Buhari commissions Kogi’s first flyover, other legacy projects (Leadership)
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, commissioned legacy projects executed by the administration of Governor Yahaya Bello in different parts of Kogi State.
President Buhari, who arrived at Okene town around 10am, commissioned the Agassa-Ogboboro Road and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland Palace before proceeding to meet traditional rulers and top officials of the Kogi State Government.
The President also proceeded to commission the 300-bedspace Reference Hospital in Okene, afterwhich he inspected the medical facility that houses the Sigma-Prime Magnetic Resonance Imaging Machine, CT Scan and other world-class medical equipment.
The President noted that the commissioned projects were a right step towards fulfilling the campaign promises that were made to the people. Read more
Bolanle Raheem: NBA demands N5b for slain lawyer’s family, to monitor trial (Sun)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said it will demand at least N5 billion compensation for the family of slain Lagos lawyer, Mrs Omobolanle Raheem.
The association will also monitor the trial of Assistant Superintendent, Drambi Vandi, who shot and killed Mrs Raheem in Lagos on Christmas Day.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by a member of the NBA Lagos Branch and rights activist, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, on Thursday.
In the statement, Adegboruwa disclosed that the association has been appointed to lead the monitoring team for the trial of trigger happy cop. Read more
Lagos hoodlums stab man to death, steal phone (Punch)
Hoodlums have allegedly stabbed a man, Peter Nnamdi, to death, after invading a shanty in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that normal activities were ongoing when the hoodlums invaded the area around 9.05pm on Tuesday.
The gang was said to have attempted to dispose Nnamdi of his mobile phone before stabbing him in the neck and ribs.
It was learnt that residents, who saw Nnamdi lying on the ground in a pool of blood, rushed him to the Ebute Metta General Hospital for treatment. Read more
Ekiti Tribunal upholds Governor Oyebanji’s election (Channels)
The Ekiti State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Ado Ekiti has upheld the victory of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun Oyebanji, in the June governorship election in the state.
The three man tribunal chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi ruled that the allegations of election rigging, vote trading and procedural violations raised by the candidate of Social Democratic Party, Segun Oni were vague and unspecific.
The tribunal equally struck out the request for disqualification of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC for alleged certificate forgery, saying the issue was not brought up within the expected 21 days period legally allowed, and that raising new facts and pleas midway would amount to breach of injunctions.
The tribunal also said signing of Oyebanji’s nomination form by Yobe State Governor who acted as the National Chairman of the APC, Mai Mala Buni is immaterial, since the candidate and his running mate were validly elected at the party’s primary. Read more
Yahoo Boys abduct colleague over proceeds in Ogun (Tribune)
Ogun State Police Command has arrested four suspected internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo boys, for abducting their colleague over the distribution of proceeds of their illegal act.
The suspects were Agbe Simeon (m); Messiah Nicky (f); Oladapo Dolapo (m) and Yetunde Shonola (f).
The suspects, according to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, were arrested at Orile-Imo village in Obafemi Owode Local Government following a report made at the Owode Egba Divisional Headquarters, that one Haruna Usman, was being held hostage somewhere in the area.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Owode Egba Division, CSP Popoola Olasunkanmi, upon the receipt of the information mobilised his men and burst the hiding place of the suspects, which led to the arrest of four persons while two escaped the scene. Read more
Do your job but don’t harass or intimidate Emefiele – Niger Delta youths tell DSS (Guardian)
Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NDENYLC) has called on the Department of State Security (DSS) to concentrate on investigating alleged infractions in the administration of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) instead of intimidating and harassing the Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele.
The Youths in a statement, Thursday in Abuja by it’s President-General, Comrade Terry Obieh cautioned detractors and their sponsors from truncating the transformative policies recently introduced by the CBN.
According to Obieh, Niger Delta youths are watching with with keen interest, saying that the outcome of the investigation by the DSS will determine their next action.
Statement reads: “We have discovered that since the implementation of cashless policy and change of naira notes, a policy that doesn’t go well with some political class they have ever since been looking for means to disrepute the hard working and dedicated Governor of CBN, Godwin Emefiele. This is the period the National Assembly has most invite him on this same issue with several attacks from other quarters. Read more
Fire guts Ogun market, Lagos records 46 emergencies in 2 days (DailyTrust)
A market between Lagos and Ogun borders, Ajimula International Market, has been gutted by fire which destroyed goods and other property.
It was learnt that the fire broke out in the market located by Kara Bridge in Isheri Olofin, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State, around 11.30 am on Thursday.
However, the fire was said to have been put out by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
The director of the Service, Adeseye Margaret, in a statement said the firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other parts of the market, adding that no injury or death was recorded. Read more
Ayu escalating PDP crisis, he should resign, says CUPP spokesperson, Ugochinyere (Guardian)
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) spokesman, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has said the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, was escalating the crisis rocking the party by allegedly plotting against party’s candidates opposing him (Ayu).
Ikenga, who is the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Ideato North South Constituency of Imo state,
frowned at the decision of Ayu to challenge the victory of Ideato south House of assembly candidate, Chris Ogbu at the supreme court.
Ugochinyere in a statement on Thursday, described the move as provocative with consequences.
He described Ayu as a man who’s trying to get petty revenge at Ogbu for challenging his continued illegal stay in office. Read more
Ariana Grande donates Christmas gifts to children in Manchester hospitals 5 years after concert bombing (Standard)
Ariana Grande has continued to honour the memory of the victims that were killed in a bombing at her Manchester gig five years ago by sending Christmas presents to children at local hospitals.
The touching act was revealed by the health board’s social media team, who shared a picture of a huge pile of brightly wrapped gifts along with a note that read “Thank you Ariana”.
They captioned their post: “Thank you Ariana! We were so excited to receive Christmas gifts for young patients across our hospitals from Ariana Grande.
“The presents were distributed to babies, children and teenagers at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.” Read more
Drew Barrymore says she ”would show up” for another movie with friend Adam Sandler (People)
Drew Barrymore is happily hosting Season 3 of her eponymous talk show — but she might return to the movies someday, especially if her close friend Adam Sandler is involved.
Becoming a talk show host allowed the superstar to have “so much growth” personally and professionally. “I knew what I was pitching was not playing a character, it was being me,” she tells PEOPLE of developing The Drew Barrymore Show. “I wanted to work as me, whatever it was going to be.”
The show also allowed her to have a schedule that was more family-friendly while raising daughters Frankie and Olive, now 8 and 10. Films require “investing two years into something that could disappear overnight. It doesn’t feel like the right Sisyphus to me,” she says. But doing the show, she says, “is no farewell. This is no, ‘I’m never going back.’ Maybe when the kids are older.”
The actress and producer of Charlie’s Angels — the 2000 film and its sequel did more than $500 million worldwide at the box office — is happy behind the camera. “I loved directing, maybe [I’d do] commercials and TV,” she says. (Her first feature film was the roller-derby drama Whip It.) Read more
Michelle Obama ‘couldn’t stand’ Barack for first 10 years of marriage (PageSix)
Michelle Obama admitted she “couldn’t stand” her husband, Barack Obama, for the first 10 years of their marriage because they were carrying uneven loads.
The former first lady candidly discussed the early years of the couple’s union, during which they were raising two young daughters, explaining that she was doing the heavy lifting while the eventual president was often absent.
“People think I’m being catty saying this. It’s like, there were 10 years where I couldn’t stand my husband,” Michelle said during a recent Revolt TV panel, which also included H.E.R., Winnie Harlow, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles.
“And guess when it happened? When those kids were little.” Read more
James Corden rejected from Lord Of The Rings after ”not good” Hobbit audition (DailyStar)
James Corden has revealed all about a “not good” audition he did many moons ago when he tried his luck out with Hollywood blockbuster Lord Of The Rings.
The Gavin And Stacey star had been going for one of the lead roles, Samwise, which would eventually go to Sean Astin.
But talk show host James has revealed he could have had a very different career path after he and his friends went for roles in the iconic trilogy.
He said: “Every single person in London auditioned for Lord Of The Rings. Everybody.
“I auditioned for Samwise. I was doing the accent and everything.” Read more
Paris Mosque sues French writer Houellebecq over anti-Muslim comments (RFI)
The rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris has filed a complaint against award-winning French writer Michel Houellebecq over “staggeringly brutal” comments made during a recent interview in which the author drew divisions between “native French people” and “the Muslims” responsible for “robbing and assaulting them”.
In a statement published on Twitter on Wednesday, the Grand Mosque of Paris announced it had filed a complaint against Michel Houellebecq following “very grave comments he had made about Muslims in France”.
The statement referred to a “long conversation” between Houellebecq and philosopher Michel Onfray – the founder of “anti-system” magazine Front Populaire – published in November.
The statement, signed by the mosque’s rector Chems-Eddine Hafiz, quotes an extract: Read more
Kanye West ”missing” as ex-business manager can’t locate star to serve $4.5m court papers (Express)
Kanye West’s former business manager has claimed in court that he’s been unable to serve the rapper with court papers in a $4.5 million lawsuit, sparking rumours the rapper is missing.
Thomas St John, who is head of the TSJ international accounting firm and worked with the artist, is suing Mr West over alleged unpaid fees.
He has accused West of failing to pay 18 months’ worth of guaranteed fees, believed to be around $300,000 (£250,000) per month.
On December 19, a court filing obtained by The US Sun, shows that Thomas is seeking an extension of time to serve the lawsuit to the rapper and company, Yeezy LLC, over issues trying to locate him. Read more
Indian pharma under scrutiny again after 18 Uzbek child deaths (AlJazeera)
India has launched an investigation into the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan after they consumed an Indian-manufactured cough syrup, as one of the world’s biggest drug exporters faces increasing scrutiny over the quality of medicines it produces.
In a statement on Thursday, India’s health ministry said the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) — the country’s drug regulatory authority — was communicating with its counterpart in Uzbekistan over the incident.
India has launched an investigation into the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan after they consumed an Indian-manufactured cough syrup, as one of the world’s biggest drug exporters faces increasing scrutiny over the quality of medicines it produces. Read more
Liverpool ready to splash cash on Chukwueze (Punch)
After pulling off the first big move of the winter transfer window so far with the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, English Premier League giants Liverpool are preparing to splash the cash again, this time on Nigeria international, Samuel Chukwueze.
Gakpo is scheduled to undergo his medical with Liverpool as he prepares to put pen to paper on a six-year contract after leaving PSV in a £45 million transfer.
Despite having one of the strongest attacking line up in their ranks, the Reds are still in the market to shop for more qualities and according to a Spanish publication, infos-sport, the Jurgen Klopp-led side are now ready to splash the cash on Chukwueze, a player who has been on the club’s radar for a long time.
“After pulling off the first big move of the winter transfer window with the signing of Cody Gakpo, the Liverpool Reds are preparing to hit the trail of another centre-forward. The one now targeted by Liverpool is none other than Samuel Chukwueze,” the website wrote. Read more
Jurgen Klopp insists Roberto Firmino will not leave Liverpool despite Cody Gakpo arrival (DailyMail)
Jurgen Klopp has refuted suggestions that Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino will be leaving the club after the big-money arrival of Cody Gakpo.
The Merseyside club confirmed that the Holland international had agreed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Anfield after swiftly completing a medical earlier this week.
Gakpo was one of the standout stars from the World Cup but – given the fact he plays the same position as a number of Liverpool players – Klopp explained where he thinks the forward will fit into their team.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Klopp explained where Gakpo will likely feature in the team, as he said: ‘Cody can play different positions – he can play all four positions up front – wing and striker. He is still very young, he was in a really good run of form for Holland and for PSV. Read more
Convince Adarabioyo to play for Nigeria, fans tell Eguaveon (Punch)
Nigerians have called on the Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation; Austin Eguaveon to persuade Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo to play for the Super Eagles after the former Eagles coach was in England to watch the player, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The clamors followed Eguaveon’s Twitter post of a view at Selhurst Park; Crystal Palace’s home ground, as the Eagles which have two other Nigerians in their rank were beaten at home by Adarabioyo’s Fulham on Boxing Day.
“How I spent my Boxing Day – Crystal Palace vs Fulham. Thanks for the Invite @TosinAdarabioyo,” Eguavoen tweet reads.
The replies under the tweet were in different shades, with few charging the England-born player to choose the Super Eagles over the Three Lions. Read more
Benzema ‘‘tempted’’ by Arsenal as Gunners join Man Utd in race for Ballon d’Or winner (Football365)
Arsenal have joined fellow Premier League side Manchester United in the race to sign Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to reports.
The Gunners and the Red Devils are looking to sign a new striker over the next couple of transfer windows with both clubs lacking depth up front.
Man Utd are hoping to find a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal international left Old Trafford by mutual consent at the end of the November after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking for some more depth in the forward areas with Gabriel Jesus out injured for a while and Eddie Nketiah providing the only back-up. Read more
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic says he will ”never forget” deportation (BBC)
Novak Djokovic says his deportation from Australia will stay with him for the rest of his life.
Djokovic, 35, was detained and sent home in January due to his Covid-19 vaccine status after trying to enter the country to compete at the Australian Open.
But he overturned a three-year ban on applying for a visa in November and will compete in the 2023 tournament.
“You can’t forget those events,” Djokovic said. Read more
Toto Wolff says he wants to ‘‘fight it out’’ with Nyck de Vries at Red Bull (F1News)
When Alex Albon fell ill before the Grand Prix in Monza earlier this year, all attention was switched to substitute driver Nyck de Vries, who had been waiting for his chance in Formula 1 since winning the Formula 2 championship in 2019.
The temporary Williams driver jumped into the cockpit of Albon’s car at very short notice and stunned views by outperforming Nicholas Latifi and scoring some of Williams’ only points of the season.
It was clear to the world that following this performance De Vries was deserving of a race seat in Formula 1 in 2023, with the F2 title and Formula E title already on his CV.
AlphaTauri were heavily linked with the Mercedes test driver and it was thought that a move would be impossible as the Silver Arrows would not want to see one of their most promising assets join the Red Bull system. Read more