Femi Adebayo Celebrates Daughter Firdaos Niniola’s University Graduation

Nollywood actor and filmmaker Femi Adebayo has taken to social media to celebrate his first child, Firdaos Niniola Adebayo, following her university graduation. Sharing his joy on Instagram on Wednesday, Adebayo expressed pride in his daughter’s achievement, calling it a significant milestone. He wrote, “Firdaos Niniola #niniolajannah Ajoke mi – my first child. You have brought me endless reasons to smile over the years. Alhamdulillah for this wonderful achievement. Today, you graduate, and my heart is full of gratitude and pride. Education is a gift, and responsibility is its companion – may you use both to uplift yourself and others.” Adebayo also prayed for Firdaos and reaffirmed his support, saying, “May Allah continue to guide, protect, and elevate you in everything you do. Your journey is just beginning, and Daddy will always stand proudly behind you.”

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Aruna, Goda Begin 2026 Campaign at WTT Champions Doha

After the disappointment of missing out on the end-of-year WTT Cup Finals for the first time, Africa’s table tennis stars Quadri Aruna of Nigeria and Hana Goda of Egypt will open their 2026 campaigns on Thursday, January 8, at the WTT Champions Doha in Qatar. For the first time in the history of the WTT Cup Finals, no African player featured in the 2025 edition, as both Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar missed qualification based on their overall performances last season. Aruna, the only African to have consistently featured in the Cup Finals since its inception in 2021, ended 2025 as the continent’s highest-ranked male player but failed to make the top 16 cut. Goda, Africa’s top-ranked female player, also missed out after falling short of the top-16 threshold required for entry into the lucrative tournament. Now, both players will look to bounce back at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, where they face tough Asian opposition in the opening round of the singles event. Aruna will renew his rivalry with China’s Liang Jingkun, while Goda faces a stern test against former World No. 1 Zhu Yuling of Macao. Aruna and Jingkun share a competitive history. The Nigerian famously defeated the Chinese star at the 2021 WTT Cup Finals, but their first encounter at the 2018 Korean Open saw Jingkun dominate with a 4-1 victory. Their clash in Doha will mark their third meeting, with both players eager to tilt the head-to-head record in their favour. For Goda, the duel against Yuling will be their first-ever meeting on the international stage. The Egyptian prodigy will be aiming to upset the established order at a tournament where players battle for crucial ranking points and a share of the $500,000 prize purse. Meanwhile, Assar endured a disappointing start to the year. His new partnership with Austrian coach and former world champion Werner Schlager began with defeat, as the Egyptian surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 against Japan’s Shunsuke Togami in the first round of the men’s singles. Despite the setback, Assar has signalled his intent to challenge the sport’s elite in 2026. This marks the first time the Qatari capital will host the purple WTT Champions, adding further prestige to the season-opening event.

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Suspected Bandits Attack National Park Service Office In Oyo State, Kill Five Personnel

Gunmen believed to be bandits have reportedly launched an attack on the National Park Service office in Oloka, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to reports, the incident happened around 9 p.m. on Tuesday. Unverified accounts claim that about five personnel of the National Park Service lost their lives during the assault. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the attack. He stated that unidentified assailants carried out the assault on officers of the National Park Service. He added that the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, alongside other security chiefs, was already heading to the scene. He also disclosed that tactical units, Mobile Police Force operatives, and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team have been deployed to the area to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

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US To Enforce Visa Bond Of Up To $15,000 For Nigerians From January 2026

The United States has unveiled new travel rules that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000. Information released by the US Department of State on Travel.State.Gov makes it clear that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. It also stressed that any fees paid without a consular officer’s instruction will not be refunded. The policy affects 38 countries, with African nations making up 24 of those listed, including Nigeria. The visa bond is a financial guarantee imposed on applicants from countries the US classifies as high-risk and applies strictly to B1/B2 visa categories. For Nigeria, the bond requirement is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026, although implementation dates vary for other affected countries between August 2025 and January 2026. Under the directive, eligible applicants travelling on passports from the listed countries will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The specific amount will be determined during the visa interview. Applicants must also submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and formally agree to the bond conditions through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov online payment platform. This requirement applies regardless of where the visa application is filed. The State Department added that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Refunds will only be issued if the Department of Homeland Security confirms that the traveller left the United States on or before the end of their authorised stay, if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or if entry is denied at a US port of entry.

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Priscilla Ojo Discovers Van Cleef Jewellery Stolen During Wedding, Rants Online

Priscilla Ojo has vented online after realizing that her Van Cleef & Arpels jewellery was stolen during her wedding period. Posting photos of empty boxes, she wrote: “To whoever stole my Van Cleefs during my wedding period, you can also come and take the boxes oooo 🙄 hmmmmmm. It is well.” She explained that she only discovered the theft while organizing her closet, noticing that someone she had trusted with access to her room had taken the items. “I just found the boxes while setting up my closet and realised how wicked the person I trusted to have access to my room could steal from me. Tbh, a lot of people had access back then and my stuff was just all over the place,” she said. Priscilla acknowledged her mistake in trusting too freely, adding: “Also, careless of me to think I could trust everyone then. Lesson learnt, we move.” The post has stirred reactions online, with fans sympathizing with her and discussing the shocking discovery amid the buzz of her high-profile wedding to Tanzanian singer Juma Jux.

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FG Denies Abandoning Nigerian Scholarship Students In Morocco, Calls Viral Reports False

The Federal Government has denied claims that Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco have been abandoned, calling the reports misleading and “deliberately crafted to misinform the public.” The denial follows a viral video on social media showing Nigerian students under the Federal Government scholarship scheme in Morocco allegedly facing hardships, including homelessness and lack of medical support. The video featured activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, speaking with several students who claimed they had not received financial support for years despite being scholarship beneficiaries. In a statement signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, clarified: “No Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned. All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations. Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance.” The statement also warned against circulating false information: “No new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter. Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy.” Dr Alausa explained that the discontinuation of government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a policy review which found that Nigeria now has sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to run the affected programmes locally. “Consequently, only scholarships fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries,” the statement added. The Ministry reassured that the government remains committed to supporting students already enrolled under previous arrangements until they complete their programmes. It also offered an option for students who wish to return to Nigeria, saying: “Such students will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice. The Federal Government will cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.” Dr Alausa emphasized that the current administration is focused on eliminating inefficiencies and abuses in the scholarship system, noting that past practices of sponsoring overseas training for courses already established in Nigeria placed unnecessary financial burdens on the nation.

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Regina Daniels Shares Emotional Video As She Undergoes Drug Test

Regina Daniels has shared an emotional video as she underwent a drug test, opening up about the challenges she has faced over the past few months. In her caption, the Nollywood actress described the period as “nothing short of heavy,” a time that tested her deeply but did not break her. She wrote, “Everything I had ever known was drowning right in front of me. But here’s the plot twist. I didn’t drown with it. Why? Because I was carried by the overwhelming love, support, patience, and understanding of my family, friends, and members of the general public. And for that, I am forever grateful.” Regina explained that she decided to take the test for the sake of those who stood by her and to uphold her own integrity and peace of mind. “I owe it to the people who love me, and the people who look up to me. Integrity matters. Accountability matters. Peace of mind especially matters,” she said. Addressing the rumors that labeled her a “drug addict,” she reflected: “I looked at myself in the mirror repeatedly, searching for this so-called addict… People often project their fears, insecurities, and negative thoughts onto others. But projection is not reality, and noise is not truth.” She also emphasized the power of choosing one’s own narrative: “Do you allow yourself to be defined by other people’s opinions, or do you create your own narrative? As for me, I choose the latter every single time. The same mouth that was used to spoil my name is the same mouth that will build it back up.” Regina described this chapter of her life as one of self-discovery and growth. “I’m still standing, still growing, and just getting started. And yes. We move. Happy new year everyone?” Taking this test isn’t just about clearing my name, it’s about giving my children something priceless. So that when they’re old enough, they’ll know their mother was never a drvg add!ct.” — Regina Daniels speaks after undergoing drvgs test at the hospital pic.twitter.com/jgPjQEhqyx — TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) January 7, 2026

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DR Congo’s Fan, Kukah Mboladinga Becomes Africa Cup Of Nations’ Iconic “Human Statue”

The Democratic Republic of Congo exited the Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday, but Michel Kuka Mboladinga, known as the “human statue,” stole the spotlight. Draped in bright, colorful clothing, Kuka stands completely still during matches, eyes lifted to the sky, right arm raised, palm open. On Tuesday, he was joined by hundreds of Congolese fans, whose trip to Morocco was funded by the government, for the last-16 match against Algeria, which the Leopards lost 1-0 in extra time. Kuka’s pose honors Patrice Lumumba, Congo’s independence leader and first prime minister, whose statue stands in Kinshasa. Lumumba was assassinated in 1961 by Katanga separatists and Belgian mercenaries, leaving one of the darkest marks in Congo-Belgium history. Fans at the tournament praised Kuka’s tribute. “He is our brother,” said 30-year-old Laetitia Malula in Casablanca before the Algeria game. “He chose to imitate Lumumba, our hero. That is why we chant his name.” DR Congo’s Cup of Nations campaign comes amid ongoing conflict in the east along the Rwandan border, where fighting has continued since 2021 involving the Rwandan-backed M23 group. Kuka avoided the media, but Jered Bitobo, 35, head of communications for his supporters’ group, described the pose as “a sign of peace.” “He sends a strong message at home and abroad. The open palm represents the peace our country needs,” Bitobo said. Kuka first performed the pose years ago at matches for AS Vita Club, and it has since become his signature at every game.

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