Wike Vows Fubara Won't Win 2027 Election in Rivers Politics
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government, on Wednesday, clarified that its annual N100,000 Christmas bonus is paid to all civil and public office holders in the state without discrimination. The lawmakers tagged the N100,000 cash transfer as unconstitutional and extra-budgetary, saying Governor Fubara refused to present the 2025 budget. He said the clarification followed recent commendation by the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress over the payment of the Christmas bonus. “Workers remain the greatest pride of the Rivers State Government’s development agenda,” he said. “While this bonus is meant to brighten the festive season, our long-term focus remains the continuous improvement of the working environment and the welfare of everyone serving Rivers State,” Sirawoo added.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 04:07 UTC
Solidarity! Osimhen, Ndidi, Osayi console Joshua after fatal loss
Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, friends and trainers of Joshua, were killed earlier this week after their vehicle struck a stationary car. Joshua was involved in the accident and was helped from the wreckage before being taken to hospital. His promotion team, Matchroom, confirmed on Monday evening that Joshua was in a stable condition and would remain in hospital for observation into the new year. We just hope he gets better.”Super Eagles captain Ndidi also spoke of the mood within the Nigeria camp after learning of the tragedy. Paul Onuachu gave the Super Eagles the lead midway through the first half as head coach Eric Chelle pushed for a perfect start to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 03:55 UTC
NAF Air Raids Neutralize 2,351 Terrorists in 2025
“The Nigerian Air Force recorded one of its most decisive operational years, neutralising no fewer than 2,351 terrorists through sustained, intelligence-driven air operations conducted across multiple operational theatres nationwide in 2025. The figures exclude hundreds of additional airpower missions involving ISR, close air support to surface forces, and armed reconnaissance operations,” the statement partly read. “In the maritime and energy security domain, precision air operations in the Niger Delta delivered equally strategic dividends. “The Nigerian Air Force will remain relentless and decisive in taking the fight to all enemies of the Nigerian state. Onoja further highlighted the successes of Operation DELTA SAFE in the Niger Delta, where troops disrupted oil theft valued at over N8.9 billion.
Source:Punch
January 01, 2026 01:25 UTC
Anthony Joshua discharged from hospital in Nigeria after car crash
The British boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, Nigerian authorities said on Wednesday night. Show Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'. Just hours before the crash, Joshua and Ayodele posted clips on social media of them playing table tennis together. The west African nation recorded 5,421 deaths in 9,570 road accidents in 2024, according to data by the country’s federal road safety corps. View image in fullscreen An image released by the federal road safety corps in Nigeria showing the damaged car that Anthony Joshua had been travelling in.
Source:The Guardian
January 01, 2026 00:27 UTC
Trump’s approach to Africa: more trade deals, less democracy and human rights
It was a clear encapsulation of the US president’s approach to sub-Saharan Africa in his second term, in which human rights and democracy promotion have been de-emphasized in favor of a stated focus on trade and ending wars – though how that squares with the nascent air campaign in Nigeria remains to be seen. ‘Trade, not aid,’ a slogan we’ve seen thrown around for years, is now truly our policy for Africa”. In a statement, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump “has treated Africa not as a charity case, but as a powerhouse partner. Trump’s visa restrictions against African nations and coarse language towards its people “will accelerate trends that were already there in terms of young people increasingly looking to the east for opportunities, particularly for higher education”, Mutiga warns. Trump’s dispute with South Africa appears to have been influenced by his erstwhile ally Elon Musk, who was born there and has alleged that the white Afrikaner minority is being persecuted.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 23:31 UTC
NLC demands new wage review in 2026 amid high inflation
The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday called for an urgent review of workers’ wages in 2026, saying current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic living needs as inflation and hardship persist across the country. “Furthermore, given the escalating inflation and suffering, we demand anurgent wage review as a worker’s income must guarantee life, not meresurvival in furtherance of Mr President’s promise to pay living wages. He encouraged workers to remain united as the country enters 2026, saying labour would continue to advocate for fair economic policies and social justice. The change was formalised through the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and was introduced in response to persistent inflation and rising living costs. The 2024 adjustment followed an earlier increase in 2019, when the minimum wage was raised from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 after several years without review.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 21:45 UTC
Don’t begin 2026 with tax burden, Kachikwu urges Tinubu
A former presidential flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Wednesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the new tax reforms, warning that imposing additional tax obligations at the start of 2026 would further worsen the hardship faced by Nigerians. “Any reasonable Nigerian understands that upon assumption of office, our President was confronted with a comatose economy that needed urgent surgery. While conceding the need for reforms, the ADC chieftain insisted that the timing and burden of the proposed tax measures were ill-advised. Despite his criticism, he said he had previously supported some of the President’s initiatives and maintained that his position was driven by concern for ordinary Nigerians rather than political opposition. But I must tell him today that I am not in support of this tax reform or any other reform that further decimates the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 21:11 UTC
Anthony Joshua’s driver discharged from hospital, faces prosecution for reckless driving
The driver of the vehicle in which former boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates following an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been discharged from the hospital. The Guardian learnt this following a visit to Duchess International Hospital, Lagos, where Joshua was initially taken for treatment of the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. “Anthony Joshua’s driver has been discharged from the hospital, and he is currently giving his statement,” the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, told the Guardian. Also, according to an FRSC official, the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash involving Joshua, and he has now been declared wanted. That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 18:56 UTC
Police decorate newly promoted officers, harp on professionalism
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, has decorated newly promoted officers of the command with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police at the Command Headquarters, Lokoja, the state capital. Addressing the officers, Kankarofi congratulated them on their well-deserved promotion, describing it as a recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices during their years of service in their former ranks. The Commissioner of Police reminded the newly promoted officers that elevation in rank comes with increased responsibility and expectations. Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, CSP Alozie Chukwuemaka thanked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, (PSC) DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), for finding them worthy of the elevation. He appreciated the leadership style of the Commissioner of Police, stressing that they will continue to do their best to make Kogi State the safest in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 18:45 UTC
Africa to establish digital economy accelerator initiative
At the Nigerian Government Side-event of the just-concluded WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, it was agreed that there is a need to establish the Africa Digital Economy Accelerator Initiative to deepen collaboration and drive inclusion through multi-stakeholder processes. Further, WSIS+20 will establish a regular meeting period at the margins of the yearly national, sub-regional, and regional Internet governance forums. “Foster digital transformation and effective data governance in line with relevant frameworks under the African Union,” it stated. WSIS+20 will see Africa move from dialogue to action to close the digital divides through inclusive digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, aligned with national realities and regional agendas, operationalise the established follow-up and monitoring mechanisms in the outcome document with the appropriate statistical authorities. For Nigeria, the communiqué informed that NITDA is to serve as the coordination Secretariat for the country’s multi-stakeholder engagement, and to lead in the implementation of the enhanced digital cooperation Accelerator for Africa.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 18:36 UTC
I will be a card-carrying member of ADC – Aisha Yesufu
I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuI will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuNigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has announced that she will formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking her first time as a registered, card-carrying member of any political party. Yesufu made the declaration in a statement aired on ARISE Television and shared on her verified X account. “I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC” she said. Despite this involvement, she has consistently stated that she was never formally registered as a member of any political party. Yesufu did not announce any formal position within the ADC but said her decision to register as a member reflects a commitment to structured political participation.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:55 UTC
2027: Obi to join ADC for showdown against APC
Nonetheless, there are strong suggestions that Obi’s formal declaration to contest on ADC would trigger a fresh wave of cross-defections in the South-East region. His move to ADC will be less about being lured than about testing whether his organic support can be institutionalised. “If he refuses, it will be read as capitulation to APC power brokers, risking alienation from the Obidient base. Obi, who has for some time now been linked with various political parties for the 2027 contests, had at the weekend confirmed that he was leaving the LP for the ADC. Umahi asserted at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Council Area of Ebonyi State, while receiving various political, religious, and community groups who paid him a Christmas homage.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:48 UTC
Driver in Anthony Joshua Crash Released From Hospital, Could Face Charges
Days after the car crash that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his trainers ... the man behind the wheel has reportedly been discharged from the hospital -- and could face criminal charges for his role in the accident. The driver of the truck that Joshua's SUV smashed into fled the scene immediately after the crash ... and is now being hunted down by officials. The 36-year-old, who knocked out Jake Paul in the boxing ring 12 days ago, was taken to the hospital after he sustained minor injuries. Members of the boxing community were quick to send their thoughts and prayers to Joshua and those who were impacted by the accident, including Paul himself. "Life is much more important than boxing," Paul said on X.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:35 UTC
Russia will win in Ukraine, Putin says in new year address
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country believed it would win in Ukraine, where Moscow has led an almost four-year offensive, in his New Year’s Eve address on Wednesday. Putin’s traditional speech was first aired in the far-eastern Kamchatka peninsula — the first Russian region to enter 2026. He became president of Russia on New Year’s Eve 1999, when Boris Yeltsin stepped down. The televised New Year’s Eve speech, which continues a tradition started by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, is a holiday staple in Russia and watched in millions of households. It is aired on state TV just before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 16:59 UTC
Intelligence confirmed terrorists’ presence before joint strikes — DHQ
In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the US–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said. Responding to questions on whether terrorists were present at the bombed locations, Onoja said intelligence reports confirmed their presence in the area before the strikes. So we can also take it further since the proximity of the Sahel to Sokoto, intelligence reports have confirmed their presence there before those strikes were conducted against them. According to him, the armed forces are also engaging civilians to support security agencies with timely information. He said security agencies were working to prevent future attacks using intelligence networks and other measures.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 15:54 UTC