution by the American Congress which are unfounded and baseless,

“This threat by the US Congress did not come to us as a surprise because we are fully aware that the federal government will be using governor Abba of Kano State to frustrate all political moves by the NNPP National Leader.” He alleged.

In readiness for the planned visit of the President and the Vice President on Monday, the State chapter of APC and the Government House have set up several committees to organise a benefiting welcome ceremony for the August visitors who will in turn receive the Governor Abba into APC.

 In spite of the official ceremony to mark the defection of Governor Abba from NNPP, Buba Galadima insisted that Kwankwaso has remained the political leader of Kano State.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State Government has reiterated its commitment towards continuous prioritisation of humanitarian response, safe return and sustainable resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in the State.

It further assured that supporting IDPs would not only be with relief interventions but also with long-term recovery initiatives, including livelihood support, farming initiatives, and coordinated plans for Safe return to their ancestral homes.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management and Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) Dr.

Amongst the items distributed include, 4,155 bags of 25kg of rice, 760 bags of 25kg of beans, 550 bags of 25kg of garri, 168 cartons of Indomies, 40 gallons of groundnut oil, 142 gallons of palm oil, 32 cartons of maggi, 465 units of mats, 31 cartons of Tombrown, 19 bags of salts 50 bells of clothes a d 117 bags of sugar.

Iorpuu said the intervention is not merely about distributing relief materials but also, about restoring hope, reaffirming dignity, and demonstrating that the government remains responsive to the needs of its people, especially the most vulnerable.

He also stressed that under the purposeful and compassionate leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, the State Government has continued to prioritise humanitarian response, safe return, and sustainable resettlement of displaced persons, adding that today’s exercise reflects that unwavering commitment.

He said, “The items being distributed include essential food commodities to address immediate nutritional needs, as well as non-food items aimed at improving living conditions in the camps and host communities. We are mindful that while relief materials do not replace lost homes and livelihoods, they provide critical support and temporary stability as we work toward durable solutions.

“Let me assure all stakeholders that this distribution process is guided by transparency, accountability, and fairness.

“Beneficiary data has been carefully verified to ensure that assistance reaches those genuinely affected. Every item released is intended strictly for the IDPs”.

He lauded humanitarian partners, security agencies, community leaders, camp officials, and dedicated staff of Benue SEMA, pointing out that their tireless collaboration continues to strengthen SEMA’s response framework.

“To our displaced brothers and sisters, I want you to know that you are not forgotten. Together, we will continue to build resilience and restore stability across our communities”.