Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali says he is not perturbed by Nigeria’s inability to keep a clean sheet at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, dismissing suggestions of defensive problems, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Super Eagles won both games, recording a 2–1 victory over Tanzania before edging the Carthage Eagles 3–2. “Tournaments like this, you are bound to concede goals. Even the best teams in the world concede goals,” Nwabali said in the mixed zone after the Tunisia game. In the current squad, Uzoho and Amas Obasogie are the other goalkeepers, with Nwabali playing down any rivalry among them.

This was as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar rejected claims that he pulled out of the 2027 presidential contest for Obi, calling the reports false and misleading. Some reports had it that Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in 2023, stepped down for Obi. The movement to ADC would put to rest months of speculation about where Obi would pitch his tent in the coming elections. Obi would be defecting with serving senators and other lawmakers produced on the platform of the LP as well as remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East region. National President of Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), Okechukwu Obioha, said they would support Obi to ensure he gets to the pinnacle of his political career.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a suspect identified as Amadin William for allegedly killing a 43-year-old, Eghosa Osaikhuowuomwan, popularly known as Didi, in Oben community, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state. Osaikhuowuomwan, who reportedly resides abroad, was in his community to celebrate Christmas and the New Year when he was allegedly killed by the suspect. She stressed that after the incident was reported, the police began tracking the suspect, adding that he was eventually arrested in Benin City on 27 December 2025. “After giving the deceased a machete cut in the neck, the suspect fled the scene. “The matter was reported at the police station the next day by the deceased’s sister, and since then we have been tracking the suspect.

In 2012, Inglewood unified school district (IUSD) became one of about 130 US school districts taken over by a state since the 1980s. Somewhere along the way, the coalition, which has grown, became known as Stop IUSD School Closures. For fall, the Morningside high building – now repaired – was renamed Inglewood high school united. View image in fullscreen A $240m reconstruction of Inglewood high school is under way in the city’s more affluent northern section. Parents Melissa and Nicholas Deloach recently attended a Stop IUSD School Closures informational session.

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State speaks in measured and reassuring terms, emerging as Chairman of the Lake Chad Governors’ Forum (LCGF) and the newly appointed APC chair for the Conflict Resolution, Strategy and Mobilisation Committee (CRSMC). This was the vivid description of Buni by the APC National Chairman, Honourable Nentawe Yilwatda, on Wednesday, 23rd December 2025, while inaugurating Buni and 13 other members of the CRSMC recently in Abuja. He noted that Buni’s successful record of combining governance with political party administration has made him the best choice for this assignment. Other members of the committee comprise experienced, competent, and respected politicians who have successfully managed various political party intricacies in different times and capacities. Buni, in his remarks at the inauguration of the committee, assured that he would execute the assignment with utmost responsibility and dedication, employing strategic engagements and consultations.

Mozambique ended a 39-year wait for a first Africa Cup of Nations victory by defeating Gabon 3-2 in a Group F thriller in Agadir on Sunday. Defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon, who meet later on Sunday in Marrakesh, and Mozambique have three points each. Bangal rose unchallenged from a corner and his header bounced off the ground into the left corner of the net with Mbaba helpless. Gabon pulled one goal back five minutes into first-half added time through their best known footballer, 36-year-old Marseille striker Aubameyang. Portugal-based right-back Calila scored the third Mozambique goal on 52 minutes, venturing forward to nod a Witi cross paste Mbaba.

No fewer than four Nigerians have been arrested in India over drug-related offenses in separate operations carried out between Thursday and late Saturday. PUNCH Metro gathered from reports by Indian news outlets that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the country during coordinated anti-narcotics operations. In another development, Bhaskar English reported that the Jaipur Police Commissionerate arrested two Nigerians, identified as Touchi and Henry, over the trafficking of MD drugs in Rajasthan. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly disclosed that the drugs were supplied by Touchi, who was later arrested in Faridabad. In a separate operation, ETV Bharat reported that the Agra unit of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force arrested another Nigerian, identified as IK Prince, described as a major drug trafficking kingpin.

The 2024 CAF African Player of the Year expressed satisfaction with Nigeria’s overall performance, emphasising the importance of securing three points. He noted that the team will take the positives from the match and build on them as the tournament progresses. Speaking about his partnership with Victor Osimhen, Lookman highlighted their strong on-field understanding, explaining that he adapts his position to help the team wherever needed. The first goal came just before halftime when Lookman delivered a precise cross from the left for Osimhen, who rose above the defence to head home. He then finished off a clever cut-back from Osimhen in the 66th minute, rifling a left-footed strike past the Tunisian goalkeeper.

The National Judicial Council has disclosed that 34 applicants, including a Chief Superintendent of Police, failed the judges’ appointment integrity test conducted by the Federal Judicial Service Commission. Upon assuming office, Justice Kekere-Ekun introduced a public-feedback-based integrity test for judicial appointments, allowing members of the public to submit petitions or comments on shortlisted nominees. The petitioners commended the judiciary for the integrity screening process, calling it necessary to restore public confidence in the justice system. They urged the NJC to reject the CSP’s nomination, stating: “She is a corrupt police officer and, if appointed, would only become a corrupt judicial officer.”Following the public feedback process, the FJSC forwarded only 28 names to the NJC, with 34 nominees failing the integrity test. Ogedengbe added that the council remained resolute in maintaining high standards, stressing that transparency and judicial integrity remain top priorities under the administration of Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun.

Mass enrolment in health insurance would boost the sector, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate Health, Lekan Ewenla, has said. Ewenla, in a statement yesterday, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the steps it had taken to widen health insurance in the country. Explaining the need for mass enrolment in health insurance, he said it would lead to better funding of the health sector and change the poor health indices of the country. It has equally enhanced the take-home pay of every worker in that sector.”According to him, out-of-pocket payment for health care has become old-fashioned globally, adding that health insurance will make health care accessible to Nigerians. Calling for a code of conduct for health management organisations (HMOs), Ewenla said it would enhance health insurance in the country.

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has appealed to senior members of the medical profession to intervene as the association warned of a possible return to a nationwide strike. He added that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes, having shown restraint while government obligations remained unmet. “It is only fair to state that resident doctors should not be blamed if industrial action resumes, having repeatedly demonstrated patience while government obligations remain unmet,” Ibrahim said. The NARD scribe said resident doctors remained overworked and demoralised, describing them as the backbone of service delivery in Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals. About 11,000 resident doctors across 91 teaching hospitals had withdrawn their services during the strike, disrupting health services nationwide.

However, the succession has since been marred by disagreements, claims and counterclaims, and heightened tension among supporters of the two contenders. The decision was later reversed by the Lagos State Government, which assured residents of adequate security and called for calm. However, a few months later, community members say no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the succession crisis. He urged notable sons and daughters of Epe to rally round the government and relevant agencies to ensure a lasting and credible resolution to the Obaship tussle. Community stakeholders insist that only the Lagos State Government has the authority and moral standing to mediate and deliver a solution that will be widely accepted as fair, just and transparent.

There was panic and confusion over the weekend in the Sango area of Ibadan when fire engulfed a storey residential building at No. 51, Alemuloke Street, destroying six rooms before firefighters brought the blaze under control. On arrival, fire officers discovered that six out of the 12 rooms in the building, located on the upper floor of the storey structure, were already well alight. The firefighting operation was jointly carried out by officers of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency and the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command, in a coordinated effort that ensured the situation was quickly brought under control. Reacting to the incident, the Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman, Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Hon.

THE African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the planned Europe trip by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the wake of a terrorist attack on Zamfara State smacks of a lack of care and empathy for the victims. “What a President!”Recall that President Tinubu departed Lagos on Sunday, December 28, for Europe. “The President will return to the country after the summit.”The Zamfara State Police Command had confirmed an explosion on the Yar’Tasha–Dansadau Road in Maru Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State. The Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, said security operatives were responding to the situation and gathering information from the scene. The police spokesman said, “I can confirm that there was a blast in that area, but the incident just happened.

Suspected political thugs on Sunday stripped the Chief Executive Officer of Hosamudia Farm, Don Pedro Obaseki, naked in Benin City, the Edo State capital. In a video circulating online, Obaseki, a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, was attacked while playing football at Uwa Primary School. The assailants reportedly abducted him and took him to the Oba’s palace, forcing him to kneel at the palace gate. If there is anybody that counts himself as an enemy of the Oba, allow him and see how he will end up.”The chiefs eventually took Obaseki inside the palace despite protests from the thugs. He further called on human rights organisations, civil society groups, and well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against the injustice and gross violation of human rights.