Outage hits parts of Presidential Villa, 7 others as vandals attack, steal power cable (Channels)
Power supply has been disrupted to some parts of the Presidential Villa, Maitama, Wuse, Jabi, Lifecamp, Asokoro, Utako, and Mabushi, following vandalism of the 132kV transmission line and carting away of underground cable supplying bulk electricity to the Central Area transmission substation in Katampe.
The vandals also carted away a 40-meter 1x500mm XLPE conductor.
Ndidi Mbah, Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, revealed in a statement on Friday. Read more
PDP crisis deepens as Wike/Fubara feud divides NWC members (DailyTrust)
The crisis rocking the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new turn with members of the National Working Committee (NWC) divided over their support for the state Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The two political leaders have been at daggers drawn over the control of the the party since they fell out months ago.
Addressing a press conference on Friday at the PDP headquarters in Abuja, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi said the spokesman of the party, Debo Ologunagba, was not authorised to speak for the PDP on the Rivers crisis. Read more
Man in court over alleged threat to life of Ekiti Catholic Bishop (Leadership)
One Victor Akande has been arraigned before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly threatening the life of the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye.
Twenty-four-year old Akande, who was arraigned by the Ekiti State Police Command, according to the charge, committed the offence on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the Bishop’s Court around 8:30 pm.
The charge read, “That you, Akande Victor, on 15th January 2025 at 8:30 pm, at the Bishop’s Court, did threaten the life of Ekiti Catholic Bishop, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye, and also on the same day, time and aforementioned place, did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace. Read more
Ogun deputy gov denies attack by MAPOLY students (Punch)
The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako- Oyedele has said contrary to media reports, she was never attacked by the students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
Salako-Oyedele was said to have made this disclosure when the management of the Polytechnic led by its Rector, Arc ‘Koye Jolaoso visited her over the said reported attack.
This is just as the management of the Institution has also reinstated the Students Union Government dissolved on Tuesday due to the student’s face-off with the institution over the delay in mobilising the students for the national youth service, and fee hike among others. Read more
NNPP secures court injunction against parallel leadership faction (Tribune)
The leadership of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has secured an interim injunction from a Federal Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) against a faction of the party from electing parallel executives at the national and state levels to run the affairs of the party.
The national leadership of NNPP loyal to the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Dr Musa Kwankwaso and the camp camp loyal to the founder of the party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam have been embroiled in a power struggle over the control of the structure of the party founded in 2022.
In a suit No.FCT/HC/CV/5518/2024, the court barred members of the group led by Aneibonam from parading themselves as members of the NNPP, as well as holding congresses and a nation. Read more
Kano to revive 44 abandoned garment industries – Official (Guardian)
The Kano State Government says it is committed to revive all abandoned garment clusters initiated by the administration of former governor, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Mohammed Tajo-Othman, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Kano.
Othman, expressed disappointment over the state of the centres across the 44 local government areas. Read more
I’ll only accept Mohbad’s child as my grandson if … – Late singer’s father (Vanguard)
The father of late Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa, known as Mohbad, Joseph Aloba, has expressed his frustrations over his strained relationship with his son’s wife and son.
Speaking during an appearance on Silverbird TV on Friday, Aloba also lamented the handling of the legal proceedings surrounding Mohbad’s tragic death.
He revealed that he has not seen Mohbad’s wife, Wunmi, or their son, Liam, since the singer’s passing, stating that it is not his responsibility to reach out to them. Read more
UNILAG holds ceremony for ultramodern Fanimokun SPGS building (Nation)
As part of the activities marking the University of Lagos (UNILAG) 2024 convocation ceremonies, the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the ultramodern Fanimokun SPGS building.
The new site, located next to the UNILAG Human Resources and Development Centre (HRDC), was donated by Chief Tunde Fanimokun, a renowned administrator and developmental economist.
In addition to the SPGS building, Chief Fanimokun pledged to donate a Language Laboratory, establish a Professorial Chair in Gerontology, and support infrastructure development for student hostels and staff housing. Read more
Cameron Diaz says she would have been a ‘Fool’ not to return to acting after 10-year hiatus: ‘Grateful for It’ (People)
Cameron Diaz is opening up about her return to acting.
During the Jan. 17 episode of The Graham Norton Show, the actress, 52, appeared alongside her Back in Action costar Jamie Foxx to discuss their new movie, her first in a decade, and shared how Foxx, 57, influenced her decision to make a comeback.
“I am back all thanks to Jamie,” she said. “I had 10 years of not paying attention to anything; not accepting any advances, and then I got this script and thought that maybe it was time.” Read more
Italy commits €400m to support Tunisia’s energy initiatives (AfricaNews)
Italy and Tunisia formalised a two-year partnership on Thursday, with Italy pledging 400 million euros to support development initiatives focused on energy transition and the advancement of renewable energy sources.
This new commitment marks a significant increase, doubling Italy’s previous financial engagement from the 2021-2023 agreement.
The agreement was signed in a ceremony in Rome by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali Nafti. Read more
Israeli security cabinet approves Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal (Axios)
The Israeli cabinet will convene on Friday to approve the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal, which the smaller security cabinet has already approved.
Why it matters: Approval by the full cabinet is the final hurdle before the deal can be implemented. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the ceasefire and the process of freeing hostages are expected to start on Sunday at 4pm local time (9am ET).
State of play: The cabinet meeting was moved up from Saturday night at the urging of the director of Israel’s Shin Bet intelligence agency, Ronen Bar, according to an Israeli official. Read more
Mac Miller’s posthumous album “Balloonerism” drops to rave reviews (Allhiphop)
Mac Miller’s long-awaited posthumous album “Balloonerism” has finally arrived, accompanied by a short animated film.
Mac Miller’s second posthumous album, Balloonerism, has arrived alongside a short film more than six years after the rapper’s untimely passing.
Recorded between 2013 and 2014, the 14-track project, released Friday (January 16), follows 2020’s Circles. Read more
Biden won’t enforce TikTok ban on his way out: Official (Billboard)
President Joe Biden won’t enforce a ban on the social media app TikTok that is set to take effect a day before he leaves office on Monday, a U.S. official said Thursday, leaving its fate in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump.
Congress last year, in a law signed by Biden, required that TikTok’s China-based parent company ByteDance divest the company by Jan. 19, a day before the presidential inauguration. The official said the outgoing administration was leaving the implementation of the law — and the potential enforcement of the ban — to Trump.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss internal Biden administration thinking. Read more
After charm offensive, Ukraine braces for Trump’s return (ABC)
President-elect Donald Trump will return to office on Monday having promised a peace deal to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, which is still raging nearly three years after President Vladimir Putin troops crossed into Ukraine expecting to be welcomed as heroes.
It is hard to say how Trump will try to unpick the twisted knot constricting eastern Europe.
The president-elect has hinted at territorial concessions and reduced aid for Ukraine in pursuit of peace, but has also suggested the U.S. will expand military support if Putin refuses to come to the table. Read more
Callum Parslow: White supremacist with Hitler tattoo who stabbed asylum seeker jailed for life (Mirror)
Callum Ulysses Parslow, who has been jailed for life, tried to post on social media in the minutes after the attack saying he “just did my duty to England” after attacking his victim
A white supremacist who has Hitler’s signature tattooed on his arm has been jailed for life after attempting to murder an asylum seeker he wanted to “exterminate”.
Callum Ulysses Parslow tried to post to social media in the minutes after the attack saying he “just did my duty to England” but the message failed to send. He was found guilty by a jury who heard he had stabbed Nahom Hagos in the chest and hand at the Pear Tree Inn at Smite hotel, near Worcester in April last year. Read more
Gauff dominates Fernandez at Austalian Open but Osaka retires injured (AlJazeera)
Coco Gauff has extended her unblemished start to the season with a straight-sets win over Leylah Fernandez on Friday to roll into the second week of the Australian Open.
The American world number three, one of the favourites for the Melbourne title, eased to a 6-4, 6-2 third-round win on Rod Laver Arena against the 30th seed from Canada.
Gauff is yet to drop a set this season in eight matches having won all five of her singles at the season-opening United Cup, including a 6-3, 6-2 win over Fernandez which was the pair’s only previous clash. Read more
Iwobi rallies Fulham’s mates for Leicester (Nation)
Super Eagles winger Alex Iwobi has urged his teammates to strive to correct the mistakes that led to their defeat to West Ham ahead of their Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.
Iwobi grabbed a brace but it was not enough to hand them the maximum points as they stumbled to a 3-2 defeat to West Ham in the London derby.
Ahead of the fixture with the Foxes billed for the King Power Stadium, Iwobi noted that Fulham were not able to defend very well as a team and paid dearly for it with a defeat but charged them to correct that against Leicester City this Saturday. Read more
2026 WCQ: Super Eagles potential far exceeds their position in the group — Zimbabwe Head coach (CompleteSports)
Zimbabwe coach Michael Nees has disclosed that the Super Eagles potential far exceeds their current position in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Recall that Nigeria will face Zimbabwe a few days after battling Rwanda when the qualifiers resume in March. The last time both teams met, the game ended 1-1.
Speaking with CAFonline, Nees stated that Nigeria remains one of the top teams in African football. Read more
Draper to play Alcaraz after another five-set epic (BBC)
Britain’s Jack Draper fought through his third successive five-setter at the Australian Open to tee up a blockbuster meeting with Spanish third seed Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round.
Draper, seeded 15th, won 6-4 2-6 5-7 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (10-8) against home hope Aleksandar Vukic in another late-night thriller.
The British number one had already quelled a partisan Australian crowd by beating Thanasi Kokkinakis in an epic on Wednesday – and showed more of his monster mentality two days later. Read more
Erling Haaland explains decision to sign astonishing new Man City contract until 2034 (Metro)
Erling Haaland said it was an ‘easy decision’ to extend his stay with Manchester City after signing an astonishing nine-and-a-half-year new contract to keep him at the club until 2034.
The Norwegian striker, 24, has scored a remarkable 111 goals in 126 games since joining City from Borussia Dortmund for €60million (£51m) in 2022.
Haaland’s current deal was due to expire in June 2027, with long-term speculation linking him with an eventual move to Real Madrid. Read more
Anthony Watson: England, Lions and Leicester back forced to retire from rugby on medical grounds (SkySports)
England, British and Irish Lions and Leicester Tigers back Anthony Watson has been forced to retire from rugby on medical grounds.
The 30-year-old, who last appeared in the Gallagher Premiership in December, had been restricted to just seven appearances for Leicester Tigers over the last two seasons by a series of injuries.
A calf injury saw Watson miss out on representing England at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, before Achilles problems and back surgery hampered the remainder of his season with Leicester, ultimately forcing him to call time on his distinguished career. Read more