Author: Abimbola Ogunnaike

The kidnapped senior Anglican cleric, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala and his and his driver have regained freedom. Okpala confirmed his freedom in a post on his Facebook page, on the morning of Thursday, 2 January, 2025. The clergyman simply wrote: “Praise the Lord!” Hundreds of reactions followed immediately, thanking God for his freedom. Thegazellenews.com recalls that Okpala, a retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, was released one month after he was abducted. Okpala he went missing on his way to Umuchu, a community in Anambra State for a burial ceremony. Details of his release are still…

The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima has declared that Nigeria will experience a robust economy in 2025, just as he also assured Nigerians that they would smile again as the economy begins to improve in the new year. Speaking in a video shared by President Bola Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, via X, Shettima said the government is collaborating with the National Assembly to address Nigeria’s challenges. “I believe we have turned a corner. Insha Allah, we shall have very robust economic activity in the new year. “The economy has started picking up, and in…

President Bola Tinubu said his administration is encouraged by the National Assembly’s support over the last 19 months and is determined to take Nigeria to the Promised Land. The President spoke Wednesday, 1 January, 2025, while receiving Vice President Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the National Assembly, and former principal officers of the National Assembly at his Oyinkan Abayomi Drive residence in Ikoyi, Lagos. The New Year homage, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, preceded a similar visit by members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). “Nigerians are the heart of everything we are doing. We have come to serve.…

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday in Lagos, 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. During a New Year homage by Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at his Ikoyi residence, the President expressed his gratitude for their support and collaboration while highlighting key areas requiring joint effort for the nation’s progress. “You are the most important link to Nigeria’s prosperity and development. The Federal Government accounts for about 30…

Tragedy occurred in the early hours of Wednesday 1 January, 2025 as an unidentified man was stabbed to death by another in the Ogwanja area of Sapele in Delta State. It was gathered the sad incident occurred in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Reports said he was killed following an altercation over rice. The deceased had reportedly had an argument with another in the area, leading to a physical fight between them. The suspect killer, whose name residents of the area have refused to disclose reportedly picked a bottle and stabbed the deceased multiple times. Source: Daily Post

Two famous Nigerian music stars- whizkid and Ayra Starr, have been ranked among the world’s top artistes of 2024 by Chart Data. The music monitoring platform released its list of top artistes of 2024 on New Year’s Eve, with Wizkid and Ayra Starr occupying the 11th and 18th positions, respectively. Another African singer, Tyla from South Africa, also made the list at number 12. In the top 10 are South Korean singer Jimin, and American songbirds Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, and rapper Kendrick Lamar. British sensation Charli XCX, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Nicki Minaj complete the…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed that his administration will reduce the prices of food and lower inflation to 15 percent from 34.60 percent as recorded in November 2024. The President, who disclosed this in his New Year’s message to Nigerians on Wednesday, 1 January, 2024, said his administration targets massive food production to lower the prices of food items nationwide and promote the local manufacturing of essential drugs and other medical supplies. Tinubu promised increased access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output. “In 2025, our government is committed to intensifying…

The Saudi Arabian Government on Wednesday, I January, 2025 executed six Iranians sentenced for drug trafficking. The Ministry of Interior in a statement, said the Iranians were put to death in Dammam, on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, for having clandestinely introduced hashish into Saudi Arabia. It was gathered that Riyadh has executed 117 people in 2024 for drug trafficking. The Saudi Arabian Government on Wednesday executed six Iranians sentenced for drug trafficking. The Ministry of Interior in a statement, said the Iranians were put to death in Dammam, on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, for having clandestinely introduced hashish into Saudi…

German police on Wednesday, 1 January, 2025 announced that no fewer than five people died across the country from accidents linked to powerful fireworks Germans traditionally set off to celebrate the new year. Germans celebrate New Year’s Eve with a particularly intense usage of fireworks, which spurs a recurrent debate about outlawing the most powerful devices, given the high number of injuries each year, as well as the pollution and noise they cause. Police Public Relations Officer, Florian Nath, said 30 law enforcement officers were injured, including one seriously wounded by an illegally manufactured fireworks. According to the police, some 400 people were…

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Elizabeth Bidei, has passed away. Bidei’s demise was announced in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai on Tuesday, 31 December, 2024. Obiyai shared heartfelt sympathy with her family, especially her husband, Jackson Bidei and their children. However, the cause of her death and the date was not announced. The statement read: “Our hearts go out to the bereaved family. Our prayers are with them during this profoundly difficult time of grief. “Our sincerest sympathies and prayers are with her loved ones at this difficult time. May they all find comfort…

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has highlighted the plans and expectations of the Commission for 2025, stressing that the Commission will not fail President Bola Tinubu and the people of the Niger Delta region. Ogbuku, who spoke during an interactive session with newsmen at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, stated that the Commission would fast-track the development of Niger Delta communities in line with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He declared: “The President has high expectations of us and we shall not disappoint him and the people of the Niger…

Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government will spend billions of naira on the purchase of computers in the coming year, details of the 2025 national budget proposals have revealed. An analysis of the Appropriation Bill by Daily Trust showed that 20 of the MDAs will purchase computers with N14, 261,940,152. President Bola Tinubu had on December 18 presented the N49.7 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. In the budget proposals, the item tagged “Purchase of Computers” appears 212 times, with over 100 MDAs proposing to buy computers. This is as analysts and civil…

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the N1.054 trillion 2025 State Appropriation Bill into law. The signing, which took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, principal officers of the House, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council. Speaking after receiving the clean copies of the Bill, Governor Abiodun announced that his administration would, in the coming month, sign the partnership agreement with potential partners for the development of the Olokola Sea Port. He said the government would also focus…

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, has signed the 2025 budget of Human Capital Development, Food Security, and the Digital Economy, estimated at N550.1billion into law. Recall the Benue State House of Assembly had earlier on Monday, 30 December , 2024, passed the 2025 appropriation bill into law, during the plenary presided by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh. During the signing, which coincided with the launching of the state’s much-anticipated 10-year development plan as well as the launch of the State Nutrition Policy, and the State Social Protection Policy, at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, Governor Alia described the event as…

West Ham striker Michail Antonio has been discharged from hospital following the horror car crash that left him with a broken leg, the Mailfootball reports. Antonio, 34, was extracted from his £260,000 Ferrari after careering off the road near Theydon Bois, Essex, on December 7 and required surgery. The crash, which occurred in Epping Forest, saw him end up in his passenger seat and he was trapped for more than 45 minutes while fire crews attempted to free him. Antonio had been driving home from the club’s Rush Green training ground ahead of their Premier League match against Wolves when he collided with a tree. Later that…

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday, 31 December, 2024 confirmed the appointments of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for the state Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and other agencies. The appointments followed the screening of the candidates by a 12-man ad-hoc committee of the House headed by the Chief Whip, Mojeed Fatai. This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House Assembly, Eromosele Ebhomele. According to him, just before the confirmation of the nominees, Fatai said the committee conducted a thorough screening of the nominees, adding that they are…

Two persons identified as Ademola Egunlae, 52, and Oluwafemi Ajayi, 65 have been arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ court presided over by Chief Magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun over an alleged attempted murder of an aide to Gov Biodun Oyebanji. The duo, whose house addresses were not provided, are being tried on charges of conspiracy, threatening violence with offensive weapons and attempting to murder one Hon. Odun Ayo Talabi Arinka. The police prosecutor, Inspector Akinwale oriyomi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on 22 December, 2024. Oriyomi informed the court that there is probable cause to order the…

By Bayo Onanuga Although the Tinubu Administration’s midterm is five months away, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can proudly reflect on his administration’s journey over the last 19 months. After initial turbulence, the government concluded 2024 stronger than 2023, as many policies began yielding significant results that even the most ardent detractors could not ignore. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, NNPC Limited has fixed two of the four state-owned oil refineries, achieving what many had cynically regarded as improbable. The administration’s efforts have led to a rise in crude oil production, with an expected inflow of more dollars into the Federation Account…

One crew member died and two others were missing when a Philippine-flagged cargo ship sank off an island in the centre of the country. Coast Guard station commander, Bryhl Amay, the cargo ship, Jerlyn Kathness, was taken down by big waves in the San Bernardino Strait off the island of Samar on Monday, 30 December, 2024 with passing vessels rescuing 11 of the 15 crew members overnight. Amay further stated that after over 25 hours in the water, another crew member managed to swim ashore to the tiny island of San Juan before dawn Tuesday, 31 December, 2024. The Coast…

Famous Nigerian disc jockey Kudirat Gbemisola, professionally known as DJ Kulet, has announced separation from her husband, Ohis Emmanuel. Their separation came eight months after their marriage. Recall that that the couple married early this year in a lavish ceremony. Speaking in a trending post on her Instagram page on Monday, the first female Fuji DJ accused Ohis of infidelity. “I’m publicly disassociating myself from my ex husband, Ohis Emmanuel (aka Benjamin) @hemmarsnoop due to his egregious & reprehensible actions. “Despite overwhelming evidence including chats, photos, videos, and voice notes of his infidelity, he has refused to change his ways.…