Don’t force it, when love dies’ – Yomi Gold announces marriage crash (Vanguard)
Nollywood actor, Yomi Alore, popularly known as Yomi Gold, has announced his second marriage split.
The 42-year-old announced the end of his second marriage to his wife, Meenah on his Instagram page on Tuesday.
He said, ” Me and meenah decided to go our separate ways..
“I want all our families and friends, fans to understand. This is no time to judge anyone. When love dies in relationship.
“No one should force it . I want to use this time to thank everyone who has been very concerned and supportive. Read more
Return N20k paid as dowry, court orders divorce-seeking wife (Tribune)
A Sharia in Magajin Gari, Kaduna on Tuesday dissolved the union between Muhammad Abdulganiyu and Ma’arufat Ibrahim.
Delivering a ruling, the Judge, Malam Rilwan Kyaudai said the marriage was dissolved after all efforts to reconcile the couple by the court and their guardians failed.
He ordered the woman (Ibrahim) to return N20,000 paid as dowry.
“She will also return the marriage suitcases she received and contents with the exception of the ones she has also sown.
”She will not return the cell phone as requested by the complainant but she will return the silver rings she received from him,” he held. Read more
Buhari pledges support for Burundi on fuel shortage amid scarcity in Nigeria (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigeria will support Republic of Burundi in diverse ways as necessary in the spirit of African solidarity and brotherliness.
The President gave the assurance Tuesday at State House, Abuja, while receiving the Special Envoy of President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who came with a message.
On request for assistance in the area of energy provision, particularly fuel, by the Burundi leader, President Buhari said he knows what it feels like for a country to suffer from energy shortage, and promised that he would get the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to look into the request.
Burundi’s request is coming at a period Nigeria is battling fuel scarcity which started in December 2022. While the situation is gradually improving, many filling stations are selling above the pump price. Read more
Council presents cash, gifts to 1st
baby-of-the-year (Nation)
Amid fanfare, Chairman of Apapa Local Government in Lagos, Idowu Senbanjo, has presented cash and gifts to the first baby-of-the-year.
The baby was born at Primary Health Centre, Ijora, at 6:25 am on January 1. It weighed 3kg.
Gifts include clothes, cabinet, diapers, clothes dryers and a baby bed with net.
Senbanjo described the baby as a bundle of joy to the family and the council. Read more
Rite Foods rewards consumers with free shopping (Leadership)
Rite Foods has on New Year’s Day, 1 January, 2023, rewarded consumers of its award-winning brands with free shopping opportunities at the Ikeja City Mall, in Lagos.
The brand activation at the Rite Foods Wonder House at the Ikeja City Mall, was the centre of activities for its teeming consumers during the yuletide period, attracting thousands of shoppers who were treated to exciting moments.
The afternoon engagement saw consumers of the various Rite Foods brands, comprising the 13 variants of its Bigi carbonated soft drink, the premium Bigi Table Water, Fearless energy drinks, the Sosa fruit drink, and Rite Sausages, being refreshed, with those who bought any of the products worth N1,000 being randomly selected for the free shopping of items within a timeline of 30 seconds. Read more
Soludo solicits support to develop Nnewi, Anambra (Independent)
Anambra State Governor ,Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has solicited the support of Nnewi people to develop the state.
Soludo made the plea in Nnewi when he paid homage to the monarch of the town, His Royal Highness Kenneth O. N. Orizu 111 who celebrated his 59th year reign and 97th birthday , recently.
The governor lamented the dilapidated state of the Nkwo Triangle, a renown business hub of the town, stressing that he was prepared and ready to develop Nnewi, nicknamed “The Japan of Africa” to an enviable status if the community agreed to accept his hand of fellowship and work with him.
Soludo who described Orizu 111 as the foremost, vibrant and oldest reigning monarch in Anambra, stated that Nnewi has abundant untapped resources which could be exploited and harnessed to develop the town and state , adding that he was ready to develop Nnewi if the people accepted to work with him, even as he said the proposed Anambra Automotive Park would be powered by Nnewi. Read more
Bayelsa 2023: Diri denies plans to drop deputy (Sun)
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has denied reports of plans to drop his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as his running mate for the November 11, 2023 governorship election.
There have been reports of cracks in the relationship between Diri and the immediate past governor, now Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson on one hand, and with Ewhrudjakpo on the other hand.
Dickson seized the opportunity of Diri’s Christmas visitation to his country home, Toru- Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area to dispel reports of feud between them.
Diri speaking to a delegation led by Dickson which also had in his entourage, Ewhrudjakpor during the former governor’s New Year visitation to his country home at Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state, dismissed reports of intention to drop Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in his re-election bid. Read more
UNILORIN announces vacancy for post of registrar (Guardian)
The Council of the University of Ilorin on Tuesday says the post of registrar of the University will become vacant from April 28.
According to a statement signed by Prof. Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, this is in accordance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act No. 11 of 1993.
“This is as amended by Act No. 25 of 1996 and the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2012,’’ he said.
Egbewole said that the council had decided to begin the process of appointing a new registrar, consequently applications were hereby invited from suitably qualified applicants for the post. Read more
Janet Jackson ‘enforcing #MeToo checks and rules on new tour’ (Metro)
Janet Jackson is reportedly set to carry out #MeToo checks on her next tour.
The 56-year-old pop icon is due to hit the road once more this year for her Together Again US tour, kicking off in April and supported by Ludacris across all 33 dates.
Now it’s been reported that she will be following in the footsteps of fellow superstar Beyonce by vetting her staff to make sure they have no history of sexual abuse, ahead of her first tour in four years.
The singer is said to admirably be seeking a ‘completely non-toxic working environment’ for her whole team. Read more
Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode’s new movie is now on Netflix UK (DigitalSpy)
Downton Abbey star Matthew Goode’s recent movie Medieval has landed on Netflix UK.
The film, which focuses on 15th century Czech military leader Jan Žižka, had a small cinema run and digital release in October last year.
However, Netflix users in the UK can now stream it on the platform, with the film already charting in the streamer’s Top 10.
The story follows Žižka’s (Ben Foster) earlier years, before he went on to defeat the armies of the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire to become one of the most effective military leaders ever. Read more
Alan Rankine of The Associates has died aged 64 (NME)
Alan Rankine, singer of Scottish band The Associates, has died aged 64.
The news was confirmed by Rankine’s sons Callum and Hamish today (January 3). He died peacefully at home shortly after spending Christmas with his family,” the sons said in a statement. “He was a beautiful, kind and loving man who will be sorely missed.”
Rankine formed The Associates in the late 1970s with singer Billy Mackenzie, going on to release three albums, ‘The Affectionate Punch’ (1980), singles compilation ‘Fourth Drawer Down’ (1981) and ‘Sulk’ (1982).
After leaving the band in 1982, Rankine became a successful producer and worked on albums by Cocteau Twins and more, before launching a solo career in 1986. Read more
De La Soul: Classic back catalogue finally available for streaming (BBC)
At long last, De La Soul’s back catalogue, including classic albums like 1989’s 3 Feet High and Rising, is to be made available for streaming.
The hip-hop trio’s first six records will be released on digital streaming services for the first time on 3 March.
The landmark shift has been in the works since Reservoir Media bought the group’s master recordings in 2021.
Complex licensing issues around De La Soul’s use of hundreds of samples have held back the move until now. Read more
Rian Johnson open to Knives Out Muppets crossover (FilmNews)
Rian Johnson has considered a Knives Out movie featuring the Muppets.
Fans of the murder-mystery movies have called for the puppets to feature in the third installment and the director confirmed that he has given the concept some “serious thought”.
Rian told Netflix Tudum: “It’s a joke that I thought was pretty brilliant, and I ended up giving (it) some serious thought. As much as I take the murder mystery genre seriously, I take the genre of a Muppet movie seriously.”
Johnson believes that Daniel Craig’s sleuth Benoit Blanc could clash with the sensibilities of The Muppets. Read more
Bad Bunny defends throwing fan’s phone into water as she tried to take selfie (Metro)
Bad Bunny has defended himself for throwing a woman’s phone in the water after she tried to take a selfie with him.
The musician, 28, was seen in a viral clip taking a fan’s phone after she ran up to him for a photo during a trip to the Dominican Republic.
In the clip, posted to Twitter, the rapper – real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – is walking along the street with what appears to be both friends and fans following him, when a woman sidles in next to him and takes a selfie of them together.
He then grabs the phone from her hand and throws it far across the street and into the water, with the girl looking shocked. Read more
China vows “countermeasures” to “unacceptable” new COVID restrictions on Chinese travelers (CBS)
The Chinese government has blasted COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on passengers from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations.
“We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily briefing Tuesday.
“We are firmly opposed to attempts to manipulate the COVID measures for political purposes and will take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity,” she said.
The comments were China’s sharpest to date on the issue. Australia and Canada this week joined a growing list of countries requiring travelers from China to take a COVID-19 test prior to boarding their flight, as China battles a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic. Read more
Volleyball: Nimrod eyes continental glory in 2023 (Punch)
President of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation, Musa Nimrod, says the federation’s aspiration for the year 2023 is to make a meaningful impact at international championships, as well as qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Nimrod said Nigerian volleyball could achieve the desired goals if major stakeholders were committed to the same course.
The country’s volleyball teams recorded some achievements on the continent last year, but Nimrod believes they can do better in 2023.
He said, “Our doors are open for sponsorships and support, as well as seeking partnership and MoU with corporate organisations that wish to key into the sport as a social responsibility to the Nigerian youths. Read more
Top Gear star and rally legend killed in snowmobile accident (Metro)
Pro rally driver and former Top Gear star Ken Block has died aged 55 following a snowmobile accident.
Block competed in the World Rally Championship and was named Rally America Rookie of the Year in 2005.
His team Hoonigan Racing announced the sad news, saying: ‘Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And most importantly, a father and husband. He will be incredibly missed.’
Former presenter James May was among the famous faces paying tribute to the pro driver on social media on Tuesday, alongside the official Top Gear Twitter page which described Block as an ‘all-round hero’. Read more
Ofehe seals deal with Czech Football federation for international friendly match in Delta (Sun)
Netherlands-based Nigerian environmental rights activist, Comrade Sunny Ofehe, has sealed a deal with Czech Football Federation for an international friendly match between the Czech U-17and U-21 and a Delta State selected side.
Ofehe told our correspondent via telephone conversation, on Monday, that the deal was sealed before the New Year after he met with the Czech Football Federation President Mr. Petr Fousek and the Vice-President Mr. Jiri Sidliak at the FA Headquarters in Prague.
He said that he was offered U-16, U-17, U-19, U-21 and U-23 but he opted for U-17 and U-21, adding that the first game of the international friendly match is expected to be played in Delta State, Nigeria in April 2023 while the return matches will be played in Prague, Czech Republic in May 2023.
“We agreed to discuss further on other areas when we meet again at the next FIFA Congress holding for the first time in Africa; Kigali, Rwanda in April 2023”, he said. Read more
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte insists he wants to stay despite stalling on a new contract (DailyMail)
Antonio Conte has insisted he is ‘wants to stay’ and is ‘really committed’ to Tottenham despite being yet to extend his contract at the club.
The Italian’s deal expires at the end of this season, although there is an option for one more year.
Conte has stalled on accepting a new contract after holding talks with the club during the World Cup.
The 55-year-old has reiterated his commitment, despite the ongoing uncertainty over his future. Read more
Messi leaves hometown to return to PSG (RFI)
Argentina captain Lionel Messi finally left for Paris in a private jet late on Monday after an extended period celebrating last month’s World Cup victory in his home town of Rosario.
Messi left with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons Mateo, Thiago and Ciro at 10:00 pm (0100 GMT) according to local newspaper La Capital de Rosario.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived in Rosario, around 310 kilometers north of Buenos Aires, two days after his two goals helped Argentina beat France in the World Cup final in Qatar on December 18.
The private jet is due to arrive in Paris at around 1400 GMT on Tuesday. Read more
Pierre Gasly claims Formula 1 is running sprint races just for money (F1News)
2021 saw the introduction of a new race weekend format in Formula 1, with the sport trialling sprint races for the first time.
Silverstone saw the first use of the format, with qualifying being move to Friday before a 100km race, requiring no pit stops, takes place on Saturday to decide the starting grid for Sunday’s race.
Following Silverstone, the format was used in Monza and Brazil in 2021 before making an following three appearances in 2022.
Formula 1 have now confirmed that there will be six sprint races in 2023, as the sport looks to implement the format even more in the future following its relative success so far. Read more