Plateau recorded 2,260 new HIV infections in 2023 (Vanguard)
Dr Cletus Shurkuk, Plateau Commissioner for Health, says the state recorded 2, 260 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections and 581 deaths from the disease in 2023.
Shurkuk said this on Saturday in Jos, at an event to commemorate the 2024 World AIDS day which is marked globally on Dec. 1, with this year’s theme “Take the Right Path”.
According to him, 45, 835 persons in Plateau were living with the disease and were on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Read more
Food inflation jacks up cost of cooking Nigerian jollof rice – Report (Channels)
The rising food inflation rate has increased the average cost of cooking a pot of jollof rice in Nigeria from N20,274 in June to N21,300 in September, reflecting a 5.1% increase.
A report ‘Crisis On The Menu’: The SBM Jollof Index Q3, 2024 said the prices of key ingredients such as tomatoes and peppers, remained high in July, although the Index recorded only a minor reduction of N200.
The previous index highlighted how the prices of ingredients like tomatoes and peppers had surged by over 300% in June, and this only slightly relieved in July. Read more
President Tinubu congratulates newly elected NUJ president (VON)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhassan Yahaya on his election as the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
In a congratulatory statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also congratulated other newly elected members of the NUJ executive. He applauded the Union for organising a rancour-free election at the conference.
President Tinubu also lauded Yahaya’s victory, describing it as a testament to the NUJ members’ confidence in his leadership qualities. Read more
CAN urges lawmakers to protect living faith church’s reputation over airstrip license (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Saturday called on lawmakers to avoid tarnishing the reputation of the Living Faith Church over its recently approved airstrip license.
In October, the Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the license approval for the church to construct an airstrip, to be managed by the federal government through the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency.
The approval has sparked opposition from some members of the House of Representatives, who have called for the revocation of airstrip licenses issued to private organizations and individuals, citing national security concerns. Read more
Lagos unveils revised policy to empower 10m youths (Punch)
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, has unveiled the Revised Lagos State Youth Policy, a strategic document designed to empower over 10 million youths residing in the state.
According to a statement by the ministry’s spokesperson, Adeola Olabisi, the unveiling event took place on Saturday and drew various stakeholders within the youth ecosystem.
In her keynote address, the Secretary to the State Government, Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described youths as “the energy, strength, hope, invention, glory, agility, compass, light, and creativity of the Greater Lagos Rising.” Read more
CACOL satisfied Ex-Kogi Governor Bello has been arraigned – Adeniran (Independent)
The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has expressed satisfaction that at last Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State has finally submitted himself to and arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to account for his actions while in office.
It also commended the Senate for passing the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) bill, now before President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Speaking exclusively with Sunday Independent in Lagos at the weekend, Debo Adeniran, CACOL Chairman, a veteran activist and anti-graft promoter, maintained that the minimum action expected from the anti-graft agencies is that suspects are arrested and prosecuted according to the laws of the land. Read more
Kanu we know, Ekpa we don’t – Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo (DailyTrust)
The Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has stated that the only person they recognise as leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, not Simon Ekpa.
The body also dismissed insinuations from some quarters that there has been a leadership crisis within Ohaneze Ndi Igbo since the death of its late President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Vice President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, made this known at a press conference, on Saturday. Read more
Tax Reform Bills: Present data showing current, projected tax revenue state by state, Dasuki tells Presidency (ThisDay)
Lawmaker representing Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, has advised the Presidency to present data showing tax revenue that accrued to states and the FCT from January to September 2024 under the current tax law and the projected tax revenue that would have accrued to each state in the same period under the proposed tax reform bills for lawmakers and other concerned Nigerians to make informed decision on the tax bills currently before the National Assembly.
Speaking at the weekend, the ranking lawmaker, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services, said providing these data would help lawmakers to do a comparative analysis of the extant tax law and the new tax bills for a sound resolution. Read more
Elle Varner takes a chance on love with ‘Fallin Up’ (RatedRnB)
Elle Varner has returned with her new single “Fallin’ Up” via her independent label Two Twelve Enterprises. It was produced by Jordan Ware, Los Hendrix, and L3gion.
On the dreamy, self-penned ballad, Varner coos about the thrill of a newfound love that feels undeniable. Though she admits to being “scared to death,” she pushes her insecurities aside and follows her heart.
“I could be wrong / But this feels too good to walk away / So I’m in the kitchen / I’m makin’ us some lemonade / And I bring it to the couch and lay / On top of you / And suddenly my whole world is okay,” Varner sings. Read more
Arielle Kebbel says original cast is still “very supportive” of a John Tucker Must Die sequel (People)
Arielle Kebbel says the John Tucker Must Die cast wants a sequel to come to reality.
“There’s a lot of talk about the sequel,” the Rescue: HI-Surf star tells PEOPLE at the Warner Bros. Fall TV Celebration with Fenty Beauty earlier this year. “We’re continuing to do our best to push forward on that.”
She continues: “I don’t quite know what to say without saying much, but, it’s a special, special project. And I can say that everyone’s very supportive of a sequel.” Read more
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat (NPR)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Florida on Friday to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products.
Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders.
A person familiar with the details called it a “positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours.” The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said topics included trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China and pipelines, as well as the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year. Read more
Biden plans to highlight investment, partnership during Africa trip (VOA)
US President Joe Biden will make his first presidential trip to Africa next week, visiting Angola and making a stop in the island nation of Cabo Verde, a top White House official told VOA.
His short visit will center around the Lobito Corridor, a 1,300-kilometer rail line that brings resources from the continent’s rich interior to Angola’s busiest port.
VOA’s Philip Alexiou spoke exclusively with Frances Brown, senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Read more
My Chemical Romance drummer Bob Bryar found dead aged 44 in Tennessee home (Independent)
Bob Bryar, the former drummer for My Chemical Romance, has been found dead aged 44.
Bryar’s body was found in his Tennessee home on Tuesday (26 November) two days before Thanksgiving.
According to TMZ, law enforcement suspect no foul play given that his belongings, including music equipment and weapons, were untouched. Read more
Brutal Gregg Wallace Twitter exchange unearthed amid BBC misconduct claims (Mirror)
TV presenter Gregg Wallace quit his BBC MasterChef presenting role after complaints from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct.
And now many can’t help but remember the star’s savage X (formerly Twitter) exchange as the news came out.
Gregg Wallace hit headlines this week after he stepped down from his MasterChef presenting role amid a probe into misconduct claims. The 60-year-old TV presenter, from Peckham, London, quit his BBC job after complaints from individuals about historical allegations of misconduct. Read more
Andrew Garfield Says, ‘‘I had to work very hard to have less people ask questions about Spider-Man’’ at Marrakech Festival Press Conference (Variety)
While at the Marrakech Film Festival where he’s serving on Luca Guadagnino‘s jury alongside Jacob Elordi, Andrew Garfield said he’s “had to work very hard to have less people ask questions about “Spider-Man.”
“I’m still working on it, obviously. It’s an imperfect process,” he quipped, as he had just been asked a question about his work on the superhero franchise.
Garfield said he was nevertheless “grateful for that time” because “it allowed [him] to maybe have an easier shot at working with people like Martin Scorsese straight after.” Read more
Warlords Enyimba, Rangers lock horns in dicey Oriental derby (Nation)
For the second consecutive week, it is another Oriental derby that headlines this weekend’s fixtures as Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 15 are played across 10 cities nationwide.
It was Heartland versus Enugu Rangers that took centrespread last weekend with the countdown to the encounter, the talk of Owerri metropolis and its environs.
The game later ended goalless despite the tie being action packed and thrilling from start to the finish. Read more
4 Nigerian stars nominated for FIFA Best Awards 2024 (VON)
Four Nigerian football stars—Asisat Oshoala, Ademola Lookman, William Troost-Ekong and Paul Onuachu—have earned nominations for the prestigious FIFA Best Awards 2024, recognizing their outstanding performances over the past year.
Asisat Oshoala is shortlisted for the inaugural Marta Award for her spectacular bicycle kick for Barcelona against Benfica in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Ademola Lookman is nominated for the Best Attacker in the FIFA Best XI after his impressive contributions to Atalanta’s Europa League triumph and Nigeria’s AFCON success. Read more
FIFA inspection approves Saudi Arabia bid to host 2034 World Cup ahead of Dec. 11 decision (WashingtonTimes)
Ahead of giving Saudi Arabia the men’s 2034 World Cup to host, FIFA approved the quality of its bid in a 110-page evaluation Saturday that noted higher risks related to human rights in the oil-rich kingdom.
FIFA’s in-house inspection team noted Saudi Arabia must invest “significant effort and time” to fulfill promises for the tournament that comply with international standards, which were widely criticized this year at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Saudi bid also was scored by FIFA staff as “medium risk” for huge construction projects to build most of the 15 stadiums and dozens of new hotels needed, plus picking which months to play the 48-team, 104-game tournament. Read more
Mbappe’s problem is Real Madrid’s problem, says Ancelotti (Channels)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said Saturday superstar striker Kylian Mbappe’s struggles this season are due to his team’s overall lack of consistency.
The French forward missed a penalty as Spanish and European champions Real Madrid lost on Wednesday in the Champions League against Liverpool, their third defeat in five matches in the competition.
Mbappe, who joined in the summer at the end of his Paris Saint-Germain contract, was criticised for his performance and has netted just two goals in his last nine games for Madrid. Read more
Arne Slot shuffles his Liverpool pack and keeps dealing winning hands (IrishExaminer)
After 19 matches under Arne Slot, Liverpool have failed to win just twice, drawing and losing once. In the opening four matches, the new head coach made a solitary change to his starting XI, but since then necessary tinkering with and rotating of his squad are yet to throw Liverpool off course.
Sixteen of Liverpool’s players are already in double figures when it comes to appearances in all competitions as Slot manages minutes and ensures everyone is at optimal level to perform. While Pep Guardiola, Slot’s opposite number on Sunday, has chopped and changed his Manchester City side without success on account of injuries and form, the Dutchman has manipulated his resources to keep the Premier League leaders flying. Read more
F1 team confirm new name for 2025 season (RN365)
RB team principal Laurent Mekies has confirmed the squad will undergo a name change for the 2025 F1 season.
The Red Bull junior squad ran as Toro Rosso for 14 seasons before rebranding to AlphaTauri in 2020. It went through another name change this year, switching to the RB moniker with a fresh title sponsor in place.
However, the name will be further ironed out next year with RB being extended to Racing Bulls, which has long been unofficially associated with the ‘RB’ label. Read more