Oriontimes

 Oriontimes News Desk| May 21, 2026 TICC says report indicates favourable voter sentiment for Osun governor, urges calm and calls for heightened electoral vigilance amid rising political tension The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has referenced what it describes as a political assessment allegedly commissioned within strategic circles of the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state. According to TICC, the document reportedly prepared by independent election and voter behaviour analysts examined electoral sentiment, governance perception, and voter dynamics across Osun State. It is said to suggest a favourable position for the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the election. The council claims the assessment points to broad-based public support cutting across multiple social and occupational groups, while projecting a significant advantage for the governor in voter preference. However, these figures and claims ...

Management of Adeleke University has denied reports alleging that Monimichelle Sports was responsible for the construction of the institution’s sports complex. In a statement issued by the university’s management, the institution described the report as inaccurate, clarifying that Monimichelle Sports did not handle the construction of the Adeleke University sports facilities. The statement further noted that the university does not have any relationship with the company mentioned in the report and has no information regarding its ownership or operations. According to the statement, the sports complex at Adeleke University was constructed by a different contractor entirely. The university management therefore urged members of the public and media organisations to disregard reports linking Monimichelle Sports to the institution’s sports complex. The statement advised the public to seek verified information concerning Adeleke University projects through the institution’s official communic...

  Football has once again reminded the world that experience, tactical discipline, and consistency still matter at the highest level of the game. Spanish manager Unai Emery has further cemented his legendary status in European football after guiding Aston Villa to a commanding 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in the Europa League final. The triumph did not only deliver major silverware to Aston Villa, it also marked an extraordinary personal achievement for Emery, who has now won the Europa League title five times in his managerial career — a record that continues to separate him from many modern coaches. For years, Unai Emery has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most effective knockout competition managers. From his dominant era with Sevilla FC to later successes with Villarreal CF, the Spaniard has repeatedly shown a unique ability to navigate difficult European nights with tactical precision and mental strength. His arrival at Aston Villa transformed the club’s ambition. What o...

  Who Truly Understands Mikel Arteta’s Philosophy? Football has once again proven itself to be more than a game. The triumph of Arsenal F.C. has revealed how sport can unite people across political divides, tribes, backgrounds, and social classes. From the streets of Lagos to viewing centres in Osogbo, celebrations poured endlessly as supporters embraced one another in joy, pride, and relief after years of waiting. For many fans, Arsenal’s recent glory is not just about trophies. It is a lesson in resilience, patience, and the power of belief. It is the story of turning years of mockery into moments of celebration. In football, banter is unavoidable. Rival supporters mock, criticize, and provoke one another endlessly. Yet victory has a way of rewriting narratives. Interestingly, the spirit of football banter often finds its way into politics, especially in Nigeria where supporters defend political camps with the same passion football fans defend their clubs. Now, let us return home...

  The National Youth Council of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission to abolish the expiration of unused mobile data, arguing that the policy places an unfair burden on young Nigerians who rely heavily on internet access for education, business and innovation. The council made the call under its proposed Consumer Equity and Digital Inclusion (CEDI) Framework, describing data expiration as a practice that undermines digital inclusion and economic opportunities for youths. Speaking on behalf of the council, Ambassador Taiwo Ajayi Adeola said in a statement that internet access has become essential for learning, entrepreneurship, civic engagement and national development, stressing that millions of students, corps members and young entrepreneurs lose valuable resources monthly through expiring data subscriptions. “Data is no longer a luxury. It is the oxygen of the digital economy,” he said. According to him, Nigerian youths depend on...

  In an era where many politicians move from one political party to another in desperate pursuit of tickets, relevance, and personal ambition, loyalty has gradually become a scarce virtue in Nigerian politics. For many political actors, ideology no longer matters. Principles are often sacrificed on the altar of personal interest, while party structures are abandoned immediately ambition suffers temporary setbacks. The culture of “jumping ship” has now become a recurring decimal in the nation’s democratic experience. But for Dr. Sesan Sanusi, the story appears different. Despite falling short twice in his bid to secure the ticket for the Olorunda State Constituency seat in 2019 and 2023, Dr. Sanusi remained steadfast within the fold of the All Progressives Congress (APC), refusing to abandon the progressive family for political convenience. His decision to stay committed, even in moments of disappointment, reflects a rare level of political maturity, discipline, and ideological cons...

  By Abioye Tosin Lawrence, Supporter Since 2005 Sometimes around 2005, I sat in front of a television set and watched a team dressed in red and white play football that looked different from every other side in the world. I had watched football before then, but not club football with passion. That night changed everything. The movement was beautiful. The passes were magical. The confidence was contagious. It was the famous tiki-taka style mixed with the fearless identity of a club that played football with elegance and pride. Then came the name that echoed across football viewing centres like a sacred anthem, Thierry Henry. From that day, I promised myself that I would support this beautiful club forever. Back then in NTA Quarters, Nyanya, Abuja, Arsenal supporters carried themselves differently. Whether rocking the old O2 jersey or later the Fly Emirates shirt, there was always a unique pride attached to being a Gunner. Even a woman in the neighbourhood jokingly identified me thr...