Akpabio Congratulates Nigeria’s Golden Girls, Over Victory
By George Mgbeleke
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has sent a hearty congratulations to the Nigerian Under-17 Women’s National Team on their historic triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup!

A statement from Akpabio Media Office signed by Anietie Ekong quoted the Senate President as describing the World Cup winning team as “Nigeria’s Golden Girls” who have made the nation proud.

“By achieving this remarkable feat, you have made Nigeria the first African nation to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. This is not just a victory for Nigerian football; it is a proud moment for the entire African continent.

“You have demonstrated extraordinary talent, determination, resilience and the true Nigerian spirit. Your victory is a testament to the hard work of the players, coaches and everyone who contributed to this remarkable achievement.

“Your courage, determination, discipline, teamwork and fighting spirit have brought immense joy and honour to our nation. You have demonstrated that with talent, hard work and belief, no dream is beyond reach.

“You have not only won a trophy; you have won the hearts of millions of Nigerians and inspired a generation of young girls to dream big, believe in themselves and reach for greatness. You are our pride, our champions and our Golden Girls!

“You have raised the Nigerian flag high and inspired millions of young girls across Africa to dream bigger. You are more than champions; you are history makers!

“To the players, coaches, technical crew and everyone behind this historic success, congratulations!

“The world has heard our victory song!” Akpabio said.

‎By David Owei,Bayelsa
‎Bayelsa United Technical Adviser, Abdul Maikaba, has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the forthcoming Nigeria National League (NNL) season, following the Prosperity Boys’ emphatic 4-1 victory over Ogunbor United FA of Sapele in a pre-season friendly.
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‎The encounter, played at the Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Delta State, saw the former Aiteo Cup champions produce an impressive attacking display, with Okardi Okardi Inikurogha grabbing a hat-trick to underline the team’s growing goalscoring threat ahead of the new campaign.
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‎Inikurogha found the back of the net in the 23rd, 53rd and 87th minutes, while Tijani Aleloju added another in the 30th minute. Thompson Ogunbor scored the consolation goal for Ogunbor United in the 65th minute.
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‎Reacting after the encounter, Coach Maikaba said he was encouraged by the team’s performances in the series of pre-season fixtures, particularly their attacking efficiency and ability to convert scoring opportunities.
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‎According to the experienced tactician, Bayelsa United have scored an impressive 35 goals in 10 pre-season matches, averaging 3.5 goals per game, a statistic he described as a positive indication of the team’s attacking strength.
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‎He maintained that sustaining the goalscoring momentum into the league campaign would significantly strengthen the club’s quest to secure promotion back to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the end of the season.
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‎Although acknowledging that there were still a few grey areas requiring tactical refinement before the commencement of the league, Maikaba expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall progress and readiness for the new challenge.
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‎The former Plateau United and Akwa United manager also commended the club’s management for putting together what he described as a top-notch pre-season programme, noting that the tour had provided the players with valuable exposure and competitive match experience.
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‎He explained that the series of friendly matches had enabled the technical crew to assess individual performances, identify the team’s strengths and weaknesses, improve tactical understanding and build cohesion within the squad ahead of the new season.
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‎Maikaba added that playing against different opponents had also offered the coaching crew an opportunity to evaluate the players’ responses to various tactical challenges and address identified shortcomings before the league kicks off.
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‎Meanwhile, Coach of Ogunbor United FA, Ogunbor Silas, said he was impressed with the performance of his players despite the defeat, stressing that the primary objective of the friendly was to gain exposure and test his squad against a more experienced opponent rather than focus on the result.
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‎Bayelsa United captain, Gabriel Biriduba, also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to secure immediate return to the NPFL, assuring that the players were determined to translate their pre-season preparations into positive results when the league begins.
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‎Speaking on behalf of the club’s chairman, a board member of Bayelsa United, Mr Godson Ekadi, said the team was approaching the new season with a clear mandate to regain its place in the country’s top-flight league, in line with the vision of Governor Douye Diri.
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‎Ekadi expressed delight at the improvement in the players’ performances, observing that several members of the squad had rediscovered their form in recent weeks, a development he said reflected the growing seriousness and competitive spirit within the camp.
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‎Bayelsa United will begin their NNL campaign against Abia Comets of Umuahia on November 8, 2026, at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, as the Prosperity Boys commence their quest for an immediate return to the NPFL.

By George Mgbeleke
With just six days to kick-off, the Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee (MOC) for the 3rd Edition of the Senate President National Under-18 Unity Cup, Dr. Mike Uyi, has expressed excitement over the overwhelming interest the tournament has generated amongst football academies and clubs across the federation.

Dr. Uyi, who spoke in Uyo on Saturday , after a strategic meeting of the MOC, said the committee is overwhelmed by calls from top academies and grassroots clubs who want to be part of the national youth fiesta scheduled for Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium, 25th October to 1st November, 2026.

“For this 3rd Edition, we are hosting 24 States, both male and female categories, but from the next edition, the tournament will be thrown open to all clubs and academies in the entire country. Our emphasis remains youth empowerment through sports, especially football”, he said .

He thanked the President of the 10th Senate and Chief Host, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Dr. Godswill Akpabio, for his uncommon passion for grassroots sports development, noting that Akpabio has in strong terms exhibited his desire to use football as a means for economic empowerment of Nigerian youths.

He further disclosed that the kick-off ceremony on 25th October at the Ikot Ekpene Township Stadium will be a gathering of football legends and icons, as Tournament Ambassadors and Ex-Internationals including Ambassador Fanny Amun, MON – former Golden Eaglets World Cup-winning Coach, Joseph Yobo – former Super Eagles Captain, Akarandut Nicodemus Orok and other respected ambassadors will be live to inspire the young talents.

According to him, renowned football scout, Chief Paul Ojo Omamome, has confirmed his presence and will take some quality players discovered during the tournament for trials abroad.

In his own remarks, the National President of Grassroots Sports Federation (GRASOF) and Tournament Coordinator, Hon. John Bassey Ekpenyong, expressed profound appreciation to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for his giant strides in sports development and for the successful hosting of the just-concluded Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival.

He noted that as organizers of the Pastor Umo Eno Easter Under-17 Unity Cup, GRASOF has witnessed first-hand the Governor’s deliberate investment in grassroots sports as a vehicle for youth engagement and peace building.

“GRASOF as a Federation aligns fully with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ARISE Agenda of His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno in using sports to create jobs, curb restiveness and empower our youths. Football is not just a game, it is economy,” he said .

The tournament he added, is organized by GRASOF in collaboration with the Office of the President of the Senate.