Marketers seek N100b loan to prevent closure of 10,000 businesses (Sun)
Still bleeding from the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, marketers under the auspices of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), have urged the Federal Government to provide its members a N100 billion grant in order to prevent the imminent closure of about 10,000 fuel retail outlets.
In a position paper to the Federal Government jointly signed by PETROAN President, Mr. Billy Harry, National Secretary, Mr. Adedibu Aderibigbe and National PRO, Mr. Joseph Obele, the association said the high cost of borrowing from banks is injurious to their businesses.
They explained that since the removal of fuel subsidy, members of PETROAN have been unable to buy petroleum products due to high bank interest rates which range between 38 to 40 per cent. Read more
NDLEA arrests Nollywood filmmaker, motivational speaker for drug (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has started the year with significant arrests and drug seizures across Nigeria, including the apprehension of a US-trained Nollywood filmmaker and a notorious Lagos drug kingpin.
According to a statement by NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi on Sunday, operatives arrested Emeka Emmanuel Mbadiwe, a filmmaker and motivational speaker, in a hotel in Lekki, Lagos, on December 27, 2024.
The statement added that Mbadiwe’s arrest followed the earlier detention of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja. Read more
Nigerian Army decorates 1st female Infantry Corps Warrant Officer (Channels)
The Nigerian Army Women Command celebrated the promotion of Army Warrant Officer Hajara Egbunu on Friday.
The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, describing it as a historic milestone.
According to the statement, Brigadier General Mathias Amatso, Commander of the Nigerian Army Women Command, decorated Egbunu with her new rank badge during a ceremony held at the Command Conference Room in Abuja. Read more
‘No TIN, no exemption from Withholding Tax’ (Nation)
Firms without Tax Identification Number (TIN) will not enjoy the exemption from Withholding Tax payment.
This is one of the conditions stipulated in the Withholding Tax reform regulation which took effect on January 1.
In the new regime, small businesses with low margins of returns are completely exempted from payment of Withholding Tax. Read more
BUA Refinery not 90% complete – Management (NewTelegraph)
The management of BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals, on Sunday, said its 200,000 barrels per day refinery is not at 90 per cent completion.
It, however, said that construction of the refinery is progressing steadily
It clarified this in a statement issued on Sunday on its official X account titled: BUA Refinery and Petrochemicals, Akwa Ibom: An Update. Read more
Sanwo-Olu celebrates Oloja of Epe, Oba Animashaun, on 80th birthday (Tribune)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated His Royal Majesty, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe Land and Paramount Ruler of Epe Division, on his 80th birthday.
Governor Sanwo-Olu hailed the monarch in a statement, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, describing him as a pillar of unity for the people and a strong supporter of his administration’s policies aimed at improving the lives of Lagosians.
The governor noted that Oba Animashaun has blessed his administration with his wise counsel and divine wisdom in many respects, saying that his counsel goes beyond the affairs of his subjects in Epe Land but also covers issues that affect other parts of the state. Read more
Late SSG Oluwatuyi: Sanwo-Olu condoles with Aiyedatiwa, Ondo Gov, family (Vanguard)
The Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed condolences to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Ondo State Government, and the people of the state over the passing of the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Tayo Oluwatuyi.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu described the late Oluwatuyi as a dedicated and hard-working public servant who served Ondo State and its people passionately. Oluwatuyi was also a former Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area and SSG during the administration of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Read more
Delta CP orders re-arrest of escaped suspects (Punch)
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has ordered the immediate re-arrest of two suspects, Ovakporaye Jobome (aka Rogers) and Debi, who reportedly escaped from police custody.
The police commissioner has also summoned the Divisional Police Officer of the Ovwian/Aladja Division, CSP Bulus Musa, along with his team, to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the escape followed a petition by the Aladja Community in Udu Local Government Area to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The petition called for a thorough investigation and decisive action against the DPO and his officers over the escape of the two notorious criminals. Read more
RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne dies aged 32 (Metro)
James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, has died at 32.
The performer became famous thanks to RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Williams was given the name of The Vivienne because they were known for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing.
Publicist Simon Jones confirmed the sad news of their death via Instagram tonight, writing in a statement: ‘It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. Read more
Nicole Kidman gives tearful dedication to late mother as film stars gather for heartfelt Palm Springs gala (ABC)
Nicole Kidman gave a long-awaited dedication to her late mother Friday night at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
“I feel my momma right now. This is for you, momma,” Kidman said onstage in tears. The Australian actor and producer’s mother died last year shortly after Kidman arrived at the Venice Film Festival to promote “Babygirl.”
“I didn’t get to do it at the Venice Film Festival,” the actor said. “Thank you for giving me the chance to say this is for my mom. My whole career has been for my mom and dad.” Read more
Beloved donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy’s character in Shrek dies aged 30 (DailyRecord)
The miniature donkey that inspired Eddie Murphy’s iconic Donkey character in the Shrek franchise has passed away at the age of 30.
Named Perry, the beloved donkey was born in 1994 and spent most of his life in Palo Alto, California. According to Palo Alto Online, Perry died after battling laminitis, a painful and incurable hoof disease.
Perry became a key part of animation history after being sketched and photographed to help animators design Donkey for Shrek. For his contributions, Perry even earned £60, reports the Mirror. Read more
Hollyoaks star reveals Peri’s long-term future after Abe plot (DigitalSpy)
Hollyoaks star Ruby O’Donnell has revealed what the future holds for her character Peri Lomax following Abe Fielding’s shocking abuse.
Last month, Cleo escaped former partner Abe’s clutches and crashed his wedding day to Peri, but Marie accidentally hit her with her car and she has remained in a coma ever since.
It was also recently revealed that Abe raped Peri’s mum Leela at a party during the show’s missing year, though she isn’t aware that Abe is the culprit. Read more
Ricky Gervais shares the jokes he’ll never get to say at the Golden Globes (Independent)
Ricky Gervais has shared the brutal jokes he would have made if he was hosting the Golden Globes this weekend.
The comedian, 63, presented the awards ceremony for three consecutive years in 2010, 2011, and 2012 before returning to compère in 2016 and 2020. He is fondly remembered for making blunt quips at the expense of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
One day before comic Nikki Glaser becomes the first woman to host the Globes in its 82-year history, Gervais, who has advised the star to “be herself”, decided to come up with some jokes he’d have told in 2025 if he was fronting the ceremony again. Read more
Jane’s Addiction tease new music without Perry Farrell (MusicNews)
Jane’s Addiction trio – guitarist Dave Navarro, drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery – have hinted that they might be back in the studio together.
In a video posted to Avery’s Instagram, in which he tagged in his former bandmates, the bassist wrote: “Writing some more new lines to some of Stephen’s drumming. Look forward to getting some Mr Navarro on them. 2025!”
The post was then shared by Perkins, but no further information about any collaboration has been shared. Read more
Hamas releases video of Israeli hostage Liri Albag as ceasefire talks resume (BBC)
Hamas has posted a video showing a 19-year-old Israeli captive, as indirect talks between the group and Israel on a ceasefire and hostage release deal resume in Qatar.
The footage shows Liri Albag calling for the Israeli government to reach a deal.
She was taken hostage along with six other female conscript soldiers at the Nahal Oz army base on the Gaza border during Hamas’s October 2023 attack. Five of them remain in captivity. Read more
Victor Osimhen nets 10th Super Lig goal as Galatasaray beat Goztepe (Nation)
Victor Osimhen was on the scoresheet yet again for Galatasaray as they beat Göztepe 2-1 in the Trendyol Süper Lig fixture played at the RAMS Park on Saturday evening.
Osimhen opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Djalma Silva made a dangerous tackle, forcing referee Alper Akarsu to point to the spot.
Nigerian midfielder Anthony Dennis helped Göztepe restore parity as he fed Romulo, who ran into the Lion’s penalty area before striking the ball home. Read more
Man City turns corner with successive wins in Premier League as Arsenal and Chelsea drop points (JapanToday)
Erling Haaland and Manchester City might just be turning the corner after the team’s worst run of results under Pep Guardiola.
Haaland scored twice in a 4-1 win over West Ham on Saturday as City secured back-to-back victories in the Premier League for the first time since late October, when a shocking and unthinkable six-week meltdown began.
In that time, the defending champions played nine league games and won just once, dropping them out of the Champions League qualification spots and raising questions about Guardiola’s stomach for a rebuild. Read more
Tottenham complete signing of goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky (IrishExaminer)
Tottenham have completed their first signing of the January transfer window with the addition of Slavia Prague goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky.
Spurs have been without first-choice stopper Guglielmo Vicario since he fractured his ankle during the 4-0 win over Manchester City on November 23 and he is set to be sidelined until the end of February.
Fraser Forster initially deputised to good effect but Tottenham have only won two of their last 11 games in all competitions amid an injury crisis and the England international missed Saturday’s 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle with illness. Read more
Novak Djokovic sends 7-word message after shock loss as Reilly Opelka’s net comments revealed (Tennis365)
Novak Djokovic sent a warm seven-word message to Reilly Opelka after his surprise defeat to the American at the 2025 Brisbane International.
The legendary Serb’s preparations for the Australian Open suffered a blow as he fell to a 6-7(6), 3-6 loss to Opelka in the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 tournament in what was the pair’s first encounter.
Djokovic lost a close first set on a tiebreak before Opelka decisively earned the only break of the match in the second set en route to the biggest victory of his career. Read more
Rickelton hits 259 as SA take control against Pakistan (BBC)
Ryan Rickelton scored 259 as South Africa seized control on day two of the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands.
Batting first, South Africa were bowled out for 615 in the evening session, their second-highest Test total against Pakistan and their highest against any team since the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka in 2020.
Rickelton, who started the day 176 not out with the hosts 316-4, posted another 83 runs before being caught off the bowling of Mir Hamza before tea. Read more
Emma Raducanu adds new tournament to her schedule after injury setback (Tennis365)
Emma Raducanu has added a tournament to her 2025 calendar after being forced to delay the start of her season due to an injury setback.
The world No 56 has signed up for the Singapore Tennis Open, a WTA 250 event which will run from January 27 to February 2 — the week after the Australian Open.The tournament, which will be staged on indoor hard courts at the Kallang Tennis Hub, is replacing the Thailand Open in Hua Hin. Read more