Mummy G.O. denies her sermons on hellfire, says videos edited (Independent)
The founder of Rapture Proclaimer Evangelical Church of God, Evangelist Funmilayo Adebayo, popularly known as Mummy G.O, has stated the viral videos of her preaching about hellfire is fabricated and edited.
Recall that several video clips of the preacher went viral on social media, in which she highlighted several actions that are sinful and can lead to hell.
In some of the videos, she stated that footballers and comedians are going to hell because the sports is devilish. She also stated that some world known celebrities are agents of the devil, using their songs to lure people to hell.
However, the evangelist debunked the videos in an interview with BBC Pidgin, expressing that even if Lucifer comes down to earth as a pastor, he wouldn’t have said those words. Read more
I removed my second testicle to kill sexual urge – UI 500-level medicine dropout (Punch)
Forty-four-year-old Terhemen Anongo, who dropped out of the University of Ibadan as a 500-level medical student, says he has castrated his second testicle.
The PUNCH had in March 2021 reported the story of Anongo, who became a cart pusher after dropping out of school and removed one of his testicles. Several people, including his classmates at UI, supported him after the report.
On why he removed the testicle, he had said, “You know how the issue of sexual urge torments one when you don’t have a wife, coupled with your religious beliefs. I am someone deeply involved in religion and I read about Origen Adamantius, one of the early church leaders from Egypt, who paid to be castrated so that he would not be bothered by sexual urge.
“It was in an attempt to do the same thing that I removed my right testicle but there was a heavy flow of blood, so I abandoned it (castration) and rushed to hospital.”Read more
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Lagos will continue to remember fallen heroes, heroines, Sanwo-Olu assures (Tribune)
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for keeping the peace in different parts of the country, assuring that the state government would continue to play its role and do what was expected in remembrance of the fallen heroes and heroines who paid the supreme price for the country.
Governor Sanwo-Olu gave the pledge while speaking at the Year 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration Interdenominational Divine Service organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, themed: “I will heal their land (2Chronicles 7:14),” and held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while promising to continue with the tradition of remembering the fallen heroes and to always pray for the living among them, further assured that his government would keep the tradition of ensuring that the relationship between his administration, the residents, and Armed Forces continue to grow, praying that God would heal the land.
The Governor also urged the citizens to support the security forces as they worked tirelessly to keep the nation safe.Read more
Lagos reaches out to nurses, workers insist on strike (Punch)
The Lagos State Government on Sunday met with the executive members of the state’s chapter of the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives in a bid to stop the association’s planned three-day warning strike.
The Lagos state chapter of NANNM had concluded plans to commence a three-day warning strike on Monday (today) to protest poor remuneration and working conditions in the state’s health sector.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbegba Omotoso, in an interview with our correspondent, said the government would do everything possible to stop the strike.
He said, “The state government has met with them, another meeting is going to take place this evening (Sunday). From what I have learnt, the government will treat them well and make them smile. Read more
52 villagers, not 200 killed in Zamfara attack– Matawalle (Leadership)
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State yesterday said 52 people were killed in the recent banditry attacks on some communities in Bukkuyun and Anka local government areas of the state, and not 200 as earlier reported.
The governor who addressed newsmen after visiting the affected areas yesterday expressed sympathy with the affected communities.
He said necessary measures had been put in place to end incessant attacks on the communities.
“We were shocked on hearing about the killings and worked tirelessly with the federal government for more serious action to end this ugly act,” he added.Read more
Despite widespread killings, Defence Chief claims security threats going down (DailyTrust)
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has said though insecurity is still a challenge, the present level can not be compared to the previous one.
Irabor, who stated this during a church service to mark this years’ Armed Forces Remembrance Day, said the security threats facing the country would soon become history.
He said, “I would like to specially commend members of the armed forces, especially the veterans who laid the foundation on which we are building upon to bring peace and security to every part of the country.
“There are challenges but the challenges are not as much as where we started from. That gives hope for everyone as we go into the year.
“There is ample opportunity to escalate the actions that brought the peace that we now enjoy and also to take it to another level where there would be no need for anyone to live in fear in any part of the country.” Read more
Tension as gunmen kidnap Imo monarch (Sun)
Again gunmen struck on Sunday at popular Y-junction at Ubommiri,in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State and kidnapped a royal father whose identity as at the time of this report is yet to be ascertained.
A source from the community who disclosed this to our correspondent said that the monarch was in his Range rover jeep with his daughter when the gunmen double crossed him and whisked him away with his daughter.
The source further narrated that the gunmen defied the heavy downpour ,shot sporadically in the air before abducting the monarch.
“The man was travelling in a range rover car, with a baby girl in the car when the hoodlums accosted him,they double crossed him and took him away.” The source said.Read more
Wike declares 19 persons wanted for operating illegal refineries in Rivers (Channels)
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday declared 19 individuals wanted for operating illegal crude oil refining sites which are responsible for the black soot menace in Rivers State.
The governor in a statewide broadcast also directed the Rivers State Head of Service to query one Mr. Temple Amakiri, a Director in the Ministry of Energy, for abetting bunkering activities and hand him over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.
He assured the people of Rivers State that his government is determined to effectively tackle the soot menace by destroying and closing down all identified illegal crude oil refining sites and activities across the state.
The governor identified some individuals who he termed the “kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities” and he declared them wanted.Read more
Ecobank earmarks N100b special fund for MSMEs (Nation)
Ecobank Nigeria has voted for a N100 billion special fund targeted at empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and agriculture sectors.
The bank recognises MSMEs as the engine room of the economy, and has won several awards in these sectors.
For the agric sector, the bank has provided economic empowerment for more than 53,000 small holder farmers through the Anchor Borrowers Programme partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with about N9.5 billion.
The bank has increased the number of Agric sector’s customers by over 900 percent from about 14,000 to over 143,000 customers. Ecobank is currently in partnership with Lagos State Ministry of Agric in an empowerment programme to support over 3,000 artisanal fishermen in the state. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo celebrates 1st anniversary of hit song ‘Driver’s License’ (People)
Olivia Rodrigo is celebrating one year of her hit song “drivers license.”
On Saturday, the 18-year-old singer shared a post on Instagram to mark the anniversary of the track’s release. She celebrated the occasion by sharing a video of herself performing a demo of the song on the piano.
In the caption of her post, Rodrigo began, “Happy first birthday to the little song that changed my whole life.”
“I made this video a day or two after I wrote driver’s license in my living room (with a very squeaky sustain pedal lol). crazy to think how quickly life changes,” she continued. “Thank u to everyone who has supported me so tenderly.”Read more
Viewers of Golden Globes to begin evening of internet page refreshing (BelfastTelegraph)
Viewers of the 79th Golden Globes are poised to begin an evening of internet page refreshing as the muted award ceremony kicks off online, following a year of heavy criticism.
The typically star-studded and joke-filled event will this year be replaced by periodic updates from Golden Globes website and official social media accounts.
The low key ceremony is taking place on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles without a red carpet, members of the media, or usual raft of celebrity guests.
The decision to make the awards a “private event” was announced by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organisation that presents the awards, last week. Read more
Dwayne Hickman, actor and star of ‘The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,’ dies at 87 (Variety)
Dwayne Bernard Hickman, an actor, producer and television director best known for his starring role in the 1950s and ’60s sitcom “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis,” died of complications related to Parkinson’s disease on Sunday. He was 87 years old.
Hickman’s death was confirmed to Variety by the actor’s public relations head Harlan Boll.
Born on May 18, 1934 in Los Angeles, Calif., Hickman began screen acting at a young age with appearances in “The Boy With the Green Hair” and 1940’s “The Grapes of Wrath.” As a teenager, he starred as Chuck MacDonald in “The Bob Cummings Show,” acting alongside the titular comedian across the sitcom’s four-year run.
In 1959, Hickman earned the marquee role on “The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.” The actor starred in all 148 episodes of the 20th Century Fox sitcom. As the first major television series to feature teenagers as its primary characters, “Dobie Gillis” solidified Hickman as one of the first and primary cultural emblems for the generation of Baby Boomers in the 1950’s and ’60s. Read more
Zfancy, Vintage Confluence sign pact on digital media campaign (ThisDay)
Prominent Nigerian prankster and comedian, Zion Ubani, popularly known as Zfancy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with web-based cryptocurrency trading platform, Vintage Confluence LLC to air the company through a digital media campaign on his social media platforms.
The media campaign, which commenced on Friday, 18 December 2021, will run through a period of one month to end in January 2022.
Speaking on the deal, the prankster said, “From my personal dealings with the Vintage Confluence CEO directly, Mr. Precious Aire, the company is well organized and equipped with professionals. I confirmed from a trusted friend whom I have known for a while and he reassured me that I am in safe hands dealing with Vintage Confluence LLC.”
Zfancy, who is also a content creator, actor, director, and video editor, is one of the most influential personalities in the entertainment industry with over 600, 000 followers on his Instagram page, among other social media platforms. Read more
Brazil health regulator asks Bolsonaro to retract criticism of vaccines (VOA)
The head of Brazil’s health regulator Anvisa has asked the country’s vaccine-sceptic President Jair Bolsonaro to retract statements he made criticizing the agency for authorizing the vaccination of children against COVID-19.
In a letter to Bolsonaro made public late Saturday, retired rear admiral Antonio Barra Torres asked the president to back up his statement that there were undisclosed “interests” behind the vaccine decision or else retract his words.
Bolsonaro criticized Anvisa on Thursday for approving the use for children aged 5 to 11 years of the pediatric vaccine made by Pfizer Inc., saying that he had not heard of children dying of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
“What is behind this? What are the interests of vaccine maniacs?” Bolsonaro stated in a radio interview. Read more
Space heater sparks deadliest NYC fire in decades, killing at least 19 Bronx building residents, 9 of them children (DailyNews)
The deadliest New York City fire in decades killed at least 19 Bronx building residents Sunday, including nine children, FDNY sources said.
The five-alarm blaze broke out about 10:54 a.m. in a bedroom of a duplex apartment spanning the second and third floors of the 19-story tower in Fordham Heights.
The blaze was sparked by a malfunctioning electric space heater, FDNY officials said. Though officials said the heat in the building was functioning properly, the Bronx saw frigid temperatures dip into the high 20s early Sunday morning.
“This is a horrific, horrific, painful moment for the City of New York, and the impact of this fire is going to really bring a level of just pain and despair in our city,” Mayor Adams said at the scene. “The numbers are horrific.” Read more
Afghan Baby left behind during Taliban takeover reunited with family (Newsweek)
An Afghan baby boy who was separated from his parents during the chaos of the Taliban takeover and mass evacuations has been reunited with family after five months, according to Reuters.
The child, Sohail Ahmadi, was two months old when his father handed him over to a U.S. soldier at the Kabul airport on August 19 as crowds attempted to rush through the gates.
Fearing his newborn would be crushed by the influx of people, Mirza Ali Ahmadi thought handing the child to a soldier would be the safest way for the baby to pass through airport gates, where he could be reunited with the rest of the family minutes later. But just at that moment, Taliban forces held back the rest of the crowd and Ahmadi and his family were unable to pass through for another half an hour.
By the time they got into the airport, the baby was nowhere to be found. After unsuccessfully searching for the child, officials told the Ahmadi’s that the baby had likely been evacuated from the country separately and that they would be able to reunite with him later, Reuters reported.
Hosts Cameroon kick off campaign with win against Burkina Faso (ThisDay)
Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions came from behind to beat Burkina Faso 2-1 in an incident-packed opener at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) inside Olembe Stadium in capital city Yaounde.
The host were however jolted by the audacity of the Burkinabes inside the first 20 minutes. An acrobatic volley from Gustavo Sangare put the Burkinabe ahead midway through the first half in Yaounde.
But two unerring penalties from captain Vincent Aboubakar turned the game around for the hosts before half-time.
Indomitable Lions keeper Andre Onana made two crucial second-half saves as Toni Conceicao’s side opened their Group A campaign with victory.
The Nations Cup has been delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic, but the first game in the Olembe Stadium, which followed a colourful opening ceremony, served up an absorbing contest. Read more
‘Hurting’ Mikel Arteta questions Arsenal’s ‘desire’ and ‘hunger’ after shock FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest (Talksport)
Mikel Arteta admitted he was ‘hurting’ after Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup as he criticised his players’ ‘desire’ and ‘hunger’ following their defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Lewis Grabban’s late winner saw Forest seal their second third round victory over the Gunners in three years, with the Championship side repeating their feat from 2018.
The 14-time winners suffered an early exit without managing a shot on target at the City Ground on Sunday.
It was a lacklustre display and one hugely unlike the rejuvenated side we have seen in recent times, and Arteta insisted he expected better. Read more
NPFL: Remo stay top, Sunshine wins at last (ThisDay)
Newly promoted Remo Stars of Ikenne secured their third win of the campaign, to open a two points lead at the top of the log, while Sunshine Stars’ first victory were some of the highlights of MatchDay 5 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) 2021/2022 season.
The matchday also featured eight wins, two draws, and 18 goals in the process.
Plateau United’s visit to Ikenne for a date with Remo Stars was a veritable platform for the newcomers to make a statement of intent, and they took advantage of the opportunity. Lekan Adedayo’s header off Stanley Okorom’s corner in the 55th minute ensured that the Gbenga Ogunbote coached side moved two points clear of Rivers United that on Saturday held Niger Tornadoes of Minna to a barren draw in Ilorin.
The stars shone brightest for Akure-based side Sunshine Stars as they secured their first win of the campaign after four attempts. Kamaru Adebari’s header in the 69th minute rattled Kano Pillars, before Michael Olalasi and Babatunde Bello sealed the game with goals in the 75th and 80th minute respectively. Pillars are just a point above the bottom with only a win in five games.Read more
AFCON 2021: Vincent Aboubakar replicates Victor Moses 2013 feat as Cameroon edge out Burkina Faso (Soccernet)
The hosts got off to a perfect start as they came down from a goal down to beat the 2013 runners-up and send a warning to the rest of their rivals.
Vincent Aboubakar was the hero as Cameroon began the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at the Stade Omnisport Paul Biya, Olembé on Sunday evening.
The competition got off following a beautiful opening ceremony. Cameroon went into the game, hoping to start on a bright note as hosts.
However, despite dominating possession, it was Burkina Faso that took the lead courtesy of a well-struck volley from Gustavo Sangaré in the 25th minute. Read more
Toronto Raptors lean heavily on vets in win over New Orleans (TorontoSun)
Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam have taken turns carrying the Raptors to come-from-behind wins.
But Sunday night both were needed to extend the Raptors’ win streak to a season-longest six with a 105-101 win over the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.
Siakam, who had 33 in the 117-111 win over Milwaukee and is expanding his impact in games with an enhanced focus on rebounding in addition to the scoring and facilitating he has always done, had 29 points, 10 boards and seven assists.
VanVleet was coming off that stunning third quarter of 24 points in a 37-point night in the come-from-behind win over Utah. Against the Pelicans, VanVleet had 32 including two huge threes in the final minute and a half to hold off a pressing New Orleans club. Read more
FIA to set up English base to absorb Symonds aero team (PlanetF1)
According to a report, the FIA will set up a base in England and take on the Liberty Media aero team that inspired the new 2022 rules.
From 2022 Formula 1 will have a distinct new look as a new generation of challengers take to the track, designed to bunch up the pack and allow for cars to follow each other through a new aerodynamic concept.
It is hoped therefore that this will lead to more overtaking opportunities.
Since 2017, serving in the role of Formula 1’s chief technical director has been Pat Symonds, who has worked with the likes of Williams, Renault and Benetton in the past. Read more
Amir Khan admits he’s training through aches and pains, focused to beat Brook (BoxingScene)
Former world champion Amir Khan has continued a tough training camp, as he prepares for a long-awaited showdown with fellow former champ Kell Brook.
The two British rivals will collide on February 19 in Manchester.
Khan, 35-years-old, is working with new trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre in Colorado. In the past Khan, Khan worked with veteran trains such as Freddie Roach and Virgil Hunter.
The Bolton boxer has been out of the ring since July of 2019, when he blew away late replacement Billy Dibb. Read more