Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who recently withdrew from the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara have reversed their decision and declared support for the process. The lawmakers made the U-turn on Friday during a live broadcast aired from the front of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, days after publicly calling for an amicable resolution of the political crisis rocking the state. Their latest position comes amid growing tensions within the Assembly over the impeachment move against Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu. However, between Monday and Wednesday, the four lawmakers announced their withdrawal from the impeachment process, citing the need for dialogue and political reconciliation. With the latest reversal by the four legislators, the impeachment process appears to have regained momentum within the House.

The immediate past GOC 8 Div, Major General Ibikunle Ajose in a photograph with his succecor, Major General Bemgha Paul Koughna. Photo: Nigeria ArmyThe outgoing General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Ibikunle Ajose, has listed the rescue of more than 1,000 kidnap victims as a major operational success during his 18-month tenure, alongside the recovery of weapons and the disruption of bandit networks across the North-West. “In 2025 alone, we recovered over 200 weapons, thousands of rounds of ammunition, and rescued more than 1,000 victims,” he said. “Schools, employment opportunities, worship centres, and security infrastructure were similarly enhanced.”The incoming GOC, Major General Bemgha Koughna, praised Ajose’s performance, describing 8 Division as a “shining example” in operational assessments. PUNCH Online reports that Ajose has been redeployed to Abuja for his next assignment and urged troops to extend even greater support to his successor.

The Confédération Africaine de Football and technical partner PUMA have unveiled a commemorative version of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 official match ball, ITRI, ahead of Sunday’s final. According to a post obtained from CAF’s website on Friday, the finalists will use a special edition of the official match ball, featuring gold accents as a tribute to both teams. “The ITRI ball, which has been used throughout the tournament, features a striking design inspired by traditional Moroccan zellij geometric patterns, including central star geometry, floral petal outlines, and circular symmetry. “Built on PUMA’s advanced Orbita 6 technology, the ball combines heritage with innovation, meeting the performance standards required for elite-level competition while celebrating African culture,” the post read. PUNCH Online had reported that the Confederation of African Football, in partnership with leading global sports brand PUMA, had unveiled the official match ball for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that his son, Abba Abubakar, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) based on personal conviction and not due to any influence from him. On January 15, Abba announced his decision to align with the APC in support of President Bola Tinubu, his father’s opponent in the 2023 presidential election. He also renamed his political group from Atiku Haske Organisation to Haske Bola Tinubu Organisation. “The decision of my son, Abba Abubakar, to join the APC is entirely personal,” Abubakar wrote in a post on X. Atiku was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 elections, losing first to late President Muhammadu Buhari and later to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, both of the APC.

Thomas Frank believes Tottenham Hotspur are making progress, albeit with small steps, as he expressed his delight at the arrival of the “unbelievable” Conor Gallagher during the January transfer window. “I can just see the small steps we’re constantly doing. I think that’s talking about a culture that’s getting a little bit stronger, more ‘come on, let’s do everything we can to turn this little momentum’. I think all the small steps we’re doing, with everything from signing Conor, signing John Heitinga as assistant coach…Everything is going forward. “That’s the Conor Gallagher I’m thinking can step straight into this team and help us straight away.”

After beating Nigeria to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil, Morocco coach Walid Regragui shifted focus to the final against Senegal, saying it will be a superb match-up when they face off on Sunday. Morocco edged out Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 semi-final contest at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties as the Atlas Lions booked their place in the final for the first time since 2004. Neil El Aynaoui and Paul Onuachu converted the first penalties for Morocco and Nigeria, respectively, before Stanley Nwabali saved Hamza Igamane’s effort to give Nigeria the upper hand. “It’s a superb final with the best African teams of the last three years.

The Confederation of African Football has said that the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has become the most successful commercial venture in the history of African football, recording more than a 90 per cent increase in revenues. In a statement obtained from its website on Thursday, CAF said the achievement was driven by expanded sponsorship deals, broader media rights distribution and entry into new markets, particularly in Asia. The body stated, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is now undoubtedly the most successful commercial story in the history of African football as the commercial success of the competition has led to over 90% increase in the CAF revenues for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.”The continental body attributed the surge to expanded partnerships, wider media rights distribution and penetration into new territories. It explained that the growth was “driven by a significant increase in the commercial partners of CAF, increase in media rights distribution and also CAF venturing into new markets most notably the Far East, China, Japan while also consolidating traditional markets.”Providing details of the sponsorship trajectory, CAF noted, “The number of commercial partners increased from nine during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cameroon 2021 to 17 during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.”It added that, “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.”CAF also stressed that the expansion reflected “both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON has been an excellent return on investment.”The football governing body said the commercial boom followed a deliberate data-driven strategy implemented after the 2023 finals in Côte d’Ivoire. The body listed long-standing collaborators such as TotalEnergies, Orange, Lonaci, 1xBet, Visa, Tecno and Puma as continuing their association, with AGL, Danone and Unilever renewing their commitments.

In December, total petrol supply was 74.2 million litres per day: imports took 42.2 million litres per day, while Dangote supplied 32 million litres per day. The figures represent a stark contrast to November, when petrol imports were 1.57 billion litres, and Dangote supplied just 585 million litres. It was observed that the jump in petrol supply from 2.15 billion litres in November to 2.3 billion litres in December reflects seasonal demand pressures during the Yuletide. It was observed that while local refining is growing, some marketers still have a passion for imported petrol. It said that in September, Dangote supplied 17.6 million litres per day, while imports stood at 22.1 million litres per day.

“It’s capital expenditure that enhances growth. For the 2025 budget, only 17 per cent of the capital expenditure has been released. Capital expenditure supports growth and development. “In terms of the capital budget, the budget, at the end of the day, is a law of the National Assembly. He added, “In aggregate, capital expenditure in 2024 reached N11.1tn, so that was 85 per cent performance.

The Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority has dismissed allegations that its enforcement activities are driven by ethnic bias, insisting that all actions are strictly guided by the provisions of the state’s building laws. The Authority, through its Monitoring and Compliance Unit, stated that its ongoing weekly enforcement exercises are carried out uniformly across the state, without regard to tribe, community, or ethnic affiliation. Osinaike urged property owners and developers to disregard unfounded claims suggesting that the enforcement exercises are directed at non-indigenes or non-Yoruba residents. He advised them instead to ensure full compliance with existing planning regulations and to build strictly according to approved plans. He disclosed that the most recent enforcement exercise was carried out in Amuwo, Festac, Ojo, and Iba Districts, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to orderly development, public safety, and sustainable urban planning across the state.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday, assured residents that his administration would intensify efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture to ensure safety across all areas. He also disclosed plans to establish a welfare scheme for the families of the five forest guards killed at the Oloka Village axis of the Old Oyo National Park. Speaking about the incident at the old Oyo National Park, Makinde assured that the state would not leave any stone unturned to ensure the state’s safety. “For Oyo State, a few days back, we had an incident at the Old Oyo National Park where some forest guards were killed. The state interim chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Julius Alabi, praised the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government for improvements in the welfare of Legion members and other forms of support.

Yusuf said his defection is irrevocable, even as his deputy, Aminu Gwarzo, elected to stick to Kwankwaso, risking imminent impeachment from office. Kwankwaso’s failure to restrain another perceived loyal lieutenant from defecting to the APC further consolidated Tinubu’s foothold in Kano ahead of the 2027 general election. “I didn’t say I won’t join APC, but we must first be clearly assured of the future of Kano government before we join the APC. Recalling a previous political alignment, Kwankwaso said his camp had played a significant role in forming the Muhammadu Buhari-led government but was later sidelined. He emphasised that any defection must be based on clear assurances regarding the protection of his supporters and the Kano government structures.

American rapper A$AP Rocky has shared how his mother, Renee Black, once believed he would end up with singer Rihanna long before they became a couple. Speaking on the New York Times Popcast, Rocky said his mother often encouraged him to see Rihanna as more than a friend, even when he insisted nothing romantic was happening between them. He admitted he brushed off her advice at the time because he believed Rihanna was not interested in him that way. “My mother used to say I know you like this girl that you are with right now (I am not going to say any names), but I want you with Riri. In 2022, Rihanna made headlines after sharing the first video of their baby son on TikTok, marking her debut on the platform.

Nigerians have called for urgent reforms to the healthcare sector after the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 21-month-old son prompted an outpouring of grief and accounts of negligence and inadequate care. Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, have begun legal action against the hospital, accusing it of medical negligence. The law firm of Olisa Agbakoba, a medical negligence lawyer with two decades’ experience, was one of two that represented the Ugboma family in court. Some people are cautiously optimistic that the high-profile death of Adichie’s’s son will trigger an overhaul of the health regulatory framework. “Right now, I can talk to my children and tell them I fought for their mother even in death,’ he said.

Without stable and reasonably priced electricity, the economy will remain in stagnation. The implication was that in less than a week, electricity allocation to DisCos from the national grid dropped by 520MW. In the 2026 Budget, the Federal Government allocated N1.09 trillion for electricity capital projects. Specific regional projects involve solar and grid extension initiatives in Kano State (₦5.95 billion) and Oyo State (₦2.8 billion). Improving electricity access by adding at least 1GW, according to the World Bank, will raise Nigeria’s average daily dispatched electricity from around 4GW, far below the estimated demand of over 20GW.