Sex romp: Principal denies cover-up, suspends six students (Punch)
The management of the Federal Government College, Ijaniki, Lagos State, has denied allegations of covering up some students caught absconding from school to lodge female classmates in a hotel for sex romps.
The Principal, Mrs Tofunmi Akamo, who spoke to our correspondent on Wednesday, said the students, numbering six, were picked up from the hotel by the school, adding that the incident happened once.
PUNCH Metro had reported that some boarders jumped the school’s fence with their female counterparts and lodged in hotels for sexual pleasure.
It was also reported that for more than three sessions, including the just-concluded first term, some of the students left the school unnoticed. Read more
For presidency, Seyi will talk to you, Wike says at Oyo guber campaign flag-off (Tribune)
Embattled Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike on Thursday, says his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde would inform the people of the State of their preferred presidential candidate ahead of the February 25 poll.
The arrowhead of the G5 Governors popularly called Integrity Group disclosed this during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.
The PDP G5 governors – Wike, Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Samuel Ortom (Benue) have been at loggerheads with the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku, insisting that they will not support him unless the party’s Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu is removed.
Wike believed Seyi Makinde is arguably the only credible candidate in the race urging the electorates to vote the Oyo governor for second term. Read more
2022 Recruitment: NSCDC makes fresh announcement (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has warned applicants in the ongoing recruitment exercise to beware of scammers who are trying to take advantage of the exercise to extort them.
A statement by the spokesman of the Corps, Olusola Odumosu, on Thursday in Abuja said the scammers have been circulating messages on social media directing applicants to attend a test on January 8.
“The attention of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has been drawn to an erroneously crafted message to applicants about the recently advertised NSCDC 2022 recruitment exercise circulating in the media, various social media platforms and WhatsApp groups.
“The message which reads in parts states that, ‘The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) wishes to inform the general public that the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will hold on the 8th of January, 2023 in the 36 States of the federation and FCT’.” Read more
3 arraigned for stealing fuel, iron rods (Punch)
Three suspects have been arraigned before the Ogba Magistrates’ Court, Ogba, Lagos State, for allegedly stealing the property of a company.
The suspects, Imeh Okon, Taiwo Kayode, and Stephen Eze, allegedly conspired to commit the offence on November 28, 2022, on the company premises at 196, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.
The three were said to have stolen fuel and iron rods worth N160,000 while also damaging the fuel pump of a vehicle belonging to the company.
The charges read in part, “That you, Imeh Okon, Taiwo John Kayode. Stephen Eze, on November 28, 2022, around 11.30am at 196, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, in the Ikeja Magisterial District, did conspire among yourselves to commit felony, to wit stealing.” Read more
NAHCO equipment rams into Air Peace aircraft, as company denies allegations of sabotage (Sun)
An equipment of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc on Wednesday rammed into an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, damaging the aircraft elevator and causing disruption of its flight operations.
This was the third time in one month that such an incident would occur , a source close to the airside said.
A source with knowledge of the incident said the damaged aircraft was an Airbus A320 with the registration number: A320 ES-SAZ.
According to the source, before the incident occurred, the aircraft was scheduled to ferry passengers from Lagos to Owerri for a 7a.m flight, while the same airplane was positioned for about 10 flights on the day of the incident. Read more
Military Board begins payment of allowance to pensioners, next-of-kins (DailyTrust)
The Military Pensions Board (MPB) on Thursday began the payment of Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to eligible military retirees and next-of-kins of deceased pensioners.
The Chairman of the board, Rear Adm. Saburi Lawal, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Lawal said the payment was a sequel to the approval by President Muhammadu Buhari for the SDA to be paid to retirees who originally were not covered by Nov. 9, 2017, effective date.
He said it was also in line with the agreement reached at the ensuing tripartite meetings of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and representatives of the veteran associations. Read more
1999 Constitution will frustrate next president, says Afe Babalola (Nation)
The founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), on Wednesday said the 1999 constitution was responsible for the myriad of problems plaguing the country.
He said the legal framework was antithetical to socio-economic growth and development.
The legal luminary, who spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, added that the constitution was a major obstacle to the country’s unity, stability and progress.
Babalola noted that only a transactional and not the best-qualified leaders could win the presidential election under the defective constitutional arrangement. Read more
Akeredolu imposes 24-hour curfew on Ikare-Akoko over unrest, killings (Guardian)
Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ikare-Akoko, the headquarters of Akoko North East Local Council of Ondo State.
According to the governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, the 24-hour curfew takes immediate effect.
In the statement, the curfew became imperative following the violent clashes that rocked the New Year’s carnival in the town which resulted in the killings of some youths in the ancient community.
Sporadic gunshots pervaded the community on Tuesday and Wednesday when some youths loyal to the Olukare of Ikare-Akoko and the Owa-Ale of Iyometa engaged in a bloody clash over the usage of Okoja quarters for the carnival. Read more
China Covid: Celebrity deaths spark fears over death toll (BBC)
The growing number of Chinese public figures whose deaths are being made public is prompting people to question the official Covid death toll.
The death of Chu Lanlan, a 40-year-old opera singer, last month came as a shock to many, given how young she was.
Her family said they were saddened by her “abrupt departure”, but did not give details of the cause of her death.
China scrapped its strict zero-Covid policy in December and has seen a rapid surge of infections and deaths.
There are reports of hospitals and crematoria becoming overwhelmed. Read more
Ellie Goulding puts decade-old rumour she cheated on Ed Sheeran with Niall Horan to rest (Standard)
Ellie Goulding has finally responded to the rumours that she cheated on Ed Sheeran with Niall Horan after 10 years.
The singer, 36, was speculated to have dated Sheeran, 31, back in 2013 after they were pictured holding hands at the MTV VMA Awards. Goulding denied the reports at the time.
Rumours then circulated that she cheated on Sheeran with former One Direction member Horan, 29, after Sheeran later revealed an ex cheated on him with a friend in his song “Don’t”.
In a video shared by Goulding over Christmas on Tik Tok, a fan brought up the decade-old rumour in the comment section. Read more
Nirvana, The Supremes, Nile Rodgers and more to receive 2023 Lifetime Achievement Awards from Recording Academy (Billboard)
Nirvana, The Supremes, Ann Wilson & Nancy Wilson, Nile Rodgers and Slick Rick are among the Recording Academy’s 2023 lifetime achievement award recipients. The awards will be presented at the Special Merit Awards ceremony, which will be held on Feb. 4 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. It’s the first time the ceremony has been held since 2000, owing to the pandemic.
The Supremes are being honored a decade after Diana Ross received a lifetime achievement award. The only other artists to receive separate lifetime achievement awards as a solo artist and as part of a group are Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison (solo and with The Beatles) and Pete Seeger (solo and with The Weavers).
Ross is also a 2023 Grammy nominee for best traditional pop vocal album for Thank You. This is her 13th nomination. Amazingly, she has yet to win a Grammy in competition, either solo or with The Supremes. Rodgers is also a 2023 Grammy nominee. He’s up for album of the year for his work on Beyoncé’s Renaissance and best R&B song for co-writing Bey’s current hit “Cuff It.” Read more
Former Neighbours star Joan Sydney dies, aged 83 (DigitalSpy)
Neighbours actress Joan Sydney has died at the age of 83, it has been reported.
The television veteran, who played Valda Sheergold in the Australian soap, passed away peacefully according to a friend and colleague (via TV Tonight).
She had a lengthy career on TV, stage and radio, with her Neighbours role initially being a semi-regular recurring one before being bumped up to a full-time cast member across 2007 and 2008.
In terms of theatre, she’s appeared in My Fair Lady, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Importance of Being Earnest, Equus, Waiting for Godot, Oliver!, Hello Dolly and a stage version of Are You Being Served?. Read more
Kevin McCarthy makes new concessions to rebels as third day of voting looms (BBC)
North America correspondent
A third day of voting looms on Thursday but it is unclear if the US House of Representatives is any closer to electing a Speaker. Will fresh concessions that emerged overnight break the deadlock?
Republicans won the chamber in the midterm elections but Kevin McCarthy, who has served as the party’s House minority leader for four years, has 20 Republicans standing between him and the gavel – and they aren’t budging.
Matt Gaetz, one of those so-called “Never Kevins”, described Mr McCarthy as a “desperate guy” and said his request was simple: “For him to drop out of the race.”
Mr McCarthy, for his part, pushed for the House to adjourn until Thursday, guaranteeing a third day of voting. Read more
Ryuichi Sakamoto to score Hirokazu Kore-eda’s next film ‘‘Monster’’ (THR)
Legendary Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has signed on to write the music for Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s forthcoming feature film Monster (Kaibutsu), Tokyo-based production company Gaga Corporation revealed Thursday.
Sakamoto will provide newly written compositions as well as some of his pre-existing music for the film, producers say. A musical polymath, Sakamoto made his film debut with the iconic score for Nagisa Ôshima’s Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (1983), starring David Bowie. He later won an Oscar with his music for Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor (1987) and a Golden Globe nomination for his compositions for Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s The Revenant (2015). The partnership with Kore-eda marks his first work on a high-profile Japanese title in some time.
Monster is also Kore-eda’s first Japanese film since he won the Cannes Palme d’Or in 2018 with Shoplifters. It follows the director’s French film The Truth, which opened the Venice Film Festival in 2019, and his Korean title Broker, released earlier this year. Read more
Iran shuts French institute to protest insulting Charlie Hebdo cartoons (RFI)
Iran announced Thursday the closure of a Tehran-based French research institute to protest cartoons of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that were published by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
“The ministry is ending the activities of the French Institute for Research in Iran (IFRI) as a first step,” the Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement, a day after Tehran had warned Paris of “consequences”.
Iran has been shaken by over three months of protests triggered by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, an Iranian Kurd who was arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code for women.
It has responded with a crackdown that Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights said has killed at least 476 people in protests, which Iranian officials generally describe as “riots”. Read more
Awoniyi hailed for rescuing Forest from relegation zone (Punch)
Taiwo Awoniyi was the only player on the scoresheet for the match between Southampton and Nottingham Forest. His goal, 27′, made the difference for Forest which rescued them from the bottom three.
Awoniyi has since received accolades for his terrific escapade and fine form this season, following his strike on Wednesday night.
BBC Sports has tagged Awoniyi as ‘‘Terrific Taiwo’’ as all four of Nottingham Forest’s Premier League wins so far this season have been 1-0, with Awoniyi netting the winner in three of those.
All four of Taiwo Awoniyi’s Premier League goals this season have been the opening goal of the matches. Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane (5 each) have scored first in more different Premier League games this season. Read more
Barca chief Laporta says European Super League could start in 2025 (RFI)
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Thursday he believes a European Super League could be up and running from 2025 if a key court ruling goes in the project’s favour.
A suit alleging football governing bodies UEFA and FIFA had abused their power when they threatened to expel clubs or players who joined a proposed Super League is awaiting a verdict from the European Court of Justice.
European football was rocked in 2021 by an attempt by 12 clubs to set up a Super League, but after a backlash by fans and governments, most pulled out of the project.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus have continued to insist on a potential Super League, despite disapproval from various quarters. Read more
Damar Hamlin updates: Buffalo Bills player showing ‘signs of improvement’ after cardiac arrest (USAToday)
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is showing “signs of improvement” as he remains in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest during Monday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced on Wednesday.
Although the 24-year-old remains sedated in the intensive care unit, Hamlin’s marketing rep, Jordon Rooney, said he’s moving in “a positive direction,” although a timetable for his recovery is unknown.
Three days after Hamlin collapsed and was resuscitated at Paycor Stadium, support continues to pour in for the Bills’ second-year safety from around the world.
President Joe Biden said he spoke to Hamlin’s parents “at length.” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said his team is behind the Bills “100 percent in what they want to do going forward” with their postponed game. Fans have donated millions of dollars to a GoFundMe site Hamlin created in 2020 to buy toys for children ahead of the holidays. Read more
Benfica coach slams Chelsea for ”disrespectful” pursuit of Enzo Fernandez (ESPN)
Benfica coach Roger Schmidt has branded Chelsea “disrespectful” over their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez and accused them of “pretending” they were ready to pay the midfielder’s €120 million release clause.
ESPN reported on Wednesday that there were mixed messages around the deal with sources close to Benfica indicating that Chelsea had shown a willingness to meet or even surpass the 21-year-old’s clause while those close to the Premier League club played down any reports they would agree to that valuation.
It is understood Chelsea had intimated at one stage during negotiations that they could pay a higher figure in return for paying the fee in a series of annual instalments.
However, Benfica are demanding the entire fee up front and as talks continue with Fernandez keen on a switch to Stamford Bridge, Schmidt voiced his frustration at Chelsea’s approach during a Thursday news conference ahead of Benfica’s Primeira Liga match against Portimonense. Read more
Henrik Stenson set for DP World Tour return in Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after joining LIV Golf (Sky)
Henrik Stenson is set to make his first appearance on the DP World Tour since joining LIV Golf and being sacked as Ryder Cup captain at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship later this month.
Stenson has not played on the European golf’s leading tour since last July when he missed the cut in the Scottish Open before also making an early exit from the Open Championship, which he won in 2016.
Five days later, Stenson was removed as Ryder Cup captain with immediate effect because of his decision to join the Saudi-funded LIV Golf series, his tenure having lasted just 127 days.
The 46-year-old earned £3.3m for winning his first LIV event in New Jersey on July 31, with his replacement as Ryder Cup captain, Luke Donald, announced the following day. Read more
Coe says Kenya faces ”long journey” to tackle athletics doping (France24)
World Athletics chief Sebastian Coe said Thursday that Kenya faced a “long journey” to tackle a doping crisis that has mired the sport in the track and field powerhouse.
Kenya has vowed to clean up its act after last year escaping a World Athletics ban for drug use that threatened to make the country a sporting pariah.
A raft of Kenyan runners have been suspended after testing positive for banned drugs, with more than 50 Kenyans listed on the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) global list of ineligible athletes.
The East African nation has been in the top category on the World-Anti Doping Agency watch list since February 2016, alongside only Bahrain, Belarus, Ethiopia, Morocco, Nigeria and Ukraine. Read more