Lagos intern dies in construction site elevator (Punch)
An 18-year-old male student of Lagos State Skills Acquisition Centre Technical School, Egan, identified simply as Oluwaseun, has died in an elevator accident that occurred at a construction site in the Ikoyi area of the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Wednesday, December 6 while the deceased victim was observing his Industrial Training programme with the company.
It was gathered that Oluwaseun, an indigene of Kwara State, resumed with some of the construction workers on the day of the incident and was said to have been on the site until evening when he was last seen. Read more
Oba Ghandi destined to be Soun of Ogbomoso land — Adeboye (Leadership)
The General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, on Sunday, revealed why he did not stop the new Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, Orumogege III, from vying for the traditional stool.
LEADERSHIP reports that Oba Ghandi Olaoye was a Pastor of RCCG in Washington, United States of America, before his emergence as the new Soun of Ogbomoso land few months ago.
Recall that the Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, approved the selection of Olaoye as the 21st Soun of Ogbomosoland on September 2, 2023, following his nomination by the Olaoye Ruling House of Ogbomoso and endorsement of the kingmakers. Read more
Those who reject kissing scenes aren’t true actors — Ajai-Lycett (DailyTrust)
Veteran Nollywood actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, who has been in the movie business for over four decades has shared her school of thought about kissing scenes with her younger colleagues.
According to the octogenarian, any actor who turns down a kissing role is not a genuine thespian. A recipient of the national award, she further stated that an actor who turns down such roles is just ‘play-acting’.
While admonishing this set of actors, the legendary screen diva during an interview with TVC said, “Acting is believing, we are projecting life. Read more
Bandits ambush Katsina farmers, kill 4, abduct 8 (Vanguard)
Bandits have ambushed farmers harvesting farm produce in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where they killed 4 and abducted 8.
Spokesperson of the Katsina State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Aliyu has confirmed that the bandits raided the farming communities at Dantsuntu and Nahuta in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.
ASP Aliyu who said the Commissioner of Police in Katsina was aware of the incident, told journalists in an interview that 8 other peasants were missing. Read more
Epe community petitions Sanwo-Olu, Assembly over vacant stool (Guardian)
The youths of Odoragunshin community in Epe have staged a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly and called for urgent intervention on the vacant Obaship stool of their community after eight years.
In a letter submitted to the Office of Political Legislative and Civic Engagement, at the weekend, the youths urged the House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, to wade into the affairs of the community and also pleaded for the installation of a youth.
The youths maintained that it is important to have a king who has the interest of the people at heart.The Youth Leader of Odoragunshin, Ahmed Odutayo, said: “We have been in the dark for over eight years without a traditional head/ruler since the demise of the late king, Oba Julius Ogunsanya.” Read more
Rivers Speaker writes INEC, seeks conduct of fresh elections in 25 constituencies (Leadership)
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking conduct of fresh elections in 25 state constituencies.
It would be recalled that the Ehie-led lawmakers, who are loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had last Wednesday passed a resolution declaring the seats of the 25 members of the House, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant.
The 25 lawmakers, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had earlier on Monday announced their defection to the APC, citing an unresolvable crisis within the national leadership of PDP. Read more
No agreement with NNPP on Kano guber poll — APC Chairman (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted claims that it has entered into an agreement with the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), on the Kano Governorship Election.
Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, the state APC Chairman, stated this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
“The rumours had it that the NNPP had reached out to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter in favour of the NNPP candidate to remain as governor and subsequently decamp to the APC. Read more
First Lady splashes N4m scholarships on rescued female versity students (Nation)
First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Sunday, December 17, said that learning and education are veritable weapons in the fight against terrorism and criminality by individuals and communities.
Also First Lady Tinubu, through her pet-project, the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), gave N4 million scholarship grants and four brand new laptops to four of the five rescued Federal University Dutsin-Ma students, who visited her at the State House, Abuja.
She said: “I join a cheerful nation to welcome our beloved daughters home as you re-unite with your families. We grieved over the sad fate that had befallen you and we join your family to celebrate your safe return. Since your dreadful abduction on October 5, 2023, it has been a period of pain for you, your parents, your teachers and indeed all Nigerians. Read more
Demi Lovato and Jutes announce engagement (NME)
Demi Lovato and musician Jordan ‘‘Jutes’’ Lutes have announced that they are engaged.
The ‘‘Cool For The Summer’’ singer took to Instagram on Sunday (Dec 17) to share the news with their followers.
“I’m still speechless,” Lovato wrote alongside pictures of the pair together and an engagement ring. “Last night was the best night of my life and I can’t believe I get to marry the love of my life @jutesmusic.” Read more
America Ferrera celebrates The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants reunion at Barbie Screening (Deadline)
A trip to a special screening of Barbie in New York City turned into a pretty in pink reunion of the cast from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
Barbie co-star America Ferrera posed for pics with her fellow Sisterhood stars Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn and Alexis Bledel at the screening. The quartet starred in the 2005 movie from Ken Kwapis about four best friends who buy a mysterious pair of pants that fits each of them despite their differing sizes.
“The Sisterhood came through all in pink to celebrate my performance in Barbie last night,” wrote Ferrera on her IG account. “I love these women with all my heart.” Read more
Timothée Chalamet wins the box office golden ticket as Wonka debuts to $39m (EW)
The pre-holiday box office is off to a sweet start, thanks to Timothée Chalamet’s eccentric chocolatier, Wonka.
Although it didn’t manage to crack No. 1 in the official ranking from Chalamet’s mom, the fantasy musical is clearly charming audiences worldwide. With a $39 million domestic debut, the film from Paddington 2 director Paul King brought its global total to $151.4 million.
This marks a promising start, especially for a musical film. In recent years, the genre has noticeably struggled at the box office, prompting much of the film’s marketing to hide the song-and-dance act in trailers. The prequel offers some insight into the origins of Willy Wonka, the magical candyman featured in Roald Dahl’s classic novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Read more
Ice Spice’s debut album featuring ‘new classics’ coming in 2024, producer RIOTUSA reveals (HipHopDx)
Ice Spice‘s debut album promises to offer what producer RIOTUSA is already designating as “new classics” when it arrives some time next year.
The producer behind the boards on Spice’s breakthrough track “Munch,” held a live Q&A on Wednesday (December 13), which was captured by Billboard. RIOTUSA, who met Ice Spice when they were college students at SUNY — Purchase, teased that the pair were in the process of cooking up some new heat in the studio.
“Fans should know I produce and record too, so look out for my music,” he said. “Also look out for new classics with Ice in 2024. We’re working on her debut album as we speak.” Read more
Starving Palestinians loot aid trucks as desperation mounts in Gaza’s Rafah (Aljazeera)
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen after more than two months of Israeli bombing and forced displacement of people to the enclave’s south.
On Sunday, hungry and desperate Palestinians were seen jumping onto aid trucks in order to get food and other supplies in Gaza’s Rafah area near the border with Egypt.
Dozens of Palestinians surrounded the aid trucks after they drove in through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, forcing some to stop before climbing aboard, pulling food and water boxes down, and carrying them off or passing them off to crowds below. Read more
Taylor Swift shows her support for Travis Kelce by attending the Chiefs vs. Patriots game in Mass (People)
After celebrating her birthday this week, Taylor Swift is cheering on Travis Kelce!
The pop superstar, 34, stepped out to watch her beau, also 34, as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon.
The Grammy winner was photographed arriving at the game at Gillette Stadium, the Patriots’ home turf in Foxborough, Massachusetts, according to photographs shared online by a fan account. Read more
Ahead of DR Congo vote, youngsters crave jobs (AfricaNews)
Gedeon, 22, driving his auto-rickshaw through the bustling streets of DR Congo’s capital Kinshasa, said he never imagined he would end up doing the job he does.
Like many young people in the deeply impoverished central African nation, he said he had high hopes that the government can deliver a better future.
“I want to go back to school,” said Gedeon, who has worked as a rickshaw driver for five years. Read more
Remo Stars maintain lead despite defeat as Plateau bash Bayelsa 5-1 (Guardian)
Old war horse, Rabiu ‘Pele’ Ali, was among the goal scorers as Kano Pillars defeated league leaders, Remo Stars 2-1 at the Sani Abacha Stadium, yesterday.
The 39-year-old Ali grabbed Kano Pillars’ second goal in the 78th minute to hand the former champions a win that took them up to the sixth spot on the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) table.
Ibrahim Mustapha had given Pillars a 1-0 lead in the 50th minute, but Ojo Ekundayo Solomon cancelled the advantage in the 72nd minute before Ali struck. Read more
Sanwo-Olu receives AFCON trophy, charges Super Eagles to win title (Leadership)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu , has charged the Super Eagles to go for a fourth title at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Sanwo-olu, who received the AFCON trophy during its tour, highlighted the city’s vibrant sports culture.
The Lagos State number one citizen expressed confidence in the potential of the Super Eagles to emerge champions in Cote d’Ivoire. Read more
Tom Lockyer suffers cardiac arrest, collapses on field for 2nd time (NYPost)
A Premier League match was suspended Saturday after Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer collapsed again on the pitch due to cardiac arrest.
The scary incident occurred in the 59th minute of a 1-1 game at Bournemouth when Lockyer fell to the ground without contact with another player
It marked the second time this year that the 29-year-old center back from Wales has collapsed during a match. Read more
I can still do it, says Tiger Woods on winning on PGA Tour (StraitsTimes)
Tiger Woods believes he can still win on the PGA Tour and was full of appreciation after he and son Charlie carded a final round 61 at the PNC Championship in Orlando on Dec 17.
With Tiger’s 16-year-old daughter Sam caddying, the pair shot a sparkling second round 11-under to finish tied for fifth at the event formerly known as the Father/Son Challenge.
“To have both my kids out there the last two days has been so special,” Woods told reporters. “Just grateful for us to be able to have these types of experiences.” Read more
Chelsea beat Bristol City to go 3 points clear (BBC)
Chelsea gained a three-point advantage in the Women’s Super League title race by beating struggling Bristol City in their final league match of the year.
Lauren James, returning to the starting line-up after being benched for their Champions League draw with Hacken on Tuesday, opened the scoring with a wonderfully-executed curling finish from the edge of the box.
Bristol City had early chances in an evenly-matched opening with Amalie Thestrup and Abi Harrison coming close, but Chelsea eventually showcased their excellence. Read more
Ex-NBA G-Leaguer Chance Comanche faces murder, kidnapping charges after woman’s remains found (NYPost)
The former G-League player and girlfriend arrested in connection with the disappearance of a 23-year-old Washington medical assistant in Las Vegas have been charged with kidnapping and murder, according to police.
Chance Comanche, 27, was released from the Stockton Kings, a developmental affiliate of the Sacramento Kings, shortly after his arrest.
He played a G-League game in Henderson, Nevada, 15 miles from Las Vegas, the night before Marayna Rodgers was last seen and reported missing. Read more