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.

Zainab Bayero, daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has raised the alarm about her family’s dire situation in Lagos, claiming they are stranded and without shelter.

In a heartfelt video shared on social media, Zainab revealed that she, her mother, and her younger brother have been struggling to make ends meet since her father’s passing in 2014.

The visibly distressed Zainab, speaking in a video less than five minutes long, said her family had nowhere to stay, adding that they were stranded in the Eko Hotel area of Lagos at 1 am.

She said, “This is me, daughter of the Emir of Kano on the street of Lagos, unsafe, stranded. No one cares if I live or die. No one owes me anything. That is fine but at least I deserve to feel safe, protected.

“My father left me with nothing — no education and home. I’ve tried to survive… I can’t go on anymore. This is what they’ve turned me to; they’ve turned me into an urchin, and a girl who had so many dreams.

“I’m a woman with nothing — no job, degree, home. I’m lost and stranded, no one to turn to, no family.

“The burden is too much on me. My mum and my junior brother depend on me. I don’t have any means to keep providing for them. That is why I ran away.”

She further expressed her frustration, stating that she had reached out to influential figures, but received no meaningful assistance.

She added, “I’ve spoken out in the media, I’ve pleaded with the president, the governor, the current Emir Sanusi, and their fathers.

“I’ve pleaded to care for a young woman who doesn’t want to be killed; who doesn’t want to die. But it’s obvious nobody cares if I live or die, and I want to end it because I can’t keep doing this.

President Bola Tinubu says a national youth conference organised by the federal government will begin in the first quarter of 2025.

Tinubu spoke on Wednesday in his New Year message to Nigerians.

The president said the conference is a testament to his administration’s commitment to youth inclusiveness and investment as nation-builders.

“The Ministry of Youth will soon announce the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from our diverse, youthful population,” he said.

Tinubu said governors and local council chairpersons should work with the federal government in agriculture, livestock, and tax reforms to move the country forward.

“I commend the governors who have embraced our Compressed Natural Gas initiative by launching CNG-propelled public transport. I also congratulate those who have adopted electric vehicles as part of our national energy mix and transition,” he said.

“The federal government will always offer necessary assistance to the states.

“To all citizens, your sacrifices have not been in vain over the past 19 months. I assure you they will not be in vain even in the months ahead. Together, let us stay the course of nation-building.”

The president said he would also unveil a National Values Charter in the first quarter of 2025 that would foster patriotism and love for the country among citizens.

The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya, has released powerful 2025 prophecies.

Olukoya released the prophecies at MFM’s cross-over service held at its camp ground, popularly called Prayer City.

Read prophecies below:

• It is definitely a year of strange battles.
• The unlucky will want to terminate the lucky ones.
• The oppressed will be fighting the free.
• The thief will be fighting the owner.
• It is a year of divine interruption.
• It is a year of unlimited deliverance.
• A year of tragedy for married men who like going around wit strange women, the marine world has injected into our midst women who are not women but from another world.

Umar Damagum, the acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says there is a possibility that Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state, will return to the opposition party.

Damagum spoke in an interview published on Tuesday by BBC Hausa.

Damagum’s remarks came days after Kwankwaso said he has no agreement with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, ex-governor of Anambra state, for the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso had previously criticised the PDP, describing it as a “dead party”.

However, Damagum said despite Kwankwaso’s criticism of the party, he is hopeful that the former governor will rejoin the PDP to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the next election.

Damagum said the PDP is ready to accept the return of any member who left the party.

“A person can express his opinion, but I want to remind him of the past when they left the PDP in 2015. If she (PDP) was not dead, then when they felt they had harmed her, then I see no reason to say she is dead now,” he said.

“And don’t forget that the PDP is the only party that can win elections if the incumbent must be removed.

“Kwankwaso’s frustrations are valid in some respects, but there is no better platform for him than the PDP.

“This party nurtured his political career and brought him to where he is today. We hope he will return to work with us to rebuild the party and confront this oppressive government.”

Kwankwaso has been in and out of the PDP since 2015. He has not returned to the party after leaving in March 2022.

Kwankwaso was the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections.

Damagum has been persuading former members of the PDP to return to the party.

In June, Damagum said he wants Obi, the standard-bearer of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, to rejoin the party.

Obi left the PDP for the LP in June 2022.