Author: News Room

The International Monetary Fund has projected that Nigeria’s economy will grow by 4.4 per cent in 2026, based on improving macroeconomic conditions. The projection, which is an improvement from the 4.2 per cent in 2025, was contained in the IMF’s January 2026 World Economic Outlook titled ‘Global Economy: Steady amid Divergent Forces’. The PUNCH reports that the IMF’s latest projection had come on the back of a warning from the body about reform fatigue, urging the Federal Government to sustain ongoing economic reforms and avoid policy reversals, particularly as political pressures build ahead of the election cycle. The IMF’s Country…

Senegal forward Sadio Mané was named Man of the Tournament at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after inspiring the Teranga Lions to their second continental title with a 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the final, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Teranga Lions needed extra time to edge the hosts after a drama-filled 90 minutes ended goalless. Senegal took the lead in the 94th minute when Pape Gueye struck a powerful long-range effort into the top corner. Mané finished the tournament with two goals and four assists, including the assist for Gueye’s decisive strike in the final.…

Former Lagos Governor, Raji Fashola, is among three personalities to be conferred with the fellowship of the Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences at its maiden convocation on January 29. Vice Chancellor of EkoUNIMED, Prof. Gbadebo Awosanya, disclosed this at the pre-convocation held at the Ijanikin campus of the university on Monday. Fashola, the VC noted, was to be honoured, considering his pioneering support for the establishment of the university during his tenure as governor. Before the conferment of the fellowship, Fashola is also billed to deliver the varsity’s convocation lecture titled, “Medical Education: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow- Building…

Google has launched a beta version of its Gemini AI, allowing users to link apps such as Gmail, Photos, YouTube and Search to create a more personalised digital assistant. The feature, called Personal Intelligence, is designed to make Gemini proactive, context-aware and more useful in daily life, the search engine giant said in a blog post. Through a single-tap setup, users can choose which apps to connect to, giving the AI access to relevant information while retaining control over privacy. Once enabled, Gemini can reason across multiple sources, including emails, photos and videos, to deliver tailored answers, retrieve specific details…

Bitcoin (BTC) saw a sharp pullback during the Asian market open, shaking out leveraged positions without breaking its market structure. While sentiment cooled rapidly, onchain and derivatives data suggest that the move resembles a structural reset rather than a deeper trend reversal.Key takeaways:$233 million in Bitcoin long liquidations flushed leverage while spot selling stayed muted, pointing to a reset, not panic distribution.Sentiment collapsed from 80% to 45% as open interest fell to $28 billion, confirming a mild risk-off unwinding.Bitcoin dip flushes leverage as sentiment coolsBitcoin slid from $95,300 to $91,800, a 3.7% drop, during the Asian market open on Monday,…

Valentino Garavani died on Monday, January 19. He was 93. “Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,” the iconic fashion designer’s foundation said in a statement shared via Instagram. The message continued, “The lying in state will be held at PM23 in Piazza Mignanelli 23 on Wednesday, January 21st and Thursday, January 22nd, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.” His foundation also shared that his funeral “will take place on Friday, January 23rd at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, in Piazza della Repubblica 8 in Rome, at 11 am.”…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday released the final list of candidates and running mates for the 20 June governorship election in Ekiti State, leaving out the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Wole Oluyede, and his running mate’s name. Apart from the Young Peoples Party (YPP) which replaced its candidate and the running mate, there was no significant changes from the provisional list released by the electoral body on 29 December, 2025. The YPP replaced its candidate and running mate, Owoola Daramola and the running mate, Opeyemi Adeyemo, with Osinkolu Ayodele and Arowolo Olusesan respectively. PREMIUM TIMES reported…

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the abduction of 163 worshippers during Sunday service in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urging the federal government to take immediate action to rescue the victims and prevent further attacks. This was disclosed in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong. He expressed the party’s sympathy to the victims’ families. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this agonizing period of uncertainty,” he said. The party described the abduction as a “sad reminder of the normalisation of insecurity which has become the new reality of Nigerians”…

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, has said Governor Abba Yusuf may register and collect the party’s membership card between Tuesday and Wednesday. Abbas made this known while addressing about 1,500 ad hoc staff hired to handle the party’s electronic registration exercise in the state. He explained that the APC delayed the start of the e-registration because the party was awaiting the return of its state leader, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and Governor Yusuf from Abuja. Both leaders are expected back after meeting President Bola Tinubu. “Be on standby, we may call on you…

Plateau United have expressed gratitude to the club supporters after the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 21 win over Wikki Tourists. Vincent Temitope lone strike gave the Peace Boys a 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists at the New Jos Stadium on Sunday. The encounter was witnessed by a large number of Plateau United faithfuls. “Thank you to our amazing fans for turning out and standing with us. Your support made the difference.” Plateau United stated after the game. Plateau United are yet to taste defeat in their last two fixtures since the appointment of veteran tactician Gbenga Ogunbote. They…