Osun NUJ Congratulates Olowu of Kuta on 14th Coronation Anniversary

 

Osun NUJ Congratulates Olowu of Kuta on 14th Coronation Anniversary

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun State Council, has congratulated the Olowu of Kuta, His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama, Tegbosun III, on the occasion of his 14th coronation anniversary.

In a congratulatory statement, the Union described the monarch’s fourteen years on the throne as a remarkable milestone, marked by dedication to the preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition, as well as the peace, development and progress of Kuta Kingdom and Osun State.

The statement was signed by the Chairman of the Osun NUJ, Comrade Adeyemi Aboderin, and the Secretary, Comrade Olalekan Akindoju.

The Osun NUJ commended Oba Makama for his exemplary leadership and described him as a traditional ruler whose influence and contributions extend beyond the palace to issues of national development, peace, good governance and community advancement.

The Union also acknowledged the monarch’s longstanding relationship with the media and his support for journalists and responsible journalism.

According to the NUJ, the Olowu of Kuta has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to constructive engagement with the media and has contributed meaningfully to public discourse through his interventions on issues affecting society.

The Union recalled that, in recognition of his contributions to journalism and society, the Osun State Council inducted Oba Makama into its Hall of Fame and also honoured him as a Life Patron of the Council.

The NUJ said the honours reflected the monarch’s enduring friendship with the journalism profession and his support for the welfare and advancement of journalists in the state.

The Osun NUJ prayed for long life, sound health, wisdom and continued grace for the monarch to provide purposeful leadership to the people of Kuta Kingdom.

The Union further wished the kingdom continued peace, unity, prosperity and development under the leadership of Oba Makama.

The NUJ also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining its cordial relationship with the traditional institution and pledged continued partnership with the Olowu of Kuta in promoting peace, development and responsible journalism in Osun State.

Olatunji Baruwa Joins Eguavoen’s Interim Super Falcons Crew For Olympic Qualifiers

 

Olatunji Baruwa Joins Eguavoen’s Interim Super Falcons Crew For Olympic Qualifiers

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa, M.O.N. has been named goalkeeper trainer for Nigeria’s Senior Women’s National Team, the Super Falcons, as the team prepares for the 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers in October.

The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that former Super Eagles head coach Augustine “Cerezo” Eguavoen will lead the 10-time African champions on an interim basis for the second round fixtures against Comoros, while the search for a substantive head coach continues.

The appointment of Baruwa adds a trusted safe-hands coach to the technical crew. 

Baruwa previously worked with the Super Eagles and was credited with helping stabilise the crisis-ridden goalkeeping department under Jose Peseiro, including the redrafting of Stanley Nwabali back into the Eagles setup.

He has also worked across all levels of Nigerian football with the CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets, where he discovered and nurtured young talents such as Chijioke Aniagboso, Nathaniel Nwosu, Amah John, Jimoh Saheed amongst others who have gone on to become national team revelations.

His experience will be crucial as the Super Falcons aim to secure one of Africa’s two tickets to Los Angeles 2028.

Baruwa will work under Eguavoen, who famously led the Super Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Eguavoen will be assisted by Christopher Danjuma, current head coach of NWFL side Nasarawa Amazons. Danjuma brings vast experience with Nigeria’s women’s teams, having led the Falconets at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Also joining the crew is former Super Falcons defender Ayisat Yusuf. Yusuf earned 68 caps for Nigeria and represented the country at four Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, three FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Super Falcons received a bye into the second round and will host Comoros in both legs at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on October 9 and 13, 2026.

Comoros advanced after a 30-0 aggregate win over Sudan.

Nigeria must navigate four rounds of two-legged knockout ties to qualify for Los Angeles 2028.

If they overcome Comoros, the Falcons will face either DR Congo or Morocco in the third round between February 23 - March 6, 2027.

A fourth round clash against Tunisia, Senegal, Benin Republic or Mali is scheduled for October 4 - 12, 2027.

The final qualifying round holds November 23 - December 4, 2027.

National Intermediate Games Postponed, to Support Excellent Hosting of Inaugural Edition

 

National Intermediate Games Postponed, to Support Excellent Hosting of Inaugural Edition*

The first edition of the National Intermediate Games, scheduled to take place in Lagos from October 1 to 15, 2026, has been postponed to the first quarter of 2027 to allow for further preparations and ensure a successful world-class inaugural edition.

The Lagos State Sports Commission formally communicated the decision to the National Sports Commission following a comprehensive review of preparations by the Local Organising Committee (LOC), the NSC and an independent Quality Control and Assurance Specialist. The review followed the Joint Technical Meeting held from September 3 to 6, 2026. 

The assessment covered proposed facilities, sporting events, technical requirements, rules and regulations, as well as other critical operational areas. While the review established that the Games could technically proceed, it also determined that the remaining timeframe may not be sufficient to deliver the inaugural edition to the standard befitting Lagos and an event of national significance. 

The postponement is intended to safeguard the quality, credibility and long-term success of the National Intermediate Games, which is expected to establish an operational benchmark for future editions.

Hosts, Lagos State has reaffirmed its commitment to hosting the Games and will continue preparations in collaboration with the National Sports Commission and other stakeholders pending the finalisation of a new date by the LOC. 

Meanwhile, the NSC will continue its programme towards the Games as previously planned, including accreditation, zonal elimination for team sports and other technical and operational activities within its immediate purview.

International Friendly: Nigeria To Face Russia In Nizhny Novgorod On October 6

 International Friendly: Nigeria To Face Russia In Nizhny Novgorod On October 6

International Friendly: Nigeria To Face Russia In Nizhny Novgorod On October 6

 

Nigeria and Russia will clash for the second time in 16 months when both teams face off in an international friendly inside the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, 6th October 2026, as confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.

 

Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in another friendly inside Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on 6th June 2025 – few days after the Super Eagles retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup Football Tournament trophy in London.

 

An own goal by defender Semi Ajayi in the first half put the hosts in front but Nigeria levelled in the second half through Tolu Arokodare.

 

Despite failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico in the summer, the Super Eagles retained the Unity Cup in London, played out a credible 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw and narrowly lost 1-2 to Portugal in Meira.

 

The clash at the 44,000 – capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium (which hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals) will be Russia’s second at the venue. They pipped Cyprus 1-0 in a 2020 UEFA Euro qualifier at that venue in June 2019.

 

The Super Eagles are currently ranked 26th in the world, while Russia’s ‘Our Boys’ are in the 35th position.

 

The friendly encounter will hold exactly a week after the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Day 2 qualifying match between the Super Eagles and Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs in Bissau on Tuesday, 29th September.

 

Nigeria will launch their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign four days earlier – against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.  

Adeleke Heads To Europe For Vacation, Directs Probe Into Koka Kingship Crisis

 

Adeleke Heads To Europe For Vacation, Directs Probe Into Koka Kingship Crisis

Governor Ademola Adeleke today left the country for vacation in Europe even as he ordered a probe into the emerging dispute over the kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Government.

The governor who will also embark on medicals as part of the vacation is headed to the United Kingdom and other destinations to be announced later.

“I am taking a short break to refresh and get further prepared to serve the good people of Osun state”, the governor stated while taking off at the Lagos airport.

He however directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported appointment of another king for Koka Ilase, leading to alleged two kings in the same town.

The ministry was instructed to review the situation and enforce due process of the law in respect of the chieftaincy law and tradition.

“I read of another King appointed outside the one on the stool. The ministry is hereby directed to look into the dispute and issue a report to set the records straight.

“I however urge all stakeholders to remain peaceful as the ministry does the needful. Kingship is governed by extant laws and regulations and the government will stand by the law and tradition of our people”, the governor posited.