Branch NG, one of Nigeria’s leading digital financial services companies, has donated laptops, personal healthcare items, and educational materials to students at Sceptre Comprehensive College, Alapere, Lagos. Odulate-Ademola explained that the intervention was designed to address the gaps in digital access and personal hygiene resources among young learners, while also encouraging healthy physical activity. Also speaking at the event, Head, People Operations, Branch Nigeria, Emmanuela Ekanem, emphasised that the initiative reflected Branch’s internal culture of empathy, service, and long-term community investment. By providing these digital tools and essential items, we’re helping students to build the confidence and skills they need to succeed. Supporting young people in our communities is a core part of who we are, and we’re committed to continuing this impact,” Ekanem said.

A man, Lekan Lasisi, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command after a dispute between him and his stepbrother over a N4,000 debt led to the latter’s death in the Abule Tuntun area of the Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State. PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident happened on December 19 after Lasisi engaged his brother in an argument over the deceased’s repeated act of owing debts. In retaliation, the suspect claimed he brought out a gun but did not know when it accidentally discharged and hit his stepbrother, leading to the latter’s death. “When my brother came back, I challenged him on why he would be owing debt and causing us shame. When contacted for a reaction, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the incident.

“No production activities as the (Port Harcourt) refinery remained in shutdown mode. “The Port Harcourt refinery has still been supplying diesel since May, when it was shut down. The shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company for maintenance has entered its seventh month, and the plant has yet to resume operations. The Port Harcourt refinery was declared operational by the former Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Mele Kyari, in November 2024, after years of inactivity. It said the newly rehabilitated complex of the old Port Harcourt refinery, which had been revamped and upgraded with modern equipment, was operating at a refining capacity of 70 per cent of its installed capacity.

Also, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, dismissed assertions that domestic airlines pay as many as 18 different taxes, insisting that any airline making such claims had lied. On aircraft leasing, Oyedele described the existing 10 per cent withholding tax as the “single biggest tax burden” on airlines. There is no reversal and no new burden introduced under the reforms,” Oyedele stated. While admitting that airlines still face multiple levies and charges, Oyedele stressed that these were not created by the new tax laws. “No domestic carrier pays 18 taxes for domestic flights.”He further argued that the recent spike in airfares is driven largely by market forces, particularly demand and supply, especially during the festive season.

A cross-tribal act of kindness is rewriting the narrative of Nigeria’s diversity, as Ahmad Isa, a former almajiri boy from Kano, graduates from Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State, embodying the power of unity in action. Ahmad Isa, a once-roaming Hausa/Fulani almajiri boy from Gaya LGA in Kano State, shared his inspiring tale exclusively with Arewa PUNCH on Saturday while digging deep into his life experience. “I was once a barefooted almajiri boy who roamed the streets of Dutse in search of Quranic education, now a proud university graduate serving my nation,” Isa said proudly. “At that point, I told myself I would try to achieve Goal Two – achieve universal primary education – so I enrolled Ahmad Isa in school, and today he is a graduate,” Maiyaki affirmed. His consistency paid off: he completed primary education at a public school, Nuhu Muhammad Junior Secondary School Dutse, and his secondary education at Dutse Capital Secondary School with outstanding results.

A Nigerian hotel owner has reported that three of his staff were hospitalised after debris from munitions fell on his hotel following US airstrikes targeting militants in northwest Nigeria, AFP reports. The federal government had acknowledged that debris from the munitions fell in various locations, including “in Offa, Kwara State, near the premises of a hotel,” but stated that there were no civilian casualties. However, the owner of the Solid Worth Hotel in Offa, approximately 800 kilometres from the strike targets in Sokoto’s Tangaza district, told AFP that three workers were injured after what appeared to be a missile hit the hotel. Kwara State police told AFP that “as of this moment, there are no details yet. On Saturday, presidential spokesman Bwala told AFP that the strikes targeted Islamic State militants working with the Lakurawa jihadist group and “bandit” gangs.

The national electricity grid collapsed on Monday after major power plants lost generation, as the Federal Government intensified efforts to restore the system. As of the time of the incident on Monday, all 22 power plants connected to the grid lost generation. “Kindly be informed that there was a system collapse at 14:01 hrs, which has resulted in a loss of power supply across our network. We will keep you updated as soon as the power supply is restored. “We have allowed the big consumers to escape the national grid, pushing the load of sustaining it onto residential consumers.

The Nigerian Air Force said it carried out two precision air strikes on bandit’ locations in the Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. “Acting on credible, multi-source intelligence, NAF air assets were deployed against bandit enclaves at the identified locations. Ejodame said,”The second AI mission was conducted at Kachalla Dogo Sule’s Camp, a notorious bandit stronghold identified as a key IED manufacturing and operational hub. Intelligence had linked the camp to the planning and execution of recent IED attacks along the Dan Sadau–Magami axis. “These decisive air strikes represent a significant degradation of bandit networks operating in Zamfara State, particularly their capacity to manufacture and employ improvised explosive devices.

Following its lengthy wait for Season 3, One-Punch Man‘s latest update could be the final nail in the anime’s coffin. Based on ONE’s manga of the same name, One-Punch Man debuted to much enthusiasm back in 2015. It wasn’t a high note to leave off on, especially with One-Punch Man taking six years to finally return for Season 3. And the latest One-Punch Man update could be what kills the anime completely. One-Punch Man Season 3 Took 6 Years to Arrive, and Part 2 Won’t Be Here Until 2027Image Courtesy of J.C. StaffRight after Part 1 concluded, it was announced that One-Punch Man Season 3 would continue with Part 2… in 2027.

According to Dasuki, the alleged alterations were made without parliamentary approval and, if left unchecked, would violate the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The lawmakers stressed that the National Assembly remained the lawful custodian of all Acts passed into law, explaining that the gazetting process begins with the Clerk to the National Assembly transmitting authentic copies to the relevant government agency. As political and public pressure mounted, the legal battle over the tax laws formally entered the courts. Joined as respondents are the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly. However, the court declined to restrain the Federal Government and its agencies from implementing the laws, directing instead that all defendants be put on notice.

The Nigerian military is monitoring Boko Haram and Islamic State for West Africa Province fighters who are fleeing their hideouts following the recent United States airstrikes, The PUNCH has learnt. US President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted lethal strikes against Islamic State targets in north-western Nigeria. However, senior military officials, who spoke with our correspondent on Monday, said the military was tracking the movement of the terrorists. “Meanwhile, retired senior military officers have expressed differing opinions on the possible deployment of US troops to Nigeria. He said Nigeria could seek assistance and technology support from foreign partners, but should not depend on foreign soldiers to fight on its soil.

“Anthony Joshua is not just a world champion, but a son of Nigeria, and we pray for his complete and speedy recovery. We thank God that Anthony Joshua survived and we pray for the souls of those who lost their lives. Analyst Adekola posted, “Sending strength and prayers to Anthony Joshua from the road accident in Makun, Ogun State today. Sha make nothing do AJ oo.”Emmanuel Uket stated, “Anthony Joshua was involved in an accident, and two people are reportedly dead. I pray he’s safe.”“Anthony Joshua in a car crash, speedy recovery champ,” Solomon (@wholesomeempire) added.

It was abundantly clear to actor-director Bradley Cooper that if “Is This Thing On?,” his comedy-drama set in New York’s stand-up scene, lacked authenticity, the film would fail. “Bradley fell in love with the Comedy Cellar and the relationships that go on there,” Jensen recalls. “Any lingering doubt or trepidation was totally washed away immediately, because Bradley just has such clarity of vision and taste. Bradley wanted to capture what is real, and he was like, ‘If that means going off script, do it. “It was totally an improvised thing,” Jensen enthuses.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, has sympathised with world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following his involvement in a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State on Monday. The former governor expressed his sympathy in a statement signed by his media aide, Lanre Akinwale, and made available to PUNCH Online on Monday. The crash claimed the lives of two other occupants of a Lexus jeep and left the boxer with minor injuries. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of Anthony Joshua and the peaceful repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the crash. “I wish you a speedy and full recovery, and I pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.

Anthony Joshua is helped out of his Lexus SUV following a crash on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday. The Ogun and Lagos State governments have confirmed that British-Nigerian heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, and another survivor of Monday’s road accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway are currently receiving medical care at a specialised hospital in Lagos. According to the statement, Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated from the scene to a specialised medical facility in Lagos, where they underwent several clinical assessments. “We appreciate the public’s concern and ask for privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family during this time,” the statement said. PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the accident occurred shortly after 11am on Monday at Makun, Ogun State, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.