Recapitalisation: Bank mergers, acquisitions loom (Nation)
With less than 15 months to recapitalisation deadline, banks have stepped up preliminary consultations on the prospect of business combinations.
The ongoing recapitalisation is heading down to more competitive capital raising ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline.
As of the last count, only three banks have met the new capital requirements stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Read more
Debt servicing gulps N8.94t in 9 months as deficit widens (Sun)
The federal government has spent a whopping N8.94 trillion on debt servicing in the first nine months of 2024, representing a significant 47% of total expenditure during this period.
The figure marks a sharp 56.8% increase compared to N5.69 trillion spent in the same period in 2023, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) quarterly statistical bulletin.
The growing debt servicing costs highlight the mounting burden of Nigeria’s debt obligations, compounded by widening fiscal deficits. Read more
Troops destroy terrorist kingpin Turji’s stronghold, kill scores in Zamfara (Leadership)
Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in a combined air and ground operation have destroyed terrorist Kingpin Kachallah Bello Turji‘s stronghold and killed scores of others in Zamfara State.
A statement by the spokesman of the Nigeria Air Force, AVM Olusola Akinboyewa, said the operation which was carried out on 10 January, 2025, delivered a crushing blow to banditry in Zamfara State.
He said the air strikes and synchronized ground assaults at Fakai Hills decimated scores of bandits, leaving many others gravely wounded. Read more
Lagos records 1,675 fire, road disasters in 2024 (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government has revealed that a total of 1,675 disasters involving fire, building collapse, road, boat mishaps, among others occurred in the state between January 1-December 31, 2024, with Alimosho Local Government Area, LGA, topping the list of occurrence.
The figures were contained in the 2024 Annual Data Analysis, released by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, signed by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu.
Oke-Osanyitolu stated that the agency acted in accordance with its statutory responsibilities of coordinating emergency/disaster response with a mandate to respond, rescue, recover, rehabilitate and ensure continuous disaster risk reduction in the state. Read more
2027: Seyi Tinubu not too young to be governor of Lagos —Minister (Tribune)
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu is qualified and not too young to become the next Governor of Lagos State.
It would be recalled that in November 2024, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), endorsed Seyi to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of the state.
The minister stated this in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye and described Seyi as his leader and mentor, saying the president’s son has the capacity to lead Lagos State. Read more
NDLEA arrests shrine chief in Lagos, seizes 2.7 tons skunk (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a traditional chief priest of the Igunuko Shrine, Bariu Aliu, in the Alpha Beach area of Ajah, Lekki, following a three-month manhunt.
Bariu, also known as “Malo,” was apprehended after 2,760 kilograms of skunk were recovered from his shrine on October 25, 2024.
A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that while two of Bariu’s accomplices had been arrested, charged, and convicted last year, the chief priest was identified as the leader of the drug syndicate operating from the shrine. Read more
Oluremi Tinubu pays condolence visit to Jigawa Gov, Umar Namadi, over son’s demise (ThisDay)
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday visited the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi and his wife, Hajia Hadiza Umar Namadi in Dutse, the state capital over the unfortunate death of their son, Abdulwahab.
The First Lady who was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima and wife of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen Abass said the length of days of man is the exclusive preserve of God, adding that no man can question Him on when He chooses to call a man back home.
According to her: “God owns us all. God assigned time to us all. He can call anyone home at any time. God will console you and the entire state. I pray my next visit here will be a joyous one”. Read more
Boko Haram attack, 2 killed, church, houses burnt in Chibok Village (NewTelegraph)
No fewer than two persons were killed, church and houses were burnt when suspected members of Boko Haram insurgents invaded Bamzir village of Chibok Local Government Area in Borno State.
The insurgents also razed down a church and other residential houses after looking for food crops and livestock without confrontation.
A resident of the area who does not want his name in print revealed that the incident took place in the early hours of Sunday, precisely 2:00 am when villagers were still asleep. Read more
Travis Scott, Future & SZA hit with copyright lawsuit over ‘Telekinesis’ collab (HipHopDx)
Travis Scott took a big part of his 2023 collaboration with SZA and Future, “Telekinesis,” without permission — or at least, that’s what one songwriter is claiming.
Victory Boyd, a Roc Nation artiste, filed suit against Scott, SZA, Future, and the other credited songwriters on the track, as well as watchmakers Audemars Piguet, in federal court in New York on Wednesday (January 8). She claims that “Telekinesis” uses aspects of her song “Like The Way It Sounds” without permission.
Boyd claims that back in November 2019, she wrote “Like The Way It Sounds,” and then shared it with Kanye West. She then says that West, who is not named in the suit, played Boyd’s track for Scott, and that Scott, in turn, shared it with Future and SZA, and “Telekinesis” followed. Read more
Oscar-nominated Marvel star Djimon Hounsou says he’s ‘‘struggling to make a living’’ (Independent)
Djimon Hounsou, the Oscar-nominated star of Blood Diamond and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, has said he is still “struggling” financially despite his acclaimed career.
Hounsou was twice nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, the first time for the 2002 immigration drama In America, and the second for his role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the Sierra Leone-set thriller Blood Diamond.
Speaking to CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou said: “I’m still struggling to make a living.Read more
France hands over Abeché base ahead of troop withdrawal (AfricaNews)
The French government has just handed over its detachment camp in the city of Abeché to Chad. The Chadian Minister of Defence, his delegation, and French officials participated in the ceremony. For the French military, the result of many years of presence in northern Chad has been strengthened through strong ties, not only with the Chadian soldiers but also with the local population.
Colonel Boris POMIROL, Commander of French Forces in the Sahel said: “These ties are a living testament to the friendship that unites our two peoples and, despite the departure of our troops, this friendship will endure. Today, after so many years in Abeché, the situation is different. Chad has strengthened its capabilities and is able to face the security and humanitarian challenges in Ouaddai. The return of the camp to the Chadian military is a symbol of this. This withdrawal is not a farewell from France, but a ‘see you later’ from its soldiers.”
The Minister of Defence Issaka Maroua Djamous , who congratulated the decision, still reminded everyone that the deadline for the departure of French troops remains January 31, 2025. Read more
Former child star Rory Sykes has died in LA fires, says mother (RTE)
Rory Sykes, a former child star who was blind and had cerebral palsy, has died in the Los Angeles wildfires, his mother has said.
The British-born Australian citizen appeared on British TV show Kiddy Kapers in the 1990s.
“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday. I’m totally heart broken,” his mother Shelley Sykes wrote on social media.
“He was my baby, and he died needlessly”, she told Australian TV newscast 10 News First. Read more
Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to Sam Moore (NME)
Bruce Springsteen has paid tribute to the late soul legend, Sam Moore.
Moore, the surviving half of the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave, died on Friday (January 10) following complications while recovering from surgery. He was 89.
He and Dave Prater created some of soul’s most enduring hits in their tenure at Stax Records, with their 1965 single on the Memphis imprint, ‘You Don’t Know Like I Know’ triggering a series of ten straight Top 20 Billboard R&B hits, including ‘Hold On! I’m Comin’, ‘When Something Is Wrong with My Baby’, ‘I Thank You’ and ‘Soul Man’. Read more
Jerry Springer producers defend using underhanded “tactics” to control guests (People)
The Jerry Springer Show took liberties with its backstage treatment of guests that were nearly as extreme as what sometimes happened on air.
In the new two-part Netflix documentary Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, the son of one guest reveals that producers from the show threatened to withhold his mother’s plane ticket home if she didn’t perform on the show as they instructed her to.
Jeffrey, the son of Nancy Campbell-Panitz — who was murdered by her ex-husband after appearing on the show in 2000 with him and his new wife — says producers told Campbell-Panitz she’d be responsible for finding her own way home if she didn’t go back on stage with Ralf Panitz and Eleanor Panitz after she stormed off. Read more
6 killed in explosion at Czech restaurant (CNN)
Six people died when a propane-butane cylinder exploded at a restaurant in the northwest Czech city of Most, setting the building on fire, emergency services said on Sunday.
Eight people were injured in the fiery blast that occurred late on Saturday evening, and 30 people were evacuated from the restaurant and surrounding buildings, the Czech fire rescue service said on X social media platform.
“According to initial information from witnesses, a heater overturned, causing a fire,” the fire brigade said. Read more
NFF to unveil Chelle as new Super Eagles coach Monday (Punch)
The Nigeria Football Federation is set to officially unveil Mr Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles on Monday.
The event will take place at the Media Conference Room of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, at 11am.
This was announced in a statement posted on the NFF website on Sunday. Read more
Man City: ‘‘Special’’ player set to follow Walker out as Bundesliga side ‘‘make contact’’ (Football365)
Pep Guardiola could be dealt another blow this month as “special” player James McAtee looks set to follow Kyle Walker out of the club.
Guardiola made the bombshell announcement after his side’s 8-0 win over Salford in the FA Cup on Saturday that Walker wants to leave the club.
“Two days ago Kyle asked to explore the options to play abroad,” said Guardiola.
“We cannot understand [what] the club did these years without Kyle. It’s impossible. He’s been our right-back, giving us something we didn’t have. But now in his mind, for many reasons, he would like to explore if he can go to another country to play his last years.” Read more
Holland ready to step out of Southgate’s shadow in Japan (France24)
Steve Holland said Saturday that he is ready to step out of Gareth Southgate’s shadow as the former England assistant takes over at Japanese club Yokohama F-Marinos.
The 54-year-old was the right-hand man to Southgate during their eight years together with England, a period which saw them reach two European Championship finals and one World Cup semi-final.
Both men stepped down following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro final in Germany last year and Holland is now back in a job in Yokohama, following in the footsteps of Harry Kewell and Ange Postecoglou. Read more
Nishikori wins Melbourne epic then reveals he almost quit tennis (RFI)
Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori admitted Sunday he almost quit tennis last year after lengthy battles with injury, but the dream of playing at the Australian Open kept him going.
The 35-year-old dug deep to save two match points in a five-set epic against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro on John Cain Arena and keep him alive for another day.
Nishikori, who reached a career-high four in the world and was a US Open finalist a decade ago, rallied to win 4-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3 in 4hr 6min. Read more
Nyck de Vries under fire with FIA called to take ‘‘stamp it out’’ action (PlanetF1)
Former AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries has come under criticism from Formula E rival Sam Bird, who claimed he “destroyed” his weekend.
Bird was left frustrated at De Vries in qualifying in Mexico City after having his final run interrupted by the Dutchman through the final corner at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, which landed De Vries a three-place grid penalty – before further issues in the race.
The pair were on track together when De Vries made a move down the inside at the double-right hander of Turn 5 early on, with the Mexico City circuit’s layout modified for its use in Formula E compared to Formula 1, with Bird then handed a five-second penalty for causing a collision with De Vries’ Mahindra team-mate, Edoardo Mortara, after prompting a puncture. Read more
Tom Brady’s $375m deal with Fox Sports is over, ex-MLB boss claims (DailyMail)
Tom Brady will be running the Las Vegas Raiders full-time next season – and will not return as an analyst on Fox Sports.
That’s according to former MLB executive David Samson, who says Brady’s attempt to juggle both jobs is an ‘absolute insult’ to both analysts and team presidents.
Brady is in the first season of a 10-year, $375million deal as Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst.But he is also a minority owner of the Raiders, with Mark Davis recently revealing he will have a ‘huge voice’ in the franchise’s future. Read more