Borno and Kano top national Qur’anic recitation contest as Maiduguri hosts cultural showcase

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December 21, 2025

Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 20:00:00

According to Punch, Borno State emerged overall winner in the male category of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, while Kano produced the top female winner.

The contest, hosted in Maiduguri, drew participants from across the country, with organisers presenting it as religious scholarship and a platform for unity.

For Borno, the hosting and win carry symbolism, projecting a narrative of cultural confidence and stabilising civic life after years of insecurity.

Leadership reported that “Borno, Kano” emerged overall winners, while Legit.ng wrote that “Musa Ahmed Musa of Borno” and “Hafsat… of Kano” clinched top prizes.

Echotitbits take:
Watch how states leverage this: scholarships, religious education funding, and youth talent pipelines. Also note the security messaging—big events in Maiduguri are increasingly used as ‘return to normal’ signals.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/borno-kano-win-national-quranic-competition/)
Punch 2025-12-20

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APC fixes late-March 2026 convention date and releases congress timetable nationwide

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 16:00:00

As detailed by Punch, the APC has released a timetable for ward, local government, state and zonal congresses, culminating in its national convention scheduled for March 25–28, 2026.

The schedule outlines e-registration, form sales, screening, appeals and delegate selection steps, positioning the party for internal elections and leadership refresh.

With 2027 politics in view, the congress timeline will shape control of party structures and delegate lists, often determining which factions dominate.

APC’s official channel posted a “TIMETABLE FOR NATIONWIDE CONGRESSES,” while Kemi Filani also reported the party “has published its schedule” ending with the March 2026 convention.

Echotitbits take:
Watch for disputes over delegate lists, court cases challenging congress outcomes, and how closely the party follows INEC-facing rules to avoid a legitimacy crisis after convention.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/apc-fixes-march-2026-for-national-convention/)
Punch 2025-12-20

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Ogun suspends three environmental consultants after Ogijo lead pollution scrutiny

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 13:30:00

From Ogun State’s environmental briefings reported by Punch, the government has suspended three environmental consultancy firms over alleged negligence linked to pollution concerns around closed used lead-acid battery recycling operations in Ogijo.

Officials said a process audit review identified accountability lapses in how compliance was handled, and the suspension is part of wider efforts to strengthen oversight.

The case has heightened public health concern because lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children and can cause long-term developmental harm.

Channels Television reported Ogun “has suspended three environmental consultancy firms,” while The Guardian said the state acted over “professional negligence and culpability.”

Echotitbits take:
This is a test of whether Nigeria will enforce environmental accountability beyond factory owners. Watch for remediation steps, community health screening updates, and whether regulators tighten standards across similar industries.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/ogun-suspends-env-consultancy-firms-over-pollution-allegations/)
Punch 2025-12-20

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Troops uncover roadside bomb in Borno and arrest suspected insurgent logistics suppliers

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 12:00:00

A statement relayed by Punch says troops under Operation Hadin Kai discovered an improvised explosive device planted along the Damboa–Komala road and arrested suspects described as logistics suppliers for insurgents.

The report says the IED was located during a patrol and safely detonated, while a separate intelligence-led operation intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting supplies believed to be destined for terrorist networks.

Military officials say disrupting supply lines is critical to weakening insurgent capability, and the arrested suspects have been handed over for further investigation.

The Nigerian Army’s official release said: “TROOPS OF OPHK DISCOVER IED… ARREST SUSPECTED TERRORIST LOGISTICS SUPPLIERS IN BORNO,” while TVC News also reported troops “have uncovered an Improvised Explosive Device” and arrested a suspected logistics supplier.

Echotitbits take:
The immediate win is supply-chain disruption. Watch for follow-on arrests of financiers and middlemen, and whether security operations tighten without choking legitimate local trade.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/photos-troops-uncover-bomb-on-borno-road-arrest-terror-logistics-suppliers/)
Punch 2025-12-20

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NELFUND says student loan disbursements top ₦154bn as beneficiaries near 789,000

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: Daily Post Nigeria
2025-12-21 09:30:00

Figures cited by The Nation show the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says it has supported 788,947 students with disbursements of over ₦154 billion since the student loan scheme began.

The update frames the programme as a major access-to-education intervention, pointing to high demand for tertiary education financing.

The policy impact will be judged not only by approvals, but by how it affects dropout rates, fee defaults, and the financial stability of institutions.

The Guardian reported NELFUND “has disbursed… ₦154,373,551,374.00” to 788,947 students, while ThisDay wrote the fund “disbursed more than N154 billion” to support the same beneficiary count.

Echotitbits take:
The next test is governance: publish clearer dashboards, tighten verification, and communicate repayment terms early. Watch also for how universities adjust fees once loan inflows become predictable.

Source: The Nation — December 21, 2025 (https://dailypost.ng/2025/11/30/nelfund-records-1-19m-applicants-disburses-loan-to-788000-students/)
The Nation 2025-12-21

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ICPC summons Dangote as petition over alleged $7m school-fees spending enters probe phase

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Nations
2025-12-21 08:30:00

In an update published by The Nation, the ICPC has invited Aliko Dangote in connection with his petition against the immediate past NMDPRA boss over allegations tied to public funds and overseas school fees.

The report says the invitation is linked to preparations for a formal investigation panel, as the matter fuels debate about accountability in high-value regulatory offices.

At the center is an allegation that more than $7 million was spent on children’s education abroad, prompting calls for a lifestyle and governance audit around the regulator.

Premium Times confirmed Dangote “formally submitted a petition,” while ThisDay reported the petition “alleged that Ahmed spent over $7 million” on education-related expenses.

Echotitbits take:
High-profile petitions only matter if evidence is traceable. Watch for payment trails, asset declarations, and whether the probe expands into institutional controls that enabled the alleged spending.

Source: The Nation — December 21, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/icpc-invites-dangote-over-7m-school-fees-claim-against-ex-nmdpra-boss/)
The Nation 2025-12-21

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ADC asks Tinubu to halt tax reforms amid claims final law was altered

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 09:00:00

Reporting by Punch indicates the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is demanding a suspension of Nigeria’s newly introduced tax laws, alleging that key sections were changed after National Assembly passage and presidential assent.

The party frames the claim as a constitutional issue—arguing that post-assent changes would undermine legislative process and separation of powers.

ADC says it wants a full investigation to determine who handled the alleged edits and whether prosecution should follow if wrongdoing is established.

Daily Post said the ADC urged suspension over “alleged forged provisions,” while TheCable’s coverage captured ADC’s warning that “It is time to rethink our tax laws.”

Echotitbits take:
Whether proven or not, legitimacy is everything for compliance. Watch for certified “as-passed” copies, side-by-side comparisons with gazetted versions, and clear implementation guidance before take-off.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/adc-demands-suspension-of-tax-laws-over-modification-allegations/)
Punch 2025-12-20

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Tinubu arrives Lagos for holidays as end-of-year engagements begin

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 18:00:00

According to Punch, President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays after official visits to Borno and Bauchi.

The report says the President was received at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state officials, marking the start of his end-of-year engagements in the state.

Beyond the holiday optics, the visit doubles as a political homecoming for a former Lagos governor and a chance to hold quiet consultations as 2025 wraps up.

The Punch account also notes that Tinubu is expected to attend select social and cultural events during the period, including the Eyo Festival later in the week.

Channels Television wrote, “President Bola Tinubu is in Lagos for the Yuletide,” while TheCable noted the President would “begin a three-state visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos.”

Echotitbits take:
Lagos trips at year-end are rarely “just holidays.” Watch for who gets seen, who gets meetings, and whether any policy or political signals drop quietly—especially as blocs position for 2026.

Source: Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-arrives-lagos-for-end-of-year-holidays/?amp=)
Punch 2025-12-20

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Anambra teen wins healthy cooking contest as Soludo’s programme pushes nutrition in schools

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch
2025-12-20 09:45:00

In a report published by The Punch, a student of St. Charles College, Onitsha, Ikechukwu Ifechukwu, won Anambra’s 2025 Healthy Living Cooking Competition linked to First Lady Dr Nonye Soludo’s school programme.

The event in Awka brought students from all 21 local government areas to compete on healthy meal preparation under time limits, with judging based on hygiene, taste, presentation and service.

Organisers say the aim is to strengthen nutrition awareness and practical life skills among young people, while also challenging gender stereotypes around cooking.

Daily Post described the outcome as a male student who “emerged winner” of the cooking competition in Anambra. The Punch quoted Mrs Soludo saying the initiative “defies stereotypes and traditional misconceptions,” adding that schoolboys have now won for two straight editions.

Echotitbits take:
It’s lifestyle content with a policy edge: nutrition habits built in school can scale into public health outcomes. Watch for whether the programme expands, how schools track nutrition outcomes, and whether local foods and hygiene education become more visible in the curriculum.

Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/anambra-college-student-wins-soludos-cooking-competition/)
The Punch 2025-12-20

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Zelensky urges stronger US pressure on Russia as new talks format is floated

By

B.O.B Echoload

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December 21, 2025

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Photo Credit: The Punch

2025-12-20 19:15:00

Reporting by The Punch indicates Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says only the United States has enough leverage to pressure Russia toward ending the war, as diplomats hold renewed discussions on possible talks.

Zelensky’s comments reflect Kyiv’s insistence that negotiations must be backed by meaningful pressure—sanctions, security guarantees, and sustained military support—rather than vague concessions or frozen conflict lines.

The statement comes amid signals of a US-proposed talks format that could include Ukraine, the US and Russia, with possible European participation, though Zelensky voiced skepticism about quick breakthroughs.

Reuters quoted Zelensky calling for pressure, saying, “America must clearly say: if not diplomacy, then there will be full pressure.” AFP also reported Zelensky urged Washington to “put more pressure on Russia,” linking his remarks to fresh talks in Miami.

Echotitbits take:
Ukraine is signalling that any deal must be enforceable and backed by deterrence. Watch the next US steps on sanctions, arms deliveries, and whether the proposed talks format becomes formalised with agreed agendas and timelines.

Source: The Punch — December 20, 2025 (https://punchng.com/zelensky-says-only-us-can-pressure-russia-to-end-war/)
The Punch 2025-12-20

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