The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has refuted claims made by a 70-year-old US returnee, Mr. Olukayode David-Albert, that officers in Lagos demanded ₦76 million to clear his two vehicles and personal belongings. The service labelled the accusation as baseless.

Reports revealed that David-Albert accused Customs officers of initially billing him ₦76 million for import duties. This included ₦3.3 million for a 2011 Chrysler, ₦70.8 million for a 2024 Hyundai SUV, and ₦2 million for household goods. Allegedly, the sum was later reduced to ₦53.5 million after negotiations.

Responding to the allegations, the Tincan Island Command of the NCS clarified the situation in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Okwara.

According to Okwara, David-Albert is entitled to duty-free importation of personal belongings under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) regulations, but vehicles are excluded.

The statement explained, “While Mr. David-Albert qualifies for duty-free import of personal items, vehicles are not exempt. The 2024 Hyundai SUV attracts a 20% import duty, a 20% levy, and 7.5% VAT.

The total duty for both vehicles was determined to be ₦34,969,374. This is far lower than the alleged ₦53.5 million.”

The Customs Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and adherence to Nigeria’s customs regulations.

Popular Nollywood actress Dayo Amusa has opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced before finally becoming a mother.

Recall Amusa welcomed her daughter, Oluwafirewamiri, in the United States on November 18, 2024.

In a series of Instagram posts on Tuesday, Amusa recounted her journey, marked by three miscarriages, personal setbacks, and a 2015 diagnosis of uterine myomatosis—a condition that nearly robbed her of the chance to conceive.

She disclosed that following her diagnosis, some medical professionals advised her to undergo a hysterectomy due to recurring complications and excruciating menstrual pain.

Refusing to relinquish her dream of motherhood, Amusa explored alternative treatments and eventually traveled to the United Kingdom, where she underwent surgery to remove the tumors.

In her post, she stated, “I never thought I would get to this moment but GOD knew. For as long as I can remember I knew I wanted to be a complete idea woman (a wife and mom). Having had 3 miscarriages, in 2015, I was diagnosed with uterine myomatosis, and some doctors recommended removing my womb due to the complications and discomfort I experienced every month during my menstrual cycle. I decided to fight and reject that option.”

She revealed undergoing a surgical procedure on February 14, 2015, to remove the tumors.

However, in 2016, she discovered that one of her fallopian tubes was damaged, making natural conception nearly impossible.

Despite her perseverance, Amusa faced further heartbreak in 2019 when a failed IVF attempt strained her marriage. The situation worsened when her husband suggested having a child with another woman, leading to the collapse of their union.

Reflecting on this painful period, she wrote, “In 2016 myself and my then partner decided to try again as we were so eager to welcome our 1st child together but later discovered one of my tubes was broken and it would be almost impossible to get pregnant naturally… Men as men, my then partner was involved with another woman unknown to me which produced a baby boy. After so many ups and downs, back and forth, na so the whole thing ended (Story for another day).”

Dayo Amusa also shared how the toll of her struggles led to depression and withdrawal from her career, family, and friends.

She credited her mother for recognising her declining mental health and encouraging her to relocate to the United States in 2021 for a fresh start.

Expressing gratitude for her eventual triumph, Amusa concluded her post by acknowledging God and those who supported her through her trials.

She described her story as a testament to resilience and faith in the face of adversity.

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday, welcomed Abuja’s first baby of the year 2025 at the Asokoro District Hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Favour Stephen-Odion, a baby girl, was born to the family of Mr Odion Oyinbo and Mrs Chioma Odion at exactly 12.27 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, weighing 3.6kg.

Sen. Oluremi also received other babies born at the hospital, including the first babyboy of the year 2025, Zimchikachim Ejiofor, born to the family of Mr Ejiofor Nworie and Mrs Delight at about 7.14 a.m., weight 3kg.

The mother of the nation welcomed Favour and all the other babies born on New Year Day in the FCT with baby gifts, including post-natal care products and other nutritional supplies, as well as cash gifts.

Represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs Nana Shettima, the first lady prayed God to protect the children, wishing them long life, good health and prosperity.

She said “I am here to represent the mother of the nation to welcome the first baby of the year and other children.

“So, I’m presenting this token and a beautiful package to our dear daughter. I want to wish her well, long life, prosperity, good health.

“Insha Allah, they (first baby and other babies) are the next generation to take over from us. I wish you all the best. Please take good care of her.”

The First Lady counselled mother’s of the newborn babies on exclusive breastfeeding, immunisation and timely post-natal care.

She added that “good enough, this (Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja) is closer to my house, and I know the hospital will take good care of you.”

She further presented birth certificates to the first baby of the year and the first baby boy.

NAN reports that the first lady was conducted round the maternity ward of the hospital, where she congratulated parents of other newborn babies.

Earlier, Dr Rosemary Nwokorie, the acting Chief Medical Director of Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, while welcoming the First Lady, commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for commitment to transforming the nation’s health sector.

Nwokorie also applauded the First Lady and the wife of the Vice-President for inituating various intervention programmes, especially the Renewed Hope Initiative toward assisting vulnerable Nigerians, especially women and children.

A former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari never supported the presidential ambition of his then Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

He further disclosed that Buhari did not back the current President, Bola Tinubu, despite their friendship and political alliance, but Tinubu reportedly “outmaneuvered him in several ways.”

Ojudu, who served in the office of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stated that his former principal could have performed significantly better than the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His words: “I knew Osinbajo was going to lose the primary, I saw it coming.

“Because of the system we operated and still operating, I kept saying at our meeting that all of the efforts we are making like traveling around, convincing people, and addressing delegates is only 40 percent.

“60 percent of it lies in Buhari’s hands unless and until Buhari mobilizes people around him, the governors, his aides, we are going nowhere.

“I used to refer to Buhari as a one-man majority and he never mobilized his team towards Osinbajo and I think Tinubu outsmarted him in so many different ways.”

Speaking further, he likened the failure to elect Professor Yemi Osinbajo during the last presidential election to missing a second chance at the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“I supported Osinbajo to be president. I was convinced because having seen him up close,” Ojudu said.

“The way he worked, his philosophy, his breadth of knowledge and the kind of patriotic verve in him I just think that he was the best person at that time to govern Nigeria that I have seen up close to be on the part of danger.

“Osinbajo would have been good for this country. For me, it is like losing Awolowo for a second time because he was at Awolowo’s level in terms of capacity, ability, dedication and commitment.”

During the APC primary in the buildup to the 2023 elections, Bola Tinubu secured 1,271 votes to clinch the party’s presidential ticket, while former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi garnered 316 votes. Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo received 235 votes, finishing third, while Senate President Ahmed Lawan obtained 152 votes.

Executive Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has called on Nigerians to strengthen their resolve against economic and financial crimes.

In a New Year message delivered in Abuja yesterday, Olukoyede emphasized the critical role of public support for anti-corruption initiatives in driving national progress and development.

He said the rejection of corruption by Nigerians was essential for the advancement of the economy and the improvement of citizens’ quality of life.

He urged the nation to seize the opportunities of the new year to recommit to transparency, accountability, and integrity.

Olukoyede assured that the EFCC is set to surpass its 2024 achievements, with officers dedicated to dismantling strongholds of corruption across the country.

He described their efforts as a patriotic calling, promising a focused and unwavering commitment to combating corrupt practices in 2025.

While reinforcing the agency’s dedication to moving the nation forward, the EFCC chairman stated: “We can make any progress and development we want for our nation to happen by our support for anti-corruption initiatives.

He said: “The new year is offering us fresh opportunities to recommit ourselves to the ideals of transparency, accountability, and probity.

“2025 will be another year of bringing towers of corruption down. Our focus is set and our commitment is total.

“Our work is more than a vocation but a patriotic calling. We know this and will always offer our best to move the nation forward.”

The EFCC boss wished Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has announced that French troops will soon begin withdrawing from the West Africa nation.

Naija News reports that the President made this known during his New Year address.

In a nationwide broadcast, Ouattara said: “We have decided on a coordinated and organized withdrawal of French troops.”

The process, set to start in January, aligns with the president’s focus on modernizing Ivory Coast’s military.

He also revealed that the French naval infantry battalion’s base in Port Bouet will be handed over to Ivorian forces.

Currently, about 600 French soldiers are stationed in the country.

This move follows similar decisions in other West African nations, including Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, which had previously called for French troop withdrawals.

France has historically maintained a military presence in the region post-colonial rule, primarily to combat Islamist extremism.

With the withdrawal from Ivory Coast, France’s remaining military bases in Africa will be located in Gabon and Djibouti.

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the exclusion of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) in the 2025 budget.

Peter Obi said the exclusion was troubling. He called for the 2025 budget to be revised and provisions made for NCDC.

In a statement on Wednesday, Obi said North Central requires special attention as a result of the insecurity affecting the region.

“The exclusion of the North Central Regional Commission from the budgetary allocations provided to other Regional Commissions in the 2025 proposed budget is deeply troubling and must be urgently reversed. Such an anomaly does not make for even development and peace that is needed for progress in the country.

“A total of ₦2.493 trillion has been allocated to five regional development commissions, with the North Central Regional Commission glaringly omitted.

“The North Central region requires special attention due to the severe challenges it faces today. Relentless terror attacks and banditry in Plateau, Benue, Kogi, and Niger States have caused immense suffering, resulting in significant loss of lives and forcing countless families into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. These persistent tragedies have made the North Central one of the most affected and vulnerable regions in Nigeria,” he said.

The former governor of Anambra State further emphasized that the agricultural potential of the region requires support. He called on the National Assembly to urgently review and rectify the exclusion.

“Known as the agricultural backbone of the nation, the North Central region deserves robust support to enhance security, stability, and development for the benefit of the entire country.

“I, therefore, call on the government and National Assembly to urgently review and rectify this decision that will impact negatively on the region and area most needed for the development of the country

“Together, we must work toward a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria,” Obi stated.

Popular Nigerian actress, Yvonne Jegede is reflecting on her single status in 2024 as we enter a New Year.

Taking to her Instagram page to share photos of herself on a flight, she revealed that she started 2024 single and ended it single.

Describing it as very demure, consistent, and mindful, she prayed that this New Year should be a blessing to everyone and their heart desires shall come easy.

Yvonne admonished her fans to stay out of trouble and stay blessed.

“See how I started 2024 single and ended it single??? Very demure, very consistent, very mindful, very much single.

2025 is here, and it will be a blessing to every one of us. May your heart desires not only come but come easy.

Stay out of trouble and stay blessed.

HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Cheers to a new beginning”.

Nigeria's First Lady, Remi Tinubu has assured Nigerians of President Bola Tinubu's commitment to make 2025 a better year despite the economic crisis.

In a New Year message to Nigerians posted on X on Wednesday, she called for unity and renewed efforts toward building a thriving nation.

Tinubu emphasised the need for collective investment in rebuilding societal bonds and fostering inclusivity across all regions and demographics.

She urged Nigerians to rise above divisions and work toward mutual respect and understanding.

“As we journey through 2025, let us rise above our differences and rebuild the bridges that connect us—bridges of love, respect, and understanding.

“It is a year to invest in one another; to nurture our youth and protect the dignity of our elders; to create a country where every Nigerian can thrive, regardless of where they are born, what they believe, or what language they speak,” she said.

The First Lady highlighted the administration’s commitment to ongoing economic reforms aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

She stated, “I assure you all that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is truly committed to and is already undertaking deepening reforms that will unlock our nation’s economic potentials.”

Senator Tinubu encouraged Nigerians to stand together and support one another, pledging that the government remains steadfast in its vision for a prosperous nation.

“Together, we can build the Nigeria we all desire. Together, we will. Happy New Year, Nigeria,” she added,

The Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Command has announced the rescue of a pastor and his wife who were abducted by suspected kidnappers during a prayer session on a remote mountain in the state.

The police disclosed on its X  handle on Tuesday that the couple had travelled to the isolated location for prayers when the incident occurred.

However, details of the rescue operation remain undisclosed, while the police have assured residents that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the culprits. Meanwhile the police paraded some other suspects.

Furthermore, the police cautioned the public to avoid isolated locations due to security risks.

“The command just secured an abducted pastor and his wife at the hinterland while fellowshipping on an isolated mountain, causing fellow worshippers to flee like they were possessed,” the statement read.