National Hospital denies referring Zack Orji to private hospital (ThisDay)
The National Hospital in Abuja has denied recommending the transfer of the ailing Nigerian actor to a private hospital in the city.
A statement signed by the hospital’s spokesman, Tayo Haastrup on behalf of the Chief Medical Director, said the decision to move the actor to another hospital was that of his relatives.
The hospital statement read: “The attention of the National Hospital Abuja has been drawn to a publication insinuating that the apex hospital referred the Nigerian Actor Zack Orji to a private hospital in Abuja. Read more
We’re restructuring, not quitting Nigeria, says Syringe firm (Leadership)
Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Ltd (JSM) has debunked claims suggesting a shutdown of its operations in the country, saying the company was merely restructuring.
The Managing Director of VKS Group of Companies, Onur Kumral, said this in a statement on Wednesday night to clarify a previous one which claimed that the company, which is in Onna, Akwa Ibom State, was shutting down its operations because of Nigeria’s harsh economic environment.
Kumral, representing JSM’s investors, addressed apprehensions, assuring customers of the company’s continuous presence and commitment to maintaining its position as a premier producer of high-quality syringes in Nigeria. Read more
Nigerian student set to break Guinness World Record for longest quiz marathon (Vanguard)
As more Nigerians have continued to attempt new records in different fields of endeavour in the World Guinness book of records, a fresh graduate of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Prince George Ogwuru, has secured approval to embark on 72-hour marathon quiz competition to break a new Guinness world record for the longest quiz marathon.
The young graduate who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the competition “is aimed at promoting lifelong learning, and raising awareness on the importance of Agriculture.”
A copy of the approval letter with reference number: 230614174306lmaa sighted by our Correspondent in Umuahia, read in part: “We are pleased to inform you that your application has been accepted under the following title: Longest Marathon as a quiz Master”. Read more
Ibadan metropolis witnesses first rain of the year (Nation)
The city of Ibadan, Oyo state in the early hours of Thursday witnessed the first rain in the year 2024.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heavy rain which started at about 3.40 a.m. lasted for about 40 minutes, stopping at about 4; 20 a.m.
The unexpected downpour, devoid of lightning, heavy wind and thunderstorms, was witnessed at Omi-Adio, in Ido Local Government, Ibadan South West Local Government and other parts of the metropolis. Read more
Maritime workers threaten nationwide strike (DailyTrust)
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria has threatened to commence a nationwide strike on Tuesday, January 9, disrupting operations at seaports, jetties, and oil and gas installations throughout the country.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union’s head of media, John Ikemefuna, revealed the decision on behalf of the President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju.
The imminent strike is the result of International Oil Companies and Stevedoring Contractors’ repeated failure to follow existing Stevedoring legislation that protects the union’s rights. Read more
Soldier blasts Sanwo-Olu, defends soldiers’ right to drive against traffic (Punch)
A soldier has slammed the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for ordering the arrest of his colleague alongside three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The yet-to-be-identified soldier, who appeared to be defending his colleague in a viral video on Thursday, faulted Sanwo-Olu for calling a soldier ‘useless’ in the presence of ‘bastard civilians’.
The PUNCH Online reports that Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, ordered the arrest of a soldier and three other motorcyclists for driving against traffic on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. Read more
Next generations of Africans to pay incurred debts, says Obasanjo (Guardian)
A former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said there is no option for the next generations of Africans to enjoy any relief than to pay the continent’s huge debts.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo made this disclosure during an engagement with 2023 awardees of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, an initiative of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
Obasanjo as the country’s President in 2003 secured debt relief for Nigeria likewise his counterpart from Algeria during the same period. Read more
Remain good ambassadors of party, Ambode charges APC Professionals Council (Tribune)
Former Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Council, a group within the ruling party, to remain exemplary ambassadors of the party and of Nigeria in general.
The former governor made this call when he received a delegation from the APC Professionals Council, led by its Director General, Hon. Seyi Bamigbade, during their courtesy visit in Lagos to felicitate with him on the occasion of the New Year celebration.
Ambode, while receiving the delegation, commended the professionals in his party, led by the council’s Director General, Hon. Bamigbade, for deeming it necessary to extend their New Year felicitations to him. Read more
Britney Spears shuts down album rumours, says she’ll ‘never’ return to music (UPI)
Britney Spears is shutting down rumours of a new album.
The 42-year-old singer and actress denied the reports in a post Wednesday on Instagram, saying she will “never” return to the music industry.
“Just so we’re clear, most of the news is trash!!! They keep saying I’m turning to random people to do a new album… I will never return to the music industry!!!” Spears said. Read more
Rick Ross suffers broken chair embarrassment during Adin Ross stream (HipHopDx)
Rick Ross suffered a bit of embarrassment when his chair broke during an appearance on Adin Ross’ stream.
In the livestream, which broadcast on Wednesday (January 3), the MMG mogul was chatting to the internet personality when he moved the chair he was sat on and it cracked under his weight.
After it broke, Rozay brushed off the embarrassment and blamed the faux pas on his “heavy pockets.” Read more
Elvis has not ‘left the building’: Icon to be revived as hologram (Aljazeera)
Elvis Presley may have died 47 years ago, but he’s set to return to the stage later this year thanks to a trick of the light.
Elvis Evolution, a show combining AI and holographic projection, will premiere at a yet-to-be-named venue in London this year, drawing on thousands of photos and videos from the Elvis Presley estate to bring the icon back to life.
It’s the latest in a growing trend of virtual shows blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, following in the footsteps of Abba Voyage, which premiered youthful avatars – or ABBAtars – of the very-much-still-alive Swedish pop stars in London in 2022. Read more
Fisherman saved by watch reflection after floating in the ocean for almost 24 hours (NBC)
His survival was an “absolute miracle,” police said after a fisherman was rescued almost 24 hours after falling into the sea off the New Zealand coast, having used the reflection from his watch to signal for help.
The man, who has not been named, told officers that a shark came to “have a sniff,” Whangamatā Police Sergeant Will Hamilton said in a statement. Ultimately the creature decided on something else for dinner.
The angler’s ordeal began after he fell into the water off New Zealand’s North Island on Tuesday, while trying to reel in a marlin, Hamilton said. Read more
Jeffrey Epstein: Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton named in court files (BBC)
The UK’s Prince Andrew and Bill Clinton are among high-profile figures named in US court papers detailing connections of late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The newly-released records form part of a case against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s girlfriend who has been jailed for helping him abuse girls.
But the documents so far unveil no major new allegations about Epstein nor revelations about his associates. Read more
David Beckham ‘gutted’ as he reveals damage caused by UK Storm Henk at family home (People)
David Beckham is feeling “gutted” after his U.K. home was damaged by a storm.
On Wednesday, the former soccer star, 48, shared a photo to his Instagram Story revealing the aftermath of Storm Henk at his family residence in Oxfordshire.
The snap showed a large tree that had been uprooted and had fallen next to a driveway. “Could have been worse Still gutted,” he captioned the shot. Read more
Rwanda suspends Kenyan drug due to safety concerns (AfricaNews)
Rwandan health authorities have issued a recall for antifungal tablets produced in Kenya due to safety concerns.
The Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA) has directed importers to return all batches of 200mg Fluconazole tablets manufactured by the Kenyan company Universal Corporation.
Retailers and health facilities are instructed to cease distribution and return the affected drugs. Read more
Juventus sign Super Falcons star Echegini (Guardian)
Juventus have announced the signing of Super Falcons star Jennifer Echegini, who is the latest addition to the club’s women’s team.
The club in a statement on their website on Thursday, 4 January 2024, said Echegini signed a contract until 30 June 2026.
The 22-year-old midfielder, who was born in the Netherlands and raised in England, arrived at Juventus from Florida State Seminoles, in the United States of America. Read more
Stanley Eguma eyes Super Eagles Job (Leadership)
Rivers United head coach, Stanley Eguma, has expressed interest in the Super Eagles coaching job.
Eguma said that if the selections were done on merit, he was qualified to get the job.
The Super Eagles are currently preparing for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations under the tutelage of Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro.
Gasly denies McLaren “jealousy” over F1 fortunes (RN365)
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly has insisted there is no jealousy over McLaren’s rise from F1’s midfield scrap despite admiration for the work done by the Woking-based outfit.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were forced to endure a testing opening to last year’s campaign as the MCL60 battled a number of issues, initially performing poorer compared to the Alpine A523.
But a raft of upgrades mid-season took McLaren from the back end of the midfield to the midst of podium battles, often emerging as the nearest challenger to Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Read more
Hiring Peseiro one of Nigerian football’s greatest mistakes, says Gara-Gombe (Channels)
A former Chairman of the Gombe Football Association Ahmed Gara-Gombe does not believe in the capabilities of Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro, describing his appointment as one of the greatest mistakes in Nigerian football.
“Since the time of Clemens Westerhof, we never had a transition, a championship without confusion, without uncertainty, turning Nigerians into prayer warriors, praying for somebody to lose before we win; even from the qualification to where we are, I do not have confidence in the system,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
“In the first place, hiring Peseiro for the Super Eagles was one of the greatest mistakes we have ever made in the history of our football,” he said. Read more
Shaibu mourns ex-Golden Eaglets coach Brodericks-Imasuen (Punch)
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu, has mourned the passing of veteran footballer and coach Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen.
The deceased was Nigeria’s first World Cup-winning coach, who led the Golden Eaglets to win the inaugural Kodak-FIFA U-17 Championship in 1985, hosted by China.
PUNCH Online reports that Coach Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen died at the age of 85 years at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital after a long battle with stroke. Read more
Arsenal tipped against securing January transfer for Premier League star dubbed ‘the real deal’ (HitC)
Will Arsenal sign a striker during the January transfer window? That is the burning question on the lips of the fans.
If it was up to them, then a number nine would certainly enter the building and many of them wouldn’t mind Brentford hitman, Ivan Toney.
The 27-year-old is set to return from his long-term ban on January 16, but could he be repping Arsenal by the end of the month? Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke has been tipped as an alternative. Read more