Federal Government Commends Super Eagles For Resilience After AFCON Semi-Final Exit

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The Federal Government has praised the Super Eagles for their fighting spirit and commendable showing at the Africa Cup of Nations, despite their narrow loss that ended Nigeria’s campaign.
In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Super Eagles’ performance reflected discipline, unity and resilience, values he noted resonate strongly with the Nigerian spirit.
He added that the team’s determination throughout the tournament remained a source of pride for the country, regardless of the outcome.

Iran Denies Protester Execution Plans Following Trump’s Warning Of Strong Action

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Tensions are rising in Iran after the United States began to withdraw some personnel from an airbase in Qatar amid growing fears of a renewed United States-Iran conflict.
Meanwhile, after the protests that rocked Iran in the last few weeks subsided, Iran refused to release official death toll, but authorities said more than 100 members of the security forces have been killed. Opposition activists said the toll is much higher and includes more than 1,000 protesters.
However, Iran’s Foreign ‍Minister Abbas Araghchi, also denied that Tehran plans to execute anti-government protesters, after US President Donald Trump said he had received assurances that killings of demonstrators in Iran had stopped. Consequently, Iran’s airspace has reopened to traffic, with tracking data showing aircraft making their way towards Tehran.

Madagascar Receives Russian Military Equipment To Bolster National Security

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Madagascar’s Presidency has confirmed it is strengthening cooperation with international partners after receiving a tranche of military equipment from Moscow, in order to forestall political tension after the ouster of the previous government.
The Malagasy presidency said after the reception of the equipment that Moscow is not only supplying military equipment to the Indian Ocean nation but has sent a delegation to train armed forces in its use.
The government added that various military units based in the capital Antananarivo will take part in the training which will cover different types of equipment.

Ugandans Vote In Tense Presidential Election Amid Indefinite Internet Blackout

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More than 21 million Ugandans are voting today in a high-stakes presidential election overshadowed by allegations of voter suppression, human rights violations and an internet shutdown.
Uganda’s Electoral Commission chief, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, ordered the immediate commencement of polls across all polling stations, shortly after reported delays and biometric machine malfunction in several polling stations across the country.
Polls was expected to open by 7am however reports from several parts of the capital, Kampala, and the city of Jinja said voting had yet to begin by 9am, with reports that ballot papers had not been delivered and biometric machines used to check voters’ identities were not working.

APC Governorship Aspirant Adewale Kareem Affirms Party Unity In Oyo State

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A governorship aspirant in the two thousand and twenty-seven elections under the All-Progressives Congress (APC), Adewale Kareem, has affirmed that the party’s aspirants are in one accord, emphasizing that the party members are working towards the same goals.
Kareem made this known while speaking with Newsmen at the just concluded APC unity rally in Ibadan, stressing the need for party members to get registered in the ongoing registration. He said that a voter’s card is the power for citizens to have a say in the political affairs of their country as it permits them to choose the leaders of their choice.
He added that the party is doing its best to create awareness across the wards on the need for the player to desist from political apathy.

Oyo Police Command Dismisses Reports Of Bandit Activities Within State

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The Oyo State Police Command has assured residents of the state of adequate security amid growing concerns over alleged bandit activities. Speaking with Dominion News, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Alayande Olayinka, clarified that there is no confirmed report of bandits operating in Oyo State. He explained that various security structures are already in place, with law enforcement agencies working together to closely monitor the situation.
He then called on residents to remain calm and avoid panic, reassuring them that security will be further strengthened.

New Immigration Service Tracker Provides Real-Time Updates On Passport Readiness

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The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced the rollout of an enhanced passport tracking feature, following rising public clamour over delays in passport issuance and collection.
According to the update posted by the Service on X, the feature is intended to give applicants clearer visibility on when their passports are ready for pickup or courier delivery, thereby reducing uncertainty around processing timelines.
The Service confirmed that the new tracker status it introduced will help applicants distinguish between production delays and passports that are ready but yet to be retrieved.

Federal Government Mandates New VAT Charges For Electronic Banking Services

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The Federal Government has directed all banks and fintechs to collect and remit 7.5 per cent value-added tax on certain electronic banking services, effective Monday, January 19th 2026.
The NRS, formerly known as the Federal Inland Revenue Service, has set the deadline to ensure that all commercial banks, microfinance banks, and electronic money operators comply with the collection and remittance requirement.
According to an email notice shared with customers, the charge, previously known as the EMTL, has now been formally reclassified as stamp duty and will be applied as a one-off fee on qualifying electronic transfers including mobile money transfers, USSD transaction fees, and card issuance fees, in a bid to standardize VAT collection on digital financial services.

FG and ASUU unveil renegotiated agreement to end university strikes and boost stability

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The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities have unveiled a renegotiated agreement aimed at resolving long-standing disputes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, resulting in incessant strikes and closure of universities.
Speaking at the unveiling of the agreement in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said the deal marked a renewed commitment by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to uninterrupted academic calendars and improved welfare for university lecturers.
Under the new structure, the Minister explained that salaries will comprise the Consolidated University Academic Staff Salary and a Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, which accounts for the 40 per cent increment, in a bid to boost productivity and curb brain drain in the education sector.

RUSSIA ARRESTS TWO DOCTORS AFTER NINE NEWBORNS DIE IN HOSPITAL

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Russian authorities have arrested two senior doctors following the deaths of nine newborns at Novokuznetsk Maternity Hospital in Siberia earlier this month.
The infants, all born between January 1 and 12, died during the extended New Year holiday period, sparking outrage across the country. The first death was reported on January 4, according to Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman for Russia’s Investigative Committee.
The committee has not released an official cause of death, though the Kemerovo Region Ministry of Health indicated that the babies had suffered from a severe intra-uterine infection.
Authorities confirmed that the hospital’s chief physician and the head of the intensive care unit were detained on suspicion of “improper performance of their official and professional duties in organizing and providing medical care.” Both are reportedly cooperating with investigators, while officials decide on formal charges and pre-trial detention measures.
Investigators are conducting nine post-mortem examinations, questioning witnesses, and collecting evidence as part of a broader inquiry. The committee released video footage showing one doctor being escorted away and another signing documents in the presence of law enforcement.
The hospital has announced it will temporarily stop accepting new patients due to a higher-than-usual rate of respiratory infections, further affecting the local healthcare system.
The incident has intensified public concern over neonatal care and hospital oversight in Russia, raising urgent questions about medical protocols during holiday periods when staffing may be reduced.