Author: Naija Daily News

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents of the state to embrace peace, unity and religious tolerance as they celebrate Christmas, describing the season as a time for reflection on love, sacrifice and compassion. In a Christmas message issued on December 25, 2025, the governor congratulated citizens for witnessing what he described as a “beautiful season of hope, renewal and thanksgiving,” anchored on the birth of Jesus Christ, whom he referred to as the Prince of Peace. Fubara said Christmas represents a profound expression of God’s love and His gift of peace to humanity, urging residents to…

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday renewed his call for a global truce on Christmas Day, expressing deep sadness over what he described as Russia’s apparent rejection of a request for a ceasefire. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, the pontiff appealed to the international community to observe a day of peace to mark the birth of Jesus Christ. “I am renewing my request to all people of goodwill to respect a day of peace, at least on the feast of the birth of our Saviour,” he said. The pope said it caused him “great sadness”…

By Deborah Nnamdi The Super Eagles of Nigeria began their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a Group C encounter played on Tuesday in Fes, Morocco. Nigeria dominated large spells of the match but were wasteful in front of goal, relying on strikes from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman to secure all three points against the Taifa Stars. The Super Eagles took the lead in the 37th minute when West Bromwich Albion defender Ajayi rose highest to head home an Alex Iwobi cross, giving Nigeria a deserved advantage after sustained pressure. Earlier…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally declined a request to recognize the national working committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, citing subsisting court judgements restraining it from doing so. In a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by its Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony, and addressed to Akintayo Balogun and Co., legal representatives of the PDP, the commission said it could not publish or update on its website the list of national officers purportedly elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025. INEC explained that it was legally…

By Deborah Nnamdi Toyin Abraham’s latest comedy, Oversabi Aunty, has recorded an impressive opening at the Nigerian box office, emerging as the second-highest-grossing film of the weekend and posting Nollywood’s second-biggest opening of 2025 so far. According to Nigerian box office records, the film grossed N87.8 million during its opening weekend, with an additional N12.7 million generated from preview screenings. This brought its total opening earnings to N100.5 million, placing it behind only the top-performing Nollywood release of the year to date. Industry observers say the strong debut reflects sustained audience appetite for locally produced commercial comedies, particularly those headlined…

Vince Zampella, the renowned video game developer and co-creator of the globally successful Call of Duty franchise, has died following a car crash in California. He was 55. Electronic Arts (EA) confirmed Zampella’s death on Monday. According to local broadcaster NBC4, the veteran game developer died on Sunday while driving his Ferrari along a scenic mountain road north of Los Angeles. In a statement, the California Highway Patrol said the vehicle veered off the roadway for reasons yet unknown, struck a concrete barrier, and became fully engulfed in flames. The agency added that both the driver and a passenger who…

By Deborah Nnamdi Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has explained his decision not to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, warning that attempts to weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could threaten Nigeria’s democratic system. Makinde spoke during a media chat in Ibadan on Tuesday, where he recounted a meeting he attended with President Tinubu, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and other political figures. According to the governor, Wike offered during the meeting to “hold the PDP” for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, an offer Makinde said was not requested by the President.…

Popular Nigerian actress and filmmaker Ini Edo has responded to concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) over the title of her latest movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, making an emotional appeal to regulators not to remove the film from cinemas. The 43-year-old actress shared a video on her verified Instagram page in which she pleaded with authorities to first watch the film before taking any action. She said the production was funded with investors’ money and urged regulators not to judge it solely by its title, stressing that she would personally withdraw the movie if it was…

The United States Mission in Nigeria said on Monday it will partially suspend the issuance of several categories of visas to Nigerian nationals from Jan. 1, 2026, following the implementation of Presidential Proclamation 10998. Under the proclamation, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Dec. 16, 2025, the State Department will restrict the issuance of B-1/B-2 visitor visas as well as F, M and J student and exchange visas. Certain immigrant visa categories will also be affected, the mission said in a statement on its website. The suspension applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States at…

By Deborah Nnamdi The United States will partially suspend the issuance of certain categories of visas to Nigerian nationals beginning January 1, 2026, following Presidential Proclamation 10998 on border and national security. The US Mission in Nigeria announced on Monday that the restrictions will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time under the proclamation titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.” Nigeria is among 19 countries affected by the measure. Others include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania,…