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Anthony Joshua Pays Heartfelt Tribute To Late Friends And Trainers

British boxing star Anthony Joshua has expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his close friends and trainers, following funeral ceremonies in their honour. The late Abdul “Latz” Ayodele and Sina Ghami, Joshua’s personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, died in a car crash on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway on December 29, 2025. Joshua survived the accident with minor injuries and was later discharged from hospital. In a touching social media post, Joshua shared a black-and-white image of the two men smiling from heaven and wrote: “Thank you for all the love and care you have shown my brothers. I didn’t even realise how special they are. I’ll just be walking with them and cracking jokes with them, not even knowing God kept me in the presence of great men. 100% it’s tough for me, but I know it’s even tougher for their parents. I have a strong mind, and I believe God knows their hearts. May God have mercy on my brothers.” The tribute highlights the profound bond Joshua had with the deceased, who played vital roles in both his personal life and boxing career. Fans and fellow athletes have poured in messages of support as Joshua grieves the loss of two men who were key to his journey inside and outside the ring. Through his post, Joshua not only mourns his friends but also honours their memory, acknowledging the love, guidance, and laughter they shared with him.

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Rivers APC Rejects Impeachment Threat Against Governor Fubara

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned moves in the State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, describing the action as “untenable” and warning against efforts that could destabilize the state government. The statement follows reports that the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara. Speaker Martins Amaewhule reportedly labelled the governor a “mistake” and accused him of gross misconduct. In response, APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju issued a statement emphasizing the party’s rejection of the impeachment move. “The leadership of the APC in Rivers State has noted the recent developments in the State House of Assembly. While we respect the legislature’s independence and constitutional responsibility for checks and balances, we categorically reject any attempt to remove our Governor and his deputy through impeachment,” the statement read. Nwauju argued that the impeachment threat is rooted in budget issues, noting that under the 2025 emergency rule, a budget totaling ₦1.485 trillion was transmitted to and approved by the National Assembly, covering a full year until August 2026. He added that the Governor is entitled under the constitution to a six-month spending window into a new fiscal year and may choose not to present a supplementary budget. The APC warned lawmakers, especially party members, to resist external pressures aimed at destabilizing the government. “Our party will take all necessary steps to protect the APC-led government in Rivers State from internal conflicts. We call on members of the State Assembly to immediately halt the impeachment process to safeguard the state’s progress and preserve the party’s reputation. Let Rivers State remain a democracy, not a politicocracy,” the statement concluded. The party reiterated its commitment to ensuring the stability of the Fubara administration and the continued development of Rivers State.

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Amala, Nyash, Abeg – Oxford English Dictionary Adds New Nigerian Words To Latest Update

The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has further enriched its collection by including new Nigerian and West African words in its latest update, released in December 2025 and extended into 2026. The announcement was made on Wednesday via X, highlighting terms drawn from everyday speech, food, music, markets, and pop culture, reflecting the growing global influence of African languages on English. The December 2025 update introduced over 500 new words, phrases, and senses, while revising more than 1,000 existing entries as part of the OED’s quarterly review process. Catherine Sangster, Author and Head of Pronunciations at the OED, said the update represents a significant step in documenting pronunciations across different English varieties. “With this update we introduce a new model for the transcription of Maltese English pronunciations; this is the nineteenth World English pronunciation model in our collection. We also celebrate a decade of OED having spoken pronunciations, first added in December 2015,” Sangster noted. She added that the update expanded audio pronunciation features, including multiple recordings where necessary, with several West African English terms receiving new pronunciations. Among the Nigerian entries added is abeg, which the OED defines as an interjection or adverb “to express a range of emotions, such as surprise, exasperation, disbelief, etc.” Another is amala, described as “a kind of dough made of yam, cassava, or unripe plantain flour, typically formed into a ball and served as an accompaniment to other dishes.” The dictionary also formally recognised Afrobeats, defined as “originally: a style of popular music incorporating elements of West African music and of jazz, soul, and funk.” Other Nigerian and West African terms added include Ghana Must Go, biko, Mammy Market, nyash, and Moi Moi, words widely used in daily conversation and cultural contexts in Nigeria and Ghana. Additional African entries include abrokyire, Adowa, ampesi, benachin, bichir, domoda, dumboy, hiplife, kpanlogo, light soup, nawetan, obroni, poda-poda, and yassa. This latest expansion follows a previous update in which the OED added 20 Nigerian words, including japa, agbero, eba, 419, and abi, reflecting Nigerian street language, food culture, migration discussions, and online slang. Other entries from that list included area boy, yahoo boy, yahoo, Naija, suya, kobo, Edo, Kanuri, jand, janded, cross-carpet, and cross-carpeting. The updates underscore the OED’s ongoing effort to capture the evolving English language and highlight the growing global impact of African words and expressions.

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Lagos Govt Denies Rift Between Sanwo-Olu And Ogun Governor Abiodun

The Lagos State Government has refuted reports claiming a fallout between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, insisting that the story is false and misleading. The denial was made in a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Lagos governor, Gboyega Akosile, in response to reports circulating on some blogs and online platforms. Akosile said the reports wrongly suggested tension between the two governors, stressing that such claims do not reflect the true nature of their relationship. He described the narrative as completely untrue, noting that Governors Sanwo-Olu and Abiodun maintain a cordial and productive relationship, with regular interactions and ongoing collaboration on issues affecting both states. “For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Dapo Abiodun share a warm, brotherly relationship. They interact frequently and collaborate on matters that promote development in Lagos and Ogun states,” the statement read. Akosile added that the close bond between the two leaders is reinforced by the shared borders and strong socio-cultural ties between Lagos and Ogun states, making cooperation unavoidable. He warned those spreading the reports to stop pushing falsehoods capable of creating unnecessary tension, while emphasizing that both governors remain committed to a common goal of improving the welfare and quality of life of residents in their respective states.

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Annie Idibia Breaks Silence On 2025 Ordeals With Emotional New Year Reflection

Nollywood actress Annie Idibia has ushered in the New Year with a deeply personal reflection on the hardships she endured in 2025. Sharing a video of herself standing in front of a mirror, Annie poured out her emotions in a powerful caption that captured both pain and resilience: “#DESPITE All that 2025 threw at me AN EXTREMELY PAINFUL BLESSING.. #Despite it all, I STAND.” The post struck a chord with many, as 2025 marked one of the most difficult chapters of her life. During the year, Annie officially ended her marriage to music icon 2Baba, a union that had long played out in the public eye. The situation drew even more attention after the singer moved on and later married Natasha Osawaru. Despite the emotional toll of the divorce and the intense public scrutiny that followed, Annie maintained a quiet but visible journey of self-reflection and healing. Her New Year message suggests a woman choosing strength over bitterness, and growth over defeat. The post has since drawn an outpouring of support from fans and colleagues, many applauding her courage and ability to find meaning in pain as she steps into a new chapter of her life.

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Bolaji Ogunmola Blasts Airline After Flight Cancellations Leave Her Stranded, Film Production in Chaos

Nollywood actress and producer Bolaji Ogunmola has slammed an airline for repeated flight cancellations that left her stranded at Ekiti airport, disrupting a major film shoot and causing both financial and emotional strain. In an emotional Instagram live video, Ogunmola recounted how the airline’s repeated delays threatened her livelihood and forced her to consider travelling by road despite safety concerns. “I have cried my eyes out this morning. I am still in Ekiti,” she said. “I have actors on set, I have booked restaurants, and I am still here.” She was scheduled to fly from Ekiti to Lagos a day earlier to attend the first day of shooting for her new movie. However, the flight was initially delayed and later cancelled without explanation. “I was supposed to fly yesterday, but they said something happened and the flight was delayed. Later, they told me it was cancelled,” Ogunmola explained. She asked for alternative arrangements, and the airline assured her a flight at 8 a.m. the next day. When she arrived at the airport by 6:30 a.m., the flight was postponed multiple times—from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., then to 12 p.m., and finally 5 p.m. “This is very painful because they could have just sent a message,” she said. The delays have already caused significant losses, with Ogunmola revealing she has spent between 15 and 20 million naira on the production. “My crew and cast are already on set for the first day of shooting, and I am stuck here,” she added. Ogunmola also expressed concern for her safety, saying she might have to travel by road. “I am literally stuck in a state where I don’t know anybody,” she said. She accused the airline staff of showing no empathy or remorse. “They have toyed with my time and my livelihood. They are unfair and inhumane,” she said. Ogunmola revealed that she plans to take legal action and recorded the live video as evidence of her ordeal. “My lawyers are going to handle this. I made this video so I can have proof,” she said.   View this post on Instagram  

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Portable Insists N10 Million to Join Carter Efe’s Live Session

A conversation between Portable and comedian Carter Efe has gone viral online, drawing widespread attention. Carter Efe, a well-known Nigerian Twitch streamer, reached out to Portable via direct message, requesting that he appear on an upcoming live session. Portable responded, setting a fee of N10 million for the appearance. Carter Efe offered N9.9 million, but Portable stood firm, insisting on the original amount. He referenced previous appearances by celebrities like Davido, Ini Edo, Shallipopi, and Wale, noting the appreciation he received from them, often in the form of gifts. Portable emphasized his status, declaring, “Stars do not beg to shine,” and suggested that Carter Efe seek support from his audience if he wanted to secure his appearance. He refused to accept anything less than N10 million. The entertainer also explained that his fee was divinely inspired, quoting a message from God: “Do not give them the glory for free, collect money.” He maintained that Carter Efe would need to meet his terms if he wanted him to participate.   View this post on Instagram  

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Super Eagles Set to Receive Outstanding AFCON Match Bonuses

The Federal Government has confirmed that the Super Eagles’ match bonuses for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations have cleared all necessary regulatory approvals. Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka-Anite said in a statement on Thursday that the payments would begin reflecting in the players’ domiciliary accounts “starting today or tomorrow.” The announcement comes after the Super Eagles threatened on Wednesday to boycott their travel to Marrakesh for their quarter-final match over unpaid allowances. Nigeria is set to face Algeria on Saturday in Marrakesh, about five hours from their base in Fez. Players and officials had insisted they would not make the trip until all outstanding bonuses were settled. The Eagles have yet to receive match allowances for the four games they have played so far in the tournament.

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