Tinubu's trip secures new Nigeria-UAE trade agreement
During the leave, the President attended the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, where he witnessed the signing of a major trade agreement between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the President’s return in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi trip,’ issued on Saturday. On the sidelines of the 2026 summit, Nigeria and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties. Both President Tinubu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing ceremony. The Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week is an annual global initiative convened by the UAE to promote dialogue on sustainability, climate action and energy transition.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 15:05 UTC
AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage
The promise of AI – the promise AI companies make to investors – is that there will be AI that can do your job, and when your boss fires you and replaces you with AI, he will keep half of your salary for himself and give the other half to the AI company. It’s why big investors are giving AI companies hundreds of billions of dollars. But no one is investing hundreds of billions in AI companies because they think AI will make radiology more expensive, not even if that also makes radiology more accurate. When really what they’re demanding is a world where 30% of the investment capital of the AI companies go into their shareholders’ pockets. Seven AI companies currently account for more than a third of the stock market, and they endlessly pass around the same $100bn IOU.
Source:The Guardian
January 18, 2026 14:13 UTC
Army pledges to protect Sokoto community after bandit attack
This was disclosed in a statement by the Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 8 Division, Olaniyi Osoba, on Sunday. “This visit is part of our initial assessment following the safe return of Tidibale residents who were threatened by bandits. The GOC urged residents to support troops with timely intelligence, noting that information sharing was vital for early response and community defence. Community leaders said the insecurity had disrupted farming cycles, the backbone of the local economy, and deepened rural vulnerability. Speaking on behalf of the community, Sarkin Arewa, Alhaji Ibrahim, described the Army chief’s visit as reassuring for residents gradually returning home after months of instability.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 13:15 UTC
SERAP Sues Governors Over Security Vote Fund Spending
In the suit, SERAP argued that Nigerians have a right to know how public funds meant to protect lives and property are being utilised. “Nigerians ought to know in what manner public funds, including security votes meant to ensure the security of life and property of Nigerians, are spent by the governors and the FCT minister,” the organisation said. The rights group argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not support secretive spending of public funds, stressing that democracy demands transparency and accountability. “The framers of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] never contemplated opaque spending of public funds as security votes,” SERAP said, noting that citizens’ right to know promotes openness and strengthens democratic governance. “There is a significant risk of embezzlement, misappropriation or diversion of public funds collected by the states and FCT as security votes,” the organisation argued.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 12:35 UTC
Nigeria's capital spending claim questioned by analysts
“In terms of the capital budget, the budget, at the end of the day, is a law of the National Assembly. They extended the 2024 budget for the full year to ensure that projects were completed,” the minister told the audience. “Debt service is an obligation, and the government will find ways to meet it, but capital expenditure often suffers neglect. For the 2025 budget, only 17 per cent of the capital expenditure has been released. The 2024 budget was initially set at N35.06tn, with N13.77tn earmarked for capital expenditure.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 12:23 UTC
‘People saw dollar signs’: a year after devastating wildfires, an LA community is fighting displacement
Williams’ family lost four homes in the Eaton fire, which killed 19 people and destroyed about 9,500 buildings. “Immediately people saw dollar signs.”Altadena is known for its thriving Black community that moved there when redlining kept them from buying homes elsewhere. But freeway construction displaced Black residents including the Williams family. Together, the freeway construction and redlining pushed the Williams family closer to the fire-prone San Gabriel mountains. A rose and a black homes matter sign on a lawn Left: A blooming rose surrounded by burned vegetation on a burned lot in West Altadena Right: Black Homes Matter sign in West Altadena.
Source:The Guardian
January 18, 2026 12:20 UTC
Tata Punch 2026 – All Exterior Colour Options (Variant-Wise)
2026 Tata Punch – All Exterior Colour Options (Variant-Wise) | V3CarsTata Motors launched the 2026 Punch on January 13, 2026. In this article, we’ll explore all the exterior colour options for the new Punch. The new Punch facelift is available with 6 monotone and 6 dual-tone exterior colour options. The white exterior colour option is available with all the variants of the Tata Punch. Grey (Pure Grey)The grey exterior colour is available across all variants of the Punch.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 11:08 UTC
Pardon Kanu for your 2027 interest, Ohanaeze tells Tinubu
The Deputy President- General of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has urged President Bola Tinubu to pardon the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, as part of measures to secure his 2027 re-election. In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Isiguzoro said pardoning Kanu, suspending the newly introduced tax law, and fully implementing the 2014 National Conference report would help stabilise the polity. The Igbo leader added that Tinubu also needs to accelerate the completion of major infrastructure projects and consider the creation of additional states. The Ohanaeze chieftain argued that granting Kanu a presidential pardon would immediately ease political tensions in the South-East and weaken separatist agitations ahead of 2027. “If Tinubu implements the 2014 Confab report, he will rewrite Nigeria’s political history and outsmart those plotting against him.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 10:04 UTC
Only a thrilling final can save a predictable Africa Cup of Nations from being forgotten
In part because of the excellent playing conditions, this has been an Africa Cup of Nations devoid of shocks. The World Cup will suffer from the same flaws. Like Senegal, Morocco are looking for their second Cup of Nations triumph but, 50 years after their previous success, there is real urgency about their quest. Photograph: Siphiwe Sibeko/ReutersThe sense so far has been of a Cup of Nations that has been almost too slick, too polished. That may yet be redeemed by a thrilling final but, with the World Cup and its inflated narratives looming, there is a risk that this becomes a forgotten Cup of Nations.
Source:The Guardian
January 18, 2026 09:33 UTC
New 2026 Tata Punch EV, Tiago EV Facelifts — What to Expect?
The indigenous automaker is now gearing up to introduce the Punch EV facelift in the coming weeks, which will be followed by the Tata Tiago EV facelift. New 2026 Tata Punch EVThe updated Punch EV is expected to come with slightly revised styling and feature enhancements, while retaining the 25kWh and 35kWh battery pack options. Rumour has it that Tata Motors might also introduce the Nexon’s 45kWh battery pack on the new 2026 Tata Punch EV lineup. New 2026 Tata Tiago EVThe latest spy images reveal that the new 2026 Tata Tiago EV facelift will feature redesigned headlamps, updated front and rear bumpers, newly-designed alloy wheels and revised taillamps. The 2026 Tiago EV will continue to support both AC and DC fast charging.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 09:18 UTC
Nigerian News Recap: Obasanjo, S'Eagles, Matawalle Wedding
The political landscape is buzzing following a notable snub by former President Olusegun Obasanjo toward his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. This victory marks Nigeria’s ninth bronze medal in the tournament’s history, maintaining their perfect record in AFCON third-place play-offs. A principal official of the ADC disclosed that the Obi-Kwankwaso alliance was originally proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Impeachment: Respect court order, Rivers APC tells CJThe Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to respect an interim court injunction restraining him from receiving or acting on any resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the President’s return in a statement titled ‘President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi trip,’ issued on Saturday.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 08:24 UTC
Policeman Killed, Expatriate Abducted in Oyo Kidnapping
Gunmen have killed a policeman and abducted a Chinese expatriate during an attack on a farm in Ogunmakin Community, Ibadan area of Oyo State. Sunday PUNCH gathered that the incident occurred at about 1 pm on Thursday at Aqua Triton Company when around 10 armed men stormed the facility in a commando-style operation. Although the names of the victims could not be confirmed, he said a search had commenced to rescue the expatriate. “I can confirm that an attack occurred at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, when unknown gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation. One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some of the assailants, and the Chinese expatriate principal was abducted,” he said.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 08:21 UTC
Guitarist ZOLTAN BATHORY On 20 Years Of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – “The Band Was Built For Battle” (Video)
Audacy Music caught up with Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch to talk about 20 years of the band, their upcoming album, and the power of a rock show. You have to manage the human part of this because it’s not just the art, it’s the human relations.”Five Finger Death Punch has announced the first leg of their 2026-2027 World tour. Long recognized as one of the most charitable bands in rock, Five Finger Death Punch has spent decades giving back to various causes, including US military veterans and first responders and their families. Five Finger Death Punch continues to stand at the intersection of music, and service, proving once again that success means nothing unless it’s shared. The 20th Anniversary World Tour will showcase new material from the Five Finger Death Punch’s upcoming tenth studio album alongside the anthems that defined a generation of fans.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 08:00 UTC
Reps move to ban public parade of suspects in Nigeria
The House of Representatives is considering a constitutional amendment bill seeking to prohibit the public parade of suspects by the police and other law enforcement agencies. This follows the widespread condemnation the practice has witnessed from human rights groups, the judiciary and civil society organisations in the country for decades. A new subsection is to be inserted to explicitly outlaw the public parade of arrested persons. Reacting to the proposed amendment, pro-democracy advocate and founder of Women Arise, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, commended the House for taking steps to align Nigeria’s constitutional framework with international human rights standards. She said, “There is an existing absolute ban on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of persons, which undermines personal dignity under International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 07:54 UTC
Rivers APC Urges CJ to Respect Court Order on Impeachment
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has called on the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, to respect an interim court injunction restraining him from receiving or acting on any resolution of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Nwauju described the action of the lawmakers as unfortunate, warning that it could serve as a dangerous footnote to the survival of the APC in Rivers State. “We warn again that this is a needless legislative overreach, having observed the recalcitrance on the part of members of the House of Assembly, including APC members. The statement added, “This unfortunate path chosen by the legislative arm therefore serves as a dangerous footnote to the health and survival of the APC in Rivers State. “Meanwhile, we call on the Honourable Chief Judge of Rivers State to respect the interim injunction in Suit No: OYHC/7/CS/2026, which restrained him from receiving or acting on the resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Source:Punch
January 18, 2026 07:48 UTC