Catholic priest knocks Soludo over rising insecurity in Anambra (Punch)
The Spiritual Director of the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has again, knocked the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over increasing insecurity in the state.
The Catholic priest, fondly called “Fr. Ebube Muonso”, had, during a prayer march on Thursday, regretted that calls on the governor, who is the chief security officer of the state, to do everything in his power to stem the tide of insecurity, yielded no positive result.
He said, “If you are in Anambra State presently, you don’t need to be told that you need to be alert in the spirit. Read more
Wife of former AIG Hakeem Odumosu kidnapped in Ogun (Channels)
The wife of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Hakeem Odumosu has been kidnapped from her residence in the Arepo area of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria.
The Ogun Police Command Public Relations Officer Omolola Odutola confirmed the incident in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The kidnappers stormed the residence located in the Arepo area of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the state in a coordinated attack, leaving the community in shock and fear. Read more
Odunlade, ID Cabasa, others attend Lisabi: A Legend is Born premiere (Nation)
Odunlade Adekola, and ID Cabasa, Iyabo Ojo, were some of the celebs that attended the star-studded premiere of ‘Lisabi: A Legend is Born,’ a film by Nollywood power couple Lateef Adedimeji and Mo Bimpe.
The premiere took center stage on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, Lagos.
The event attracted some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, adding glitz and glamour to the celebration of Yoruba heritage. Read more
Lagos brokers peace between NURTW chapters (Guardian)
The Lagos State government has facilitated a peace accord between the national executive members and Lagos State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
Mr Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Transportation, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
He noted that facilitating the peace accord, held at Alausa, was to guide the union’s operations and interactions. Read more
Police arrest 2 for vandalism, motorcycle theft in Sokoto (Tribune)
The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State Command, has confirmed the arrest of two suspects for alleged vandalism and motorcycle theft within the state.
The suspects, identified as Imrana Umar, a resident of Minanata Area, and Isah Usman, also known as “Man,” from Makera Asada Area, Sokoto, were apprehended in connection with separate criminal activities.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, it was revealed that both suspects were arrested following distress calls from concerned members of the community. Read more
Tinubu commends governors for supporting tax reforms initiatives (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu expresses his appreciation for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum following their unanimous endorsement of the four Tax Reform Bills currently under consideration by the National Assembly.
In a statement which Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, issued on his behalf on Friday, Tinubu lauded the governors for their bold leadership and commitment to fostering unity among leaders nationwide, transcending regional, ethnic, and political barriers to advance Nigeria’s development.
“Thursday’s productive consultation between the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Policy is a commendable example of cooperation between the Federal and State governments.” Read more
4 dead in fresh communal clash in Ondo (Nation)
Four persons have been killed over a land dispute between Akure and Idanre communities in Ondo State
The four persons were found dead at Gbalegi, the disputed area between Akure and Gbalegi.
Last week, two persons were killed in Akoko Southwest local government when youths of Ebo, Owaki and Oke-Odo clashed over boundary dispute. Read more
Police arrest 2 for kidnapping, murdering 12-year-old boy in Katsina (Vanguard)
The Katsina State Police Command have arrested two suspects involved in the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old boy.
They also busted a four-man counterfeit currency syndicate.
Spokesperson Katsina Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this at a press briefing on Wednesday. Read more
Brandy to release candid memoir in 2025, set to receive a star on the hollywood walk of fame (Ebony)
Grammy-winning icon Brandy is ready to share her truth in her debut memoir, offering a candid look at her journey from small-town beginnings to global superstardom. Releasing October 7, 2025, the memoir dives into the highs and lows of her groundbreaking career and personal life.
Hailing from McComb, Mississippi, Brandy’s talent was evident from the moment she sang in her church choir. At 14, she signed her first record deal; at 15, her debut album went platinum; and by 16, she was the star of the hit sitcom Moesha. As the first Black American teen to simultaneously maintain a thriving music, TV, and film career, Brandy shattered barriers—including becoming the first Black actress to play Cinderella on screen alongside Whitney Houston. Read more
Dad says he’s ‘unluckiest man in the world’ after killing daughter while ‘mucking around’ (Mirror)
Simon Vickers, 50, is accused of murdering his 14-year-old daughter Scarlett at their home in Darlington, Durham, on July 5 last year during what he claims was “mucking around”
A dad who claims his teenage daughter was accidentally killed when he threw a knife her at while play-fighting told police he was the “unluckiest man in the world”, a court has heard.
Simon Vickers, 50, is accused of murdering 14-year-old Scarlett Vickers at their home in Darlington, Durham, on July 5 last year after she died from catastrophic blood loss. The blade penetrated 11cm deep into her chest and pierced her heart. Read more
Jeannot Szwarc, Jaws 2 and Supergirl director, dies at 87 (EW)
Jeannot Szwarc, the French filmmaker known for directing films like Supergirl, Jaws 2, and Somewhere in Time, as well as numerous notable TV projects, died Tuesday at 87.
His son Sacha Szwarc, a film editor, confirmed the news in an Instagram post Friday, writing, “We are all shocked and devastated by his sudden departure. He was truly one of a kind, a humorous and joyful man. A talented director, a generous friend, a loving husband and father. We loved him very much and will miss him greatly, but he will always be with us in our hearts.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeannot Szwarc was born in Paris on Nov. 21, 1937, and got his master’s from Harvard before venturing into commercial and documentary projects. His work in Hollywood began in earnest on the television side, with his first such credits coming as a writer, producer, and eventually director of a few episodes of Ironside in the late ’60s. Read more
Ted Sarandos recalls David Lynch’s unrealized Netflix limited series: ‘‘We Were All In’’ (Variety)
Ted Sarandos has joined the many others in the entertainment industry paying tribute to David Lynch, who died Thursday at 78. Netflix co-CEO Sarandos shared a tribute on Instagram to honor one of his “all time favorite filmmakers” and noted that Lynch had been in contact with the streamer to direct a limited series.
The production went unrealized due to complications caused by the COVID pandemic and, later, “health uncertainties.”
In 2024, Lynch publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with emphysema after a lifetime of smoking, and that any future directing would have to be done remotely. “He came into Netflix to pitch a limited series which we jumped at,” Sarandos wrote. Read more
Universal Music Group responds to Drake’s defamation lawsuit over “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar (MXDWN)
Universal Music Group has formally responded to a defamation lawsuit filed by Canadian artiste Drake, who alleges the company played a role in distributing what he claims are damaging falsehoods within Kendrick Lamar’s recent song “Not Like Us.”
The lawsuit, which Drake filed earlier this month, accuses UMG of allegedly facilitating the release of the track despite containing lyrics he argues were defamatory.
According to Drake’s legal team, the song includes alleged implications that could harm his reputation both personally and professionally. He claims the lyrics were designed to portray him in a false light, alleging that the content was intended to undermine his credibility in the music industry. Read more
TikTok to be banned in the US from Sunday, Supreme Court rules (Sky)
TikTok is to be banned in the US from Sunday if it is not sold by its Chinese parent company, the Supreme Court has ruled.
However, President Joe Biden has said he will not enforce the ban for the few remaining hours he is in office, leaving it up to his successor Donald Trump to decide what to do when he enters the White House on Monday.
After the Supreme Court ruling, where the judges voted 9-0 in favour of the ban, the White House released a statement saying TikTok should remain available to Americans. Read more
Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan, wife sentenced to jail in corruption case (AlJazeera)
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was on Friday sentenced to 14 years in prison, and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven years in a case related to the misuse of authority and corruption involving Khan’s Al-Qadir University Project Trust.
Khan was also given a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,500), while Bibi was fined half that amount.
An accountability court operating from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where Khan has been imprisoned since August 2023, had reserved its verdict in December last year and deferred the announcement three times. Bibi was arrested at the court premises. Read more
Osimhen takes league tally to 11 goals in Galatasaray’s 1-1 draw at Hatayspor (CompleteSports)
Victor Osimhen scored for Galatasaray in their 1-1 draw at Hatayspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday.
It was Osimhen’s 11th goal in 14 appearances for Galatasaray in the league this season.
The 26-year-old has also scored four goals in his last four games for Galatasaray. Read more
Player slumps, dies during 5th Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Cup in Osun (Leadership)
29-year-old Clement Adewale Adeyemi Oluyide, on Thursday, slumped and died on the football pitch at the Ataoja School of Science, Osogbo, during the 5th Isiaka Adeleke Memorial Cup final tournament in Osun State.
Incidentally, Oluyide, an Ikinyinwa-Ijesa born football star, died on his birthday trying to win laurels to celebrate his 29th birthday ceremony.
Oluyide, a midfielder whose team was playing against Ejigbo local government area team, slumped on the field while his team was preparing to take a free kick. Read more
Haaland signs new Man City deal until 2034 (BBC)
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has signed a new long-term deal with the club that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034.
The Norwegian joined City from Dortmund in 2022 and has scored 111 goals in 126 games for the club since.
The striker’s previous deal, which reportedly included a release clause, had been due to expire in 2027. Read more
Belgium sack manager Domenico Tedesco after Thibaut Courtois row (Independent)
Domenico Tedesco has left his role as Belgium head coach just 10 months after extending his contract.
The 39-year-old, appointed in 2023, and his staff had renewed terms through to the 2026 World Cup last March.
But Tedesco has since overseen a disappointing Round of 16 exit from Euro 2024, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois declared in August that he would be unavailable for the national team while the manager remained in charge. Read more
“We’re entertainers”: Pegula backs Djokovic call to jazz up tennis (France24)
Jessica Pegula has backed Novak Djokovic’s call for more entertainment for fans, saying tennis should become less “stuffy” and “uppity.”
Djokovic said after his third-round win at the Australian Open that tennis needs to be “more fun”.
He suggested even that dancers could be brought on court during breaks to appeal to a new 21st century generation.
World number six Pegula agreed the game needed to jazz things up. Read more
Tyson Fury given deadline to reverse retirement and accept Anthony Joshua fight (Mirror)
Tyson Fury must end his retirement by next month to set up an all-British showdown with Anthony Joshua, according to Eddie Hearn.
The ‘Gypsy King’ revealed earlier this week that he’s walking away from the sport following his recent defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. “Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” he said in a video on Monday. “I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast. I’ve loved every single minute of it. And I’m going to end with this… Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody see you on the other side. Get up!” A few days on from his announcement, Fury was spotted for the first time and appeared to be in good spirits. The 36-year-old was seen at a petrol station in Lancashire, clutching a can of Monster energy drink before entering his vehicle. The Brit has ‘retired’ from the sport before, therefore, there are a few fans who believe the ‘Gypsy King’ still has a little left to give in boxing. Read more