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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has headed a delegation to the inaugural ceremony of the International Election Observation Programme, IEOP, for the Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, which is currently being held in the Republic of Korea from 29th May to 5th June 2026.

The IEOP, organized by the South Korean National Election Commission, NEC, was officially launched on Saturday, 30th May 2026, in Seoul.

The event has gathered election management bodies, election specialists, and international observers from around the globe to witness and share knowledge regarding the conduct of local government elections in South Korea.

Accompanying the INEC Chairman were National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu; the Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Dimis Mai-Lafia; and the Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed.

During the programme, the INEC team observed early voting activities at a polling center located in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, thereby acquiring firsthand knowledge of South Korea’s electoral processes and procedures.

The involvement of the INEC delegation is anticipated to enhance the Commission’s comprehension of emerging trends and global best practices in election administration, international observation, and electoral governance, aligning with the Commission’s ongoing dedication to fortifying Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

INEC Chair, Amupitan, others on election observation programme in South Korea

Abia State government has said that 59 players  who were discovered in just-concluded Abia Soccer Fest competition would be  introduced to  European clubs and Nigerian Football League for professional career.

The State government disclosed this at Enyimba Stadium, Aba during the final match of Abia Soccer Fest competition, where Aba South LGA defeated Ukwa LGA 2-1 to emerge champions.

Commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Uzo Nwachukwu and the Commissioner for youth and sports development, Nwadinma Ananaba presented the State government’s  plans.

They noted that exhibition matches would be organized for the newly discovered football talents where football scouts from France, Serbia, Czech Republic would watch and pick the best stars for recruitment into the European teams.

According to the State government, other  exceptional  players would also be introduced to Abia Warriors Football Club and other developmental teams in Abia State.

The Commissioners said that 159 matches were played during a six-month period of the soccer competition, noting that it formed part of the State government’s  talent discovery and skill development programs.

Declaring the soccer competition closed, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti  described the tournament as a celebration of talent, unity, friendship, and the limitless potential of Abia youths.

 Otti, who was represented by his deputy,  Ikechukwu Emetu  commended the participating teams for their discipline, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the competition.

He promised that investment in youth development and sports infrastructure would be sustained.

Abia to introduce 59 football stars to European clubs, Nigerian League

Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry, has questioned the decision for defender Gabriel Magalhaes to take a decisive penalty for the Gunners in their Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.

Gabriel missed his penalty kick as PSG won the Champions League in Budapest.

His teammate Eberechi Eze was the first player to miss for Mikel Arteta’s side.

“I always say when you go and take the penalty, I will always have respect for you,” Henry told CBS Sports.

“I don’t know why he [Gabriel] went, I don’t know how he arrived to be the fifth guy in, but he went.

“How he played all season and tonight was immense. But he missed it. But he didn’t hide.”

UCL Final: I didn’t know why he went – Thierry Henry on Gabriel’s penalty against PSG

Three suspects allegedly linked to the murder of 21-year-old Christogonus Chinedu Chibuzo, a 100-level student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, whose death occurred under suspicious circumstances on May 30, have been arrested by the operatives of Imo State Police Command.

A press statement from the Command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased, a student of Cyber Security also member of the Man O’ War organization of the Campus, was allegedly subjected to severe assault by some members of the group following an accusation of theft involving the sum of N13,500.

Okoye hinted that the suspects, Benedict Chukwuemeka ,21,   Gospel Kelechi Ikenna ,24, and Anastasia  Obioma, 21,  all 500-level students of the university, are currently in the custody of the Command.

The Command’s spokesperson further hinted that initial findings indicated that the deceased was allegedly restrained and assaulted, resulting in critical injuries and was later rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel.

“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Audu Garba Bosso, immediately directed operatives to take swift action, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspects.

Relevant evidence has been secured, while the corpse has been deposited in the morgue for preservation and autopsy,” he stated.

Okoye added that in order to ensure  thorough and discreet investigation, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department ,SCID, Owerri, for comprehensive examination. 

The Police Commissioner, according to Okoye, further directed that all persons connected to the incident be identified and investigated, with a view to ensuring that justice is served.

Following the development, the Command has assured the family of the deceased, the university community, and members of the public that it was fully on top of the situation and remained committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the death.

Imo: Police nab suspects linked to murder of 100-level FUTO student, Chibuzo 

•Silent pain of Nigeria’s out-of-school children As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s Children’s Day, YETUNDE AJANAKU reports that many children across the country are not celebrating with colourful uniforms, classroom games, gifts, or school parades. Instead, these children are battling the harsh realities of poverty, school dropout, child labour, […]

The post Tears, sweat on Children’s Day appeared first on Tribune Online.

Dr Chichi Menakaya, Consultant Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgeon, is the CEO of Annomo Health. The daughter of former Health Minister, Dr Timothy Menakaya, in this interview, shared her life’s journey with Anthony Awunor. Tell us about your childhood, especially the kind of family you grew up in. I grew up in a family where hard […]

The post Why my mother worried about my career choice as a female trauma surgeon — Dr Chichi Menakaya appeared first on Tribune Online.

By Adedayo Olalekan In a nation where communities devastated by banditry, kidnappings and mass killings often receive little more than presidential statements and military assurances, Adewole Adebayo is increasingly projecting himself as a different kind of national leader — one who believes leadership means physically standing with the people in their darkest hours. From Plateau […]

The post 2027: How Adebayo is taking leadership to Nigeria’s grieving communities appeared first on Tribune Online.

The Nigerian Baptist Convention has condemned the brutal attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where suspected terrorists abducted teachers and students, leaving communities in fear and mourning. Speaking in Ibadan on Friday, the President of the Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, described the incident as heartbreaking and another grim […]

The post Insecurity: Nigerians running out of patience —Akanji appeared first on Tribune Online.

Amid the growing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, leading to illnesses and untimely deaths, SEYI SOKOYA examines how foods mentioned in the Bible, like fruits, fish, grains, honey, olive oil, nuts and vegetables, can contribute to healthier living and longevity. IN an age when millions are battling obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and other lifestyle-related ailments, […]

The post Want long life? Return to God’s biblical diet appeared first on Tribune Online.

STAKEHOLDERS in Nigeria’s peace and security sector have identified strategies to strengthen youth-led peacebuilding efforts, with a focus on coordination, inclusion and effective implementation across communities. The resolutions emerged at a two-day Strategic Stakeholder Dialogue on Youth-Centered Peacebuilding convened by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) in collaboration with UNESCO, the Federal Ministry […]

The post Stakeholders chart ways for youth-led peacebuilding efforts appeared first on Tribune Online.