Author: Ogochukwu Ndubuisi

AFCON 2025: Diaz Strike Sends Morocco Into Quarter-Finals Morocco secured a narrow 1–0 victory over Tanzania in Rabat to advance to the quarter-finals of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. Brahim Diaz’s second-half goal proved decisive after a patient evening in which the hosts dominated possession but struggled to break down a disciplined Tanzanian defence. Led by captain Achraf Hakimi, Morocco controlled early proceedings, yet found few clear openings as Tanzania defended deep and closed spaces efficiently. The Atlas Lions thought they had taken the lead in the 24th minute through Ismail Saibari, but the goal was disallowed…

CBN Raises N15.2tn from Nigerian Treasury Bills Sales in 2025 The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) raised N15.2 trillion via primary market auctions conducted in 2025 as part of an effort to support government short-term borrowing and liquidity management. Out of this amount, new borrowing was N1.50 trillion, according to Meristem Securities Limited, which said that the remaining amount was used to refinance the amount of Treasury bills that matured in the same year. The amount is the lowest in three years. In 2024, the Apex Bank net inflow from Treasury bills sales was N5.85 trillion after expired bills were…

INEC Disowns Fake 2027 Election Timetable The Independent National Electoral Commission has urged the public and media to disregard a purported timetable for the 2027 General Election circulating online. INEC Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Adedayo Oketola, in a statement in Abuja, described the circulating timetable and schedule of activities as fake. Oketola said the commission was yet to release any timetable, stressing that the document circulating in some quarters did not emanate from INEC. “The commission wishes to state clearly that this information is false and misleading. “INEC has not released any timetable or schedule of activities for the…

AU Expresses Concern Over Situation in Venezuela The African Union (AU) has expressed concern over the abduction of Mr. Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan President, and military attacks on the country’s institutions. The African continental body disclosed this in a communique issued via its website: https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20260103/communique-situation-venezuela on Saturday night, against the backdrop of the situation in Venezuela. According to the communique, the AU followed with grave concern the recent developments in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, including reports of Maduro’s abduction and military attacks on Venezuelan institutions. “The AU reaffirms its steadfast commitment to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect…

Tax Reforms: Strategy, Timing, Trust Will Determine Success – CPPE Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) says the success of the ongoing tax reform will depend largely on implementation strategy, timing and public trust, rather than the strength of its legislative provisions. Dr Muda Yusuf, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CPPE, stated this in Lagos on Sunday via a statement while assessing the tax reform framework. Yusuf described the reforms as sound, progressive and among the most ambitious fiscal restructuring efforts in recent decades, but warned that good policy design does not automatically translate into positive outcomes.…

AFCON 2025: CAF Names all-Cameroonian Officials for Nigeria, Mozambique Clash The Confederation of African Football has appointed an all-Cameroonian team of match officials for Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 Round of 16 tie against Mozambique. The knockout encounter between the Super Eagles and the Mambas will be played on Monday at the Complexe Sportif de Fès in Morocco. Centre referee Abdou Abdel Mefire, 29, will take charge of the match, making him the youngest referee at the ongoing tournament. In spite of his age, Mefire has displayed maturity and composure on the continental stage. He recently officiated the high-intensity group-stage clash between…

Lucas Durojaiye Appointed MD of Sovereign Trust Insurance Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has announced the appointment of Dr Lucas Durojaiye as its new Managing Director (MD), following retirement of the immediate past MD, Mr Olaotan Soyinka. In a corporate disclosure on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd., the company said that the appointment, which takes immediate effect, had received the approval of its Board of Directors as well as the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM). According to the statement, Soyinka retired from the services of the underwriting firm in December 2025 after 27 years of meritorious service, including 10 years as Managing Director.…

How Fubara Deceived Us – Rivers PDP The Rivers chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Gov. Siminalayi Fubara has betrayed it and the Rivers people by dumping the party in the middle of its current political crisis. Dr Nname Ewor, a factional Caretaker Chairman of the party stated this during a news conference on Thursday in Port Harcourt. The face-off between Fubara and members of the State Assembly began barely a year after taken office, which later threw the state into serious political crisis. Ewor said that President Bola Tinubu intervened, adding that part of the agreement was that…

NIA Tasks Insurers on Collaboration, NIIRA Implementation in 2026 The Chairman of the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA), Mr Kunle Ahmed, has urged chief executives of insurance companies to strengthen collaboration and transparency to consolidate industry gains and deepen public trust in 2026. Ahmed made the call in his New Year message to Chief Executive Officers of NIA member companies. He said that collaboration was highly recommended to fully actualise the provisions of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA 2025), which was signed by President Bola Tinubu in 2025. He described NIIRA 2025 as a major milestone that provided a…

Fidelity Bank Names Amaka Onwughalu as New Chairman to Lead Board Fidelity Bank Plc, on Friday, announced the appointment of Mrs Amaka Onwughalu as new Chairman of its Board of Directors with effect from Jan. 1. A statement by the bank’s media unit says that the appointment follows completion of the tenure of Mr Mustafa Chike-Obi, on Dec. 31, 2025. The statement said that the board transitions aligns with the bank’s policy which has been communicated to the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Nigerian Exchange Group, and other stakeholders. “Under Chike-Obi’s leadership, Fidelity Bank repaid its Eurobond, completed the first…