NIGERIA NEWS
Burkina Faso Frees 11 Nigerian Officers After ‘Unauthorized’ Air Force Landing
Burkina Faso has released 11 Nigerian military officers who were detained after their transport aircraft made an “unauthorised” landing in the country.
The officers, including two crew members and nine other military personnel, were aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C‑130 that landed Monday in the western city of Bobo‑Dioulasso.
Burkinabè authorities initially detained the officers and seized the aircraft, saying it had entered the country’s airspace without proper clearance.
The unexpected arrival prompted an immediate security response, with defence and intelligence units deployed to assess the situation.
Territorial Administration Minister Emile Zerbo described the landing as a clear violation of national procedures and sovereignty.
The Nigerian government, however, described the stop as a technical emergency while the plane was en route to Portugal.
NAF insisted the diversion was purely a precaution, carried out in accordance with international aviation safety protocols.
Officials confirmed that the officers were treated well and are now safely returning to Nigeria.
The incident has further strained relations between Nigeria and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a bloc of military-led governments including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
AES condemned the landing as an “unfriendly act” and had placed its air forces on maximum alert following the incursion.
The three countries have previously accused Nigeria of overreaching in regional security operations, particularly in Benin, where Nigeria has coordinated interventions against coup threats.
Despite the initial tensions, Burkinabè security officials cleared the Nigerian officers after questioning and allowed them to depart.
The NAF has not confirmed whether the aircraft has been released but maintained that its personnel were treated with respect during the incident.
In a related development, POLITICS NIGERIA earlier reported that Niger recently introduced new restrictions on goods entering from Nigeria, citing security concerns and possible Nigerian military activity in the region.
All goods from Nigeria must now be inspected at entry points before any transit procedures, according to a directive from Nigerien security authorities.
This episode highlights growing unease between Nigeria and the military-led governments of the Sahel, as the bloc deepens cooperation and reduces reliance on ECOWAS and some Western partners while seeking closer ties with alternative security allies.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ini Ememobong, has said that Governor Siminalayi Fubara directly influenced how party leaders and supporters navigated the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State.
Ememobong made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
Speaking on the governor’s conduct throughout the situation, Ememobong said Fubara consistently urged supporters not to escalate tensions.
“In that whole period, he discouraged people from fighting further,” he said.
“A lot of the commentators who were coming out, including those attending the fair, kept asking what the position was. But he would always say he would sort the matter out.”
Ememobong explained that party leaders, particularly PDP governors, were careful not to take actions that might undermine Governor Fubara’s personal strategy.
“You cannot cry more than the bereaved at the funeral so that it won’t become suspicious,” he noted.
“The PDP governors took their positions, they aired their positions, they took steps but the steps you’re taking are in furtherance of the person’s interest. You can’t file a case and then the person will tell you, ‘I didn’t ask you to; you’re complicating my issues for me.’”
According to him, this caution was driven by the governor’s reluctance at the time to openly confront those challenging his authority.
“When he was ready to fight, everyone fought alongside him,” he added.
“Look at the local government election; he had all the support from everywhere. Even when the state authorities were attempting to push him back, you saw how Nigerians supported him and fought back.”
Ememobong further explained that supporters were hesitant to take aggressive action unless the governor clearly indicated readiness for confrontation.
“In a circumstance where you are not fighting from the front and you’re asking people to backtrack, then people think fighting further will hurt your interest,” he said. “And since they love you, they also heed to you.”
He concluded that political allies acted based on the governor’s signals, prioritising his long-term stability over immediate confrontation.
Two Nigerian women, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and media mogul, Mo Abudu, have been named among Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World for 2025.
The annual list, published on Wednesday by Forbes, celebrates women shaping global business, politics, culture, and technology.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was ranked 92nd on the list. She made history as the first African and first woman to head the WTO, assuming office in March 2021.
Described by Forbes as “an economist and international development professional,” Okonjo-Iweala has more than 30 years of experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.
She previously served as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003–2006, 2011–2015) and briefly as Foreign Minister in 2006. She also chaired the Board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which has immunised over 760 million children worldwide.
A graduate of Harvard University with a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the 71-year-old is widely known for advocating trade as a pathway to lifting developing countries out of poverty.
Media entrepreneur and founder of EbonyLife Media, Mo Abudu, came in at number 98. Forbes described her as “one of the most influential women in global media.”
Abudu launched EbonyLife TV in 2006, which now broadcasts in over 49 countries, including the UK and the Caribbean. Under her leadership, EbonyLife has inked groundbreaking content deals with Sony Pictures Television, AMC Networks, and Netflix, becoming the first African media company to sign a multi-title agreement with the streaming giant.
In November 2025, the company unveiled EbonyLife ON Plus, a new digital platform available on Google Play and Apple App Store.
Born in London, Abudu spent her early years with her grandmother in Nigeria before returning to the UK.
Topping the 2025 Forbes list is European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by European Central Bank’s Christine Lagarde (No. 2), Japan’s first female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (No. 3), and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum (No. 5).
Other notable names include AMD CEO Lisa Su (No. 10), Alphabet’s Ruth Porat (No. 12), Microsoft’s Amy Hood (No. 16), and Meta CFO Susan Li (No. 41). Daniela Amodei (No. 73), co-founder of AI firm Anthropic, and Kim Kardashian (No. 71) also featured.
Forbes also celebrated the women of Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters (No. 100), whose global fan base reflects the growing power of women in entertainment and digital culture.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
On Wednesday, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presented a Certificate of Return to its Ekiti State governorship candidate, Oluwole Oluyede.
New Telegraph reports that the event attracted party leaders, members of the National Executive Committee (NWC), PDP governors, serving and former members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), current and past lawmakers, and other stakeholders.
Held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja at 2 pm, the PDP National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, who presented the certificate, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) endorsed the presentation and was duly represented at the event, as well as at the primary election which produced the candidate.
Turaki asked Oluyede to see his selection as an endorsement and a challenge to help the party win Ekiti State in the election, which will be highly competitive.
According to him, the main opposition party still remains a party of choice for the majority of Nigerians, and urged the candidate to regard his candidacy as a mandate to win Ekiti State for the opposition party.
Responding, the PDP candidate thanked the leadership of the party for finding him worthy of the honour, and he promised to fly the PDP flag with a sense of responsibility and to visit every local government area of the state and ensure victory for the party.
He hailed the primary election Organising Committee for doing a marvellous job despite the daunting challenges that presented themselves before the panel.
Oluyede promised the people of Ekiti State that voting for him and the PDP would translate into long-awaited liberation and rapid economic transformation for the state.
Recall that the medical expert emerged as the PDP governorship candidate in the primary election held on November 8 through the early hours of November 9.
He polled 279 votes to defeat Funso Ayeni, who scored 239 votes, and Funmilayo Ogun, who had 17 votes.
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There was a mild drama during the screening session conducted by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for the ambassadorial nominees on Wednesday when a nominee from Ekiti State, Emmanuel Adeyemi, failed to identify one of the three senators representing his state.
Mr Adeyemi, a deputy director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a PhD holder from universities in Hong Kong and France, appeared before the committee for screening alongside several other nominees.
Three senators represent each of the 36 Nigerian states, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has one senator, totalling 109.
The Senate, Nigeria’s highest legislative chamber, has a constitutional mandate to screen and confirm the country’s president’s appointees.
Mr Tinubu last week transmitted 65 additional nominees for ambassadorial positions to the Senate for screening and confirmation, urging lawmakers to expedite the process in accordance with Section 171(1), (2), and (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The president nominated 34 individuals as career ambassadors and high commissioners, while 31 others were listed as non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
The nominees include former governors, former lawmakers, a serving senator and other prominent personalities.
During the session, Mr Adeyemi attempted to pay tribute to the senators from Ekiti State, a tradition for nominees appearing before lawmakers. However, he could only mention two, namely the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), and Yemi Adaramodu (Ekiti South).
When pressed to name the third senator, Mr Adeyemi became visibly confused. A member of his delegation eventually whispered to him the name of the third senator, Cyril Fasuyi, the senator representing Ekiti North.
The committee members then became furious and separately expressed displeasure with the nominee’s attitude.
Cross River South Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong questioned the nominee’s preparedness and suitability for a diplomatic posting.
“Much as we admit that one man can’t know everything, it is expected that somebody like you, who has been nominated to represent the country as an ambassador, should know details like the three senators from your state.
“It is even important that the people we are presenting at a time the international perception of our country are competent enough to repair our image,” he said.
Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) also criticised the nominee’s lapse, questioning his capacity to effectively represent Nigeria abroad.
However, Oyo Central Senator Yunus Akintunde, who stood in for Mr Bamidele during the screening, pleaded on Mr Adeyemi’s behalf, urging the committee to overlook the incident.
“Please forgive him. Please let us overlook his mistake and pardon him for not knowing that Ekiti, like other states, has three senators,” Mr Akintunde said.
Mr Adeyemi is one of President Tinubu’s three ambassadorial nominees from Ekiti State, alongside Erelu Adebayo and Olumilua Oluwayemika.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: Senate requests Tinubu to exempt lawmakers from police withdrawal directive
Other nominees screened
The panel also screened several other career ambassadorial nominees, including Ahmed Sulu-Gambari, Maimuna Besto, Monica Enebechi, Ahmed Monguno, Kingsley Onaga, Magaji Umar and Aminu Nasir.
Ondo South Senator, Jimoh Ibrahim, also nominated as a nominee, presented himself for screening despite not being initially listed for the day. His colleagues then asked him to “take a bow and go.”
The Senate panel is expected to continue screening other nominees on Thursday.
By Jane Okeke
The recent decision by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to align with the Accord Party has stirred fresh political debates, not merely because of the defection itself but due to the internal leadership crisis currently rocking the party.
For several months, the Accord Party has been enmeshed in a bitter factional dispute over its national leadership, with Barrister Maxwell Ndubem and Professor Chris Imumolen both laying claim to the office of National Chairman.
In October 2024, the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered a judgment recognising Professor Imumolen as the authentic National Chairman of the party.
Despite the court ruling, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to fully regularise the situation, thereby allowing the two rival factions to continue operating in parallel.
Governor Adeleke reportedly aligned with the faction led by Barrister Ndubem. A party source within that faction said, “The governor joined the structure currently recognised by INEC for administrative purposes. There is no illegality in his decision.”
However, the Imumolen camp has faulted the move. A spokesperson for the faction stated, “The law is clear. The court has spoken. Any alignment outside the judgment of the FCT High Court is legally defective.”
Reacting, constitutional lawyer Dr. Kunle Adegoke warned that the situation could expose the governor to future legal complications. “Political convenience cannot override a subsisting court judgment. If unresolved, this may affect the validity of future party processes,” he said.
Analysts say the development underscores the importance of legal clarity in political realignments, particularly for an incumbent governor seeking a stable platform for future political ambitions.
NIGERIA NEWS
Christmas: Nigerian Company Shares Bags of Rice, Cooking Oil And Plenty of Goodies To Staff
- A Nigerian lady has excitedly shared a video showing the goodies she got from the company she works for as the years gradually come to an end
- In a heartwarming video she posted, the lady showed the moment she and her colleagues collected a bag of rice, and vegetable oil
- A lot of social media users who saw the video on TikTok lamented that the companies they work for did not extend such gestures to them
A Nigerian lady is overjoyed that the company she works for provided her with food and cooking ingredients as Christmas gift.
The lady sparked many reactions after she posted a video to show off the food items on TikTok.
Staff were seen holding the food they were given in the spirit of Christmas. Photo credit: TikTok/@bukisscreamy_cafe.
Source: TikTok
In the video shared by @bukisscreamy_cafe, she and her colleagues were spotted happily holding the food they got from the company.
All of them got bags of rice and cooking ingredients such as bottles of vegetable oil.
Read also
Lady returns to Nigeria from Mali by Bus, mentions how many days she spent on road: “It wasn’t easy”
The video is captioned:
“Your company shared groundnut oil.”
Meanwhile, some people who saw the video noted in the comment section that the company they work for failed to extend such a gesture to them. However, others also shared how well their places of work treated them.
It is traditional for some companies in Nigeria to give food and cooking ingredients to staff during festivities like Christmas.
Company staff were seen dragging bags of rice given to them for Christmas. Photo credit: TikTok/@bukisscreamy_cafe.
Source: TikTok
Watch the video below:
Reactions as lady gets bags of rice from company she works for
@tummybabyn said:
“Mine shared, but skipped me because I’m a new staff member.”
@ifeadigo1 said:
“Mine actually booked vacation for all staff to Rwanda.”
@meekysam1
“So all of una dey work for company… where una take see work.”
@Anike collection’ssaid:
“My company gave me indomie,semo, spaghetti,malt, oil ,rice and paid my salary and bonus on the 8th of December.”
@BLESYN | SMM | LIFESTYLE said:
Read also
“Wetin be this o?” Lady displays shoes her uncle sent from US, people react
“My company doesn’t give shi shi. no allowance, no rice, no 13th month and December salary comes in January 2nd.”
@emmytalker_ said:
“This what the rich use in keeping the poor working for them,instead of you to be thinking how you can be a CEO of your own and also share rice to your staff, you are celebrating, pls go and read a book called, rich dad,and poor dad you will understand that you guys are making big mistakes.”
@DollaGem said:
“My husband’s company share 25kh of weat, 25kg of semolina,25liters of power oil,2 big carton of mimi chinchin and munchit,15 carton of indome table,2 carton of spaghetti. i don’t know why they don’t share rice sha but my own company shares nothing.”
@Morenikeji said:
“You suppose resign because other company dey include provisions to it oo. Tell your company to do better.”
Lady shared what happened when she refused to travel for Christmas
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a Nigerian lady shared her experience after she refused to travel with her man for the Christmas holidays.
Read also
“God, why always me?” Lady shares what her siblings did during cinema visit, video goes viral
According to the woman, her partner asked her to get ready so they could travel to the village together.
However, when she refused to go with him, he became angry, and his next actions leaving many netizens surprised.
Source: Legit.ng
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised Nigerians to blame governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for any misfortune that may befall the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
The party made this declaration via a statement made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians have been attributing the misfortunes in the PDP to Tinubu.
APC has, however, said that Nigerians should not blame Tinubu for the challenges facing the party.
The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary in Oyo State, Wasiu Olawale Sadare noted that Governor Makinde of Oyo State and his colleagues should be held responsible for the misfortunes in PDP.
Sadare in the statement noted that Makinde has ruined the PDP.
He said, “Rather than look inward for solutions, supposed elders and leaders within the PDP left everything to chance and paved the way for the likes of Gov. Makinde to take over the affairs of their party.
“Because he lacked capacity, experience and other traits required to lead a national party, Gov. Makinde emerged the final nemesis which consumed the PDP as he is now the only governor belonging to the umbrella party in the whole of Southern Nigeria with only three or four left in the North.
“As a matter of fact, Gov. Makinde cannot deliver the PDP from its current comatose condition.
“If virtually all his governor colleagues can leave the party for him, questions should be asked about his mission and vision for the PDP while President Tinubu should be allowed to focus on his job as the president of the country”.
NIGERIA NEWS
Plateau IDP Crisis Worse Than Benue — Plateau Youths Beg US Lawmaker Moore to Visit State
A youth group in Plateau State, operating under the banner of Plateau Youth Conscience (PYC), has urged US Congressman Riley Moore to visit the state and witness the large number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living across various communities.
Moore, who leads the US delegation conducting a fact-finding mission on alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria, reported on Wednesday that his team’s visit to Benue State revealed more than 600,000 Christian IDPs in different camps.
A vocal critic of the Nigerian government’s handling of violence against Christians in the Middle Belt, Moore has been in the country with a delegation to investigate the allegations, which the Nigerian government has strongly denied.
However, PYC, in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Peter Agas, said what Moore and his team witnessed in Benue would be “child’s play” compared to the situation in Plateau State.
According to Agas, Plateau has endured violent attacks, killings, and mass displacements for over 25 years. He estimated that more than one million people are currently living as IDPs in various local government areas, including Bokkos, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Bassa, and Kanam, which have been the epicentres of attacks.
Agas said, “The visit of US Congressman Riley Moore and his team to assess the level of Christian genocide in Nigeria is a most welcome development. We have cried out over the killing of Christians in Plateau State by bandits and terrorists, but the Nigerian government continues to deny the reality.
“Even our father, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, who has been the most vocal voice, has been threatened, branded a liar, and told to shut up.
“With Moore and his team coming to find out the truth, we urge them to come to Plateau State and see things for themselves. Here, we have over one million people in IDP camps, and their conditions are appalling. Anyone visiting these camps would weep at the suffering of the inmates.”
Agas added that many of the displaced have been reduced to destitution, with some resorting to begging, while some women have turned to prostitution in a bid to survive. He further alleged that some security personnel in the camps exploit women, only providing rations to those who comply with sexual demands.
“We are begging Rep. Moore and his team to come to Plateau to see the situation for themselves,” Agas pleaded.
- Former Minister of Labour and Employment and ex-Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, has reportedly been arrested in Abuja and is currently said to be in EFCC custody.
- The report surfaced late Wednesday through a statement credited to his former media aide, Fred Chukwulobe.
- The development has generated widespread public interest, with many awaiting clarity on the allegations and the scope of the EFCC’s investigation.
Former Anambra State Governor and immediate past Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has reportedly been arrested in Abuja and is said to be in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The news of the arrest broke late Wednesday night after a statement surfaced online attributed to his former media aide, Fred Chukwulobe.
The sudden development has sparked widespread reactions across the country, with many political observers awaiting full details regarding the grounds for the arrest and the focus of the ongoing inquiries by the anti-graft agency.
As of now, the EFCC and Ngige’s official representatives have not yet released a formal statement confirming the arrest or detailing the charges.
In other news…. Nigerian musician Daniel Benson, popularly known as BNXN, has shared his difficulties in finding genuine love in Lagos.
The “Finesse” singer expressed his struggles on social media, tweeting, “To find love for Eko too hard for me o.”
BNXN has largely stayed out of the dating spotlight since his controversial relationship with his alleged Swedish ex-girlfriend, Filma Jones, in 2022. During their fallout, Jones accused him of impregnating her and abandoning her, and she leaked private photos to substantiate their relationship.
Following the incident, BNXN admitted that he experienced heartbreak for the first time. He also revealed that he was once blackmailed by a woman claiming a fake pregnancy after a one-night stand.
In other news…. Nollywood actress Anita Joseph has replied a fan who told her to go back to using her father’s name.
GistLover reports that the actress recently shared a video of herself getting glammed up and introduced herself as Anita Joseph Olagunju, using her husband’s surname.
In response, a female fan commented, saying she should revert to her maiden name because her marriage has reportedly ended. The fan wrote, “Answer your papa name, marriage don end.”
Anita Joseph fired back, responding, “Come make me.”
This development comes on the heels of reports alleging that Anita Joseph’s marriage to Real MC Fish may have ended after several years.
She recently addressed the rising rumours about trouble in her marriage to MC Fish, saying she will share her story when she chooses to. Naija News reports that she said she is fine and will speak about her situation at the right time.
She wrote: “And the Lord did not Forsake me. I want to thank everyone who have shown me love one way or the other. Thank you, God will not leave you. Mother Hen is doing well. I will tell my story when I deem fit. Shallom!”
The message came after ongoing talks on social media about the state of her home. Many online users have been claiming that her husband joined the Freemason group and left her for another woman.
A Nigerian lady has shared an unusual dating experience online after a man ordered food only for himself when she refused to go home with him.
The incident quickly went viral on TikTok. According to her, the date took an unexpected turn after she declined to follow him home.
The encounter sparked mixed reactions online, with some viewers finding the situation amusing while others criticised the man’s behavior.
Lady Explains Her Decision to Go Home Alone
The lady, who posts under the TikTok handle @moncheree, explained that she made it clear early in the date that she intended to return home alone.
She noted that her decision appeared to frustrate her date, who displayed a noticeable change in attitude after hearing her plans.
Date Orders Only for Himself
During the meal, the man reportedly ordered food solely for himself and did not offer to get anything for her.
Observing this, the lady decided not to place an order and opted to stick with the water already at the table.
She captured the encounter on video and shared her experience on social media.
Viral Video Captures Date’s Reaction
In the video, viewers could see her seated next to the man as the situation unfolded.
Her caption read: “Went on a date with him and told him I won’t be going with him.”
The clip shows the man’s reaction after she refused to follow him home, which drew widespread attention and discussion online.
See below;
@mon_che_ree
Men!!!!!!!! #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #trendingvideo #popular #govira #cdt
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