Police arrest, parade suspects allegedly running Gistlover blog (Channels)
The Nigeria Police Force says its Cybercrime Centre acting on a petition at the instance of Hon and Doctor Mrs Seye Oladejo has arrested three persons in connection with a case of, cyberstalking, and threat to life.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Friday, said suspects namely Adebukola Kolapo, Nnedum Micheal Somtomchukwu and Isaac Akpokighe, all males of ages 27, 25 and 30, respectively are members of a syndicate called Gistlover family, responsible for the daily running of the Gistlover blog, a microblogging platform known for cyberstalking, incitement, blackmail, and sundry, which has over the years been a course for public outcry. Read more
Ensure victory against threats, Tinubu tasks security chiefs (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu on Friday tasked the nation’s security chiefs to ensure that there is a conclusive victory against the myriad of security threats assailing the country.
The President gave the charge while addressing security chiefs and heads of intelligence agencies during the presidential security briefing at the State House, Abuja.
He said while good progress is being made with the elimination of some security threats across multiple theatres, success will ultimately be defined by a final conclusion to the multi-dimensional menace. Read more
Remains of late Ondo governor, Akeredolu arrives Nigeria (Tribune)
The remains of the late governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Friday arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at about 3:39 pm.
The remains of the late Akeredolu who passed away in Germany were received by a delegation of the state government comprising the secretary to the state government, commissioners, lawmakers, associates and family members of the deceased.
The body was received by his wife, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother. Read more
6 killed as terrorists ambush traders in Katsina (DailyTrust)
At least six traders were killed when terrorists opened fire on more than 20 vehicles in a convoy of traders in Katsina State.
The terrorists attacked the vehicles that were going to a weekly market from Mai Dabino town to Yantumaki in Danmusa local government of Katsina.
The incident happened Friday morning, when the people left Mai Dabino town on their way to go Yantumaki with military escort. Read more
Sani condemns attack, kidnap, killings of scores in Southern Kaduna communities (Guardian)
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has lamented the attack and killings in Southern Kaduna Communities where scores of people were also kidnapped by the bandits.
Sani said “We have received information from security forces that a band of bandits attacked Dokan Karji general area of Kauru LGA and other locations in Gefe general area of Kajuru LGA. In these locations, lives were lost, some citizens were kidnapped and others injured in the unfortunate attacks.”
The Governor who expressed his anger against the gruesome attack and killings by the terrorists in the communities remarked that he “condemn in the strongest terms these acts of savagery. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes have no place in a civilised society like ours. We shall go to any length to hunt them down and bring them to justice.” Read more
Nigerian art student sets new Guinness World Record (Leadership)
Nigerian art student Chancellor Ahaghotu has shattered a decade-old record for the longest painting marathon, completing a continuous 100-hour painting session, the Guinness World Records (GWR) has announced on its website.
GWR stated that Ahaghotu, a sophomore at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, surpassed the previous record of 60 hours, set 10 years ago by Roland Palmaerts (Belgium/Canada) in 2013.
According to GWR guidelines, for this record, the participant can either work on one large painting or create multiple pieces, but all paintings must depict a recognizable image, not abstract art. Read more
I regret marrying 4-year-old girl, 54-year-old, ‘‘groom’’ laments (Nation)
The parents of the four-year-old girl who got ‘married’ to a 54-year-old man, Elder Akpos, last month, at Akeddei community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and three others have been handed a temporary reprieve by the state government through the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) over the alleged child marriage.
The state government team, made up of the Chairman of GRiT, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy-Harry, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the Child Protection Network, Kizito Andah, and the Bayelsa State Chairman of BANGOF, Comrade Taritei Boco, heard the submissions of the father of the minor, Elder Morris Aboma, the alleged husband, Akpos Napoleon and the paramount ruler of the community, King Moneyman Binabo. Read more
Christians to pay N3m for 2024 pilgrimage (Punch)
Ahead of the 2023/2024 main pilgrimage to Rome and Greece, the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission has released the cost and breakdown of the package for the exercise.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director and Head of Media and Public Relations, Celestine Toruka, on Friday.
According to the statement, a letter dated December 28, 2023, addressed to the chairmen and secretaries of all the States Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards said the commencement date for the exercise is slated for the end of this month. Read more
Nicki Minaj had ‘bad’ dream days before her father’s death (HipHopDx)
Nicki Minaj has opened up about the backstory behind one of the most emotionally affecting moments in her entire catalogue.
Nicki sat down with Ebro Darden for an interview just days after the release of Pink Friday 2.
The conversation, which was released on Thursday (January 4), opened with a discussion of album opener “Are You Gone Already,” a song that deals with the birth of her son in late 2020 and the death of her father just months later. Read more
Anika Noni Rose recreates viral Dreamgirls meme of her character 17 years after the movie (People)
Dreamgirls star Anika Noni Rose poked fun at her previous role as Lorell Robinson in the latest viral TikTok trend.
On Monday, the 51-year-old actress shared her version of the TikTok trend that parodies her appearance in the 2006 film during a musical number.
In the Oscar-nominated movie, Rose portrays one of the members of the fictional girl group, The Dreams, who sings backup alongside Jennifer Hudson’s Effie White to Beyoncé’s Deena Jones. Read more
At least 4 killed in Bangladesh train fire before elections (AlJazeera)
At least four people have been killed and others injured in Bangladesh after a passenger train caught fire in a suspected arson attack, according to police officials.
The incident on Friday adds to a tense environment in the country in advance of Sunday’s elections, which the opposition is seeking to boycott and disrupt with a general strike.
Fire service officer Rakjibul Hasan said that at about 9pm (15:00 GMT), at least four coaches caught fire on the Benapole Express, which was arriving in the capital Dhaka from the western city of Jessore. The fire rapidly raced through the train. Read more
American rape suspect who allegedly faked own death and posed as a U.K. citizen is extradited back to the US (NBC)
An American who allegedly faked his own death to dodge a rape allegation in Utah was removed from the United Kingdom and is headed back the United States, officials said Friday.
US authorities have long sought the extradition of a 36-year-old man they know as Nicholas Rossi, though he’s also used the names Nicholas Alahverdian and most recently Arthur Knight, authorities have said.
The man believed to be Rossi turned up in a Scottish hospital, suffering from Covid, in 2022. He then spent months trying to convince authorities that he was an orphan from Ireland who has never been to the U.S., although a Scottish judge eventually ruled he was in fact Nicholas Rossi. Read more
Cher’s lawyers say conservatorship for her son Elijah Blue Allman is a ‘life and death decision’ in court (People)
Elijah Blue Allman appeared in court in Los Angeles on Friday for a conservatorship hearing brought on by his mom, Cher.
At the court date, Allman was with his estranged wife Marieangela King, after filing a dismissal of his divorce earlier this week, while Cher’s lawyers appeared in her absence.
During the hearing, the singer’s lawyers argued that the proposed conservatorship was “a life and death decision.” Read more
South Africa: Pretoria residents react to news of Oscar Pistorius release from jail (AfricaNews)
People in the South African capital Pretoria gave mixed reaction on Friday to the news that former Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius was released from prison on parole earlier today.
Pistorius, who served nearly nine years for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, was believed to be at his uncle’s mansion after authorities secretly moved him at an undisclosed time to avoid the glare of news crews waiting outside the jail.
Residents in Pretoria, where Pistorius will reside for the duration of his parole, felt that the world-famous double-amputee athlete deserved to be released as he had served his time for the murder. Read more
No investigation into Prince Andrew – Met Police (BBC)
The Metropolitan Police says it is not investigating allegations against the Duke of York detailing connections to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
In unsealed US court files, Prince Andrew is accused of groping a woman at Epstein’s house, which he has previously denied.
The Met said it would assess “new and relevant” information should it be brought to its attention.
The prince is one of several high-profile figures named in the files. Read more
Anthony Joshua set to face showdown with Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia as fight confirmed (Sky)
Anthony Joshua is set to fight Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.
The news was announced by Matchroom and Queensberry on Friday night.
A date for the fight will be confirmed next week, with a press conference planned for January 15 in London.
Joshua continued his quest to return to the top of the heavyweight division with a dominant five-round win over Otto Wallin on December 23 but expectations that he would next face Deontay Wilder evaporated when the American lost to Joseph Parker on the same card. Read more
Sources: Tottenham are optimistic they will finally sign £30m star this weekend (HitC)
Radu Dragusin’s agent is pushing for a deal to be completed with Tottenham Hotspur this month with the Premier League giants ‘optimistic’ that an agreement could be found over the weekend.
With no breakthrough yet forthcoming, and with reports in Italy suggesting that Napoli could hijack a deal Tottenham have worked so hard on, Spurs supporters could be forgiven for feeling a little nervy.
But worry not, HITC Football understands that the London giants remain firm favourites to secure the sought-after Radu Dragusin’s services. Read more
AFCON 2023: I would be happy if Egypt crash out in the group stage —Klopp (CompleteSports)
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp has said his prayer is for Egypt to crash out in the group stages of the AFCON 2023 and Asian Cup respectively.
Mohamed Salah is away with Egypt for the tournament in Ivory Coast which will start on January 13.
Also, Japan captain Wataru Endo will be involved at the Asian Cup in Qatar. Read more
AFCON 2023: Zambia can lift title on return to finals, says captain Lubambo Musonda (BBC)
Zambia are capable of winning the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations despite missing the past three tournaments, according to captain Lubambo Musonda.
The Chipolopolo were surprise Afcon champions in 2012, beating favourites Ivory Coast on penalties following a 0-0 draw in the final.
But the country have failed to win a match at the finals since that triumph, suffering group-stage exits in 2013 and 2015 and then failing to qualify three times in a row. Read more
Sunderland fans face ’50 years of ridicule’ as gleeful Newcastle enjoy ‘idiotic’ banners (Mirror)
Newcastle fans have had a field day mocking bitter rivals Sunderland after the Black Cats allowed their bitter rivals to put up their own signs at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland fans have lamented the actions of their board, warning they face ridicule for decades to come.
The Black Cats allowed Newcastle to take over areas of their hospitality and the whole of the North Stand. They have also allowed the Magpies to redecorate, installing black and white signs and logos in the Stadium of Light. Read more
How Wigan’s Callum McManaman went from FA Cup final glory to retirement and back again (Independent)
Callum McManaman was still living with his mum and dad. Callum McManaman was also man of the match in the FA Cup final. It is an odd juxtaposition to go with Wigan’s unique double in 2013, the FA Cup winners who were relegated in the same week. It is not the only unusual element to McManaman’s improbable tale: the footballer who stopped playing football, who was to all intents and purposes retired, faces Manchester United on Monday in the competition that propelled him to prominence.
It was a decade ago. “It feels like 20 years,” said McManaman. “It was surreal. It went from being no one knew who I was, still living in my mum and dad’s house. It was crazy, going from being basically a reserve-team player to playing in the Premier League and being man of the match in the FA Cup final.” It puts him in elite company: the others to receive the accolade in the 21st century reads like a who’s who of the footballing greats: from Steven Gerrard to Michael Owen, Thierry Henry to Alexis Sanchez, Wayne Rooney to Ruud van Nistelrooy, Didier Drogba to Frank Lampard, Kevin De Bruyne to Ilkay Gundogan. Read more