N5b illicit drugs uncovered in Lagos warehouse (Punch)
Men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have busted a tramadol cartel and seized millions of opioid pills and bottles worth over N5bn from a warehouse in the Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos State.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said two suspected kingpins were arrested by the agency.
Babafemi said, “The drug cartels took the first heat on Tuesday, January 10, from determined officers of the agency who intercepted an imported consignment of Loud, a strong variant of cannabis, weighing 4, 878.72 kilograms along Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
“After a near-fatal encounter with some suspected fake security agents escorting the drugs, the NDLEA operatives succeeded in recovering the consignment with a white truck marked BDG 548 XX conveying it. Read more
Seadogs takes PVCs collection sensitisation to markets, streets in Lagos (Guardian)
Members of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), at the weekend, took the Get-Your-PVCs (Permanent Voter Cards) campaign to Census and Aguda markets as well as streets in Surulere and its environs.
The group, led by Capoon, NAS, Lagos Mainland chapter, Nnamdi Agulonu, said it’s necessary to make the call to emphasise the election’s importance to Nigeria’s future.
The NAS, which also visited a collection centre, Enitan Primary School, Aguda, Surulere, on a fact-finding mission based on complaints, said it had also set up a body to monitor the exercise and ensure credible polls.
Agulonu said: “The intent of our campaign is to sensitise the people on the importance of collecting their PVC, ensuring they vote and also to ensure that their votes count. Collecting the PVC is a citizen’s civic responsibility, and voting as well is a civic responsibility. So, we are calling on the people not to sit at home, stay back and complain. They should come out, collect their PVCs and ensure they vote for the kind of leaders that will give them the kind of leadership they seek. Read more
Meet first BBTitans housemates, Khosi, Yemi, Olivia, Juicy, 16 others (Vanguard)
The Big Brother Titans reality TV show is the first of its kind featuring housemates from two countries; South Africa and Nigeria.
In the course of their stay in the Big Brother house, viewers will have the privilege of deciding who stays and who is evicted from the Big Brother house. At the end of the show, a winner will be crowned through popularity votes by viewers.
The following are some of the housemates who have stepped into the Big Brother Titans house include, Yemi Craigx,Juicy Kay, Khosi, Olivia, Nelisa, Blaqboi, Mmeli, Nana, Ipeleng, Marvin, Thabang, JayPee, Yaya, Ebubu, Khehla,Jenni, Tsatsi,Kanaga,Justin and Yvonne.
Speaking with the hosts of the show ( Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and BBMzansi host Lawrence maleka) on the stage, some of the housemates gave insights into what viewers should expect from them. Read more
Lagos, lawmaker train youths in digital skills (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has said it would partner with the lawmaker representing Eti-Osa Constituency II at the state House of Assembly, Gbolahan Yishawu, to train youths in digital skills.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Trust Fund, Mrs Teju Abisoye, disclosed this, according to a statement on Saturday, during the induction held at the All Progressives Congress lawmaker’s constituency office in Ikoyi.
Abisoye said, “The digital skills training was an initiative for youths in this constituency. For years, people have stayed and even borrowed money to do this training so I hope the beneficiaries will make use of this opportunity.
“Yishawu, in partnering with the state government to achieve this, is not only teaching youths how to fish but teaching them how to fish in foreign currency because the opportunity is there and it is up to the young people to make sure that they take advantage of it.” Read more
Bakare urges Nigerians to reject politicians with sense of entitlement (Leadership)
Serving overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, has warned Nigerians not to vote for politicians with a sense of entitlement.
Speaking on the state of the nation at his church yesterday in Lagos, Bakare warned that politics of entitlement manifests among perennial candidacy, not with the intent to serve, but to gratify long-term personal ambitions.
He said the Nigerian presidency is not a reward for anyone’s lifetime of sacrifice to the nation.
Bakare said, “Emi lokan type of politics insists on one’s turn even if circumstances do not align. Politics of entitlement also manifests as perennial candidacy, not with the intent to serve, but to gratify long-term personal ambitions. Read more
Okada ban has affected our operations – Robbery suspect (DailyTrust)
A robbery suspect, Yusuf Lameed, has lamented the hardship they are now facing following the state government’s ban on the operation of commercial motorcycles, Okada, in some areas of the metropolis.
The suspect was arrested at the weekend by operatives of the Lagos State taskforce while he and two others had attempted to rob a woman at Ikeja by a bus stop around 5am.
The woman was waiting to board a commercial bus when she was attacked by Yusuf and his gang.
Recall that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had, in 2022, banned commercial motorcycle operations in some local government areas and local council development areas after an engineer was murdered by some riders in the Lekki area of Lagos. Read more
Armed Forces Remembrance Day: Soludo pays glowing tributes to fallen heroes (Independent)
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of the fallen heroes of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Governor Soludo gave the commendation during the Wreath Laying Ceremony to commemorate the 2023 Armed Forces Day at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The Governor described the day as an opportunity for sober reflection.
“Today calls for sober reflection as we remember and celebrate our fallen heroes in the Army, the Navy, Air Force, the police and secret service who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of our collective liberties and rights as well as those of the communities around the world through the various peacekeeping missions that the Nigerian Armed forces have embarked upon, over the years. May their great souls continue to rest in peace”, Governor Soludo prayed. Read more
Gov Emmanuel cautions political class against actions threatening Nigeria’s unity (Vanguard)
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has advised politicians in the country to understand that the country needs to remain united as Nigerians prepare to elect new leaders this year 2023.
Emmanuel gave the advice on Sunday during the Wreath Laying Ceremony to mark the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the State Cenotaph, Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo.
He said as Nigerians honour these great patriots, they should be reminded that the factors that led to the various wars they participated in, or the internal operations to secure peace for which they paid with their lives are still there.
His words: “As we get ready to elect our new set of leaders, I urge our political class to understand that we need the country to be one indissoluble entity, in order for our aspirations for leadership to be actualized. We must not threaten the unity of this nation for the narrow desire to be in power. Read more
Someone actually went through Spare and counted the number of times Prince Harry mentioned his private parts (CinemaBlend)
One royal member got lots of attention.
Prince Harry has metaphorically bared it all over the past few months, releasing the tell-all memoir Spare, the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and giving numerous interviews in promotion of those projects. The stripping down of his life hasn’t all been symbolic, however, as the Duke of Sussex proved he wasn’t afraid to share some particularly intimate details, including how he lost his virginity and about the time he used Elizabeth Arden cream on his frostbitten penis. The prince’s nether regions actually got quite a bit of attention in Spare, and somebody was studious enough to actually go through and count all the mentions.
In the autobiography Spare — whose title has gotten some pretty brutal translations in other countries, including What’s Left Over, The Other One and In the Shadow — Harry makes some pretty wild allegations about the Royal Family, but he doesn’t shy away from talking about himself either, with his own royal member getting multiple mentions. Fox News reports:
“In the bombshell memoir that is making headlines for its personal revelations about Royal family members, the Duke of Sussex made eight references to his ‘penis’ one to his ‘cock,’ six to his ‘todger,’ one to ‘down there’ and another to his ‘bespoke cock cushion,’ and he even included a detailed description of his experience with ‘penile frostbite.’” Read more
Lisa Marie Presley’s real cause of death revealed (AlternativeNation)
While conspiracy theorists have falsely attributed the vaccine to Lisa Marie Presley’s death, her real cause of death has been revealed, and it was from a second cardiac arrest.
TMZ reports the late singer’s family signed a DNR in case she suffered another cardiac arrest after her initial one.
Lisa’s ex-husband Daniel, who she lived with, performed CPR on her when she was found unresponsive. EMT’s were able to revive her after administering epinephrine, but she then “coded multiple times” while at the hospital.
Elvis star Austin Butler has just praised Lisa Marie at the Golden Globes. He said after her death, “My heart is completely shattered for Riley, Finley, Harper and Priscilla at the tragic and unexpected loss of Lisa Marie. I am eternally grateful for the time I was lucky enough to be near her bright light and will forever cherish the quiet moments we shared. Her warmth, her love and her authenticity will always be remembered.” Read more
Ke Huy Quan triumphs at Critics Choice Awards 2023 (People)
Ke Huy Quan is continuing to dominate awards season, winning best supporting actor at the 28th annual Critics Choice Awards for his performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once on Sunday.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said in accepting his award.
“I’m going to try real hard not to cry tonight,” he continued, as his co-star Michelle Yeoh was seen crying in the audience. “Ever since our movie came out, everyone has shown me such kindness that it’s hard not to get emotional. I’m so nervous!”
“When I think about it, my comeback story could have been very different were it not for the critics. You’ve not only helped audiences find our little movie but you’ve helped audiences remember who I am. For that I am so grateful to you.” Read more
Richard E Grant and Alison Hammond unveiled as Bafta hosts (BelfastTelegraph)
Actor Richard E Grant and TV presenter Alison Hammond have been unveiled as the hosts of the 2023 Baftas.
Grant, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in crime biography Can You Ever Forgive Me?, will host the 76th annual film awards ceremony at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in February.
The 65-year-old said: “I feel hugely privileged to be hosting the EE Baftas for the first time and the opportunity to celebrate the very best of the extraordinary range of this year’s films.”
He first rose to prominence by playing a hapless drunk actor in Withnail And I in 1987 and has had parts in Gosford Park, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and Downton Abbey. Read more
LL COOL J promises new album in 2023 (HipHopDX)
LL COOL J has announced that he will be releasing his first full-length project in 10 years this year, offering fans some clues as to what they can expect.
While the pioneering former Def Jam Records artist did not directly acknowledge his 55th birthday on Twitter on Saturday (January 14), he did share a video of him receiving a custom art piece from his DJ Z-Trip for his special day.
He also shared one major plan for the year. “I’m competing with myself on this new album. Wait til you hear this MF. [musical notes emoji],” LL tweeted. “This year B. It’s coming.”
The last LL COOL J album, Authentic, was released in 2013, five years after his final Def Jam album, Exit 13. During his time at the iconic label, the rapper released an album every two or three years from 1987 to 2008. Read more
Lützerath: German police oust climate activists after clashes near coal mine (BBC)
German police say they have removed almost all climate activists from a German village that will be destroyed to allow the expansion of a coal mine.
Hundreds of officers cleared around 300 activists from Lützerath in an operation that began on Wednesday.
Police say they removed activists waiting in treehouses, a day after clashes broke out between both sides.
Two people were still holding out in an underground tunnel at the site in western Germany, police added. Read more
Ukrainian workers pull distraught woman from rubble after Russian missile strike (NYPost)
A survivor of Russia’s ruthless strike of a residential building in Ukraine was seen being pulled from the rubble after an attack that reportedly left her speechless.
The harrowing scene played out hours after a missile hit the apartment building in the city of Dnipro. The death toll there has grown to at least 30 — with another 30 to 40 people that could still be trapped under the debris, regional governor’s advisor Natalia Babachenko said.
First responders were seen carrying a lightly-dressed woman to safety more than 18 hours after the attack. They used a ladder to help reach her before she was eventually carried from the building on a stretcher.
The stunned woman can be seen in photos crouching down alone in shock and distraught — tightly holding onto a green stuffed animal and a string of gold decorations where her apartment used to be. Read more
Agent: Osimhen happy at Napoli (Punch)
Roberto Calenda, agent of Napoli and Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen has hinted that the Nigerian is happy at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium and has expressed his desire to continue making the fans happy by winning the Serie A title this season.
Osimhen bagged a brace, with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, Amir Rrahmani, and Eljif Elmas also on target as Napoli dispatched Juventus 5-1 in a Serie A fixture on Friday.
The 24-year-old has been key role for Luciano Spalletti’s side this season, scoring 12 goals and providing four assists in 14 Serie A appearances this season.
Osimhen’s run of fine form has already attracted the attention of top clubs around Europe, with multiple Premier League sides all seriously keen on a move, but the Nigeria striker has remained focused on his game. Read more
New Dawn in NPFL as away teams dominate opening weekend (ThisDay)
It was a contrasting fortune for home teams on Match Day-1 of the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) as many away teams picked vital points as the long-awaited domestic topflight were played to complete the opening round.
Returning Bendel Insurance of Benin City had set the pace penultimate weekend, picking the vital points away in the official opening match of the season against former Champions Akwa United at Uyo.
Abia Warriors similarly took a short trip to Rangers new home in Awka to score two late goals in each half to pick the maximum points. Bello Lukman and Yakub Hammed did the job for Abia.
Niger Tornadoes also went away to pick up three valuable points with their 2-0 at Wikki Tourist. Earlier on Saturday, Enyimba of Aba won 2-1 away at Nasarawa United to complete the away team’s victories on this match-day 1. Read more
Arsenal beat Spurs in north London derby to gain 8 point Premier League lead (ESPN)
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points as they beat Tottenham 2-0 in the north London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
The league leaders burst into a commanding first half performance, profiting from a Hugo Lloris own goal before a stunning Martin Odegaard strike put daylight between the two sides. While Spurs recovered in the second half, their improved performance remained futile — failing to score against Arsenal for the first time since 2017.
Spurs had a scare on seven minutes as Lloris took too long to clear his lines with Gabriel Martinelli expeditiously bearing down. Eddie Nketiah won the ball after a flick on from Martinelli but the striker could only fire against Lloris.
Antonio Conte’s side and Lloris in particular did not heed the warnings of their slow start and Arsenal took the lead on 14 minutes through an own goal by the France goalkeeper. Read more
Gavi stars in Barcelona’s Super Cup win over Real Madrid (BBC)
Xavi claimed his first trophy as Barcelona manager after a comfortable victory over rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The La Liga leaders dominated the match in Saudi Arabia and took the lead when 18-year-old Gavi fired in from Robert Lewandowski’s pass.
Lewandowski struck just before half time when he finished from Gavi’s pass.
Gavi got another assist in the second half as he set up Pedri, before Karim Benzema struck a late consolation. Read more
Vucevic masterpiece as Bulls gore Warriors (RFI)
Nikola Vucevic produced a 43-point masterpiece as the Chicago Bulls overpowered the slumping NBA champion Golden State Warriors 132-118 on Sunday.
Montenegrin star Vucevic bagged his ninth straight double-double after stepping up in the absence of injured DeMar DeRozan to help the Bulls snap a three-game losing streak at Chicago’s United Center.
Vucevic’s performance was the centerpiece of a balanced all-round offensive display by Chicago, who saw six players finish with double-digit points tallies.
Zach LaVine added 27 points while Alex Caruso and Ayo Dosunmu had 12 points apiece. Coby White added 15 from the bench. Read more
Gauff, Pegula and Raducanu power into second round of Australian Open (StraitsTimes)
Coco Gauff raced into the second round of the Australian Open and a clash with Emma Raducanu on Monday with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Katerina Siniakova in the opening match on Rod Laver Arena.
Fellow American Jessica Pegula also enjoyed an easy passage, dropping just one game.
Gauff, seeded seventh, headed into the first Grand Slam of the year on a high after winning her third WTA title at the Auckland Classic earlier this month.
And she wasted no time in stamping her authority on 46th-ranked Siniakova on a cool Melbourne morning, breaking the Czech in the fourth and sixth games to take the opening set 6-1 in 22 minutes. Read more