The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Enugu Rangers, have formally rejected claims made by Super Eagles winger Moses Simon that he was denied a contract with the club due to his ethnicity. Simon, who currently plays for Paris FC, alleged in an interview with UrbanDwellSport that he was dropped after a three-month trial because he was not Igbo, despite believing his performance warranted a contract.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement released on their official account, the club addressed the allegations with the following points:

• Denial of Discrimination: Rangers explicitly stated that they have never maintained a policy of discrimination based on religion, tribe, ethnicity, or place of origin.

• National Identity: While the club is proud of its roots in Enugu and the South-East, it emphasized that it has functioned as a national institution for over five decades, hosting players and staff from across Nigeria and the continent.

• Recruitment Criteria: The club maintained that signing decisions are based solely on character, discipline, footballing ability, and commitment, rather than ethnic identity.

• Technical Decisions: Rangers noted that thousands of players have been evaluated over the years, and contract decisions are based on various technical, administrative, and sporting considerations rather than bias.

• Commitment to Diversity: The club reiterated that its current management upholds meritocracy, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all talented players regardless of their geographical origin.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has announced that the schoolchildren and teachers recently rescued from kidnappers in the Oriire Local Government Area will undergo 48 hours of medical observation before being officially transferred to state custody. During a visit to the victims at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services in Ibadan, the Governor emphasized that their primary focus remains the health and recovery of the survivors.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed its profound relief and joy regarding the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from the Oriire community in Oyo State. In an official statement released on Friday night, the forum, under the chairmanship of Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, celebrated the safe return of the captives, labeling the operation a significant moment of respite for both the victims’ families and the entire nation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Praise for Coordinated Efforts: The governors attributed the success of the rescue to “months of high-level coordination, intelligence gathering, and disciplined execution,” highlighting the effective collaboration among various security agencies involved in the operation.

• Congratulations to the President: The forum congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the outcome, noting that the rescue was the culmination of these sustained, multi-agency security efforts.

• Solidarity with Families: The NGF shared in the joy of the victims’ families, acknowledging the immense emotional and psychological distress they endured while their loved ones were in captivity and expressing hope for the full recovery of the rescued individuals.

• Commendation of Security Forces and Oyo State: The governors commended the professional conduct and commitment of the Nigerian Army, police, intelligence agencies, and other personnel. They also praised the Oyo State Government for its close cooperation with federal authorities throughout the mission.

Looking ahead, the NGF expressed confidence that the demonstrated level of inter-agency cooperation would lead to further victories against kidnapping and other security threats nationwide. The forum also appealed to all Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and actionable intelligence, stressing that collective action is essential to ensuring community safety and defeating criminal elements.