Many feared dead as boat capsizes in Anambra (Punch)
Many persons, including women and children on board a yet-to-be-identified boat, have been feared killed as their boat capsized on the River Niger water.
It was gathered that the incident happened early on Sunday morning as passers-by were seen rescuing the victims out of the river near the Onitsha banks.
This is corroborated by a video of the incident currently trending on social media on Sunday. Read more
Tinubu orders probe of Humanitarian Affairs Ministry over alleged N585m fraud (Leadership)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed a thorough investigation into the reported details surrounding the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in response to widespread concerns about alleged diversion of public funds.
The investigation aimed to ascertain the accuracy and validity of the information on alleged misappropriation N585m by the ministry.
LEADERSHIP reports that the humanitarian affairs minister, Betta Edu, came under criticism after a leaked memo dated December 20, 2023, revealed that she directed the accountant-general of the federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, to transfer N585m to a private account owned by one Oniyelu Bridget, who the ministry claimed currently serves as the Project Accountant of Grants for Vulnerable Groups. Read more
Sanwo-Olu to Lagosians: respect rule of law for safety of your lives, properties (Nation)
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to enforcing laws and regulations.
He admonished the people to respect rules because ‘they have been crafted to safeguard our lives and property’.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Sunday, January 7, during the New Year thanksgiving held at the Tafawa Balewa Square. Read more
NAF airstrikes eliminate terrorists, destroy weapons in Borno (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has said efforts by air and ground components of Operation Hadin Kai to clear the Northeast of remnants of terrorists within the Northeast region, have continued to record a series of successes.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Gabkwet said that one of such successful operations occurred on January 5 at Parisu after terrorists were, for days, observed moving items suspected to be weapons and ammunition to the area. Read more
Coalition of cancer advocates pays condolence visit to Akeredolu’s family in Ibadan (Sun)
The coalition of cancer advocates in Nigeria, on Saturday, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu(SAN), at his private residence in Ibadan, capital of Oyo State.
In a statement by the Vice President of the Nigerian Cancer Society(NCS), Dr Abidemi Omonisi, on Sunday and made available to Daily Sun, the Coalition comprising various bodies fighting against cancer in the country, had representatives of each of the groups on the condolence visit.
The Coalition include, The First Ladies Against Cancer(FLAC) represented by Maryam Muktar, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) represented by the Director of Research(NICRAT); Prof. Sani Abubakar Malami, and the Nigerian Cancer Society (NCS) led by its President Dr Adamu Alhassan Umar. Read more
Nigeria signs MoU with Saudi Arabia on 2024 Hajj (DailyTrust)
Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Arabian authorities toward the smooth conduct of the 2024 Hajj.
Mrs Fatima Sanda-Usara, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
“Nigeria under the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), solidified its commitment to a seamless Hajj by signing the 2024 (1445AH) Hajj Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Read more
Dangote group cooperating with financial crimes agency, says no accusations of wrongdoing (AfricaNews)
The Dangote Group has expressed readiness to assist Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in its investigations, following the commission’s visit to the company’s headquarters on January 4.
The Group said it was cooperating with the commission which is investigating the possible misuse of foreign exchange from the central bank.
According to a statement by the manufacturing conglomerate, it received a letter from the anti-graft agency on December 6. Read more
Nigeria ranked 22nd country with least expensive petrol price – Report (Channels)
A report comparing the prices of gasoline (petrol) in various countries has ranked Nigeria as 22nd on the list of countries with the least expensive petrol prices.
The report titled “Gasoline Prices, Octane-95” dated early in the month revealed that the average price of petrol around the world is 1.30 U.S. Dollars per litre.
Nigeria’s average petrol price stands at $0.722 (N660.25), as of 2024 Read more
Jodie Foster finds Gen Z “really annoying” to work with (EW)
Jodie Foster is happy to mentor the next crop of actors — especially if it includes humbling them.
The True Detective: Night Country star has some thoughts about Gen-Zers, specifically that they can be “really annoying, especially in the workplace.” Foster aired her grievances in a recent interview with The Guardian,
“They’re like, ‘Nah, I’m not feeling it today, I’m gonna come in at 10:30 a.m.,’” she said of today’s workers who were born in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “Or, like, in emails, I’ll tell them this is all grammatically incorrect, did you not check your spelling? And they’re like, ‘Why would I do that, isn’t that kind of limiting?’” Read more
Margot Robbie leads stars at Golden Globes wearing 1977 Superstar Barbie ensemble (Standard)
Margot Robbie led Hollywood stars arriving at the Golden Globes dressed as Superstar Barbie from 1977.
Acting stars graced the red carpet at the Los Angeles ceremony ahead
of box office juggernaut Barbie going head-to-head with Oppenheimer for the top prizes at the 81st ceremony, hosted by comedian Jo Koy at the Beverly Hilton.
“I just woke up and I thought maybe this will be appropriate tonight,” Robbie joked about her Armani outfit. Read more
Al Jazeera bureau chief’s son Hamza al-Dahdouh among journalists killed in Gaza (BBC)
The eldest son of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief has been killed in an Israeli strike in southern Gaza.
Hamza al-Dahdouh, an Al Jazeera network journalist and cameraman, was with other journalists on a road between Khan Younis and Rafah when a drone strike hit.
Freelance journalist Mustafa Thuraya was also killed. Read more
Nicki Minaj seemingly responds to wack 100 saying ‘Pink Friday 2’ didn’t break records (HipHopDx)
Nicki Minaj has seemingly responded to Wack 100’s assertion that her latest effort, Pink Friday 2, hasn’t had the impact the media claims.
On Saturday (January 6) the Queens native took to X (formerly Twitter) writing, “Barbz did we break any records?”
The comment appears to be a response to an audio clip in which Wack can be heard alleging that, while Nicki has the larger arsenal of work, Cardi B is miles ahead in terms of impact. Read more
Maldives suspends 3 officials for insulting Indian PM Modi (AlJazeera)
The government of the Maldives has suspended three deputy ministers after they made derogatory remarks about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media.
Malsha Shareef, Mariyam Shiuna and Abdulla Mahzoom Majid who all worked for the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts were disciplined for their comments against Modi on social media, a senior government official told Reuters on Sunday.
The three had variously described Modi as a “clown”, “terrorist” and “puppet of Israel” on social media platform X, in response to a video of promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, an Indian Union territory in the Arabian Sea. Read more
Cindy Morgan, ‘Tron’ and ‘Caddyshack’ star, dies (NBC)
Cindy Morgan, the actor best known for playing Lacey Underall in “Caddyshack” and Lora/Yori in Disney’s original “Tron” film, has died.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office in Florida confirmed the news to the Los Angeles Times, saying Morgan died of natural causes. Officials were not able to specify when she died.
Morgan gained notoriety for her performance as blonde bombshell Lacey in the 1980 sports comedy “Caddyshack,” starring Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield. Read more
Gypsy Rose Blanchard planning her perfect Disney wedding after release from prison (Mirror)
When killer accomplice Gypsy Rose Blanchard was first married, it was in the walls of a prison in Missouri. Now with her freedom back, he wants the Disney wedding her mother always denied her.
A million Disney-style fantasies will come true this summer when Gypsy Rose Blanchard finally gets the fairy tale wedding she’s always dreamed of – breaking the hex her mum put on her to stop her finding love.
It will be a “re-do” wedding for Gypsy, 32, and teacher Ryan Scott Anderson, 37, whose legal ceremony was a totally private affair on July 20, 2022, inside the walls of Chillicothe Correctional Centre in Missouri. Read more
AFCON 2023: ‘We’ll make the nation proud’ — Iwobi vows Super Eagles will conquer Africa again (CompleteSports)
Alex Iwobi has expressed the Super Eagles desire to win a fourth title at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Jose Peseiro’s side are among the favourites to claim the title in Cote d’Ivoire.
Iwobi stated that the Super Eagles will give their best in the competition. Read more
Sam Kerr: Chelsea Women striker suffers anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury (Sky)
Chelsea Women striker Sam Kerr has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a warm weather training camp in Morocco.
A statement published by the Women’s Super League club on Sunday afternoon confirmed the news, and said Kerr will be assessed by a specialist in the coming days before beginning a period of rehabilitation with Chelsea’s medical team.
The Australia international signed for the Blues in 2019, and has played a pivotal role in four WSL title wins, three FA Cup triumphs and two League Cup victories. Read more
Arsenal need “reset” after FA Cup exit to Liverpool: Arteta (France24)
Mikel Arteta admitted Arsenal need a psychological “reset” after missing a host of chances in their 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in the FA Cup third round.
Arteta’s side should have been in complete control of Sunday’s clash after a dominant first half at the Emirates Stadium.
A combination of poor finishing and good keeping from Alisson Becker frustrated the Gunners, who paid for their profligacy with a late collapse. Read more
Chris Kirk wins PGA Tour’s season-opening Sentry (ESPN)
Nearly a year after Chris Kirk made it all the way back by winning, he took another big step Sunday with a clutch 5-iron to 2 feet for birdie on the 17th hole that led to an 8-under 65 and a 1-shot victory in the Sentry.
It was the third straight year the winner at Kapalua posted a Sunday round of 8 under or better, and Kirk required no less to win the PGA Tour’s season opener.
Sahith Theegala and Jordan Spieth each caught up to him on the back nine of another surprisingly calm day. Read more
Red Bull 2025 candidate receives huge endorsement ahead of potential return (PlanetF1)
AlphaTauri CEO Peter Bayer said Liam Lawson was endorsed as “bloody amazing” by multi-time F1 winner Gerhard Berger, with Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko also a huge fan as he pushes for a 2025 seat.
A member of the Red Bull Junior Team since 2019, Lawson strengthened his ties to Red Bull’s F1 teams when he became the test and reserve driver for AlphaTauri and Red Bull Racing in 2022.
He continued to hold reserve driver duties in 2023, putting himself firmly on the radar when stepping up to the AlphaTauri line-up for a five-race spell in place of the injured Daniel Ricciardo, scoring points in Singapore with his best finish of P9. Read more
Steve Nicol reacts to Tottenham Hotspur transfer rumour (HitC)
Steve Nicol has expressed his surprise at the possibility that Eric Dier could be leaving Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich during the January transfer window.
Sources have told HITC Football that Eric Dier has held talks with Bayern Munich about a move to the German giants.
The Bundesliga side already have Tottenham’s number on speed dial after securing a big-money transfer for Harry Kane in the summer. Read more