Tiktoker Seaking, charged for inciting attack on police, granted N500k bail (Vanguard)
A magistrate’s court in Ogba, Lagos, has granted bail to TikToker Olumide Ogunsanwo, popularly known as Seaking, setting the amount at ₦500,000 with two sureties in the same sum.
The court’s decision on Monday followed Seaking’s arrest on Saturday after he posted a video on social media allegedly inciting attack on police officers should they “pass their boundaries”
In its ruling, the court stipulated that one of the sureties must be a family member, while both must reside in Lagos and be gainfully employed. Read more
FG targeting 15m households un ₦25k cash transfer scheme, says Minister (Channels)
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development Nentawe Yilwatda says the Federal Government is targeting 15m households and 75m people in its conditional cash transfer scheme.
According to him, each household will be paid ₦25,000 per month thrice in a year.
Yilwatda said the move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s push to cushion the impacts of economic hardship on vulnerable Nigerians. Read more
Ibadan Funfair Tragedy: Court remands Ooni’s ex-wife, Oriyomi Hamzat (Punch)
A Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Silekunola; the Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat; and the Principal of Islamic High School, Abdullahi Fasasi, at the Agodi Correctional Centre.
The remand order followed their arraignment in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at a Christmas funfair held at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left six others injured.
The court presided over by Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi, issued the order after the suspects were brought to court amidst heavy security. Read more
Christmas: President Tinubu urges Christians to embrace love, kindness (VON)
President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt greetings to Christians across Nigeria and the world, even as he called for demonstrations of love and kindness toward one another.
The President, in his 2024 Christmas message to Nigerians, called on Christians to be mindful of those facing difficulties, those with modest means, and those with abundance who need a smile or a word of encouragement.
President Tinubu also urged Nigerians to pray for the troops who risk their lives daily to safeguard the nation. Read more
Christmas: Abbas, Kalu seek prayers, national rebirth (NewTelegraph)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has congratulated Christians as they celebrate Christmas, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ.
Abbas, while wishing Christians a merry Christmas, said the birth of Jesus Christ signifies newness and fulfilment while calling for a national rebirth at this critical time in the life of Nigerians.
In a congratulatory message issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the speaker urged Christians and Nigerians as a whole to use the occasion to pray for a new Nigeria, one that everyone dreams of. Read more
Christmas: Better days ahead, Tinubu’s wife tells Nigerians (DailyTrust)
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has asked Nigerians to look forward to 2025, saying that better days are ahead in the new year.
In her Christmas message to Nigerians, Senator Tinubu expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the “unwavering support and patience as we work towards building a better Nigeria.”
She said, “I want to assure you that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to positive reforms that will benefit every Nigerian. Most of which are already yielding positive results. Read more
Tinubu deserves credit for LG autonomy but… Olulana, ex-Lagos LP gov candidate (Tribune)
A former governorship of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Dr Rotimi Olulana, has said he could award credit to President Bola Tinubu for granting financial autonomy to local governments in the country.
He told the Nigerian Tribune that he hoped that Nigerians would allow the overall aim of the move to be realised.
“I will give Tinubu’s administration credit in that area for what the president was planning to achieve with that if Nigerians will allow this policy to work. This is because the state governors are the ones controlling the affairs of the local governments and they dictate the terms. Read more
Christmas: Police intensify vigilance at worship, event centres in Adamawa (Leadership)
The Adamawa State Police Command said it has deployed adequate security arrangements in collaboration with other security agencies at churches, event centres and residential areas to ensure security of lives and property during the Christmas celebration.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Dankombo Morris also directed ‘stop and search’ operations of vehicles at all entry points into the state while also authorising patrols across the state.
The Command equally advised members of the public to give timely information and report any suspicious movement to the police. Read more
Erica Mena apologizes to Nicki Minaj for past remarks, blames Safaree for manipulation (Vibe)
Erica Mena has offered a public apology to Nicki Minaj, claiming she was manipulated into speaking negatively about the rap icon by their mutual ex, Safaree Samuels.
Mena addressed the issue during a recent appearance on the Dumb Blonde podcast, where she reflected on her past actions.
“I owe her the biggest apology,” the 37-year-old began before admitting that she allowed the Love & Hip Hop New York talent to influence her perception of Minaj. “It’s funny how life comes full circle. Because the same thing he did to her, he’s doing to me years later.” Read more
Hayley Williams reacts to Doechii praising Paramore: “She better win every Grammy” (NME)
Hayley Williams has reacted to Doechii citing Paramore as an influence on her work, saying she wants the singer to win “every Grammy”.
Earlier this week, the ‘Denial Is A River’ rapper opened up about the impact that the pop-punk band have had on her as an artist, pointing to her days as an art-school teenager.
“Paramore was my first introduction to rock music,” Doechii said in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald. “I know that rock music is popular but where I grew up in the South, in my culture and my radius, it wasn’t so popular. But she kind of changed my life and my perspective, and I learned about different types of music through Paramore. It made a huge impression on me and my style.” Read more
Ruth Jones apologises live on BBC Radio 2 after expletive blunder ahead of Gavin And Stacey finale (Standard)
Ruth Jones apologised live on BBC Radio 2 after making an on-air blunder while co-hosting the show with James Corden on Monday.
The creators of Gavin and Stacey took over the breakfast show, joined by several cast members ahead of the sitcom’s final episode.
While fans hailed the takeover as “iconic” and urged the cast to host the show permanently, Jones, who plays Nessa Jenkins, accidentally turned the airwaves blue when she accidentally swore while reciting a line from the beloved series. Read more
Vera star Brenda Blethyn reflects on finale scene that broke her heart (DigitalSpy)
Vera star Brenda Blethyn has revealed that a scene from the final episodes of the show “broke her heart.”
It was announced in April that the ITV crime drama would conclude with its 14th season – with a two-part finale – in the new year, bringing an end to a 14-year run.
Ahead of the finale, Blethyn spoke with RadioTimes about her experience on the set, sharing that one particular scene proved to be “emotional” during filming. Read more
North Korea suffers 1,100 casualties fighting for Russia, South Korea says (Independent)
North Korean troops have reportedly suffered heavy casualties while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, according to South Korea’s spy agency, which also claimed to have detected signs of Pyongyang preparing to send additional soldiers and kamikaze drones to Moscow.
At least 12,000 North Korean soldiers are fighting in Russia’s nearly three-year-long war against Ukraine, according to Seoul, Washington and Kyiv.
The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) on Monday said at least 100 North Korean soldiers have died while another 1,000 suffered injuries in the bordering Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have been battling a Ukrainian ground incursion since August. Read more
Protests erupt in Syria over Christmas tree burning (BBC)
Protests have broken out in Syria over the burning of a Christmas tree, prompting calls for the new Islamist authorities to take steps to protect minorities.
A video posted on social media showed the tree on fire in the main square of Suqaylabiyah, a Christian-majority town in central Syria, with masked men around.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main Islamist faction which led the uprising that toppled President Bashar al-Assad, said foreign fighters had been detained over the incident. Read more
Robbie Williams planning to resit failed GSCE exams (MusicNews)
Robbie Williams is gearing up to go back to school and resit his GCSEs.
If he can fit in his studies around a best-selling world tour and awards season, that is.
Williams – whose single Forbidden Road from his new biopic Better Man, is up for Best Original Song at next month’s Golden Globes – has been busy Googling home education options, according to The Sun. Read more
Osimhen joins Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy at Tony Elumelu’s all-white party (Vanguard)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen on Monday joined Nigeria’s elite at billionaire Tony Elumelu glamorous all-white party in Lagos, embracing the holiday festivities during a visit to his home country.
The Galatasaray forward, who has been in prolific form, was seen mingling with top celebrities at the event hosted by Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, with an estimated net worth of $700 million according to Forbes.
The star-studded affair featured electrifying performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest music icons, including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Flavour. Read more
NPFL: Relegation-troubled Akwa United break Heartland in Uyo (Nation)
Akwa United eased off their relegation worries with a 2-0 home win over Heartland in the last game of the Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 18 fixture played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.
The Promise Keepers scored a goal in each half through Endurance Ebedebiri and Chijioke Alaekwe in the 32nd and 67th minute. The first goal was scored via a penalty kick after the referee adjudged that Benjamin Victor and Ebuka Nwokoecha impeded the move of Kabir Osoba two minutes before the penalty kick was taken.
With the win, Akwa United jumped to the 17th spot with 19 points from 18 games while Heartland FC remain in 13th spot from the same number of games. Read more
Official: Monza sack Nesta as likely successor emerges (FootballItalia)
Monza confirm Alessandro Nesta’s sacking and according to Sky Sport Italia, Salvatore Bocchetti is the main candidate to replace the former Milan defender.
Serie A strugglers Monza have sacked Nesta after a 2-1 loss against Juventus.
The club confirmed Nesta’s sacking with an official statement on Monday afternoon. Read more
Celtic raise £400k for 2024 Christmas appeal in most successful festive campaign (DailyRecord)
Celtic FC have raised more than £400,000 for their 2024 Christmas Appeal. The club’s charity wing have hailed their most successful festive campaign to date after helping people hit hard by the cost of living crisis.
The Celtic FC Foundation revealed they raised and distributed a whopping £412,000 to causes – including homeless, refugee and women’s aid charities. The funds raised helped a total of 1,068 families who are facing poverty and hardship over Christmas.
The charity also helped 938 vulnerable pensioners and other individuals across Glasgow and the West and Edinburgh, by providing them with Christmas vouchers and meals. A total of 725 children in Glasgow were also helped, with 400 of those provided with brand new toys and gifts. Read more
Joel Embiid ejected for tantrum directed at referee during 76ers win over Spurs (UPI)
Joel Embiid jumped off the floor, ran toward a referee and shouted incessantly while standing over her en route to an ejection in the first half of a Philadelphia 76ers win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Embiid’s tantrum, directed at referee Jenna Schroeder’s call, came with about three minutes remaining in the second quarter of the 111-106 victory Monday in Philadelphia. Embiid finished the game with nine points.
Coach Nick Nurse later told reporters that he thought the call of an offensive foul was “strange.” Read more
ICC Champions Trophy: India to play matches in Dubai, not Pakistan (AlJazeera)
The Champions Trophy 2025 will now be held in Pakistan and Dubai, after hosts Pakistan selected the UAE as a neutral venue for their rivals India, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said.
The venue change followed weeks of wrangling after India refused to visit Pakistan for their matches.Tournament holders Pakistan will now have to travel to Dubai to play India in a match on 23 February, and again, if the sides were to meet, in the final on March 9. Read more