Sports

From Academia to the Frontlines of Journalism: Kola Daniel’s Inspiring Journey

Published

8 months ago

February 15, 2026

Joel Ajayi
Kola Daniel, Special Assistant on Media to the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Honourable Bukola Olopade, has revealed why he resigned from his lecturing position at the University of Abuja to pursue a career in journalism.

In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Daniel admitted he made the bold move despite uncertainty about what lay ahead. His passion for writing and broadcasting, he said, was the driving force behind the decision—even though it meant taking a significant pay cut.

“Before my story began as a journalist, I was a lecturer at the University of Abuja, but I left lecturing because of my love for media activities,” he recalled.“I left my job as a lecturer, where I was earning N126,000 a month, to join Frank Ilaboya as a freelance journalist with a slashed salary.”

Despite the financial sacrifice, Daniel said he had a strong conviction that he would succeed in media.

“I just had a strong conviction that I was going to make it big with journalism. I knew that I had the right voice quality for broadcasting on radio, which I held onto strongly. My writing skills then came into play when I was working with Samm Audu as a foremost online journalist in Nigeria,” he added.

The astute journalist expressed gratitude to God for how far he’s come, noting that it was only a few years after launching his own online platform that former Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare, offered him his first civil service appointment as a media aide.

“When I became the head of sports at ITV, I opened my own outfit, which I called CKD Media.

That was what I was doing until that fateful day on August 6th, 2019, when Chief Sunday Dare called me. I was surprised that the Minister of Sports was calling me, and he shocked me further by revealing that he had appointed me as his Special Assistant on Media.”

Daniel went on to work with subsequent sports ministers, including Senator John Owan Enoh and current NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, before being redeployed to Honourable Olopade’s office.

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Sports

AACT 2026: 31 Days to Africa’s Big Sporting Gathering in Abuja

Published

4 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The countdown to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) has officially entered the final month, with just 31 days to go before Africa’s leading women’s team golf championship tees off at the IBB International Golf & Country Club in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the AACT 2026Director of Communication Kayode Adeniyi on Friday in Abuja.

Under the theme “Africa Is Coming to Abuja,” the countdown campaign will spotlight the championship, the participating nations, the players, the host venue and the growing development of women’s golf across the continent.

The 2026 AACT, scheduled for November 2–7, will bring together women’s golfing talent from across Africa for six days of continental competition in Nigeria’s capital.

As preparations continue at the IBB International Golf & Country Club, attention is increasingly turning to Abuja, where the championship will provide a platform for African golfers to compete while also showcasing Nigeria’s hospitality and the country’s growing profile as a destination for major sporting events.

The countdown will feature daily stories, interviews, player and country profiles, tournament facts, behind-the-scenes updates and features on the host venue as the championship draws closer.

The campaign will also highlight the role of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the Local Organising Committee and other stakeholders in preparing for the continental championship.

With just 31 days remaining, anticipation is building across the African golfing community as Abuja prepares to welcome the continent’s leading women golfers.

Africa is coming to Abuja.

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