Author: News Room

There was a somber mood around the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, January 13, when head coach Mike Tomlin told his team he was stepping down. Even the stoic Aaron Rodgers broke down in tears, according to The Athletic. Steelers beat writer Mike DeFabo spoke with players, coaches and staff members around the team about that emotional meeting, reporting that Rodgers, 42, “through sobs, mustered a two-word message to deliver to his coach: ‘I’m sorry,’ several players heard him say. ‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’” That’s in line with what Rodgers told the media publicly prior to Tomlin, 53, making his decision.…

The lawyer for Henry Omoile, second defendant in the ongoing $4.5 billion fraud trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, on Thursday, accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of pressuring his client into implicating the former apex bank chief. Testifying in a trial-within-trial at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, Nnamdi Offial said EFCC investigators made repeated promises to Mr Omoile, including bail and the possibility of not being charged, if he cooperated by providing incriminating evidence against Emefiele. “The head of the EFCC interrogation team assured my client of leniency if he implicated…

Tinubu in Enugu (PHOTO CREDIT: @petermbah on X) Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, it appears the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not be slowing down on the expansion of its sphere of influence into hitherto  hostile parts of Nigeria in its journey to possible one party dominance of the country. In addition to making successful inroad into the South South geo-political zone and greater parts of the Middle Belt, the South East geo-political zone is in the cusp of its political history, where a tectonic shift from its allegiance to the former ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to…

Counsel to Henry Omoile, a co-defendant in the alleged $4.5 billion fraud trial involving former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has told the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) never harassed his client during interrogation. The defence counsel, E.N. Offial, made the disclosure on Thursday, 15 January 2026, while testifying before Justice Rahman Oshodi in the ongoing trial-within-trial instituted to determine the voluntariness of Omoile’s statement to the EFCC. Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge relating to receiving gratification and making corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN…

Morocco coach, Walid Regragui has revealed that they focused more on blocking Alex Iwobi from supplying the passes to Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen during the semi-final match against Nigeria on Wednesday. He said this was part of his team’s plan to stop Nigeria during the game, which ended in a penalty shootout win. He said blocking Iwobi, Nigeria’s key midfielder, was important in their victory. Even though Iwobi did not provide an assist since the Super Eagles’ first game against Tanzania, the Fulham midfielder was important in helping create most of the goals for Nigeria before the semifinals. Eric…

After beating Nigeria to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final on home soil, Morocco coach Walid Regragui shifted focus to the final against Senegal, saying it will be a superb match-up when they face off on Sunday. Morocco edged out Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 semi-final contest at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Wednesday. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou saved two penalties as the Atlas Lions booked their place in the final for the first time since 2004. Bounou, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal, produced decisive saves to deny Samuel Chukwueze and…

The Yobe State Police Command says it has commenced an investigation into the cause of a road crash that claimed six lives along the Potiskum–Damaturu highway on Thursday. PUNCH Metro learnt on Thursday from eyewitnesses that the accident occurred when a truck and a trailer collided, allegedly due to wrong-way driving. Eyewitnesses said the crash occurred after the truck reportedly drove against the flow of traffic and collided with an oncoming trailer. “The Canter truck was in the wrong lane when it crashed into the trailer,” an eyewitness said. Four occupants were trapped inside the trailer and were later pronounced…

The death of one of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s twin sons is a tragedy that should invite collective restraint, empathy, and silence. According to an official statement released by her family, the 21-month-old child, Nkanu Nnamdi, died on Wednesday, January 7, after a brief illness. The statement was unequivocal in its request for privacy. It noted that no further statements would be made and appealed to the public and the media to respect the family’s need for seclusion during a period of immense grief. Yet, almost immediately, social media did what it does best and worst. A short write-up, allegedly authored…

The Central Bank of Nigeria has said that about 20 deposit money banks have already met the new capital requirements under the ongoing banking recapitalisation programme, as the apex bank shifts focus toward ensuring that stronger balance sheets translate into real sector credit growth. This was disclosed by the Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Muhammad Abdullahi, on Thursday while speaking on a panel at the launch of the 2026 Macroeconomic Outlook of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in Lagos. The PUNCH had earlier reported that at the last Monetary Policy Committee meeting of 2025, the Governor…

Nigeria’s AFCON campaign ended on Wednesday night after a 4–2 penalty shootout loss to hosts Morocco in the semi-finals. Senegal earlier booked their place in Sunday’s final with a 1–0 win over Egypt in Tangier. Nigeria and Egypt will contest the third-place playoff while Morocco faces Senegal in the Final on Sunday. Both games will be live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Despite Nigeria arriving as one of the tournament’s most prolific sides, the Super Eagles were restricted to limited attacking opportunities as Morocco controlled large spells of the contest. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made one save in the shootout,…