Category: PM News

By Cecilia Ologunagba

UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres says wth less than five weeks remaining in the year, only 145 of UN’s 193 Member States, including Nigeria have paid their 2025 dues in full.

Nigeria paid its full dues in September 25.

Guterres told the Fifth Committee on Monday in New York that the UN was facing its most fragile cash position in years, in spite of sharp reductions already built into next year’s budget plans.

Key contributors such as the United States and Russia have yet to pay what they owe, although China paid its full assessment in October 29.

“I have repeatedly appealed to Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time,” the Secretary-General said, warning that cash shortfalls are forcing the organisation to operate well below approved budget levels.

The UN chief, however, warned unpaid dues near $1.6billion as budgets cuts deepen.

Guterres said chronic late payments were hampering the world body’s ability to function, even as sweeping cuts move forward through the General Assembly’s main budget committee.

“Liquidity remains fragile, and this challenge will persist regardless of the final budget approved,” he said, pointing to the “unacceptable volume of arrears” owed by Member States.

The UN ended 2024 with $760 million in unpaid assessments, most of it still outstanding, and has yet to receive $877 million in contributions due for 2025 bringing total arrears to around $1.586 billion.

Guterres spoke as delegations consider revised estimates for the UN’s 2026 regular budget, which already reflect deep structural cuts under the UN80 reform initiative a system-wide efficiency drive aimed at modernizing operations and lowering costs.

Under the revised proposal, the UN’s regular budget for 2026 would stand at $3.238 billion, a reduction of $577 million or 15.1 per cent compared with 2025.

Some 2,681 posts would be cutan 18.8 per cent reduction from current levels.

Special political missions would also face cuts of more than 21 per centcompared with 2025 levels, largely due to mission closures and streamlined staffing.

As part of the savings drive, the UN plans to consolidate payroll processing into a single global team across three duty stations and create shared administrative huns starting in New York and Bangkok.

The Secretariat is also reviewing functions that can be moved to lower-cost locations Since 2017, lease terminations in New York had already saved $126 million, with a further $24.5 million a year in expected savings from additional closures by 2028.

The plan includes one-time separation and relocation costs of $5.4 million, as voluntary exit programmes are used to limit involuntary job losses.

The revised estimates have been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and are now before the Fifth Committee for negotiations ahead of year-end budget approval.

CABQ Chair Juliana Gaspar Ruas said the body welcomed the reform push, cautioning that the revised estimates were prepared under tight time constraints, limiting the ACABQ’s ability to fully assess the basis for some proposed cuts.

While backing consolidation and efficiency efforts, she also flagged uneven methodologies across departments and called for clearer criteria on staff relocations.

Member States commended the secretary-general’s efforts in presenting the revised estimates, acknowledged the Organisation’s ongoing liquidity challenges, and expressed support for a stronger and more agile UN.

Several delegations, however, echoed concerns about the compressed timeline, warning that the late arrival of key documents is constraining full scrutiny.

Some diplomats warned that proposed cuts fall more heavily on junior and general service staff than on senior posts, threatening both geographic balance and workforce rejuvenation.

Others cautioned that proposed staff reductions appear uneven across the UN’s three pillars, with proportionally deeper cuts to development-related programmes.

The secretary-general said he was “sincerely worried” by that concern.

He insisted that, in overall terms, the development pillar is in fact facing the smallest proportional reduction, with Africa-related programmes largely protected and the biggest cuts instead falling on support and back-office functions rather than frontline delivery.

“Our commitment to development is absolutely fundamental and that our commitment to the African continent is absolutely fundamental,” he said.

Final approval will require endorsement by the full General Assembly later this month.

In spite of the planned reductions, secretary-general said the UN had already been forced to underspend in 2025 because cash simply is not available.

“Vacancies do not correspond to a strategic priority,” he said, “but simply by the fact that people left and we do not the money to pay for the replacement.”

By Taiye Agbaje

Justice Mohammed Umar of Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, threatened to revoke a bail granted Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, if he makes comments considered detrimental to national peace and security.

The Judge said this in a ruling on Sowore’s bail application after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS).

He restrained Sowore from further making such statements.

Justice Umar held that since there was evidence that Sowore was a presidential candidate in the country before and having also earlier been granted bail by the court, with his international passport still being held by the court, he was entitled to be granted bail on self-recognition.

The DSS, accused Sowore of making a false claim against the person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” on his X and Facebook accounts.

The security agency, in the five counts, sued Sowore, the 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC), as 1st defendant and joined X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp as 2nd and 3rd defendants.

Earlier when the matter was called for Sowore to take his plea, his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, challenged the competency of the charge.

Abubakar argued that a preliminary objection had been served on the counsel for prosecution, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN.

He informed the court that the preliminary objections was served on the DSS lawyer few minutes before commencement of the proceedings.

He argued that his client cannot take a plea on a charge that was incompetent.

Responding, Kehinde vehemently objected to Abubakar ‘s submission.

The senior lawyer, who argued that the application was not ripe to be taken, said the business of the day was for Sowore’s arraignment.

He said the preliminary objections filed was part of the mischief of the 1st defendant (Sowore)’s lawyer to delay proceedings in the matter.

He reminded the court that so many adjournments had been granted at the instance of the 1st defendant in the past.

Kehinde, who cited Section 396(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, to back his argument, said no application ought to be heard until Sowore’s arraignment.

Lawyers who appeared for X Incorp (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook) Incorp (2nd and 3rd defendants), including Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, did not opposed the application for the matter to to proceed.

In a short ruling, Justice Umar aligned with the argument of the DSS lawyer and ordered that the arraignment should proceed.

Sowore, however, pleaded not guilty to the five counts.

Following the not guilty plea, Kehinde applied for a trial date but Abubakar said a bail application had been filed on Sowore’s behalf.

The lawyer, while arguing the bail motion dated Aug. 18, urged the court to admit Sowore to bail on self-recognizance or most liberal terms.

He said the 1st defendant was willing and ready to stand his trial and that he would not jump bail.

“He is a law-abiding citizen. He is a two-time presidential candidate.

“Just three days ago, the applicant won an election as chairman of a major political party in Nigeria, AAC.

“And that he is ready to prove his innocent before your lordship,” he said.

Abubakar, who urged the court to grant their application, undertook to always ensure that Sowore is in court for his trial.

He said the 1st defendant’s international passport was already with the deputy chief registrar of the court, hence, he cannot jump bail.

Responding, the DSS lawyer said in opposition to the bail application, a counter affidavit of 40 paragraphs was filed.

Kehinde, while noting that though a bail is at the discretion of the court, he prayed the court to refused Sowore’s bail plea.

He submitted that one fundamental consideration in the exercise of the discretionary power of the court in granting bail is contained in Section 162 of ACJA, 2015.

“That the applicant (Sowore) has a duty to convince my lord that where this application is granted, he will not commit another similar offence,” he said.

The senior lawyer argued that looking at Sowore’s trajectory, the instant bail cannot be granted, the applicant, having flouted a previous order of the court.

“I urge my lord to be weary in exercising this discretion.

“And if your lordship is inclined to exercising the discretion, the conditions should be very stringent,” he prayed.

Ogunwumiju and Christabel Ndokwelu who appeared for X and Facebook did not oppose the application.

Justice Umar, who admitted Sowore to bail on self-recognition, barred him from making statements considered to be a threat to the country’s national unity and peace.

The judge, who warned that his bail would be revoked if the 1st defendant indulged in such act, adjourned the matter until Jan. 19, 2026 for commencement of trial.(NAN)

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

It was a night of chaos, colour and breathtaking football at Craven Cottage as Fulham and Manchester City delivered one of the most dramatic matches of the Premier League season, a nine-goal thriller.

It was a game that saw two Nigerians, Samuel Chukwueze hit a brilliant brace, Alex Iwobi score a thunderous effort, yet Fulham still fall 54 to City.

City arrived with their usual swagger, and by the 54th minute, Pep Guardiola’s men appeared to have killed the contest, racing to a commanding 5-1 lead through Erling Haaland, Phil Foden’s double, Tijjani Reijnders and Jeremy Doku.

But what followed was a blistering Fulham resurgence that had the home crowd roaring, the visitors rattled, and neutrals spellbound.

Iwobi sparked the revolt in the 57th minute, lashing a precise drive into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to make it 52.

Craven Cottage came alive, and so did Samuel Chukwueze, summoned from the bench at half-time and determined to change Fulham’s fate.

In the 72nd minute, Chukwueze pounced on a rebound inside the box, rifling the ball into the bottom left corner. VAR briefly threatened to spoil the moment, but the goal stood.

Just six minutes later, he repeated the act, another sharp rebound finish, this time into the opposite corner, sending the stadium into frenzy and cutting City’s lead to a single goal at 54.

Suddenly, Guardiola’s men were hanging on.

Fulham poured forward in waves. Harry Wilson and Jonah Kusi Asare tested the backline. Kevin forced a late chance deep into stoppage time, only for City’s defence to block desperately. Even Erling Haaland, earlier denied by the post, was forced into defensive duties as the hosts chased an improbable equaliser.

But despite Fulham’s storming finish and the electric performances of Chukwueze and Iwobi, the comeback fairy tale fell just short.

Adebayo Adedamola has emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, following a primary held in Osogbo on Tuesday.

Adedamola secured 919 out of 957 votes cast, with 20 votes declared void. The result was announced by the primary chairman, Humphrey Abba, who noted that one of the aspirants had withdrawn.

Although Governor Ademola Adeleke’s name appeared on the ballot, the Secretary of the electoral committee, Sunday Solarin, confirmed that votes cast for him would not be valid, as the governor had formally resigned from the party on November 4, 2025.

Adeleke’s resignation letter, addressed to PDP Ward 2 Chairman Sagba Abogunde in Ede North Local Government, cited internal crises at the national level of the party as his reason for leaving. In the letter, he wrote: “I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect. I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator and as Governor of Osun State under the PDP.”

His resignation was confirmed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The PDP primary was conducted under tight security, with officers from the Department of State Security, Nigeria Police, and NSCDC on duty. INEC representatives and a committee from the PDP national secretariat supervised the exercise.

Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi had earlier said the party was struggling to conduct the primary on schedule due to ongoing internal disputes. According to INEC’s timetable for the August 8, 2026 election, political parties have until December 15 to submit the names of their candidates.

With Adedamola now officially on the ballot, attention shifts to Adeleke’s next political move ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

Nigerian controversial street singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has called out Tanzanian artist Juma Jux, for not collaborating with him.

The singer on his Instagram page, reacted to the track Juma Jux recorded with his colleague Ekunrawo. He claimed the Tanzanian singer snuck into the country without informing him.

Portable also demanded that be given a verse on the song.

“So juma_jux enter Naija do song with my bro @officialekunrawo and nobody tell me. E don set oo. Una must find space for me for this Halima song,” he wrote.

The statement quickly sparked reactions from other users. Some questioned the artist’s audacity while others advised Juma Jux to ignore him.

Singer Peter Okoye, also known as Mr P, has dismissed reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has no evidence to back his allegation that his brothers, Jude and Paul Okoye of the defunct P-Square, fraudulently withdrew $800,000 from their company account.

In 2024, Peter dragged his brothers to the anti-graft agency, claiming that Jude diverted company funds, operated 47 undeclared bank accounts, and manipulated the shareholding structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd., a company co-owned by the brothers.

Last Friday, Punch reported that during resumed cross-examination at a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, EFCC counsel Mohammed Bashir told the presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, that the commission could not tender evidence supporting the alleged withdrawal.

Bashir reportedly said: “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.” The EFCC also said it did not have records of the accounts in question.

Peter Okoye has reacted via social media, describing the report as “jokes and propaganda”, insisting that there was never a court session where such a claim was made by the EFCC investigator.

By Ayorinde Oluokun

A 51-year old man identified as Emeka Emmanuel Nwangwu has been arrested for allegedly killing his 19-year-old female cousin Loveth Uloma Nwangwu, at a pharmacy in Nsukka town, Enugu State.

Loveth was being treated for the sexual abuse inflicted on her by the suspect who is a member of the Neighbourhood Security Watch Group in the community, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the spokesperson of Enugu Police Command said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Nwangwu killed Loveth on Monday, Ist December about for days after deceased reported a case of defilement, sexual abuse, abduction, and threat to life against him to Umabor Police Division.

Loveth alleged that she had been living with the suspect since 2019, at age 13, after the death of his wife, and that he had restricted her communication with family and friends and subjected her to sexual abuse.

She said after attempting to escape to her family home in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North LGA, the suspect threatened her with a firearm, forcing her back to his residence in Ibeku-Opi, Nsukka LGA, where she was locked up in a room.

The deceased later escaped using a spare key and reported the incident to the police, who issued her a medical report form for examination.

“The suspect and family were invited to the station, where he confessed, sought forgiveness, and promised to return her property. The family, citing personal ties, initially chose not to prosecute the case but opted for spiritual cleansing due to the incestuous and abominable act against the victim.

“Tragically, while receiving treatment at a pharmacy in Nsukka, the suspect forced his way in, assaulted her, and struck her head repeatedly on the floor, causing fatal injuries.

The victim was taken to the hospital, where her death was confirmed and her remains deposited in the mortuary for preservation and autopsy. The suspect was rearrested and is in police custody ,” Ndukwe said of the gruesome murder in his statement.

He added that Enugu Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa,condemned the crime and the cruel manner in which it was committed, consoling the family and assuring the public that justice will be served.

According to the statement, CP Giwa has also directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID) to investigate the case meticulously and ensure that it is charged to court within record time.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence, following Monday’s resignation of Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar.

The nomination was contained in a letter transmitted to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, with President Tinubu describing General Musa as a tested professional capable of strengthening Nigeria’s security framework.

eneral Musa, who turns 58 on December 25, is widely regarded as one of the country’s most experienced military officers.

He served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025 and is a recipient of the prestigious Colin Powell Award for Soldiering, which he received in 2012.

Born in Sokoto in 1967, Musa completed his primary and secondary education in the state before attending the College of Advanced Studies, Zaria.

He graduated in 1986 and proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1991. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant that same year.

Over the course of his career, General Musa held several key command and staff positions, including General Staff Officer 1 (Training and Operations) at Headquarters 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements at the Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative on the Training Team of the Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

His operational experience is extensive. In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff (Training and Operations) at the Infantry Centre and Corps Headquarters, Commander of Sector 3 in Operation Lafiya Dole, and later as Commander of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad region.

In 2021, he was appointed Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, before later assuming command of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps. President Tinubu appointed him Chief of Defence Staff in 2023, a position he held until 2025.

In his communication to the Senate, President Tinubu said he was confident that General Musa’s leadership would “further consolidate ongoing reforms and enhance the nation’s defence capabilities.”

The nomination is expected to be considered by the Senate in the coming days.

By Nehru Odeh

Femi Kuti, Grammy-nominated Afrobeat legend and son of the creator of the Afrobeat genre, Fela Anikulapo Kuti has opened up about the unconventional relationship between him and his father while growing up.

According to Femi, his father never taught him anything but expected him to know everything, including how to read. He also said he learnt by simply watching him.

Femi made this known at a Book Chat at the just concluded Ake Arts and Books Festival which held at Bon Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, between November 20 and 22. The Book Chat was centred on late Fela’s wife, Remilekun Kuti’s memoir simply titled: Mrs Kuti. It was hosted by award-winning poet, Dami Ajayi.

“He (Fela) expected me to know how to read. How is it possible to know how to read if am not taught? If I haven’t got any formal education of any sort, how can I read? But I had to read. ‘You should know,’ he would say. ‘Did you take your brain and put it in my head?’

“If you are Fela’s person you had to excel beyond reasonable doubt. You just had to know. So you couldn’t give excuses. If you are somebody he is not close to, he probably would give you an opportunity to explain yourself. But people close to him, it was like, ‘Why did I have to tell you. You should know. You must be getting A in my class,’ for instance, if he was a teacher.

“I learnt by just watching him. I would ask questions probably like ‘Are you not afraid to die?’ He would give me his answer. Because there were so many police raids, soldiers, beatings always etc. And I was living with him.

Femi also said Fela had an uncanny way of congratulating him whenever he failed at school and expecting a harsh treatment. And that put him in a dilemma.

“And as I was growing up I would say ‘what’s wrong?’ Going to other people’s houses, children are getting along the conventional way. But if I failed, expecting a very harsh treatment, Fela would say, ‘Ah you failed, Well done.’ So I was in a big dilemma,” Femi revealed.

Made, Afrobeat musician and Femi’s son, who was also on the panel, also lent credence to his father’s remarks, saying Femi couldn’t call Fela ‘father’ but called him ‘Fela’ because of the unconventional father-son relationship between them.

“I don’t want to interrupt because he is being modest. Fela did not teach him music. He taught himself everything. There was no conventional father-child relationship. And also he couldn’t call his father ‘father’. Fela had this serious idea of a kind of a communist environment within his household so much so that everybody, including his children had to call him ‘Fela,'” Made said.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted that Mohamed Salah was unhappy about being left out of the team for their important 2-0 win against West Ham, but praised the striker’s attitude.

Salah, 33, did not play at the London Stadium on Sunday as Slot made changes following a poor run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions.

The Egyptian forward has scored only four Premier League goals this season, compared to 29 last season, which earned him the Golden Boot.

Slot told reporters that Salah had been a “superhuman” player for Liverpool but admitted he had not been at his best recently.

“As with all players, there are times when you are human,” Slot said. “But he has scored so many goals for us, and I’m sure he will continue to do so in the future.”

The Dutch coach said Salah’s reaction to being left out was normal and praised his professionalism.

“That’s a normal reaction from a player good enough to play for us. He’s been outstanding for this club for many years and will continue to be,” Slot said.

He added that Salah remained supportive of his teammates and stayed disciplined, regardless of whether he played or not.

Slot also mentioned that Salah is scheduled to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations on December 15. “There are always discussions about what’s best for the player, the nation, and the club,” he said.