Author: Stephen Ibrahim

Ivory Coast booked their place in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals with a convincing 3–0 victory over Burkina Faso, delivering one of their most complete performances of the knockout stage.

The Elephants set the tone early and never relinquished control, combining attacking precision with defensive discipline to overwhelm their West African rivals.

Ivory Coast 3–0 Burkina Faso

Ivory Coast opened the scoring in the 20th minute when A. Diallo finished clinically to give his side an early advantage.

Momentum stayed firmly with the hosts, and just 12 minutes later, Y. Diomande doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, capitalising on sustained pressure to leave Burkina Faso chasing the game before halftime.

Burkina Faso struggled to find a response in the second half as Ivory Coast managed the contest effectively. Any remaining doubt was put to rest late on when B. Touré struck in the 87th minute, sealing a dominant win and confirming progression into the quarterfinals.

Match Summary

Ivory Coast 3–0 Burkina Faso

Goals:

• A. Diallo (20′)
• Y. Diomande (32′)
• B. Touré (87′)

AFCON 2025 Quarterfinalists So Far

With January 6 action completed, the confirmed teams in the last eight include:

• Senegal
• Mali
• Morocco
• Cameroon
• Egypt
• Nigeria
• Ivory Coast

The remaining Round of 16 fixture(s) will determine the final quarterfinal lineup.

Fans of the high action-comedy franchise Rush Hour have a reason to celebrate. Reports suggest that Rush Hour 4 is gearing up for production, with filming expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The latest installment of the franchise is reportedly planning to shoot across multiple international locations, including China, Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The film, which follows the legendary partnership of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, has been in development for several years. While official confirmations from Paramount Pictures and the lead stars are still pending, industry insiders indicate that pre-production efforts are now moving forward, signaling a potential return to theaters in the near future.

Global Filming Locations

China remains a key location, honoring the franchise’s roots and Jackie Chan’s iconic presence. Africa is reportedly included in the storyline, with speculation pointing to sequences that may involve wildlife or action-driven plotlines. Saudi Arabia also appears on the list, likely reflecting both scenic backdrops and recent trends in international film production partnerships.

Timeline and Release

Though exact filming dates and the final release schedule are not yet officially announced, reports suggest production could kick off as early as spring or summer 2026. If the timeline holds, fans might see Rush Hour 4 hitting theaters by 2027, keeping the series relevant for both longtime followers and a new generation of viewers.

WWE has officially partnered with Netflix in a non-exclusive deal that brings its historic content library to the streaming platform in the United States. The deal, effective immediately, allows Netflix subscribers to access WWE’s archive of premium live events held before September 2025, including some of the most iconic shows in wrestling history.

What’s Included in the Netflix Library

Under the agreement, Netflix subscribers in the U.S. can stream all WWE premium live events prior to September 2025, such as:

• WrestleMania
• SummerSlam
• Royal Rumble
• Survivor Series
• Other major WWE pay-per-view events

In addition to the live event archive, the deal covers WWE documentaries and other library programming, giving fans access to decades of historic matches, storylines, and behind-the-scenes content.

The deal is non-exclusive, meaning WWE retains the rights to license its content to other platforms. This approach allows WWE to expand its reach while still leveraging Netflix’s U.S. subscriber base.

For fans, this deal is a significant upgrade in accessibility. Longtime followers and new viewers alike can now stream classic WWE events on-demand without subscribing to separate wrestling platforms. 

Marvel Studios has officially confirmed the long-awaited arrival of the X-Men into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the release of the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday.

The newly released footage confirms the return of Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and James Marsden as Cyclops, marking the first time the iconic mutant characters appear in an MCU Avengers film.

The trailer features clear appearances of the X-Men characters, ending years of speculation about how and when Marvel would integrate mutants following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen reprise their roles as longtime rivals Professor X and Magneto, while James Marsden returns as Scott Summers / Cyclops, making his first on-screen appearance in the franchise since X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Their inclusion confirms that Avengers: Doomsday will serve as a major crossover event, bringing together legacy Marvel characters and current MCU heroes under one storyline.

Beyond the confirmed X-Men appearances, the Avengers: Doomsday trailer establishes a darker, large-scale conflict tied to the rise of Doctor Doom, who is positioned as the central threat of the film.

Release Information

Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for theatrical release in December 18, 2026 and is expected to be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars, which will further explore the multiverse and its consequences.

Watch Trailer

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has announced that the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Orientation Course will officially commence on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, across all orientation camps nationwide.

The announcement confirms the start of activities for prospective corps members following months of anticipation, marking the beginning of another service year under the NYSC scheme.

Key Dates and Schedule

According to the official schedule released by the NYSC, reporting and registration for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ corps members will begin on January 21 and run until midnight on January 23, 2026. Prospective corps members are expected to complete all registration formalities within this window at their respective orientation camps.

The swearing-in ceremony, a major highlight of the orientation programme, is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 23, 2026, officially inducting the corps members into national service.

The orientation course will span three weeks, with the closing ceremony fixed for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, after which corps members will be posted to their various places of primary assignment (PPA).

The orientation course will be held simultaneously in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), continuing NYSC’s long-standing tradition of nationwide participation and integration.

During the camp period, corps members will undergo paramilitary drills, lectures, skill acquisition training, and cultural integration activities, designed to prepare them for the service year ahead.

Rema has officially made history on the U.S. Billboard charts.

The Nigerian superstar’s debut album, Rave & Roses, has become the longest-charting African project on the Billboard World Albums Chart, spending 165 weeks on the ranking. The milestone sees Rema surpass Wizkid’s Made In Lagos, which previously held the record at 164 weeks.

The achievement further cements Rave & Roses as one of the most impactful African albums of the modern streaming era.

Released in March 2022, Rave & Roses has shown remarkable longevity on the Billboard World Albums Chart, an indicator of sustained international demand rather than short-term hype.

Crossing the 165-week mark means the album has remained relevant for over three years, a rare feat for any project, let alone a debut album from an African artist.

The record-breaking run reflects not just initial success, but consistent streaming, catalog growth, and global listener retention.

Before now, Wizkid’s Made In Lagos was the benchmark for African albums on the chart. Widely regarded as a defining Afrobeats project, the album spent 164 weeks on the Billboard World Albums Chart and played a major role in pushing the genre into mainstream global consciousness.

Rema overtaking that record highlights a generational shift where younger Afrobeats stars are building on the foundation laid by earlier global breakthroughs.

Much of the album’s longevity can be traced to its international appeal. Songs like “Calm Down”, which later gained even more momentum with a remix featuring Selena Gomez, helped push the project far beyond African borders.

The album blends Afrobeats, pop, trap, and alternative influences, making it accessible to diverse audiences while still rooted in African sound and identity.

Its success also reflects how streaming platforms have changed music consumption, allowing albums to grow steadily over time rather than peak and disappear.

The Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16 delivered contrasting narratives as Egypt edged past Benin after extra time, while Nigeria produced a commanding display to dismantle Mozambique, sealing their place in the quarterfinals.

Egypt 3–1 Benin

Egypt booked their quarterfinal spot after a dramatic 3–1 extra-time victory over Benin in Agadir.

The breakthrough arrived in the 69th minute when Marwan Attia struck from distance, but Benin responded late through Jodel Dossou’s 83rd-minute equaliser, forcing extra time.

In the additional period, Egypt’s experience proved decisive. Yasser Ibrahim restored the lead in the 97th minute, before Mohamed Salah sealed the win in the 124th minute, ending Benin’s resistance.

Final Score:

• Egypt 3–1 Benin (after extra time)

• Goals: Attia (69′), Ibrahim (97′), Salah (124′); Dossou (83′)

Nigeria 4–0 Mozambique

Nigeria delivered one of the most emphatic performances of the knockout stage, defeating Mozambique 4–0 to book their place in the AFCON quarterfinals.

The Super Eagles set the tone early when Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Just five minutes later, Victor Osimhen doubled Nigeria’s advantage, finishing clinically to put Mozambique under severe pressure.

Osimhen struck again shortly after the restart in the 47th minute, effectively ending the contest. Nigeria continued to dominate and were rewarded once more when A. Adams added a fourth goal in the 75th minute, completing a comprehensive victory.

Final Score:

• Nigeria 4–0 Mozambique

• Goals: A. Lookman (20′), V. Osimhen (25′, 47′), A. Adams (75′)

AFCON 2025 Quarterfinalists So Far

With Round of 16 matches now concluded up to January 5, the following teams have secured quarterfinal places:

• Senegal
• Mali
• Morocco
• Cameroon
• Egypt
• Nigeria

The remaining Round of 16 fixtures will determine the final spots as the tournament heads deeper into its decisive phase.

Toyin Abraham has once again proven that she understands the Nigerian cinema audience better than most of her peers.

Her latest film, Oversabi Aunty, has officially crossed ₦711.5 million at the Nigerian box office after just 18 days in cinemas, marking one of the fastest-rising theatrical runs by a Nollywood title in recent years. The milestone places the comedy firmly among the highest-grossing Nigerian films of the year and further strengthens Abraham’s reputation as one of Nollywood’s most commercially reliable filmmakers.

Released during the competitive end-of-year cinema window, Oversabi Aunty opened strongly and maintained momentum week after week. Within its first two weekends, the film recorded impressive nationwide turnout, quickly moving from a strong debut into sustained box office dominance.

By the end of its third weekend, the film’s cumulative earnings had climbed to ₦711.5 million, an achievement that many Nollywood releases take months to reach. 

What stands out most is not just the total figure, but the speed at which the film achieved it. In an industry where audience drop-off after opening weekend is common, Oversabi Aunty has benefited from steady word-of-mouth, repeat viewings, and wide appeal across multiple age groups.

At its core, Oversabi Aunty taps into a familiar Nigerian social archetype, the well-meaning but intrusive figure who always seems to know everyone’s business. The humour is rooted in everyday experiences, making the story instantly relatable to audiences across different regions.

Rather than relying solely on slapstick comedy, the film balances humour with social commentary, touching on family dynamics, personal boundaries, and community pressure. This mix has helped the movie resonate beyond its laughs, turning it into a shared conversation both online and offline.

Strong performances from the supporting cast also play a major role, giving the story depth and ensuring the comedy never feels one-dimensional.

Toyin Abraham’s Growing Box Office Influence

With Oversabi Aunty, Toyin Abraham continues a clear upward trajectory at the Nigerian box office. Over the past few years, her films have consistently drawn large cinema audiences, positioning her among a small group of Nollywood filmmakers whose names alone can drive ticket sales.

This latest record reinforces a growing trend in the industry: audiences trust Toyin Abraham’s storytelling instincts. Whether as an actress, producer, or creative lead, her projects tend to strike a balance between commercial appeal and cultural relevance.

With cinemas still showing the movie nationwide and no immediate slowdown in audience interest, Oversabi Aunty could push its total even further in the coming weeks. 

After becoming one of the biggest television events in recent years, Shōgun is officially moving forward.

The historical drama series, which dominated the global TV conversation and went on to win a record-breaking 18 Emmy Awards, has begun production on Season 2, according to its creators. But rather than feeling comfortable after such massive success, the team behind the show says the pressure has only increased.

Speaking about the new season, the show’s writer and executive producer explained that the challenge now is living up to expectations created by Season 1’s critical and commercial triumph.

When Shōgun first premiered, it arrived with quiet confidence rather than blockbuster expectations. That changed quickly.

The series became an international hit, praised for its careful historical detail, layered performances, and cinematic scale. Its awards sweep, especially the unprecedented Emmy haul cemented it as one of the most successful TV dramas of the decade.

Now, as cameras roll on Season 2, the creative team is working under a very different spotlight.

According to the executive producer, the biggest challenge isn’t topping awards or viewership numbers, but protecting the integrity of the story while expanding the world audiences have grown attached to.

“The success raises expectations—from fans, critics, and even ourselves,” the producer noted. “That makes every creative decision more complicated.”

One of the major hurdles facing Season 2 is narrative direction.

Season 1 closely followed its original source material, giving the writers a strong foundation. With that story now fully explored, the new season requires fresh storytelling that still feels authentic to the show’s historical roots.

For the creators, Season 2 is less about repeating what worked and more about evolving the series responsibly.

As Season 2 moves forward, the creators are fully aware they are no longer just making another season of television, they’re protecting a legacy already written into awards history.

OPay has quietly introduced a ₦9,999 preset transfer option in its app, and Nigerians are paying close attention. The move comes amid growing concerns over the ₦50 stamp duty now applied to electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above, a policy that officially took effect at the start of 2026.

While ₦50 may seem insignificant on its own, frequent transfers mean the cost adds up quickly. For millions of Nigerians who rely on fintech apps for daily transactions, even small deductions matter.

OPay’s new transfer option appears to offer a simple workaround, staying just below the threshold where stamp duty applies.

Understanding the ₦50 Stamp Duty on Bank Transfers

Under Nigeria’s updated stamp duty framework:

• Electronic transfers of ₦10,000 or more attract a ₦50 stamp duty
• The charge is deducted from the sender
• Transfers below ₦10,000 are exempt
• The rule applies across banks and fintech platforms

The policy is part of broader government efforts to improve tax compliance and generate revenue through digital transactions. However, its rollout has been met with mixed reactions, especially from users who make multiple transfers daily.

What the ₦9,999 Transfer Option Does

OPay’s ₦9,999 button allows users to send money without triggering the stamp duty charge. Instead of manually typing an amount, users can now select a preset value that keeps the transaction just under the ₦10,000 mark.

The feature:

• Reduces friction for users trying to avoid extra charges
• Speeds up transfers with a one-tap option
• Reflects how Nigerians already adjust spending habits around policy thresholds

OPay has not officially stated that the feature was designed to bypass stamp duty, but the timing and amount strongly suggest a response to user behaviour and concerns.

On social media, many users say they were already sending ₦9,999 manually before the update. The difference now is convenience.

Some users also admit to splitting larger transfers into multiple ₦9,999 transactions. While this is not illegal, financial experts advise moderation, as excessive micro-transactions can sometimes raise flags on financial platforms.