DHQ confirms ISWAP terrorists killed 6 soldiers during raid in Borno (Channels)
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the killing of six soldiers during a raid by the Islamic State/ Boko Haram group on its military base in Borno State.
Channels Television published reports of the incident on Monday.
According to the report, two military officers said that the fighters from Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) reportedly launched a pre-dawn attack in trucks and on motorcycles on Sunday on the base in Sabon Gari in Borno State’s Damboa district. Read more
Emefiele’s application challenging jurisdiction dismissed by court (Sun)
On Wednesday, an Ikeja Special Offences court dismissed the application filed by the former Governor of the Central of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele challenging the jurisdiction to hear his case.
Emefiele is facing a 26-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misuse of office, resulting in losses of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.
Giving his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Rahman Oshodi held that the court had jurisdiction to try Emefiele’s case. Read more
Blasphemy: Atheist fears for life after release from prison (Guardian)
Mubarak Bala, an atheist and former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has expressed fears for his safety following his release from prison after serving four years for blasphemy.
Bala was arrested on April 28, 2020, at his Kaduna residence and transferred to Kano after complaints of blasphemy and incitement were filed against him.
Accused of breaching public peace and inciting outrage among Muslims, he pleaded guilty in 2022 to an 18-count charge. Read more
NANS demands better electricity in Lagos institutions (Punch)
The National Association of Nigerian Students, Lagos State Chapter, has called on authorities to urgently address the electricity challenges affecting campuses across Lagos.
At a press conference held by the newly elected NANS leadership on Tuesday at the Lagos State College of Health, the state chairman, Abdul-Raheem Abdul-Quadri, highlighted the pressing issues students face due to inadequate power supply and other infrastructural deficiencies.
Abdul-Quadri expressed gratitude for the successful election of the new NANS executives on December 14, 2024. Read more
UNILAG graduates 16,343, as 561 bag first class (Vanguard)
A total of 16,343 students are graduating during the 55th convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, has disclosed.
She stated this on Wednesday while briefing the press on activities lined up for the event.
Among the graduating students, 561 are in the first-class category, 3,910 are in the second-class upper class and 3,723 are in the second-class lower category. Read more
Group launches first-ever direct shipping services from China to Nigeria (Tribune)
The Grimaldi Group announced on Tuesday the launch of a groundbreaking direct shipping service connecting Shanghai, China to Lagos, Nigeria. This service eliminates the need for transshipments, setting a new benchmark for speed and efficiency in maritime logistics.
The Managing Director of Grimaldi Agency Nigeria and PTML Terminal, Mr. Ascanio Russo, disclosed this development in Lagos.
Speaking about the new service, Russo highlighted its exceptional advantages, emphasizing its unmatched speed and efficiency. He noted that the direct route would take just 27 days to transport cargo from Shanghai to Lagos—an industry-leading transit time. Read more
Northern Elders Forum appoints Prof. Jiddere as spokesperson (Nation)
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has announced the appointment of Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere as its new spokesperson.
The appointment, approved by the Convener and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Ango Abdullahi (Magajin Rafin Zazzau), recognises Professor Jiddere’s competence and dedication to the cause of the North.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chairman of NEF’s Management Board, A.M. Al-Amin Daggash (Rtd), the Forum described Professor Jiddere as a distinguished academic with a track record of excellence and commitment. Read more
Tinubu returns to Abuja after Yuletide, Ghana trip (VON)
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja, the nation’s capital following his participation in the swearing-in ceremony of Ghana’s 32nd democratically elected President ,John Dramani Mahama.
The President’s aircraft touched down on Tuesday evening at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 9:30 pm, where he was received by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and other top senior security officials.
President Tinubu in Accra as a special guest of honour during the swearing-in ceremony of President Dramani Mahama lauded democracy in Africa, he said successful democratic transition in Ghana and other African countries had laid to rest the questions on the continent’s democratic capacities and productive endeavours. Read more
Cardi B accused of career sabotage by Tasha K amid $3.4m defamation judgement (Allhiphop)
Tasha K is pleading with a judge not to toss out her bankruptcy case after Cardi B claimed the blogger is hiding money in offshore accounts.
Tasha K is firing back at Cardi B, claiming she’s trying to sabotage her blogging career after the rapper accused the YouTube personality of hiding money to avoid paying the $3.4 million judgment against her.
Cardi B won a defamation lawsuit in January 2022 after Tasha K alleged the rapper was a prostitute, used drugs, and had contracted sexually transmitted diseases. Read more
Taylor Swift Is No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Artists of the 21st Century chart (Billboard)
Taylor Swift reigns as the No. 1 artist on Billboard’s recap of the first 25 years of the 21st century, leading Billboard’s Top Artists of the 21st Century chart, based on performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart and the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart from the start of 2000 through the end of 2024.
Even with the country-turned-pop superstar not having made her Billboard chart debut until July 1, 2006, with the then-16-year-old’s co-written debut single “Tim McGraw,” Swift has rung up 14 No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 – the most among women all-time – and 12 No. 1 songs on the Hot 100.
Among other achievements, on the Hot 100 dated Nov. 5, 2022, Swift became the first artist to claim each of the chart’s top 10 positions, thanks to songs from her album Midnights. She repeated the feat – and stretched her dominance to the top 14 spots – on the May 4, 2024, survey, via tracks from her LP The Tortured Poets Department. Read more
Japanese Breakfast shares ‘‘Orlando In Love’’ to announce new album ‘‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)’’ and 2025 tour (NME)
Japanese Breakfast have announced their new album ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)’ and have shared the lead single ‘Orlando In Love’.
Produced by Grammy-Award winner Blake Mills (Sky Ferreira, Fiona Apple), Michelle Zauner and co’s fourth LP sees the group dive into a deeper, moodier sound, creating what a press release calls “an artistic statement of purpose: a mature, intricate, contemplative work that conjures the romantic thrill of a gothic novel”. Read more
Liam Payne’s cause of death confirmed in UK inquest after tragic hotel fall (DailyStar)
Liam Payne’s medical cause of death has now been confirmed in a UK inquest.
This comes after the singer suffered “multiple traumas” after a fall from the balcony at the Buenos Aires hotel in October last year. Dr Roberto Victor Cohen has now confirmed his medical cause of death as “polytrauma”, which means multiple traumatic injuries.
Back on December 17, a hearing took place at Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court and it was announced it may take “some time” to ascertain how the 31-year-old died. Read more
Steve Guttenberg helps firefighters battling Los Angeles wildfires as state of emergency declared (Standard)
Actor and writer Steve Guttenberg has rolled up his sleeves to help emergency services as wildfires continue to ravage Southern California, which has led to 30,000 people being evacuated and a state of emergency declared.
Devastating blazes have spread from 20 acres to more than 3,000, including the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood, which is home to many A-list celebrities, including Tom Hanks and Ben Affleck.
Issuing an update on Wednesday, the LA Fire Department said that the fires are zero percent contained, with 250 firefighters currently on the scene. Read more
Wicked, Moana 2 and more among Gold House Gold list winners (Variety)
Gold House has unveiled its fifth annual Gold List with Wicked and Moana 2 among the films being honored.
The list spotlights the most exceptional achievements in film by Asian Pacific creatives over the past year. It also serves as a guide for awards voters and celebrates a monumental year for Asian Pacific representation in cinema. Read more
French far right’s former leader Jean-Marie Le Pen dies (DW)
Jean-Marie Le Pen, the firebrand co-founder of the French far-right party formerly known as the National Front, has died aged 96, French media reported on Tuesday.
The Elysee said President Emmanuel Macron sent his condolences to Le Pen’s family.
In a brief statement, the Elysee added that “history will judge” his role in France’s political life. Read more
Monaco favourite to grab red-hot Arokodare (Nation)
Nigerian attacker, Tolu Arokodare has emerged as a serious option for AS Monaco who are looking for perfect player to replace injured Folarin Balogun, according to Foot Mercato.
With Balogun side-lined for months after undergoing surgery, Monaco coach Adi Hütter made it clear the team needs attacking reinforcements.
While the club initially leaned toward securing a loan signing, they’re now prioritizing a permanent solution — and Arokodare’s form for Belgian side Genk has made him an attractive alternative. Read more
Indonesia name Dutch legend Kluivert as head coach (BBC)
Indonesia have named former Netherlands and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert as their head coach.
The 48-year-old replaces South Korean coach Shin Tae-yong, and will look to qualify his new side for the expanded 48-team World Cup in 2026.
Kluivert, who won the Champions League with Ajax and played in the Premier League for Newcastle, has signed a two-year contract with the option for an extension. Read more
Wayne Rooney told to take up most controversial job yet days after Plymouth sacking (Express)
Wayne Rooney has been advised to join forces with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in an attempt to rejuvenate his faltering managerial career. The former England captain is currently without a club after being let go by Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
Despite rumours of a lucrative TV punditry offer, Rooney has been encouraged to stay in management and make a contentious move to Man City. EFL pundit Don Goodman believes that learning from Guardiola could be beneficial for Rooney’s future career. Read more
World champion Littler headlines 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters Field (SkySports)
Newly-crowned world champion Luke Littler and world No 1 Luke Humphries will headline the 2025 Bahrain Darts Masters next week with the 16-player field now finalised.
Littler hit a nine-darter on his way to victory last year and will be defending his title at the first World Series of Darts event of the year.
World Championship semi-finalists Stephen Bunting and Chris Dobey will feature in the event for the first time, following their inclusion in the 2025 Premier League. Read more
Dutch GP return possible as circuit opens door (RN365)
A return of the Dutch Grand Prix could be made possible, with the TT Circuit Assen having outlined its ambition to host Formula 1.
The Dutch GP is set to be axed from the calendar at the end of 2026, the final year of Zandvoort’s contract.
Zandvoort was given a one-year extension for 2026, but will then depart F1 having returned to the pinnacle of motorsport in 2021. Read more
Pep Guardiola told Man City will have “nerves” over FA Cup tie with Salford City (DailyStar)
Paul Scholes reckons Manchester City will have the jitters ahead of their FA Cup clash with his minnows Salford City this weekend.
But he still believes Salford have no chance of causing one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history. The third round clash at the Etihad on Saturday will be a genuine David & Goliath encounter between two clubs at opposite ends of the footballing spectrum.
League Two outfit Salford will be in the third round for the first time in their history. While City have been the dominant force of English football in the last decade. Read more
