Author: News Room

Former Olympic champion Enefiok Udo-Obong has unveiled a N5m athletics support grant aimed at strengthening grassroots development across Nigeria, with five athletics clubs set to receive N1m each through his Udo-Obong Athletics Academy. In a document shared with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, the academy confirmed that the grant scheme is designed to support grassroots athletics development and improve athlete performance nationwide, with applications open to eligible clubs across the country. Explaining the motivation behind the initiative, the current Technical Adviser to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Athletics Development Programme told Sunday PUNCH that the decision was driven by a desire…

Nollywood actress Bimbo Thomas has recounted a terrifying ordeal in which armed robbers allegedly invaded a hotel housing cast and crew of Omo Ghetto Part Two during filming in Ebute Metta, Lagos, a night she said nearly turned fatal. Thomas, who played Nikky in the blockbuster movie, her breakout role that propelled her into mainstream fame, said the attackers appeared to have come specifically for filmmaker and lead actress Funke Akindele, following an earlier confrontation on set. Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo uploaded on Saturday, Thomas said filming the thuggery-themed movie attracted frequent disruptions from hoodlums in the…

The National Universities Commission has approved the commencement of 17 undergraduate degree programmes at the University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State. The approval is to take effect from the 2025/2026 academic session. The approval was conveyed in a letter dated December 29, 2025, signed by the Acting Director of Academic Planning, Abubakar M. Girei, on behalf of the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu. According to the commission, the university met all stipulated requirements for the establishment of the programmes and was granted a total admission quota of 800 students. “I am directed to convey the Executive Secretary’s approval for…

Ilya Lichtenstein, the hacker behind one of the largest Bitcoin thefts on record, has been released from prison just over a year after receiving a five-year sentence, thanks to a criminal justice reform law signed during former President Donald Trump’s first term.“Thanks to President Trump’s First Step Act, I have been released from prison early,” Lichtenstein said in a Friday post on X. “I remain committed to making a positive impact in cybersecurity as soon as I can,” he added. The First Step Act, passed in 2018, expanded eligibility for sentence reductions through earned time credits and other rehabilitation measures.…

Professional violinist Brian King Joseph appeared to allude to the alleged harassment he claimed he suffered at the hands of Will Smith days before filing a lawsuit against the famed actor. “Earlier this year, I was hired to be a performer on a major, major tour with somebody who was huge in the industry,” Joseph, 35, claimed in a video shared via Instagram in December 2025. “So I was excited, you know, proud of myself for getting the opportunity. Unfortunately, some things happened.” He continued, “I can’t get too into the details of exactly what that was because it’s already…

Discussions around gender issues, especially women’s representation in parliament, intensified in Nigeria in 2025. A legislative proposal, widely known as the Special Seats Bill or Reserved Seats Bill, was the primary focus of the discussion. The bill, which has received widespread support from civil societies and state governments, including the Governors’ Forum, “signals a rare cross-sector push for institutional change,” Mabel Ade, founder of Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), noted. Ms Ade described 2025 as a “catalytic year,” because old promises were interrogated. “The real test ahead is whether Nigeria will translate the Beijing+30 momentum into enforceable laws, institutional reforms, and…

Nigeria’s economy is expected to grow faster in 2026 with inflation slowing sharply as reforms, improved investor confidence and gradual easing of monetary policy support macroeconomic stability. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its Macroeconomic Outlook for Nigeria, 2026 published on Tuesday. The outlook also comes as the global economy slowed in 2025. Growth in major economies eased to 3.20 per cent from 3.30 per cent in 2024, weighed down by trade tensions and weaker demand. Global inflation, however, moderated to 4.20 per cent, supported by lower energy costs and improving supply chains. “The Nigerian economy is…

As 2027 approaches, Kaduna voters appear less interested in slogans and are more attentive to competence, security, and economic relief. If ADC can translate its growing coalition into a coherent message and a credible candidate, it may well redefine opposition politics in the state — and perhaps beyond it. The rising tide is real. Whether it carries ADC to shore or breaks prematurely will depend on choices made long before ballots are cast. Politics in Kaduna has always had a way of announcing change before it fully arrives. Sometimes it does so through protest votes, sometimes through quiet defections, and…

Nigeria’s entertainment industry experienced significant growth in production, creativity, and global recognition in 2025. These range from the multiple awards and accolades garnered by Afrobeats artists on the global stage to the increased viewership and numbers accumulated by actors in Nollywood and content creators. Yet, the industry still faced its challenges throughout the year, including sad moments when Nigerian celebrities died and emotional tributes that followed their deaths. In no particular order, here is the list of Nigerian celebrities who died in 2025. Allwell Ademola 1 Allwell Ademola Veteran Nollywood actress, producer, director, and scriptwriter Allwell Ademola died on 27…

Chelsea have ended their working relationship with head coach Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day, just days before a key Premier League match against Manchester City. The club confirmed the decision on Thursday, carefully avoiding the word “sacked” but making it clear that both sides agreed it was time to move on. In a short statement, Chelsea said: “Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company. “During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup. Those achievements will remain an important part of…