The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has confirmed the death of Oluwole Oluwaseun, a final-year student of the institution’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The university said in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, that it received information at about 1:30pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, concerning an emergency involving the student at an apartment in the Damico Area of Ooni Layout, Ile-Ife. According to the statement, OAU’s Quick Response and Security Team immediately

proceeded to the location after receiving the information. The university said the Nigeria Police Force was contacted and officers from the ‘A’ Division, Moore, Ile-Ife, subsequently joined university security personnel at the scene. Oluwaseun was later taken to the OAU Health Centre, where a medical doctor certified him dead. The university said it had handed relevant information and items recovered from the scene to the police to assist the investigation. “The police have commenced investigation into the circumstances of the incident,” the university statement said, adding that relevant student affairs

officials had also been notified to provide necessary welfare and support to students affected by the development. Some reports published on Wednesday have described the death as a suspected suicide. However, the university’s statement did not publicly establish a cause of death and said the circumstances remained under police investigation. Verita Post is therefore withholding any definitive description of the cause pending the outcome of the investigation. OAU Vice-Chancellor Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire expressed condolences to Oluwaseun’s family, friends, classmates and colleagues, while also expressing concern for members of the

university community who may have been emotionally affected by the incident. The university urged students facing emotional distress, relationship difficulties, financial pressures or other serious personal challenges to seek support from trusted people and appropriate structures within the institution. Management also appealed to members of the university community to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information or speculation while the investigation continues. OAU said further information would be communicated through official channels where necessary.

The Osun State Government has convened an emergency security meeting following a series of killings recorded in parts of the state, including Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo, as authorities move to contain further violence. The meeting, held on Wednesday, brought together heads of security agencies operating in the state and was chaired on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, according to the governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo. Ojo told The Punch that representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Army,

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Amotekun Corps attended the meeting alongside senior state government officials. He said the discussions centred on recent killings in the state and measures to prevent further loss of life. Ojo also rejected allegations that the state government was shielding individuals accused of involvement in the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Ajagungbade Emir, during violence connected to a leadership dispute in Osun’s transport sector. He said the police and DSS had

been directed to investigate the killings thoroughly and identify those responsible, adding that anyone found culpable should face the law. The latest security meeting comes amid several violent incidents in Osun in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Adejuwon Adekunle, also known as Asa, was shot dead near a recreation centre in the Dele Yes Sir area of Osogbo. Police said preliminary findings suggested the attack might be cult-related, while stressing that investigations were still underway. In Ile-Ife, police earlier recovered a second body from the Mayfair Motor Park following violence that

also claimed the life of Oyeyemi. The investigation into the incident has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department. Verita Post previously reported that police had yet to establish responsibility for the violence or publicly identify the second deceased person. Following Oyeyemi’s killing, the Osun State Government directed security agencies to arrest those responsible and announced the reintroduction of a Park Management System as part of efforts to restore order across motor parks and garages in the state. The government said there would be no protection for anyone

found responsible for the violence. Wednesday’s emergency meeting represents a broader response to the recent pattern of killings rather than an investigation into a single incident. Ojo said security commanders assured the state government that efforts would be intensified to restore calm and prevent further loss of life. As of publication, the Osun State Government’s official website had not carried a fresh statement specifically detailing Wednesday’s emergency meeting. The account of the meeting currently rests primarily on Ojo’s interview with The Punch.

The National Assembly has transmitted the 2026 Constitution alteration bill to the Houses of Assembly of all 36 states, marking the next stage of Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional amendment process. The transmission was carried out on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, following a directive from the leadership of the federal legislature. The move means the proposed constitutional changes must now be considered by state lawmakers before they can proceed further under the amendment process. Ogunlana said the bill, formally referred to as the

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2026, was transmitted pursuant to Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution. Under the Constitution, an alteration proposal requires the approval of at least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of Assembly, meaning no fewer than 24 states must support the proposal for the constitutional amendment process to advance. The National Assembly’s own legislative guide similarly states that constitutional alterations require ratification by at least 24 state legislatures. The state assemblies have been asked to consider the bill according to

their respective legislative procedures and communicate their resolutions to the National Assembly. The National Assembly has requested that the states complete the process and return their decisions within 30 days of receiving the bill. It, however, stressed that the 30-day period is an administrative timeline rather than a constitutional deadline. The Constitution does not specify a fixed period within which state legislatures must respond after receiving a constitutional alteration bill. The National Assembly said the 30-day window was introduced to encourage an orderly and timely conclusion of the process. The

federal legislature also said the transmission should not be interpreted as an attempt to dictate how individual state assemblies should vote. Each state legislature is expected to independently debate the proposals before communicating whether it supports or rejects them. The latest step follows months of debate over proposed changes to Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, including issues relating to policing, representation, electoral administration and other areas of governance. One of the major constitutional proposals considered during the current review process is the establishment of state police services. The House of Representatives passed

a constitutional amendment proposal on state police in June, while the Senate also subsequently approved a state-police amendment bill as lawmakers considered changes to Nigeria’s policing structure. The wider constitutional review process has also included proposals concerning special legislative seats for women and other institutional reforms, although Verita Post has not independently confirmed which individual proposals are contained in the specific consolidated bill transmitted to the states on Wednesday. Ogunlana said the National Assembly would await the resolutions of the state legislatures before taking the next steps required under the

Constitution. The development places the 36 State Houses of Assembly at the centre of the constitutional amendment process, with at least 24 required to support an alteration before it can meet the constitutional threshold for state ratification.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities has declared a total and indefinite strike across the three universities owned by the Lagos State Government, following the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the state. The affected institutions are Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo; Lagos State University of Education, LASUED, Oto/Ijanikin; and Lagos State University of Science and Technology, LASUSTECH, Ikorodu. ASUU said the strike took effect immediately after separate congresses of its branches at the three institutions on Tuesday. The union had issued a 14-day ultimatum on August 31, 2026,

demanding that the Lagos State Government address outstanding issues affecting academic staff. In a joint statement, the union said the ultimatum expired without what it considered a satisfactory resolution or concrete plan from the government. The statement was signed by Olusegun Babalola for ASUU-LASU, Grace Abimbola/Olayemi for ASUU-LASUED, and Murisiku Onigemo for ASUU-LASUSTECH. ASUU said it had also issued a final warning on September 10, but the deadline passed without substantive engagement. At the centre of the dispute is the union's demand for the domestication and implementation of the December

2025 agreement between ASUU and the Federal Government across Lagos State-owned universities. The lecturers are also demanding implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, alongside welfare provisions for serving and retired academic staff. The union said the industrial action was not directed at the managements of the three universities, but at securing commitments from the Lagos State Government. It also acknowledged that the strike would disrupt academic activities and affect students, but argued that the issues under dispute were tied to the long-term quality and sustainability of university education in

the state. ASUU further said it remained open to dialogue and would restore normal academic activities once the outstanding demands were satisfactorily addressed. The indefinite action is expected to affect lectures and other academic activities across the three institutions until an agreement is reached. As of the time of filing this report, The Verita Post had not found a fresh public response from the Lagos State Government addressing the latest strike declaration. Students and parents will now be watching for possible negotiations between the government and ASUU as uncertainty grows

over the academic calendars of the three universities.

The political crisis within the Accord Party in Oyo State has deepened over the party’s 2027 governorship ticket, with the Federal High Court in Ibadan adjourning a suit challenging the emergence of broadcaster Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat as the party’s candidate. The case, filed by Hon. Olakunle Busari, popularly known as Gudugudu, centres on competing claims over the party’s governorship primary and the leadership structure authorised to nominate Accord’s candidate for the 2027 election. Gudugudu, through his counsel, SAN. Tunji Ogunrinde, is asking the court to direct the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat name from its records and replace it with his own. According to Hon. Olakunle Busari case, he emerged as the winner of a direct governorship primary election conducted by the party on May 26, 2026, and therefore should be recognized as Accord’s authentic candidate. He also alleges that Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat did not participate in the primary election. The controversy followed the emergence of parallel claims to the Accord governorship ticket in May. While one faction announced Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat

as party candidate, another faction declared Hon. Olakunle Busari as the winner of a separate primary. A factional national leadership subsequently disputed both outcomes and called for another primary. The matter has now reached the courts. On September 14, 2026, Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court in Ibadan adjourned the case, numbered FHC/IB/CS/97/26, until September 30, 2026. The latest sitting could not proceed because different lawyers appeared claiming to represent Accord Party in the matter. The court consequently gave the interested parties time to resolve the disagreement over

who has the authority to represent the party legally. The dispute has also generated disagreement among party stakeholders over Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat eligibility and the internal leadership of Accord in Oyo State. Some stakeholders have rejected his continued representation of the party as its governorship candidate, while Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat and his supporters have continued to present him as the Accord candidate. Alhaji Abdulrahman Oriyomi Hamzat has continued his political activities despite the dispute. On September 9, he visited traders and residents at Bodija Market in Ibadan, where

he spoke about infrastructure challenges and pledged to rehabilitate the market road within his first 100 days in office if elected. For now, the legal status of the competing claims remains unresolved. The next significant development is expected when the Federal High Court resumes the matter on September 30, 2026. Until the court and relevant electoral authorities resolve the dispute, claims about the final status of Accord’s Oyo governorship ticket remain contested.

Gunmen have shot dead a man identified as Adejuwon Adekunle, popularly known as Asa, near a recreation centre in the Dele Yes Sir area of Osogbo, Osun State, with police saying preliminary findings suggest the attack may have been cult-related. The shooting occurred between about 1:30am and 2am on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, when unidentified armed men reportedly moved into the area and opened fire. Adekunle was hit during the shooting and rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to the Osun State Police Command.

His body was subsequently deposited at a morgue. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the killing, describing the incident as a suspected cult-related attack while stressing that investigations were still ongoing. “What happened in Dele Yes Sir is suspected to be a cult-related attack,” Ojelabi said. He said armed men entered the area at about 2am and began shooting, with Adekunle struck during the incident. The identities of the gunmen remain unknown, while police have not publicly established a motive beyond their preliminary suspicion that the killing may be connected to

cult activity. Reports that the attackers may have traced Adekunle to the location have also not been independently confirmed by Verita Post. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, has directed that the case be transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, for a more detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing. Ojelabi said no arrest had been made in connection with the shooting as of the latest police update. The police have also not announced the identities of any suspects or disclosed whether investigators recovered weapons, spent ammunition or

other evidence from the scene. The killing has added to concerns over violent crime in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State, with the latest police investigation expected to determine whether the attack was linked to cult rivalry or another motive. Police have not accused any named individual or group of responsibility for Adekunle’s death.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of making life and business more expensive in Nigeria, promising to pursue policies aimed at reducing production and living costs if elected president in 2027. Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, made the remarks in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu. He argued that while Nigeria has recorded stronger raw-material exports, households are struggling with weaker purchasing power and manufacturers continue to face high operating costs. According to Atiku, Nigeria’s

raw-material exports rose from ₦1.86 trillion in the first half of 2025 to about ₦3.84 trillion in the corresponding period of 2026, an increase of roughly 106 per cent. The latest National Bureau of Statistics foreign-trade reports for the first and second quarters of 2026 provide the underlying trade data used for the comparison. Atiku said increased exports alone should not be treated as sufficient evidence of economic progress if much of what Nigeria sells abroad remains unprocessed. He argued that commodities such as cocoa, hides, cotton and minerals could

generate more jobs and income if processed locally before export. “There is nothing wrong with exporting. The problem is exporting the cheapest part of the value chain and buying back the expensive part,” Atiku said. He also blamed high fuel prices, electricity costs, transportation expenses, expensive credit and naira weakness for increasing pressure on manufacturers and households. Atiku said his economic plan would focus on long-term financing, industrial clusters, agro-processing, mineral beneficiation and support for businesses that add value to Nigerian raw materials locally. He also reiterated a proposed production-linked

fuel subsidy, which he said would be restricted to petroleum products refined in Nigeria and tied to verified domestic production and supply. The former vice-president further proposed a $10 billion financing programme for young entrepreneurs and start-ups, targeting sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, processing, logistics and technology. Atiku said the objective would be to strengthen domestic production, increase foreign-exchange earnings and reduce pressure on the naira. “Our promise is simple: we will make it cheaper to produce, easier to do business, more rewarding to manufacture and more affordable to live,” he

said, adding: “Tinubu made Nigeria expensive. Atiku will make Nigeria affordable again.” Atiku also cited ₦2.14 trillion in unsold manufactured goods as evidence of weak consumer demand. However, that figure requires context. Published data attributed to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria show that the ₦2.14 trillion figure relates to 2024, when unsold manufactured inventory increased from about ₦1.14 trillion in 2023. The more recent published figure cited for the first half of 2025 was ₦1.04 trillion. Atiku’s broader argument is that rising production costs and reduced household purchasing power are

putting pressure on manufacturers, but the ₦2.14 trillion figure should not be presented as a current 2026 inventory figure without qualification. The Tinubu administration has defended its economic reforms in previous statements as necessary to stabilise public finances, attract investment and strengthen the economy over the longer term. Atiku, however, has increasingly made the cost of living and domestic production central themes of his campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Five zonal coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, have declared their loyalty to the leadership of the association’s president, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coordinators made their position known in a statement dated September 15, 2026, saying Nigerian students could no longer remain passive on political issues because government decisions directly affect their education, welfare and future. They said students should participate actively in the electoral process, including obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, and taking part in decisions over who governs

the country. “As the Forum of NANS Coordinators, we affirm our loyalty to the directives of the NANS President on the 2027 general elections and await his direction accordingly,” the forum said. The statement was signed by Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, Zone F Coordinator; Mohammed Muazu Hina, Zone E Coordinator; Victor Ogechukwu Anthony, Zone B Coordinator; Abiola Azeez Babatunde, Zone C Coordinator; and Josiah Adeyemo, Zone D Coordinator. The coordinators said they had confidence in Akinteye’s “leadership, judgment and discernment,” while maintaining that Nigerian students should play an active role in

the political process. They argued that although NANS has often been regarded as an apolitical student body, its members are affected by government policies and therefore have a stake in electoral outcomes. The forum also said NANS had been encouraging students to obtain their PVCs ahead of the 2027 polls. The statement, however, did not endorse any political party or presidential candidate. It only pledged support for whatever direction the NANS president gives concerning the elections. Akinteye was elected national president of NANS in May 2026 after the association’s national

convention in Abuja and is listed by NANS as president for the 2026–2027 administration. The coordinators’ declaration comes amid increasing political engagement between student leaders and political actors ahead of 2027. In August, Education Minister Tunji Alausa urged NANS and other student leaders to mobilise 10 million student votes for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, saying continuity was needed to sustain education-sector programmes introduced by the administration. TheCable later reported that Alausa said he intended to work with the NANS leadership to pursue the mobilisation target. The latest statement from the

zonal coordinators does not state whether their support for Akinteye’s direction amounts to support for Tinubu or any other candidate. It instead positions the coordinators behind the NANS national leadership as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Afrobeats star Asake has emerged as the most-streamed artiste in Nigeria for the first half of 2026, recording 681.36 million streams across the period. The mid-year ranking places Asake comfortably ahead of Wizkid, who recorded 455.98 million streams, and Seyi Vibez, who followed with 449.99 million. Fast-rising singer FOLA placed fourth with 374.64 million streams, while Mavo completed the top five with 319.55 million. Other artistes in the top 10 include Omah Lay, Burna Boy, BNXN, ODUMODUBLVCK and Rema. The 681.36 million figure comes from a broader TurnTable Charts mid-year

ranking and should not be confused with a Spotify-only total. The ranking reflects Nigeria-focused streaming performance across the period. Asake’s lead is especially notable when compared with his performance during the same period in 2025. He recorded about 477 million streams in H1 2025, when Wizkid led with 505 million. That means Asake’s H1 2026 figure represents an increase of roughly 42.8 per cent year-on-year. His dominance during the first half of the year was also reflected in Nigeria’s official singles chart. Asake and Wizkid’s “Jogodo” spent several weeks at

No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, while his collaboration with DJ Snake, “Worship”, also topped the chart. By July, Asake had accumulated 22 weeks at No. 1 in the first 25 weeks of 2026 across five entries, according to TurnTable Charts. The latest ranking reinforces Asake’s position as one of the strongest commercial forces in Nigerian music, combining hit singles with a catalogue that continues to attract significant repeat listening. The margin between him and second-placed Wizkid is also substantial. Asake finished more than 225 million streams ahead

of Wizkid, while the gap between him and Seyi Vibez exceeded 230 million. The ranking also highlights the continued strength of newer-generation Nigerian artistes, with FOLA and Mavo both finishing inside the top five alongside more established stars. Top 10 Most-Streamed Artistes in Nigeria, H1 2026 1Asake681.36m2Wizkid455.98m3Seyi Vibez449.99m4FOLA374.64m5Mavo319.55m6Omah Lay276.95m7Burna Boy211.56m8BNXN205.69m9ODUMODUBLVCK180.98m10Rema176.97m The mid-year list gives another snapshot of how streaming continues to reshape competition in Nigeria’s music industry, with catalogue strength and repeat listening becoming increasingly important measures of an artiste’s reach.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned Nigerians against fraudulent text messages claiming that recipients have committed new traffic offences and directing them to a fake website to view or settle the alleged violations. The Corps said the messages, which are being circulated through mobile phones and social media platforms, do not originate from the FRSC and may expose unsuspecting motorists to fraud or theft of personal and financial information. FRSC Public Education Officer Osondu Ohaeri said in a statement on Wednesday that the messages typically create a sense

of urgency by informing recipients that a new road traffic offence has been recorded against them and providing a link where they are told to review details. The Corps specifically disowned the website frscgov.top/ng, saying it has no affiliation with the Federal Road Safety Corps. FRSC warned members of the public not to click suspicious links, make payments or provide banking information, passwords, card details, driver's licence information, vehicle registration details or other personal data through such messages. The warning comes amid increasing use of phishing messages in which fraudsters

impersonate recognised institutions and direct victims to websites designed to resemble legitimate government or corporate platforms. The official FRSC website uses the frsc.gov.ng domain. The Corps' website also provides verified contact channels, including its 122 toll-free emergency number and official email address for members of the public seeking clarification. Official FRSC documents also show that when a motorist is legitimately booked for a road traffic offence, the person is issued a notice of offence sheet, with prescribed fines payable through approved channels, including the Federal Government's Remita payment platform. The

Corps has previously stressed that motorists should not make informal payments for traffic offences to officers at patrol points. FRSC advised motorists who receive suspicious traffic-offence messages to avoid responding through links contained in the SMS and instead verify any claim using the Corps' official channels. The agency also urged Nigerians to pay close attention to website addresses before providing personal information online, particularly where a message demands immediate payment or threatens penalties if the recipient fails to act within a short period. The latest alert means motorists who receive

an SMS claiming that FRSC has recorded a traffic violation against them should not assume the message is genuine merely because it carries the agency's name or logo. Recipients can contact FRSC directly through its official website, frsc.gov.ng, or call 122 for verification and enquiries.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have clashed over the Rainbow Coalition being promoted to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. The disagreement followed a resolution by the Progressive Governors Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, rejecting political alliances or arrangements the governors believe could weaken the APC or affect the chances of its candidates in the 2027 general elections. Uzodimma, speaking after the governors’ meeting in Abuja on Monday, said APC governors would

support Tinubu and the party’s candidates at all levels, rather than participate in outside political arrangements that could create divided loyalties within the ruling party. Wike, however, said the Rainbow Coalition is not an APC structure and insisted that its purpose is specifically to mobilise support across political parties for Tinubu’s second-term bid. The FCT minister, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, said he had never approached the APC Governors Forum seeking an alliance and therefore did not consider himself answerable to the governors over the coalition.

Wike also said President Tinubu was aware of his political activities and the coalition. “There is nothing that I do that I don’t tell Mr President,” Wike said during an interview with ARISE News. He maintained that the coalition was designed to bring together members of different political parties who support Tinubu’s re-election, without requiring them to abandon their parties or stop fielding candidates in governorship, National Assembly and state assembly elections. Wike said his commitment was to Tinubu’s presidential re-election, not to helping every APC candidate win elections across

the country. He argued that politicians supporting Tinubu should concentrate on the presidential contest while individual political parties continue to pursue their interests in other elections. The dispute became public after the Uzodimma-led governors warned against political arrangements they believed could undermine APC candidates or weaken the party’s structure ahead of 2027. The governors said their position was to campaign for both Tinubu and APC candidates contesting other offices. Wike rejected suggestions that his coalition posed such a threat, saying cross-party voting was already evident during the 2023 elections, when

voters in some South-East states supported APC candidates in legislative races while voting for other parties in the presidential election. He singled out Imo State, governed by Uzodimma, in arguing that voters were capable of making different choices across ballots without confusion. The FCT minister also said he had never promised that the PDP would stop fielding candidates against the APC in other elections simply because he was supporting Tinubu. His position effectively separates his support for the President from support for the APC as a party. The exchange has

exposed a disagreement over how Tinubu’s 2027 support base should be organised: whether mobilisation should remain strictly within APC structures or include cross-party alliances such as Wike’s Rainbow Coalition. A faction of the PDP aligned with Wike has since defended his right to support Tinubu while remaining in the opposition party, while criticising the APC governors’ objections to the coalition. As of publication, the Presidency had not publicly confirmed or disputed Wike’s statement that Tinubu is aware of the Rainbow Coalition and his political plans surrounding it. Verita Post also

found no evidence that Tinubu has formally endorsed the Rainbow Coalition as an official campaign structure.

Arsenal teenager Max Dowman scored twice as the Gunners defeated Ipswich Town 4-2 at Portman Road to advance to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. The 16-year-old opened the scoring after just seven minutes, producing sharp footwork before finding the net to give Arsenal an early advantage. Noni Madueke then doubled the lead before Dowman struck again shortly after half-time to make it 3-0. Mikel Merino added Arsenal's fourth before Ipswich responded through Anis Mehmeti and Chuba Akpom, reducing the final deficit to two goals. The

result secured Arsenal's place in the next round while maintaining the club's perfect start to the season across all competitions. Reuters reported that Arsenal have now won their opening six matches of the campaign. But Dowman's performance was the major talking point. His brace made him only the second 16-year-old to score twice in a single match for a Premier League club, matching a feat achieved by Wayne Rooney for Everton in a League Cup tie against Wrexham in 2002. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the youngster after the game,

highlighting his ability to create decisive moments despite his age. Arteta said the club already understands the level of Dowman's talent but stressed the importance of managing his development carefully as expectations around the teenager continue to grow. Dowman's latest display adds to the excitement surrounding Arsenal's academy pipeline, with the youngster increasingly earning opportunities around the first team. For Ipswich, the two late goals restored some pride, but Arsenal's early advantage proved too much to overcome. The Gunners will now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup fourth round

as Dowman's rapid emergence gives Arteta another attacking option during a busy season.

Former Osun State Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore has kept his next political move under wraps, saying his future in politics will be determined by God. Omisore spoke on Tuesday while celebrating his 69th birthday with supporters and political associates at his campaign office in Osogbo. Asked what should be expected from him politically, the former senator declined to announce any immediate plan, saying he was grateful for another year and would follow whatever direction God had for him. “My political future depends on God’s plan for me,” Omisore said, adding

that whatever God decides would be good for him. The remarks come at a time of heightened interest in Omisore’s political direction following recent developments in Osun politics. Omisore, a former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, has remained an influential political figure in the state, particularly in Ile-Ife and Osun East. He served as deputy governor of Osun between 1999 and 2003 and represented Osun East in the Senate between 2003 and 2011. His political future has attracted renewed attention following the 2026 governorship election and disagreements that

emerged within the Osun APC before the poll. Earlier in June, Omisore announced that his political structure across Osun would support Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, saying the decision was taken in what he described as the interest of the state and its people. The development became one of the notable realignments ahead of the August governorship election, particularly because Omisore had previously occupied a senior national position within the APC. At Tuesday’s birthday gathering, however, he gave no indication of whether he intends to seek elective office, formally realign

politically or take on another role ahead of the 2027 general election. The event attracted political associates and representatives of different groups, including members of the APC Elder Caucus and other political organisations. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also congratulated Omisore on his birthday, describing him as a distinguished son of the state and acknowledging his years of public service, professional work and political engagement. Adeleke said Omisore had served Osun in different capacities as an engineer, deputy governor, senator, traditional leader and community figure. The Catholic Bishop of Osogbo,

Most Rev. John Oyejola, also used the occasion to urge politicians to pursue policies that benefit citizens regardless of political or social differences. For now, Omisore appears content to leave supporters and political observers guessing. His refusal to declare a specific next step means attention will remain on whether the former senator eventually announces a fresh political direction ahead of 2027.