Lagos-Ibadan highway: FRSC threatens one-way drivers (Punch)
The Ogun Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has warned motorists against route violations as construction work resumes on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.
The Ogun Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr Ahmed Umar, gave the warning while speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Ota, Ogun State.
Umar said the warning became necessary as the FRSC, police and other sister agencies, would be on ground to arrest motorists driving against traffic.
The sector commander said the FRSC and other sister agencies had been deployed to the construction sites to ensure sanity, check excesses of drivers and control gridlock. Read more
NDLEA arrests 11 suspects, intercepts drug consignments in wooden statue, imported vehicle (Guardian)
Operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested 11 suspects in interdiction operations that led to seizure of almost four tons of skunk in Kaduna, Kano and Lagos states.
The operatives also thwarted attempts by elements of organised criminal groups to use various disingenuous modes of concealment to import consignments of illicit substances into Nigeria and export same to the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirate through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja and Tincan seaport in Lagos.
Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement, said about 37.5 kilogrammes of such illicit consignments were intercepted in the past week.
According to him, a freight agent, Ogunsina Damilare, was arrested at the Lagos airport, on Friday, January 6, following a bid to export 1.5 kilogrammes of skunk hidden in foodstuffs to Dubai, United Arab Emirate (UAE) through Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) export shed of the MMIA. Read more
Edo Train Attack: Retired police officer, nursing mother, 3 others “rescued” (DailyTrust)
A retired police officer, a nursing mother and her baby, as well as two minors, have been rescued from among the 32 passengers abducted from Igueben train station, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
The victims were waiting to board a train to Warri in Delta State when they were abducted Saturday afternoon by gunmen.
Daily Trust gathered that the victims were rescued by a combined team of security agents including the local vigilante and hunters. It was also learnt that one of the kidnappers had been arrested by security operatives.
“Five persons have been rescued so far. The kidnappers were forced to release the minors who they felt couldn’t move fast due to the intensity of the security operatives, especially the hunters who were in the bush,” a source disclosed.
The spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, who also confirmed the rescue of the victims, said it was made possible in collaboration with other security agencies. Read more
2023: Shun evil predictions by false prophets — Sanwo-Olu urges Nigerians (Vanguard)
Ahead of the general elections in February and March 2023, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the people to shun evil predictions of anarchy and violence being peddled by false prophets and enemies of the country.
Sanwo-Olu, who also offered a prayer for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria, urged residents to continue to keep faith with his administration, saying his government has kept its promise and lived up to the excellent spirit associated with Lagos State in line with the THEMES developmental agenda.
Sanwo-Olu, made the remarks, yesterday, during the state’s 23, Annual New Year Thanksgiving Service, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.
The programme, with the theme ‘Praising The Name of God’, was attended by various dignitaries from all walks of life. Read more
Lagos Surveyor-General demands more vehicles (Punch)
The acting Surveyor-General of Lagos State, Ayokunnu Adesina, has identified the shortage of pool vehicles as one of the challenges of his office.
According to a statement on Sunday, Adesina disclosed this while he received the Public Service Standard and Performance Unit of the Office of the Head of Service to monitor and ensure full compliance with the public service rules in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “One of our major challenges is a shortage of pool vehicles. This, in turn, sometimes disturbs the smooth operations of the Office. Products and services rendered by the office include e-GIS, core stations, and data capturing.
“The data is accessed through a digital network; therefore, there is the need for more pool vehicles for staff because their jobs entail fieldwork across the state.” Read more
Insecurity festers despite Buhari’s December deadline (DailyTrust)
Despite President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security formations to end insecurity and restore order and stability in the country by the end of December 2022, terrorism in the form of insurgency, banditry and killings by separatists have continued to claim lives.
Though the killings have not stopped, experts say the last four months have witnessed a decline.
At least 671 civilians, police officers and military personnel have been killed since the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola disclosed the president’s directive at a Joint World Conference in September 2022. Aregbosola had quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as giving marching orders to Nigeria’s security chiefs to move against terrorists and ensure that the insecurity ravaging the country ends by the close of the year.
Reject selfish politicians, Iwuanyanwu tells kinsmen (Nation)
An elder statesman and Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Council of Elders, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has advised his kinsmen to reject politicians seeking elective positions, who will not use the mandate given to them to serve their collective interest.
He also urged stakeholders at Mbaitoli and Ikeduru local governments of Imo State, popularly called Mbaike, to respect the established principle of zoning for political offices, for equity, justice and fairness and to avoid domination of one council area against the other.
Iwuanyanwu spoke in Owerri at a meeting of Mbaike People’s Assembly- the apex socio-cultural organisation of the indigenes of the two councils, during which he inaugurated the constitution drafting committee. Read more
NIMASA lauds standardised digital comm. in port, flag administration (Leadership)
The director general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, over the weekend, disclosed that international collaboration to attain standardised digitalisation is essential for maritime administrations across the world.
According to him, all stakeholders in the maritime sector must effectively communicate in line with provisions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).
Speaking at the launch of Denmark’s first commercial satellite, Sternula-1, in Aalborg, Denmark, Dr Jamoh, noted that NIMASA is participating in the testing stage of an international satellite system that would improve communication channels for vessels at sea as part of the current Management’s quest to ensure adoption of global best practices in the Nigerian maritime sector.
He further noted that the IMO has set the requirements for the e-Navigation strategy implementation plan while, IALA develops the technical solutions such as AIS as part of measures to ease and promote digital communication in the Maritime Industry. Read more
The Weeknd Celebrates the anniversary of Dawn FM by sharing the “Is There Someone Else” video (Uproxx)
The Weeknd‘s fifth studio album, Dawn FM turned one on January 7. A year ago, the album was released after very little promotion, as The Weeknd wanted fans to hear the album as a cohesive body of work. During the album’s life cycle, songs like “Take My Breath,” “Sacrifice,” “Out Of Time,” and “Best Friends,” garnered enough popularity for them to become singles and fan favorites. Today, to celebrate the album’s anniversary, The Weeknd shared the video for “Is There Someone Else.”
In the video, he is seen peeking a woman as she dances seductively through a window. The woman then sneaks away, leading him to continue his search for her, by way of cameras and telescopes.
“Is there someone else or not? / ‘Cause I wanna keep you close / I don’t wanna lose my spot / ‘Cause I need to know / If you’re hurting him, or you’re hurting me / If I ain’t with you, I don’t wanna be / Is there someone else or not?,” he sings on the song’s chorus.
Shortly after the release of Dawn FM, The Weeknd took to Twitter and implied that the album was part of a new trilogy.
“I wonder… did you know you’re experiencing a new trilogy?,” he said. Read more
M3GAN dances into a killer $30m debut, Avatar 2 becomes 7th-highest global release (EW)
M3GAN and her viral, memefied dance moves made a killing at the box office during opening weekend.
Director Gerard Johnstone’s M3GAN, centered on a murderous AI doll that develops self-awareness and becomes hostile to anyone who comes between her and her human companion, exceeded expectations at the domestic box office with a $30.2 million debut, per Comscore.
The film starring Allison Williams, Jenna Davis, Amie Donald, and Violet McGraw is the second sci-fi horror title to open to more than $30 million since 2017’s Alien: Covenant ($36 million), followed behind last year’s Nope ($44 million) from Jordan Peele. It grossed a worldwide total of $45 million.
Johnstone told EW the shoot, which filmed at his native New Zealand, was quite challenging. “They talk about working with children and animals, and we did all of that plus, you know, animatronic puppets and god knows what else,” the director said. “So, it was quite grueling, but ultimately those really tricky films produce good results.” Read more
Son of director Franco Zeffirelli slams Romeo and Juliet child sex abuse lawsuit (LATimes)
The son of Romeo and Juliet director Franco Zeffirelli has responded to a child sexual abuse lawsuit recently submitted in Los Angeles County by the film’s stars, Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey.
Pippo Zeffirelli — who also serves as president of the Franco Zeffirelli Foundation — called the case brought against Paramount Pictures and allegations leveled against his late father “embarrassing” in a Friday statement to the Guardian. Franco Zeffirelli died at age 96 in 2019.
“It is embarrassing to hear that today, 55 years after filming, two elderly actors who owe their notoriety essentially to this film wake up to declare that they have suffered an abuse that has caused them years of anxiety and emotional discomfort,” Pippo Zeffirelli said. Read more
Tory Lanez reportedly fires lawyer and hires Suge Knight’s former attorney (HipHopDX)
Tory Lanez has reportedly made a change to his legal counsel and has a pending court date on the horizon.
On Sunday (January 8), Southern California-based legal reporter Meghann Cuniff, who covered the trial of the State of California vs Daystar Peterson (Tory Lanez), shared new information about the Canadian rapper’s legal moves since he was found guilty on three felony assault charges for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.
According to Cuniff, Tory Lanez has an upcoming court date on January 10 and is now purportedly being represented by Suge Knight’s former lawyer, David Kenner. He was previously represented by George Mgdesyan.
“Regarding Tory Lanez’s Tuesday court date, yes, there is a date listed on the jail roster,” Cuniff wrote on Twitter January 8. “It’s not on Judge Herriford’s calendar, and he’s got a bunch of other stuff at the time. Attorney David Kenner confirmed to me last week he’s now representing Tory.” Read more
Britney Spears responds to Jamie Lynn’s comments on ‘‘Special Forces’’ about growing up in her sister’s shadow (NME)
Britney Spears has responded to comments made by her younger sister Jamie Lynn on Fox’s new show Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
During the pilot episode of the reality series, Jamie Lynn broke down in tears while saying she was “so proud” of her sister, but “sometimes I feel like I don’t really have anything for myself.”
She added that she “struggle[s] with self-esteem” and wants to be “seen as [her] own person” outside of being related to her popstar sister.
Britney — who spent 13 years under a strict conservatorship — responded in a since-deleted Instagram post, writing: “Are we gonna say it was hard being my sister ???? Hmmmmmmmmmmm …. really ???” Read more
Biden tours busy US border crossing handling migrant influx (VOA)
U.S. President Joe Biden flew to the Texas city of El Paso on Sunday for a firsthand look at the influx of thousands of undocumented migrants crossing the border with Mexico.
During his roughly four-hour visit to the border city, Biden stopped at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry where he met with Customs and Border Protection officers and watched as they demonstrated how they search vehicles at the border for drugs, money and other contraband.
Biden also walked a stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border wall that separates the Texas city from Ciudad Juarez. Two Border Patrol agents walked with the president.
He also visited the El Paso County Migrant Support Center where he met with local officials and community leaders. He left for Mexico City shortly after. Read more
LGBTQ people, both real and fictional, will be front and centre at the Golden Globes (NBC)
Once considered taboo in film and television, gay entertainers and characters will be hard to miss at the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
As the curtains draw open at Tuesday’s annual ceremony, viewers will be greeted by the year’s breakout gay comedian, Jerrod Carmichael (“Rothaniel”), who is hosting the awards show. Some of the evenings most nominated films — including sci-fi dramedy “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and psychological thriller “Tár,” — and TV series that include “The White Lotus” and “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” — star LGBTQ actors or feature fictional queer characters. And to top off the evening, the Golden Globes will honor gay television writer and producer Ryan Murphy, perhaps best known for co-creating “Glee,” “Pose” and the “American Horror Story” franchise, with a lifetime achievement award.
“This year does definitely feel like a full-on celebration of queer talent,” said James Kleinmann, the founder and editor of The Queer Review, a website dedicated to reviewing LGBTQ shows and films. “It sort of makes you feel like we’re everywhere — and the Golden Globes are right to have noticed that.” Read more
Cho Gue-sung Celtic transfer hype accelerates as Hoops ‘outbid’ big competition for South Korean star (GlasgowLive)
Celtic have reportedly taken the lead in a bidding battle for the signature of South Korean attacker Cho Gue-sung.
The Hoops have been linked with the World Cup star for weeks, after the 24-year-old Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors netted a double in Qatar for his country that turned heads across Europe. Ange Postecoglou’s men have seemingly been in the hunt for some time but with competition coming from the Bundesliga in Mainz and the MLS.
Now, according to Football Scotland, Mainz’s bid of around £2.7m for the player has been beaten by an offer table from Celtic. Former Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung is said to be in London negotiating as the K League 1 club’s technical director. Sky Sports also now claim the Hoops offer was £3m for the forward.
Reports had emerged that the Bundesliga outfit had ‘withdrawn’ their interest in the in-demand attacker, which could open a clear pathway for Celtic to sign the attacker that Postecoglou is said to be ‘keen on’. The Korean star himself admitted he has dreamed of a move to Europe and revealed talks had occured with the Scottish champions. Read more
Nigeria to get $8m from FIFA for football development (Sun)
Nigeria will receive at least $8 million from FIFA for the next four years to sponsor football development programmes in the country.
That cash support from the World Football governing body (FIFA) is designed to offer comprehensive, individually tailored support for the growth of football in Nigeria and each member association and the six confederations as per BSNSPORTS.com.ng.
Since taking the reins as FIFA President, Gianni Infantino has made no secret of his vision to develop football around the world. An example is the expansion of FIFA World Cup participating countries to 48.
FIFA had earmarked 2.8 billion USD to different plans that provide relevant backing to the local needs of the six confederations and 211 member associations with the FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 since 2016. Read more
Graham Potter explains Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang absence from Chelsea squad (Mirror)
Chelsea boss Graham Potter explained striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed his side’s four-goal FA Cup defeat at Manchester City due to a knee injury.
Blues fans chanted the name of Potter’s predecessor Thomas Tuchel and the club’s former owner Roman Abramovich during their FA Cup loss at Manchester City on Sunday, in a clear message of their current discontent with their current boss and the situation overseen by owner Todd Boehly.
Potter’s side have now been dumped out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup by Pep Guardiola’s side, falling to a humbling four-goal defeat in Sunday’s Third Round clash in the latter.
Riyad Mahrez fired City in front with a delightful free-kick before World Cup winner Julian Alvarez doubled their advantage from the penalty spot before Phil Foden added a third before the break, with Mahrez netting from another spot-kick late on to complete the rout. Read more
Kylian Mbappe hits out at French Football president Noel Le Graet after Zinedine Zidane comments (DailyMail)
Kylian Mbappe rushed to defend Zinedine Zidane on social media, after the president of the French Football Federation claimed he would not have answered the phone if the French legend had called to enquire about the national team job.
FFF president Noel Le Graet said that he did not ‘care’ which management job the former captain took next, as well as saying he did not believe Zidane was ever in the running to take over Les Bleus and that he would not have even answered his call.
It was reported that the ex-Real Madrid boss – regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time – had rejected an advance from the USA, and he had been linked with the French job before Didier Deschamps extended his stay until 2026.
The FFF president rebuked the idea that the three-time Champions League manager was in the running to replace Deschamps, stating that there was no suggestion that the current boss was on his way out. Read more
John McEnroe makes Novak Djokovic prediction ahead of Australian Open (Tennis365)
Novak Djokovic warmed up for the Australian Open with a win at the Adelaide ATP 250 event on Sunday, yet tennis legend John McEnroe believes he will be harboring some bitterness ahead of the first major of 2023.
Djokovic was deported from Australia last year after government officials declared he was a threat to the nation following his refusal to take a Covid-19 vaccine.
Now he is back in Australia and received a warm reception from fans as he played his first matches in Adelaide last week.
Yet despite the positive start to his latest visit to the country, former Grand Slam champion McEnroe believes the painful memories of his embarrassing deportation will linger. Read more
Nets’ Kevin Durant ruled out after injuring knee vs. Heat (ESPN)
Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant was ruled out of Sunday’s 102-101 win over the Miami Heat after injuring his knee in the third quarter.
The injury occurred with 1:05 left in the third quarter as Heat swingman Jimmy Butler went to the rim and got his shot blocked by Nets big man Ben Simmons. Butler fell back into Durant’s knee, and Durant stayed on the ground for a few moments but remained in the game.
Durant kept rubbing at his knee up and down the floor and had to be taken out when the Nets took a timeout about 30 seconds later. Durant immediately walked straight back to the locker room to get checked out and did not return.
Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said an MRI on Durant’s knee will likely happen Monday. Read more