Kano suspends Kannywood actress over indecent dressing, others (DailyTrust)
The Kano State Censorship Board has suspended and revoked the operating license of popular Kannywood actress, Samba M. Inuwa, for violating the board’s regulations on indecent dressing, vulgar content posting, among others.
In a statement issued and signed by the board’s Information Officer, Abdullahi Sani Sulaiman, Samha had been repeatedly warned about her “crude dressing and vulgar displays,” but she continued to flout the board’s regulations and as such the board had resolved to suspend her.
The statement further revealed that the suspension took immediate effect, barring Samha from appearing in any films for the next 12 months. Read more
3 pastors of same church die on new year day (Guardian)
The Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) is in a mourning mood following the death of three of its pastors on new year day.
The three pastors who died on January 1, 2025 have been identified as Evangelist Oladotun Elusanmi, Shepherd Olumuyiwa Michael and Assistant Venerable Superior Evangelist Johnson Olajuwon.
The late Elusanmi was the Shepherd at Orisun Ayo Parish, Ilupeju, while Michael was the Shepherd In-Charge of Christ Testimony Parish, Ikorodu. Read more
You will be a mother – Funke Akindele tells Eniola Badmus (Vanguard)
Award-winning actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has expressed love and offered prayers for her friend Eniola Badmus after she shared her hopes of becoming a mother.
The gesture followed Badmus’ emotional moment at her annual charity event, where she voiced her wish to have children.
In the viral video, Eniola emotionally spoke to the crowd, asking them to keep her in their prayers as she hopes for the blessing of children.“Please always mention me, Eniola Badmus, in your prayers. I’m waiting upon the Lord for children. With your prayers and God by my side, I will continue to serve you and work towards a brighter future for our community,” she said. Read more
Netizens take sides as BurnaBoy, Cubana Chief Priest fight on social media (Leadership)
Afro fusion singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as BurnaBoy, and socialite and businessman, Pascal Okechukwu, a.k.a Cubana Chief Priest, have engaged each other in war of words in a heated exchanges on social media.
This is as netizens and fans of both personalities have reacted to the development by backing their respective favourites or calling for truce.
The fight began when BurnaBoy referred to Cubana Chief Priest as ‘Owerri Rick Ross’ in a post widely interpreted as a jab at the celebrity barman, who is a close friend of Singer Davido. Read more
Adeleke warns against violence as protesters raze palace, injure monarch (Punch)
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday, warned youths that attacked the Ajeniju of Hallelujah, Oba Jelili Olaiya and razed down his palace, against acts of lawlessness.
The governor subsequently directed security agencies to fish out those behind the acts.
Olaiya was injured on Friday, following a violent protest by some youths displeased over the installation of an Imam by the monarch. Read more
Death toll in Jigawa farmers, herders clash rises to 10 (Nation)
The death toll in the clash between between the community of Gululu village and Fulani settlement in Yankunama of Miga local government area of Jigawa State has risen to 10.
The Nation reported the clash started when some suspected herders broke into a shop and stole bags of Hibiscus stored by a resident farmer of Gululu village on Thursday night.
Gululu village head, Malam Malam Muhammad Sarkin -Dori, told The Nation the owner of the Hibiscus mobilised some of his brothers, neighbors and friends to trace the footpath of the invaders. Read more
Gunmen kill 2 farmers in Kogi (Tribune)
Some unknown gunmen on Friday morning killed two farmers while working on the farm in the Odo-Ape community.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the victims, identified as Mr. Black, a Tiv man, and Sunday Aiyedero, were tragically shot and killed while going about their daily activities on their farms.
However, residents have described the situation as dire, with many unable to sleep peacefully due to the increasing threat of violence. Read more
Ondo SSG Oluwatuyi dies 2 weeks after auto crash (Leadership)
The Secretary to the Ondo State Government (SSG), Hon. Temitayo Oluwatuyi, popularly known as Tuykana, is dead.
LEADERSHIP gathered that Oluwatuyi died in an undisclosed hospital where he was receiving treatment after an auto crash he had recently.
It was also learnt that the late SSG died on Saturday morning two weeks after he was involved in a car accident on his way to Ibadan, Oyo State capital on December 15, 2024. Read more
Viola Davis and Ted Danson celebrated for career achievements in film and TV at Golden Globes event (DailyMail)
Viola Davis’ journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s most revered actors was driven by a straightforward mantra: Embrace every role, using each as a paycheck and a chance to explore new characters while honing her skills.
Davis delivered a moving, 16-minute speech while accepting the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Gala: An Evening of Excellence on Friday night. She reflected on how her turbulent upbringing fueled her passion for acting as an escape and how financial necessity often influenced her choice of roles.
“If I waited for a role that was written for me, well crafted, then I wouldn´t be standing up here,” said Davis, who along with Ted Danson, recipient of the Carol Burnett Award, were celebrated for their career achievements in film and television during a star-studded, black-tie gala dinner in Beverly Hills, California, just two nights before the 82nd annual Golden Globes on Sunday. Read more
Police and soldiers from Guatemala, El Salvador arrive for Haiti mission (AfricaNews)
The first fighting contingents of soldiers and military policemen from Latin America arrived in Port-au-Prince on Friday to join the armed international security mission in Haiti’s fight against terrorizing gangs.
The 83 security personnel included an advance team of eight soldiers from El Salvador and the first 75 of 150 military police officers from Guatemala.
While the Salvadorans will be providing casualty and medical evacuations in support of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, the Guatemalans will be joining operations to take down Haiti’s gangs. Read more
Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person at 116 has died (ABC)
Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman who was the world’s oldest person according to Guinness World Records, has died, an Ashiya city official said Saturday. She was 116.
Yoshitsugu Nagata, an official in charge of elderly policies, said Itooka died on Dec. 29 at a care home in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, central Japan.
Itooka, who loved bananas and a yogurt-flavored Japanese drink called Calpis, was born on May 23, 1908. She became the oldest person last year following the death of 117-year-old Maria Branyas, according to the Gerontology Research Group. Read more
Stuntman stops electric fans with his tongue to earn world record (UPI)
An Indian stuntman earned a Guinness World Record by stopping 57 electric fans in one minute using his tongue.
Kranthi Kumar Panikera, aka Drill Man, took on the challenge on the set of Italian TV series Lo Show Dei Record in Milan.
Panikera used his tongue to stop 57 fans in the allotted time, enough to earn the title. Read more
Heavily-pregnant teacher falls to death down 160ft gorge during holiday hike with partner (Mirror)
Clara Thomann from California, had been hiking in Greece with her partner Elliott Finn when tragedy struck the couple, with the Dos Pueblos High School teacher falling 50 metres down a gorge
A heavily-pregnant school teacher has tragically died while hiking in Greece.
Clara Thomann, 33, had been travelling through Plakias, Crete, with her partner Elliott Finn when she fell and died during a hike on December 23. Clara, a teacher at the Dos Pueblos High School in California, was six months pregnant at the time of her death. Read more
Israel faces mounting pressure over detention of Gaza hospital chief (NBC)
Israel faced mounting pressure Saturday over its detention of a Gaza hospital chief during a raid on one of the last functioning medical facilities in the battered north of the Palestinian enclave.
Israel has in recent days confirmed it is holding Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and defended its assault that shut down Kamal Adwan Hospital, saying that the prominent pediatrician was suspected of “involvement in terrorist activities, and for holding a rank” in Hamas, which it said had made the site a stronghold along with another militant group.
But rights groups and United Nations officials have questioned those claims, which Israel made without providing evidence, urging the U.S. ally to release Abu Safiya or at least disclose his whereabouts as fears grow for his safety. Read more
Writer and Director Jeff Baena, and Aubrey Plaza’s husband, dies by suicide at 47 (People)
Jeff Baena, a writer and director who was also married to Aubrey Plaza, has died, PEOPLE can confirm. He was 47.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that an assistant discovered Baena’s body at a Los Angeles-area home around 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 3.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that he died by suicide. Read more
CHAN: Ogunmodede invites 26 players as Eagles commence camping in Ikenne-Remo (Channels)
Stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has called up captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sadiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi among a list of 26 players to begin closed-camping exercise at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo on Monday ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship finals.
Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defenders Imo Obot and Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole have also been invited. Read more
Osho doubtful for Auxerre Ligue 1 clash vs Strasbourg (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles defender Gabriel Osho is doubtful for AJ Auxerre’s Ligue 1 clash with Strasbourg, reports Completesports.com.
Christophe Pellisier’s side will be away to Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau on Sunday.
Osho sustained an injury in Auxerre’s 1-0 Coupe de France defeat against Dunkerque last month. Read more
Luke Littler fulfils destiny to become youngest darts world champion on emotional night at Alexandra Palace (Independent)
Darts has a new world champion, and he’s a 17-year-old boy from Warrington. Luke Littler first picked up a set of magnetic darts bought by his dad from a pound shop while he was still in nappies, and was throwing 180s before most children could count that high. The journey from freakishly talented toddler to champion of the world ended on stage at Alexandra Palace as he took down the sport’s modern alpha specimen, Michael van Gerwen, with a ruthless display of finishing, toying with him, bullying him, racing into a 4-0 lead and eventually winning 7-3.
Littler almost won his first world title in fittingly outrageous style, hitting bullseye twice on a pinprick but missing double 16 for the trophy. A moment later he returned to the oche for another shot with three darts in his hand, took a deep breath and muttered “come on” to himself. The crowd rose, camera phones hoisted over their heads like an offering to their new god. Littler hit double 16 at the second attempt, dropped his head into his hands and let the tears flow. Read more
Premier League release statement after VAR allow controversial Newcastle v Tottenham goal (Metro)
The Premier League has issued an explanation after Newcastle’s controversial opener against Tottenham was allowed to stand.
In need of a victory to end their three-match winless run, Tottenham made the perfect start at home to Newcastle when Dominic Solanke headed home after just four minutes.
But the home fans were left scratching their heads just a couple of minutes later as Anthony Gordon captailised on a loose pass to level the game up. Read more
Ruben Amorim discusses club’s relegation battle and gives Marcus Rashford, Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire future updates (SkySports)
Ruben Amorim has doubled down on his Manchester United relegation comments, saying it is still a “possibility” come May in a bid to be “really honest” with the club’s players and supporters.
United are on a four-game losing streak in all competitions – and have also suffered defeat in five out of their last six Premier League games to leave them in 14th spot.
Amorim’s United are closer to the relegation zone than they are to the seventh place spot that would secure European football next season, let alone the top four, as they prepare to face league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Read more
Rybakina defends ex-coach Vukov after suspension (BBC)
World number six Elena Rybakina says her former coach Stefano Vukov “never mistreated me” after he was provisionally suspended by the WTA while an investigation into his behaviour towards the player continues.
Earlier this week, the 25-year-old 2022 Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan said Vukov, who was part of her team when she won the title, was re-joining her team.
But the WTA has told BBC Sport the 37-year-old Croat is currently banned after allegedly breaching the WTA’s Code of Conduct. Read more
