Author: News Room

Several cult-related and gang groups in Cross River State have signed a peace accord, pledging to renounce kidnapping, violent clashes, and other criminal activities. The agreement followed a peace walk organised by the Homeland Safety and Security Agency through the streets of Calabar, the state capital. Officials said the groups had previously been linked to violent and criminal activities. Michael Orok Nsan, Director (South) of the agency, said the initiative was aimed at consolidating peace and improving security. Participants took an oath to uphold integrity, respect citizens’ rights, and refrain from violence, with violations potentially leading to government sanctions. Representing…

Nigerian singer Burna Boy has set a new record for the biggest streaming year by an African artist on Spotify with almost 2 billion streams in 2025. The Ye crooner garnered 1.986 billion streams on Spotify in 2025, emerging ahead of his colleagues Wizkid, Tyla, Rema and Davido as the most streamed African artist in the year under review. According to 2025 Spotify streaming data, Wizkid is the second most streamed African artist of the year with 1.81 billion streams. South African singer Tyla is third on the list with 1.67 billion streams, followed by Rema with 1.63 billion streams…

Liverpool midfielder, Alexis MacAllister, has ruled out his team from this season’s Premier League title race. Arne Slot’s men began their title defence in impression fashion recording five straight wins at the start of campaign. With Arsenal beating Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday, the Reds travel to Fulham on Sunday sitting 15 points off the top. “There are not many chances of Liverpool retaining the title. I hate to say it, but it is quite clear,” MacAllister told Sky Sports. “Arsenal is in a really good moment, Manchester City is quite close, but we are not close in terms of performances,…

Former Vice President Kamala Harris condemned the Trump administration’s military operation in Venezuela early Sunday, characterising the capture of Nicolás Maduro as a reckless escalation that prioritises “oil and ego” over American security. In a statement posted to X, Harris warned that the overnight strikes and subsequent extraction of the Venezuelan leader represent an unlawful return to a failed era of regime-change conflicts. “The brutal nature of the Maduro regime does not grant the executive branch a ‘blank check’ to bypass legal norms or ignore the sovereignty of international law,” Harris argued. She asserted that the administration’s actions were both…

Gunmen attacked a village in Plateau State’s Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area, killing seven people and injuring several others on Friday night. Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Online in Jos on Saturday that the incident occurred in Bong village, Doemak District, where the assailants launched a house-to-house attack, targeting women, children and the elderly. Residents described the attackers as heavily armed, while survivors reported that the victims were mostly those who could not escape in time. A native of the local government council, Mr Lawrence Dogari, confirmed the attack, saying, “For now, I can confirm to you that over seven persons have been…

I woke up a few days back to an unusual voice note from a good friend. He asked me to find visibly challenged persons who need empowerment, and five students (three in primary school and two in secondary school) who are orphans or from poor homes and need assistance with their education. In fact, this was how he put it: “Students from my kind of background or those whose parents are no longer alive”, pledging to sponsor their education until they leave secondary school. He also declared that he would need to speak to each child and tell them what…

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodinma, has said that governors of the region have agreed to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. Uzodinma stated this on Friday during a New Year courtesy visit to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, at his residence in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. He said the decision was informed by the need to foster collaboration among the states in the South-East in order to drive development across the region. “As Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, I have a responsibility to…

Savannah Energy has stated that the Federal Government’s recent N590bn bond issuance to settle part of the outstanding electricity market debts has revived hopes of improved payments to gas suppliers operating in Nigeria’s power sector. The British independent energy company made this known in its operational and financial update for the 11 months ended November 30, 2025, noting that the intervention had created renewed optimism around the recovery of long-outstanding receivables owed by power generation companies. According to Savannah, the Federal Government approved a $2.6bn financing package aimed at assisting companies in the electricity value chain to settle verified invoices…

Nigeria midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi has credited goalkeepers Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali for helping him settle quickly into the Super Eagles setup following his senior international debut at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The 22-year-old said familiarity and close relationships within the squad played a key role in easing his transition after being called up for the tournament. “Uzoho helped me settle down into the team,” Nnadi told Football Fans Tribe. “I was in the same academy with him. Nwabali also helped me as my roommate, so they helped me a lot.” Nnadi made his…

Actor and reality TV star, Tayo Faniran, has said that delivering strong performances in films places a healthy pressure on him to prepare more thoroughly for each role. Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, Faniran explained that the expectations created by good performances motivate him to deepen his preparation process. “Performing well in movies puts pressure on me, but it’s good pressure; the kind that pushes you to prepare properly. I know the type of pressure I need. Sometimes it’s a month away, sometimes two months, depending on the depth of the character.” Faniran, who played Ninalowo in the…