Morayo Afolabi-Brown Unveils New Talk Show 'The Morayo Show'
Popular media personality Morayo Afolabi-Brown has unveiled a new national talk show, The Morayo Show, which she described as an effort to promote inclusive, interactive and people-centred conversations around Nigeria’s social, cultural and emotional issues. She said, “The Morayo Show is designed as an interactive, live platform where real people are participants, not spectators. With over 20 years of experience in Nigerian broadcast media, Afolabi-Brown said the new show followed a personal and professional shift in her career. Afolabi-Brown also explained that the audience would play a central role in the programme. He said, “We are incredibly proud to support Morayo Afolabi-Brown as she embarks on this new journey.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 05:29 UTC
How ‘last-mile’ hurdles rob rural communities of digital economy
Billions of naira have been invested in fibre infrastructure to achieve the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) promise over the past decade. DPI rails without tracksTHE experiences of Abdullahi, Hauwa, and Amina reflected a shared reality: last-mile digital infrastructure has become a critical constraint on development. 4,834 communities unserved/underservedAN estimated 21 million Nigerians across 4,834 communities, mostly in rural areas, lack access to basic mobile connectivity. For instance, in Zamfara state, Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Shinkafi, Zurmi, Birnin Magaji, and Kaura Namoda are severely underserved. Why last-mile connectivity remains elusiveFINDINGS showed that the last-mile is heavily challenged due to a combination of infrastructure, economic, and regulatory hurdles that operators face despite their investments.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 04:44 UTC
Otti won't defect with Obi, remains in Labour Party
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he will not defect from the Labour Party alongside the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi. He said, “If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him. “He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party. If we fight and get to the end, and we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 04:20 UTC
US strike: 39 fleeing Sokoto suspects arrested in Ondo
This came as another fire outbreak on Monday evening gutted a section of the Arena Market in the Bolade area of Oshodi, Lagos State. She added that the fire affected five 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows, bringing the total number of affected shops to 10. The statement read, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service received a distress call at approximately 17:50 hours today reporting a fire outbreak at Arena Market, Bolade, Oshodi. While seven individuals were rescued shortly after the collapse, three bodies were recovered from the rubble on Friday. Sources at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday that the additional bodies were pulled out during ongoing search-and-rescue operations on Sunday.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 03:54 UTC
Kwankwaso: Nobody succeeds in betrayal
The national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has broken his silence over the worsening crisis besieging the party in Kano State. Speaking to party supporters at his residence, Kwankwaso expressed disappointment over reports that some party members, including the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, were considering leaving the party but observed that the development did not come to him as a surprise. Kwankwaso explained that the crowd at the ceremony was clear proof that the NNPP still has strong grassroots support across Kano State, despite moves by some political figures to align with the governor. “I’m very glad with the turnout today because I didn’t expect to see so many faces here. But I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded,” Kwankwaso added.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 02:40 UTC
Tributes for The Guardian ex-COO, late Alex Thomopulos at 78
We will surely miss him.”Mr Kunle Sanyaolu, the Editorial Page Editor, observed that Dr Alex Thomopulos has joined his ancestors at the age of 78. I do not doubt that his death marks the demise of an important part of The Guardian newspaper. A good companion whose company I came to appreciate.”Former MD/Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Mr Martins Oloja, also sent a message: “Good Night, Dr Alex Thomopulos. When the history of The Guardian (Nigeria) in the first 40 years comes to be written, the name of the late Dr Thomopulos will not be forgotten. Adieu Dr. Thomopulos!
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 02:10 UTC
Military arrests suicide bomber, recovers 189 AK-47 rifles
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was apprehended on Monday by personnel of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies, at Banki town in Bama Local Government Area. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed that Mustapha was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating an imminent intent to carry out an attack. The military reaffirmed its commitment to securing the North-East, stressing that troops would continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement. The WASA event, a long-standing tradition since 1901 to promote unity and cultural integration among West African soldiers, was attended by the Sokoto State Governor’s representative, Col. Ahmed Abdoul (retd. Police Commissioner Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed that these arrests spanned 78 Police Divisions, 11 Area Commands, and 7 Tactical Units, and included:
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 00:38 UTC
Troops arrest suspected suicide bomber, intercept IED materials in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted materials intended for the manufacturing of Improvised Explosive Devices and arrested a suspected suicide bomber, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, in Borno State. The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. According to him, the suspect was arrested on Monday by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in collaboration with other security agencies in the Bama local government area of the state. PUNCH Online had on December 24 reported that a suicide bomber killed five and injured 35 in Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque, Gamboru market, Maiduguri. The suicide bomber detonated the bomb while worshippers were observing their evening prayers at 6 o’clock
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 00:00 UTC
Saudi Arabia Bombs UAE Arms Shipment in Yemen Port
Saudi Arabia warned on December 27, 2025 it would back Yemen's government in any military confrontation with separatist forces and urged them to withdraw "peacefully" from recently-seized provinces. The strongly worded foreign ministry statement came hours after the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said it had struck a United Arab Emirates weapons shipment destined for separatist forces. Experts say their successes have embarrassed Saudi Arabia, a regional heavyweight and the main backer of the internationally recognised Yemeni government. A source close to the Saudi military coalition told AFP on Tuesday after the strikes that a diplomatic solution remained on the table. Following the strikes, broadcasters in Saudi Arabia aired segments showing surveillance footage of the alleged Emirati ships delivering the combat equipment to the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 23:48 UTC
Amotekun vows watertight security in Southwest
The Western Nigerian Security Network, otherwise known as the Amotekun CorpsThe Western Nigerian Security Network, otherwise known as the Amotekun CorpsThe Western Nigerian Security Network, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps, has assured that the South-West region of the country will be fully fortified against bandits and terrorists facing military onslaught in the North-West and North-East parts of the country. The Amotekun boss said: “across the 18 local governments of the state. “I look at this as a concerted effort by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, to rid Ondo State of criminal enemies. We equally want to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Honourable Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for giving us an enabling environment to thrive. “On rape and assault on Amotekun Corps officers, we have a 19-year-old Daniel Ojo, a 33-year-old Usman, and a 41-year-old Bejide for raping in Isinkan.
Source:The Guardian
December 30, 2025 23:32 UTC
The 5 Best Cocktail Recipes to Drink Right Now
The Puritan emerged at the turn of the 20th century as a mixture of gin, French vermouth, yellow Chartreuse and orange bitters. Will Thompson first encountered it when he was working at Drink in Boston and has brought it all the way to his Miami bar, Sunny’s, where it’s featured on a menu of Martini variations. The understated counterpart to its sibling, the Alaska, the Puritan gets herbal, honeyed complexity from the yellow Chartreuse while still remaining firmly in Martini territory. Read More →
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 23:04 UTC
NNPP NWC Voids Suspension of Kano State Chairman
“It is important to state that the purported suspension of Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa is of no effect. He remains the legitimate chairman of NNPP in Kano State. Dungurawa, however, in an interview with PUNCH, had publicly rejected the action, insisting that he remains the legitimate state chairman and threatening legal action against those parading themselves as party leaders. I am also a member of the National Executive Committee, and they cannot override that authority,” he said. The NWC reiterated its support for the Kano State chairman, urging all party members to remain loyal to Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the national leader, and to continue working for the unity and advancement of the NNPP in Kano State.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 22:38 UTC
Fubara Wike Conflict: You Must Go Through Wike to Win
The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, South South, Victor Giadom, has told Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that he must pass through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to win anything in Rivers State. Giadom gave the advice on Tuesday during Wike’s ‘thank you’ visit to the people of Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State. “I guarantee, on behalf of my brothers, that the Gokana people are for Wike and Tinubu and nobody will challenge Wike’s influence in Gokana. For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike,” he said. Earlier, the Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Confidence Deko, pledged total support to the minister.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 22:13 UTC
AFCON 2025: Nigeria beat Uganda 3-1 to finish group stage unbeaten
Nigeria maintained their perfect record at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Uganda in their final Group C match at the Fez Stadium in Morocco on Tuesday. Nigeria dominated much of the opening period, creating several chances while Uganda struggled to cope with the three-time champion pace and movement. The Eagles stepped up their intensity after the break and doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute. Uganda, reduced to 10 men, pulled one back in the 75th minute when substitute Okello released Mato, who coolly chipped the ball over goalkeeper Francis Uzoho. The win sees Nigeria finish top of Group C with a maximum nine points, while Uganda end the group stage at the bottom and exit the tournament.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 21:36 UTC
Tinubu apppoints EFCC’s Oyedepo as director of public prosecutions
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, as the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice. The statement added, “Mr Oyedepo is a 2007 Law graduate from the University of Ilorin and attended the Law School in 2008. “He is expected to deploy his expertise to reduce reliance on external counsel for critical prosecutions and to ensure greater coherence and consistency in the Federal Government’s legal strategies. “Before this appointment, Mr Oyedepo worked at EFCC for over 15 years, specialising in the prosecution of complex economic and financial crimes. “He was named the EFCC Outstanding Staff of the Year in 2014 as well as the Best Financial Crimes Prosecutor in 2019.”
Source:Punch
December 30, 2025 20:05 UTC