JAMB fixes February 14 for commencement of 2023 UTME registration (Guardian)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has, at the end of its management meeting held on Tuesday, 20th December 2022, rolled out some major dates for its activities in 2023.
Consequently, the Board has approved the commencement of registration for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from Saturday, 14th January to Tuesday, 14th February 2023. This, however, does not include registration for Direct Entry (DE) application documents as the DE registration would commence from Monday, 20th February to Thursday, 20th April 2022.
The Board also fixed Thursday, 16th March 2023, for the conduct of its optional mock UTME.
Candidates are to note that they would be required to pay the sum of N1000 service charge for CBT centres for the conduct of mock examination at the point of registration so as to prevent a situation where candidates would indicate their interest to sit the mock-UTME leading the various centres to commit human and material resources only for them to stay away on the day of the examination. With the new arrangement, candidates indicate their interest by paying for the mock at the point of UTME registration, therefore, precluding the centres from incurring any loss whether candidates turn up or not. Read more
Davido hints at releasing album next year (Vanguard)
Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, professionally known as Davido has hinted at the release of a new album in March 2023.
After his performance at the FIFA World Cup closing ceremony along with Trinidad Cardona and Aisha, the singer hinted on Twitter at a release of a new album in March 2023.
In the tweet, he included an emoji of a music track while asking his fans to anticipate his return.
He wrote, “See y’all in march.”
The singer has been off social media since the demise of his son, Ifeanyi Adeleke in November.
Davido, however, posted for the first time on Sunday ahead of his performance in Qatar. Read more
My enemies keep failing, Okupe says after court drama (Punch)
Dr. Doyin Okupe, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, took to his Twitter account on Monday evening to declare that his enemies keep failing.
The embattled Labour Party chieftain was on Monday convicted of breaching the Money Laundering Act by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and was subsequently sentenced to two and a half years in prison or pay a fine of N13 million before 4:30pm yesterday. Okupe paid the fine before the deadline.
The PUNCH earlier reported that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, the presiding judge, gave Okupe an option of N500, 000 fine on each of the 26 count charges, totalling N13,000,000 for which he was found guilty in a suit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of which Okupe was the first defendant.
Failure to pay the fine on all the charges he was found guilty of before the deadline, would have seen Okupe sent to the Kuje Correctional Centre. Read more
Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line ready for operation – LAMATA (Independent)
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has announced that the infrastructure for the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LMRT) Blue Line is ready.
A press release signed by Mr Kolawole Ojelabi, the Consultant, Corporate Communication of LAMATA, said the completion of the infrastructure is in fulfillment of the promise made by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu that the project would be completed in the last quarter of 2022, ahead of the commencement of passenger operations slated for the first quarter of 2023.
He explained that the LRMT Blue Line is one of the six rail lines and monorails prescribed for Lagos in the state’s Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP). Read more
Youths launch campaign for Sanwo-Olu, target 3 million votes (ThisDay)
The Lagos State youths on Monday launched the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu Youth Professionals Support Group (BOSYOPS) to secure three million votes for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid. The group also launched a virtual platform giving free internet access for accessibility.
Addressing newsmen after the launch, the Convener of BOSYOPS, Bisola Olusanya, noted the group aimed to ensure youth-inclusive and total support for Sanwo-Olu for another four years, adding that the virtual platform is for transparency of activities. “The reason for the group is to say as youths, we need a transparent platform, that we can drive and where our voice can be heard.
It’s for us to come together to make a uniform decision on who will run for the next four years and here we are devoting our support for Governor Sanwo-Olu to continue the affairs of the state for a greater Lagos.
“The group is for the youths, by the youths, and of the youths. No man is an islander. Governor Sanwo-Olu needs our support which is why we are coming together to garner support for him,” she said. Read more
Lagos commissioner advocates cleaner environment (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, has called for a cleaner environment in the country.
The commissioner, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tajudeen Gaji, made the call at the just concluded foundation climate change art exhibition organised by Our Tomorrow Non-Governmental Organisation, held in Lagos, on Thursday.
According to Bello, information technology and social media have helped in exposing children to the dangers of climate change. Read more
Again, Emefiele fails to appear before Reps over new naira notes, withdrawal limits (Nation)
Central Bank (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele again failed to appear before the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
He was invited to brief the lawmakers on the new cash withdrawal limit.
He was initially billed to appear before the House on December 15, but failed to show up, citing official engagement outside the country with the President.
However, the House directed the Clerk to the House to write another letter inviting him to brief the House on Tuesday on the cash withdrawal policy and the redesign of the naira. Read more
Senate confirms Lauretta Onochie as NDDC Chairman (Channels)
The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Lauretta Onochie, a Special Assistant on Social Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, and 12 others as Chairman and board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Both the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Niger Delta had screened Onochie on Thursday alongside 13 others for the NDDC board roles.
Buhari had written to the Senate requesting the Upper Chamber to confirm the appointment of the Chairman and Members of the commission’s board in accordance with the provisions of section 2(2)(a) of the NDDC (Establishment) Act.
This marked the second time Buhari forwarded a list of nominees for the NDDC board for confirmation. He sent the first list of nominees for the board in 2021 and the Senate screened and confirmed the nominees. Read more
Pirates of the Caribbean producer admits he’d ‘love’ Johnny Depp back as Jack Sparrow (Metro)
Johnny Depp would be welcomed back to Pirates of the Caribbean with open arms – well, at least by one man.
The 59-year-old actor famously starred as the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow in five instalments of the blockbuster Pirates franchise between 2003 and 2017.
A Disney executive previously confirmed Johnny was no longer a part of the series with writers wanting to bring in ‘new energy’, and the actor himself said he had no desire to return.
It came amid Johnny’s bitter and highly-publicised libel trial against ex-wife Amber Heard, which is also believed to have cost him his role in the Fantastic Beasts franchise. Read more
Rebel crisis in eastern DR Congo threatens endangered mountain gorillas (France24)
M23 rebel activity in volatile eastern DR Congo is threatening mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park and leaving the endangered species vulnerable to poachers, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
About a third of the global population of mountain gorillas lives in the park, a renowned wildlife reserve spanning 7,800 square kilometres (3,000 square miles) on the border with neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda.
But M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have seized swaths of territory in the park in a recent offensive, restricting conservationists from areas inhabited by the great apes, said spokesman Bienvenu Bwende.
Specialist teams from Virunga National Park are no longer tracking the mountain gorillas, he told AFP, which means the animals will lack medical care should they fall ill.
“There is above all the risk of falling into poachers’ traps,” Bwende added. Read more
Avatar 2 star Edie Falco thought it had already been released and flopped (DigitalSpy)
Avatar: The Way of Water star Edie Falco has revealed she thought the film had already been released and subsequently flopped.
Falco, who plays General Frances Ardmore in the long-awaited sequel, completed her scenes for the film over four years ago, leading her to forget that it had undergone a lengthy post-production schedule.
“The second Avatar I shot four years ago. I’ve been busy and doing stuff,” she said on The View. “Somebody mentioned Avatar and I thought, ‘Oh, I guess it came out and it didn’t do very well because I didn’t hear anything about it.’
“It happens! Someone recently said, ‘Avatar is coming out,’ and I said, ‘Oh, it hasn’t come out yet?’ I will never work again because I said that,” she continued. Read more
Asghar Farhadi protests against arrest of The Salesman star Taraneh Alidoosti in Iran (Variety)
Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi took to social media to protest against the arrest of Taraneh Alidoosti, the beloved actor of his Oscar-winning film The Salesman.
Alidoosti, who starred in three other films directed by Farhadi, was jailed on Saturday after taking part in demonstrations to fight against the oppressive Iranian regime. She was also sanctioned for standing in solidarity with imprisoned Iranian filmmakers, notably Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
“I have worked with Taraneh on four films and now she is in prison for her rightful support of her fellow countrymen and her opposition to the unjust sentences being issued,” Farhadi wrote on his Instagram account. “If showing such support is a crime, then tens of millions of people on this land are criminals,” he continued. Read more
Martin Duffy: Primal Scream and Felt keyboardist dies aged 55 (Guardian)
Martin Duffy, who played keyboards for Primal Scream and Felt, has died aged 55, his former Charlatans bandmate Tim Burgess has confirmed.
Duffy was born in Birmingham on 18 May 1967 and grew up in Rednal.
He joined the indie band Felt in 1985 after frontman Lawrence put up a notice in the Birmingham branch of Virgin records advertising for a guitarist that read: “Do you want to be a rock’n’roll star?” and a man recommended Duffy.
Duffy’s sound became central to the band in the mid-80s as they signed to Creation Records, for 1986’s The Seventeenth Century, and embarked on what fans consider their imperial phase. The second side of their 1988 album The Pictorial Jackson Review features two Duffy instrumentals. Read more
Nile Rodgers and Chic help raise £125k for music therapy charity (Standard)
Nile Rodgers and Chic have helped raise £125,000 for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins.
Along with his band, the 70-year-old musician, producer and songwriter stepped in to headline the charity’s carol service at the last minute after previously confirmed headliners The Who were forced to pull out.
The annual fundraising service, which took place in Chelsea, London, on December 13 also received support from former Bon Jovi guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Richie Sambora.
Rodgers and Chic performed a selection of classic hits including Le Freak, We Are Family, Everybody Dance, Good Times, Get Lucky, Rapper’s Delight and a version of We Wish You A Merry Christmas. Read more
Crematoriums in China struggle as COVID spreads (AlJazeera)
Crematoriums in cities across China are straining to deal with an influx of bodies amid a widening COVID-19 outbreak, media reports said, as authorities scrambled to install hospital beds and build fever-screening clinics.
Crematoriums in the cities of Beijing, Chongqing and Guangzhou told the AFP news agency on Tuesday that they were much busier than normal, with one of the facilities reporting running out of space for bodies.
But the news agency said it was not possible to establish if the increase in deaths was related to COVID-19 with staff declining to answer questions.
In the capital, Beijing, security guards were seen patrolling the entrance of a designated COVID-19 crematorium, where more than a dozen vehicles were waiting to enter. Read more
Lionel Messi World Cup Instagram post is most-liked ever (BBC)
A gallery of Lionel Messi celebrating Argentina’s World Cup win has become the most-liked Instagram post ever.
The footballer – who led his team to their first World Cup triumph in 36 years – received more than 57 million likes for his collection of photos.
Argentina defeated France on penalties in Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar.
Messi’s Instagram post scored over a million more likes than the previous record-breaking post – held by a simple picture of an egg. Read more
Amusan ranked 5th best female athlete for 2022 (Punch)
Nigeria’s World 100m hurdles champion and record holder Tobi Amusan has been ranked the fifth best female athlete in 2022, according to World Athletics.
The World Athletics ranked each athlete according to the points they amassed from their performances during the season, using the scoring tables of athletics.
The 25-year-old hurdler had a fantastic year and became the first Nigerian world champion in an athletics event when she won the 2022 World Championships 100m hurdles gold medal, setting the current world record of 12.12 seconds in the semifinal, followed up by a 12.06s in the final.
She also won gold again at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, before retaining her Diamond League Trophy in Zurich in a new meet record of 12.29s. The previous record, which stood for 22 years, was held by an American legend, Gail Devers. Read more
Akinwunmi Charity Foundation 3SC, Remo Stars to thrill fans (Sun)
Shooting Stars Football Club of Ibadan and Remo Stars are billed to trade tackles on Friday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena as part of activities for the 2022 Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation.
The two teams are expected to feature in the forthcoming Nigeria Professional football League season, so this encounter will serve as a tune up game for them.
Only recently, 3SC won a pre-season tournament and the Gbenga Ogunbote boys will be visiting Lagos with the intention of showing the stuff they are made of in readiness for the new season.
Before the match however, U-13 male and female teams will take centre stage between 9am and 2pm. Read more
Barcelona boss Xavi: Winning LaLiga essential to ”bring stability” to club (ESPN)
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has made winning LaLiga this season a priority in a bid to “bring stability” back to the Catalan club, accepting he is under pressure to deliver success after a summer of spending.
Barca have won just one trophy in the last three seasons — the Copa del Rey under Ronald Koeman in 2021 — and have been knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages in each of the past two years.
The club have also been fighting financial problems, with LaLiga’s financial fair play rules leading to the departure of Lionel Messi 18 months ago, but results domestically have improved under Xavi after eight new signings arrived for more than €150 million ahead of the current campaign.
With the league due to restart later this month following a break for the World Cup, Barca sit top of the table, two points clear of reigning champions Real Madrid, after winning 12 of their 14 matches and losing just once. Read more
Celtic boss Postecoglou quashes Juranovic transfer rumours (RTE)
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has stressed there have been no bids for any of his players amid heightened speculation about Josip Juranovic.
The Croatia right-back has been linked with the likes of Chelsea, Barcelona, Roma and Atletico Madrid following his impressive World Cup displays, while reports claim defender Stephen Welsh is being tracked by teams in England, Italy and France.
Postecoglou said: “We haven’t had an offer for any player. If there’s an issue or if players have things put in front of them about their future, I’m sure they will come and see me, and (chief executive) Michael (Nicholson) will speak to their representatives.
“But right now there is nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nothing going on.” Read more
FIA demand drivers gain permission for political protests after Lewis Hamilton and Seb Vettel displays (Standard)
Formula One drivers will need prior written permission from the sport’s governing body to make ‘political statements’ from next season following an update of the International Sporting Code.
The 2023 version of the code, which applies to all series sanctioned by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), was published on the governing body’s website with changes highlighted.
The FIA added a new clause regarding “the general making and display of political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes”.
F1 drivers who make such statements will now be in breach of the rules unless the FIA has granted previous approval in writing. Read more