The Nation Newspaper

Tag: New Year’s Day

  • Mercy Aigbe, Itele, other celebrities born on New Year’s Day

    Mercy Aigbe, Itele, other celebrities born on New Year’s Day

    As the world welcomed a New Year, several Nigerian celebrities joined the celebrations by marking their birthdays on January 1, 2026.

    The list of celebrities born on this day includes prominent Nollywood actors and actresses, as well as reality TV stars.

    On their Instagram pages to mark the occasion, the celebrities shared messages of gratitude and excitement for the year ahead.

    Ibrahim Yekini, also known as Itele, celebrated his birthday with a heartfelt post, reflecting on his journey and looking forward to new victories and global impact.

    He wrote, “Happy Birthday to me, Ibrahim Abiodun Bakare Yekini (Iteledicon). Today, January 1st, the universe welcomed a dreamer, a fighter, a creator, and a legend in the making. I celebrate not just another year of life, but every battle I survived, every vision I dared to believe, and every soul I’ve inspired through my craft.

    “From Nollywood to the world, my story is still being written — louder, bolder, greater. I am walking in purpose, crowned with grace, and backed by destiny. Here’s to new levels, new victories, new movies, and unstoppable blessings. Here’s to a year of global impact, deeper wisdom, and overflowing favor”.

    Moyo Lawal, a popular actress, who shared a picture on social media, reflected on her journey and looking forward to new adventures.

    She wrote, “Happy birthday Moyobaby. Gods favorite angel. Born to shine”.

    Mercy Aigbe, who turned 48, expressed gratitude for God’s grace and favor, declaring the new year one of alignment and answered prayers.

    She wrote, “Happy Birthday to me. Today, I’m grateful for God’s grace that sustained me, His mercy that covered me and His favor that carried me through every season. This past year reminded me that even when I didn’t understand, God was still intentional about me—protecting me, shaping me, and keeping me standing. As I step into this new chapter, I do so with hope and faith. Hope for healing, peace, and clarity. Faith that every God-given desire in my heart will find fulfillment in His perfect time.

    “I declare this new year one of alignment, answered prayers, divine favor, and quiet joy. Happy birthday to a woman still standing, still growing, and deeply grateful for God’s grace”.

    Reality TV star, Venita Akpofure, also announced her birthday on Thursday.

    The Big Brother Naija 2019 housemate wrote on Instagram, “Another year. Another chapter. Grateful for life, growth, and my a year PACKED full of so many FIRSTS! Speaking on Firsts, Come with me on this New Year’s journey.”

    Other notable celebrities celebrating their birthdays on New Year’s Day include Mustapha Sholagbade, Reality TV stars Nengi Hampson and Frodd.

    The celebrities’ social media posts were filled with messages of gratitude, hope, and excitement for the year ahead, as they celebrated another year of life and the opportunities that come with it.

  • Edo seeks probe of shooting on New Year’s day

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has urged  Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo to investigate the shooting at Ring Road, Benin, the state capital on New Year’s Day.

    In a statement, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie, the governor said anyone found culpable would be brought to book.

    Read also: How persons with special needs can enjoy museum

    Obaseki demanded for a clear report on what transpired and the condition under which the reported shooting took place.

    He said the administration placed high priority on security of life and property with the huge investment in the state’s security architecture and trust fund.

    “Unconfirmed reports trending on some news platforms claim the incident at Ring Road happened during the frenzied celebration of the cross-over to the New Year.

    “It is alleged a life was lost, but we are yet to get details of the incident from the Police and other security agencies,” he said.

  • One killed as ‘cultists’ strike on New Year’s Day

    A clash between suspected rival cults yesterday left one person dead in Badagry, Lagos State, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Sources told NAN that the deceased, simply identified as Shefiu, was shot dead around Senior Boys Joint, along Soglo Way, about 1am.

    NAN gathered that the deceased, who allegedly belonged to Eiye Confraternity, was shot dead during a scuffle between suspected rival cults.

    Read also: Two feared killed in Ondo clash

    A source said the cultists ran away from the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving behind the body of the victim.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Badagry, Mr. Samson Akhiromen, said one suspect had been arrested.

    He said investigation was on to establish the motive behind the killing, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects.

  • One killed as cultists strike on New Year’s Day in Badagry

    A bloody clash between suspected rival cult groups left one person dead on New Year’s Day in Badagry, Lagos State, reports the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Sources told NAN that the deceased, simply identified as Shefiu, was shot dead around Senior Boys Joint along Soglo Way at about 1 a.m on New Year’s Day.

    NAN gathered that the deceased, who allegedly belonged to Eiye Confraternity, was shot dead during a scuffle between rival suspected cultists.

    According to the source, members of the groups ran away from the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving behind the lifeless body of the victim.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Badagry, Mr Samson Akhiromen, told NAN that one suspect had been arrested over the killing.

    The DPO said that investigation was underway to establish the motive behind the killing, adding that efforts were on to apprehend other suspected hoodlums involved in the incident. (NAN)

     

  • 15 shot dead in New Year’s Day attack on worshippers

    15 shot dead in New Year’s Day attack on worshippers

    Police arrest 10 after Ilorin attack

    Ruler, wife killed in Southern Kaduna

    A Man, his wife, five children and eight others were killed yesterday in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Over 52 persons, who were also injured in the New Year’s Day attack by some gunmen, were in critical condition in hospitals.

    The victims had just concluded a service in an unnamed church when the gunmen opened fire on them.

    The bodies of the 15 victims, as at press time, were still at the pavilion of the secretariat of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council in Omoku, their relatives and friends making efforts to identify them.

    The rampaging gunmen were suspected to be militants working for a man the military described as “a notorious kidnapper, militant, cultist, ardent illegal oil bunkerer”, Mr. Igwedibia Johnson, aka Don Waney, who is on the run, following the raid of his camp and shrines on November 20, last year, as part of 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt’s continued efforts to rid the Niger Delta of criminals.

    In Southern Kaduna yesterday, a ruler Mallam Gambu Makama and his wife were gun down by mask-wearing gunmen in their home after midnight.

    Crude oil and gas-rich Omoku hosts the Federal College of Education (FCE) Technical, many multinational oil firms, oil servicing companies and other establishments, but most of the commercial banks in the ancient town have been closed for months, in view of insecurity, without the hope of the bankers returning to the city.

    An indigene of Omoku, who yesterday gave details of how the 15 worshippers were gunned down but would not want his name in print, to avoid his being trailed by the criminals, said as the Christians were leaving their various churches on January 1, the gunmen were spraying them with bullets at close range.

    The source said: “Since 2014, when the crisis started in Omoku and its environs, over 500, mostly innocent people, have been killed.

    “I am calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nyesom Wike to take immediate action to secure the lives and property of residents of Omoku and its environs, especially with the forthcoming primaries of political parties and general elections.

    “We do not deserve the killings in Omoku and its environs. We are not in a state of war. Don Waney’s boys have regrouped and are terrorising innocent citizens. Over 52 wounded victims of New Year Day attack in Omoku are now in various hospitals and clinics.”

    Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said he was yet to get details of the New Year’s Day’s incident from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Omoku.

    Omoni said immediately he got information about the killings in Omoku, he contacted the DPO, who promised to get back to him, but yet to do so, as at press time.

    Peterside laments Rivers killings 

    The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside has lamented the killings  in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State by unidentified gunmen shortly after attending New Year’s Eve service.

    Dr Peterside sympathised with the families of the deceased, saying its another set of deaths too many in a local government area that was held hostage by cult groups claiming supremacy and allegedly enjoying support from some politicians.

    He expressed regret that while other parts of the state were in celebratory mood, the people of ONELGA were mourning the passing away of their beloved in the most gruesome manner.

    ”My heart goes the people of ONELGA and the immediate families of the deceased. This is an act that must be condemned. The good people of Omoku have suffered enough and this has dealt a further blow on their sufferings,” he stressed.

    The NIMASA boss stated that the latest killings have exposed the lack of capacity and competence on the part of Governor Nyesom Wike to provide adequate security for Rivers people.

    ”I have said it time and again that Governor Wike lacks the capacity and competence to guarantee the safety and security of Rivers people. It is unfortunate that over 1,000 persons have been killed in questionable circumstances in the last two years under his watch. He should stop playing politics with the lives of Rivers people and face governance.

    ”Since the governor is not rising to the occasion to show competence, we will henceforth partner with all relevant security agencies to bring peace, law and order to ONELGA and other parts of Rivers State.

    ”This is indeed a sad day for the people of ONELGA and the only way we can assuage their feelings is to ensure that this does not happen again. Governor Wike can rise above his partisan politics and display the hallmark of a statesman by openly condemning this murderous act and stop at nothing to arrest the criminals,” he said.

  • Monarch, expectant wife killed on New Year’s Day

    Monarch, expectant wife killed on New Year’s Day

    A ruler in the southern part of Kaduna State, the Etum Numana, Malam Gambo Makama and his expectant wife were killed in Arak, Sanga Local Government Area in the early hours of yesterday.

    Makama, a second class ruler travelled to his village to celebrate the New Year.

    The Nation gathered that gunmen, who wore masks, invaded his home a few minutes after midnight.

    He and his expectant second wife were shot dead; his 45-year-old son was injured and taken to hospital.

    The bandits allegedly set the chief’s house ablaze before escaping into the bush.

    Chairman of Sanga Development Association Prince Bala Audu said the chief and his wife came home to celebrate the New Year.

    Audu said: “He was seated with his second wife who is pregnant; suddenly gunmen, which I was told covered their faces with masks, invaded the house and opened fire at them, also hitting his son, who is about 45 years.

    “The chief and his wife died on the spot, the son did not die but he sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.

    “The gunmen set the house ablaze and burnt a vehicle, which was recently given to the chief as a gift. Immediately they committed the dastardly act, they fled into the bush and escaping.”

    Kaduna State Police Command spokesman Aliyu Mukhtar said the police received the report of the attack at midnight.

    He said the assailants had fled before the police arrived.

    Mukhtar said: “We got a distress call around 4 am that armed men stormed his house and shot him with his wife. Before our arrival to the house, the hoodlums set the place ablaze and fled. No arrest has been made, but we are intensifying efforts to ensure that the bandits are arrested.”

    He appealed for calm as the command as the killing had caused tension among residents of Gwantu town and its environs.

    Govt orders investigation

    The Kaduna State government has directed security agencies to investigate the killing of the Etum Numana in Sanga Local Government Area, Alhaji Gambo Makama and his wife.

    Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the governor Samuel Aruwan, told reporters in Kaduna, that  the late Etum Numana was committed to peace and development in his chiefdom.

    “The government commiserates with the immediate family of the royal father and his wife, the people of Numana Chiefdom and the entire Sanga Local Government.

    “The government condemns this double murder that was a calculated threat to peace, and a most unfortunate attempt to introduce into the New Year a pattern of criminality that needlessly threatens the right of citizens to security, life and liberty”.

    He appealed to anyone with information to report such to  security agencies and assured them that the information will be treated with confidentiality.

    The governor appealed to the people to remain calm and support the agencies as they continue their to investigation.