Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, has disclosed that over 879 new programmes were introduced in Nigerian universities in 2025, based on the recently approved Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). This development is aimed at transforming the Nigerian University System (NUS) to produce globally competitive graduates. According to Ribadu, the CCMAS is a framework that guides Nigerian university programmes, with a focus on 70 per cent core content and 30 per cent university-specific content. The new programmes incorporate 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving, which vary by discipline. He emphasised that his administration is committed to achieving these objectives to reform and reposition the NUS.

Yesterday, the index appreciated by 934.62 points, representing a gain of 0.56 per cent to close at 166,771.95 points. Wapic Insurance followed with a decline of 6.76 per cent to close at N3.31, while Livestock Feeds shed 6.67 per cent to close at N7. Transactions in the shares of Access Holdings led the activity with 53.411 million shares worth N1.238 billion. Lasaco Assurance followed with account of 38.991 million shares valued at N100.206 million, while Veritas Kapital Assurance traded 32.795 million shares valued at N69.592 million. Tantalizers traded 30.128 million shares worth N89.545 million, while DEAP Capital Management and Trust traded 28.598 million shares worth N114.045 billion.

A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to six years in prison for killing another man in an unprovoked one-punch attack near his home in Whitehall in Dublin two and a half years ago. Christopher O'Neill, from Larkhill Road in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of 33-year-old Martin Lynn on 30 July 2023. Judge Martin Nolan described it as a "pretty awful case" and said it was hard to understand why O’Neill did what he did. A motorcyclist went by but came back, got off the motorbike still wearing his helmet and for no apparent reason and without any provocation, punched Martin Lynn in the face. Afterwards the Lynn family said they were extremely disappointed with the leniency of the sentence.

The Rivers State House of Assembly failed to reconvene amid ongoing impeachment proceedings, raising tensions in the oil‑rich state. Meanwhile, a Federal High Court struck out criminal charges against socialite Natasha Akpoti, while an Edo doctor abducted by gunmen regained freedom after a reported N50 million ransom. In sports and culture, Super Falcons star Asisat Oshoala renewed calls for a Nigeria‑led AFCON co‑hosting bid, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Nigerian artistes on their AFRIMA victories. Impeachment drama as Rivers Assembly fails to reconveneThe Rivers State House of Assembly failed to reconvene amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against the state governor. https://punchng.com/three-siblings-killed-during-lagos-fire-buried-in-anambra/The tragic burial drew community mourning and renewed calls for improved fire safety enforcement in urban settlements.

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Thursday joined the chorus of warnings on the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, saying that the UK capital risks “an era of mass unemployment”. The Labour mayor’s comments are to be included in a London speech late Thursday outlining the opportunities and risks posed by AI. He will urge swift action to harness those benefits before the technology “becomes a weapon of mass destruction of jobs”. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office on Thursday said that “AI is going to reshape the world of work”. Analysts from US research firm Gartner have suggested that AI will create more jobs than it eliminates by 2027.

The Trump administration’s dismantling of federal agencies has hit cancer research hard. Hundreds of medical grants were cancelled, disrupting clinical trials for brain cancer, heart disease and other conditions that had been treating 74,000 patients. How was it possible, after so many years nursing children with brain cancer, that her own daughter had been hit by the disease? Leary, the Seattle children’s hospital doctor, helps lead several nationwide collaborative bodies for childhood brain cancer. He said that the NCI, which leads most US cancer research, spent more last year in extramural grants than in any previous year, and that “pediatric brain cancer research remains a high priority”.

Nigerian football fans have criticised Ghanaian referee Daniel Laryea for what they described as biased and poor officiating during the Super Eagles’ semi-final defeat to Morocco on Wednesday night. The Nigeria-Ghana rivalry led many fans to believe the referee had an extra incentive against the three-time champions, with some pointing to historical tensions between both nations. But it seems he’s been extra biased and has made so many wrong calls. “How will a referee give yellow card to someone they pulled his shirt? Laryea has been a FIFA-listed international referee since 2014 and is a regular official in the Ghana Premier League.

Initially named in Nigeria’s 54-man provisional list, Aina was omitted from the Super Eagles’ final 28-man squad for the tournament, which began on December 21, 2025. In Aina’s absence, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle has deployed Bright Osayi-Samuel at right-back, while Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu also enjoyed some decent outings in the position before picking up an injury. Sometimes it’s been hard to watch, but I’m really happy for them, man,” Aina told SuperSport. “I think they’re playing really well. It’s a joy to see because everyone’s been waiting for the Super Eagles to play like this.

Tata recently launched the Punch facelift, and the manufacturer showcased a more off-road-focused Punch HBX Edition alongside the regular model. This special edition comes with a lot of off-road accessories, including smaller 15-inch black alloy wheels clad in all-terrain tyres. The cabin, however, is the same as the regular Punch. While Tata is tight-lipped about the Punch HBX Edition’s India launch, the model is a nod to the original HBX concept displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo, which previewed the original Punch.

The Super Eagles’ failure to scale the semifinal hurdles of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco, brought to the fore their unbroken jinx in the tournament. The Super Eagles have never defeated a host nation in an AFCON knockout match (excluding third-place playoffs), and many Nigerians were hoping to see an end to the jinx on Wednesday. At Algiers ’90, the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Algeria in the final. At Tunisia 2004, the Super Eagles’ encounter with the host, Tunisia, ended 1–1 in the semifinal, but Tunisia won 5–3 on penalties. And at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the Super Eagles lost 1-2 to the host in the final.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to resume plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last sitting. The sitting was adjourned until January 15, 2026. However, as of noon on Thursday, January 15, 2026, our correspondent who visited the assembly observed that there was no sign that the House, which presently holds sittings at the conference hall of its official legislative quarters along Aba Road, would reconvene. Efforts to reach the House Chairman on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, Eneme George, for clarification proved unsuccessful. He neither answered calls nor responded to messages sent to his phone as of the time of filing this report.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre gears up for an exciting 2026 concert season featuring major acts like Five Finger Death Punch and Cypress Hill. DENVER — Red Rocks has gone quiet for the winter, but the Denver amphitheater is busy booking acts for next year. Five Finger Death Punch, Cypress Hill, Method Man, Redman, Slightly Stoopid, and Kaleo are among several artists who have just announced concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Five Finger Death PunchFive Finger Death Punch announced the first leg of their 2026-27 world tour will come to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, with support from Cody Jinks and Eva Under Fire. General sales launch Friday, Jan. 16, at 10 a.m.Cypress HillWest Coast hip-hop pioneers Cypress Hill announced a Halloween return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2026.

2026 Tata Punch Gets Higher Ground Clearance; Now Stands At 193mm | V3CarsA quick glance at the brochure for the 2026 Punch facelift has revealed that Tata Motors have improved the ground clearance of their small SUV. The updated Punch now offers 193mm of ground clearance, up from 187mm on the outgoing model. Tata Punch Facelift Offers Improved Ground ClearanceWhile the 6mm increase may seem marginal on paper, it adds meaningful real-world usability. Even before the facelift, the Tata Punch already offered one of the highest ground clearance figures in its segment. Check out how the Tata Punch’s length, width, height, wheelbase, ground clearance and boot space compare against its direct rivals by tapping the link below:Also Read: 2026 Tata Punch Vs Rivals – Dimensions Compared2026 Tata Punch Full Variant-Wise Prices RevealedHelpful Tools:

Made as a homage to the original concept car from six years ago, the Punch HBX is an off-road-focused package for the micro-SUV. Finally, at the rear, Tata has fitted this Punch HBX with a two-piece rear spoiler and some styling elements under the connected tail lamps. There are no changes to the cabin, and the HBX edition is based on the top-spec Punch and thus gets all the bells and whistles offered with the Accomplished +S variant of the SUV. Tata has been tight-lipped about specs of the HBX edition but since it is based on the top variant, we expect it to get all three powertrain options with both AT and MT options. This HBX edition is pretty close to the original concept car but updated to match the vibe of this Patch facelift.

Tata Motors has issued an official clarification following online speculation surrounding its recently showcased crash test of the new Punch, where the SUV was intentionally crashed into a stationary truck to demonstrate real-world safety performance. Tata Motors Confirms Single Vehicle UsedAddressing the growing speculation, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles stated that only a single Tata Punch was used for the entire crash test exercise, and the impact was carried out in one continuous event. Tata Motors explained that the dent seen on the driver-side door panel and front fender occurred during the post-crash inspection process, when engineers attempted to open the door to check cabin integrity after the impact. Focus Remains on Real-World Safety DemonstrationReinforcing the core takeaway from the crash test, Tata Motors highlighted that the most critical safety outcome remained unaffected by the editing lapse. Tata Motors also reiterated its commitment to transparency, engineering rigour, and ethical communication, urging viewers to focus on the safety performance rather than misinterpreted visuals.