Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has extended his heartfelt condolences to teammates Samuel Chukwueze and Wilfred Ndidi following the recent passing of their parents, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigeria Football Federation issued a statement afterwards, offering their condolences to the Super Eagles star. Ndidi famously performed an Nwankwo Kanu-style celebration to honour his father during the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. “Dear brothers, Chukwueze and Ndidi, may God grant your parents eternal peace and give you the strength and comfort needed during this difficult time,” Osimhen wrote. Reflecting on the emotional toll these losses have taken on the national team players, President Tinubu assured the grieving families of his personal support and spiritual solidarity.

The Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan had, earlier on Friday, invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025. The court also directed Turaki and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP. Justice Uche Agomoh further ruled that the caretaker committee headed by Mohammed Abdulrahman and Samuel Anyanwu remains the only recognised National Working Committee of the PDP until a valid national convention is held. The PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, at which Turaki and other members of the NWC were elected for a four-year term. When asked if he was concerned about the PDP cases pending in the Appeal Court, Turaki clarified that he was not, noting that the lawyers on both sides had filed their briefs on time.

The pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) may rise to N1,000 per litre in the coming days due to the surge in crude oil prices on the international market. The increase in petrol prices came at a time when the Dangote Petroleum Refinery raised petrol prices from N739 to N839. Ukadike mentioned that petrol could hit N1,000 per litre if the crude price surge continues, especially in locations far from fuel depots. The price of petroleum products will come down if the crude price goes down, that’s the common principle of the market,” Ukadike said, admitting that the price of petrol may rise to N1,000, especially “in some other places that are not closer to the refinery or depots. With the increase in petrol prices, Ukadike said sales are becoming slow compared to the December festive period.

Akinnaanu, best known for her popular gospel song ‘Omije Ojumi’, passed away on January 12, 2026, after a prolonged battle with an ailment. In a viral video from the burial, a man said to be Akinnaanu’s estranged husband was seen on a video call declaring his love and requesting to speak with the children. The incident has since generated an outpouring of reactions on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for the children and questioning the timing and intentions of their estranged father. He firmly denied the claims, insisting that the family never begged for money and was financially capable of handling the burial privately. “Anyone who claims the family begged for burial funds must provide proof.”

The Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, has disclosed that at least 15 female students have been expelled for engaging in acts of indiscipline. The affected students were reportedly involved in making sex videos, an offence that contravenes the rules and regulations of the institution. He urged students to avoid behaviour that could lead to the loss of their studentship, emphasising that the university has zero tolerance for indiscipline. “Use the money you’re paying here wisely, not to make sex videos or take drugs. He further urged, “University life is a tapestry woven with threads of excitement, discovery, and inevitable challenges.

The case, marked MOS/601c/2025 and filed by the Osun State Government, was heard on Friday in Osogbo. In a Certified True Copy of the order titled “Warrant for Arrest of Defendant Who Has Disobeyed Summons (General Title – Form No. 1)”, addressed to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, the court stated in part, “Complaint has been made that the defendant(s) did allow unauthorised persons to operate and maintain 30 accounts opened in favour of the 30 Local Government Councils in Osun State with UBA Bank Plc. The prosecution said the action constituted an offence contrary to Sections 2 and 3(1) and (2), and punishable under Section 5(1) and (2) of the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law, 2025. Court documents show that the remaining counts similarly relate to the alleged unlawful opening and operation of accounts connected to all 30 local government councils in Osun State.

He maintained that the essence of nation-building was to make failure an acceptable concept and to extract lessons from it. The business tycoon said Nigerians must stop assuming the country cannot work and instead take responsibility for making it work. We stop condemning the country and believing the country cannot go right. He said success in business and nation-building requires the courage to take risks, noting that fear of failure often prevents people from trying at all. He later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group, which evolved into Oando Plc, now a leading integrated energy group in sub-Saharan Africa.

Some Nigerians have gone into hiding and others are returning home secretly over the intensified deportation campaign led by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Saturday PUNCH learnt that many immigrants had stopped going to work as Trump reiterated his support for ICE actions. The Guardian of UK reported that in 2026 alone, no fewer than eight people have died in interactions involving ICE. There was outrage when 37-year-old Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7. Just come out and say, ‘All immigrants, we want you out, whether you are criminal or not.’”“These (ICE) people don’t even care.

Anthony Joshua has posted a video thanking fans for their support following the deaths of his two close friends in a car crash while acknowledging that death does not frighten him, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Joshua, along with Ghami and Ayodele, was a passenger in the vehicle when it collided with a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos. Ghami and Ayodele were both pronounced dead at the scene, while Joshua was pictured being helped from the wreckage. In a six-minute video posted on his social media channels, the British heavyweight acknowledged supporters worldwide “who were showing so much love, support through that tragic, traumatic time”. He added, “One day my time will come, and I’m not scared either at all.

Atletico Madrid have intensified efforts to sign Ademola Lookman as the Turkish club Fenerbahce edge closer to completing a deal for the Nigeria forward, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Atletico are now targeting Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi for midfield reinforcement, but Lookman remains their priority signing. Diario AS reports that Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek is currently in Bergamo trying to finalise the deal. He added that Atletico Madrid have been calling in recent hours to ask about deal conditions. Atletico could return for both Goretzka and Lookman in the summer, depending on what business Alemany completes before February 2.

These responsibilities would extend far beyond palace walls, shaping institutions, communities, and the very ethos of corporate Nigeria. His reporting was underscored by a profound respect for truth and clarity, qualities that would later inform his approach to corporate governance and public service. From managing urban investment portfolios to overseeing maritime enterprise, lifelines of trade, Ojora was shaping frameworks that would influence generations. Amid all this, he emerged as a staunch advocate for corporate governance. Long before governance became boardroom jargon, Ojora championed accountability, transparency, and fiduciary responsibility; principles that would later underpin Nigeria’s corporate reform movements.

The government, PFN, and CAN have insisted that I must reschedule our crusade to accommodate the Kenyan government, PFN, and CAN crusade by moving it forward by one week. Controversial Kenyan prophetWhile Yusuf’s Uyo crusade is scheduled for February 9 to 15, the Kenyan cleric, Prophet David Owuor, is having his from February 13 to 15. The organisers of Owuor’s crusade, Nigeria Christian Revival Forum, declined comment when contacted by Saturday PUNCH. When Saturday PUNCH contacted the Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of CAN, Rev. Akwa Ibom knocks clericBut the Akwa Ibom State Government, on Friday, accused Yusuf of hate speech and disregard for due process.

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo showing the traders the prototype version of the proposed new Main Market... Credit: State HouseAnambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate remodelling of the Onitsha Main Market in a move described as a “hard, but necessary” step for the future. ​Soludo said, “The Onitsha Main Market, in its current state, is no longer functional. The main market is no longer what it was designed to be. Following Soludo’s executive directive on the redevelopment of the Onitsha Main Market, the Chairman of the market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, confirmed the traders’ alignment with the government’s vision for a modernised market while requesting a brief window to secure their inventory. Okpalaugo said, ​”After careful consideration of the proposals presented by the state government for the revitalisation of our market, we, the leadership and traders of Onitsha Main Market, officially announce that we have chosen ‘Option 2’ as the preferred path forward.

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-backed National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party has welcomed the Federal High Court ruling affirming its legitimacy as the party’s leadership, while calling on all members to embrace unity, reconciliation, and adherence to due process. Earlier, the Federal High Court in Ibadan invalidated the PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025. The court also ordered Kabiru Turaki (SAN) and others to stop presenting themselves as national officers of the PDP. Before this, PDP governors had supported the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other NWC members were elected for a four-year term. This will strengthen unity, deepen internal cohesion, and refocus collective efforts toward building a stronger and more formidable PDP.

Troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force South East as part of Operation UDO KA, have successfully rescued a kidnapped clergyman, Reverend Johnson Onugwu, following a swift, intelligence-driven operation in Enugu State. According to a post obtained from the Nigerian Army’s X account on Friday, Onugwu was abducted from his residence in Ezimo Community, Udenu Local Government Area, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on January 29, 2026, by gunmen. The post read, “Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed in Udenu tracked the kidnappers to the Itabolo general area and later engaged them at Okpakeke Community. “The encounter resulted in a gun battle during which one of the kidnappers was neutralised, and the clergyman was rescued unharmed. Security forces also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, and twenty rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.”The Nigerian Army stated that it is working in collaboration with other security agencies, reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and vowed to continue denying criminal elements freedom of action within its area of responsibility