NCC approves 50% tariff hike for Telcos (Channels)
Telephone subscribers in Nigeria will pay more for data and airtime as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Monday approved a 50% tariff increase for telecoms operators in the country.
In a statement, a spokesman for the regulator Reuben Muoka said the price adjustment though lower than the “over 100% requested by some network operators, was arrived at taking into account ongoing industry reforms that will positively influence sustainability”.
The regulator said the increase was pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators. Read more
Nigeria to unveil aircraft manufacturing company soon – Keyamo (Punch)
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has unveiled a state-of-the-art maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility spearheaded by XEJet.
Keyamo also announced plans to launch an aircraft manufacturing company soon.
He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of XEJet’s flight support and engineering hub launch in Abuja on Monday. Read more
US oil imports from Nigeria to drop as Trump plans energy emergency order (Vanguard)
The President Trump planned an executive order and declaration of a national energy emergency, targeted at enhancing the United States oil and gas production could impact on Nigeria’s oil demand and revenue generation.
This was even as prices of oil, including Nigeria’s Bonny Light dropped to $80 per barrel from $83 per barrel, yesterday, as traders await U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in the hope of some clarity on his policy agenda.
However, the United States used to import a bulk of its crude oil from Nigeria, but the commencement of shale oil, deliberate government policy and other factors, reduced the nation’s oil and gas import in recent times. Read more
Seyi Tinubu: Lagos now for boys – Balami fires back at Igbokwe (Vanguard)
Comments by Joe Igbokwe, an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain condemning the endorsement of Seyi Tinubu as the next Lagos state governor has drawn wide condemnation across the country.
Recall that Igbokwe in a post on his Facebook page said ruling Lagos was not a job for the boys, stating that the call was a distraction aimed at pulling President Bola Tinubu down. Read more
Nigeria, France strengthen mining ties with key commitments at Saudi forum (Nation)
Nigeria and France have reinforced their mining sector partnership with concrete commitments to advance the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Paris last month.
The commitments include upgrading Nigeria’s geological laboratories, providing advanced technological equipment, and funding the exploration of geological data for the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA).
The agreements were reached on Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and France’s Interministerial Delegate for Strategic Minerals, Benjamin Gallezot, on the sidelines of the ongoing Future Minerals Forum. Read more
Native Doctors contributing to surge in crime in Anambra –Agba (Independent)
Chief Emeka Agba, the founder of Chief Emeka Agba Foundation, has blamed the activities of native doctors for contributing to the increasing insecurity in Anambra State and other states in the Southeast by making charms that purport to make criminals invisible and stop bullets from penetrating them.
In an interview with Daily Independent on Monday, Agba, who is the Odagbulu Ihe Dagbulu Ihe Dagbulu Enyi 1 of Igboland, said that “the native doctors give charms to kidnappers, robbers, gunmen and other criminals that make have a sense of invisibility that emboldens to commit all manner of crime.
“I believe that the activities of native doctors are promoting insecurity in the state and I believe that if they are uprooted from the state, the level of insecurity will fall in the state,” he said. Read more
Deputy Speaker Kalu pledges support for initiatives to boost education (Leadership)
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has pledged his unalloyed support for various lofty initiatives to boost education in Nigeria.
Kalu gave the assurance when he received a delegation from the University of Calabar led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi and the Provost, Post-Graduate School of the University, Professor Enyong Ubana, on a courtesy call in his office in Abuja on Monday.
The delegation visited to inform the Deputy Speaker about their upcoming 50th anniversary/convocation lecture and to convey to him the organising committee’s decision to make him the guest lecturer.
Recalling his days at his alma mater, Kalu said that the University of Calabar instilled the virtues of hard work, competition, and patriotism and moulded his character to contribute to nation-building. Read more
NITP condemns harassment of FCT development control officers (Tribune)
The Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) on Monday strongly condemned the recent harassment and molestation of development control officers in Lugbe, Abuja.
The officers were carrying out their statutory duties when the incident occurred.
The NITP President, Dr Chime Ogbonna, led a delegation to the Department of Development Control at the AMMC headquarters to commiserate with the Director, Tpl Galadima Mukhtar, and the staff of the Department. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, and Peso Pluma join FireAid Benefit concert for victims of LA fires (DailyMail)
Olivia Rodrigo, Stevie Wonder, and Peso Pluma are among the latest music artists to be added to this month’s FireAid Benefit concert.
The 21-year-old Vampire singer, 74-year-old living legend, and 25-year-old Mexican musician will take the stage at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome in LA’s Inglewood neighborhood on January 30.
Proceeds will go to the victims of the unprecedented Los Angeles wildfires that blazed through the city in the first weeks of the New Year. Read more
Tanzania’s ruling party nominates President Hassan as candidate for president (AfricaNews)
Tanzania’s ruling party has nominated Samia Suluhu Hassan as its candidate for president, ahead of the country’s general elections in October.
Hassan has called for unity ahead of the vote, stating “I urge all to maintain our unity as we go to the elections. The polls can seriously divide us but I believe we will remain united now that we have candidates.”
The 64 year old took office in 2021 following the sudden death of John Magufuli, who was accused of curbing certain freedoms and stamping out dissent. Read more
Mexican president opposes Trump’s immigration policies, but vows to help those deported (NBC)
It was a quiet morning as Customs and Border Protection agents patrolled the primary and secondary fences that divide San Diego and Tijuana as the nation awaited newly sworn-in President Donald Trump to sign a series of immigration-related executive orders.
In his first speech as president, Trump said he “will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted, and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.”
Trump vowed to reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” a policy from his first administration requiring anyone seeking to enter the United States through Mexico to remain in that country. Read more
Magnitude 6 earthquake shakes Taiwan, with initial reports of minor injuries, damage (ABC)
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 struck southern Taiwan early Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The quake hit at 12:17 a.m. (1600 GMT Monday), with its epicenter 12 kilometers (7 miles) north of Yujing at a preliminary depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), USGS said. Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration recorded a magnitude of 6.4.
There were no immediate reports of deaths from the quake, though rescuers were still assessing damage. Read more
Former President Joe Biden thanks staff, vows to stay in ‘fight’ in farewell speech (UPI)
Former President Joe Biden delivered his farewell speech Monday after the inauguration of 47th President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
Biden spoke from Joint Base Andrews at about 1:30 p.m. EST, remarking on more than 50 years of public service before departing on the presidential jet to central California for personal time.
He lauded his cabinet and staff for what they accomplished during his term in office. Read more
Police issue major update over Hull funeral home where 35 bodies were found (Mirror)
Humberside Police has been investigating Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull for months. Human remains and ashes were discovered in premises and three arrests made
Detectives investigating a Hull funeral home where the remains of 35 people were retrieved have issued a major update.
Humberside Police says it has sent a “comprehensive” dossier of evidence including 13,000 exhibits to the Crown Prosecution Service over the Legacy Independent Funeral Directors case. The funeral home has been under investigation since March last year, when it was sealed off and raided before human remains and ashes were discovered. Read more
Kevin Costner Says He’s ‘Lucky’ to Get Another Birthday as He Recalls Whitney Houston Friendship (People)
Kevin Costner is remembering Whitney Houston on his 70th birthday.
On Saturday, January 18, Costner turned 70 and shared a throwback photo in an Instagram Stories post featuring himself with the late singer on the set of 1992’s romantic thriller The Bodyguard. The photo came from Houston’s Instagram account, which is now managed by her estate.
“This photo reminds me of how lucky I am to be getting another birthday,” Costner captioned the post. “We lost such a light when we lost Whitney.” Houston, who starred alongside him in the film, died in 2012 at age 48. Read more
Osimhen tops Arsenal’s January wishlist (Punch)
Arsenal have joined Premier League rivals and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, with the Gunners exploring a January move for the Galatasaray loanee, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
According to transfer expert Pete O’Rourke, Arsenal are exploring a move for the Nigeria international “as they look to bolster their attacking options before the close of the transfer window.”
The 26-year-old striker, who joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September 2024 after proposed moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia collapsed, has been in scintillating form, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season. Read more
NFF perfect plans for CAF B-Licence coaching course (Leadership)
The Nigeria Football Federation has set in motion concrete plans to organize a four-month CAF B-Licence Coaching Course that is designed to enhance the capacity of Nigerian coaches and prepare them for current and future challenges. The programme is for both men and women coaches.
NFF technical director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, told thenff.com that the course is part of NFF’s strategic effort to build the capacity of coaches across the country, and will be done in modules.
To be eligible to participate in the course that will run between 7th April and 25th August 2025, a candidate must be an active coach, possess a CAF C-Licence certificate that has been put to use in the past two years, must be able to read and write in the English language, have basic computer skills and a laptop, have a valid G-mail account, and must submit a medical certificate that proves he/she is physically and mentally fit to undertake the course. Read more
Pamodzi calls for focus, support for Chelle ahead 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (CompleteSports)
Pamodzi Sports Marketing, a leader in sports marketing, sponsorship, hospitality and rights acquisition business with operations in Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to support the Super Eagles and the technical crew led by new Head Coach, Eric Chelle, ahead of the resumption of the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in March.
Chelle was appointed as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles this month, and Pamodzi believes what the Malian needs now is Nigerians’ prayers and support rather than dwelling on his suitability or capability. Read more
Alan Smith declares Nottingham Forest have officially entered Premier League title race (Metro)
Alan Smith has declared that Nottingham Forest have officially entered the Premier League title race after the latest round of top-flight games.
Forest, who were only promoted back to the top-flight in 2022, produced a 3-2 victory over Southampton on Sunday to continue their incredibly impressive 2024-25 season under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The result means Forest are third in the top-flight table after 22 matches played on 44 points, only behind second-placed Arsenal on goal difference. Read more
Jota ruled out for several weeks as Liverpool manager Arne Slot provides injury update (Independent)
Diogo Jota will be out for several weeks with a muscle problem as the striker faces a second spell on the sidelines this season.
The Portugal international, who spent seven weeks on the sidelines in autumn with a rib injury, missed Saturday’s win at Brentford and will sit out Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Lille.
Liverpool are likely to be without him for matches including their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham and the rearranged Merseyside derby at Goodison Park while they will have to wait and see if he is fit for next month’s trip to Manchester City. Read more
Bridge pulls out of KSI fight after YouTuber ‘crossed line’ (BBC)
Former England footballer Wayne Bridge has pulled out of his fight with KSI after the YouTuber “crossed the line” with remarks about his ex-girlfriend’s alleged affair with former team-mate John Terry.
The bout, which had been scheduled to take place on 29 March, was only announced two days ago.
In a statement posted on Instagram, external, Bridge said: “These are deeply personal comments that affect mine and other families involved in the situation. Read more