General News
Victory Gbakara & Precious Mac Head to the Nigerian Idol Season 8 Finale As Quest Bows Out

Nigerian Idol season 8 has finally hit the most crucial point of the show! The top two have emerged as Quest sadly said goodbye to a chance to be the Nigerian Idol and win ₦100 million in prizes. The audience found it difficult to choose the top 2 as the show recorded 32 million votes just this week. So far, there’s been over 132 million votes.

The penultimate live show began with the most nerve-wracking eviction of the season. IK declared that Victory Gbakara and Precious Mac would battle for the win and coveted title next week at the finale. Quest took a minute to thank everyone who supported her till the top 3 as she bowed out of the competition. She also promised her fans that her journey was just beginning and only good things would follow her exit.
In the ‘How It Should Have Been Done round’, the first of three rounds, Precious Mac took on Feppy Fapohunda as she performed Adele’s Rolling in the Deep. The round allowed the top two to perform songs from the audition that other auditioners executed poorly and ‘teach’ them how to sing them better. Victory Gbakara also ‘tutored’ Apollos, singing James Brown’s This Is A Man’s World. Simi called his performance “sexy as hell”.
Once again, Precious Mac kicked off the second round – the judges’ favourite performance – singing Shania Twain’s From This Moment. After the performance, D’Banj called her “a real superstar, ” and Simi praised her vocal control. The Kokomaster picked Nicole C. Mullen’s My Redeemer Lives for Victory’s second song of the night. Simi had a follow-up comment from Victory’s first performance. She said, “Your range is remarkable. It’s incredible how you switched from sexy Vic to Pastor Vic.”
To begin the night’s final performances – songs they believe were their best performance of the season – IK showed Precious Mac her first audition. She got very emotional when he said the judges had always seen something special in her since the first day she sang to them.
The 22-year-old performed Ayra Star and Crayon’s Overloading and got stellar reviews from the judges. They praised her for maintaining the vibe Afrobeats songs deserve. Victory also had an emotional replay of his first audition before he performed Harry Styles’ As It Was. The judges hailed him for his positive energy, and D’Banj called him a “Light Warrior”.
Precious Mac and Victory Gbakara gave stellar performances for the semi-finale, each holding their own in the battle to become the Nigerian Idol. The task is now up to the viewers to crown a winner. Voting is open on the website, mobile site, DStv and GOtv apps and will stay open till Friday, 9 pm.
To catch the finale on Sunday, tune in to Nigerian Idol on Africa Magic Channels – Showcase, Urban, and Family at 7 pm on DStv and GOtv. Relive all the moments from the live show and great behind-the-scenes content by heading over to the Africa Magic and Nigerian Idol YouTube pages. Also, catch live performances on the go anywhere across Nigeria with the DStv app.
General News
Nigeria Police suspends tinted glass permit enforcement over court injunction

Nigeria Police Force has suspended nationwide enforcement of its tinted glass permit policy, hours before its scheduled rollout, in compliance with a Delta State High Court order.

Tinted glass permit
The policy, set for January 2, 2026, aimed to curb vehicle-related crimes but faced legal challenge from a private citizen against the Inspector-General of Police, the force, and Delta Police Commissioner.
An ex parte injunction issued in December 2025 restrained enforcement pending suit determination, prompting the hold announced by spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin on January 1.
Police entered appearance, filed preliminary objections, and sought injunction vacation; hearing adjourned to January 20, 2026.
The Nigerian Bar Association condemned initial police plans as “executive recklessness,” accusing disregard for rule of law, while police insisted no permanent bar existed on statutory duties.
IGP Kayode Egbetokun reiterated adherence to law while prioritising public safety via intelligence-led strategies during proceedings.
General News
NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.
According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.
The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.
Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.
He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.
Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.
In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.
General News
T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.
NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.
Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”
The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.
Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.
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