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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the Bill establishing the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

He also lauded Governor Umo Eno for promptly releasing the Obio Akpa campus of the Akwa Ibom State University to ensure the smooth take-off of the institution.

Akpabio made these remarks at the funeral service in honour of the former Majority Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the late Hon (Elder) Imo Akpan Ibokette.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, ‘I look forward to the admission of the first batch of students into the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology in this Senatorial District. Let me thank President Bola Tinubu for signing the bill which established the University. Let me also thank our dear Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for releasing a campus of the Akwa Ibom State University for the commencement of academic activities this year.’

‘Late Ibokette, we are laying to rest today, was the first to call and thank me on hearing of the passage of the bill establishing the University. His death is a personal loss to me. The Ibokette family and I share an intimate affinity that spans decades. Even the weight of political differences did not attenuate the relationship we shared. So, I personally mourn his demise,’ he stated.

The funeral service in honour of the late lawmaker was held at the Abak International Nursery/Primary School in Abak Local Government Area and was conducted by the Apostolic Church Nigeria.

Akpabio described him as a patriot, a selfless leader, a loving father, and a hardworking personality who braved the odds to achieve what he did before his demise, saying, ‘He did his best and witnessed the uncommon transformation which he fought and worked for before his departure.’

The Special Committee, led by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, investigating the ownership and funding of the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA) has submitted its report.

Last December, the Edo State House of Assembly, in its recommendations following its investigation into MOWAA, asked Governor Monday Okpebholo to take possession of the entire premises on which MOWAA is built, since the state government funded the entire project.

The recommendation stated that the property remained that of the Central Hospital, as it was never revoked, and urged Governor Okpebholo to immediately take steps to put the property to good use in the best and overriding public interest of the people.

However, former Governor Oshiomhole’s Special Committee recommended changing the name MOWAA to the Benin Royal Museum of African Art and handing it over to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, for proper management.

Speaking while submitting the report to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Oshiomhole said former Governor Godwin Obaseki spent N3.8 billion of taxpayers’ money on the MOWAA project and repeatedly changed the museum’s name for personal reasons.

Oshiomhole said the state government under Obaseki agreed to fund the construction of the Benin Royal Museum on land provided by the Oba of Benin.

He said Obaseki’s administration took several steps, demolished the Central Hospital, and decided to change the original name of the museum to the Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWA) and later to the Museum for West African Art (MOWAA).

The former Edo Governor said the Edo State government raised N800 million in seed money.

He said the investigation revealed that MOWAA’s claims that funds were raised for archaeological work and excavations were false.

He recommended that ‘The facility should not be demolished because it can’t be remodelled; the museum is allowed to stay, and the facility be given a proper name that will reflect the true ownership.

‘The name should be changed to Benin Royal Museum of African Art. The governor can use the same instrument of government to revert the name. This will attract artefacts from across the globe.

‘The museum should be returned to the Oba of Benin to manage it henceforth, as the government comes and goes but the Benin Monarch remains, and the artefacts can be protected better by the institutions that own them’.

On his part, Governor Okpebholo said the quality of the committee’s report showed the fairness and seriousness of the job.

He said, ‘At this point I will set up another committee to enable us to have a white paper on the issue, and the committee will liaise with the Ministry of Justice so that the recommendation will be turned into a white paper.’

‘I watched a video clip where Obaseki promised to build a Royal Museum to celebrate our Royal father but dramatically changed it to MOWAA. You have done a great job, and our ancestors will bless you all.’

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was captured in a light-hearted moment with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, jokingly claiming victory for his side in a video that went viral on Friday.

The clip, shared on Instagram by OfficialPrinceNwauzor, was recorded on Thursday during a visit by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to Wike’s office.

In the video, Davido, dressed in brown traditional attire, stood and repeatedly told the minister, ‘I won. I beat you guys.’

Wike, seated in a white shirt, responded with a smile, ‘No, no.’

‘I won! I beat you,’ Davido insisted.

‘You beat us?’ Wike asked.

‘I beat you,’ Davido replied, as laughter and shouts of ‘I beg o’ filled the background.

The exchange ended with Davido prostrating before Wike and embracing him, drawing cheers and applause from those present.

Governor Adeleke had earlier met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa before proceeding to visit the FCT Minister.

Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

He won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) plans to conduct a nationwide mock accreditation exercise in November to test its readiness for the 2027 general elections, its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has said.

Amupitan disclosed this on Friday when he received the Chargé d’Affaires of the Canadian High Commission to Nigeria, David Sproule, and the Country Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Moritz Sprenker, at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He described the August 15 Osun State governorship election as a ‘superlative benchmark’ in electoral administration, saying the commission would use the experience to guide its preparations for the 2027 elections.

According to him, 3,556 of the 3,763 polling units in Osun State, representing 94.5 per cent, opened for accreditation and voting by 8:30 am.

He attributed the outcome to the effective deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), seamless transmission of results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and proactive crisis management by field officials.

‘We view the success in Osun not as a final destination, but as the gold standard that will guide our preparations for 2027,’ he said.

Amupitan said the planned November mock accreditation exercise would serve as a rigorous field test of the BVAS and other electoral processes ahead of the general election.

He said the exercise was intended to identify and address possible operational gaps before the 2027 elections.

The INEC chairman appreciated Canada’s continued partnership with the commission, while also highlighting the need for a voter revalidation exercise.

He said a significant number of voters, particularly elderly persons who registered as far back as 2011, would need to validate their records.

He, however, said the revalidation exercise could not be conducted ahead of the 2027 General Election because of time constraints, adding that it remained necessary to avoid delays in future electoral processes.

He admitted that both engagements came at a pivotal point in the Commission’s calendar, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 16 January 2027, and the Governorship and House of Assembly elections slated for 6 February 2027.

He said Wednesday, 19 August 2026, marked the official start of public campaigns and rallies for the 2027 General Election, while the Commission, days earlier, joined presidential candidates and party chairmen at the National Peace Committee’s signing of the first National Peace Accord on issue-based campaigning.

The INEC Chairman said the visit of the Canadian delegation reinforced the long-standing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Canada, anchored on democratic values, the rule of law, and good governance.

He commended Canada’s sustained support for electoral governance, civic education, institutional strengthening, and gender inclusion in Nigeria.

He outlined five areas of shared strategic priority with the Canadian delegation: consolidating the technological gains recorded in Osun; deepening electoral inclusivity for persons with disabilities, women, youth, and underrepresented groups across the Commission’s 176,000 polling units; strengthening institutional capacity through technical assistance and training; countering election-related misinformation; and the planned mock accreditation exercise.

Prof. Amupitan also informed the Commission’s guests that the Commission had established a dedicated Artificial Intelligence (AI) Unit to strengthen data management, voter registration, and results transmission, while guarding against the misuse of such technologies.

In his remarks, Leader of the Canadian delegation, Mr Sproule, commended INEC’s commitment to a free and credible electoral process and reaffirmed Canada’s readiness to support the Commission in areas it deemed necessary, including election observation. He expressed particular interest in the active participation of women and other segments of society in the electoral process, and said Canada was confident in the Commission’s capacity to conduct credible elections.

Receiving the delegation from Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), led by the Country Director, Moritz Sprenker, the INEC Chairman described KAS as a longstanding partner of the Commission and commended the Foundation’s contributions to constitutional democracy, the rule of law, and good governance globally.

According to him, INEC and KAS had collaborated on regulatory frameworks for political parties, including technical retreats held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and Lagos, which he said contributed to the Commission’s preparations for the Osun election.

He listed strategic priorities for continued collaboration with KAS, including civic education and democratic culture, electoral technology, institutional capacity building, countering misinformation, and deepening inclusivity for persons with disabilities and marginalised groups, and interagency dialogue for peaceful electoral processes.

Responding, Mr Sprenker said KAS is active in more than 100 countries and has worked in Nigeria for over 25 years across government, civil society, academia, and the media. He recalled a capacity-building workshop on procurement held with INEC in Lagos in March 2026 and expressed KAS’s continued interest in strengthening its partnership with the Commission.

Prof. Amupitan used both engagements to reassure the international community of INEC’s independence, neutrality, and commitment to democratic integrity, as the Commission scales its logistical capacity to deploy approximately 1.4 million ad-hoc personnel across more than 176,000 polling units nationwide for the 2027 General Election.

The newly elected President of the Yola Polo Club, Abdulrahman Haske, has delivered a message of consolidation and steady promotion of the ‘game of kings’ to the Nigerian polo community.

?Speaking during an interactive media session following his election, Haske vowed to redouble efforts to promote polo in Adamawa State, across Nigeria, and on the international stage. He expressed gratitude to the Grand Patron of the club and Lamido of Adamawa, HRH Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, for the opportunity to serve, declaring that his management committee will elevate the sport to greater heights. Haske, who is also the patron of the Haske and Williams polo team, assured fans that the forthcoming 2026 Yola International Polo Tournament will be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

?Revered as the premier sporting attraction and social highlight of the North-East region, the 2026 festival is scheduled to run from September 8 to September 13 at the historic Lamido Musdafa Polo Ground in Yola. Confirming the dates, Haske noted that no sporting event captures the cultural heritage of the Adamawa Kingdom quite like this annual gathering. He recalled that since the inaugural edition was held at the Eastern Gate of the Lamido Palace in the mid-1930s, the tournament has grown steadily in both popularity and prestige.

?Traditionally hosted by the Lamido and supported by the Adamawa State Government alongside corporate and private sponsors, the tournament features several highly coveted trophies. Key prizes include the high-stakes Governor’s Cup and the historic Lamido Cup-the oldest trophy in the club’s 80-plus-year history. According to Yola Polo Captain Asharaf Yahaya, over 25 top teams from across Nigeria, featuring foreign players, are expected to compete. Other silverware up for grabs includes the Emir of Mubi Cup, INTEL Cup, ABTI Cup, General Hassan Cup, A.A. Mustapha Cup, and the M.C. Tahir Cup.

?Club Secretary Usman Saad highlighted the tournament’s role as a major tourist draw, noting that it regularly attracts visitors from neighbouring Cameroon, Niger, Chad, Sudan, and Europe. ‘We promise a much bigger Yola International this year, as the country’s top-rated players are set to battle for the four major prizes and various individual awards,’ Saad stated.

?The upcoming event follows a thrilling previous edition where the Jos-based Malcomines team and the local Haske and Williams contingent dominated headlines. Murtala Laushi’s Malcomines secured the Governor’s Cup, while Crown Club Resort claimed the Lamido Cup. Haske himself delivered strong performances last year, leading Haske and Williams and Bijou Africa Race to runner-up finishes in the Governor’s and Lamido Cups, respectively. Other winners included the Bauchi Valadora team and Jalingo’s Sadauki Starboys, who lifted the Emir of Mubi Cup.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Branch, has congratulated the university administration on the institution’s improved performance in the July 2026 Webometrics Global Ranking.

In a statement signed by the ASUU-OOU Chairperson, Yinusa Olumuyiwa Ganiyu, the union commended the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Johnson Agboola, and his management team for what it described as an impressive achievement, reflecting the university’s growing academic productivity, research output, digital visibility and global recognition.

ASUU-OOU said the latest ranking was a testament to the collective efforts of the university’s management, staff and students over the past four years to reposition the institution.

The union particularly praised Prof. Agboola’s leadership, noting that the progress recorded in recent years demonstrated the capacity of members of the university community to provide purposeful leadership and move OOU to greater heights.

‘Purposeful leadership, commitment, cooperation and a shared vision’ were identified by the union as key drivers of the university’s recent progress.

While celebrating the achievement, ASUU-OOU called on members of the university community and other stakeholders to continue supporting the administration to consolidate and further improve the gains recorded.

The union also cautioned against distractions or actions that could undermine the progress achieved or return the institution to what it described as its ‘difficult past.’

According to ASUU-OOU, the interests of Olabisi Onabanjo University must remain paramount, with management, academic and non-academic staff, students, unions and other stakeholders working collectively to sustain the institution’s development.

The union urged the university community to ‘protect the gains,’ ‘consolidate the progress,’ ‘avoid distractions’ and ‘move OOU forward together.’

ASUU-OOU reiterated its congratulations to Prof. Agboola, the university management and the entire OOU community, expressing optimism that continued cooperation would help build and sustain an institution of which all stakeholders would be proud.

The Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum has called for a comprehensive review of the remote and immediate causes of the party’s defeat in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, and has proposed a broad restructuring of the state chapter to restore unity and rebuild party members’ confidence.

In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu dated August 18, the group identified internal divisions, concerns over candidate selection, and the distribution of political appointments as factors that contributed to the party’s defeat.

The forum, coordinated by Professor Akin Adeyanju and Secretary Sola Ajayi, said that the concentration of political appointments and electoral decisions around the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, had raised concerns among certain sections of the party.

It said that the limited involvement of some party elders and stakeholders in key decisions affecting the state chapter had also weakened internal cohesion and may have contributed to the loss of support among critical stakeholders and communities across the three senatorial districts.

To address the situation, the stakeholders urged President Tinubu to facilitate an independent review of the Osun APC leadership structure and candidate-selection process, alongside measures to reconcile the various interests within the party.

As part of its proposed way forward, the group called for the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a state congress to produce what it described as a genuinely representative state executive.

It also proposed a stakeholders’ reconciliation summit bringing together all factions, party elders and interest groups within the state chapter.

The forum urged the APC to establish a transparent and inclusive framework for future candidate selection, based on broader consultation rather than the preference of any individual leader.

It also called for a more equitable distribution of federal appointments and future electoral opportunities across the three senatorial districts and the party’s various interest groups.

The stakeholders said the proposed measures were necessary to reposition the APC and improve its prospects in Osun ahead of future elections.

They expressed confidence that timely intervention by President Tinubu would help reunite the party, restore members’ confidence and position the APC for stronger performance in subsequent elections.

The forum commended Tinubu for what it described as his leadership and commitment to the party before and after the August 15 election, while expressing regret over the APC’s defeat despite his support.

The Premier League season begins this weekend as defending champions Arsenal begin their title defence, while City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea also start their campaigns. All the action will be live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv.

Arsenal open proceedings tonight at 9:00 pm when they host newly promoted Coventry City. The Gunners begin their pursuit of consecutive league titles against a Coventry side making its return to the top flight and eager to start with a statement result.

Manchester United are in action on Saturday at 12:30 pm with a trip to Hull City. Both teams will look to make a strong start.

At 3:00 pm, Ipswich Town host Sunderland, while Everton welcome Crystal Palace in the other afternoon fixture at the same time. The Everton-Palace clash will be live on SuperSport Action (GOtv Ch. 66, DStv Ch. 206). Tottenham Hotspur then visit Brentford at 5:30 pm in an all-London contest.

Sunday begins with Manchester City travelling to Bournemouth at 2:00 pm. The fixture marks City’s first Premier League game under new manager Enzo Maresca, following Pep Guardiola’s departure, giving the visitors an early opportunity to show what the new era could bring.

At 4:30 pm, Newcastle United host Liverpool in one of the weekend’s standout fixtures. Liverpool also begin a new chapter under head coach Andoni Iraola, while Newcastle will look to make home advantage count against the reigning Premier League challengers.

All the action will be live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. All Premier League matches air live on SuperSport Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). The opening round concludes on Monday at 8:00 pm with Chelsea visiting Fulham in a West London derby.

Nigeria champions Edo Queens have arrived in Ouagadougou yesterday ahead of the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU B qualifying tournament.

The Edo side, fondly known as the Ada Bendel, travelled with a 21-player squad and 12 officials from Lagos through Lomé, Togo, to Burkina Faso, the host country for the competition.

Edo Queens have been drawn in Group A alongside Ampem Darkoa Ladies of Ghana, ASFC Mimosas of Côte d’Ivoire and AS Garde Nationale of Niger.

The WAFU B qualifying tournament will run from August 23 to September 5, 2026, with the eventual winners earning qualification for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League.

Edo Queens will enter the competition without their substantive coach, Moses Aduku, who is currently on international duty with Nigeria’s Under-20 women’s national team, the Falconets.

In his absence, Bendel Insurance manager Kennedy Boboye will provide the technical leadership for the Nigerian champions.

Among the players expected to feature for Edo Queens are Mose Chioma, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi, Atume Doosuur, Vera Doris, Precious Oscar, Deborah Odiagbe, and Uroko Valentina.

The Nigerian champions will be hoping to negotiate the group stage successfully and progress towards securing a place in the continental championship.

The Hausa Community in Ondo State has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima remain the best leadership option for Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

They made the declaration on Friday in Akure during a mobilisation programme organised by the Grassroots Movement for Tinubu (GMT), a political support group backed by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Speaking at the event, the State Leader of the Hausa Community in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Bala Umaru, expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s administration’s ongoing reforms in agriculture, security, infrastructure and other sectors.

Umaru said the Hausa community, from the 18 local government areas of Ondo, has endorsed President Tinubu and his Vice President, Shettima, to reposition the country for sustainable development.

He observed that the administration inherited significant economic and social challenges but had demonstrated commitment to addressing them through reforms and interventions targeted at food security, infrastructure, transport, investment, job creation and economic growth.

‘Today is more than a political gathering. It is an opportunity for us to speak with one voice about the Nigeria we want, and the kind of leadership we believe can take us there.

‘The leader is none other than His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our decision as the Hausa community in Ondo State is to support his administration and endorse him alongside our Vice President, His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, for a second term in office,’ Umaru said.

He also lauded the Federal government’s road construction projects, saying improved road infrastructure was essential to the economic activities of northern Nigerians who transport agricultural produce to different parts of the country.

‘In the history of Nigeria, there is no President who has embarked on massive road construction like the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Good roads play a significant role in the economy of we northerners. They make it easier for us to transport our goods, especially farm produce, to any part of the country,’ he said.

Umaru also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration, stressing that some of the reforms would require time before their full impact could be felt.

He further cited Tinubu’s contribution to the political emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari as one reason the Hausa community should reciprocate the support.

‘These are not things that can be achieved overnight. They require patience, consistency and cooperation from all Nigerians.’

‘President Tinubu also played a significant role in installing the late former President Muhammadu Buhari. It is just natural for any northerner to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid,’ he said.

Umaru said the community’s decision was also motivated by its desire for a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.

He applauded the Minister of Interior, Dr Tunji-Ojo, for his leadership, commitment and development initiatives.

The Director-General of GMT, Hon. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, said the Hausa endorsement was part of the group’s wider mobilisation of ethnic communities and non-indigenes across Ondo State for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election.

Yusuf-Ogunleye said the group had previously secured endorsements from the Ebira and Igbo communities, adding that the Hausa community had now joined the campaign.

‘Different ethnic groups in Ondo State have been endorsing President Tinubu. We started with the Ebira community. Last week, the Igbo community did their own. Today, the Hausa people from all 18 local government areas are here to endorse the President’s second-term bid,’ he said.

He said the Hausa community had acknowledged what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration and decided to support the President despite the possibility of other aspirants from the northern region contesting the presidency.

‘That is the spirit of sportsmanship. That is the spirit of oneness,’ he said.

Yusuf-Ogunleye added that the Hausa community, which he described as committed and loyal, supported Tinubu in the 2023 election and had resolved to back him again in 2027.

He also commended Tunji-Ojo for providing resources to mobilise residents and non-indigenes across the state in support of the President.

Similarly, a member of the GMT Board of Trustees, Hon. Adekola Olawoye, SAN, described the gathering as a significant mobilisation event and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of Hausa residents from the 18 local government areas.

Olawoye said the group had been engaging different ethnic communities in the state as part of its mobilisation strategy.

‘We have been mobilising non-indigenes in the state, different ethnic groups, to support the President. Our target is one million votes for the President,’ he said.