‘No panic,’ Nigerian pastor Tobi Adegboyega dismisses imminent deportation reports (Punch)
Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, whose church, SPAC Nation, was shut down over allegations of financial misconduct, has dismissed reports of his impending deportation from the United Kingdom.
In a video address to his followers posted on his official Instagram page on Wednesday, Adegboyega, 44, reassured his supporters, stating, “I’ve heard a lot today, and I’m doing this because of our fans, our friends, people who are worried. I’m right here at home, no cause for alarm, and naturally I’ll dismiss things that have to do with retrogression.
“Every Nigerian should be proud of me. In the UK, a city that is well known for pulling people down, I’ve survived all sorts. So, the matter that they are propagating now is the smallest of matter. Read more
10,000 benefit from subsidized food items in Ogun (Dailytrust)
At least 10,000 residents of Abeokuta, Ogun State, have benefitted from a subsidized foodstuffs initiative of the Deputy Minority Leader of State House of Assembly, Lukman Atobatele.
Atobatele, who is representing Abeokuta South Constituency I, recently rolled out the initiative of 20 percent discount on food items to his constituents, as part of efforts to address the prevailing economic hardship on the people.
The subsided food market is opened once in a month where items like rice, yam, egg, pepper, palm oil and other foodstuffs are sold to residents at 20 percent discount of the prevailing market rate. Read more
Mercy Aigbe’s multi-million naira Lagos home gutted by fire (Nation)
Award-winning actress Mercy Aigbe‘s multi-million naira house has been gutted by fire.
The inferno destroyed property and valuables, leaving the actress devastated.
According to reports, the fire could have been prevented, adding to the emotional toll on the Nollywood star. Read more
UNILAG inducts 112 new pharmacists (Independent)
The Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos (UNILAG), on Tuesday, officially inducted 112 new pharmacists into the Pharmaceutical profession.
The inductees, part of the 2023/2024 cohort, were honored at the induction ceremony held at the Old Great Hall, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, the event marked another significant milestone in the university’s commitment to producing qualified professionals for industry needs while contributing to national development. Read more
FRSC clarifies viral video of drunk officer as resolved 2018 incident (Vanguard)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has addressed the circulation of an old video showing one of its personnel, Deputy Route Commander B. Ojeamiren, allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Corps clarified that the incident occurred in 2018 and had been thoroughly investigated, with disciplinary measures taken against the officer at the time.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Assistant Corps Marshal and Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the FRSC reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining discipline within its ranks and condemned the behavior depicted in the video. Read more
Lagos Shopping will create jobs, drive commerce — Sanwo-Olu (Tribune)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has stated that the inaugural Lagos Shopping Festival, scheduled to take place from December 23 to 25 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island, will create employment opportunities and boost commercial activities in the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this assertion during the unveiling of the festival’s symbol at the Lagos House, Ikeja. He explained that the Lagos Shopping Festival aims to stimulate commerce by supporting local businesses, attracting global brands, and generating direct and indirect employment opportunities through vendor participation, logistics, and event and entertainment management.
The governor noted that the festival, organized by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts in collaboration with Tolaram Africa Group, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, and Chain Reactions Africa, is expected to attract both local and international tourists to Lagos. Read more
FG files suit against Nigerdock, 7 directors over alleged tax evasion (Channels)
The Federal Government has filed a 6-count criminal charge against Nigerdock Nigeria Limited and seven of its directors over alleged tax evasion.
The charge dated November 26 was filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The seven directors listed alongside Nigerdock Nigeria Limited in the charge are Maher Jarmakani, Adewale Akanbi, Michael Akhigbe, Daniel Ayscough, Patrick Van Uden, Adebola Adesoye and Rutger Ten Thij. Read more
How ex-Kwara Gov allegedly misused N5b UBEC fund – EFCC Witness (NewTelegraph)
The trial of the immediate past Governor of Kwara State, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his Finance Commissioner, Ademola Banu, over alleged stealing and mismanagement of public funds to the tune of N5.78bn, got underway on Wednesday before Justice Mahmud Abdulgafar of the Kwara State High sitting in Ilorin.
The former Governor and his Finance Commissioner, among other things, were alleged to have conspired to steal money meant for payment of salaries of teachers working with the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board, UBEC, as well as money meant to provide security and other infrastructural facilities for the people of the State, leading to their arraignment on October 21, 2024 by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, though the duo
pleaded not guilty to the charges. Consequently, they were admitted to bail, and the case was adjourned for trial. Read more
Drake claims small victory over Kendrick Lamar as Spotify’s most streamed rapper in 2024 (HipHopDX)
Drake has scored a minor win over Kendrick Lamar when it comes to year-end listener statistics: he’s the victor when it comes to Spotify.
On Wednesday (December 4), Spotify announced its most-streamed artists globally for the year as part of its Spotify Wrapped campaign. Drizzy was the highest-ranking rapper on the list.
He was fourth overall, behind Taylor Swift, The Weeknd and Bad Bunny. The other rappers in the top 10 were Travis Scott (no. 6) and Kanye West (no. 8). Read more
Man wished parents a happy anniversary before going on morning walk. He returned to find them and sister slain (People)
What was supposed to be a day of celebration for a family in India on Wednesday turned into a nightmare when a son came home to find his parents and younger sister slain in the family’s home.
Arjun Kumar told police in South Dehli that he discovered his father Rajesh, his mother Komal, and his younger sister Kavita slain inside the family’s home early Wednesday morning after returning from his morning walk.
Rajesh, 51, and Komal, 46, were set to celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary later that day, according to family members who spoke to the media. India Today, The Deccan Herald, and The India Tribune all reported, citing police, that the three family members were found stabbed to death inside the home, discovered by Arjun, who alerted neighbors to the grisly scene, who then contacted police. Read more
Mozambique opposition calls for new protests as post-vote tensions escalate (AfricaNews)
More than fifty days after Mozambique’s election, the fight over the vote’s outcome has not subsided. On Monday, the opposition presidential candidate and runner up in the October 8 election called for new protests.
In a video published on Facebook, Venancio Mondlane urged his supporters to block traffic. There have been near daily rallies across the southern African country since electoral authorities declared the ruling party’s Daniel Chapo as the vote winner.
The opposition is contesting what they say is a fraudulent victory by Frelimo, the party that has governed Mozambique since 1975. Read more
French government collapses in no-confidence vote (BBC)
The French government has collapsed after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote.
MPs voted overwhelmingly in support of the motion against him – just three months after he was appointed by President Emmanuel Macron.
Opposition parties had tabled the motion after the former Brexit negotiator controversially used special powers to force through his budget without a vote. Read more
Trump nominates Musk collaborator to head space agency NASA (AlJazeera)
Jared Isaacman, a tech billionaire who made the first private spacewalk in collaboration with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been nominated by United States President-elect Donald Trump to lead NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The nomination of Isaacman was announced on Wednesday as Trump named a slew of appointments, including his former White House adviser Peter Navarro, who served prison time this year for obstructing a congressional investigation, as his senior counsellor for trade and manufacturing.
Isaacman, 41, a self-described “space geek” who made his money as the founder of a payment processing company, is also an accomplished fighter pilot who owns a Florida company that trains air force pilots. Read more
UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson fatally shot in midtown Manhattan (UPI)
UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed by a masked gunman in midtown Manhattan Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
CNN, ABC and CNBC reported the attacker used a silenced firearm in what is believed to be a targeted attack as Thompson attended a New York City investors conference.
An NYPD spokesperson confirmed that a man believed to be the 50-year-old UnitedHeath Group CEO was shot in front of 1335 Avenue of the Americas at 6:46 a.m. in midtown Manhattan but did not share the identity of the man. Read more
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir bought by BBC Children’s and Education in the U.K. (Variety)
Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, the global hit TV series from the blockbuster Paris-set animation franchise, has been bought by BBC Children’s and Education and will see its fifth season debut on the network later this week.
Brokered by Mediawan Kids and Family, the deal encompasses broadcasting rights for seasons one through six of the series, as well as five Miraculous World TV event specials. The franchise hails from Miraculous Corp, a new joint venture between Mediawan and ZAG. The latter’s founder, Jeremy Zag, produced as well as co-created the series with Thomas Astruc and Nathanaël Bronn.
The series follows the lives of two Parisian teenagers, Marinette and Adrien, who transform into the superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir to protect their city from mysterious villains while navigating the challenges of school, friendships, and secret identities. Read more
Nnadozie to battle Banda, Chawinga for 2024 CAF Women’s Player Of The Year Award (CompleteSports)
Super Falcons and Paris FC goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made the final shortlist for the 2024 CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
Nnadozie is one of five players who made the final shortlist which was announced on CAF’s X handle on Wednesday.
Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade, did not make the final cut.Nandozie will be up against Zambia’s Barbara Banda and sisters Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga from Malawi and also Sanaa Mssoudy from Morocco. Read more
Iwobi tops Fulham’s Premier League goal contributions list (Punch)
Super Eagle Alex Iwobi has emerged as Fulham’s most influential attacking force this season, leading the team’s goal contributions chart with six involvements – three goals and three assists in 13 Premier League appearances, as they prepare to host Brighton & Hove Albion at Craven Cottage on Thursday (today).
The Nigeria international reached a significant milestone in his last home game, netting his 25th Premier League goal in Fulham’s 4-1 defeat to Wolves at Craven Cottage, before following up with another crucial contribution by providing his third assist of the campaign in the subsequent 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Marco Silva’s side salvaged that point against Spurs in North London last weekend in a match that ended in eventful fashion for captain Tom Cairney, who was sent off late in the game. Silva was left frustrated after the match, insisting his Fulham side “deserved to win.” Read more
Liverpool held in Newcastle thriller; Arsenal inflicts Amorim’s first defeat (JapanToday)
Liverpool’s Premier League lead was cut to seven points by Arsenal and Chelsea after the Reds conceded a 90th-minute equaliser in a thrilling 3-3 draw at Newcastle on Wednesday.
Chelsea thrashed 10-man Southampton 5-1 to go second on goal difference ahead of Arsenal, who beat Manchester United 2-0.
Manchester City snapped their seven-game winless run by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 to go fourth.
Mohamed Salah’s second-half double was not enough to extend Liverpool’s seven-game winning run in all competitions as they failed to win for just the third time in 21 games under Arne Slot. Read more
“Sad, disappointed” Mbappe pays penalty as Bilbao beat Real Madrid (France24)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Kylian Mbappe was “sad” after missing another penalty as champions Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.
A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool, he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage.
Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss. Read more
West Ham head coach’s future understood to be hanging in the balance after Leicester defeat (SkySports)
Julen Lopetegui’s future as West Ham head coach is understood to be hanging in the balance, with the club’s board split 60-40 over whether to sack him.
The club’s board are currently weighing up whether to sack him following the defeats to Arsenal and Leicester, which have left West Ham 14th in the Premier League.
It is understood a final decision on Lopetegui’s future will be made by Friday. Read more
Novak Djokovic suffers Andy Murray coaching blow ahead of Brisbane International event (Metro)
Novak Djokovic is set to be without new coach Andy Murray for his first tennis tournament of 2025 at the Brisbane International.
Djokovic delighted tennis fans last month when he surprisingly announced that his former Big Four rival Murray had joined his coaching team.
Murray entered retirement in August and will now help coach Djokovic into and during the first Grand Slam of the year at the 2025 Australian Open. Read more