Author: Ifetayo Adeniyi

Oba of Benin distances self from rumoured assault of Don Obaseki Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki BTC rejected any accusation of palace involvement in assault. The Benin Traditional Council (BTC) has dissociated the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, from the assault and public humiliation of Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki, insisting that the incident was neither authorised nor condoned by the monarch. The clarification followed public outrage over a viral video showing Dr. Obaseki being assaulted and stripped by a mob of youths on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The victim, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki,…

Super Eagles to face Mozambique for Round of 16 Clash at AFCON Super Eagles players Nigeria’s Super Eagles will confront Mozambique’s Mambas in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following the completion of the group stage on New Year’s Eve. Nigeria topped Group C with a perfect record of nine points, securing victories in all three matches, including a 3-1 win over Uganda in their final group fixture. Goals from Paul Onuachu and a brace by Raphael Onyedika highlighted Nigeria’s dominant campaign under coach Eric Chelle. Mozambique advanced as one of the four best…

GTBank drops ‘who pays’ for transfers between sender-receiver, effective Jan. 1st GTBank Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd has made public a change to the application of stamp duty charges on electronic bank transfers, in line with provisions of the newly enacted Nigeria Tax Act 2025. In a customer notice, the bank announced that with effect from January 1, 2026, the statutory ₦50 stamp duty on electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above will now be borne by the sender of the transaction, rather than the receiver. The bank explained that the adjustment follows regulatory changes introduced under the new tax regime and…

Finally, Obi defects to ADC, Atiku welcomes him Atiku was being hopeful that more Nigerians would show positive interest in ADC. A former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress, describing the move as a landmark development in the country’s political coalition landscape. Speaking at the event venue, Obi urged Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.” The former LP presidential candidate also accused the current political leadership of state capture,…

₦100,000 Christmas bonus for all civil, public office holders ~ Rivers File: Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara Payment has been consistent for the past three years. The Rivers State Government has clarified that its annual ₦100,000 Christmas bonus was paid to all civil and public office holders in the state, without discrimination. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Honour Sirawoo, in a statement on Wednesday, said the bonus is disbursed across board to all workers, including pensioners, captured on the Rivers State Government payroll system. Sirawoo made the clarification in response to the commendation by the Nigeria Labour…

Mali, Burkina Faso restrict entry for US nationals File: An illustrative file photo of a visa Says passing reciprocal measure to US. Mali and Burkina Faso have announced travel restrictions on American nationals in a tit-for-tat move after the US included both African countries on a no-entry list. In statements issued separately by both countries’ foreign ministries and seen Wednesday by AFP, they said they were imposing “equivalent measures” on US citizens, after President Donald Trump expanded a travel ban to nearly 40 countries this month, based solely on nationality. That list included Syrian citizens, as well as Palestinian Authority…

King Charles appoints Wale Edun Commander Royal Victorian Order File: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun. Tinubu describes the recognition as well-deserved. King Charles III of the United Kingdom has appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in recognition of his distinguished service, particularly his longstanding contribution to youth development through the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. According to ARISE News, the honour, announced on Tuesday, places Edun among a select group of Nigerians recognised with the rare distinction. He joins…

Greater Lagos Fiesta 2025 is hereby cancelled ~ Govt. The Lagos State Government has announced the cancellation of the year 2025 Greater Lagos Fiesta, scheduled to be held on December 31, 2025. The announcement was made in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to spend quality time in personal prayers for the nation, the State and the people of Lagos. He also urged people to pray for “our continued prosperity, leadership, peace, productivity and our continued general wellbeing. “On behalf of…

NANS Protest Against New Tax Laws, Declares 14 January Nationwide The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set 14 January, 2026, for a nationwide action to protest against the implementation of the new tax laws, citing concerns over its impact on students and the wider Nigerian populace. NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday where he expressed profound disappointment and total lack of confidence in the fiscal and economic advisers surrounding President Bola Tinubu. Oladoja said thorough what he called their misguided counsel, Tinubu has continued to push the administration towards an avoidable…

Guinea’s Junta Leader Doumbouya Emerges Winner Presidential Poll … critics argued the process was marked with irregularities. Guinea’s military ruler, General Mamady Doumbouya, has been declared winner of the country’s presidential election, securing 86.72 per cent of the votes, according to provisional results released Tuesday by the General Directorate of Elections (DGE). The 41-year-old junta chief, who seized power in a 2021 coup and had previously vowed not to run, defeated eight other candidates in the first round, avoiding a runoff. However, the vote has been marred by widespread criticism, with major opposition leaders barred from participating and several candidates…