Fathia Balogun celebrates as son graduates with first class from UNILAG (Tribune)
Nollywood actress Faithia Williams celebrates her son, Khalid Balogun, who graduates with a first-class degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Taking to Instagram to share the joyous moment, Faithia posted a photo of Khalid along with a heartfelt message expressing her overwhelming joy and gratitude.
The proud mother praised her son’s dedication and perseverance, attributing his academic success to hard work and resilience. She also offered prayers for his continued achievements, wishing him happiness and fulfillment as he embarks on a new chapter in life. Read more
Toyin Abraham’s ‘Alakada Bad and Bougee’ grosses N401m in box office (Nation)
Actress and filmmaker, Toyin Abraham, has achieved another feat with her movie ‘Alakada Bad and Bougee’ grossing N401 million at the box office.
On her social media, Toyin expressed her gratitude to God, her fans, and supporters for making this milestone possible.
She thanked everyone who watched the movie, stating that their love and supports have given life to the project. Read more
MC Orobo tackles critics of pastors Korede Komaiya, Biodun Fatoyinbo (Leadership)
Popular Nigerian blogger and social media personality, MC Orobo, has sparked a heated discussion after publicly defending two prominent Nigerian pastors, Pastor Korede Komaiya of The Master’s Place International Church and Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA.
In a fiery statement, Orobo condemned the growing trend of online criticism and cyberbullying directed at pastors, describing it as “madness” and labelling the critics as “hypocrites.” He passionately argued that everyone has a right to their faith and belief system, adding that freedom of religion must be respected.
“You can’t teach me what to believe, and I can’t believe exactly as you do,” Orobo stated. “This unnecessary and unprovoked attack on pastors must stop. It’s below standard, and we won’t sit back and let it continue.” Read more
Supervisory officers now liable for subordinates’ misconduct – FPRO (Punch)
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has revealed that supervisory officers will be held responsible and face sanctions for unprofessional conduct by their subordinates.
Adejobi disclosed this in response to a post on X.com on Tuesday by a user, #Silva_ojonimi, who expressed frustration over policemen’s misconduct and the unexplained search of the phones of young men.
He wrote, “Let’s have at least a scapegoat. “Searching phones on the road, or without being an exhibit in a case, is not allowed and unprofessional. Recalcitrant officers won’t allow us rest, but we need to expose them.” Read more
Okoya’s sons, Bobrisky other influencers involved in naira abuse (DailyTrust)
In many social events in Nigeria, partying is incomplete without wads of naira notes being gleefully thrown in the air by guests willing to show off their wealth and announce their status to the gathering.
Not a few Nigerians are culpable of this brazing act, but it is predominant among influencers and youths, with two sons of the billionaire businessman Rasaq Okoya being the latest “culprits.”
According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Banknote Handling Practices, naira abuse constitutes some offences including but not limited to “spraying of, dancing or matching/stepping on the Naira; selling or trading Naira notes/coins; and mutilation, defacement, soiling of naira.” Read more
Omo-Agege debunks story of plan to leave APC (ThisDay)
Former Deputy President of the Senate and flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege, has debunked media reports that he was planning to leave the party, describing it as a failed hatchet job by an on-the-shelf journalist available for hire.
In a press release issued by his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, Senator Omo-Agege said the story is a product of allegation journalism with no iota of truth.
According to the former Deputy President of the Senate,”Our attention has been drawn to the January 12, 2025 publication of The Will, an online magazine published in the United States(US) of America by a Nigerian also based in the US. Read more
NCoS seeks intervention of IG, CJN, others on 48,000 inmates (Nation)
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has sought the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), the Attorney-General of the Federation, state Chief Judges and other stakeholders on the fate of over 48,900 inmates in various custodial centres across the country.
The NCoS said the fate of the inmates, who are awaiting trials, remained a major concern to the Service, especially on their upkeep, conditions of custodial centres and their security.
The Acting Controller-General of the Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, said it had become imperative for stakeholders to find lasting solutions to them so as not to jeopardise the reforms in the Service, adding that speedy and impeded trials of the inmates. Read more
Brooke Shields reveals the stunt she did to make Matthew Perry laugh on Friends (People)
Brooke Shields had a secret to making Matthew Perry laugh during her guest appearance on Friends.
The actress, 59, revealed on the Jan. 13 episode of The View that she wanted to impress the cast of the long-running sitcom and feel like part of the group.
“When you go onto a show that’s so well-oiled and so successful and I was such a fan, all I wanted was for them to like me,” Shields said on the talk show. “I just wanted to be funny, but I wasn’t in the group. They were very tight and had all these inside jokes.” Read more
Ghana to investigate controversial $400m Cathedral project amid economic crisis (AfricaNews)
Ghana’s new President, John Mahama, has announced plans to investigate the contentious $400m (£330m) national cathedral project as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis in decades.
The initiative, championed by former President Nana Akufo-Addo, has faced mounting opposition. Despite promises that the cathedral would be privately funded, $58m in public funds has already been spent, with little progress beyond a large crater on a prime site in central Accra. This land, previously home to state buildings and judicial residences, remains undeveloped.
Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson hinted at discontinuing government spending on the project, emphasizing the need to cut “wasteful expenditure.” Ghana, which secured a $3bn bailout from the International Monetary Fund last year, still faces high inflation at 23.8%, despite some improvement. Read more
ICC chief prosecutor wants Israeli objections over Netanyahu warrant to be rejected (ABC)
The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor has told judges that Israeli objections to the investigation into the 13-month war in Gaza should be rejected.
Karim Khan submitted his formal response late Monday to an appeal by Israel over The Hague-based court’s jurisdiction after judges issued arrest warrants last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas’ military chief, accusing them of crimes against humanity in connection with the war in Gaza.
The embattled Israeli leader, who is also facing corruption charges in his homeland, called the arrest warrant “ a black day in the history of nations ” and vowed to fight the allegations. Read more
Ukraine launches major strikes on Russian cities (NBC)
Moscow said Tuesday that Ukraine had fired six U.S.-made ATACMS ballistic missiles, six UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles and at least 146 drones into Russia in an attack that it said would not go unanswered.
After Ukraine first launched ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia last year, Moscow responded on Nov. 21 by launching a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile known as “Oreshnik,” or Hazel Tree, at Ukraine.
Russia’s defense ministry said it had shot down all of the Western missiles fired by Ukraine at the Bryansk region, as well as 146 drones outside the war zone. It said two more Storm Shadows had been shot down over the Black Sea. Read more
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon pick, faces Senate confirmation hearing (AlJazeera)
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host tapped by United States President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Pentagon, is set to be grilled by lawmakers in his Senate confirmation hearing.
“Culture war” issues, including diversity in the military, are expected to be the focus of the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Tuesday for one of the most controversial figures ever nominated to be US secretary of defence.
Hegseth’s service in the army national guard is widely viewed as an asset for the job, and he has the support of Trump and the Republican Party. Read more
Urban Sales boards DJ Kid Koala’s Berlinale-bound animation debut ‘‘Space Cadet’’ (Deadline)
Paris-based Urban Sales has acquired worldwide rights for Canadian animation Space Cadet by DJ, music producer and visual artist Kid Koala, ahead of its premiere in Berlinale’s Generation Kplus section in February.
The futuristic, dialogue-free CGI work is described as a fable about young astronaut Celeste and her guardian robot, who is left pondering the future as his young charge blasts off on a solo mission of outer-space adventure.
Kid Koala aka Eric San is directing from his 2011 graphic novel of the same name, which Mylène Chollet has adapted for the screen. Read more
Pope Francis handed box of papers over ‘‘most difficult and painful’’ Vatican scandals by Benedict (Independent)
Pope Francis has said he inherited a “large white box” full of documents concerning the “most difficult and painful” scandals within the Catholic Church.
The pontiff makes the revelation in the much-anticipated autobiography, Hope, published on Tuesday.
Following Benedict XVI’s departure in 2013, Francis was elected pope, placing the Argentinean in the almost unprecedented position of having an in-person handover when he took office. Read more
San Diego Wave sign Falconets star Okwuchukwu (Leadership)
Falconets forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu has completed a move to National Women’s Soccer League, NWSL, club San Diego Wave.
Okwuchukwu joined San Diego Wave from Nigeria Women’s Premier League outfit Rivers Angels.
The 19-year-old signed a one-year contract.
The striker will be added to the Wave’s roster pending a medical and receipt of her International Transfer Certificate, ITC, and P1 Visa. Read more
Chelle will deliver 2026 World Cup ticket — Super Eagles stars (CompleteSports)
Kenneth Omeruo and Wilfred Ndidi have backed newly appointed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to guide the team to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
The Super Eagles are winless in the African zone of the qualifiers.
The three-time African champions currently occupy fifth position in Group C with three points from four games. Read more
Pep Guardiola and wife Cristina Serra ‘split up’ after 30 years together (Metro)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina Serra have ended their 30-year relationship.
The couple, who married back in 2014, have three children together, are understood to be on amicable terms, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
Serra moved back to Barcelona five years ago with daughter Valentina, while Guardiola remained in Manchester. Read more
Clubs avoid profit and sustainability charges for 2021-2024 period (SkySports)
No Premier League clubs have been charged with Profit and Sustainability breaches for the three-year period between 2021-2024.
Clubs who had recorded losses for the first two seasons of the latest three-season cycle were required to submit their accounts for the year ending June 2024 to the Premier League by December 31.
Profitability and Sustainability Rules mean clubs are not allowed to lose more than £105m over three-season rolling periods. Read more
LSU football star Kyren Lacy arrested on charges from fatal car crash (UPI)
Former LSU star wide receiver Kyren Lacy was arrested, released on $151,000 bond and faces several charges related to his alleged involvement in a fatal hit-and-run, police told UPI on Monday.
Lafourche (La.) Parish Sheriff’s Office Capt. Brennan Matherne said Lacy faces felony charges of negligent homicide and hit and run driving with serious injury or death and another charge of reckless operation of a vehicle.
He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex at 6:53 p.m. local time Sunday and released at 8:11 p.m. after posting bail. Read more
Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu make history by reaching second round (Independent)
The Australian Open continues as Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter battled through to the second round to make history for British players in Melbourne.
Raducanu overcame problems with her serve to topple 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the former US Open champion making 15 double faults across the match but managing to raise her level when it counted to win 7-6 (4) 7-6 (2).British No 1 Boulter then secured a “stressful” opening win over Canada’s Rebecca Marino, breaking her opponent in the final game of the deciding set to win 6-3 3-6 7-5. Boulter was roared over the line by the home fans, with fiancee Alex de Minaur watching courtside. Read more