Echotitbits – Nigeria News

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  • Odumodu Blvck, Jeriq and Duncan Mighty Power Life Lager’s Port Harcourt Xmas Concert

    Odumodu Blvck, Jeriq and Duncan Mighty Power Life Lager’s Port Harcourt Xmas Concert

    Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria

    2025-12-24 12:00:00

    In an update published by Pulse Nigeria, Life Lager’s Xmas Concert in Port Harcourt delivered high-energy sets from Odumodu Blvck and Jeriq, with Duncan Mighty adding hometown heat that had the crowd buzzing.

    The event is part of a bigger December touring play—turning what used to be single-city shows into multi-stop cultural moments backed by brands.

    • TheCable (website): “Life Beer delivers high-energy performances …”
    • ThisDay (website): “Port Harcourt recently came alive at the Life Xmas Concert…”

    Echotitbits take: Beyond entertainment, this is brand warfare: beer companies competing for December mindshare via concerts and city-to-city identity campaigns. Watch the next tour stops, TikTok/IG crowd clips, and whether the artists’ momentum converts to bigger endorsements in 2026.

    Source: Pulse Nigeria — Dec 24, 2025 — https://www.pulse.ng/story/life-beer-delivers-high-energy-performances-with-odumodu-blvck-jeriq-the-hussla-and-duncan-mighty-2025122416075189947

    Pulse Nigeria
    2025-12-24

  • Carter Efe’s Viral Twitch Moment Turns Into a Moderation Reality Check

    Carter Efe’s Viral Twitch Moment Turns Into a Moderation Reality Check

    Photo Credit: Pulse Nigeria

    2025-12-24 11:00:00

    According to Pulse Nigeria, Carter Efe’s Twitch run sparked major chatter online—big numbers, big attention, and then immediate concerns about platform enforcement after the moment went mainstream.

    The broader takeaway is that Nigerian creators are testing new global spaces, but the learning curve is steep when local comedy/streaming styles meet strict policy systems.

    • Punch (website): “Twitch bans Carter Efe after record 83k viewers.”
    • Legit.ng (website): “Twitch bans Carter Efe …”

    Echotitbits take: This is a preview of the next creator wave beyond Instagram and TikTok. Watch whether Carter Efe returns with a more policy-safe format, whether brands get involved, and whether more Nigerian creators build teams to keep livestreaming compliant and consistent.

    Source: Pulse Nigeria — Dec 24, 2025 — https://www.pulse.ng/articles/entertainment/celebrities/carter-efes-twitch-paradox-viral-but-vulnerable-2025122412065539539

    Pulse Nigeria
    2025-12-24

  • Portable Sparks Fresh Outrage After Dragging Iyabo Ojo in ‘Single Mothers’ Rant

    Portable Sparks Fresh Outrage After Dragging Iyabo Ojo in ‘Single Mothers’ Rant

    Photo Credit: Daily Post Nigeria

    2025-12-24 10:00:00

    In a report republished on allAfrica (from Leadership), Portable went after actress Iyabo Ojo during a heated online exchange, pushing a controversial line about women, marriage, and status.

    The backlash is growing because the argument taps into a wider social media pressure point: respectability politics, parenting narratives, and how public figures weaponize cultural expectations.

    • Ripples Nigeria (website): “Any woman not in her husband’s house isn’t a queen…”
    • X recap post: “Any woman not in her husband’s house isn’t a queen.”

    Echotitbits take: Portable controversies routinely drive engagement, but this theme can trigger longer-lasting reputational damage and brand distancing. Watch for Iyabo Ojo’s response, influencer pile-ons, and whether Portable doubles down or pivots to a damage-control tone.

    Source: Daily Post Nigeria — Dec 24, 2025 — https://dailypost.ng/2025/12/23/bad-example-portable-slams-iyabo-ojo/

    Daily Post Nigeria

    2025-12-24

  • JJC Skillz Reopens Old Label Drama With New Claim About Don Jazzy and D’banj

    JJC Skillz Reopens Old Label Drama With New Claim About Don Jazzy and D’banj

    Photo Credit: Facebook

    2025-12-24 09:00:00

    As reported by Leadership, Abdulrasheed Bello (JJC Skillz) has resurfaced a behind-the-scenes label fallout narrative, alleging that Don Jazzy and D’banj “conspired” in events that led to his exit.

    The claim is spreading quickly because it involves legacy names and reopens early-era industry politics that fans still debate years later.

    • PM News (website): “How Dbanj, Don Jazzy betrayed me — JJC Skillz.”
    • Daily Post (website): “Don Jazzy, D’banj betrayed me — JJC Skillz.”

    Echotitbits take: Industry “war stories” can reshape public perception even when they’re years old—especially if tied to an interview rollout or personal brand reset. Watch for responses from the named parties, or for the story to drive renewed interest in the era’s catalogs and interviews.

    Source:

    Facebook

    — Dec 24, 2025 — https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipNGA/posts/jjc-skillz-reveals-how-dbanj-don-jazzy-conspired-to-leave-his-record-label-lates/1269303331912397/

    Facebook

    2025-12-24

  • NFVCB Defends Ini Edo Film Title After Backlash, Floats Compromise

    NFVCB Defends Ini Edo Film Title After Backlash, Floats Compromise

    Photo Credit: The Punch

    2025-12-24 08:00:00

    According to Punch, the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) says Ini Edo’s movie title “A Very Dirty Christmas” was cleared after review and was not intended as an attack on Christianity, following public backlash from Christian groups.

    The board’s explanation is that the phrase should be interpreted within the story’s theme rather than as a statement about Christmas itself, while also suggesting a possible compromise to reduce tension.

    • Premium Times (website): “The title Dirty Christmas is not an insult to the Body of Christ.”
    • Christian Association of Nigeria — Facebook (verified org page): “CAN … is deeply troubled by the title …”

    Echotitbits take: This is a familiar flashpoint in Nollywood: artistic choices meeting faith sensitivities at peak holiday season. Watch whether a title adjustment happens, whether cinemas face organized pressure, and whether the controversy ends up boosting attention and ticket demand.

    Source: The Punch — Dec 24, 2025 — https://punchng.com/nfvcb-defends-a-very-dirty-christmas-title-seeks-change-after-backlash/

    The Punch
    2025-12-24

  • Veteran Nigerian Diplomat Arthur Mbanefo Dies at 95 as Tributes Pour In

    Veteran Nigerian Diplomat Arthur Mbanefo Dies at 95 as Tributes Pour In

    Photo Credit: Premium Times
    2025-12-25 10:45:00

    In an obituary report by Premium Times, renowned Nigerian diplomat Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo has died at the age of 95, with his family announcing his passing in a statement.

    The report notes Mbanefo served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also held leadership and philanthropic roles linked to education and institutional development.

    In the family statement quoted by Premium Times, his son said: “With heavy hearts and profound gratitude… the Mbanefo family announces the passing of our beloved patriarch,” adding that burial arrangements would be communicated later.

    Separately, Punch reported President Bola Tinubu’s condolences, describing Mbanefo as a former UN envoy and noting tributes from public officials as the country marked the loss of an experienced elder statesman.

    Echotitbits take: Mbanefo’s passing is a reminder of a generation of diplomats who helped define Nigeria’s international posture. Watch for institutional tributes—especially from universities and professional bodies connected to his philanthropy—and how the state honours his diplomatic legacy.

    Source: Premium Times — December 24, 2025 (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/845292-nigerian-diplomat-christopher-mbanefo-is-dead.html)

    Premium Times 2025-12-24

  • Indian Police Arrest Nigerian After Cocaine Allegedly Found Hidden in Bread Loaves

    Indian Police Arrest Nigerian After Cocaine Allegedly Found Hidden in Bread Loaves

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 10:40:00

    From coverage by Punch, India’s Central Crime Branch arrested a 29-year-old Nigerian national after police said they seized 121 grams of cocaine allegedly concealed inside loaves of bread, with the drugs valued at about ₹1.2 crore.

    The report describes the method as an attempt to evade detection during transport from Mumbai to Bengaluru, reflecting how traffickers increasingly disguise narcotics inside everyday consumer items.

    In The Indian Express report on the case, authorities said the woman allegedly trafficked cocaine “concealing it in bread loaves,” and noted she had entered India on a student visa after police acted on intelligence.

    The Times of India also reported the incident as “cocaine cleverly concealed within loaves of bread,” adding that the buyer linked to the case had since been deported—underscoring a broader enforcement posture on narcotics networks.

    Echotitbits take: Beyond the sensational hiding method, the bigger issue is diaspora vulnerability—where immigration status and informal networks can fuel cross-border crime narratives that hurt legitimate Nigerians abroad. Watch for follow-up arrests and how consular channels engage to ensure due process.

    Source: The Punch — December 24, 2025 (https://punchng.com/indian-police-arrest-nigerian-student-for-hiding-cocaine-in-bread-loaves/?amp=)

    The Punch 2025-12-24

  • Pope Francis Calls for Christmas Truce as Global Conflicts Deepen

    Pope Francis Calls for Christmas Truce as Global Conflicts Deepen

    Photo Credit: The Punch
    2025-12-25 10:35:00

    In a Christmas message highlighted by Punch, Pope Francis called for a global truce and renewed diplomacy amid intensifying wars and humanitarian crises across multiple regions.

    The appeal, delivered during the peak holiday period, framed the season as a moment for de-escalation, dialogue and protection of civilians—especially children and displaced populations.

    International coverage echoed the message, with multiple global outlets reporting the Pope’s call for a ceasefire tone and humanitarian access as conflict zones expand.

    Broader reporting emphasised that the Vatican’s Christmas appeals often blend moral pressure with specific humanitarian asks—particularly on peace talks, aid corridors and protection of vulnerable communities.

    Echotitbits take: These appeals rarely “stop wars,” but they can shape diplomatic temperature when echoed by major capitals and multilateral bodies. Watch for whether any conflict parties reference the message in ceasefire talks, and whether humanitarian agencies report improved access in the following days.

    Source: The Punch — December 25, 2025 (https://punchng.com/pope-calls-for-global-christmas-truce-over-rising-conflicts/)

    The Punch 2025-12-25

  • NAFDAC Uncovers Alleged “Revalidation” Factory for Expired Drugs in Lagos

    NAFDAC Uncovers Alleged “Revalidation” Factory for Expired Drugs in Lagos

    Photo Credit: Vanguard
    2025-12-25 10:30:00

    In a raid report carried by Vanguard, NAFDAC and security agencies uncovered a large-scale operation in Ojo, Lagos allegedly involved in selling and “revalidating” fake, banned and expired pharmaceutical products, with arrests made on site.

    Investigators said some products had expiry dates wiped and relabelled—raising fears about treatment failures, drug resistance, and preventable deaths linked to adulterated medicines.

    Vanguard quoted a NAFDAC official in stark terms: “What we have found here is that there are people who are worse than Boko Haram,” linking the operation to deliberate harm.

    The same report also highlighted specific examples, including: “This Diazepam injection expired in 2024, yet it was being prepared for sale,” as authorities described how chemicals were allegedly used to erase and reprint expiry labels.

    Echotitbits take: Fake drugs are no longer just a “health” story—they’re a national security and economic story, because they erode trust in the medical system and can destabilise public health outcomes. Watch for follow-up prosecutions (not just raids), and whether regulators expand traceability, tamper-proof labelling, and market surveillance in major drug hubs.

    Source: Vanguard — December 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/nafdac-uncovers-fake-expired-drug-factory-in-lagos-warns-of-national-security-threat/)

    Vanguard 2025-12-25

  • Fidelity Bank Boosts Lagos Fire Response With Equipment Donation

    Fidelity Bank Boosts Lagos Fire Response With Equipment Donation

    Photo Credit: Vanguard
    2025-12-25 10:25:00

    Figures cited by Vanguard show Fidelity Bank donated fire-fighting equipment to the Federal Fire Service, Lagos Command (Zone J), as part of its corporate social responsibility support for emergency response capacity.

    The report says the donation was received by officials led by the Controller of the Fire Service in Lagos Command, with items aimed at strengthening operational readiness.

    In separate coverage, The Guardian reported that Fidelity’s support included essential firefighting and preventive equipment such as hoses and gasoline water pumps, describing it as part of its Fidelity Helping Hands Program.

    The Guardian also quoted a bank executive explaining the rationale, saying the donation reflects the bank’s dedication to strengthening emergency response and public safety within communities it serves.

    Echotitbits take: CSR donations help, but Lagos’ recurring fire incidents suggest a systemic equipment and infrastructure gap. Watch for whether this sparks a broader public-private coalition that standardises equipment support, training, and maintenance—rather than one-off headline gestures.

    Source: Vanguard — December 19, 2025 (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/fidelity-bank-donates-equipment-to-fire-service/)

    Vanguard 2025-12-19