Compilations of top 10 key happenings that you might have missed this Sunday morning, 21st December, 2025
Recalled Indomie noodles flavour not in Nigerian market — NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has clarified that the recalled Indomie Noodles Vegetable Flavour by the French authority, Rappel Conso of France, due to the presence of undeclared allergens, specifically milk and eggs, did not originate from Nigeria.
NAFDAC, in a statement signed on Sunday by its Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, also said the product is not on sale in Nigeria, adding that surveillance has been directed across all zones and states to mop up the product if found in any jurisdiction.
The clarification followed public concern after news of the product recall surfaced online.
PDP: Wike, Makinde forces adamant despite INEC’s intervention
The two separate factions of the Peoples Democratic Party backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have remained adamant in maintaining their political positions despite the intervention of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
While Wike’s camp says it embodies the party’s original leadership, Makinde’s bloc maintains its stance as the rightful custodian of the party.
INEC intervened on Friday in the leadership crisis rocking the PDP by summoning the party’s rival factions to its headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting brought together the factions chaired by Tanimu Turaki and the opposing group led by Abdulrahman Mohammed.
Alleged alterations: Presidency kicks as Atiku, Obi fight tax laws
The Presidency has dismissed claims that it secretly altered some provisions of the newly enacted tax reform laws, insisting that no changes were made outside the established legal and legislative process.
This comes as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and several civil society organisations called for the suspension of the implementation of the laws.
The tax reform laws, which faced stiff opposition from federal lawmakers from the northern part of the country before their passage, are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
President Bola Tinubu signed the four tax reform bills into laws, marking what the government has described as the most significant overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades.
Heirs Energy secures $750m Afreximbank facility to boost oil outputNigeria’s indigenous energy firm, Heirs Energy, has secured a $750m financing facility from the African Export-Import Bank to scale up its oil and gas operations.
The deal is expected to lift crude oil production to about 100,000 barrels per day and gas output to roughly 250 million cubic metres.
The facility was signed on Saturday in Abuja and is structured to strengthen the company’s upstream operations while supporting Nigeria’s push for energy sufficiency and industrial growth.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, described the transaction as a strong vote of confidence in African enterprises and institutions, praising Afreximbank for backing large-scale indigenous projects.
“The most impactful and catalytic finance institution in Africa is Afreximbank.
They have grown the capacity and the boldness to support African businesses,” Elumelu said.
Kano NNPP faction faults Abuja convention, raises legitimacy concerns
A rival faction of the New Nigeria People’s Party in Kano State has rejected the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Abuja, insisting that it cannot recognise the exercise as legal.
Speaking with PUNCH Online on Sunday, the factional chairman of the NNPP in Kano, Senator Mas’ud Doguwa, described the convention organised by the Kwankwaso-led faction as illegitimate and lacking due process.
Doguwa, a former senator, said his faction remained committed to the rule of law and would not endorse any party activity conducted in defiance of subsisting court processes.
“I do not expect anybody to think that I will recognise that convention as legal.
“As a former senator, I respect the rule of law, and we should all respect the courts. You cannot build a democratic party on illegality,” he said.
According to him, the Abuja gathering was neither inclusive nor nationally representative, arguing that critical stakeholders were excluded from the process.
“That was not a national convention. What they held was just a Kano convention or, at best, a Kwankwasiyya meeting.
Banditry, kidnapping strategies to destabilise Nigeria, Tinubu govt — Prophet Sam Ojo
Founder of the Freedom Apostolic Revival International Ministry (FARIM), Prophet Sam Ojo, has warned that the rising cases of banditry and kidnapping across the country are part of a grand “satanic strategy” designed to destabilise Nigeria and frustrate the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during a weekend revival meeting attended by over thousands of worshippers, the prophet said the pattern, frequency, and targets of recent attacks — including schoolchildren, worship centres, and rural communities — reveal “a deliberate, spiritually orchestrated attempt to push the nation into chaos.”
“These attacks are not ordinary — they’re engineered to break Nigeria’s spirit”
He declared that Nigeria is facing a dual battle: a physical war involving criminal gangs, and a spiritual war driven by forces intent on discrediting the government and destabilising the nation.
Banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria today are not just crimes — they are strategic tools of destabilisation,” he said.
“Forces are working to undermine the Tinubu administration and turn citizens against their own country.”
According to him, the escalating violence is intended to weaken public confidence, disrupt governance, and provoke ethnic tension.
US, Nigeria sign $2.1bn deal to strengthen health care
Washington announced Saturday that it has signed a deal to strengthen Nigeria’s health system, a sign of improving ties with Africa’s most populous nation after President Donald Trump denounced attacks against Christians there.
Under a five-year bilateral deal, Washington will contribute nearly $2.1 billion to help prevent HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, and to protect maternal and child health, a US State Department spokesman said.
Nigeria has committed to increasing its national health spending by nearly $3 billion over the five-year period, the spokesman said, adding that the bilateral deal contains “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.
”Nigeria has committed to increasing its national health spending by nearly $3 billion over the five-year period, the spokesman said, adding that the bilateral deal contains “a strong emphasis on promoting Christian faith-based health care providers.”
Umahi under fire over ‘forget Biafra’ comment
Igbo groups in the diaspora, including American Veterans of Igbo Descent AVID, Rising Sun Foundation and Ambassadors for Self Determination, have knocked the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, over his recent comments that the agitation for Biafra should be jettisoned, claiming that the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, has ended every marginalization against the Igbo.
The groups, in a statement yesterday, dismissed the comment as an insult to the sensibility of the Igbo, saying Umahi lacks the mandate to speak for Ndigbo.
The statement was signed by Dr Sylvester Onyia, President, American Veterans of Igbo Decent; Ben Nwankwo for Ambassadors for Self Determination; and Maxwell Dede for the Rising Sun.
The statement read in part:
”Our attention has been drawn to an unguarded statement by Senator David Umahi that Ndigbo should forget Biafra agitation because the federal government has addressed all the challenges of Ndigbo.
“We wish to remind Umahi that he does not have the mandate to speak for Ndigbo, and he should not allocate to himself the powers he does not have.
Stop media attacks on EFCC ,CSO urges corruption suspects
The Grassroot Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance has cautioned against the resort to social media propaganda over ongoing investigations by anti-graft agencies, urging all parties to submit to due process.
The group made the call on Saturday while briefing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, following a press statement circulating on social media and attributed to one Mohammed Bello Doka, who claimed to be a Special Assistant on Media to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Speaking at the briefing, the National Chairman of the group, Comrade Usman Mohammed-Anache, said the organisation would not comment on the substance of the allegations, noting that the matters were already under investigation by constitutionally empowered authorities
I became a mother-in-law and grandmother this year” – Iyabo Ojo reveals her best gift as she turns 48, shares her conversation with God
It is the 48th birthday of Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo.
The movie star, who has been excitedly counting down to her birthday, shared stunning photos of herself on her Instagram page, describing this year’s celebration as her best.
Iyabo noted that becoming a mother-in-law and grandmother was the best gift she had received. Expressing gratitude to her Maker, she stated that his blessings will be permanent.
The actress said she always told God that the only riches she desires are happiness, her kids, loved ones, and thriving.
“This is one of my best birthdays.
Daddy, adding ‘mother-in-law’ and ‘Glamma’ to my title is the best gift I got this year.
Thank you, Lord, — and yes! It shall be permanent.
I’ve always told God that the only riches I desire are happiness and my kids, family, and loved ones thriving.
I’m blessed because I’m surrounded by blessings….
Thank you, Lord, for making 2025 my year; I know 2026 is mine too…..I’m God’s own special child, and I don’t take it for granted…… clock it! Happy birthday to me!”.
