Presidency: Obasanjo writes Nigerian youth, endorses Peter Obi (Vanguard)
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has endorsed the Presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi for the nation’s exalted seat during the February 25 Presidential election.
Obasanjo, in a letter he personally signed, which he addressed to Nigerian youths, titled “My Appeal to all Nigerians, particularly young Nigerians”, described Peter Obi as “a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost”.
The letter read, “I am constrained to write this letter to all Nigerians especially young Nigerians, friends of Nigeria globally as well as our development partners because of the gravity, responsibility and implications of the collective decision Nigerians, both young and old, will be making within the next two months.
“The last seven and a half years have no doubt been eventful and stressful years for many Nigerians. We have moved from frying pan to fire and from mountain top to the valley. Read more
Surviving ‘murderers’ in police uniforms worth celebrating – Adeboye (Punch)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said it is worth celebrating to have survived the so many hurdles that plagued the year 2022.
Adeboye said surviving banditry, kidnapping, COVID-19, including surviving the “murderers wearing police uniforms” was worth celebrating.
The renowned cleric said this on Sunday, January 1, 2023, during his New Year sermon.
He told the congregation that they were survivors because somebody (God) was taking care of them. Read more
Celebration galore as Ootunja-Ekiti indigenes return to ancient land (Guardian)
History was yet again recorded in Ekitiland, Ekiti State, recently, with the historic return of indigenes of Ootunja-Ekiti to their ancient land. The occasion climaxed with the foundation laying ceremony of a multi–million naira Oba’s palace.
The event, chaired by the Alaaye-Oke Ayedun, His Royal Majesty Oba Olufemi Aribisala, Obembe 1, was graced by prominent royal fathers in Egbe-Oba land, which include the Olusin of Usin- Ekiti, HRM Oba Samuel Adedeji Oluyemi; Elesun of Esun – Ekiti, HRM Oba David Ogunsakin; Obaloke of Igbona-Ekiti, Ekiti, HRM Oba Johnson Oladele Adeyemi, with the chief host, the Olootunja of Ootunja–Ekiti, HRM Oba Joseph Adedeji Adelola Fagbamila II, as well as dignitaries from all walks of life.
In his speech, Oba Aribisala, who thanked God for the historic event, commended sons and daughters of Ootunja on the initiative and prayed for speedy completion of the new palace.
He urged the indigenes to take full advantage of the new town through massive building of houses on the land, urging them to stop buying land elsewhere, but instead build on their land. Read more
NDLEA arrests Brazil returnee with 105 parcels of cocaine in candies (Vanguard)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a Brazil returnee, Agbasi Prosper Chux with 105 parcels of cocaine concealed in candies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos on Christmas Day.
The suspect was arrested at the ‘D’ arrival hall of the MMIA during inward clearance of passengers from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Doha on Qatar Airways on Monday, 25th December 2022 following credible intelligence.
Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi disclosed that an initial search of the suspect’s two checked in bags almost made him a free man as there was nothing incriminating found there until the NDLEA officers took a second look at the duty-free shopping nylon bags containing packs of ‘candies’ he was holding in his hands.
“A thorough examination of the duty-free shopping bags revealed the packs of candies inside were actually used to conceal 105 parcels of cocaine weighing 2.8 kilograms and 43 grams of cannabis.
“Preliminary test conducted on a plastic bottle of body lotion also found in possession of the suspect also tested positive to cocaine with a total weight of 472 grams. Married to a Brazilian lady with a daughter, Prosper who claimed to be into clothing business in Brazil was hoping to sell the drug in Enugu, his state”. Read more
Raheem: Late lawyer’s physician seeks state police (Punch)
Dr Charles Oludare, the former personal physician of the slain lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, has condemned the killing of the pregnant woman by a policeman.
Raheem was shot dead by a policeman, ASP Drambi Vandi, in the Ajah area of Lagos State on Christmas day amid many reactions across the country.
Speaking on the incident, in a statement on Saturday, the US-based medical doctor blamed the fate that befell the deceased on the refusal of the Nigerian government to practice the state police system.
Charles, who said he was once a physician to the late Raheem at a private hospital in Lagos, stressed the need for state police, saying it would go a long way in checking criminal activities in the country. Read more
LG Electronics honours partners at 1st dinner, award night (Leadership)
Leading innovator in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, LG Electronics has recognised partners at the firm’s dinner and awards night held in Lagos.
At the LG organised Commercial Air Conditioner Dinner and Award Night which was first of its kind by the Air Solution Business Unit, over 20 partners were awarded for their performance and impact in the year
Delivering the Welcome Address, Commercial Air Conditioning Manager, LG Electronics West African Operations, Mr. Saheed Adeyemi said the Air Solution success now and in the future, is closely tied to delivering a partner-led, profit-driven Commercial Air Conditioning.
He said, “We are excited to recognize partners for delivering excellent service and impact across the nation. Our partners are uniquely positioned to help clients and customers unlock the full potential of the HVAC system. LG Multi V air conditioners has been installed in various places both in and outside the country and we are indeed indebted to your contribution towards this success.’’ Read more
New Year: Bayelsa will fare better in the days ahead- Diri (Independent)
The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has assured people of the state of better days ahead.
In a statewide New Year broadcast on Sunday, Diri acknowledged the challenges of the outgone year but expressed the optimism that with the help of Almighty God as well as the careful planning being implemented by his administration, the state will fare better in 2023.
He recalled the devastating effects of last year’s floods on the state but assured that the government has taken practical steps toward recovery and reconstruction.
He stressed that development should not be driven by political expediency or blind propaganda but by critically prioritising the needs of the people and creating the conditions for a desirable future. Read more
2023: Atiku to reopen Nigeria’s borders- Tambuwal (Guardian)
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State on Saturday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would reopen the nation’s borders, if elected at the 2023 general elections.
Tambuwal, the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council made the assertion at the PDP campaign rally in Illela Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the PDP presidential candidate has better plans for the country.
“These include reopening of the nation’s borders, addressing challenges of insecurity and the provision of basic necessities of life for Nigerians,” he said. Read more
Miley Cyrus announces new single “Flowers” and duets with David Byrne on NYE special (NME)
Miley Cyrus announced the release of a new single, “Flowers”, during her Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party broadcast last night (December 31).
The star shared two teasers for the track during the show, which saw the singer take part in a number of performances as well as hosting the programme.
Flowers follows Cyrus teasing her return by putting up posters that read “New Year New Miley” around the world last month. A countdown later appeared on her official website, with a new countdown now ticking down to the single’s release date on January 13. A press release confirming the track “heavily encourage[s]” fans to “continue to follow mileycyrus.com for further announcements this week”.
One teaser video sees Cyrus walking through a Californian landscape in a gold ensemble and sunglasses as she sings: “I can love me better, baby / Can love me better.” Read more
Grammy-winning singer Anita Pointer dies aged 74 (BBC)
Anita Pointer, from the Grammy-winning Pointer Sisters, has died aged 74, her publicist has announced.
She died surrounded by her family at her Beverley Hills home in California.
Her family said they were deeply saddened by her passing. “Heaven is a more loving beautiful place with Anita there,” they said in a statement.
The second oldest of the four sisters, Ms Pointer and her siblings rose to fame with hits including Jump (For My Love) and Fire.
With a blend of funk, soul and R&B, the group released their eponymous debut album in 1973. Yes We Can Can, a funky tune which called for unity and tolerance at a time of racial unrest in the US, became the album’s breakout hit. Read more
Master P and Romeo Miller squash feud after ”very hard conversations” (HipHopDX)
Master P and Romeo Miller are entering 2023 as allies, not adversaries, after squashing their feud.
The father and son duo became embroiled in a bitter — and public — back-and-forth in the run up to Christmas, with both men airing out their grievances with one another on social media.
But as 2022 came to a close on Saturday (December 31), Master P and Romeo came together to hash out their differences and leave their issues in the past.
In an Instagram post welcomed by many of his 2.1 million followers, Romeo shared a photo of him and his father embracing each other while revealing they had “very hard conversations” in order to mend their relationship. Read more
Former Geordie Shore star Holly Hagan announces pregnancy (BelfastTelegraph)
Reality star Holly Hagan has announced she is expecting her first child.
The 30-year-old rose to fame as one of the original cast members on MTV reality show Geordie Shore.
Hagan revealed she and husband Jacob Blyth are to become parents with a touching black and white video shared by OK! Magazine and on the couple’s Instagram accounts.
The news comes six months after Hagan and professional footballer Blyth, 30, married in an Ibiza ceremony after announcing their engagement in 2019. Read more
Loose Women‘s Stacey Solomon reveals her baby is due next month (DigitalSpy)
Loose Women star Stacey Solomon and her husband Joe Swash announced just a few days ago that they were expecting their third child together, and now Stacey has revealed that the baby is due in a month.
Stacey shared some photos of her bump and Joe hugging her to her Instagram page, captioning them: “Coming soon… Much sooner than we thought.”
The former I’m A Celebrity winner added: “When we found out we still wanted to have that first few months you usually would adjust and get excited and enjoy it to ourselves, but that didn’t leave us with very long left. So this time next month we will be getting ready to say hello to a whole new pickle.
“So grateful. While we had some time off we thought we better take some memories before it’s too late.” Read more
Stephen Graham says he shares OBE with ‘‘incredible’’ late mother (Standard)
Stephen Graham has said he shares his OBE with his “incredible warrior” mother after she died recently.
The 49-year-old Merseyside-born actor, known for TV crime drama Line Of Duty, was named on the New Year Honours list for services to drama.
On Saturday, the This Is England star told his Instagram followers: “A few days ago… this incredible, inspirational, warrior woman With the purest heart… my mum passed away.
Speaking on BBC Radio Four’s Desert Island Discs in 2019, the mixed-race actor said his mother put a stop to the racist abuse he suffered on the streets of Liverpool. Read more
At least 1 dead and dozens injured as Russia targets Kyiv in New Year’s Eve missile attack (LBC)
At least one person has died and several injured following a series of explosions in the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klischko said there had been several blasts in the capital, with two schools and a hotel damaged during the incident.
“As a result of the Russian attack on civilian objects in the capital, 1 person died, 20 were injured,” he tweeted.
“14 victims were hospitalised, six were treated by medics on the spot. Read more
Pele’s prophecy inspired my career in football — Owolabi (Guardian)
Former international, Felix Owolabi, has expressed gratitude to the late Brazilian legend, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, popularly known as Pele, whom he said inspired him in his illustrious football career.
Pele passed on at the age of 82 on December 29, after a long battle with cancer at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo. The late Brazilian icon remains the only player to have won the World Cup on three occasions.
Speaking to The Guardian yesterday, Owolabi said the coming of Pele to Nigeria in 1977 was a blessing in disguise. To him, that visit was something that would linger in his memory forever, adding that the words he spoke concerning his football career made him a household name in Nigerian football.
“Pele’s visit to Nigeria was divine; divine in the sense that he prophesied into my life and it came to pass. I was playing for Raccah Rovers of Kano then and I can remember vividly when he was asked whether the team he played with had potential. Read more
Osimhen listed for 2022 celebration award (Punch)
Napoli has nominated Victor Osimhen’s goal celebration among the best for 2022.
Osimhen has a lot to celebrate in the outgoing year after returning fully from a freak cheek fracture that required surgery and kept him out of the Africa Cup of Nations in January.
The 24-year-old welcomed the birth of his first daughter in October and shortly after became the most prolific Nigerian footballer to ever play in the Italian Serie A.
The former Wolfsburg star currently sits atop the league scorer’s chart as his nine goals are equaled or bettered by no other. Read more
Graeme Souness insists the Premier League’s reaction to the Ukraine invasion was fantastic (DailyMail)
Graeme Souness has described the Premier League’s response to the war in Ukraine as ‘fantastic’ after reflecting on the standout moments of 2022 in football.
The pundit was delighted with the message the league sent out following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, pleased to be part of a country that ‘generally does the right things’.
Ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on New Year’s Day, Souness reflected on football’s key events of 2022 alongside fellow Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Despite praising the reactions of both the Premier League and the country as a whole following Vladimir Putin’s invasion, the 69-year-old insisted that players and fans must not forget the horrors that are happening just ‘four hours from us’. Read more
Martin Odegaard warns more to come from high-flying Arsenal (RTE)
Martin Odegaard has warned Arsenal’s title rivals there is plenty more to come from the Premier League leaders in 2023.
The Gunners start the new year seven points clear at the summit after capitalising on slip-ups from Manchester City and Newcastle with a thrilling 4-2 New Year’s Eve success at a Brighton side who had Ireland youngster Evan Ferguson on the scoresheet.
Influential Gunners captain Odegaard orchestrated victory on the south coast, claiming the visitors’ second goal before providing a sublime assist for the fourth, scored by Gabriel Martinelli.
Despite 14 wins from 16 top-flight games this term, the playmaker feels Arsenal have significant room for development as they bid to become champions for the first time since 2004. Read more
Wimbledon ban on Russian and Belarusian players has “changed nothing” blasts tennis star (Mirror)
World number five Aryna Sabalenka has slammed Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from the 2022 tournament.
The Belarusian criticised the decision, saying it had “changed nothing”, as she was one of several top players to miss out on the Grand Slam. Men’s Russian star Daniil Medvedev was another to miss the tournament.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club announced the ban due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Belarus a key ally and staging area for that invasion. The organisers were subsequently fined and the tournament was stripped of its ranking points by the ATP and WTA.
Sabalenka has now criticised that call as she hopes to return to the Grand Slam in 2023. The All England Club is yet to announce if the ban will remain in place at this year’s edition of the tournament. Read more
Chukwueze ends eight months LaLiga goal drought (Punch)
Villarreal forward, Samuel Chukwueze, scored his first LaLiga goal of the season for the Yellow Submarines in eight months on Saturday in their 2-1 win over Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceramica, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Chukwueze who last scored a league goal for Villarreal in their 2-1 defeat to Alaves on April 30,2022 is enjoying a new lease of life since the arrival of former Quique Setien who replaced Unai Emery in October.
The Nigerian forward netted his side’s equaliser in the 46th minute after he converted an assist from Gerard Moreno after Edinson Cavani had opened scoring for Valencia.
The goal was his first of the current campaign in the LaLiga in 14 appearances. Read more