Actress Eniola Badmus shares heartfelt desire for children, seeks prayers (Punch)
Nollywood actress Eniola Badmus has opened up about her desire for motherhood, urging her fans and well-wishers to keep her in their prayers.
Badmus shared the emotional moment on Thursday with attendees of her Corporate Social Responsibility outreach, titled “Feed the Needy,” in Oshodi, Lagos.
The event, which reportedly took place at Temidire Primary School in Shogunle, was a collaborative effort with Seyi Tinubu to provide much-needed support to underserved communities in the area. Read more
Lagos denies demolishing Lekki building (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has refuted claims in an online video that it demolished a building at 1A Olubunmi Owa Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Eti-Osa, Lagos.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Mr Gbolahan Oki, made the denial in a statement issued by the agency’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Mr Adu Adegoke, on Friday.
Oki said that the removal of an attachment to the building was carried out by the property owner. Read more
Lagos accident: LASTMA rescues 8 injured passengers (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rescued eight injured passengers involved in an accident at Hammadiya inward Abule-Egba.
The LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA. Read more
Bride allegedly poisons wedding guests, 1 dead (Sun)
An occasion of joy turned into tragedy in Jigawa State after food served to guests at a wedding was allegedly poisoned by the bride.
According to reports, the incident which occurred in Jahun Local Government Area resulted in the death of one of the guests, with the groom critically ill.
Those who witnessed what happened shared that the bride’s action may have been motivated by personal vendetta. Read more
Gov Ododo’s parents visit Yahaya Bello (ThisDay)
Former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, received the parents of his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, at his residence in Okene.
The visit of the Governor’s parents, Alhaji Ahmed Sani and Hajia Habibat Ahmed Sani, further demonstrated the enduring bond between the two families and their continued commitment to the progress of Kogi State.
In his remarks while hosting the couple, former governor Bello expressed his gratitude for their steadfast prayers and unwavering support. Read more
Jigawa: 1 dead, groom hospitalised as bride allegedly poisons wedding food (Tribune)
A wedding celebration in Jigawa State took a tragic turn when a bride allegedly poisoned the food served at her reception.
The incident, which occurred in Jahun Local Government Area, left the groom in critical condition and claimed the life of one guest.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to PUNCH online suggested that the bride’s actions might have been motivated by a personal vendetta. Read more
NAPTIP arrests convicted Dubai human trafficker in Abuja (Nation)
An alleged notorious human trafficking convicted in absent by a Federal High Court in Delta State has been arrested by officers of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja.
The suspect identified as Uadiale Christiana Jacob, with aliases Christy Evan Osagie and Christy Gold, was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport by operatives of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on December 31.
She was said to have flown into the country from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UEA) with the hope of celebrating the New Year with loved ones but was immediately identified by NIS operatives during routine checks and apprehended. Read more
Group urges Tinubu to probe acting Accountant General (Independent)
A group known as the Intersociety for Change and Transparency (ICT) has called on President Bola Tinubu to launch an investigation into the official activities of the acting Accountant General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
In a statement signed by Segun Thomas, the group highlighted the systemic failures that have enabled Ogunjimi’s alleged misconduct while in office.
Therefore, the group has called for a thorough investigation into Ogunjimi’s activities, insisting that disciplinary action must be taken against him if found guilty. Read more
Jennifer Lopez poses in a bikini to show Ben Affleck what he’s missing (DailyMail)
Jennifer Lopez posed for another knockout pinup shoot that she posted to Instagram on Thursday.
The diva from the Bronx made the most of her shapely figure in a black string bikini with gold accents that put her abs on display.
And because the Unstoppable actress was in Aspen, Colorado, she added fur boots and a cowboy hat in black for a country cool vibe.
The looker was also heavily made up and accented her look with gold bling here and there. Read more
Post-election crisis in Mozambique forces nearly 3,000 to flee abroad (AfricaNews)
The aftermath of Mozambique’s disputed presidential election has driven nearly 3,000 people to seek refuge in neighboring countries, as violence and unrest continue to grip the nation.
The defeated presidential candidate, Venancio Mondlane, canceled a planned address on Thursday, January 2, where he was expected to outline the next phase of the opposition’s protest movement. For nearly two months, Mozambicans have been demonstrating against the October 9 election results, which saw the ruling Frelimo party, in power since independence, retain the presidency. Read more
7-month-old baby boy dies after car veers off road and crashes into tree (Metro)
A seven-month old baby boy has been killed as a car plowed into a tree in Lincolnshire amid ‘icy conditions’.
The incident happened at around 10.50pm last night when a yellow Honda Jazz skirted off the road before hitting the tree and then coming back to rest on the carriageway.
Police rushed to the scene a few hundred metres from Spittlegate Junction on the A1 Grantham bypass where three adults and the child were injured. Read more
South Korean firefighters tackle blaze in commercial building in Seongnam (ABC)
Hundreds of people were rescued or evacuated after a fire broke out at a large commercial building in the South Korean city of Seongnam on Friday, fire officials said.
More than 260 firefighters and 80 vehicles were deployed to the scene of the blaze, which was extinguished about an hour and a half after it was first reported at around 4:30 p.m., according to the Gyeonggi provincial fire department.
The department said emergency workers have so far rescued 240 people, while another 70 managed to exit the eight-story building unaided. Read more
Biden to award Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor to veterans, public safety workers (UPI)
President Joe Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a group of military veterans and the Medal of Valor to several public safety officers.
The Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military award, is given to service members and others who have demonstrated exceptional valor in combat.
The six being honored posthumously include Pvt. Bruno R. Orig, Pfc. Wataru Nakamura, Cpl. Fred B. McGee, Pfc. Charles R. Johnson, retired Gen. Richard E. Cavazos and Capt. Hugh R. Nelson, Jr. Read more
Father who set himself alight on indefinite jail term refused hospital care as family loses hope (Independent)
A father who has developed paranoid schizophrenia and psychosis in prison after serving almost 13 years for stealing a phone will not be transferred to a secure hospital, his devastated family has learned.
Thomas White, who suffers from religious delusions and last year set himself alight in his cell, is languishing under a since-abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence.
The indefinite jail terms have been described as “psychological torture” by the UN as campaigners have pushed for all remaining IPP inmates to be resentenced. Read more
Indian village that changed its name to honour Jimmy Carter pays tribute (NBC)
Thousands of miles from Washington, where the funeral of Jimmy Carter is set for next week, an Indian village named after the former U.S. president fondly remembers his visit almost 50 years ago, paying tribute.
A one-term president from 1977, Carter, who died on Sunday at age 100, is to be given a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Thursday.
Carterpuri, or the “Village of Carter,” is a dusty hamlet about 20 miles outside Delhi. It was called Daulatpur Nasirabad when Carter’s mother, Lillian, briefly lived and worked there as a nurse and volunteer in the 1960s. Read more
Shooting Stars ready for NPFL challenge – Lawal (Leadership)
Shooting Stars goalkeeper, Mustapha Lawal, says the team will be up for battle in the second half of the season.
The Oluyole Warriors recovered from their poor start to finish the first half of the season strongly.
Gbenga Ogunbote’s side are unbeaten in their last five league outings. Read more
Onyemaechi wins Boavista Player of the Month award (CompleteSports)
Bruno Onyemaechi has won Boavista Player of the Month award for December, reports Completesports.com.
Onyemaechi won the highest number of votes to beat other contenders to the individual accolade.
“It’s not just about this award. It’s about the commitment, the team’s effort, the good work we do in the games, even when we don’t get a good result” he told the club’s official website. Read more
Hamilton ‘could not be more excited’ as Ferrari career starts (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton says he “could not be more excited” as he embarks on his new career at Ferrari in 2025.
The seven-time champion, whose contract with the Italian team started on 1 January, said he was “embracing new opportunities, staying hungry, and driving forward with purpose”.
Hamilton chose a post on LinkedIn to make his first comments since joining Ferrari, adding: “Let’s make it one to remember.” Read more
Kieran Tierney: Celtic begin negotiations with Arsenal left-back who joined Gunners in 2019 (SkySports)
Celtic have begun negotiations with Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney about a return to Parkhead.
Sky Sports News understands talks have begun between Celtic and Tierney’s representatives over a pre-contract move in the summer – with the 27-year-old thought to be keen on a return to Glasgow.
Celtic are also believed to be exploring a loan move for Tierney in this window and are expected to contact Arsenal to begin negotiations. Read more
Thomas Tuchel adds 3 coaches to England backroom staff including ex-Chelsea star (Mirror)
Thomas Tuchel was unveiled as England’s new manager back in October, with his contract starting on January 1 following the end of interim boss Lee Carsley’s spell
New England manager Thomas Tuchel has appointed former Chelsea goalkeeper Henrique Hilario and two other coaches to fill out his backroom staff.
Tuchel, 51, officially started his role with the FA on Thursday, nearly three months after being announced Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor. The German, who becomes England’s third-ever foreign manager, allowed interim boss Lee Carsley to complete this year’s Nations League campaign, as the Three Lions topped their group and secured promotion. Read more
NPFL player Deputy Etcheta completes move to Iraq (Vanguard)
Former Bendel Insurance forward Deputy Etcheta has joined Iraq League side Zhako FC.
Etcheta becomes the latest Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) player to secure a move abroad during the 2024/2025 mid-season break.
Etcheta, who previously played a key role for Bendel Insurance has been recognized as one of the standout performers for the Benin Arsenal a few seasons ago. Read more
