I’m now friend with Obasanjo because of mutual support for Peter Obi – Adebanjo (Vanguard)
The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Ayo Adebanjo said he is now good friends with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a result of their mutual support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Adebanjo made this assertion in an interview with PUNCH on Friday, noting that their shared support for Obi has seen them join forces.
Recall that earlier in the week, Obasanjo, Adebanjo, Obi and others paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amechi, who died at 93 on November 1, 2022.
Speaking during the visit, Obasanjo said, “What I believe and what I believe that Chief Ayo Adebanjo believes is not ethnic, sectional or religious, it is Nigeria and Nigerians. When I go out and people thank me, I say, ‘What are you thanking me for?’ and I tell them, ‘Please, stop thanking me. Why should you be thanking me?
University cancels final year exam over “cheap” questions (Tribune)
Due to backlash from Nigerians, the Department of English of Benue State University has cancelled one of its first semester final year examination paper for the 2020/2021 session over the ‘cheapness’ of the examination questions.
The code of the course in question, whose examination was meant to last for three hours, is ENG 405 (English for Specific Purposes) and it is a three-credit course. Many students, scholars and professors – in and outside the country – have reacted to the action by the department.
Some opined that the questions were simple to the extent a first-year English student could correctly answer them within an hour.
One of the people who critised the department was Moses Ochonu, a Professor of African Studies at the Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Read more
NDLEA intercepts 1.8m narcotic pills hidden in noodles (Vanguard)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted at least, One Million, Seven Hundred Sixty Thousand Four Hundred Sixty (1,760,460) pills of Tramadol and other opioids hid in indomie noodles packs and others at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos as well as in Gombe state.
Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in a statement said, “Over 600,000 pills of Tramadol 225mg coming from Karachi, Pakistan in two separate shipments on Ethiopian Airlines flights were intercepted by operatives of NDLEA at the SAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th December.
“A total of 5,960 pills of Rohypnol concealed in 60 packs of indomie noodles going to Johannesburg, South Africa were also seized at the SAHCO export shed of the airport on Wednesday 14th December.
“A female freight agent, Olaleye Adeola has already been arrested in connection with the noodles consignment. Read more
Winners emerge in Eko Token/LAGFERRY cash reward promo (Independent)
Winners have emerged in the Eko Token/Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) cash reward promo which was launched recently to reward boat passengers and help increase waterways patronage as the state government continually seeks alternative transport solutions to complement other modes, including rail and road transport systems.
Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, at the presentation of cheque to one of the winners, Awwal Ibrahim, who won a sum N200,000, said the need for waterways users “to enjoy and maximise” the benefits of using waterways informed the adoption of the reward system.
“There has been since 2019 a transformation of the waterways sector and commitment of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to the development of the state’s waterways, which has afforded essential investment for crucial growth and acceptability among Lagosians and has led to increase in daily commuter ridership to 43,000 passengers and ferrying of over 14,000,000 passengers yearly,” he stated. Read more
Fayose, Olujimi’s names missing as PDP names Ekiti PCC (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation, on Sunday, named the Ekiti State presidential campaign council ahead of the 2023 General Elections.
The PDP governorship candidate in the just concluded election that was held in the state, Bisi Kolawole, was named the Chairman of the council and Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe was named as the Vice Chairman.
Meanwhile, the former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose and the senator representing Ekiti South Constituency, Biodun Olujimi, were not included in the list.
In a press statement signed and released by the Director-General, PCO, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, it read, “The Peoples Democratic Party after wide and extensive consultation has approved the composition of the Presidential Campaign Council for Ekiti State pursuant to NEC approved guidelines.” Read more
Most wanted gunman arrested in Anambra (Nation)
A notorious gunman, Chuma Ejionye has reportedly been arrested by operatives of local vigilante in Ezinifitte, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The suspect, a native of Awo, Ezinifite in Nnewi South is said to be responsible for various atrocities in Ezinifitte, and the entire Nnewi South.
Nnewi South, especially Ukpor, Ezinifitte and Unubi have been hideouts of criminals and gunmen, during the height of insecurity in Anambra State.
The suspect, in a viral video claimed to be popularly known as a small case. Read more
Lagos APC parliamentarians mourn Seriki (Nation)
Lagos Parliamentarians for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 Presidential bid have expressed rude shock over the demise of Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Ambassador Adeola Rasaq Seriki.
Seriki was a staunch member of the ruling APC, a socialite of note and a generous philanthropist who touched many lives most especially, within Lagos state and his constituency in Lagos Island.
A statement by the Lagos State coordinator Hon. Ayo Joseph, said: “Late Ambassador Seriki was an inspiration to all sundry while he was alive.
“He served Nigeria dutifully and humanity selflessly in every position he found himself. Read more
Police advise against acts that can jeopardise 2023 elections (Guardian)
The Nigeria Police Force has warned Nigerians to shun acts capable of jeopardising the 2023 general elections.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the advice when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Ibadan at the close of a conference organised for the police spokesmen.
Adejobi noted that elections must be peaceful to produce the good governance for which Nigerians yearned.
He called on Nigerians to shun hooliganism, thuggery, vandalism and acts that could affect free, fair and credible election processes. Read more
Lewis Capaldi wants new single “Pointless” to become “a wedding song” (NME)
Lewis Capaldi has said that he wants his new single ‘Pointless’ to become “a wedding song”.
‘Pointless’ is the second single to be taken from Capaldi’s upcoming second album ‘Broken By Desire To Be Heavenly Sent’, following ‘Forget Me’. The follow-up to 2019’s ‘Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent’ will be released on May 19, 2023.
Speaking to The Big Issue, Capaldi discussed the origins of the song, and why he thinks it could soundtrack weddings. “It’s not about the TV programme unfortunately, though that would make quite entertaining listening,” the singer joked. “I’m all about Richard Osman, even though he’s left.
“No, it’s a song about being in love, which for me is almost an alien concept,” Capaldi added. “My songs are usually about falling out of love or being heartbroken or something like that. They don’t often lean towards just a happy love. Read more
Russia sends musicians to frontline to boost morale (BBC)
Russia says it will deploy musicians to the front lines of its war in Ukraine in a bid to boost morale.
The defence ministry announced the formation of the “front-line creative brigade” this week, saying it would include both vocalists and musicians.
The UK’s ministry of defence highlighted the brigade’s creation in an intelligence update on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited frontline troops in Ukraine, the government said.
In a statement posted to Telegram, the defence ministry said Mr Shoigu “flew around the areas of deployment of troops and checked the advanced positions of Russian units in the zone of the special military operation”. Read more
EU strikes key deal on carbon trading to slash emissions by 2030 (France24)
EU member states and parliamentarians on Sunday announced an agreement for a major reform to the bloc’s carbon market, the central plank of its ambitions to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly technologies.
The deal aims to accelerate emissions cuts, phase out free allowances to industries and targets fuel emissions from the building and road transport sectors, according to a European Parliament statement.
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) allows electricity producers and industries with high energy demands such as steel and cement to purchase “free allowances” to cover their carbon emissions under a “polluter pays” principle.
The quotas are designed to decrease over time to encourage them to emit less and invest in greener technologies as part of the European Union’s ultimate aim of achieving carbon neutrality. Read more
Razorlight: Our music was never meant for the charts (MusicNews)
Razorlight “never meant” for their music to hit the charts.
The indie rock band – which consists of founding members Björn Ågren on guitar, lead vocalist Johnny Borrell and bassist Carl Delemo, as well as drummer Andy Burrows – enjoyed massive success with debut album ‘Up All Night’ and their chart-topping record ‘Razorlight’ in the early 2000s but Bjorn thinks it is “laughable” that their music ever became mainstream.
He said: “(Our music) was never meant for the charts. And then that ended up being the kind of music that everyone listens to being in the charts was laughable. I guess we were surprised to learn it was possible. It was nuts.”
The ‘In the Morning’ hitmaker went on to explain that the 2000s were a “very strange” decade but remarked that “everything has happened nicely” as the band prepares to launch their comeback album next year. Read more
Spielberg regrets Jaws impact on shark population (RFI)
Film-maker Steven Spielberg has said he truly regrets the “decimation of the shark population” following the success of his 1975 film “Jaws”.
Spielberg’s Oscar-winning thriller told the story of a man-eating great white shark that attacked a US seaside town, prompting a rise in sports fishing across America.
“I truly and to this day regret the decimation of the shark population because of the book and the film. I really, truly regret that,” Spielberg, 75, told BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs programme.
According to a study in Nature last year, the world’s population of oceanic sharks has fallen by 71 percent since the 1970s due to overfishing. Read more
1st look at Top Gun: Maverick’s Monica Barbaro in new rom-com movie (DigitalSpy)
Top Gun: Maverick star Monica Barbaro’s new romantic comedy from Paramount+ has revealed a first look at the upcoming film.
Directed by Jonah Feingold, At Midnight stars Monica Barbaro as Sophie, a movie star who is navigating the difficult politics of Hollywood.
Barbaro features alongside Father of the Bride star Diego Boneta, who plays Alejandro, an ambitious hotel manager whose sole focus is opening his own boutique hotel.
As Sophie is shooting a new superhero film with hopes of getting her own spinoff, she catches her co-star and boyfriend Adam, played by Workaholics star Anders Holm, cheating on her. Read more
Pope Francis wrote resignation note after being elected in 2013 in case of health issues (Global)
Pope Francis has revealed in an interview published Sunday that shortly after being elected pontiff in 2013 he wrote a resignation letter in case medical problems impede him from carrying out his duties.
Speaking to the Spanish newspaper ABC, Francis said he gave the note to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who then was the Vatican secretary of state. The pontiff added that he presumes that the prelate currently in that Vatican No. 2 role, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, now has the written instruction.
Francis, who turned 86 on Saturday, had surgery in 2021 to repair a bowel narrowing and has been hobbled by knee pain that for months saw him use a wheelchair. Lately, he has increasingly used a cane instead of the wheelchair to get around in public.
Asked what happens if health issues or an accident suddenly leaves a pope unable to do his job, and whether there should be a rule for such instances, Francis replied, “In practice there is already a rule.” Read more
Super Eagles top Africa’s World Cup wins despite Qatar 2022 no-show (Punch)
Records tumble at every World Cup edition but so far at the ongoing Qatar 2022 tournament, Nigeria’s record at the Mundial remains intact despite failing to qualify for the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Morocco is currently Africa’s best performers at the tournament having reached the semi-finals of the competition, however, after they lost 2-1 to Croatia in the third place match on Saturday, they have not matched the Super Eagles win and goals record in the history of the tournament.
The Eagles who made their debut appearance at the 1994 World Cup in the USA still hold the record for the highest number of victories and most goals scored by an African team at the tournament.
The Eagles have played 21 games two fewer than Morocco (23) at the football biggest showpiece recording six wins, they also have the highest number of goals (23) at the tournament so far. Read more
World Cup fans blast ”embarrassing” pre-Argentina vs France ceremony as artists lip sync (Express)
World Cup viewers on BBC and ITV slammed Qatar’s opening ceremony and complained that the artists were lip-syncing before Argentina and France took to the field to contest the final on Sunday. Performer Davido was notably criticised, as he joined the other acts to sing the tournament’s theme song ‘Hayya Hayya (Better Together)’.
One fan even noticed that “the camera had to pan away from” Davido as the acts were criticised for hiding behind the track. Another fan took to social media to claim it was “the worst miming” they had ever seen as several noted how “embarrassing” the event was for Qatar.
Davido joined Qatari songwriter Aisha to perform the track, who were then followed by Ozuna and Gims to perform ‘Arhbo’ before Nora Fatehi, Balqees, Rahma Riad and Manal concluded with ‘Light the Sky’.
Fans felt that the lip-syncing was obvious, as another viewer wrote on Twitter: “They’re not even hiding the fact they’re miming,” though some fans did enjoy the show despite the clear miming. “This ceremony has been pretty cool from a visual standpoint and the music has been pretty good,” another fan added on Twitter. “Even if the performers look like they are lip-syncing from my pov.” Read more
Sinisa Mihajlovic, Serbian footballer and coach, dies aged 53 (Eurosport)
Serie A legend Sinisa Mihajlovic has died at the age of 53.
Former Yugoslavia defender Mihajlovic, who announced in 2019 that he had been diagnosed with leukaemia, played for Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter in Italy. He also managed a host of teams, including AC Milan.
His family said on Friday that he had died.
A statement from his family read: “Wife Ariadne, with children Viktorija, Virginia, Miroslav, Dusan and Nikolas, granddaughter Violante, mother Vikyorija and brother Drazen in grief communicate the unjust and untimely death of their exemplary husband, father, son and brother, Sinisa Mihajlovic. Read more
Red Bull open to selling Formula 1 team (F1News)
2022 was an incredibly mixed year for the Red Bull family in Formula 1, with the official Red Bull outfit having enjoyed considerable success, following the team’s first Constructors’ Championship since 2013 and Max Verstappen’s second consecutive Drivers’ Championship.
Whilst the team were also able to celebrate their 17 victories in 2022, the main side endured some difficulties, all of which occurred towards the end of the season.
The Austrians were, of course, deemed guilty by the FIA for having breached the 2021 budget cap, something which resulted in a fine of $7 million and a 10-percent reduction in permitted aerodynamic research.
This was all made public at virtually the same time as Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz’s tragic death, following a bout of illness. Read more
Alcaraz confident of hitting top form for Australian Open (France24)
World number one Carlos Alcaraz is confident he will be ready to compete at his best level at next month’s Australian Open, despite an abdominal injury that shortened his preseason training block.
The 19-year-old Spaniard recovered from a muscle tear in his left abdomen that ruled him out of the ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals at the end of his last campaign and only started practising fully a week ago.
Two defeats to Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend helped Alcaraz dip his toes back into action and he believes he has enough time to train and find his game before the first Grand Slam of 2023 comes along on January 16.
“I would say the key is to practise a lot, spend a lot of hours on court. With that, you’re going to reach your best level and be ready for the season,” the reigning US Open champion told reporters in the UAE capital. Read more
World Cup needs risk-takers, says Klinsmann (Guardian)
Former World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann said the tournament in Qatar has shown the need for risk-taking players such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
Mbappe and Messi, the leading scorers with five goals apiece, will go up against each other at Lusail Stadium on Sunday when defending champions France meet Argentina.
Klinsmann, who won the trophy with West Germany in 1990, said it was vital to have players who could unlock defences.
“You need to have players capable of going one against one, players who can get past defenders,” Klinsmann, a member of FIFA’s technical study group, said on Saturday.
“Be risky, be courageous, because the middle of the field is so well-organised.” Read more
