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Super Eagles attacker, Paul Onuachu has described his stunning bicycle-kick strike in Trabzonspor’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Fatih Karagmrk last weekend as one of the goals of the season.

The Nigeria international was the star of the seven-goal spectacle at the Atatrk Olympic Stadium, netting twice – first with a spectacular overhead kick and later from the penalty spot.

Speaking after the game, Onuachu expressed delight at both the win and his personal contribution.

‘First of all, I’d like to congratulate my teammates on the three points. I’m happy the team won, and even happier that I scored,’ he told Fanatik.

Reflecting on his wonder goal, the towering forward said it brought back memories of a previous strike.

‘I watched the goal again, and it reminded me of the one I scored against Konyaspor. Between the two, I’d say the Konyaspor goal was better. This one was purely instinctive – I had to decide quickly, and luckily it turned into a good shot and a good goal.’

Onuachu’s brace takes his tally to five goals in seven league appearances for Trabzonspor this season who are third with 14 points from seven games.

Trabzonspor hosts Kayserispor in their next Super Lig tie on Friday.

Support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a boost in Edo State, following inauguration of the Grassroots Mobilisation for 2027 tagged: ‘PBAT 4+4 Grassroots Mobilisation’.

The group said Tinubu’s economic reforms had shown promising results, with notable gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, foreign reserves, and infrastructural development.

Edo State Coordinator of the group, Abel Emokpae, who spoke after the inauguration in Benin City, said President Tinubu had earned citizens’ support by delivering dividends of democracy.

He noted that the Tinubu administration had shown that it had capacity to turn around economic downturn and make it profitable.

He said the group aimed to secure massive support for President Tinubu across all stratums, including the local government councils in Edo State.

Emokpae challenged Nigerians to rally behind the present administration, emphasising that continuity was crucial for sustaining progress.

He said: ‘This can lay a foundation for a brighter future for the youth, knowing that President Tinubu is not the father that forgets serious children’s ambitions. The leaders of this group will soon visit some states to encourage more grassroots mobilisation, preparatory to 2027 election and by special grace of God, volunteers across the state will be captured.’

Kwara United have promised to bounce back stronger after their elimination in the preliminary stage of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup.

The Nigerian club slumped 0-1 at home to Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State to bow out on a 3-5 aggregate scoreline.

While apologising to their teeming supporters, fans, and other critical stakeholders for the continental ouster, the Harmony Boys pleaded for understanding as they plot their way back to reckoning.

Kwara needed an outright win to secure a place in the next round, but a lone strike by Hubert Gyalu in the 53rd minute sealed a 1-0 victory for the Porcupine Warriors in the return leg played at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena.

In a statement yesterday , Kwara chairman, Kumbi Titiloye, described the early exit as painful and regrettable, pleading with fans to forgive the team for they are determined to bounce back stronger.

Kwara United will now focus solely on the ongoing Nigeria top-flight for a chance to return to the continent with a home tie against Plateau United on Thursday.

The Flying Eagles were unlucky to lose 1-0 to Norway in their opening match of the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup finals on Monday despite dominating play and creating a hatful of chances, particularly in the second period.

Norway went ahead after they were awarded a contested penalty in the 9th minute, but the Flying Eagles fought hard to redeem things, only to be denied penalty awards on two occasions in the second half.

Kparobo Arierhi’s left-footed shot inside the box drifted just wide in the 47th minute, with the goalkeeper completely beaten, and in the 63rd minute, Tahir Maigana’s left-footed shot inside the box was stopped by the base of the upright.

The two-time silver medallists launched onslaught after onslaught against the Europeans, but Norway had too many players behind the ball in the box and foiled dozens of attempts.

In the 71st minute, the crowd rose to cheer the equalizer, but midfielder Nasiru Salihu’s rising shot from the right rose a little too high, beating the goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Seven minutes from time, the tireless Tahir Maigana cocked the trigger from afar, only to see his effort miss the target narrowly.

The Flying Eagles will take on Saudi Arabia in their second match of the competition on Thursday.

A popular preacher, Prophet Sam Olu-Alo, has congratulated Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu on the 65th independence anniversary.

He called on Nigerians to always make necessary sacrifices that would help the country to attain greatness.

Olu-Alo, who is the planter of of CAC Adamimogo, Grace of Mercy Prayer Mountain World-wide, also congratulated Ekiti people and Governor Biodun Oyebanji on the 24th year of the creation of Ekiti State.

The cleric in his goodwill message by his Personal Assistant, Hon. Deji Ogunbusuyi, said Nigeria remained one indivisible entity despite the political and ethnic forces differences of its people, urging Nigerians to continually pray and make concerted efforts to ensure the nation’s upliftment.

Olu-Alo, who described Nigerians as resilient people, said all hands must be on deck in building a peaceful, united and prosperous nation, adding that citizens must eschew divisive tendencies at this time that we need to stand and live together as brothers.

He urged all Nigerians to participate actively and constructively in the process of nation-building for the country to get over all her challenges.

While congratulating Ekiti people on the 29th anniversary of the creation of the State, he said a better and well-developed State should remain paramount in the hearts of the citizens.

‘I therefore call on the Ekitis, both at home and abroad, to support and join hands with the government in repositioning the state and ensure its all-round development of the State.

‘The task of rebuilding and repositioning the state is a collective effort and through our cooperation, a truly prosperous state would be built and we shall put it firmly on the path of honour and irreversible development,’ he stated.

He urged the people not to relent in praying for the both administrations to be able to make life better for the people.

The preacher appealed to all political parties and residents of Ekiti state to conduct themselves peacefully in their forthcoming parties governorship primary elections.

In a separate statement, the cleric also congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja on his recent coronation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.

Prophet Olu-Alo, who is founder of Adamimogo FM Nigeria and the owner of Adamimogo 105:1 FM, Ibadan in Oyo State and others in Southwest, said the momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the history of Ibadan’s traditional institution.

While also rejoicing with the monarch on his birthday celebration, the cleric said: ‘Your ascension to the throne is a testament to your leadership qualities and dedication to the well-being of your people. As a former Governor of Oyo State, you have demonstrated exceptional governance skills, and your experience will undoubtedly shape your reign as Olubadan.

‘I pray God will grant you wisdom and knowledge to lead and guide the people as well as giving you sound health as you embark on this new chapter. May your reign be marked by peace, prosperity, and the continued growth of Ibadanland’.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has inaugurated the committee for the screening of 2026 Hajj Tour Operators at the Hajj House in Abuja.

The committee comprises management workers of the commission alongside other key members, including representatives from the secretariat.

The commission’s Director of Administration, Alhaji Alidu Shutti, who represented the Chairman at the event, described the inauguration as an important milestone in preparations for the Hajj operation.

He expressed the commission’s confidence in the competence and capacity of the committee members to deliver on the crucial assignment.

Shutti urged the committee to thoroughly scrutinise all documents submitted by intending Hajj Tour Operators seeking licences for the 2026 exercise, ensuring validity, accuracy, and compliance with international best practices.

He directed the committee to recommend slot allocations only to qualified and competent operators.

‘You are expected to submit your recommendations to the leadership of the commission for approval or otherwise, and produce a comprehensive report of your findings at the end of the exercise,’ Shutti said.

The director reminded the committee of the urgency of their task, stressing that the assignment must be completed within one week in line with the deadline set by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah for the 2026 operations.

Women’s national team wrestling coach, Purity Akuh, has pledged total commitment to the development and growth of wrestling after securing a seat as the South West zone representative seat in the board of Nigeria Wrestling Federation(NWF).

Speaking to journalists after the election, Purity vowed to support wrestling in the South West after he pulled the available six votes from the six states in a dominant fashion.

The UWW Educator noted that sports is a veritable instrument of reducing crime and unemployment if optimally pursued, hence his total drive to see it develop in the South West.

‘As you know, sports generate big foreign exchange for countries all over the world. This and many other embedded issues surrounding and affecting sports, particularly in wrestling, will be addressed passionately and with all sincerity of purpose,’ he stated.

He thanked the President Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Honourable Daniel Igali, who was his national team coach in his wrestling days and the entire wrestling family for counting him worthy to be elected as NWF board member.

Purity also appreciated the governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and the state Honourable commissioner for Sports Development for their overwhelming support

Assuring that the experience he acquired as a wrestler and having gone through technical trainings to be certified as UWW Educator will be made manifest, bringing to the NWF board technical insights among other qualities.

‘I want to thank the governor of my state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the commissioner and my mentor, Daniel Igali, for the tremendous support I have received and the people of South West in supporting this mandate. Gratitude is not enough to express how elated I am to serve at this capacity.’

‘I’m not coming to the NWF board to make up numbers, but to offer technical support and inputs. I have acquired a lot of experience during my days as a wrestler under my mentor, Honourable Daniel Igali, and also, I have gone through a lot of international professional courses and I believe these qualities will be put to work,’ he said

The Ondo State born technician assured to engage appropriate stakeholders to thoroughly and painstakingly look into all the challenges contending wrestling development in the South West with a view of overcoming them, and providing grassroots programs for the purpose of raising more talents for the nation

‘I have envisaged a sustainable development plan, detailing grassroots programs, training plan with tenacity, zeal, and dedication to reach out to raw talents in our villages with the support of every stakeholder’. Purity concluded.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address its seven-point demands or face an industrial action.

The union said it reached the decision at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

ASUU’s National President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, announced the strike notice while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.

He said: ‘At the NEC meeting held on September 28, 2025, at the University of Abuja, the union decried the neglect of the university system and the government’s consistent refusal to meet its demands. ‘Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues.

‘If at the end of the ultimatum the government fails to act, the union may have no option but to first embark on a two-week warning strike, and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.’

The Federal Ministry of Education recently set up a committee, chaired by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals in a bid to restore stability in the university system.

But the committee has yet to make its recommendations public.

Also, in an interview with The Nation, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, had said there was no need for the union to embark on a strike in the middle of ongoing talks.

Alausa had appealed to the university lecturers to be patient with the outcome of the committee’s assignment, which is expected to address the issues raised by ASUU.

Five-time FIFA U 17 world champions, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will tackle the Black Starlets of Ghana in the second semi-final of the ongoing WAFU-B U17 Championship at the Stade Charles Konan Banny on Tuesday. Kick-off is 8pm Nigeria time.

The Golden Eaglets have been in good form in the tournament, scoring four goals and conceding only one, in the process amassing four points to top the three-team group B.

On their part, Ghana’s Black Starlets struggled to qualify to this stage. The team played 1-1 with Togo in their opening game in group A, came short with three goals’ deficit against host Cote d’Ivoire in their second game and were on the verge of crashing out when the score line stood at 1-1 against Niger Republic, before two late goals in second half secured a win and qualification for semi-final.

Therefore, this semi-final clash between the two West African giants promises to be an interesting encounter. However, the Eaglets have recorded more victories against their counterparts in the WAFU-B U17 Championship. Golden Eaglets defeated the Black Starlets 4-2 in the opening game of the 2022 edition hosted by Ghana in the city of Cape Coast. The same shouts of victory echoed in the camp of Golden Eaglets when the team defeated Black Starlets 3-2 in the bronze medal clash of the last edition held in Accra, Ghana.

Another win for the Golden Eaglets in Tuesday’s clash will not only secure a berth in the final, but also qualification to the 2026 Africa U17 Cup of Nations.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba, has hailed the inclusion of scientists from the university in the body of two per cent scientists in the world.

Ndoma-Egba, who was responding to the recent recognition of lecturers of FUOYE by the globally-reputable Stanford appraisal, said the development was a pointer to the great potential of the university.

He said: ‘FOUYE has put Nigeria in a pride of place in scientific researches and recognition and it is a reflection of the sound academic community in the university.

‘I am very proud and I’m elated that FUOYE is certainly on the path to national and, indeed, global distinction and recognition.

‘We will keep our hands on the plough, looking forward to greater glory and ignoring the contrived distractions of the university by merchants of fake news.

‘There are many lofty achievements happening at FUOYE. They are giant strides the faculties and departments, as well as the management, and indeed, the whole university community are proud of.

‘We will advise the media to report these positive developments and be more critical to false stories that only mire the university in needless controversy.’