NDLEA arrests fake security agent, seizes imported drug chocolates (VON)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has arrested a suspected fake security agent, Godwin Ilevbare, a.k.a Edwin Agbon for importing drug chocolates and cookies from Canada into Nigeria to sell.
Also, the agency has arrested a 76-year-old grandfather, Osagie Robert all in Edo state Southern Nigeria.
The Director media and advocacy NDLEA headquarters Abuja, Mr Femi Babafemi revealed this in a press statement Sunday
The septuagenarian popularly called old soldier was arrested “on Friday 7th January, 2022 in Egor, Oredo area of Edo state for dealing in Cannabis while Godwin was nabbed during a controlled delivery of a consignment shipped into Nigeria through a courier company. Soon after the suspect signed for the consignment, undercover operatives embedded in the courier firm arrested him at his apartment in Benin city on Tuesday 4th Jan.” Read more
Gbajabiamila, Obasa, others felicitate with Faleke on chieftaincy title (Independent)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Mudashiru Obasa, Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson and other well meaning Nigerians have congratulated Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, on his chieftaincy coronation as the Atunlushe-Akorede of Ikeja Land at the Weekend.
Gbajabiamila, while felicitating with Faleke described him as a noble son of the land, who has represented his people well by giving them a voice in the house.
While other notable members of the community who all came out in their numbers to honour Faleke hailed him for his contributions to the development and growth of Ikeja constituency through his various empowerment programmes.
Faleke’s wife, Mrs Bukunola Faleke was also installed as the Yeye Atunlushe-Akorede of Ikeja Land. Read more
D’Banj hypes Dubai Soundoff as Afrobeat fans win giveaway (Nation)
Afrobeat fans from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and other African countries and the United States of America have emerged winners of the AfroZons Dubai Soundoff Giveaway.
Over 70 free packages were provided to lucky Afrobeat fans, who had the chance to win this very unique opportunity to see Dubai courtesy of their local AfroZons radio show hosts and sponsored by Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism, DET.
Winners of the Soundoff giveaway also emerged from Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Angola and the United Kingdom.
Popular Afrobeat sensation, D’Banj, has promised visitors to the Dubai Soundoff a memorable experience and has hinted at many more surprises during the Soundoff experience.
Soun’s first child dies at 71, 29 days after father’s death (Independent)
The eldest child of late Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, Soun of Ogbomoso who joined his ancestor last month, Professor (Princess) Taibah Danmole has passed on.
Princess Danmole, a Professor of Science Education at the Lagos State University (LASU) and governing council member at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, died Saturday evening in Ilorin, after a close to about a year of sickness, a family source said.
She served between 2008 and 2010 and between 2016 and 2019 as the Head of Department of Science Education in LASU.
She was elevated to the Professorial in 2016. The late Princess was also one time Commissioner in Oyo state. Read more
Buhari to visit Ogun State on Thursday (Channels)
President Muhammadu Buhari will embark on a state visit to Ogun State on Thursday, January 13.
The President was billed to visit the Gateway State on December 21, 2021 but the official visit was postponed indefinitely.
In a statement issued on Sunday by Kunle Somorin, the Chief Press Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Commander-in-Chief is expected in the South-Western state this week.
During the visit, Somorin said President Buhari will inaugurate some of the infrastructural projects executed by Governor Abiodun. Read more
100 indigent students to get late Okunbo Memorial Scholarship (Leadership)
The family of late Edo business mogul and philanthropist, Capt. Idahosa Wells Okunbo, has said that no fewer than 100 public school children in Edo State would be offered scholarship in honour of their departed patriarch.
The eldest child of the late Okunbo and wife of Olu of Warri Kingdom, Olori Atuwatse III, made the disclosure when she led her other siblings to the Mausoleum of the late billionaire to offer prayers to mark his posthumous 64th birthday.
She made this known in Benin City, the Edo State capital, as they gathered at the mausoleum site located at the Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farm where songs of worship were rendered and prayers were also offered for the repose of the soul of their late father at the weekend .
The Olori explained that the idea of scholarship was informed by their father’s passion and support towards education as well as education being one of the legacies he bequeathed to them. Read more
Zamfara massacre: Terrorists will soon become history, says Buhari (Nation)
A distraught President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured communities experiencing terror attacks in the north that their nightmare would soon be over with government intensifying its protection of all citizens.
The President spoke while reacting to the Wednesday to Thursday massacre of villagers in Zamfara State by fleeing bandits.
Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State confirmed 58 deaths in the attacks and vowed yesterday that gunmen operating in the state would soon have to contend with the Super Tucano fighter jets procured from the USA as the government seeks to shake off the latest massacre.
Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, described the Zamfara killing as an act of desperation by a routed band of criminals currently under heavy military attack. Read more
PGECI launches campaign to distribute 500 staple supplies to senior citizens in slum communities (Guardian)
As part of efforts aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the elderly, Project Grey Elderly Care Initiative (PGECI), an elder care and support organisation helping the poorest and potentially vulnerable in Nigeria with food supply, housing, medical care, empowerment and a voice, is currently sending food support to underprivileged seniors across the country.
In her “Project Grant a Wish” campaign launched in December 2021, the organisation has sent out over 100 staple food boxes to the elderly residents of the Isakaba slum community in Ikota, Agbede Eleja Aro and Eyita in Ikorodu Council, Lagos.
In a chat with The Guardian, PGECI founder, Vera David-Emesiobum Doudeyeh, said items provided were rice, yams, unripe plantains, sweet potatoes, beans, gari, tomato paste, peppers, salt, onions, powdered milk, bottles of groundnuts, wheat flour, oatmeal, seasonings, groundnut oil and fruits, among others.
She added that they also put into consideration the diabetic and none diabetic elderly, and the boxes were packed according to the health condition of the receiving elders. Read more
Umahi moves Commissioners, SAs in minor cabinet reshuffles (Tribune)
Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi, at the weekend, effected a minor cabinet reshuffle.
This was contained in a statement signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki, the state capital, by Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, Secretary to the State Government and coordinating Commissioner.
According to the governor, the minor reshuffle was to enhance efficiency and effective service delivery.
The statement reads: “In the effort of Ebonyi State government to enhance efficiency and effective service delivery in the discharge of its statutory functions, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle as follows: Read more
Golden Globes 2022: Who is nominated and why is there a boycott this year? (Metro)
It’s almost time for the Golden Globes 2022, but this year’s ceremony is going to look a little different due to Hollywood controversy.
The awards will take place on January 9 with some of the biggest projects from the past year up for multiple gongs.
However, tonight’s event will go ahead without any big stars in attendance to present or collect awards, and it won’t be broadcast on TV.
After a year of controversy in which the Hollywood Foreign Press Association came under fire for its lack of diversity, this year’s show will be rather low-key and devoid of red carpet lewks and afterparty antics. Read more
First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid advocates for gender equality, raises women’s voices In new book (Forbes)
Around the world, gender equality is a trending topic. Although women and girls make up half the population, the ongoing battle for women’s rights has continued for centuries. In 1945, the United Nations Charter made equality between men and women a fundamental principle to help advance gender equality. Since the creation of the Charter, 131 countries have added 274 gender-related reforms to laws and regulations. However, it’s estimated that more than 2.5 billion women and girls live in countries with at least one discriminatory law on the books.
Some countries are making leaps and bounds in closing the gender inequality gap. Astoundingly, the United States doesn’t even rank on the World Economic Forum’s top 10 countries for women’s rights and opportunities. Yet, for 12 years in a row, Iceland has been named the world’s best country for gender equality.
Eliza Jean Reid, the First Lady of Iceland and cofounder of the annual Iceland Writers Retreat, serves as a role model and prominent voice in the fight for gender equality.
“When I first had this opportunity, I felt a big constraint, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t talk here because I don’t know if I’m allowed to, or can I go do this by myself?’” Reid expresses.Read more
Some Britney Spears fans worry the singer still ‘isn’t free’ (CheatSheet)
After 13 years, Britney Spears‘ conservatorship ended for good. While the famous singer is now in control of her life again, some fans of Spears worry the singer is still facing troubles based on one of her recent Instagram posts.
On Dec. 17, 2021, Spears shared a video of herself dancing on Instagram. In the video, Spears repeatedly twirled around and smiled at the camera. The singer also posted a lengthy caption on the Instagram post.
“The last dance I posted was from months ago … this post is from a day before yesterday !!!! I would have posted it yesterday but I got a cold … I feel better now !!!! I’m way smaller since this summer … as you can see … I dance a lot now … sometimes 3 hours a day and I do Zumba classes too,” Spears wrote on Instagram.
Because of the post, some fans of Spears began to worry about the singer.
“idc what anyone says, she isn’t free. this isn’t normal. & this isn’t the B we knew,” one fan commented on Instagram.Read more
Doja Cat Fan arrested after making bomb threat at concert (TMZ)
A Doja Cat fan is behind bars Sunday after making a bomb threat at her concert.
Doja Cat was performing at a concert in Indianapolis Saturday night, when the impatient fan wanted to cut the line to get inside.
A Deputy Police Chief told the IndyStar, “A fan wanted to advance in line so he exercised very poor judgment and told those around him in line he had a bomb in his backpack.”
Cops were called and no explosives were found, but the guy was arrested for unrelated, outstanding warrants.
Walking Dead Star Tom Payne and Wife Jennifer Akerman welcome baby boy (People)
The Prodigal Son has a son of his own.
The Walking Dead star Tom Payne and wife Jennifer Akerman announced the birth of their baby boy on Instagram Saturday with a pair of heartwarming posts.
Harrison Magnus Austin Payne was born Jan. 5 at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. Payne, 39, shared the news alongside an adorable image of Harrison grasping the new dad’s thumb with his hand.
“I can’t believe you’re here. We love you immeasurably and will always be there for you. The next big life adventure starts here! Thank you so much to everyone at Cedars Sinai, our amazing doula Carmen and all of our friends and family for the support. Not forgetting my incredible wife who rocked the whole pregnancy and birth. I love you,” the actor behind Jesus on TWD wrote. Read more
Field Music hit back at proposed plans to scrap free COVID-19 lateral flow tests (NME)
Field Music have hit back at the government’s proposed plans to scrap free lateral flow tests, saying the continued “existence of the live music industry” relies on them.
According to the Sunday Times, Boris Johnson is set to axe free lateral flow tests amidst concerns about their cost (more than £6billion of public money has been spent on mass testing using the devices). Under the new proposals, free tests will be limited to high-risk settings such as care homes, hospitals and schools.
A senior Whitehall source said: “I don’t think we are in a world where we can continue to hand out free lateral flow tests to everybody. It’s likely we will move to a scenario where there is less testing but we have the capacity to ramp it up if necessary.”
However, regular testing has provided the foundation of the music industry’s fightback after lockdown with numerous venues, bands and festivals asking punters to take an LFT before attending any event. Current rules in England state that people must either show proof of a negative test or proof of full vaccination to attend concerts and nightclubs. Read more
My Damascus experience was my thirst for knowledge about God – Majid Michel (MyJoy)
Veteran actor, Majid Michel, who is currently a Pastor says he never had a Damascus experience in the manner as was being peddled by the media.
According to him, his venture into full-blown Christian Ministry was due to a dire thirst for knowledge about the ways of God.
He explained on JoyFM’s The Reason is Jesus that it was this thirst for knowledge that changed everything for him and eventually pulled him out of the film industry.
“It was like me rediscovering and becoming newly aware of this entire thing called the Kingdom of God and God and His children. Because growing up, I was never taught certain things that I now know. And after I sought the knowledge, I got so excited I said I want to share this knowledge with my friends and with everybody,” he said. Read more
Wonder Woman’s Gal Gadot teases her controversial Cleopatra movie (DigitalSpy)
Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot has teased further details about her upcoming Cleopatra movie, which has already attracted controversy for her casting.
The Red Notice actress is currently developing a biopic movie about the life of Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt’s Ptolemaic Kingdom between 51 and 30 BC, who was the last active ruler of the kingdom and whose legacy and image has remained a part of culture to the present day.
Gadot will also star as the famed queen in the movie, which is being directed by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier director Kari Skogland, and she has now shared a few more details on their incarnation of Cleopatra.
“I can’t reveal a lot, but I can tell you that we’re going to celebrate the Cleopatra story,” she told InStyle. “We’re going to show not just how sexy and appealing she was, but how strategic and smart, and how much impact she had and still has on the world we’re living in today. Read more
Samuel Ikpefan, Nigeria’s first Winter Olympic cross-country skier (CGTN)
Nigeria’s Samuel Ikpefan will make his Winter Olympic debut as the country’s first-ever Winter Olympic cross-country skier in the coming 2022 Games in China.
He joined CGTN’s Beijing 2022 special series “The Chat Room – Meet the Olympians” on Sunday to share the story of his career.
Ikpefan has dual citizenship as he was born in France. He used to train in different sports including football, judo and, of course, cross-country skiing before deciding what sport he should make his career.
However, in 2011, Ikpefan suffered a major setback: he was turned down by the French skiing team. That’s when he decided to put a pause on his career and didn’t return in five years. Read more
Mike Phelan urged Man Utd to sign Jude Bellingham before midfielder joined Dortmund (Mirror)
Mike Phelan advised Manchester United to sign Jude Bellingham before the teenager was snapped up by Borussia Dortmund.
The midfielder burst onto the scene with Birmingham City, establishing himself in the first team at just 16.
His performances attracted plenty of admiring glances and United made moves to sign Bellingham.
Eventually though he opted for a switch to Germany, where the likes of Jadon Sancho had flourished due to regular game time. Read more
Roy Hodgson makes Eddie Nketiah transfer admission as Crystal Palace eye up Arsenal striker
(FootballLondon)
Former Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has said that Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah has been on the club’s radar for years and thinks the striker would be a hit at Selhurst Park.
The 22-year-old has found playing time hard to come by at the Emirates this season and has less than six months left on his deal in north London.
This has meant several clubs have been interested in securing his signature, with Palace reportedly one of the teams interested in signing the centre-forward.
Hodgson, who managed the Eagles for four seasons until leaving last summer, was a guest on Sky Sports’ Transfer Show on Friday night where he discussed Nketiah and what he could bring to the south Londoners were they to make a move for him this month. Read more
Kisevu ends 10-year drought to win King of the Course (DailyNation)
High handicapper Stephen Kisevu posted his maiden victory at the par 72 Machakos Golf Club course over the weekend after a long wait of more than 10 years.
Playing off handicap 28, Kisevu who is the head of Sales and Business Development at the Kenya Orient, posted 20 points in the opening nine of the ICEA LION King of the Course golf series first leg.
He secured 22 points at the back nine after rolling in a couple of par putts for a total of 42 points to emerge victorious.
“I did not think my score was going to actually be the best. I am so excited and most grateful to ICEA LION for supporting this popular golf series here in Machakos and elsewhere in the country,” said Kisevu. Read more
Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton speaks out on human rights ahead of Saudi Grand Prix (MEE)
Seven-times Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton expressed concern about human rights in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, indicating he did not feel comfortable about having to race in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia is hosting a Grand Prix for the first time this weekend, a night race around a street circuit in Jeddah, with rights groups accusing the country of using the event to deflect scrutiny from abuses.
Hamilton, the sport’s most successful driver, said he had received a warm welcome on arrival but felt “duty-bound” to speak out.
The Briton, who has used his platform to campaign for diversity and equality, said the Liberty Media-owned sport needed to do more. Read more
Australian Open: Ashleigh Barty identifies ‘real weapon’ as she wins warm-up tournament
(GiveMeSport)
Ashleigh Barty has started her preparations for the Australian Open in the best possible way, triumphing at the Adelaide International.
The world number one eased past Elena Rybakina to win the WTA 500 event, defeating the star from Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-2.
She then won the doubles tournament, teaming up with fellow Australian Storm Sanders to overcome Ukraine’s Nadiia Kichenok and India’s Sania Mirza 6-1, 2-6, 10-8.
Barty will be pleased with how the start of her 2022 has gone, although she claimed her recent success will not change how she goes into the upcoming Australian Open.
Toronto FC’s Richie Laryea sold to Nottingham Forest (CBC)
Toronto FC fullback Richie Laryea, who made no secret about wanting to test his skills in Europe, has got his wish.
The 27-year-old from Toronto has been sold to Nottingham Forest, which currently stands ninth in England’s second-tier Championship. English reports pegged the transfer fee at US$1 million.
Laryea is Forest’s third signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Keinan Davis from Aston Villa and Steve Cook from Bournemouth.
“It feels amazing to be here. It’s been nothing but positivity since I stepped foot in the building and I hope to keep it that way,” Laryea told the club’s website. “When you visit the stadium (the 30,445-capacity City Ground), you can see the history straight away. You can see that this is what English football is all about and this is what I’ve seen growing up as a kid, so it’s a great feeling to be here. Read more
Close friend of Tiger gives update on return – “I don’t see it happening in the next 12 months” (GolfMonthly)
At the PNC Championship in December, the golfing world was treated to a sight that perhaps they thought they may never see again… Tiger Woods playing a competitive round of golf.
This was because only 10 months prior to the event, Tiger was involved in a serious car accident that left him with the possibility of amputation of his right leg. “I’m lucky to be alive and to still have the limb,” said Tiger in early December. “I’m very grateful that someone upstairs was taking care of me … (amputation) was on the table.”
Remarkably, Tiger made an unbelievable recovery and, what’s almost as amazing, is that alongside his son Charlie, the father and son duo managed to finish in the runner-up spot, only two shots back of John Daly and John Daly II.
However, throughout the build-up of the event, Tiger himself was heavily downplaying any possibility of a PGA Tour return soon. He did admit that “it is realistic I’ll play the Tour one day, but never full time, ever again, but pick and choose, just like Mr. [Ben] Hogan did.”