society
NNPP Chieftain, Ambassador Ajadi Mourns Kano Athletes, Sends Condolences to Governor Yusuf By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
NNPP Chieftain, Ambassador Ajadi Mourns Kano Athletes, Sends Condolences to Governor Yusuf
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
In the aftermath of the devastating road crash that claimed the lives of 20 athletes from Kano State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a Southwest chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has joined the growing number of national figures mourning the tragic loss.
The athletes, who were returning from the National Sports Festival held in Abeokuta, Ogun State, died when the bus conveying them plunged off the Dakatsalle Bridge in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State on Saturday. The incident has since thrown the state—and the Nigerian sporting community—into deep sorrow.
In a heartfelt condolence message addressed to Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the families of the deceased, Ambassador Ajadi expressed shock and deep grief over what he described as “an unspeakable tragedy that has befallen not just Kano State, but the soul of our nation.”
“My heart bleeds for the young and promising athletes whose lives were cut short in such a painful and untimely manner,” Ajadi said. “These were not just sportsmen and women—they were symbols of hope, discipline, and national unity. Their death is a monumental loss to our country.”
Ambassador Ajadi, who was the NNPP gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 general election, is well-known for his philanthropic initiatives and youth empowerment programs. Drawing from his deep concern for Nigeria’s youth and public safety, he called on both federal and state governments to take immediate action to improve the country’s decaying road infrastructure.
“We cannot continue to lose our best and brightest on roads that should have been fixed decades ago. This is a wake-up call. The Dakatsalle Bridge, like many other neglected structures across the country, is a death trap. We need action, not just words,” he added.
He also decried the lack of proper transportation infrastructure for athletes, pointing out the need for Nigeria to emulate developed nations in the way it treats its sporting talents.
“This ugly and avoidable incident could have been averted if good amenities and a conducive environment were provided for our talents. Our talents deserve good mobility like flights, which is the standard mobility that governments of developed countries provide for their athletes,” he said.
Ajadi went further to emphasize that the deceased athletes should not be forgotten or treated as mere casualties. Instead, he called for national recognition of their sacrifice.
“These young athletes should be acknowledged as heroes and heroines who died in the service of the nation. They are martyrs of Nigerian sport and unity,” he stated. “The federal government, alongside Ogun and Kano State governments, should provide for the families of the deceased and ensure that posthumous honors are awarded to them.”
The crash, according to eyewitnesses, occurred when the driver lost control of the bus near the aged and narrow bridge—an infrastructural relic that has long been the subject of public concern. Emergency responders and local residents quickly mobilized to rescue survivors, who are now receiving treatment at Kura General Hospital.
Ajadi echoed this sentiment in his message, describing the athletes as “ambassadors of peace and excellence who died in the line of duty.”
“Their sacrifice must not be in vain. Let us honor their memory not only with mourning but with reforms—real, sustainable reforms in the areas of athlete welfare, road safety, and national infrastructure,” he emphasized.
He further called for a national moment of silence during future sporting events and urged sports federations, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and fellow political leaders to support the bereaved families beyond mere condolences.
As black ribbons and mourning banners rise across Kano’s sporting centers, the cries for justice and accountability grow louder. For now, families weep, a state mourns, and a nation reflects—hoping this tragedy spurs long-overdue change.
BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London Hospital
Nigeria’s former President, Muhammadu Buhari, has passed away. He died on Sunday afternoon in a clinic in London, where he had reportedly been receiving medical attention.
The sad news was confirmed in a brief two-paragraph statement released by his spokesperson, Mallam Garba Shehu. The statement read in part: “INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAIHIRRAJIUUN. The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus, Amin.”
Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 after a previous stint as military head of state (1983–1985), was a central figure in the country’s political and military history. His death marks the end of an era for many Nigerians who saw him as a symbol of integrity and national discipline.
This is a developing story. More details to follow.
Today’s Effort, Tomorrow’s Triumph: The Undeniable Power of Doing Your Best Today.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“D best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~ H. Jackson Brown Jr.
In a world addicted to shortcuts and obsessed with quick wins, the timeless wisdom behind the quote above cuts through the noise like a sharpened sword. The idea that tomorrow’s success depends entirely on today’s actions is not a cliché, it is an irrefutable truth. Whether in faith, science, economics or personal development, one law stands firm: today’s SEED is tomorrow’s HARVEST.
We can not continue to fold our hands in laziness today and expect miracles tomorrow. A nation can not waste time, bury talent and ignore responsibility today and then complain about failure tomorrow. Life does not reward intentions; it rewards actions.
Faith Speaks: Christianity and Islam Agree on the Power of Today. This principle is not just motivational; it is deeply spiritual. Across the world’s major religions, the doctrine of intentional daily action is clear.
In the Bible
Proverbs 6:6-8 teaches:
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
The lesson here is blunt: the time to prepare is now, not later.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 further reinforces this:
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
In the Quran
Islam emphasizes the same responsibility of living intentionally and working righteously each day. In Surah Al-Zalzalah (99:7-8), the Holy Qur’an declares:
“So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.”
This verse reminds believers that nothing is wasted; every small effort counts and will show its result, either today or tomorrow. It is a divine call to mindfulness and proactive living.
Also, in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11), Allah says:
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
Change does not fall from the sky. God helps those who help themselves; today, not when it is convenient.
Procrastination is the Poison of Purpose
Dr. Timothy Pychyl, a psychology professor at Carleton University, states that:
“Procrastination is not a time management problem, it is an emotion regulation problem.”
We put off effort not because we lack time, but because we avoid discomfort. Yet nothing of value has ever been built in comfort. From Moses to Muhammad (PBUH), from Mandela to Martin Luther King Jr., progress has always come from people who embraced struggle today to secure peace tomorrow.
From Nations to Individuals: A Pattern of Success. Japan, South Korea and Singapore, these countries did not wait for the future to be great. They built it. After war and poverty, they chose to invest in education, discipline, innovation and daily excellence. The results? Economic prosperity, global respect and technological advancement.
Compare that with many African nations, where politics, procrastination and misplaced priorities have crippled development. Nigeria, for instance, continues to grapple with the consequences of poor preparation. We cannot talk about transformation if we do not first talk about intentional effort; daily, consistent and focused.
The Economy of Today. Economists describe something called the Law of Diminishing Intent: the longer you delay action, the less likely you are to do it at all. In business, delaying a product launch or avoiding staff training today often leads to loss of competitive edge tomorrow.
Brian Tracy, in his bestselling book Eat That Frog, emphasizes:
“Your ability to discipline yourself to set clear goals and then work on them every day will do more to guarantee your success than any other single factor.”
In other words, daily action beats monthly inspiration.
Talent is Nothing Without Today’s Discipline. Too many young people have talents buried in the coffin of laziness. Dreams without daily action are hallucinations. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:23:
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
Success is not a gift; it is a product. You cannot wish your way into greatness. You must work your way into it—step by step, day by day.
The Quran also teaches in Surah An-Najm (53:39):
“And that there is not for man except that [good] for which he strives.”
It doesn’t get clearer than that. You get only what you strive for.
Global Voices That Support the Principle. Great minds from various backgrounds have echoed this truth:
Angela Duckworth (Author of Grit): “Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
Daily effort is the dividing line between the average and the great.
Jim Rohn: “Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying basic fundamentals.”
Barack Obama: “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something.”
Malcolm X: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
When both Eastern and Western wisdom align, when scriptures and scholars agree, then it is no longer a theory; it is a law.
Time is the Most Precious Currency. Unlike money, time cannot be earned back. Once gone, it is gone forever. Every second wasted is a blessing buried. The Quran calls mankind to account for their time. In Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3), Allah says:
“By Time, verily man is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and enjoin each other to truth and patience.”
Even belief must be accompanied by action, otherwise it results in loss. Believing in your future without acting today is self-deception.
A Message to Nigeria’s Youth and Leaders. Let us be brutally honest. Nigeria will not change through slogans. Africa will not rise through hashtags. Real transformation begins with action; by the citizens, by the youth and most critically, by the leaders.
Our failure to plan, our tendency to delay reforms, our endless “we’ll do it later” mindset; this is what chains our future. We must kill procrastination before it kills our potential.
Instead of wishing for a better Nigeria, wake up and become the better Nigerian. Apply for the course. Register the business. Clean the streets. Learn the skill. Fight corruption. Demand accountability. Do your best today.
Final Thoughts: The Time is Now. The truth is simple: You will not rise tomorrow if you sit today.
Yes, life is unfair. Yes, circumstances can be hard; but you must never give the excuse of tomorrow for what you can perfect today. Success does not belong to the most privileged. It belongs to the most prepared.
Let us leave you with the words of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who said:
“If the Hour (the end of the world) is about to be established and one of you was holding a palm shoot, let him take advantage of even one second before it happens and plant it.” (Musnad Ahmad)
That is how powerful the present moment is even if the world is ending, still do your best now.
The Closing Reflections.
Tomorrow is not a miracle waiting to happen. It is the fruit of today’s labor. If you want to succeed, begin today. If you want to change your story, act now. If you want a better nation, do not just hope; build it.
The best preparation for tomorrow is not luck. It is doing your best today without excuse, without delay and without fear.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
NDA Cadets to Conduct Live Firing Exercises, Residents Advised to Take Precautions
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) is set to conduct a Range Classification Exercise for Cadets of the 73 Regular Course from July 14 to 18, 2025, at the NDA Open Range.
According to Major Mohammed Maidawa, Academy Public Relations Officer, the four-day exercise is designed to enhance the Cadets’ skills in live firing scenarios and will be instrumental in their training and preparedness.
Major Maidawa urged local residents and communities to be aware of the exercise schedule and not to be alarmed by the sounds associated with live firing activities during this period.
He also advised farmers, herders, and residents to avoid entering or trespassing into the NDA Open Range and surrounding areas from July 14 to 18, 2025, citing public safety as a priority.
“Public safety is our priority, and adhering to these guidelines will help prevent any accidents,” he said.
The NDA appeals to the public to cooperate and disseminate the information to ensure awareness and safety.
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