Obi Cubana Receives Prestigious Chieftaincy Title in Anambra State

Obi Cubana has been bestowed with a chieftaincy title by the Enugwu-Ukwu na Umunri Traditional Council in Anambra State. In a statement on Sunday, the businessman announced that he received the title Ife-Igbo-Ji-Ka-Mba during a ceremony held in Enugwu-Ukwu on Saturday. The honour was conferred by Igwe Ralph Obumneme Ekpe, the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu. The statement explained that the title recognizes Cubana’s contributions to business, philanthropy, and the promotion of Igbo culture and excellence. Loosely translated, Ife-Igbo-Ji-Ka-Mba means “the pride of the Igbo before the world,” and is reserved for individuals who have made significant impacts in enterprise and community development. At the event, the monarch and council members praised Cubana for his leadership, entrepreneurial achievements, and commitment to social initiatives, noting the positive influence he has had on the Igbo community. Obi Cubana expressed appreciation for the recognition and pledged to continue supporting initiatives that foster economic growth and community development. He also said the honour would inspire him to further promote Igbo heritage both locally and internationally. The ceremony drew guests from sectors including banking, oil and gas, real estate, and hospitality, alongside community leaders and business executives.

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Rivers State Secretary Benibo Anabraba Resigns From PDP, Eyes APC Move

The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Benibo Anabraba, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a letter dated January 5, 2026, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 1, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Anabraba described his decision to leave the party as “personal.” He also expressed gratitude for the “political leverage gained from the party during the period of my membership.” While Anabraba did not publicly reveal his next political step, sources indicate that he is expected to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Presidency Confirms Photo of Tinubu and Kagame in Paris Is Authentic, Not AI-Generated

The Presidency has dismissed reports suggesting that a photograph of President Bola Tinubu with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, released on Sunday, was AI-generated. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, clarified in a statement on Monday that the image is authentic. He confirmed that the two leaders met in Paris for lunch and later joined French President Emmanuel Macron for dinner. “The claim that the picture of Presidents Bola Tinubu and Paul Kagame taken in Paris was AI-generated is not correct,” the statement said. Ajayi added, “The Vanguard report and social media posts spreading this claim are a deliberate misrepresentation of facts. The picture is real. Both President Kagame and President Tinubu met in Paris for lunch and later attended dinner with President Macron. The photo was taken with a phone, which accounts for its lower quality. The photographer later used Grok to enhance the image, which does not make it AI-generated. Proper verification should have been done before drawing this incorrect conclusion.” The Presidency said the false claims have created misleading narratives about the meeting and urged the media to verify information before publishing.

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Maduro and Wife To Face Federal Charges at U.S. District Court in New York

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife have been captured by U.S. forces and brought to the United States, where they are set to appear in federal court at noon on Monday, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of New York confirmed. President Trump, during a Saturday press briefing, said the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela during the transition and “get the oil flowing,” adding on Sunday that America was now “in charge” of the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later clarified that the U.S. does not intend to directly govern Venezuela but will continue enforcing an “oil quarantine” as part of its strategy to influence the nation’s policies. Maduro and his wife were flown to New York on Saturday following their capture in Caracas during a U.S. military operation. They are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and face federal charges, including drug trafficking and collaboration with gangs labeled as terrorist organizations—allegations Maduro denies. Officials told CBS News that the raid was executed by the U.S. Army’s Delta Force, an elite special forces unit. The operation followed months of U.S. military preparations in the region, including the deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier and other naval vessels in the Caribbean, alongside a series of targeted strikes on more than 30 boats reportedly carrying drugs.

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AI-Generated Photo of President Tinubu With Rwanda’s Kagame Sparks Controversy

The Presidency on Sunday shared a photograph claimed to show President Bola Tinubu meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris, but the image was later identified on X as being AI-generated. The photograph, which quickly circulated online, was posted by President Tinubu and some of his aides. It appeared to show both leaders seated together during what was described as a private meeting in the French capital. In his post, Tinubu said the discussion focused on global affairs and advancing Africa’s role in the world. “This afternoon, I had a private lunch with H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to discuss the current state of world affairs and advancing Africa in an ever-changing global landscape,” Tinubu wrote. The President’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, reinforced the claim, posting: “President Bola Tinubu at a private lunch in Paris with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.” Similarly, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wrote: “President Bola Tinubu at a private lunch in Paris with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, discussing world affairs and advancing Africa. Sunday, January 4, 2026.” However, an X note attached to Tinubu’s post raised doubts about the image, stating: “While a meeting between Mr Tinubu and President Kagame is reported to have held in Paris, the image in this post appears to be AI-generated, given the GrokAI badge.” Grok is a generative AI tool developed by xAI, Elon Musk’s technology company, capable of creating images, generating text, and performing real-time searches. The revelation has sparked concern over the use of AI-generated images in official presidential communications, particularly regarding international diplomatic engagements.

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Lagos Police Invite Pastor Chris Okafor Over Alleged Rape And Sexual Offences

The Lagos State Police Command has invited the Senior Pastor of Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, over allegations bordering on multiple rape, other sexual offences, and actions capable of causing a breach of public peace. According to the police, Pastor Okafor is expected to present himself at the SCID by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026. The invitation followed the delivery of an official letter to him through his legal counsel. The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the SCID to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. The police stated that Pastor Okafor is expected to fully cooperate with investigators as the probe progresses. The commissioner also assured that all alleged victims involved in the case would be provided with adequate security and protection. He urged members of the public who may have suffered similar experiences, or who have useful information related to the matter, to come forward without fear, stressing that their identities would be kept strictly confidential. The Lagos State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order, protecting public safety, and ensuring a fair and impartial investigation. It emphasized that no individual is above the law, regardless of status, and that due process will be followed to ensure justice is served.

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FG Drops Criminal Defamation Charges Against Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Federal Government has officially discontinued the criminal defamation and cyberbullying case against the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, putting an end to a legal battle that had drawn intense public and political attention. The withdrawal was confirmed on Sunday following a telephone conversation with Eseme Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Senate President. According to him, the decision was consistent with Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s earlier directive to withdraw all defamation-related suits he had instituted. The charges arose from petitions submitted by Akpabio and former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello after Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly made comments during a televised appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, where she reportedly claimed there were plots to assassinate her. Eyiboh, while explaining the development, said, “When the Senate President made the decision to withdraw all defamation cases in court, he didn’t say ‘except Natasha’; he said all cases.” Akpabio had announced on Thursday that he instructed his lawyers to discontinue every defamation suit he filed against individuals, stating that the decision followed advice he received from a priest during a New Year Mass. Following this directive, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation filed a Notice of Discontinuance dated December 12, 2025, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, effectively bringing the prosecution to an end. The filing was made under Sections 108(1), 108(2)(a) and 108(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, as well as the inherent powers of the court. The notice, submitted in the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was signed by officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions on behalf of the Attorney-General and duly certified by the court. It was entered in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025. “The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation intends to discontinue proceedings in this matter,” the notice read.

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Cameroon Joins Morocco, Mali and Senegal in AFCON 2025 Quarter-Finals

Cameroon joins the likes of Morocco, Mali, and Senegal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals. The Indomitable Lions edged past South Africa 2-1 in Rabat on Sunday, holding firm despite a late surge from their opponents. Junior Tchamadeu broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, and Christian Kofane quickly doubled the lead just two minutes into the second half, putting Cameroon in command. South Africa pulled one back in the 88th minute through Evidence Makgopa, making the finish tense, but Cameroon managed to see out the victory and book their place in the last eight.

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