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66-year-old retired civil servant shines at Abuja marathon

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2026

Preport

A 66-year-old retired civil servant, Glad Ali Gashi, on Friday stole the show after successfully completing the 21-kilometre “Peace and Unity” Marathon Race in Abuja.

The marathon, which was the second edition, was organised by a non-governmental organisation, The Apo Progressive Foundation (APF) to celebrate the 2026 Democracy Day and foster national unity.

Mr Gashi, an indigene of Adamawa State, who retired from the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, finished in the 21st position out of numerous participants.

He said during an interview that his passion for long-distance running began in 1980 during his secondary school days.

He explained that his routine running became a staple for Abuja residents during his active service years, when he would run from Nyanya to Area 1 and back before getting ready to report to the office.

”People living at Old Karu and Nyanya got used to me. One person told me that anytime he happens to see me at the old CBN, he knows that he is early to work, but when he meets me at AYA, he knows that he is late because I used to maintain the same pace,” Mr Gashi stated.

Despite his advanced age, the sexagenarian boasted a clean bill of health, attributing his agility and physical strength to decades of consistent cardiovascular exercise.

He noted that he has never been diagnosed with any underlying illness, which gave him the confidence to contend with younger athletes in the rigorous 21km race.

”I have never been diagnosed with any sickness and that is why I participated in the 21km race.

“Although, I didn’t win, coming in the 21st position is an encouragement to me and my age-mates to imbibe the habit of exercising to keep fit,” he said.

Mr Gashi, who had represented the country in international veteran races in Kenya and Ethiopia, urged the government and aging citizens to prioritise athletics.

He stated: “My message to people like me is that this exercise prolongs one’s age, sharpens the brain, and keeps you smart.

“The federal government should try and encourage these athletic games for both the upcoming youth and the elderly ones.”

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of APF, Faleye Adebowale, said the marathon, with the theme, “Let’s Defeat Insecurity,” was designed to encourage citizens, artisans, businessmen, and youths to partner with security agencies through community solidarity.

”We dedicate this Peace and Unity Marathon to June 12. We see what we are battling with security challenges, and that is why we came together to pull this through. By defeating insecurity, we must start by having peace within ourselves,” Mr Adebowale said.

Similarly, the Secretary of APF, Victor Chollom, stated that meaningful physical and economic development could not occur in any community without relative peace.

”People cannot invest their money where there is fear, terrorism, or crisis. You need relative peace to execute the dividends of democracy for your people.

“Youths, who make up about 70 per cent of our national population, must be advocates for peace,” Mr Chollom noted.

In his remarks, Vice President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and Deputy Director of the City Boy Movement (FCT), Mukhtar Akoshile, urged Nigerian youths to embrace patriotism and choose dialogue over violent protests.

”Dialogue gives results; protest does not. When you sit down with leaders as young people, you can set your minds and contribute to the development of the country. Sports is one of the key things that unites everyone globally,” Mr Akoshile said.

Also speaking on community peace, the CEO of Brimax Construction, Ibrahim Zakari, urged residents to look past tribal and religious differences and discard divisive rumours.

There was presentation of cash prizes to the winners in both the male and female categories.

In the male category, Iliya Raymond clinched the first position with record time of one hour, five minutes, and six seconds, walking away with N350,000.

Rothak Sunday came second in one hour, five minutes, and 17 seconds, winning N250,000, while Boyi Gyang secured the third position in one hour, five minutes, and 26 seconds, receiving N150,000.

In the female category, Vivian Obadiah took the first position after running for one hour, 18 minutes, and 24 seconds.

Patience Datyop and Teyei Davou Mwantiyi, both from Plateau State, secured the second and third positions respectively, receiving the same cash rewards as their male counterparts.

(NAN)

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Taraba APC crisis: Electoral victories should not breed arrogance, exclusion – Kefas tells candidates

Published

2 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has urged party members who secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket ahead of the upcoming elections to demonstrate humility by reaching out to those who were unsuccessful, saying electoral victories should not breed arrogance or exclusion.

The governor made the appeal on Tuesday during a reconciliation dinner with APC stakeholders in Jalingo, describing the gathering as a “family meeting,” aimed at healing divisions, rebuilding trust, and strengthening the party.

He called on APC members in the state to put aside grievances arising from the party’s congresses and primary elections and work together ahead of future electoral contests.

Kefas acknowledged that the process leading to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, as well as the ward, local government, and state congresses and subsequent primaries, had generated mixed feelings among party members.

He admitted that while some members were satisfied with the outcome of the exercises, others felt disappointed or excluded from the process.

“Wherever this happened, I sincerely regret the pain or misunderstanding that may have arisen,” the governor said, adding that his decisions were never intended to suppress legitimate political ambitions or diminish the contributions of party stakeholders.

“The decisions taken during the political process were aimed at preventing prolonged internal conflicts that could have weakened the party and divided the people of Taraba State,” Kefas said.

The governor stressed that reconciliation should now take precedence over political differences, noting that party contests should not create permanent enemies or destroy long-standing relationships.

He urged party members who secured the APC ticket to demonstrate humility by reaching out to those who were unsuccessful, saying electoral victories should not breed arrogance or exclusion.

“No candidate can succeed alone,” he said, urging successful aspirants to carry every stakeholder along, regardless of the outcome of the primaries.

Kefas also appealed to aspirants who did not emerge victorious to remain committed to the party, assuring them that political opportunities extend beyond a single election cycle.

He pledged to deepen consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state, saying reconciliation would not end with the dinner but would continue through sustained dialogue at the ward, local government, senatorial, and state levels.

The governor said reconciliation should go beyond appointments and political positions, stressing that respect, consultation, inclusion, and recognition were essential to building a stronger party.

He called for an end to divisions between old and new members of the APC, insisting that there should be “only one APC in Taraba State.”

Kefas further pledged to lead with humility, listen to constructive criticism, and broaden consultations in decision-making, while urging all stakeholders to place the collective interest of the party above personal grievances.

He reminded party members that politics should ultimately focus on improving the lives of citizens through better security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity, employment, and agricultural development rather than internal disputes.

The governor urged party leaders, aspirants, and supporters to embrace forgiveness, rebuild trust, and unite ahead of future elections.

“Let tonight mark the beginning of a new chapter founded on respect, forgiveness, consultation, discipline, and shared purpose,” he said.

Kefas expressed confidence that a united APC would be better positioned to earn the confidence of the people of Taraba State and achieve electoral success while adv

News

Super Falcons Familiarise Themselves With Casablanca’s Stade el Arbi Zaouli Ahead Of Friendly Versus Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

Players and coaches of Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons are familiarising themselves with the posh ambience and facilities of Stade el Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, where they are scheduled to face Black Queens of Ghana in an international friendly on Saturday.

Sports247 gathered that the encounter will be the Falcons’ final builld-up match before they step out against Malawi in their first match at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will also tackle Zambia and Egypt in Group C of the expanded 16-team championship.

Coach JUstin Madugu and his players will be all out to snatch a record extending 11th WAFCON title during this year’s competition, ahead of which they commenced full training on Tuesday at the 30,000 capacity multi-purpose Stade el Arbi Zaouli located in Hay Mohammadi district of Casablanca.

The arena, which is the home ground for Tihad Athletic Sport (TAS) Casablanca men’s club and SC Casablanca women’s team, is located along Boulevard de la Grande Ceinture and boasts of several ultra-modern multi-purpose facilities that include standard grass pitch, concrete bleachers, neat spectator conveniences, local cafes and seafood restaurants.

The Falcons are now using the facilities to fine tune their strategies ahead of their first match of Group C against Malawi in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28th, before which they will take on the Ghanaian squad, who are also preparing for WAFCON 2026.

A press release by the communications department of Ngeria Football Federation (NFF) added, “The 10-time champions opened camp in Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, on Monday, as final preparations got underway.

“As at lunch time on Tuesday, a total of 10 players had arrived at the Super Falcons’ hotel in Casablanca, with midfielder Toni Payne, who recently joined Inter Milan Women of Italy from Everton Ladies in England, expected on Wednesday.

“At the team’s Hotel Marriott in Casablanca are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Asisat Oshoala.

“The friendly encounter with Ghana’s Black Queens, who lost in the final to the Super Falcons in the inaugural edition of the competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998, will take place at the Stade el Arbi Zaouli, with kick-off set for 4pm.”

Sports247 reports further that, after taking on Malawi, the Falcons will face Zambia on Saturday, 1st August and Egypt on Wednesday, 5th August in Group C of this year’s WAFCON, from which all four semi-finalists will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will feature in an intercontinental play-off.