The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has demanded the immediate termination of a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the French tax authority, Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, warning that the agreement poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic sovereignty and national security. In an open letter addressed to the Federal Government, the Senate, and the House of Representatives, NEF described the MoU as a “dangerous tax data agreement” that could place Nigeria’s most sensitive financial information under foreign control. The letter was signed by NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere. “The Northern Elders Forum writes today with grave concern and a profound sense of patriotic duty,” the letter reads. “This MoU is far from a harmless technical collaboration. It represents an unprotected gateway into the core of Nigeria’s tax infrastructure, potentially putting our most sensitive economic data in the hands of a foreign power whose historical engagements in Africa have frequently led to economic manipulation, political pressure, and strategic domination.” The forum warned that granting France access to Nigeria’s tax data undermines the country’s economic independence and could… Northern Elders Urge Swift Termination of Controversial FIRS-France Tax Agreement

NNPC Targets 2.06m bpd Oil Output in 2026, Praises PINL Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) yesterday confirmed that it had successfully contained the fire that affected a section of the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) in South-West Warri, Delta State, last week. The national oil firm earlier reported an explosion around 17:50 hours on December 10, 2025, near the Tebijor, Okpele, and Ikpopo communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta State. Initial assessments indicated a pressure drop consistent with a loss of containment on a pipeline operated by NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC). NNPC stressed that the cause of the explosion remains unknown and will be determined following a detailed investigation. The company emphasized that its immediate priority was the safety of nearby communities and environmental protection. “Emergency response procedures have been activated, and we are working closely with relevant authorities and community leaders to ensure a coordinated approach to mitigate the impact. NNPC Ltd remains committed to the highest safety and environmental standards,” the company said in a statement by its spokesman, Andy Odeh.… NNPC Executes Containment Measures Following Escravos–Lagos Gas Pipeline Explosion

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi is expected to formally leave the party this week, following months of unresolved leadership disputes and internal divisions. Obi’s departure stems from the prolonged instability within the Labour Party, which has struggled with factional leadership, ongoing court battles, and lack of cohesion since the 2023 elections. The move has intensified speculation about his next political platform, though no final decision has been publicly confirmed. POLITICS NIGERIA reports that several opposition parties have reached out to the former Anambra State governor, but talks remain fluid. While Obi has been linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), internal issues and emerging party alignments may delay any immediate move. Sources say he is weighing options that provide political freedom and a clear path forward, rather than joining an established party with entrenched interests. The Labour Party crisis, centered on disputes over former National Chairman Julius Abure’s tenure, has left the party fractured with parallel executives claiming legitimacy. Those close to Obi believe his continued presence has inadvertently fueled the internal power struggle. Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign transformed the Labour Party from… Peter Obi Poised to Exit Labour Party Amid Lingering Leadership Crisis

A mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday claimed the lives of 15 people, including a rabbi, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old girl, as a Hanukkah celebration turned into a scene of horror. Police say the attack left 40 injured, with the gunman shot dead by authorities. Among the 15 victims of a mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach targeting an event marking the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Sunday were a rabbi who was a father of five, a Holocaust survivor, and a 10-year-old-girl, according to interviews, officials and local media reports. Some 40 people were taken to hospital, including two police and four children, one of whom later died from her wounds. Police say the attack was carried out by a father and son, and their victims’ ages ranged from as young as 10 to 87. The 50-year-old alleged gunman was killed by police. Following are details of those killed: Rabbi Eli Schlanger Schlanger 41, was assistant rabbi at Chabad Bondi, which put on the event. Chabad is a global Jewish organisation whose mission is to foster Jewish identity and connection. Schlanger was British born but had lived… From a 10-Year-Old Girl to a Holocaust Survivor: What We Know About the Bondi Beach Shooting Victims

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has expressed its readiness to share its six decades of professional experience with the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN). The ICAN President, Dr. Yahaya Nma Haruna, stated this during a courtesy visit by CIFCFIN to ICAN’s global headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos. He welcomed the delegation and noted that, despite initial concerns about extending collaboration to emerging professional bodies, ICAN remains open to partnership. Dr. Haruna said ICAN is willing to collaborate with CIFCFIN and deploy its Forensic Faculty to offer guidance, drawing on its status as a recognised leader in forensic accounting and auditing. He also advised CIFCFIN to sustain collaboration with other established professional bodies. Earlier, CIFCFIN’s Founder and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki, called for closer cooperation and experience sharing between both institutes. He commended ICAN’s leadership for maintaining high professional standards over the past 60 years, adding that CIFCFIN seeks to tap into ICAN’s vast experience to strengthen its professional engagements. According to him, the Establishment Act of CIFCFIN does not in any way… ICAN Set to Share Six Decades of Professional Experience with CIFCFIN