President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown remarkable courage and clarity in steering our country through difficult but necessary reforms. In that same spirit of boldness, the Central Bank Governor, Mr. Yemi Cardoso, has been nothing short of exceptional. FirstBank, the commercial banking arm of First HoldCo Plc, has met the ₦500 billion minimum capital base required by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for an international banking licence. The shareholders of FirstHoldco are committed to injecting additional capital into its existing subsidiaries and new business adjacencies. I say this without hesitation: Yemi Cardoso is the best Central Bank Governor Nigeria has ever produced.

Chelsea have begun the process of appointing a new head coach following the departure of Enzo Maresca, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior emerging as the leading contender for the role. Maresca, 45, left his position on Thursday after just one season in charge amid reported internal tensions with Chelsea’s hierarchy and ownership. As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Rosenior, 41, is understood to be the frontrunner to succeed Maresca, although sources stress that other candidates remain under consideration. With speculation growing over his potential move to west London, Strasbourg are already understood to be considering possible replacements should Rosenior depart. Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has also been mentioned as a possible option as Chelsea assesses the market.

Several dozen people are presumed dead and around 100 injured after a fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Swiss police said on January 1, 2026. (Photo by MAXIME SCHMID / AFP)Investigators raced on Friday to identify the victims of a fire that ripped through a bar in the Swiss Alps town of Crans-Montana, turning a New Year’s celebration into one of the country’s worst tragedies. Swiss police warned it could take days or even weeks to identify everyone who perished, an agonising wait for family and friends. Le Constellation had a capacity of 300 people, plus another 40 people on its terrace, according to the Crans-Montana website. – ‘The apocalypse’ –The fire broke out around 1:30 am (0030 GMT) Thursday at Le Constellation, a bar popular with young tourists.

On Thursday (Jan. 1), the 33-year-old singer released his emotionally charged new solo single “Gut Punch,” along with an accompanying lyric video on YouTube. “Gut Punch is out now everywhere,” Jonas wrote on Instagram. Love you.”The Jonas Brothers member shared a short clip of himself performing the song live as the crowd sang along. He was joined onstage by his younger brother Franklin Jonas (who is not part of the Jonas Brothers), as well as album collaborator JP Saxe. Check out the lyric video for Nick Jonas’ “Gut Punch” below.

There appears to be palpable tension among freight forwarding practitioners in the nation’s maritime sector over the tax implementation that kicked off on Thursday, January 1, 2026. “They are meeting with plans to increase their freight charges because they wouldn’t like to be caught unawares. They haven’t implemented the law, and they have already started manipulating it, so nobody would want to be caught unawares. You know most of the money we spend on clearing goods comes with receipts, like shipping, terminal, and other charges. Duyile also kicked against the planned freight increase by some shipping companies.

The Peoples Democratic Party stakeholders in Borno State has urged the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Speaking at a press briefing in Maiduguri on Monday, the Chairman, PDP Borno State stakeholders who is also a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee Grema Kyari commended the FCT Minister for his commitment to discipline and institutional intergrity. “For the avoidance of doubt, the only legitimate and legally recognised leadership structure of the People’s Democratic Party in Nigeria today is led by Honourable Abdulrahman Muhammed as National Chairman and Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyawu as National Secretary” he stressed. The group further commended the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Caretaker Committeefor its bold, timely, and lawful decision to dissolve the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approve the constitution of a Borno State PDP Working Caretaker Committee, pointing out that the action has brought renewed hope to party members across the state just as it reflected theaspirations of PDP faithful in Borno State who have long awaited justice and internal democracy. The group’s chairman warned that any attempt to resist the directive would be legally challenged.

The defendants are facing a 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy, conversion of public funds, and terrorism financing, contrary to Sections 2(1) and 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Reacting to the development, Mohammed said the allegations were politically motivated. He accused the EFCC and the federal government of attempting to intimidate him for refusing to defect to the ruling party. The governor vowed not to remain silent, insisting that Bauchi State had continued to deliver good governance and infrastructure despite limited resources. Pix: Bauchi Gov Bala Mohammed.

Anthony Joshua is helped out of his Lexus SUV following a crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Kayode Adeniyi, the 47-year-old driver of the ill-fated Lexus SUV that crashed on Monday, killing two of Anthony Joshua’s closest friends, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Adeniyi, a long-standing member of Joshua’s Nigerian logistics team, was discharged from the hospital in Lagos late on New Year’s Eve and driven two hours north to Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where the fatal crash occurred. “The driver was released after treatment for minor injuries and was then taken to the state police headquarters for questioning. Governors Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State expressed deep appreciation to members of the public for the overwhelming concern, prayers and show of love following the sad incident.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a fatal road traffic occurrence at Shangotedo inward Eleko, along the Lekki–Epe Expressway involving an overturned, fully-laden 40-foot containerised truck (T-7740-LA). Preliminary security findings indicate that the articulated truck lost balance and capsized at the location. In a deeply distressing turn of events, while the truck driver was conscientiously attempting to deploy a “C” caution sign to alert oncoming motorists, a recklessly speeding vehicle struck him. The force of the impact led to the instantaneous demise of the truck driver. LASTMA reaffirms its unwavering resolve to enforce road safety regulations and passionately appeals to all motorists to uphold patience, vigilance, and reverence for human life, especially during emergency situations on the highways.

Jonas, 33, began 2026 by releasing a new single, “Gut Punch,” offering fans an early look at his upcoming fifth solo album, Sunday Best. In the introspective song, Jonas contemplates his role as a father to Malti Marie and husband to Priyanka Chopra, as well as his sense of self-image. Nick Jonas in a promotional photo for his ‘Gut Punch’ song. Throughout the song, Jonas reflects on social habits and tendencies he struggles with, like people pleasing and faking a smile. Jonas' Sunday Best will be his first solo album since releasing Spaceman in 2021.

The Chairman of Adamakin Investments and Works Limited, Akindele Adamakin, has called on the Federal Government to bestow a posthumous national honour on the late business tycoon, Madam Efunroye Tinubu. Adamakin made this call on the occasion of the 138th remembrance of Madam Tinubu and the company’s End-of-Year celebration. Adamakin, who is also the sole administrator of the late Madam Efunroye Tinubu’s estate, used the event to also call for justice regarding the expansive estate of the late Tinubu. “The real Tinubu that our President bears is Madam Efunroye Tinubu. He recalled the 1853 banishment of Madam Tinubu by the colonial administration to ‘Ibobi’ (now Igbobi), then a dense forest, and highlighted historical landmarks such as Tinubu Village and Tinubu Close as proof of her acquisitions.

Play video contentNick Jonas had a great 2025 and he wants 2026 to be even better ... not just for him, but for you, too. In a video shared on Instagram Thursday, the singer admitted he was feeling a little anxiety about the new year. Nick said, "Be grateful for the simple things -- quiet moments with people you love." "You're not defined by your hurt or your mistakes, and 2026 I believe will be a great year for all of us." In "Gut Punch," Nick explores why we can be so mean to ourselves through negative self-talk.

Chelsea legend John Terry has described the sacking of manager Enzo Maresca as disappointing. Chelsea, in a statement earlier on Thursday, confirmed that Maresca had left his role as head coach by mutual consent. The Italian’s departure came less than six months after he led the Blues to the FIFA Club World Cup. Reacting to the development on TikTok on Thursday, Terry said he was surprised by the decision and had been inundated with calls following the announcement. “Enzo Maresca has just been sacked by Chelsea and, to be honest, I’m completely shocked.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the economy, insecurity and governance, accusing it of incompetence, lawlessness and political intimidation. According to him, the controversy surrounding a disputed tax law best reflected what he called the decay of the current administration. Atiku further criticised what he described as selective anti-corruption enforcement, accusing the government of weaponising institutions against political opponents. He warned that a government capable of tampering with laws could not be trusted to conduct free and fair elections in 2027. “Let us vote out hunger, insecurity, unemployment, dishonesty, corruption, abductions, lies, and propaganda.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and his new wife, Zaynab Ngohemba. Photo: Media OfficeZaynab Ngohemba, formerly known as Zaynab Otiti Obanor, has spoken publicly about her recent marriage to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. She said the relationship represents the coming together of two individuals already committed to public service, rather than a shift in personal direction. The statement read, “It is a partnership shaped by maturity, shared purpose, and an understanding that personal stability strengthens public duty. “Their partnership represents the meeting of two lives already devoted to public purpose.