Author: News Room

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured their place in the AFCON 2025 Round of 16 after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia in Morocco on Saturday. The goals for Nigeria came from Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman, ensuring the team’s qualification from their group. Osimhen opened the scoring in the 44th minute, connecting with a precise cross from Lookman just before halftime. Ndidi, the team captain, doubled the lead in the 50th minute, again assisted by Lookman. Lookman added a third goal in the 70th minute, with Osimhen providing the assist. Tunisia fought back late, with Talbi scoring in…

Former Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has called for more structured game plans for Nigeria’s national team, saying talent alone is not enough to secure victories. Speaking on the ATHLST podcast, which was posted on YouTube on Saturday, Emenike said while the team has “a lot of good players,” including stars like Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze, they lack tactical direction. “We have a lot of top players in our team, but what we don’t have is a game plan. It’s not about just throwing big players on the pitch. You need to tell them what you want from them,”…

Wyoming Senator Cynthia Lummis, a pro-crypto United States lawmaker, said the recent proposal from Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller to give crypto companies access to “skinny” master accounts would end debanking under Operation Chokepoint 2.0.Waller proposed the idea at the Payments Innovation Conference in October, allowing crypto and fintech startups, including payment-only banks, access to accounts at the Federal Reserve similar to the “master accounts” used by banks, but with restrictions. Lummis said:“Governor Waller’s skinny master account framework ends Operation Chokepoint 2.0 and opens the door to real payments innovation. Faster payments, lower costs, better security — this is how…

Erin Bates is not afraid to admit that the year 2025 changed her — and the holiday season — after she nearly died during childbirth. “After a year that stretches us deeply, this Christmas feels different — overflowing with gratitude for Jesus coming to earth to be humbly born in a manger,” Bates, 34, wrote via Instagram on Friday, December 26, alongside a video of her family gathered around her as she played piano with her infant strapped to her chest. “He is the greatest gift of all!” she continued in the caption. “Merry Christmas from the Paine Family.” The…

At least seven people were killed on Saturday when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated along the Magami–Dansadau highway in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Residents and military sources said the explosives appeared to have targeted travellers moving along the Gusau-Dansadau-Magami transit route. The Magami–Dansadau road is considered one of the most dangerous highways in the state, frequently requiring military escorts for any safe passage. A resident, Haruna Bala, told PREMIUM TIMES that the blast killed five people instantly, while two others later succumbed to their injuries at a hospital. Mustapha Kaura, a media aide to the…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday commended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for “standing and defending what is right in the state” and also supporting him and President Bola Tinubu. Wike said the House of Assembly members have demonstrated trust and the capacity to lead while upholding the right principles. He gave the commendation during a visit to the lawmakers at the House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt. Wike urged them to continue to stand for what is right, adding that they have distinguished themselves in the country as a beacon…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, without consulting him. Wike, who spoke at the Assembly Quarters on Saturday, noted that their defection affected him. On December 5, 2025, the 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martins Amaewhule, left PDP for APC. Their defection heightened political tension in the state, which had just emerged from a six-month emergency rule. Shortly after their defection, Governor Sim Fubara also…

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has explained why his team was defeated 2-1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening. Maresca watched as Unai Emery’s side defeated the Blues at Stamford Bridge. Joao Pedro had handed the Premier League west London club the lead, but substitute Ollie Watkins scored a brace to give the visitors all three points. Speaking in his post-match interview, Maresca suggested that his team was not clinical enough in front of goal against Aston Villa. “I think the goal we conceded, for sure it changed the dynamic of the game. Until the goal, we…

A social media user and cancer patient, Mensah Omolola, popularly known on X as AuntieEsther, who sparked widespread debate after rejecting a blood transfusion recommended as part of her treatment has died. Her death was confirmed on Saturday by media personality #AUNTYMUSE_, who supported her throughout her treatment journey. Reacting to a post announcing AuntieEsther death by an X user, Tabuko, tweeting as swaggsphotos, who wrote, “Unfortunately, we lost Aunty Esther.Very Sad!” #AUNTYMUSE_ wrote, “May her soul rest in peace 🙏🙏.” AuntieEsther had sparked nationwide debate in recent months after publicly rejecting a blood transfusion recommended by doctors as part…

Ollie Watkins came off the bench to maintain Aston Villa’s unexpected Premier League title challenge by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The England international had scored just three times all season before being unleashed by Unai Emery for a second-half double. An 11th consecutive victory takes third-placed Villa back within three points of leaders Arsenal, who they face next on Tuesday. Less than a month ago, Chelsea were Arsenal’s closest challengers, but they have won just once in their last six league games, sliding to fifth. The Blues were left to rue…