70% of Nigerians refused to pay bribes in 2023 – ICPC (Vanguard)
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, has revealed that 70 percent of Nigerians approached for a bribe in 2023 refused to comply.
Aliyu made this statement on Monday during an ICPC roundtable with state attorneys-general in the north-west region, held in Kano.
The event focused on enhancing the commission’s capacity for corruption prevention. Read more
Lagos seals 10 properties over environmental violations (Punch)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has sealed 10 properties across the state for allegedly violating environmental regulations.
The Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this via X.com on Monday.
According to him, the move underscored LASEPA’s commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable environment for all Lagosians.
He added that the establishments were shut down for failing to comply with environmental standards, despite prior notices from the agency. Read more
Fire kills customs officer, wife, 4 children in Osun (DailyTrust)
A midnight fire has claimed the lives of a Customs Officer attached to the Oyo/Osun Command, Tijani Kabiru, his wife and four of their children in Akankan Area of Ede of Osun State.
The inferno, which occurred around 3am on Monday, gutted the residence of the officer, burning him and his family members to death.
A statement signed by the Director of the Osun State Fire Service, Mr. Olaniyi Alimi, and shared by the Spokesperson of the Service, Ibraheem Adekunle, confirmed the incident. Read more
Zulum lied, tax reforms won’t scrap TETFund, NASENI, NITDA – Presidency (Leadership)
The Presidency has dismissed claims that the proposed tax reform bills before the National Assembly aim to abolish key national agencies, including the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), describing the assertions by Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, as lies.
In a statement issued on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described such assertions as baseless and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.
He clarified that the reforms aimed to streamline tax administration and create a more business-friendly environment, not to dismantle critical institutions. Read more
Nwifuru threatens to sack workers involved in warning strike (NewTelegraph)
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has threatened to sack any Civil Servant involved in the ongoing one-week warning strike declared by the State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the non-implementation of the National Minimum wage.
Nwifuru issued the threat in his office at Centenary City Abakaliki while briefing newsmen.
Apparently referring to the commencement of a warning strike by State Civil Servants on Monday, in compliance with the directive of the National Executive Committee of NLC, Nwifuru insisted that the government was complying with the payment of minimum wage. Read more
Diaspora real estate desk to address unique needs of Nigerians abroad — Lagos govt (Tribune)
The Lagos State Government has announced that the Diaspora Real Estate Desk is designed to cater to the unique needs of Nigerians abroad, offering reliable information and professional assistance for property transactions and documentation within the state.
The Diaspora Real Estate Desk is a collaborative initiative between the Lagos State Lands Bureau and the Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs (LASDA). It underscores Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to supporting Nigerians in the diaspora by providing credible, transparent, and seamless access to real estate services in Lagos. Read more
Egungun of Lagos breaks silence after leaked video sparks controversy (Nation)
Popular content creator, Kuye Adegoke, widely known as Egungun of Lagos, has broken silence following the leak of his private video showing him exposing himself during a video call with an unidentified woman.
After the video sparked widespread backlash and mixed reactions online, Egungun posted on his Instagram, seeming unbothered with a dancing video.
Before the video’s release, Egungun’s wife, Pashotah, had addressed a blackmail attempt involving her husband’s private footage. Read more
Court adjourns Benin monarch, suspended dukes case till February 20 (Punch)
Justice Mary Asemota of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City on Monday adjourned hearing in the suit between suspended Enigie (Benin Dukes) and Oba of Benin till February 20, 2025.
The claimants are suspended by the Enogie of Evbuobanosa Dukedom, Prof. Gregory Akenzua and his counterpart at Egbaen Siluko Dukedom, Edomwonyi Ogiegbaen — challenged their removal from office by the Oba in court, following allegations of leading a rebellion against the Benin monarchy.
Justice Asemota, who hinged the decision on ‘change-of-guard’ in the Edo State Government, said the adjournment would enable the state Attorney-General, Dr Samson Osagie, study and respond to the court process accordingly. Read more
Nicki Minaj’s tweet about Drake benefitting from Spotify Resurfaces amid UMG dispute (HipHopDx)
Nicki Minaj‘s past comments about Drake benefitting from Spotify have resurfaced following the 6 God’s legal filings against Universal Music Group.
Back in 2018, the streaming platform featured Drizzy on the cover of all of their editorial playlists — even those not including his music such as “Best of British,” “Massive Dance Hits” and “Fresh Gospel” — to coincide with the release of his Scorpion album, which earned a staggering 732,000 units in its first week.
At the time, Nicki criticized the move on X (then Twitter) while venting about her issues with Spotify, writing: “Spotify put drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 mins early on #QueenRadio. Read more
Gwyenth Paltrow’s daughter Apple slammed as fans spot ‘Mean Girl’ behaviour caught on camera (Mirror)
Apple attended a debutante ball in Paris alongside daughters of European royalty and other A-list celebrities but the daughter of Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow was compared to the likes of Regina George from Mean Girls
Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin’s daughter Apple, 20, has faced criticism after a clip surfaced from her debutante ball in Paris.
The event, which took place on Saturday at the luxurious $1,000-a-night Hotel Shangri-La, saw Apple among 20 young women presented at the prestigious Le Bal des Débutantes. Read more
‘Blatant corruption’: Biden under fire for pardoning his son Hunter (AlJazeera)
United States President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter for tax and firearm-related convictions has sparked criticism from lawmakers and officials, including some within his own Democratic Party.
The Biden administration on Monday defended the announcement, which the president made despite his previous pledge not to pardon his son, on the grounds that Hunter’s persecution was political in nature.
“They [Republicans] would continue to go after his son,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on a flight to Angola on Air Force One, adding that other presidents have also pardoned family members. Read more
Iggy Pop adds Manchester show to summer 2025 UK tour plans due to “phenomenal demand” (NME)
Iggy Pop has added a show in Manchester to his 2025 UK tour, following “phenomenal demand” for tickets.
It comes after the iconic solo artist and former Stooges frontman announced last month that he would be embarking on two “landmark” UK shows next spring. These were confirmed for London and Glasgow, with the former scheduled for Alexandra Palace on May 28, and the latter planned for the O2 Academy in the city on June 3.
They are set to celebrate Iggy Pop’s musical legacy, and will see him perform hits from across his five-decade career. Read more
Ariana Grande’s premonition tweet from 13 years ago resurfaces (DailyMail)
A tweet that Ariana Grande posted 13 years ago expressing her desire to play the role of Glinda the Good from Wicked has resurfaced in a very sweet full circle moment.
The 31-year-old singer, who has been tipped to receive an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Galinda Upland in the new Wicked movie, took to Twitter over a decade ago to tell fans that it was her dream role.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon back in June, the pop star was talking about landing the role in the blockbuster movie and how she’d had to keep it a secret. Read more
Kate Winslet reveals what irritates her about persistent Titanic questions (FilmNews)
Kate Winslet is becoming irritated by persistent questions about Titanic.
The 49-year-old actress was just 22 when the 11-time Oscar-winning film was made back in 1997 and still gets asked about the blockbuster today.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that the actress “bristled a little” when asked if she thought Leonardo DiCaprio’s character Jack could have been saved if her character, Rose, had awarded some space to him on the driftwood that she clung to.
Winslet then revealed that she is frustrated that questions about the 27-year-old film draw more headlines than the projects she is trying to promote today. Read more
Former Illinois deputy charged in Sonya Massey’s killing could soon be released as he awaits trial (NBC)
The former Illinois sheriff’s deputy charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Sonya Massey could soon be set free, following an appellate court ruling that cleared the way for his pre-trial release.
At a hearing Monday, a circuit court judge said he will on Friday determine the restrictions for Sean Grayson’s release. The judge, Ryan Cadagin, had previously denied Grayson’s pre-trial release.
But an appellate court overturned that ruling in a unanimous decision Wednesday. Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser said his office plans to appeal that ruling.
Cadagin said he would comply with the court order and determine “the least restrictive conditions” for Grayson’s release. Read more
8th ANC: Eguavoen invites Rabiu Ali, 29 others to Camp for Ghana (Leadership)
Super Eagles head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has invited a total of 30 players to camp as the Nigeria Football Federation activates its commitment to ensuring the qualification of the Super Eagles B for next year’s African Nations Championship (ANC) finals.Nigeria cultural tours
The 8th edition of the continental championship, reserved exclusively for footballers plying their trade with clubs in their country’s domestic Leagues and possessing standard contracts is scheduled to run the length of February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
Kano Pillars’ evergreen midfielder, Rabiu Ali who has scored eight goals this season is among the players called alongside Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo and Abia Warriors’ exciting forward, Sunday Megwo. Read more
Dozens dead after stampede breaks out at Guinea football match (AlJazeera)
At least 56 people have been killed after violent clashes during a football match led to a stampede in Guinea’s second-largest city of N’Zerekore, according to the government.
“Protests of dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions led to stone-throwing by supporters, resulting in fatal stampedes” at Sunday’s match, the government statement said on Monday, published as a news ticker on national television.
“Hospital services have put the provisional death toll at 56.” Read more
Arsenal host holders Man Utd in FA Cup third round (BBC)
Holders Manchester United have been drawn away to record 14-time winners Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
Premier League leaders Liverpool will host League Two Accrington Stanley, while Manchester City welcome ‘Class of 92’-owned Salford City.
Tamworth, one of only two non-league clubs remaining in the competition, are at home to Tottenham.
The third-round ties will be played over the weekend of Saturday, 11 January. Read more
Cole Palmer insists Chelsea need to ‘‘keep going and winning the games’’ (Independent)
Cole Palmer said it is too early to predict where Chelsea will finish this season after they swept aside Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The 3-0 win sent the Blues third albeit with an identical record to second-placed Arsenal, as Enzo Maresca’s side turned in possibly the most complete performance from a Chelsea team in the Clearlake Capital era.
It was hard to remember a display so full of energy and cohesion in the last two-and-a-half seasons as goals from Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez in the first half and a late stunner from Palmer made it three wins in a row in all competitions. Read more
Djokovic eager to beat Sinner, Alcaraz at Slams (GulfTimes)
Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.
After winning three of the four Grand Slams last year, the 37-year-old has endured a dry spell in 2024, failing to win any majors for the first time since his injury-plagued 2017 campaign.
World No 1 Sinner dethroned Djokovic at Melbourne Park en route to his maiden Grand Slam win and the 23-year-old Italian also beat the Serb in the Shanghai Masters final in October. Read more
Josh Allen says playing after getting engaged to Hailee Steinfeld ‘felt good’ and ‘felt free’ (People)
Josh Allen is feeling “free” after popping the question to Hailee Steinfeld.
After he and the Buffalo Bills put up a huge win over the San Francisco 49ers, 35-10, the quarterback was asked during his post-game press conference about how he felt during the game, following the engagement.
Allen, 28, replied simply, saying he, “felt good. Felt free.”And later during the Sunday Night Football telecast, NBC reporter Melissa Stark revealed that she spoke with Allen about proposing to Steinfeld, and that he was “all smiles” during the conversation. Read more