Police return over N80m, other items allegedly extorted by Rivers Command to rights activist (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Police Force has refunded over N80 million allegedly extorted by the Anti-Cyber Crime Unit attached to the State CID of Rivers State Police Command to its owner, Davidson John Atubi, the Chairman of a pipeline surveillance facility.
Also returned were two plasma televisions, gold worth over N5 million and a standing fan carted away from a victim.
In a chat with Vanguard yesterday, human rights activist Israel Joe said the money and the items were refunded to him and his team last Friday. Read more
Lagos still working with Tinubu’s 20-year blueprint – Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, praised President Bola Tinubu for creating “the origin of modern Lagos,” adding that to date, the state is still running on the developmental ‘blueprint’ that Tinubu designed about 20 years ago.
Sanwo-Olu, who made the declaration when he played host to the President at the Lagos House, Marina, on Wednesday, also thanked Tinubu for accepting to represent Lagos at the federal level.
“We want to thank you for your leadership. We want to thank you for the origin of modern Lagos that you created and started for us. But more importantly, we want to thank you that you accepted to go (and) represent Lagos at the federal level. Read more
NIA president calls for urgent measures to ensure structural integrity in Lagos (ThisDay)
President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi, FNIA, has said there was an urgent need for comprehensive measures to be put in place to ensure building safety.
The NIA president stated this in response to the incessant collapse of buildings in the country, particularly the building that collapsed at Ebute Metta, Lagos, on December 22, 2023.
A statement issued by Adeniyi, said, “It is with deep regret that the Nigerian Institute of Architects addresses the unfortunate incidence of a building collapse which occurred in Ebute Metta, Lagos, on December 22, 2023. The NIA extends deep and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the Lagos State Government at this distressing time. Read more
NANS congratulates Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on his inauguration as executive governor of Ondo State (Independent)
Com. Akinteye Afeez, President of the Senate, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Headquarters Wednesday congratulated Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as he took the oath of office as the new Executive Governor of Ondo State.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the state’s substantive Governor by the Chief Judge of Ondo State at a brief ceremony following the passage of Rotimi Akeredolu early Wednesday morning.
Comrade Akinteye commiserated with Governor Aiyedatiwa and the people. of Ondo State on the death of the former governor, expressed confidence in his ability and capability to steer the ship of the state. Read more
Zulum seeks justice for driver killed by soldier (DailyTrust)
Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has urged the military to ensure speedy justice for the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) driver allegedly killed by a soldier along Gambarou international road, Borno State.
The governor, who addressed a press conference through the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Bukar Tijjani, said the excesses of soldiers killing and extorting money from drivers on the road would not be tolerated.
He noted that the state government had engaged the leadership of the military and an investigation was launched into the matter. Read more
Obaseki pays 13th month salary (Nation)
Workers in Edo State have praised Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki on his pledge to pay workers in the state civil/public service 13th month salary.
The state government in a statement had announced that the 13th month salary promised by the governor would be paid on December 27.
In a statement, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Council, Comrade Chief Odion Olaye (JP), said workers in the Edo State civil/public service are grateful to Governor Obaseki for the show of love, care and compassion for their welfare. Read more
Kano apprehends 11 kidnappers, rescue seven teenagers sold for N500,000 (Guardian)
Kano police command has apprehended 11 kidnappers and rescued seven teenagers kidnapped in Bauchi and Kano.
The kidnapped children had already been sold to traffickers in Lagos and Enugun states for between, N400,000 and N500,000.
One of the rescued girls was allegedly kidnapped with the help of a medical doctor while on admission at Baichi Hospital. She was among those sold for N500,000 in Lagos. Read more
Court extends interim order against INEC, PDP over 26 defected Rivers lawmakers (Vanguard)
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday extended the Dec. 15 interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from taking any action step against the 26 Rivers House of Assembly members who defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Donatus Okorowo extended the order following an application by counsel for the embattled lawmakers, Steve Adehi, SAN, and supported by Ken Njemanze, SAN, who appeared for the Rivers House of Assembly.
Although PDP’s lawyer, Adeyemi Ajibade, SAN, opposed the application, Justice Okorowo agreed that based on Order 26, Rule 10 of the FHC, the court had the discretionary power to grant the plea in the interest of justice. Read more
Taraji P. Henson thanks The Color Purple vocal coach who helped her ‘unlock some thangs vocally’ (People)
Taraji P. Henson is celebrating the success of her movie, The Color Purple.
The actress, 53, shared a video to her Instagram on Wednesday of vocal rehearsals with her coach Stevie Mackey. The pair were preparing for her role of Shug Avery ahead of the movie’s Christmas Day release.
“Ladies and gentlemen the man behind #ShugAveryvoice,” Henson’s caption on the clip began. In the video, she stands beside the coach as he plays the piano and they both sing tunes from the smash hit. Read more
Ivory Coast will deliver 50 million litres of gasoline monthly to Guinea (AfricaNews)
Ivory Coast will deliver 50 million liters of gasoline per month to Guinea, following the explosion and fire at the country’s main fuel depot, Ivorian national television announced Wednesday evening.
“Côte d’Ivoire is committed to delivering 50 million liters of gasoline per month to Guinea,” said a journalist from Radiotélévision Ivoirienne (RTI), without specifying the duration of this aid.
“The practical terms of the contract and the security of the convoys will be signed this Thursday,” said another journalist from the channel, specifying that Guinea had a monthly need of 70 million litres of gasoline. Read more
Cher files for a conservatorship of son Elijah Blue Allman due to “severe” substance abuse issues (People)
Cher has filed for a conservatorship of her son Elijah Blue Allman due to his alleged recent substance abuse issues.
According to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by PEOPLE, the singer and actress, 77, is seeking to be the sole conservator of her son’s estate, claiming that he is “substantially unable to manage his financial resources.” Read more
Tom Smothers, Comedian, musician and scourge of CBS censors, dies at 86 (THR)
Tom Smothers, the countercultural comedy icon admired for the 1960s variety program he created and hosted with his younger brother, Dick, and for the tenacity he displayed in frequent clashes with CBS censors, has died. He was 86.
Smothers died Tuesday at his home in Santa Rosa, California, after a battle with cancer, his brother announced in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter by the National Comedy Center.
“Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner,” Dick, 84, said. “I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed.” Read more
Barack Obama shares his top movies of 2023, including The Holdovers and Rustin (EW)
Barack Obama has revealed his top movies of 2023.
The politician-turned-producer shared 13 of his favorite movies of the year on social media. He began by shouting out three films from his production company, Higher Ground: civil rights biopic/Colman Domingo vehicle Rustin, apocalypse thriller Leave the World Behind starring Julia Roberts and Mahershala Ali, and music documentary American Symphony starring Jon Batiste. “I’m biased since these movies were produced by Higher Ground, but these are in fact three of the best movies I saw this year,” he wrote. Read more
Dublin Shooting: Dead hitman’s family launch GoFundMe crowdfunder to pay for funeral (Mirror)
Tristan Sherry, 25, died on Christmas Eve after being stabbed up to 27 times in a busy restaurant during a suspected hit gone wrong on a drugs gang rival in Dublin
The ‘heartbroken’ family of a hitman killed on Christmas Eve in a bitter gangland feud have started a GoFundMe to pay for his funeral.
Tristan Sherry, 25, was one of two suspected gunmen who barged into a busy restaurant in the centre of Blanchardstown village in Dublin at around 8pm on Sunday, leaving panicked customers running for cover. It understood he opened fire on a well-known local criminal and his father before being overpowered and knocked to the ground, where he was repeatedly beaten and stabbed to death. Read more
Pro-Palestinian protesters block airport access roads in New York and Los Angeles (PBS)
Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly blocked entrance roads to airports in New York and Los Angeles on Wednesday, forcing some travelers to set off on foot to bypass the jammed roadway.
As U.S. airlines contended with a rush of holiday travel, the demonstrations snarled traffic on the outskirts of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and the Los Angeles International Airport. A total of 62 people were arrested during the two protests, police said.
In New York, activists locked arms and held banners demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war and expanded rights for Palestinians, bringing traffic to a standstill on the expressway leading up to the airport for about 20 minutes. Read more
Oshoala, Falode drum support for women’s football (Punch)
Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala, and a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aisha Falode, have urged stakeholders in the private and public sectors to invest more in Nigeria’s women football in order to accelerate its development, The PUNCH reports.
The reigning African football queen and the former Nigeria Women’s Football League boss made this call during the final of the eighth Football4Girls tournament, organised annually by the footballer.
After breaking out in 2014, Oshoala began the tournament in 2015 and has produced Falcons players Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday. Read more
Ghana, Benin Republic confirmed for LEF basketball championship (Channels)
Ghanaian clubs, Customs Braves and Spintex Knights, have confirmed their participation in the 2024 West African Championship at the indoor hall of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The championship organized by Louis Edem Foundation is scheduled to hold from March 31 to April 7 next year.
The Ghanaian duo will be joined by ASPAC basketball club and Energie basketball club of Benin Republic. Read more
Nightmare after Christmas for Nathan Collins as Wolves run wild (RTE)
Hwang Hee-chan scored twice as Brentford forgot how to defend and Wolves took full advantage with a 4-1 win in west London.
Hwang took his tally for the season to 11 as Wanderers followed up their Christmas Eve win over Chelsea by collecting another festive three points.
It was a first victory in the capital in 15 attempts for Wolves, their last coming in a 2-0 win at Tottenham in February last year. Read more
Chelsea players should emulate Noni Madueke, Pochettino says (ESPN)
Mauricio Pochettino has challenged his Chelsea players to follow the example set by once out-of-favour winger Noni Madueke, who won and scored a late penalty against Crystal Palace in the team’s 2-1 win on Wednesday.
Madueke, who has struggled for game time this season for Pochettino’s team, replaced Christopher Nkunku in the 71st minute as the 21-year-old came off the bench to decide the match in Chelsea’s favour.
“I want all the players when they’re not involved [to] go against me,” Pochettino said. “Of course, I like it because from there we won the game. He scored the penalty, he got the penalty. We are not a charity, you know? We are a football club and you need to perform. Read more
Novak Djokovic pays Carlos Alcaraz the ultimate tribute and makes bold Rafael Nadal prediction (Tennis365)
It was one of the most talked about exhibition matches of recent years, with the showdown between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz living up to its billing in a grand manner in Saudi Arabia.
Alcaraz beat Djokovic 4-6 6-4 6-4 on a fast court in Riyadh, with the duo exchanging some top-class points as they whet the appetite for what is to come in the 2024 season.
The occasion was also notable for Djokovic’s grace in defeat, as he used his on-court interview to pay the most glowing of tributes to the Spanish world No 2. Read more
Mark Cuban says sale puts Mavs in better position to compete (ABC)
Mark Cuban beamed about forming a “great partnership” hours after the NBA board of governors approved the sale of the controlling interest of the Dallas Mavericks to the families that run the Las Vegas Sands casino company, a deal that will allow Cuban to continue running the franchise’s basketball operations.
The deal was approved Wednesday, just shy of a month after the families of Miriam Adelson and Sivan and Patrick Dumont announced their intention to buy the club. The purchase is at a valuation in excess of $4 billion, sources told ESPN. Read more