Today’s Headlines:UCL:Osimhen Scores as Galatasaray Beat Lille 4-2;Oyo Earmarks N4.28bn for LG Polls

Victor Osimhen scored as Galatasaray defeated Lille 4-2 to secure their first three points in the 2026 UEFA Champions League campaign. Yunus Akgun gave the Turkish side an early lead in the second minute, but Lille responded through Soriba Diaoune, who scored twice, and Aleksey Batrakov to put the visitors in a strong position before half-time.

Galatasaray fought back after the break, benefiting from Nabil Bentaleb’s own goal before Osimhen scored in the 61st minute to seal the victory. The strike was the Nigerian forward’s first in the Champions League this season and his seventh goal across all competitions for the Turkish club.

The Oyo State Government has earmarked ₦4.278 billion for chairmanship and councillorship elections scheduled for December 29, 2026, across the state’s 33 local government areas. Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade said the state government would contribute 40 per cent of the funding, approximately ₦1.7 billion, while the local governments would provide the remaining 60 per cent, amounting to ₦2.5 billion.

The State Executive Council also approved ₦437.4 million for accreditation of the nursing programme at Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, following an investment of over ₦3 billion in equipment. Additionally, ₦6.744 billion was approved as the state’s 50 per cent counterpart funding for the construction, renovation and equipping of the Oyo Annex of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, bringing the project’s total cost to ₦13.489 billion, with Oyo East Local Government providing the other half.

Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director of Diaspora Mobilisation for the PBAT/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, says an increasing number of foreign nationals are seeking Nigerian passports and expressing interest in living or investing in the country. She disclosed that her office had received numerous requests from non-Nigerians seeking help to obtain Nigerian citizenship. She also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians abroad, whose annual remittances exceed $20 billion and investments support sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture and technology.

Dabiri-Erewa outlined a five-point strategy to mobilise Nigerians in the diaspora for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. The plan includes activating APC diaspora chapters, launching the “Operation Tell Your Story” digital campaign, encouraging transparent fundraising, promoting voter registration awareness and countering misinformation. She acknowledged that Nigerians abroad cannot currently vote in domestic elections from their countries of residence and urged the National Assembly to amend the law to enable diaspora voting. She also defended the Tinubu administration’s removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange reforms as necessary economic measures.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has urged residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 elections, crediting the Federal Government’s economic reforms with supporting development in the state. Speaking during a visit to the Ojuromi of Uromi, HRH Zaiki Anselm Aidenojie II, on Wednesday, Okpebholo highlighted ongoing road construction, upgrades to primary healthcare centres, school projects and regular salary payments. He acknowledged that some projects would take time to deliver visible results.

Okpebholo also disclosed plans to improve electricity supply through a 100-megawatt power plant in Edo South and another project expected to contribute 16 megawatts. He attributed his administration’s progress partly to Federal Government support, urging residents not to oppose Tinubu’s government. The traditional ruler commended the governor’s development efforts and expressed confidence in his leadership.

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