Insecurity: Fears Over Gov Zulum’s Life; PGF Raises Alarm |The Source

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September 28, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

After a second attack on his convoy in two days, and the third in two months, most Nigerians are afraid for the life of Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum.

And they include President Muhammadu Buhari, who alleged sabotage, the Progressives Governors’ Forum, PGF, which has cried out to the Federal Government to urgently protect Zulum by improving logistics for the Military, Police and other Security Agencies, and members of the public who think there is a grand plan to send back the Governor to his Maker for keeps, over his pronouncements on the Insurgency was.

In the first attack two months ago, Governor Zulum barely escaped with his skin. He was hurriedly and roughly pushed into an armoured operational vehicle by brave security aides who shielded him.

A couple of days ago, his convoy ran into a bloody ambush. At the last count, unofficial sources say 30 soldiers, policemen and civilians lay dead . Official sources – Government, Military, Police – say much less, 18 perhaps.

What saved Zulum was that he had the good sense of using a helicopter to fly to Baga where he and his entourage were billed to welcome IDPs back.

A good number of members of his entourage paid the supreme price.

The outcry that followed this attack and the number of fatalities came like claps of thunder. But the Boko Haram insurgents, who are after him were unperturbed. Two days later, on Sunday, they struck, again, on his convoy which was on its way from Baga back to Maidugiri. Mercifully, no casuaties were recorded. But cars were destroyed.

These attacks on convoy Zulum convoy, by Boko Haram Insurgents, have been strongly condemned by Governors by the ruling All Progressives Progressive Governors’ Forum, PGF.

In condemning the attacks, the Governors urged the Federal Government to provide more logistics support for the Military, the Police and other security agencies to ensure that Nigeria enjoys relative peace across the states of the federation.

The Chairman of the PGF, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State said the Military is not well mobilized and equipped with adequate logistics to combat the level of insurgency and terrorism cases that has befallen Nigeria, making it difficult for them to combat the well equipped Insurgents.

A statement by the PGF reads: “We commiserate with the people and Government of Borno State over the unfortunate attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on two convoys along Maiduguri/Baga Road of Borno State – one belonging to His Excellency Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and the second belonging to the Committee on Baga reconstruction.”

“As Progressive Governors, we are saddened by this dastard attack which has resulted in the unfortunate death of precious lives of security personnel and innocent citizens.”

“We join our brother, Governor Zulum, our leaders in Borno State and all Nigerians to pray for the repose of the souls of all those who lost their lives. In this painful period, Nigerians should be strengthened by the determination of Governor Zulum to expedite peacebuilding process in Borno State and indeed the whole of North East.”

“All Nigerians should rise in support of the laudable initiatives of Borno State Government and security agencies to return citizens in the State back to normal life. We must rise in support of the people and government of Borno State to end all activities of Boko Haram insurgents which promote trade and tax administration that fund their heinous activities.”

“Clearly, the strategies and tactics currently adopted by Borno State and security agencies are very effective and the attack of Saturday, September 26, 2020, on the two convoys by the Boko Haram insurgents is to distract the government from ensuring that life return to normal in Borno State.”

“While we commiserate with the Government and people of Borno State, we call on the Federal Government to immediately provide more logistical support to security agencies deployed to Borno state to ensure a speedy return to normal life in Borno State and the whole of North East, we will not allow our nation to rot”.

The question, however, is who is after Zulum?

Not a few people think the attacks are an inside job. They think there is sabotage within. Otherwise, how do the insurgents know his itinerary?, they ask.

Governor Zulu has been blunt and fearless in his efforts to restore peace in Bornu State. After the first attack on his convoy, he accused the Military of sabotage, schockingly absolving the insurgents, insisting the attack was carried out by soldiers.

This strong allegation attracted an equally strong rebuke of the Governor from the Military, which absolved its long-suffering and patriotic personnel of such unbelievable acts.

Zulum did not relent. He followed up by alleging that soldiers were not anxious to see the IDPs back home, as they had taken over people’s farmlands, and farming on them, as well as engaging in fishing.

Instructively, the recent attack came as he was on his way to Baga to receive returning IDPs.

Breaking: Labour Suspends Strike, FG Suspends Electricity Tariff |The Source

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Uche Mbah

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September 28, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

The strike action by Organised Labour, scheduled to start on Monday 28 September 2020, has been suspended. This is predicated on the suspension of the increase in electricity tariff for fourteen days.

The increase in PMS pump price, however, remains the same.

A committee has been set up to look into the “conflicting field reports that resulted in the electricity price hike.” The committee is to be headed by the Labor Minister, Chris Ngige.

The decision was reached after a marathon meeting by Organized Labor and Ministry officials which lasted till the wee hours of Monday, 28 September 2020.

Organized labor and pro-democracy groups had given strike notice to the Federal Government to protest the increase in tariff on electricity and the increase in fuel price. The government had approached the notice of strikes with threats of arrests and efforts at intimidating the organized labor. But labor had insisted on strike.

Speaker of the house of representatives Femi Gbajabiamila had tried to intervene, begging the Labor Unions to shelve the strike. The Ministry called a meeting in a last-minute effort to stem the tide.

More details later…

2023: Obi In Dilemma Over Atiku’s Presidential Ambition

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Bayo Bernard

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September 27, 2020

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By Tosin Olatokunbo

Former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state is in a big dilemma to either face his presidential ambition squarely or run a joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

Obi’s campaign posters with Rabiu Kwakawnso, a former governor of Kano state as his running mate, surfaced in some parts of Abuja, two days ago.

This has elicited some reactions from keen political watchers who insist that the former Anambra helmsman must have decided to throw his hat in the ring, by going g solo on the presidential contest without the former vice president.

Obi has denied having anything to do with the poster, describing it as the work of mischief makers who are bent on destroying his political ambition. This, however, has failed to assail the feelings of some Nigerians, that the ex-presidential running may actually be nursing a presidential ambition without Atiku, who also has been touted to be eyeing the race again in 2023.

In a terse statement on his official twitter handle, the former governor dismissed the campaign poster thus “I am not a part of the poster being circulated. – PO.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP under which Atiku and Obi ran the presidential race in 2019 also said it has nothing to do with the campaign posters.

In spite of this, analysts insist that the emerging political situation, particularly, feelings in some part of the country, that a politician from the south east should succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, when his two year terms of four years expires in 2023, must have encouraged the pressure being exerted by some close advisers of the former governor, on him to contest the nation’s highest office.

“What’s happening concerning Obi’s presidential ambition is not strange. As one of the most visible politician of Igbo extraction, it’s natural that his people will be putting pressure on him to take a shot at the country’s top job. But I don’t think the former governor can decide on his own, now that his party, PDP is yet to zone the presidency to any part of the country,” a prominent politician from his state told the magazine on Saturday.

Prominent traditional rulers, politicians, groups, especially Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a social political group from the south east, have insisted that it’s the Igbo’s turn to produce the next president for the country.

Recently too, some politicians from the Northern part of the country, including Audu Ogbeh, a former Minister Minister of Agriculture have thrown their weight behind the Southern Presidency project.

Ogbeh, also a former chairman of the PDP was not however specific where in the South should produce the next president.

Apart from Obi, other Igbo politicians interested in succeeding the incumbent include, former Governors Orji Uzo Kalu, Rochas Okorocha, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, just to mention a few.

What has remained unclear, meanwhile, is whether the PDP will zone the office to the South East, considering suggestions in some quarters that the party may still be looking towards the North to choose a presidential candidate for the next election.

But a top echelon at the Wadata House, informed the magazine on Sunday that “the PDP is still keeping the matter of 2023 presidential candidate very open to all members of the party. It’s a trump card that the party will not reveal for now,” he said.

Gov Akeredolu Should Explain How He Spent Covid-19 Intervention Fund – PDP |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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September 27, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni, Akure

The People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) National Campaign Council for Ondo Governorship election has challenged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, to speak out on the alleged diversion of billions of naira COVID-19 intervention funds received by the state.

A statement by Chairman, Publicity Sub- Committee, Kola Ologbondiyan, explained that the demand was predicated on alleged diversion of COVID-19 palliative funds by certain officials of the Akeredolu-led self-serving administration.

“This is especially given the conflicting denials by members of the Ondo COVID-19 Response Team over the whereabouts of over N700 million intervention fund.”

The committee described, as indicting, that Governor Akeredolu, on whose shoulders the burden of the wellbeing of the people lie, had failed to speak out on this alleged fraud.

“Indeed any clean, transparent and upright administration that had not soiled its hand and which has the interest of the people, would have ordered an open investigation, secure and channel the resources to the wellbeing of the people.

“Given its penchant for condoning corruption and wicked embezzlement of public funds, the APC administration in Ondo state has remained less forthcoming, while officials continue with conflicting denials and endless buck passing.”

It added that Governor Akeredolu should not wait until his inevitable defeat at the poll to end the corruption in his administration by ordering an open investigation into the N700 million.

It also demanded clarifications on the alleged receipt by the state government of the sum of $10 million from foreign donors.

“This is in addition to the circumstances surrounding the failure of the state to pay certain health workers in the past 15 months, despite their participation in the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

“We challenge Governor Akeredolu to within three days, set up an independent inquiry into these allegations if his administration has no skeleton in its cupboard.

“Furthermore, our committee challenges Governor Akeredolu to account for the proceeds of various levies and taxes collected by his administration, using numerous platforms to fleece the poor masses, including market women, transporters, artisans, small business owners among others in the state.

“It is, therefore, not surprising that the Ondo people abandoned Governor Akeredolu and pitched their tent with our candidate, Eyitayo Jegede SAN, in their collective quest to end the misrule which the Akeredolu administration represents, and no amount of blackmail, threats and violence by the APC will deter the Ondo people in this resolve.”

The Ondo Governorship Election is slated for October 10, and even though there are, at least, eleven other parties involved, the competition is between three parties – The ruling APC, The PDP, and the ZLP candidates.

Why Agboola Ajayi Will Not Resign As Deputy Governor Of Ondo State |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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September 27, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Fear of a possible arrest and humiliation of Mr Agboola Ajayi, the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, are some of the reasons for his refusal to resign after he dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Ajayi, had resigned from APC in June, joined the People’s Democratic Party,(PDP), which he later dumped after a failed attempt to pick the party’s Governorship ticket, and berthed at the Zenith Labour Party, (ZLP) which flag he will fly during the October 10 Governorship election.

The Media Adviser to the Deputy Governor, Allen Sowore, said at a forum in Akure that his boss would not resign from the APC-led government, even as he pursues his Governorship ambition in ZLP.

According to him, there is freedom of association in Nigeria; the Deputy Governor has the right to contest election on the platform of any political party while still serving as the Deputy Governor in another party.

He pointed out that Mr Ajayi could be arrested, implicated or humiliated if he resigned, being the usual practice in the Nation’s political sphere whenever the relationship between Governors and their deputies turn sour.

Mr Sowore said the people of Ondo state received ZLP warmly than ever before as the October 10 Governorship election approaches, going by the number of politicians that defect to the party on daily basis, they were sure of victory.

Ondo: Ahead October 10: APC, ZLP Tango On Good Governance |The Source

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Ayodele Oni

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September 27, 2020

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By Ayodele Oni

Immediate past governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko at the weekend insisted that his successor in office, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, is a disappointment to the people of the State.

But, in a swift reaction, a spokesman for Akeredolu Campaign Organization, Richard Olabode, said the ghost of those workers sacked by Mimiko’s administration will continue to haunt him for the rest of his life.

Mimiko, who addressed supporters of Zenith Labour Party,(ZLP) at Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government during the campaign tour of Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi, described the present administration as anti-people because it cancelled free health, and increased tuition fees paid by tertiary institutions in the State.

The ZLP National leader declared that: “There is no person that will say he has performed. But how do we differentiate performance? Any government that has not democratised education is a bad government.

“This government that hiked school fee is a bad government. Akeredolu’s government is an enemy of the people. Anybody that votes Akeredolu is selling his children future.

“Any government that does not make health free is your enemy. Akeredolu’s government is an enemy of the people by cancelling mother and child and free health for children.

Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State — Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

“Any time they come here to campaign for votes ask them, where is our shuttle buses. Where is our abiye? The government that cancelled trauma centre is your enemy.”

The former governor lamented the failure of his successor to build on the successes recorded in the health and education sectors during his tenure as Governor.

In its reaction, Akeredolu Campaign Organization noted that it’s unfortunate that a Governor that sacked over 10,000 workers in the state is calling the Akeredolu administration anti-people.

“It’s on record that Governor Akeredolu, since inception in office has not sacked anyone either at the local or state level.

“Those lecturers that were sacked unjustly at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, are still alive to bear witness to the anti-people government of Mimiko in this state.

“Due to Politics, Mimiko killed the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa (OAUSTECH). What’s more anti -people than the actions of Mimiko in abandoning various projects left behind by the late Olusegun Agagu?

“Akeredolu administration came and realized Mimiko only have two mother and child hospitals in the state. Governor Akeredolu has now expanded from two to seven and they are now across the three senatorial district of the state.

“As we speak, work is ongoing at the Teaching hospital both in Ondo and Akure. Akeredolu has introduced the Contributory Health Scheme which has also brought about free health care service for children under the age of five and pregnant women.”

Ajayi, the Governorship candidate of the ZLP is the Deputy Governor of the state. He refused to quit office after resigning from the APC. He initially decamped to the PDP. When he failed to pick the ticket of the PDP, he defected to the ZLP where he effortlessly picked the ticket.

Buhari: Attack On Borno Government Officials Is A Sabotage |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 27, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the attack on officials of Borno State Government on their way to Monguno by Boko Haram Insurgents. He says it was sabotage, meaning it was sabotage from within, meaning it must have been planned by those who knew the itinerary of the convoy.

Buhari stressed that the ambush of Governor, Babagana Umar Zulum’s convoy was an orchestrated sabotage against the return of displaced persons to their community.

The attack on Friday was the second time the governor’s entourage would be attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

In a statement signed by a Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said, the President said: “The attack was an orchestrated sabotage against long planned return of displaced persons to their local communities.”

The president also offered his condolences to those who lost their lives in the attack, saying, “With deep sympathy for the loss of lives of security men on the convoy, ahead of the return of internally displaced persons IDPs, while also commiserating with their families and loved ones.”

Buhari called on the state government, working with security and intelligence agencies, to remain firm as they seek to restore normalcy to all the communities liberated from Boko Haram Terrorists.

He also urged security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to check sabotage, sanitize roads, venues and locations in advance of returning IDPs, as they continue to work with local communities.

He commended security operatives responsible for repelling the ambush and governor Zulum in his unrelenting effort to end the menace of terrorists, rebuild homes and return IDPs to normal life.

Already 30 people, including soldiers, policemen and others are confirmed dead.

Mali’s Interim President Praises Jonathan as ECOWAS Gives Condition for Lifting Sanctions |The Source

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The Source

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September 27, 2020

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The newly sworn-in President of Mali’s transition government Mr. Bah N’daw has heaped encomiums on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediator and former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the roles he played towards restoring normalcy in Mali, following a protracted socio-political crisis in the country.

Mr. N’Daw stated this on Friday in Bamako at the inauguration of the Transition Government even as ECOWAS gave the indication that it would only lift sanctions on Mali after a new Prime Minister have been appointed to run the government of the Transition Administration.

Speaking on Dr. Jonathan’s activities as ECOWAS mediator in Mali, the interim President thanked the former President for his deep involvement and encouragement towards resolving the crisis in Mali.

He said: “My gratitude goes to ECOWAS for its constant concern for our country. I also thank ECOWAS mediator, former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the wise advise he has been giving to his Malian brothers and sisters since June this year. He is one of us now.

“I welcome his presence and I would like to assure him of the determination of the Malians to lead a stable, peaceful and successful transition, under the agreed conditions and deadlines.”

“I assure him (Jonathan) and ECOWAS that I am ready to make any sacrifice that will bring peace to Mali and make my country recover from its challenges. I will organize election on schedule and will not go outside the letters of the Transition charter.”

Meanwhile, there are strong indications that the sub-regional body will not lift the sanctions imposed on Mali until the leaders of the country comply with the decisions taken by the Heads of State and Government at the meeting held in Accra, Ghana, last week. The ECOWAS Mediator, Dr. Jonathan, stated this at a press briefing in Bamako on Friday, stressing that the sanctions will not be lifted unless the new administration appoints a prime minister to run the government.

A communique issued after a two-day visit to Bamako by the mediation team said: “Concerning the sanctions, in conformity with the decisions of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, following the swearing-in of the President of the Transition, they will be lifted once a civilian Prime Minister is appointed. A report on this issue will be submitted to the Chairman of ECOWAS.”

It stated further that the delegation demanded the immediate release of civilian and military personalities of the former regime who have been in detention since 18^th August 2020. One of them is the immediate past Prime Minister Boubou Cisse who Dr. Jonathan and other members of his delegation visited in detention at the Kati Barracks last Thursday.

The communique said further: “The Mission recalled the importance and the urgency of appointing a civilian Prime Minister, Head of Government, who will be responsible for conducting, under the authority of the President of the Transition, the various reforms of the inclusive national dialogue and preparing for the forthcoming presidential and legislative elections.

“The Mission also reiterated the importance of obtaining the final and official version of the Transition Charter, taking into account the decisions of the ECOWAS Summits of Heads of State and Government.”

These decisions included the demand for the dissolution of the military administrative body known as the CNSP, the ban on the Vice-President in charge of Security and Defence, from replacing the President of the Transition, as well as commitment to the agreed 18 months duration for the transition Government.

While in Mali the mediator inaugurated a newly established ECOWAS Monitoring Committee on the situation in Mali which comprised of the mediator himself, chairperson of ECOWAS Council of Ministers, President of the ECOWAS Commission, special representatives of both the United Nations and the African Union as well as ECOWAS representative in Mali.

Mali: Jonathan Reveals ECOWAS May Lift Sanctions |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 26, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Crisis in Mali that saw the West African country sanctioned and suspended by the Economic Community Of West African Countries, ECOWAS, could be reversed.

Former Nigeria President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is a mediator in the Crisis in Mali for the West African Bloc has revealed that the Economy of West African State, ECOWAS, would probably decide soon whether it would lift economic sanctions against the country.

Speaking in Mali’s capital Bamako on Wednesday, Jonathan called the measures imposed on the country by the 15-nation bloc “unfortunate”.

West African leaders heaped pressure on Mali’s ruling junta to return power to civilians after the August 18 coup that toppled president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita.

A junta-appointed committee this week named retired colonel Bah Ndaw as Interim President. He is set to govern for at most 18 months before arranging elections.

The 70-year-old former Defence Minister was sworn in on Friday, alongside junta leader Colonel Assimi Goita, who will serve as interim vice president.

Jonathan said that ECOWAS was “eager” to make a decision on the sanctions, which threaten to cripple the poor Sahel state’s economy.

“ECOWAS doesn’t want any sanctions in any part of the community,” he told reporters.

Jonathan added that it was up to Ghanaian President and current ECOWAS leader Nana Akufo-Addo to announce any decision.

NFF Appoints Bosso, Danjuma, Amoo, Others As Technical Crew For The National Teams |The Source

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Akinwale Kasali

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September 26, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has effected some changes in the national team of Nigeria.

Though, it has been long overdue, but the Covid-19 Pandemic outb led to the delay in the appointment of officials for the National sides.

The NFF has now appointed former Under-20 Flying Eagles Head Coach, Isah Ladan Bosso to pilot the affairs of the Flying Eagles, while Christopher Danjuma retains the Under-20 Female team, the Falconets, in a lead role capacity. Bankole Olowookere emerged as Head Coach of the Under-17 female team, the Flamingos.

Former international defence player, Oladuni Oyekale will serve as first assistant to Bosso at the U-20, with Jolomi Atune Alli as second assistant.

Samaila Marwa Keshi is assistant coach-scout while Suleiman Shuaibu Akanmu is goalkeeper coach completing the Flying Eagles’ bench.

Fatai Amoo will head the Under-17 Golden Eaglets squad, to be assisted by Ahmed Lawal Dankoli as first assistant and Nnamdi Onuigbo as second assistant. Others are Hassan Abdallah a assistant coach-scout and Danlami Kwasau as goalkeeper coach in the crew.

Danjuma returns to the U-20 Falconets to be assisted by Moses Aduku as first assistant and Bilkisu Tijani as second assistant. Charity Nwere Nnedinma is the assistant coach-scout) while Audu Yahaya is the goalkeeper coach.

The U-17 Flamingos’ crew will be headed by Bankole Olowookere with Queen Okpa as first assistant coach and Adanna Nwaneri as second assistant. There is also Moroof Nojimu as assistant coach-scout and Mohammed Abubakar Ndanusa as goalkeeper coach.

The technical crew of the U-15 male side also known as Future Eagles will be led by Omoniyi Haruna Ilerika Usman to be assisted by Bassey Patrick as first assistant, Olubunmi Haruna as second assistant, Mohammed Kalli Kachalla as assistant coach-scout and Baruwa Olatunji as goalkeeper coach.

Abdullahi Tyabo Umar heads the crew for the U-13 team with Salisu Ibrahim as first assistant, Bamai Bukar as second assistant coach, Mohammed Kwairanga as third assistant, Ifeanyi Uba as assistant coach-scout and Abubakar Abdullahi to be goalkeeper coach.