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 Africa Cup of Nations commercial revenue up by 90%, says CAF The Confederation of African Football said it has had a 90% increase in commercial revenue for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, calling it “the most successful commercial story in the history of African football” but without providing any figures. CAF said on Friday this was because of the increase in commercial partners and media rights distribution and venturing into new markets, most notably in Asia. “The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio, with the number of commercial partners increasing from nine during the 2021 tournament to 17 at the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a statement from African football’s controlling body said. “For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors. “This expansion reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the Afcon has been an excellent retur...

 At least seven killed in Ugandan post-election violence, police say At least seven people were killed and three injured in clashes between police and opposition supporters in central Uganda overnight following national elections, a local police spokesperson told Reuters on Friday.

 AFCON 2025 sets new record as highest-scoring edition ever ahead of final The CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has set a new scoring record, becoming the highest-scoring edition in the tournament’s history with 120 goals netted ahead of Sunday’s final. The tally surpasses the previous mark of 102 goals recorded at the 2019 tournament in Egypt, highlighting the attacking intent, technical quality and growing confidence of teams across the continent. Africa’s traditional powerhouses have been at the forefront of the scoring surge. Senegal, Nigeria, hosts Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have all demonstrated attacking depth, while emerging talents have matched established stars in both influence and impact. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz leads the scoring charts with five goals, making him one of the standout performers of the tournament. He is followed closely by Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who have scored four goals each. With both players set to feature in the third...

 Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno Receives 2026 African Peace Prize He was awarded the prize for his peaceful management of the political transition and for providing humanitarian refuge to Sudanese refugees. The distinction was granted by the African Conference on Peace, following a unanimous decision by its Committee, which met in Geneva, Sputnik reported. The jury commended his ability to steer a political transition without resorting to violence, his commitment to dialogue, institutional stability, and Chad’s solidarity in responding to the Sudanese crisis. The official award ceremony is scheduled for early February in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The African Peace Prize is awarded annually to an African leader committed to continental stability. Previous recipients include Mohamed Bazoum of Niger, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Adama Barrow of The Gambia, and Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire.

 Anthony Joshua shares training footage weeks after friends’ tragic deaths in Nigeria Anthony Joshua posted a video on Snapchat showing himself back in training, focusing on rebuilding physically and mentally. The update comes weeks after the burial of his friends who died in a tragic accident in Nigeria. More photos below. 

Lagos public school building collapses in Ikorodu  Residents of the Odo-Kekere Community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, on Thursday evening, were thrown into panic following the sudden partial collapse of a structure in a local public school in the area. Residents of the area say a section of the school building gave way on Thursday afternoon, January 15. First responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA, raced to the scene promptly and cordoned off the area for safety purposes. The remote cause of incident and extent of damage were being investigated, while preliminary reports confirmed that students were not in the classrooms at the time of the collapse. Watch video below. 

Ghanaian media personality arrested for assaulting woman in viral video The Ghana Police Service, through the Criminal Investigation Department, has arrested a media personality captured in a viral video physically assulting a woman. The suspect, Christford Affadu Danful, also known as Ekow Black, was arrested on Thursday, 15th January 2026, through an intelligence-led operation by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Cyber Vetting Team, following the circulation of the video on social media. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect and the woman, who previously lived together, had a history of disagreements that reportedly escalated into verbal confrontations and physical assaults. Suspect Danful is currently in lawful custody and is expected to be put before the court  to face charges in accordance with the law. The Ghana Police Service reassures the public of its commitment to protecting lives, upholding the law, and ensuring that acts of violence are dealt with...

 FMINO PRESS RELEASE   Tinubu Laying Foundations for Long-term Growth, Shared Prosperity – Information Minister   President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is laying strong foundations of long-term growth and shared prosperity, the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said, when he received members of the Grassroots Advocacy for Tinubu (GAT) 2027 on a courtesy visit in Abuja, yesterday.   The Minister stated that the administration has taken bold and sometimes difficult decisions to place Nigeria on a more sustainable path, emphasising that early signs of recovery are becoming evident across key sectors of the economy. “These steps were taken to stabilise the economy and restore confidence,” the Minister said. “What we are seeing today is the foundations of long-term growth and shared prosperity.”   As a result, Nigeria’s improving economic outlook must be protected through unity, responsible communication, and collective support fo...

 STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE LATE IMAM ABUBAKAR WAS A COURAGEOUS SERVANT OF GOD: PRESIDENT TINUBU President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow at the passing of Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, the Chief Imam of Nghar village in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, who passed away at 92. The late Imam Abubakar shot into national and international prominence for hiding over 200 Christians in 2018, during the communal strife which ravaged Plateau State. President Tinubu described the late Imam as an extraordinary religious leader, whose lifetime represented a striking testament to faith, courage and a staunch belief in the sacredness of human life. "At such a time when tribal and religious tendencies seemed to overwhelm reason, Imam Abubakar stood firmly on the side of peace, benevolence and conscience," President Tinubu remarked. "Mindless of the enormous risk to his own life, the noble cleric chose humanity over division, love as opposed to hatred and embrace...

 Julio Iglesias rejects sexual abuse claims, calling allegations 'absolutely untrue'    Grammy-winning singer Julio Iglesias on Friday forcefully denied allegations that he sexually assaulted two former employees, calling the claims “absolutely untrue” and expressing deep distress over the accusations. Reports published earlier in the week alleged that Iglesias sexually and physically abused two women who worked at his residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas between January and October 2021. Shortly after the reports surfaced, Spanish prosecutors confirmed they were reviewing the allegations to determine whether further legal action is warranted. In a statement shared on social media, Iglesias said he had never abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman and described the allegations as false and deeply painful. He said the accusations had caused him great sadness and described them as an attack on his dignity, adding that he remained confident the truth would...

 John Mellencamp says daughter Teddi is 'suffering' amid stage 4 cancer fight  John Mellencamp revealed that his daughter, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, is “suffering” while battling stage 4 cancer. He shared the update during an appearance on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast on Wednesday, Jan. 14, describing his 44-year-old daughter and former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star as “really sick.” “She’s got cancer in the brain, and she’s suffering right now,” Mellencamp said. Teddi was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer, in 2022. Last year, she revealed that the cancer had spread to her lungs and brain. Despite her father’s update, Teddi has continued to provide updates about her condition and treatment on social media, including her “Two T’s in a Pod” podcast. In an October 2025 episode, she noted that there was “no detectable cancer,” though she remained on immunotherapy for another year. She has also shared personal insights from her journey, encouraging oth...

 Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy resigns, signaling new direction for Star Wars franchise Kathleen Kennedy is stepping down as president of Lucasfilm, ushering in a major leadership shift for the Star Wars franchise. She will remain involved as a producer on several projects, including upcoming films and series such as The Mandalorian and content featuring Grogu. The company will now be led by a dual leadership team, with Dave Filoni taking over creative responsibilities as President and Chief Creative Officer, and Lynwen Brennan handling business operations as Co-President. The move marks a fresh chapter for Star Wars and a significant change for fans of the beloved sci-fi universe. Kennedy became Lucasfilm’s president in 2012 after Disney acquired the company, following a successful producing career that included hits like E.T. and Jurassic Park. At the time, Star Wars had been largely dormant on the big screen since the end of the prequel trilogy in 2005, with The Clone War...

 2027: Defeating Tinubu requires ‘red eye’ not court action — Datti Baba Ahmed A former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, says to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections requires red eye and not court action. Baba-Ahmed said this in a video shared by an X user, @Dejii, criticising Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems. He also alleged that the Constitution was breached during the 2023 presidential election. “I told Peter Obi, the Supreme Court cannot give you governor and give you presidency. For God’s sake, stand up and do something. The Nigerian Constitution was clearly breached,” he said. The Kaduna-born politician equally drew parallels with the June 12 struggle, stating that political actors in the past aggressively defended their interests and mobilised Nigerians over long periods to challenge perceived injustice. Baba-Ahmed, while expressing displeasure over what he described as constitutional abuse, acknowledged that th...

 PRESS RELEASE  Troops of Operation HADIN KAI Foil Coordinated Terrorist Attacks, Neutralise Scores in Follow-Up Operations Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have once again demonstrated resilience, professionalism and superior combat capability by decisively foiling coordinated terrorist attacks across parts of Adamawa and Borno States, while inflicting heavy losses on fleeing terrorists during follow-up operations. In the early hours of 16 January 2026, terrorists attempted to overrun a patrol base at Sabon Gari in Madagali LGA of Adamawa State under Sector 4 OPHK. Alert troops swiftly engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. The terrorists were successfully repelled without any casualty to own troops and equipment, forcing them to abandon the attack. The general area was subsequently cleared and scanned for Improvised Explosive Devices and booby traps to ensure civilian and troop safety. In a related developmen...

 Kentucky man arrested after impersonating an officer so he could steal donuts from a gas station. An employee at Thornton's Convenience store in Louisville, Kentucky called police after a bizarre incident last week. According to the employee, a man entered the store and poured himself a cup of coffee before grabbing some donuts.  The man then flashed a silver badge at the employee as he exited the business. In effect, indicating that he did not need to pay for the items due to working in law enforcement. Authorities were able to identify the man as James Sullivan. They report this is not the first time Sullivan has attempted to pull of this low stakes heist.  James Sullivan was arrested on charges of impersonating an officer and theft. James reportedly really enjoys free donuts, a lot. He looks like he's thinking about donuts in his mugshot.

 A Kentucky mother of three lost her life in a head-on collision after an 81-year-old driver crossed the center lane. 35-year-old Brandy Nash was on her way to visit her mother on the morning of Wednesday, January 14th. With her husband driving and two of her 3 children in tow, the family were making their way down Taft Highway near Dry Ridge, Kentucky, when the tragedy struck.  At approximately 11 a.m., a car being driven by an unidentified 81-year-old woman crossed the center line.  The ensuing crash was catastrophic.  Brandy Nash was in the passenger seat of the family's vehicle. She was pronounced deceased on the scene.   The 81-year-old woman was also pronounced deceased on scene.  Brandy's husband was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital with non-life threatening  injuries. Both children were also rushed to the hospital.  One child suffered significant injuries and was forced to undergo surgery. The second child was treated for minor injurie...

 LSWMO RE-SEALS PROPERTIES AT ADENIJI ADELE, LAGOS ISLAND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCE AND BREAKING OF GOVERNMENT SEAL The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO) in a joint operation with KAI, on Thursday, 15th January 2026, re-sealed off two (2) properties at No. 34 & 38 Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island, following unabated discharge of untreated wastewater and raw sewage into the environment and causing persistent offensive odour from a dilapidated chambers and overflowing septic tank and also for breaking of government seal. LSWMO urges residents to sustainably manage their wastewater and maintain good hygiene to protect community health as violators will attract sanctions and possible prosecution. For reports on environmental infractions, the Agency can be reached via its official lines: 08022022397, 07025332163, or through its social media platforms @lswmomedia on Instagram and Twitter, and The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office on Facebook.

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE The Editors VIRAL VIDEO: Police Traced Violated Victim; One Suspect Arrested in Connection with Inhuman Act The attention of the Bauchi State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video circulating online, depicting the confinement and inhuman violation of an adult female by an unrecognized persons in Bauchi State. The Command has arrested the host suspect. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the prime suspects. Further developments will be made available to the public. CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu psc (+), mni condemned the barbaric act and warned the fleeing suspects to surrender themselves as the Police will definitely hunt and bring them to book. SP Nafiu Habib, ANIPR, FFIS Police Public Relations Officer FOR: THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 16th January 2026.

 Anambra state government introduces robotics, CCTV installation, Agriculture and processing among other entrepreneurs as subject in the junior secondary School curriculum. The Anambra State Government has introduced 15 entrepreneurial subjects into the curriculum of Junior Secondary Schools across the state as part of efforts to equip students with practical skills and foster an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age. The newly introduced subjects include Solar Installation, Garment Making, GSM Repairs, Agriculture and Processing, Plumbing, Tiling, POP Installation, Event Management, Bakery, Hairstyling, Make-up, Interior Design, CCTV and Intercom Installation, Digital Literacy, IT, and Robotics, among others. The formal introduction of the subjects took place this Friday at Igwebuike Grammar School, Awka.  Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Post-Primary Schools Service Commission, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, explained that the initiative is designed to move students b...

 Alleged ₦110.4bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Narrates How Kogi State Internal Revenue Service Paid Over ₦1bn as Commission to Philip Kumar   The trial of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, continued on Friday, January 16, 2026, before Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT,  High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with a prosecution witness narrating how the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service,  KIRS,  allegedly paid over ₦1.16 billion as “commission” into a Sterling Bank account belonging to one Philip Kumar within eight months in 2019.   The witness, Prosecution Witness 9 (PW9), David Ajoma, a compliance officer with Sterling Bank, told the court that the payments, which spanned from January to August 2019, were followed by consistent and heavy cash withdrawals, a pattern he described as unusual based on banking standards.   Bello is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on a 16-count charge bordering on c...

 Alleged N1.3bn Fraud:  Supreme Court Orders Sule Lamido, Sons to Resume Trial  The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday,  January 16,  2026,   ordered a  former Jigawa State  Governor, Sule Lamido, his two sons,  Mustapha and Aminu and others, to enter their defences at the Federal High Court, Abuja  over  alleged N1.35billion fraud. A five-member panel of the apex court issued the directive in two unanimous judgments delivered on Friday in the two appeals filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,  EFCC. The EFCC’s appeals were against the July 25, 2023 judgments by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the no-case submission made by Lamido and others and struck out the 43-count amended charges  on which they were being prosecuted.  The appellate court held that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case. Count One reads: “ That you Alhaji Sule Lamido( while being th...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND     PRESS RELEASE BREACH OF PUBLIC PEACE: DPO Saves Situation with Own Money The Editors, Today, Friday 16th January, 2026, at about 0845hrs, information at the Command's disposal from the Chairman NUJ, Bauchi State Chapter disclosed a road blockage by truck drivers around the Miri area on the Bauchi-Jos road. Upon receipt of the report, a team of detectives led by CSP Holman Simon, DPO 'B' Division, in collaboration with CSP Abdulrazak Padah, Officer in Charge of Operation Restore Peace (ORP), swiftly swung into action, visited the scene, and took diplomatic and professional action. A preliminary investigation explained that a truck driver was coming from Jos heading to Bauchi when a revenue agent of the Federal Government Haulage stopped him and demanded for the stipulated revenue. The truck driver did not stop at the moment, and the revenue collectors decided to insert a blocking tool in front of the truck. The driver matched it and one of ...

 LAGOS TASKFORCE CLARIFIES OKADA ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES; REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SAFETY, INTEGRITY, RULE OF LAW The Lagos State Taskforce has observed with concern a series of misleading and unsubstantiated narratives purported by one Sheriffdeen Omo Eko on social media regarding its enforcement activities, particularly allegations of extortion, illegal sale of seized motorcycles, use of unauthorized persons, abuse of force, and compromise of leadership integrity. While the Agency respects the right of citizens to express concerns, it is necessary to place facts on record in the interest of public clarity and safety. Commercial motorcycles are apprehended only after due process through the Mobile Court for violations of the Lagos State Road Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, especially for plying routes expressly prohibited by the Lagos State Government. These actions are judicially backed and not arbitrary. Upon confiscation, seized motorcycles are transferred to the Ministry of...

 PRESS RELEASE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE SALUTES RETIRED CP LAWRENCE EKO ALOBI AT 76 The Nigeria Police Force felicitates with Commissioner of Police, CP Lawrence Eko Alobi, Esq, MON, fdc, (Rtd), a distinguished police officer, legal practitioner, and security consultant, as he marks his 76th birthday, celebrating a life devoted to public service, proficiency, and national security. CP Lawrence Eko Alobi occupies a respected place in the annals of the Nigeria Police Force, having served with distinction across several commands and formations, most notably as Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. In that capacity, he coordinated security for critical national and international engagements, including the African Union Summit, the All Africa Games, high-profile political conventions, and visits by foreign dignitaries, including United States Presidential delegations. A man of broad intellectual depth, CP Alobi combines policing experience with legal and academic e...

 TASKFORCE CHAIRMAN APPREHENDS FAKE NAVAL CAPTAIN.  The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has once again demonstrated exceptional professionalism, vigilance, and keen observational skills with the arrest of three impostors who unlawfully paraded themselves as officers of the Nigerian Navy to defraud members of the public and obstruct lawful government operations. The suspects were apprehended following an incident linked to the demolition of illegal shanties and encroachments on government land at Oworonshoki, Lagos. The impostors had allegedly been using false military identity to evade justice, intimidate residents, and secure undue advantages during enforcement operations. The principal suspects, identified as Mr. James K. Robert, based on the name tag on his uniform and the visitor’s register he filled at the Chairman’s office, had visited the office seeking the release of vehicles removed from the demolition site by the agency responsible for the...

 Peter Obi Visits Immaculata Girls’ Model Secondary School, Nnewi, donate ₦5 million to support the development of the school Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, returned to Immaculata Girls’ Model Secondary School in Nnewi to fulfill the promise he made during his visit in the last quarter of last year. The former governor had assured them last year when he last visited that he would come back, and he  did so with a donation of ₦5 million to support the development of the school.  It was a moment filled with joy and encouragement, serving as a reminder that promises, especially those made to our children and educational institutions, must always be honored. He  urged the students, particularly the girls, to take their education seriously, as knowledge can open doors to opportunities they may not even imagine.According to Obi; " Education is not only a pathway to personal success but also the most powerful tool for national development" Peter Obi pledged ...

 Umuodum community in Mbaukwu, Awka-South LGA of Anambra State petitions NERC over EEDC’s N38.1m Light bill The people of Umuodum, Ogba Quarters in Mbaukwu town, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have petitioned the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission against the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, over alleged connivance to defraud them of the sum of N38.1million, said to be unpaid electricity bill issued to the community. In the petition signed by Chukwuebuka Daniel, Nweke Odum and Chukwuma Augustin Igboanugo, and made available to journalists on Tuesday, the community accused the EEDC of working with some of their past leaders to defraud them of the electricity bills they have earlier paid to the EEDC. The community gave their EEDC Customer Account details as, EEDC Customer Account No: 138994651, EEDC Customer Name as ODUM S/S and address as, Umuodum, Ogba, Mbaukwu. They alleged that the electricity company disconnected power supply to their community...

 House officers posted to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Cross River State, have raised allegations of tribal discrimination and unfair treatment following their rejection during clearance for housemanship duties. The complaints, shared publicly in a post amplified by social media commentator Oseni Rufai, were reportedly submitted to relevant authorities. According to the account, the affected doctors—17 in number—arrived in Calabar from different parts of the country, including Lagos, after being officially posted to UCTH by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN). The house officers said they reported to the hospital’s administrative department on Monday to begin clearance and orientation but were allegedly turned back by the Chief Medical Director (CMD). They claim the CMD informed them that he had written to the MDCN to question the posting list and would not clear them until a response was received. Among the reasons reportedly given, were that 15...

 A Lagos-based father, identified as Eric E, has demanded answers from health authorities after his several-months-old twin boys reportedly died hours after receiving routine immunisations at a primary healthcare centre in the state. According to information shared by the grieving parent on social media, the twins were taken to the Ajangbadi Primary Health Centre in Ojo area of Lagos State on December 24, 2025, for routine childhood vaccinations, including the pentavalent and pneumococcal vaccines. Eric E alleged that shortly after the injections, the babies developed high fevers and became extremely weak. He said health workers at the facility advised the parents to administer paracetamol if the fever persisted at home. The parents reportedly followed the instruction and also bathed the infants in cold water in an attempt to reduce their temperature. However, in the early hours of December 25, the twins’ condition reportedly worsened, and they later passed away. In an emotional po...