Barely two months after the passing of his long-time colleague and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died after a prolonged illness on November 17, 2025, Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and its former deputy chief executive officer, has died at the age of 75. He was reported to have been battling an undisclosed ailment before his death. As of press time, an official statement from his family was still awaited. In October 2025, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, which chronicled the history of Newswatch and offered personal insights into the magazine’s formative years. The book revisited…
Author: Abimbola Ogunaike
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The Lagos State chapter of the Presidential Coalition Council organized a special prayer session on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026, uniting both Christian and Muslim clergy to pray for the nation, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, and Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke. The gathering underscores the Council’s commitment to fostering national unity and spiritual resilience as the nation prepares for the upcoming 2027 General Election and the ongoing APC membership e-registration in the State. During the event, attendees highlighted the essential role of prayer in achieving a prosperous and harmonious Nigeria. The Presidential Coalition Council expressed satisfaction that the President’s…
Malian police have arrested a self-styled marabout after he allegedly collected more than €33,500 from football supporters by promising that Mali would win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The arrest came shortly after Mali’s quarter-final elimination by Senegal, a result that directly contradicted the spiritual assurances the man had made publicly during the tournament. While presenting himself as a figure capable of influencing football outcomes, he encouraged supporters to contribute financially so he could perform rituals he claimed would secure victory. As Mali progress, belief in the prophecy grew. Consequently, donations increased, with investigators estimating that more than 22…
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. Ahmed Audi has commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Corps for its rapid infrastructural growth and operational innovation, describing the command as a benchmark for excellence within the Corps. Prof. Audi made the remarks during an inspection visit to the FCT Command as part of his 2026 Operational Tour aimed at assessing readiness, training capacity, and infrastructure development across NSCDC formations nationwide. At the centre of the visit was the newly initiated Obstacle Course Training Facility, which the NSCDC boss described as a strategic…
Global Peace Development (GPD) has unveiled its five-year Strategic Plan (2026–2030), outlining an expanded vision to strengthen peacebuilding, inclusive governance, and sustainable development across Nigeria and beyond. The plan was officially launched in Abuja on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026, at a well-attended event that brought together civil society leaders, development partners, and government representatives, including the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Director-General of IPCR, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, the institute commended GPD for its long-standing contributions to peacebuilding, gender equality, child protection, and inclusive governance. Ochogwu, who was represented by Dr.…
A high-level delegation from the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of stronger cooperation and continued technical support as efforts intensify to curb illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria and the wider region. The delegation met on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026, with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), where both sides discussed the progress of existing partnerships and future areas of collaboration. Leading the delegation, Philip Esch, who serves as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) liaison to AFRICOM, described the working relationship with NDLEA…
The University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) has dismissed as false a viral video circulating on social media that claims some of its students were arrested over alleged ties to the Boko Haram insurgency. Reacting to the development, the management of the institution described the video as misleading and capable of inciting fear and misunderstanding among the public. The university clarified that the claims did not originate from any official security or government source. In a statement released on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026, in Maiduguri, the Registrar of the university, Ahmad Lawan, stated that thorough checks confirmed that no UNIMAID student is…
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) electronic membership registration exercise enters the second week, the Lagos Island Local Government Chairman, Hon. Taiwo Oyekan held a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting at the council Secretariat on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026. Speaking at the event, Hon. Oyekan said the electronic registration exercise is designed to register new members, revalidate existing ones, and produce a credible, accurate, and verifiable membership database”. He said the registration exercise would increase the membership strength and electoral fortune of the political party. Speaking, the Deputy Chairman of the state chapter of APC, Hon. Moshood Mayegun urged eligible residents and…
As part of measures aiming at supporting the country’s ongoing security operations and reinforcing bilateral defence cooperation, the United States on Tuesday, 13 January, 2026 confirmed the delivery of military supplies to Nigeria, reports thegazellenews.com. The development shows continued collaboration between both countries on defence and security matters, as Nigeria grapples with insurgency, banditry, and other forms of violent crime. The delivery, which took place in Abuja on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, was confirmed through a statement shared via the official X handle of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), @USAfricaCommand. The military equipment, according to the statement, was provided to…
African football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ghanaian referee, Daniel Nii Ayi Laryea to take charge of the high-profile Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 encounter between Nigeria and host country, Morocco, which will take place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. GMT, reports thegazellenews.com. Laryea, one of Africa’s most experienced and respected referees, will be supported by a diverse team of officials drawn from across the continent, reflecting CAF’s commitment to neutrality and officiating balance in major fixtures. South Africa’s Zakhele Thusi…