UNILAG: Convocation gowns stolen ahead graduation ceremony (DailyTrust)
A bus conveying the University of Lagos (UNILAG) post-graduate academic gowns have been vandalised.
The gowns were said to be paid for and scheduled for distribution to the graduating students.
The institution holds its 54th convocation ceremony this week with a total of 340 graduands to be awarded first-class degree certificates. Read more
Treat kidnapping epidemic as emergency, amnesty tells FG (Channels)
Amnesty International has urged the Nigerian government to treat the recent kidnappings across the country as an emergency.
Cases of kidnapping have increased in the country with the recent, being the abduction of six sisters from their residence at Zuma 1 in the Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on January 5.
The demand of N600 million as ransom from the kidnappers has generated public outcry, with the police authorities vowing to secure the release of the victims. Read more
Certificate Forgery Scandal: You have a case to answer, court tells ex-lawmaker Rita Orji (Sun)
A High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered a former House of Representatives member, Rita Orji, to subject herself to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation over her alleged certificate forgery.
The former federal lawmaker, who represented the Ajeromi/Ifelodum federal constituency between 2015 and 2019, was accused of forging her West African Examinations Council, (WAEC) certificate.
The allegation is contained in a petition by one Uche David Esomonu, pending against her at the Firce headquarters, Abuja. Read more
3 school children, 4 adults killed in Osun auto crash (Vanguard)
Seven persons, including three school children, were on Tuesday killed in a ghastly auto accident in Osogbo, Osun state capital.
The incident which occurred around 9 am WOCDIF area, along Osun West bypass road involved a a commercial bus, a motorcycle and a trycircle carrying the school pupils.
It was gathered that the commercial bus registered with RBC15 ZN was coming from the stadium end and veered off its lane to the other side where it rammed on the tricycle and the motorcycle opposite WOCDIF event centre. Read more
Wike warns council chairman over frequent foreign trips amidst insecurity, NUT strike (Guardian)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday warned chairmen of the six area councils in the territory against what he called frequent overseas trips despite deteriorating state of insecurity and education crises.
At an emergency meeting with security agencies and council chairmen in Abuja, the minister asked residents of the FCT not to panic, adding that very decisive actions are being taken to curb the security challenges.
Wike said: “All of us are aware of the security situation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) particularly Bwari Area Council and some other areas that we have witnessed security challenges. Read more
Niger border closure hurting Nigeria’s economy — Senator Aliero (Punch)
The Senator representing Kebbi Central, Senator Adamu Aliero, has lamented that the continued closure of the land border between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger has caused serious damage to the economy of states bordering the country.
Aliero, a two-term governor of Kebbi State, while speaking on Arise Television monitored by our correspondent on Tuesday, said the closure of the border on the the Economic Community of West African States directive was unnecessary and should be revisited.
He said federal lawmakers from the affected states in the North had met and called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency open the border for business activities. Read more
Ogun Inspector detained, faces orderly room trial for checkpoint assault, extortion of lady (Leadership)
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the detention of an inspector for orderly room trial regarding an alleged assault and extortion of a lady at a checkpoint in Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode.
SP Omolola Odutola, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Odutola said that the incident allegedly went viral on social media, prompting decisive action by the police authorities in the state. Read more
Tinubu urged to abort alleged moves by the NSA to compromise national security (Guardian)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been called upon to abort alleged moves by the national security adviser (NSA) to compromise the security of the nation.
The Co-convener of the civil society for peace, security and development (CSPSD), Mr Obadiah Solomon Ovye at a press conference in Abuja claimed that the office of the NSA is already working in cahoots with the national Assembly to render prostrate the entire security apparatus in the country.
Stating that the national Assembly is being cajoled to pass a Bill aimed at achieving the goal in breach of laid down rules, the group wondered why the proposed legislation that seeks to expand the role for the NSA is neither an Executive Bill not emanating from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Read more
“Leaked” Coachella line-up reveals iconic 90s group as headliners but fans refuse to believe it (Metro)
A poster of what is purported to be the Coachella 2024 line-up has surfaced on Reddit and TikTok, revealing the Spice Girls, Justin Timberlake and Tyler, the Creator, as headliners.
According to the poster, the Wannabe hitmakers will be headlining on Friday, April 12, with Tyler sandwiched in the middle on April 13 and pop superstar Justin closing the weekend on April 14, with the trio doing it all again on a second weekend.
However, while we may all dream of the Spice Girls zig-a-zig-a’ing across the Coachella stage, it’s highly unlikely this is a real line-up, and no one is convinced by it otherwise. Read more
Eva Mendes responds to Ryan Gosling’s viral Critics Choice Awards moment (People)
Eva Mendes is honoring her partner Ryan Gosling’s viral Critics Choice Awards moment.
The actress, 49, responded to Gosling’s deadpan reaction at the awards ceremony on Sunday by sharing a GIF of the hilarious moment on her Instagram account.
The moment saw Gosling, 43, appearing stunned and raising his eyebrows as he reacted to the news that his Barbie movie song “I’m Just Ken” had won best song at the annual ceremony.
“I LOVE HIM!!!!” she captioned the clip. Read more
Lil Nas X blasted by Hurricane Chris over ‘disrespectful’ single: ‘We slide behind Jesus’ (HipHopDx)
Hurricane Chris is the latest artist to let it be known how offended he is by Lil Nas X‘s new single, “J Christ”.
On Saturday (January 13), the “A Bay Bay” rapper took to Instagram to share a video monologue and long caption criticising Nas X’s new single and video “J Christ” for its use of Christian imagery, which Chris considered “play[ing] with Jesus.”
Calling the video “the most disrespectful shit I ever seen in my life,” he added: “If you don’t believe in Jesus or none of that, just don’t play with it at all. Don’t play with nobody religion.” Read more
Suicide bombing kills 3 people, injures 2 in Somali capital: Police (AlJazeera)
A suicide bombing in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has killed three people and injured two others, according to the authorities.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated armed group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.
The suicide bomber, who was being pursued by police, blew himself up outside an Indian restaurant in Mogadishu’s Hamar Weyne district, police spokesperson Sadik Ali said on Tuesday. Read more
Zelenskyy takes centre stage in Davos as he tries to rally support for Ukraine’s fight (NBC)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is headlining a frenzied first full day of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos, where top officials from the United States, European Union, China, the Middle East and beyond spoke Tuesday about tackling conflict and embracing technology like artificial intelligence.
Zelenskyy will endeavour to keep his country’s long and largely stalemated defense against Russia on the minds of political leaders, just as Israel’s war with Hamas, which passed the 100-day mark this week, has siphoned off much of the world’s attention and sparked concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Tuesday’s activities got rolling with a dizzying array of subjects in rooms at the Davos conference centre, where discussions tackled issues as diverse as innovation in Europe, the economic impact of generative AI and corporate support for clean technologies. Read more
Quinta Brunson’s Stylist Responds to ‘Wrinkled’ Emmys Dress Outrage: ‘It’s Crushed Satin!’ (People)
Quinta Brunson’s stylist is defending her Emmys look.
Jessica Paster, who works as a stylist for the Abbott Elementary star, shared why Brunson’s dark pink Dior dress appeared to be creased in photos taken of the actress at the event after several people commented about it online.
One commenter wrote about the dress on Instagram, “I like the colour, though not sure if it suits her but the creases! How was she allowed out?” Another wrote, “Love the shape, hate the wrinkles. I know it’s supposed to be wrinkled with intention but it just looks like it [wasn’t] steamed enough. Like it needed to be all the way wrinkled if that makes sense.” Read more
Turkish court convicts Somali president’s son over motorcyclist’s death (AfricanNews)
A Turkish court on Tuesday convicted the son of Somalia’s president over the death of a motorcycle courier and sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison. The sentence, however, was immediately commuted to a fine.
Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was charged with “causing death by negligence” after a diplomatic car he was driving hit Yunus Emre Gocer on a highway in Istanbul on Nov. 30. An arrest warrant was issued for Mohamud after Gocer died six days later, but the president’s son had already left Turkey.
Mohamud reportedly returned to Turkey last week to testify about the accident. The arrest warrant and a travel ban imposed on Mohamud were revoked after he gave a statement to court officials, and was then released, the DHA news agency reported. Read more
Lobi Stars go top as Katsina Utd dim Remo Stars (DailyTrust)
Lobi Stars have returned to the top of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) table despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Kano Pillars in a matchday 18 yesterday.
The game between the two former league champions played at the adopted Lafia Township Stadium began on a bright note for the hosts as a well-timed pullout from Monday Akile met golden boy, Stanley Oganbor, who tapped in for the opening goal in the fifth minute.
However, parity was restored just before the half time when Suleiman Idris equalised for the visitors. Read more
Jose Mourinho: Roma sack former Manchester United and Chelsea boss and appoint Daniele de Rossi (BBC)
Jose Mourinho has been sacked as Roma manager and replaced by the club’s former captain Daniele de Rossi.
Mourinho, 60, took over in May 2021 and led Roma to the Europa Conference League title a year later and the Europa League final in 2023.
But they are ninth in Serie A, five points off the Champions League places, and last week were knocked out of the Coppa Italia by city rivals Lazio. Read more
Mercedes F1 technical director James Allison explains how 2024 W15 car will look different to previous challengers (Sky)
Mercedes technical director James Allison says changes in the team’s processes following two disappointing campaigns will result in a different-looking car for the 2024 Formula 1 season.
After claiming eight successive constructors’ titles, Mercedes adapted poorly to the introduction of new design regulations in 2022 and won just one race across the last two seasons as Red Bull dominated.
Mercedes’ initial struggles in 2022 appeared to be exacerbated by the team’s decision to stick with the same concept for 2023, before abandoning it in the early stages of a season in which Lewis Hamilton and George Russell salvaged a second-place finish in the constructors’ standings. Read more
AFCON 2023: Super Eagles lack teamwork –Ambrose (CompleteSports)
Former Nigerian international, Efe Ambrose has revealed that the Super Eagles lack teamwork in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ambrose made this assertion on the backdrop of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in their group A opening game on Sunday.
In an interview with BBC Sports, Ambrose noted that individual talents without proper teamwork won’t help Nigeria at the tournament. Read more
Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open match against Shelby Rogers is stopped temporarily due to a bug (DailyMail)
Emma Raducanu breezed past Shelby Rogers in two sets to reach the second round of the Australian Open – but it wasn’t all plain sailing due to a rogue runaway insect.
The 21-year-old got her 2024 Grand Slam campaign off to a flyer with the 6-3, 6-2 win over her American counterpart in just 76 minutes.
But a small hitch arrived in the second set in the form of a streetwise Australian critter, which scurried and hopped around the court for around a minute before eventually being apprehended. Read more
I never should have signed for Liverpool – I only joined them because I was wrecked (Mirror)
Joe Cole would only make 42 appearances during his time with Liverpool, admitting he wouldn’t join the Reds if he had his time again, having moved from Chelsea on a free transfer in 2010
Joe Cole admits he never should have quit Chelsea for Liverpool: “I wish I hadn’t signed.”
Former England international Cole joined the Reds in the summer of 2010, leaving Chelsea when his contract ended. Read more