Good morning, Nigeria. Here is your Gossip News Now roundup of the leading newspaper headlines across the country for today, Thursday, 20th November 2025.
1. FG Attributes Recent Attacks to Trump’s ‘Genocide’ Remarks
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, has cautioned that recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump have unintentionally encouraged violent groups in Nigeria, who are now attempting to leverage global narratives to justify assaults on vulnerable communities.
Akume issued the warning in a statement on Wednesday while commenting on the shifting dynamics of violent extremism, banditry, and broader national security threats.
On October 31, Trump labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” over alleged Christian genocide and threatened potential U.S. military intervention, claiming he had instructed the Department of War to prepare for “possible action.” He also warned that American aid to Nigeria could be withdrawn if President Bola Tinubu’s government failed to address what he termed persecution of Christians.
Akume noted that although insurgent networks had previously been heavily weakened, they are now trying to exploit Trump’s statements to gain renewed attention and legitimacy.
2. Judges Owe Loyalty to Constitution, Not Your Mandate — Atiku Blasts Tinubu
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the singing of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign chant, “On Your Mandate,” during the opening of the 2025 All Nigerian Judges Conference.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Atiku said he initially assumed the circulating video was fabricated, only to later confirm its authenticity. He described the incident as reckless, disgraceful, and highly inappropriate.
Atiku argued that singing a partisan anthem at a gathering of the nation’s top judicial officers—who must remain strictly nonpartisan—signals an attempt by the Tinubu administration to entrench a one-party state.
He reminded President Tinubu that judges swear an oath to uphold the constitution, not to serve any political mandate, and cautioned against pushing the judiciary into partisan politics through the influence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
3. Shettima Condemns Kebbi Schoolgirls’ Abduction, Calls It a National Tragedy
Vice President Kashim Shettima has strongly condemned the abduction of schoolgirls in Maga village, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, describing the attack as a “national tragedy” that has shaken the entire country.
Shettima visited the state on Wednesday to console the government, families, and community members affected by the incident. He assured that the Federal Government is fully committed to securing the release of the abducted girls.
“Kebbi’s pain is Nigeria’s pain,” he said, stressing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply concerned and closely monitoring the rescue efforts.
The Vice President vowed that every necessary resource would be deployed to ensure the safe return of the girls, saying, “All available state apparatus will be utilised to bring them home unharmed.”
He also pledged federal support to the family of the late vice principal, who reportedly lost his life while trying to protect the students during the attack.
4. TG Omori Raises Alarm Over Death Threats After Criticising Same-Sex Relationships
Nigerian music video director ThankGod Omori, widely known as TG Omori, says he has received death threats after publicly expressing his opposition to same-sex relationships and later becoming the subject of a controversial online report.
The incident began over the weekend after he posted on 𝕏, stating, “Having same gender sex is evil.” The comment quickly went viral, sparking intense reactions across social media.
Omori said the situation escalated further after a magazine published a report alleging he was using the controversy to promote his eyewear brand. According to him, the publication amplified hostility towards him and exposed him to greater danger.
He revealed that since the article was released, he has been inundated with threatening messages at all hours, leaving him feeling unsafe. The director added that the report misrepresented him and placed him at risk before a global audience.
5. CAF Awards 2025: Achraf Hakimi Crowned Men’s Player of the Year
Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi has won the African Ballon d’Or (Golden Ball) for Men’s Player of the Year at the 2025 CAF Awards held on Wednesday night in Rabat, Morocco.
He triumphed over Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray to claim the top honour, succeeding Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman as Africa’s best male footballer.
Hakimi, who had finished runner-up for the past two editions, finally secured the award after a year widely regarded as one of his finest.
His win comes as little surprise given his status as one of the most influential defenders in world football.
Hakimi was central to Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup run, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab team to reach the semi-finals—an achievement that earned global acclaim.
In European football, the PSG full-back has continued to shine, holding the record for the most goal contributions by a defender (30) across the top five leagues.
6. Nnadozie Clinches CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year for the Third Consecutive Time
Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has been named the 2025 CAF Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, securing the award for the third year in a row and reinforcing her reputation as Africa’s top goalkeeper.
The 24-year-old received the honour on Wednesday during the 2025 CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.
Nnadozie beat Morocco’s Khadija Er-Rmichi and South Africa’s Andile Dlamini to the prestigious award, further highlighting her dominance in African women’s football.
Her exceptional performances for both club and country throughout the year earned her widespread recognition.
With Paris FC, she played a crucial role in winning the Coupe de France Féminine, delivering remarkable saves and commanding the penalty area with authority.
For the Super Falcons, Nnadozie was a key figure in Nigeria’s historic 10th WAFCON title triumph, registering four clean sheets and winning the Best Goalkeeper award at the tournament.
After her standout WAFCON showing, she secured a move to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s Super League, where she quickly made her presence felt.
7. Yvonne Jegede Explains Why Appearance Still Plays a Big Role in Entertainment
Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede has emphasized that physical appearance remains a major factor in the entertainment industry.
Speaking in an interview with Hip TV, she addressed ongoing debates about actors being selected for roles based on their looks rather than their talent. Jegede noted that while skill is essential, looks cannot be dismissed in a visual industry.
She explained that showbiz thrives on presentation, adding, “There are many qualities actors can bring to the table; it’s not only about looks. But appearance is still very important because this is show business. What you show people is what brings the business.”
8. ISWAP Commander Sentenced to 20 Years for Kano Terror Attacks
A senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operative, Hussaini Ismaila, has been handed a 20-year prison sentence for orchestrating multiple deadly attacks in Kano State more than ten years ago.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the verdict on Tuesday after Ismaila—also known as Mai Tangaran—changed his plea to guilty on a four-count terrorism charge filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Prosecutors told the court that Ismaila coordinated several ISWAP-linked assaults in 2012, targeting the Kano Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base on Kabuga Road, Pharm Centre Police Station, and Angwa Uku Police Station. Several people were injured in these early attacks attributed to ISWAP’s operations in northern Nigeria.
Ismaila was eventually apprehended on August 31, 2017, in Tsamiyya Babba Village, Gezewa Local Government Area of Kano State, and charged under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The case experienced multiple delays due to appeals and proceedings to determine whether his statements to the DSS were voluntary. The prosecution later called five witnesses, including DSS operatives and civilians who witnessed some of the attacks.
After the fifth witness testified, Ismaila reversed his plea to guilty. His counsel, P. B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, pleaded for leniency, arguing that the defendant had shown remorse and wished to save the court’s time.
Justice Nwite found him guilty on all counts, sentencing him to 15 years on Count 1 and 20 years each on Counts 2, 3, and 4. The sentences will run concurrently and will be calculated from the date of his arrest—August 31, 2017.
9. Tinubu Orders Maximum Security Alert After Attacks in Kebbi and Kwara
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to stand together against terrorism, banditry, and all forms of criminality, warning citizens not to fall for efforts to inflame division through misinformation or religious interpretations of recent violence.
During a press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed that unity is essential as the country faces persistent security threats from groups intent on destabilising Nigeria.
“Our real enemies are terrorists, bandits, and criminals working to undermine our nation,” he stated.
Idris emphasised the need for Nigerians to remain united and reject divisive narratives, cautioning that attempts to frame the recent attacks as religiously motivated are misleading and damaging to national unity.
He maintained that the ongoing security challenges have their roots in terrorism and criminality—not in religious persecution.
10. Tinubu Delays G20, AU-EU Trips, Orders Security Crackdown in Kebbi and Kwara
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has postponed his planned trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to receive additional security briefings on the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the attack on worshippers at the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the president also approved the immediate deployment of more security personnel to Eruku and the entire Ekiti Local Government Area. He further directed the police to track down and apprehend the bandits responsible for the attack.
Tinubu was originally scheduled to leave Abuja today for the 20th G20 Summit in South Africa and the 7th AU-EU Summit in Angola. However, he suspended his departure due to deep concerns over the recent security breaches in Kebbi and the bandit attack on church congregants in Kwara.
Those are the major Nigerian newspaper headlines for today. Stay updated with more news on Gossip News Now. Join us again tomorrow for another roundup.
