Infidelity: Rivers man strangles, sets lover ablaze (Punch)
A middle-aged man, identified as Baby Face, has died in a fire incident in his house in the Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The body of his yet-to-be-identified lover was also recovered from the house.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Baby Face invited his lover to his house at Kom Kom, a densely populated area in Oyigbo, on the outskirts of Port Harcourt at the weekend, when the incident occurred.
A source said the man later interrogated his girlfriend over an alleged affair she had with another man, which led to an argument between the lovers. Read more
Chatham House: I’ll destroy structure holding Nigerians down, says Obi (DailyTrust)
Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, has said Nigeria’s Presidency with him and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, his running mate, in charge will dismantle inefficiency and eliminate transactional policies that breed corruption in government.
Obi said this on Monday at Chatham House, the famous British international Policy institute, where he was a guest.
Obi who took over 15 questions from the audience after his presentation on various sectors, said his administration will dismantle the structure of criminality which has been used to hold the country down.
“There will be no sacred cow under the Obi-Datti administration. Our objective is to dismantle these structures of criminality and enthrone competence, character, and capability so that talents and ideas can flourish,” Obi said. Read more
NSCDC arrests 65-year-old man for raping 11-year-old orphan (Guardian)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have arrested a 65-year-old man for allegedly raping an 11-year-old orphan repeatedly.
The Command also paraded five suspects including two ex-convicts who specialise in killing motorcycle owners before disposing of their machines.
Also, a female money counterfeiter and five-sex workers were paraded, yesterday, by the Command.
The alleged rapist, Elam Gari, a father of eight from Shongom local council of Gombe State was said to have sexually molested the girl (names withheld.)
According to the NSCDC Commandant, Waziri Gona, the culprit who often took the girl to a bush, always threatened to kill her, if she disclosed the illicit affairs to anyone including her guardian. Read more
3 persons in Nigeria wealthier than 83m Nigerians – Oxfam (DailyTrust)
Oxfam in Nigeria has said three of the richest Nigerian citizens are wealthier than 83 million others put together.
This is contained in a report titled ‘Davos 2023 Inequality Report’ unveiled at a media briefing on Monday in Abuja.
Ahead of the global conference of world leaders scheduled for next week in Davos Switzerland, Country Director, Oxfam in Nigeria, Dr. Vincent Ahonsi, presented the report.
Represented by the Deputy Programmes Director and Budget Business Development Manager of the organisation, Regina Afiemo, Ahonsi presented the report alongside Executive Director, Connected Development (CODE), Mallam Hamza Lawal; Coordinator, Climate Justice Project, Oxfam in Nigeria, Kenneth Akpan, and Project Coordinator, Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction, Henry Ushie. Read more
Alleged graft, treason: Tinubu, Atiku seek each other’s arrest, disqualification (Vanguard)
The intrigues trailing the race for the presidency assumed a dangerous twist, yesterday, as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for the arrest and disqualification of each other over allegations of graft.
Tinubu threw the first punch when he asked security agencies in the country to invite, arrest, interrogate and prosecute Alhaji Atiku Abubakar over what he described as #AtikuGate.
Citing a video clip made by one Michael Achimugu, said to be a former aide of the PDP standard bearer, Tinubu said Atiku as vice president between 1999 and 2007, colluded with his then boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, to operate an illegal account tagged, “Special Purpose Vehicles” SPVs.
He accused the PDP-led administration between 1999 and 2007 of running a criminal enterprise, describing the era as the “SPV Years.” Read more
Niger condemns attack on Reverend Father, worship centre (Guardian)
Niger State Governor, Dr. Abubakar Bello, has condemned the killing of Rev. Fr. Isaac Achi, the Parish Priest of SS Peter and Paul, Kafin-koro, who was burnt to death by gunmen and the entire Parish house burnt down in the early hours of Sunday at Kafin-Koro, Paikoro local council of the state.
According to a statement by the Commissioner, Ministry of Information and Strategies, Dr. Emmanuel Musa, the governor said he was saddened by the unfortunate incident and condoles with the entire Christian community in the state.
He lamented the attack on Reverend Dr. Martin Uzonkwu, and his auxiliary, Bishop Shuster Gropep and his assistant, Reverend Father Collins Omeh of the Kafin-Koro Deanery, who sustained gunshot injury and was rushed to the hospital.
The governor directed security agencies in the state to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book. Read more
Emefiele, DSS’s running battle paused as CBN gov resumes (Punch)
The battle between the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and the Department of State Services over a plan to arrest the CBN governor may have been put on hold as Emefiele resumes duty.
The CBN governor on Monday resumed office at the CBN headquarters, after spending several weeks in the United Kingdom and the United States following reported plots by the DSS to arrest him.
In a statement by the CBN Director of Corporate Communications, Mr Osita Nwanisobi, the apex bank said the governor had resumed to work, amid concerns over his absence since last month.
The statement read, “The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele, has resumed duty after his annual vacation abroad. Mr Emefiele, who proceeded on leave in December 2022, resumed work today, Monday, January 16, 2023. Read more
Edo train kidnap: Rescued victims recount ordeals (Vanguard)
Rescued victims of Igueben train station kidnap in Edo State, yesterday, narrated their ordeals in the hands of their captors.
They also hailed Edo State government for ensuring the safe return to their families.
Speaking with journalists at the Police Cottage Hospital, where they were taken for tests and rehabilitation after their ordeals, the rescued victims noted that a combined team of security operatives led the operation that rescued them.
One of the victims, Mr. Christian Iyere, commended the state government and all the security agencies that collaborated to rescue them. Read more
BBTitans: See Full List Of Housemates Nominated For Possible Eviction (Tribune)
Emotions run high as the Big Brother Titans (BBT) maiden edition unveiled names of housemates nominated for possible eviction on Sunday.
Nana was nominated by at least 9 housemates for possible eviction making her the most frequent nominee on the list. Mmeli on the other hand is the only housemate that was not put up for possible eviction after winning the Head of House game earlier in the day.
For newbies, the rule of the house gives the HoH veto power to save themselves from possible eviction. In this particular edition, the HoH can also save the other housemates from possible eviction as well according to Biggie.
ALSO READ: South African Mmeli becomes 1st Head of House in ‘BBTitans’ edition
Here is the breakdown of how the housemates voted:
1.Ipeleng nominated Jenni O and Olivia
2. Blaqboi nominated Yemi and Yaya
3. Yaya nominated Nana and Blaqboi
4. Ebubu nominated Justin and Nana
5. Nelisa nominated Khosi (Tail) and Nana. Read more
Nepal air crash: Indian passenger’s video caught plane’s last moments
Published (BBC)
In the hours after Nepal’s deadliest plane crash for 30 years, a video went viral in India – it showed one of the victims, Sonu Jaiswal, livestreaming from the plane just seconds before the crash.
He was part of a group of four friends from Ghazipur in India who were visiting Nepal, and were on the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
In the footage, Pokhara airport’s surroundings are visible from the doomed plane as it comes into land, those on board unaware they are just moments from death.
None of the 72 people on board are believed to have survived the crash. Read more
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry address Jeremy Clarkson’s claim of direct apology (Metro)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have responded to Jeremy Clarkson’s claims that he sent an apology to the couple after his vitriolic column about the Duchess of Sussex.
Clarkson, 62, broke his social media absence on Monday to reveal that he directly apologised to Meghan and Harry in an Email sent on Christmas Day.
It came after he published a column in The Sun stating he ‘hated’ Meghan on a ‘cellular level’ and ‘dreamt’ of her being ‘paraded’ through towns in the UK and having ‘excrement’ thrown at her.
In a fresh statement, a spokesperson for Meghan, 41, and Harry, 38, has now said: ‘On December 25, 2022, Mr Clarkson wrote solely to Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex. Read more
Official: Jihadis abduct 50 women in Burkina Faso (VOA)
At least 50 women were abducted by Islamic extremists in Burkina Faso’s northern Sahel region last week, a local official said Monday.
The kidnappings occurred January 12 and 13, approximately 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the town of Arbinda in Soum province, Lt. Col. P.F. Rodolphe Sorgho, the governor of Sahel, said in a statement.
The women were kidnapped while in the countryside gathering wild fruit, he said.
Jihadi violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group has overrun Burkina Faso, killing thousands and displacing nearly 2 million people in the West African nation. The failure of successive governments to stop the fighting has caused widespread discontent and triggered two military coups in 2022, the second against the first military regime to seize power. Read more
Selena Gomez gives ‘mood’ update after slamming body-shamers (PageSix)
She’s ice cream chillin’ chillin’.
Selena Gomez assured fans she is feeling great after hitting back at body-shamers on Instagram.
The “Only Murders in the Building” star shared a throwback photo on Monday of herself with a soft smile while resting her chin in her hands.
“Mood,” she simply captioned the snap.
Many fans took the post to mean that Gomez, 30, was happy and doing well after being forced to address her weight gain. Read more
Biden criticizes Republicans as ‘fiscally demented’ in MLK Day remarks (USAToday)
President Joe Biden on Monday criticized Republicans as “fiscally demented” and said the GOP’s top priority legislation would worsen inflation while increasing taxes on the working class and helping the super wealthy.
“That’s how they’re starting their new term,” Biden said during remarks at an event hosted by the National Action Network, a civil rights organization. “If any of these bills happen to reach my desk, I will veto them.”
Biden began his comments, delivered on the federal holiday honoring the birthday of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., listing ways he said his administration has helped Black Americans, a group crucial to his 2020 election to the White House. But Biden said those accomplishments now have to be defended because Republicans won control of the House in the 2022 midterm elections.
“On this one and so much I have your back,” said Biden, who is expected to announce in the coming weeks that he will run for a second term in 2024. “We’ve got to stand together.” Read more
Brazil Congress: Dozens indicted over 8 January riot (BBC)
Brazil’s attorney general has filed an indictment against 39 people for their alleged involvement in the storming of the Senate building on 8 January.
The riot saw thousands of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro attack government buildings following his election loss last year.
The indictment says the individuals – who are not named – used violence and threats to try to abolish democracy.
Mr Bolsonaro has voiced “regret” for the unrest, but denies he caused it.
Perceived threats to democratic order are a sensitive subject in a country where military rule ended in 1985. Read more
Harry Styles confirmed to perform at Brit Awards 2023 (Metro)
Harry Styles leads the nominations at next month’s Brit Awards – and he’ll also perform at the bash, bosses confirmed today.
One Way or Another, the One Direction heartthrob will rule the UK’s biggest night in music when it returns to the O2 in London on February 11.
It is yet to be revealed what Hazza has up his sleeve for the show – we just hope guests leave their bags of Skittles at home.
The 28-year-old chart-topper is set to add to his trophy cabinet after receiving a benchmark-setting four nods. Read more
Nigerian basketball star, Chima Moneke, joins France’s AS Monaco (Guardian)
After being waived by the Sacramento Kings earlier this month, Chima Moneke will resume his basketball career with AS Monaco, according to Eurohoops. The 27-year-old small forward has signed a contract with the EuroLeague club that will run through the end of the 2023/24 season, according to www.hoopsrumors.com.
“I chose Monaco because the coach, the general manager, and the president showed a great interest in me directly,” Moneke said. “I felt wanted by the club and they thought I could really contribute to this team. They immediately seduced me and in addition, the objectives are high. The idea of living in Monaco also appealed to me enormously, I want to live a peaceful and happy life.”
Moneke was a star in Europe for four seasons before signing with Sacramento in July. He only appeared in two NBA games, scoring two points in eight total minutes, and spent most of his time with the Kings’ G League affiliate in Stockton.
Moneke was released January 6, shortly before his contract would have been guaranteed for the rest of the season. He received $500, 000 during his time with Sacramento. Read more
Nikola Vucevic ties career-high 43 points in Bulls 132-118 win vs Warriors (Vanguard)
Nikola Vucevic scored a season-high 43 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a first victory over the visiting Golden State Warriors since March 2nd, 2017.
The Chicago Bulls who were without their best player, DeMar DeRozan, ended their three-game losing streak on Sunday by surprisingly bowing past the Golden State Warriors, 132-118.
The Bulls had lost their last 11 straight games against the Warriors coming into the fixture but were in high spirits as Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine led Chicago Bulls to the double-digit victory.
Vucevic finished with a season-high 43 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals on 18-of-31 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3-point range. Read more
Sports ministry investigates NSF medals table padding (DailyTrust)
Following complaints regarding the medals table following the most recent National Sports Festival (NSF) in Asaba, Delta State, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has decided to form a committee to launch an immediate review.
There have been concerns about purported results padding from a plethora of sources, with several states arguing that the total results cannot match the final medals table.
The ministry said in a statement on Sunday that the evaluation was necessary to identify any difficulties with the festival’s medals table computation.
“Accordingly, the ministry has appointed a five-man committee made up of experts who had managed the technical arm of previous sports festivals,” the statement reads. Read more
Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool manager has no plans to quit ‘unless someone tells me’ (BBC)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he will not leave the club unless he is forced to, and hinted at changes at Anfield during the summer.
The German’s comments come amid a run of poor form for the Reds, who are ninth in the Premier League and 10 points off a top-four spot.
“Either the manager’s position changes or a lot of other things change,” said Klopp.
“So, as far as I am concerned unless someone tells me I will not go.”
He added: “So that means maybe there is a point where we have to change other stuff. We will see that, but that is something for the future. Like summer or whatever. Not now. Read more
Man United plot summer move for Osimhen (Punch)
According to a report by Italian media, Il Mattino, Manchester United are reportedly lining up a bumper offer for Super Eagles and Napoli striker star Victor Osimhen in the summer.
United recently added Wout Weghorst on loan and signing a striker in the summer transfer window will be a matter of urgency for the Red Devils as Dutch tactician Erik ten Hag will want to add a prolific forward to boost his squad.
Ten Hag has identified Osimhen as a target and will want to bring the Nigeria international to the Premier League next season.
“Manchester United are already lining up to sign Victor Osimhen, with many intermediaries already at work to bring him to the Premier League after this season,” Il Mattino reports. Read more
After Shaw, Ajagba set for UK debut (Guardian)
Nigeria’s biggest boxing export, Efe Ajagba, is in line to make his debut in Britain this year after impressive outings in the United States.
The 2016 Olympics star, who turned professional immediately after reaching the quarterfinals of the heavyweight division at the Rio Games, scored yet another win at the weekend, beating the previously unbeaten Stephan Shaw by 10-round unanimous decision (96-94, 96-94 and 96-94) at Turning Stone Resort Casino.
According to boxingscene.com, Ajagba is now in the mix for potential fights against two highly rated contenders from the United Kingdom – WBA “regular” champion Daniel Dubois and WBO interim-champion Joe Joyce.
Top Rank, who promote Ajagba, have a close relationship with veteran promoter, Frank Warren, who guides the careers of Dubois and Joyce. Read more