Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you need to know this Wednesday morning, 31st December, 2025
Alteration row: Tinubu insists on Jan 1 for new tax regime
President Bola Tinubu has insisted that the new tax laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, as planned. This was disclosed in a statement that he personally signed on Tuesday and issued by the State House.
This came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party slammed the President, describing the move as hasty and insensitive amid ongoing controversies surrounding the alleged alterations to the legislation.
The PUNCH reports that Tinubu, on June 26, 2025, signed the four Tax Reform Bills into law.
These laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act.
The Acts comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and enhance effective tax administration across the different levels of government.
While some of the laws have gone into effect, others are set to go into effect on January 1.
Fatal crash: Family demands access to Joshua, FRSC awaits probe report
The family of world heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, has expressed deep concern over their inability to see the boxer following a tragic road accident on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Speaking to journalists at the Sagamu family home in Ijokun on Tuesday, the boxer’s uncle, Adedamola Joshua, described the news as a “rude shock” to the family.
He revealed that the family only learned of the accident after multiple calls from friends and well-wishers.
“Sincerely, the news that our son, Anthony Joshua, was involved in a fatal crash came to us as a rude shock,” he said.
“We did not get to hear this terrible news on time until calls started coming in from people seeking confirmation.
Anthony comes home three or four times a year, especially during the festive season, and it is usually a time to rejoice with family.
This was completely unexpected.”
The uncle added that while the family has been in touch with Anthony Joshua’s parents—who are also in Nigeria—they have not been allowed to visit him at the undisclosed medical facility where he is receiving treatment.
“We are all eager to see him, even if only three of us are allowed, but we understand the need to protect him given his global status,” he said.
The crash claimed the lives of two of Joshua’s close friends and team members: Ayodele Kelvin Olu, 36, a Nigerian-British citizen, and Gami Sina, 36, a British citizen
Military arrests suicide bomber, recovers 189 AK-47 rifles
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a major security success in Borno State, arresting a suspected suicide bomber and intercepting materials intended for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices.
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was apprehended on Monday by personnel of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies, at Banki town in Bama Local Government Area.
The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, disclosed that Mustapha was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating an imminent intent to carry out an attack.“
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.
He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area,” Sani said.
Fire razes 10 shops at Oshodi’s Arena market
A fire outbreak on Tuesday evening gutted a section of the popular Arena Market in Bolade, Oshodi, Lagos State and destroyed about 10 shops.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its Controller General, Mrs Margaret Adeseye.
According to the statement, the Service received a distress call at about 5:50 p.m. reporting a fire outbreak at the market, prompting the immediate deployment of firefighting units.
The responders arrived at the scene within five minutes, at approximately 5:55 p.m.
Adeseye said the fire affected a section of the market comprising five 40-foot container shops arranged in two rows, bringing the total number of affected shops to 10.Federal Govt reaffirms commitment to rule of law
The Federal Government has dismissed the allegation of targeting opposition in its anti-graft war.
The government has no plan to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute opposition figures, Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris clarified yesterday.
This clarification, Idris said, was in response to what he called a fabricated document in circulation alleging the establishment of a non-existent multi-agency task force for a purported programme tagged: “ADP4VIP” (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons).
The minister said the ’baseless document’ falsely claims that a task force comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, aims to aggressively target prominent opposition figures without due process.
He noted that the authors of the deliberate disinformation imprudently cite “multiple credible sources” to allege a planned “systematic weakening and neutralisation of opposition political activity,” particularly within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The minister in a statement said: “There is no such programme as “ADP4VIP.”
He stated that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “is firmly and successfully focused on its core agenda: implementing measurable economic reforms, defeating insecurity, expanding trade opportunities, and restoring investor confidence.”
He described as dangerous the attempt by opposition elements to so tag as political targeting a lawful call for accountability.
He noted that their move is tantamount to shielding the so called Very Important Personalities from the law.“
The attempt by some opposition elements to frame lawful accountability as political targeting is a dangerous red herring designed to shield so-called VIPs from answering to our national laws and anti-corruption agencies.
”For wetin my eyes don see this year, na me suppose preach for crossover night” – Actor Jamiu Azeez says as he reflects on 2025
As the year 2025 comes to a close today, Nollywood actor Jamiu Azeez is reflecting on the past year.On his Instagram page, he stated that he is supposed to preach at the crossover night because of the things he has gone through.
He described 2025 as an eye-opening year, noting that it was filled with many blessings and lessons.
“For wetin my eyes don see this year,Na me suppose preach for crossover night oo
5025 is such an eye-opener year, so many blessings and lessons oo. Chai”.
“The producer of the number 1 movie of 2025” – Odunlade Adekola toots his horns as he marks birthday with prayerful words
Nollywood actor Odunlade Adekola has offered a word of prayer for himself as he celebrates his birthday today, December 31, 2025.
Sharing dapper photos of himself on his Instagram page, he expressed gratitude to his Maker.
Keeping his birthday message simple, he appreciated the public and his families around the world.
He stated that this upcoming, small boy, filmmaker, and producer of the number 1 movie of 2025 is +1 today.
Prophet Sam Ojo leads prophetic Crossover Service for liberation, restoration
A special Prophetic Crossover Service aimed at addressing spiritual, personal and family challenges is holding this evening, with renowned cleric and founder of the Freedom Apostolic Revival International Ministry, FARIM, Prophet Sam Adebayo Ojo, popularly known as Baba Authority, ministering.
Organisers say the ongoing vigil has been divinely set aside as a moment of liberation, restoration and breakthrough for individuals seeking lasting solutions to longstanding challenges.
According to the announcement, the service is open to people experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including generational challenges, prolonged unanswered prayers, hard work without commensurate reward, lack of direction, delayed fruitfulness, and the loss of spiritual zeal.
Other issues expected to be addressed during the service include family-related challenges, unfulfilled dreams, personal setbacks and lives yet to reflect visible testimonies.
Bandits attack Catholic priests in Nasarawa
Fresh concerns over worsening insecurity around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have been raised following an attack by suspected bandits on two Catholic priests at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Unity Estate, Mararaba, Nasarawa State.
The attack occurred in the early hours of the day when armed assailants invaded the parish house at about 2:30 a.m. and assaulted the priests, while the Parish Priest reportedly escaped unhurt
I won’t defect with Obi — Alex Otti vows to remain in Labour Party
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ruled out defecting from the Labour Party despite plans by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to leave the platform.
Otti made the position clear on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, saying he had decided to remain in the Labour Party to help rebuild and reposition it.
The governor disclosed that Obi had personally informed him of his intention to exit the party and that he had no objection to the decision, but emphasised that his own political path would be different.
If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him.
He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings.
But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party,” Otti disclosed.
