18 transmission towers vandalised in 6 days – TCN (Leadership)
The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has decried the surge in the rate of vandalism of transmission towers in the country.
The national transmission company said that over 18 transmission towers were vandalised between January 9 and 14, 2025, across Rivers, Abia, and Kano States.
General Manager of Transmission for the Port Harcourt Region, Emmanuel Okpa, reported that routine patrols by linesmen on January 10, 2025, uncovered damage to towers 171 through 181 and tower 184. Read more
Diezani denies ownership of repatriated $52.8m loot, reveals owner’s name (Vanguard)
Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources, has distanced herself from the $52. 8m recently repatriated to Nigeria from the United States of America (USA).
Contrary to reports, the ex-minister, who has been in the United Kingdom (UK) since she left Nigeria, said the money does not belong to her.
In a statement titled “There is no such thing as Diezani Loot,” Alison-Madueke claimed the money that was reportedly linked to her belongs to a Nigeria’s oil magnate, Kola Aluko. Read more
Our partners’ filling stations to sell petrol at N970/litre, Dangote tells Nigerians (Tribune)
Dangote Refinery has announced that Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will now be sold at a new price of N970 per litre at MRS Holdings, Ardova, Heyden and other partnering companies.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, on Sunday.
According to the statement, the company has absorbed increased logistics costs to ensure uniform pricing across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Read more
Police begin manhunt for Ogun pastor’s killers (Punch)
The Ogun State Police Command has begun a manhunt for the suspected killer of the prophet from the Celestial Church of Christ’s Hebrew Parish, Yomi Adetula, who was shot dead during a church service in Idiroko, Ogun State.
A statement by the spokesperson for the state police command, Omolola Odutola, sighted by PUNCH Online, stated that the pastor was shot dead on Sunday morning.
The PPRO for the command said the Divisional Police Officer of Idiroko received a distress call reporting the fatality at the Celestial Church along Old Baggage Road, Odo Eran, Idiroko. Read more
Nigerian-born Richard Edoki Shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the UK National Hospital Radio Awards 2025 (ThisDay)
Richard Edoki, a Nigerian-born broadcast journalist popularly known as Richybongo, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Best Newcomer category at the National Hospital Radio Awards 2025.
The prestigious event, organised by the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA), celebrates exceptional contributions to hospital radio across the United Kingdom and Edoki’s nomination recognises his dedication to cultural exchange and his efforts to build bridges between diverse communities through broadcasting.
Richybongo is the host of African Vibe with Richybongo, a programme on CHBN Radio, Cornwall’s Community Hospital Broadcasting Network. Read more
ICPC Case: Court jails UDUTH’s Accountant for diversion of over N60m via GIFMIS (Independent)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of one Lukumanu Sani Waziri, an accountant at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, for corruption and abuse of office.
Waziri was found guilty of diverting public funds amounting to over Sixty-million naira through unauthorized access to the Government Integrated Financial Information System (GIFMIS).
ICPC had in 2021, in a charge number: FHC/ICPC/122021 arraigned Waziri and two others before Honourable Justice M. Abdulgafar of the Federal High Court, Sokoto Division in a nine-count charge of fraud and corruption. Read more
EFCC condemns false narratives on officer’s death, vows justice (Nation)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has expressed profound grief over the death of one of its officers, Assistant Superintendent of the EFCC (ASE II), Aminu Sahabi Salisu, who was killed while on duty on January 17, 2025, in Awka, Anambra state.
Salisu was reportedly shot by a suspected internet fraudster, Joshua Chukwubueze Ikechukwu, during a lawful operation.
In a press statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, via its official X handle yesterday, the EFCC condemned the “irresponsible and outrageous narratives” circulating on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding Salisu’s death. Read more
7 shops razed in Ibadan (Punch)
About seven shops worth millions of naira have reportedly been razed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
It was gathered that the incident happened at the Alaro community in Sango, in Ibadan, on Saturday.
Investigations by The PUNCH correspondent revealed that the cause of the incident has not been ascertained. Read more
Gazans stream home through rubble as truce starts after 15 months of war (TimesOfIsrael)
Thousands of displaced, war-weary Gazans set off across the devastated Palestinian territory to return to their homes on Sunday, after a long-awaited truce between Israel and Hamas went into effect following an initial delay.
The ceasefire began nearly three hours later than scheduled, during which time Israel’s military said it was continuing to operate in Gaza, with the territory’s Hamas-run civil defense agency reporting 19 people killed and 25 wounded in bombardments.
Thousands of Gazans carrying tents, clothes and their personal belongings were seen heading back to their homes, after more than 15 months of war — started by the terror group Hamas — that displaced the vast majority of the territory’s population, in many cases more than once. Read more
Kenyan start-up turning invasive plant into biodegradable packaging (AfricaNews)
The popular Lake Naivasha, a few hours drive north-west of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, is famous for its flamingos and hippos.
But the lake is being invaded by invasive water hyacinths which are threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen.
The engines of their small boats and nets regularly get snarled up in the carpet of green. And with reduced oxygen in the water, there are fewer fish. Read more
Canada’s foreign minister endorses Carney to replace Trudeau as prime minister (ABC)
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced Sunday she is endorsing former central banker Mark Carney to be the next Liberal leader and Canada’s new prime minister.
Joly said she believes Carney is best positioned to defeat opposition Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in the coming general election, and is the best candidate to deal with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs on Canada.
Carney helped Canada dodge the worst of the 2008 crisis while heading the country’s central bank. He also helped the U.K. to manage the after effects of Brexit during his 7-year tenure as governor of the Bank of England. Read more
TikTok returns after Trump says users ‘deserve to see’ inauguration (UPI)
TikTok sprung back to life Sunday afternoon after returning President Donald Trump, ahead of his second term in office, said users “deserve to see” his “exciting inauguration” as he promised an extension that would keep the app from staying dark.
“Welcome back!” a message from TikTok reads when users open the app. “Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, Tiktok is back in the U.S.!”
Trump said on his Truth Social platform earlier Sunday that he is asking for companies “not to let TikTok stay dark!” Read more
Biden posthumously pardons Black nationalist Marcus Garvey (NBC)
President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Black nationalist Marcus Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders and was convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. Also receiving pardons were a top Virginia lawmaker and advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform and gun violence prevention.
Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey, with supporters arguing that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke of racial pride. After Garvey was convicted, he was deported to Jamaica, where he was born. He died in 1940.
The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said of Garvey: “He was the first man, on a mass scale and level” to give millions of Black people “a sense of dignity and destiny.” Read more
At least 80 people killed in northeast Colombia as ELN peace talks fail (AlJazeera)
More than 80 people have been killed in just three days in northeast Colombia following failed attempts to hold peace talks with the rebel National Liberation Army (ELN), an official has said.
The ELN launched an assault in the northeastern Catatumbo region last Thursday on a rival group comprised of ex-members of the now-defunct FARC armed group who kept fighting after it disarmed in 2017.
Civilians were trapped in the middle, and by Sunday, it was estimated that “more than 80 people have lost their lives,” said Governor William Villamizar of the Norte de Santander department that includes Catatumbo. Read more
Flight attendant allegedly fired for filming dance TikTok in uniform: ‘What’s wrong with a little twerk before work’ (People)
“I never thought a single moment would cost me everything.”
This is how former Alaska Airlines employee Nelle Diala began the GoFundMe fundraiser she created after allegedly being fired for posting a dance TikTok while on the job.
On Nov. 17, 2024, the then-flight attendant posted a TikTok in which she danced — and, in her own words, twerked — in the aisles of an empty airplane. “Ghetto bih till i D-l-E, dont let the uniform fool you,” she captioned the video. Read more
Wilfred Ndidi: Why I’m investing in young talents (Nation)
Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is looking forward to raising more awareness on young Nigerian footballers by investing and nurturing young talents. Speaking in Lagos, Ndidi who returned to Maracana Sport Complex in December, the second time in six months, announced his intention to prioritise the development of youth football in Nigeria in 2025.
Ndidi stated, “I want to focus on academy football in Nigeria. That’s where everyone is missing out based on the fact that you cannot name a 16-year-old who plays competitive football every weekend in Nigeria.”
He drew comparisons with European teams, noting, “If you look at European teams, you can name 12-year-olds, and 14-year-olds playing games every week.” Read more
Emma Raducanu tipped for ‘immediate changes’ after brutal Australian Open defeat to Iga Swiatek (Metro)
Laura Robson has tipped Emma Raducanu to make ‘immediate changes’ to her game after her Australian Open exit to Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
Raducanu impressively reached the third round at Melbourne Park this year with superb wins over two players above her in the WTA standings.
The unseeded British star – world No.61 – eliminated 26th-seed Ekaterina Alexandrova and followed that up with a win over world No.35 Amanda Anisimova. Read more
Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari drive locked in as “secret” plan made with police on alert (Express)
Lewis Hamilton will reportedly get behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car in a secret test on Wednesday.
The Brit spent the first 17 years of his glittering career with McLaren and Mercedes. But at the age of 40, he is about to take on a new challenge and fulfil a childhood dream by competing for the Prancing Horse.
Ferrari have been deliberately secretive about the details of Hamilton’s first in-house test. However, a plan is now believed to be in place, and The Daily Mail claim that the seven-time world champion should get the chance to bank some laps at the Fiorano test circuit on Wednesday, if weather permits. Read more
Ipswich 0-6 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s side up to fourth in the Premier League after scoring six at Portman Road (SkySports)
Manchester City provided six devastating blows to Ipswich as they climbed into the top four with a dominant 6-0 victory at Portman Road.
City began proceedings down in eighth place in need of a three-goal margin to move up into the top four, luckily for Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden was on hand to provide the basis to ensure they were fourth by halftime.
Foden opened the scoring, just before the half an hour mark, firing home from close range. Just three minutes later (30) Foden was in and around the box again, setting up Mateo Kovacic to fire in City’s second. Read more
Novak Djokovic sets up blockbuster Australian Open quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz (Independent)
Novak Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster quarter-final at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Alcaraz benefited from a hobbled Jack Draper, who retired after two sets of their clash before Djokovic defeated Czech Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6 (4).
It will be an eighth meeting overall and fourth at a grand slam between the Serbian and Spaniard, with Djokovic having triumphed in the semi-finals at the French Open in 2023, while Alcaraz has won the last two Wimbledon finals. Read more
Jimmy Calderwood dies aged 69 after Scottish football legend’s dementia battle (Mirror)
Jimmy Calderwood, the former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017 and decided to go public with his condition
Former Aberdeen and Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood has died at the age of 69.
Calderwood, who retired after a very brief spell at Dutch club De Graafschap in 2014, was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017. Read more