“Abuja Not Safe” trends as details of another student killed alongside Nabeeha emerge (DailyTrust)
Some social media users are currently expressing anger following reports that one Miss Folorunsho Ariyo was killed alongside Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar by bandits in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Daily Trust had reported that kidnappers dumped the remains of four victims they executed, around a former military checkpoint behind Idah Junction along the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Among the corpses so far identified include a secondary school student identified as the daughter of the Ekiti state-born chief legal officer of the National University Commission (NUC), Folorunsho Ariyo, and a 500-level student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Nabeeha Al-kadriyar. Read more
Hoodlums invade EKSUTH, steal corpse (Vanguard)
Suspected hoodlums in the early hours of Monday, invaded the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti attacked doctors on duty and made away with a corpse.
Sources in the hospital revealed that the hoodlums who invaded the teaching hospital on Monday morning, attacked doctors and other health officers on duty at the accident and emergency ward, destroyed facilities and made away with a corpse suspected to be the father of one of the hoodlums.
In a swift reaction to the seeming security breach at the hospital, the Association of Resident Doctors in the Hospital directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike with immediate effect. Read more
Lagos police foil extortion attempt, rescue stranded motorist (Punch)
Operatives of the Nigerian police Rapid Response Squad in Lagos have apprehended one suspect, 28-year-old Michael Desmond, for allegedly trying to extort a stranded motorist on Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Ikeja, whose vehicle had broken down.
This was made known by the Lagos State Police Command on their X account on Monday.
Sharing a picture of the suspect the command said, “Around 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives in response to a distress call rescued a motorist (name withheld) who was held hostage by two miscreants bent on extorting him after his vehicle broke down on Otunba Jobi Fele Way, Central Business District, Ikeja. Read more
MohBad did not leave any will behind – Management (NewTelegraph)
The management of the late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has debunked claims that the singer left a will behind.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that Mohbad’s dad, Joseph Aloba had in a recent interview claimed that his son wrote a will before his death.
However, reacting to Mohbad’s father’s allegation in a statement shared via the late singer’s Instagram page on Monday, his management described the claim as “false and misleading”. Read more
Lagos traditional ruler commends Tinubu for appointing Akerele as National Theatre’s DG (Nation)
The traditional ruler of Otumara community in the Lagos Mainland of the state, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Tola Akerele as the new Director General of the National Theatre.
Kalejaiye, who described Akerele’s appointment by the president as a round peg in a round hole, tasked the new helmsman of the National Theatre to rebuild the disintegrated workforce and reconcile all aggrieved parties including the leadership of the union.
He also urged the new director-general to investigate allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds levelled against the past administration of the parastatal. Read more
Rivers Assembly to re-screen, reconfirm nine ex-commissioners (Punch)
The Rivers State House of Assembly is set to re-screen and re-confirm nine former Commissioners who resigned from the state executive council on Wednesday.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Clerk of the House, Emeka Amadi, on Monday in Port Harcourt.
The clerk said the commissioners include Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), Commissioner for Works, Dr Des George-Kelly, Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Woke, Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs Inime Aguma, Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu. Read more
AFRD 2024: Uzodinma calls for unity, urges support for Armed Forces (Leadership)
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has appealed to Nigerians to embrace national unity and renew their support for the country’s armed forces.
Uzodimma made this appeal during the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Square, Owerri, on Monday.
Following the ceremonial laying of wreaths, the governor expressed gratitude to the armed forces for their unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity, stating that they discharge their duties with sacrifice. Read more
ACF urges FG to declare Jan 15 true democracy day (Guardian)
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the Federal Government to consider January 15 as the true democracy day.
The Northern leader said it was on that day in 1966 that the military ousted and killed the nation’s brilliant political leaders.
According to ACF, the day should be seen by all Nigerians, particularly the Northerners, as a period of national reflection, mourning and prayers for the political leaders, who lost their lives in the hands of the military, through the first military coup d’état in the country. Read more
Ministers meet Customs CG over physical examination of cargoes at seaports (Leadership)
As part of efforts to ensure ports efficiency and competitiveness, the Ministers of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Transportation, Senator Ahmed Alkali and the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, on Monday, agreed that physical inspection of cargoes at the ports must be phased out.
They reasoned that the use of modern technologies like scanners was important to addressing the issue of ports congestion, so as to ensure efficiency and competitiveness.
To this end, the CG of Customs has been charged to enforce the use of scanners at the ports, just as they encouraged private investors to come in and invest in the deployment and maintenance of scanners at the nation’s ports. Read more
Shannen Doherty reveals ‘‘long list’’ of people she doesn’t want at her funeral (FilmNews)
Shannen Doherty has revealed there are a “lot of people” she doesn’t want at her funeral.
Since the Beverly Hills 90210 actress’ breast cancer has metastasised to her brain and bones, she has started to think about what she wants to happen at her funeral.”I was pleasantly surprised at my dad’s (funeral) of who showed up,” Shannen told her best friend Chris Cortazzo on an episode of her podcast, Let’s Be Clear. Read more
Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek Pinault honour Grown Ups costar Alec Musser after his death at 50 (People)
Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek Pinault are paying tribute to the late Alec Musser.
On Sunday and Monday, Sandler and Hayek Pinault, both 57, shared moments from their 2010 comedy Grown Ups on Instagram as they remembered Musser after his death at 50.
“I loved this guy. Cannot believe he is gone. Such a wonderful, funny good man,” Sandler wrote on Instagram, alongside a still photo of Musser in Grown Ups. “Thinking of Alec Musser and his family and sending all my love. A true great sweetheart of a person.” Read more
Grey’s Anatomy stars, including Katherine Heigl, reunite at 2023 Emmys (ET)
After her controversial exit from the ABC drama, Katherine Heigl returned with her co-stars.
In a nostalgic celebration of television’s rich history, the 75th annual Emmy Awards brought together an array of iconic casts, including a special reunion that left Grey’s Anatomy fans elated.
After a walk down memory lane, host Anthony Anderson introduced Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers, Ellen Pompeo, Katherine Heigl and James Pickens to the stage. Read more
Christina Applegate brought to tears as she receives standing ovation during a surprise Emmys appearance (Hello!)
The 75th Annual Emmy Awards kicked off on an emotional note, as Christina Applegate surprised the star-studded audience to present the first award of the night.
The Dead to Me actress – who has shied away from the spotlight amid her battle with multiple sclerosis – was moved to tears when she immediately received an emotive standing ovation, and many of her Hollywood colleagues looked back at her with their own teary eyes.
For the special appearance, she looked glamorous as ever in a deep red velvet gown with a plunging neckline and long sleeves, and she had her signature blonde hair styled in a sleek, old-Hollywood-esque blow-out. Read more
Donald Trump passes major US election test with easy win in Iowa (France24)
Donald Trump romped to a lightning-quick victory Monday in Iowa’s caucuses — the first vote in the US presidential race — cementing his status as the presumptive Republican standard-bearer to challenge President Joe Biden in November’s election.
The former president has led polling for more than a year, but the contest was seen as the clearest insight yet into whether he can convert his advantage into a stunning White House return.
Major US networks took just 30 minutes to project the winner, with Trump opening up an unprecedented 32-point lead over second-placed Ron DeSantis over the following hour or so. Read more
Israel police say suspected Palestinian “terrorist ramming attack” in Raanana leaves at least 13 wounded (CBS)
Israeli police said Monday that a suspected car ramming attack, carried out by two Palestinians, had left at least 13 people wounded in the central city of Raanana. Israeli media outlets said one woman injured in the attack had died of her wounds at a local hospital, but the fatality was not immediately confirmed by authorities.
“A suspect in a stolen vehicle ran over a number of people, injuring 13,” the force said in a statement, with medics reporting one of them was in critical condition. Read more
Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros votes for president in Africa’s first election of 2024 (ABC)
The Indian Ocean island nation of Comoros voted Sunday for president in Africa’s first national election of 2024.
Incumbent President Azali Assoumani, a former military officer, is expected to win a fourth term despite criticism he has become increasingly authoritarian and cracked down on his opponents.
Five opposition candidates stood against Assoumani while other opposition parties have called for a boycott, accusing the national electoral commission of bias. The commission denied the accusations. Provisional results are expected on Friday. Read more
Osimhen, Yusuf miss training as Eagles begin preparation for Côte d’Ivoire clash (Leadership)
Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf were not involved in training as the Super Eagles began preparation for Thursday’s heavy clash against hosts Cote d’Ivoire.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that although the duo turned up for the training, they were barred from participating in the exercise.
Yusuf sustained an injury in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw with the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, but no one knew the nature or extent of the injury that got Osimhen off the training. Read more
Angola and Guinea reel in Algeria and Cameroon at Africa Cup of Nations (RFI)
Algeria fluffed their opening lines at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night with an inconsistent performance to draw 1-1 with Angola.
Djamel Belmadi’s players appeared initially to have exorcised the ghosts of the 2021 tournament in Cameroon where they went in as defending champions only to be hustled out of the competition after the group stages.
They dominated the early stages of the Group D encounter at the Stade Bouaké with no little verve and vigour. Read more
Naomi Osaka comeback spoiled by early loss at Australian Open (ABC)
Naomi Osaka returned to Grand Slam tennis after maternity leave in the same way she left it, with a first-round loss after going down 6-4 7-6 (2) to Caroline Garcia on Rod Laver Arena at the Australian Open on Monday.
Taking on the experienced French 16th seed, who is an aggressive baseliner like Osaka, was always going to be a big challenge for the two-time Australian Open champion, who returned to tournament tennis only two weeks ago after 15 months out.
The power that took Osaka to four Grand Slam titles before she took time off to have daughter Shai was still there, but it was always going to take Osaka, 26, time to rediscover her accuracy in clutch moments. Read more
Lionel Messi wins at Best FIFA Football Awards as Mary Earps and Sarina Wiegman recognised (Standard)
Lionel Messi was named men’s player of the year at the Best FIFA Football Awards, as Sarina Wiegman and Mary Earps also enjoyed a successful night in London.
The ceremony recognises performances over a calendar year and it is the third time Messi has picked up the top award, having also won it in 2019 and 2022.
The 36-year-old finished level on points with Erling Haaland, after votes were cast by a mixture of national team managers and captains, journalists and fans, but it was Messi who picked up the prize as a result of having more first-place nominations from captains. Kylian Mbappe finished third in the voting. Read more
Anthony Joshua v Francis Ngannou: MMA fighter says he will test Briton’s chin in heavyweight bout (BBC)
Boxing novice Francis Ngannou said he will look to test Anthony Joshua’s chin while the British heavyweight vowed to take his opponent’s soul as the pair came face to face in London.
Joshua will fight former UFC world champion Ngannou in a 10-round contest in Riyadh Saudi Arabia on 8 March.
Ngannou lost via split decision to world champion Tyson Fury in a non-title bout in October. Read more
Embiid scores 41 on return in Sixers romp (France24)
Joel Embiid scored 41 points in a dazzling return from injury on Monday as the Philadelphia 76ers romped past the Houston Rockets 124-115.
Kicking off a packed slate of NBA fixtures as the US marked the Martin Luther King Jr. public holiday, the Sixers were always in control as they cruised to victory.
Embiid missed the Sixers’ past three games after twisting his left knee in a January 5 defeat to the New York Knicks. Read more