Ibadan Stampede: Ooni pledges support for victims’ families (Vanguard)
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has pledged his support for the families of the victims of the tragic stampede that occurred during a yuletide event in Ibadan.
The event, organized by the Ooni’s ex-wife, Queen Naomi Ogunseyi, and popular Ibadan radio owner, Oriyomi Hamzat, resulted in the death of 32 children.
The tragedy, which has led to the arrest of Queen Ogunseyi, Hamzat, and other organizers, has drawn widespread grief and condemnation. Read more
FFK to Badenoch: You trust British police but Nigerian policemen protecting your mum in Lagos (DailyTrust)
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has again taken a swipe at the leader of the British Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, over her criticism of Nigeria.
Badenoch, a Nigerian born British citizen, has consistently attacked Nigeria and its institutions.
During a recent interview with a British journalist, she accused police officers back home of stealing her brother’s wristwatch and shoes in defence of the UK police. Read more
NAFDAC seals 2 chemical firms in Edo (Punch)
The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control on Thursday, sealed two chemical outlets in Benin for selling chemicals without a licence and requisite safety measures.
The shops are Golden Juliros Nigeria Ltd. located on Evbiemwen Street, Off Wire Road and Onebamchi Chemicals at Ramat Park market.
The operations were conducted by some officers of the agency’s Investigation and Enforcement Unit from Asaba and the staff of the Edo office in Benin. Read more
Sanwo-Olu urges unity, love at Christmas Carol of 9 lessons (Nation)
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Lagosians to embrace the spirit of Christmas by fostering unity, love, and community togetherness.
The governor made this call during the 2024 Lagos State Christmas Carol of Nine Lessons Service, held on Monday night.
In a tweet on his X account, Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of the festive season in promoting reflection and shared humanity. Read more
NERC transfers Lagos electricity market regulation to LASERC (Leadership)
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has transferred regulatory oversight of the Lagos State electricity market to the newly established Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC).
In a post on its official X handle, NERC said the transfer is in compliance with the amended Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) and the Electricity Act 2023 (Amended).
Recall that with the Electricity Act (EA) 2023, the Commission retains the role as a central regulator with regulatory oversight on the inter-state/international generation, transmission, supply, trading and system operations. Read more
Sanwo-Olu hands over 260 patrol vans, bullet proof vests, others to Police (Tribune)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday handed over 260 security vehicles, 1,000 ballistic helmets, 1,000 bulletproof vests, and other security gadgets to the police. He stated that his administration’s vision is to build a secure, proactive, and technologically empowered state capable of addressing modern security challenges.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this statement during the 18th Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security, themed “Data and Technology-Driven Security: The Way Forward,” held at the Lagos House, Ikeja. The event was attended by security chiefs, including the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, captains of industry, and other stakeholders. The governor urged all involved in the state’s security ecosystem to collaborate in realizing this vision.
“I urge government agencies, citizens, and partners to continue working together to transform this vision into reality. Together, we can ensure Lagos remains a beacon of safety, progress, and innovation,” Sanwo-Olu said. Read more
AGF faults Edo assembly over suspension of LG bosses (Channels)
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has faulted the Edo State House of Assembly for suspending the chairpersons of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, the minister said that it was only the legislative arm of local governments that could sack or place council chairmen on suspension.
He said that under the current dispensation, local government chairmen cannot just be removed or suspended by any governor without following due process of law. Read more
Don’t React, No matter the provocation, Fubara tells Obio/Akpor people (Independent)
Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State has told the people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State not to react to any provocation, no matter the level of provocation.
The Governor who was alluding to the political crisis in the state between him and his predecessor, former Governor Nyesom Wike, urged the people to remain peaceful, even though he knew some of them could be taken to court after the event.
Fubara stated this on Thursday during the inauguration of the newly constructed traditional ruler’s palace in Obio/Akpor LGA of the state. Read more
Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Oscars buzz for playing “difficult” woman (BBC)
Nearly three decades after being nominated for an Oscar, British actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste is back in the awards race thanks to a tremendous performance in director Mike Leigh’s new drama, Hard Truths.
The 57-year-old jokes she feels “older and wider” (rather than wiser) this time around – a line she credits to co-star Michele Austin, who plays her on-screen sister.
But waistlines aside, her reunion with Leigh, whom she first worked with on 1996’s Secrets & Lies, has prompted some of the most positive reviews of her career. Read more
Amy Adams and Demi Moore explain why they don’t tell their daughters that they’re good girls (People)
Amy Adams is opening up about how she wants to parent her daughter.
In a conversation with Variety, the “Nightbitch” actor explained to fellow actress Demi Moore why she strives to use gender-neutral language when praising her daughter, Aviana Olea, 14, whom she shares with husband Darren Le Gallo.
“Women in general, there is a sense of it not being okay to be angry,” Moore, 62, began. “Not that anybody’s saying we can’t be, but that it’s been in a way the collective consciousness of like, ‘Oh, that’s not attractive.’ Read more
Cyclone Chido death toll in Mozambique rises to 73 (AlJazeera)
The death toll from Cyclone Chido in Mozambique has increased to 73, the National Institute of Risk and Disaster Management has said.
At least 66 of the deaths occurred in the northern Cabo Delgado province, the disaster centre said on Thursday.
Four were killed in Nampula province and three in Niassa, further inland, it said, adding that one person was missing. Read more
Mystery illness in Congo could be severe malaria, health officials say (NBC)
Health officials are narrowing in on the cause of dozens of unexplained deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that a severe form of malaria is likely responsible, based on lab tests so far.
The illness was considered a mystery for weeks. It has killed at least 37 people and sickened 592, according to the Africa CDC. Local authorities previously told Reuters that the death toll exceeded 140.
Health officials in Africa have been referring to the illness as “Disease X” while awaiting test results. Read more
Andrew Tate’s human trafficking trial collapses after ‘prosecutor missteps’ (Metro)
Andrew Tate’s trial into alleged human trafficking in Romania can no longer go ahead because of ‘multiple’ mistakes made by prosecutors.
Tate, 38, and his brother Tristan, 36, were both arrested two years ago and along with two women are charged with human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.
Andrew also faced an additional rape charge. Read more
British YouTuber and rapper Yung Filly admits to reckless driving in Australia while awaiting trial (ABC)
A British YouTuber and rapper known as Yung Filly admitted in an Australian court on Thursday to reckless driving while he was awaiting trial on charges of raping a woman three months ago.
The 29-year-old, whose real name is Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, appeared briefly in the Perth Magistrates Court charged with speeding at 158 kilometers (98 miles) per hour in a 100 kph (62 mph) zone in the Western Australia state capital last month. Speeding becomes reckless driving at 45 kph (28 mph) above the speed limit.
His lawyer Joanne Oliver told the court he would plead guilty to a reckless driving charge at his next court appearance on Jan. 30. Read more
UN chief tells Israel to stop bombing Syria (VOA)
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday called on Israel to halt its airstrikes on Syria, calling them violations of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Syria’s sovereignty, territorial unity and integrity must be fully restored, and all acts of aggression must come to an immediate end,” Guterres told reporters.
Since the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad abruptly fell earlier this month, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes, including around the capital, Damascus, that it says are aimed at destroying strategic weapons and military infrastructure. Read more
Lille got €7m from Osimhen’s transfer to Napoli — Letang (CompleteSports)
Lille president Olivier Letang has revealed that the club earned €7m from Victor Osimhen’s move to Napoli.
Osimhen linked up with the Partenopei in a well celebrated move in 2020.
Four Napoli players moved to Lille as part of the deal.The four players never featured for Lille which has raised questions about the true value of the transfer. Read more
Sir Alex Ferguson reunites with Man Utd cult hero just days after football retirement (Mirror)
Sir Alex Ferguson has met up with a former Manchester United player in Portugal as he had breakfast with Nani, the winger whom he signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2007
Sir Alex Ferguson dined with former Manchester United star Nani whilst on holiday in Portugal.
The reunion took places less than a fortnight after the 38-year-old announced his retirement from football, shortly after the death of his father. It was Ferguson who signed Nani, then a teenager, way back in 2007 with the winger going on to spend eight years at Old Trafford. Read more
Besiktas table 3-year Onuachu deal (Punch)
Southampton striker Paul Onuachu is on the verge of signing a three-year deal with 16-time Süper Lig champions Beşiktaş, despite strong interest from Trabzonspor, where he spent last season on loan.
According to reports circulating in the Turkish media, the towering Nigerian forward is set to make a high-profile return to Turkish football after a standout spell with Trabzonspor.
Onuachu joined Southampton in the 2023 January transfer window for a fee in the region of €18m from KRC Genk, but his time in Hampshire has been a struggle, failing to score in his 20 appearances for the club. Read more
Spurs survive Man Utd comeback to reach League Cup semi finals (JapanToday)
Tottenham survived two calamitous errors from stand-in goalkeeper Fraser Forster on Thursday to beat Manchester United 4-3 and set up a League Cup semi final against Liverpool, staying on track for their first trophy since 2008.
The home side were cruising at 3-0 in the 54th minute of a captivating tie in London after two goals from Dominic Solanke and one from Dejan Kulusevski.
But Forster’s mistakes allowed substitutes Joshua Zirkzee and Amad Diallo to pull the score back to 3-2 with 20 minutes to go. Read more
Wolves confirm Vítor Pereira as head coach after sacking Gary O’Neil (Guardian)
Wolves have confirmed the appointment of Vítor Pereira as their head coach on an 18-month contract. The Portuguese has joined from the Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab as the successor to Gary O’Neil, who was sacked on Sunday.
Pereira, who has won domestic titles in Greece, Portugal and China, took training for the first time on Thursday. He arrives with Wolves second-bottom of the Premier League after four straight defeats. His first game will be on Sunday at Leicester, who are two places and five points above Wolves.
The 56-year-old Pereira has coached in seven countries – Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Turkey, Germany, China and Brazil – and has only once spent more than two years at a club. Wolves are the fifth club he has been in charge of since the longest stint of his career, in Shanghai, ended in December 2020. Read more
Emma Raducanu shares US Open regret ahead of big 2025 season (Express)
Emma Raducanu has candidly spoken about the energy drain from her off-court commitments following her US Open triumph, but now believes she’s struck the perfect balance as she progresses in 2025.
The 22-year-old tennis sensation, who shot to fame with her stunning victory in New York three years prior, has remained one of the top-10 highest-earning female athletes this year despite ranking outside the top 50.This success has brought increased scrutiny on her performance and results, and Raducanu acknowledges that she may have overextended herself with off-court duties. “Especially straight after I did really well, for the next few years it was very much like there was so much communication about things off the court,” Raducanu revealed. Read more
