Wike vows to reallocate revoked lands after Jan 3 deadline (Leadership)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his commitment to reallocating all revoked lands in Maitama II District of Abuja, following the expiration of a two-week grace period for affected allottees to regularise their ownership.
The grace period, which will end on January 3, was announced on December 20, giving owners of 762 plots in Cadastral Zone A10 the opportunity to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C of Os).
Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects, including the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, and the Saburi–Dei Dei Road on Tuesday, Wike confirmed that no further extensions would be granted. Read more
2025 budget: Peter Obi questions omission of North Central Development Commission (Sun)
The 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has flayed the Federal Government for omitting the North Central Development Commission following the allocation of N2.493 trillion to five other regional development commissions in the proposed 2025 budget.
As outlined in the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill currently under review at the National Assembly, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) got N776.53 billion, North West Development Commission (NWDC) got N585.93 billion, South West Development Commission (SWDC) got N498.40 billion, South East Development Commission (SEDC) got N341.27 billion, and North East Development Commission (NEDC) got N291 billion.
Only the North Central Development Commission was omitted from the allocation. Read more
MTN, Airtel lead in number porting as other operators record low porting figures (ThisDay)
The statistics released late last year by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has revealed that MTN and Airtel maintained leading positions in the number of telecoms subscribers that willingly left their original service provider’s network to join other networks in search of better service quality.
While MTN topped the list with 3,624 subscribers that ported from other networks to join its network as at October 2024, also known as inward porting, Airtel followed with 1,747 subscribers that migrated to its network as at October 2024.
Globacom had 451 subscribers that ported to its network within the same period, and 9mobile had the least porting subscribers of 25 within the same period, bringing the total number of inward porting across all networks to 5,847 as at October 2024. Read more
el-Rufai’s ex commissioner faces probe over alleged misappropriation, money laundering (Nation)
The arrest of a former Kaduna Commissioner of Finance and Local Governments, Mohammed Bashir Sa’idu by the Police over alleged money laundering, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds has been confirmed.
A security source confirmed to The Nation a petition received by the Police accused Sa’idu of laundering N3.96 billion and misappropriating N244 million during his tenure in the Kaduna State government between 2015 and 2023.
The allegations include the sale of $45 million in state-owned foreign currency at an undervalued exchange rate of N410 per dollar instead of the parallel market rate of N498 per dollar, causing a loss of over N3.96 billion to the government. Read more
FCT: Police secure 128 convictions, arraign 388 suspects in 2024 (Tribune)
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of Nigeria Police Force has come out to say it has secured the conviction of 128 suspects, while arraigning 388 suspects over various criminal offences in the in the nation’s capital, Abuja in 2024
The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
In a breakdown, said that 38 suspects were arraigned over kidnapping with 21 convictions. Out of 16 “one-chance” robbery cases, 11 convictions were secured. Read more
Tinubu has mandated History for primary, secondary students — Minister (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has approved reintroducing History as a mandatory subject for primary and secondary school students, effective 2025.
Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known on Channels Television’s 2024 Year-End Review on December 31, 2024.
History was reportedly removed from Nigeria’s basic school curriculum in 2007, attracting criticisms for years. Read more
I’ve no disagreement with govs on local govt autonomy – Tinubu (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said that the rumours of disagreement between him and the governors over local government autonomy were false.
The president also emphasised the critical role of state governors in driving Nigeria’s development and prosperity, saying their leadership at the subnational level is central to achieving food security, economic prosperity, and rapid national growth.
Speaking during a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos, President Tinubu expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress. Read more
Enugu gov pardons 8 inmates on parole (Punch)
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted various forms of prerogative of mercy to eight inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in the state.
A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s media aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu, said the decision was communicated to the Comptroller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Mr. Nicholas Obiako, in a letter dated December 31, 2024, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Victor Udeh.
The statement partly read, “His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State in the exercise of his power (Prerogative of Mercy) under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and in consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Enugu State, has granted various forms of Prerogative of Mercy as presented below to the following convicts (of State offences) in the Correctional Centres in Enugu State,” the letter reads in part. Read more
Georgia judge shoots himself dead in his own courtroom on final day in office (Independent)
A Georgia state judge has died by suicide after shooting himself in his own courtroom.
Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was found dead by a deputy on Tuesday, his last day on the bench, after he lost a bid for re-election, according to WSAV.
Yekel was found inside the Effingham County State Courthouse around 10 a.m. Tuesday. But investigators believe he died sometime late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Read more
Kenya: Ruto admits security abuses amid kidnapping outrage (AfricaNews)
President William Ruto has for the first time publicly acknowledged the abuse of power by Kenya’s security forces, following a wave of controversial kidnappings that have sparked widespread protests.
In a statement during his New Year’s address on Tuesday, Ruto admitted that there had been “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions” by security personnel but did not provide specifics.
His comments come after youth-led demonstrations over alleged abductions by security forces, particularly after the violent repression of protests in June and July. These protests, aimed at addressing growing concerns over disappearances, were met with heavy force, including tear gas and mass detentions. Read more
Russia warns of severe environmental damage as oil from damaged tankers washes up on beaches (ABC)
Russian officials warned of severe environmental damage Wednesday as thousands of people came out to clean up tons of fuel oil that spilled out of two storm-stricken tankers more than two weeks ago in the Kerch Strait, near Moscow-occupied Crimea.
More than 10,000 people, largely volunteers, raced to rescue wildlife and remove tons of sand saturated with mazut, a heavy, low-quality oil product, according to Russian news reports.
Authorities in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region last week announced a region-wide emergency, as the fuel oil continued washing up on the coastline 10 days after one tanker ran aground and the other was left damaged and adrift on Dec. 15. Read more
Fireworks kill 5, hundreds arrested during New Year’s celebrations in Germany (UPI)
A largely peaceful New Year’s Eve turned chaotic as fireworks killed five in several incidents across Germany, where hundreds also were arrested for rioting in Berlin and other cities.
Two died in Saxony after suffering fireworks injuries, and a 24-year-old died in North Rhine-Westphalia when a firecracker exploded, DPA International reported.
A 45-year-old in Oschatz and a 50-year-old suffered a fatal injury in Hartha, which is near Chemnitz, while both men handled fireworks in separate deadly incidents, according to Euronews. Read more
Montenegro bar shooting horror as gunman opens fire and kills at least 4 after brawl (Mirror)
An armed man shot and killed at least four people and wounded four others on Wednesday in the western Montenegrin city of Cetinje, police and local media said, and the gunman is still on the run.
A gunman killed at least four people with another four injured in a horrifying attack in the western Montenegrin city of Cetinje.
The shooter remains on the loose, with special forces dispatched to hunt him down in Cetinje, located roughly18 miles northwest of the capital, Podgorica. Read more
At least 10 dead as a truck rams a New Year’s crowd in New Orleans (AlJazeera)
A deadly car-ramming attack in New Orleans has brought chaos and mourning to the New Year’s Day celebrations in the Louisiana city, with authorities investigating the incident as an act of “terrorism”.
At least 10 people were killed when a Ford pickup truck slammed into the early-morning crowds on Bourbon Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, one of the United States city’s most touristed areas.
A further 35 people were injured in the Wednesday attack, which officials quickly ruled was not an accident. Read more
Police identify woman set on fire in deadly New York City attack (BBC)
Police in New York City have named a woman who was set on fire and burned to death last week on a subway train in Brooklyn.
Debrina Kawam, 57, of New Jersey, has been identified as the victim of the seemingly random 22 December attack that burned her body beyond recognition.
Sebastian Zapeta, 33, is accused of starting the blaze with a lighter while Ms Kawam was asleep. He allegedly fanned the flames with a shirt and then watched the fire grow from a bench outside the subway car. Read more
Anthony Joshua presents autographed glove to Tinubu (DailyTrust)
Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua visited President Bola Tinubu at his residence in Lagos on Wednesday.
This was disclosed by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, in a post via X.
During the courtesy call, the two-time world heavyweight boxing champion presented President Tinubu with an autographed boxing glove as a gesture of respect. Read more
Ilechukwu hints on early preparation for CHAN 2024 (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu says the team will commence preparation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in the coming days.
Nigeria defeated eternal rivals, Ghana 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for the biennial competition.
The home-Eagles will be making a return to the competition after a six-year absence. Read more
Mikel Arteta’s 8-man transfer wishlist revealed after January window opens (Metro)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has eight players on a transfer wishlist including Nico Williams and Leroy Sane, according to reports.
Arteta is keen to prioritise a new wide attacker in the January window after Bukayo Saka suffered a hamstring injury, the Daily Mail have reported.
Athletic Bilbao winger Williams, 22, is currently Arteta’s No.1 choice with a deal thought to be within Arsenal’s budget due to his £48m release clause. Read more
Katie Boulter guides Great Britain to United Cup quarter-finals; Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios defeated in Brisbane doubles (SkySports)
Great Britain will face Poland in the quarter-finals of the United Cup on Thursday despite losing their final group match 2-1 to hosts Australia.
Boulter will face No 2 Iga Swiatek from 8.30am UK after Billy Harris plays Hubert Hurkacz from 6.30am, with both matches live on Sky Sports.
After their win over Argentina in the team competition on Monday, Britain knew one straight-sets success from three rubbers in Sydney would be enough to see them top the group. Read more
Arsenal go 2nd with comeback win at Brentford (BBC)
Arsenal came from behind to beat Brentford in the first Premier League fixture of 2025 and boost their title hopes.
Bryan Mbeumo put the hosts ahead, but Gabriel Jesus equalised with his sixth goal in four games.
Quickfire strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Martinelli then ensured Arsenal left west London with all three points. Read more
Chelsea-linked Liam Delap responds to transfer rumours after famous Ipswich win (SportsMole)
Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap has responded to rumours linking him with a move to Chelsea after the Tractor Boys’ famous 2-0 win over the Blues in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old stole the spotlight when Chelsea paid a visit to Portman Road on Monday evening, firing home a pinpoint penalty before setting up Omari Hutchinson to finish the job.Delap has now recorded seven goals and two assists in 18 top-flight matches for Kieran McKenna’s side, whose beating of Chelsea was their first Premier League home win of the campaign. Read more
