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DNKI Mourns Ondo Air Crash Victims, Condoles Families, Nigerian Air Force

Published

1 week ago

October 7, 2026

Cyril Ogar
De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI) has expressed profound sadness over the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, which claimed the lives of all 25 persons on board.

The aircraft, an ATR-42, was on a routine mission from Benin City, Edo State, to Lagos when it crashed in Ondo State. The Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that the aircraft had 20 passengers and five crew members on board, with no survivors.

In a statement Signed on Wednesday by the International President De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI) Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh describes the incident as a painful and heartbreaking tragedy that has plunged the nation, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the families of the deceased into mourning.

The organisation extends its deepest condolences to the families, relatives, friends and colleagues of the fallen personnel, as well as the Chief of the Air Staff, officers and men of the Nigerian Air Force and the entire Nigerian Armed Forces.

DNKI particularly commiserates with the Government and people of Ondo State, where the unfortunate incident occurred, and the Government and people of Edo State, from where the aircraft departed.

The organisation acknowledges the declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of three days of national mourning in honour of the fallen Air Force personnel.

The President also directed that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country as a mark of respect for the victims and their sacrifice in service to the nation.

DNKI equally commends the Senate for postponing its planned National Security Summit, originally scheduled for October 12 and 13, in honour of the victims and in solidarity with their bereaved families and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The organisation considers these gestures appropriate demonstrations of national respect for men and women who dedicated their lives to the service and protection of the nation.

DNKI calls for a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. The organisation urges the relevant authorities to ensure that the outcome of the investigation is made public and that any recommendations arising from the inquiry are fully implemented.

While DNKI does not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, it believes that every possible factor responsible for the tragedy must be established, lessons must be learned and all necessary measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The organisation further urges the Federal Government and the Nigerian Air Force to continue providing the bereaved families with the necessary support, information and assistance during this difficult period.

DNKI believes that the sacrifice of members of the Armed Forces must never be taken for granted. Those who lose their lives in the line of duty leave behind families and loved ones who deserve the full support and compassion of the nation.

As an organisation guided by the principle of “Service to Humanity,” DNKI will continue to play its role in society by promoting peace, unity, responsible citizenship, justice, human dignity and national development.

The organisation remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen national institutions, protect lives and property, and promote the welfare and security of Nigerians.

DNKI prays for strength and comfort for the bereaved families and colleagues of the deceased during this difficult period and urges Nigerians to unite in honouring the memory of the fallen heroes.

May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.

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Cyclists, Athletes, Fitness Communities others Set for 5th Chaingang MTB Festival in Abuja

Published

18 hours ago

October 16, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Cyclists, professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts are set to converge on Abuja for the 5th edition of the Abuja Chaingang Mountain Bike (MTB) Festival and 10th year anniversary of the the club scheduled for November 21–22, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of the MTB Festival Organising Committee, Mr Olatunji Olanrewaju, said the event would mark a significant milestone in the development of competitive cycling in Nigeria.

Organised by the Chaingang Cycling Club Abuja in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria (CFN), the festival will introduce Cross-Country Short Track (XCC) and Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) race courses, alongside the unveiling of the Sunrise Hills MTB Course in Asokoro, bordering Guzape.

The organisers said the new courses feature natural terrain, steep climbs, rocky descents, switchbacks and panoramic ridgelines designed to challenge riders and promote competitive mountain biking.

The festival, adopted as Nigeria’s national qualifier for international mountain biking competitions, will provide cyclists with opportunities to compete for qualification slots for major championships, with prize money available across race categories.

Olanrewaju disclosed that the festival had attracted several cycling teams over the years, including foreign participants in almost every edition, expressing optimism that the 2026 event would attract even greater participation.

He called on sponsors, government agencies, security institutions and multinational organisations to support the festival, noting that their participation would help strengthen Nigeria’s outdoor sports industry and enhance the country’s international sporting profile.

Also speaking, the Technical Director of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Bashiru Mohammed, described the festival as an important platform for developing cycling and strengthening the country’s cycling community.

Mohammed said the competition was open to cyclists and cycling groups across Nigeria and beyond, adding that the organisers would share information about the event with international partners to encourage wider participation.

He explained that the professional races would feature male and female competitors in the XCC and XCO categories, while the programme would also include activities for children.

According to him, the competition would help Nigerian cyclists prepare for next year’s championship for emerging countries, which he likened to an Olympic-style gathering of athletes from different sporting disciplines.

In his remarked, the CFN Secretary-General of the federation, Joel Akinuwa, said prize money remained an important feature of the festival, noting that participants in the previous edition received financial rewards in addition to opportunities to qualify for the African Championships and other major international competitions.

Akinuwa added that winners across the various categories in the 2026 edition would also receive prize money, providing further motivation for cyclists to compete.

Beyond the elite races, the two-day festival will feature a trail run, children’s mountain bike race, veterans’ recreational ride, city-wide fitness ride and hiking campout.

The event will also incorporate corporate social responsibility initiatives, including the Jigakushi School Restoration Project and the Road Safety Street Mural Initiative, aimed at promoting community development and road safety awareness.

The organisers said the festival would bring together professional athletes, recreational cyclists, families, young people, fitness enthusiasts, media organisations and international observers, while promoting tourism, youth development and community engagement.

They added that the long-term vision was to position Abuja and Nigeria as leading mountain biking destinations in Africa, capable of hosting international competitions and attracting athletes from across the continent and beyond.

Registration for the 2026 Abuja Chaingang MTB Festival is ongoing through the club’s website, www.chaingang.ng.

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