New Year Eve: Passengers abducted in Cross River (DailyTrust)
The Police in Cross River have confirmed the abduction of some passengers around Nde 3 Corners Akparabong Junction in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.
The passengers, who were in transit, were said to have been ambushed by gunmen who shot at their vehicles, injuring three while an unspecified number was taken away by the gunmen.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo, who gave the confirmation, declined to give details of the attack but said the incident occurred on Sunday. Read more
Lagos to begin Lekki airport 2024 – Commissioner (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, has said that the state government will focus on completing ongoing projects across the state in the new year.
Omotoso, who spoke exclusively to The PUNCH in a telephone interview on Sunday, said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s “ambitious N2.2tn budget” would be utilised judiciously for infrastructure development among which hospitals and the new Lekki airport would be prioritised.
“There will be so many ambitious projects. First of all, the projects that we are doing, we are going to be able to complete them. Mercy Seat Hospital. This is going to be the largest, biggest pediatric hospital in Africa by the time it’s completed. Read more
Archbishop tasks FG on economic challenges (Guardian)
Citing pains of the outgone year, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Alfred Martins, has urged the Federal Government to mitigate impact of subsidy removal, naira devaluation and others on the citizenry. He advised the government at all levels to prioritise welfare of citizens.
The cleric, who stated that Nigerians are being called upon to make sacrifices and bear the current economic situation, however, urged the current administration to ensure that the result of the sacrifices comes sooner for the people to appreciate if they have a government that cares.
“Therefore, my message is for us to be hopeful, not to lose hope in the midst of these challenges facing the country,” he charged. On the recent killings in Plateau State, the archbishop said the government must be decisive and effect punishment. Read more
Tinubu’s New Year message empty, deceitful – PDP (Channels)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday slammed President Bola Tinubu over his New Year address, describing it as a “harvest of deceit, false claims and empty promises”.
In his nationwide broadcast to Nigerians on Monday, Tinubu urged the citizens not to falter despite the tough times and difficulties they face.
“Dear Compatriots, take this from me: the time may be rough and tough, however, our spirit must remain unbowed because tough times never last. We are made for this period, never to flinch, never to falter,” President Tinubu said. Read more
Alleged embezzlement of cooperative funds: Acting rector of Nekede Federal Polytechnic, 2 others grilled by EFCC (Sun)
Acting Rector of Federal polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo state , Mr Chris Onyemenonu was grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at its Port Harcourt zonal office for alleged emblezzement of funds of the Academic Unon of Federal Polytechnic Nedeke and its cooperative Society to the tune of N73. 5 Million.
Mr Onyemenonu who was granted bail on December 18 , 2023 was summoned along side the ex – chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Federal polytechnic Nekede, Dr Uzoma Ibeaja and Dr Okafor Okoroaffia who are also currently on bail.
The arrest of the acting Rector was sequel to the petition written by Mr Dickson I. Ozuitem, a Chief Lecturer in the department of Cooperative Economics and management. Read more
‘Insecurity is unacceptable’ – PANDEF urges security agencies to ‘wake up’ (Vanguard)
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has advised security agencies and both Federal and State governments to live up to the expectations of the citizens by ensuring their protection.
PANDEF Spokesperson Mr Ken Robinson spoke while reacting to the statement by the
Chief of Army Staff COAS that allowing Nigerians not to carry arms to defend themselves would amount to Anarchy.
His words;: “The truth of the matter is that the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of the citizens..and anytime that it appears that the State is failing to protect the lives and property of the citizens the option that may be left to the citizens is Self-defense. Read more
NRC to operate 6 train trips daily – MD (Punch)
The Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, has said that the corporation will begin six train trips daily on the Standard Gauge Train across the board in 2024.
Okhiria disclosed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos State, on Monday.
He said that the train was meant to operate 24 hours, but the present situation in the country had reduced the turnaround time. Read more
Activist to launch Woman Evolve 2024 for female empowerment (Leadership)
Ngozi Chimkama Cynthia Ibe, popularly known as Engee Ibe and a prominent advocate for women’s empowerment, is preparing to initiate Woman Evolve 2024 in January.
This initiative aims to provide women with a platform for self-empowerment and will be rolled out across Nigeria.
An American-based medical doctor, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and life coach, Engee Ibe has consistently championed gender equality and women’s rights. She expressed her intent for Woman Evolve 2024 to revolutionise the landscape of female empowerment in Nigeria. Read more
Otti’s wife welcomes first baby of 2024 in Abia (Guardian)
The wife of Abia governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, on Monday welcomed the first baby of the year 2024 at Okpulor Ukwu Primary Health Center, Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Otti presented gift items to the baby during her goodwill visit to the health centre.NAN also reports that the first baby of the year, Baby Chiziterem Jethro Ikechukwu, a boy, weighed 2.5 kilogrammes.He was born at 12:02 am to the family of Mr and Mrs Ikechukwu Albert of Mbubo community, Isiala Ngwa North LGA.
Speaking during the visit, Otti described the birth of a child as a special occasion that calls for celebration and thanksgiving to God.She added that the birth of a child brings good fortune, saying that it was not by chance but a product of God’s divine will. Read more
The Color Purple and Black Panther actress/stuntwoman Carrie Bernans seriously injured in alleged hit and run in NYC (Deadline)
Actress and stuntwoman Carrie Bernans was critically injured during an alleged hit and run in New York City at 1:30 AM Monday, Bernans, whose work includes 2023’s The Color Purple as well as Marvel’s Black Panther and Avengers Infinity War/End Game, was hurt along with eight others.
Per her publicist, she was struck by a driver who crashed into an outdoor dining shed at Chirp, a Peruvian restaurant in midtown Manhattan. That driver then backed up and rammed into another car before officers swarmed. Read more
Award-winning South African photojournalist Peter Magubane dies aged 91 (AfricaNews)
Peter Magubane was the eye behind the lens which captured the 1960 Sharpeville massacre or the trial of Nelson Mandela in 1964.
The South African photographer passed away on Monday (Jan. 1st) aged 91.
The nation’s Editors’ Forum said it had been informed of Magubane’s death by his family. Read more
Powerful 7.5-magnitude quake slams Japan; tsunami warnings lowered (UPI)
A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake rocked western Japan on Monday, likely killing two people, as tsunami warnings issued earlier in the day were downgraded to advisories.
The earthquake struck about 26 miles northeast of Anamizu in Ishikawa prefecture, along the Noto Peninsula.
Authorities initially warned that tsunami waves could be as high as 10 feet along the Sea of Japan coast but the Japan Meteorological Agency later downgraded all of the tsunami warnings to advisories. Read more
Lil Yachty hits back at claims he’s a ‘cheater’ & bad father (HipHopDx)
Lil Yachty has heard rumours about his failings as a partner and a father, and he’s not willing to stand for it.
On Saturday (December 30), a Twitter/X user took to the platform to allege that Lil Boat was a “cheater, colorist dark skin, [and] won’t change his daughter’s own diaper.”
The user cited lyrics on Yachty’s “The Secret Recipe,” in which he raps: “They say I got a type/ Said all my hoes they look the same, they said they look too light,” as proof of their claims, alongside rumours that he’d cheated on Mariah The Scientist with his child’s mother, New York-based fashion designer Selangie. Read more
Israel says it will pull out thousands of troops from Gaza (AlJazeera)
The Israeli military has announced that it will withdraw thousands of its soldiers from the besieged Gaza Strip in the first significant pullback of troops since the war there began in October.
Israel has come under increasing pressure from its principal ally, the United States, to move to a more low-intensity war that has fewer civilian casualties.
But in the southern city of Khan Younis, fierce fighting has continued as Israel reaffirms its pledge to press on with the war until its goals have been achieved, including destroying the Palestinian group Hamas, which killed around 1,140 people in attacks on southern Israel on October 7, according to Israeli officials. Read more
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean and Wife Rochelle decide to ‘officially end our marriage’ (People)
AJ McLean and his wife Rochelle DeAnna McLean announced they are ending their marriage after 12 years together.
The Backstreet Boys singer, 45, and Rochelle, 42, previously shared in March that they had “temporarily” separated and had hopes of reconciling in the future. Nine months later, on Jan. 1, the pair announced the end of their relationship on AJ’s Instagram.
“As you all know we have been separated for over a year now,” they wrote on social media. “While we have hoped for reconciliation we have decided to officially end our marriage. It is with deep love and respect that we have made this decision.” Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s ‘high risk’ 2024 plan – ‘total system reboot and seismic changes’ (Mirror)
It has been almost four years since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sensationally quit as working royals – and the last 12 months have certainly been their most eventful.
Harry released his controversial memoir Spare; they were dropped from their multi-million dollar Spotify deal; the prince’s Invictus Games in Germany was a huge success and rumours buzzed about Meghan possibly restarting her lifestyle blog, The Tig. But as we head into 2024, experts say there is only one way forward for the couple, who were brutally branded losers by The Hollywood Reporter.
According to royal expert and historian Dr Tessa Dunlop, they should turn their lowest point to their advantage. She told the Mirror: “It has delighted naysayers and critics of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex that American showbiz bible, The Hollywood Reporter, cited the couple on their list of 2023’s losers. Read more
Beatrice Chebet: Kenyan athlete breaks women’s world 5km record in Barcelona (AfricaNews)
Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet shatters the women’s world 5km record in a stunning display of athleticism at the prestigious Cursa dels Nassos road race in Barcelona.
The 23-year-old sensation crossed the finish line in an impressive 14 minutes and 13 seconds, surpassing Ethiopian Senbere Teferi’s women-only record by a remarkable 16 seconds.
Chebet’s remarkable feat also sees her clocking in six seconds faster than the existing women’s world record in a mixed race, previously held by Ethiopia’s Ejgayehu Taye at the 2021 Cursa dels Nassos. Read more
Nigeria can win AFCON, says Peseiro (Punch)
The Nigerian national team can capture a fourth Africa Cup of Nations trophy despite a difficult group, coach Jose Peseiro said in an interview on Monday.
Nigeria last won the AFCON title in 2013 in South Africa. This year, the tournament takes place in Ivory Coast starting January 14.
“We will fight to win the Africa Cup even though it won’t be easy,” Peseiro told NFF TV. Read more
Chelsea’s best January signings of all-time worth combined £70m (HitC)
Here we list Chelsea’s best January signings of all-time, four of whom won the Champions League with the Stamford Bridge giants.
Chelsea’s spending since the takeover of the club by Todd Boehly from Roman Abramovich has been infamous. They’ve now shelled out well over £1bn under the American’s control with very little substance so far.
It’s in stark contrast to Abramovich’s era – perhaps not the extravagant spending but more so that the financial outlay over the Russian’s reign delivered trophy after trophy. Chelsea’s transfer record had been smashed seven times under Abramovich but there were moments when the Londoners bucked their own trend and paid modestly for top talent. Read more
Cycling champion Rohan Dennis charged over Olympian wife’s death in car incident (Independent)
A former world champion cyclist has been charged over the death of his wife after she was struck by a pick-up truck outside their home in Adelaide.
Melissa Hoskins, a two-time Olympic cyclist, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after she was hit by a vehicle on Saturday evening but died of her injuries.
Her husband, Rohan Dennis, who has previously won a silver and bronze medal in the Olympics, has since been arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving, driving without due care and endangering life. Read more
Sauber F1 team announce new name after Alfa Romeo exit and backlash to first effort (Mirror)
Sauber have announced their new team name for 2024 – and this time it will stick.
After all, this is the second new ‘name’ for the outfit in as many weeks. On December 15, the official FIA entry list for the 2024 Formula 1 season was published, naming the Swiss-based squad as Stake F1 Kick Team Sauber.
It was quite the change from six years of being branded as the Alfa Romeo team, with that sponsorship deal now at an end. And it prompted an underwhelmed response from fans who bemoaned how much of a mouthful it was to see two sponsors appear alongside the traditional Sauber name. Read more
Luke Littler v Rob Cross: Teenager confident of winning PDC World Darts Championship (BBC)
For Luke Littler, the darts-mad 16-year-old who first played on a magnetic board as a toddler, just winning one match at the PDC World Championship was a historic achievement.
But with each passing win he keeps setting his heights ever higher.
And after sweeping past Brendan Dolan to set up a semi-final against Rob Cross on Tuesday, Littler now has his eyes on the biggest prize of all. Read more