Category: PM News

Curaaao, a small island in the Caribbean, has made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. They drew 0-0 with Jamaica, which was enough to send them through.

Jamaica needed a win to qualify, but their injury-time penalty was cancelled after the referee checked VAR. After the match, Jamaica’s coach, Steve McClaren, resigned. Curaaao is now the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.

The island has a population of just over 150,000 people and is smaller than the Isle of Man.

It only became a country in 2010, and just ten years ago its football team was ranked 150th in the world. Today they are ranked 82nd.

The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 World Cup also increased their chances of qualifying. They are one of four nations making their World Cup debut, along with Cape Verde, Uzbekistan and Jordan.

Midfielder Juninho Bacuna said qualifying would be incredible for the country. Curaaao won seven of their ten qualifying games and did not lose any match.

Their hopes were almost destroyed when a Curaaao substitute seemed to foul Jamaica’s Isaac Hayden in added time, but VAR showed it was not a penalty.

Curaaao will join Haiti and Panama as CONCACAF qualifiers. Haiti also made history by qualifying for the first time since 1974 after beating Nicaragua 2-0. Their coach, 78-year-old Dick Advocaat, will become the oldest manager ever at a World Cup.

He was not at the match for personal reasons. Advocaat has coached many national teams, including the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Russia, Serbia and Iraq.

He took the job after a dispute between the players and the football association was resolved, and players say his experience has helped the team improve.

Many Curaaao players were born in the Netherlands but have family roots on the island. Some play for clubs like Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Livingston. Juninho Bacuna chose to play for Curaaao so he could represent his heritage and play alongside his older brother Leandro.

He believes more Dutch-born players with Curaaaoan roots will join the team in the future as the country’s football continues to grow.

By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, has carried out a major air operation on Arra, a well-known terrorist enclave inside the Sambisa Forest, delivering what officials described as a “decisive blow” to insurgent activities in the area.

The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the operation in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that the strikes followed a direct order from the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke.

According to Ejodame, the offensive was triggered by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions that traced the movement of fighters involved in the 17 October ambush at Kashomri.

Continuous ISR flights over the KashomriSambisa axis later detected suspicious activity at Arra, including visible terrorist structures and clusters of movement consistent with hostile intent.

He said NAF aircraft engaged the location in multiple, well-coordinated attack runs, hitting all designated targets and inflicting significant damage on the terrorists’ operational capacity.

The strikes, he added, disrupted their command channels, logistics hubs, and assembly points.

“The operation underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s resolve to safeguard the nation, degrade terrorist networks, and provide close support to ground forces across all theatres,” Ejodame stated.

He reiterated that the Air Force remains committed to neutralising threats, securing Nigeria’s territorial integrity, and contributing to long-term peace across the country.

Christians targeted, driven from homes, killed in Nigeria, Nicki Minaj claims

By Ayorinde Oluokun with agency reports

Famous rapper, Niicki Minaj on Tuesday alleged that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria at an event held by the US embassy to the United Nations in New York.

“In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed,” Minaj told the audience at the event.

“Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray,” musician said while standing alongside the US ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz.

“Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries around the world,” she said.

Minaj therefore commended and threw her support for claims by US President Donald Trump that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria.”

She commended Trump for “for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership.”

The rapper noted that Trump called for “urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria” and to “combat extremism,” while also vowing to stand up “in the face of injustice” for anyone who’s being persecuted for their religious beliefs.

Minaj was said she was “very nervous” to speak before the panel, vowed to keep standing up “in the face of injustice” for anyone anywhere who is being persecuted for their beliefs.

However, she said she wanted to make clear that protecting Christians in Nigeria wasn’t about taking sides or dividing people. “It is about uniting people,” she said, calling Nigeria “a beautiful nation with deep faith traditions” that she can’t wait to see.

“Religious freedom means we all sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live and what we believe,” Minaj said.

Waltz had introduced the rapper, saying, “She steps on to this world stage not as a celebrity but as a witness to spotlight Nigeria’s persecuted church” to her millions of social media followers.

US Probe Looms

Recall that Minaj had in recent posts on social media decried the alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.

The Trinidad born rapper She has also informed that she will take the issue to the UN.

This was after a social media post by Trump threatening military action of alleged existential threats to Christians in Nigeria by Islamist terrorists.

“No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion,” Minaji said in response to the post.

Pope Leo XIV had also in a post on social media on Sunday listed Nigeria among countries where Christians are suffering discrimination and persecution

Also, the US congress will on Thursday hear allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria .

This followed President Donald Trump’s re-designation of the African nation as a country of particular concern (CPC).

The hearing will be chaired by Chris Smith, chairman of the house foreign affairs Africa sub-committee, one of the lawmakers alleging persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

‘No Christian Genocide in Nigeria’

However, the Nigerian Government (FG) has repeatedly denied claims of a “Christian persecution” or “genocide” in the country.

Rather, the government attributed the killings and violence to general insecurity, terrorism, and banditry that affects both Christians and Muslims.

“Portraying Nigeria’s security challenges as a targeted campaign against a single religious group is a gross misrepresentation of reality. While Nigeria, like many countries, has faced security challenges, including acts of terrorism perpetrated by criminals, couching the situation as a deliberate, systematic attack on Christians is inaccurate and harmful. It oversimplifies a complex, multifaceted security environment and plays into the hands of terrorists and criminals who seek to divide Nigerians along religious or ethnic lines,” Mohammed Idris, Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation said at a recent press conference.

The government also reiterated its ts commitment to completely degrading terrorist groups and securing the lives and property of all citizens. The government said this is already yielding yielding results.

“Between May 2023 and February 2025 alone, over 13,543 terrorists and criminals were neutralized and nearly 10,000 hostages rescued in multiple military operations across the country,” the Nigerian government said.

Nigerian artist Michael Adebayo Olayinka, popularly known as Ruger has addressed the rumors about a rift between himself and Davido.

While responding to a ’30BG’ fan who stated that the artist will not grow until he apologises to Davido, Ruger stated that he has no issues with the artist.

“When you’re ready apologize and beg Davido publicly, your song will enter No 1,” the fan wrote.

He responded, explaining that he has never wronged Davido. He also emphasised that he gets support from members of the ’30BG’ team.

“And did Davido tell you I did anything wrong to him?. I love Davido and i know he loves me too. People on his team still repost my sht. I will never believe this agenda that he doesn’t fck with me except he says it to my face or publicly. But if him talk am, everywhere go first blur Sha,” he added.

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress, APC in Kano, Alwan Hassan, has apologized to Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin over his recent claims that that they received $10 million in bribes to stall the confirmation of Engr. Abdullahi Ramat as chairperson of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

Hassan had addressed a press conference in Kano where he made the bribery allegation.

Reports indicate that he was arrested and briefly detained by the police over the allegation.

However, Hassan told journalists in Abuja on Tuesday that he has since realised that the bribery claim was not only untrue, but unfair.

Hassan said in the course of his advocacy for confirmation of Ramat, he granted interviews in which he made disparaging remarks about the Nigerian Senate, particularly the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin.

He said he had claimed that they received $10 million in bribes to stall Engr. Ramat’s confirmation.

“That allegation came from conversations I had while trying to understand the issues. I have since come to realise that the claim was not only untrue, but unfair and uncharitable to both the National Assembly and its leadership. I therefore retract that statement fully and unreservedly, and I apologise to the National Assembly and its leadership for those accusations,” he said.

Hassan also urged the Senate to confirm Ramat as the chairperson of NERC.

“I understand the seriousness of governance, particularly the critical role the parliament plays in our democracy. I do not take that role for granted. And it is precisely because of that respect that I once again, like Oliver Twist, appeal–humbly and sincerely–to the good conscience of our distinguished National Assembly to please take a second look at the case of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi and confirm him. I genuinely believe he is a worthy leader who can help transform the regulation of Nigeria’s energy sector.

“Once again, I extend my sincere apologies to anyone who may have been concerned about the intensity of my advocacy for Engr. Ramat. My lifelong commitment to causes I believe in is well known, but this experience has reinforced the importance of ensuring that such commitment is always expressed with full regard for due process and regard for our institutions. I remain firmly committed to championing what I believe is right–constructively, responsibly, and in a manner that strengthens our democratic values.”

Recall that Senate had denied the bribery allegation.

Yemi Adaramodu, the spokesperson for the Senate said a committee of the upper chamber had screened Ramat. He however said the Senate is deliberating on petitions against the nominee.

By Isa Isawade

As seasonal crops are being harvested and several economic reforms being implemented by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu are beginning to have effects on food inflation in Nigeria, fall in prices of commodities, especially food items, is being noticed. But traders at the Ogba Market in Lagos are of the opinion that it’s not uhuru yet, they want a further decline in food costs. PMNEWS intern Moyinoluwa Ojegbade went round the market recently to speak with traders. Here are their responses:

Miss EGO CHRISTIANA UCHENNA, who helps her mum to sell foodstuffs at the market said though some degree of fall in prices had been experienced food prices have kept fluctuating since May 2025. She pleaded with government to act fast before arrival of the festive period of December. This, he said, was necessary for people to get their needs at affordable rate to enjoy the season.

Mrs AYANSHOLA sells vegetable leaves at the market. She complained bitterly that people were hungry and that the government should look into it.

According to another trader, Mr SULAIMAN ABDULLAHI, a foodstuff seller, prices of items have not subsided. Therefore, he tasked the government to address food inflation.

Mr AWWAL, a fruits vendor in the market said as far as he was concerned, food inflation still remained high to the ceiling. He called for proactiveness on the part of government.

Miss ABOSEDO, a Togolese selling tomatoes, onions and okra at the market, complained bitterly about prices of things in general. She pleaded with the government to assist in reducing cost of things, so people can afford to buy more.

As for BLESSING, a student helping her mum to sell boiled groundnuts, prices of food items including her articles were not stable. She added that in a long time, she had not made any gain. She, therefore, appealed to the government to improve the country’s economy.

A male foodstuff dealer, Mr OBIORRA, said though prices of some food items such as rice and beans have actually dropped, prices for many others have kept fluctuating in the last four months. He appealed to the government to continue efforts at addressing food inflation in the country.

By Ginika Okoye

The new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) will make the capital market more competitive and investors’ friendly, the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, says.

Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the committee, said this at an online public lecture organised by the Capital Market Academics of Nigeria (CMAN) on Wednesday.

CGT is a tax on the profit (gain) you make when you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value.

The tax is levied on the gain itself, not the total amount of money you receive from the sale.

Oyedele said that contrary to some negative perceptions about the CGT, it was one of the lowest, relative to Companies Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

He said that many countries across different regions, developed or developing, including resource rich countries tax capital gains at normal income tax rate.

According to him, based on 2024 tax collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), CGT accounted for less than one per cent of CIT and VAT (2014 to 2024) with CIT amounting to N26 trillion, VAT N22 trillion and CGT N276 billion.

The chairman said that combined with the reduction of CIT from 30 per cent to 25 per cent, companies would be more profitable leading to higher valuation (expected to far exceed the incremental CGT).

Analysing the benefits of the new tax reform policy, he said that by granting input VAT credits on assets and overheads not previously applicable, the new tax reform would lower business costs and enhance cash flows.

Oyedele said the policy would ensure CGT exemption for retail investors, re-investment, pension funds, Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs), security lending, and re-organisation among others.

“The policy will ensure deduction for capital losses and other incidental costs, eliminate Withholding Tax (WHT) on bonus shares, create a level playing field for listed vs unlisted entities such as free zone tax regime.

“It will also ensure stamp duty exemption for all documents relating to the transfer of stocks and shares, harmonisation of earmarked taxes such as TET, NITDA levy, and NASENI,” he said.

The chairman said that the tax policy would help to moderate excessive fees and levies by government agencies.

Dr Umaru Kwairanga, the Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), said that CGT was not a new concept in the capital market.

Kwairanga said that there were perceptions that the new tax act would increase the rate of CGT to a level that would have a negative impact on most investors.

According to him, perception matters a lot in financial markets and can move markets long before any real action takes place.

“We have seen that in the recent volatility in our market. It is therefore very important to manage information very well so that it does not lead to wrong or flawed perceptions that can have very real effects on markets and the economy,” he said.

Innocent Ohagwu, the President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) said the CGT would not negatively impact the capital market rather, it would profit the market.

According to him, a lot of work has gone into the reform.

He urged stakeholders to support the reform policy by allowing it to operate before the criticisms.

Prof. Sheriffdeen Tella an economist, raised concerns on the tax imposed on private bonds by the new tax policy.

Tella said the move would make investors to subscribe more to government bonds.

Muhammad Nami, the former Chairman of FIRS, called for more stakeholders’ engagement to address problems facing investment decisions in the country.

According to Nami, analysing the policy in local languages would help citizens to understand it better with a view to making informed decisions.

(NAN)

Nigerian music mogul Don Jazzy has slammed the rising wave of terrorism in the country, calling on President Bola Tinubu to demand strict accountability from security chiefs.

In an emotional post on X, the Mavin Records boss said the perpetrators of terror attacks “deserve no mercy” and urged the armed forces to take decisive action.

“The perpetrators deserve no mercy. There is an urgent need for our armed forces to eliminate every single one of these terrorists,” he wrote.

Don Jazzy expressed frustration over the seeming ease with which terror groups operate, questioning how they appear and disappear without consequence.

“It wasn’t always like this. Terrorism cannot be a part of our normal lives. Where are they appearing from and disappearing to? Where is the intelligence?” he added.

He directed his appeal to President Tinubu, urging him to hold security chiefs accountable for the recent attacks, including the deadly incidents in Kwara, Kebbi, and other parts of the country.

“Mr President, please demand more accountability from your security chiefs. This needs to end now, Sir,” he wrote, ending his post with a heartbreak emoji.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tochi, has sounded a strong warning about the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Nigeria after he shared a disturbing video from Enugu State showing a major road completely deserted and shut down following a reported kidnapping incident.

The reality star took to his Instagram Story late Wednesday to share footage of a road littered with parked cars and an eerie absence of movement, suggesting a severe disruption caused by criminal activity.

In a follow-up post, Tochi described the current state of affairs as “increasingly alarming,” expressing the deep fear now gripping Nigerian citizens.

“Kidnappings, k!llings, and violent attacks have become everyday occurrences, leaving citizens in fear while multiple incidents happen at the same time,” he wrote, highlighting the simultaneous nature of the security breaches plaguing the country.

Tochi heavily criticized the government’s perceived failure to adequately address the crisis. He argued that the situation is often “minimized or wrapped in vague statements instead of being addressed directly.”

“A nation cannot solve a problem it refuses to acknowledge,” he stressed, noting that security is a fundamental responsibility and not merely a “political talking point.”

In a final plea for accountability, the BBNaija star insisted that Nigerians “deserve transparency and protection.”

He argued that keeping the public in the dark and “pretending the crisis isn’t happening does nothing to make people safer.”

The battle over a valuable property on Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, has intensified, with Magodo Property Development Company Ltd petitioning the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and levelling fresh allegations against the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Tayo Akerele, over what it describes as improper interventions and deliberate evasion of court service.

In a petition dated 14 November, 2025 and signed by the firm’s solicitor, Lukman Imam, Esq., the company urged the IGP to investigate a series of actions allegedly carried out by CSP Akerele and several other individuals, in connection with the disputed property bought by the company in the sum of N1.15 billion.

According to the firm, the land was lawfully purchased from the Federal Government through the Presidential Implementation Committee, after which it took peaceful possession.

The dispute reportedly escalated when Chief Segun Ashogbon allegedly arrived at the site, claiming ownership and attempting to forcefully take over the property.

The matter was initially referred to Zone 2 Police Headquarters, where both sides were directed to present their title documents.

However, while the verification process was ongoing, the petition alleged a separate complaint was secretly filed before the IGP Monitoring Unit in Abuja, resulting in the controversial sealing of the site.

Magodo Property Development Company, through its solicitor stated that it challenged the sealing at the Federal High Court and secured an order directing that the property be reopened, arguing that police officers have no authority to seal or enforce possession over a civil land dispute.

Yet the firm claimed that enforcement was frustrated when Lagos State Task Force operatives became involved.

The petition also accused some task force personnel of invading the property on two occasions, removing four CCTV cameras and demolishing structures.

It further alleged that police officers were later stationed at the site while the rival claimant attempted to move construction equipment under police protection, a move halted only after a mobile police unit intervened.

In another layer of the controversy, the company reported that two individuals, approached its officials claiming they could “help stop interference on the land.”

They allegedly demanded N20 million, which the firm said it paid, but the petition claims their intervention yielded no relief.

The duo allegedly returned seeking an additional N200 million, and upon refusal, reportedly threatened to “switch allegiance” to the opposing side, an allegation yet to be independently confirmed.

Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when a court bailiff attempted to serve contempt proceedings on CSP Akerele.

The company alleged that the task force chairman avoided service, an accusation it said reflected a disregard for judicial processes and police hierarchy.

“Our client is alarmed by the actions attributed to these individuals,” the petition read. “We therefore respectfully request a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.”

kerele denies wrongdoing

Responding to the allegations, Akerele denied playing any role in the ownership dispute, stating that the task force does not adjudicate land matters.

He explained that his presence on the property was solely to prevent a breakdown of law and order and that he acted on the directive of Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh.

“I have no interest in the land,” Akerele said. “We were instructed to maintain peace because the situation was already heated. That is our operational mandate.”

Attempts to reach him for further clarification after he received the petition were unsuccessful.

See court papers below: