Lady offers baby for N1m in drug enclave (Vanguard)
A Borno woman identified simply as Aisha has offered to sell her two-week-old baby for N1 million at the Akala drug zone, located in Fadeyi, Idi-Oro/Odi-Olowu, Lagos.
According to sources, Aisha, who is known to be a drug addict, has resorted to extreme measures to sustain her addiction.
Aisha’s journey into drug addiction, as gathered, began when she was brought to Akala two years ago by an undisclosed person. She allegedly sold a car left in her care to fund her drug habit. Over time, she was said to be exhibiting erratic behaviour and often seen collecting plastics to sell for additional income to get drugs. Read more
Tinubu replaces FAAN, NAMA MDs, 4 others (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has sacked the six Managing Directors and Directors-General of parastatals in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale.
The affected directors include the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. Read more
Police kills suspected kidnapper, rescues victim (Guardian)
The Delta State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the death of a suspected kidnapper while its operatives rescued the kidnap victim and also arrested a suspected armed robber.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Delta State Police spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, who said that some ammunition was also recovered alongside some cartridges.
Edafe disclosed that CSP George Omunu swiftly mobilised men of the Divisional Patrol Teams with active support from operatives of Delta Command’s tactical teams and other security stakeholders within the Nsukwa Area, as they proceeded on an intensive search and rescue operations. Read more
Lagos meets religious leaders over noise pollution (Punch)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, on Wednesday, met with leaders of religious institutions in a bid to discuss ways of curtailing noise pollution from worship centres.
The meeting, which was held at Alausa, came on the heels of an earlier engagement with nightclub and bar owners as part of the agency’s campaign to clamp down on the menace of noise pollution in the state.
In his welcome address, the General Manager, LASEPA, Babatunde Ajayi, described the meeting as a platform for stakeholders to reach a common ground that accommodates everyone. Read more
Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo settles tax dispute with Lagos (Leadership)
Renowned Nollywood actress and reality TV star, Iyabo Ojo, recently took to her Instagram to express her gratitude towards individuals and organisations instrumental in resolving her tax-related issues with the Lagos State Government.
In her heartfelt appreciation post, Ojo extended her gratitude to several individuals who supported her during the challenging period. She specifically acknowledged Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 Lagos State Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for his assistance, along with her partner, Paulo Okoye, friend and colleague Lola Alao, and many others.
LEADERSHIP reports that the actress had previously raised concerns over what she deemed an exorbitant tax levy of over N18 billion imposed by the Lagos Internal Revenue Service. Read more
FEC’s exemption of varsities, others from IPPIS excites NANS (Independent)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has lauded the Federal Government for the exemption of Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education from the controversial Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by the Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde.
IPPIS, introduced in 2006, is one of the Transformation agendas of the Federal Government of Nigeria to create a centralized database system for Nigerian Public Service with a single, accurate source of Employee information that provides integration with other business applications. Read more
Trade Ministry clarifies N1.6b budget for WTO office (DailyTrust)
The Ministry for Industry, Trade, and Investment has clarified the 2024 budget provision of N1.6 billion earmarked for the World Trade Organisation office in Geneva, adding that it was meant to cover the personnel and overhead costs of the staff of the department as well as providing capital expenditure.
A section of the media had reported that over N1 billion was set aside by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investments, Doris Uzoka-Anite to cover a trip to Geneva next year when the minister appeared before the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Investment to defend her ministry’s budget. Read more
Shettima, Ganduje, Ooni, others to grace late Ajimobi’s posthumous birthday (Nation)
Family members, friends, political associates, and leaders, among other dignitaries, are billed to honour late Oyo State governor Abiola Ajimobi at his post-humous birthday.
The event tagged 6th Annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and 74th posthumous birthday will be held on Saturday, December 16.
The keynote speech for this year’s Roundtable titled “Re-Engineering Nigeria for Sustainable Development: Options, Costs, and Prospects” will be presented by Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert. Read more
Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” breaks Guinness World Record, becomes highest-grossing music tour in history (AS)
It has already been a huge year for Taylor Swift. She’s taken home awards, broken box office records with her concert film, and so much more. Yesterday (December 12), just one day before the megastar’s birthday, she received yet another accolade. Her “Eras Tour” broke a Guinness World Record
On Tuesday, Guinness World Records announced that Swift’s “Eras Tour” has become the highest-grossing music tour in history. It is also the first tour to make more than $1 billion. The tour isn’t even over yet. Swift started the trek in March. She’ll wrap things up in December 2024. So, the pop sensation has already raked in more than a billion dollars and stands to double that by this time next year. Read more
Record trade deals between Africa and US worth $14.2b – White House (AfricaNews)
The United States said Wednesday that it had signed record trade deals with Africa this year, worth a total of $14.2 billion, against the backdrop of a battle for influence with China on the continent.
Nearly 550 new trade and investment agreements were signed, representing a 67% increase over 2022 in terms of number and value, said British Robinson, coordinator of the US-led Prosper Africa trade initiative.
“We’ve had a record year for U.S.-Africa relations,” said Judd Devermont, White House official in charge of sub-Saharan Africa, during an online press conference organised a year after a summit with African leaders at which U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to “pull out all the stops” on the continent. Read more
Dick Van Dyke looks back on his iconic career as he turns 98 (People)
When Dick Van Dyke recently entered Television City, a TV studio owned by CBS in Los Angeles, he thought he was simply there for another press interview.
But the acting legend was in for one of the biggest surprises of his life: the taping of “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic”, a dazzling, two-hour tribute CBS special featuring archival footage and live performances of songs from Van Dyke’s distinguished, decades-long career.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Van Dyke, who turns 98 on Wednesday, admitted that watching the event was surreal. Read more
Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, Bamboozled added to National Film Registry (IndieWire)
The Library of Congress National Film Registry has just inducted 25 new films, ranging from beloved fan favorites to esteemed cinematic classics. In a holiday-themed twist, Chris Columbus’ Home Alone and Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas are among the inductees, along with films by Spike Lee, Steve McQueen, Ron Howard, Ang Lee, and James Cameron.
Twenty-five influential films were selected “for their cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage,” per the official press release. The 2023 selections date back more than 100 years to a 1921 Kodak educational film titled A Movie Trip Through Filmland about how film stock is produced and the impact of movies globally, as well as Oscar-winning films 20 Feet From Stardom and 12 Years a Slave. Read more
Dwayne Johnson will return to the ring as MMA fighter Mark Kerr in new Benny Safdie movie (EW)
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping back into the ring for Benny Safdie’s next A24 feature about the legendary wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr.
Johnson is set to star as the two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion in “The Smashing Machine”, which will be written and directed by Safdie. The film will tell the no-holds-barred story of Kerr at the peak of his career and explore his struggles with addiction.
Kerr was previously the subject of the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which refers to the nickname he earned due to his fighting style in the ring. Read more
Biden committed to freeing US hostages in Gaza, families say (BBC)
The families of US hostages held by Hamas say they believe President Joe Biden is doing everything he can to secure the release of their loved ones.
The administration is “completely committed” to getting them home, one relative said after meeting Mr Biden.
There are believed to be eight Americans still held in Gaza. Read more
US comedian and activist abducted, killed after trying to meet woman he found on social media in Colombia: reports (NYPost)
An American comedian and activist was abducted and fatally stabbed over a dozen times by a group of men after going on a date with a woman he met online while on vacation in Colombia.
Tou Ger Xiong, 50, an Asian-American living in Minnesota was on vacation in the South American country when his heartbreaking demise occurred.
Xiong arrived in Medellín on November 29 with the plan to spend the holiday season with family, before he came into contact with a woman he met on social media. Read more
Eagles need Musa’s leadership – Aiyenugba (Punch)
Kwara United goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba believes the experience of Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, will come in handy for Nigeria’s quest to win a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in Ivory Coast, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 2023 tournament will hold from January 13 to February 11 as Nigeria face Equatorial Guinea in the opening game.
Ahead of the release of the Eagles’ provisional list for the tournament, Aiyenugba believes Musa, who was part of the squad that won the third title for Nigeria in South Africa 2013, has the tendency to inspire the squad to a fourth title 10 years after. Read more
Gustaf Lagerbielke earns Celtic 1st Champions League home win in a decade (Telegraph)
Gustaf Lagerbielke was the unlikely hero as Celtic finally ended their long wait for a Champions League win amid late drama in their dead rubber against Feyenoord at Parkhead.
Luis Palma’s 33rd-minute penalty put the home side on track after the impressive Liam Scales had been brought down, but the Dutch champions levelled through Yankuba Minteh in the 82nd minute.
However, substitute Lagerbielke headed home his first Celtic goal in stoppage time on his first appearance since September to earn a 2-1 victory. The Sweden centre-back nodded in from close range following Matt O’Riley’s exquisite cross as Celtic maintained pressure following a corner. Read more
Eddie Howe: Brave Newcastle “devastated” after European exit (RTE)
Eddie Howe said Newcastle were “absolutely devastated” after a 2-1 home loss to AC Milan saw them finish bottom of their Champions League group.
The Magpies had a chance of making the last 16 heading into the contest but ended up out of Europe completely after Joelinton’s opener was cancelled out by a Christian Pulisic effort before Samuel Chukwueze won it for the visitors.
Boss Howe told TNT Sports: “I think we gave everything to the match, I don’t think I can ask any more of the players, the commitment, effort, physical exertion. Unfortunately for us it wasn’t to be today. Read more
Novak Djokovic fails to win award only Nadal and Federer have won in the last 20 years (Express)
Novak Djokovic has once again failed to win one of the only prizes that continues to elude him. The ATP’s Fans’ Favourite award has been handed to Italian star Jannik Sinner despite Djokovic dominating the tour in 2023.
Djokovic enjoyed a remarkable year. He won the Australian, French and US Opens and reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
The veteran also won a range of other tournaments to comfortably finish as the year-end world No 1. But Djokovic might be frustrated over missing out on being named the official favourite player among the tennis community. Read more
Kelvin Davis outpoints Clarence Booth in awkward 8 round affair, remains unbeaten (BoxingScene)
Kelvin Davis didn’t make any new fans with his latest win.
The crowd was never going to be on his side versus local favorite Clarence Booth, whom the unbeaten Norfolk, Virginia native outpointed over eight awkward rounds. Judges Brian Garry (78-72), William Glover (79-71) and Joe Ware (79-71) all scored wide for Davis in the ProBox TV co-feature Wednesday evening from Whitesands Events Center in Plant City, Florida.
Davis picked up his fourth win on the year, two each on ProBox and ESPN+ undercards. The 27-year-old southpaw twice appeared on the same show as his younger and more celebrated brother Keyshawn Davis, while his previous fight ended in a spectacular knockout earlier this summer. Both train under Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre in Las Vegas. Read more
Grand Slam tennis champion Simona Halep gets February appeal date to challenge 4-year ban for doping (NBC)
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has an appeal hearing in February to challenge her four-year ban for doping, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said.
The three-day hearing is set for Feb. 7-9 for Halep’s appeal against the International Tennis Integrity Agency.
The court set no target for a verdict, which can take several months from a panel of three judges. Read more