Sports

Shettima Mohammed Shagir Pledges to Revitalize Shooting Sports, Deepen Grassroots Participation

Published

12 months ago

October 23, 2025

Joel Ajayi

Presidential aspirant for the Nigeria Shooting Federation (NSF), Shettima Mohammed Shagir, has vowed to transform the nation’s shooting sports through strategic reforms, grassroots inclusion, and a renewed commitment to professionalism and development.

Speaking while presenting his manifesto before the Electoral Committee of the National Sports Commission (NSC) on Thursday, Shagir pledged to align his vision with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sports advancement in Nigeria.

He commended the NSC for introducing the manifesto presentation initiative, describing it as a major step toward transparency and accountability in sports leadership.“The idea of sharing our manifestos publicly is commendable. Anyone aspiring to lead should be able to clearly explain their plans and vision. It’s a good practice that promotes openness and should continue,” he said.

Driven by passion and purpose, Shagir said his ambition to lead the Shooting Federation stems from a desire to restructure the sport, create opportunities for young talents, and restore Nigeria’s competitiveness internationally.“My goal is to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda and drive the growth of shooting as a national sport. I want to use this platform to empower Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level,” he stated.

Highlighting his plans, Shagir emphasized the importance of grassroots inclusion, public awareness, and community engagement to discover and nurture hidden talents across the country.“We must go to the grassroots — visit local communities, identify potential talents, and show people how sports can open doors of opportunity. Through the Federation, we will ensure everyone has a fair chance to participate,” he said.

Lamenting the lack of structured competitions and training programs in recent years, Shagir stressed the need for a comprehensive development framework that prioritizes athletes and builds a solid foundation for the sport.

“In the past four years, there has been no consistent training or competition structure. Once we put in place a sustainable development system, we’ll begin to uncover exceptional talents nationwide,” he noted.

He further proposed a membership and certification system to ensure proper registration, discipline, and safety among participants through recognized shooting clubs and associations.

“Our objective is to make shooting accessible, safe, and well-regulated. Participation will be open to all qualified individuals after due screening. Shooting teaches discipline, focus, and self-control — values we must promote,” he added.

Shagir reaffirmed his commitment to building a transparent, inclusive, and development-oriented Shooting Federation that will drive grassroots empowerment, uphold integrity, and position Nigeria as a leading force in shooting sports globally.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

2 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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