PDP Crisis: I’ve met Wike 5 times, says Atiku (Vanguard)
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, he had met with Governor Nyesom Wike five times in attempts to settle the party’s leadership crisis.
Atiku he was now waiting for “the other side”.
Atiku made the revelation at Channels TV town hall meeting on Sunday.
He equally condemed the May 13 lynching of Deborah Samuel by religious extremists in a school in Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy.
Atiku also explained why he deleted a tweet on the matter a day later.
On the PDP crisis, he said contrary to speculations in some quarters, he had held no less than five face-to-face meetings with Wike. Read more
Fuel scarcity: Customs intercepts 33,390 litres of petrol along Badagry waterways (Sun)
Amidst the ongoing fuel scarcity, the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 33,390 litres of Premium Motor Spirit(PMS),popularly called petrol along the Badagry waterways.
A statement made available to Daily Sun on Sunday by the Command Public Relations Officer, SC Hussaini Abdullahi, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bello Jibo, said to stem the tide against the smuggling of petroleum products, the Seme Command has sustained surveillance and patrol along the creeks and beaches within Badagry and its environs leading to remarkable successes.
He said this has led to the interception of 1,113 Jerry cans of petrol with 30 litres each, equivalent to 33,390 litres during a routine patrol in beaches along the Badagry waterways.
He said the seizure with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N8.808 million only was made in the late hours of December 8, 2022. Read more
Sanwo-Olu to unveil Jakande’s statue Friday (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will unveil the statue of a former governor of the state, Lateef Jakande, during the 40th anniversary of Abesan Estate, in the Ipaja area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer, Abesan Estate Residents’ Association, Olufemi Odeyemi, who confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday, said the anniversary would hold from December 10 to 17, 2022.
He said, “The high point of the celebration is the unveiling of the statue of Pa Lateef Jakande by the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, December 16, 2022, at Ayoola bus stop in the estate.
“The wife and family of late Pa Lateef Jakande will also be at the unveiling. The event is expected to host more than 5,000 residents and many popular musicians who are also residents of Abesan will also be performing at the event.” Read more
Son of ex-Lagos military gov, Mudashiru killed by hit-and-run driver (Vanguard)
Dr Olaolu Mudashiru, the son of a former Lagos Military Governor Group Captain Gbolahan Mudashiru, has been killed by a yet-to-identified motorists.
Olaolu was hit while cycling with two other persons on the Bourdillon Road in Ikoyi, Lagos State on Sunday morning.
He was hit by a hit and run car who fled the accident scene.
“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing this morning of a senior Ex-Boy, Dr Olaolu Mudasiru (Dr.Bob) of a cycling accident in Lagos by 5am this morning. He was the senior brother to an esteemed colleague of ours on this forum, Olusola Mudasiru. Rest in Perfect Peace my brother. May God grant you eternal rest,” Omolulu posted. Read more
Wizkid apologises to Ghanaian fans for failing to show up at concert (Tribune)
Grammy Award-winning Afrobeat artiste, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun better known as Wizkid, has offered an apology to his Ghanaian fans for failing to show up at his much-anticipated concert in Accra, Ghana.
Nigerian Tribune had reported that the concert which was to be headlined by Wizkid himself was set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on December 10, 2022.
Wizkid’s failure to appear at the venue generated negative reactions on social media, as many of his disappointed Ghanaian fans took to social media to lambast him over the development.
The Afrobeat sensation has however taken to his verified Twitter to apologise to all his fans who felt disappointed by his non-appearance. Read more
PAP to absorb ex-agitators in MDAs, security agencies (Leadership)
Interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj-Gen. Tariye Ndiomu (rtd) has intensified his efforts to absorb the beneficiaries of the amnesty into ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs) as well as conventional security organisations after their training.
The latest of such drive came recently in Abuja when Ndiomu visited to the inspector-general of police (IGP) Alkali Baba Usman at the Police Headquarters in Abuja to solicit the support of the Police High Command in the recruitment of ex-agitators to its rank and file and officers’ corp.
A statement by the special adviser on media to the Interim administrator, Thomas Peretu, Gen Ndiomu revealed that the PAP has over the years trained a lot of youths from the Niger Delta region who would fit into manpower needs of the Police.
Ndiomu while appreciating the Police High Command for providing security services at PAP offices and facilities in Abuja and across the Niger Delta region also called on the Service to absolve the beneficiaries. Read more
Service to Humanity: Seadogs clear Sapele Market of dirt (Independent)
As part of the activities marking the 70th anniversary of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), the association has commenced the official implementation of its programme tagged: “Weekend Service to Humanity”
The exercise involved the clearing and cleaning of Sapele Market of dirt and refuse to keep the environment clean, and hygienic for the traders and visitors.
In his speech at the occasion, the Deck Capoon of the National Association of Seadogs in the area, Dr. Michael Eyide, explained that the event was another vivid demonstration of the Confraternity’s abiding commitment to lend helping hands to mankind.
He said they chose to do this in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN SDG 3: Good Health/ Well-being. Read more
FMN boosts local content development, promotes SMEs through innovation competition (Sun)
Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN) has restated its drive at improving the Nigerian food value chain through boosting local content development and using innovative techniques to sustain the Agro-allied sector. This is even as it announced the commencement and call for applications in the second edition of its ‘Prize for Innovation”(PFI) Competition.
The yearly competition, which started in 2021, is aimed at promotion of new ideas to boost the quest for food self-sufficiency in Nigeria. Themed “Innovative techniques for local content development in the food and agro-allied sector”, this year’s edition will focus on facilitating the use of local content within the Nigerian food value chain, for sustainable food production.
Participants in this year’s competition are expected to unleash their innovative and cutting-edge solutions to ensure Nigeria’s food & agro-allied sector, moves from a dependence on the importation of raw materials to prioritize local capacity development. Read more
James Bond favourite Aaron Taylor-Johnson has ‘already filmed classic 007 gun barrel sequence’ (Metro)
Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has reportedly already filmed footage as James Bond for the series’ iconic 007 opening gun barrel sequence.
The current bookies’ favourite for the part, the 32-year-old was said to have impressed in a secret audition for producer Barbara Broccoli at Pinewood Studios in November.
As rumours spread of this alleged meeting, the Bullet Train actor has emerged as a front runner ahead of other names said to be in the mix including Henry Cavill, Bridgerton’s Regé-Jean Page, Tom Hardy, Granchester’s James Norton and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
It’s the hottest part in Hollywood following the most recent 007’s departure, Daniel Craig, who helmed the 007 productions in five movies from 2006’s Casino Royale until No Time To Die, released last year. Read more
Nasa’s Orion capsule makes safe return to Earth (BBC)
The American space agency Nasa has brought home its next-generation astronaut ship after a near-26-day mission to orbit the Moon.
The Orion capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after a fiery re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere and a descent that was further slowed by parachutes.
Because this was a test, there were no people aboard this time, but that will change for the next flight.
Nasa is planning ever more complex missions with Orion.
These will likely start in late 2024 and include, in 2025 or 2026, an attempt to put humans back on the lunar surface. Read more
Chris Brown drops off 2 new Christmas visuals (HipHopDX)
Chris Brown has shifted into the holiday spirit, delivering visuals for two new Christmas songs that appear on a repackaged collection of music.
“No Time Like Christmas” hears Breezy serenading the object of his affection with a sultry, slow jam featuring a mix of suggestive and romantic lyrics like, “How you want it mama? I got several options made for two/Dinner’s on the table, I’m so thankful I was made for you.”
The up-tempo “It’s Giving Christmas” offers fans a more family friendly version of Chris Brown, as he sings, “No matter all the riches or poorest/we’re all here as one/Christmas is giving/ we’re all here for love.”
“No Time Like Christmas” was released as the B-side to “It’s Giving Christmas” as a single on November 16. However, the two songs also appear on a 35-track re-release of the extended edition of Chris Brown’s tenth studio album Breezy. Read more
Kings of Pop Stock Aitken Waterman to reunite for Channel 5 documentary (Standard)
Pop producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman are set to reunite for a Channel 5 documentary featuring interviews with Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Jason Donovan and Simon Cowell.
The trio penned many of the enduring hits of the 1980s and 1990s, and helped launch the careers of some of music’s biggest stars.
The three-part documentary titled Stock Aitken Waterman: Step Back In Time reunites the record producers who dominated the music scene and tells the story of success but also of “fractured relationships and court cases”, Channel 5 said.
The broadcaster said it will include rare and unseen footage telling the inside story about how a handshake outside a London pub brought the talented trio together. Read more
Everything Everywhere All At Once and Tar tie for Best Picture award at The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards (DailyMail)
Critically-acclaimed favorites Everything Everywhere All At Once and Tar continue to pick up momentum as awards season heats up, with both films tying for Best Picture at The Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards.
The LAFCA have only voted for a tie for Best Picture four times in its 47-year history, the first coming in its inaugural year in 1975 when they voted for Dog Day Afternoon and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as Best Picture.
They also tied in 1976 (Network and Rocky) and 2013 (Her and Gravity), and the picks could offer a sneak peek at what the Oscar nominations look like when they’re announced on January 24.
Everything Everywhere All At Once also took home Best Supporting Performer for Ke Huy Quan, while Michelle Yeoh took Runner-Up for Best Lead Performer and Jason Kisvarday took Runner-Up for Best Production Design. Read more
Georgia Holt, singer and mother of Cher, dies at 96 (Variety)
Georgia Holt, a singer, actor and mother to pop legend Cher, has died. She was 96.
Cher broke the news on Twitter Saturday evening, writing “mom is gone.” No other details, including a cause or exact date of death, are available at this time.
In September, Holt had been admitted to a hospital with pneumonia after facing some recurring health struggles.
“Sorry I’ve been Mia. Mom’s Been Sick Off & On. She Just Got Out Of Hosp. She Had Pneumonia. She’s Getting Better,” Cher shared on Sept. 9. Read more
27 suspected Ethiopian migrants found dead in Zambia (VOA)
Zambian police Sunday found the bodies of 27 men, believed to be migrants from Ethiopia, dumped in a farming area on the outskirts of the capital after they died from suspected hunger and exhaustion, authorities said.
A sole survivor was found alive in the early hours of Sunday morning and rushed to a Lusaka hospital for treatment, while the dead were transported to the mortuary for identification and post mortems to determine the exact cause of death, police said.
Preliminary police investigations showed the victims were all males aged between 20 and 38 and had been dumped along a road by unknown people.
“Police and other security wings have since instituted investigations into the matter,” Danny Mwale, police spokesman, said in a statement after police were alerted to the gruesome scene by members of the public. Read more
After Brazil, tough contenders Croatia aim to end Messi’s dream (AlJazeera)
Croatia has already ended the World Cup dream of Brazil’s Neymar; now they hope to do the same to Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
But, the Croat side will not attempt to stop the Argentina superstar by man-marking him, instead they will focus on immobilising the entire team in their World Cup semifinal on Tuesday, members of the team said.
“We don’t have a specific plan yet for stopping Messi and usually we don’t concentrate on stopping one player but the entire team,” Croatia’s striker Bruno Petkovic told a news conference on Sunday.
“We will try to stop them as a team and not with man-marking. Argentina is not only Messi, they have a number of great players. We have to stop the entire Argentina team,” he said. Read more
FIRS beat SEC, win CBN football tourney (Punch)
ThankGod Ikeagwu’s 20th minute goal in the final against Securities and Exchange Commission crowned Federal Inland Revenue Service FC champions of the 35th All-Financial Institutions Football Competition organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation.
The keenly contested final, which was held at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe on Saturday night, kept fans on their toes, but FIRS held on after their early goal to clinch a hard-fought 1-0 as well as the title and the star prize of N2m.
Runners-up SEC received N1.5m, while Unity Bank, who emerged third after defeating Bubayero Microfinance FC in the losers final, were given N1m.
Speaking shortly after the event, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who was represented by Shehu Alhaji-Goringo, expressed continued support for the competition, following its far-reaching impact. Read more
Mikel Arteta gets perfect response as Arsenal deal with Gabriel Jesus injury blow (Mirror)
Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has told Mikel Arteta that he is ready to help keep the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes alive in the absence of Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus has quickly established himself as the main man at Emirates Stadium following his £45 million switch from Manchester City in the summer. But the 25-year-old is facing up to three months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery last week in a bid to repair a knee injury he sustained at the World Cup with Brazil.
Gunners academy graduate Nketiah has found regular first-team action hard to come by following Jesus’ arrival, but he is expected to be handed a more prominent role in the wake of the latter’s injury.
Nketiah has stressed that he is ready to seize the opportunity with both hands, admitting that he has been biding his time and preparing in recent months. Read more
Pele urges Neymar to keep playing for Brazil (Nation)
Neymar’s international future is unclear following Brazil’s World Cup quarter final defeat to Croatia on Friday.
The 30-year-old, who went joint top of Brazil’s all-time goalscoring charts with the opening goal in the match, said that he was left feeling “psychologically destroyed” following Brazil’s elimination from the tournament.
Speaking directly after Friday’s match, Neymar was coy on his international future, despite reports before the tournament stating that Qatar would be his final World CupI am not closing any doors on the national team, but I am also not guaranteeing 100 per cent that I will return.”
The man with whom Neymar went level for Brazil goals with was Pele. The footballing icon, who recently had a health scare, was quick to urge Neymar to carry on playing for his country. In a message on Instagram, Pele asked Neymar to keep inspiring Brazil. Read more
Inspired by Morocco World Cup run, Laklalech takes LPGA spot (RFI)
Inspired by her homeland’s historic run at the World Cup, Moroccan golfer Ines Laklalech earned a place on the 2023 LPGA Tour after an eight-round qualifying tournament ended Sunday.
Laklalech fired a one-over par 73 in Sunday’s final round at Highland Oaks in Dothan, Alabama, to finish on 19-under par 555 and share 12th place.
Despite closing with her worst round of the event, her total meant the 25-year-old from Casablanca was among those who claimed berths on next year’s LPGA Tour.
Laklalech fired her low round of the event, a 6-under 66, on Saturday as her beloved Atlas Lions, the Morocco national team, became the first African and Arab team to advance to the World Cup semi-finals by upsetting Portugal 1-0 in Qatar. Read more
Joel Embiid scores 53, carries 76ers to win over Hornets (ESPN)
Joel Embiid had 53 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 131-113 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
With the home crowd serenading him with “MVP!” chants, Embiid posted his second 50-plus point performance of the season and the fourth 50-plus point game of his career. It is also the 30th game in Embiid’s career with 40 points and 10 rebounds. The only other player in franchise history to accomplish that feat was Wilt Chamberlain.
Tobias Harris scored 17 points and James Harden added 14 for the Sixers.
Charlotte was led by Kelly Oubre Jr. and Terry Rozier, who each scored 29 points. The Hornets have lost five straight games. Read more