Recap of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Friday evening, 9th January 2026
Nollywood stars attend Allwell Ademola’s service of songs
Nollywood actors and actresses have gathered for a special prayer and Service of Songs for their late colleague and producer, Allwell Ademola
In videos circulating on social media, actors Afeez Abiodun, Rotimi Salami, and Kunle Afod were seen participating in the “wrap prayer.”
Salami, widely recognised as one of Ademola’s closest friends in the industry, delivered a tribute at the event.
“If there’s anyone Allwell has offended, directly or indirectly, please, forgive her and keep praying for her,” Salami urged the crowd while holding back his tears.
Dangote drags ex-NMDPRA boss to EFCC over corruption claims
The Chairman of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the Dangote Group media team on Friday.
Recall that Dangote had earlier petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate Ahmed for allegedly spending $5 million on his children’s secondary education in Switzerland.
He withdrew the petition a few days ago, even as the ICPC vowed to continue with its investigation.
The statement on Friday said Dangote’s petition to the EFCC followed
“The withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.
”I never declared to contest presidency – Datti Baba-Ahmed
The former vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Datti Baba-Ahmed, has dismissed reports suggesting that he recently declared his intention to contest the presidency.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Baba-Ahmed clarified that his comments had been misinterpreted, stressing that no such declaration was made.
“I never declared to contest the presidency two days ago,” he said.
According to him, his recent public remarks were limited to reaffirming his membership of the Labour Party, amid growing political discussions about the future direction of the party and its key figures.
He acknowledged that while political possibilities may exist in the future, no announcement or decision has been made at this time.
Ogun teenage boy dies while swimming
The Ogun State Police Command has called for enhanced safety measures at recreational centres and swimming facilities across the state following the death of a 17-year-old boy who drowned while swimming.
The command’s Public Relations, Babseyi Oluseyi, disclosed this in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) page on Wednesday.
According to Oluseyi, the warning followed recurring incidents of drowning in the state.He noted that the teenager lost his life in a recent swimming-related incident.
Oluseyi said,
“A couple of days ago, tragedy struck when a 17-year-old young man with a bright and promising future lost his life to an avoidable drowning.
In a matter of minutes, dreams were cut short and a family was plunged into grief, all because safety was absent when it mattered most.
“This heartbreaking incident is a stark reminder that swimming without an on-duty lifeguard or capable hands around is a deadly risk. One careless moment can cost a lifetime. Please, be careful out there.”
2027 an opportunity to re-write history of elections — INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its goal of conducting free, fair and credible elections that will be a reference point in Africa must be actualised in 2027.
Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the commission, said this on Friday in Lagos, while delivering his opening address at the commission’s 2026 Induction and Strategic Retreat organised for its leadership and senior officials.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the induction/retreat was attended by Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, as well as administrative secretaries, directors and top management staff across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the commission has a historic opportunity to rewrite the history of elections in Nigeria and set a new benchmark for election management in Africa.
Impeachment: APC, Rivers Assembly at ‘war’ over Fubara, deputy
The renewed crisis In Rivers State, the situation reached a crescendo yesterday, with the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, being at loggerheads with the House of Assembly following the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, over allegations of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds.
The lawmakers reconvened from their recess that would have lapsed on January 26, to commence the removal process and adjourned to January 15, in a move that has kicked up dust in the polity.
The Rivers APC, Ijaw National Congress, INC, and Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, were among groups that rejected the impeachment proceedings outright and urged the legislators to resist pressures to destabilise Fubara’s government.
The Rivers APC, Ijaw National Congress, INC, and Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, were among groups that rejected the impeachment proceedings outright and urged the legislators to resist pressures to destabilise Fubara’s government.
2027: PDP optimistic of victory in Kogi, says Chairman
Alhaji Muhammed Gambo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Kogi, has expressed confidence of reclaiming power from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state in 2027.
In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Lokoja, Gambo asserted that the PDP would dislodge APC from Lugard House through the ballots in 2027.
According to him, PDP will not only take over Lugard House, but also Aso Rock, citing the party’s strong network and structure across the state and Nigeria.
He described Kogi as a PDP state, saying his emergence as Chairman has reignited the winning zeal of the PDP.
Gambo urged electorate in the state to remain faithful and support the PDP.
The PDP chairman also implored people in the state to maintain peace in spite of security challenges in the state and some other parts of the country.
COAS directs troops to safeguard national assets, enhance oil production in Niger Delta
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of 6 Division to carry out their duties professionally and ensure increased oil production in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) through sustained security operations.
He also charged troops of the Division to continue to discharge their responsibilities in protecting critical national infrastructure.
The COAS gave the charge on Friday while addressing troops of the Division during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt Barracks, Rivers State
In a statement by the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the COAS reassured officers and soldiers of the Division that their welfare remains a top priority of his command.
The Army Chief said that since his assumption of command, he has visited various formations and units to obtain firsthand information on their operational readiness and reassess their challenges.
United Nigeria Airline apologizes to Actress Bolaji Ogunmola over Ekiti flight disruption
United Nigeria Airlines has issued an apology to actress Bolaji Ogunmola and other affected passengers for disruptions to their travel plans.
Actress Bolaji Ogunmola, on Thursday, called out United Nigeria Airlines for delayed flights, leaving her stranded in Ekiti.
According to her, she was supposed to fly back to Lagos for a film shoot but faced significant professional and financial losses due to the airline’s actions.
Reacting, the airline explained that flight UN0623, scheduled to travel on January 7, 2026, was disrupted due to unscheduled aircraft maintenance, and passengers were promptly informed via email and text messages.
The apology, issued by the Public Relations Officer, Chibuike Uloka, stated that the UNA reintroduced the flight on January 8, 2026, despite it not being part of their scheduled services for the day, and ensured compliance with NCAA Consumer Protection Regulations
FCT police intensify crackdown on ‘One-chance’ syndicates after killing of nurse, lawyer
In the wake of the brutal killing of an Abuja nurse and a female lawyer by ‘one-chance’ criminals operating in unmarked taxis, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has stepped up its operations to curb the menace, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, has assured.
Addressing representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), including members of FIDA, the NBA Women Forum, and the Unity Bar, during their advocacy visit to the Command Headquarters on Friday, Dantawaye pledged that justice will be pursued to its conclusion.
The delegation had expressed deep concern over the murder of their colleague, Ms. Princess Ochigbo, whose body was discovered along the Kubwa Expressway on Wednesday.
Dantawaye condoled with the group and confirmed that extensive and discreet investigations are underway, with arrests and prosecution expected soon
