Lagos community laments lack of amenities, demands govt intervention (Punch)
Residents of Oworonshoki, a suburb in the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, have called on the state and local governments to find a lasting solution to the lack of basic amenities and infrastructure in the area.
The General Secretary of the Oworo Youths Forum, Seun Gbogboade, made this call while unveiling a book titled, ‘The Oworonshoki we want: Action plan’, which detailed the pressing needs of Oworonshoki residents.
At the book launch organised by OYF in conjunction with Rethinking Cities Foundation and the Heinrich BÖll Stiftung Foundation, Gbogboade lamented that the community was without potable water because the Lagos State Water Corporation had stopped supplying water to residents for over eight months.
He explained that apart from regular water supply, the people of the area were also in need of new schools, reconstruction of dilapidated ones, constant power supply and an end to estimated billing. Read more
Christmas: Sanwo-Olu Admonishes Nigerians to Show Love (Independent)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has admonished Nigerians to show love to one another as exemplified by Jesus Christ, whose birth is being celebrated today, December 25, Christmas Day.
Sanwo-Olu said this in his Christmas message said, “As we celebrate Christmas, I am extending my best wishes to every Nigerian, especially Christians across the country and other parts of the world.
“We must not forget the true essence of the season, which is to reflect on the birth of Jesus and its significance to mankind.
“We should seize the opportunity of the celebration to strengthen our love for one another by being kind and generous to the people around us. Read more
Hi-Impact Planet fetes customers at Christmas (ThisDay)
The recent anger generated by the banning of Nigerians by the governments of Canada, Saudi Arabia, UAE and United Kingdom over the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is needless as the country possess all it takes for its citizens to stay home and enjoy the yuletide season.
The Chairman of Nigeria’s biggest and foremost tourism company, Hi-Impact Planet Amusement Park and Resort, Prince Adeyanju Lipede has advised Nigerians to look inward especially during holiday seasons to enjoy their money and save themselves the yearly hardship of looking for visa for self and family as well as deciding on which country to visit when there are more than enough places to visit and have a memorable holiday in Nigeria.
While condemning these countries for singling out only African countries for the ban when many European countries that have worse cases of Omicron were not punished, Lipede said spending hard earned money at home has capacity to grow the economy.
“Not a few commentators have argued that the best way to grow a nation’s economy and ensure a strong currency is to engage in production as well as consume what your country produces, let us stay here in our country and stop taking our money to grow other nations economy,” Lipede said. Read more
MDCN scraps N900, 000 fee for foreign-trained doctors (VON)
The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has withdrawn its circular over the mandatory payment of N900, 000 by foreign-trained doctors.
The decision to withdraw the circular came on Saturday after a public outcry.
According to a verified source, that shared a circular on the matter with our correspondent in Abuja.
VON had reported that the council had earlier announced that medical graduates, who schooled abroad most take the council’s assessment examination, would undergo a six-month mandatory training, which would cost N900,000 for Nigerian citizens and N1.4m for non-citizens. Read more
‘We Are Revolutionising Ibadan Entertainment Scene’, Says Copacapana Boss (Tribune)
The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Ahmed Ajibola, while unveiling the Ibadan branch of Copacapana has said that the club is working to revolutionise the entertainment scene during its opening event in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Months after completion, the new Copacapana opens on Friday amidst funfair and refuelling energy to improve hospitality industry in Ibadan.
During an interview with newsmen, Ajibola said, “We are providing tons of services, ranging from restaurant, rooftop lounge, outdoor bar, pool as we believed with this, entertainment revolution in Ibadan will be led by us, at Copacapana.”
“We are interested in upping our games as we have displayed that in entertainment, hospitality, real estates in various cities in Nigeria, beyond and now, we are bringing the best to Ibadan.” Read more
Ayade suspends 14-month old #EndSARS curfew (Channels)
Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, has suspended the 14-month old curfew that was imposed during the #EndSARS protest in October 2020 in Calabar, the state capital.
The aftermath of the EndSARS protest led hoodlums to hijack and to break down law and order. This also led to the wanton destruction of both government and private properties.
The complete suspension was in a statement signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ayade, Mr Linus Obogo, stating that the suspension takes effect from December 25, 2021.
“The state governor, His Excellency, Sir Ben Ayade, has suspended the curfew in the state with effect from December 25, 2021. Consequently, movement is no longer restricted in the state at any time,” the statement read. Read more
Great Cambridge High School celebrates at Christmas (Independent)
During the week, Great Cambridge High School, Okota, Lagos, celebrated their end-of-the-year party and graduation ceremony for their students. The ceremony, which took place at the school premises was witnessed by parents, guardians and children of all ages.
The welcome address was given by the executive director, Alhaji Ibrahim Yakubu. He expressed appreciation to all the parents and guardians for their unflinching supports and cooperation since the establishment of the school.
“For us at Great Cambridge High School, it is a great honour and privilege to address everyone seated here today. We welcome and thank all our distinguished guests, highly esteemed and supportive parents, dedicating and hard-working teachers, reliable non-teaching staff, significantly, our God-given excellent students. I want to thank you for your support, especially during these trying times. I know things have not been steady in the economy but still, you all strived to make this day a success, for that I am grateful.”
Speaking further at the ceremony, Alhaji Yakubu encouraged the graduating students to always keep the flag flying. “Education is light, without it there will be darkness. There might be some problems to be encountered but there is always a solution. Always look forward never look behind you and never give up. Many of you came into this school as babies but now leaving as graduands. I am so proud of all of you. Keep the flag flying.” Read more
PDP, Atiku, Ayu charge Nigerians on peace, national rebirth (Sun)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, charged Nigerians to use the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration to reinforce their determination for a national rebirth.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said Christmas presents Nigeria with an opportunity to rekindle their hopes for a better country.
The opposition party expressed dismay that in the last six years, Nigerians have been forced to mark Christmas in despondency, owing to economic hardship and worsening insecurity in the country.
“Indeed, Christmas which marks the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to redeem humanity, presents us with a momentous opportunity to rekindle our hope and work together as one people under God to pull our dear nation out of the quagmire of the rudderless and inhumane APC government. Read more
COVID-19: No death from Omicron variant yet in Nigeria, Says NCDC (Leadership)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says no person in Nigeria has died of COVID-19 with the B.1.1.529 SARS-CoV-2 lineage, the Omicron variant in the country, as the variant surges across the country.
The NCDC director-general, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, disclosed this to newsmen in Abuja yesterday.
Data from the African Union (AU) shows that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly across the African continent.
AU’s Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said as of Thursday, 22 countries had reported the presence of the Omicron variant. Read more
The King’s Man: everything you need to know about the upcoming prequel (Metro)
It’s been a bumper year for spy films, from the latest outing of Bond in No Time to Die (which has recently been announced as a frontrunner in the Oscars 2022 shortlist) to the Black Widow Marvel prequel.
The year might nearly be over, but there’s still time for more espionage action – and this time, it’s suitably suave.
The third instalment in the Kingsman film series, which is based on the comic book The Secret Service by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons, The King’s Man serves as a prequel to the earlier films in the franchise, including 2014’s Kingsman: The Secret Service and 2017’s Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming film, including what it’s about, who’s in the cast and when it’s out in cinemas…Read more
Peruvian government reacts to Firefly and Ed Sheeran’s “Peru” (Guardian)
Peru, para; peru come dey para”
The Peruvian Government has reacted to the latest remix by Fireboy DML’s “Peru” which features Grammy award winner Ed Sheeran.
The South American country made this reaction through its official Twitter handle. The tweet insinuated that Fireboy may have got his inspiration for the smash hit track from the country’s name.
The Peruvian government encouraged its citizens to listen to “Peru Remix” with the British singer, Ed Sheeran. Read more
South Africa: Nelson Mandela prison key sale condemned by minister (DW)
A South African minister on Friday urged the cancellation of an upcoming US auction of a key to the prison cell where Nelson Mandela was held.
South Africa’s first Black president was jailed for 27 years for his opposition to apartheid.
Mandela died in December 2013, aged 95. He served as South Africa’s president from May 1994 to June 1999.
The key is among Mandela memorabilia being sold by the Guernsey auction house in New York on January 28. Most of the items were provided by members of Mandela’s family to raise funds for a planned museum and garden around the late leader’s grave. Read more
13 dead, others missing in migrant boat accident in Aegean Sea (NBC)
At least 13 people died after a migrant boat capsized in the Aegean Sea late Friday, bringing to at least 27 the combined death toll from three accidents in as many days involving migrant boats in Greek waters.
The sinkings came as smugglers increasingly favor a perilous route from Turkey to Italy, which avoids Greece’s heavily patrolled eastern Aegean islands that for years were at the forefront of the country’s migration crisis.
The coast guard said 62 people were rescued after a sailboat capsized late Friday some 5 miles off the island of Paros, in the central Aegean. Survivors told the coast guard that about 80 people had been on the vessel.
Five coast guard patrol boats, nine private vessels, a helicopter and a military transport plane continued the night-time search for more survivors, authorities said, while coast guard divers also participated. Read more
Mum, stepmother of 9-year-old boy charged in his brutal beating death (NYPost)
The mother and stepmother of a 9-year-old Indiana boy were charged in connection with his violent death.
Elijah Thomas Ross, of Fort Wayne, was repeatedly beaten with a wooden paddle by stepmom Alesha Lynn Miller, 30, according to a probable cause affidavit released Wednesday according to WANE.
Jenna Mae Miller, 36, the victim’s mom and Alesha’s spouse, told cops that Elijah had screamed “please stop” as she “continuously kept whooping the victim,” the report said.
The boy’s brothers told cops his stepmother, who the children called “dad,” “went hard” on Elijah and would often “slam him to the ground” and “whoop him with the paddle,” causing him to “ball up.” Read more
Lin-Manuel Miranda on tick, tick… BOOM! approaching work with empathy and having a ‘real life’ (Sky)
Hamilton. In The Heights. Vivo. Bring It On. Encanto. Freestyle Love Supreme. Moana. His Dark Materials. tick, tick… BOOM!
That’s just a handful of work that has helped Lin-Manuel Miranda become a household name over the last few years, and propelled him into stardom.
And it is his latest project that has again brought him into living rooms around the world, letting him leave his mark on a piece of work with a cult following.
His latest film (and directorial debut), an adaptation of the iconic semi-autobiographical musical tick, tick… BOOM! by the late Jonathan Larson, has been lauded, landing nominations for Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards – wrapping off a golden two years for the creative. Read mode
Jesse Metcalfe reflects on ‘pressure’ to be a sex symbol on Desperate Housewives (Mirror)
Jesse Metcalfe has reflected on his landmark role as gardener John Rowland on the iconic US drama Desperate Housewives and says he was left feeling like a piece of meat thanks to the hit series.
The 43-year-old found fame worldwide through the series which saw him having an affair with a character named Gabrielle Solis – played by 46-year-old Eva Longoria.
The actor portrayed the character in the first four seasons of the show and returned as a guest in the sixth – while his career has somewhat floundered in the years since Desperate Housewives ended in 2012.
But filming scenes without a top on for practically every episode of the soapy American drama left Jesse feeling objectified and under pressure. Read more
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira admits he is bracing himself for boos as the former Arsenal captain takes his side to face Tottenham… as he looks to secure the double over London rivals (DailyMail)
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is braced for boos from the Tottenham fans when his side visit their fellow London club on Boxing Day.
The Eagles are set to make the short trip across the capital this weekend to face Spurs and the 45-year-old knows the type of reception he is likely to receive.
Vieira spent nine years as a player at Arsenal and captained them to Premier League success at the home of arch-rivals Tottenham in 2004.
‘I am expecting more than just a couple of boos,’ the Gunners great said with a smile. Read more
Cavaliers’ J.B. Bickerstaff agrees to contract extension (Sportsnaut)
Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff agreed to a multi-year contract extension on Saturday.
Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Cavaliers, however ESPN reported the new contract will keep Bickerstaff with the club through the 2026-27 season.
“J.B. Bickerstaff is, with all certainty, the right head coach to lead this franchise into what we believe is a very promising future,” Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman said. “The decision to extend J.B. is not based solely on the early success of this season, but rather a body of work since his arrival to Cleveland. His leadership style, coaching experience and commitment to player development has instilled a growing confidence that resonates across our entire organization. We continue to see innovative and strategic examples of his impact on this roster, coupled by his unique ability to build upon a culture that leads to sustainable success.”
Bickerstaff, 42, has guided the Cavaliers to a 19-13 start to this season. The team’s 19 wins are three shy of matching its total from 2020-21. Read more
Australia testing Ashes pace depth again (WestAustralian)
Australia are banking on the depth of their pace attack as Scott Boland makes his Test debut on Boxing Day.
With Josh Hazlewood still sidelined, and Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser now unavailable because of soreness, Australia have made two changes to their lineup for the third Test at the MCG.
Boland will become the fourth Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket and the first Victorian to make his Test debut on Boxing Day since current selector Tony Dodemaide in 1987.
Captain Pat Cummins will also return after he was forced to miss the second Test in Adelaide because he was a COVID-19 close contact. Read more
Matteo Guendouzi gives Manchester United leverage in transfer window after latest Arsenal snub (FootballLondon)
Matteo Guendouzi is on the verge of helping Manchester United strengthen their squad in the upcoming transfer window.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, United are interested in signing Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who is available to be signed in January after rejecting a contract extension.
Kamara’s availability in the transfer window could partly be due to Guendouzi’s likelihood of making his loan to Marseille a permanent transfer in the summer, as both players are midfielders, and the French club could afford to lose the defensive midfielder.
This has been strengthened by Guendouzi’s recent comments which confirms that he will be returning to Les Phocéens on a permanent transfer in the summer. Read more
Athletes’ Christmas gift for children battling cancer (Nation)
At 7.30am on Friday, a number of athletes — led by Toby Tanser, the Shoe4Africa Foundation charity director, Great Britain’s former world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe, and scores of Kenyan legends — braved the cold chilly morning in Timboroa, Uasin Gishu County, to run a charity race.
They hope to raise enough funds for the construction of a 152-bed children’s cancer hospital to be known as “The Shoe4Africa Juli Anne Perry Children’s Cancer Hospital.”
Friday’s 80-kilometre run was a relay from the Equator to Eldoret and saw the athletes change over after every 10 or five kilometres. Time didn’t matter. The worthy cause did.
Radcliffe, accompanied by her 14-year-old daughter Isla Lough, who suffers from cancer, flew into Kenya just to be part of the worthy cause. Read more
Ray Illingworth – Yorkshire and England great dies (BBC)
Former England and Yorkshire captain Ray Illingworth has died, aged 89.
The all-rounder, who led England to an away Test series victory over Australia in 1970-71, had been undergoing radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.
Illingworth played 61 Tests for England between 1958-1973, scoring 1,836 Test runs at an average of 23.24 and claimed 122 wickets at 31.20; he was captain 31 times, winning 12 of those matches.
He guided Yorkshire to three successive County Championship titles from 1966.
“We are deeply saddened to learn that Ray Illingworth has passed away,” wrote Yorkshire County Cricket Club on Twitter. Read more