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‘We Need Unity and Professionalism’ — Dimkpa Unveils Blueprint to Rebuild Nigerian Karate
Newly elected Karate Federation of Nigeria (KFN) President, Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap aimed at repositioning Nigerian karate through stronger administration, grassroots development and improved international competitiveness.
Dimkpa said his immediate priority is to reunite stakeholders within Nigerian karate and establish a clear strategic direction for the federation. He plans to convene the new board to begin implementing the federation’s development agenda.
The new president also wants the federation to establish a sustainable pathway for athletes to progress from grassroots participation to elite competition, while improving opportunities for young karatekas across the country.
“Our athletes deserve a united Federation. Our coaches deserve an enabling environment. Our officials deserve the support to perform effectively.”
Focus on Coaches and Technical Officials
A major part of Dimkpa’s plan is strengthening the technical side of Nigerian karate.
The federation intends to introduce continuous education and certification programmes for coaches, referees and technical officials, with the aim of improving standards and ensuring Nigerian representatives can compete effectively at continental and global events.
Dimkpa also identified collaboration with the National Sports Commission, Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK), World Karate Federation (WKF), state associations and development partners as important to achieving the federation’s objectives.
International Competitions and Domestic Development
The federation has already begun preparing for upcoming international competitions, including the Japanese Ambassador’s Cup and UFAK Championships.
More recently, the KFN board approved the establishment of a Nigerian Karate League, designed to provide a structured domestic competition and create more opportunities for athletes to compete regularly in Nigeria. The board also approved a one-year activity calendar running from August 2026 to August 2027.
Nigeria is also scheduled to participate in the 2026 UFAK African Championship in Algeria from September 6 to 13, with the federation directing its technical and administrative officials to begin preparations for the competition.
Governance and Accountability
Dimkpa has also placed emphasis on improving the federation’s governance, promising greater transparency, accountability and professionalism.
The new administration is seeking to strengthen sponsorship and partnerships to improve funding, athlete welfare and infrastructure, while ensuring official federation activities are managed through clearly defined structures.
The KFN board’s inaugural meeting has already resulted in the creation of several committees covering areas such as marketing and sponsorship, competitions, ethics, youth and women, technical development and refereeing.
Dimkpa believes the federation’s success should not be measured solely by the number of medals won, but also by the strength of its institutions, the quality of its programmes and the opportunities created for athletes and other stakeholders.
The new administration has therefore placed unity, grassroots development, technical improvement and stronger governance at the centre of its plan to rebuild Nigerian karate.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has dismissed allegations questioning his political neutrality following claims that his phone number was associated with a controversial account on X, formerly Twitter.
Amupitan insisted that he had never owned or operated an account on a social media platform, adding that an independent forensic examination had been conducted to investigate the claims.
He disclosed that the matter had also been referred to the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Inspector-General of Police for further investigation.
The INEC chairman made this known on Thursday while speaking at a high-level event hosted by Chatham House in London in collaboration with the Kimpact Development Initiative, KDI.
Addressing concerns about his previous involvement in politically sensitive court cases and whether such engagements could affect his impartiality as electoral umpire, Amupitan explained that his participation in those matters was strictly based on his professional responsibilities as a lawyer before assuming office.
He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the country's Constitution and electoral laws, insisting that his decisions as INEC chairman would not be influenced by political interests.
“My loyalty is solely to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act,” he affirmed.
“Every constitutional institution—including the Presidency, the National Assembly, and state governors—owes its primary loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The electoral commission chairman also addressed allegations of irregularities in the national voter register, including reports claiming that the number of registered voters in a ward in Ebonyi State had increased by 85 per cent.
He said INEC had looked into the complaint and taken steps to resolve the matter in accordance with the provisions of the law.
Amupitan further explained that the Electoral Act gives Nigerians the right to raise objections, submit claims and request certified true copies of the voter register as part of measures to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Amupitan, while speaking on the importance of youth participation in democracy, urged young Nigerians to become actively involved in shaping the country's political future.
He stressed that the responsibility of building a better Nigeria rests partly on the younger generation, warning that the circulation of false information and digital disinformation could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
“This country belongs to young Nigerians, and they must continue working toward the Nigeria they want,” he said.
“Misinformation is among the greatest dangers facing our democracy. Citizens should verify information before acting on it or sharing it, and allow our democracy the opportunity to succeed.”
Nigeria is expected to hold its 2027 general elections in two phases, beginning with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
The Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are subsequently scheduled for February 6, 2027.
2027: Amupitan clarifies alleged bias, ownership of X account, voter register manipulation
Nigeria U-17 captain Harmony Chidi has shared the personal challenges she faced while pursuing her football career, revealing that her mother initially opposed her decision to play the sport and wanted her to get married instead.
Speaking about her early journey in football, Chidi explained that her grandmother was the only person who encouraged her to keep pursuing her dream despite the lack of support at home, Sports247 gathered.
“When I started football, my mama didn’t allow me play. She didn’t want me playing football; she wanted me to get married. Only my grandma encouraged me, and now my grandma is no more. It’s just me and my mum now,” Chidi said.
Her revelation highlights the personal obstacles she had to overcome in order to pursue a career in football, with her grandmother playing a significant role in encouraging her ambition.
Despite the challenges, the young Nigerian captain remains determined to make her mark in the game and has set herself an ambitious target.
Chidi declared that she hopes to surpass the achievements of Super Falcons legend and former African Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala.
“My dream is to be greater than Asisat Oshoala,” she said.
Her ambition reflects the confidence and determination she carries as she continues her development in the game. Oshoala’s achievements have made her a reference point for aspiring Nigerian female footballers, and Chidi now hopes to carve out a legacy of her own.
For the U-17 captain, the journey is about more than playing football; it is also about pursuing a dream that was not initially supported by those closest to her.
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