Caretaker News

Enyimba Goalkeeper Debunks Statement Credited to Him on Club Page

Enyimba goalkeeper Dede Dare has denied making a statement about players who left the club at the end of the 2025/2026 season.

The controversy comes after a difficult season for Enyimba, which ended with several players leaving the club. Some of the departed players took to social media to complain about their treatment during their time at the club.

Dare was among the players who stayed at Enyimba and has now found himself at the centre of a fresh controversy after a statement was credited to him on the club's official social media page.

The post, made on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, quoted Dare as saying:

> “I’ve said it before, if you have to force them to carry the bricks, they’re not the ones to build with. Simple as that. We move on with the ones who want to be here.”

However, the goalkeeper quickly responded in the comments section, denying that he made the statement and asking for the post to be removed.

“Please to clear the air, I never said this and I don’t know where this is coming from…… please I would appreciate if this is been brought down.

“I’m not a social media person and there was never a time I granted such interview for this to be posted online.

“Thank you,” Dare wrote.

The goalkeeper also responded to fans who criticised the statement attributed to him, insisting that he never granted an interview.

“I never granted such interview please.

“That’s all I have to say,” he added.

The development comes just days after Enyimba suffered defeat in their opening game of the 2026/2027 season, adding to the attention around the club following the changes that took place at the end of last season.

Dare’s denial has now raised questions over how the statement was published on the club's social media page and attributed to him.

Etinan Institute, Community Secondary School Crowned Troost-Ekong Foundation Champions

Etinan Institute and Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, were crowned champions of the Troost-Ekong Foundation Secondary Schools Football Tournament after winning the boys’ and girls’ finals respectively in Uyo on Tuesday.

The colourful grand finale, which coincided with the 33rd birthday of former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong, brought together schools, football officials, government representatives, parents, supporters and other stakeholders.

In the girls’ final, Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, produced an impressive performance to defeat Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Ishiet, 5-0.

The victory saw Aka Offot successfully defend the title they won in 2025, making it back-to-back triumphs in the competition organised by the Akwa Ibom State Football Association in partnership with the Troost-Ekong Foundation.

In the boys’ final, Etinan Institute secured the title with a narrow 1-0 victory over St Brian Model College.

The champions received trophies, medals and cash prizes, while the runners-up were presented with medals and cash prizes.

Individual awards were also presented in each category, with prizes going to the best player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer.

All four finalists received sports equipment from the Troost-Ekong Foundation. The gesture has also been extended to all the schools that took part in the tournament as part of the Foundation’s support for grassroots football development.

The closing ceremony was well attended, with the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, serving as Special Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the event, Bassey said the tournament had the full support and best wishes of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

He said Governor Umo Eno has a special relationship with Troost-Ekong and praised the former Super Eagles captain for his achievements in football and his efforts to give back through the Foundation.

“The government and people of Akwa Ibom State remain proud of William Troost-Ekong’s achievements on the football stage,” Bassey said, while commending his work with the Foundation.

He added that the government hopes one of the young players taking part in the tournament will go on to become a football star in the years ahead.

Permanent Secretary of the State Secondary Education Board, Akparawa Okon Effiong Tom, described the tournament as one of the best forms of investment in young people because it provides a platform for the next generation.

He expressed the board’s commitment to continue working with the Akwa Ibom State Football Association and the Troost-Ekong Foundation to make the competition bigger and better.

Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, Mr Samuel Umoh, thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government, Ministry of Sports, Troost-Ekong Foundation, State Secondary Education Board, members of his board and everyone who contributed to the success of the tournament.

Umoh reaffirmed his board’s commitment to sustaining initiatives aimed at discovering and developing young football talents across the state.

The FA chairman later led the gathering in a birthday song for Troost-Ekong, who turned 33 on Tuesday.

Coordinator of the Troost-Ekong Foundation, Mr Bernard Ekong, thanked the Commissioner for Sports and other dignitaries for attending the finals.

He praised the partnership between the Foundation and the Akwa Ibom State Football Association, saying it would continue, while thanking all the participating schools for taking part in the competition.

Ekong also assured that the Foundation would continue to support the growth of football and provide opportunities for young players.

Among the dignitaries at the event were the Chairman of Akwa United FC, Mr Joseph Eno; National President of GRASOF, Comrade John Ekpeyong; Director of Sports, State Secondary Education Board, Pastor Emmanuel Ebong; Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Referees Council, Elder Joseph Bassey; Chairman of the Football Coaches Association, Coach Udobia Udobia; principals of secondary schools across the state; members of the Akwa Ibom State Football Association board, sports stakeholders and football fans.

The successful finale brought the latest edition of the tournament to a close, with the organisers again highlighting the importance of giving young footballers the chance to develop their talents and dream of bigger opportunities.

HAPPY 33RD BIRTHDAY, WILLIAM TROOST-EKONG 🎂

You represented Nigeria 🇳🇬 with passion and pride, and when you felt it was time to take a bow, you did not wait to be pushed but passed on the baton.

Apart from the joy you brought to us while representing the Super Eagles, you have been a blessing to many through the Troost-Ekong Foundation.

Today, as you mark 33, we are gathered here at the Uyo Township Stadium for the grand finale of your secondary school tournament.

How else can one be a blessing than to shine and also launch platforms for others to shine? The children are happy, and I’m sure you’ve set an example worthy of emulation.

You could have finished your career and switched to private life in Europe. After all, you were not born here, but you have shown love so great to your people.

Thank you. 🙏 Thank you. 🙏 Thank you. 🙏

Happy birthday, great son of the soil. We love you William Troost-Ekong! 💐

Nsikakabasi Akpan ✍🏻

🚨 HAPPENING TODAY!

The Troost-Ekong Foundation Secondary Schools Football Tournament reaches its grand finale today, September 1, at the Uyo Township Stadium.

Girls’ Final – 1:00 PM
Community Secondary School, Aka Offot 🆚 Methodist Secondary School, Ibiaku Ishiet

Boys’ Final – 3:00 PM
Etinan Institute 🆚 St Brian Model College

Football fans, schools, Ex-Students, parents and stakeholders are invited to witness the action at the Uyo Township Stadium today.

Don’t miss it!

Chelsea fans are claiming that they were the first to start the trend of fan clubs in Akwa Ibom State.

They are vehemently opposing my earlier assertion that it was Uby Essien Onna who started the trend in Akwa Ibom State.

First, I must commend them for their civility in putting forward their thoughts and opinions.

Now, this is the fact: the pictures Chelsea fans have been sending show gatherings of fans who came together to watch matches.

These groups were not registered. They were not organised as recognised fan clubs with publicly known executives.

They were not even the first groups to sit together publicly and watch football matches. In fact, as of 2000, Chelsea was still a relatively small club with very few supporters in Nigeria, while clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool already had fans who gathered to watch matches, even in the 1990s.

Having reviewed the evidence presented by Chelsea fans, I still stand by my earlier statement that Uby Essien of the Arsenal Fans Club Akwa Ibom State pioneered the trend of having organised fan clubs in Akwa Ibom State.

The Arsenal Fans Club in Akwa Ibom State was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, making it the first football fan club in the state to do so. They were the first to have publicly known executives, an official membership register, communication with sister clubs across the country, consistent meetings, events and organised watch parties.

Nobody else had done all of these before them.

What the Chelsea fans have shown in the pictures from 2017 and the many others sent to me was people coming together to watch a match, going silent for months or sometimes years, and then re-emerging.

That, to me, is not the same as having an organised fan club.

Even in my father's house, 2000 years ago, we used to have watch parties where people gathered to support clubs whenever Nigerian players were involved. Even in the 1990s, people gathered to watch football matches together.

So, Arsenal remains the first official football fan club in Akwa Ibom State.

At this point, all the other clubs can do is strive to be better than one another in terms of membership strength, activities and visibility. And let's not forget: in football's support system, the club with the loudest voice is often considered the best.

Let's see who does it better.

Game on, Akwa Ibom. 📌

Ibom Air Denies Monopoly Claims in Uyo

Ibom Air has denied claims that it controls Victor Attah International Airport or prevents other airlines from operating from Uyo.

The airline said only the relevant aviation authorities, particularly the NCAA, have the power to regulate and approve airline operations.

Ibom Air also explained that temporary flight suspensions are based on operational needs such as aircraft maintenance and should not be seen as an attempt to create a monopoly.

The airline said it welcomes competition, stressing that more airlines in Uyo would give passengers more choices, improve connectivity and support the region’s economy.

🚨 POLITICAL RALLIES: AKWA IBOM POLICE ISSUES FRESH WARNING

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has warned political parties and support groups not to hold rallies, processions or large political gatherings without prior notification to the Police.

Commissioner of Police CP Baba Mohammed Azare said the measure is aimed at preventing clashes, improving security and protecting the public.

The Police also warned thugs and troublemakers that anyone found carrying weapons, destroying property, blocking roads unlawfully or causing violence during political activities will face firm and lawful action.

The Command urged political leaders to caution their supporters and ensure all political activities remain peaceful.

“Akwa Ibom State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to threaten the peace and security of the State.”

Source: Caretaker News

Jude Okorie Makes NPFL History for Ranchers Bees 🇳🇬🦅

28-year-old Jude Okorie has etched his name into Ranchers Bees’ history after scoring the club’s first-ever NPFL goal in more than 20 years.

Okorie found the net in Lagos on Sunday as Ranchers Bees began their NPFL campaign against Ikorodu City.

Despite the historic goal, Ranchers Bees suffered a heavy defeat against the Lagos-based side.