I’ve told Buhari I’ll contest for presidency in 2023, says Tinubu (Tribune)
Former Lagos State governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, has informed President Muhammadu Buhari of his intention to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party chieftain met with the president in his office on Monday at the presidential villa, Abuja, after which he told correspondents that he would definitely contest for the 2023 presidency.
He refused to be drawn into the question of a potential race for the APC ticket between him and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo whose support groups have been mobilizing for his candidacy.
Tinubu asserted that his ambition to be president of Nigeria had been a life-long ambition, noting that with what he did in Lagos in his time as governor, he has the capacity to rule Nigeria.
On Osinbajo’s potential ambition, the APC national leader maintained that he would not discuss any individual. Read more
FAAN arrests over 90 touts at Lagos, Abuja airports (Punch)
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria said it arrested over 90 touts carrying out nefarious activities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu (Mrs.), said this in a statement on Monday, adding that the arrests were part of an effort to rid the nation’s airports of touting and extortion.
“The touts were arrested for various acts of illegality including fake Covid-19 test results, touting, unauthorised entry, trespass, illegal facilitation, forgery, loitering, theft, public nuisance and arguments, amongst others.
“Some of those arrested are staff of Patovilki Nigeria Limited, Lakewood Services, Nahco Plc, and other airport staff,” she said. Read more
Save us from bandits, Ibeju Lekki residents cry out (Nation)
The Olowu Ogunkalu family of Oreki Village in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State has called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and stall the activities of some suspicious individuals using their land as a training camp for bandits and terrorists.
The family’s spokesperson, who is also Baale of Oreki, Chief Waliu Olowu, alleged that policemen were aiding these unlawful activities, especially as they were also feigning to be land grabbers. He pleaded with the governor to intervene and stop the infringement of their rights by unscrupulous elements.
He said: “They are perceived as mere land grabbers, but what they do is to conspire with some policemen in uniform to run a training camp for terrorists. We call on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies, Lagos State governor, as well as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Lagos to intervene and stop them now.”
Olowu also accused a businessman of colluding with a Hong Kong national to sell the government’s excised land to unsuspecting people. According to him, the foreigner has successfully built a land-grabbing cartel-turned breeding ground for bandits, while they are also involved in some other illegal activities. Read more
Governor AbdulRazaq’s education transformation kicks off with KwaraLEARN (Tribune)
Basic education in Kwara State is undergoing a revolution following the introduction of KwaraLEARN (Leading Education Achievement and Reform Now) by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s administration.
KwaraLEARN is a public education transformation programme that would improve teaching and learning using innovative technology, data-driven platforms, high-quality learning materials, effective training and continuous coaching and support for teachers and school administrators.
Governor AbdulRazaq signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of KwaraLEARN last November to develop the education sector and further boost its contribution to sustainable economic growth and development.
The education reform programme will enhance the teacher-pupil interaction experience through technology (eLearning), boost uniformity and strict adherence to the curriculum as teachers’ tablets will be preloaded with lessons and content that will be effectively monitored for standardisation across all public primary schools. Read more
Nigerian businessman arraigned for death of American stripper in Ghana (Guardian)
A Nigerian businessman has been arraigned by Ghana police for the death of American stripper Julie Diane Williams known as Tyger Booty.
Ghana police said Tyger Booty was in contact with a Nigerian businessman identified as Bright Udiagbe known as Big Slim while she was in Ghana. Big Slim owns hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs in both Nigeria and Ghana.
Tyger Booty was reported dead in mid-December 2021 at a hotel in Abelemkpe, a suburb in Ghana’s capital city Accra.
Weeks after her death, Ghanaian police have been investigating the death and tracking the sequence of events before her death on how she arrived in Ghana, contact with the country and the US embassy, and arrests related to her demise. Read more
Ozigbo dedicates ‘Anambra Man Of The Year’ award to father, youths (Independent)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the November 6, 2021 governorship election and winner of this year’s ‘Anambra Man of The Year ‘ Mr. Valentine
Chineto Ozigbo, has dedicated his award to his father who he said shaped his life and those of his siblings.
His father, Chief Andrew Nwafor Ozigbo, passed away on January 3 at the age of 92.
Ozigbo said: “Papa laid the foundation for what I have become. Without him, my life would have taken a whole different path, and I am grateful for the many sacrifices he and my mother made to ensure that my six siblings and I received a noble and enlightened upbringing.”
He said he was deeply touched by the honour of being chosen by Ndi Anambra and profoundly grateful for the great year that 2021 was. Read more
I have no regret supporting Ganduje to be Governor, Says Kwankwaso (Channels)
Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, says he has no regret supporting Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to succeed him as the Chief Executive of the state.
During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Senator Kwankwaso spoke about his relationship with Governor Ganduje in the past, as well as how they both worked together until 2015.
“I have no regrets whatsoever because we are still strong, much stronger than 2015. Not only in Kano but across the country and beyond,” he said.
Kwankwaso was first elected governor of the north-western state in 1999 and was re-elected in 2011, completing his eight years allowed by the Constitution. Read more
Davido’s documentary, “We Rise”, set to premiere on January 15 (DailyTrust)
A documentary on one of Nigeria’s popular singers, David Adeleke also known as Davido, is set to premiere in January.
This was announced by the Nigeria Entertainment Today (Netng) on the release of a new documentary that tells the story of Davido.
Sharing the trailer of the documentary, they captioned it, “One billion streams in one year! It’s an all-too-rare feat only @davido has achieved in Africa. In 10 years, he’s proven that he isn’t the rich kid passing out time with music. It’s serious business and he’s putting in the hard work.
“We Rise: The Davido Story’ as told by those that have watched him grow and evolve through the years, premieres on Sunday, January 15, 2022, only on the net.ng/davido. #thedavidostory.”
Juju maestro, Dayo Kujore, is dead (Sun)
Veteran juju musician, Wonder Dayo Kujore, is dead.
Kujore’s widow confirmed to The Sun that her husband died this afternoon after a brief illness.
Born on April 4, 1958 in Robiyan, ,Ogun State to Pa Micheal Odejimi Kujore and Madam Esther Kujore ,the Soko music exponent had his elementary education at African Church Primary School and then proceeded to African Church Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State. He later attended Soba Technical School Oju Elegba, Lagos before venturing into music.
Dayo Kujore played alongside Sir Shina Peters and Segun Adewale in General Prince Adekunle’s band before going solo. Read more
Gates of Hell will finally be closed as fiery sinkhole is set to be sealed after half a century (Metro)
A deep chasm in the ground that’s been burning since the 1970s is due to finally be extinguished.
Known as the ‘Gates of Hell’, the fiery sinkhole stretches 230-feet wide and is located in the Karakum Desert in Turkmenistan, about 150 miles north of the country’s capital, Ashgabat.
No-one really knows how it was created, but one of the popular theories is it was created in ’71 when Soviet scientists ignited it.
The rumour goes that the Soviets came across the area while they were searching for natural gas deposits in the desert.
During the search the upper layers of soil collapsed inwards – creating a 70-foot deep crater filled with dangerous gas. Read more
Savannah Guthrie tests positive for Covid-19 (NBC)
Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie has tested positive for COVID-19.
Guthrie is fully vaccinated and has received a booster dose of the vaccine.
She anchored Monday’s show virtually from home and said she was feeling well, “little sniffles, but not much more than that.”
“Trading places w @hodakotb! Feeling fine – be back in studi soon ;),” she tweeted. Read more
The Bob’s Burgers Movie trailer is coming very soon (DigitalSpy)
The Bob’s Burgers Movie was first announced way back in 2017 – but now, four years on, we finally know when its first trailer will arrive.
Fortunately, we don’t have to wait much longer, as our first look at the feature-length adventure at Bob’s Burgers will be served fresh off the grill tonight (Monday, January 10).
Bob’s Burgers writer Jon Schroeder confirmed the news on Twitter, telling fans to keep an eye out in the ad breaks during the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The game, which will see Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Georgia Bulldogs, will air on ESPN in the States this evening, so expect to catch the trailer online shortly after. Read more
Bob Saget, beloved TV dad on ‘Full House’ and ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ host, dies at 65 (USAToday)
Comedian Bob Saget, the star of TV’s “Full House” and host of “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” has died. He was 65.
Saget, who was best known for his role as widowed father Danny Tanner in ABC’s “Full House,” was found unresponsive in his hotel room at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando, Florida, at about 4 p.m. Sunday, police said. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office told USA TODAY in a statement that detectives have found
“no signs of foul play or drug use in this case.” The Medical Examiner’s Office will ultimately determine the cause of death.
Saget’s family confirmed his death in a statement provided to USA TODAY. Read more
‘King Promise and his team wanted full payment ahead of Wildaland concert’ – 3Music CEO explains beef (MyJoy)
The festive season was one to remember with a lot of events happening all over the country.
One of the debut events that was highly anticipated by patrons from the country and the diaspora was the Wildaland concert hosted by 3Music boss, Sadiq Abdulai Abu.
However, the event was not devoid of controversies as Sadiq revealed that singer, King Promise
and his team did not treat him fairly during preparations towards the event.
He explained that the development fueled his reason to ban King Promise’s contents from the 3Music platform. Sadiq said he is dissociating himself from the ‘Slow Down’ hitmaker. Read more
The Square: Dubai blues festival to open new ‘hassle free’ events venue (National)
Expect music festivals, concerts and New Year’s Eve celebrations at Dubai’s newest performance venue, The Square.
Located at the Inspiratus Sports District, also known as ISD, in Dubai Sports City, the outdoor site will launch this month with the three-day Dubai Blues Festival beginning from January 27.
The event, headlined by US players Sax Gordon and Big Daddy Wilson, will be followed up by a string of jazz shows held in February, says the venue’s managing director Anthony Younes.
Younes is a veteran of the UAE events industry, having launched The Emirates Airline Dubai Jazz Festival in 2003 under the company Chillout Productions. Read more
Bola Osundairo challenges Jake Paul to boxing match (TMZ)
Bola Osundairo — one of the brothers at the centre of the Jussie Smollett scandal — has a message for Jake Paul … think you can fight?? Well, I’m coming for your ass!!
TMZ Sports talks to Abimbola — aka Bola — about his burgeoning boxing career … when the conversation turned to The Problem Child.
“Kick rocks. More like the great white hype. And I want you Jake Paul, and I’m coming after you. And we’re gonna wipe the hype.”
Osundairo then had a message for Paul. Read more
New Newcastle United owners face legal action (Guardian)
Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has launched legal action against financier Amanda Staveley, one of the key figures in the recent Saudi-led takeover of the English Premier League club.
A document seen by AFP shows that retail tycoon Ashley’s St James Holdings has lodged a claim at the High Court in London, although no reason for the action, also brought against Staveley’s husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi, was specified.
Reports said relations soured between Ashley and Staveley ahead of the takeover in October — the struggling football club in northeast England was sold to a Saudi-led consortium for £305 million ($414 million).
The consortium comprises the Saudi Public Investment Fund, Staveley’s PCP Capital Partners and billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben. Read more
Mane gives Senegal win over Zimbabwe (BBC)
A Sadio Mane penalty seven minutes into added time enabled lacklustre Senegal to beat Zimbabwe 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener.
Defeat was harsh on Zimbabwe, who made one of the tournament favourites look distinctly ordinary in Bafoussam.
In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Kelvin Madzongwe was adjudged to have handled as he turned his back on a strike from Pape Gueye.
Liverpool forward Mane rifled home to give Senegal the perfect start.
Featuring a side shorn of several players, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, because of Covid, the Senegalese had earlier missed a host of chances. Read more
AFCON 2021: “I’m not looking at personal glory”- Eguavoen reacts to possibility of matching Keshi’s record (Soccernet)
The 56-year-old tactician could become just the third person to win the biggest prize in African football as a player and a coach
Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen has expressed his indifference to the possibility of him breaking late Stephen Keshi’s record to become the only person alive to have won the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.
The late Keshi was part of the Super Eagles team that beat Zambia to win the Nations Cup in 1994. He then rewrote history by leading the Super Eagles to AFCON glory in 2013 as a coach.
This ensured that the former Super Eagles captain became the second man to win the AFCON as a player and a coach after former Egyptian coach Mahmoud El-Gohary. Read more
Man United’s Axel Tuanzebe left Aston Villa due to Steven Gerrard arrival – agent (ESPN)
Axel Tuanzebe’s chances of getting first-team football at Aston Villa were weakened after Steven Gerrard’s arrival and his history at Liverpool, according to his agent Dimitri Tuanzebe.
Tuanzebe joined Villa on loan from Manchester United in the summer but the deal was cut short in January to allow the defender to join Napoli for the rest of the season.
Following Gerrard’s appointment in November, Tuanzebe was restricted to just eight minutes of football, prompting brother and agent Dimitri to broker a move to Italy.
There were fears Liverpool’s historic rivalry with United had become a factor in Gerrard’s decision to overlook Tuanzebe but the 24-year-old is delighted to have been given a fresh start with Napoli and is aiming to win the Serie A title with the club for the first time in more than 30 years. Read more
Isco’s Father plays down Fiorentina links (FootballItalia)
Isco’s father Paco Alarcón confirms he hasn’t had contacts with Fiorentina, so rumours linking his son with a move to the Artemio Franchi are ‘not true.’
Last week, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the Tuscans are interested in signing the Real Madrid outcast in January or as a free agent at the end of the season.
However, La Viola’s director Daniele Pradé ruled out a move for the 29-year-old yesterday.
“We heard a lot of rumours about Isco, but we don’t even know who his agents are. He’s a very talented player, but we are not interested in him,” the Fiorentina director said. Read more
Novak Djokovic breaks silence after winning appeal against deportation from Australia (Independent)
Novak Djokovic has confirmed he intends to defend his Australian Open title after winning his appeal against being denied entry to the country.
Djokovic was released from an immigration facility in Melbourne on Monday after Judge Anthony Kelly quashed an order to cancel his visa following scrutiny over his medical exemption for the Covid vaccine.
“I’m pleased and grateful that the Judge overturned my visa cancellation,” Djokovic posted on Twitter, along with a picture of him and his team following a training session at the Rod Laver Arena.
“Despite all that has happened, I want to stay and try to compete at the Australian Open. I remain focused on that. I flew here to play at one of the most important events we have in front of the amazing fans. Read more
Williams’ move to be more daring in 2021 paid off (PlanetF1)
Williams have often struggled as the backmarkers of the F1 grid, but that ended last year with the team scoring 23 points “on merit”.
Drivers George Russell and Nicholas Latifi scored 10 points at the Hungarian Grand Prix, a big moment for the team considering their rather long dry spell of scoring none.
The team is no longer run by Claire and Frank Williams, after they retired from the sport in 2020. Since then, Jost Capito took over under new ownership from Dorilton Capital, and the team has gone from strength to strength.
Last year, Williams improved by leaps and bounds, with Russell edging into Q3 four times, and consistently being in Q2 – 19 times to be exact. Read more