Tinubu departs Lagos for Europe ahead of Abu Dhabi summit
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday, 28 December, departed Lagos for Europe, continuing his end-of-year break and in preparation for an official visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The President was invited by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to participate in the 2026 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026), scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi in early January. Organised by Masdar under the patronage of the UAE President, ADSW 2026 is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants from over 175 countries. The event will run from 11 to 17 January 2026, with activities hosted primarily at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Masdar City. During the summit, President Tinubu is expected to engage global leaders and stakeholders on issues central to Nigeria’s development priorities, including energy transition, climate finance, infrastructure investment, and economic diversification.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 15:27 UTC
Tinubu’s government frolicking with terrorists — Ezekwesili
Founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance and former Vice President of the World Bank, Dr Obiageli ‘Oby’ Ezekwesili, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of cuddling terrorists when it has the opportunity to finish them off. “Our past and present governments, in escalating degrees, have basically failed to decisively and effectively tackle terrorists who take up arms against Nigerians and our country. It now painfully appears that because grand corruption grossly weakened the capacity of our security establishments, all successive @NigeriaGov administrations implicitly adopted a policy of appeasing terrorists as the only way they know to secure Nigerians and Nigeria,” she lamented. Ezekwesili, who recently won a global anti-corruption award, noted, “All that Nigerians see is flagrant opaqueness on matters injurious to Nigeria. “The entire template raises serious questions that must be urgently addressed by the Federal Government.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 15:27 UTC
Tinubu departs Lagos for Europe ahead of Abu Dhabi sustainability summit
President Bola Tinubu on Sunday departed Lagos for Europe as part of his end-of-year break, ahead of his official visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The President is scheduled to participate in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week Summit, following an invitation from the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The summit is expected to hold in early January. Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria after the summit. The President’s trip comes days after he arrived in Lagos to spend the end-of-year holidays following official visits to Borno and Bauchi states.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 15:20 UTC
N600bn in Rivers coffers attracting political interest, says Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that the N600 billion left in the Rivers State coffers after the lifting of the emergency rule in the state is attracting political interest. Wike stated this when he met with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly at their legislative quarters along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Saturday evening. ), left N600 billion in the state coffers following the lifting of the emergency rule imposed by President Bola Tinubu on September 18. The former Rivers State governor noted that history had shown that politicians always had interest in the state’s funds, especially after hearing about the availability of such a huge amount. He stated, “Giving the experience in Nigerian politics, Nigerian politicians like Rivers’ money.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 14:26 UTC
Makinde Challenges Fayose to Prove N50bn Tinubu Claim
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has challenged a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, to provide evidence to support his claim that he (Makinde) received N50bn from President Bola Tinubu following the January 2024 Ibadan explosion. However, Fayose, during an interview on TVC on Friday, alleged that Makinde received N50bn from the Presidency to manage the aftermath of the incident, claiming that the funds did not go directly into the coffers of the state government. The allegation was further echoed by Fayose’s former aide, Lere Olayinka, who claimed on Facebook that although Makinde received N50bn, only N4.5bn was released to victims of the explosion. “Ibadan Gomina General got N50bn from Tinubu’s govt, only to release N4.5bn to victims of Ibadan explosion of January 2024,” Olayinka wrote. If he (Fayose) has proof that the Federal Government gave N50bn, he should provide it.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 14:02 UTC
Seven killed, four injured in Yobe crash caused by tyre burst
Seven passengers, including two children, were killed while four others sustained injuries in a road accident along the Gombe–Potiskum highway in Yobe State, with the police attributing the crash to a mechanical failure. The spokesperson of the Yobe State Police Command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call reporting the accident. Abdulkarim explained that preliminary findings showed the vehicle, driven by Gambo Abbo, suffered a rear tyre burst while in motion. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle, driven by one Gambo Abbo, suffered a rear tyre burst, while in motion,” he said. He added that two of the injured later died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 13:22 UTC
Eagles defence slammed by fans despite AFCON victory
Opta Nigeria (@OptaNGR) underlined the worrying trend in a post on X, writing, “The Super Eagles of Nigeria have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 5 consecutive matches. OluDee (@Dare4xploits) wrote, “Defence is the Achilles heel of the present Super Eagles, same reason they will be watching the World Cup at home. BöD£ (@buddie_LXG) offered a mixed verdict, posting, “Best of the Super Eagles I’ve watched in years, disappointed we conceded two and invited unnecessary pressure. Anthony Abakporo (@anthonyabakporo) questioned the penalty decision but still stressed the need for improvement, stating, “The Super Eagles Defence needs a lot of Improvement. WorlleysoLA (@TejustPatrick) wrote, “Super Eagles have really improved, but with Nwabali as the first gk, that team cannot win shit cos good goalkeepers win competitions for you.”“There’s something wrong with Super Eagles defence.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 12:57 UTC
Terrorists relocate after US air strikes
President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the US military carried out deadly strikes against Islamic State terrorists in northwestern Nigeria. Confirming the strike, the Federal Government said it gave the US support and that the strikes were carried out on targeted areas being used by the terrorists. At Jabo, Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State, a missile hit a farmland, while some buildings were affected in Offa, Kwara State. Terrorists dislocated, may seek international support – ExpertsA security analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Consulting, Kabiru Adamu, said fleeing terrorists might attempt to cohabit with law-abiding citizens. According to him, the uncertainty surrounding possible future strikes will heighten fear among the terrorists and disrupt their operations.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 12:46 UTC
Nigeria's Insecurity: A Confession of Failed Governance
And band-aids are why Nigeria has failed to launch since independence, with the political elite content with the glitter and glamour of office rather than service or governance. Remember the Nigerian military announcing last year the deployment of “special forces” across the country in a “renewed onslaught” on the insecurity? Another declared that the insecurity needed not the military or intelligence, but a spiritual response. In that calendar year, Nigeria changed some military chiefs, but nothing significantly improved in Nigeria’s security response. That included suggestions of a potent intelligence schema, which Nigeria has not demonstrated in the 16 years we have contended with insecurity.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 12:46 UTC
Prophet tells followers to party after failed prediction
A self-styled Ghanaian prophet, Ebo Noah, who predicted a global catastrophe that failed to occur has urged his followers to relax and “enjoy themselves,” declaring that the doom had been postponed. Whatever happens is the decision of God,” Ebo Noah said. Standing beside one of the boats, Ebo Noah said he had already built six arks in preparation for a catastrophic flood. Ebo Noah announced the postponement of the rapture in a video posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday. Ebo Noah who spoke in Twi language, urged the people to enjoy themselves and party.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 12:18 UTC
Tata Punch Facelift 2026: Spy Images Reveal Changes; Check Expected Updates And Launch Timeline
Tata Punch Facelift: The upcoming 2026 Tata Punch facelift has been spotted testing again, with the latest spy images suggesting the model is now close to its production-ready form. Two test vehicles were seen together, offering a clearer look at the updates Tata Motors is preparing for its popular compact SUV. Updated Exterior DesignThe test vehicles remain partially camouflaged, but several changes are visible. Debut Date, Expected Price, Features, Engines & More)Powertrain Likely to Remain UnchangedMechanically, the 2026 Tata Punch is expected to continue with the existing 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. Expected Launch TimelineThe updated Tata Punch is expected to make its official debut in the first half of 2026.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 08:39 UTC
We’ll resume full politics in January, says Wike
Wike declared that he and his political allies would “resume full politics” by January 2026. Assuring his supporters that there was no cause for alarm, Wike urged them to remain resolute and steadfast. We have never wavered in our support for President Bola Tinubu,” Wike added. “One thing you should know about Nigerian politics is that some people believe that if you say ‘we will deal with Wike,’ money will come. Governors came and left, but none agreed to elevate our stools until Wike,” Nwuche said.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 06:20 UTC
‘Of course he abused pupils’: ex-Dulwich teacher speaks out about Farage racism claims
He was already a figure of some controversy, as would become a lifelong habit, among the younger pupils and staff at Dulwich college in south-east London. She was not personally acquainted with Farage and did not see or hear his alleged racism and antisemitism, she said. “Of course Farage directly abused pupils,” Deakin said. “Emms [the headteacher] called me in: he was quite a forbidding figure for me as a young teacher,” she said. I participated fully in College life and enjoyed teaching such lively, intelligent and talented pupils, whom I remember with affection.
Source:The Guardian
December 28, 2025 06:10 UTC
Police arrest 19-year-old over co-worker’s death in Gombe govt house
The Gombe State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 19-year-old casual worker in connection with the alleged killing of a fellow staff member within the Gombe Government House premises. The incident occurred on Thursday, December 26, 2025, and involved two casual staff members working at the Government House, the police said in a statement issued on Saturday. Abdullahi disclosed that further investigation, including a review of CCTV footage within the Government House, revealed that another casual staff member had assaulted the deceased shortly before his death. “At about 11:00 p.m. on the same day, the suspect was arrested at his hideout in Bagadaza Quarters, Gombe. “The Gombe State Police Command remains committed to ensuring justice is served and that all persons working within and around government facilities are adequately protected.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 04:29 UTC
How Local Web Hosting Services Ruin Nigerian Businesses
Daniel Ayantoye writes on how what should be a simple task, renewing a website hosting subscription locally, has become a source of frustration and financial loss for Nigerian businesses. As more Nigerians migrate operations online, local hosting companies have positioned themselves as cheaper alternatives to foreign providers, promising convenience, local support and easier payment options. For many, these experiences have become enough reason to avoid local hosting providers altogether. I don’t trust any Nigerian hosting company again,” said Joshua Sunday, a web developer, in a telephone interview with our correspondent. Worrisome public reviewsA check of public complaints posted on Trustpilot, an online review platform, revealed a mixed picture of local hosting companies.
Source:Punch
December 28, 2025 04:10 UTC