Speaker loyal to Fubara resigns from Rivers Assembly (DailyTrust)
The factional Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Edision Ehie has resigned his position as the Speaker and member of the Assembly representing Ahaoda East Constituency 2.
Ehie in his letter of resignation dated December 29, 2023 and addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not state the reason for his resignation but thanked his colleagues in the Assembly for good working relationship and his constituency for supporting him throughout his stay in the Assembly.
Ehie was the majority leader of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly until he was suspended by the House following the failed impeachment process initiated against governor Similanayi Fubara. Read more
Lagos dissociates self from demolition of POWA complex (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government has distanced itself from the controversial demolition of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Shopping Complex, at Computer Village, Ikeja.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in a statement on Sunday, made the clarification.
The statement reads in part: “Lagos State Government has nothing to do with the demolition at Computer Village in Ikeja.
“The structure is owned by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), which ordered its demolition. Read more
Nigerians welcome new year with hope, prayers (Channels)
Millions of Nigerians have joined others across the globe to usher in a new year with prayers, fireworks, and hopes for a better 2024 despite the turbulence of the previous year.
From Port Harcourt to Lagos, Kaduna to Enugu, Christians trooped into churches for worship and also to spend the last moments of the outgone year with their families, loved ones, and fellow believers.
As the clock hit midnight, shouts of “Happy New Year” echoed across the nation as fireworks adorned the early morning skyline. Read more
Igboho to Army: Yoruba nation agitation peaceful (Nation)
Yoruba nation agitator Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) has rejected classification of his movement as a threat to security in Southwest Nigeria by the Nigerian Army.
The Army had on Friday reportedly classified his group as a threat to security in the region while analysing the security situation in the country.
The Army’s director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj.Gen. Edward Buba, had reportedly given the classification while addressing reporters on the activities of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) against insurgency between January and December 2023. Read more
Edo 2024: PDP must choose right candidate to avoid Rivers debacle, says Emiohe (Leadership)
As aspirants for the Edo 2024 governorship election intensify their consultations to secure their party’s tickets, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Chief Mathew Emiohe, has warned against repeating the political debacle between former Governor Nyesom Wike and his “godson” Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He urges the party to choose its candidate carefully and avoid imposing anyone.
Emiohe also denies any involvement in a meeting with the governor where Asue Ighodalo was discussed as a potential party candidate. He further advises the governor against making the mistake of fielding a “stranger” or unpopular candidate if the party aims to win the 2024 election.
The Itohan of Esanland, while drumming up support for Barrister Anslem Ojezua’s candidacy, claims to have reliable information that Governor Obaseki encouraged Ojezua to enter the race. He acknowledges Obaseki’s right to support any candidate but emphasises the need for collaboration with party leaders, cautioning against unilateral decisions. Read more
Plateau killings: Army chief deploys more soldiers, dismisses reports of fresh attacks (Punch)
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has said more troops and equipment are on the way to tackle the insecurity crisis in Plateau State.
This came after terrorists, on Christmas Eve, attacked over 20 communities in the state and killed over 100 persons.
Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday night, Lagbaja said the troops would arrive in the state either on Sunday night or Monday morning. Read more
LASTMA arrests truck driver involved in fatal accident in Lagos (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) on Sunday arrested a driver of a fully loaded containerised truck after crushing a motor boy to death by MTN inward Sunrise along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the fully loaded containerised truck (T_1360LA) unintentionally crushed a motor boy who was sleeping beneath the truck while trying to move along with other loaded trucks toward Tin Can Port Gate, Apapa.
Following the incident and the motor boy’s confirmation of death at a nearby hospital, the truck driver attempted to flee but was promptly apprehended by LASTMA officials, led by Traffic Officer Adams Lateef ‘Zebra’ (Zone 13) Apapa. Read more
Women groups storm Kano, seek divine intervention for Gov Abba’s victory at S’Court (Guardian)
Tens of thousands of women residents in Kano State have gathered at Silver Jubilee roundabout to show solidarity for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The women came out in their large numbers to seek for divine intervention in favour of the governor at the Supreme Court.
The women were advocating for justice in the ongoing election petition at the awaits Supreme Court’s judgement.
According to the spokesperson of the group, Hajiya Salamatu Jarma Suleiman, the women group were out to conduct special prayers in solidarity to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the ongoing court tussle. Read more
Jennifer Lopez teases new music sampling Reggae twist on Redman’s ‘Da Goodness’ (HipHopDx)
Jennifer Lopez has shared a snippet of an alternate version of an upcoming release while trying her hand at the viral “Jiggy Woogie” dance challenge.
The former In Living Color Fly Girl took to Instagram on Saturday night (December 30) to share a clip of herself and choreographer Enola Bedard dancing to the song “Jiggy Woogie” by Dancehall artists BabyLawd and DLegend, delivering their own take on the viral dance that has helped popularize the song.
The track, which samples Redman‘s 1998 Busta Rhymes-assisted hit “Da Goodness,” quickly shifts to incorporate JLo’s upcoming single “Can’t Get Enough,” which also hears her interpolate Sean Paul‘s 2003 track, “I’m Still In Love With You.” Read more
Taylor Swift surpasses Elvis Presley as solo artist with most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart (People)
Taylor Swift has notched a new record over the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The “Anti-Hero” singer, 34, has now surpassed Elvis Presley as the soloist with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with the release of her latest album 1989 (Taylor’s Version), Billboard announced on Sunday.
Swift has spent 68 weeks atop the Billboard 200, beating Presley, who recorded 67 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 across his 10 albums between 1956 and 2002. Read more
Israeli minister reiterates calls for Palestinians to leave Gaza (AlJazeera)
Israel’s Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for Palestinian residents of Gaza to leave the besieged enclave, making way for the Israelis who could “make the desert bloom”.
Smotrich, who has been excluded from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s war cabinet and discussions of day-after arrangements in Gaza, made the comments while speaking to Israeli Army Radio on Sunday.
“What needs to be done in the Gaza Strip is to encourage emigration,” he said. Read more
Queen Margrethe of Denmark announces she will abdicate in January after 52 years on throne (People)
Queen Margrethe II, the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Denmark, has announced that she will abdicate in January 2024.
The news came during Margrethe’s New Year’s Eve speech on Sunday, when the Queen, 83, revealed that her son, Crown Prince Frederik, will succeed her and become the new King of Denmark.
“I have decided that now is the right time. On 14 January 2024, 52 years after I succeeded my beloved father — I will step down as Queen of Denmark. I leave the throne to my son Crown Prince Frederik,” she said, per an English translation of the official speech transcription. Read more
Black Venezuelans mark emancipation of ancestors with colourful festival (AfricaNews)
Revellers dressed in colourful outfits celebrated the Feast of the Holy Innocents across Venezuela this week.
In Caucagua, the religious day has taken on a special meaning and has turned into a celebration of the liberation of slaves.
The festival was born over 200 years ago when plantation owners gave their enslaved workers the day off to mark the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Read more
North Korea plans spy satellites launches, nuclear material production in 2024 (VOA)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to launch three additional military spy satellites, produce more nuclear materials and introduce attack drones in 2024, as he called for “overwhelming” war readiness to cope with U.S.-led confrontational moves, state media reported Sunday.
Kim’s comments, made during a key ruling Workers’ Party meeting to set state goals for next year, suggest he’ll intensify a run of weapons tests ahead of the U.S. presidential elections in November. Observers say Kim believes a boosted nuclear capability would give him another chance for high-stakes diplomacy with the U.S. to win sanctions relief if former President Donald Trump returns to the White House. Read more
Family of British mother and son killed in French avalanche say they are ‘beyond heartbroken’ (Independent)
The family of a British mother and son killed in an avalanche in the French Alps have paid tribute, saying they are “beyond heartbroken”.
The pair have been named as Kate Vokes, 54, and her son Archie Vokes, 22, who died after the avalanche swept through an off-piste section of the resort of Saint-Gervais-les-Bains near Mont Blanc on Thursday.
Ms Vokes was chair of the Oglesby Charitable Trust, a director of their family-owned property company Bruntwood, deputy chair of the Royal Exchange Theatre and a trustee of charities Shared Health and Focused Care. Read more
Udoh wants 10-year NPFL goal record broken (Punch)
Current all-time highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Mfon Udoh, has again stated his desire to see his 23-goal record, which he set in 2014, broken this season, The PUNCH reports.
Udoh won the NPFL Golden Boot and cemented his name in the history of the league with an unprecedented 23-goal while playing for Enyimba, smashing Jude Aneke’s 20-goal record.
Ten years after setting the record, he believes the current leading scorers in the league this season might be able to set a new record. Read more
NASCAR community mourns passing of Cale Yarborough (NBC)
NASCAR Hall of Famer Cale Yarborough, the first driver to win three consecutive series championships, has died. He was 84.
His 83 career Cup wins ties him with Jimmie Johnson for sixth on the all-time wins list.
Yarborough’s record of three consecutive championships (1976-78) was among those thought to never be broken until Johnson won five in a row from 2006-10. Read more
Peter Schmeichel wowed by Chelsea player after win over Luton Town and ‘the nerve’ of his actions (HitC)
Peter Schmeichel has lauded Cole Palmer and the calmness to his game following Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Luton Town on Saturday.
As per, Chelsea made things very difficult for themselves because, despite going 3-0 up, they were scrapping and clawing their way over the finished line by the time the final whistle was blown.
Whilst Chelsea showcased that panic towards the end, one man who remained calm and composed was Cole Palmer. Read more
McGregor announces UFC return against Chandler (BBC)
Ireland’s Conor McGregor says he will make his UFC return against Michael Chandler in Las Vegas on 29 June.
Former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion McGregor has not fought since breaking a leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021.
In a video on social media, 35-year-old McGregor said it would be the “greatest comeback of all time”. Read more
Super Eagles on cusp of AFCON glory at Cote d’Ivoire 2023 – Danladi Bako (CompleteSports)
The African Cup of Nations is upon us again, this time Cote d’Ivoire, the two-time winners, are the hosts. Nigeria’s Super Eagles are gearing up to browbeat their way to the final and probably win the trophy, not because of the strength of their preparation, quality friendly matches, pedigree of coaching crew, but more because of the providence nature bestowed on us as a country by having a few top class players in the mould of Victor Osimhen and the rave of the German League, Victor Boniface, of Bayer Leverkusen.
But winning the Africa Cup of Nations or indeed major football tournaments goes beyond the quality of players and coaches, it also tasks each country’s football administration cascading from the Sports Minister: his drive, persona, charisma, and his hold at the president’s office down to the aura of the Football Federation President to the tactical depth of the coaching crew, and very importantly, the commitment, passion, grit, energy technical ability and discipline of the players individually and collectively. Read more
Fuming Mikel Arteta blasts Arsenal flops and warns they are “nowhere near” title race (Mirror)
Arsenal fell to another defeat at Fulham on New Year’s Eve, with the Gunners seeing their Premier League titles hopes suffer a serious blow after winning just one of their last five
Mikel Arteta warned his Arsenal side they will be “nowhere near” the title race if they replicate the performance that saw them slip to a dismal defeat at Fulham.
Arteta’s side have now won just one of their last five Premier League games, with their hopes of winning the title suffering a serious blow. The Gunners had actually gone ahead through Bukayo Saka’s goal just four minutes into the New Year’s Eve clash. Read more