Land agent dies in Ogun hotel after sex with ex-wife (Punch)
A real estate agent, 50-year-old Diran Elijah, has lost his life after having sex with his former wife identified simply as Idowu, at a hotel in the Agbado area of Ogun State.
Idowu, who has remarried with two children for her new husband, reportedly separated from Elijah about four years ago.
City Round learnt that the ex-couple reignited their love affair lately when Elijah contacted her on the phone and they agreed to meet at the hotel around 10pm last Sunday.
Elijah was reportedly taking some rest after a pleasant time in bed with Idowu when he suddenly became unconscious and gasped for breath. Read more
Dayo Amusa reads riot act to critics (Vanguard)
Dayo Amusa has concluded that whatever people think about her is totally baseless, and that she is not bothered about it.
According to Dayo Amusa, she lives by her dreams and rules, and anyone who can not live with her decision can stay away because they don’t need to feature in her story.
“At this point, what anyone thinks of me is totally baseless. I mean, I just can’t be bothered. I live by my dreams and by my rules. If you can’t live with it, it is not compulsory you feature in my story.”
You can recall Dayo recently sent a message to those asking why she’s still single. The actress, who seemed fed up with the consistent question in a post shared on Instagram, gave a blunt response to her critics.
According to Dayo Amusa, if people cannot answer why they are not dead yet, they should stop asking why she is still single. Read more
Security lapses at Lagos airport (Guardian)
Security breaches at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos are really not new. But with insiders beginning to threaten its safety and security, and daylight robbery now a new normal on the restricted airside, stakeholders have called for the overhauling of the security architecture at the airport.
Two incidences stuck out like sore thumbs at the airport in the last couple of days — a fracas between men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC) and security operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and then, a bizarre burglary incident inside Arik Air Boeing 737 aircraft.
The two, though not directly connected, underscore the security threats facing the flagship aerodrome and challenges of putting up an effective resistance.
Apparently worried by the parallel pattern of things at the popular gateway, aviation stakeholders regretted attendant exposure to international embarrassment, especially in a year the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) would be auditing Nigeria’s safety records and standards.
But to urgently turn the corner, they have called for a complete overhaul of security architecture, with special attention paid to capacity development of personnel, better working relationship among the agencies, deployment of technology and consistent application of rules and procedure as laid down in ICAO Annex 17 that is focused on aviation security. Read more
PDP ignores power shift, says Atiku, Kwankwaso, others free to run (Punch)
Amid intense calls for power shift from the North to the South for the 2023 presidential election, the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, has said it will not stop aspirants of northern origin from contesting its presidential ticket.
It said it would leave the ticket open for all aspirants irrespective of their states or geopolitical zones.
This implies that prospective aspirants from the North including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; a former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, his counterpart in Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and others are free to contest the party’s presidential primary as against the clamour for power shift to the South.
As of the time of filing this report, Saraki is the only northern aspirant to have declared his intention on the PDP platform, even though there are clear indications that others would contest. The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, revealed in October 2021 that Atiku and Tambuwal had indicated interest to contest the 2023 election. Read more
Concerns Over Rising Trend Of Child Abductions, Killings (DailyTrust)
One hundred and twenty-four children were abducted from the streets in Nigeria in the last five years. The figures represent reported cases that happened outside the schools between 2017 and 2021 and do not include major school-related abductions which according to the Representative of United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, affected 1,440 children in 2021.
Hawkins said 16 children were killed in the 25 attacks on schools last year. The attacks affected the education of the Nigerian children as no fewer than 618 schools were closed in six northern states over the fear of attacks and abductions. While the schools were shut, the spate of attacks, abductions and killings continued in homes and communities.
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From the reports compiled by Daily Trust Saturday, the 124 children picked by criminals from the streets were mostly either abused or killed in the aftermath.
The data shows that nine incidences were recorded in 2017. This include a 10-year-old boy killed in Maiduguri for non-payment of ransom. Also, three children were kidnapped from their father’s house in Firo Village of Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Reported cases increased to 15 in 2018 and rose to 29 cases in 2019. Read more
NAFDAC alerts citizens to poisonous wheat (Guardian)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Gombe State government have raised the alarm over poisonous wheat circulating in large quantities in the state.
NAFDAC, in a joint press briefing with the state government, yesterday, disclosed that they were able to intercept and impound several bags of the produce meant for distribution in the state.
According to the state coordinator of NAFDAC, James Agada, the ridiculous price of between N200 and N400 per bag at which the produce was sold as against the normal price of between N800 and N1,000 attracted the attention of its officials.
Agada added that consequently, undercover officials of the agency discovered that those behind the distribution of the poisonous produce used Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrower’s scheme-labelled bags to bag the produce before selling to unsuspecting farmers and households for either planting or consumption. Read more
Tinubu not sick, in London for consultations, says aide (Punch)
All Progressives Congress National Leader, Bola Tinubu, is in fine health and excellent spirits, his spokesman, Tunde Rahman, has said.
Rahman also confirmed that the 69-year-old ex-governor of Lagos State travelled overseas to hold some meetings and further consultations in line with his 2023 presidential ambition.
The aide, in a text response to an inquiry by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, said the APC stalwart would return to Nigeria next week.
He said, “Asiwaju’s trip to the UK (United Kingdom) is not to rest or because of any illness.
“While abroad, Asiwaju is maintaining a vigorous schedule of meetings and consultations on a range of important matters. Read more
APC Zoning: Buhari’ll give us guidance ― Gov Abiodun (Tribune)
As the All Progressive Congress (APC) heads into its national convention in February, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed the hope that President Muhammadu Buhari will provide the guidance to help the ruling party to achieve equity and justice in its zoning formula.
The governor, who led a strong delegation of some of the state leaders on a thank you visit to the president at the presidential villa, Abuja on Friday, said Buhari will continue to provide the direction to move the party forward.
Fielding questions for corespondents, he said he was not in the position to advise the APC on zoning as a governor, noting however that the party is working on the formula, which he said, will be made known after the National Executive Council (NEC) approves.
According to him, it is after the NEC approval that “we’ll know where the president will come from.”
Abiodun said the delegation was in the villa to thank the president for his recent visit to the state to commission a number of projects. Read more
NSCDC launches female squad to tackle cultism in schools (Guardian)
To ensure the safety of school children, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, has unveiled an all-female squad to tackle rising cases of kidnapping, cultism and bullying in schools.
At the passing out parade of the Squad held recently at the Command Headquarters in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commandant, Eweka Edenabu Douglas Okoro, said the Squad was saddled with the specific role of combating nefarious activities by school children.
He said the Squad was also expected to carry out awareness campaigns against nefarious activities being perpetrated by students against their peers on one hand, and by criminals against students and their tutors on the other hand.
Okoro said the establishment of the Squad was a directive by the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, designed under the School Safety Initiative to eradicate kidnapping, cultism, bullying, rape and gangsterism being perpetrated among school children.
“The NSCDC Lagos State Command, Female Squad numbering 28 are well trained arms-carrying personnel, who have been carefully selected from various divisions, units and departments across the state Command to be embedded in the special Squad having gone through fresh, tactical, psychological, intellectual, dogged, rugged and rigorous training for a period of six weeks to combat the insecurity menace in our schools,” he said. Read more
Half of women aged 30 don’t have children for first time since records began (Metro)
Women in England and Wales are waiting longer until they have children, with half not having had any by the time they reach 30.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released yesterday show 50.1% of women born in 1990 didn’t have any children by the time they turned 30.
This group is the first where half have not had a baby by that age since records began in 1920.
By comparison, 57% of women born in 1970 had become a mum by 30, and 76% of those born in 1950 had.
Going back even further, 86% of women born in 1941 had at least one child by the time they reached their 30th birthday. Read more
Damian Lewis dedicates poetry reading to ‘perfect’ late wife Helen McCrory(Yahoo)
Damian Lewis has spoken in public for the first time since the death of his wife Helen McCrory, at a poetry evening dedicated to her.
The Billions actor read a poem by Irish writer Derek Mahon titled Everything is Going to be All Right at the A Poet For Every Day Of The Year event at London’s National Theatre.
According to the Mail Online Lewis, 50, said: “This evening is dedicated to her and it’s perfect, because Helen loved the National Theatre. One person whose thunder would absolutely not be stolen was Helen McCrory.”
McCrory’s children she shared with the Homeland star – daughter Manon, 15, and son Gulliver, 14 – were in the audience, along with actors including Simon Russell Beale, Lesley Sharp, Fay Ripley and Danny Sapani.
Lewis read Mahon’s poem which includes the lines: “There will be dying, there will be dying/but there is no need to go into that.” Read more
The Repair Shop star Jay Blades tells his story of learning to read at 51 (RTE)
The Repair Shop host Jay Blades has said he started learning to read in the hope he could read his teenage daughter a bedtime story for the first time.
The TV star’s learning journey is documented tonight in a one-off BBC One film, Jay Blades: Learning to Read at 51.
Speaking on The One Show, Blades said: “For me, it is always about inspiring people. The whole point around the documentary was to show people that if I can do it at the age I’m at, then you can give it a go.
“The other reason, a big reason, was to read my daughter a bedtime story. I’ve never done that and she’s 15-years-old now.
“I feel unbelievable about learning.”
Blades, originally from Hackney in east London, said his girlfriend had read him the letter saying he was being recognised in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours and being made an MBE for his services to craft.
The furniture restorer, who recently appeared on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, disclosed the coping strategies he has used to get by over the years. Read more
Arnold Schwarzenegger teases mystery project Zeus as son Joseph Baena calls him ‘God of the Sky’ (People)
Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking on Olympus.
On Thursday, the actor shared a poster for a mysterious new project called Zeus on Instagram in which he appeared dressed as the Greek god.
Leaving only a cryptic caption, Schwarzenegger wrote, “Coming February 2022.”
His youngest son, Joseph Baena, commented on the photo, “Oh god of the sky, please bless my pump today. Read more
Man forced to give up seat on SpaceX flight because he was overweight (Metro)
A Florida man was forced to give up a seat on a SpaceX rocket because he exceeded the company’s weight limit.
Kyle Hippchen, 43, won a seat on SpaceX’s Inspiration4 tourist flight last year after spending $600 (£450) on a raffle entries.
Following the delight from winning a chance to visit the stars, he was brought down to Earth by a single realisation.
Hippchen, himself a pilot, was too overweight to take his place on the crew.
At 5ft10 and 330lbs (150kgs), he exceeded SpaceX’s 250lb (113kg) single passenger weight limit. Read more
The Beat bag rooftop concert comes to Imax 6 (LA Weekly)
Peter Jackson’s epic docuseries Get Back had everybody talking when it came out last Thanksgiving, but it also divided music and film lovers due to its long and winding road-like storytelling. Whether you love or hate The Beatles, you may not have it in you to watch them for nine hours in the studio as they jam, chat, argue, eat, drink and in the case of John and Yoko, dance. Fair enough. Skipping to part 3, when the band finally played their last show together, was always an option too.
Performed on the rooftop of Apple Corps Studio in London, the final set made for a bittersweet climax that captured John, Paul, George and Ringo’s chemistry and musical mojo better than maybe anything else on film.
Performed on the rooftop of Apple Corps Studio in London, the final set made for a bittersweet climax that captured John, Paul, George and Ringo’s chemistry and musical mojo better than maybe anything else on film.
This Sunday, Jan. 30, IMAX theaters present “The Beatles: Get Back — Rooftop Concert,” a 60-minute “truncation” of Jackson’s work (which we should add, came from Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s original Let it Be footage), focused on that final performance, which also took place on Jan. 30– in 1969. A conversation with Jackson about the project is also part of the presentation.
Following the IMAX screening, the condensed film version will move to theaters worldwide on Feb. 11. And if you’re not ready to “get back” to movie theaters yet, it all comes out on home video on Feb. 8. Read more
Covid hits one of the last uninfected places on the planet (ABC)
When the coronavirus began spreading around the world, the remote Pacific archipelago of Kiribati closed its borders, ensuring the disease didn’t reach its shores for nearly two full years.
Kiribati finally began reopening this month, allowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to charter a plane to bring home 54 of the island nation’s citizens. Many of those aboard were missionaries who had left Kiribati before the border closure to spread the faith abroad for what is commonly known as the Mormon church.
Officials tested each returning passenger three times in nearby Fiji, required that they be vaccinated, and put them in quarantine with additional testing when they arrived home.
It wasn’t enough. Read more
Australian Open gets new Women’s Champ (Guardian)
America’s Danielle Collins is hoping to do the almost impossible by shocking world number one, Australia’s Ash Barty, on her home turf and becoming the latest surprise grand slam champion today.
Collins powered her way into the finals with a 6-4, 6-1 demolition of world number nine, Iga Swiatek, while Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the singles final in 42 years with a clinical 6-1 6-3 defeat of Madison Keys.
Few people imagined Collins would make a grand slam final after her health struggles last year with endometriosis. She is even undergoing emergency surgery to have a cyst removed.
All these, she says, is behind her now as she aims to deliver the ultimate shocker. Although Barty is the favourite to triumph, Collins is taking confidence from the recent trend of shock grand slam winners.
Barty leads 3-1 in the head-to-head against Collins, winning at their most recent meeting, the Adelaide International last year. Read more
Canada wins in Honduras to remain first in World Cup qualifying (TSN)
On the strength of a Jonathan David strike and an own goal, Canada moved a step closer to qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Thursday with a 2-0 victory on the road against Honduras.
David broke in on goal after receiving an inch perfect pass from Liam Fraser and chipped the ball over Honduras keeper Luis Lopez to secure the win in the 73rd minute for Canada, as they remained undefeated and at the top of the CONCACAF qualifying table.
Honduran defender Denil Maldonado’s 10th minute own goal, off a Tajon Buchanan cross, got Canada on the board in the first half.
Canada has 19 points after nine games, one more than the United States and two more than Mexico, who currently occupy the third and final automatic qualifying position in the standings. Read more
Coup won’t affect Stallions against Tunisia, insists Traore (Punch)
Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traore is targeting victory when Burkina Faso take on Tunisia in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash at the Roumde Adija stadium, Garoua on Saturday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Stallions held off a gallant fightback from 10-man Gabon to advance with a 7-6 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their last-16 tie in Limbe on Sunday and Traore, who made amends with a cool finish in the 28th minute after missing a penalty in the 11th minute, says they are ready to make their country proud amid the unrest back in Ouagadougou.
A military coup was staged in Ouagadougou, the Burkina Faso capital on Monday, which dampened the spirit of the Stallions as they prepared to face Tunisia today.
The army’s removal and detention of President Roch Kabore after two days of unrest sparked fears in the Stallions camp ahead of their fixture against the Carthage Eagles but Traore says the players are eager to put smiles on the faces of Burkinabe fans.
“We are trying our best to get ready for the game,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra. Read more
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte confirmed as Frank Warren wins delayed purse bids for all-British showdown (Metro)
Tyson Fury will defend his WBC heavyweight title against Dillian Whyte with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions set to promote the showdown.
After a complex and at times exasperating week for the heavyweight division, the dust is now beginning to settle with Fury vs Whyte one of two huge fights set for later this year.
Whyte is the mandatory challenger for Fury’s crown after years of holding a lofty position at the top of the WBC rankings, will finally get his shot at gold.
Purse bids for the all-British showdown have been delayed four times this month with a final deadline falling tonight on Friday at 6pm [GMT].
Fury’s co-promoter Warren was the highest bidder this evening, earning the right to host the fight in their desired location and on their desired date. Read more
Stakeholders fear FIBA may ban Nigeria as players protest in Abuja (Guardian)
With less than two weeks to the January 31 deadline given to Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) to conduct its board elections by the Federation of International Basketball Association (FIBA) or face possible sanctions, stakeholders fear that unfolding events could lead to the country’s ban by the world body.
The NBBF election has been fixed for January 31, 2022 by an electoral body constituted by the federation, but there are conflicting signals from some stakeholders that the federation could be heading to a stalemate.
Yesterday, some basketball players staged a protest at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development over the leadership crisis rocking the NBBF.
The players, who marched peacefully with their former representative in the Musa Kida-led NBBF board and NBA star, Ejike Ugboaja, said they were perturbed by the signals they were seeing from the ministry and some other elements.
Addressing journalists after meeting with officials of the Sports Ministry, Ugboaja alleged that the ministry was trying to return Kida as NBBF president, saying that the players had long rejected him. Read more
Juventus sign Serbia striker Vlahovic (BBC)
Juventus have signed striker Dusan Vlahovic from Serie A rivals Fiorentina for £58m, plus £8m in add-ons.
Vlahovic was monitored by a number of Premier League clubs and Arsenal were particularly keen on the youngster.
But he has decided to move to Turin on his 22nd birthday where he has signed a four-year deal with the Italian giants.
Vlahovic has scored 20 times in all competitions for Fiorentina this season, in addition to crucial goals in Serbia’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
His strikes in the victories over Azerbaijan and Luxembourg helped them qualify automatically for the World Cup in Qatar at Portugal’s expense. Read more
Emotional Rafael Nadal left in tears after reaching sixth Australian Open final (Metro)
Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini (Picture: William West/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal insists he feels alive again after overcoming a foot injury to book his spot in Sunday’s Australian Open final.
The 2009 champion is into a sixth Australian Open final of his career after seeing off Matteo Berrettini in four sets, 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-3.
His victory comes less than two weeks after it was unclear if he’d even play in the first Grand Slam of the year given his poor preparations for the tournament.
The former world No.1 missed the second half of the 2021 season due to a foot injury and only made his return to the court at the exhibition Mubadala World Tennis Championship in December and then tested positive for coronavirus in the lead up to Christmas. Read more