Ajax striker Kasper Dolberg has praised Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare’s goal-scoring instinct, describing his teammate as a specialist in positioning and a “monster in front of goal.”

Arokodare has made an impressive start to life at the Amsterdam club since joining on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring five goals in eight appearances across competitions. The 25-year-old’s loan deal runs until the summer of 2027 and includes an option for Ajax to make the move permanent.

Dolberg, who is competing with Arokodare for a starting place, said he had been paying attention to the Nigerian’s movement inside the penalty area and believes there are aspects of his game that he can adopt.

“I enjoy participating in the game, but the coach wants me to be more aggressive in front of goal. And I understand that. In that regard, I can learn something from Tolu, even though he is a competitor,” Dolberg said.

The Danish striker went further in his assessment of Arokodare, highlighting the Nigerian’s ability to find the right positions and finish chances.

“He is a specialist in choosing his position and is a monster in front of goal. I talk to him a lot about that. I need to start scoring more,” Dolberg added.
Arokodare’s form has made him one of Ajax’s most productive attackers early in the 2026/27 campaign. His five goals have come in eight appearances, with two assists also recorded during the opening weeks of his spell in Amsterdam.

The Nigerian has also made an impact in European competition, scoring twice in Ajax’s 5-3 victory over Sion in the Conference League qualifying play-off. He subsequently scored in the club’s 4-0 league victory over Telstar.

His performances have also attracted praise from former Ajax midfielder Marciano Vink, who described the forward as a player with considerable footballing quality after watching his early performances for the club.

Arokodare joined Ajax during the summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan, with the Dutch club holding an option to sign him permanently. Ajax’s official profile lists him as a Nigerian attacker and confirms his loan arrangement with Wolves.
For Dolberg, however, Arokodare’s influence extends beyond the competition for playing time. The Dane’s comments suggest that the Nigerian’s movement and efficiency inside the box are qualities he believes can help him improve his own scoring output.

The praise comes as Arokodare continues to establish himself at Ajax, with his early goalscoring form giving the Super Eagles another attacking option ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.

In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.

According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.

The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.

“Economic Summit” is a generic expression

NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.

The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.

It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.

Court grants interim injunction

Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.

The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.

According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.

The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.

Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim

NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.

The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.

It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.

Summit opens September 15

Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.

The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.

The Lagos State Government has intensified security measures around the Badagry border as part of efforts to tackle child theft, abduction and trafficking in the area.

The government identified the border location as a factor that can make it easier for suspected traffickers to move children across jurisdictions and evade arrest.

The development has prompted increased attention to security coordination around Badagry, with authorities seeking to strengthen collaboration among security agencies and other stakeholders responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Security and other officials have raised concerns about the vulnerability created by Badagry’s proximity to the international border, particularly in cases involving suspected child trafficking.

Authorities are also reviewing their approach to security meetings in the area. Rather than relying on less frequent engagements, meetings are being held on a bi-monthly basis to enable stakeholders to respond more quickly to emerging security threats.

The increased frequency is intended to improve information sharing, identify emerging patterns and strengthen the ability of security agencies to act before threats escalate.

Badagry’s geographical position makes it an important transit area between Nigeria and neighbouring Benin Republic. The area has long been connected to cross-border movement, making effective monitoring and inter-agency cooperation particularly important for law enforcement.

The renewed security focus comes amid wider concerns over child trafficking and the movement of vulnerable children through informal routes.

Government officials are expected to work with security agencies and relevant community stakeholders to improve surveillance and intelligence gathering around the border and surrounding communities.

The authorities have also stressed the importance of community participation in tackling child-related crimes, as residents are often in a position to identify suspicious movements and provide information that can assist security agencies.

The intensified measures are expected to complement existing efforts to protect children across Lagos and prevent criminal networks from exploiting the state’s border communities.

With security meetings now taking place more frequently, the government hopes to ensure that emerging threats in Badagry are identified and addressed promptly while strengthening coordination among the agencies responsible for security and child protection.