Nigeria’s headline inflation rate has dropped to 24.48% year-on-year in January 2025, following the rebasing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

There is a decline in the general price level of goods and services compared to 34.80% in December 2024, which was calculated using the previous methodology.

The recent rebasing of Nigeria’s CPI by the NBS significantly altered inflation metrics across the country.

The NBS updated the base year from 2009 to 2024, revised the weighting structure to reflect current spending patterns, and expanded the product basket to better capture household consumption. The shift from the Dutot index to the Jevon index also improved price measurement accuracy. While the revised CPI figures suggest lower inflation, the reality for many households remains unchanged, as food and essential goods continue to drive up living costs.

However, despite this methodological change, regional disparities in the cost of living persist, with some states remaining significantly more expensive than others.

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Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava was left speechless and emotionally overwhelmed after receiving a heartwarming surprise from one of his top fans. The moment took place during a special event organized to celebrate Iamaleava’s success and growing influence both on and off the field.

As part of a gesture to acknowledge Iamaleava’s hard work, dedication, and his incredible potential as a player, a loyal fan presented him with a brand-new car. The surprise, arranged by a Tennessee booster, was a grand display of support for the highly-touted freshman quarterback, who has quickly become a fan favorite in Knoxville.

When the keys to the car were handed to Iamaleava, his initial reaction was one of shock, as he was visibly moved by the gesture. Overcome with emotion, the young athlete struggled to find the right words, expressing his gratitude and disbelief. His eyes welled up as he spoke about how much this act of kindness meant to him and how it was a testament to the incredible support he has from the Vols fanbase.

“I can’t believe this is happening,” Iamaleava said. “I’m so thankful to be a part of this amazing community and to have fans who believe in me like this. It’s more than just a car; it’s a reminder that I’m not alone in this journey.”

The car gift is just the latest in a series of emotional moments for Iamaleava, who has been praised for his leadership and maturity on the field. As he prepares for the upcoming season, it’s clear that Iamaleava’s bond with Tennessee fans is stronger than ever.

How long is Tennessee Vols pass-rusher James Pearce Jr. going to have to wait to hear his name called once the NFL Draft gets here? It shouldn’t be too long, as some projections have him being a Top 15 pick in the first round.

However, not everyone is as high on him. The list includes ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. In a new NFL Mock Draft from ESPN analyst Field Yates, Pearce lands with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at No. 19 overall. Yates is a fan of the UT stud and while Kiper is also impressed with his game, he did voice some concerns on the EDGE standout with the draft a little over two months away:

“There’s some players, and I think every evaluator will admit this, there’s some players you just don’t know,” Kiper told Yates. “You really can’t feel strongly one way or the other about a player. You almost have to throw your own hands up and say, ‘I don’t get this. I can’t make a strong argument to take him or not take him’ and James Pearce Jr. is one of those guys because I thought going in based on what we saw last year in 2023 that he would be, along with Mykel Williams, maybe the No. 1 pick in this draft.”

This past campaign for the Vols and head man Josh Heupel, Pearce, a 6-5, 245-pounder, finished with 38 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. The season before, he posted 9.5 sacks, which would explain why Kiper didn’t love seeing him with a bit of a drop in production.

When listening to what Kiper had to say about Pearce, it sure seems like he’s unsure if the youngster will go on to live up to the first-round hype at the next level. From our chair, however, Pearce is a total gamer and he’ll be ready to make an immediate impact for a defense in 2025.

Tampa Bay needs to seriously improve its pass-rush, which is why it makes sense that Yates has the Bucs making a move for Pearce. Could we end up seeing Pearce fall to way lower in the first round, though? Tennessee fans sure hope not, as he’ll be ready to silence his haters from Day 1 in the pros.

Already, the Tennessee football team holds seven known verbal pledges for the 2026 class. That’s right, head coach Josh Heupel and his assistants have been on the grind in getting early commitments, but there’s now an offensive playmaker for Vols fans to worry about.

Back in August, 4-star tight end Carson Sneed announced he was going to be Tennessee-bound, shutting down his recruitment in favor of the in-state Vols. However, teams haven’t stopped recruiting the Nashville product, with Miami and Mario Cristobal ramping up their efforts. So much in fact, Sneed has locked in two visits to meet with the Canes later this year. This is not good for Heupel:

Tennessee TE commit Carson Sneed has locked in a spring visit and an official visit with Miami.

First up, Sneed will be taking an unofficial visit to Miami for spring ball. Then, per his 247Sports page, he’ll be taking his official visit to Coral Gables on June 6. It’s clear that Sneed has high interest in the Canes if he’s going to be taking two separate visits to campus.

While there’s been plenty of positive news surrounding the Tennessee football team this offseason, a major blow recently came in for head man Josh Heupel and his staff. In case you missed it, special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler is leaving to join Matt Rhule’s staff at Nebraska.

Thanks to Ekeler, Tennessee’s special teams have been brilliant in recent seasons. This is a return home for Ekeler, as he’s a Nebraska native and he was on the Cornhuskers’ staff earlier in his career. Before making the move from Knoxville to Lincoln, though, Ekeler took to social media to send a heartwarming goodbye to fans everywhere. You can tell how hard this decision was for him:

THANK YOU VOL Nation, players & staff. It’s been an amazing 4 years filled with incredible memories! My family doesn’t have words to express our gratitude.

In addition to serving as the team’s special teams coordinator, Ekeler also led the way for the outside linebackers group. In the replies to his message to the fanbase, plenty of people are showing Ekeler a ton of love and rightfully so.

During his time with the Vols, he was known for being a great leader and coaching up his players with an incredible amount of passion. His energy is going to be missed on the team both on and off the field. This also leaves a big hole for Heupel’s staff.

He’ll now be on the lookout for a new special teams coordinator and OLBs coach. Thankfully, Heupel didn’t have to replace defensive coordinator Tim Banks too, as he agreed to terms on an extension with the team despite outside interest.

The same can’t be said for Ekeler, however, as he’s all set to make his way to Nebraska for this next chapter in his career. It’s hard to see him leave the Vols, but people are wishing him the best in this new journey.

Tyler Bray, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback, has been ruled out of the upcoming NFL Draft. This shocking announcement comes after recent developments regarding Bray’s status, as he has encountered a series of unforeseen setbacks that have significantly impacted his draft eligibility.

Bray, who had previously been a standout quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers, had hoped to continue his football career in the NFL following his departure from college football. However, it was revealed that Bray failed to meet critical NFL eligibility requirements, which have led to his exclusion from the draft pool for the time being.

Despite his undeniable talent, including a strong arm and impressive college statistics, Bray’s draft hopes have been dashed due to a series of personal and professional challenges. Sources close to the situation suggest that Bray has struggled with consistency and maturity both on and off the field, raising concerns among scouts and team executives.

The decision to bar Bray from the draft has sent shockwaves through the college football community, as many had viewed him as a potential late-round pick with significant upside. Now, with this news, Bray faces a difficult road ahead as he attempts to rehabilitate his career and prove himself capable of making it back into professional football.

Fans of Bray and Tennessee Volunteers football remain disappointed by the turn of events, and his exclusion from the NFL Draft marks a challenging chapter in the career of a once-promising quarterback. The situation highlights the unpredictable nature of the path to the NFL and the tough reality faced by many aspiring players.

Nico Iamaleava, a highly-touted football prospect, was arrested earlier today for allegedly exporting hard drugs outside the state. Iamaleava, who gained national attention as a quarterback and was expected to have a promising career in college football, now faces serious charges that could change the course of his life and career.

According to local authorities, the 19-year-old Iamaleava was detained after a lengthy investigation into an underground drug trafficking ring. The investigation, which involved multiple law enforcement agencies, uncovered evidence suggesting that Iamaleava had played a role in smuggling narcotics across state lines. While the exact type and quantity of drugs involved have not been disclosed, officials stated that the drugs in question were considered to be of significant concern due to their potency and danger to public safety.

“We take these allegations extremely seriously,” said a spokesperson for the state police department. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served.”

Iamaleava’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the sports community, particularly given his high-profile status as one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits. Just months ago, he had committed to a prestigious college football program, and he had been expected to make an immediate impact on the field. His arrest has raised concerns about the involvement of athletes in illicit activities and the pressures they face off the field.

The college football program he committed to has yet to comment on the situation, but sources say the news has left many officials stunned. Legal experts predict that the case could have far-reaching implications, both for Iamaleava’s future and for the broader conversation surrounding drug trafficking and sports culture.

Iamaleava is currently being held without bail, and further investigations are ongoing.

James Pearce goes 29th in latest ESPN NFL Mock Draft

The consensus pre-combine is a late first round grade on Tennessee star pass rusher James Pearce. Matt Miller at ESPN mocked Pearce 29th overall, landing with the Washington Commanders. Miller mentioned his thin lower body as the reason for the drop, suggesting he could be a part-time contributor to start.

Pro Football Network had Pearce much higher, going 15th overall. Omarr Norman-Lott went in the second round, 58th overall. Dylan Sampson went at the top of the fourth round (105th overall) while Cooper Mays went in the seventh (249th overall) back to back with Dont’e Thornton (250th overall).

It took 27 points from Talaysia Cooper for Tennessee told hang on to a tight win at Missouri. The Lady Vols fought through a slow start to hold off the Tigers, 76-71. It was a classic look-ahead spot for Tennessee, which will welcome in No. 6 UConn on Thursday. ESPN will have the coverage of the latest version of this storied rivalry.

After opting to take the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator job over Alabama one year ago, Ryan Grubb is returning to Tuscaloosa. Grubb never got started last season with new head coach Kalen DeBoer, and ended up getting fired after one season in Seattle. Now DeBoer has his right hand man back in the fold.

And at Ohio State, the Buckeyes are set to lose Chip Kelly to the NFL. Kelly will head to Vegas to run the offense for Pete Carroll, meaning Ryan Day has lost both coordinators following Ohio State’s title run.

Baseball season is now under two weeks away, and Tony Vitello is still adding to his roster. Tennessee picked up Alberto Osuna late last week, giving them another option at first base. Asuna hit .259 and 45 homeruns in three seasons with North Carolina before heading to D-II power Tampa. Asuna picked up another year of D-I eligibility, thanks to the Diego Pavia JUCO ruling. The Volunteers were likely set to turn to Dalton Bargo at first base before this addition.

Tennessee opens the season with a three-game series against Hofstra a week from Friday.