Tinubu signs N28.78t 2024 budget into law (DailyTrust)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday afternoon signed the N28.78 trillion 2024 Budget into law at the State House, Abuja.
The president, who arrived at his office from the airport at exactly 2 pm, headed straight for the brief budget signing ceremony, surrounded by senior government officials.
The ceremony was witnessed by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas. Read more
Anglican bishop predicts bright future for Nigeria (Punch)
The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West of the Anglican Communion, Rt Rev James Odedeji, has expressed optimism for Nigeria’s future, declaring that 2024 holds the promise of being a truly remarkable year for the country.
This was contained in a New Year Message made available to journalists on January 1 by the Coordinator of the Diocese Media Team, Tunji Oguntuase.
Odedeji, who took time to pray for Nigerians and institutions of government, said the time to favour Nigeria is now. Read more
National Arts Theatre building not affected by fire outbreak (Leadership)
The management of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, says the gas explosion which occurred at the theatre complex on Saturday night “is a minor setback which did not affect any part of the cultural edifice.”
The management, in a statement issued by the press secretary to the general manager of the theatre, Olubunmi Adebimpe, said that the fire occurred in a remote area annexed to the theatre.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the director of public affairs of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Amodu Shakiru, confirmed that the fire was caused by a gas cylinder explosion. Read more
Insecurity: We’ll overcome, Katsina Gov tells residents in New Year message (Sun)
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has described residents in the area as “resilient, vibrant” even in the face of prevailing insecurity situation due to murderous activities of terrorists.
“I assure you of our unwavering commitment at ensuring that the challenges affecting the state will soon be a thing of the past,” the Governor said in his New Year message to the people.
In the message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Governor urged residents of the state to unite and forge a stronger bond with a will to confront challenges of the state headlong. Read more
Let’s unite for better Lagos 2024 – APC (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has urged Nigerians to put the partisan politics of 2023 behind and unite to make the state better in 2024.
The Lagos State APC Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, made this remark in his New Year Message on Sunday in Lagos.
A statement quoted Ojelabi as saying, “2023 has gone into history and we give gratitude to God for making us witness the beginning of Year 2024 in good health of mind and body. May He lead us through this New Year with His divine favour and grace. Read more
Nigeria: Ram fighting continues without regulation despite animal rights concerns (AfricaNews)
In a stadium in Lagos people are preparing for a ram fighting tournament. The spectators here either own the animals or they are here by invitation. The ram owners view the sparring between the animals as a sport on which they can gamble. Most of the owners are fully employed elsewhere and do this as a hobby.
Like boxing, the rams are categorised according to weight. Rams fight by locking horns in the wild in order to secure sexual dominance over a herd – here they’re encouraged to show dominance as part of the competition.
There is no official regulation of the sport, so the level of care given to the animals depends on the owners who are not members of any sporting body. Read more
2024 holds renewed vigour in poverty alleviation, Betta Edu assures Nigerians (Guardian)
Dr Betta Edu, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has assured Nigerians that year 2024 would witness a renewed vigour in tackling poverty and humanitarian crisis among the poor and vulnerable.
Edu in a new year message issued by her media aide, Mr Rasheed Olanrewaju, in Abuja, urged the citizens not to despair because all vulnerable people would experience renewed hope in 2024.
She also promised to commit all resources towards pulling the poor Nigerians from poverty in the year 2024 in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Read more
Ibadan chief to Nigerians, remain steadfast, pray for Oyo, Nigeria (Nation)
The Aare-Onibon Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke (FCA), has urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians to use the opportunity of another New Year celebration to rededicate themselves and remain steadfast in prayers.
He said this would have an immense impact on the peace, security, unity and stability of the country.
In a New Year message, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre (AARC) stated that it is important for people of the State and Nigerians to inject healing and unifying spirit of love for their neighbours into the nation’s consciousness this season. Read more
Cardi B “fighting for her life” before New Year’s Eve performance (MusicNews)
Cardi B felt like she was “fighting for her life” before her New Year’s Eve performance in Florida on Sunday.
The Bodak Yellow rapper posted a video on her Instagram Stories hours before her performance to reveal that she felt “so sick”.
“I’m literally fighting for my life right now,” she told her followers. “I am so sick. I don’t understand right because when I was in New York, I was going out with sweaters, toes out, everything. I was good.” Read more
Jeremy Renner says he has many things to live for 1 year after serious snow ploughing accident (ITV)
Marvel star Jeremy Renner said he “had so many things to live for” as he detailed his recovery after a serious snow ploughing accident last year.
The Avengers actor, 52, broke more than 30 bones and had multiple operations after he was injured while trying to help his nephew on January 1, 2023.
Discussing his recovery one year on from the accident, he told CNN: “I’m just so blessed that I have so many things to live for. Read more
Kourtney Kardashian shares footage inside 1st NYE celebrations since welcoming baby Rocky (Hello!)
Kourtney Kardashian had a rollercoaster of a year in 2023 and ended it on a high, having become a mother-of-four back in November after the arrival of her baby son Rocky Thirteen.
The Kardashians star enjoyed a low-key night at home to welcome in the year 2024, and shared footage from her celebrations on social media.
Not one to do things by halves, the Poosh founder transformed her dining table with elaborate decorations, including candles and NYE props, including 2024 glasses. Read more
Vaccines for children’s diseases begin flowing into Gaza as infection rates soar (TimesOfIsrael)
Thousands of doses of vaccines against childhood diseases including polio and measles have begun entering the Gaza Strip to help deal with a growing health emergency in the besieged enclave, the Palestinian Authority health ministry said Monday.
Israel’s ground offensive has effectively stopped normal health services in Gaza, including vaccinations against highly contagious childhood diseases that had been brought under control by mass immunization programs.
The Ramallah-based ministry, which is separate from Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza, said supplies were estimated to be sufficient to cover vaccinations for between 8 and 14 months. Read more
Jamie Dornan reveals Fifty Shades fame led to a “stalker-type” situation (EW)
Though he generally manages to fly under the radar, Jamie Dornan has had to deal with a potentially dangerous fan in the past.
Dornan, 41, rose to international fame when he played billionaire-with-specific-sexual-tastes Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. And while the films opened some doors for him, they also put him in the path of some unhinged fans.
While speaking with British paper The Independent, Dornan revealed that the fame and rumors surrounding the franchise led to a disturbing encounter. “I’ve been involved in situations where it’s impacted my family,” he said. “I had a situation… a stalker-type situation before Covid. That was f-ing scary. Someone turned up at my house when my kids were there. It was not something…The more I can block that out, the better it is for me and the family.” Read more
‘‘Coyote Vs Acme’’ image reveals first look at un-cancelled ‘‘Looney Tunes’’ movie (Deadline)
What a dynamite idea!
While Paramount, Netflix and others consider buying ‘‘Coyote Vs. Acme’’ from Warner Bros., Wile E. Coyote himself (voice actor Eric Bauza) has shared the first image from the much-discussed film on social media with the caption, “See ya in 2024!!”
Whether that’s a promise or a prediction is unclear, but Bauza certainly did his best to give the project a boost going into the new year. Read more
Ian Ziering attacked in Hollywood during street brawl with bikers on new years eve (ET)
Ian Ziering is closing out his year with a violent and surreal street brawl in the middle of Hollywood Blvd.
The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor got into a full-on brawl with a number of people while driving down the busy street, leading to the actor getting pummeled and eventually fleeing from the large group of bikers.
In footage obtained by TMZ, around a dozen men and women on mini-bikes appeared to be driving down the street, weaving in and out of traffic. Read more
AFCON 2023: Presidency backs Super Eagles to triumph, says Sports Minister (Vanguard)
Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh has reaffirmed the support of the Presidency for the Super Eagles’ quest to triumph at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), kicking off in January 13, 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Minister made the disclosure to newsmen at the Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, during a visit to Kwara State. Eno emphasized the significant backing extended by the Presidency, stating, thus “We are hoping that we are going to make the best out of it. We have the full backing of the president.” Read more
Victor Osimhen attends crossover service in Lagos (Nation)
CAF African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, was spotted attending a crossover service in a church in Lagos on New Year’s Eve.
To the excitement and applause of the audience, the Super Eagles forward, who has been freed by his Italian club Napoli for the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, pulled up for service.
In the widely shared video on the internet, Osimhen was seen approaching the pulpit as the congregation cheered and whooped.
Mikel Arteta laments “painful” Arsenal defeat against Fulham (RTE)
Mikel Arteta lamented a “painful and sad” day as Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge suffered another setback with defeat at Fulham.
The Gunners now sit fourth in the table after a 2-1 loss at Craven Cottage only added to a home defeat to West Ham on Thursday.
Bukayo Saka had given the visitors the lead in west London, only for Raul Jimenez and Bobby Decordova-Reid to turn the game around for the Cottagers. Read more
Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat found dead in Kenya (RFI)
Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat has been found dead in Kenya, police said Sunday, with local media reporting he had been murdered.
The Kenyan-born Kiplagat, 34, had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including at several Olympic Games and World Championships.
His body was found in a car on Saturday night on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, which is home to many athletes who train in the high-altitude area. Read more
Eddie Howe addresses sack fears as Newcastle boss plots turning point at Liverpool (Mirror)
Eddie Howe has vowed to ride the rollercoaster nature of being Newcastle boss – and says criticism “fuels” him to do a better job.
Howe is the latest manager to cope with the extreme conditions of bossing the Toon. The good times sees manager and players hailed as world beaters, but blips in form mean they are immediately under pressure as a one-club city searches for answers.
Howe insists the season is not a write off, with a tough January programme starting at Liverpool on New Year’s Day – and a key FA Cup tie against Sunderland next weekend. They haven’t beaten their big rivals in nine games, a run stretching back to August 2011. Read more
Celtics extend winning streak to 6 games with a 134-101 rout of the Spurs (ESPN)
Jayson Tatum scored 25 points, Jaylen Brown added 24 and the Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to six games with a 134-101 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night.
Derrick White scored 17 points against his former team, and Kristaps Porzingis added 14 points and nine rebounds in his return after missing one game due to a calf injury.
Devin Vassell scored 22 points and Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and seven rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs have lost seven of eight. Read more