Tinubu begins private visit to France Wednesday (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu will on Wednesday depart Abuja for Paris, France, for a private visit.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Wednesday titled ‘President Tinubu travels to France.’
Although the statement did not state the reasons for the visit, Ngelale said, “He will return to the country in the first week of February 2024.” Read more
Gunmen kill over 30 in Plateau State attack (Guardian)
At least 30 people, mostly women and children, were killed in a brutal attack by gunmen in Kwahaslalek village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, early Wednesday morning.
The attack, which targeted villagers who had sought refuge in the home of a community leader following earlier unrest in Mangu town, has sent shockwaves through the region and reignited concerns about escalating violence in the state.
A community leader, Mark Haruna, stated that the gunmen struck around 12:30 a.m., targeting those who had fled the daytime unrest. Read more
Lagos political cartel misleading Tinubu to relocate CBN, FAAN units — Ndume (Tribune)
Ali Ndume, the Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has berated the recent plan to relocate key departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos State.
The Senator, who stated that Lagos is neither the whole of Nigeria nor its federal capital, added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is being misinformed and misled by some “Lagos boys”.
Ndume, while speaking on a Channels Television interview on Tuesday, expressed confidence in the President to reverse the decision. According to him, President Tinubu is a nationalist and not Lagos man, adding that Nigeria can’t have two capitals. Read more
Gunmen kill Anambra couple, dump corpses in vehicle boot (Punch)
Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have killed two persons suspected to be husband and wife and dumped their corpses in a car boot of their vehicle, a Toyota Camry with the registration number: EE-621-EU.
The two fresh blood-dripping corpses were seen by passers-by at a lonely place along the Tempo Junction, Umunya axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in the early hours of Wednesday.
A video currently trending on social media, showed the dark-coloured Toyota Corolla being surrounded and inspected by passersby. The vehicle doors were wide open while the two fresh corpses were dumped inside the boot. Read more
Ondo gov picks former National Assembly clerk as deputy (DailyTrust)
A former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, has been nominated as the new Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Adelami’s nomination came shortly after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa announced the dissolution of members of the State Executive Council in the cabinet, who worked under the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
An alumnus of Imade College, Adelami obtained his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Lagos before proceeding to get his MBA from Ogun State University.
He was a deputy clerk at the National Assembly before retiring in April 2018. Read more
US Secretary Blinken commissions American Corner in Lekki (Channels)
The United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, on Wednesday, commissioned the ‘American Corner’ in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The innovative and tech-enabled American space in Lagos is aimed at supporting youth innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity in Nigeria.
The technology bolstered the Biden Administration’s U.S. Strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa’s objective to drive digital transformation and stimulate an inclusive digital ecosystem. Read more
Politicians have unleashed bandits on Tinubu admin, Niger APC chieftain Vatsa alleges (Sun)
Former Commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism and Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Niger State Jonathan Vatsa has raised the alarm that the escalation of bandits activities at the nation Capital Abuja was a hand work of politicians who want to make the government unpopular before 2027.
Vatsa specifically told our correspondent in an interview in Minna on Wednesday that those behind the sudden rise in Banditry activities in Abuja and it’s surrounding satellites towns are doing it to set Nigerians against the government just to discredit it.
The former publicity secretary of the APC in the state pointed out that the strategies of causing a state of insecurity was adopted against the former President Goodluck Jonathan government ahead of the 2015 general elections where bombs were being released all over Nigeria including Abuja and this made Nigeria to lose interest in that government. Read more
Nigerian police vow to take action against LGBTQ community over viral video (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Police have resolved to take necessary action against the members of Nigerian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ), describing them as criminals and their practices are punishable under the law.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made this known on Wednesday via X account, while reacting to the video posted by the LGBTQ.
The LGBTQ members publicly spoke about their sexuality and the misconceptions the public had about them while participating in a popular online challenge on social media. Read more
Taraji P. Henson says it’s “Not Fair” that The Color Purple narrative has shifted (Complex)
Taraji P. Henson expressed her perspective surrounding the production for The Color Purple. Now, she wants the gossip about the film’s making and promotional efforts to stop spiraling out of control.
Throughout The Color Purple promo, Henson discussed being underpaid as a Black actress, nearly declining to play Shug Avery in the musical drama, adding that the TCP producers requested that actors drive themselves to set in rental cars. In an statement to TODAY.com, Henson asked that the public choose to focus on the film instead of what occurred behind the scenes.
“I hope they can focus back onto this film, because right now, to me, it feels like what I said is now becoming louder than this beautiful film,” she told the outlet. Read more
50 Cent flaunts impressive weight loss results amid abstinence journey (HipHopDx)
50 Cent has impressed fans with his weight loss results after crediting abstinence with helping him “train harder.”
In recent Instagram photos, the G-Unit mogul has been showing off a noticeably slimmer physique — and fans have been commenting on the new look.
“This is a perfect example of a man wanting to be healthy. It’s not appreciated. People so judgmental,” one person said. Read more
Dozens die in fire in China’s southeastern Jiangxi province (AlJazeera)
At least 39 people have been killed in a fire in China’s southeastern province of Jiangxi, according to government officials.
The blaze broke out on Wednesday in the basement of shops in the city of Xinyu. State broadcaster CCTV said nine people were injured and were taken to hospital while many others remained trapped.
CCTV video showed several fire trucks and other emergency response vehicles arriving on the scene as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames. Read more
Man charged with stalking after being arrested twice near Taylor Swift’s New York home (NBC)
A man is in police custody and has been charged with stalking and harassment after being arrested near Taylor Swift’s New York apartment twice in three days, police said.
David Crowe, 33, from Seattle, was first arrested on Saturday at 1:35 p.m. after a 911 call reported a “disorderly person” along Franklin Street in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood, where Swift is widely reported to have an apartment complex.
“Upon arrival of police to the scene, police were informed that the individual attempted to open a door to a building at the location,” the office of Deputy Commissioner for Public Information (DCPI), Tarik Sheppard, told NBC News. Read more
Paris Hilton on son Phoenix’s 1st birthday party plans including petting zoo (People)
Paris Hilton is going all out for her son Phoenix’s 1st birthday!
The reality TV star, 42, opened up about her son’s milestone celebration on Wednesday night’s episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show.
Hilton revealed that the toddler’s party, which is taking place this weekend, will include “a petting zoo” and a “ball pit and slides.” Read more
Kenyan cult leader and 94 others charged with manslaughter (AfricaNews)
Self-styled Kenyan pastor Paul Mackenzie, his wife, and 93 other accomplices were charged with manslaughter at the Mombasa law court, on Tuesday (Jan. 23).
All pleaded not guilty to the 238 counts of manslaughter allegedly committed between January 2021 and February 2023.
A total of 429 members, including children, of Mackenzie’s Good News International Church died. Read more
Dexter Scott King, younger son of Martin Luther King Jr., dies at 62 (CBS)
Dexter Scott King, the younger son of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, has died, his brother said. He was 62.
King died after a battle with prostate cancer. His wife, Leah Weber King, said in a statement that he died peacefully in his sleep.
“He gave it everything and battled this terrible disease until the end,” she said. “As with all the challenges in his life, he faced this hurdle with bravery and might.” Read more
‘“My ultimate aim is to improve, enjoy myself on the pitch” – Mario Rabiu (Leadership)
Nigerian football prodigy,Mario Rabiu has disclosed that his ultimate aim as a young footballer is to get better in the game and enjoy himself on the field of play.
Rabiu’s spectacular performances for his club has generated interest from some clubs in Europe’s top five leagues
The 23-year old defensive midfielder who currently plays for Albanian side Skënderbeu, in a chat with LEADERSHIP disclosed that his football journey started from the streets, from where it became a passion worth pursuing. Read more
Australian Open 2024 results: Carlos Alcaraz loses to Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev beats Hubert Hurkacz (BBC)
Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Australian Open as Alexander Zverev held off a spirited comeback by the Spaniard to win an absorbing quarter-final at 01:20 local time.
Germany’s Zverev was rewarded for a rapid start to win 6-1 6-3 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 against Spanish second seed Alcaraz.
Zverev served for victory at 5-3 in the third set but Alcaraz burst into life. Read more
Max Verstappen’s ex-trainer speaks out after splitting from Red Bull star (Express)
Bradley Scanes – Max Verstappen’s personal trainer for the past four seasons – has admitted that he ‘didn’t know who his client was’ before joining forces with the Red Bull star. However, he did say that he appreciated the direct style of the Dutchman’s entourage during his four years working alongside him.
Scanes joined Verstappen’s camp ahead of the 2020 season and has since helped guide the 26-year-old to three successive World Championships. However, their partnership came to an end in 2023 when the British trainer opted to call time on his career in the F1 paddock.
His departure from the sport has been attributed to the demanding schedule placed on team members. With next season’s calendar consisting of a record-breaking 24 Grands Prix, Scanes has stepped away from motorsport to spend more time with his family. Read more
Ukraine tennis star forced to apologise for shaking Russian rival’s hand (Metro)
Ukrainian tennis star Yelyzaveta Kotliar is being investigated by her own country after shaking hands with a Russian opponent at the Australian Open.
It is common practice for tennis players to shake hands at the end of matches but Ukrainian stars across the ATP and WTA tours have an unwritten rule about snubbing the traditional gesture after matches against Russian and Belarusian opponents.
That has been the case ever since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – which started almost two years ago and the conflict is still going on in eastern Europe – with Britain’s top general warning the UK public this week they may be conscripted. Read more
Anthony Martial: Man Utd forward out for 10 weeks after groin surgery (BBC)
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial will be sidelined for around 10 weeks following “successful” groin surgery, the club have confirmed.
The 28-year-old has not featured for United since the 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth on 9 December.
The injury rules Martial out until April, with the Frenchman’s United contract due to expire in the summer. Read more
UEFA chief aims dig at former Liverpool star’s ‘joke’ move to Saudi Arabia (HitC)
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin threw shade at Jordan Henderson after his big-money move to Saudi Arabia last summer.
Jordan Henderson had joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League signing a lucrative three-year contract.
His time in the Middle East was cut short however after growing frustrations over the weather and football prospects according to reports. Read more