Author: News Room

A hit-and-run driver has killed a yet-to-be-identified male pedestrian along the Sagamu–Ijebu-Ode Expressway on the morning of Christmas Day. PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, that the accident occurred at about 8am. Akinbiyi noted that the vehicle involved fled the scene before emergency responders arrived. Multiple pictures from the scene of the incident, sighted by our correspondent, showed the lifeless body of the deceased by the roadside. The pictures also showed the impact of the vehicle run-over on the head of the deceased. He said, “There was…

The Benue State Police Command successfully foiled a kidnap attempt on Christmas Day and rescued one Geoffrey Akume. The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed in a statement released on Thursday, made available to newsmen in Makurdi. Edet said the incident occurred in the early hours of the day at Tiortu, along Gboko/Makurdi Road. The police spokesperson explained that the victim, who was on transit from Gboko to Makurdi, was accosted by armed men suspected to be kidnappers at Tiortu. She said they forcefully abducted the victim and were in the process of taking him deeper into a nearby thick…

The Nigerian banking sector has historically played a vital role in the country’s economic development, providing essential financial services to individuals, businesses, and government entities. However, the sector faces numerous challenges, including intense competition, technological disruptions, regulatory reforms, cultural distortion, environmental concerns, and changing customer expectations. In an increasingly interconnected and competitive global economy, Nigerian banks must evolve beyond traditional operational models to remain relevant and competitive. Central to this evolution is organisational cultural transformation—a strategic revolution that aligns internal values, behaviours, and practices with modern industry standards. This transformation is essential for boosting performance, ensuring sustainability, and positioning Nigerian…

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has reshuffled critical directors in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, following rumours of serious corrupt practices by key officers of the aviation regulatory agency. The reshuffle of the senior officers may not be unconnected with allegations of inefficiency and compromised oversight in the agency’s Directorate of Airworthiness Standards. This comes as the Nigeria Safety Investigation Board, on December 14, 2025, and December 16, 2025, respectively, issued reports indicating major aircraft incidents involving unscheduled aircraft. According to the reports, a Hawker 800XP with eight persons on board crash-landed at the Mallam Aminu…

The annual Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Governor’s Belt will light up Boxing Day (today), with a thrilling one-day fiesta as Nigeria’s top pugilists clash for glory in Lagos, the nation’s commercial hub. To ensure the fighters are fully prepared, LBHF management has organised intensive training camps for all participants, including boxers traveling from other states. According to LBHF Director David Mohamed, competitors from Ogun, Osun, Kwara, Oyo, Borno, and the FCT, Abuja will feature in this year’s edition, giving the tournament a stronger national outlook.“We are ensuring the boxers are in peak condition for the tournament. “For the first…

Drew Barrymore is all about embracing the natural look. “Aging is a privilege that I will never take for granted,” Barrymore, 50, captioned an Instagram video on Tuesday, December 24. In the actress’ footage, she smiled while showing off that she didn’t have any makeup on her face “Aging is a privilege,” Barrymore wrote over her video. “It is not something to fear.” Barrymore’s confident upload quickly earned praise from her social media followers. Related: Drew Barrymore Says She Hasn’t ‘Done Anything’ to Her Face Drew Barrymore told a studio audience she hasn’t “done anything” in terms of cosmetic surgery…

Reverend Aminuson Anderson Ayuka, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has extended Christmas greetings to Nigerians, urging them to embrace the core values of love, peace and compassion exemplified by Jesus Christ. In his Christmas message, the cleric explained that the season is a reminder of God’s unfailing love, grace and the gift of hope to humanity through the birth of Jesus Christ, saying that Christmas offers an opportunity for reflection on humility, selflessness and peaceful coexistence. The CAN chairman prayed that the joy of the season would fill the hearts and…

A UK-based Nigerian author, Emmanuel Oludayo, has urged young Nigerians to focus on building skills and creating value rather than seeking sudden opportunities for wealth. In an interview with PUNCH on Sunday, Oludayo expressed concern over what he described as a “growing sense of disillusionment” among youths, driven by the allure of instant wealth. “This concern inspired my new book, The Onion for Millions, where I emphasise that wealth should be approached layer by layer—through personal development, discipline, skill-building, and value creation,” he said. He noted, “Many young people are hardworking and talented, yet feel trapped in cycles of economic…

Residents of Jabo village in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State were thrown into panic on Thursday, Christmas Day night, following a loud explosion suspected to be caused by an explosive device. Eyewitnesses said the incident occurred suddenly, with a suspected explosive,  allegedly landing in the community. Fortunately, no casualty was recorded, as the device reportedly did not explode within a crowd. A resident of the area, who confirmed the incident, said the object fell unexpectedly, raising fears among villagers who initially mistook the sound for an attack. “It happened suddenly in the night. The explosion caused fear, but…

The NDLEA Jigawa State Command has issued a stern warning to drug peddlers and users amid heightened patrols across the state during the Christmas season. The agency’s stance comes as Christian faithful celebrate Christmas worldwide, including in Jigawa State. PUNCH Metro reports that the agency urged residents to shun drug abuse in the name of festivities, vowing that anyone caught during the intensified operations would face the full wrath of the law. In an exclusive telephone interview with the PUNCH correspondent on Thursday in Dutse, the state capital, the Public Relations Officer of the NDLEA Jigawa State Command, CSN Abdullahi…