TheCable’s 2025 roundup revisits the controversies Nigerians couldn’t look away from

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December 31, 2025

2025-12-31 15:39:00

According to TheCable Lifestyle, a year-end video roundup revisited the controversies that dominated timelines in 2025—highlighting how social media escalated personal and business disputes into national conversations.

The recap points to headline moments such as the 2Baba separation saga and the repeated twists that kept the story cycling back into public view.

TheCable Lifestyle (TheCable.ng): “2Baba announced his separation from… Annie…”
Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “Most dramatic celebrity break-ups of 2025.”

Echotitbits take: These scandal cycles show reputation is now a real asset class in Nigerian pop culture—brand deals, bookings, and streaming performance can swing on a single week of narrative control. Watch how stars professionalize PR playbooks in 2026.

Source: TheCable Lifestyle — 2025-12-31 — https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/video-viral-controversies-and-scandals-of-2025/

TheCable Lifestyle
2025-12-31
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Ciara names Lagos Fashion Week a 2025 highlight as Nigeria’s fashion influence spreads

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:46:00

In a caption shared by Ciara, the singer described Lagos Fashion Week as one of her standout moments of the year, reflecting on walking in a show and engaging Nigeria’s creative scene.

Guardian reports she also referenced visiting the Trading Room Floor and meeting local designers—framing the trip as both cultural and professional.

Guardian Life (Guardian.ng): “One of my highlights of the year was Lagos Fashion Week!”
QED.NG (QED.ng): “One of my highlights of the year was Lagos Fashion Week!”

Echotitbits take: Big-name global validation boosts Lagos Fashion Week’s export value—more brand partnerships, more fashion tourism, and stronger leverage for Nigerian designers negotiating international visibility and pricing power.

Source: Guardian — 2025-12-31 — https://guardian.ng/life/style/lagos-fashion-week-was-one-of-my-highlights-of-2025-ciara/

Guardian
2025-12-31
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Nollywood stars push back on “unfair cinema practices” as exhibitor debate heats up

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 15:53:00

Reporting by Punch indicates a group of Nollywood actors—including Ini Edo and Toyin Abraham—have publicly called out cinemas over practices they say disadvantage films and mislead audiences.

The claims quickly turned into a wider creator-versus-exhibitor conversation online, with fans demanding clearer explanations from cinema chains and distributors.

Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “call out cinemas over unfair practices.”
BusinessDay (Businessday.ng): “allegations of unfair treatment by some cinemas.”

Echotitbits take: As Nollywood scales, operational fairness matters as much as hype. If showtimes and reporting feel inconsistent, the ecosystem risks rewarding only the biggest names—so watch for exhibitor responses and any distributor-led reforms in 2026.

Source: The Punch — 2025-12-27 — https://punchng.com/ini-edo-toyin-abraham-others-call-out-cinemas-over-unfair-practices/

The Punch
2025-12-27
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Funke Akindele’s “Behind The Scenes” storms past ₦1.1bn and rewrites Nollywood’s box-office history

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 16:00:00

According to BellaNaija, Funke Akindele’s latest film Behind The Scenes has crossed ₦1.1 billion at the Nigerian box office within weeks of release, reinforcing her run of record-breaking cinema numbers.

FilmOne Entertainment highlighted the milestone as a speed record for West Africa, pointing to a strong Boxing Day surge that helped push the film over the line.

The milestone is also reigniting industry debate about distribution transparency, screen allocation, and how blockbuster runs are being managed across cinemas.

FilmOne Entertainment (X): “Fastest film in West Africa to cross ₦1B+.”
Punch Newspapers (Punchng.com): “Fastest film in West Africa to gross over ₦1 billion.”

Echotitbits take: Nollywood’s ceiling keeps moving—but the next battleground is trust: transparent reporting, fair scheduling, and whether exhibitors and distributors can avoid a “rigged system” narrative as the money grows.

Source: BellaNaija — 2025-12-30 — https://www.bellanaija.com/2025/12/funke-akindele-behind-scenes-1bn-record/

BellaNaija
2025-12-30
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Iran brands Royal Canadian Navy a ‘terror group’ in new diplomatic escalation

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 10:03:00

In a report published by PUNCH, Iran has designated the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organisation, a move that escalates Tehran’s standoff with Ottawa amid reciprocal sanctions and security disputes.

The designation is likely to inflame diplomatic relations and could have downstream implications for maritime cooperation, travel advisories and sanctions enforcement involving Iranian entities.

Canadian officials have not signalled any policy reversal, but analysts say the rhetoric could harden positions on both sides as 2026 begins.

Malay Mail reported “Iran designates Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organisation,” while Lethbridge News Now said Iran “designated Canada’s navy a terrorist organisation” in retaliation.

Echotitbits take: Labeling a foreign navy as ‘terrorist’ is a high‑octane messaging tool with real legal and security implications. Watch for allied responses, changes to maritime posture, and whether this spills into Iran’s wider disputes with Western partners.

Source: caspianpost — December 30, 2025 (https://caspianpost.com/iran/iran-designates-royal-canadian-navy-a-terrorist-organization)

caspianpost December 30, 2025

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Saudi strike in Yemen targets alleged drone shipment bound for UAE-linked forces

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:56:00

Reporting by PUNCH indicates Saudi Arabia carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s coast, alleging it was targeting a shipment of drones and weapons destined for UAE‑aligned separatist forces.

The incident adds a new layer to the already complex regional proxy dynamics in Yemen, where shifting alliances and rival security agendas often collide despite nominal anti‑Houthi alignment.

Observers say the development could raise tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi and complicate ceasefire and de‑escalation talks moving into 2026.

AP News reported “Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port city over weapons shipment from UAE for separatists,” while Reuters reported the UAE said it “ends mission of counterterrorism units in Yemen voluntarily,” underscoring the sensitivity around Emirati-linked deployments.

Echotitbits take: If Riyadh is publicly striking supply lines tied to UAE‑backed actors, it signals frictions that could redraw Yemen’s power map. Watch for official Saudi/UAE messaging and whether shipping lanes or port access face new restrictions.

Source: yahoo — December 30, 2025 (https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/saudi-arabia-bombs-uae-weapons-092806312.html)

yahoo December 30, 2025

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Meta moves to acquire Manus as it races to build advanced AI agents

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:49:00

According to PUNCH, Meta has reached a deal to buy Manus, a Chinese‑founded AI‑agent startup, as the tech giant intensifies its push into advanced autonomous agents and enterprise AI tools.

The report said the acquisition is part of Meta’s broader strategy to accelerate product delivery in AI assistants, workflow automation and agentic systems that can execute tasks across apps and services.

Industry watchers expect increased scrutiny around cross‑border tech deals and how Meta integrates Manus’ team and intellectual property into its AI roadmap.

A Reuters video headline stated “Meta to buy Chinese-founded startup Manus to boost advanced AI,” while TechCrunch wrote “Meta just bought Manus, an AI startup everyone has been talking about.”

Echotitbits take: The real value is likely talent and agent infrastructure. Watch for how quickly Meta ships ‘agent’ features into WhatsApp/Instagram products, and whether regulators flag data‑sovereignty issues.

Source: Tribune — December 30, 2025 (https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584667/meta-buys-china-founded-ai-agent-manus?amp=1)

Tribune December 30, 2025

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Tinubu appoints Rotimi Oyedepo as Director of Public Prosecutions

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:42:00

In an update published by PUNCH, President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as Director of Public Prosecutions in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

Oyedepo is widely known for high‑profile prosecution work, including corruption and financial‑crime cases, and the appointment is seen as a signal about prosecutorial priorities heading into 2026.

The move comes amid renewed debates about justice-sector reforms, case backlogs and the credibility of anti‑corruption enforcement.

A State House statement said the president “approves appointment of Rotimi Oyedepo as Director of Public Prosecutions,” while Premium Times reported Tinubu “gives top EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo new appointment.”

Echotitbits take: The DPP role is pivotal for consistency across sensitive cases. Watch the first 100 days: guidelines for plea bargains, asset-recovery priorities, and how prosecution teams coordinate with EFCC/ICPC/Police without politicising decisions.

Source: PUNCH — December 31, 2025 (https://punchng.com/tinubu-appoints-oyedepo-director-of-public-prosecution/)

PUNCH December 31, 2025

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Kwara passes harmonised taxes bill to curb multiple levies and boost collections

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:35:00

Reporting by The Nation indicates the Kwara State House of Assembly has passed a harmonised taxes and levies bill aimed at streamlining revenue collection and reducing multiple taxation across the state.

Lawmakers said the legislation is designed to clarify approved charges, cut leakages, and improve compliance for businesses and residents, with next steps focused on transmitting a clean copy for executive assent.

The move aligns with broader sub‑national efforts to expand internally generated revenue while keeping the tax environment predictable for investors.

New Telegraph reported the assembly “passes harmonised taxes, levies bill into law,” while Western Post also said lawmakers “pass Harmonised Taxes and Levies Bill into law.”

Echotitbits take: Harmonisation only works if enforcement is disciplined—no parallel ‘task forces’ or informal collectors. Watch implementation rules, dispute‑resolution mechanisms, and how the state balances revenue goals with SME survival in 2026.

Source: The Nation — December 31, 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/kwara-assembly-passes-harmonised-taxes-levies-bill-into-law/)

The Nation December 31, 2025

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Zamfara to raise pay for 11,300 Juma’at imams from January 2026

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B.O.B Echoload

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December 31, 2025

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2025-12-31 09:28:00

According to Vanguard, the Zamfara State Government says it will upgrade salaries for 11,300 Friday‑prayer imams and other clerics beginning January 2026 as part of a wider welfare push.

Governor Dauda Lawal was quoted as linking the planned review to recommendations from an integrated e‑payment system, alongside ongoing spending on clerics’ stipends.

The announcement comes as the state seeks stronger community engagement and social stability amid persistent security pressures in the North‑West.

Daily Trust reported the governor “announced plans to upgrade the salary scale of 11,300 Juma’at Imams,” while Leadership said the government “promised to upgrade the salaries of Imams of Jummat Mosques and other Islamic clerics with effect from January 2026.”

Echotitbits take: If properly funded and transparently implemented, this could strengthen community‑level social support and messaging against extremism. Watch for fiscal sustainability and whether similar welfare moves extend to broader public‑sector and frontline security workers.

Source: Vanguard — December 31, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/11300-zamfara-imams-to-enjoy-salary-upgrade/)

Vanguard December 31, 2025

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