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I started smoking at 13, battled addiction for 27 Years — Tonto Dikeh

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Popular Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh has opened up about her long struggle with addiction, revealing that she began smoking at the age of 13 and battled the habit for 27 years.

The actress shared her testimony during a Sunday service at Streams of Joy International Church, where she also disclosed that she struggled with alcohol use, prolonged anger, and other personal challenges earlier in her life.

Dikeh described the experiences as a form of spiritual oppression, stating that her freedom came through divine intervention. According to her, noticeable changes began after she became more committed to her spiritual life.

“I smoked from the age of 13,” she said, adding that she had also overcome other personal struggles through faith.

She explained that early exposure played a role in her smoking habit, noting that her father was a smoker. The actress used the opportunity to caution parents against exposing children to harmful behaviours.

The 40-year-old further revealed that she had recently found relief from intense anger issues, which she said had previously affected her relationships and personal growth.

Following her testimony, the church’s founder, Pastor Jerry Eze, prayed for her, declaring freedom from past burdens and describing her as “a voice in her generation.”

He pays N7bn for children in secondary school Switzerland fees— Dangote accuses NMDPRA Boss, Ahmed

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The president of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has accused the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, of living far beyond his legitimate income, renewing the public feud between both men.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Dangote alleged that Ahmed pays about $5 million, which is N7,250,250,000.00 at an exchange rate of N1450 per dollar, in school fees for each of his children attending secondary schools in Switzerland, a figure he said raises serious questions about the source of such funds.

According to Dangote, even his own wealth would attract scrutiny if he were to spend such an amount on his children’s education.

“Malam Farouk has four children whom he educated in Switzerland at a cost of about $5 million for their secondary school education alone, not university,” Dangote said. “When you look at his income, it does not match paying this kind of fee.”

He added, “Even if it were me paying $5 million over six years for my four children, the tax authorities would have to examine my taxes and how much I earn”, without providing details.

Dangote also contrasted the alleged expenditure with the economic realities faced by many Nigerians, particularly in Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto.

“Back home in Sokoto, people are struggling to pay N100,000 in school fees. Many children are out of school simply because their parents cannot afford that amount,” he said.

As of the time of filing this report, Farouk Ahmed has yet to respond to the allegations or issue any official statement on the matter.

Nigerian Newssphere reports that this is not the first time Dangote and the regulator boss have fought.

Farouk had accused Dangote refinery of producing high-sulphur fuel, but Dangote denied it.

Summary of top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today, Monday December 15

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Good morning! Here are six top headlines from Nigerian Newspapers today;

1. Bandits have attacked a branch of the Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA in Àaaaz-Kiri community, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. At least one person was killed while an unspecified number of parishioners were abducted.

2. Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has formally registered with the All Progressives Congress and collected his membership card, signalling his imminent defection to the ruling party. The registration was carried out on Sunday in a brief ceremony held at the Governor’s Office in Jalingo, where the APC chairman of the governor’s ward in Wukari Local Government Area conducted the exercise and presented the membership card to him.

3. The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private schools, beginning from the 2026/27 academic session. The announcement, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the directive was part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

4. Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has directed that an autopsy be conducted to medically determine the cause of death of his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 60. Governor Diri gave the directive while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan, who paid a condolence visit to the government and the family of the late deputy governor at the Government House in Yenagoa.

5. TikTok influencer and livestreamer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, has been hospitalised following an incident in which he crashed his newly acquired Mercedes-Benz during an emotional livestream. The incident occurred on Sunday along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos during an Instagram live session.

6. The Imo State Police Command has arrested a 58-year-old man, Vitalis Nwoko, of Umuagba, Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, following the alleged domestic beating that led to the death of his wife, Uloma. Police spokesperson Henry Okoye confirmed the arrest on Sunday night in a statement, saying the incident was reported by the deceased’s sister to the Ahiazu Mbaise Police Division.

Read more reports on NIGERIAN NEWS SPHERE 

Fuel price cut: Nigerians can choose cheaper, quality Petrol or costly blended PMS—Dangote

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President of the Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, has said Nigerians now have the option of buying high-quality, locally refined petrol at a cheaper price or opting for blended imported fuel at a higher cost.

Dangote made the remarks on Sunday during a briefing at his 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lagos, stating that fuel importers could continue to incur losses while Nigerians enjoy more affordable petrol prices.

According to him, the availability of locally refined petrol gives consumers a clear choice between quality fuel sold at a lower rate and blended premium motor spirit (PMS) sold at higher prices by importers.

“Nigerians have a choice to buy better quality fuel at a more affordable price or to buy blended PMS at a higher rate. Importers can continue to lose, so long as Nigerians benefit,” Dangote said.

He warned that importers who persist with fuel importation despite sufficient local supply should be ready to bear the consequences of their decisions.

“Anyone who chooses to continue importing despite the availability of locally refined products should be prepared to face the consequences,” he added.

Dangote also noted that the retail price of petrol should not exceed N740 per liter nationwide.

His comments come three days after the Dangote Refinery announced a 15.99 percent reduction in its gantry price to N699 per liter. Despite the cut, petrol pump prices in Abuja remained between N905 and N937 per liter as of Sunday night.

Lagos: Traders in tears as early morning fire guts 48 shops at Lekki market

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A devastating early morning fire has destroyed no fewer than 48 shops at the Elegushi Model Market in Lekki, Lagos State.

The fire outbreak has thrown traders in the market into deep tears.

The incident was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to him, LASEMA received a distress call at about 2 a.m. and immediately deployed emergency responders to the scene, where the market complex had already been engulfed by flames.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the swift intervention of the agency’s response team helped contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

Preliminary findings by LASEMA’s Shark Response Team revealed that the fire originated from a makeshift stall within the market before spreading to the main structure. He noted that the exact cause of the outbreak is still under investigation.

“Thankfully, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded. The combined efforts of all stakeholders ensured the fire was completely extinguished and neighboring structures were protected,” he said.

A post-incident assessment later confirmed that 48 shops were affected by the blaze.

The LASEMA boss stressed the need for improved fire safety practices in markets across the state, urging traders to adopt preventive measures.

“Traders were sensitized on basic fire safety. The market union was advised to strategically position fire extinguishers to control minor incidents before they escalate. Shop owners were also encouraged to install smoke detectors and fire alarms and remain vigilant,” he added.

Meanwhile, authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage and are working with market leaders to strengthen fire prevention strategies.

 

The incident comes days after a late-night fire outbreak on Thursday, December 12, razed parts of the Berger Trailer Park, popularly known as Berger Suya, in the Olodi-Apapa area of Ajegunle, Lagos, destroying several trailers, container shops, and heaps of abandoned tires.

Why Tinubu should probe NMDPRA CEO, Ahmed- Dangote

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President and Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has called on the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Engr. Farouk Ahmed, over alleged economic sabotage and actions he claims are undermining domestic refining in Nigeria.

 

Dangote made the call while addressing journalists at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing the leadership of the NMDPRA of colluding with international oil traders and fuel importers to frustrate local refining initiatives. According to him, the continuous approval of import licences for petroleum products is deliberately weakening Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

 

The industrialist also alleged that the NMDPRA chief was living beyond his legitimate income, raising concerns about the integrity and credibility of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum sector.

 

Despite his criticisms, Dangote assured Nigerians that fuel prices would continue to decline. He announced that the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) would not exceed N740 per litre from Tuesday, starting in Lagos. He explained that the reduction follows the refinery’s decision to cut its gantry price to N699 per litre, with MRS filling stations expected to be the first to implement the new pricing.

 

Dangote expressed concern over the structure of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum industry, warning that the country’s reliance on imported fuel continues to stifle local production and discourage investment in domestic refining. He revealed that import licences covering about 7.5 billion litres of PMS had reportedly been approved for the first quarter of 2026, despite the availability of significant local refining capacity.

 

According to him, the prevailing policy environment has placed modular refineries under severe pressure, pushing many to the brink of collapse.

 

“I am not asking for his removal, but for a transparent investigation. He should be made to explain his actions and prove that his office has not been compromised. What we are witnessing amounts to economic sabotage,” Dangote said, suggesting that agencies such as the Code of Conduct Bureau could be tasked with conducting the probe.

 

He further described the downstream sector as being dominated by powerful interests that profit from fuel imports at the expense of national development. Dangote lamented that many African countries, including Nigeria, still depend heavily on imported refined products despite repeated calls for value addition and local refining.

 

According to him, the volume of fuel imports being approved is unethical and harmful to Nigeria’s economic interests. He stressed the need to clearly separate regulatory functions from commercial activities, warning that allowing traders to influence regulatory decisions would undermine confidence in the sector.

 

“The downstream industry must not be sacrificed to personal interests. A trader should never act as a regulator. Dozens of licences have been issued, yet no new refineries are emerging because the operating environment is hostile,” he said.

 

Dangote maintained that Nigerians stand to gain significantly from local refining, even as fuel importers incur losses. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that citizens enjoy the benefits of domestic refining, noting that the refinery is working to ensure that gantry price reductions translate into lower pump prices nationwide.

 

From Tuesday, he said, MRS filling stations in Lagos would begin selling PMS at prices not exceeding N740 per litre. He also disclosed that the refinery has reduced its minimum purchase requirement from two million litres to 500,000 litres, allowing more marketers, including members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to lift products directly.

 

“So, any marketer coming to the refinery today can lift PMS at N699 per litre,” Dangote added.

Nigerian Newssphere Dangote Refinery last week reduced gantry fuel pump price to N699 per litre. However, despite the gantry price drop by Dangote Refinery retail fuel prices have remained between  N905 per litre and N937 in Abuja Nigeria.

TikToker in car crash shortly after break-up with Jarvis 

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Popular Nigerian TikToker, Peller, has been hospitalised following a car crash in Lagos State on Sunday afternoon.

Reports indicate that the incident occurred shortly after the content creator shared an emotional video online, sparking concern among fans. His newly acquired Mercedes-Benz was damaged in the crash.

As of the time of filing this report, the circumstances surrounding the accident and Peller’s medical condition remain unclear. Neither the Lagos State authorities nor his management team has issued an official statement on what led to the crash.

The incident has continued to generate reactions on social media. Influencer Tunde Ednut, reacting to the viral video and the crash, criticised Peller’s actions and urged authorities to take steps to prevent a repeat, including reviewing his eligibility to drive, citing concerns for public safety.

Further details are expected as investigations continue.

BREAKING: Coup Tension: Tinubu, ECOWAS Leaders hold closed-door meeting in Abuja

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President Bola Tinubu is participating in the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government holding on Sunday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The President is, however, being represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the high-level summit.

Tinubu, who served as Chairman of ECOWAS from July 2023 to July 2025 before handing over to President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone, delegated Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation. No official explanation was given for the President’s absence.

According to the draft agenda obtained by our correspondent, leaders and representatives of ECOWAS member states are engaged in a closed-door “special debate on the future of the Community.”

In attendance at the summit are President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone and current ECOWAS Chairman; President Patrice Talon of Benin; President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde; President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire; President Adama Barrow of The Gambia; President John Mahama of Ghana; President Umaro Embaló of Guinea-Bissau; President Joseph Boakai of Liberia; President Bassirou Faye of Senegal; and President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.

Mahama recently returned to office as Ghana’s president in January 2025, succeeding Nana Akufo-Addo.

As of the time of filing this report, details of deliberations at the meeting had not been made public.

The emergency meeting comes amid rising political tension in the West African sub-region, following a failed coup attempt in Benin last week.

The development has reportedly strained relations between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, after military officers from Burkina Faso were detained in the military-led country.

Nigerian govt bans students’ admission into SS3 nationwide

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President Tinbu

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in both public and private secondary schools across Nigeria.

The directive was disclosed on Sunday in a statement by the Federal Ministry of Education, citing growing concerns over examination malpractice, particularly the increasing reliance on so-called “special centers” during external examinations.

According to the ministry, the policy will take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session. Under the new arrangement, students will only be allowed admission or transfer into Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2).

The ministry made it clear that admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstances, noting that the policy applies uniformly across the country.

In the statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the government explained that the measure is aimed at preventing last-minute student movements designed to gain unfair examination advantages, improving academic monitoring, and ensuring continuity in teaching and learning.

 

School owners, principals, and administrators have been instructed to comply strictly with the directive, with a warning that violations will attract sanctions in line with existing education laws and regulatory frameworks.

The Ministry of Education reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding academic standards, promoting fairness in the education system, and restoring public confidence in the conduct of examinations nationwide.

I was misunderstood – Tijani clarifies comment on terrorists, bandits evading tracking with sophisticated tech in Nigeria

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Dr Tijani Minister of Communications in Nigeria

The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has clarified his recent comments on Channels Television suggesting that bandits and terrorists exploit technology to evade tracking, saying his remarks were misunderstood and taken out of context.

In a clarification issued on Sunday, Tijani explained that his comments during the interview were aimed at highlighting how gaps in Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and connectivity pose both development and security challenges, not to suggest superior technological sophistication by criminal elements.

According to the minister, the interview, which largely focused on the progress and impact of the Federal Government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, addressed a broader issue of how limited digital access in some parts of the country restricts economic opportunities, weakens service delivery, and hampers effective coordination.

Tijani noted that such connectivity gaps create vulnerabilities that can be exploited, underscoring the need for inclusive digital infrastructure nationwide. He stressed that this reality is the reason the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making what he described as historic investments to ensure no part of Nigeria is left behind in the digital economy.

He outlined key initiatives of the government, including Project Bridge, a 90,000-kilometer national fiber-optic backbone designed to connect all geopolitical zones, states, and local government areas. He also cited plans to deploy 3,700 new telecom towers to unserved and underserved communities, which are expected to connect over 23 million Nigerians currently without access to reliable communication services.

The minister further disclosed ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) system through the replacement of its current satellite and the launch of two additional communication satellites to improve national coverage and resilience.

Tijani said these investments would deepen nationwide connectivity, strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy, and ensure that digital infrastructure supports economic prosperity, inclusion, and national development.

“My comments were made in this context—to highlight why closing connectivity gaps matters and how this administration is deliberately working to address them,” he said, urging the public to watch the full interview for proper context.

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