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Senate Leader and Chairman of the National Assembly Southwest Caucus, Opeyemi Bamidele, has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, urging him to unite the state and pursue inclusive governance.

In a statement yesterday, he also appealed to APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji to congratulate Adeleke and share policy ideas that could aid Osun’s development. Adeleke, who contested on the Accord Party platform, polled 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji of the APC, who polled 444,815 votes.

Bamidele said the outcome reaffirmed the supremacy of the people’s will, noting that Adeleke’s victory placed on him the responsibility to promote peace and stability across political divides. He urged the governor to extend ‘hands of fellowship’ to other candidates and parties.

The Senate Leader stressed that the election offered important lessons for the APC ahead of 2027, particularly the need to strengthen internal cohesion, broaden voter engagement, and communicate more effectively the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He called for deeper outreach to artisans, traders, farmers, youths, women, civil society, and traditional leaders, saying: ‘Our engagement approach must be all-encompassing and leave no one behind.’

Bamidele commended INEC for conducting a credible poll and said the APC remained a stakeholder in Osun’s progress despite the loss. He expressed confidence that the election would contribute to the state’s economic, social, and technological development.

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has approved the appointment of Sani Takori as political adviser, VinMartin Obiora Ilo as chief technical adviser and Steve Nwosu as spokesman.

The appointments, which take immediate effect, are aimed at strengthening the operations, administration and strategic communication of Senator Dickson’s office and the NDC ahead of the 2027 general election.

In a statement yesterday, NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the three appointees brought extensive experience and professional competence to their new roles.

He described Ilo and Nwosu as professionals with track records of credibility and integrity, while Takori was described as a tested public administrator and politician with an impressive political résumé.

Takori, a lawyer, began his career in the old Sokoto State and served as Registrar, Magistrate, Solicitor-General and later Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Zamfara State.

An alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, he was elected to the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. He also secured his party’s senatorial ticket on four occasions but voluntarily stepped down for candidates who eventually won the elections.

Takori was the Zamfara State governorship candidate of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) in the 2019 election. He is a founding member of the NDC and served as its Protem National Secretary during the party’s registration.

He was also a local government chairman, national legal adviser to the Council of Ulamas and chief legal officer of the Nigerian Electoral Commission. He served as secretary of the Yarima presidential campaign in 2003 and 2007.

Ilo, the new chief technical adviser, is a media executive, broadcast journalist and development and international relations expert with nearly four decades of experience in broadcasting, public service, strategic communication and development consultancy.

An alumnus of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, he studied Mass Communication at the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, and holds an MSc in Development Studies from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as a Master’s Degree in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University.

He began his career with Radio Nigeria, where he rose to become a Network Newscaster, before joining Africa Independent Television (AIT). He retired from AIT in 2013 as Director, Special Duties and South-East Operations.

Ilo, who previously served as Special Adviser on Media to the Enugu State Governor and as a member of the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), was until his appointment President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature TV.

Nwosu, a long-time associate of Dickson, is a journalist, media administrator, consultant and political communication strategist with more than 30 years’ experience across print, broadcasting and online media.

He is the columnist behind the widely syndicated satirical column, FRANKTALK.

A graduate of the University of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, Nwosu worked with The Guardian and ThisDay, where he served in various editorial capacities, including Features Editor, Political Editor, Editor of THISDAY Style and Editor of THISDAY on Saturday.

He joined The Sun at its inception as pioneer Editor of Saturday Sun, later becoming Editor of Daily Sun, Executive Director, Corporate Services, and Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

Nwosu subsequently established The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and also had a brief stint with PLUSTV Africa as Controller of News.

He is currently Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Edibofa Communication and Publishing Limited, publishers of The Nigerian Xpress and owners of People’s FM 105.5 Abuja, People’s FM 93.1 Yenagoa and Universal Television Africa (UTV Africa).

He served for eight years on the Standing Committee of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, first as a representative of the West Zone and later as Treasurer.

The statement said the responsibilities of the three appointees would cover Dickson’s activities both as NDC National Leader and as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has warned that drug abuse and addiction, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse can undermine the effectiveness and credibility of security operations.

Oluyede issued the warning at a one-day workshop on Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation, themed ‘Enhancing Operational Effectiveness Through Human Security and Civil-Military Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism Operations.’

The CDS said these issues could directly or indirectly affect individual well-being, discipline, operational readiness and the credibility of security operations.

‘Particular attention will be geared towards the menace of drug abuse and addiction, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, and their prevention in operational environments,’ Oluyede said.

The Defence Chief, represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Gideon Jingirim Kachim, tasked Armed Forces personnel with prioritising civilian protection, respect for human rights, and strict adherence to the rule of law in counter-terrorism operations.

He said the security environment in and around Nigeria had remained complex, dynamic and multidimensional, with terrorism, violent extremism, banditry, communal conflicts, criminality and other forms of insecurity continuing to affect communities and civilian populations.

According to him, these challenges require more than military strength and kinetic operations, stressing the need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach that places the protection of lives, human dignity, and community well-being at the centre of security efforts.

He noted that human security extends the concept of security beyond the protection of territory to include the safety, dignity and well-being of individuals and communities.

‘Operational effectiveness must consequently be pursued alongside the protection of civilians, respect for human rights and adherence to the rule of law,’ he said.

According to Oluyede, adherence to these principles will strengthen the legitimacy, public confidence and sustainability of security operations.

He added that effective engagement with communities, traditional authorities, government institutions and other stakeholders could improve situational understanding, strengthen trust and facilitate more effective responses to security threats.

Oluyede said the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ understanding of human security issues that directly affect operational effectiveness, particularly the prevention of drug abuse, sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse in operational environments.

The Chief of Defence Civil-Military Relations, Rear Admiral Saburi Lawal, said the workshop was designed to deepen participants’ knowledge of human security and civil-military cooperation as they relate to security agencies’ operations.

He said the workshop underscored the need to integrate human security considerations into operational planning, execution and assessment.

Lawal said contemporary security threats are increasingly complex, adaptive and interconnected, requiring an integrated approach that addresses the security, safety, dignity and welfare of affected populations.

‘Knowledge of human security principles, therefore, provides an important framework for understanding these challenges. It recognises that lasting security must address threats to individuals and communities, including violence, displacement, exploitation, abuse and other conditions that undermine human dignity.’

‘In line with the foregoing, civil-military cooperation is critical to the success of counter-terrorism operations.’

He emphasised that the workshop’s ultimate measure would be its contribution to improved operational practices.

‘As professionals entrusted with the security of our nation, we must remain mindful that operational effectiveness and respect for human dignity are mutually reinforcing. Protection of civilians, adherence to the rule of law and respect for human rights must remain integral to our operations.’

‘I hope that the workshop will enhance our collective understanding of human security and civil-military cooperation. I further trust that it will contribute to more effective, coordinated and responsive counter-terrorism operations,’ he said.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has assured communities across the state that his successor and political party will continue and complete projects initiated by his administration.

He said his belief that the state’s development should transcend individual political tenures informed the assurance.

Fubara spoke at the inauguration of the Buguma-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road, where he said he might not be able to meet all the demands of the people before the end of his tenure in May 29, 2023.

The Buguma-Tema-Degema-Abonnema Road project was inaugurated by the Amayanabo of Abonema Kingdom, Dr Disreal Bob-Manuel.

Fubara expressed confidence that his would-be successor and party would sustain the projects initiated under his administration.

He said: ‘Let me beg you, if I cannot meet all your requests today, my successor will continue where I will stop. However, any project I can start, I assure you that we will do it for you.

‘Even the ones I cannot complete, I am very sure that my party will complete them. So, the issue today is about our people.’

The governor said the project was important to his administration, recalling that he had resolved to rehabilitate it after witnessing its deplorable condition while travelling to Abonnema.

Fubara said: ‘I felt very ashamed of our state in the face of our position in the comity of states that we still have such a deplorable road. I made a promise that even if it is remaining one week for me, that we must fix that road. To the glory of God, today the road has been fixed.

‘Our desire for our state is not about just embarking on projects but doing things that we believe will touch and impact the lives of our people positively.’

The governor also cited the Trans-Kalabari Road project as another major intervention that, according to him, cannot be denied as part of his administration’s development efforts.

The governor further said the improved road network would facilitate political mobilisation in the forthcoming campaigns for the 2027 elections.

‘Quite soon we would be going round campaigning for our party, and the truth about it is that movement will be easy, and when we get there I can boldly ask you to support our candidate and our party because I have done these things,’ he said.

The governor commended the host communities for their cooperation with the contractor, noting that their support was essential to the successful completion of the road.

‘I want to thank you, especially the host communities, for cooperating with the contractor. Without your cooperation, we wouldn’t have been here to celebrate this road,’ he said.

The Amayanabo of Abonema Kingdom said the Buguma-Tema-Degema-Abonema road cuts through the heart of Kalabari land, and it is a project that touches the Kalabari nation in all spheres, and the people are happy.

The monarch applauded Governor Fubara for delivering the road, describing it as a landmark project that directly impacts the lives and communities of the Kalabari nation.

I have never been impressed by sole proprietorship mentality of Nigerian airline operators who, instead of emulating airlines in Europe by coming together for economy of scale, always believe they can blackmail government for bailout to sustain their greed and inefficiency. For this reason, I have remained one of the persistent voices calling on government to establish a national carrier despite the sentiments against government participation in business.

Many of my generation who witnessed the golden era of the Nigeria Airways are not swayed by argument against government participation in business. It was a season of national pride with the national carrier controlling over 30 aircraft, flown to all parts of the world by Nigerian pilots. It was an age when with just N380, you can have a round trip departing Lagos for London in the morning and returning to Lagos the following day; when our undergraduates with subsidized cheap student tickets could attend weekend parties in London and when our Lagos secondary school children in federal colleges in Sokoto, Kano Port Harcourt flew Nigerian Airways with relative ease; and most importantly, when there was a possibility that the captain of your flight could be your senior in secondary school.

The knowledge of Nigeria that worked makes nostalgic craving for a glorious past when the national carrier was a symbol of national pride to Nigerians irresistible.

Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha’s ‘army of anything is possible’ laid the foundation for the death of a national dream with their commercialisation fraud designed for sharing state enterprises while NPN/NPP 1979 coalition that killed the Daily Times because of their greed, delivered the last blow that killed a thriving national carrier.

Nigeria Airways collapsed due to a crippling combination of chronic mismanagement, deep-seated corruption, severe overstaffing, political interference, and mounting debts exceeding $500 million. This fact was confirmed by aviation experts including Samuel Caulcrick, a former rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), who affirmed that the ‘decline of Nigeria Airways stemmed from a toxic mix of political interference, bureaucratic corruption, and capital starvation and not because government ownership was inherently flawed’. By 2003, the once-proud carrier was left with only a single operational aircraft, forcing the government to cease operations and liquidate the company.

Unfortunately, after the liberalisation of the aviation sector in the late 1980s by Babangida and his army of ‘no alternative to Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), the domestic private airlines, including Okada Air, Kabo Air, GAS Air and Albarka Air operators they presented to us as alternative to Nigeria Airways as we were told was not the business of government, brought only grief to Nigerian air travellers.

Then there was the coming together of 16 domestic airlines during Obasanjo presidency that after a stakeholders meeting insisted the money they were making was not enough to pay cost of operation and service their debt to NCAA, NAMA and FAAN. After blackmailing government claiming they were indebted to the regulatory bodies and financial institutions to the tune of N325billion, they got government N35b bailout. But as it later turned out, the airline operators diverted the amount into other business while their indebtedness to AMCON went up to about $700m.

This was followed by another stakeholders meeting under Jonathan presidency where the managing director of Jimoh Ibrahim’s defunct Air Nigeria said ‘the keyway to ensure Nigerian airlines return to profitability is for federal government support in terms of finance or tax waivers’. The result was the injection of the $500m Chinese loan to the aviation sector.

Nigerians had hoped the injection of the new loan to the aviation sector despite the initial disagreement between Aviation Minister Stella Oduah, the CBN and the Bank of Industry as to whether the money was to be used to buy 30 brand new aircraft to re-fleet the airlines, will bring relief, it brought only grief to Nigeria airline users.

Today, not much has changed. Lamenting about the fate of airlines operators in Nigeria shortly before labour’s assault on his Air Peace last week, Onyema said ‘Over 50 airlines have come and gone. The owners of these airlines succeeded in other businesses, yet they failed in the airline business…. airlines should not be viewed as direct revenue-generating agencies for government’.

And to prove government, as usual is the target of domestic airline operators’ blackmail, Onyema added ‘The president has been supportive of Nigerian airlines and will never allow them to go down; what is happening today does not reflect his intentions. Around the world, governments are supporting their airlines’.

And to win public support, Onyema did not forget to remind us that ‘Going into aviation is not a piece of cake. It is an industry that is not very rewarding. It is capital-intensive, yet less rewarding. Today, we are facing a phase that poses existential threats. Except something drastic is done very quickly within the next 30 days, a lot of airlines might go extinct’.

That blackmail is not new. The only contradiction the domestic airline operators have not explained was why publicly run Nigerian Airways was so successfully managed that it became a symbol of national pride while their own story has been that of lamentation year after year.

However, despite my misgivings about the antics of our operators of domestic airlines, I believe investors especially those who are audacious enough to dabble into the aviation sector are men with heart of steel. Running an airline business can be doubly challenging not just because of potential to lose N2b in one day as Air Peace did last week, but that your airline is ‘operating an average of 80 flights daily across its domestic, regional, and international network, carrying an estimated 8,000 passengers ‘as Osifo-Whiskey, Air Peace spokesman disclosed last week.

How many public intellectuals, social critics and senior editors who easily get on edge if their driver failed to return back from school on time with their children or become prayer warriors when their flights experience turbulence in the air can survive what risk takers like Onyema goes through every day?

I remember my days at The Guardian. I was for five years on hypertensive drug. For fear of armed robbers’ attack on drivers of our distribution vehicles; I hardly slept most days until four in the morning when our last distribution van going to Abuja or Port Harcourt must have called to announce their safe arrival. I remember my two former managing directors, Lade Bonuola in the first place will not even leave the office until the wee hours of the morning while Dr Stanley Macebuh will start smoking furiously if there was no word from a returning distribution van driver.

Airline operators like Onyema and his tribe have something most of us don’t have. They wake up every morning and go to bed at night worrying not just about delayed flights, missing luggage but about thousands of airline passengers whose safety depends on their efficient management of their airlines daily.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, yesterday said installing state-of-the-art transmission infrastructure remained critical to achieving President Bola Tinubu’s ambition of transforming Nigeria into a $1trillion economy.

He also disclosed plans by the government to wheel about 6,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity before the year ends, with further plans of inaugurating 20 transmission projects across the country in the same period; all geared towards strengthening the nation’s electricity infrastructure.

Tegbe made this known in Lagos, yesterday, at the inauguration of two new 100 megavolt-ampere and 132/33 kilovolt power transformers at the Ijora Transmission Substation. He explained that the essence of the infrastructure was not merely to increase generation but to ensure that available power could be transmitted reliably to consumers.

‘Let me put on record that the objective of this commitment is not just to generate more megawatts. The objective is to create a power system that can reliably deliver electricity to where it is needed, when it is needed, and at a quality and cost that supports economic activity.

‘This is my second transmission project commissioning today, and we all agreed that before the end of the year, we should commission 20. The most important thing is to be able to wheel comfortably, 6,000 megawatts before December,’ he stated.

The project, implemented through a grant intervention by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is designed to increase transmission capacity and improve the reliability of electricity supply to Apapa, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Tin Can Island and other industrial and commercial areas within the Eko Electricity Distribution Company franchise.

According to the Minister, the previous Ijora substation had three 30 MVA transformers with a combined installed capacity of 90 MVA, which had become inadequate due to the rapid population, commercial and industrial operations expansion.

‘This improvement represents a substantial intervention. Two of the existing 30 MVA transformers are replaced with two modern 100 MVA, 132/33 kV transformers, resulting in an increase of total installed capacity from 90 MVA to 230 MVA, equivalent to about 184Mw. And that represents an additional 125Mw of bulk transmission capacity that will translate into real economic value going forward,’ he added.

Tegbe said the upgrade would improve electricity supply to Ijora, Costain, Oyingbo, Customs and Ajegunle communities while supporting businesses and millions of consumers within the Eko Electricity Distribution Company franchise area.

He assured that the Federal Government was addressing the structural challenges across the electricity value chain.

According to him, transmission infrastructure has been one of the major constraints in the past government’s efforts to provide reliable electricity, noting that electricity that could not be adequately wheeled are been generated. He also noted that the country has had available generation constrained by transmission limitations.

‘We have inherited infrastructure that in several locations suffered from years of inadequate maintenance and delayed investment. This is not a criticism of the men and women who have worked within the system under difficult circumstances in the past. Rather, it is an acknowledgement of structural problems that we inherited and that we are solving now very decisively,’ Tegbe said.

In similar vein, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TCN, Sule Abdulaziz, said the replacement of the two ageing transformers had increased the installed transformation capacity at Ijora from 90 MVA to 230 MVA.

He said the decision to install two 100 MVA transformers, rather than the usual 60 MVA units, was informed by the growing electricity demand in Lagos. The upgrade, he further added, would provide additional capacity for future load growth, reduce network constraints and improve the reliability of electricity supply to the Eko Disco load centres.

‘Transmission capacity must remain ahead of the generation curve. That is why TCN will continue to invest in new substations, transformer upgrades, transmission lines, and advanced grid technologies to ensure a stronger, more resilient, and responsive national grid,’ he said.

Abdulaziz explained that the project had increased the capacity of the Apapa Road transmission substation from 60MVA to 180MVA through the installation and energisation of two new 60MVA power transformers, alongside modern gas-insulated switchgear.

He listed the beneficiaries of the project to include Apapa Road, Causeway, Ijora, Amukoko, Ajegunle, Apapa, Tin Can Island and other commercial and industrial areas within the Eko Disco franchise.

According to him, the project formed part of the Emergency Rehabilitation and Reinforcement of Lagos Transmission Substation Project, implemented with support from JICA.

He disclosed that the grant agreement between the Federal Government of Nigeria and JICA was signed in November 2018, while implementation commenced in 2019 following preparatory surveys and grant mobilisation.

Popular Nigerian singer David Adeleke, known as Davido, has said the conduct of youths during the 2026 Osun State governorship election gave Nigerians hope that free and fair elections were possible.

Davido spoke on Tuesday while addressing journalists at his country home in Ede, Osun State, after his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, was re-elected.

The singer thanked the people of Osun for supporting the governor’s re-election, saying voters demonstrated their commitment by defending their votes from the polling units through the local government collation centres.

‘Shout out to Osun youths, you guys didn’t really give hope to the people in Osun; you guys gave hope to the whole Nigeria because if this had gone the other way, I think Nigeria would have actually given up on what they call free and fair elections,’ he said.

Davido said Adeleke’s victory should serve as an example to public officials that good governance and service to the people could earn them electoral support.

‘My uncle, the Governor, should be an example to all other government officials out there. It means that if you work well for the people, the people will work well for you no matter what,’ he said.

He expressed optimism about the next four years of Adeleke’s administration, saying the state was already ‘thriving’ and that further development plans were being considered.

Davido, who is chairman of the Osun Sports Trust Fund, disclosed plans to complete the ongoing stadium project and establish a recreational centre for youths, with facilities for football, swimming, tennis, basketball and athletics.

According to him, the proposed centre would provide constructive activities for young people and help keep them away from crime and other social vices.

He also revealed plans to establish a concert centre in Osun, saying he hoped it would be ready before the governor’s inauguration in December.

On opportunities for entertainers in the state, Davido said he would organise a concert after the inauguration, with young Osun artistes expected to perform alongside him.

He said he might organise a competition to identify talented artistes for the event.

The singer said the initiatives could attract thousands of young people each month while giving them opportunities to develop their talents.

Davido, however, acknowledged the violence recorded in parts of the election, alleging that some of those involved were brought into the state from outside.

‘A lot of the violence came from the people they brought in,’ he alleged, adding that rehabilitation would be part of efforts to address challenges facing some youths.

He said some people engaged in negative activities because of their circumstances, stressing the need to provide them with opportunities to change.

Davido also called for unity and forgiveness following the bitterly contested election, admitting that forgiveness was difficult for him and his family after what they had experienced during the campaign and election period.

‘Forgiving for me is very hard, but it’s something we all have to do for the future of Osun,’ he said.

He also thanked the people of Osun for standing by the Adeleke family and supporting the governor’s return for another four-year term.

FIFA has confirmed that Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour has left the ?governing body, weeks after he publicly criticised President ni Infantino’s plan to sell a stake in its tournament business, including the World Cup.

‘FIFA can confirm that the working relationship between ?FIFA and Kevin Lamour as FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer ?has ended on 17 August 2026,’ a FIFA ?spokesperson said.

‘FIFA thanks Kevin for his two years of service ?and wishes him the best of luck for the future. ?No further comment will be made on the matter,’ the spokesperson added.

Lamour had publicly criticised the proposal last month, saying FIFA staff had been ‘deceived’ ?over the plan and describing it as ‘the project of?one person’.

‘Our mission … is to serve football. Not to serve the personal ?of a person who, unfortunately, believes he embodies FIFA when he is supposed to be at its service,’ Lamour said in a statement at the time.

Lamour’s comments came hours ?after Carlos Cordeiro, ?a senior ?adviser to Infantino, resigned in protest at the proposal, calling it ‘a bad deal for football’.

The?internal dissent came as FIFA faced widespread ?opposition to ?its plan to create a $20 billion subsidiary to run its tournaments, including the World Cup, and sell up to a ?20% ?stake to external investors. FIFA subsequently?abandoned the proposal following the backlash.

Eight clubs have secured promotion to the Nigeria National League (NNL) following the conclusion of the Nationwide League One (NLO) playoffs recently.

The promoted teams are drawn from different parts of the country and will join the NNL for the new season.

The successful clubs are:Dokkal Khairu FC (Osun State), Mighty Jets Feeders (Plateau State), Neurospark FC (Abuja), DMD FC (Borno State), Right 2 Win FC (Abia State), OYC FC (Delta State), Junior Danburam FC (Katsina State) and Ikorodu City FA (Lagos State).

Their promotion marks the next stage in the development of the eight clubs as they prepare to compete at the national second-tier level.

With the NNL Annual General Meeting (AGM) expected to hold in Owerri this Friday the eight teams will be part of the draw which will produce the fixtures for the 2026-27 NNL season.

Lagos-based sides, Inter Lagos and Ikorodu City, were handed reality checks after losing, respectively, to Grassrunners FC and Abakaliki FC on MatchDay 4 of the ongoing Ogunjobi Gold Cup pre-season tournament at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.

Grassrunners FC took just 28 minutes to decide the game, with Ajibola Emmanuel finishing after a defensive slip during play. Ubi Johnson then doubled the lead with a precise shot, putting his team at the top with 10 points.

Ikorodu City paid the price for not killing the game against Abakaliki FC, despite dominating possession at 53%.

Four minutes past the half hour mark, Moses Amanekwu scored to give De Rice Boys their first goal.

De Rice Boys, holding a one-goal lead, added another in the 88th minute when a poor clearance from Ikorodu City allowed Chimaobi Metumareobi to score a half-volley from inside the box. This victory moved Abakaliki FC to second place with 9 points.

Doma United earned their first Gold Cup win as the Savannah Tigers defeated Dokkal Khairu FC 3-1. Goals from Haruna Abubakar (7th minute), Bitrius Philemon (38th minute), and Usman Nasiba (85th minute) highlighted their strong performance against the newly-promoted NNL Dokkal Khairu of Ile-Ife.

Meanwhile, the first MatchDay 4 game between Stormers SC and Sunshine Stars ended in a 1-1 draw, with all goals scored in the first half.

Action resumes tomorrow since today is being observed as a rest day.