Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Christmas: Bethlehem lights tree first time since Gaza war An aerial photograph shows people gathering in Nativity Square during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Bethlehem, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on December 6, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) Christmas cheer returned to Bethlehem on Saturday as the city lit its Christmas tree for the first time since the Gaza war began more than two years ago. According to AFP on Sunday, the decorated tree, positioned near the Church of the Nativity in Manger Square, drew thousands of visitors. A Palestinian police officer from the K9 unit checks…

OONI UNVEILS OJAJA UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE CAMPUS, SAYS FOR HUMANITY … believes laying legacy will go far beyond money making in education. The Permanent Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC), Arole Oodua Olofin Adimula, Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, has officially launched the Ojaja University Ile-Ife Campus and dedicated it to the service of humanity. The historic ceremony, held on Saturday at the university grounds, formed a major highlight of activities marking the 10th Coronation Anniversary of Ooni Ogunwusi. In his remarks, the Ooni emphasized that legacy remains the most enduring contribution anyone can offer…

First Lady optimistic about 2026 prosperity for Nigeria, declares ‘…other countries will come and borrow money from us…’ … receive traditional honour of Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodu’a in Ile-Ife … dignitaries were present to grace the occasion. The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed optimism in the ongoing reforms and economic rebound, declaring that by 2026, other countries would be borrowing from Nigeria. Tinubu made a disclosure at Ile-Ife, Osun State, shortly after she was installed as Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodu’a on Sunday, a ceremony held at the Palace Square to mark the 10th coronation…

Churches, Political Groups, Others Set To Honour Itsekiri Bible Translator Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi Churches in the Niger Delta region are set to honour Itsekiri Bible Translator and dominant political force during the Second Republic, Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi. “Hundreds of people, including high profile politicians, religious leaders and business moguls will honour Deacon Stephen Ejueyitsi Aganbi on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 in Koko” a statement by the Chief Executive Officer of Akogate Group, Felix Aganbi said. Tagged “Koko Sings for Deacon Stephen Aganbi”, the statement said artists and church choirs from across the country have been invited to…

Army Foiled an Attempted Coup by Soldiers in BENIN REPUBLIC ~ Interior Minister Benin interior minister, Alassane Seidou Army Foiled an Attempted Coup by Soldiers in BENIN REPUBLIC ~ Interior Minister Benin’s interior minister, Alassane Seidou, on Sunday said that the Army had thwarted an attempted coup by a group of soldiers who said they had ousted President Patrice Talon. “A small group of soldiers launched a mutiny with the aim of destabilising the country and its institutions. “Faced with this situation, the Beninese Armed Forces and their leadership maintained control of the situation and foiled the attempt,” said Seidou.…

To Contest For Awujale Seat, Contestants Must Legitimize Membership In Ruling House ~ Owoyemi The Fusengbuwa ruling house of Ijebu-Ode, next in line to produce the new Awujale of Ijebuland, Ogun State, has directed popular Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1, to complete the family’s royal lineage data form to establish his legitimate membership in the ruling house. The Chairman of the ruling house and former National President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Abdulateef Owoyemi, exlained on Saturday that only bonafide members of the family would be allowed to participate in the selection process.…

Benin Republic: Latest West African Nation Hit by Military Coup The capital of Benin Republic descended into chaos on Sunday morning as military forces launched an apparent coup attempt against President Patrice Talon’s government. According to reports from Beninese media outlet TchadOne, armed soldiers led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri stormed the president’s residence in Cotonou’s Le Guézo neighbourhood shortly after dawn on December 7, 2025. By mid-morning, Lieutenant Colonel Tigri had seized control of national television and declared himself “chairman of the military re-establishment committee” in a broadcast to the nation. Military personnel have reportedly taken up positions at…

Dangote advises Nigerian wealthy ones to cease buying Rolls-Royce but build industries File: President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote Dangote advises Nigerian wealthy ones to cease buying Rolls-Royce but build industries The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on the elite in the country to redirect funds currently spent on luxury items such as Rolls-Royce cars and private jets into establishing industries that drive economic growth and create employment opportunities. Speaking with our correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Villa on Saturday, Dangote lamented the culture of extravagant consumption, stressing that the…

Electronic transfer levy revenue doubles to N360bn ~ FG File photo: FIRS Chairman, Zaccheus Adedeji … comparison to the N170.92bn generated in the same the previous year of 2024. The Federal Government received N360.29bn from electronic money transfer levies between January and October 2025, based on a Federal Inland Revenue Service document. The amount was more than double the N170.92bn generated in the same period of 2024, showing an increase of N189.36bn (110.8 per cent). The monthly figures showed that receipts were higher in every month of 2025 than in the corresponding month of 2024. The percentage increases were significant…

FirstBank Elephant Girls Crowned Zone 3 Champions, Qualify For WBLA Final Round FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls”, have secured their spot in the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), scheduled to hold in Cairo, Egypt from 5-14 December 2025. The Elephant Girls put on a commanding performance at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, winning all three games. Representing Nigeria as the country’s sole team in the tournament, they overcame fierce competition from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo in the Zone. Their undefeated run…