Anthony Joshua To Spend New Year’s Eve In Hospital

Anthony Joshua is expected to spend New Year’s Eve at one of Nigeria’s best hospitals as he continues to recover from a car crash that killed two of his friends. The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a black Lexus when it ploughed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. The deaths of two of his long-term friends – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele- were confirmed on Monday night, while the vehicle’s other two passengers miraculously escaped with their lives. After the fatal road collision, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been rated the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two years. Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua is ‘stable’ and suffered only ‘minor’ injuries, although there are fears they could be more severe than publicised. Sources now said that Joshua is set to remain in hospital for at least a couple more days while he continues to recuperate. Police investigators have confirmed the car crash was caused by a tyre blowout after Joshua’s Lexus ‘lost control’. According to The Telegraph, traffic police believe the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’ on what locals have claimed is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’. An eyewitness has also told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. ‘Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash. ‘Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.’ Footage taken at the roadside showed the boxer grimacing in agony as he was moved from the wrecked vehicle into a police cruiser. Nigeria’s president revealed on Monday that Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya had rushed to his bedside at the hospital after being informed of the crash. The luxury hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP patients. Patients receive one-to-one care 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff. They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste. The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities starts at £2,000. A representative of Joshua issued a statement on Monday evening confirming the deaths of the boxer’s two team members and ‘close friends’. The spokesman said: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele. ‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. ‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news. ‘Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation. ‘No further information will be made available at this time.’ Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury paid tribute to the two men who were killed during the crash, sharing a post to Instagram on Tuesday. ‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on the social media platform. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’ The crash, which occurred at midday local time, came just 10 days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami. As reported by the Daily Mail on Monday, Joshua had been visiting family in Nigeria as part of a one-week holiday, with a view to resuming training ahead of a fight in late March, most likely in Saudi Arabia against the kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, prior to his proposed showdown against Fury in September or October. While the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries are currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be in any shape for a quick ring return. There will also be the question of psychological trauma as the ordeal that killed two other passengers in the same vehicle.

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Arsenal Thrash Aston Villa 4-1 To Go Five Points Clear At The Top

Arsenal moved five points clear at the summit of the Premier League after a dominant second-half performance swept aside Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium, bringing the visitors’ eight-match league winning streak to an emphatic end. Villa, managed by former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, threatened to spoil the party early on and looked the sharper side before the interval. A win would have pulled them level on points with the Gunners, and their energy in midfield caused problems, particularly with Declan Rice absent. Morgan Rogers and Amadou Onana repeatedly found space through the centre as Arsenal took time to settle. Clear chances were scarce in the opening half, but the match shifted dramatically after the restart as Mikel Arteta’s side turned on the style. The breakthrough came when Gabriel reacted quickest from a corner, bundling the ball home after Emiliano Martínez failed to command his six-yard box. The Emirates erupted again moments later as Martin Ødegaard slid a precise pass into the path of Martin Zubimendi, who arrived perfectly to poke in Arsenal’s second. With Villa reeling, Arsenal pressed harder. Leandro Trossard made it three with a composed finish from the edge of the area, before substitute Gabriel Jesus added a fourth almost immediately after coming on, smashing in with his first meaningful touch. The goal marked Jesus’ first since January and underlined Arsenal’s growing attacking depth. Kai Havertz’s return to the bench after a lengthy absence further boosted the home side, while their defensive resilience remained intact deep into the contest. David Raya produced a stunning late save to deny John McGinn from point-blank range, though Villa eventually grabbed a consolation when Ollie Watkins scored from close range after Donyell Malen struck the post. The result capped a statement performance from Arsenal, who head toward the new year with momentum, firepower and a firm grip on the title race.

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Morocco 2025: Eagles Trounce Cranes, Await Lions or Mambas in Round of 16

A strike by Paul Onuachu and a brace by midfielder Raphael Onyedika lifted a remarkably different Nigeria team to a 3-1 win over Uganda in their final Group C encounter at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.   Onuachu, starting ahead of Akor Adams as Coach Eric Chelle made several changes to the squad that defeated Tanzania and Tunisia in their earlier games, connected perfectly with a pass from the left by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the 28th minute to give Nigeria the lead, only two minutes after veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango had stopped a point-blank effort by the Trabzonspor of Turkey forward.   Before then, Nigeria had dominated play extensively, and as early as the 9th minute, Samuel Chukwueze’s shot came off the defensive wall after good work by Simon Moses. A teasing pull-out by Chukwueze in the 25th minute narrowly missed the head of Onuachu.   Moses himself came close with four minutes left in the first period, as his shot came off the wall after the Eagles poured forward in numbers once more.   In the second half, Rogers Mato came close to connecting with a good cross but missed. Nigeria regrouped and sustained the pressure on their opponents, who had won four of their previous eight encounters before Tuesday evening’s match in Fès.   Wing-back Bruno Onyemaechi side-netted in the 51st minute, and six minutes later, goalkeeper Salim Omar, who had come in for the injured Onyango, was red-carded after punching the ball outside his box as Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s stand-in-captain, loomed towards goal.   Midfielder Raphael Onyedika, playing his first game at this AFCON, scored Nigeria’s second in the 62nd minute after connecting well with a pass by Samuel Chukwueze. Chukwueze and Raphael recreated a similar process four minutes later, leading to Onyedika, who plays his club football in Belgium, scoring his second and Nigeria’s third.   In the 70th minute, Paul Onuachu’s header was a little too high, and five minutes later, Rogers Mato scored at the other end as Uganda finished well from a brilliant team move.   Victory gave the Eagles the maximum nine points from their three matches, and they will now certainly meet the third-placed team in Group F, with both third-placed finishers in Groups A (Comoros) and B (Angola) already eliminated. This could be any of Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants (Cup holders), Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions or the Mambas of Mozambique.   That match comes up on Monday, 5th January in Fès.   Tanzania’s gutsy 1-1 draw with Tunisia saw the Taifa Stars reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history. They will play host nation Morocco in the Round of 16.

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BREAKING: Lagos State Cancels 2025 Greater Lagos Fiesta

The Lagos State Government has announced the cancellation of the 2025 Greater Lagos Fiesta, which was scheduled for December 31, 2025. In a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the cancellation and urged Lagosians to dedicate the day to personal prayers for the nation, the state, and the people of Lagos. The Governor called on residents to pray for “our continued prosperity, leadership, peace, productivity and our continued general wellbeing.” He also wished Lagosians a happy and prosperous 2026, noting that the coming year holds great promise for both the state and Nigeria. He encouraged citizens to maintain peace and harmony in their communities. “On behalf of my family, I wish every resident of our dear State a happy and prosperous new year. I want to assure you all that the year 2026 will be a better year for us in the State, as our administration is determined to work twice as hard to deliver the goods for the residents of the state,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

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Fire Erupts At Army Arena Market In Oshodi, Traders Panic

Traders at the bustling Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos, were thrown into chaos on Tuesday evening after a fire erupted, consuming parts of the market. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident via its official X account, stating, “There’s a fire outbreak inside Arena Shopping Mall along Agege Motor Road, Oshodi. Men of @LagosRescue are on ground to extinguish the inferno.” Emergency teams rushed to the scene to control the blaze and stop it from spreading to other areas of the market. At the time of reporting, the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage remained unknown.

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Ondo Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspected Bandits Fleeing Northern Airstrikes

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, has arrested 39 individuals suspected of fleeing northern Nigeria following U.S. military airstrikes. Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said the corps has strengthened security measures to prevent the entry of bandits and terrorists into the state. Adeleye made the announcement while parading 61 of the 100 suspects detained at the Amotekun headquarters in Akure, the state capital. He explained that 50 of the suspects were arrested for disturbing public order, six for kidnapping, two for violating anti-open grazing regulations, and three for gender-based offenses, including rape. “We appreciate the support of all security agencies in the state—the police, civil defence, army, DSS, vigilantes—and the public,” Adeleye said. He gave further details, naming 34-year-old Mustafa and 45-year-old Philip, arrested for kidnapping in the Ofosun Odigbo area. In Isua Akoko, 18-year-old Idris, 20-year-old Ibrahim Abdullahi, and 23-year-old Lawal Idris were apprehended. For rape and assaults on Amotekun officers, suspects included 19-year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman, and 41-year-old Bejide in Isinkan. Arrests for armed robbery included 30-year-old Ola Tunbosun, Ibrahim, and Shahidu in Akure North, Oba Akoko, and Oba Ile.

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Onuachu And Onyedika Fire Nigeria To 3-1 Win Over Uganda, Maintain Perfect Record In AFCON Group C

Paul Onuachu and Raphael Onyedika starred as Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 to secure all nine points in Group C of the AFCON qualifiers. Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle made several changes to his starting lineup, handing starts to Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC), Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), and Moses Simon (Paris FC). In the absence of Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen captained the team. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Onuachu scored his first goal for Nigeria in four years, assisted by Dele-Bashiru. In the 50th minute, Chidozie Awaziem missed a close-range chance from a corner, and a minute later, Bruno Onyemachi nearly doubled the lead, firing into the side netting after Osimhen missed a header. Uganda was reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola handled Osimhen’s goal-bound shot outside the penalty area. Nigeria extended their lead in the 67th minute when Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika scored with an assist from on-loan Fulham winger Samuel Chukwueze. Five minutes later, Chukwueze again impressed on the right wing, setting up Onyedika to complete his brace. Uganda pulled a consolation goal in the 75th minute through Rogers Mato, who finished off Allan Okello’s through pass. Osimhen was substituted in the 87th minute for Sevilla striker Adams Akor after being denied a first-half goal due to an offside call. Earlier, Super Eagles legend Kanu Nwankwo, popularly known as Papilo, sent prayers and support to the team ahead of their final Group C match, praising the players for their performance against Tunisia and celebrating their connection to the iconic Super Eagles anthem from the early 1990s.

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Tinubu Confirms New Tax Laws Will Take Effect January 1, Urges Public Support

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s determination to implement the newly signed tax laws, rejecting calls to halt the reforms amid public debates over certain provisions. In a statement released on Tuesday, Tinubu confirmed that the rollout will continue as planned, with some provisions effective from June 26, 2025, and others set to take effect on January 1, 2026. He described the reforms as a historic opportunity to build a fairer, more efficient, and sustainable tax system for Nigeria. Tinubu stressed that the changes are not intended to increase the tax burden on citizens, but to reform the system, improve administration, uphold the dignity of taxpayers, and strengthen trust between the government and the people. “The new tax laws are not intended to raise taxes. They are designed to reset the system structurally, promote harmonisation, protect dignity and strengthen the social contract,” he said. While acknowledging ongoing public discussions and concerns about specific sections of the laws, Tinubu stated that no critical issues had been identified that would justify suspending or reversing the reforms. He cautioned against reactionary decisions, noting that public confidence is built through steady and well-considered policies. The President urged all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, noting that the reform programme has moved decisively into the delivery stage. He reiterated the administration’s commitment to due process and respect for laws duly passed and assented to. Tinubu also assured Nigerians that the Presidency will work closely with the National Assembly to promptly address any challenges that may arise during implementation. “I want to assure Nigerians that the Federal Government will always act in the overall public interest to deliver a tax system that promotes prosperity, fairness and shared responsibility,” he said. The statement was issued in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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