New champions emerge at Cohesion Football Tournament
In the female category, Wazbak Queens continued their dominance, defeating Unification Ladies 1–0 to retain their crown and make history as the first female team to win the Cohesion Football Tournament back-to-back. Champions of the Under-13 male category, O&A Sports Academy, were awarded a ₦100,000 grant prize. In the female category, champions Wazbak Queens also walked away with ₦500,000, while finalists Unification Ladies received ₦250,000. Cohesion Football Tournament is giving young people like us a real chance, and I applaud the organisers of this grassroots engagement for the community,” said Emmanuella while speaking at the competition. Since its inaugural edition in December 2019 with just 12 teams from Mushin and Surulere, the Cohesion Football Tournament has grown steadily in scale and impact.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 23:23 UTC
Lagos to name, shame hotels, vendors who cancel bookings for higher bids
The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to hotels, restaurants, and event venues against unjustified price hikes and the cancellation of confirmed bookings during the ongoing Detty December festivities. The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed this in an interview with TVC News on Monday. “If a commitment has been made, especially where deposits or agreements exist, vendors must honour it. He noted that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) have been fully briefed and are on standby to intervene. Members of the public who have evidence of breached agreements, cancelled bookings, or sudden price increases after confirmation have been encouraged to report such cases.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 22:39 UTC
AFCON: Eagles intensify training ahead of Tanzania clash
The Super Eagles held their fourth training session at their base in Fes, Morocco, on Sunday, ahead of their Group C clash against Tanzania in the 2025 AFCON on Tuesday, The PUNCH reports. Nigeria and Tanzania will face off at the Complex Sportif de Fes, in the first match of Group C on Tuesday. Following their arrival in Morocco last Thursday, the team began to put finishing touches to their preparation with two training sessions on Friday before more sessions on Saturday and Sunday. After Tuesday’s group opener, Nigeria will take on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30. The 2025 AFCON kicked off on Sunday with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 21:23 UTC
FG Approves Mandatory Drug Test for Public Service Applicant
The Federal Government has approved the introduction of mandatory pre-employment drug testing for prospective applicants into the Public Service. He said Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Parastatals have been directed to make drug testing a core requirement in the recruitment of new personnel. He noted that the policy was informed by concerns over the rising rate of drug and substance abuse, particularly among youths. In November, the Nigeria Customs Service mandated drug testing for all incoming recruits and serving officers to enhance discipline and border security. Additionally, a July directive approved university-wide drug screening, signaling a nationwide push to address substance abuse.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 21:20 UTC
FG to introduce new emergency passports in 2026
Decorates 46 newly promoted comptrollersThe Federal Government has said that it is working towards introducing a new emergency passport, the Single Travel Emergency Passport (STEP), to replace the current Single Travel Emergency Certificate (STEC) by next year, 2026. The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, made this known at the decoration of 46 newly promoted Assistant Comptrollers of Immigration (ACIs) to Comptrollers of Immigration on Monday in Abuja. The Comptroller General charged the decorated comptrollers to demonstrate heightened vigilance and uncompromising professionalism in the face of Nigeria’s security challenges. “At this advanced stage of your careers, professional competence must be matched with strong leadership attributes. “Considering the current security challenges our nation faces, we must remain vigilant and unrelenting in the fight against multifaceted threats.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 20:39 UTC
Olawepo-Hashim meets Obasanjo, IBB ahead of 2027 race
He reportedly stressed that Nigeria urgently needs purposeful, inclusive, and unifying leadership to avert deeper national fractures. Both Obasanjo and Babangida, though non-partisan, are widely regarded as influential elder statesmen who remain deeply invested in Nigeria’s unity and stability, having played defining roles in the country’s political and military history. It added that during the Minna meeting, Hashim reportedly appealed to Babangida’s historic role in preserving Nigeria’s unity, referencing the sacrifices made during the civil war. He emphasised that the 2027 election must be centred on national rescue, warning that continued leadership failure could further endanger the country’s cohesion and stability. Political observers view the consultations as a strategic move by Dr Hashim to position himself as a national consensus-building figure ahead of what is expected to be a highly consequential 2027 presidential election.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 18:06 UTC
Nigeria-US diplomatic dispute resolved, FG confirms
The Federal Government has said its recent diplomatic disagreement with the United States has been largely resolved following sustained engagement between both countries. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday at a year-end news conference in Abuja. According to Idris, Nigeria handled the situation with maturity and principle, leading to a stronger relationship with the United States. “The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through a firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” the minister said. Under the agreement, the United States will provide 2.1 billion dollars in grant funding, while Nigeria will commit 3 billion dollars.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 16:28 UTC
Beyond the 2025 surge in foreign capital inflows
Foreign capital inflow is very significant for the health of an economy. These are good indicators of progress, but the country must not lose sight of the factors that led to the increase in foreign capital inflows. With Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list, foreign investors found the country to be a safe place to transfer funds and thus engage in meaningful investment activities, resulting in a significant inflow of foreign capital over this period. While these foreign capital inflows are increasing and moving in the right directions, the challenge now is to ensure that the dark days of the Buhari administration on these issues do not resurface. While the CBN is highly elated at the positive developments, it should not lose sight of its core functions in relation to how the increased foreign capital inflows will be applied.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 16:27 UTC
Outer district Police nab proclaimed offender, detain Nigerian National for Visa overstay
On December 21, 2025, Police Station Nihal Vihar, conducted a routine survey focused on identifying illegally staying foreign nationals within their jurisdiction. Upon being intercepted and questioned, the individual was unable to produce a valid passport, visa or any other document authorising his stay in India. Further questioning revealed his identity as Johnson Chinedu, a Nigerian national, who also admitted that his visa had already expired. Police officials stated that the timely action highlights the Outer District Police’s firm commitment to enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding public security. The police added that further efforts are in progress to trace and initiate action against other foreign nationals found living in Delhi without valid documentation.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 15:54 UTC
Lions fan said 'slur' to DK Metcalf before punch, claims ex-NFL star
Updated Dec. 22, 2025, 3:52 p.m. ETWe're still awaiting further word on what set off DK Metcalf on Sunday after the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver had a physical confrontation with a Detroit Lions fan. He called him the N-word and he did call his mom an [expletive]. I think with those words being exchanged and the fan saying that, I think that’s where the action occurred.”We don't know if that's truly the case, but maybe Metcalf or others will corroborate it. UPDATE: The fan has denied saying any of those alleged words:
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 15:46 UTC
Fubara in APC: A peace path or political sanctuary?
The defection of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Rivers State lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have altered the political equation in the oil-rich state. More importantly, it has repositioned Fubara as the leader of the ruling party in Rivers State, directly challenging Wike’s once unassailable influence. With Fubara now firmly in the APC, political control of Rivers has entered uncertain territory. He notes that the APC structure grants governors sweeping authority over party affairs, often eclipsing even state party executives. As 2027 approaches, one reality is clear: Rivers State is once again a theatre of high-stakes political drama.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 15:04 UTC
Ogun suspends three firms for environmental pollution
Ogun State Government has suspended three environmental consultancy firms due to alleged professional deficiencies in enforcing environmental laws on pollution to closed battery recycling companies in Ogijo. He mentioned that three consultancy firms attached to the ULAB companies were suspended due to regulatory failures in reporting the actual situation of the firms to the state government. According to him, the firms failed to instal required pollution abatement devices, demonstrating clear professional negligence with significant environmental implications, particularly in sensitive ecosystems. “The three suspended firms, however, deliberately absented themselves from the review meeting, knowing well that they were complicit,” he noted. Oresanya confirmed that the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Enforcement Agency (NESREA) have been notified of the decision.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 14:27 UTC
Marwa justifies new drug test policy for students
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) has stated that the newly launched drug test policy for schools would discourage craving for illicit substances by young Nigerians, especially those aspiring to gain admission into tertiary institutions. He made the submission when he received the Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, who led a management team to seek partnership with the agency in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking. The NDLEA boss said: “We are glad to work and partner with you, your university, and the Taraba State government on this matter. It’s a good thing that what you’re doing aligns with the new national policy for tertiary institutions, which includes compulsory and random drug integrity tests for students. Your relentless efforts in combating substance abuse have contributed significantly to protecting our youths and preserving the future of our nation,” he said.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 14:27 UTC
DK Metcalf threw a punch at Lions fan mid-game
A trick-or-treat passing game under Aaron Rodgers has led to the Pro Bowl wideout's least productive year since he was a rookie in 2019. Metcalf got into an altercation with a blue-wigged Lions fan on the sideline. After walking over to talk to the fan, who was carrying a Metcalf replica jersey, cameras caught him punching upward at the man as he leaned over the railing. Regardless, Metcalf can expect a hefty dose of NFL discipline this week. A fourth target deep down the sideline fell to the turf after Metcalf failed to get his head around in time to track it.
Source:Punch
December 22, 2025 14:23 UTC
Troops nab notorious bandit leader in terrorising Benue-Taraba axis
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade, operating under Sector 3 of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), have arrested a notorious bandit leader linked to multiple cases of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Benue–Taraba axis. The suspect, identified as Fidelis Gayama, was described as a high-value target who had been on the watchlists of security agencies for some time. Preliminary investigations, as made known by the Brigade through its acting spokesman, Lt. Unar Muhammad, revealed that Gayama is closely associated with Aka Dogo, a wanted leader of an armed criminal group. On Saturday, both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force inducted a total of 4,687 new recruits to boost their manpower. While the army inducted 3,391 newly regular recruits, the Air Force graduated 1,296 airmen and airwomen.
Source:The Guardian
December 22, 2025 14:14 UTC