US, Nigeria Sign $2.1bn Health Agreement for Faith-Based Car
The United States has signed a five-year bilateral health agreement with Nigeria aimed at strengthening the country’s health system, with a focus on expanding faith-based healthcare services. Nigeria is also expected to increase its domestic health spending by nearly $3 billion over the life of the agreement. The agreement was announced by Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, and is part of the America First Global Health Strategy. Nigeria currently has about 900 faith-based clinics and hospitals, which the State Department said serve more than 30 per cent of the population. US officials said investment in these facilities is intended to complement public healthcare services and improve the country’s overall health infrastructure.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 12:02 UTC
Anglican Bishop urges govt action to improve rural welfare, curb urban migration
The Bishop of the Anglican Missionary Diocese of Oyo South, Rt. Revd Olufemi Familoni has urged governments at all levels to prioritise the welfare of rural dwellers, warning that continued neglect of rural communities could intensify urban migration and create wider social and humanitarian challenges. Outlining the direction of the new diocese, Familoni said its mission was to build a Christ-centred, Spirit-filled and mission-driven church committed to the proclamation of the gospel. Rural-urban migration is a widely recognised socio-economic challenge in Nigeria, driven largely by disparities in infrastructure, basic services and economic opportunity between rural and urban areas. Studies on migration in Nigeria have found that poverty, lack of social amenities, inadequate access to education and employment prospects in rural communities are major push factors prompting especially youths to relocate to urban centres in search of better conditions.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:09 UTC
The Dangote Refinery: A Monumental Challenge to Nigeria
I saw the Dangote Petroleum & Petrochemicals (The Dangote Refinery) plant in Ibeju-Lekki. My conclusion is that Aliko Dangote has built something even bigger than the refinery: he has built the Aliko Dangote Question. Your journey to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Dangote Refinery continues on the 37-kilometre Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road (formerly Dangote Refinery Access Road). I arrived at the Dangote Refinery armed with a general knowledge of its size and complexity. His Dangote Refinery has emerged at once as a masterpiece and a showpiece of the highest human standards, competitiveness and ambition.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 11:00 UTC
Troops uncover IED, arrest terror logistics suspects
Nigerian troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI have discovered and neutralised an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and arrested two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during separate operations in Borno State, the army said on Saturday. In one incident, troops of the 25 Brigade discovered an IED while conducting a main supply route patrol along the Damboa–Komala axis on December 17. The device was secured and subsequently detonated by military personnel, the army said, preventing potential harm to troops and civilians using the route. The army said the suspects, along with the vehicle and recovered items, had been handed over to the appropriate military intelligence unit for further investigation and necessary action. Nigeria’s military high command commended the troops for the operations and urged them to sustain the current tempo, according to the statement.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:18 UTC
‘You’re barred!’: Labour’s battle with pubs promises a new year headache
But those hoping to pitch up at their local pub for a restorative pint with colleagues and constituents may find festive cheer is in short supply. The campaign means, for many Labour MPs, there is one less place to escape the bruising reality of their party’s unpopularity. “The local pub is where we used to go with the kids and just be a normal family. Whitbread, which owns pubs, restaurants and the Premier Inn hotel chain, says it will have to pay between £40m and £50m in tax as a result. “We’re protecting pubs, restaurants and cafes with the budget’s £4.3bn support package.
Source:The Guardian
December 21, 2025 09:01 UTC
Forest Guards Recruitment Stalled by Inter-Agency Rift
Bureaucratic hurdles and inter-agency disagreements may be slowing down the recruitment of forest guards approved by President Bola Tinubu, Sunday PUNCH has learnt. He directed each state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards. A senior official of the Nigeria Forest Security Service, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that the optimism generated by the presidential announcement had faded. Without trained forest guards on the ground, criminals continue to exploit these gaps.”The official also dismissed reports that recruitment had secretly commenced. He said the uncertainty had affected existing forest guards, hunters and other local security actors expected to be integrated into the scheme.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 07:19 UTC
Yuletide Travel in Nigeria: High Fares & Kidnap Fears
Checks over the past few days revealed a rush for seats at major transport companies, even as fares climbed far above last year’s levels. During the last Yuletide season, fares for 15-seater buses averaged about N32,000 before the festivities, rising to around N41,500 during the peak period in December 2024. A review of booking platforms for several transport companies over the week showed what could be described as an astronomical increase in fares. He, however, appealed to transport companies to ensure adequate security on their buses to justify the high ticket prices. Efforts to get reactions from some of the transport companies, particularly GUO, proved abortive, as their mobile lines rang out with no response.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:53 UTC
Gunmen kill 10 in South Africa shooting near Johannesburg
Unknown gunmen killed 10 people and wounded 10 others in an attack at a township outside Johannesburg, police said in Sunday, in the second mass shooting in South Africa this month. “Some victims were randomly shot in the streets by unknown gunmen,” a police statement said. The shooting took place near a tavern or informal bar in Bekkersdal, an impoverished area near some of South Africa’s major gold mines. On December 6, gunmen stormed a hostel near the capital Pretoria, killing a dozen people including a three‑year‑old child. South Africa, home to 63 million people, suffers from a high crime rate, including one of the highest murder rates in the world.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:23 UTC
APC Schedules National Convention for March 2026
Photo: APC / XThe All Progressives Congress has scheduled its national convention for March 2026. The party on Saturday released comprehensive activities for its 2025/2026 nationwide ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in the party’s national convention. Ward congresses are fixed for February 18, 2026, while appeals arising from the ward congresses will be heard on February 19. It said they zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The timetable shows that the APC National Convention is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 05:08 UTC
FULL LIST: US stops Nigerians, others from applying for green card, citizenship
A US government official has revealed that the Trump administration has directed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of other countries newly added to the expanded US “travel ban,” citing national security concerns and an ongoing review of immigration vetting processes, CBS News reported on Thursday. Among the 15 additional countries newly subjected to partial restrictions is Nigeria. Trump had earlier, on October 31, declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” following allegations of a Christian genocide in the country. Below is the full list of countries revealed to be affected by the suspension of green card and citizenship applications:Countries affectedFull travel banBurkina FasoMaliNigerSouth SudanSyriaLaosSierra LeonePartial travel restrictionsPreviously affected countriesAfghanistanBurundiChadCubaRepublic of the CongoEquatorial GuineaEritreaHaitiIranLibyaMyanmarSomaliaSudanTogoTurkmenistanYemenVenezuelaThe latest suspension expands earlier restrictions announced in June, under which nationals of several countries faced partial limits on immigration processing. In the most recent proclamation, Laos and Sierra Leone — which previously faced partial restrictions — were upgraded to a full entry ban, prompting USCIS to extend the freeze on immigration petitions, including green card and citizenship applications.
Source:Punch
December 21, 2025 00:06 UTC
US suspends green card, citizenship processing for Nigerians
The United States government has suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications submitted by Nigerians following Nigeria’s inclusion in an expanded list of countries facing immigration restrictions under a new directive by President Donald Trump. Nigeria is among 15 additional countries subjected to partial travel restrictions under the latest proclamation. While the measures stop short of a full entry ban, immigration officials confirmed that the suspension applies to green card and citizenship applications filed by affected nationals during the review period. The proclamation also builds on earlier restrictions announced in June, which had already limited immigration processing for nationals of several countries. The decision is expected to affect thousands of Nigerians currently seeking permanent residency or citizenship in the United States, adding uncertainty to migration pathways at a time of already tightened global immigration controls.
Source:The Guardian
December 20, 2025 23:54 UTC
Passengers forced off plane after airport stairs fail
Passengers on an Air Congo flight were forced to exit a Boeing 737-800 by jumpingPassengers on an Air Congo flight were forced to exit a Boeing 737-800 by jumping directly onto the tarmac at Kindu Airport after airport authorities failed to provide aircraft stairs, according to video footage and aviation reports circulating on social media. The plane remained stationary on the apron for several hours, with passengers unable to disembark through normal procedures due to the absence of mobile stairs at the terminal. Reports indicated that passengers waited inside the aircraft for an extended period before ground staff advised them to leave via the open door. Local police officers and airport ground staff wearing high-visibility vests were visible near the aircraft during the disembarkation. There has also been no official confirmation from airport authorities regarding why the stairs were unavailable at the time of arrival.
Source:The Guardian
December 20, 2025 22:16 UTC
APC releases timetable for 2026 national convention
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, released the schedule via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday. Ward congresses are fixed for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, while appeals arising from the ward congresses will be heard on February 19. Screening and appeals for state executives are slated for late February and early March 2026, while state congresses will hold on Saturday, March 7, 2026. It said they zonal congresses across the six geopolitical zones will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The timetable shows that the APC National Convention is scheduled to hold from Wednesday, March 25, to Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Source:Punch
December 20, 2025 21:58 UTC
Police deploy special squads ahead of Tinubu’s Borno visit
The Borno State Police Command has announced the deployment of tactical teams, surveillance squads, and operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the state today. “The Borno State Police Command has deployed adequate security arrangements ahead of the visit of the President to Borno State scheduled for today, 20th December 2025,” the statement read. ASP Daso explained that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, had designed what he described as a robust security architecture. Reassuring residents, the Command emphasised its commitment to safeguarding lives and property throughout the presidential visit. President Tinubu’s visit to Borno forms part of his three-state tour, which will conclude with the end-of-year holidays in Lagos.
Source:The Guardian
December 20, 2025 21:19 UTC
Jake Paul gets titanium plates, teeth removed after brutal knockout punch by Anthony Joshua
Jake Paul learned the hard way that you don’t play boxing. On Friday night, Paul faced off with former unified heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight boxing match in Miami. It did not go well for the YouTuber-turned boxer, who was brutally knocked out in the sixth round. After the bout, Paul went to the hospital, where it was confirmed that he had broken his jaw in two places. On Saturday, Paul had surgery to repair the break, posting an update after he woke up, where he revealed the extent of his injuries.
Source:Punch
December 20, 2025 20:54 UTC