Family mourns Akeredolu’s death, to announce burial arrangement later (Tribune)
The family of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, expressed profound sorrow as they confirmed the peaceful passing of the revered patriarch.
The Governor, esteemed as a courageous, compassionate, and dedicated leader, peacefully departed in his sleep while undergoing medical treatment for an enduring struggle with prostate cancer at a hospital in Germany.
“Our hearts are heavy with grief as we bid farewell to a beloved father, grandfather, and an exceptional leader,” remarked Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jnr, speaking on behalf of the family. “Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has left an indelible mark on our lives and the legacy of our state.” Read more
Nigeria being re-engineered for prosperity of all, not for elite minority – Tinubu (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said his administration will not stop working tirelessly to revamp the nation’s economy and create viable opportunities for young people to meaningfully participate in an inclusive, labour-intensive economy where businesses can thrive.
President Tinubu made the declaration at the State House in Marina, Lagos State, during a town-hall meeting with traditional rulers, chairpersons of Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) and other political-office holders in the state.
The President said Nigeria, under his Renewed Hope Administration, is undergoing a process of financial re-engineering and appealed to citizens to be patient and supportive of the ongoing reforms which are bound to transform the economy for the better. Read more
Akeredolu: Aiyedatiwa declares three-day mourning (Punch)
The Ondo State Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared three days of mourning in honour of his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died on Wednesday.
This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Wednesday evening.
The mourning commences on Thursday, according to the statement. Read more
VP, Speaker, Kwankwaso join sympathisers as Na’abba is buried in Kano (Guardian)
Vice President, Kashim Shettima; Speaker of House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; presidential candidate of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, on Wednesday evening joined hundreds of sympathisers as former Speaker, House of Representatives, Ghali Na’abba, was laid to rest in Kano State.
Other personalities that joined the Islamic funeral prayers include former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau; and Senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Kawu Sumaila. Read more
I wanted to be musician, not politician – Gov Adeleke (DailyTrust)
Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, said he would have been a musician and not a politician if he was not discouraged by his father.
The governor is nicknamed ‘Dancing Governor’ due to his cheerful dances in public, many of which went viral on social media.
Adeleke is an uncle to Nigerian music star, David Adeleke (Davido). His dances became a subject during his governorship campaign as his opponents said he was unfit for the serious job of governance, while his supporters said such trait showed that he would be socially accessible by all. Read more
Zamfara shuts 11 cattle markets over banditry concerns (Leadership)
The Zamfara state government has taken action by ordering the closure of eleven cattle markets in various parts of the state until further notice.
Munnir Haidara, the state’s commissioner of information, issued a statement on Wednesday, stating that the decision to close these markets was prompted by security reports indicating that bandits were utilizing these markets to sell off their rustled cows.
The affected markets include Tsafe and Bilbis in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA), Jangebe market in Talata-Mafara LGA, and Wuya market in Anka LGA. Read more
Aiyedatiwa appoints first 5 aides as Ondo Governor (Channels)
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appointed five aides barely a few hours after taking the oath of office.
The announcement was made in a statement on Wednesday by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Omojuwa Olusegun.
According to the statement, Aiyedatiwa appointed a seasoned journalist, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, as his Chief Press Secretary and Sunday Abire as Special Assistant on New Media. Read more
Akwa Ibom Gov declares Jan 2 work-free day (DailyTrust)
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, has declared January 2, 2024 a work-free day in the state. This, he said, was to allow the residents of the state to attend the New Year interdenominational thanksgiving ceremony at the International Christian Worship Centre, Uyo, the state capital.
Eno made the statement in his Boxing Day address during the celebrations in his hometown, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
He invited all residents of the state to come out as a people united under one God for service, while emphasising the importance of maintaining unity and development. Read more
Fame has denied me many things – Ex-BBNaija housemate, Adekunle (DailyTrust)
Adekunle Olopade, a former Big Brother Naija housemate in the All Stars edition held in 2023, has spoken up about the challenges he faced after leaving the Big Brother house.
Fame is said to have its limitations, which Adekunle said he had been experiencing. He noted that he could no longer use public transport, go to the market or do anything else since he became a reality TV star.
When asked how he deals with fame, Adekunle responded, “I will be completely honest with you. I’m finding it tough to adjust because one of the responsibilities of being a media figure is learning how to live. Unfortunately, I am a very different person who enjoys doing things differently. By saying this now means I might not be able to do this again. I always go to Balogun and Tinubu market and I put on a face mask. I quickly walk into the market and come back. Read more
Shakira’s Colombian birth city unveils towering statue in singer’s honour (AlJazeera)
Colombian superstar Shakira’s Caribbean home city of Barranquilla has unveiled a 6.5-metre (21.3-foot) hip-swaying statue in her honour.
The towering bronze and aluminium creation depicts the singer in a bikini top, bare middle and a long, flowing skirt, her hands clasped over her head and one hip jutting out in one of her characteristic dance moves.
“Hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses,” reads the inscription at the base of the sculpture unveiled on the banks of the Magdalena River at a ceremony on Tuesday, attended by Shakira’s parents William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll. Read more
Cardi B seemingly shuts down rumours she’s back with Offset following Holiday reunion (HipHopDx)
Cardi B has discreetly addressed the rumours suggesting she and Offset might be back on following their Christmas Day reunion.
On Wednesday (December 27), Thee Pop Feed fired off a post on X (formerly Twitter) announcing that Cardi “officially took Offset back after 12 days.” The tweet went on to say that the Bronx rapper was with her estranged husband when he took their son Wave and his two older boys, Jordan and Kody, to Travis Scott’s Newark stop on the Utopia Tour.
Blogger KenBarbie spotted the post and responded with a quick clip of a scene from Real Housewives Of Atlanta in which Kandi Burruss tell castmate Porsha Williams, “You just made that up.” Read more
South Korean actor and Parasite star Lee Sun-kyun dies at 48 (AlJazeera)
South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Parasite, has been found dead, police said.
Lee, 48, died by apparent suicide in a Seoul park on Wednesday, according to officials in the capital.
The actor had been under police investigation over his alleged drug use. Infringements of South Korea’s tough drug laws can lead to six months in jail, or up to 14 years for repeat offenders and dealers. Read more
The Killers share new single via social media (FarOut)
To celebrate the holidays, indie rock favourites The Killers have released a surprise single on their social media platforms. It is yet to hit streaming services.
The untitled track has been shared across The Killers’ accounts on Facebook, Instagram and X, accompanied by a photo of a present in the shape of the letter K. In a caption, the band wrote, “Santa’s got a brand new song in his bag. Merry Christmas!”
The song, which is currently only available to listen to via the band’s social media, shows off the band’s new wave influences and Brandon Flowers’ distinctive vocals. “We did it in the name of love,” he repeats in the chorus. Read more
Opposition candidate in Congo alleges police fired bullets as protesters seek re-do of election (ABC)
A main opposition candidate in Congo accused police of using live bullets to break up a protest Wednesday in the capital, as demonstrators demanded a re-do of last week’s presidential election.
Holding up a bullet, Martin Fayulu told The Associated Press that it landed near him while he was barricaded inside his headquarters during a standoff with police. His claim could not be verified. Police said no live bullets were used, only tear gas, and that they were restoring order.
Fayulu is one of five opposition candidates who called the protest.
Ukraine proposes lowering age for military conscription from 27 to 25
(AlJazeera)
Ukraine has proposed reducing the age of those who can be mobilised into the armed forces from 27 to 25 after the military said it needed as many as 500,000 more soldiers in its now 22-month-long war against Russia.
The age reduction was in the text of a draft law posted on the website of Ukraine’s parliament late on Monday.
The text detailed which Ukrainian citizens would be subject to enrolment for military registration of conscripts and said it would apply to those “who have reached the age of 25”. Read more
Hate crimes charges filed in Christmas day stabbing of teen tourists eating at Grand Central (NBC)
A man arrested in the Christmas Day stabbing of two teen tourists who were eating with their parents at New York City’s Grand Central Terminal has been charged with hate crimes.
The victims, ages 14 and 16, were stabbed about 11:25 a.m. “inside the confines of the Grand Central Dining Concourse” in Midtown Manhattan, according to a Tuesday statement from police with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, commonly called the MTA.
The girls’ injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to MTA police. Read more
Simon vows to ensure Eagles’ qualification for 2026 World Cup (Nation)
Super Eagles winger, Moses Simon, has expressed determination to do everything within his powers to help Nigeria qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite the country’s slow start to the qualifiers.
Simon played in the Eagles two opening World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe which ended in draws but the Nantes FC player told FIFA.com that his desire to ensure he plays at his first World Cup in less than three years would inspire him and his teammates to go all out in the remaining games.
The former AS Trencin of Slovakia player missed out on the Russia 2018 World Cup following a late minute injury while the Black Stars of Ghana beat the Eagles to the ticket for Qatar 2022. Read more
Music, knockouts thrill fans at GoTv Boxing Night 30 (Leadership)
Boxing enthusiasts who packed Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, on Tuesday night for GoTv Boxing Night 30 won’t forget the evening in a hurry. Beyond the thrilling bouts, they were treated to a musical feast headlined by Nigeria’s hitmakers Nice, Teni, and Nasboi, whose performances had the crowd singing along with gusto.
The night’s first fight, the National Bantamweight challenge between Ararambi Ojo and Ibrahim “Golden Boy” Opeyemi, started slowly. The judges ruled it a draw with scores of 57-57, 58-57, and 57-58.
The second bout, the National Light Welterweight title fight between Ayanfe “Battle Boy” Adeoye and Ahmed “Eshe” Ganiyu, lived up to the hype. Ganiyu’s well-placed counterpunches ultimately secured him a knockout victory in the third round, sending Adeoye to the canvas. Read more
Eddie Howe ready to ring changes at slumping Newcastle (RTE)
Eddie Howe has warned his Newcastle United players that no-one is guaranteed a place in his team as he attempts to turn around an alarming slump in form.
Boxing Day’s humbling 3-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest was the Magpies’ sixth in seven games in all competitions, a run during which their first Champions League adventure in two decades has drawn to a close and hopes of a second successive Carabao Cup final appearance have gone up in smoke.
Head coach Howe hopes to have more of his injured troops back to assist those who have been wearied by a schedule which brought 10 games in 30 days during December and he will have no qualms about shaking things up, with the January transfer window also just days away. Read more
Police investigating racist remark aimed at Luton Town’s Carlton Morris (ESPN)
An alleged racist comment was made by a fan toward Luton Town player Carlton Morris during his team’s Premier League match against Sheffield United.
Luton manager Rob Edwards said the police had talked to Morris after the game at Bramall Lane, which Luton won 3-2. Morris reported the comment to the match officials in line with Premier League protocols, Luton added.
“There was an alleged racist comment, the police are dealing with that, they have spoken to Carlton and got his take on it, so it is with them now, I have no more comment on it,” the Luton manager said. “He is alright. He was, at the time, pretty angry, but he seems fine now.” Read more
Deontay Wilder reveals text message from Joseph Parker after fight (Mirror)
Deontay Wilder has revealed that Joseph Parker texted him a message of appreciation after their boxing fight last weekend.
Wilder was expected to beat Parker in Saudi Arabia at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ event to set up a showdown against Anthony Joshua, but the mega-fight is now seemingly off after Wilder suffered an upset defeat to Parker. The former world champion landed less than 40 punches in the entire fight as Parker picked up his fourth win of the year.
Parker is well-liked among the boxing community and Wilder shared this sentiment by revealing a text message the New Zealander sent him after their fight. “He texted me, people don’t know that Parker and I have a relationship. He told me thank you for the opportunity for the fight and what a great fight,” Wilder told 78SportsTV. Read more
Ralf Schumacher: “I miss my Michael” ahead of poignant anniversary (RN365)
Ralf Schumacher “misses” brother Michael after his “tragic” skiing accident with “nothing the same as before” 10 years on.
On December 29th, 2013, seven-time World Champion Michael fell and hit his head on a rock whilst skiing in France, and was placed in a medically-induced coma.
He was brought out of it in spring 2014 and returned home to continue rehabilitation, although he has not been seen in public since with the Schumacher family seldom issuing updates on his health. Read more