Nigeria daily news

Here are some of the top news stories from Nigeria for the day:

Politics

• President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of new service chiefs, replacing the outgoing chiefs of the army, navy, air force, and police. The new service chiefs are Major General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff), Major General Ibrahim Attahiru (Chief of Army Staff), Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo (Chief of Naval Staff), Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao (Chief of Air Staff), and Mr. Usman Baba (Inspector-General of Police).
• The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Okonjo-Iweala, a former Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, becomes the first African and first female to hold the position.

Economy

• The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has introduced a new policy aimed at promoting the use of the naira as a means of exchange. The policy, which takes effect from March 1, 2021, prohibits the use of foreign currencies for transactions in the country.
• The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has announced a 0.45% gain in the All-Share Index, driven by gains in stocks such as Dangote Cement, Nestle Nigeria, and Guaranty Trust Bank.

Security

• The Nigerian Army has launched a new operation, code-named "Operation Sahel Sanity", aimed at tackling banditry and kidnapping in the North-West region. The operation is expected to last for six months and will involve troops from the 1st Mechanized Division and other units.
• The police have arrested a suspected kidnapper who allegedly abducted a 12-year-old girl in Lagos State. The suspect, who was arrested in Ogun State, is expected to be arraigned in court soon.

Sports

• The Super Eagles have qualified for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Lesotho 3-0 in their final group match. The team will now participate in the tournament, which will be held in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022.
• The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has announced that the Super Falcons will participate in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco from July 2 to July 23, 2022.

Health

• The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 1,144 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 155,563. The death toll has risen to 1,933, while 124,444 patients have recovered.
• The Federal Ministry of Health has launched a new campaign to promote the use of face masks in public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These are just a few of the top news stories from Nigeria for the day.