Djokovic stuns Sinner to set up Australian Open final with Alcaraz
Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates victory over Italy's Jannik Sinner after their men's singles semi-final match on day thirteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2026. “I’m lost for words right now, to be honest,” said Djokovic, who dropped to his knees and was emotional when the match ended. It has proved increasingly difficult with the emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam title since then. – Hate giving up –Against Zverev, Alcaraz only narrowly avoided crashing out after a huge fright at 4-4 in the third set when he pulled up in pain with what appeared to be cramp. In another action, wildcards John Peers and Olivia Gadecki became the first team to retain the Australian Open mixed-doubles title since 1988-89.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:57 UTC
IPOB declares February 2 sit-at-home across S’East, faults Soludo
PUNCH Online reports that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, citing continued observance of the sit-at-home declared by IPOB since July 30, 2021. The governor had said the sit-at-home was crippling the state’s economy and warned against further compliance with the order. However, traders at the market said the sit-at-home was in solidarity with the detained leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial on charges related to separatist agitation. IPOB reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and accused the Anambra State Government of escalating tensions through what it described as economic intimidation of traders. The Anambra State Government has yet to respond to the latest declaration as of the time of filing this report.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:51 UTC
Nollywood Actor Arrested Over Failed Coup Plot in Nigeria
Saturday Beats exclusively gathered that the actor was arrested in Enugu, and his family and friends initially thought he was arrested by the Department of State Services. According to findings cited by Premium Times, the actor is alleged to have been involved in the media and messaging side of the coup plot. Details of the alleged coup attempt first emerged months ago following quiet arrests within the military. Around the same period, intelligence gathered by the State Security Service reportedly confirmed that some officers were exploring ways to destabilise the country’s democratic order. As the legal process unfolds, the case has drawn public attention not only because of its political weight but also because of the rare involvement of a figure from the entertainment industry in an alleged plot of such magnitude.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:49 UTC
LG crisis: Osun court grants leave to quash case against bank
An Osun State High Court, sitting in Osogbo on Friday, issued leave to the United Bank for Africa in Suit HOS/M4/2026 to quash the criminal proceedings being held at a Magistrate Court in the state capital. The leave was granted in a motion ex-parte by Justice M. O. Agboola of the court, according to a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH. The statement said a Chief Magistrate, A. Adeyeba, who is a party in the suit, still issued a bench warrant against some officials of UBA, notwithstanding being aware of the leave granted earlier on the same day. Reacting to the development, Samuel Abiodun, identified as the Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, lauded the High Court decision, describing it as an affirmation of the supremacy of the rule of law. He advised members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding while the illegality is being lawfully contested in the court of law.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:30 UTC
Osimhen sends condolence message to Chukwueze & Ndidi
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:19 UTC
Annulled PDP convention: Turaki fumes, Wike’s camp celebrates
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 05:11 UTC
Petrol Price May Hit N1,000
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 04:53 UTC
Tension as family drama erupts at ‘Omije Ojumi’ crooner’s burial
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.”
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 04:41 UTC
Ondo private varsity expels 15 female students over sex videos
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 04:40 UTC
Osun LG Accounts: Court Issues Arrest Warrant for UBA Staff
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 04:13 UTC
Oando CEO on Nation-Building in Nigeria: Stop Condemning
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 03:55 UTC
Nigerians Self-Deport Amid Trump’s Deadly ICE Raids
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 03:44 UTC
I'm not scared of death, says Anthony Joshua after crash
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 02:30 UTC
Atletico push for Lookman as Fenerbahce near deal
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.
Source:Punch
January 31, 2026 01:49 UTC
Adekunle Ojora: Architect of Enterprise, Guardian of Heritage – THISDAYLIVE
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.
Source:The Guardian
January 31, 2026 01:11 UTC