By David Owei,Bayelsa
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‎On Friday May 8, the grand finale of the Prosperity Cup, Nigeria’s biggest grassroots football tournament will be rounded off at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State, capital.
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‎Excitement is building across Bayelsa as the Prosperity Cup, Nigeria’s most celebrated grassroots football tournament, inches close to its grand finale. On Friday, May 8, 2026, the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa will host the climax of a competition that has become a beacon of youth engagement, talent discovery, and community pride.
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‎Since its inception in 2015, the tournament grew from 110 participating teams to a record-breaking 231 teams in 2025, attracting scouts from Europe, Africa, and Australia.
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‎Over the years, it has produced stars now playing in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and abroad, including Benjamin Precious, who dazzled at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations before signing for German Bundesliga side, TSG Hoffenheim.
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‎The 2026 edition carries added significance: it coincides with the 30th anniversary of Bayelsa State and the sixth anniversary of Governor Douye Diri’s Prosperity Administration. Champions in the male category will walk away with the sum of ₦30 million, while female winners will earn ₦10 million.
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‎Beyond the competition, this year’s finale will welcome officials from FC Barcelona, who are expected to organize a scouting programme as wells as discuss plans for a world-class football academy in Bayelsa. The partnership promises to deepen grassroots development, train coaches, and create pathways for young talents to shine on the global stage.
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‎As the countdown to the grand finale begins, anticipation is high. For Bayelsa, the Prosperity Cup is more than just football—it is a movement of hope, unity, and opportunity.

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the new residential accommodation being built by the state government for Commissioners and Special Advisers will be completed and ready for use by November 2026.
The governor who disclosed this during an inspection of the project on Thursday, stated that his administration embarked on the construction of a centralised residential quarters for senior officials to eliminate the heavy financial burden rented accommodation has placed on the state government.
He said that besides eliminating the burden of exorbitant rent, the new quarters will help the state government to save cost on security as it will provide adequate arrangement for the security of these high calibre of personnel at one location.
“It looks so embarrassing that the government will be spending a lot of money renting places for these senior officials.
“So we decided to embark on this project, believing that when this project is completed, and accommodation provided for our very productive officers, efficiency will be an issue of top priority.
“When they are all living together, I think it makes it easy for us to have just one unit of security and this multiple arrangement of carrying police here and there will also stop,” he said.
The project, which is being handled by Shaanxi Construction Engineering Nigeria Limited, consists of 25 units of six-bedroom flats. It is located within the Rainbow Housing Estate along the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara who defied the rain and muddy terrain to inspect the project, was conducted round the construction site by the Commissioner for Special Projects, Hon. Tonye Belgam and officials of the construction company.
The governor commended the efforts of the contractors and their commitment towards meeting the timeline of November 2026.

. By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Eminent Nigerians comprising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Justice Kudirat Tomori Kekere-Ekun and Senate President, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio are expected at the public presentation of of a Book by legal luminary, Chief Emmanuel Ukala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN in Abuja on April 29.

The book titled “Ukala’s Manual on Appellate Practice for Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Nigeria will be unveiled at the Bola Ahmed International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Sources close to the Book Launch Planning Committee said that the former governor of Rivers state and currently Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will lead top dignitaries in Abuja to the ceremony.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN will grace the occasion with leading lawyers in the country.

Also expected are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judges of the Federal High Court as well as the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

The source indicated that some state governors, federal and state lawmakers will also be at the ceremony.

Besides, captains of industries and eminent legal scholars across the country, traditional rulers and frontline politicians are also billed to honour the legal giant with attendance.

The Book is said to be edited by a famous publishing Company, Bar and Bench Press Limited based in Abuja.

The source hinted that adequate arrangements have been put in place to make the book unveiling hitchfree.