Compilations of top 10 key happenings that you need to know this Saturday evening, 20th December, 2025
Tinubu departs for three-state tour on Obasanjo-era jet
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday departed Abuja for Borno, Bauchi and Lagos aboard the 20-year-old Boeing 737 Business Jet earlier listed for sale in July but delisted months later due to poor buyer interest and lowball offers.
Earlier, Borno State Police Command said it had deployed tactical teams, surveillance squads, and operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to ensure adequate security in the state ahead of the President’s visit.
Tinubu left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 11:45am, kicking off a multi-state working visit and holiday tour that will see him inaugurate projects in Maiduguri, pay a condolence visit to the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s family in Bauchi, and mark the Yuletide in Lagos.
US stops Nigerians, others from applying for green card, citizenship
A US government official has revealed that the Trump administration has directed the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to suspend green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and nationals of other countries newly added to the expanded US “travel ban,” citing national security concerns and an ongoing review of immigration vetting processes, CBS News reported on Thursday.
This follows a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, further restricting entry into the United States for nationals from countries deemed high-risk due to what it described as “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten US national security and public safety.
Among the 15 additional countries newly subjected to partial restrictions is Nigeria.
Trump had earlier, on October 31, declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” following allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
Illegal Nigerian immigrant admits lying to buy firearm in USA
Nigerian national in the United States without approval to remain in the country has pleaded guilty in a federal court to making false statements while attempting to purchase a firearm.
According to a statement released on Friday by the United States Department of Justice, court records showed that the defendant, Laurel Echezonam, 25, entered the United States unlawfully through the country’s southern border in 2022.
Immigration officials later determined that Echezonam was a Nigerian national without legal status in the country.
The DOJ said that on June 7 and June 8, 2024, Echezonam travelled from his residence in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to different firearms dealers in an attempt to purchase a weapon.
When Echezonam completed the required firearms purchase form, he made false statements regarding his immigration status to deceive the firearms dealer into selling him the firearms,” the statement said.
It added that Echezonam
“was denied the firearms based on his immigration status and was subsequently apprehended by immigration officials.”
Tinubu renames Bauchi varsity after late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi
President Bola Tinubu has renamed the Federal University of Medical Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, after the late renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi.
The President announced the decision on Saturday during a condolence visit to the family of the cleric at his country home in Bauchi.
According to Tinubu, the renaming is to immortalise the late Islamic scholar and his contributions to humanity and religious scholarship.
“From today onward, I announce this change of name to immortalise him.
The Federal University of Medical Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, will from today be known as Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi University.
May God bless his memory,” the President said.
Describing the death of the cleric as a “great national loss,” Tinubu noted that Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi’s life was marked by humility, selfless service, and unwavering dedication to the propagation of Islam and peace.
He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the soul of the late scholar and for his admission into Jannatul Firdaus.
The President also prayed for strength for the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, as well as the government and people of Bauchi State, to bear the loss, while urging Nigerians to continue to pray for peace and unity across the country.
Bus kills LAWMA sweeper, driver apprehended — LASTMA
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has confirmed the death of a Lagos Waste Management Authority operative in a road traffic incident along Meran Road, inward Iyana Ekoro axis, Lagos.
In a statement released on Saturday via the agency’s official X account, signed by Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA said the female operative
“was conscientiously engaged in her lawful environmental sanitation duties” when she was struck by a blue Ford commercial bus (BDG 495 YH) that was “recklessly and unlawfully reversing on the expressway.”
“The vehicle forcefully rammed into the unsuspecting LAWMA sweeper who was carrying out routine roadside cleaning. The severe impact, particularly to the head region, proved instantly fatal,” the statement said.
LASTMA officers on active traffic surveillance duties “swiftly mobilised to the scene upon receipt of the distress report,” the statement added
New Kaduna federal varsity matriculates 1,909 pioneer students
The Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia, Kaduna State, on Saturday matriculated 1,909 students, marking a major milestone in the institution’s academic journey since it commenced operations in September 2025.
The matriculation ceremony, held at the university’s main auditorium in Kachia, formally admitted the students into the academic community of the newly established federal institution.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barnaba Qurix, described FUASK as a young but fast-growing university established to promote applied sciences, innovation, and practical skills development.
Qurix said the institution was deliberately structured to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical innovation, with the aim of producing graduates who are technically competent, entrepreneurial, and globally competitive
Who rewrote Nigeria’s tax law? – ADC alleges post-passage changes
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws, alleging that key provisions were altered after the bills were passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu, raising what the party describes as a serious constitutional crisis.
The opposition party stated that the alleged alterations amount to an executive takeover of the legislative process.
It warned that allowing such actions to stand would undermine the principle of separation of powers. The tax laws are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The call was contained in a statement by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, who accused certain elements in power of inserting provisions that were never approved by lawmakers and of stripping out safeguards meant to protect citizens.
“The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reviewed several reports confirming longstanding concerns that the various tax laws passed by the National Assembly and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu contain substantial forgeries; key provisions that were not part of the original bills approved by the legislature,” Abdullahi said.
Gunmen attack bereaved Benue family, demand money made from burial
Barely five days after burying their mother, the family of Lawrence Iorwa has been plunged into fresh tragedy following a violent attack on their family compound by unknown armed men.
According to eyewitness accounts, three unidentified gunmen, stormed the residence of the mourners in the early hours of Friday, subjecting family members to severe beatings and torture.
They were said to have also demanded the money contributed during the burial of their late mother, who died in a motor accident along the Amaafu-Katsina-Ala Road.“
The brutal assault left several members of the family injured and traumatized.
Lawrence’s father reportedly sustained a badly swollen leg, while Lawrence himself suffered serious injuries to his hand.
Men are now chasing single mothers, and they’re even begging us” – Iyabo Ojo sends message to single mothers
Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has addressed the issue of single mothers and the stigma often attached to them.
In a video captured online, she said,
“Gone are the days when being a single mother was a stigma.” She stated that the children of single mothers are doing great things in life.
Iyabo made it known that men are chasing single mothers and are even begging us that they don’t want us to be a side chick.
She said men want them to marry them because they have experience.Iyabo added that if a man leaves them, another man will accept them.
Using herself as an example, she said she is the President-General of the Single Mothers Association.
“Gone are the days when being a single mother was a stigma. Single mothers’ children are doing great things in life.
They want us to marry them because we have experience.
Men are chasing single mothers. They are even begging us that they don’t want us to be a side chick.
If a man leaves you, another man will accept you. I am The President General of the Single Mothers Association”.
Nollywood actress Nancy Isime has won the hearts of many as she commissions a playground.
In a video she posted online, Isime revealed that she commissioned a playground for the pupils.
Nancy said that as a child, reading and playing were her absolute favourite things to do, hence why she is always commissioning a library or playground at any school she attends.
“And so we commissioned another play area in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost
My favourite part of my birthday parties at schools is when we get to commission a library or play area.
As a child, reading and playing were my absolute favourite things to do, and you’d definitely find me in the play area, swinging and sliding my young stress away.
I truly believe that it’s essential for children to have less screen time and more time outside, playing and creating.
Thankful for the opportunity to be able to add some fun and creativity to the Amazing Children of Methodist Primary school sessions
They literally summoned me to the dance floor immediately after for some serious Kabashing
I just know they’re going to create the best memories there together”.K
The movie star, who had turned a new age just days back, spent her birthday at Methodist Primary School, Ikorodu
