Aston Villa face a tough challenge at Chelsea on Saturday after muscling their way into the Premier League title race alongside Arsenal and Manchester City. AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the festive action:Rogers spearheads Villa chargeUnai Emery‘s third-placed Villa are still considered rank outsiders for the Premier League title even though they are just three points behind leaders Arsenal. Rogers’ seven Premier League goals this season have come from just 2.86 expected goals — a metric used to determine how likely a player is to convert a chance. Slot has steadied the ship at Anfield after a shocking run of six defeats in seven Premier League matches that left Liverpool’s title defence in tatters. The summer signing has netted eight times in the Premier League — twice the tallies of Salah and Cody Gakpo.

“You will spend a lot for the ingredients to cook jollof rice that will be to your taste,” George, who works as a cashier, says. Jollof rice is beloved across West Africa with each country, and each family, having its own ways of preparing it. A true Nigerian staple at parties and family lunch, when jollof rice is served its smoky aroma draws everybody’s attention. In Ghana, where jollof rice is similarly popular, the cost of making the meal is also proving a burden for families. View image in fullscreen The price of plantain, which is often served with jollof rice, has also increased.

There can’t be any reaction from Governor Otti and his deputy, Emetu, because they know they are erring. Ifoh further claimed that Deputy Governor Emetu was acting under pressure from Governor Otti. He warned that the Labour Party would not tolerate what he described as indiscipline and mutiny within its ranks. If Otti wants to run for Labour Party chairman, he has to follow the due process. “So, let Otti drop his position, then come and apply to be the chairman of the Labour Party.

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Nigeria, but life doesn’t fully shut down. Supermarkets open on Christmas Day in NigeriaSPAR Nigeria: open on Christmas Day (with posted hours)If you’re looking for a major supermarket chain that has publicly signalled Christmas Day access, SPAR Nigeria has announced it will be open on Christmas Day and has shared 10:00am–6:00pm as trading hours in a recent post. Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja: public holiday hours listedJabi Lake Mall lists its Public Holiday trading hours as 10:00am–9:00pm on its official site. ( [9])For Christmas Day, check the mall’s latest update or the specific anchor tenant you need (supermarket, cinema, pharmacy, etc.). Pharmacies and health essentials: where to look first todayWhen it’s Christmas Day, pharmacies typically fall into two buckets: 24/7 branches (most reliable) and mall‑based branches (more variable).

Years ago, a young Hausa/Fulani boy named Ahmad Isah arrived Dutse with little more than hope and a determination to learn the Qur’an. Touched by the boy’s sincerity, Maiyaki enrolled him in a primary school; a small act that would set the stage for a remarkable journey. I promised myself I would help achieve Goal Two of the MDG — universal primary education — by supporting a child like Isah.”Under Maiyaki’s guidance, Isah pursued both Qur’anic and Western education with unmatched fervour. In 2019, Isah’s life-long dream materialised when he gained admission into the Federal University Dutse, graduating with a BSc in Criminology and Security Studies, Second Class Upper (2.1) degree. I never believed my son would acquire Western education, yet today he has achieved it,” she said.

Despite still being locked in the dreamland of winning their first Africa Cup of Nations game, Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi expressed a bit of satisfaction about his team’s performance during the 2-1 defeat against Nigeria on Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. After Semilogo Ajayi had given Nigeria a first-half lead, Charles M’Mombwa struck the equaliser for Tanzania in the 50th minute, but their hopes of overturning the result faded almost immediately as Ademola Lookman struck the match-winner for Nigeria. Despite the defeat, Gamondi hailed his players for surpassing expectations against Nigeria. “I think Tanzania played better than many people expected. Nigeria had a lot of possession, but we neutralised them well through our tactical system,” the Argentine coach said after the game.

He reacted—in fact, overreacted—to the mere film title that associated “dirt” (and its filthy connotations) with the Christmas season. Until CAN mentioned it, no Christian I know lost sleep over that film title. Even if the CAN leadership succeeds in getting the artists to change a film title, what does it translate to beyond mere symbolism? Christmas has come a long way, and quibbling over a film title is picking the wrong fights. If they had been the ones to ask Ini Edo to change her film title, the response would have been very different.

A 29-year-old Nigerian woman, Olajide Iyanuoluwa, has been arrested in India with 121 grams of cocaine valued at about Rs 1.20 crore (approximately N195m), which she allegedly concealed inside bread loaves. PUNCH Metro learnt that Indian authorities have remanded Iyanuoluwa in judicial custody and initiated procedures to deport her to Nigeria. According to a report by The Indian Express on Wednesday, Iyanuoluwa was arrested by the Karnataka Police for allegedly smuggling cocaine from Mumbai to Bengaluru. Investigations revealed that the suspect had travelled to India in 2024 on a student visa and initially moved to Delhi before her arrest. Iyanuoluwa’s arrest adds to the growing list of Nigerians arrested and deported from India over drug-related offences.

BY refusing assent to the contentious Central Gaming Bill, President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated an understanding of the need to uphold true federalism. In a landmark decision delivered on November 22, 2024, the Supreme Court invalidated the National Lottery Act 2005. The Act had established the National Lottery Regulatory Commission with the mandate to regulate lotteries in Nigeria. The Central Gaming Bill marks the third piece of legislation in a row so far rejected by Tinubu. By trying to force a gaming bill on states through underhanded tactics, the lawmakers have shown blatant disregard for the laws of the land.

The Federal Government has trained scientists drawn from key research institutions across the country on mRNA technology for malaria vaccines, as part of efforts to boost local production of critical vaccines in Nigeria. The initiative is aimed at strengthening national capacity in biotechnology and vaccine development, with a focus on mRNA design, synthesis, formulation, delivery systems and quality control. He noted that Nigeria must move from being reactive to being fully prepared to respond to emerging health threats. In his presentation, Dr Olawale Salami told participants that understanding how the immune system interacts with vaccines is critical to achieving long-term immunity, especially in malaria vaccine development. “As we think about malaria vaccine development, it is important to understand how the immune system collaborates with the vaccine to achieve long-term protection.

Super Eagles forward, Moses Simon, has pleaded with Nigerians not to give up on the national team after their cagey performance in their opening game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Nigeria managed to hold on to a 2-1 defeat of Tanzania in Group C’s opening game in Fes. Thereafter, the Nigerians barely managed to contain the Tanzanians, who came out forcefully in search of another leveller. Speaking after the game, Moses, a second-half substitute, said the game was not easy because the Tanzanians also wanted to win. He played 60 minutes, and we have 26 players in this team.” Tunisia leads Group C on goal difference after beating Uganda, and the Super Eagles will have a tough match against the North Africans on December 27

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has condemned the suicide bomb attack at Gomboru market mosque in Maiduguri metropolis on Wednesday evening, describing it as inhumane and barbaric. PUNCH had reported that a suspected bomb detonated while worshippers were performing the Maghrib prayer at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque, killing five people and injuring 35 others. The governor said, “I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer, killing 5 people and injuring 35 others. PUNCH online had earlier reported that operatives of the Borno State Police Command have cordoned the area and assured residents of safety. In a brief statement earlier, the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, called for calm.

The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the explosion that occurred at a mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, describing the incident as a tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity across the country. The PDP noted that the continued loss of innocent lives, particularly in places of worship, underscores the severity of Nigeria’s security challenges and the urgent need for decisive action. “This is totally unacceptable; the irreducible minimum the government should offer its people is the protection of lives and property. This administration has failed woefully in this respect and should rise to the occasion rather than resort to rhetoric and playing politics with security. According to the PDP, the current state of insecurity in the country has become unbearable and must be addressed with urgency and seriousness

At least five persons have been confirmed dead, while 35 others sustained injuries following a bomb explosion at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque around the Gamboru Market area of Maiduguri, Borno State. PUNCH Online gathered that victims of the blast were rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and the Borno State Specialist Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment. Confirming the latest casualty figures, the spokesperson for the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, told PUNCH Online on Wednesday night that security agencies were still monitoring the situation. “As of now, we have confirmed five deaths and 35 people injured among those rushed to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and Borno State Specialist Hospital,” Daso said. “Ongoing sweeping operations by police EOD as suspected explosion incident was recorded at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market today at about 1800hrs during prayers,” the statement read.

Credit: LASEMAEmergency responders are currently battling a fire outbreak at a plaza known as the Great Nigeria Insurance House, located on Martins Street in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State. According to the LASEMA PS, the fire, whose cause could not yet be ascertained, emanated from the fourth floor of the plaza before escalating to other floors. Oke-Osanyintolu stated, “Upon arrival of the Shark Response Team at the scene, a 22-storey building (Great Nigeria Insurance House) was found to have been engulfed by fire. “The fire is currently affecting up to the fifth floor of a 25-storey building. “The affected building is primarily used for warehouse storage and the sale of clothing materials, with corporate offices and a few shops also located within the premises.