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INEC Trains Election Workers Ahead of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has started a training of trainers for state coordinating supervisors of its Electoral Operations Support Centre, EOSC.

The aim is to make the reporting of election incidents faster and more accurate ahead of the 2027 General Election.

INEC shared this in a post online on Wednesday.

The training is organised by its Electoral Operations Department and is meant to give the supervisors the skills to run EOSC activities and train the staff who will support election operations.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director, Operations, Jibril Mohammed, represented the Director of Electoral Operations, Isa Magaji.

He said the programme is meant to build teams that can give quick and reliable support across the country.

He described the EOSC as an important platform that helps the Commission keep track of what is happening in the field and pass on problems to the right authorities quickly.

Mohammed said every report involves a real situation affecting people.

According to him, every call or dashboard entry could involve election staff, materials, processes or voters who need guidance and practical help.

He urged the supervisors to give clear direction and use good judgement when leading their teams.

He also asked participants to pass on what they learn to staff at the state level.

He said the success of the training will be measured by how confidently and effectively the people they train do their jobs during the elections.

He encouraged them to take part fully, ask questions and share experiences, since clearing up doubts now will help avoid problems during the elections.

By the end of the programme, participants are expected to understand their EOSC duties better, along with reporting procedures, checking information, passing incidents up the chain and following up.

Mohammed stressed that reports must be accurate and quick.

A good report, he said, should clearly state what happened, where and when it happened, what action has been taken and the current status of the incident.

He also urged supervisors to treat field officers with calm, respect and kindness, especially those working under pressure.

He said how information is received can affect both the quality of information the Commission gets and the support given to staff in the field.

He asked the facilitators to make the training practical and interactive, using real-life situations that participants could face during the 2027 election.

He thanked the facilitators, organisers, sponsors and partners, and urged participants to justify the trust and resources put into the training.

The training is part of INEC’s plans to strengthen its response and improve how it handles problems during the 2027 elections.

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Sport News

Messi Opens Up After Fathers Death With Emotional Career Doubts

Argentine superstar Lionel Messi paid a heartfelt tribute to his father, Jorge Messi, a few days after his death, stating that the tragedy has caused him to question if he would continue to play football for very long.

In addition to being his father, Jorge was also his longstanding representative and a significant figure in his career. The Inter Miami captain used social media to express his grief.

Messi wrote, “Dad, I still can’t believe you’re gone,” characterizing his father’s passing as untimely even tho he was aware of his suffering.

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi stated that one of his greatest dreams was for Argentina to make it to the final so Jorge could recuperate and fly to see him play.

He remarked, “I kept telling you that we were going to make it to the final so you could travel.”

Jorge was unable to attend Argentina’s eventual trip to the final. Messi stated that he had hoped to win the competition in order to honor his father with the accomplishment.

We made it to the final, but you were unable to attend. I wanted to win it so I could show you another one, but I was unable to do so. I simply couldn’t get any more from my legs.

I attempted to go past my body’s limits this time, but I was unsuccessful. He wrote, “I never felt physically right.”

Additionally, the 39-year-old highlighted how his father helped him throughout his early years by bringing him to training sessions after work and rarely missing his matches.

“I repeatedly assured you that we would make it to the final so you could go,” he remarked.

Later on, Jorge got deeply involved in Messi’s professional career, managing his affairs and representing him in talks as he developed into one of the best players in football.

Messi remarked, “You were my representative, my friend, and my father.”

Messi, however, stated that he will remember Jorge mainly as his father, recalling the counsel, arguments, and teachings that molded him as a person and as a football player.

“I’m not sure how I’ll manage without you. I’m not sure how to continue,” he wrote.

The Argentina player also acknowledged that he was unsure about his football career when his father passed away.

Messi remarked, “I only played soccer, and now I have a lot of doubts about whether I’ll keep doing it for much longer.”

Messi stated that Jorge’s impact would endure throughout his family, especially in the manner he raises his kids, despite the anguish of his passing.

“Even tho I will miss you terribly, you will always be a part of my life, especially in the way I teach and raise my kids just as you raised me.

As you did here, rest in peace and keep an eye on us from above. I’m grateful for everything.

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Sport News

Oshoala Sends Urgent Message as Super Falcons Face South Africa

Striker Asisat Oshoala has urged Nigerians to rally behind the Super Falcons as they prepare for a World Cup play-off showdown against South Africa on Thursday, with the team’s place at the 2027 tournament hanging in doubt.

The Super Falcons’ fortunes took a dramatic turn when they were knocked out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the quarter-final stage following a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon.

The loss not only ended their title defense but also forced them to abandon the direct qualification route to the World Cup and instead navigate a more arduous path through back-to-back knockout matches.

The four quarter-final losers will compete for berths in an Intercontinental Play-Off Tournament where only three World Cup spots remain on offer.

Despite the setback in Morocco, Oshoala expressed the squad’s resolve to respond strongly against South Africa, while making an impassioned appeal for national backing at this critical juncture.

She drew parallels with the men’s team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, stressing the significance of maintaining Nigeria’s unprecedented presence at every Women’s World Cup since the competition’s inception in 1991.

The Barcelona forward acknowledged the team’s disappointment but stressed that effort and resilience will define their playoff campaign.

She also reflected on the shifting dynamics of African women’s football, noting that emerging nations are narrowing the gap on established powers and that complacency based on historical success is no longer a viable strategy.

Nigeria’s WAFCON campaign included defeats to both Malawi and Cameroon, underscoring the tournament’s heightened competitiveness and serving as a sobering reminder of the work required to reclaim continental and global prominence.

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Lawyer Tells Davido to Apologise to Edo Governor

Timothy Tugbiyele, a legal practitioner and author, has called on singer David Adeleke to apologise to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for sharing the governor’s alleged West African Examinations Council result on social media.

Tugbiyele made the call in a video posted online on Monday while commenting on political exchanges ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15.

Adeleke had shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on social media on Friday, shortly after the Edo governor criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over his leadership style whilst campaigning for the All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji.

Okpebholo had questioned Adeleke’s frequent dancing, suggesting it was his primary activity over four years in office.

Tugbiyele argued that Adeleke should not have responded personally to the governor’s remarks.

He contended that although Okpebholo’s alleged result may not have been satisfactory, it should not have been used to ridicule him.


Davido trolls Edo gov with WAEC result

Tugbiyele maintained that Adeleke could have responded through official channels via a commissioner of information or special assistant rather than allowing Adeleke to engage the governor directly.

He stressed that Adeleke and Okpebholo occupy different social positions and should not engage on the same level.

Tugbiyele described the post as disrespectful and appealed to Adeleke to exercise humility and apologise, recalling instances of the singer prostrating before elders.

He rejected the argument that the exchange should be viewed simply as political rivalry, contending that political disagreement need not descend into personal attacks or disrespect toward elders.

He further argued that poor academic performance at one stage of life should not define an individual, using his own experience to illustrate that past setbacks need not determine one’s future.

He concluded by directly urging Adeleke to apologise to Okpebholo.

The controversy emerges amid heightened political activity in Osun State, with Adeleke openly supporting Osun Governor Adeleke’s bid for a second term.

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Sport News

Carrick Makes Rashford Promise Ahead of New Premier League Season

Michael Carrick has expressed confidence in Marcus Rashford’s role for the upcoming Premier League season, noting the forward has returned in good condition and brings something distinctive to the team.

Carrick stated that Rashford remains central to his plans, describing him as a player he has known for a long time who offers a different dimension to the squad.

The comments reflect Carrick’s backing of Rashford as Manchester United prepares for the season ahead. C

arrick also conveyed optimism about the campaign, expressing his desire to get the new season underway.

Rashford spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona after temporarily leaving Manchester United in pursuit of regular first-team football.

The England forward made an impact during his spell in Spain, gaining valuable experience in Barcelona’s attacking system and competing at elite level.

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Sport News

Chelsea Give Man City Deadline to Decide Enzo Fernandez Future

Chelsea has set a Friday deadline at 17:00 BST for clubs to submit offers of at least £120m for midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

The Argentina international has faced uncertainty over his future since March, when he indicated a potential move to Real Madrid.

His agent subsequently claimed Fernandez was underpaid and wanted to leave following a difficult season for Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final to Manchester City.

Real Madrid have since ruled out signing Fernandez, leaving Manchester City as the only known potential suitor.

City have yet to indicate whether they would meet Chelsea’s valuation and are also targeting Lille midfielder Ayoub Bouaddi.

Chelsea expect to stand firm on their £120m asking price despite having paid £107m to sign Fernandez from Benfica in 2023.

The deadline is designed to resolve the uncertainty before the new season begins, with the club contending they have allowed approximately 60 days to complete a deal at what they consider a fair price.

New manager Xabi Alonso has spoken to Fernandez about his future but declined to disclose details.

Chelsea have made clear they are willing to fully reintegrate Fernandez into the squad and regard him as a key player if no suitable offer arrives.

Fernandez scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 54 appearances last season and subsequently helped Argentina reach the World Cup final, where they lost to Spain after he was sent off.

He returned to Chelsea training this week under Alonso, with his future set to be decided by Friday’s deadline.

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APC Says Adeleke Could Lose Osun Governorship Election

The All Progressives Congress has asserted that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is vulnerable to electoral defeat, citing his underwhelming governance record.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, advanced this position during an appearance on a television programme on Wednesday, expressing confidence that the APC candidate possesses sufficient backing from the electorate to unseat the incumbent.

Morka characterised Adeleke’s performance in office as dismal and deficient, pointing to deterioration across education and healthcare.

He contended that the governor has failed to deliver for the state and argued that public sentiment will determine the outcome.

Morka underscored that the Independent National Electoral Commission would conduct the election in accordance with legal obligations, and predicted that despite reports of violence, Osun voters would participate and exercise their choice for the state’s future.

The governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 15, 2026.

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Oyo Govt Vows Crackdown Over Common Entrance Exam Scandal

The Oyo State Government has pledged stringent accountability for anyone teachers, school administrators, or principals implicated in examination irregularities linked to the Common Entrance Placement Examination.

Olusegun Olayiwola, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, conveyed this position during a meeting with Local Inspectors of Education and school principals convened to investigate allegations of examination leakage and malpractice.

The examination in question was administered on August 6, 2026, for pupil admission into Junior Secondary School One.

Olayiwola stated that the state government had implemented preventive measures against examination fraud during the Joint Promotion and Common Entrance examinations and remained committed to identifying and prosecuting culpable parties without exception.

He stressed that the government would not tolerate conduct jeopardising the credibility of the state’s educational system.

All school principals have executed indemnity agreements, and any administrator discovered to have facilitated, encouraged, or participated in examination irregularities faces legal and disciplinary remedies.

The government indicated it would pursue a thorough investigation into current allegations, with penalties applied uniformly irrespective of rank or status.

Olayiwola also cautioned broadcast media organisations regarding their coverage of the allegations, emphasising the necessity for journalists and news presenters to substantiate claims and conduct thorough enquiries before making accusations against individuals or institutions.

He reiterated the Oyo State Government’s dedication to upholding the transparency, reliability, and impartiality of examinations throughout the state.

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Peter Obi Says Nigerian Youths Are the Nations Biggest Asset

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has characterised Nigerian youths as the nation’s foremost asset rather than a burden requiring management.

In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday marking International Youth Day, the former Anambra State governor praised young Nigerians for their courage, creativity, ingenuity, and substantial potential, positioning them not merely as future leaders but as indispensable contributors to Nigeria’s present.

Obi underscored the imperative for Nigeria to establish conditions where young people can realise their aspirations without necessity of emigration.

He stressed the requirement for heightened investment in education quality, vocational training, healthcare services, technological infrastructure, sports development, and meaningful employment pathways.

Drawing on a recent encounter whilst travelling to Bauchi, Obi reflected on two aircraft captains aged 20 and 28 and their young crew, whose proficiency and professionalism demonstrated that youth can achieve excellence when afforded opportunities to develop skills, engage productively, and assume leadership roles.

He noted that across multiple sectors football, technology, medicine, aviation, entrepreneurship, academia, and creative industries Nigerian young people continue to exhibit exceptional talent.

The deficiency, he argued, lay not in talent availability but in deliberate, systemic investment and conditions conducive to its development.

Obi pledged his commitment to establishing a Nigeria in which every young person possesses opportunities to learn, work, innovate, lead, and thrive.

He concluded that a transformed Nigeria becomes attainable through active youth engagement and participation.

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Police Probe AIG Jimoh, Summon VDM Over Allegations

The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, institutional discipline and the rule of law, confirming that it has commenced an internal review involving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Moshood Jimoh, while also inviting social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence in support of allegations he made against the senior officer.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said the criminal matter referenced in ongoing public discussions has already been investigated and is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Force stressed that, given that the matter is now before the court, it would not engage in media trials or allow public commentary to influence the judicial process.

 

According to the statement, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has invited AIG Jimoh for questioning as part of the Force’s internal administrative review of the allegations.

 

The police also disclosed that on July 30, 2026, the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja formally invited VDM to appear before investigators and substantiate the claims he had made publicly.

The Force said the parallel judicial and administrative processes reflect its commitment to investigating all credible allegations of misconduct through established channels, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the public profile of the complainant.

It noted that complaints against police personnel are handled through statutory mechanisms, including the Force CID, the Force Complaint Response Unit and, where necessary, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.

While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and to demand accountability from public institutions, the police maintained that such rights must be exercised responsibly.

The statement stressed that freedom of expression does not extend to defamation or the publication of unsubstantiated allegations aimed at compelling disciplinary action outside established legal and administrative procedures.

The Force assured the public that any officer found culpable following investigation would face appropriate sanctions in line with the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, the Police Regulations, Force Orders and other applicable laws, adding that where allegations are found to be false and deliberately damaging, it reserves the right to pursue legal remedies.

The police urged VDM to honour the FCID’s invitation, cooperate fully with investigators, and allow both the administrative review and the judicial process to proceed without interference.

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