Lagos businessman tortures apprentice to death over missing N1,000, flees (Punch)
A businessman, identified simply as Uchechukwu, aka Alloy Omo Jesu, is on the run after allegedly torturing his 11-year-old apprentice to death in the Ogba area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the apprentice, Sunday, was accused of stealing N1,000 when Uchechukwu, who was bent on making him confess to the allegation, descended on him.
The victim was said to have died in the process as the suspect fled the community.
Our correspondent learnt that the manager of Uchechukwu’s gas business, Blessing, while closing on Saturday, January 8, 2022, discovered that N1,000 was missing from the total sales for the day. Read more
Those abusing Tinubu for consulting with IBB are politically ignorant – Ogunlewe (Independent)
Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works has faulted those criticising Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Lagos state governor and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for visiting Ibrahim Babangida, former Military Head of State for consultation over his 2023 presidential ambition.
Tinubu who visited Minna, the Niger State capital last week had said he met with Babangida and he prayed for him to succeed in his presidential ambition.
However, some Nigerians have faulted Tinubu for hobnobbing with past leaders responsible for the sorry state of the country.
Speaking with Daily Independent, Ogunlewe who described Tinubu’s critics as politically ignorant said the APC leader has a right to consult with anyone that he feels may help him win the presidential election. Read more
Magado: House of reps probe on Malami, IGP, a witch-hunting venture – Counsel, Shangisha Landlords Association (Vanguard)
The move by the House of Representatives to investigate the involvement of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali in the execution of the court judgment at Magodo Estate in Lagos State has been described as a “with-hunting,” mission.
House of Representatives had mandated its committee on Justice, public petition and police to investigate the involvement of the duo.
Counsel to Shangisha Landlords Association, Deji Fasusi, while reacting to House of Representatives probe and media reports in a statement, yesterday, said it was another card in their bag of tricks to frustrate the due execution of the Judgment of the Supreme Court.
While condemning some media reports over the issues, the lawyer stated: “We have consistently lamented the deliberate and willful attempt by some respected members of the fourth estate to re-narrate the facts surrounding the events of the 21st day of December 2021. For the discerning minds, this latest lame attempt at probe is another card in their bag of tricks to frustrate the due execution of the Judgment of the Supreme Court. Read more
Fear grips Plateau community as gunmen kill 4 in mining site (Channels)
Palpable fear gripped residents of Dong village, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State after gunmen attacked a mining site, killing four persons.
The gunmen stormed the mining site on Saturday and shot the workers dead, a situation that forced the State Police Command to deploy more personnel to the troubled community.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Gabriel Ubah, said the deployment is to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
The police spokesman stated that the command has begun investigations with a view to arresting the perpetrators of the crime. Read more
My refinery will kick off before September – Dangote (DailyTrust)
Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, says the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser projects will come on stream before the end of the third quarter of this year.
He said this when Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) led a delegation of the bank to the project site in Lagos.
“The refinery will commence operation by the third quarter of 2022. On the mechanical completion, we are almost finished but we have started hydro testing, almost 70 per cent gone, hopefully before the end of Q3 operation will commence,” Dangote said.
Group Executive Director, Strategy, Portfolio Development & Capital Projects, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the refinery complex, which includes a refinery, petrochemical plant, a fertiliser plant and a subsea pipeline project, is the largest single-train refinery in the world. Read more
Ashimolowo names son KICC Resident Pastor, says ‘they are retiring me’ (Nation)
The founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo has appointed his first son, Tobi Ashimolowo, as Resident Pastor 2 of the church in London.
He is expected to assist his mother, Yemisi Ashimolowo, who is the Resident Pastor 1.
Tobi is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Vault, a high-end store for mens wear and accessories.
In the now-viral undated video, Ashimolowo hinted at his ‘retirement’ during the announcement of his son’s new role. Read more
Summit: Return home to develop your town, Ooni of Ife tasks indigenes (Vanguard)
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Sunday, urged indigenes of the town resident in Lagos to return home and bring about the development to Ile Ife saying there are untapped potentials in the town.
He spoke at a summit of all Ife sons and daughters in Lagos and environs which was held at the Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island in Lagos.
The summit was themed: Ife development agenda: Issues, aims and strategy for development.
Oba Ogunwusi, who noted that there are untapped potentials in Ile Ife, urged indigenes of the town to return home to tap into the potentials. (Vanguard)
Dana Air donates to old people’s home, orphanages (Sun)
In line with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, Dana Air has donated sundry items to the Lagos old people’s home and a number of children’s orphanages across the city.
The airline’s Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa, said that the donations are in line with the airline’s CSR initiative and philosophy of supporting communities and non-governmental organisations that share similar objectives.
Some of the items donated to the Lagos Old People’s Home, Favid Orphanage Home and V.O.W (Hope) Orphanage included bags of rice, spaghetti, clothes, noodles, toiletries, detergents and beverages.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dana Air, Sukhjinder Mann, who led the airline’s team on the visit, said: “The elderly ones in our midst are our parents and we owe them a duty to take good care of them and see to their happiness at all times. I wish everybody here today good health and happiness.
”At Dana Air we care about the health and well-being of our customers, with additional care and attention for our senior citizens. We will make this a regular initiative and will continue to support them in our own way as a customer and community focussed airline in Nigeria.” Read more
I’ve peace of mind after castrating myself, says Benue school dropout (Punch)
Barely three weeks after 44-year-old Terhemen Anongo, who dropped out as a 500 Level medical student of the University of Ibadan castrated himself, Anongo says he has peace in his mind and can now sleep well.
The Punch had in March 2021 reported how Anongo, who later turned cart pusher, removed one of his testicles.
On January 3, 2022, Anongo, who is popularly known in Gboko, Benue State as ‘doctor’, removed the second testicle.
Anongo, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday on the effect of the full castration of his testicles, said he could sleep perfectly without waking up with sexual urge, adding that he had enough time to read his Bible. Read more
Indomie rewards consumers with campaign (ThisDay)
The campaign, which commenced, the company said in a statement, will enable consumers to enjoy their delicious Chicken Flavoured noodles and win big while at it.
“The campaign is available for Indomie Chicken Flavour consumers on the following SKUs – 70grams, 100grams, and 120grams of packs.
Tagged “I Love My Indomie”, the campaign starts with the consumers buying and consuming their delicious meal of Indomie Chicken but rather than disposing of the wrapper after the delicious meal, the consumer is advised to look inside for letters to form the sentence, I Love My Indomie, “it stated.
Speaking about the campaign, Group Corporate Communications and Event Manager, Tope Ashiwaju, said, “We know how much our consumers love their Indomie noodles. It is evident when a family gathers to have a delicious meal of Indomie, and as such, we are using this campaign to reward this unwavering loyalty shown by our consumers over the years. And what better time to do this than the beginning of the year when everyone is hopeful and desirous of something special to position them for a delicious 2022. Read more
Bella Hadid quit drinking after feeling like she couldn’t ‘control’ herself (PageSix)
Bella Hadid says feeling like she couldn’t “control” herself is what led her to stop drinking six months ago.
“I have done my fair share of drinking. I loved alcohol and it got to the point where even I started to, you know, cancel nights out that I felt like I wouldn’t be able to control myself,” the model, 25, told InStyle.
Hadid said it also became “a lot harder to pick up the glass” after a doctor showed her scans revealing the effects alcohol has on the brain. She told the outlet that she plans to stay sober for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t feel the need [to drink anymore] because I know how it will affect me at 3 in the morning when I wake up with horrible anxiety thinking about that one thing I said five years ago when I graduated high school,” Hadid admitted.
“There’s just this never-ending effect of, essentially, you know, pain and stress over those few drinks that didn’t really do much, you know?” Read more
French fashion icon Thierry Mugler who has dressed Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé dies at age 73 (DailyMail)
Iconic French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, whose designs were worn by entertainment royalty from Kim Kardashian to Lady Gaga to Beyonce, is dead at the age of 73.
Mugler’s official Instagram page confirmed his passing Sunday night.
‘#RIP We are devastated to announce the passing of Mr Manfred Thierry Mugler on Sunday January 23rd 2022,’ the post read. ‘May his soul Rest In Peace.’
His cause of death is not yet known. Read more
Chinese air force alarms Taiwan with massive flyby (RT)
Taiwanese military scrambled fighter jets and prepared air defense missile systems after a group of 39 Chinese planes, including a bomber, were allegedly spotted entering its Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense claimed that dozens of Chinese planes had crossed its southwest ADIZ, prompting the island to activate its military resources “to monitor” their activities.
The planes allegedly included dozens of J-10 and J-16 fighter jets, and a Xian H-6 bomber, as well as several Y-8 and Y-9 military transport aircraft.
China’s latest flyby took place the same day that a group of US and allied warships sailed into the Philippine Sea on Sunday. It was China’s largest flyby since last October, when it flew 56 aircraft near Taiwan in one day in several waves. Read more
Spider-Man: No Way Home hits $60m in Korea, heading box office for 6th consecutive weekend (Variety)
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” was gifted a sixth successive victory at the South Korean box office in a weekend with no releases of commercially significant films.
“Spider-Man” played out to a lowball $1.23 million haul between Friday and Sunday. That was only 18% down on its previous weekend score and lifted its running total since release on Dec. 15, 2021, to $60.3 million.
It also kept a substantial lead over its rivals, with a 28% market share, ahead of “Sing 2” in second place with a score of $863,000 and a market share of 20%.
The aggregate nationwide box office for the weekend, however, fell deeper into the doldrums. It slipped from $5.99 million to $4.34 million. Read more
Disney Animation announces Disney+’s Moana: The Series director (ComicBook)
Disney+’s Moana spinoff series gets a “shiny” new director in animation veteran David G. Derrick Jr. Setting sail in 2024, the previously announced Moana, The Series explores new stories with Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) as the wayfinder goes beyond the reefs of Motunui after the events of the 2016 film. When revealing the long-form musical comedy series during Disney Investor Day 2020, Walt Disney Animation Studios chief creative officer Jennifer Lee announced the project from Oscar-nominated producer Osnat Shurer (Moana, Raya and the Last Dragon) would connect with talent from the Pacific Islands.
As a story artist on Moana, the movie “deepened [Derrick’s] connection with his family’s Samoan roots,” Walt Disney Animation Studios announced on Twitter.
In a statement, Derrick said, “Working on Moana was a gift, personally and professionally. The film Moana caught and shared the spirit of Polynesia with the world. I am honored to continue her story and to celebrate the rich and beautiful cultures of the Pacific Islands.”
Derrick’s credits as a storyboard artist include Megamind and How to Train Your Dragon for DreamWorks, Marvel animated series The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, Disney’s 2019 live-action re-imagining of The Lion King, and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto. Read more
Gambia looks to Africans to revive its stricken tourism industry (RFI)
In an effort to revitalise Gambia’s flagging tourism sector, which has been decimated during the Covid-19 pandemic, the West African country is looking closer to home, and even at its own, to bolster the once-vibrant industry.
Beaches normally teeming with British and Dutch sunseekers are nearly empty, hawkers of fresh juice and souvenirs standing idle at Lemon Creek beach in Bijali.
The downturn has affected the informal sector as well, including beach bars, says Hassan Ndow, president of the Gambia Beach Bar Association.
“The beach bars were paralysed, they couldn’t move,” he tells RFI, adding that the recession in the country made life even worse. Read more
US orders families of embassy staff out of Ukraine (Guardian)
The US state department has ordered the families of all American personnel at the US embassy in Ukraine to leave the country amid heightened fears of a Russian invasion.
The department told the dependents of staffers at the US embassy in Kyiv that they must leave the country. It also said that non-essential embassy staff could leave Ukraine at government expense.
The move came amid rising tensions about Russia’s military buildup on the Ukraine border that were not eased during talks Friday between secretary of state Antony Blinken and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva.
On Sunday Blinken vowed the US and its allies would deliver a “swift, severe and united response” if Russia invades Ukraine. Read more
Ex-UFC fighter, 40, dies in late-night stabbing (RT)
Former UFC fighter Maiquel Falcao was discovered with three serious stab wounds at 3am local time on Sunday morning outside of a bar in his hometown of Pelotas, a city in the south of Brazil which is around 80 miles from the Uruguayan border.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive his injuries, according to GZH.
The Homicide and Personal Protection Police Station authority has launched an investigation into the incident.
Falcao appeared once for the UFC, beating Gerald Harris by unanimous decision at UFC 123 in Michigan in November 2010.
He was subsequently released by the organization after reports emerged that he had previously been arrested for an alleged assault of a woman outside of a nightclub. Read more
Nigeria out of AFCON 2021 (Tribune)
Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday crashed out of AFCON 2021 following a 1-0 loss to Tunisia.
Tunisia striker Youssef Msakni scored the only goal of the match in the 47th minute to book a date with Burkina Faso in the quarter-final match scheduled for next Sunday.
Nigeria’s task was made harder when Alex Iwobi was sent off following a video assistant referee review.
The West Africans were the only side to win all three group games in Cameroon, but were largely subdued against a Tunisia side hit by Covid-19.
Real Madrid snatch late point as Barcelona win at the death (Independent)
Real Madrid scored twice in the final 10 minutes to avoid an embarrassing LaLiga home defeat to Elche.
The Valencians were on course for a memorable win at the Bernabeu as they led 2-0 after 82 minutes, with goals from Lucas Boye and Pere Milla.
But Luka Modric got his side back in it from the spot and then Eder Militao made it 2-2 in the second minute of time added on as Carlo Ancellotti’s men extended their lead at the summit to four points.
Barcelona also needed late action as Frenkie De Jong’s 87th-minute strike earned a 1-0 win at Alaves. Read more
Jordi Alba admits frustration at Barcelona criticism (FootballEspana)
Barcelona star Jordi Alba has hit back at his critics following a difficult start to 2022 for Xavi’s side.
The Catalan giants have bowed out of two competitions this month after exiting both the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia and the Copa del Rey.
A scrappy 1-0 win at Alaves this weekend, via Frenkie de Jong’s late strike, ensured a stabilising three points to end the month.
However, Spanish international Alba believes he is being unfairly singled out for criticism, just as he has been in previous seasons. Read more
Vitor Pereira: Everton have Portuguese coach on radar in search for new manager (BBC)
Portuguese coach Vitor Pereira is on Everton’s radar as owner Farhad Moshiri continues the search for a successor to sacked manager Rafael Benitez.
Pereira, 53, has been linked with the club on several occasions and is currently out of work after leaving Fenerbahce in December.
Belgium’s Roberto Martinez was subject of an initial approach but Everton were snubbed by the country’s FA.
Derby boss and ex-Everton striker Wayne Rooney is also under consideration. Read more
‘I really regret that Novak Djokovic didn’t get vaccinated’, says expert (TennisWorld)
Novak Djokovic tried to enter Australia with a medical exemption, but it turned out to be a mess that lasted for two weeks. The world’s number 1 was detained at the airport and his visa revoked before being transferred to a refugee hotel.
Despite having won the first appeal before Judge Anthony Kelly, the Serbian phenomenon was ‘hit’ by the discretion of the Minister of Immigration Alex Hawke. The latter decided to cancel his visa for the second time a few days before the start of the Australian Open.
The three federal court judges confirmed the visa revocation order and Nole was forced to leave the country on Sunday. Djokovic’s choice not to get vaccinated risks affecting his entire season, given the recent news from the United States and France.
If one between Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev were to triumph in Melbourne, the 34-year-old from Belgrade would lose the top spot in the ATP ranking. During a recent interview on the ‘b92.net’ portal, Dr Zoran Gojkovic – a member of the Serbian government’s crisis staff – threw a stab at the 20-time Grand Slam champion. Read more
Celtics’ Ime Udoka didn’t know Jayson Tatum’s point total late in fourth quarter (NBC)
The unwritten rules in basketball suggest that leaving a star player in a blowout game when the outcome is nearly decided is a no-no.
As the fourth quarter winded down between the Wizards and Celtics, Jayson Tatum checked back into the game despite Boston leading 99-76. Tatum was close to hitting the 50 point mark, and would end the game with 51 points.
When asked during postgame if he put in Tatum to cross the 50-point threshold, Celtics head coach Ime Udoka said he had no idea how many points the 23-year-old had when he re-entered with 7:21 left to play.
“Not at all. Honestly. We were getting a bit ISO-heavy. So, I got him back in there to help finish the game,” Udoka said. Read more