Chrisland: My daughter died before she got to hospital, father tells court (Leadership)
The father of the late student of Chrisland International School, Whitney Adeniran, who died under controversial circumstances during the school’s inter-house sports competition on Monday, told Lagos State High Court in Ikeja that his daughter was already dead before she was taken to the hospital.
Michael Adeniran, who was testifying as the first prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the principal of the school and three others, told the court that the school nurse allegedly gave him the information when he got to the hospital.
The witness also claimed that the nurse had informed him that the deceased’s eyes had dilated, but she could not confirm her death because she was not a doctor. Read more
“How bandits broke into our house” — Father of abducted girls narrates ordeal (Vanguard)
Mansur Al-Kadriyar, the father of six girls abducted in the Bwari area council of the federal capital territory (FCT), has narrated their ordeal in the hands of the bandits.
Al-Kadriyar narrated their ordeal in an interview with Arise TV on Monday.
Recall that the father of six girls was abducted alongside his daughters when bandits attacked his residence in Zuma 1, Bwari area of Abuja on January 2. Read more
FG awaits forensic investigation into cause of Ibadan explosion (Channels)
Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, said the Federal Government is waiting for the outcome of the forensic investigation ordered to ascertain the cause of the tragic explosion that rocked Ibadan, Oyo State, last week.
Alake, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, also condoled with the families of those who lost their lives to the blast.
The minister also said he has deployed mine inspectorate officers to the scene of the explosion to join other security agencies in unraveling the cause of the explosion. Read more
Police debunks news of kidnapping along Gbagada Expressway (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Police Command has debunked a viral advisory on social media purportedly emanating from the Command about an increase in kidnapping incidents along the Gbagada Expressway
In a statement signed by the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, it unequivocally stated that “the claim that such a security alert was issued by the Lagos State Police Command is false.
“That notwithstanding, the Command is not unmindful of the concerns raised in the alert. Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has ordered an immediate review of the security architecture of the entire area by affected Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders, in a bid to forestall such an occurrence. Read more
Police arrest LG Chair for alleged attempt to assassinate Benue speaker (Channels)
Police authorities have arrested two suspects including a local government chairman over an alleged plot to assassinate the Speaker of the Benue House of Assembly Aondona Hycenth Dajoh.
The Force Headquarters said investigations showed that the LG boss had allegedly reached out to a militia to kill Dajoh.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the Local Government Chairman allegedly contracted a militia with the sinister intention of eliminating the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Hycenth Dajoh. The operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) swiftly swung into action upon receiving credible intelligence regarding the planned assassination,” Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a Monday statement. Read more
Aiyedatiwa seeks continued loyalty from workers (Guardian)
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday charged workers in the state to continue to be loyal to his administration.
Aiyedatiwa stated this during a meeting with all permanent secretaries and accounting officers in the state public service in Akure.
The governor noted that no administration could function without the genuine contribution of the civil servants. Read more
Al-Kadriyar Sisters: ‘Only prayer can bring us out of this conundrum’ (Sun)
First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, while rejoicing with Al-Kadriyar family over the release of five of the six sisters kidnapped alongside 19 others by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja earlier in the year, has urged Nigerians to intensify prayers against insecurity in the country.
The sisters of the Al-Kadriyar family regained their freedom on Saturday, January 20.
Taking to her official X (formerly Twitter) @SenRemTinubu account following the return of the five abducted sisters of the Al-Kadriyar family, Mrs Tinubu expressed joy for the safe return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters, thanking Nigerians for prayers, urging continued prayer for the nation, and commending security agencies for their efforts in combating insecurity. Read more
We’ll not tolerate corruption in ICPC, says chairman (DailyTrust)
The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu, SAN, has vowed that under his watch, the commission would not condone corrupt practices.
Aliyu made the pledge during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Civil Society Legislative Centre (CISLAC) at the ICPC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
He said the ICPC would continue to live above board and run a responsible organisation that would work within the confines of the law to tackle corruption in Nigeria. Read more
FCT Kidnappings: Tinubu approves procurement of digital tracking equipment (Tribune)
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike stated that President Bola Tinubu has approved emergency procurement of digital tracking tools to help curb kidnappings.
Wike, disclosing this during a media interface in Abuja on Monday, mentioned that, without delving into details, the informants recently apprehended by security agencies in the territory are cooperating and providing actionable intelligence.
He added that information obtained from the suspects had led to the arrest of some kidnappers, who were subsequently paraded by the police over the weekend. Read more
Lindsay Lohan set for mini Mean Girls reunion in new Christmas rom-com (Metro)
Lindsay Lohan is set to bless fans with the best Christmas gift of all, starring in a brand new festive rom-com.
The Parent Trap actress returned to our screens with a bang at the end of 2022, thanks to her stint in the sweet flick, Falling for Christmas.
After taking some time out of the spotlight with her son, Luai – who she welcomed with husband Bader Shamas last year – the 37-year-old will be getting in front of the screen once again in Our Little Secret. Read more
Ariana Grande debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 for 6th time, tying Taylor Swift (CBS)
With her new single “Yes, And?,” Ariana Grande has now debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the sixth time, tying with Taylor Swift for the most among women, according to Billboard.
“Yes, And?” is the lead single off of Grande’s seventh studio album, “Eternal Sunshine,” which is set to be released on March 8.
The song drew 27.2 million streams and garnered 24.8 million radio airplay audience impressions from Jan. 12 to Jan. 18, according to data collected by Luminate. The single also sold 53,000 units, with 41,000 of those digital downloads. Read more
Storm Isha batters Britain and Ireland, kills 2, leaves thousands in dark (VOA)
Two motorists were killed, tens of thousands of people were left without electricity and hundreds of trains were canceled Monday after the latest winter storm lashed Britain and Ireland with heavy rain and wind gusts that topped 100 mph (160 kph).
The storm littered roads and railways with downed trees that created deadly hazards and blocked travel, disrupting morning commutes. On Sunday night, an 84-year-old male passenger in a car in Scotland and a van driver in his 60s in Northern Ireland were killed when their vehicles struck toppled trees.
The U.K.’s Met Office weather service had issued an unusual wind warning for the whole country before Storm Isha, which peaked overnight after exceeding forecasts for 90 mph (145 kph) gusts. Read more
Waka Flocka Flame labelled a ‘dummy’ over bizarre Donald Trump Columbus day request (HipHopDx)
Waka Flocka Flame has made a request of his presidential candidate of choice, Donald Trump, and it has gotten pushback from a number of fans who found it confusing and bizarre.
The Atlanta rapper posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday (January 20) with a request for Trump: that he get rid of Columbus Day.
“Dear Trump abolish Christopher Columbus Day,” Waka wrote. “As a what’s called Blackman in United States this holiday is a spit in our faces… Thanks from Waka Flocka Flame and the People!!!” Read more
US demands ‘urgent’ Israeli probe into Palestinian-American child’s death (AlJazeera)
The United States has urged Israel to launch an investigation into the death of Tawfiq Ajaq, a 17-year-old Palestinian-American who Palestinian authorities say was killed by Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank.
At a press briefing in Washington, DC on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that the US is “devastated about the killing” and is continuing “to engage closely with the Government of Israel to ascertain as much information as possible”.
“We have called for an urgent investigation to determine the circumstance of his death,” Patel said. He added that the head of the US Office of Palestinian Affairs had visited Ajaq’s family to offer condolences and would continue assisting them together with the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Read more
Norman Jewison, acclaimed director of ‘In the Heat of the Night’ and ‘Moonstruck,’ dies at 97 (NBC)
Norman Jewison, the acclaimed and versatile Canadian-born director whose Hollywood films ranged from Doris Day comedies and “Moonstruck” to social dramas such as the Oscar-winning “In the Heat of the Night,” has died at age 97.
Jewison, a three-time Oscar nominee who in 1999 received an Academy Award for lifetime achievement, died “peacefully” Saturday, according to publicist Jeff Sanderson. Additional details were not immediately available.
Throughout his long career, Jewison combined light entertainment with topical films that appealed to him on a deeply personal level. Read more
Josh Hutcherson says losing Home Alone role as a kid “was really hard” (People)
Josh Hutcherson missed out on being left Home Alone.
During an edition of BuzzFeed’s Puppy Interview video series, the actor, now 31, revealed that he auditioned for the lead in a Home Alone movie.
When asked if there’s a role fans would be surprised he auditioned for, Hutcherson said, “Yeah, actually. When I was pretty young there was one of the Home Alones. I was probably, like, 11, I think maybe, when I auditioned for it.” Read more
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles qualification to round of 16 excites Lagosians (Leadership)
Lagosians have expressed their emotions as the Super Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the next round of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast.
Nigeria secured their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau on Monday evening, following Opa Sangante’s own goal, while Equatorial Guinea defeated the host nation, Ivory Coast, by 4-0 to top Group A.
This excitement and anticipation among fans were visible as they eagerly await the team’s next match, with many fans hailing their performance on the field through a message of support and congratulations. Read more
Ivory Coast on brink of AFCON exit after shock rout (BBC)
Host nation Ivory Coast will have to rely on other results to avoid a shock Africa Cup of Nations group-stage exit after Equatorial Guinea thrashed the Elephants in a huge upset in Abidjan.
Emilio Nsue’s double, Pablo Ganet’s 25-yard free-kick and Yannick Buyla’s late goal gave the National Thunder a famous win that sealed top spot in Group A.
The hosts must sweat on qualification after finishing third in the group. Read more
Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez has just managed what no other Premier League player has done this season (HitC)
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez bagged a brace against Bournemouth on Sunday and has now landed 10 goals and 10 assists this season.
The Reds headed to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, seeking another three points to continue their push for the Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp’s men weren’t quite at it in the first half and went into the break at 0-0, seeking a spark to break the Cherries down. Read more
AFCON 2023: Simon wins Man-of-the-match award on Eagles win over Guinea-Bissau (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon has been named the Man-of-the-match award in the team’s 1-0 win over Guinea-Bissau in Monday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Simon, who played the entire 90 minutes was a thorn in the flesh of the Guinea-Bissau defence.
His pace and dribbles from the wing constantly opened play for the Super Eagles but the only thing that let him down was a few of his crosses. Read more
Rafael Nadal’s comeback event confirmed as entry list is released (Tennis365)
Rafael Nadal gave a broad hint that he would not be away from the tennis court for long after he pulled out of the Australian Open and we may not have to wait long to see him continuing his comeback.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion made an impressive return to action after almost a year out with a major hip problem, threatening to bring down the curtain on his glorious career.
Nadal won two matches in his comeback event in Brisbane before he picked up an injury in his defeat against Australia’s Jordan Thompson. Read more
McLaren issue potential worrying sign over MCL38’s development path (PlanetF1)
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has admitted that the team’s upgrades last season may have made the car more difficult to drive in qualifying.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both saw their fortunes improve significantly as the 2023 season progressed, with McLaren bringing a raft of upgrades to the MCL60 after realising in pre-season testing that the development direction they took with the early version with the car was the incorrect one. Read more