The Federal Government has declared December 25, 26 and January 1, 2026, as public holidays.

Announcing this on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, said the holidays are to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and the New Year celebrations respectively.

Tunji-Ojo called on Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

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The minister also urged citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive period to pray for peace, security and national progress.

According to him, Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

See the full statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT

FG DECLARES DECEMBER 25, 26, 2025 AND JANUARY 1, 2026 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO MARK CHRISTMAS, BOXING DAY AND NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 25th December 2025; Friday, 26th December 2025; and Thursday, 1st January 2026 as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations respectively.

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The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, extended warm Christmas and New Year felicitations to Christians in Nigeria and across the world, as well as to all Nigerians as they celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians to reflect on the virtues of love, peace, humility, and sacrifice as exemplified by the birth of Jesus Christ, noting that these values are critical to promoting unity, tolerance, and harmony in the nation.

The Minister further called on Nigerians, irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliation, to use the festive season to pray for the peace, security, and continued progress of the country, while supporting the Federal Government’s efforts towards national development and cohesion.

“The Christmas season and the New Year present an opportunity for Nigerians to strengthen the bonds of unity, show compassion to one another, and renew our collective commitment to nation-building,” the Minister stated.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also enjoined citizens to remain law-abiding, security conscious, and moderate in their celebrations, while cooperating with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and safe festive period.

The Minister wishes all Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

SIGNED

Dr. Magdalene Ajani

Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Interior

December 22, 2025.

It was an atmosphere of excitement and display of culture and unity in Ebijaw community, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, as the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, formally presented Instrument of Appointment and Staff of Office to His Royal Majesty (Pere), Meus Tunde Ditoru-Muje, Opu-Ugo, Okpururu 1, the Ibediowei of Furupgha-Ebijaw Kingdom.

The ceremony, which attracted government officials, traditional rulers and royal fathers from within and outside the local government, also had in attendance the Ibe and Amaokosuowei (oldest man in the kingdom), Pa Emmanuel Odushu, and dignitaries from the over 17 communities under the kingdom.

In his speech, Governor Aiyedatiwa reminded the new King that he is a father to all the people in his domain, and that he should: “bear in mind that the responsibility to lead the kingdom to a greater level of social and economic progress now lies squarely on your shoulders.”

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuro, while reminding traditional rulers in the state that the government will not tolerate any chieftaincy appointments by traditional ruler without the state government’s approval particularly on disputed territories, prayed God to “help your Royal Majesty to succeed in this new task of traditional leadership.”

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Earlier, in his welcome speech, Odigbo Local Government Council Executive Chairman, Hon. Adegoroye Taiwo, while urging the Pere and “his Traditional Chiefs to work in promoting peaceful coexistence, harmony, and enduring development in your respective domains,” appealed to HRM to “carry everyone along, have the heart of forgiveness. As a traditional ruler everyone belongs to you. So work with them.”

In his speech, the Okpururu 1 thanked the governor and the state government for recognising the Furupgha-Ebijaw traditional throne for the first time after decades, noted that “this singular act has wiped away decades of longing, restored the dignity of our people, and written our name boldly in the annals of history.”

“For the first time since the founding of this community by our forefathers, our traditional institution has been formally recognised by the Government of Ondo State with the presentation of a Staff of Office.

“By this recognition, your administration has demonstrated fairness, inclusiveness, and respect for tradition. You have listened to the voice of history, justice, and the aspirations of our people, and for this, we shall remain eternally grateful.”

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HRM, pledged to “rule with wisdom, fairness, and transparency, to promote peace and unity among our people, and to work closely with the government at all levels to advance development, security, and prosperity in our land.”

The Pere, while acknowledging that the “Staff of Office is not merely a symbol of authority; it is a symbol of identity, unity, and hope,” said “It affirms our heritage, strengthens our cultural values, and reinforces the role of the traditional institution as a partner in governance, peace-building, and grassroots development.”

He assured the governor of ruling with “utmost humility, fear of God, and total commitment to service.”

He called on sons and daughters of the kingdom “to rally together, put aside differences, and join hands with the traditional institution and government to move our community forward,” stressing that “this achievement belongs to all of us.”

The Pere seized the occasion to draw the attention of the governor to challenges such as unavailable of motorable roads, lack of electricity and potable water, and perennial flooding and erosion in communities under the kingdom.

…demands retraction, warns member against unverified publication

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Edo State Chapter, has distanced itself from an online publication titled: ‘Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Shut Against Stephen Keshi.’

A statement signed by the Secretary of the association, Comrade Idahosa Moses, Edo SWAN said neither was it consulted nor involved in the “framing of the narrative presented by the online publication.”

Edo SWAN described the publication as misleading, sensational and grossly lacking in factual balance.

The statement partly reads: “SWAN finds the report inconsistent with the ethical standards and core values of the journalism profession.

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“While Edo SWAN recognises and respects the sentiments expressed by Mr. Austin Popo, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Stephen Keshi Football and Vocational Training Centre (SKFTVC), concerning the challenges encountered in securing the use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for this year’s Stephen Keshi Memorial National Under-17 Soccer Tournament, it is imperative to state that such concerns should not be reported in a manner that imputes motives, assigns blame without verification, or portrays public officials as acting in bad faith.”

On allegations against the Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, in the publication, SWAN described Enabulele as a “seasoned professional with a proven track record of integrity and dedicated service to sports development in Edo State.”

“Any insinuation that he or the Commission deliberately acted to undermine the memory and legacy of the late Stephen Okechukwu Keshi is not only unfair but also unsupported by verifiable facts.”

Edo SWAN, therefore, “strongly cautions the publisher of Popular News to desist from publishing unverified and inflammatory reports capable of misleading the public and damaging reputations.”

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“The Association formally demands that the controversial publication be withdrawn immediately and that an unreserved apology be tendered to Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele.”

SWAN further “extends its sincere apologies to the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, who is also a Patron of the Edo SWAN Chapter, for any embarrassment or misrepresentation arising from the said publication, and assures him of its continued respect, support and cooperation.”

Edo SWAN, while stating that it “shares in the collective responsibility of preserving and honouring the legacy of the late Stephen Keshi—a national icon whose contributions to Nigerian football remain indelible—the Association, maintained that “this noble course must be pursued through constructive engagement, professionalism and mutual respect among all stakeholders.”

Edo SWAN, thereafter, warned “all sports writers in the state to avoid unverifiable reports and sensationalism, stressing that any member found culpable of professional misconduct will be decisively sanctioned in line with the Association’s statutes.”