Compilations of top 10 latest happenings that you need to know this Friday morning, 5th December, 2025
Big diplomatic overhaul: Tinubu’s 65 envoy picks brace for Senate storm
President Bola Tinubu’s 65 ambassadorial nominees will face rigorous Senate grilling next week as part of their confirmation process.
Three notable opposition senators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the screening would not be ‘business as usual,’ hinting at plans to put several of the nominees on the spot.
‘’Our current situation requires seasoned and knowledgeable men and women who can represent and defend Nigeria’s interests before the international community.
Ambassadorial position is not all about political patronage or job for the boys and this is why we would ensure that those who would represent Nigeria at the foreign missions are patriotic individuals who have integrity,’’ a ranking senator noted.
Another lawmaker said the nominees would be properly grilled to ensure they are ‘’fit for purpose.’’FG sets Dec 20 deadline to pay contractors
The Federal Government on Thursday moved to calm rising tensions among road contractors, assuring that all outstanding payments will be cleared before December 20, 2025, following days of protests by contractors over mounting debts and stalled project financing.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, who gave the assurance during the reopening of the repaired Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, said President Bola Tinubu had acknowledged the debt backlog and approved the constitution of a special committee to verify and settle all outstanding claims.
Contractors handling federal road projects had, in the last few days, staged protests at the Ministry of Finance, alleging prolonged non-payment for completed and ongoing works.
The contractors under the aegis of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria staged a protest at the Federal Ministry of Finance over alleged unpaid funds for projects executed in 2024.
Senate orders nationwide crackdown as lead poisoning hits Lagos
The Senate on Thursday expressed grave alarm over a fast-spreading lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a densely populated community straddling the boundary between Ikorodu (Lagos) and Ogun East Senatorial District.
It described it as a full-blown environmental and public-health emergency that threatened thousands of lives.
The motion, jointly sponsored by Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), was brought under Matters of Urgent Public Importance pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended)
Lawmakers cited scientifically verified reports of extreme lead contamination linked to a cluster of used lead-acid battery recycling factories operating in the area for years.
VIO heads to S’Court after losing vehicle impoundment appeal
The Department of Road Traffic Services, also known as Vehicle Inspection Officers, has said it will “certainly” appeal a judgment barring it from imposing fines or impounding vehicles of offending motorists.
The Acting Director of the DRTS, Deborah Osho, in an exclusive phone interview with The PUNCH on Thursday, lamented the growing “lawlessness” in the Federal Capital Territory since the High Court ruling.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, affirmed the lower court judgment barring the DRTS and VIO from stopping motorists, confiscating vehicles, or imposing fines on road users.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel, the appellate court held that there was no basis to overturn the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which prohibited VIO officials from harassing motorists
Katsina LG boss empowers 1,322, gives cars to councillors
The Chairman, Safana Local Government Area (LGA) in Katsina, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani, has handed out 10 vehicles to his councillors and also empowered 1,322 constituents.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the empowerment exercise was launched by Governor Dikko Radda on Thursday in Safana.
Radda commended the Chairman for executing what he described as “the best and most far-reaching empowerment initiative” across the LGAs he had so far visited.
He also applauded the Chairman for what he said, “demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to grassroots transformation
Dollar to Naira exchange rate today, December 5, 2025
The exchange rate between the United States Dollar (USD) and the Nigerian Naira (NGN) remained stable on Friday, December 5, 2025, as the local currency held its ground across both the official and parallel markets.
Data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange, which oversees the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), indicates that the Naira is trading at N1,450.25 to the dollar today.
This figure represents a continuation of the steady performance recorded earlier in the week, where rates hovered within the N1,448 to N1,450 band.
Trading at the official window opened with liquidity remaining relatively consistent.
The intraday high and low rates showed minimal volatility, a trend that market analysts attribute to sustained interventions and improved transparency from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The closing rate of N1,450.25 reflects the market’s adjustment to supply and demand dynamics without the sharp fluctuations seen in previous years
“Igbos are the greatest stakeholders in the Nigerian project” – Vice President Kashim Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima has praised the Igbo community for what he described as their unmatched contribution to Nigeria’s economic and social landscape.
Speaking on national unity and development, he described the Igbo as major stakeholders in the Nigerian project, pointing to their widespread presence and significant investments across the country.
He highlighted their strong economic footprint in cities like Abuja and Lagos, noting that their entrepreneurial influence can be found in virtually every part of the nation.
Shettima urged leaders across all regions to prioritize investments that strengthen local economies while reinforcing unity and mutual respect.
The Vice President also projected Nigeria’s demographic growth, stating that the country is on track to become the third most populous nation in the world by 2050 and potentially the most populated by the end of the century.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future and reaffirmed his pride in the nation’s collective potential.
“It’s a slap on your face” – Yul Edochie blasts Tinubu over killings, kidnapping
A veteran actor, Yul Edochie, has again urged President Bola Tinubu to take firm action against the growing kidnapping and killing across the country.
He said the worsening insecurity has become unbearable and must be tackled without delay.
Inn a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, Edochie stated that the nation’s security situation is a “slap” on the President’s face.
He insisted that Tinubu has the strength and resources to bring the menace to an end.
He wrote:
“Dear President Tinubu, You have the capacity to crush these bandits and kidnappers who are killing Nigerians daily and even posting it on social media.
“I can’t stay in Sokoto prison” – Nnamdi Kanu cries out, beg court for transfer
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who was recently handed a life sentence, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja asking to be moved out of the Sokoto Custodial Centre.
Kanu, who personally signed the motion ex parte, insists that staying in Sokoto will cripple his ability to properly pursue his appeal against the conviction handed down on 20 November 2025.
According to the IPOB leader, he was moved to the Sokoto facility on 21 November, a distance of more than 700 kilometres from Abuja, where his appeal processes must be handled.
He argued that preparing his notice of appeal and accessing necessary court records requires direct interaction with the Federal High Court Registry and the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Kanu said the distance makes such access nearly impossible and violates his constitutional right under Section 36 to effectively challenge his conviction.
“I kuku wan just mad” – 2Face laments to Wizkid’s associate, Godson
Wizkid’s associate, Godson stirs concerns as he shares his chat with the legendary singer, 2Face Idibia, levelling strong accusations against his wife, Natasha Osawaru.
It would be recalled that the singer and his new wife are alleged to be having marital problems.
This comes after photos and videos surfaced online which showed their public altercations and other moments of marital squabbles.
Godson shares chat with 2FaceWizkid’s associate Godson took to social media to share his conversation with 2Face.
In the screenshot, Godson had remarked that the issue between Natasha and 2Face isn’t right and he needs to fix up, especially for his kids who are growing up.
