Adeleke’s Commissioner Urges President Tinubu To Ensure Free, Fair Election In Osun Ahead Of August 15 Poll

 

Adeleke’s Commissioner Urges President Tinubu To Ensure Free, Fair Election In Osun Ahead Of August 15 Poll

The Osun State Commissioner for Political Affairs and Intergovernmental Relations, Hon. Biyi Odunlade, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and guarantee a free, fair and credible governorship election in Osun State on August 15.

Odunlade made the appeal on Wednesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform in Osogbo, where he alleged that deliberate efforts were being made to intimidate voters and undermine democracy in the state.

According to him, the lingering crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, is being “orchestrated and programmed” to create fear and suppress voter turnout.

“The crisis in the NURTW is orchestrated. It is organised to hijack power from the sitting government by creating fear and instability. The aim is to intimidate voters and create an atmosphere where people will be afraid to come out and vote,” he alleged.

The commissioner claimed some political actors plan to “start from the markets” on election day because “market women are easily frightened.”

“I asked an APC member what their strategy was. He told me once they hear gunshots, ordinary voters who have no political affiliation will stay away from polling units. That is dangerous for democracy,” Odunlade said.

He also faulted the alleged non-neutrality of federal security agencies in the state.  

“There is hardly any security committee meeting that the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, attends personally. He always sends representatives. At a time when security is critical, especially ahead of an election, that should not be the case,” he added.

Odunlade further accused the Federal Government of double standards in handling local government allocations, citing President Tinubu’s past legal battle for Lagos when he was governor.

“When President Tinubu was Governor of Lagos State, he went to court over withheld allocations and eventually got justice. Today, Osun State’s allocation has been withheld, yet the same sympathy is not extended to the state. We are asking for consistency and fairness,” he said.

The commissioner urged the President to allow Osun people to decide their next governor without external interference.

Osun SWAN Pays Tribute To Late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, Ooni's Elder Brother

 

Osun SWAN Pays Tribute To Late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi, Ooni's Elder Brother

The Osun State Chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) extends its heartfelt condolences to the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, over the passing of his immediate elder brother, Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi.

In a jointly signed statement  by chairman Timothy Agbor and secretary Tunde Adeleke,  the association received the news of the demise of the respected prince with deep sadness, describing it as a painful loss not only to the Ogunwusi Royal Family and the people of Ile-Ife but also to Osun State and the nation at large.

Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi was widely respected for his humility, integrity, entrepreneurial accomplishments and unwavering commitment to humanity. His exemplary life and selfless service to society have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire many generations.

As the Royal Patron of Osun SWAN, the Ooni of Ife has consistently demonstrated uncommon support for the growth and development of sports journalism and youth advancement in Osun State. The association therefore shares in the grief of Kabiyesi and the entire Ogunwusi family during this difficult period.

Osun SWAN prays that the Almighty grants the late Prince Adetunji Ogunwusi eternal rest and comforts His Imperial Majesty, the Ogunwusi Royal Family, the people of Ile-Ife, as well as all friends, associates and loved ones affected by this irreparable loss.

The association urges the royal family to take solace in the remarkable life of service, compassion and excellence lived by the deceased, whose memory will remain cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Poland 2026: Falconets Resume Camping In Abuja

 

Poland 2026: Falconets Resume Camping In Abuja

Nigeria’s U20 Women’s National Team, the Falconets, have commenced camping in Abuja ahead of the 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to hold in Poland 5th – 27th September. A total of 28 players have been invited, with 16 of them already in camp as preparations gather momentum for the global showpiece. More of the invited players are expected to join the team in the coming days.

The technical crew, headed by Coach Moses Aduku, has immediately swung into action with intensive training sessions aimed at fine-tuning the squad for what promises to be another memorable campaign on the world stage. The Falconets secured qualification for the World Cup after an impressive qualifying campaign, with a 5-0 aggregate spanking of Rwanda in the second round before edging Senegal 3-2 on aggregate in the penultimate round. They sealed their ticket to Poland with a 3-2 aggregate victory over Malawi in the final qualifying round, extending Nigeria’s remarkable record as the only African nation to qualify for every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition began in 2002.

Nigeria remains one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history, having finished as runners-up in 2010 and 2014, while also reaching the semi-finals in 2012. At the last edition in Colombia in 2024, the Falconets began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Korea Republic before advancing to the Round of 16, where they bowed out to Japan.

Drawn in Group F alongside Spain, China PR and Paraguay, the Falconets will be aiming to build on their rich legacy and mount a serious challenge for a historic  FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title.

WAFU B U20 Championship: Flying Eagles To Play Ghana, Togo & Burkina Faso

 

 

WAFU B U20 Championship: Flying Eagles To Play Ghana, Togo & Burkina Faso

 

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, have been drawn to play Ghana’s Black Satellites, Togo’s Junior Sparrow Hawks and Burkina Faso’s Young Stallions in the group phase of this year’s West Africa Football Union (WAFU) B U20 Championship to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire.

 

The draw conducted on Wednesday put the Flying Eagles and their opponents in Group B, while hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic and Niger Republic make up Group A.

 

Head Coach Abdu Maikaba and his charges will depart the country on Monday next week, with 23 players who are focused on making the country proud by winning one of WAFU B’s two tickets to next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Ghana.

 

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA World Cup silver-medallists, are the defending champions of the WAFU B U20 Championship, having defeated Ghana’s Satellites 2-1 in the final of the last edition of the competition in Lome in 2024.

 

Glasgow 2026: Favour Ashe Backs Team Nigeria to Make Country Proud

 

With just eight days to the start of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, excitement continues to build as Team Nigeria intensifies final preparations for one of the biggest multi-sport events in the Commonwealth calendar.

Nigeria's sprint star, Favour Ashe expressed confidence in Team Nigeria's chances of delivering strong performances in Glasgow, saying the athletes are motivated and determined to make the country proud.

"We have prepared well and everyone is focused on giving their best. Team Nigeria has a strong tradition at the Commonwealth Games, and we are confident we can compete for medals and make Nigerians proud," Ashe said.

The Opening Ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 23, at The Hydro in Glasgow, where Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will join thousands of athletes, officials, volunteers and spectators from across the Commonwealth to officially launch the XXIII Commonwealth Games.

The Games will feature more than 3,000 athletes representing 74 Commonwealth nations and territories competing for 215 gold medals across 10 sports over 11 days of competition.

A major highlight of the Opening Ceremony will be the official declaration of the Games by King Charles III, who will read the message placed inside the King's Baton on Commonwealth Day, March 10, 2025, at Buckingham Palace before the Baton Relay began. The ceremony will also feature British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, the first Batonbearer, celebrating the enduring spirit of the Commonwealth Games.

The King's Baton Relay has completed its historic 500-day journey through all 74 Commonwealth nations and territories, the longest relay in Commonwealth Games history. 

For the first time, all 74 Batons will be reunited in Glasgow, symbolizing the unity, diversity and shared values of the Commonwealth.

Throughout the relay, the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Plastics Campaign, delivered in partnership with the Royal Commonwealth Society, has engaged communities across member nations in environmental conservation efforts aimed at preventing one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters.

Team Nigeria heads into Glasgow looking to build on its rich Commonwealth Games legacy, with athletes expected to challenge for medals across several sports and continue the nation's tradition as one of Africa's leading sporting powers.