Anthony Joshua May Retire From Boxing After Horrific Accident

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January 6, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

“Watching Joshua fight has become emotionally distressing for us. Each time he is knocked down, our hearts go down with him”

If Information coming from Anthony Joshua’s family is anything to go by, the former Boxing Heavyweight Champion may have decided to quit his profitable Boxing career.

There is speculation that the Boxer is considering retiring from the Boxing Profession following the fatal accident that claimed the lives of his two friends and associates at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on December 29, 2025.

The news of his planned retirement was disclosed by his uncle, Adedamola Joshua, who in an Interview with Punch Newspaper said that the 36-year-old boxer privately informed his family of the decision in the aftermath of the accident.

Adedamola had stated that the Boxer’s decision brought a sense of relief to relatives who have long struggled with the emotional toll of his career.

“The major thing there is that he has retired from boxing. That is one thing that makes us glad because each time he’s fighting in the ring, we are always carried away emotionally,” he said.

He added that watching Joshua fight had become increasingly distressing for the family.

“Each time he’s knocked down, it is just like the heart is coming out of our chest. All these emotional feelings whenever he’s fighting, it’s too much trauma for us,” he said, confirming that Joshua had communicated his intention directly to the family.

The Nigeria born British Pugilist was born in Watford to Nigerian parents, and had been on holiday in Nigeria after his December 19 knockout victory over Jake Paul in Miami before the fatal accident that claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele, both long-time members of Joshua’s boxing camp. Ghami served as his strength and conditioning coach, while Ayodele was his personal trainer.

The duo of Ghami and Latif were buried in London last Sunday, in which Joshua attended the emotional funeral service for the two men at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, where mourners gathered as the Janaza prayers were observed.

Joshua pledged to support the families of the deceased for life.

He broke his public silence on Sunday with an Instagram post showing him with the bereaved relatives, captioned “My Brother’s Keeper,” accompanied by heart emojis and a military helmet symbol.

Troops Rescue Army Officer From Abductors In Plateau

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Ayodele Oni

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January 6, 2026

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Troops Rescue Army Officer From Abductors In Plateau

By Ayodele Oni

A senior military officer abducted in Plateau state on Monday has been rescued by Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP).

The troops successfully rescued the retired Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Report from the headquarters of the Nigerian Army, stated that the retired senior officer was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026 at about 0045 hours from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA.

“Upon receipt of the distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3, Operation Enduring Peace, swiftly mobilised and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.

“The troops, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search and rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the general area.

“Later in the day, at about 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted the wife of the abducted retired officer and demanded a ransom of Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200,000,000.00).

“Having observed the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the kidnappers issued threats to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.

“Consequently, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated in the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd) at about 1730 hours on 5 January 2026 at the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, without any ransom payment.

“The rescued retired officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation Enduring Peace Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations.

“Meanwhile, troops of Operation Enduring Peace are continuing aggressive combing operations within the surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.

“The Nigerian Army, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.”

Massive Protest In Ondo State Sports Complex Over Appointment Of Acting GM

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 6, 2026

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Massive Protest in Ondo State — Massive Protest In Ondo State Sports Complex

By Akinwale Kasali

There is palpable tension at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure, Ondo State Capital. Protesters disrupted activities at the Complex following the appointment of Evelyn Lebi as Acting General Manager of the Ondo State Sports Council.

The aggrieved protesters, comprising Sports Union Leaders, Coaches, and Athletes, said the appointment was against the wish of stakeholders, adding that the appointment would not advance Sports development in the State.

Coach Fisayo Bello, Coordinating Chairman of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees, AUPCTRE, said sports in Ondo State was already in a “comatose” state and required a competent technocrat to revive it.

He added that the Acting General Manager does not have the wherewithal to revive Sports in the State, adding that the person needed to paddle the affairs of Sport in the State is a passionate and dedicated individual.

“We need someone with passion for sports who can take us back to our glorious days, not backwards. Lebi contested four years ago, we said no, and we are saying no now.

“We want a better person, we want a technocrat that can take us back to our glorious days, not backwards,” Bello said.

Coach Osifo Moses, Chairman of AUPCTRE in the State and a boxing coach, said sports in the state needed a better candidate than Lebi. He added that the council required a reputable and committed leader for the position.

The Chairman of the Ondo State Professional Coaches Association, Joshua Ogunbiyi, said the protest was not against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, whom he described as passionate about sports development, but against the choice of Lebi.

Ogunbiyi further alleged that Lebi had previously served at the council and was involved in actions that caused tension among staff, adding that stakeholders had repeatedly expressed reservations about her competence.

“At this stage, sport is not moving forward. We want somebody vibrant and competent, someone who will revive sports development.

“A person like Lebi has contested for this position over three times, and we have made the government realise that she is not competent.

“We are not against the governor bringing whoever he feels can revive sports, but as far as we are concerned, Lebi is not one of them,” he said.

In the same vein, Idowu Afun, General Captain of Ondo State Athletes, called on the state government to appoint a competent and vibrant person to head the council.

Henry Omoyofunmi, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, described the protest as “strange” and unjustified.

He stated that Lebi was qualified and a professional, noting that she had served at the Sports Council for more than 15 years and was currently a Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“She was redeployed after the tenure expiration of the former general manager. The Head of Service posted an accounting officer to the council, and I don’t see why that should be challenged,” he said.

The commissioner alleged that the protesters were acting under unknown influence, noting that the appointment would not hinder sporting activities but rather help reposition the sector.

Obi Won’t Contest Under ADC, Will Soon Dump The Party

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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January 6, 2026

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Despite joining the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Peter Obi will not contest the presidential election under the party’s platform, according to Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication.

The presidential aide, while speaking on Clarity Zone Podcast said Obi will soon dump the party after realising that it’s impossible for him to achieve his presidential ambition.

The magazine reports that the former Anambra state governor officially joined the ADC from Labour Party, under whose platform he contested the 2023 presidential election.

He’s being touted as one of the presidential hopefuls in the party, which also has Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president as one of the aspirants seeking to fly its ticket in the 2027 election.

Some analysts watching what is going on in the ADC insist that it will be hard for the former governor to beat Abubakar to the ticket. They said Obi will eventually settled for the vice presidential candidate of the party, with Abubakar emerging the presidential candidate.

Supporters of the former governor, including Prof Pat Utomi, Aisha Yesufu, and others have warned him not to settle for the second fiddle, saying they will be forced to abandon him if he chose to run for vice president.

Bwala however said Obi will be frustrated out of the ADC when he fails to emerge as the presidential candidate, adding that the former governor will also not settle for the position of a running mate.

Bwala: “He started with PDP, then went to APGA. In APGA, he came back to PDP. From PDP, he went to Labour.

“Right now, when you hear people talk about being between the devil and the deep blue sea, he is between ADC and Labour.

“He will not be the presidential candidate, he will not be the vice-presidential candidate. Peter Obi is going to run on a platform other than Labour and other than ADC.”

N100bn Illegally Withdrawn From Federation Account Monthly; El Rufai Calls On NASS To Impeach Tinubu

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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January 6, 2026

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Nasir El Rufai, a former governor of Kaduna state has called on the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceeding against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over an alleged N1.5 trillion illegally withdrawn from the federation Account.

He said the amount was withdrawn from the Account for a period of 15 months.

The former governor spoke on Arise Television interview programme, Prime Time saying the huge amount was systematically withdrawn from the federation account without appropriation by the NASS.

El Rufai said the president should be invited to explain the alleged withdrawal without the approval of the state governments, which are federating units.

He also lamented the state of insecurity in the country, which he claimed is worse than when the late President Muhammadu Buhari was the country’s leader.

According to him, more Nigerians have been killed or adducted under President Tinubu compared to when Buhari was in charge of the country, saying “President Tinubu has failed woefully. If you told me in 2023 when we were campaigning that things will get this bad, I will say you are mentally ill.”

“In 2024, over 2.2 million Nigerians were abducted; 615,000 were killed. Is Nigeria at war? This number is worse than those of the past 8 years under Buhari. 1.5T has been withdrawn from the federation account without appropriation by the NASS, which is an impeachable offense,” the former governor said.

The former governor, was a close ally of the president but later parted ways with him, after he failed to scale the Senate Ministerial screening in 2023. He blamed Tinubu for his predicament, and has since turned a bitter critic of the incumbent.

Atiku To Tinubu: Come Back Home, Nigeria In Crisis

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James Orji

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January 6, 2026

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Presidential hopeful of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to return home and attend to the pressing problems in the country.

According to Abubakar, some of the crisis currently facing the country include, killings terrorism, hunger, economic despair, cost of living crisis, among others, saying the president should cut short his trip abroad and return home to address them.

The former vice president was reacting to the controversy surrounding President Tinubu’s photo shot with Rwanda President, Paul Kegame in France.

The Presidency shared the photograph at the weekend, which has been described by not a few Nigerians as AI generated. The administration, however, rebuffed its critics, insisting the picture is real.

Reacting, in a post shared by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former PDP presidential candidate said the administration chose to involve itself in unnecessary controversy, when the country is in a serious crisis.

Abubakar said while “Nigerians are crushed by hunger, insecurity, collapsing businesses, and a brutal cost-of-living crisis,” the president is fiddling away in France, when the country needed his presence to tackle the myriads of crisis plaguing the country.

The statement read:” The Presidency’s latest ‘Stop Press’ is a textbook case of misplaced priorities and official shamelessness. At a moment when Nigerians are crushed by hunger, insecurity, collapsing businesses, and a brutal cost-of-living crisis, the Presidency chose to brief the nation on who the President had lunch with and who he dined with in Paris.

“That is not leadership. It is tone-deafness in power. While communities in Niger State and other parts of the country are under attack and families can no longer afford basic food, the Presidency is busy explaining camera phones, image quality, and photo editing. By the way, why is Tinubu’s plate empty? Nigerians did not ask for a Paris menu. They asked for leadership.

“On the claim of AI or forgery, the outrage is unconvincing. A presidency repeatedly entangled in controversies over forged or questionable documents cannot suddenly pretend to be shocked by public skepticism.

“When credibility is eroded, doubt follows naturally. Instead of asking why trust has collapsed, the Presidency is lecturing Nigerians and attacking the media.

“The real falsehood is not a photograph. It is the daily distortion of leadership priorities. Nigeria is burning.

“The Presidency is editing pictures.

“It is time for the Presidency to abandon public relations theatrics, return home, and confront the emergencies facing Nigerians—hunger, insecurity, and economic collapse—with urgency, humility, and action. That is the minimum Nigerians expect.”

Tinubu departed the country late December last year, and is expected to be back this month, Presidency sources said.

N600b: Amb. Akawor Accuses Gov. Fubara Of Neglecting Oyinbo LGA

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Adesina Soyooye

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January 6, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

The fallout from the disclosure that the former Rivers State Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, left the sum of N600b in the State’s Treasury is still shaking the polity in the embattled State.

The disclosure was first made by the Rivers State House of Assembly Members, who in a bid to tackle Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the poor state of public schools in the State, revealed that the Governor was sitting on such a huge amount of money while public schools were like a pig’s sty. But Fubara fired back that under the immediate past Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, the schools were in that very poor state, to the extent that when they were campaigning in 2023, the opposition threw that dirt at them.

Wike was to weigh in later, and scolded the Members for that disclosure because, according to him, it has exposed the State to “greedy politicians” who are only interested in Rivers State Treasury.

Since then, anybody, particularly from Abuja, who visits the State and says anything positive about Fubara, Wike alleges it is because the person wants a share from the N600b.

On Monday, it was the turn of Nigeria’s former Ambassador to South Korea, Desmond Akawor. A former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Akawor, who is now the Rivers State Coordinator , Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Akawor said that under Fubara, the development of Oyigbo Local Government Area has been halted.

He spoke during the visit of the FCT Minister to Oyigbo LGA.

Wike has been touring the State’s LGAs for what he termed “a thank you visit.” On each visit, however, the Minister used it to throw darts at Fubara.

On Monday, it was the turn of Oyigbo, Akawor’s LGA. While speaking, Akawor descended on Fubara as does Wike.

He said Oyigbo people elected Fubara in 2023 with the belief that he would continue from where Wike stopped in developing the area, but now left disappointed.

He said: “Permit me to speak frankly. If these things are not said now, they may never be said. We elected Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the expectation that Oyigbo would benefit meaningfully from development.

“Your Excellency, development in Oyigbo has stalled. We have not moved an inch forward. The only tangible benefit Oyigbo has received is a Commissioner’s slot, which was given to me. Beyond that, nothing substantial has come to our people.”

Akawor then issued a warning on the N600bn: “Oyigbo must not be left behind from the utilisation of the N600 billion in the State Treasury.”

“Wike, You Are Not The Owner Of Rivers State” – Ann Kio-Briggs

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Adesina Soyooye

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January 6, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

“As of today, majority of the people of Rivers State are behind Governor Fubara”

Weighing in on the renewed political hostilities between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a member of the State’s Elders Forum, Ann Kio-Briggs, has sent a message to Wike: “You are not the owner of Rivers State.”

Kio-Briggs, took the swipe at Wike over his recent comments that Fubara will not be allowed to contest for a second term in office.

In the past couple of weeks, Wike has unleashed all kinds of attacks on the Governor, including publicly dismissing him with condescending words and statements. He has repeatedly said that he would not allow Fubara to contest for a second term in office, a statement which Kio-Briggs finds offensive and a threat to the people of the State and so, unacceptable.

Her words: “Let me put it like this. Nyesom Wike is a former Governor of Rivers State. He is a son of Rivers State. Wike is the Minister of the Federal Capital and a member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. Nobody can claim that any one individual has 100 per cent support in any State in Nigeria, in any place in the world.

“You cannot have 100 per cent support even when you put a gun to somebody’s head, the support is not 100 per cent.

“The Minister is not the owner of Rivers State. He doesn’t own Rivers State, and he doesn’t own the people of Rivers State.

“At least, given this preamble, nobody can claim that the present governor is not the Governor of Rivers State; nobody can claim how many people can vote for him or cannot vote for him.

“But as of today, the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has the majority of votes of the people of Rivers State.”

Commenting specifically on Wike’s threat to stop Fubara in 2027, Kio-Briggs fired: “It’s almost like a threat that Siminalayi Fubara is not going to come back; it’s actually a threat to Rivers State itself, and it is also a threat to the people of Rivers State themselves, and it is not acceptable.

“It is unfair to the people of Rivers State who are being put through this because of political ambition. The people of Rivers State that I know, and that I’m in touch with as of today, the majority of the people are in support of the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“And what I know is that what the Rivers people want is peace. We want peace in our state, and the people of Rivers State want to be allowed to choose a man or woman of their choice, and if at the end of the day Sir Siminalayi Fubara is the choice of the people, it is only if God allows anybody that they can overturn that choice of the people.

“But I think that any true son or daughter of Rivers State should want peace and tranquillity in our state, no matter the political party you belong to.”

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Cruise Into Quarter Final, Annihilate Mambas

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 6, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has once again proved their mettle as a force to reckon with at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Championship in Morocco, by booking a place in the Quarter Finals of the Competition.

The Three Time AFCON Champions mauled the Mambas of Mozambique 4-0, by scoring two goals in each half.

Victor Osimhen scored in each half of the game, increasing his total goal tally at the Competition to three.

At the blast of whistle for the commencement of the game, the Super Eagles started like a house on fire, shooting from all cylinders, dictating the pace of the game and also controlling the game.

Ademola Lookman opened scoring with a powerful strike, following a sublime pass from Alex Iwobi to Akor Adams, who found the Atalanta Football Club of Italy to give Nigeria the lead.

Osimhem doubled the tally with a tap in Goal, after Lookman found him at the far right of the post.

The Nigeria side took a comfortable 2-0 lead into the second half before Osimhen added the third goal few minutes into the second following another sublime cross from Lookman.

Akor Adams scored the Fourth goal, as he received a superb pass from Lookman to take the game beyond the East African nation.

Coach Eric Chelle started the game with Stanley Nwabali in goal, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaichi in the defense.

Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Alex Obi were the heart of the midfield, while Lookman, Akor and Osimhen led the attack.

With the victory, the Super Eagles has qualified for the Quarter Finals, awaiting the winner in the last Round of 16 match between the Desert Foxes of Algeria and the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo for the battle for the Semi Final Ticket.

You’re Free To Resign As Minister, APC Nat Sec. To Wike

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Ayodele Oni

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January 5, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

“Wike’s stock-in-trade, for which he is well known, is blackmail”

National secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has told Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), that he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party at any level.

Reacting in a statement to Wike’s jabs against him during his tour of local councils in Rivers state on Monday, the APC scribe insisted that the Minister is not a member of APC and, so, unfit to dabble into party affairs.

The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to the tirade of the Minister of the FCT against my person and my office as the National Secretary of the APC.

“This is as regards my position that all members of the NWC must accord any sitting Governor his due respect and that the Governors remain the leaders of the Party in their States.

“It is shocking that such an innocuous statement can elicit such uncouth responses from no less than a member of the Federal Executive Council.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our records indicate that Minister Nyesom Wike is not a member of our Party (APC) so he lacks the locus to dabble into the affairs of our Party.

“And, as National Secretary of the APC, I am imbued with the responsibility to protect the interests of the Party and all its members and structures.

“Hence, my comments on the affairs of the APC in Rivers State CANNOT be an undue interference in the affairs of Rivers State. As National Secretary, my activities cannot be confined to my home state, Osun State.

“I also take exception to Wike’s reference to a certain N600 billion largesse in the State for which I and other APC leaders are scrambling. This is nothing but cheap blackmail which has become his stock-in-trade.

“My background, track-record is that of unquestionable intergrity, and I challenge him to prove his allegations, or we may meet in court.

“As to his veiled threat against me, let me remind WIKE that he is not God and may be overplaying his political card. My faith is in God and will not succumb to cheap threats such as the one from WIKE.

“I am one of the young Nigerians that confronted Military rule, fighting for democracy, when the likes of Wike were nowhere in sight.

“Let me also remind Nyesom Wike that his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, does not automatically make him a member of the APC. Millions of non-APC Nigerians also support Mr. President and his own is no different.

“His attempt to destabilise our Party in Rivers State will not be tolerated and he cannot bring the spirit of PDP into the APC.

“Finally, my advice to Nyesom Wike is that he cannot be in the Federal Executive Council of an APC Government and be causing confusion within any organ or structure of the Party at any level, using the leverage of that same office. The honourable thing to do is to resign his appointment as Minister.”