9-year-old sets parents’ house on fire (Channels)
A nine-year-old boy has reportedly set his parents’ three-bedroom flat apartment, located at No. 52 Mandate Housing Estate, Ilorin, Kwara State on fire on Thursday.
It was gathered that the fire was accidentally caused by a nine-year-old child playing with matches, which ignited a mattress and escalated the blaze.
The incident that was confirmed by the head, Media and Publicity of the state Fire Service, Hakeem Adekunle, occurred when the young boy was playing with the matches. Read more
Crisis brews at Lagos ports, as govt impounds trucks (Vanguard)
The Association of Maritime Truck Owners, AMATO, has petitioned the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NPC, over what they described as the undue impounding of trucks already cleared to transport cargo from the Apapa Port Complex.
In a letter of protest by AMATO President, Mr. Remi Ogungbemi, the group expressed concern over the rising tension within the trucking community caused by the development.
The association demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the impounded vehicles, which they claim had been processed through the Truck Transit Parks, TTP, platform and cleared for entry into the ports. Read more
Military invites Amnesty Int’l over 10,000 deaths in detention claim (DailyTrust)
The military high command says it has invited the international human rights organization, Amnesty International, to defend its allegations against the armed forces that 10,000 civilians died in its custody.
It described the claims by the international rights group as “malicious, shocking, lacking in merit as well as mischievous” adding that the armed forces of Nigeria as a professional organization could not have engaged in what it was accused of.
Daily Trust had reported that the organization at a press briefing n Maiduguri on Thursday accused the military of sending 10,000 civilians into early grave while in their detention. Read more
No report of Lagos missing party girls — Police (Punch)
Despite calls from Nigerians on X.com urging the Lagos State Police Command to investigate the whereabouts of six ladies allegedly missing after a house party in the Lekki area over the weekend, PUNCH Metro reports that no formal complaint has been filed at any police station in the state.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police for Area J Command (Elemoro), which oversees police divisions in Lekki and surrounding areas, Oluyemisi Ojo, disclosed this information to our correspondent on Thursday in response to an inquiry about the alleged missing ladies.
Nigerians took to X to criticise the state command for failing to rescue the victims after the news broke that they were allegedly taken, despite the numerous police checkpoints across the state. Read more
Lagos Boat Regatta holds Dec 21 (Nation)
The Lagos Boat Regatta holds on December 21, the organisers have announced.
It was initially scheduled for the Easter period.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs.Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the regatta is dedicated to showcasing Lagos’ rich aquatic heritage.
“The shift in date has allowed us to refine the programme, ensuring a bigger and more impactful event,” the Commissioner noted. Read more
Kano fingers FG in Emir’s palace blockade (Leadership)
The Kano State government has accused the Federal Government of orchestrating the siege being laid to the Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s palace by armed security operatives on Friday.
LEADERSHIP reports the incident saw heavily armed police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) barricade the palace entrance when the Emir was planning to leave the palace for a traditional event in Bichi local government area of the State.
Despite the blockade, Emir Sanusi led the Friday congregational prayer at the Kano Central Mosque, located outside the palace. Read more
Tax Reform Bills: League of Northern Democrats sets up technical committee (Tribune)
Amidst the swirling debates and public outcry over the proposed tax reform bills, the League of Northern Democrats (LND) has taken a proactive step by setting up a technical committee.
The committee announced through an official press statement on Friday, will delve deeply into the clauses of the four tax reform bills currently under consideration in Nigeria’s National Assembly.
The LND, recognising the significant impact these reforms could have on the nation, particularly in the North, has committed to ensuring that the legislative process is thorough, transparent, and reflective of the diverse needs of Nigerians. Read more
COAS reiterates commitment to address security challenges (Independent)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede says Nigerian Army had been intensifying operations across various regions to address the complex security challenges the nation currently faces.
Oluyede stated this in Enugu during Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, with the theme: “Military and Media Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.
He said “I am pleased to report significant successes, including the neutralization of terrorists, the rescue of abducted citizens and restoring socio-economic activities in affected communities. Read more
Nicole Kidman never expected to play red-hot ‘‘Babygirl’’ role that explores female desire “at this stage of my life” (Deadline)
Nicole Kidman says she was smitten the moment filmmaker and writer Halina Reijn revealed the name of a movie she was writing. “I love the title. So, I was like, ‘Oh! I’d like to be a Babygirl!’”
The Oscar-winner says that when she read the script, she was “completely sort of hypnotized” by its “very modern look at women’s sexuality, but also just desire and who we are authentically as people and whether we’re loved for who we are.”
“Babygirl”, which plays in theaters nationwide from Dec. 25, has been having that hypnotizing effect on festival and awards season audiences as well, ever since A24 world-premiered Reijn’s picture at the Venice Film Festival, where Kidman’s red-hot blistering performance won the Lido’s Volpi Cup for Best Actress. Read more
Dick Van Dyke stars in Coldplay video as he turns 99 (BBC)
Mary Poppins actor Dick Van Dyke has taken a starring role in Coldplay’s latest music video, as he prepares to celebrate his 99th birthday.
Filmed in his beachside home in Malibu, the moving video sees the star reminisce about his life and reflect on old age.
“I’m acutely aware that I could go any day now,” he says, “but I don’t know why it doesn’t concern me. I’m not afraid of it. I have the feeling that I’m gonna be alright.” Read more
Missouri couple charged with child abuse after botched home circumcision (NBC)
A Missouri couple has been charged with child abuse after they allegedly performed a botched circumcision on their child at home, despite lacking the medical expertise, resulting in the child going to the hospital.
Tyler Wade Gibson and his wife, Bailey Alexus Gibson, were charged with child abuse by the Prosecuting Attorney of Morgan County. Tyler Wade Gibson was further charged with performing an unauthorized surgery. The age of the child was not disclosed.
A complaint in the case said Gibson “knowingly performed a circumcision in defendant’s home” upon a child under the age of 18, causing the child to “suffer from physical injury.” It further alleged that Gibson knowingly performed the circumcision, while knowing he was not a registered physician with knowledge to practice medicine or surgery. Read more
Prosecutors seek February trial for 5 remaining defendants indicted with rapper Young Thug (ABC)
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is seeking to hold a trial early next year for the last five defendants who were originally indicted along with Atlanta rapper Young Thug.
A final plea hearing for the five is set for Dec. 17 and Willis filed a motion Friday asking that a trial begin on Feb. 24. She estimates that a trial would last about three months.
A grand jury in May 2022 indicted 28 people, including Young Thug, and charged them with racketeering. The indictment said the rapper co-founded a violent street gang that committed multiple murders, shootings and carjackings over roughly a decade and promoted its activities in songs and on social media. Read more
Venue where Lady Gaga and Rick Astley played says new flats would threaten its future (Independent)
The team behind popular grassroots London music venue the Moth Club have explained why they are protesting a proposed development next door to their building.
The Hackney venue, which opened in 1972 as a servicemen’s club, has hosted hundreds of artists including Lady Gaga, Rick Astley and Dave Grohl since it began operating as a live music space in 2015.
Back in September, Moth Club’s team called on local residents and fans to protest a proposal for a new block of flats by contacting Hackney Council’s planning department. Read more
Rosanne Cash celebrated with new exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (AS)
The eldest daughter of Johnny Cash and his first wife, Vivian Cash, Rosanne Cash appeared to follow in her father’s footsteps when it came to country music. But while Cash embraced the world of country music, his daughter explored genres like country and pop. Throughout the years, Rosanne released 14 studio albums, with her last, She Remembers Everything, hitting shelves back in 2018. Winning several Grammy Awards for songs like “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me”, the singer received a special exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
For those who happen to find themselves at the museum, the exhibit, titled “Time Is a Mirror”, revealed a deep look into Rosanne’s career in the spotlight. The exhibit featured manuscripts from songwriting sessions, outfits she wore on stage, and even instruments from her time on the road. With Rosanne sharing a rich history in country music thanks to her contributions and her father, the exhibit honors Rosanne’s legacy and her classic hits songs like “Seven Year Ache.” Read more
Israeli forces strike, storm Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital with ‘‘no warning’’ (AlJazeera)
At least four staff have been killed when several air strikes hit Gaza’s Kamal Adwan Hospital and Israeli forces stormed the facility, according to the hospital’s director and the enclave’s Civil Defence agency.
Hossam Abu Safieh, the director of one of the last functioning health centres in northern Gaza said a series of air strikes hit the northern and western sides of the hospital on Friday, “accompanied by intense and direct fire”.
No surgeons were left in the hospital, he added.
Soldiers swept into the hospital and ordered all staff, patients and displaced people into its courtyard before allowing them hours later to return inside. Read more
Super Falcons want WAFCON success again — Nnadozie (CompleteSports)
Chiamaka Nnadozie says the Super Falcons will be looking to win the title at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans are the most successful side in the history of the competition with nine titles.
The Falcons finished fourth two years ago in Morocco.
Justine Madugu’s side ended the year on a disappointing note, going down to a 2-1 loss against France last weekend. Read more
Nigeria granted full membership of World Wheelchair Rugby Federation (Leadership)
The Nigeria Wheelchair Rugby Association has been granted full membership of the World Wheelchair Rugby Federation, following its compliance with all statutory requirements of the international body.
This development was conveyed in a letter signed by Alison Bridge, Head of Administration of the WWR, to the Nigerian wheelchair Association on December 4, 2024.
According to the letter, the provisional approval was made on July 9, 2024 and would be confirmed at the forthcoming General Assembly of the World Wheelchair Rugby Federation. Read more
Lagos agog for Nathaniel Ogedegbe U-12 Football Tournament (Independent)
Eight young football teams will light up Lagos this month for the second edition of Nathaniel Ogedegbe Under-10/12 football tournament billed to hold at Sonibare Stadium in Surulere, Lagos State.
The competition, inspired to develop the “love for the game”, among emerging football talents, is sponsored by former Nigeria international, Nathaniel Ogedegbe, under the banner of NOSF-Flawless Soccer in Virginia, United States of America.
The 7-Aside youth tournament is divided into two categories. The U-10 teams will battle between December 7 and 8 by 4pm on both days, while the U-12 sides will lock horns on December 17 and 18 by 9am. Read more
Arsenal: Mikel Arteta reveals new Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori injury update before Fulham trip (Standard)
Mikel Arteta is unsure if Arsenal defenders Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori will be fit for Sunday’s clash with Fulham in the Premier League.
Both players missed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday night due to injury, with neither involved in the squad.
Gabriel has been struggling with an issue that forced him off in both of Arsenal’s games last week against Sporting CP and West Ham. Read more
Tottenham coach Postecoglou confronts away fans after loss (ESPN)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou confronted fans after his side’s tame 1-0 Premier League defeat at Bournemouth on Thursday which increased the pressure on the Australian.
Postecoglou’s side were unrecognisable from the one that beat Manchester City 4-0 in their last away game, producing a lacklustre display and conceding from a basic set piece.
They have now lost six of their 14 league games this season and sit 10th in the table, below Bournemouth. Read more
Azeez Al-Shaair issues strong warning to NFL after suspension for Trevor Lawrence hit (Mirror)
Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is embracing the villain role after his three-game suspension levied by the NFL was upheld.
Taking to social media Wednesday night, Al-Shaair shared a series of photos – one of which was a headshot of Joaquin Phoenix’s portrayal of the Joker – alongside the caption: “IF YOU WANT ME TO BE YOUR VILLAIN, ILL BE YOUR VILLAIN! SEE YOU SOON…” Another picture from the post was a message that read, “There is a beauty in being rejected, misunderstood, unseen and unprotected by people. It teaches you to rely on Allah for everything.”
Al-Shaair’s bold warning to the NFL comes three days after his illegal hit on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sent shockwaves across the league. With just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter of Sunday’s game, the 27-year-old drove the signal-caller into the turf after he’d already begun to give himself up on a slide – sparking a fierce brawl between players from both teams. Read more
