FG to spend recovered $53m alleged Diezani loot on rural electrification (ThisDay)
The Federal Government has said about $50 million assets repatriated from the United States of America (USA) will be used to support Rural Electrification Projects in the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) made the disclosure on Friday in Abuja, during the formal signing ceremony of the Asset Return Agreement between Nigeria and the USA.
He said the assets were linked to a former Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, and her associates (the Galactica Assets). Read more
Obasanjo: How my inability to keep quiet landed me in prison (DailyTrust)
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has revealed how his penchant for commenting on national and international issues landed him in jail under the military junta of the late Head of State, Gen. Sanni Abacha, in 1995.
Obasanjo also hinted that the quest to save Nigeria from an imminent disintegration made him to seek the Presidency in 1999.
He spoke during an interactive session with 15 young male and female future Africa leaders drawn from different parts of the continent at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State. Read more
Conducting elections in Nigeria significant burden, says INEC Chair Yakubu (Channels)
A voter casts his ballot in Edo State on September 21, 2024
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has expressed concerns over the high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, describing it as exorbitant and burdensome.
He made this statement on Friday while defending the 2024 budget implementation before the National Assembly.
Prof. Yakubu highlighted that despite INEC being one of the largest employers in the country, it operated on a reduced budget of N40 billion, significantly lower than the N80 billion initially requested. Read more
Sanwo-Olu seeks novel teaching methods (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stressed the need for innovative teaching and learning approaches.
The governor spoke yesterday when the Board of Trustees and Chief Executive Officer of Teach For All Global Network, Wendy Kopp, visited him at Lagos House, Ikeja.
“Education is the foundation upon which the future is built. Our discussions focused on the role education plays and how innovative teaching approaches can address challenges in access and quality,” Read more
Infrastructure: Fayose, Air Peace boss, others score Sanwo-Olu high (Sun)
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, Air Peace Chairman Alex Onyema, and others have praised Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his infrastructure-driven agenda, calling him a “round peg in the hole” for his governance of the state.
Fayose, Onyema, and others lauded the governor for his efforts to maintain Lagos’s status as a pace-setter in the country. They expressed their commendations at the formal opening of the reconstructed network of roads in Ikeja GRA, which include Oba Dosunmu Street, Oduduwa Way, Oduduwa Crescent, Sobo Arobiodu, and Sasegbon streets.
While praising Sanwo-Olu, Fayose acknowledged that, six years ago, when the governor replaced former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, there were doubts, including his own, about Sanwo-Olu’s competence. However, Fayose said the governor has since silenced those doubts, including his own. Read more
Court bars firm from Lagos property over N600m botched deal (Guardian)
The High Court of Lagos sitting at Yaba/Surulere has granted an order in favour of Veritasi Homes & Properties Ltd restraining Patricia Technologies Ltd from selling or in any way dealing with 15.021 hectares of land at Idera Scheme, Lagos.
Justice E. O. Ashade ruled that the order stands pending the compliance of Veritasi Homes & Properties Ltd claimant/applicant—with the Lagos State High Court Practice Direction No. 2 of 2019 on Pre-Action Protocol.
The judge adjourned till January 13, 2024, for a report of compliance. Read more
Ex-IG Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze presidential race (Punch)
Former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, has withdrawn from the race for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Okiro made the announcement during a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday.
He explained that his decision was in compliance with an Enugu State High Court order that barred him from contesting.
The court issued the injunction following a suit claiming Okiro is from Imo State, not Rivers State, where the position has been zoned. Read more
Plans to prioritise safety of Nigerians top on our 2025 agenda – NAFDAC (Independent)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that plans to prioritise public health and safety of Nigerians is top on its agenda for 2025.
Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, NAFDAC’s Director General, stated this at a press briefing held on Thursday, while highlighting the agency’s achievements over the past seven years and articulated a transformative vision for the future.
Adeyeye said the agency will be focusing on five pillars including strong governance and leadership, maternal newborn and child health, institutionalisation of best practices, safety and quality of regulated products and monitoring of supply chain in 2025. Read more
Jhené Aiko’s home destroyed by LA fires: ‘My heart is heavy’ (HipHopDx)
Jhené Aiko‘s home has been destroyed in the devastating fires sweeping through Los Angeles, but she is thankful that she and her family are safe.
Taking to her Instagram Story amid the second day of harsh winds and fires in the southern California region on Wednesday (January 8), the singer said: “Praying for everyone this morning. Those who lost their home. Those who lost their life’s work, those who lost their life. Praying for my city. Praying for the wildlife and lost pets. Praying for the world [heart emoji] let suffering be a gift; a lesson in compassion.”
Later that day, she revealed she’d suffered the loss of her home. Read more
Harry and Meghan urge others to open homes to L.A. fire victims (THR)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made a plea to those able to open their homes to victims of the L.A. wildfires.
With over 180,000 residents evacuated across the county and thousands of acres decimated, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have written on their website, sussex.com: “In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more — affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life. A state of emergency has been issued.”
The couple, who live with their two children in Montecito, California, list organizations currently helping with the relief efforts, including José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen. Read more
Giant sculpture inspired by the sun to go on display at National Trust properties (Standard)
A giant sculpture inspired by the sun is to go on display at National Trust locations this year.
Helios, named after the ancient Greek mythological god who personified the sun, is by acclaimed artist Luke Jerram.
It is Jerram’s latest astronomical artwork, following his sculptures Museum Of The Moon, Gaia, and Mars. Read more
Alec Baldwin sues prosecutors in “Rust” trial (BBC)
Alec Baldwin has filed a lawsuit against those involved in pursuing criminal charges against him over the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film set of “Rust”.
The US actor is suing the defendants, including special prosecutor Kari Morrissey and Santa Fe District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies, for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations.
Baldwin claims prosecutors were “blinded by their desire to convict [him] for all the wrong reasons”. Read more
Why Cillian Murphy won’t be in Danny Boyle’s horror sequel “28 Years Later” (Independent)
The producer of “28 Years Later” has categorically confirmed Cillian Murphy won’t be in the new film.
Speculation has been rife over whether the Oppenheimer star would be reprising the role he first played in Danny Boyle’s 2002 post-apocalypse horror 28 Days Later.
Fans were recently left convinced Murphy appears as a zombie in the long-awaited sequel’s first trailer, but this has since been debunked. The hope remains, though, that he will still show up in some form or another. Read more
Penny Lancaster says “I’m so blessed” as she sends Rod Stewart message on 80th birthday (Mirror)
Rock and roll icon, Sir Rod Stewart, is celebrating his 80th birthday, and his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, has sent a seriously sweet message to him on social media marking the new decade he’s entering. ” Happy birthday my darling,” Penny wrote. “So blessed to be sharing this day together with all our kids. Building more memories to carry with us into the future and to be held close to our hearts forever, I love you xx.”
The loving message accompanied a sweet photo of Rod wearing a straw hat and looking pretty sunkissed whilst he smiled gently at the camera. The couple is reported to be celebrating the musician’s landmark birthday in the Caribbean, and the festivities to celebrate the massive milestone will span across “several weeks,” Penny has previously said. Read more
US unveils $500m in military aid at final Ukraine defense summit before Trump takes office (UPI)
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin answered a plea Thursday from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for more help to keep Russian warplanes away from its cities and borders by announcing a $500 million package to boost its air defenses.
The funds from a $4.3 billion presidential drawdown authority were for more air defense missiles, ammunition, air-to-ground munitions and additional equipment to support Ukraine’s fleet of F-16 fighter jets, Austin told a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the U.S. Air Force base at Ramstein in Germany.
The assistance package came as Ukraine was reeling from Russian airstrikes, shelling and drone attacks targeting its civilian population that killed 19 people and injured more than 130. Read more
Rangers, Swiss side sign partnership (Punch)
Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Enugu Rangers, have taken a significant step towards global recognition by signing a partnership deal with Switzerland’s FC Schaffhausen.
This groundbreaking collaboration, facilitated by Bold Base, aims to build a legacy of excellence for generations to come, according to the club’s chairman Amobi Ezeaku.
A statement released on Thursday by Rangers media team, said that Rangers boss disclosed the development after the endorsement of documents at the Swiss club’s base, Schaffhausen, Thursday. Read more
Sanusi returns for Porto after almost 1 year out injured (Nation)
Super Eagles defender Zaidu Sanusi made a return to football for the first time almost a year for FC Porto in their 1-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon in a Taca da Liga tie on Tuesday .
Sanusi suffered a season-ending injury in February 2024 after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Estrela Amadora. It was his first game immediately after his return from the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations held in Cote d’Ivoire.
The defender who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, appearing in all matches except one, was in the starting line-up for Porto but had to be substituted after just 32 minutes due to the injury. Read more
Everton sack Sean Dyche after poor run in Premier League (ESPN)
Sean Dyche has been sacked as manager of Everton, the club confirmed on Thursday.
Dyche took over from Frank Lampard in 2023. Although Dyche steered Everton from relegation in back-to-back seasons amid financial strife, a combination of poor form and an uninspiring style of football has seen the Merseyside outfit act.
David Moyes is on the verge of sealing a return to Everton after talks with the club’s new owners, sources have told ESPN. Read more
Barcelona able to field Olmo and Víctor after Spain’s sports council intervenes (Guardian)
Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor will be able to play for Barcelona after Spain’s supreme sports council (CSD) granted them temporary registration while it investigates an appeal lodged by the club against the removal of their licences by La Liga.
Registration did not arrive in time for Olmo or Víctor to play the semi-final of the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night, but they will be available for Sunday’s final against Real Madrid or Real Mallorca.
A final, definitive decision is expected within three months. Both players missed Barcelona’s Copa del Rey tie with the fourth-tier side Barbastro at the weekend. The granting of a licence by the CSD, which is a government body, goes against previous rulings from the league, the federation and two courts. Read more
Hatton, Fleetwood impress as GB and Ireland lead Ryder Cup warm-up (Sky)
Great Britain and Ireland built an impressive 3.5-1.5 lead over Continental Europe after the opening day of the Team Cup, a Ryder Cup-style event in Abu Dhabi.
Playing-captain Justin Rose partnered Matt Wallace in a 3&1 defeat against Romain Langasque and Mathieu Pavon, then watched on as his side finished unbeaten in the other four fourballs matches at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
Tyrrell Hatton played alongside Tom McKibbin – reportedly a future LIV Golf team-mate – as they saw off Antoine Rozner and Julien Guerrier 3&2, while Laurie Canter and Jordan Smith claimed a final-hole victory over Rasmus Hojgaard and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen. Read more
Lakers and Kings postpone games amid Los Angeles wildfires (BBC)
The Los Angeles Lakers have postponed Friday’s NBA fixture against the Charlotte Hornets amid ongoing wildfires in the region.
NHL side Los Angeles Kings, who also play at the Crypto.com Arena, postponed their meeting with the Calgary Flames which was scheduled for 03:30 GMT on Thursday.
Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling a number of blazes in city suburbs, as nearly 180,000 residents were forced to evacuate. Read more
