Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has presented an N899.33 billion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly, with the education sector receiving the largest allocation. The budget, titled “Budget of Sustained Recovery and Growth,” places strong emphasis on capital development, with over 61 per cent of the total expenditure devoted to capital projects, while recurrent spending accounts for about 39 per cent. Addressing members of the House of Assembly, Zulum disclosed that the proposal comprises N353.77 billion for recurrent expenditure and N536.56 billion for capital expenditure, stressing that the spending plan is designed…
Author: Olamide Obayemi
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the world is at a critical turning point, urging global leaders to redirect priorities from war to peace as military spending reaches unprecedented levels. In his New Year video message, Guterres said the international community is grappling with deepening chaos and uncertainty marked by growing divisions, violence, climate breakdown and persistent violations of international law. “The world stands at a crossroads,” the UN Chief said, noting that many people are increasingly questioning whether political leaders are listening or prepared to act in the face of escalating global challenges. Guterres revealed that global…
The All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) has officially unveiled Nigerian rapper and actor, FalzTheBahdGuy and French-Senegalese actress and media personality, Liliane Maroune as hosts of the 9th edition of the awards. The 9th AFRIMA, organised by the International Executive Committee of AFRIMA in conjunction and the African Union Commission in partnership with the Lagos State Government (Official Host City), is slated to hold from January 7–11, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. With this appointment, FalzTheBahdGuy becomes the second Nigerian, after music legend 2Baba, to host the prestigious AFRIMA stage, following 2Baba’s historic role as co-host of the inaugural edition in 2014.…
The Companion Muslim Group has to expressed shock and unreserved condemnation regarding the unprofessional and insensitive reportage by Channels Television of the tragic bombing of a mosque and the loss of numerous Muslim lives in Maiduguri on Christmas Eve, reports thegazellenews.com The Group’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by its National Amir (President), Imam Nojeemdeen Jimoh; and National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tunde Akanni, made available to journalists on Monday, 29 December, 2025. The Group called on Channels Television to apologise publicly to Nigerian Muslims “for its lack of precision and utter disregard for professionalism”. The Companion complained that, “the…
Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan who governed the oil-rich state between 2007–2015, has reemerged into public view in a private family Christmas photo that has sparked widespread concern over his visibly declining health. In the family picture, the 71-year-old ex-Governor is seen seated between his wife, Deaconess Roli Nere Uduaghan, and a standing family member, likely one of his sons. While the scene appears festive, Uduaghan’s gaunt frame, pronounced weight loss, and frail posture sharply contrasted with the robust figure he once presented in office, revealing a man whose body has endured significant strain. Sources close to…
Two people were confirmed dead in an auto crash involving ex-World Heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway early Monday, 29 December, 2025, reports thegazellenews.com Thegazellenews.com however reports that the heavyweight boxing star was lucky to escape with minor injuries from the crash. The tragic accident, thegazellenews.com can confirm, occured at Makun area of the busy express road. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the incident happened along a busy stretch of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a major transit corridor linking the South-West to other parts of the country. According to preliminary reports, the vehicle conveying Joshua collided with another car under circumstances that…
The atmosphere at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall was electrically charged on Boxing Day as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, who also doubles as President of the Nigerian Boxing Federation, Mr. Wale Edun, offered high praise for the fresh momentum evident in the administration of sports in Lagos State. Edun gave the commendation while speaking on the sidelines of the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor’s Belt event, where he applauded the leadership of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) under its Director General, Lekan Fatodu, for prioritising talent discovery and structured development at the foundational level of the…
A coalition of civil society organisations under the banner of The Patriots has dismissed claims that the Tax Acts 2025 were altered after passage by the National Assembly, describing the allegations as unfounded and misleading. In a statement issued on Sunday, 28 December, 2025, in Abuja by Muhammad E. Dauda, the group said its independent review of legislative records showed no material discrepancies between the laws passed by the National Assembly and the harmonised versions of the Acts. The Patriots noted that the Votes and Proceedings of 28 May 2025 of both the Senate and the House of Representatives remain…
By Oluwole Solanke PhD, FCIB On Christmas Day 2025, the United States conducted airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Sokoto State, northwestern Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in international involvement in Nigeria’s long-running security crisis. The operation, carried out by U.S. Africa Command at the request of Nigerian authorities, killed multiple ISIS terrorists and signals a potentially transformative moment in Nigeria’s approach to combating extremism. As Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar described it as an “ongoing process,” the implications of this development extend far beyond a single military action. The Immediate Security Context The strikes targeted ISIS-affiliated groups operating in…
Versatile Nollywood actress, Allwell Ademola, is dead, reports thegazellenews.com The versatile actress, loved for her flawless acting prowess died on the evening of Saturday, 27 December, 2025. Thegazellenews.com reports that the actress died at the age of 43. Thegazellenews.com learnt that Allwell reportedly slumped in her residence suspected to be cardiac arrest and she rushed to Ancilia Catholic Hospital in Agege where she later passed away. Allwell Ademola’s career spanned more than a decade and a half in Nigerian film and television, earning her a place as one of the industry’s most recognizable faces. She appeared in numerous Nollywood films…