Lagos lauds Gbajabiamila over Surulere general hospital (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, has commended the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, for facilitating the upgrade and reconstruction of the popular Femi Gbajabiamila Clinic in Surulere to an ultramodern multi-floor 60-bed Femi Gbajabiamila General Hospital.
The hospital, which is equipped with advanced and specialist care facilities, is located on Iyun Road, Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking on Sunday after an inspection tour of the hospital, which is scheduled to be unveiled soon, the health commissioner expressed satisfaction with the architectural design as well as the fit-for-purpose model created by the project manager, a statement said on Monday. Read more
2 die in Ogun Christmas day crash (DailyTrust)
Two persons died on Monday in an accident along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The road crash occurred after Sagamu Interchange, before the RCCG Camp in Mowe, along the highway.
Our correspondent reports that the accident involved an 18-seat Hiace bus, travelling from interchange, en route to Mowe. Read more
8 traders killed, others kidnapped (Leadership)
Not fewer than eight traders have been killed by gunmen suspected to be fleeing bandits at Kukan Babangida village in Katsina State.
The traders were returning from a weekly market in Jibia local government area of the State when they were attacked by terrorists escaping from a military offensive in some parts of the neighbouring Zamfara State.
A credible source revealed that two of the traders were abducted while four others were severely wounded by the attackers. Read more
9 die in Christmas Day road crash (Punch)
No fewer than nine passengers travelling along the Ikirun/Offa Expressway, Inisa on Monday lost their lives in a road accident that occurred when the truck they were travelling in veered into the bush.
The truck carrying bags of beans and some passengers was said to be coming from Niger State and reportedly heading to Edo State.
It was learnt that the truck lost control, leading to the crash. Read more
N40m Deal: Portable, Charles Okocha’s feud worsens, to engage in boxing bout December 26 (Sun)
The feud between Zazoo crooner, Habeeb Okikiola popularly known as Portable and Nigerian actor, Charles Okocha over a N40million deal seems to have gotten to its head as both parties have fixed December 26 for a boxing bout to ‘settle scores.
Both parties fell out after Portable released a video claiming that Charles Okocha shortchanged him in a N40 millions deal by giving him just N5 Million which was below what he should get.
These claims were dismissed by Charles Okocha, who claimed that he had no deal with Portable, adding that Portable was the one who reached out to him wanting to be friends. Read more
“All lies,” Emeka Ike’s brother reacts to actor’s ex-wife, son allegations (Vanguard)
Victor Ike, the brother of veteran Nollywood star, Emeka Ike, has refuted the allegations made by the actor’s ex-wife and his son, Michael Ike.
Recall Suzanne Emma, along with her son, Michael Ike, shared distressing details about her marriage to the actor, alleging instances of physical abuse.
Recounting the harsh words allegedly said to him by his father, Michael, expressed dislike for the actor. Read more
Army chief celebrates Christmas with troops, salutes their gallantry (Channels)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, said the Nigerian Army is expected to take delivery of more battle enablers and combat equipment to support troops on the battlefield in their efforts to decimate all criminal elements disturbing the peace of the nation.
The Chief of Army Staff was speaking when he celebrated Christmas with troops of Operation Hadarin Daji at Gingiya Army Barracks, Sokoto.
He said the leadership of the Nigerian Army has designed many measures to encourage troops in the field as he saluted the gallantry, unwavering dedication, and sacrifice they make to ensure the peace and stability of the nation. Read more
Centre remembers Bola Ige 22 years after (Nation)
The Bola Ige Centre for Justice has paid tribute to the late Deputy Leader of Afenifere and former Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, who was killed by gunmen on December 23,2001, at his Bodija residence in Ibadan.
In a statement,the centre noted that the murder of the late ‘Cicero of Esa-Oke’ remains unresolved,adding that the question, “Who killed Bola Ige?”, will continue to be relevant. Read more
Armed groups kill 113 people in series of attacks across central Nigeria (AlJazeera)
Armed groups have killed more than 100 people in a string of attacks targeting towns across central Nigeria, another deadly episode in a region with persistent religious and ethnic tensions.
Local officials on Monday said the toll of the weekend attacks by armed groups, sometimes called “bandits”, has risen to 113, increasing sharply from the government’s initial count of 16.
“As many as 113 persons have been confirmed killed as Saturday hostilities persisted to early hours of Monday,” Monday Kassah, head of the local government in Bokkos in Plateau State, told the Agence France-Presse news agency. Read more
Beyoncé’s childhood home suffers Christmas day fire, family escape unhurt (HipHopDx)
Beyoncé‘s family history was dealt a major blow during what is otherwise supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year.
On Monday (December 25), TMZ reported that the pop star’s childhood home in Houston from the first half of the ’80s went up in flames during the early hours of Christmas Day. Around 2 a.m., authorities were alerted to the emergency and were able to put the fire out in approximately 10 minutes.
The “Break My Soul” hitmaker’s parents purchased the Riverside Terrace property in 1981. Just five years later and prior to Solange being born, they moved out — the house has switched owners multiple times since then. Read more
John Travolta goes skiing with his kids Ella and Benjamin on Christmas (People)
John Travolta is wishing fans a “Merry Christmas!”
On Monday, Travolta, 69, shared a photo with his children, Ella Bleu, 23, and Benjamin, 13, celebrating the holiday together. In the Instagram post, the three smiled together on the ski slopes.
“Merry Christmas to everyone, we love you!!” the Grease star captioned the post. Read more
Police confirm swatting incident targeting Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s house on Christmas (NBC)
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said Monday she was the victim of another “swatting” incident at her home in Georgia that was confirmed by local police to NBC News.
“I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here,” Greene said in a post on X.
Major Rodney Bailey of the police department in Rome, Georgia, told NBC News that a person based in Rome, New York, made a call to the suicide hotline, claiming that he had shot his girlfriend at Greene’s address in Georgia and threatening to kill himself. Read more
Israel-Gaza War: Netanyahu vows to intensify campaign (BBC)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will intensify its fight against Hamas in the coming days.
He told members of his party that he had visited Gaza on Monday morning and that Israel’s military campaign there was “not close to being over”.
His comments come days after the US secretary of state said Israel should lower the intensity of its strikes. Read more
Chief Prisons Inspector: Overcrowding is a ticking time bomb (Independent)
The UK must decide what the point of jail is, the chief inspector of prisons has warned, as he suggests they are a poor use of taxpayers’ money with criminals becoming more dangerous while inside.
Charlie Taylor said it is “almost inevitable” that whoever wins the next general election will be forced to confront the question of what prisons should be for, warning that merely locking people up in “revolting” conditions for ever-longer periods risks creating more victims of crime, not fewer.
Mr Taylor also issued a stark warning over the government’s last-ditch efforts to free up space in prisons. He said that overcrowding is a “ticking time bomb” and that plans to release inmates early and spare some offenders jail will not be enough to prevent the issue from “blowing up”. Read more
DR Congo: At least 4 people dead, 20 others missing from landslide (AfricaNews)
At least four people have died with another 20 feared missing after a river swept away a building in South Kivu, Sunday, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
The accident happened in the rural and mining territory of Mwenga, where local people sheltered from heavy rains under a hangar serving as a makeshift restaurant on the banks of a river.
“The heavy rains triggered a landslide” according to Alexandre Ngandu, the deputy mayor of Kamituga, a major town in the eastern South Kivu region. The torrential rains also caused considerable property damage. Read more
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is in a penal colony near the Arctic Circle, associates say (PBS)
Associates of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Monday that he has been located at a prison colony above the Arctic Circle nearly three weeks after contact with him was lost.
Navalny, the most prominent foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism. He had been imprisoned in the Vladimir region of central Russia, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of Moscow, but his lawyers said they had not been able to reach him since Dec. 6.
His spokesperson, Kira Yarmysh, said he was located in a prison colony in the town of Kharp, in the Yamalo-Nenets region about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) northeast of Moscow. Read more
AFCON 2023: S/Eagles group foe Guinea-Bissau announce final 25-man squad (CompleteSports)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles AFCON 2023 Group A opponent Guinea-Bissau has named their final 25-man squad.
While other teams recently released their provisional squad, Guinea-Bissau’s head coach Baciro Candé, officially released his final roster for next year’s tournament.
Cande selected three goalkeepers, eight defenders, seven midfielders, and seven attackers. Read more
Ighalo bangs goal No.9 in Saudi league (Sun)
Former Nigeria International Odion Ighalo was on target on Sunday when his club Al Wehdah defeated Al Riyad SC 3-1.
Former Watford FC attacker has become a regular goal scorer in the Saudi Pro League having represented Al Shabab and Al Hilal in the past.
Yamiq put the hosts ahead in the 36th minute before Godwin doubled their lead in the 82nd minute. Read more
“Christmas Miracle” – Doctor’s heartwarming story of Man Utd icon Roy Keane’s hospital visit (Mirror)
The Manchester United icon returned to his native Ireland to spread some Christmas cheer to sick children in hospital – and over 20 years later, his touching act is still remembered fondly
Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, brought a touch of holiday magic to his hometown in Cork, Ireland, over 20 years ago.
Keane was famed for being tough on the field and now, as a football pundit. But away from the game, it’s been revealed that there is a completely different side to the Premier League legend. Read more
Celtics play role of Grinch on Christmas Day with 126-115 win over Lakers (NBC)
Kristaps Porzingis had 28 points and 11 rebounds, Jayson Tatum added 25 points and the Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time in Christmas Day meetings 126-115 on Monday.
Jaylen Brown had 19 points and Derrick White chipped in with 18 points and 11 rebounds. All five starters had at least 18 points for the Celtics, who have won three straight and 12 of their past 14.
Anthony Davis scored a game-high 40 points with 13 rebounds, LeBron James had 16 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, but the Lakers have dropped six of eight since winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament. Read more
Premier League club ‘demand referee Rob Jones be banned from taking charge of their matches’ after latest howler (Sun)
Nottingham Forest have demanded Rob Jones be banned from officiating their games, it’s been claimed.
The 36-year-old controversially sent off Willy Boly in the Tricky Trees 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.
Boly was shockingly given a second yellow for a clean tackle on Adam Smith, much to the frustration of Forest fans. Read more
Lionel Messi sent 160 players special Christmas gift – including 13 Premier League stars (Mirror)
Lionel Messi broke Pele’s long-standing goalscoring record when he netted his 644th goal of his Barcelona career in 2020 – and celebrated by sending out Christmas gifts
Lionel Messi will be celebrating this Christmas having already got his hands on the item he always wanted last year – the World Cup trophy.
There are some in Argentina who are still celebrating the success in Qatar just over 12 months ago, and with the World Cup now on his CV, there is not really much that Messi could want for Christmas. Read more