Customs beats NUJ 3–0 to Conquers NUJ Cup as Winning Culture Gathers Momentum

The Nigeria Customs Service has won the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Tournament after an unbeaten campaign ended with a 3–0 victory over the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in the final played at the Area 3 Football Pitch, Abuja, on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Eereporter.com

The victory marked Customs’ progression in the competition, after reaching the semi-finals in 2024 and securing bronze in 2025. Captain Mikail Abubakar opened the scoring and finished the tournament with five goals to win the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards. At the same time, Familola Fatai and Femi Omodara completed the 3–0 victory. Goalkeeper Charles Ahur was also named Best Goalkeeper after saving two penalties in the semi-final against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Training and Doctrine Command, Suleiman Chiroma, commended the team for its remarkable performance and for bringing honour to the Service. “I commended the team for this outstanding performance and for bringing honour to the Nigeria Customs Service,” he said. NIS finished as runners-up, while the Nigerian Air Force placed third.

Chairman of the NUJ FCT organising committee, Comrade Ndubueze Chidoka, described Customs as deserving winners after their unbeaten run. “Customs are truly champions,” he said, while commending all participating teams for maintaining a high standard throughout the tournament.

Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1, Jeremiah Haruna, one of the team’s coaches, said the objective from the outset was to win the title. “We were coming for the win, for the gold, to take the trophy back to our headquarters,” he said, while crediting the players for their commitment and acknowledging the support of CGC Adeniyi and the Service’s Sports Secretary, Samuel Onikeku, and fellow coach, Assistant Superintendent of Customs 1 Simeon Kolawole.

The tournament, which brings together institutions in an annual sporting contest for participants aged 35 years and above, aims to promote interaction, sportsmanship, and stronger relationships among participating organisations. It featured teams from the NUJ FCT Council, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Air Force, NDLEA, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Television Authority and the FCT Football Coaches Association.

Customs beats NUJ 3–0

The football triumph adds to the Service’s strong performances in other sporting disciplines, with the Customs women’s basketball team progressing unbeaten to the 2026 Nigeria Basketball Federation/Zenith Bank Women’s Premier League Final Eight in Lagos, while the men’s volleyball team won all 12 matches in the first phase of the 2026 CGC Volleyball Premier League with 36 points, with the women’s team also topping its standings.

During the closing ceremony, the NUJ FCT Council recognised the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, as its Development and Media Partnership Patron.
Eereporter.com

Sport: NAF Hosts 2026 PMC Cup, Strengthen Unity and Esprit de Corps

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Abuja, has successfully hosted the 2026 Airmen’s Club Abuja Football Competition, popularly known as the PMC Cup. The tournament, which commenced on 4 July 2026, brought together personnel from various Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) sets in a spirited display of teamwork, sportsmanship and camaraderie.
Eereporter.com

Organised to promote physical fitness, unity and esprit de corps, the competition featured 44 matches, with an external officiating committee engaged to ensure fairness and transparency.

The tournament reached its climax with NAF 19 emerging champions after defeating NAF 21 in the final, while the Legendary Team secured third place. The top-performing teams and outstanding individual players were recognised for their contributions during the competition.

The event was witnessed by senior representatives, including the CO BSW, Group Captain EO Enebi, as well as representatives of the Commanding Officers of 011 PAF and 063 NAF Hospital.

Beyond the football matches, the PMC Cup provided a valuable platform for personnel from different BMTC sets to interact, strengthen bonds and build lasting camaraderie.

NAF Hosts 2026 PMC Cup

The successful conduct of the competition reflects the NAF’s commitment to fostering a healthy, motivated and cohesive workforce, while highlighting the important role of sporting activities in promoting physical fitness, teamwork and healthy competition.
Eereporter.com

Governor Eno Flags Off 2026 Akwa Ibom Sports Festival, Pledges More Investment in Talent Development

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has flagged off the 2026 edition of the Akwa Ibom State Sports Festival, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to investing in sports as a platform for discovering, nurturing and promoting young talents.
Governor Eno stated this on Tuesday in Uyo during the opening ceremony of the festival, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.
Eereporter.com

The Governor described the State Sports Festival as an important platform for identifying emerging sporting talents, noting that athletes discovered during the 2025 edition went on to distinguish themselves at national and international competitions.

He assured young athletes in the state of continued government support, stressing the importance of creating opportunities for them to discover and develop their sporting abilities.

As part of the ceremony, Governor Eno honoured three Akwa Ibom athletes who won medals at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The honoured athletes are gold medallist Edidiong Umoafia and silver medallist Ruth Nyong, both in weightlifting, as well as bronze medallist Enku Ekuta, who competed in judo.
In another move aimed at strengthening grassroots sports development, the Governor directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions in schools across the state.

According to him, the competitions would provide an avenue for discovering and developing new sporting talents.

“We must also invest in the future of sports. That is why I directed the Commissioner for Sports to revive inter-house sports competitions. This competition would help us to develop and discover new stars. We should revisit the good old days.”

Representing the Governor, the Deputy Governor also announced that the state government would soon award the contract for the construction of a Sports Academy in Eket.
She said the proposed academy would provide a structured environment for identifying, training and grooming sporting talents in the state.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, described Governor Eno as a sports-loving governor and commended him for approving the 2026 edition of the State Sports Festival.

Bassey recalled that the 2025 edition produced athletes who subsequently represented Nigeria at international competitions, including the Commonwealth Games, where they won medals.
He also commended the Governor for approving automatic employment in the Akwa Ibom State Civil Service for the athletes in recognition of their achievements.

In separate goodwill messages, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Uwemedimo Udo, alongside Supervisors for Sports from the various local government areas, pledged the support of the 31 local government councils towards the successful hosting of the festival.

Akwa Ibom Sports Festival

The opening ceremony featured a colourful march-past by contingents from the 31 local government areas, led by their respective council chairmen.

A total of 27 sporting disciplines are being contested by athletes representing the 31 local government areas, with competitions taking place at 10 designated venues within Uyo and its environs.
Eereporter.com