Chasing Dreams, Losing Hope: Tackling Nigeria’s Sports Betting Crisis with Real Solutions
Little wonder that new betting companies spring up now and then, not minding the large numbers of existing platforms in Nigeria. One consequence of the sports betting crisis in Nigeria is mental health issues. Other consequences of the sports gambling crisis in Nigeria include corruption and match-fixing, as well as legal and regulatory issues. Nigeria's sports betting crisis real solutionsThere is no problem without a solution, and to address the worrying crisis in Nigeria's sports betting industry, all stakeholders must be intentional about implementing real-life solutions. Betting companies can also incentivise responsible betting by offering incentives to bettors who practice moderation.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 07:58 UTC
FG mandates dope test for federal public service applicants
The Federal Government has introduced mandatory pre-employment drug testing for all applicants seeking positions in the public service, as part of broader efforts to combat drug abuse and its impact on national security and productivity. MDAs are required to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to conduct the tests, ensuring compliance with established standards. The policy stems from concerns over the “alarming rate” of substance abuse, particularly among Nigeria’s youth, which the government says threatens public health, socio-economic development, workplace efficiency and national security. Signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the OSGF, Segun Imohiosen, the statement underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting the workforce from drug-related issues. This move aligns with ongoing anti-drug initiatives, including recent policies for mandatory testing in universities and other sectors.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 05:37 UTC
Sustaining reforms, momentum in correctional services, others
Notably, there have been improvements in the immigration services and welfare of various discipline agencies in the mining sector, among others. However, the correctional services need far deeper momentum in the New Year and are heavily dependent on holistic cooperation beyond the Ministry of Interior alone. The Nigerian correctional service sector has been what it is for decades: mismanaged, rotten and an accident waiting to happen. For instance, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported a total inmate population of 81,558 as of July 2025, comprising 79,615 males and 1,943 females. With a clinical focus on reforms and modernisation, the current administration has emplaced the Immigration Service Reform Committee with a focus on modernising the Nigerian Immigration Service to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption, and improve service delivery.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 05:37 UTC
US begins partial visa ban on Nigerians from Jan 1, 2026
The United States will begin a partial suspension of visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation aimed at strengthening border and national security. The proclamation provides for a partial suspension of visa issuance covering nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visitor visas, as well as F, M and J student and exchange visitor visas. It also applies to immigrant visas, though with limited exceptions. Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events. More recently, reports suggested that applications for certain immigrant visas, including green cards, could face suspension under the new proclamation.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 04:38 UTC
Yuletide: Police tighten security, FG declares holidays
The holiday declaration coincides with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who ordered the strategic deployment of police personnel and operational assets nationwide to ensure security during the festive season. In Kogi State, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, deployed reinforced police personnel along the Lokoja–Abuja highway to ensure public safety, traffic control, and prevention of accidents. The Sokoto State Police Command launched “Operation Peaceful Celebration 2025,” involving massive personnel deployment, enhanced patrols, traffic control, and intensified intelligence gathering. “Places of worship, public utilities, and vulnerable areas are being protected, with major entry and exit routes manned for surveillance,” the statement noted. The minister further advised citizens to remain law-abiding, security-conscious, and moderate in celebrations, and to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful festive season.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 04:38 UTC
Travellers stranded as protesting Edo community barricades highway
Human and vehicular movements were halted for several hours on Monday as residents of Idokpa Community in Aduduwawa blocked a major highway leading into and out of Benin, Edo State. The residents, protesting several weeks of power outage in the community, barricaded the bypass, causing hours of gridlock. “We are protesting because of the power outage that has crippled our businesses. During a phone interview with PUNCH Metro on Monday, a BEDC official said the outage was not deliberate. “The power outage being experienced in some parts of Edo is not deliberate; it is due to a shortage of gas used to generate power,” the official said.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 04:16 UTC
The Guardian, Onyenucheya clinch best maritime media, journalist award
City University Cambodia MSc recipient, Margret Oniye (left); The Guardian Adaku Onyenucheya; Secretary General, Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria and USA, Prof Alfred Oniye; and Provost of the association, Captain Samson Iwori after receiving the maritime media and journalist awards at the Sailors and Awards night held in Apapa. The Merchant Seafarers Association of Nigeria and USA (Merchant Navy – Sail Navy) has honoured The Guardian and its maritime reporter, Adaku Onyenucheya, with top industry awards in recognition of their exceptional contribution, advocacy and commitment to promoting maritime journalism and sectoral development. Oniye said The Guardian and Onyenucheya have demonstrated exceptional consistency in spotlighting reforms, challenges and milestones within the maritime sector, while providing a credible platform for engagement and accountability. “The Guardian Newspaper and its maritime correspondent were honoured for their unwavering commitment to maritime journalism. This recognition is an evidence to the power of the media in driving maritime awareness and accountability,” he stated.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 04:05 UTC
Foundation improves lives of children with limb loss
Disturbed by the lack of access to care for children with limb loss in Nigeria, the IREDE Foundation, in partnership with NNPC/Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), has embarked on improving their health condition through its 3D printed prosthetic limb production. She said that the conventional process of producing prosthetic limbs often involves Plaster of Paris (PoP) casting, which can be uncomfortable and emotionally taxing, particularly for teenage children. At this stage, the focus is on learning, gathering data, and refining the technical processes involved in 3D-printed prosthetic production. Managing Director, SNEPCo, Ronald Adams, said the partnership had progressed from providing prosthetic limbs to supporting advocacy and sustainability. He said the donation of a 3D printing machine would enable local manufacturing of prosthetic limbs, supported by trained personnel skilled in advanced 3D production techniques.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 03:49 UTC
NRC Boss Cracks Down on Illegal Railway Property Deals
In an internal circular dated December 18, 2025, and referenced MDL.360/25/T/VOL.1-062, the management disclosed that it had uncovered alleged illegal dealings in NRC properties by some officers without due authorisation. While the unions alleged that several NRC properties were unjustly converted, the property management company maintained that all transactions followed due process. However, Opeifa insisted that the approval, clearance, or lease of any NRC land falls strictly within the exclusive authority of the Managing Director. He warned that no Railway District Manager is permitted to engage in any form of transaction, allocation, or disposal of NRC landed property without explicit written approval from the Managing Director of the NRC to the Managing Director of the Railway Property Management Company Limited. “You are therefore strongly warned and advised to desist forthwith from any unauthorised dealings in NRC landed properties and to strictly adhere to this directive,” the memo read.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 03:30 UTC
‘Chelle focused on Super Eagles, not what pundits say about Taifa Stars’
“We have heard so much of the Tanzanian stars, but they should worry about how to stop the Super Eagles. “I can tell you Mr President has already approved the houses and the land for the Super Eagles, the National Awards, and the monies for the Super Falcons. The Super Eagles, meanwhile, are being rewarded for finishing as runners-up at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. “As I speak to you, I have in my possession all the Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) for the houses of the players in Lagos and Abuja for both the Super Eagles, Super Falcons and D’Tigress,” he added. Most notably, the Super Eagles boycotted training for 24 hours during the World Cup playoffs in November over outstanding payments.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 03:00 UTC
Entrepreneurs charged to rethink business models
Business and industry leaders have urged Nigerian entrepreneurs to rethink and reinvent their business models to remain competitive and achieve sustainable growth. This was at the two-day 10th Annual Entrepreneurs Conference and Expo organised by the Masterpiece Resource Development Centre (MRDC), themed, ‘Reinvent, Innovate, Strategise, Expand’, held in Lagos. Also, the Chairman of Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc, Segun Oloketuyi, urged entrepreneurs to pursue their goals with fairness, discipline and integrity. He cautioned them against living above their means or allowing competition to intimidate them, noting that focus and prudent financial management are essential for sustainable business success. Chairman of the MRDC Board, Dr Abiola Popoola, charged entrepreneurs to see the two-day conference as a deliberate investment in their capacity and business future.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 01:33 UTC
US to suspend visa issuance to Nigerians from January 1, 2026
The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain visas to Nigerian nationals from January 1, 2026, following a new presidential proclamation on border and national security. It also applies to immigrant visas, with limited exceptions. Other exempted categories include lawful permanent residents of the United States and participants in certain major international sporting events. However, the US Mission noted that such applicants “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States” under the new rules. Recent weeks have seen a series of restrictive measures by the United States that have heightened concerns among Nigerians seeking to travel, study or migrate to the country.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 00:33 UTC
What did Lions fan say to DK Metcalf before punch, per report?
The DK Metcalf incident on Sunday -- in which the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver appeared to take a swipe at a Detroit Lions fan -- could end up with the wideout getting disciplined by the NFL. While there's an alternative angle of the moments before Metcalf's punch, there's only one side to what was said that led to the receiver confronting the fan -- Metcalf didn't speak to reporters after the win over the Lions. He initially said "My words don’t matter because it was on camera," but then spoke more about what he said went down:“What, my full name isn’t is DeKaylin Zecharius Metcalf," Kennedy said. “I got word, obviously, I’m not condoning putting your hands on a fan or punching a fan, but he did call [Metcalf] a racial slur,” Johnson told his co-host Shannon Sharpe. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Did Lions fan say DK Metcalf full name before punch, per report?
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 00:27 UTC
Police foil N17m Lagos airport fraud, arrest suspect
The Nigeria Police Force has foiled an alleged fraud valued at N17.03m involving imported goods from Canada, with the arrest of a 52-year-old suspect at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The consignment comprised 12 NEC projectors and 12 Automatic External Defibrillators (AED Plus), with a total naira value of N17,032,160. Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, said she immediately ordered a discreet and intelligence-driven investigation upon receipt of the complaint. The CP added that operatives of the command acted on credible intelligence to track and arrest the suspect, who has since confessed to his involvement in the crime. “The command remains resolute in deploying intelligence-led policing strategies to safeguard Nigeria’s airports and protect the travelling public,” she said.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 00:07 UTC
Our Most Popular Recipes of 2025
This year, a mashup of beloved flavor profiles spread like wildfire at bars across the country. The tropical and agave pairing was a favorite this summer, exemplified from Daisy in Los Angeles to Cantina Rosa in Chicago. The mascot of the trend should be the Coconut Margarita served at El Camino in New York City. Will Wyatt, creator of the bestselling drink, credits its popularity to the fact that “people like the comfort of ordering something they know, and are pleasantly surprised when they get it and the texture is just that of a classic Margarita, since we aren’t using any coconut cream or anything. It’s just tropical and refreshing.”Read More →
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 23:35 UTC