Again, FCT residents raise alarm over rising cases of kidnapping (DailyTrust)
Despite the security measures being put in place by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), kidnapping activities tend to be on the rise in and around the nation’s capital. Our reporter examines some of these measures, viz-s-viz the number of incidents, especially at the rural communities recently.
In recent times, residents of the Federal Capital Territory and its environs have been witnessing an upsurge in kidnapping, Daily Trust Saturday reports.
Last Sunday, the FCTA listed Bwari, Kuje and Abaji as the area councils that are worst hit by kidnapping. Read more
Lagos set to increase trips on electrified Blue Line (Channels)
Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA) is perfecting plans to increase trips on the Blue Line 13-kilometre rail corridor from 54 to 76 trips before the end of the year.
The Managing Director of the agency, Abimbola Akinajo, disclosed this at a briefing in Lagos, organised in commemoration of the agency’s 20 years of operations.
The agency’s boss also gave timelines for the completion of the second phase of the Blue Line and the commencement of operation on the Red Line. Read more
N27.5t budget will mark transformative era in Nigeria — Information Minister (Tribune)
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, has expressed the optimism that the 2024 budget of N27.5 trillion will mark transformative era in the country once it is passed by the National Assembly.
Speaking on Saturday to declare open the Kaduna State chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) 2023 Annual Public Lecture/AGM/Awards & Election, the Minister noted that the budget signified pivotal step towards the realiazation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said, “Just this week, he presented the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N27.5 trillion to the National Assembly, the first full-year Budget of his Administration. The Budget as presented signifies a pivotal step towards the realization of his Renewed Hope Agenda, by aligning fiscal strategies and priorities with broader national development objectives. Read more
Lagos, SOGON rekindle efforts to reduce maternal, child mortality (Guardian)
In a significant stride towards combating maternal and child mortality in Lagos State, officials of the Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics Nigeria (SOGON), Lagos sector, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health.
Led by former National President Prof. Rotimi Akinola, an elder of the Society and Chief Medical Director of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, and SOGON Lagos Sector Chairman Prof. Abidoye Gbadegesin, they were warmly received by Health Commissioner Professor Akin Abayomi and Governor’s Special Adviser on Health Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi.
In a statement, on Saturday, during discussions, critical initiatives for partnership and collaboration to address maternal mortality and improve maternal and child health were deliberated upon. Read more
Court orders police to pay Rivers trader N3b (Punch)
A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has ruled in favour of Victor Ogbonna, one of the spare parts traders tortured by members of the disbanded Eagle Crack unit of the Nigeria Police Force in 2019.
The court, during the judgement on Friday, awarded the victim N3 billion as damages against the Nigerian Police.
Ogbonna had filed a fundamental human rights suit against the Inspector General of Police and eight others over alleged torture by operatives of the disbanded Eagle Crack Unit of the Rivers State Police Command, an incident that allegedly led to the death of one of them, Chima Ikwunado. Read more
Tinubu asked to abolish Land Use Act (Vanguard)
Center for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) in partnership with Juryman Associates Chambers has called on President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to abolish the Land Use Act 1978 and promulgate a new law to register, regulate and administration of land matters under the establishment of the National Land Licensing and Allocation Authority.
The group at a press conference held in Lagos also called on Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to commence strict land audit regulations of all allotted lands and to deregister any land allotted with fake and forged premeditated land title documents and survey.
The call according to the group is aimed at ending the ongoing notorious land racketeering menace in the State Ministry of Lands where civil servants act in connivance in issuing fictitious and fake doctored documents and by dispossessing land owners. Read more
FG will restore lost glory of NTA, FRCN Kaduna – Minister (Nation)
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to restore the lost glory of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Radio Nigeria, Kaduna.
The Minister of Information and National, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stated this during his address to the staff of the two stations on Friday in Kaduna when he paid a working visit.
According to him, both institutions have fostered Nigeria’s unity, peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, democracy, civic consciousness, industry and agriculture. Read more
NDLEA nabs Sokoto Indian hemp farmer (Punch)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Sokoto State office, on Friday, arrested one Anas Sani, 32, discovered to be an Indian hemp farmer in the state.
The agency’s state Commander, Iro Adamu, in his remarks, said the discovery was made last Friday night at the Sanyinna area in Tambuwal Local Government Area of the state, following an intelligence report.
“It was planted on the maize farm so that only experts could understand what it is. Read more
Jodie Foster dismisses superhero movies as just “a phase’ that’s lasted too long’’ (Fox)
Silence of the Lambs actress Jodie Foster recently got candid about superhero and comic book movies, calling Hollywood’s ongoing obsession with making them “a phase” that has overstayed its welcome.
However, the Oscar-winner did clarify that the genre has produced some great movies that she does “marvel” at.
Foster gave her opinion during a recent interview with Elle Magazine that delved into the experiences and wisdom she has acquired during a decades-long career as a Hollywood A-Lister. Read more
Burkina Faso and Niger to quit G5 Sahel anti-jihadist force following Mali move (France24)
The military leaders of Burkina Faso and Niger said Saturday they would quit the G5 anti-jihadist force in Africa’s Sahel area, the latest blow to the fight against insurgents in one of the world’s most troubled regions.
The G5, created in 2014, has secured only meagre results, with Mali also quitting the original five-nation force last year, also in the wake of a military coup.
Leaders of the five countries agreed to deploy a joint anti-terror task force backed by France in 2017, but the military rulers of Burkina, Niger and Mali have all accused Paris of having an outsize role after years of French deployments on their territories. Read more
Shane MacGowan’s wife joins calls for “Fairytale Of New York” to go to number 1 (BelfastTelegraph)
Shane MacGowan’s wife says his song “Fairytale Of New York” “absolutely should” be the Christmas number one.
The Pogues’ frontman died “peacefully” at 3am on Thursday with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and family by his side, weeks before his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.
Originally released in 1987, the band’s gritty festive song has never reached the top spot in the UK charts, peaking at number two and beaten to the Christmas number one spot in the year of its release by the Pet Shop Boys’ “Always On My Mind”. Read more
Susan Sarandon apologises for anti-Jewish rant at NYC rally (NYPost)
Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon broke her silence Friday night and apologized for her anti-Jewish rant during a pro-Palestinian rally last month in NYC, saying her choice of words was a “terrible mistake.”
Sarandon told the crowd at Union Square on Nov. 17 that Jews are “getting a taste of what it is like to be Muslim in this country, so often subjected to violence” as she said she intended “to communicate my concern for an increase in hate crimes.”
“This phrasing was a terrible mistake, as it implies that until recently Jews have been strangers to persecution, when the opposite is true,” Sarandon wrote in an Instagram post. Read more
Shows with Arab, Muslim characters go global (Variety)
Original TV series based on Arab and Muslim characters are beginning to go global, a Netflix executive said Saturday at the Red Sea Film Festival.
Ahmed Sharkawi, director of Arab content, Netflix Europe, Middle East and Africa, said that a new, distinctive voice was emerging from the region.
“Recently, a friend called me and her mother-in-law – who is 100% American – was recommending one of our Arab series [Finding Ola, starring Hind Sabri] to all her friends,” he said at a panel about writing for television.
“This wave [of Arab and Muslim stories] is beginning; the U.S. audience is becoming open to watching stories that are outside of the U.S. experience.” Read more
Russia to boost size of army by 15% to 1.32m (CNN)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country’s military to increase its number of troops by 170,000, as Moscow’s war in Ukraine enters its 22nd month.
The increase would take the overall number of Russian military personnel to more than 2.2 million, including 1.32 million troops, according to the decree published by the Kremlin Friday.
Russia’s defence ministry said the move was in response to “growing threats to our country” including the war in Ukraine and “the continuing expansion of NATO.” Read more
Supreme Court weighs hearing Jan 6 cases that could affect Trump prosecution (NBC)
The Supreme Court on Friday is set to consider for the first time whether to hear appeals brought by people charged with offences relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol in cases that could have a major impact on the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump.
The justices, in their regular private meeting to discuss which new cases to take up, are scheduled to consider three different appeals brought by defendants Joseph Fischer, Edward Lang and Garret Miller.
The three men are seeking to dismiss a charge accusing them of obstructing an official proceeding, namely the certification by Congress of President Joe Biden’s election victory, which was disrupted by a mob of Trump supporters. Read more
Nigerian female soldier wins gold at world wrestling championship (Punch)
A Nigerian Army personnel, Corporal Hannah Reuben, has won a gold medal at the ongoing 36th World Military Wrestling Championship in Azerbaijan.
Reuben represented the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the women’s 76kg event at the Military Wrestling Championship.
A short video posted on the Nigerian Army’s verified X handle disclosed this on Saturday. Read more
Akwa United to go for total victory against Kwara Utd – Osho (Leadership)
Akwa United head coach, Fatai Osho says Saturday’s Nigeria Premier Football League matchday 11 encounter against Kwara United is a must-win for his side.
The Promise Keepers have endured a slow start to the 2023/24 season, having recorded just two wins from 10 games.
The former champions are languishing in 17th position on the table.
Osho reckoned it is important for his side to win the game and move up the table. Read more
Bayern Munich-Union Berlin game postponed due to heavy snow (ESPN)
Saturday’s Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Union Berlin has been postponed due to heavy snowfall in Munich, Bayern said in a statement.
“We very much regret that we have to cancel the match, but the safety of our fans and the supporters of Union Berlin has absolute priority,” CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said.
The Munich airport suspended hundreds of flights, and long distance trains in and out of Munich were cancelled as the snowfall affected many parts of southern Germany. Read more
Women’s Champions League: Format to change to 18 teams from 2025-26 (BBC)
The Women’s Champions League is set to become an 18-team league format from the 2025-26 season.
Instead of 16 teams split into four groups, clubs will play three home and three away matches before moving into a knockout phase.
Uefa’s executive committee approved the changes at a meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday. Read more
Min Woo Lee and Rikuya Hoshino tied for lead at Australian Open (RTE)
Min Woo Lee will have to overcome a familiar foe if he is to win on home soil for the second consecutive week at the ISPS Handa Australian Open.
The 25-year-old won last week’s Fortinet Australian PGA Championship by three shots from Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino and the pair will head into the final round in Sydney tied at the top of the leaderboard on 13 under.
Hoshino carded a third-round 65 which matched the lowest effort of the day to surge to the top, while Lee saw his three-shot overnight lead wiped out as he signed for a 70. Read more
Republic beat Hungary to maintain perfect record (BBC)
The Republic of Ireland maintained their perfect run in the Nations League with a scrappy 1-0 win over Hungary.
After a low quality opening hour at Tallaght Stadium, Hungary captain Henrietta Csiszar slid into her own net on 64 minutes.
Hungary pushed for an equaliser but fell short and drop into third place behind Northern Ireland, who beat Albania, in Group B1. Read more