Sports
LG Chairman Seeks Martial Arts Training For Corps Members
Chairman of Jos South Local Government of Plateau State, Mr Moses Dalyop, has called for the introduction of Martial arts training for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), members nationwide.
Dalyop made the call during the passing-out parade of the Batch ‘F’ graduates of Martial Arts and Self Defence Academy (MASDA) at Auta-Balefi, Karu, Nasarawa State.
“I will advise government to adopt martial arts training for all youth corps members in their orientation camps.
“I will also advise that every local government council should sponsor youths for this training to enable them to get equipped with defensive skills,’’ he said.
On the crisis in Jos, the chairman said that all the residents in the state capital were tired of crisis.
He said Plateau State and its councils were ready to cooperate with the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Dalyop noted, however, that most of the crises were instigated by outsiders, making it difficult to arrest the situation.
“It is correct to say that the crisis in Jos is being propelled by outsiders and, as such, they are gaining from this crisis; that makes it very difficult to bring the situation under control.
“I believe that the current stand by Federal Government on the crisis will bring it to a halt and at our own level, we are ready to cooperate with the Federal Government to stop the crisis, ” he added.
Earlier, Mr Richard Uboh-Ekong, Combatant General of MASDA, called on the government and corporate organisations to absorb graduates of MASDA.
He also called for enlightenment campaigns to make the public to appreciate the need to inculcate martial arts skills in the civil society.
Uboh-Ekong said the academy had trained 800 young men and women in the art of threat discernment, self defence, crisis control and disaster management.
He said the training was not for the purpose of equipping young men with arts of militancy, stressing that it was aimed at equipping youth with defensive skills.
The combatant general said that security and defence of lives were for everybody, and called on government and corporate organisations to invest in martial arts and self-defence.
Mr Jephthan Tallen, one of the graduates, told newsmen that the training would go a long way in helping him as most of those who came from Jos had acquired the training for self-defence and not for them to act as warriors.
Eighty students graduated from MASDA, bringing to 800 the number people that had graduated form the academy since its inception in June.
MASDA management conferred the title of Patron on Mr Moses Dalyop, Chairman, Jos South local government, as graduates displayed their skills in Judo, Taekwondo, Kung-fu and Karate for the guests.
The Bayelsa State government, yesterday, announced that the marathon will be held on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
The inaugural race is owned by the Bayelsa State Government and will be organised by Nilayo Sports Management Limited, a sports management company.
Under the theme “The Reveal,” the race represents a bold unveiling of Bayelsa’s immense human and cultural potential to the international community, inviting the world to witness the resilience, grit, and talent rooted in the heart of the Niger Delta.
According to the organisers, the race will be flagged off at 9:30 a.m., at the Opolo Roundabout, guiding participants through a carefully designed 10-kilometre route that highlights the scenic beauty and vibrant atmosphere of Yenagoa.
The course will culminate at Peace Park Square, where athletes will cross the finish line into a grand celebration of endurance, unity, and community spirit.
To elevate the experience for runners and spectators alike, the finish venue will host a high-energy post-race concert featuring performances from top A-list artistes, blending sport and entertainment in a festival-style atmosphere.
The organisers directed all registered participants to collect their race bibs and kits at the designated Peace Park Square between March 30 and April 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.
The race, according to them, is currently on track for World Athletics accreditation, underscoring the commitment of both the Bayelsa State Government and Nilayo Sports Management Limited to delivering an event that meets the highest global standards.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, on Friday continued the Commission’s nationwide appreciation tour with a visit to Abeokuta, where outstanding junior athlete, Majekodunmi Afusat Bisola, was presented with a cheque of N3 million.
The presentation forms part of the NSC’s initiative to recognise and reward exceptional junior athletes who distinguished themselves in 2025 and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s medal haul.
Majekodunmi delivered an impressive run of performances on the track. At the last edition of the National Sports Festival, she stormed to gold in the 400m and the 4x400m relay. She replicated the double triumph at the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Junior Championship, in Abeokuta, before emerging as one of the standout stars at the African Youth Games in Luanda, Angola.
Speaking during the presentation, Olopade explained that the Commission deemed it necessary to extend financial appreciation to grassroots athletes after elite performers had earlier received grants running into thousands of dollars.
“A few weeks ago, after paying grants to our elite athletes, we agreed tthere was a need to also appreciate these young, budding talents who made Nigeria proud last year,” he said.
He disclosed that of the 376 medals recorded by Nigerian athletes in 2025, more than 200 were won by grassroots talents, underscoring the importance of sustained investment in youth development.
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