President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari, on his 60th birthday.

In a statement  on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised Kyari’s exceptional leadership and transformative impact on NNPCL. 

He commended the GCEO for steering the organization toward profitability and achieving remarkable milestones in Nigeria’s energy sector.

“Despite initial skepticism, Kyari has proven his mettle by revitalizing two key refineries, enhancing domestic natural gas consumption, and boosting oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day,” the President noted.

Tinubu described Kyari as a “shinning example” of the Renewed Hope Agenda and highlighted his commitment to expanding opportunities and ensuring the sustainability of Nigeria’s energy sector.

Reflecting on Kyari’s illustrious career at NNPC and OPEC, Tinubu lauded his professionalism and dedication to public service, crediting him for setting a high standard as the first Group Chief Executive Officer of the restructured NNPCL.

The President also offered prayers for Kyari, wishing him continued health, wisdom, and strength to further serve the nation while mentoring the next generation of leaders in the energy industry.

• We are working hard for prosperity of our people
• Mahama steps in, promises reforms

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged world leaders to change their negative perception of Africa.

According to him, African leaders are working hard for the prosperity of their respective countries.

He called for collaborative efforts to tackle social and economic malaise plaguing the continent.

Speaking as a special guest of honour at the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as Ghana’s 12th president in Accra yesterday, President Tinubu said: “We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves.

“We have found the critical path to our success.

“We shall lift our nations out of poverty and build a resilient economy at our own pace.

“With  focus, we can tackle our people’s most pressing concerns: poverty, youth unemployment, instability, insurgency, and many other problems hampering our desired progress.”

Mahama, president of the country between 2012 and 2017, returned to power after taking his oath of office before many dignitaries from Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations.

Many heads of state were in Accra for the event. These include: Presidents William Ruto (Kenya), Julius Maada Bio (Sierra Leone), Bassirou Diomaye Faye (Senegal), Felix Tshisekedi (Congo DR), Paul Kagame (Rwandan), Brice Oligui Nguema (Gabon), and Mamadi Doumbouya (Guinea).

Other dignitaries include United Kingdom’s Minister for Africa Lord Collins, Burkina Faso’s leader Ibrahim Traore, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland, former Ghanaian Presidents John Kuffor and Nana Akufo-Addo, former Nigeria’s Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, former Ghanaian First Lady Mrs. Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and wife of immediate past Vice President Mrs. Samira Bawumia.

Foreign delegations, envoys, industry leaders, politicians and traditional rulers also witnessed the event.

President Tinubu was accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu.

Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun) were at the event as well as the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga.

Mahama succeeded Akufo-Addo, who stepped down after serving two terms.

He polled over 50 per cent of the votes, a landmark President Tinubu said reflected the deepening of democracy in Africa.

“Today, I am here, not only as the President of Nigeria, but also as an African in resolute support for Ghana and her people,” he said.

The President described Mahama’s inauguration as a source of pride and honour for Ghanaians, Africa, and the Diaspora.

He added: “We celebrate African Democracy today as Ghana and her beloved people mark the transition from one democratic government to another.

“This moment does more than symbolise another milestone in the evolution of Ghanaian democratic society.

“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.”

President Tinubu said as Ghana drew inspiration and strength from its first leader, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, and other past leaders, Nigeria also drew inspiration from its founding leaders, who fought for her independence and cherished the close relationship between the two nations.

He added: “May we always walk in the way and the spirit of these enlightened leaders. Ghana is in harmony with that spirit, and President John Mahama’s inauguration today reflects that.”

Hailing Ghanaias for electing Mahama,  President Tinubu said: “Your new president is a man of patriotic vision and substance. He loves his nation and its people to the core.

“He believes that your nation has a mission and intends for you all to fulfil it. No one can ask more of a leader than that.”

He expressed confidence that the new government under Mahama would work with Nigeria to strengthen the powerful bond, leading to greater shared prosperity for the citizens of the countries.

President Tinubu stressed: “I have no doubt that your administration will bring about positive change and progress.

“Your ascension to power should also mark a new and invigorated momentum in pursuing sub-regional integration and progress.”

Assuring the Ghanaian leader of his support, Tinubu said: “President John Mahama and I share a deep friendship. My dear brother, I am here to work with you.

“You know you can count on Nigeria’s support and goodwill whenever needed. We are your brothers and sisters. The bond is strong and cannot be broken.

“It lays to bed the question of whether Ghana and Africa are capable of democratic and productive endeavours. Ghana has answered that question resoundingly.

“It is time that Africa’s critics stop forgetting the strides your nation, Nigeria, and others have made by continuing to ask us to prove ourselves.

“We have nothing to prove to anyone except ourselves.”

He said African nations would stand firm against external forces seeking to disrupt their unity.

President Tinubu added: “Never, never shall we harm others, and never allow any outsider to hurt us or disrupt the unity for which so many of our heroes gave their sweat, blood, and very lives to achieve.”

President Tinubu also expressed optimism about a future of shared prosperity for Africa, guided by the principles of dialogue and cooperation.

He said: “Let us all look forward to a future filled with hope, opportunity, and prosperity. God bless Ghana, Nigeria, ECOWAS, and our beloved Africa.”

Mahama to boost economy

Mahama promised to overcome public discontent by boosting the economy, creating jobs, initiating constitutional reforms and fostering good governance.

“We are a people battered by economic crises and hardships. But there’s hope on the horizon,” Mahama said, amid cheers from the crowd.

He added: “We’ll focus our initial efforts on four critical areas. The first is economic restoration and stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment.

“The second is the improvement of the business and investment environment to ensure that Ghana is once again open for business.

“The third is governance and constitutional reforms. And the final, but not the least, is accountability and the fight against corruption.

“My brothers and sisters, actions have always spoken louder than words.

“With that in mind, I have entered into a covenant with you, the good people of Ghana, in which I have enumerated 26 actions that I’ll take within my first 120 days.

“There is reason for hope, and there is every reason for hope, but we must also have faith because faith empowers us to trust that things will happen.

“With faith, you believe what you know, and that is why we need faith to be able to achieve our reset.

“We need a reset with the faith we have in our country and our leadership.

“We need a reset with the faith we have in our institutions. We need a reset with our faith in our dear nation, Ghana, and by that, I mean in all of us, because all of us are Ghana. You are Ghana, and I am Ghana.

“All of you seated here, Ghanaian citizens, you are Ghana. The people who are with you or near you, as you watch this on television in your homes or listen on the radio or follow on social media, are what we call Ghana.”

Mahama said his new economic model would be anchored on agriculture and agribusiness, adding that he would provide jobs for young people, stimulate local industry and attract foreign investment.

Borno State Executive Council has approved the renaming of Borno State University to Kashim Ibrahim University in honour of the first governor of northern Nigeria.

This decision was reached during the first State Executive Council meeting of 2025, chaired by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum. The meeting which ended Monday night at the Government House Council Chamber, lasted over six hours, as key issues affecting the state were discussed.

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Professor Usman Tar, revealed that the council considered 42 memos and assessed the performance of the state in the previous year, along with projections for 2025.

Professor Tar further explained that the renaming of the university will be subject to legislative procedures and the necessary notifications to relevant authorities in coordination with the Ministry of Education.

“Council approved that Borno State University shall be renamed Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri. This is subject to further legislative work by the State Assembly to amend the law establishing the University. It is also subject to the Ministry of Education taking necessary action by informing relevant regulatory authorities like the National Universities Commission (NUC), Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN)”, Tar stated.

The council also approved street naming and house numbering in Maiduguri and other urban areas as part of the urban renewal drive of Governor Zulum’s administration.

“Maiduguri is fast developing, there are a lot of new buildings public roads and other facilities that need to be renamed.

Council decided that relevant MDAs shall meet with relevant agencies including Nigerian Postal Service, Nigerian Geological Survey, traditional rulers and community leaders to arrive at a new naming template”, he said.

The information commissioner announced that when completed, the updated names across the state would be reflected on Google Maps, public directories, and official records to support effective development planning. “The process will begin immediately as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance urban planning and governance”, he said.

Speaking at the first Executive Council meeting, Governor Babagana Zulum welcomed Council members into the new year, commending them for their unwavering commitment and support to his administration.

Governor Zulum emphasized his administration’s focus on scaling up post-conflict and post-flood recovery efforts, with the aim of delivering more impactful projects to further improve the lives of Borno citizens.

“In 2024, my administration achieved significant progress in the implementation of government programmes and projects and I am committed to doing even more in 2025,” Governor Zulum said.

The Executive Council meeting also included a valedictory session in honour of the outgoing Head of Service, Barrister Malam Fannami, who will be retiring from public service later this month. The Council expressed gratitude for his service and contributions to the development of the state.

A man identified as the police have arrested Rauf Mutiu for allegedly planning to exhume the remains of his parents to facilitate the sale of the late parent’s house.

Our correspondent gathered that the attempt to exhume the corpses of the parents at the Tinumola area of Dada Estate, Osogbo, was brought to an abrupt end with the intervention of his siblings, who were not carried along in the exercise.

Mutiu, who was said to have sold the house of his parents containing their grave for N16 million without the consent of his siblings, was consequently arrested for cooling his feet in police custody, where he crossed over to 2025.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday, one of the siblings, Rafiu Teslim, accused his elder brother of being high-handed, adding that Mutiu, an ex-policeman, had threatened to deal with his siblings who made any attempt to tackle him on their father’s property.

Also speaking, other siblings, including Rafiu Kadijat and Adedoyin Rukayat, alleged that Mutiu, the eldest, in connivance with the second born of the 7-member family, had sold their parent’s property and unilaterally attempted to exhume their parents to be buried somewhere else.

Osun State Command Police Public Relations Officer Mrs Yemisi Opalola confirmed the suspect’s arrest and disclosed that the investigation was ongoing.

She assured the suspect would be arraigned in the court after investigation.

Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been urged to intervene in a case of alleged injustice, where Malam Surajo Yarima’s house, valued at about N20 million, was allegedly sold by a court for a mere N2 million.

Yarima alleged in an interview with Hikima Radio/TV yesterday monitored by LEADERSHIP in Kano that the house was auctioned by a court to offset the debt of N300,000 he failed to repay to someone who sued him.

According to him, he failed to appear in the court during sittings despite several summon notices pasted on his house gate ‘because he travelled out of the state’, but the court sold his house at the sum and threw him, his wife and nine children out.

He added that he has now brought the N300,000 debt, but the creditor rejected it. The court said he had a chance to appeal against the judgement within three weeks of its verdict.

“The house was auctioned on 4th January and I brought the N300,000 on 6th January, but my creditor refused to accept it. I am now sleeping outside with my family,” he stated.

Social media giant Meta, on Tuesday, ended fact-checking program on Facebook and Instagram, resorting to community notes similar to X (formerly Twitter), starting in the US.

This is part of its slashing content moderation policies, a major shift that conforms with the priorities of incoming president Donald Trump.

“We’re going to get rid of fact-checkers (that) have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they’ve created, especially in the US,” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a post.

Instead, Meta platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, “would use community notes similar to X (formerly Twitter), starting in the US,” he added.

Meta’s surprise announcement echoed long-standing complaints made by Trump’s Republican Party and X owner Elon Musk about fact-checking that many conservatives see as censorship.

They argue that fact-checking programs disproportionately target right-wing voices, which has led to proposed laws in states like Florida and Texas to limit content moderation.

Zuckerberg said that “recent elections feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritizing speech” over moderation.

The shift came as the 40-year-old tycoon has been making efforts to reconcile with Trump since his election in November, including donating one million dollars to his inauguration fund.

Trump has been a harsh critic of Meta and Zuckerberg for years, accusing the company of bias against him.

The Republican was kicked off Facebook following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, though the company restored his account in early 2023.

Zuckerberg dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in November in a sign of strengthening ties.

Ending ‘Facebook jail’

In another recent gesture towards the Trump team, Meta last week named Joel Kaplan, a former Republican official, to head up public affairs at the company, taking over from Nick Clegg, a former British deputy prime minister.

“Too much harmless content gets censored, too many people find themselves wrongly locked up in ‘Facebook jail,'” Kaplan said in a statement, insisting that the company’s approach to content moderation had “gone too far.”

In his moves towards Republicans, Zuckerberg also named Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) head Dana White, a close ally of Trump, to the Meta board.

As part of the overhaul, Meta said it will relocate its trust and safety teams from liberal California to more conservative Texas.

“That will help us build trust to do this work in places where there is less concern about the bias of our teams,” Zuckerberg said.

Zuckerberg also took a shot at the European Union “that has an ever increasing number of laws institutionalizing censorship and making it difficult to build anything innovative there.”

This made reference to new laws in Europe that require Meta and other major platforms to maintain content moderation standards or risk hefty fines.

Zuckerberg said that Meta would “work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more.”

Additionally, Meta announced it would reverse its 2021 policy of reducing political content across its platforms.

Instead, the company will adopt a more personalized approach, allowing users greater control over the amount of political content they see on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

AFP currently works in 26 languages with Facebook’s fact-checking program, in which Facebook pays to use fact-checks from around 80 organizations globally on its platform, WhatsApp and on Instagram.

In that program, content rated “false” is downgraded in news feeds so fewer people will see it and if someone tries to share that post, they are presented with an article explaining why it is misleading.

Community Notes

Community Notes on X (formerly Twitter) allows users to collaboratively add context to posts in a system that aims to distil reliable information through consensus rather than top-down moderation.

Meta’s move into fact-checking came in the wake of Trump’s shock election in 2016, which critics said was enabled by rampant disinformation on Facebook and interference by foreign actors like Russia on the platform.

Nigerian music star, Ololade Asake, has become the artist with the most certified songs and albums in Nigeria.

Known for his unique fusion of Afrobeats, hip-hop, and other genres, Asake has solidified his position as a leading force in the Nigerian music industry.

Asake’s critically acclaimed album Mr. Money With The Vibe has reached 7x Platinum status, with over 350,000 units sold, showcasing its immense popularity.

Other hit tracks such as Lonely At The Top and Bandana have also achieved 7x Platinum and 5x Platinum certifications, respectively, each amassing hundreds of thousands of units sold.

The singer’s chart-topping singles, including Sungba, 2:30, Basquiat, and Joha, have earned multiple certifications ranging from 4x to 2x Platinum.

Additionally, tracks like Active, Fuji Vibe, and Olorun have secured Gold and Silver certifications.

Asake’s accomplishments extend beyond Nigeria, with certifications in the UK for Bandana (200,000 units sold), and both Mr. Money With The Vibe and Work of Art receiving Silver certifications for selling 60,000 units each.

The post reads;

LONELY AT THE TOP 7x Platinum (700K)

BANDANA 5x Platinum (500K)

TERMINATOR 5x Platinum (500K)

SUNGBA 4x Platinum (400K)

2:30 4x Platinum (400K)

MR MONEY WITH THE VIBE 7x Platinum (350K)

BASQUIAT 3x Platinum (300K)

JOHA 3x Platinum (300K)

PEACE BE UNTO YOU 3x Platinum (300K)

OMO OPE 3x Platinum (300K)

WORK OF ART 6x Platinum (300K)

DULL 2x Platinum (200K)

NZAZA 2x Platinum (200K)

REMEMBER 2x Platinum (200K)

ORGANISE 2x Platinum (300K)

PALAZZO 2x Platinum (200K)

AMAPIANO 2x Platinum (200K)

MMS Platinum (100K)

OTOTO Platinum (100K)

DUPE Platinum (100K)

MUSE Platinum (100K)

TRABAYE Platinum (100K)

REASON Platinum (100K)

LOADED Platinum (100K)

SUNSHINE Platinum (100K)

NEW RELIGION Platinum (100K)

ONLY ME Platinum (100K)

BUST DOWN Platinum (100K) HAPPINESS Platinum (100K)

YOGA Platinum (100K)

WAVE Platinum (100K)

STUBBORN Platinum (100K)

ACTIVE Gold (50K)

FUJI VIBE Gold (50K)

OLORUN Gold (50K)

MOGBE Gold (50K)

I BELIEVE Gold (50K)

WHAT’S UP MY G Gold (50K)

GREAT GUY Gold (50K)

AWODI Gold (50K)

UPTOWN DISCO Gold (50K)

MOOD Gold (50K)

WORLDWIDE Silver (25K)

UK CERTIFICATIONS

Bandana (200,000 units)

Mr Money With The Vibe Silver (60,000 units)

Work of Art Silver (60,000 units)

Former federal lawmaker Shina Peller has clarified that popular TikToker Peller is not a member of the famed Professor Peller family.

Speaking recently with Channels TV, Shina addressed the speculation, stating that while the Professor Peller dynasty is extensive, the TikToker does not belong to it.

He explained that the “Peller” name was adopted by his family due to his father’s career as a renowned magician.

“Truly, Professor Peller’s family is quite extended, but he is not a member of the family,” the 48-year-old stated.

He acknowledged the TikToker’s clever use of the name to build a successful brand but emphasised that there is no familial connection.

“So, Peller, the comedian is not a member of the Peller family. It’s a successful name. He’s just being smart. He’s being able to pop with the name. You can’t blame him but I can tell you categorically that he’s not a member of the Peller family,” he said.

Errol, father of Elon Musk, has revealed that the billionaire entrepreneur has expressed an interest in purchasing Premier League team Liverpool.

Musk, whose net worth is estimated at $418 billion, has recently emerged as a close ally of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Reports suggest that Musk donated approximately $270 million to the Republican Party before their election victory, aiding Trump’s return to the White House.

Since Trump’s November win, Musk and Trump have been seen together at various events, including celebrations at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, UFC fights, and college football games.

Now, it appears Musk’s attention may be turning toward English football.

Known as the visionary behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), the 53-year-old billionaire seems poised to expand his business empire further by acquiring one of the world’s most iconic football clubs.

When asked about Musk’s interest in Liverpool during an interview with Times Radio in London, his father, Errol Musk, was cautious.

“Has he expressed a desire to buy Liverpool Football Club?” a reporter asked.

“I can’t comment on that. They’ll raise the price,” Errol Musk replied with a laugh.

Pressed further, he admitted that his son has shown interest but refrained from confirming any formal negotiations.

“Oh, yes. But that doesn’t mean he’s buying it,” Errol added. “He would like to, yes, obviously. Anybody would want to—so would I!”

Family Ties to Liverpool

When questioned about Musk’s specific interest in Liverpool FC, Errol Musk pointed to the family’s generational ties to the Merseyside city.

“His grandmother was born in Liverpool, and we had relatives in Liverpool. We were fortunate to know quite a lot of the Beatles because they grew up with some of my family. So, we are attached to Liverpool, you know,” Errol revealed.

Musk has previously spoken fondly of his grandmother, Cora Amelia Robinson, who was born in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, in 1923.

She grew up in pre-war poverty, working hard to support her family before emigrating to South Africa in 1944.

Musk once described her as “an important part” of his childhood and credited her with instilling strong values.

“My Nana was one of the poor working-class girls with no one to protect her who might have been abducted in present-day Britain,” Musk shared on X.

“She was very strict, but also kind, and I could always count on her. She grew up very poor in England during the Great Depression only to be bombed in WW2. To earn money for food, she cleaned houses, leaving me with a lasting respect for those who do so.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced Eric Chelle as the new head coach of the Super Eagles.

As the team looks to turn its fortunes around, here are seven key things you should know about the man tasked with steering Nigeria’s football giants back to glory.

What to know about Eric Chelle, new Super Eagles coach

1. Eric Chelle led Mali to quarter-final finish at AFCON 2023

Eric Chelle was Mali’s head coach during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire. Under his guidance, Mali advanced to the quarter-finals, marking a great milestone for the team.

However, their campaign ended in heartbreak when they were defeated by the host nation in extra time.

2. A memorable reaction to defeat

Chelle’s emotional response to Mali’s quarter-final loss was one of the most striking moments of the tournament.

After the match, he was seen squatting on the sideline, hyperventilating. His assistants rushed to revive him with bottles of water, underscoring his deep passion and commitment to the team.

3. Experience in French football’s lower leagues

Before taking the reins of Mali’s national team in 2022, Chelle managed several clubs in the lower tiers of French football.

His coaching stints included GS Consolat, FC Martigues, and Boulogne, where he honed his skills despite limited resources and visibility.

4. A modest playing career

As a player, Chelle represented Mali’s senior national team five times. His club career saw him feature for French sides such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais.

While not a household name during his playing days, his experience across these clubs provided a solid foundation for his coaching journey.

5. Immediate responsibility for World Cup qualification

Chelle’s appointment comes with high stakes. He is charged with leading the Super Eagles to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Nigeria is currently in a precarious position, sitting fifth in Group C of the qualifiers, winless after four games.

6. A challenging first assignment

Chelle’s debut as Nigeria’s head coach will come in March when the Super Eagles face Rwanda and Zimbabwe in the next round of qualifiers.

These matches are crucial for reviving Nigeria’s chances of making it to the World Cup.

7. An opportunity to revive the Super Eagles

Chelle’s appointment signals a fresh start for the Super Eagles. Fans hope his international experience with Mali and his ability to work under pressure will translate into success for Nigeria.

With a passionate fan base and talented players, Chelle has the tools to make a huge impact if he can bring the team together.