Lagos students lodge colleagues in hotels for sex romps (Punch)
Some students of the Federal Government College, Ijaniki, Lagos State, have been caught after absconding from school to lodge female colleagues in hotels for sex romps.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the students, who were all boarders, had on different occasions jumped the school’s fence with their female counterparts and stayed out of school for days.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the students involved in the act were between the ages of 14 and 17.
It was learnt that for more than three sessions, including the just concluded first term, some of the students, numbering about seven males and five females, had been leaving the school unnoticed. Read more
Soldiers, touts clash in Lagos (Vanguard)
Pandemonium broke out yesterday at Second Rainbow, on the Oshodi\Apapa expressway, Lagos, after some men suspected to be soldiers attacked some touts who inflicted injury on one of their colleagues.
This is just as a tanker loaded with petroleum products rammed into a commercial motorcyclist at Alaba bus stop on the same expressway, in the driver’s bid to avoid being extorted by touts.
There were different accounts as to how the trouble started between the soldier and the touts. A version of the account said the soldier was escorting a truck which was stopped by some touts on an extortion spree.
The soldier reportedly refused and was dragged out of the truck and gang beaten.
Another version of the account said the soldier in murfti was in a commercial bus heading towards Cele when some touts popularly called agbero clustered round the vehicle, demanding for money. Read more
24 days after Lagos Assembly passed budget, gov yet to sign it into law (Guardian)
Twenty-Four days after the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the state’s 2023 budget, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is yet to sign it into law.
Sanwo-Olu had on October 27, 2022, presented a N1.692 trillion appropriation bill to the Assembly, which was passed on December 12, 2022 by the Assembly. The assembly however raised the approved budget by N76 billion to N1.768 trillion.
The governor, while presenting the budget to the Assembly, said the state government was expecting N1.342 billion revenue to fund the budget.
According to Sanwo-Olu, about N759 billion would be for recurrent expenditure while N932 billion would be for capital expenditure. Read more
Doctor who raped wife’s niece said virginity outdated – Witness (Punch)
A child forensic specialist, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, on Tuesday, told a Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja, that a 15-year-old minor allegedly defiled by her aunt’s husband, Dr Olufemi Olaleye, said the defendant told her virginity was outdated.
She stated that the victim also told her that Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, after raping her, used tissue paper to whip off the blood that came out of her private parts.
Ajayi-Kayode, a lawyer who works with Cece Yara Foundation, said in her findings, she discovered that the child was introduced to sexual activities by Olaleye.
Olaleye is facing two counts of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of his wife’s niece. Read more
Motorist trapped as fuel tanker spilt content in Lagos (Tribune)
An unidentified motorcyclist was crushed on Tuesday in a tanker accident at the Alaba Express Bus Stop along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State.
The tanker, which conveyed 33,000 Litres PMS outbound Mile 2 accidentally lost control and fell on its side after a collision with a motorcycle.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue, the incident is being mitigated by the Ajegunle Fire Crew of the Agency and has it under control with no palpable cause for alarm.
The Director Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye Margaret disclosed this on Tuesday evening. Read more
Benue teachers groan over 13 months’ unpaid salaries (DailyTrust)
Teachers in Benue State say they are facing a lot of hardship due to the over 13 months of salaries owed them by the government.
Our correspondent reports that some of the public primary school teachers have taken to petty trading and farming after school hours to meet some of their household needs.
But, there are others who do nothing outside of their teaching job, other than wait, hopefully, for the state government’s many promises to offset the salary backlog to materialise.
One of the teachers, who declined to mention her name, said she was owed a backlog of 15 months’ salaries. Read more
Olamide unveiled as National Lottery ambassador (ThisDay)
Popular music star and YBNL Record Label Chief, Olamide Gbenga Adedeji (aka Badoo), has been unveiled as the brand ambassador of National Lottery Nigeria (National Game).
The unveiling of Olamide as the Explainer-in-Chief and Ambassador Plenipotentiary for the brand, was put together by the National Game in partnership with Elrae Technologies towards entertaining and changing the fortunes of Nigerians.
The Managing Director of the National Game, Mr. Abiodun Akintaju, in a statement, said the activities of the National Game in recent times have moved up like never been seen in the history of lottery games in the country.
He disclosed that an On-Air Personality, IK Osakioduwa (The Wild Child) will anchor the game shows and coordinate programs for the National Game, saying “The National Lottery Nigeria would mint millionaires.” Read more
Tinubu pledges to tackle Almajiri problem in the North (Sun)
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has vowed to tackle the menace of Almajiri ravaging the North if elected to power.
He gave the assurance, yesterday, at a town hall meeting with Muslim leaders from the North West region.
“If I become the president, I will read more work with you to establish a commission to find a lasting solution to the Almajiri problem,” he stated, adding that he would transform the enormous potential of Nigerian youths to something productive.
He maintained that he cannot afford to neglect children because they are creations of God who had instructed parents to care for them from childhood to adulthood. Read more
Vitafoam donates products to New Year babies (DailyTrust)
Determined to sustain its Community Social Responsibility, CSR, despite the inclement operating environment in Nigeria, a frontline manufacturer of rigid foams and basic household materials, Vitafoam Nigeria PLC, has presented corporate gifts to the babies of the year at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos State, as well as re-affirmed its commitment towards assisting the underprivileged, especially in the health and education sectors.
The Company had on Sunday, January 1, 2023, presented gifts to the first three babies of the year. The first baby, who was delivered at exactly 1:15 am, was presented baby cot mattress, complete baby comfy, nursing pillow and breastfeeding cover, The second baby, delivered at 1:30 am, was presented baby cot and mattress and complete baby comfy while the third baby, born at 1:45 am was awarded baby cot and mattress; all females.
“We so much believe in maternal healthcare. We are always here every first day of the year to look after the children and present a token to the babies of the year and their parents. We also see this as an opportunity to say thank you to health care workers, ensuring the safety of mothers and babies.
“Vitafoam, as a brand, has its CSR policy centred on healthcare, education and Community Development. Despite the low purchasing power in the country, Vitafoam did not relent in its effort to give back to the society. In view of this, Vitafoam donated a block of 4 classrooms to a primary school in Ibaram, in Ondo State, which was recently commissioned and a block of 4 classrooms soon to be commissioned in Borno State”, says Vitafoam’s Commercial Director, Sola Owoade. Read more
Marvel actor Renner says ”messed up” after snow plow accident (RFI)
Marvel superhero actor Jeremy Renner said Tuesday he was “messed up” after being run over by his own snow plow as he tried to climb into the driver’s seat of the giant 14,000-lb (six-ton) vehicle.
Renner suffered severe injuries Sunday morning near his Nevada home while attempting to halt the PistenBully machine, which had begun rolling forward after he used it to help free a stranded family member’s vehicle from heavy snow.
“In an effort to stop the rolling PistenBully, Mr Renner attempts to get back into the driver’s seat,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam told a press conference.
“Based on our investigation, it’s at this point that Mr Renner is run over by that PistenBully.” Read more
Romeo and Juliet stars sue over underage nude scene in 55-year-old film (NYPost)
The stars of the 1968 “Romeo and Juliet” film claim in a new lawsuit they endured sexual abuse, sexual harassment and fraud over a nude scene, according to news reports.
Olivia Hussey and Leonard Whiting were under the age of 18 when they filmed the Franco Zeffirelli blockbuster, which was awarded multiple Oscar nominations, as well as wins for best cinematography and best costume design.
The fictional star-crossed lovers, who are now in their 70s, are accusing Paramount Pictures of sexual exploitation and distribution of nude imagery of children. They are seeking more than $500 million in alleged damages.
Paramount did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment. Read more
US House lawmakers deny Kevin McCarthy speakership on 3 ballots (VOA)
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to choose the next Speaker of the House Tuesday, as a band of arch-conservative U.S. lawmakers continued to vote against fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy’s bid to lead the 118th session of Congress. After three rounds of voting, the House adjourned until noon Wednesday to continue the process.
It was the first time in 100 years that neither a Republican nor Democrat won the House speakership on the first round of voting to become the leader of the 435-member chamber.
McCarthy failed to win the speakership in three rounds of voting, with 20 Republicans opposing him in the latest round. A fourth round of voting is on tap, but it was unclear whether enough of McCarthy’s opponents would abandon their opposition to him, or whether new candidates might emerge.
Republicans will hold a narrow 222-212 majority in the House, with one current vacancy, requiring McCarthy, a California lawmaker for 16 years, to win at least 218 votes to claim the speakership. Under a provision in the U.S. Constitution, he also would become second in the line of succession to the U.S. presidency. Read more
Makiivka: Russia blames missile attack on troops’ phone use (BBC)
Russia has said a new year missile attack that killed at least 89 Russian soldiers happened because troops were using their mobile phones.
Ukraine hit a college for conscripts in Makiivka, in the occupied Donetsk area, shortly after midnight on 1 January.
Soldiers’ use of banned phones allowed the enemy to locate its target, the Russian military has now said.
While the number of people killed is unverified, it is the largest death toll acknowledged by Russia in the war.
Ukraine claims the figure is far higher, saying 400 soldiers were killed in the attack and a further 300 wounded. Read more
Harry Styles leads British artistes in dominating the top UK singles of 2022 (Standard)
British artists have made history as they dominate the top 10 singles of 2022 for the first time since the music industry began publishing end-of-year sales charts more than 50 years ago.
Harry Styles leads the pack with his smash hit As It Was, which spent 10 consecutive weeks at number one on the Official Singles Chart and was the only track to surpass 180 million streams during 2022, according to analysis of Official Charts data by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran followed behind with his track Bad Habits coming in second while his collaboration with Nigerian singer Fireboy DML, called Peru, came third.
South London singer Cat Burns placed fourth with her song Go, which went viral on TikTok, Sheeran’s Shivers came fifth and Kate Bush’s 1985 single Running Up That Hill, which enjoyed renewed popularity last year after featuring in the Netflix show Stranger Things, took sixth. Read more
Drake makes directorial debut with TVGUCCI’S Bora Bora music video (HipHopDX)
Drake has added music video director to his decorated résumé after calling the shots for the visuals on TVGUCCI’s new “Bora Bora” single — check it out below.
The Canadian rapper dropped the music video on Sunday (January 1) which shows him partying it up with friends and a bevy of bikini-clad women in what appears to be an all-white attire party. The 6 God makes his way through the crowd and pops up next to GUCCI with a drink in hand as everyone sings the chorus to the new track.
“I visit Bora Bora ’cause I’m bored/ Swish, I scored/ First class, all aboard/ Vision clear like the port/ Gucci drip, I need more/ Christian Dior/ They don’t sell us in the stores/ Bitch, I get it from the source,” the TVGUCCI raps in the video.
Drake is very close with the rapper as he’s shouted him out several times on songs such as “Middle Of The Ocean,” “War,” “No Stylist,” “Successful” and more. GUCCI even popped up in the video for Drizzy’s “Falling Back.” Read more
Sharon Osbourne says ‘nobody knows why’ she ‘passed out for 20 minutes’ during ‘medical emergency’ (Metro)
Sharon Osbourne has opened up about her hospitalisation after falling ill on the set of her new TV show.
The former X Factor judge, 70, was taken to hospital last month while filming the programme in California.
Her son Jack, 37, later confirmed she had been released from hospital and a rep has since revealed Sharon had fainted.
The reality TV icon made her first appearance on her TalkTV show since the incident on Tuesday after telling fans earlier this week she would be returning. Read more
Bosso to submit AFCON final list Jan 20 (Punch)
Flying Eagles head coach, Ladan Bosso, will submit his final squad list of 23 players to the Confederation of African Football latest January 20, ahead of the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations finals scheduled for Egypt.
The tournament is billed to hold from February 19 to March 11 with seven-time champions Nigeria drawn against hosts Egypt, Senegal and Mozambique in Group A of the competition.
“We expect the list of players for the tournament to be sent on January 20th,” a team official told The PUNCH.
Meanwhile, Bosso stated that the team would resume the final phase of camping for the forthcoming tourney on January 7. Read more
Andy Murray loses to Sebastian Korda in Adelaide International 1st round (BBC)
Andy Murray’s first match of 2023 ended in a straight-set loss to American Sebastian Korda in the Adelaide International.
The Briton, 35, ranked 49 in the world, 16 places below his opponent, was beaten 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
Murray had recovered from a break down in the opening set to force a tie-break but Korda, 22, took control of that and went on to dominate the second set.
Murray’s fellow Briton Kyle Edmund also exited the tournament on Tuesday. Read more
Bills player had to be resuscitated twice; family shares medical update (USAToday)
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin remains in critical condition after being resuscitated twice following a cardiac arrest during Monday night’s matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin collapsed with 5:58 remaining in the first quarter of the game, which was temporarily suspended then subsequently postponed. His heartbeat was restored on the field before he was transferred to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing and treatment, the Bills announced early Tuesday.
Hamlin’s uncle Dorrian Glenn shared a health update on Tuesday evening, marking the first time a family member has spoken about Hamlin’s condition to the media. Glenn said Hamlin is currently sedated on a ventilator to “try to get his lungs back to full strength.” Glenn told reporters there’s concern of lung damage, but he’s hopeful his nephew’s condition will improve.
“They sedated him just to give a better chance for him to just continue to heal better,” Glenn told CNN. “We are just taking it day by day. It seems like he’s trending upwards in a positive way.” Read more
Pele’s funeral: Brazil legend given joyous send-off (BBC)
If Monday’s wake for Brazilian football legend Pele was a day of reflection, Tuesday’s funeral cortege was one of carnivalesque proportions.
The 82-year-old, who many regarded as the world’s best football player, died on 29 December.
His coffin arrived in Santos on Monday, where thousands of mourners came to pay their respects at the ground of his former club – some even queued overnight.
On Tuesday, supporters’ club Torcida Jovem gathered outside the Urbano Caldeira stadium ahead of the casket leaving. Fans waved huge black and white banners, the colours of Santos Football Club. Many wore the number 10 shirt that Pele made so famous. Read more
Newcastle frustrate Arsenal as league leaders’ title dream dealt a reality check (IrishIndependent)
This was one of the most frenzied and feverish of goalless draws as Newcastle dented Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes and pushed their own Champions League credentials.
Deep into injury-time, as Arsenal desperately demanded a penalty for what they believed was a handball, Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe clashed on the touchline. It showed how high the stakes were with the Arsenal manager incredibly animated throughout.
It shows much of the growing sense of belief at Arsenal that the point was met with disappointment, even though it extends their lead at the top to eight points, albeit having played a game more than Manchester City.
It was only the third league game this season in which Arsenal have dropped points. The result also, though, highlighted the need for attacking reinforcements because, despite their apparent dominance, the league leaders cannot, in truth, point to many clear-cut opportunities that were not taken. Read more
Ons Jabeur opens up on her Wimbledon tears in a revealing interview (Tennis365)
Ons Jabeur has given her most revealing interview yet, as she admitted her defeat against Elena Rybakina in last year’s Wimbledon final was the toughest of her career so far.
In an extensive chat with journalist Mark Lomas which is the cover story in the January edition of Vogue Arabia, the world No 2 spoke about her life on and off the court, as well as her relationship with her husband, Karim Kamoun.
When asked about the pain she felt after a defeat against Elena Rybakina on Centre Court at Wimbledon last summer, Jabeur conceded she was devastated to lose in a tournament that she admits is her dream event.
“The Wimbledon final was the worst of the two because it is a tournament that I love so much,” Jabeur told Vogue Arabia. Read more
