Author: Daily Post Nigeria

Arsenal icon Lee Dixon has urged Mikel Arteta to include Myles Lewis-Skelly in his starting lineup for the forthcoming UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Although Lewis-Skelly had only made 2 starts for Arsenal in the Premier League by May 2, he was introduced into central midfield during their league match against Fulham.

He played a crucial role in the game, which ended with a 3-0 victory for the Gunners.

Since that match, Lewis-Skelly has consistently featured alongside Declan Rice in the Arsenal midfield.

The young player also delivered an impressive performance in their Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta faces the decision of selecting a player to partner Declan Rice in the UCL final, and Gunners legend Lee Dixon believes that Lewis-Skelly deserves that chance.

He shared his thoughts with The Athletic via Metro, “I can’t say I was surprised because I think I knew he could do it,” he said when discussing the young Englishman’s midfield performance.

“I believe it was an opportunity that arose from Mikel needing something, and he certainly got it in abundance. I thought Myles was outstanding.

“His control and awareness of the players around him made him my man of the match, possibly in both games (UCL semi-final).

“It’s a significant decision (who to start in the Champions League final). However, I would likely choose Myles. He has already demonstrated enough composure not to be intimidated by that stage.”

Dixon further likened the Arsenal midfielder to Paul Gascoigne, stating:

“I’ve observed Myles extensively; he possesses a very Gazza-like quality in how he utilizes his weight and strength,” Dixon continued.

“He almost allows opponents to catch up with him. He’ll maneuver past them and then decelerate slightly. Gazza used to do that so that when they came in and made contact again, he would bounce them off him.

“Myles will earn free kicks by employing that technique, and he will also position himself higher up the pitch, making it a remarkable skill to possess.”

UCL final: ‘He can do it’ – Arsenal legend, Dixon names player Arteta must include in starting lineup

The Kano State Fire Service on Friday rescued three people, including an 18-month-old child, from two separate well accidents in Kumbotso and Warawa local government areas.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, the agency said the incidents occurred between 7:06 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.

The first case was reported in the Semegu area of Kumbotso, where an unidentified middle-aged man fell into a well.

Firefighters from the state headquarters were deployed and found the victim unconscious before rescuing him.

He was later handed over to the Divisional Crime Officer of the Panshekara Police Division for further investigation.

In a separate incident in Madarin Taba village, Warawa LGA, a 32-year-old woman, Maimuna Shitu, and her 18-month-old son, Harisu Muntari, were also rescued after falling into a well.

Fire service officials said both victims were pulled out unconscious and handed over to family members and community leaders.

The agency noted that the causes of both incidents are yet to be determined.

Reacting, the Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to properly cover wells and take preventive measures to avoid such accidents.

He also called on families to closely monitor children and vulnerable individuals, especially those with health conditions.

Well accidents remain a recurring safety concern in parts of northern Nigeria, often linked to uncovered or poorly secured wells in residential areas.

Fire Service Rescues Toddler, Two Others From Wells In Kano is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Osun State chapter, has affirmed Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of primaries…

The post 2027: Osun APM affirms Makinde as presidential candidate appeared first on Tribune Online.

A 30-year-old interior decorator has been hacked to death at a funeral in Benin City, Edo State.

Esohe Aigbe, has reportedly offered to do a free design job as her contribution to a funeral ceremony. 

According to relatives, she had gone to assist a friend in decorating a funeral venue at Ujo Street in the Ogida area.

After completing the job, she was still at the venue when unidentified persons attacked her.

She was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with severe injuries but did not survive.

Her remains have been deposited in the mortuary.

Family members have called on security agencies to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to justice.

So far, no arrests have been made and no suspects identified.

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed that both Jurrien Timber and Noni Madueke are fit to start Saturday’s Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arteta was speaking to the media on Friday evening.

He said: “Timber is fit. Fit enough to start? Yeah. Madueke? Yeah, he is fit. The only one is Ben [White].”

Timber has been out of action since March after coming off with an injury during Arsenal’s win over Everton.

Madueke scored before Arsenal lifted the league title at Selhurst Park on the final day, but suffered an injury scare during the game.

Ben White suffered a knee injury against West Ham earlier this month and remains sidelined for the showpiece in Budapest.

UCL final: Arteta confirms double injury boost ahead of Arsenal vs PSG clash

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has given two major reasons why people join terrorists group.

According to Musa, people join terrorists group because they were deceived into thinking that they were fighting for God and also because they were poor, and they felt that was the only way they could have money.

The Minister stated this while fielding questions during an interview on Arise Television on Friday.

“Why do they [people] join [terrorists group]? They join because one, because they were deceived into thinking that they were fighting for God,” Musa said.

“Two, some of them were deceived because they were poor, and they felt that was the only way they could have some [money], because those guys had money to give them.

“They enticed them with money and promised them heaven and earth, and so they joined them. So, when we treat those, and they are given some skills, they are rehabilitated back into the community, and I can tell you we keep monitoring them, and there is none that has really gone back and has gone bad, because we are also monitoring what they are doing.”

Over the years, there have been several terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISWAP, and JNIM, terrorizing Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Why people join terrorist groups – Nigeria’s Defence Minister Musa 

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has dismissed allegations that valuables worth over N120m belonging to inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, were stolen during a recent search operation at the facility.

The rebuttal follows reports alleging that officials of the service stole expensive personal items, including a wedding ring and wristwatch valued at over N120m, belonging to former Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Tunde Ayeni, during a raid on VIP sections of the custodial centre.

In a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Jane Osuji, the NCoS described the allegations as false.

The NCoS said what took place at the Kuje Custodial Centre was a routine security search conducted professionally and in line with standard operating procedures aimed at maintaining security, discipline and order within the facility.

“The Service wishes to categorically state that the allegation is false, misleading, and inconsistent with the operational realities and established procedures governing custodial facilities in the country,” the statement said.

According to the NCoS, all prohibited items recovered during the operation were properly processed and documented in line with existing regulations.

It explained that inmates are prohibited from keeping unauthorised personal belongings and large sums of money while in custody, noting that all valuables declared upon admission are officially documented and kept in safe custody until release.

It further stated that available records at the custodial centre did not show that the items mentioned in the reports were declared by any inmate at the point of admission, nor were such items recovered or recorded during the search.

“Consequently, there is no official record supporting the allegation that the said prohibited valuables were in the custody of the inmate(s) within the facility,” the statement added.

The NCoS also stressed that the items allegedly mentioned in the reports qualify as prohibited contraband within custodial centres and inmates are not permitted to retain such items in their possession.

The Service said no formal or informal complaint relating to theft or loss of valuables had been lodged by any inmate or person within the facility through official complaint channels as of the time the statement was issued.

“The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje is calm, peaceful and secured,” Osuji stated.

THE WHISTLER had gathered that the operation resulted from a viral video released by cryptocurrency businessman, Linus Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, claiming that he enjoyed preferential treatment during his stay at the Kuje facility.

Sources had alleged that senior officials of the NCoS, led by the Deputy Controller-General in charge of Operations, stormed the custodial centre to search VIP sections.

According to one of the sources, appliances were removed from inmates’ rooms during the operation and valuables allegedly went missing in the process.

“They came to search all the VIP rooms because of the video released by BLORD in Anambra about how he enjoyed his stay in Kuje. They removed all appliances in the rooms and in the process his expensive wedding ring and watch were stolen,” the source had claimed.

Another source alleged that valuables and cash belonging to some high-profile detainees were confiscated without proper documentation.

The reports also claimed that Ayeni was considering filing a petition against officers allegedly involved in the operation.

Ayeni is currently standing trial over alleged fraud amounting to N15.7bn. He was recently granted N200M bail by an Abuja High Court under conditions including the provision of federal civil servant sureties and a bank guarantee of N15bn.

Kuje Prison Raid: NCoS Denies Looting VIP Cells is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Arrays of beautifully adorned men, women, youths, and cultural enthusiasts from all walks of life on Friday thronged the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode for the 2026 Ojude-Oba Festival, transforming the city into a vibrant panorama of colour, glamour, heritage, and tradition.

The annual cultural celebration came alive with spectacular horse-riding processions, richly embroidered attires, rhythmic traditional music, and elegant displays by the Regberegbe groups, reaffirming Ojude-Oba’s status as one of Africa’s most iconic cultural festivals.

Visitors, tourists, dignitaries, and sons and daughters of Ijebuland from across Nigeria and the diaspora gathered to witness the colourful spectacle, which combined tradition, fashion, unity, and cultural pride in grand style.

Speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described Ojude-Oba as a powerful symbol of peaceful coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural sophistication.

Governor Abiodun said his administration has deliberately positioned the festival as a flagship of Ogun State’s tourism development agenda in order to harness its enormous cultural and economic potential.

According to him, the state government is collaborating with critical stakeholders to further expand the festival’s global visibility while preserving the authentic heritage and traditions of the Ijebu people.

“We are building a state that honours its heritage because culture is not only our identity, but also a source of social cohesion and economic opportunity,” the governor said.

“This is why we have positioned Ojude-Oba as a flagship within our tourism development agenda. Today, the economic impact of the festival is visible everywhere as hotels are fully occupied, businesses are flourishing, artisans are engaged, and our youths are being productively empowered.”

Governor Abiodun noted that the 2026 edition of the festival carries deep historical significance as it is the first celebration since the passing of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

He paid glowing tribute to the late monarch, describing him as an institution whose 65-year reign transformed traditional leadership and elevated Ijebuland culturally, socially, and politically.

“This year’s Ojude-Oba Festival carries profound significance. It is the first celebration since the glorious transition of our revered monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose remarkable reign shaped and transformed the institution of traditional rulership in Nigeria,” he stated.

The governor said the late Awujale made it clear before his transition that nothing should hinder the celebration of Ojude-Oba, stressing that the festival must continue to thrive as a sacred cultural institution that unites generations.

Abiodun commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing with the people of Ijebuland during the transition period following the monarch’s demise, saying the President’s support helped sustain peace, continuity, and stability in the land.

He also called on Nigerians to remember victims of insecurity across the country, offering prayers for families affected by banditry and violence.

The governor praised the organisers, the Regberegbe groups, and the people of Ijebuland for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom and ensuring the successful hosting of the festival despite the transition period.

According to him, Ojude-Oba has evolved from a post-Eid homage-paying gathering into one of Africa’s most admired cultural festivals embraced by people of different faiths, backgrounds, and generations.

“Today, Ojude-Oba stands as a symbol of unity, honour, continuity, and cultural pride where visitors from across the world gather to witness the splendour of our traditions, the elegance of our attire, and the discipline of the age-grade groups,” he added.

Governor Abiodun further stated that the festival reflects the philosophy of his administration’s “Building Our Future Together” agenda through strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and tourism development.

He urged the younger generation to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forebears, stressing that culture must continue to evolve without losing its essence.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okubadejo, described the festival as a celebration of unity and continuity that provides an avenue for all sons and daughters of Ijebuland to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their identity.

He noted that this year’s edition was particularly emotional and historic as it marked the first Ojude-Oba celebration since the demise of Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose reign brought honour and global recognition to Ijebuland.

Among dignitaries present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hajia Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; traditional rulers; captains of industry; religious leaders; and other distinguished guests.

Culture, colours, heritage dazzle at 2026 Ojude-Oba festival as Abiodun celebrates unity

A 19-year-old blogger, Nurenorue John Surpruchi, was on Friday arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defaming United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tony Elumelu through cyberstalking. Surpruchi appeared before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Alagoa on a four-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, bullying, and defamation instituted by the Directorate of […]

The post Court remands blogger over alleged cyberstalking of Elumelu appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Federal Polytechnic Ngodo Isuochi Chapter Abia State, has threatened to drag the management of the institution to anti-graft agencies including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, over suspected channeling of borehole project funds into a personal account.

This was part of the six resolutions reached at the end of the union’s congress which was communicated to the management through the Rector of the institution, Dr. Paul-Darlington Ibezim Ndubuisi, in a petition signed by the Chairman of the union Comrade Ador Osondu and the secretary, Comrade Onyeneke Ejike on Friday.

The union called on management to as a matter of urgency commission an independent audit of the borehole project funds and furnish it with a full financial statement noting that failure to do so will compel it to formally petition the ICPC, EFCC, and other relevant authorities.

The letter read, “The Congress of this Union has passed a resolution strongly condemning the alleged diversion or transfer of funds approved and earmarked for the construction and installation of a borehole facility at this institution into a personal account. If substantiated, this conduct represents a flagrant breach of public financial management principles and constitutes a criminal offence under extant Nigerian statutes.

“The Union demands that Management immediately commission an independent audit of the borehole project funds and furnish the Union with a full financial statement. Failure to do so will compel the Union to formally petition the ICPC, EFCC, and other relevant authorities.”

The union also expressed reservations over management’s alleged non-implementation of staff welfare and statutory obligations such as, refusal to facilitate National Housing Fund (NHF) Staff Sensitization and Enrolment; refusal to facilitate National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Enrolment for staff.

Other concerns raised include: Non-Remittance of Union Check-Off Dues from February 2026 to Date, alleged diversion of staff welfare packages for 2023, 2024 and 2025; absence of essential drugs and medical supplies in the Polytechnic health centre.

They, therefore, gave the management a 21-day ultimatum to address the six issues raised or risk an industrial action adding that they were open to negotiations and dialogue within the time-frame.

“We demand that management takes immediate and concrete steps to resolve all the above issues within 21 days of receiving this letter. Failure to comply will compel the Union to activate all lawful trade union mechanisms to press home our demands, including industrial action.”

ASUP threatens to drag poly management to EFCC, ICPC over alleged funds diversion