Preparations are in top gear for the maiden edition of the Benin Unity Football Cup, a landmark grassroots football competition powered by Senator Neda Imasuen, Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District.
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‎The Press Conference, draws Ceremony, and official unveiling of trophies for the competition have been scheduled for Friday, October 24th, 2025, at 12:00 PM, inside the Media Center, Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
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‎The Benin Unity Football Cup being organized by the Edo State Football Association (Edo FA) is aimed at promoting unity, community engagement, and youth empowerment as it provides a platform for local talents in Edo to showcase their footballing potentials.

READ ALSO:2027: Senator Imasuen Visits His Ward, Seeks Support For Tinubu
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‎The competition is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, marking the beginning of a new era for grassroots football development in Edo South.
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‎The Organizing Committee, chaired by Fred Newton Erhunmwunse, has promised to deliver a well organized and impactful competition that reflects Edo’s deep-rooted football culture and heritage.
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‎According to Fred Newton, outstanding players discovered during the tournament will be developed and marketed to clubs both within and outside Nigeria, ensuring that promising talents are given genuine opportunities to advance their careers.

READ ALSO:Senator Imasuen Empowers Edo South Farmers With Farm Implements
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‎Senator Neda Imasuen, renowned for his dedication to youth empowerment, described the initiative as a long-term investment in the future of young people in Edo land.
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‎“The Benin Unity Cup is more than a tournament; it is a statement of hope and belief in our youths,” Senator Imasuen said. “We are building a platform that will turn dreams into reality and talents into legacies.”
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‎The tournament is expected to feature teams from across the seven local government areas of Edo South senatorial district and as well open to male adults.
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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has announced the suspension of its two-week warning strike.

ASUU President, Prof. Christopher Piwuna, stated this in a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

He confirmed that negotiations with the Federal Government negotiation team have commenced in earnest, even as he gave the government one month to conclude negotiations on the issues that led to the industrial action.

The President stated that the decision to suspend the strike was made after an emergency meeting of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC), held from October 21 to 22, 2025.

According to him, the NEC concluded that while the objectives of the warning strike had not been fully achieved, significant progress had been made through renewed discussions with government representatives.

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“In summary, the emergency NEC meeting resolved that the warning strike is hereby suspended with effect from midnight, Wednesday, the 22nd of October 2025,

“Should government fail to resolve the issues within the one-month window, it reserves the right to resume the strike action without further notice and

“ASUU appeals to patriotic Nigerians and stakeholders in education so prevail on government to speedily conclude the renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement and other outstanding issues,” he said.

ASUU stated that it held meetings with the Federal Government team led by Yayale Ahmed on 16 and 18 October 2025 to review the government’s response to the draft renegotiated 2009 FGN/ASUU Agreement, adding that a follow-up meeting has already been scheduled for further discussions.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike

The union also acknowledged the intervention of the Senate Committees on Tertiary Education and TETFund, as well as Labour, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, describing their efforts as “promising in amicably resolving all outstanding issues.”

“Our members place a lot of hope on the strong promises made by these distinguished Senators. We look forward to working with them to fully deliver on their promises,” Piwuna noted.

While appreciating Nigerians for their solidarity, the President stated that the decision to suspend the strike was made out of respect for students, parents, the media, and other stakeholders who have supported the union’s cause.

Edo State Local Service Commission on Wednesday directed Heads of Local Government Adminstration across the 18 local government councils to go on compulsory leave.

Chairman of the commission, Hon. Kabiru Adjoto, gave the directive while briefing journalists on the outcome of the commission’s visit to the 18 local government councils.

According to Adjoto, the compulsory leave would last for 30 working days, after which it would be reviewed, adding that the affected heads of local government have been equally directed to hand over to
Director of Administrative and General Services.

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Adjoto, who was flanked by other members of the commission, said during the briefing: “The local Government Service Commission has reviewed the existing administration framework across the 18 local government councils. Consequently, the commission hereby directs all heads of local government administration across the 18 local government councils to proceed on compulsory leave with effect from today.”

According to him, “the measure has become very necessary to allow for thorough assessment for improved administrative operation at the local government level.

“Ensure a fair and objective review of posting, staff deployment and record management practices. Encourage transparency and restore confidence in the local government system. Provide opportunity for fresh administrative perspective as part of the commission reform agenda and on account of feedback from our familiarization visit.

READ ALSO:Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

“During the period of this compulsory leave, the director of Administrative and General Services shall oversee the day to day administration of every local government.

“Pending further directive from this commission, all concerned officers are advised to hand over properly and comply with this directive without delay.”

Adjoto, who said, “our task is very clear; to positively reposition the workforce of the local government in such a way that dividends of democracy trickle down to the grassroots,” said to this effect, the commission has commenced digitalisation with 90 percent completion.

The commission chairman disclosed that in the process of the digitalisation, 382 shadow files were detected, while 132 retired files were found.