The Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi II, has commended the achievements of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, saying that even outside Abia and Nigeria, people have taken note of the great transformation of the last two years of Otti’s administration. “I will like to congratulate Governor Otti for his work and to pray that he will continue to deliver for the people. “I’m proud to be a member of his international economic advisory Board (Council),” Mohammed Sanusi II stated. You probably haven’t visited Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu. So, I’m happy to say that about 3 weeks ago, Abia State College of Education Technical Arochukwu, had all its courses accredited.

The National Assembly has directed its Clerk to re-gazette the nation’s tax laws and issue Certified True Copies of the versions passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, following allegations of alterations to the laws. The decision was disclosed in a statement released on Friday in Abuja by the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi. According to Rotimi, the leadership of the National Assembly has taken decisive steps to address the matter in order to safeguard public interest. According to the statement, the review includes, “A careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established. “As part of the process, the leadership of the National Assembly has approved administrative steps to clarify the official legislative record.

Gunmen suspected to be fleeing an undisclosed incident on Christmas Day shot an assistant parish priest of Saint Kelvin Catholic Church, Ogbaku, in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. The priest, whose identity had yet to be officially confirmed as of press time, was reportedly shot at about 8am on Christmas Day while approaching the church gate for morning Mass. The source narrated the incident thus: “The shooting happened on Christmas day when everyone was in a joyous mood. However, the Divisional Police Officer for Owerri West has visited the church to verify the claims. He has also requested to see the priest to aid the investigation.”Meanwhile, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representative, Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Health Service Commission, Bakare Modupe, presenting a gift to a mother Photos: Lagos state govtThe Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Director of Pharmaceutical Services at the Health Service Commission, Bakare Modupe, has felicitated with mothers of Christmas babies at General Hospital, Ijede, Ikorodu. According to a post obtained from the Lagos State X account on Friday, the delegation presented gifts to the newborns as well as to in-patients, reinforcing the state government’s commitment to maternal and child welfare. “This gesture underscores the Lagos State Government’s commitment to maternal and child welfare in the state,” she said. The hospital recorded its first Christmas baby, Okiki Omobolanle, a male delivered via Cesarean Section at 12:45 a.m., weighing 2.8kg. The gesture highlights the Lagos State Government’s dedication to improving healthcare services, supporting mothers and children, and celebrating life during the festive season.

A viral confrontation between a young social media creator and an older passerby has sparked a heated debate about filming in public. She appears to be keeping to her own space on the relatively empty street when an older woman walks past and suddenly calls out, “Give it a break, girls,” in a dry tone. One commenter pointed out the street was “pretty empty,” and the women weren’t blocking anyone’s path, saying the older passer-by just “felt compelled to criticise them” for no reason. Check out more newslettersOthers said the influencer would have been justified in defending herself had the stranger followed through on the threat to punch her. Others called it “bizarre” how the older woman went from a snarky remark to a near-physical confrontation, describing her behaviour as “antagonistic and aggressive.”The conversation reflects a deeper generational gap over social media etiquette in public places.

The Japanese government approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Friday, to pay for everything from bigger defence spending to ballooning social security costs as inflation persists. – Market worries –The expanding budget also arrives as the market worries about Takaichi’s big spending policies adding to Japan’s public debts. The 122-trillion-yen figure compares with the 115 trillion yen sought for the current fiscal year to March, which was also a record. Some observers have drawn comparisons to the United Kingdom’s 2022 bond market turmoil under then-premier Liz Truss. Kiuchi noted that, under Takaichi, the extra budget quickly ballooned, reaching $18 trillion yen.

From 9h ago 11.00 GMT Nigeria provided US with intelligence for strikes on militants, foreign minister says Nigeria provided the US with intelligence on jihadists before the strikes that took place in the country on Christmas Day, its foreign ministry said on Friday. West Virginia congressman Riley Moore wrote on X: “President Trump has been clear that the killing of Christians in Nigeria must end. Last month, Nigeria’s president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the characterisation of Nigeria as a religiously intolerant country did not reflect reality. “We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level - with President Trump in the near future. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspects over an alleged breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic and assault on police officers following a disturbance linked to the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba group in parts of Sango-Ota. “Upon receiving the report, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the affected locations, successfully dispersed the group, and arrested the following suspects: Adewale Sosanya, ‘M’ aged 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, ‘M’ aged 31; Zara Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 22; Ajoke Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 19; Adewale Adebomojo, ‘F’ aged 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, ‘M’ aged 40; Olurotimi Ademola, ‘M’ aged 52; and Toyin Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 40,” it read. The police spokesperson further disclosed that several items were recovered from the suspects during the operation. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, reassured residents of the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across Ogun State. The CP warned that the police would not tolerate any actions capable of breaching public peace, stressing that attacks on law enforcement officers would be met with firm and decisive measures.

US Congressman, Riley Moore, has hailed recent airstrikes in North West Nigeria as a decisive move to protect Christian communities and tackle the ongoing security crisis in the country. “As I stated at the outset: Do not test President Trump‘s resolve in this matter,” the congressman added. The comments came after reports that US forces, under President Donald Trump’s direction, carried out airstrikes against ISIS-linked terrorist elements in North West Nigeria. “The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end. Moore recently concluded a fact-finding mission in Nigeria to investigate alleged attacks on Christian communities, describing the experience as deeply disturbing.

Manchester United's Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on January 5, 2025. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)Man United Coach, Ruben Amorim, has made it clear he is unwilling to sanction any player departures during the January transfer window unless suitable replacements are brought in, insisting his squad is already stretched too thin. However, Amorim believes allowing players to leave without reinforcements would leave the squad unable to cope with injuries and the demands of competing at the highest level. “It’s going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don’t get a substitution,” Amorim said. With injuries continuing to disrupt his plans and expectations remaining high, Amorim appears determined to prioritise stability over transfer movement as United head into a crucial period of the season.

Nigeria's head coach Eric Chelle reacts during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group C football match between Nigeria and Tanzania at Fez Stadium in Fes on December 23, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles in a pivotal Group C match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Fès, Morocco, on Saturday, 27 December 2025. Historically, Nigeria and Tunisia have faced each other 21 times, with Tunisia winning seven, Nigeria six, and eight matches drawn. Notable past fixtures include Nigeria’s 4–2 victory in the 2000 AFCON group stage and Tunisia’s penalty shootout win in the 2004 semi-finals. With both teams in strong form and historical rivalry adding intensity, the Group C match in Fès promises to be a contest that could shape the trajectory of Nigeria and Tunisia in AFCON 2025.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has explained why the fire outbreak at the Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, took several hours to contain. PUNCH Online reports that the fire started in the 25-storey building around 5 p.m. on Wednesday and continued into Thursday despite the early deployment of firefighting crews. Adeseye explained that the affected buildings were predominantly warehouses with poor storage arrangements, containing highly combustible materials that fuelled the fire’s rapid spread and complicated suppression efforts. The statement read, “The affected buildings are predominantly warehouses with poor storage practices involving highly combustible materials, which facilitated rapid fire spread and complicated suppression efforts. “So far, five adjoining buildings have been affected — two partially and three severely — including the old Lagos Central Mosque,” the statement said.

Former senator Shehu Sani has described the reported military airstrikes on terrorist targets in North West Nigeria as a “conscionable action,” while stressing that Nigeria must ultimately take responsibility for its own security. Sani reacted in a statement shared via his verified X handle on Friday, following comments by United States President, Donald Trump, who said on Thursday that US forces had carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in Northwestern Nigeria. The former lawmaker also rejected claims that terrorist violence in Nigeria targets only one religious group, describing such narratives as misleading. “The narrative that the evil terrorists only target one faith remains absolutely false and misleading,” Sani stated. “Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power,” he said.

This image grab from a video filmed on December 23, 2025 and provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Office shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky addressing in Kyiv. (Photo by Handout / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE / AFP)Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he plans to meet United States President Donald Trump in the near future as part of renewed efforts to bring an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future. According to Zelensky, the proposal includes freezing the current frontline and dropping a requirement that Kyiv formally renounce its bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The Kremlin has not commented in detail on the new proposal, saying only that it was reviewing it.

Chinua Soludo with one of the patients after paying her hospital bill. So we should always express our love and care towards their welfare.”Soludo’s outreach at St. Joseph Hospital impacted more than five patients whose bills were cleared. At the Nnobi General Hospital, a patient who had been treated for acute malaria was billed over N120,000. In Ekwulobia, Soludo extended his Christmas hospital outreach to Ekwulobia General Hospital, where almost 10 women were assisted with their bills and transportation fare, in the spirit of the season. Around this time last year, Soludo was at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka, on a similar outreach and cleared the hospital bills of tens of patients.