Lady murdered by gospel singer was a corps member in Abuja, graduated from Kogi Varsity (DailyTrust)
Until her life was cut short in a tragic circumstance, Salome Eleojo Adaidu was a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving at Nicon Insurance in Abuja.
The 24-year-old graduate of Library and Information Science from Kogi State University had left her family members at home saying she was going to visit a friend. But her pictures went viral after Timileyin Ajayi, a so-called gospel singer, was arrested with a human head which was dripping blood.
Salome was murdered when she visited Ajayi at his house in New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The suspect had boarded a bike from Karshi to Orozo where he planned to dispose of the head before he was nabbed. Read more
Police officer rejects N1.6m bribe from Lakurawa suspects in Kebbi (Vanguard)
A police officer in Kebbi State Command under State Criminal Investigation Department (SCIB), has rejected the sum of N1.6 million to compromise an ongoing alleged banditry case being investigated at the Command.
According to Kebbi Police Commissioner, Bello Sani, one Umar Garba from Dangandu village and his accomplice Abubakar Alhaji of Maimaichi village under Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State conspired with one Usman Muhammed from Bakaramba village to offer a bribe of N1.6 million to compromise a banditry investigation. Read more
FRSC confirms 6 dead, 60 injured in Kogi auto crash (Leadership)
An auto crash involving an articulated vehicle on Tuesday evening left six persons dead and injured 60 persons in Lokoja, Kogi State.
This was confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lokoja, the State capital.
FRSC Sector Commander, Mr Samuel Oyedeji, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday, attributed the accident to over-speeding. Read more
After showing off ‘soaps,’ Portable spotted offering Fanta to marine gods (Tribune)
Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been spotted pouring bottles of Fanta into the river for the marine gods.
The street hop singer recently took to social media to share a video of the unusual cultural practice.
In the video, the ‘Zazu’ crooner was captured pouring a pack of Fanta drink into the river in what appears to be an attempt to appease the gods. Following this, he entered the river and began taking his bath right inside it. Read more
NLC hails Gov Eno as Akwa Ibom verification exercise uncovers 2,000 ghost workers (Nation)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State chapter, has praised Governor Umo Eno for the successful physical verification exercise of civil servants, which has so far identified over 2,000 ghost workers.
This was disclosed by the NLC State Secretary, Comrade Alpha Marshall, during an interview on XL106.9FM’s Super Breakfast Show, “The Talk,” on Tuesday.
Comrade Marshall revealed that out of the recorded 55,120 civil servants before the exercise, a little over 51,700 workers have been verified. Read more
CBN sanctions 9 banks for failing to dispense cash via ATMs (DailyTrust)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a fine of N1.35 billion on nine Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) for failing to make naira notes available through automated teller machines (ATMs) during the Yuletide season.
Each bank was fined ₦150 million for non-compliance, in line with the CBN’s cash distribution guidelines, following spot checks on their branches.
The enforcement action follows repeated warnings from the CBN to financial institutions to guarantee seamless cash availability, particularly during periods of high demand. Read more
EFCC urges tertiary institutions to introduce anti-corruption courses (Punch)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has called on institutions of higher learning across the country to introduce anti-corruption courses as a core requirement for all first-year students.
The anti-graft agency said the introduction of the courses would equip undergraduates with the necessary knowledge and understanding about the pervasive issue of corruption in the country and the significant roles they can play in combating it.
A statement on Tuesday by the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission’s Kano Zonal Director, Ibrahim Shazali, made the call while receiving the Vice-Chancellor of the Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Prof Mukhtar Kurawa in his office. Read more
Why fuel subsidy removal is direct blessing to state govts – Uzodinma (Tribune)
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has described how the removal of petrol subsidy is a direct blessing for state governments, enabling them to accelerate development efforts.
He disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of various projects in Imo State to mark the first anniversary of his second term.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had stated during his first inaugural speech that his administration will not continue with payment of fuel subsidy. Read more
Jessica Simpson and Husband Eric Johnson split after 10 years of marriage (People)
Jessica Simpson and husband Eric Johnson are taking time apart.
The singer and actress, 44, and her former NFL player husband, 45, are separating after 10 years of marriage, Simpson tells PEOPLE exclusively.
“Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage,” Simpson said in a statement to PEOPLE. “Our children come first, and we are focusing on what is best for them. We are grateful for all of the love and support that has been coming our way, and appreciate privacy right now as we work through this as a family.” Read more
Family of woman who died during sex demand law change after partner waited 30 hours to call 999 (Mirror)
A family heartbroken after the death of a young woman are campaigning for a law change after her partner failed to call 999 when she was unresponsive.
Kimberley McAssey was found dead in bed at Ryan Sheridan’s flat in Prestwich, Greater Manchester in February 2021.
The 29 year-old had ‘gone cold’ at around 6am after the pair had drunk alcohol and taken ecstasy together, Rochdale Coroner’s Court was told. Read more
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg to attend Trump’s inauguration (NBC)
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg will attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday, according to an official involved with the planning of the event.
They will have a prominent spot at the ceremony, seated together on the platform with other notable guests including Trump’s Cabinet nominees and elected officials.
The three tech titans have all made attempts to earn favor with Trump in the past year, led by Musk donating more than a quarter-billion dollars in campaign funds to help elect Trump. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX — and the co-lead of a new Trump administration advisory body called DOGE — Musk has frequently been at Trump’s side since endorsing him for president in July. Read more
UK minister resigns after being named in Bangladesh corruption probe (AlJazeera)
The British minister responsible for financial services and fighting corruption has resigned after weeks of questions over her financial ties to her aunt Sheikh Hasina, the toppled prime minister of Bangladesh.
Tulip Siddiq, 42, had repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer said last week that he had full confidence in her.
The resignation on Tuesday of a second government minister in two months is a blow to Starmer, whose approval ratings have plunged since his Labour Party won a general election in July. Read more
Meek Mill ridiculed for attempting to broker TikTok deal ahead of US ban (HipHopDx)
Meek Mill has been clowned online for wanting to buy TikTok ahead of the controversial social media platform’s ban in the United States.
The Philadelphia rapper, who is something of a magnet for mockery thanks to his often bizarre social media posts, wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (January 13): “Sell tik tok to me!”
Meek then followed up by saying: “If they cut off tik tok we going x and FANBASE.” Read more
Relatives wait for news as body bags hauled from South African mine (BBC)
Rescuers have spent Tuesday pulling body bags and survivors from a South African mine where scores of illegal miners are still thought to be at least 2km (1.2 miles) underground.
Eighty-two people have surfaced alive from the shaft in Stilfontein since the rescue mission began on Monday, police say, while 36 dead bodies have been retrieved.
On Tuesday, the BBC saw dozens of emaciated miners – wearing tattered clothes and no shoes or socks – being escorted to a medical tent. Read more
Caitlin Clark’s alleged stalker tells judge he’s ‘guilty as charged’ (UPI)
Michael Lewis, a 55-year-old man arrested on a felony charge for allegedly stalking WNBA star Caitlin Clark, told an Indianapolis judge on Tuesday that he is “guilty as charged.”
Lewis made the comments during an initial hearing at Marion County Superior Court. Judge Angela Davis said the purpose of the hearing was to relay the charges and she would not yet accept a plea. Lewis is set to return to Marion County Superior Court on March 31 for a pretrial hearing.
He faces a level five felony charge of stalking, which carries a sentence of 1 to 6 years in the department of corrections, with the presumptive sentence of three years. Read more
Eagles B know postponed 2024 CHAN foes today (Punch)
Despite the postponement of the 2024 African Nations Championship, the Confederation of African Football will go ahead with the draw of the tournament on Wednesday (today) as Nigeria’s home-based Eagles and 18 other countries know their opponents, The PUNCH reports.
The Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya will host the draw for the championship which will now be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda in August 2024.
The tournament was originally supposed to be held in 2024 but was moved to February 1-28, 2025 to allow the three hosts to prepare adequately in terms of facility. Read more
Arsenal issue statement on Gabriel Jesus injury (Metro)
Arsenal have confirmed that Gabriel Jesus will undergo surgery after suffering a cruciate ligament injury to his knee.
The Brazil international was forced off on a stretcher in the first half of Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round tie against United on Sunday night before Mikel Arteta’s side went on to lose the game on penalties.
Arteta went on to describe Jesus’ injury as a ‘big worry’ and revealed the 27-year-old was in ‘a lot of pain’. Read more
Australian Open: British underdog Jodie Burrage vows to take it to Coco Gauff in 2nd round of women’s singles (SkySports)
British underdog Jodie Burrage has vowed to “take it” to the “best player in the world” after being given central billing in the night session on Rod Laver Arena for her match against third seed Coco Gauff at the Australian Open.
Burrage was emotional at the end of her first-round win over Leolia Jeanjean on Monday having considered retirement late last season as she battled to work her way back after wrist and ankle injuries.
The 25-year-old already has experience of some of the sport’s biggest stages having lost heavily to Daria Kasatkina on Centre Court at Wimbledon in 2023 before a 6-3 6-2 defeat against Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open. Read more
Nigerian House of Reps committee praises Tinubu’s increased sports budget (CompleteSports)
The Chairman House Committee on Sports of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Honourable Kabiru Amadu, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for increasing the 2025 budget for sports from ₦29 billion in 2024 to over ₦94 billion, Completesports.com reports.
Speaking during the budget defence session of the National Sports Commission, Amadu lauded the President Tinubu’s commitment to sports and Nigerian youth, attributing the budget increase to the President’s passion for their development.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has tripled the sports budget from ₦29,082,369,979 in 2024 to ₦94,947,006,325 in 2025. This represents a 227% increase. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is hereby commended for this remarkable stride in the budgetary allocation to the sports sector,” Amadu stated. Read more
CHAN 2024 in East Africa postponed 6 months to August (BBC)
The 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been postponed until August – just 18 days before the tournament was due to kick off in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
A Confederation of African Football (Caf) statement, external said its experts had advised that “more time is required” to ensure the infrastructure and facilities for the finals are “at the levels necessary”.
Last month Kenya’s then-sports minister moved to allay concerns that the country might lose hosting rights for the competition, which is for domestic-based players. Read more
Philadelphia Eagles ban fan who hurled vile insults at woman cheering for Packers during playoff game (People)
The Philadelphia Eagles and Lincoln Financial Field have issued a lifetime ban for a male fan whose foul outburst at their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers was caught on video, PEOPLE can confirm.
Footage of the incident first hit the internet after the Eagles defeated the Packers 22-10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday, Jan. 12.Alexander Basara, a Green Bay Packers content creator, posted footage of the male Eagles fan heckling Basara’s fiancée, who was cheering for the Packers and wearing the road team’s merchandise. Read more