1 killed, 5 injured in Lagos accidents (Nation)
An unnamed driver has been confirmed dead and five other persons injured following separate accidents on Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The driver was said to have passed on after his truck, laden with rolls of steel coils, had a collision with a headless 40ft containerised truck on the bridge.
The five wounded persons comprising a woman, a Korope driver, his conductor and two male passengers aboard a Korope with registration number KEY301XB, sustained varying injuries after a police patrol van plying against traffic rammed into them at Berger Bridge inward Otedola Bridge in the busy expressway. Read more
Stampede: Organisers of Ibadan children carnival arrested – Makinde (Vanguard)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed the arrest of the organisers of a children’s carnival where a stampede reportedly led to the tragic loss of an unspecified number of children’s lives.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Governor expressed deep concern over the incident and outlined immediate actions taken by the state government to address the situation and prevent further casualties.
Governor Makinde assured the public that a thorough investigation has commenced to uncover the circumstances leading to the tragedy, emphasizing that those found culpable will face justice. Read more
32-year-old man jailed 30 months for stealing N9.8m property (Punch)
A Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ebute-Metta, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced a 32-year-old man, Jibril Idenyi, to two years and six months imprisonment for stealing property valued at N9.8m.
Magistrate Oluwatosin Erinle sentenced him after he was found guilty of the offence of stealing and receiving stolen property.
Idenyi was arraigned on March 5, 2024, on four counts of conspiracy, stealing, and receiving of stolen property brought against him, by the police. Read more
Ighodalo to sue Edo APC chairman over ‘‘defamation’’ (DailyTrust)
Legal firm Banwo & Ighodalo has taken final steps to institute legal action against Jarrett Tenebe, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, over defamatory claims made against its founding partner, Asue Ighodalo.
In a letter dated December 18, 2024, and signed by Abimbola Akeredolu (SAN), the firm condemned Tenebe’s accusations, describing them as “libelous, reckless, and unfounded.”
This follows Tenebe’s comments during an interview, where he claimed that Ighodalo “stole 21 government vehicles” from the Edo State Government. Read more
Ogun State cargo airport has best facilities to handle non perishable items in W/Africa — Abiodun (Tribune)
There may be no need for aircraft operating into the Muritala Muhammed International Airport confronted with bad weather to divert to alternative airports in the country or the nearest airports in places like Accra as the Ogun State Agro-Cargo airport will be available for such aircraft during such emergency times.
This is just as the cargo airport, which is located in Ilishan-Remo in the state and already granted approval by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to operate chartered flights, will soon be cleared to commence scheduled flights.
The approval to commence scheduled flights was being expected from the NCAA as the cargo airport has met all the requirements needed to hit the ground running. Read more
Anchor Varsity Lagos to celebrate ‘‘peculiar pearls’’ at combined convocations – Salami (Independent)
Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, has lined up a flurry of activity to herald the combined convocation slated for Friday, 10th January, 2025 on the institution’s campus.
The Registrar, Pastor Moses Salami, confirmed that the 4th and 5th combined convocations will offer another rare opportunity to celebrate their cherished graduates, as ‘Peculiar Pearls’, who will be honoured on that day.
He also disclosed that a week-long programme will kickstart with a press conference on Monday, 6th January, 2025 while a novelty match is scheduled for Wednesday, 8th January, 2025, at 4 p.m. Read more
NAFDAC closes Eziukwu market over fake, expired products worth N5b in Abia (Tribune)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Aba State, over fake and expired products
NAFDAC made this known on its official Twitter account (X) on 18th December,2024.
The shut down which occured after a two-day operation on December 16 and 17, 2024.
During the crackdown, the agency uncovered a large-scale production and distribution network of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as noodles, powdered milk, and yoghurt. Read more
Tinubu will use AI to tackle insecurity in 2025, says Senator (Channels)
The lawmaker representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim, on Wednesday said President Bola Tinubu’s government would deploy technology to solve the nation’s security challenges.
Ibrahim, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, said the government would use Artificial Technology to tackle insecurity in 2025, referencing the allocation of ₦4.91tn to defence and security in Tinubu’s budget proposal.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) member described the coming year as a tough one for criminals, saying the current administration plans to develop apps to track down bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists. Read more
Cyclone Chido kills at least 45 people in Mozambique and leaves hundreds injured (AfricaNews)
The United Nations says the death toll in Mozambique has risen to at least 45 with hundreds others injured following the passage on Sunday of Tropical Cyclone Chido.
More than 35 thousand houses were destroyed or severely damaged after winds of up to 260 kilometres an hour hit mainly Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces in the north.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says it has disbursed four million dollars in emergency aid for the estimated 181,000 people affected. Read more
Adele song ordered to be removed from all radio, streaming services globally after Brazilian judge rules plagiarism (People)
Adele’s song has been ordered to be removed from all radio and streaming services after a judge from Brazil ruled it plagiarized another artist’s work, multiple outlets including The Guardian and The Times report.
According to The Times, singer-songwriter Toninho Geraes, 62, claimed the vocalist’s 2015 song “Million Years Ago” copied his 1996 classic “Mulheres,” which was sung by Brazilian singer Martinho da Vila.
A Brazilian court then ordered for the Adele song to be removed from radio, television and all streaming platforms globally. Read more
Sean “Diddy” Combs appears to ask son if he’s “OK’’ during court appearance (ABC)
Sean “Diddy” Combs wished spectators a “Happy Holidays” as he left court following a brief hearing Wednesday, during which prosecutors said they were on pace to turn over more evidence to Combs’ defense attorneys by the end of the year.
“Happy holidays, y’all,” Combs was heard saying on his way out of court.
He had turned to leave and stepped back to acknowledge his lawyers when the marshals stopped him. Read more
“Superman” first look reveals Rachel Brosnahan and major characters ahead of new teaser (DailyMail)
Superman fans got their first look at new star David Corenswet in his character’s iconic blue suit earlier this week.
And now fans have been treated to a first look at Rachel Brosnahan, who costars with him in the upcoming film “Superman” as his love interest Lois Lane.
The 34-year-old Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star appeared briefly in a short mini-teaser released Wednesday on YouTube and social media, ahead of the official teaser trailer, which drops on Thursday, December 19. Read more
Yellowstone’s Kevin Costner breaks his silence on “worst ever” finale and Luke Grimes feud (Hello!)
Kevin Costner has finally broken his silence following the shocking Yellowstone finale and rumors about behind-the-scenes tensions with his former co-star Luke Grimes.
The 69-year-old Hollywood legend, who exited the hit series amid a much-publicized rift with showrunner Taylor Sheridan, stepped out in Aspen just days after the final episode aired—an episode that delivered a gut-wrenching farewell to his iconic character, John Dutton.
In a candid video shared by DailyMail.com, Kevin kept his thoughts on the finale brief but telling, saying: “I’m not thinking about it, I don’t think I’ve given it any thoughts, we’ll just let it go.” Read more
Russia says suspect detained in the killing of a senior general in Moscow (WashingtonTimes)
Russia’s security service said Wednesday that it has detained a suspect in the killing of a senior general in Moscow.
The suspect was described as an Uzbek citizen recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services.
Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov was killed Tuesday by a bomb hidden in a scooter outside his apartment building in Moscow, a day after Ukraine’s security service leveled criminal charges against him. His assistant also died in the attack. A Ukrainian official said the service carried out the attack. Read more
Andrew Tate and brother to have $5.9m seized for unpaid tax, UK court rules (RNZ)
British police can seize nearly 2.7 million pounds (NZ$5.9 million) from internet personality Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan over unpaid tax, a London judge ruled.
Britain’s Devon and Cornwall Police took legal action at Westminster Magistrates’ Court against the Tates and an unnamed third person earlier this year.
The force’s lawyers said the Tates had not paid any tax on around 21 million pounds of revenue from online businesses between 2014 and 2022 and that funds in seven accounts should be forfeited. Read more
Lookman’s CAF POTY based on merit — Onigbinde (CompleteSports)
Former FIFA and CAF instructor Chief Adegboye Onigbinde has disclosed that Super Eagles winger Ademola Lookman’s African Player of the Year award was based on merit.
Lookman was the biggest winner at a star-studded 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, as Africa’s best performers for the year were honored.
Lookman was named CAF Men’s Player of the Year after a sensational 12 months with Italian side Atalanta, and Nigeria’s Super Eagles follow in the footsteps of compatriot Victor Osimhen, who claimed the award in 2023. Read more
Flawless Soccer U10/12 tourney offers endless opportunities – Ogedegbe (Vanguard)
The second edition of the Nathaniel Ogedegbe Under 10/12 Football Tournament, an initiative of NOSF-Flawless Soccer ends today at the Sonibare mini-stadium Surulere, Lagos.
The U10 competition was held between 7 and 8 December, while the U12 which began yesterday ends today. Eight teams participated in the two-day event which attracted grassroots teams in the area.
Speaking to Sports Vanguard at the venue yesterday, initiator of the programme and former Nigeria youth international, Nathaniel Ogedegbe said, “This is what I have been planning to do for the past 20 years but circumstances had not permitted. But the thought kept coming back to me. Today, it is a reality and it pleases my heart that it has been a huge success.” Read more
Real Madrid sweep aside Pachuca to lift FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar (AlJazeera)
Real Madrid won the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after beating Mexico’s Pachuca 3-0 in a largely one-sided final in Qatar, with Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr all on target.
The Spanish giants did just enough to win comfortably on Wednesday and never looked likely to cede control, despite allowing the CONCACAF champions to threaten occasionally from counter-attacks at Lusail Stadium.
The Champions League winners opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a fine team goal that started with Jude Bellingham passing to Vinicius Jr, who ran past the goalkeeper before putting it on a plate for Mbappe, who tapped it into the empty net. Read more
Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle progress in English League Cup to ensure powerful lineup for semis (JapanToday)
Arsenal, Newcastle and Liverpool advanced in the English League Cup on Wednesday to ensure a powerful lineup for the semifinals.
Gabriel Jesus scored a hat trick — including a crucial second goal from an offside position — as Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-2 to reach the last four for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Liverpool kept alive its title defense by winning 2-1 at Southampton, with Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott the scorers in the first half for the Premier League leaders. Read more
Giannis Antetokounmpo hauls in-form Bucks past Thunder to NBA Cup title (Guardian)
Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was three.
And the NBA Cup was their prize.
Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to go along with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points and the Bucks connected on 17 three-pointers on the way to beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the NBA Cup title game Tuesday night.
Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr each scored 13 for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of the two-year-old event. A 19-5 Milwaukee run in the second half turned what was a five-point game into a 19-point game early in the fourth, and the Bucks kept control the rest of the way. Read more
Ravichandran Ashwin: India spinner announces retirement from international cricket with immediate effect (SkySports)
India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect, bringing an end to a career in which he claimed 765 wickets for his country across the formats.
Ashwin, 38, made the announcement after India’s draw with Australia in the Brisbane Test, a game he was not selected for.
He said: “This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level.”I feel there’s a little bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I’d like to express that, showcase that in club-level cricket.” Read more