Why we are rejecting proposed tariff hike – NLC president Ajaero (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, under the leadership of Comrade Joe Ajaero, has once again expressed strong opposition to the proposed 50 per cent hike in telecom tariffs by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in collaboration with telecom operators.
Ajaero, speaking on Channels TV on Thursday, described the move as an undue burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising inflation, high transportation costs, increased electricity tariffs, and the general economic downturn.
He questioned the rationale behind the proposed hike, particularly given the significant growth of the telecom sector over the years. Read more
Wale Edun: Why Nigeria does not need IMF loans (ThisDay)
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, yesterday explained why Nigeria has no reason to approach the global lender, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for any loans, contrary to insinuations that the country could seek help from the Bretton Woods institution soon.
Besides, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday disclosed that the bank was set to establish a compliance department by February to address past challenges, aligning with global standards, and building a more transparent and resilient financial sector.
These came on a day the global consulting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), projected a 3.3 per cent growth for the Nigerian economy, driven by sustained policy reforms in 2025. Read more
Minister exposes security operatives at checkpoints (Sun)
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiga, has decried the existence of 700 checkpoints where truck drivers conveying agricultural products are forced to pay an average of N1.2 million per trip, hence the high cost of meat in the market.
The minister, who was one of the guest speakers at the Daily Trust’s 22nd Annual Dialogue in Abuja, also attributed the high cost of meat in the market to the extortionate checkpoints manned by both state and non-state actors.
“Our people who transport cows have to pass through about 700 checkpoints manned by state and non-state actors. The drivers are paying an average of N1.2 million as they travel from one part of the country to another, which will be transferred on the goods they are carrying.” Read more
Alaafin: Owoade yet to start seclusion rites – Prince Afonja (NewTelegraph)
The Head of Oyo Princes, Chief Mukaila Afonja, on Thursday, disclosed that Prince Abimbola Owoade, the new Alaafin, was yet to begin the traditional seclusion rites required of him before his formal installation.
Afonja made this disclosure following rumours that the Oba has abandoned the traditional rites and gone back to his base in Canada.
He assured that the seclusion rites would commence as soon as the Alaafin returns to Nigeria from Canada, where he is reportedly finalizing his resignation from his workplace. Read more
IGP urges 454 newly passed out police constables to avoid lawlessness (Nation)
The Inspector – General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun has urged 454 newly passed out police constables to shun unprofessional conduct and lawlessness.
Egbetokun gave the advice at the passing out of the 2022 Batch of the Recruit Constables at Police Training School, Minna.
IGP was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Benneth Igweh. Read more
Bauchi inaugurates 40-member committee on statistics (Tribune)
Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a 40-member Consultative Committee on Statistics (SCCS) to ensure the availability, accuracy, and integrity of statistical data within the state.
The committee, which will meet twice a year, was inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Hammayo, who represented the State Governor.
Hammayo emphasised the importance of data-driven governance and policy formulation, stating that the committee’s work will be crucial in empowering the government and stakeholders to make informed decisions. Read more
Officers and men of the armed forces welfare remains paramount – Tinubu (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu says enhancing the welfare of officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces remains paramount to his administration.
President Tinubu spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony of a new defence complex and at the inauguration of an army barracks named after him in Abuja on Thursday.
The President expressed his gratitude to members of the armed forces, lauding their efforts under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa. Read more
Assembly urges Abiodun to revive abandoned poly in Ogun community (Punch)
The Ogun State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed a resolution urging Governor Dapo Abiodun to allocate the necessary funds for the rehabilitation and operational take-off of the abandoned state polytechnic located in Ipokia.
The House stressed that this initiative is crucial for completing the existing facilities and securing accreditation for the institution’s academic programmes from the National Board for Technical Education to facilitate the immediate commencement of academic activities.
The lawmakers passed the resolution during their Thursday sitting. Read more
Kendrick Lamar confirms SZA as special guest for Super Bowl performance (NME)
SZA will be joining Kendrick Lamar for his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show performance – find out more below.
In September, the NFL, Apple Music and Kendrick Lamar confirmed that the ‘Not Like Us’ rapper wold be headlining the Super Bow LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans on February 9.
Kendrick said in a trailer at the time: “What you doing everybody? My name’s Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX. Will you be pulling up? I hope so! You know there’s only one opportunity to win the championship, no round twos. Let’s get it!” Read more
Federal judge blocks ‘blatantly unconstitutional’ Trump birthright citizenship order (UPI)
A federal judge Thursday signed a temporary restraining order temporarily blocking President Donald Trump’s executive order that would end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. The judge in Seattle said it was blatantly unconstitutional.
“I have been on the bench for over four decades,” said Judge John Coughenour. “I can’t remember another case where the case presented is as clear as it is here. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.”
Coughenour approved the restraining order request from four Democratic-led states. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees birthright citizenship. Read more
Teen sentenced to 52 years in prison for deadly stabbing at Taylor Swift-themed event (ABC)
A teenager has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for fatally stabbing three girls at a children’s Taylor Swift-themed event in the United Kingdom last year.
Axel Rudakubana, 18, pleaded guilty to all charges, including three counts of murder, earlier this week on the first day of his trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
The horrific stabbing spree unfolded in July in Southport, a seaside town about 20 miles north of Liverpool. Merseyside police said the children were attending a Taylor Swift-themed event at a dance school. Read more
Pensioner who killed 8-month-old baby in ‘senseless’ crash outside hospital jailed (Metro)
A pensioner who caused the death of an eight-month-old baby after hitting her pram in a ‘senseless’ crash outside a hospital has been jailed for four years.
Bridget Curtis, 71, had taken her own adult daughter for an outpatient appointment at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on the morning of June 21, 2023.
Swansea Crown Court heard how she turned around to help her daughter find her handbag in the back when she pressed the accelerator of the automatic BMW ‘right to the ground’. Read more
Benedict Cumberbatch says Sherlock would have to be ‘better than It ever was’ for him to reprise the role (People)
Benedict Cumberbatch is revealing whether he would reprise one of his iconic roles.
The actor, 48, recently spoke with Variety about his new film, The Thing With Feathers, and reflected on some of his most memorable past projects. When asked if he would ever return to being Sherlock Holmes, who he played in Sherlock from 2010 until 2017, Cumberbatch was unsure, joking that it would take “a lot of money.”
“It would take it to be better than it ever was,” he added. “You leave them or yourselves wanting more. There’s always that itch to scratch, but I think it would have to be the superlative version of what we’ve already achieved.” Read more
ICC prosecutor seeks warrants for Taliban leaders over persecution of women (AlJazeera)
The top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has applied for arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan including supreme spiritual leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, accusing them of the persecution of women and girls.
A statement issued by the office of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan on Thursday said investigators found reasonable grounds to believe that Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani, who has served as chief justice since 2021, “bear criminal responsibility for the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds”.
They are “criminally responsible for persecuting Afghan girls and women … and persons whom the Taliban perceived as allies of girls and women”, the statement said. Read more
UnitedHealthcare taps company veteran Tim Noel as new CEO following Brian Thompson killing (NBC)
UnitedHealthcare on Thursday tapped company veteran Tim Noel as its new CEO following the targeted killing of its former top executive, Brian Thompson, in Manhattan in December.
Noel was the head of Medicare and retirement at UnitedHealthcare, the largest private health insurer in the U.S. It is the insurance arm of UnitedHealth Group, the nation’s biggest health-care conglomerate based on revenue and its more than $480 billion market cap.
The company is still reeling from the murder of Thompson, which unleashed a torrent of pent-up anger and resentment toward the insurance industry, renewed calls for reform and reignited a debate over health care in the U.S. Read more
Sevilla sign Nigerian player Akor Adams for €5.5m (Leadership)
Spanish La Liga side Sevilla have signed in Nigerian striker Akor Adams from French Lique Club, Montpellier HSC.
The Nigerian has scored three goals and registered three assists for La Paillade this season with the club currently rock bottom of Ligue 1.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who revealed earlier on his X handle that talks were at the advanced stage for the player to join Sevilla before the closure of the January transfer window on Friday, January 31, 2025 midnight, has later revealed that the deal has been sealed for €5.5m transfer fee. Read more
Golden Eaglets scouting programme ends in Awka: Garba hails ANSFA boss Iloenyosi (CompleteSports)
The two-day scouting programme for the Golden Eaglets, Nigeria’s U17 national football team, concluded on Thursday, 23 January 2025, at the Awka City Stadium, reports Completesports.com.
Organised by the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), the event attracted no fewer than 97 clubs and football academies eager to showcase their young talents.
Manu Garba, who led Nigeria to victory at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in Dubai, presided over the exercise. The 59-year-old coach, who has held the role more times than any other Nigerian coach, outlined his mission during the programme’s opening day. Read more
Madison Keys stuns Iga Swiatek in thrilling semi-final to book Aryna Sabalanka meeting in final (SkySports)
Madison Keys beat four-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in a deciding tie-break to edge a thrilling semi-final clash and book a meeting with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Keys, seeded 19th, came through 5-7 6-1 7-6 (10-8) in the two-hour-and-35-minute epic against the world No 2, saving a match point along the way before clinching a memorable victory 10 minutes past midnight.
Swiatek, who had dropped only 14 games through her run to the semi-finals in Melbourne, quickly took control of the contest as she broke Keys three straight times to start – making amends for losing her own serve on a couple of occasions. Read more
Forest striker Wood signs new deal until 2027 (BBC)
Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has signed a new contract to keep him at the City Ground until 2027.
Wood has been one of the stars of the season so far, scoring 14 goals in 22 Premier League appearances to help Forest to third in the standings.
The 33-year-old joined Forest on loan from Newcastle in January 2023 and completed a permanent move in June that year. Read more
Man Utd mocked as Amad wears tracksuit with upside down badge amid club’s struggles (Mirror)
Manchester United have endured a nightmare season and hit another low point this week as Amad was handed a training jacket with the club’s badge printed upside-down
Manchester United have been left red-faced after they published an image of star winger Amad wearing a tracksuit with an upside-down badge.
Amad has been one of the few bright spots in what has been an awful campagin for the Red Devils. Controlling co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched a major round of cost-cutting, with 250 people being made redundant, payments to ambassadors slashed and the executive team overhauled. Read more
Sasaki vows to “give best” to fire-torn LA at Dodgers unveiling (France24)
Japanese baseball prodigy Roki Sasaki issued a pledge of solidarity on Wednesday as he was formally unveiled by the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing with the World Series champions.
The 23-year-old pitching sensation, who saw his father and paternal grandparents killed in Japan’s deadly 2011 tsunami, said he was determined to be a success in Los Angeles, which is reeling from the most destructive wildfires in the city’s history.
“As I’ve also lived through a difficult time due to a natural disaster, I’ve also made sure to never lose sight of my goals and keep looking forward,” Sasaki said in a statement through an interpreter. Read more