Third Mainland Bridge: FG addresses social media concerns (Sun)
The federal government has assured citizens that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos is safe following social media claims that the structure is shaking.
Refuting the reports spreading on WhatsApp and Facebook on Thursday, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha called them baseless.
Kesha noted that reports are driven by ulterior motives, are false, and should be disregarded. Read more
Wike withdraws Maitama plots R of O from Speaker Abbas, Uzodinma, others (Tribune)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has announced the withdrawal of Right of Occupancy (R of O) for several plot allottees and title holders in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja.
This decision, effective January 15, 2025, follows the failure of the affected individuals to settle their outstanding Certificate of Occupational (C of O) bills despite the expiration of a grace period granted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to a public announcement by the FCTA on Thursday, the withdrawal is in line with Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978, which empowers the government to revoke land rights for contraventions of the terms of grant. Read more
Abbas, Deputy Speaker, mourn Onanuga (NewTelegraph)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has expressed deep grief over the demise of the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, saying she was a strong pillar who would be sorely missed in the House.
Abbas, who said he led members of the House in support and prayers for the deceased during her health challenge, lamented her eventual death as painful.
The speaker recalled Onanuga’s campaigns for gender equality, women empowerment and inclusion in politics and governance, especially as Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare in the 9th House and as principal officer in the 10th House. Read more
Lagos Mainland APC appeals to Ganduje over alleged unconstitutional dissolution of executive council (Nation)
The executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area has urged the party’s national leadership to intervene promptly in addressing its alleged unconstitutional dissolution.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Saturday, the acting chairman of the committee, Tony Fasanmi, said the appeal to the national body became necessary due to the perceived biased handling of the issue by the State Executive Council of the party
Fasanmi claimed that the committee members were duly elected through congresses in accordance with the party’s constitution, saying that their mandate remains valid from Lagos to Abuja. Read more
Tinubu mourns as former Lagos Head of Service, Sunny Ajose, dies (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound sorrow over the death of Sunny Ajose, a former Lagos State Head of Service and respected elder statesman.
Ajose died on Thursday at the age of 78.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu conveyed heartfelt condolences to the Lagos State Government, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the people of Badagry. He described Ajose as a “unifying force” whose leadership left an indelible mark on the state. Read more
NANS demands apology from Ogun deputy gov after convoy clash (Punch)
The Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Adeyanju Francis on Thursday urged Governor Dapo Abiodun to investigate the reported shooting of the protesting students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic Abeokuta, on Wednesday by the security operatives attached to the convoy of Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
The student leaders also sought an apology from the deputy governor within the next 24 hours.
Adeyanju, in a press briefing on Thursday held by the gate of the school, said that the claim by the statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, over the incident was inaccurate and utter lies. Read more
Students loan unreliable, not tested – ASUU (DailyTrust)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nsukka zone in Enugu State, on Thursday said that the benefits of students loan scheme of the Federal Government must not replace the agency funding infrastructures in tertiary institutions across the country as it had yet to pass the test of time.
Our correspondent reports that ASUU has vowed to fight relentlessly within its capacity to save the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) established in 2011 following its struggle from being abrogated under the Nigeria Tax Bill (2024) for the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund).
Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Raphael Amokaha, while briefing journalists in Makurdi on a text entitled, “The Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024: A Bill To End The Hope Of Tertiary Education For Children Of The Nigerian Working Class,” said the intention of the bill was disturbing as it seeks to kill the TETFund in favour of the NELFund which remains unrealistic. Read more
WACT donates solar power to health centres in Rivers (Leadership)
The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT)-APM Terminals Nigeria has donated and commissioned multi-million naira solar power systems to two Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in its host communities of Onne and Ogu in Rivers State.
The beneficiaries of the solar projects are the Model Primary Health Care Centre in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area, and the Model Primary Health Care Centre in Ogu, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the State.
The installations aimed to address the persistent challenge of power outages to boost healthcare delivery in the communities. WACT-APM Terminals said the initiative will improve healthcare access for over 25,000 households in the areas. Read more
Sheryl Lee Ralph reveals weight loss tip that acts like “good medicine” and why she didn’t use drugs like Ozempic (DailyMail)
Sheryl Lee Ralph gave fans an insight into her weight-loss journey, revealing she shed pounds without the help of drugs like Ozempic.
The Abbott Elementary star, 68, said she opted to go the natural way when it comes to slimming down in a new interview with People.
‘I don’t judge. If that would have worked for me, I would have,’ she said, adding, ‘I would do anything to have the best health I possibly could.’ Read more
Israel pounds Gaza as Netanyahu shelves cabinet ceasefire vote (NewArab)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shelved a cabinet vote on the ceasefire agreement, claiming that Hamas has “backtracked” on elements of the deal.
“Hamas reneges on parts of the agreement reached with the mediators and Israel in an effort to extort last-minute concessions,” a statement from the prime minister’s office alleged.
“The Israeli cabinet will not convene until the mediators notify Israel that Hamas has accepted all elements of the agreement.” Read more
Timothée Chalamet says he was fined $79 for riding a bike to London premiere of A Complete Unknown (People)
Timothée Chalamet’s ride to the London premiere of his film A Complete Unknown ended up costing him more than he thought it would.
The actor, 29, shared on the French talk show Quotidien on Wednesday, Jan. 15, how he ended up taking a Lime bike to the premiere — which he was photographed riding on the red carpet — and just how much he had to pay for it.
“There was a traffic jam,” Chalamet recalled while explaining why he took the bike in a clip posted on X. “And I actually wasn’t allowed to park there [at the premiere], and I got a £65 ($79) fine.” Read more
David Schwimmer reveals he served Rod Stewart divorce papers (NME)
David Schwimmer has said he once served Rod Stewart divorce papers, when the actor was working a temporary job in his university days.
During a new interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, the Friends star looked back on his time as a waiter in Chicago, saying he had “so many jobs” in his younger years.
“One summer after my freshman year in college, I was just looking for work,” Schwimmer recalled. “And my mum said, ‘Well, you can be a process server for me’. My mum was a divorce lawyer.” Read more
Tributes paid to Paul Danan after Hollyoaks actor dies, aged 46 (Independent)
Tributes have poured in for the Hollyoaks actor and Love Island star Paul Danan, who has died, aged 46.
The actor who has been described as a “beacon of light” played bad boy Sol Patrick from 1997 to 2001 on the Channel 4 soap and was later known for his reality TV appearances, including on Celebrity Big Brother and Celebrity Love Island.
In a statement from his agency, Independent Creative Management said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Paul Danan at just 46 years old. Read more
Jay Leno uses own fire truck to serve food to first responders in LA fires (FilmNews)
Jay Leno has used his own fire truck to serve food to first responders battling the Los Angeles wildfires.
The former late night host has been driving to relief sites in his own fire truck in order to help out.
Jay told CNN’s Anderson Cooper that he wanted to help – and using his own vehicle to deliver food seemed like a good way to do it.
He revealed he “drove a 1941 American LaFrance fire truck”, saying “it’s good to have your own fire truck when you live in LA.”
“Screamingly funny” Tony Slattery dies aged 65 (BBC)
Sir Stephen Fry has led the tributes to British actor and comedian Tony Slattery, who has died aged 65 following a heart attack.
Slattery was known for his quick-witted improvisations on the popular Channel 4 show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, from 1988 onwards.
Sir Stephen, who also featured on the show as well as with Slattery in Cambridge University’s Footlights group, described his old friend on Instagram as “the gentlest, sweetest soul” and “a screamingly funny, deeply talented wit and clown”. Read more
Jigawa Golden Stars threatens to sack Coach Mato for poor performance (Leadership)
The management of Jigawa Golden Stars FC has issued a two-match ultimatum to the team head coach, Ado Mato and his assistants following a series of disappointing results in the ongoing Nigeria National League, NNL.
This was contained In a press statement signed by the club’s media aide, Ibrahim Isyaku, and made available to newsmen, with the management insisting that Coach Mato must secure a minimum of two wins in the next two matches or face termination of his contract.
The club chairman, Gambo Umar Labbo, stated that the decision was made in the best interests of the club and its dedicated supporters. Read more
Enugu get final nod for 2026 National Sports Festival (Nation)
Enugu State has received the final nod to host the 2026 National Sports Festival following a contract agreement between the state and the National Sports Commission.
The agreement to that effect was signed by the Director-General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade on behalf of the Federal Government and Governor Peter Mbah for Enugu State.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Government House in Enugu on Tuesday, Governor Mbah thanked the Commission and other sports stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the state and his administration to stage the event, assuring that it would discharge its hosting responsibilities in a way that would leave an indelible memory on the athletes and Nigerian sports’ lovers. Read more
Moyes “under no illusions” after defeat on Everton return (JapanToday)
David Moyes said he had witnessed the scale of the task he faces to keep Everton in the Premier League after a dismal 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday.
In the first match of Moyes’ second spell at Goodison Park, Ollie Watkins scored the only goal to continue the Toffees barren streak in front of goal.
A run of no wins and just one goal in his last five games in charge cost Sean Dyche his job as Everton boss. Read more
Arsenal ‘‘admire’’ record-breaking PL striker as Arteta confirms January desire (Football365)
Arsenal are reportedly admirers of Brentford striker Yoane Wissa, after Mikel Arteta confirmed a desire to hunt for a new forward in the January transfer window.
Arsenal are second in the Premier League and have 41 goals to their name. Only leaders Liverpool have scored more goals than Arteta’s side.
But the Spaniard has been hit by injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, with the latter out for at least three months, and the former probably all season. Read more
Fox Sports to broadcast LIV Golf events starting this season (ESPN)
LIV Golf has reached a multiyear broadcast agreement with Fox Sports, which will air each of the three rounds of the events live in the U.S. on one of its network’s channels and streaming app starting this season.
LIV Golf announced Thursday that more than half of its 14 tournaments would air live on Fox or FS1, while select rounds will be broadcast on either FS2, Fox Business Network or the Fox Sports App. Every round will be streamed on the Fox Sports App and LIV Golf+, the circuit said.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and it wasn’t clear if Fox Sports would pay a rights fee to the Saudi Arabian-financed tour. Read more
Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson died millions of pounds in debt (Mirror)
Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson died on August 26 last year after suffering from pancreatic cancer.
Former England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson died millions of pounds in debt, it has been revealed today.During his career, he earned big money managing teams including England – but he was then close to personal bankruptcy after being scammed out of 100 million. Read more