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Super Eagles Motivated As Osimhen Arrives AFCON camp In Cairo

By
Victor Alade
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Super Eagles Motivated As Osimhen Arrives AFCON camp In Cairo

The Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo became a full house on Wednesday night with the arrival of Victor Osimhen, as Nigeria stepped up preparations for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Osimhen arrived at about 9:45 p.m. Nigerian time (10:45 p.m. local time), completing the list of 28 invited players for the continental showpiece scheduled from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18, 2026.

Promise Efoghe, Super Eagles Media Officer, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), describing the striker’s arrival as a major morale booster for the team.

“Victor Osimhen joined the camp late Wednesday night, and that means that we now have all invited players in camp,” Efoghe said.

“It is a big lift for the squad because everyone is now focused on the same objective as final preparations begin in earnest.”

NAN reports that the Super Eagles opened camp on Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Renaissance Hotels in Cairo, Egypt, with all coaches and backroom staff present.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was the first player to arrive, touching down shortly after 2 a.m. local time on Sunday and setting the tone for early commitment ahead of the tournament.

The team has since held two training sessions, with the first on Monday and a second on Tuesday, before facing Egypt in a tune-up international friendly at the Cairo International Stadium.

Osimhen, as well as wingers Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze, were conspicuously missing from the friendly encounter as they concluded club commitments ahead of the tournament.

Nigeria lost the encounter 2-1 to the hosts, but Efoghe said the result would not distract the players from the bigger picture.

“The friendly against Egypt was purely for assessment and fine-tuning,” he said.

“The coaches were more interested in combinations, fitness levels and tactical understanding than the scoreline.”

Reacting to the friendly loss, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and striker Paul Onuachu expressed confidence that the team would be sharper when it matters.

Awaziem said the match exposed areas that needed attention, while Onuachu noted that the intensity would help the players adjust quickly ahead of the AFCON opener.

“These games will help us to correct mistakes early,” Awaziem was quoted as saying.

“It is better to learn now than during the tournament.”

Onuachu added that the squad remained united and motivated in spite of the defeat.

“We are not discouraged,” he said.

“The focus is on improving every day and being ready for our first group game.”

NAN reports that Wednesday’s programme included a gym session at 11 a.m. and an evening training session by 5 p.m., as preparations intensified.

The Super Eagles will depart Cairo on Thursday for Fés, where they will play their Group C matches against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda, while Egypt move to Agadir for their Group B fixtures.

Efoghe said the mood in camp remained positive, stressing that the players were fully aware of expectations back home.

“There is a strong sense of responsibility in camp,” he said.

“The players know what Nigerians expect, and they are determined to give their best in Morocco.”

The 2025 AFCON will be hosted across several cities in Morocco, with Nigeria aiming to improve on their recent continental performances and challenge strongly for the title.

The following is the full list of the 28 Super Eagles players invited for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, arranged strictly in the order in which they arrived at camp:

Francis Uzoho

Stanley Nwabali

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Akinsanmiro Ebenezer

Amas Obasogie

Semi Ajayi

Ademola Lookman

Bright Osayi-Samuel

Igho Ogbu

Tochukwu Nnadi

Zaidu Sanusi

Paul Onuachu

Frank Onyeka

Calvin Bassey

Alex Iwobi

Wilfred Ndidi

Bruno Onyemaechi

Cyril Dessers

Akor Adams

Chidera Ejuke

Raphael Onyedika

Ryan Alebiosu

Salim Fago

Chidozie Awaziem

Usman Mohammed

Samuel Chukwueze

Moses Simon

Victor Osimhen

All 28 players are now in camp as the Super Eagles intensify preparations ahead of their Group C matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“Tinubu Removed Fuel Subsidy Without Understanding Govt Workings”  - Dalung

By
Victor Alade
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0
"Tinubu Removed Fuel Subsidy Without Understanding Govt Workings"  - Dalung

Former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, saying the move was taken without consultation and adequate understanding of government processes.

Dalung made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, where he faulted the administration’s justification for the policy, describing it as a reflection of “poverty of ideas and knowledge.”

“The admission that subsidy removal was the only option is a demonstration of poverty of ideas and knowledge because in life, there are too many alternatives. For them to single out this issue defines the vested interest in the withdrawal of fuel subsidy,” Dalung said.

He argued that fuel subsidy removal was not necessary at the time it was announced, insisting that the real challenge was not the subsidy itself but how it was managed.

“I don’t see it as something that was necessary at that point in time. If we know as a fact that the subsidy regime has been investigated by the National Assembly, the fraud had been established, companies were indicted, meaning that the problem is not even the withdrawal of subsidy but the subsidy management itself,” he said.

The ex-minister accused the Federal Government of failing to hold those responsible for years of alleged fraud in the subsidy system accountable, adding that the President’s decision to announce the policy instead of going after subsidy fraudsters was an endorsement of fraud.

“This government is not interested in holding those who have defrauded this country for many years but chose to make a sweeping statement, ‘subsidy has been withdrawn’. For me, it is an endorsement of fraud,” he maintained.

While acknowledging that the policy has already been implemented, Dalung maintained that the manner in which it was carried out revealed a lack of understanding of governance structures.

“Granted, it has been done, but it was done in a manner that demonstrated again that the President, as at that time, did not even understand the working of the government and the complex nature of the country called Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the decision was taken without the benefit of consultations and institutional input, as the government had not been fully constituted.

“He needed consultation. As at that time he made the statement, there was no government. It was only the President and the Vice President that had been sworn in, and that wasn’t government,” Dalung said.

“A government means a cabinet, advisers, and policy makers taking a decision like that,” he added.

JAMB Set To Accredit CBT Centres Nationwide

By
Victor Alade
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JAMB Set To Accredit CBT Centres Nationwide

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced plans to accredit a total of 1,039 Computer-Based Test centres nationwide for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.

The JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is’haq Oloyede, disclosed this to The PUNCH on Wednesday in Ilorin during an accreditation tour of CBT centres.

Oloyede said 52 examination teams had been deployed across the country to re-accredit centres or disqualify those that failed to meet the board’s standards.

He explained that the annual accreditation exercise was necessary to ensure compliance with laid-down requirements, stressing that past approval did not guarantee continued eligibility.

“The fact that you qualified last year does not mean you qualify this year,” Oloyede said.

The registrar described the exercise as “so far so good,” adding that only a few previously implicated centres had attempted to resurface.

“Some centres that were implicated in examination malpractice last year, not in Kwara State though, have repackaged themselves this year, moving from one centre to another,” he said.

Oloyede said JAMB had strengthened its collaboration with the Corporate Affairs Commission to prevent operators of blacklisted centres from re-entering the system.

“We have liaised with the CAC so that once you are a director of a failed CBT centre, you cannot resurrect anywhere in the country. We now have access to directors’ details, including their NIN, to prevent abuse,” he said.

He added that staff and proctors previously implicated in malpractice had also been barred from participating in future examinations.

“All individuals involved have their NINs flagged. If they move elsewhere, they will destroy that centre because we will not approve it,” Oloyede said.

The registrar further disclosed that computers used in delisted centres had also been permanently barred from the JAMB system.

“Once a computer set is found belonging to a centre we have delisted, it can never come back to our system, even if sold to another CBT centre,” he said.

According to him, JAMB had detected a few breaches and had invited security agencies to investigate, noting that such actions were not only infractions against the board but also violations of Nigerian law.

Tinubu Meets Niger Delta Leaders, Reaffirms Commitment To Curb Terrorism, Banditry

By
Victor Alade
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0
Tinubu Meets Niger Delta Leaders, Reaffirms Commitment To Curb Terrorism, Banditry

President Bola Tinubu has vowed that his administration will defeat banditry and terrorism, assuring all that security forces are “fighting very hard” to restore peace and stability across the country.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he received leaders of the Ogbia community of Bayelsa State, pledging that his government would sustain the push against violent groups while also expanding development interventions in the Niger Delta.

The President’s latest pledge came as communities in parts of the North-West, North-East and North-Central continue to battle insurgency, banditry, kidnappings and attacks on rural settlements, with the Federal Government repeatedly insisting that security operations have recorded gains through arrests and the disruption of criminal networks.

Tinubu told the Bayelsa delegation that the country’s security challenges were numerous but stressed that the government was not relenting, as troops intensify operations against terrorists and bandits.

Malami Slams EFCC Over Residence, Offices Raid

By
Victor Alade
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0
Malami Slams EFCC Over Residence, Offices Raid

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have raided the offices and private residences of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), in Abuja and Kebbi State.

The raids were confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by Malami’s media aide, Mohammed Doka.

According to Doka, the raid came shortly after Malami’s office publicly referenced Chapter 9 of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report.

Doka claimed that the raid was for the purpose of seizing Chapter 9 of the report.

He accused the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, of bias and demanded his recusal from matters relating to him.

He described the timing and scope of the raids as troubling, raising questions about the motive, legality and intent behind the action.

The Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established by the Federal Government in 2021 to investigate allegations of corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of recovered assets within the EFCC, particularly during the tenure of former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

FG Imposes Ban Wood Export, Revokes Licences

By
Victor Alade
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0
FG Imposes Ban Wood Export, Revokes Licences

The Federal Government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licences and permits.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.

Lawal said the directive, outlined in the Presidential Executive Order titled “Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025,” became necessary to curb illegal logging and deforestation across the country.

“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the minister said.

He warned that the continued exportation of wood threatens these benefits and the long-term health of the environment.

The order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025, relies on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.

Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries are expected to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.

105% of Govt Revenue Spent On Salaries, Debt Service

By
Victor Alade
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0
105% of Govt Revenue Spent On Salaries, Debt Service

Debt service and personnel costs have swallowed more than the Federal Government’s total revenue for the first seven months of 2025, even as receipts fell sharply below target and capital projects suffered deep cuts.

An analysis of the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, released on Wednesday on the website of the Budget Office of the Federation, showed that between January and July, the Federal Government earned N13.67tn as aggregate revenue, compared with a pro rata target of N23.85tn.

That left a revenue gap of N10.19tn, representing a shortfall of about 42.7 per cent. This shortfall occurred amid earlier claims by President Bola Tinubu in September when he said that Nigeria had met its revenue target for 2025 ahead of schedule and would no longer rely on borrowing to fund its budget.

Addressing stakeholders of The Buhari Organisation who visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu said his administration’s non-oil revenue drive had yielded enough to meet this year’s projections by August, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on external loans

Makinde Dismisses Defection Rumour To APC, Reaffirm Loyalty To PDP

By
Victor Alade
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0
Makinde Dismisses Defection Rumour To APC, Reaffirm Loyalty To PDP

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has dismissed speculation that he plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress, insisting that he remains in the Peoples Democratic Party despite the opposition party’s ongoing leadership challenges.

Makinde spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of a book titled ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’, written by a former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Addressing an audience made up of political leaders and other dignitaries from across party lines, the Oyo governor said he was not prepared to follow any PDP governors who have defected to the ruling party.

“I am here for this book launch. I am not an APC member and I am not about to port to the APC,” Makinde said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s development would only be achieved through sincere collaboration among leaders, regardless of political affiliation, noting that partisan rivalry should not override the collective national interest.

The governor blamed the country’s growing divisions on the ambitions of political elites, arguing that such divisions do not reflect the wishes of ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, most citizens desire unity and peaceful coexistence, but these aspirations are often exploited along religious, ethnic and regional lines for personal and political advantage.

FG Confirms Nigeria’s Aircraft, Soldiers’ Release

By
Victor Alade
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0
FG Confirms Nigeria's Aircraft, Soldiers' Release

The Federal Government has confirmed the release of the Nigerian Air Force aircraft and 11 soldiers detained in Burkina Faso after a forced landing.

Confirming the development on Wednesday night, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the aircraft and personnel had been released.

He said, “Yes, they have been released.”

The confirmation came after the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday met Burkina Faso junta leader, Mr Ibrahim Traoré, in Ouagadougou.

Tuggar, who led a Nigerian delegation, said during a press briefing that the visit was at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.

The incident occurred nearly two weeks ago when a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft, with 11 soldiers on board, made a forced landing in Bobo Dioulasso while on a ferry mission to Portugal.

Director of Public Relations of the Nigerian Air Force, Mr Ehimen Ejodame, had explained that the crew observed a technical issue and carried out a precautionary landing at the nearest airfield, in line with international aviation protocols.

However, Mali junta leader, Mr Assimi Goita, speaking on behalf of the Confederation of Sahel States, had described the landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law,” warning that member states were authorised to neutralise aircraft violating their airspace.

IGP, NPF Barred From Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy Nationwide

By
Victor Alade
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0
IGP, NPF Barred From Enforcing Tinted Glass Permit Policy Nationwide

A Delta State High Court sitting in Orerokpe, yesterday, issued an ex-parte injunction stopping and barring the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, respondents in the matter from resuming the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy nationwide.

The court also barred the police from harassing, arresting, detaining or extorting citizens and motorists on account of the said policy.

The court also restrained the IPG and NPF, their officers, men, agents, privies and/or contractors from continuing to use the Parkway Projects Account (a private contractor’s account) to conduct any government business, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application in this suit.

The order will subsist pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

Trial judge, Justice Joe Egwu, made the orders in an ex-parte application brought by a Nigerian, Mr. Israel Joe in suit HOR/FHR/M.3/2025.

The plaintiff was represented by Mr. Kunle Edun, SAN and many other lawyers.

By this order, the announcement made by the Nigeria Police on its decision to resume the tinted glass permit enforcement on January 2, 2026, has been halted by the court.

The judge said: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd respondents, their officers, men, agents, privies and/or contractors from implementing, enforcing or further implementing/enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy scheduled to commence on January 2, 2026, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application in this suit.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd respondents, their officers, men, agents, privies and/or contractors from stopping, harassing, arresting, detaining or extorting citizens/motorists under the guise of enforcing the Tinted Glass Permit Policy, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application in this suit.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st and 2nd respondents, their officers, men, agents, privies and/or contractors from continuing to use the Parkway Projects Account (a private contractor’s account) to conduct any government business, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive application in this suit.

“An order for substituted service on the 1st and 2nd respondents through the 3rd respondent at the Delta State Police Command Headquarters, Asaba, and for such service to be deemed good and proper service.”

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