Many killed as tanker explodes in Niger (DailyTrust)
Scores of people, including women and children, lost their lives in a tanker explosion at Dikko in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Daily Trust gathered that the incident happened when a petrol-laden tanker fell down around 9am on Saturday.
A resident of Dikko simply identified as Mr John put the the number of deaths at 100, adding that several others suffered severe injuries. Read more
Power tussle turns ugly in Lagos community (Vanguard)
A brewing storm is unfolding in Divine Homes Estate, in the Ajah area of Lagos, where residents are crying foul over alleged harassment and intimidation tactics employed by a resident accused of seeking to force himself on them as the estate’s chairman.
The accused resident (names withheld) did not meet the qualifications for the position of chairman but had allegedly been using policemen from Zone 2 to bully and harass members of the estate’s executive committee for years.
Addressing journalists yesterday, members of Divine Homes Community Development Area (CDA) said the intervention of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 saved what would have caused a breach of peace in the tranquil community. Read more
Lagos shuts school over death of 2-year-old pupil (Tribune)
Lagos State Government has shut down Smiley Kids Montessori in Sangotedo, Lagos, following the tragic death of a two-year-old pupil, Rapheala Ogbodo, in the school’s swimming pool.
This was contained in a statement posted on its verified X handle on Saturday.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, has prompted an investigation by the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Office of Education Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education. Read more
LG Polls: Aiyedatiwa votes, calls PDP’s withdrawal cowardly act (Guardian)
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has described as cowardly the withdrawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the local government election in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Leye Igbagbo, PDP Director of Media and Publicity in Ondo State, announced the withdrawal of the party from the election in a statement on Thursday.
Aiyedatiwa said this on Saturday while speaking with newsmen after casting his vote at polling Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, in Ilaje Local Government Area of the state. Read more
Blue, Red Lines to get new trains soon – LAMATA (Channels)
The Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, has announced that six additional train sets will be in Lagos very soon to strengthen the capacity of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT).
This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by LAMATA’s Head of Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi.
He said the trains will be plying Blue and Red Lines to deliver value to commuters and thereby increase the economic viability of the state. Read more
Stop tagging innocent people as deserters, IPOB-PW warns separatist agitator (Independent)
The Indigenous People Of Biafra’s Political Wing, IPOB-PW, have strongly advised a member of its parent body (IPOB), Chinasa Nworu, to refrain from labeling innocent Nigerians as deserters from the separatist group, cautioning that such actions have endangered individuals in the past.
IPOB-PW issued this admonition in a press statement signed by Nwachukwu Emereonye on Friday while warning Nworu.
Nworu singled out a journalist (name undisclosed) in their social media circle, alleging that the individual had joined IPOB-PW after abandoning IPOB. However, Emereonye clarified that the urnalist had simply redirected their professional efforts elsewhere. Read more
Local Governments will receive federal allocations directly this month – Presidency (DailyTrust)
The Presidency has said local governments across the country will begin to receive their allocations directly from the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) this month.
The development comes after the Supreme Court declared state control over local government funds unconstitutional.
The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, during an interview on Arise News. Read more
NASS assures increased funding to address poverty, humanitarian crises (Tribune)
The Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday unanimously expressed resolve towards ensuring increased funding for the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction in the bid to tackle the menace of poverty and other humanitarian crises across the country.
The lawmakers gave the assurance in Abuja during the Ministry’s 2024 budget performance and 2025 budget proposal, which was presented by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, who underscored the need for adequate budgetary provisions in view of international donors’ resolve to focus on Sudan, the Middle East, and Ukraine.
Speaking during the budget defence held separately at the instance of the Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment, chaired by Senator Idiat Adebule, and Chairman of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Abdulkadir Jobe, the Minister reeled out robust plans to tackle myriad humanitarian crises and poverty across the country. Read more
The Weeknd donates $1m to LA wildfire relief (Billboard)
The Weeknd has donated $1 million to relief efforts amid the ongoing wildfire crisis in the Los Angeles area, spreading out his contribution among three different organisations working to aid victims and repair the city.
As announced Friday (Jan. 17), the superstar born Abel Tesfaye has chosen to support the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, GoFundMe’s Wildfire Relief Fund and Los Angeles Regional Food Bank with his donation. The money will benefit first responders — who are still working to subdue the catastrophic flames in multiple parts of L.A. — as well as many of the tens of thousands of residents who have been displaced from their homes due to evacuation orders around the city. Read more
UN officials call attention to Sudan’s dangerous civilian situation (AfricaNews)
The UN Human Rights Office’s chief spokesperson, Ravina Shamdasani, warned of escalating risks to civilians in Sudan due to targeted ethnic violence in Al Jazirah, which threatens the ongoing conflict in Khartoum.
Ravina noted, “The situation for civilians in Sudan is becoming increasingly perilous following reports of numerous brutal killings in ethnically motivated attacks in the south-eastern state of Al Jazirah, alongside indications of an impending struggle for control of Khartoum.”
Speaking at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva on Friday 17, she urged an immediate cessation of violence, addressing both the President of the Transitional Sovereign Council and the Commander of the Rapid Support Forces. Read more
Japanese TV network to open independent probe into alleged sexual misconduct by host (ABC)
The head of Japan’s Fuji Television network announced plans on Friday for an independent investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against one of the country’s top celebrities and company officials’ suspected involvement.
Masahiro Nakai, a former member of the SMAP boy band who is now a popular TV host at the network, has been linked by local media reports to allegations of sexual assault at a party which it is alleged was arranged by a member of staff at Fuji TV.
The issue has had a negative effects on the television company’s share price and led to one of its largest shareholders to write a letter expressing concerns over its corporate governance. Read more
Vanguard fined more than $100m by SEC over violations involving target date (NBC)
Asset management giant Vanguard has been fined more than $100 million to settle charges related to disclosures around target date investment funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced Friday.
The alleged violations stem from a 2020 change where Vanguard lowered the minimum investment requirement for its institutional target date funds. The SEC order found that the change spurred redemptions as Vanguard customers moved from other target date funds into the institutional versions, creating taxable distributions for some of the remaining shareholders. The SEC said Vanguard failed to properly disclose the potential impact of the investment threshold changes on distributions. Read more
CNN found guilty for defaming US navy veteran evacuating Afghans for a fee (AlJazeera)
A Florida jury has found TV news provider CNN liable for defaming a United States Navy veteran who helped evacuate people from Afghanistan after the US military withdrew from the country in 2021.
The six-person jury said on Friday that CNN had to pay damages totalling $5m. There will be a second phase of the trial to determine any punitive damages. The verdict followed a two-week trial in Panama City, Florida, state court.
A CNN representative said the network would not comment until the jury decided punitive damages. Read more
Justin Baldoni breaks silence in first sighting since suing Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds for $400m (People)
Justin Baldoni has been spotted for the first time since filing his $400 million lawsuit against his It Ends with Us costar Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds.
On Friday, Jan. 17, the 40-year-old actor, who also directed the 2024 romantic drama, was seen at Los Angeles International Airport with his family, where he was approached by TMZ and asked how he was feeling amid the lawsuit.
“Grateful to be with the family, man,” he said, adding of how he is faring, “We have amazing friends and family. Faith … faith.” Read more
Biden commutes sentences for nearly 2,500 non-violent drug offenders (UPI)
President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he was commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug crimes who he believed were serving disproportionately long sentences compared to current law.
“Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes,” Biden said in a White House statement.
“As Congress recognized through the First Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities.” Read more
Turnout excites organisers as Azimuth Shipping Lines tennis ends (ThisDay)
The organisers of the annual Azimuth Shipping Lines junior tennis tournament are happy about the turnout of players for the competition which is in its 7th edition this year.
The age-grade competition being staged for boys and girls smashers between the ages of 12 and 16 started on January 15 and it ends today at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Court, Onikan.
The sponsors of the tournament, MD/ CEO of Azimuth Shipping Lines, Captain Stephen Owolabi Martins, said it was a thing of joy to see smiles on the faces of the participants. Read more
Chelle to meet with Osimhen, Lookman, others (Nation)
New Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle said he hopes to quickly establish a connection with Nigeria’s top stars, among them strikers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. He said “I will come with a lot of humility, but once again, I have a lot of certainties.
“It is a dialogue that we will have to establish between us.
“I feel ready to lead this great team with great players. So, I’m part of the progression process; the players will help me progress and I will help them progress too.” Read more
Manchester United legend Denis Law dies aged 84 (Metro)
Former Manchester United and Scotland forward Denis Law has died aged 84.
In a statement on Friday evening, the Law family said: ‘It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away.
‘He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to his wellbeing and care, past and much more recently. Read more
US, Canada back Haudenosaunee Nationals’ bid to compete in 2028 Olympics (UPI)
The United States and Canada on Friday officially endorsed an effort by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy of indigenous tribes to compete in lacrosse under its own flag at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The Haudenosaunee Nationals all-star team has been engaged in a quest to compete as a North American tribal nation at the Los Angeles Olympics as the sport of lacrosse is returning to the Olympic stage for the first time since 1908.
Since team members include indigenous people from six tribes across both the United States and Canada, both countries as well as the International Olympic Committee must take steps to affirm their recognition of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy as a sovereign nation for the Nationals to compete in Los Angeles. Read more
Major change to UFC 311 as Arman Tsarukyan injury scuppers Islam Makhachev main event (Independent)
An injured Arman Tsarukyan has been replaced in the main event of UFC 311, with Renato Moicano now challenging Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title – on one day’s notice.
Tsarukyan was due to face Makhachev on Saturday (18 January), six years after losing to the Russian via decision in a competitive fight. But a back injury prevented Tsarukyan from weighing in on Friday, and Moicano was drafted in for the Armenian-Russian, having already been scheduled for UFC 311.
Moicano, 35, was due to fight Beneil Dariush earlier on the main card, but the Brazilian has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime on one day’s notice. Read more
Ferguson uses grandstand for eagle to lead in Dubai (BBC)
Ewen Ferguson admitted he had “a little bit of luck” after he eagled the 18th hole to lead the Hero Dubai Desert Classic by a stroke at the midway stage.
The Scot’s second shot ended up five feet from the hole after he clattered his ball into the grandstand and it bounced back onto the green.Ferguson knocked in the putt for a bogey-free seven-under 65 to move to 12 under, one clear of New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier, who also eagled the last in his 65. Read more