What 2023 will bring, by Adeboye, Oyedepo, Olukoya, others (Nation)
The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Worldwide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye; the presiding pastor of Living Faith Ministry (aka Winners’ Chapel), Bishop David Oyedepo; the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Kolawole Olukoya; and the Primate of the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, have admonished Nigerians to move closer to Almighty God in 2023 through prayers.
The eminent clerics noted that it is by the powers of prayers that the nation’s myriads of challenges could become resolved in a peaceful atmosphere.
The clergymen spoke yesterday while delivering their church sermons to usher in the New Year.
Adeboye urged Nigerians to put God first, despite the challenges confronting the nation. Read more
What Obasanjo said about Tinubu, Atiku while endorsing Peter Obi (DailyTrust)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained why he snubbed the presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Obasanjo in an open letter openly endorsed Obi, saying he has an edge over Tinubu, Atiku and others, when compared in terms of knowledge, discipline and what they can offer, Obi has an edge.
The former President, however, admitted that “none of the contestants is a saint.”
Obasanjo in the six-paged letter titled “My appeal to all Nigerians particularly Young Nigerians,” he had interactions with major contestants who claimed to be his mentees.
“I will not deny such positions since I have worked with all of them directly and indirectly in government,” he pointed out. Read more
Knocks as 12-year-old N12.850b constitution review investment fails (Guardian)
Anger and public criticisms are brewing against the National Assembly over failure of a N12.850 billion investment in the business of Constitution amendments, which it re-enacted since June 2011.
The first and last time the 1999 Constitution was amended was in January 2011, a feat that previous amendment bill could not achieve, no thanks to the infamous Third Term provision in 2006.
And from 2011 to date, a period that covers three different administrations of the National Assembly, no Constitution alteration effort has succeeded, even after N12.850 billion had been spent. This includes the N850 million recently approved in the 2023 budget, in addition to the N4 billion for every regime of the Senate for Constitution review since 2011.
Every regime of the Assembly initiates a fresh Constitution amendment project for which some N4 billion is approved, to be appropriated and released on the basis of N1 billion per year.
The bad news of the imminent failure of the current Constitution alteration exercise was broken recently by no less a person than the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is also the Chairman of the Senate’s Committee on constitution review. Read more
Ajah policemen caught drinking on duty, abandon work (Punch)
Policemen attached to the Ajiwe Police Division, Ajah, Lagos State, regularly abuse alcohol which may be responsible for the increasing rate of extra-judicial killings by cops from the station.
Investigations by PUNCH Metro showed that residents and business owners also observed the trend.
According to them, the policemen are always under the influence of alcohol while on duty and on patrol.
They said this might be responsible for the recent killing of a pregnant lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Drambi Vandi, who was attached to the station. Read more
Sanwo-Olu welcomes triplets, babies of the year (Vanguard)
Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, in the early hours of Sunday, received and presented gifts items to triplets and first babies of the year in three state-owned hospitals namely; Maternal Child Centre (MCC) Eti-Osa, Ebute-Metta General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, (LASUTH)Ikeja, Lagos.
Baby Ayinde, a Male who weighed 3.1 kg delivered at exactly 12:01 AM by Mrs Ayinde, is the first baby of the year at the Eti-Osa Maternal Child Centre (MCC). Baby Iromain, a Female who weighed 2.9Kg and delivered at 12:02 AM by Mrs Iromain is the first baby of the year at Ebute-Metta General Hospital, while the first babies of the year at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, are Triplets delivered through Cesarean Section by Mrs Olufoye. The first child, a Female, weighing 2.2kg was delivered at exactly 12:07 am; the second child, a Male who weighed 2 kilogram kg, was delivered at 12:08 am, while the third child, a female who weighed 2.1kg was delivered by 12:09 am.
Welcoming the first babies at the hospitals, Sanwo-Olu stated that receiving newborns was a symbolic and significant event that brings forth the assurance that human heritage is carried on to the next generation. Read more
2023: Lalong tasks security agents on violence free election (Sun)
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has tasks security agents to protect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to enable it to conduct free, fair,and peaceful Elections.
He also called on the citizens to support the INEC,and security agencies to enable them live up to expectations during the election.
The Governor described 2023 as a year of great expectations and urged citizens to ask God for enablement to discover and fulfill the purpose of their existence.
Lalong disclosed this on Sunday during a New year broadcast and admonished citizens to ensure that every day of 2023 count in service to God and humanity in love with collective effort to build Plateau and Nigeria. Read more
Hoodlums murder wife of Ebubeagu security outfit commander in Ebonyi (Tribune)
The Ebonyi State Police Command said hoodlums have killed the wife of the Commander of Ebubeagu Security Outfit in the Afikpo-South local government area of the state and equally razed down the house, as the incident happened at Owutu Edda community on Sunday January 1, at 2:30 am.
Ebonyi State police public Relation officer Chris Anyanwu confirmed the incident and told reporters in Abakaliki that the hoodlums also set the commander’s house ablaze.
“A report filed in by CSP Ayodele Umujose, the Divisional Police Officer, Afikpo-South Division in the state, has it that the Ama-Etiti Amaoso Edda Youth Leader, Nnachi Mba, reported that at about 0230hrs on January 1, 2023, the house of the Afikpo-South Ebubeagu Commander, Oyeku Kalu Chima located at Owutu Edda, was attacked.
“His house was set ablaze while his wife, Chima, was killed by the attackers.” Read more
Group moves to end artisanal refining in Ogoniland (ThisDay)
The Ogoni Ex-artisanal Refiners Forum has commenced sensitisation programme against re-pollution of the Ogoniland.The group, yesterday brought together over 2000 ex-artisanal refiners at the Nortem Town hall in Bori, Khana Local government area of Rivers State, to begin the first batch of the training.
The training in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People, was targeted at ending the menace of illegal refining activities in the area and encouraging healthy source of livelihood.
Speaking on the theme: “Revenue Loss, Environmental Impact and Health Complication,” Mr. Jude Samuelson, advised the trainees against further involvement in illegal oil bunkering and refining.Samuelson who sensitised the youths on the need to shun such illegal refining activities, stressed that the health and environmental implications was worse than the benefit.
On his part, the President, National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) and also the President General, Rivers State Ethnic Leaders Council, Barinuazor Emmanuel, said despite the training, the federal government should provide alternative means of livelihood for the youths so that they would not return back to illegal refining of the nation’s resource. Read more
Miley Cyrus’ net worth makes her richer than dad Billy Ray (StyleCaster)
Each of the family members is a millionaire, but Miley Cyrus’ net worth makes her the richest of them all, including her dad—country music legend Billy Ray. A former child star, Miley got her start in show business in 2001 at age eight in the TV series Doc, which was alongside her father.
Her big break would come at age 12 when she starred as Hannah Montana in Disney’s tween sitcom of the same name. In it, she played a teenage girl balancing two lives: one as a regular teenager and the other as famous pop star Hannah Montana, an alter ego she created in order to live a life of anonymity off the stage. As an adult, Miley has developed somewhat of a cult following as a pop star and performer, not to mention a music video queen. But the source of her significant income is the art that runs in the family, and on December 31, 2022, Miley hosted New Year’s Eve with her godmother, country music legend Dolly Parton. Here’s what we know about Miley Cyrus’ net worth.
Miley Cyrus’ net worth is estimated to be $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and she made most of that before she turned 18. Born Destiny Hope Cyrus on November 23, 1992, she was nicknamed “Smiley” due to her cheerful disposition as a baby. This was shortened to Miley and eventually, in 2008, she legally changed her name. The first daughter of Billy Ray and Tish, she’s the wealthiest Cyrus, having eclipsed her country music star father’s $20-million fortune, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her youngest sibling, sister Noah Cyrus, is also making waves in the music business. Read more
New Edition proves they’ve still got the moves with 2023 NYE performance (HollywoodLife)
Cool it now — New Edition performed for New Year’s Eve 2023, and they are celebrating a massive milestone!
New Edition is in the house — or should I say, in the center of the universe! The iconic R&B band of the 80’s was among the super talents to ring in 2023 during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest. Performing from Times Square, the band rocked out their biggest hits in celebration of not only their 40th anniversary as a group, but also as a kick off to their Legacy Tour starting in the new year.
High above the crowds crammed in to see the ball drop, band members Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins, Ronnie Devoe, and Johnny Gill put on a show that’s just a taste of what’s to come on the tour. They performed a medley of chart-toppers and solo hits like “Rub You The Right Way,” “My Prerogative,” “Poison,” and “If It Isn’t Love.” Decked out in matching blue outfits, perfect for the chilly, rainy weather, the guys showed off their killer dance moves and didn’t miss a beat, despite the slick stage.
Of course, it’s been a bit of a bittersweet week for Bobby Brown. Though he clearly looks pumped to be going back on the road with his guys in 2023, he’s had to deal with the renewed interest in his turbulent relationship with the late Whitney Houston. The week before the band’s performance, the Whitney biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody hit theaters, rehashing everything high and low of her career and their times together in the ’90s. Read more
James Corden reveals he almost landed the lead role in The Whale starring Brendan Fraser (DailyMail)
James Corden has revealed that he narrowly missed out on the lead role in the critically-acclaimed film, The Whale, starring Brendan Fraser.
The comedian and TV star, 44, told Deadline he was set to star in the film if it was to be directed by Tom Ford.
‘I was going to play that part, and Tom Ford was going to direct,’ James told the publication, adding that Hollywood megastar George Clooney was also attached to the project at one point.
James also reportedly said that he thought he may have been too young to star in the film and ‘do it justice,’ with Brendan being 54. Read more
How Glass Onion‘s Beatles soundtrack foreshadows the movie’s plot (CBR)
It should be perfectly obvious that Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery features at least one Beatles song. The titular tune, from the Fab Four’s 1968 self-titled album, better known as the White Album, doesn’t feature until the end credits, but the song’s titular object is a prominent feature and term used throughout the film. A surprise for some might be that it is not the only White Album track to appear in the film: when the crew arrives at the island, Edward Norton’s Miles Bron serenades them with the beginning of “Blackbird,” another Beatles song. What is so impressive about these two selections is not that they are just fun homages for Beatles fans but how intricately they tie into the movie’s plot and themes.
The titular track, “Glass Onion,” was written by John Lennon in 1968 as a takedown of how many critics and fans of the Beatles’ music would attempt to over-analyze the lyrics to find a deeper meaning in them that simply wasn’t there. The “Glass Onion” is a metaphor for this: looking too deeply into something transparent for multiple layers, as many fans would read things into Beatles songs like “A Day in the Life” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” that just weren’t present. Lennon satirizes the fans for “look(ing) into a glass onion,” and the film has a very similar trajectory for its central mystery: any Beatles fan who knows the meaning of the titular song will go into Glass Onion guessing the answer to the mystery will seem complex on the surface but actually be obvious. Read more
Taliban: Kabul checkpoint bomb blast kills, wounds several (ABC)
A bomb exploded near a checkpoint at Kabul’s military airport Sunday morning killing and wounding “several” people, a Taliban official said, the first deadly blast of 2023 in Afghanistan.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province — has increased its attacks since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shiite minority.
The military airport is around 200 meters (219 yards) from the civilian airport and close to the Interior Ministry, itself the site of a suicide bombing last October that killed at least four people.
Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Nafi Takor said the blast left several people dead and wounded. He gave no exact figures or further information about the bombing, saying details of an investigation will be shared later. Read more
Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount ”considered to play James Bond” (DailyStar)
The name’s Lucien – Lucien Laviscount. The Emily in Paris actor has popped up as a contender to play the next James Bond as a replacement for Daniel Craig.
The British actor, 30, first appeared on the nation’s screens in 2007 in Grange Hill before parts in Coronation Street and Waterloo Road, as well as Celebrity Big Brother, before Emily in Paris.
But now it is being reported that he’s being looked at to play 007, with the actor seemingly catching the attention of the franchise’s producer Barbara Broccoli, who is searching for the next star after Craig’s tenure.
A source told the Daily Mail: “Lucien ticks all of the boxes. He is a super talented actor, is extremely handsome and in the past 18 months has won lots of new fans since he joined Emily In Paris. Read more
Lula sworn in as president of divided Brazil amid tight security (AlJazeera)
Leftist leader Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva has pledged to “rebuild” Brazil “with the people” as he was sworn in as the new president of the fiercely polarised country for a historic third term.
The inauguration ceremony in Congress began at 3pm (18:00 GMT) on Sunday under tightened security after alleged threats of violence by supporters of his far-right predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.
“Our message to Brazil is one of hope and reconstruction,” Lula said in a speech before the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, after signing the document that formally installed him as president.
“The great edifice of rights, sovereignty and development that this nation built has been systematically demolished in recent years. And to re-erect this edifice, we are going to direct all our efforts.” Read more
PSG keen to sign Osimhen (Punch)
Paris Saint-Germain have entered the race to sign in-form Napoli forward Victor Osimhen next summer.
According to French website, Le 10 Sport, the 23-year-old Nigeria international has a good chance to return to Ligue 1 with the Parisians the likely destination.
Current PSG coach Christophe Galtier, who signed the striker while he was at Lille, is keen to reunite with the Napoli star who is currently the leading scorer in the Italian Serie A with nine goals.
The report also revealed Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli met with PSG officials a few days ago to discuss possible deals for Fabian Ruiz and Keylor Navas but a move for Osimhen was also talked over. Read more
No Messi, no Neymar as PSG suffer first loss of season (RFI)
Paris Saint-Germain, without World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Neymar, lost for the first time in any competition since March 20 last year when they were defeated 3-1 at Lens on Sunday.
“Lens deserved their win,” said PSG coach Christophe Galtier.
Lois Openda scored one and set up another as Lens, who have only lost once in Ligue 1 this season, closed the gap on PSG at the top to four points after 17 rounds.
“We are happy to be four points behind,” said Lens coach Franck Haise. “This victory proves that we can beat anyone in this championship.” Read more
Nottingham Forest to complete full investigation for discrimination chants directed toward Chelsea supporters (Eurosport)
Nottingham Forest will investigate a “minority” of its supporters for discriminatory chants directed towards travelling fans during the club’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
The club confirmed the disappointing news on social media and explained there will be a full investigation into the incident.
“The Club are aware of reports concerning chants aimed at Chelsea supporters from a minority of fans this evening and do not condone any type of discriminatory or offensive behaviour,” a statement read.
“The matter will be fully investigated.”
Raheem Sterling opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first half before Serge Aurier scored his first Premier League goal for Forest to earn a point for Steve Cooper’s side. Read more
Boris Becker insists prison made him ”stronger” as he posts new year message (DailyMail)
Tennis legend Boris Becker has credited prison with making him a stronger person amid claims he has complained about a German celebrity who criticised his early release.
The 55-year-old ushered in the new year on a secluded beach on the island of São Tomé and Príncipe – the birthplace of his girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro – off the west African coast.
He headed to the luxury destination a fortnight after being deported back to Germany following his release from prison, The Times reports.
In an Instagram video, Becker said: ‘I call this the most difficult year of my life. Read more
Pakistan hope for turnaround in 2nd Test against New Zealand (National)
Pakistan will be hoping 2023 turns out to be a more successful year for them after they finished the previous year on a low in Test cricket at home.
Babar Azam’s team put up a great show at the T20 World Cup in Australia, reaching the final where they lost to England after a tough fight in Melbourne. But their form in Test cricket has nosedived.
Pakistan suffered a humiliating 3-0 home series defeat to England at the end of 2022 before avoiding another defeat – to New Zealand in the first Test in Karachi – only due to bad light.
The Black Caps were in a good position to win the first Test after the hosts made a surprisingly bold declaration on the final day on 311-8 to set a victory target of 138 in 15 overs. The Kiwis were on course at 61-1 in the eighth over before play was stopped. Read more
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez joining Brazil’s Gremio (USAToday)
Uruguay striker Luis Suárez is joining Gremio, the Brazilian club said Saturday.
The 35-year-old Suárez was a free agent after he left his boyhood club Nacional before the World Cup in Qatar. Brazilian media reports said Suárez signed a two-year deal with Gremio.
“One of the biggest in Uruguay’s history, Luis Suarez is coming to continue his victorious trajectory,” Gremio said on social media. “A top goal scorer, a multiple champion, and a fighter. Welcome, Luisito.”
Suárez, who played for Ajax, Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, confirmed the deal.
“I wanted to thank you for all the love I have received,” Suárez said in a video posted on social media. “We will meet shortly.” Read more