Yemi Alade to thrill fans at AFCON opening ceremony (DailyTrust)
Nigerian Afro beats sensation Yemi Alade is set to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Saturday in Abidjan.
The singer confirmed this in a post on her official X handle (former Twitter).
She said the opportunity was a dream come true for her. “Since 2016, I have envisioned performing at the stadium for football ceremonies surrounded by hundreds of dancers and people. Read more
BBC Documentary: To me, TB Joshua is a man of God — Ronke Ojo (Tribune)
Nollywood actress Ronke Ojo, popularly known as Oshodi-Oke, has refuted recent allegations against the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, TB Joshua, declaring her belief that he was a man of God.
Following a documentary released by the BBC on Monday that presented alleged eyewitness accounts of rape, fake miracles, torture, and forced abortions linked to the late prophet, Ojo took to her Instagram page on Friday to share a video.
In the video, she recounted her personal experience with the late clergyman, asserting that he was kind and a man of God. Read more
Rivers Crisis: We’ve fulfilled our own part of Tinubu’s conditions – Wike (Channels)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says his camp has fulfilled every condition parties involved in the political crisis in Rivers State agreed with President Bola Tinubu for the return of peace in the state.
The Minister made this comment during a visit to the Oba of Ogbaland in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness Eze Nnam Obi III, on Saturday.
Wike, who assured the king of his commitment for peace in the state, also said he is not going to disappoint the traditional ruler. Read more
Gunmen abduct Benue LG chairman, 3 aides (Punch)
Gunmen, in the early hours of Saturday, abducted the Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, Haanongon Gideon, and three others.
The chairman was said to have been kidnapped along Anyagba, Tongov, in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state around 6.30am while on the way to attend the burial of the paramount ruler of Katsina-Ala LG, the Ter Katsina-Ala, Chief Fezaanga Wombo.
Among those kidnapped along with him were his personal assistant, Mr. Ior Yuhwam, his driver, and a police officer. Read more
I tried to befriend late Gani Fawehinmi but failed — IBB (Leadership)
Self-acclaimed evil genius and former Nigerian dictator, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), has spoken openly about his unsuccessful efforts to forge a friendship with the late human rights lawyer and activist, Gani Fawehinmi.
LEADERSHIP reports that Fawehinmi—a social critic, human and civil rights lawyer, and the Lamofin of Ondo— died in the early hours of 5 September 2009 after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. He was 71 years old.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources With Laolu Akande, Babangida acknowledged Fawehinmi’s strong critical voice against his military regime and admitted trying “all possible means” to become friends with him. Read more
Tension in Anambra community over town union election (Sun)
Tension is brewing in Nimo community, Njikoka local government area of Anambra state few days after election of the Town Union executive as leaders of the community accused state government to meddling into the affairs of the community.
Leaders of the community further described the crisis arising from the outcome of Nimo Town Union Elections held on January 4, 2024 as an administrative rascality by the state government.
Addressing journalists, leaders of the community led by Ogbuefi Akuluouno Ayiba, Chairman of the elders ‘ council expressed displeasure with the way the Nimo Town Union Elections were observed in what he called breach by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Matters, Hon Tony Collins Nwabunwanne. Read more
Army hands over suspect, 176kg of seized Indian hemp to NDLEA in Ogun (Guardian)
The 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Abeokuta, handed over 176kg of seized Indian hemp to the NDLEA on Thursday in Abeokuta.
The brigade’s spokesman, Lt. Mohammed Goni stated in Abeokuta on Saturday that the Garrison Commander, Col. Legborsi Nule, represented the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Aminu, to hand the contraband over to the anti-narcotics agency.
Goni stated that the army arrested one Fatai Bankole (25), who was in possession of the drugs on Jan. 6 at Imeko while patrolling the Imeko-Abeokuta Road in Ogun. Read more
Catholic priest apologises to Imo family over social media comments on deceased daughter (Vanguard)
A Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Emmanuel Ehioma, popularly known as Fada mento, on Saturday apologised to a family, Osueke of Amaohuru Nguru in Aboh Mbaise council area of Imo State, over a comment he (Fada mento) said he made about the Osueke family.
Fada mento, in a statement to newsmen in Owerri, tagged it public apology regarding the comment he made on the social media concerning the said family.
It was gathered that the clergy’s viral comment was linked to Osueke, which claimed that Chinwe (deceased) of Osueke family was allegedly abandoned by her family before her death. However, it was later found out it was not the true situation. Read more
Jennifer Aniston seen for the first time since pal Matthew Perry assault allegations (Mirror)
The 2024 AFI Awards Luncheon saw stars descend on Los Angeles, with Jennifer Aniston being seen for the first time since it was claimed Matthew Perry ‘assaulted women’.
Jennifer Aniston posed for pictures at the AFI Awards Luncheon, making her first public appearance since it was alleged her friend Matthew Perry “assaulted women”.
The 54-year-old actress joined the likes of Margot Robbie, Bradley Cooper and Selena Gomez at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills for the glitzy event. The AFI Awards celebrated the best in TV and film from the past year, with the likes of Barbie and The Bear being honoured. Read more
Man with disfigured face whose embrace with Pope Francis touched the world dies (CNA)
Vinicio Riva, an Italian man who suffered from a rare condition and whose moving encounter with Pope Francis after a general audience at the Vatican in 2013 was seen around the world, died in a hospital in Vicenza, Italy, on January 10 at age 58.
A picture of the tender encounter between Riva — who suffered from neurofibromatosis type 1, a genetic disorder that can result in skin lesions — and the pope in 2013 represented one of the most emotional and impactful moments of Francis’ pontificate.
The moving scene was captured after the general audience on November 6, 2013, the year Pope Francis was elected successor of St. Peter. The pontiff embraced Riva while greeting pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square in a vivid gesture of love for people suffering from medical conditions. Read more
Drake gets roasted as fans fall for Toronto ‘tomb’ hoax (HipHopDx)
Drake fans are roasting him over demands he never made, after falling for a comedian’s hoax that a tomb was being built for the rapper in downtown Toronto.
Comedian Graeme Barrett posted a fully-produced fake news story on Wednesday (January 10), where he plays the site supervisor as construction workers build a pyramid-shaped tomb for whenever Drake passes on.
“It’s got everything Drake requested for the afterlife, so there’s rooms filled with Patron, there’s room for 21 Savage, and there’s also a fully functioning OVO store,” site supervisor Barrett says. Read more
Pro-Palestine protests held around the world as Gaza war nears 100 days (AlJazeera)
Hundreds of thousands of people are taking to the streets across the world to protest against the war in Gaza, as it nears the 100-day mark, and to demand an end to Israel’s offensive.
At rallies on Saturday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, people gathered at the United States embassy to send a message to Israel’s staunch ally. The US has vetoed United Nations resolutions backed by a vast majority of the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire.
“We’ve spoken to people here who say they’ve come to show solidarity with Palestinians. People are holding up placards that read: ‘Stop the genocide’, as well as ‘Bombing children is not self-defence’,” said Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Kuala Lumpur. Read more
North Korea halts radio broadcasts, curbs exchanges with South (NBC)
North Korea stopped operating a radio station used to send coded messages to its agents in South Korea, the Yonhap news agency said on Saturday, the latest sign the isolated country is shaking up the way it handles relations with Seoul.
North Korea has been stepping up pressure on Seoul in recent weeks, declaring it the “principal enemy,” saying the North will never reunite with the South and vowing to enhance its ability to deliver a nuclear strike on the U.S. and America’s allies in the Pacific
Radio Pyongyang, known as a numbers station, in the past broadcast mysterious coded numbers presumed to be targeted at Pyongyang’s spies operating in South Korea. Its website was also down on Saturday. Read more
Dan Levy on turning down role of Ken in Barbie (People)
Dan Levy knows people still think of him as David Rose sometimes.
His character in Schitt’s Creek — the 2015-2020 show about a formerly rich family exiled to a small, rural town co-created by Levy and his dad, Eugene — was a pandemic juggernaut that swept the Emmys in 2020. It launched Levy as a style and meme star. (The GIF of his TV sister saying, “Ew, David,” is still popular. “Folks would even scream from passing cars, out their windows at me, ‘Ew!’” he tells PEOPLE with a laugh.)
Levy is fine with people sometimes mistaking him for David. It’s coming from a good place, he acknowledges: “If you create something that lives with people to the point where they forget who you are, I will never take offence to that.” Read more
South Africa’s ruling ANC marks 112th anniversary with eye on election (AfricaNews)
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party will celebrate Saturday the 112th anniversary of its establishment ahead of national elections, expected to be the toughest since it came to power in 1994.
Thousands of party members and supporters are expected to convene in Mbombela Stadium in the Mpumalanga province where President Cyril Ramaphosa, also the head of ANC, will deliver his annual address and outline the party’s program for the year.
The ANC is the party of South Africa’s first democratically-elected president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela. It was at the forefront of the country’s liberation struggle against racial segregation and the white minority government. Read more
Nations Cup: Onuachu to join Super Eagles camp Monday (Leadership)
Paul Onuachu is expected to arrive the Super Eagles camp on Monday after earning a late invitation to be part of the Super Eagles squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Trabzonspor of Turkey star was announced as replacement for the injured Umar Sadiq on Thursday night.
Onuachu will feature for Trabzonspor in a league game against Antalyaspor on Saturday night. Read more
AFCON 2023: Believe in us, we won’t let you down — Musa begs Nigerians (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has called on football fans in Nigeria to rally behind the team.
Jose Peseiro’s men will begin their campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The Super Eagles lost 2-0 to Guinea in a pre-AFCON friendly on Monday and have also come under intense criticisms following their poor start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Read more
AFCON 2023: CAF boss assures of top-notch tournament (Tribune)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, has assured of top-notch organisation and security for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Cote d’Ivoire.
Motsepe gave the assurance on Friday in Abidjan at a news conference, ahead of the Saturday kick-off of the biennial continental showpiece.
According to him, CAF has been working round the clock with the host country to ensure a befitting tournament and avoid the mistakes of the last tournament in Cameroon. Read more
Australian Open 2024: Coco Gauff wants to win at least 10 Grand Slam titles (BBC)
US Open champion Coco Gauff says she wants to win at least 10 Grand Slam titles.
She beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final in September to claim her first major title.
Last week the 19-year-old American defended her Auckland Classic title in preparation for the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday. Read more
Sean Dyche delivers blow for Arsenal as he lays out January transfer plans (HitC)
Sean Dyche has delivered a blow to Arsenal over their pursuit of Belgian midfielder Amadou Onana this month.
Amadou Onana has been in sensational form for Everton this season which has led to speculation that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side could be ready to make a move for the former Lille midfielder.
A physical midfielder with an abundance of technical quality has helped Sean Dyche’s side propel themselves out of trouble in the Premier League this season after a 10 point deduction due to Financial Fair Play issues. Read more
Steiner reveals future plans after Haas F1 departure (RN365)
Guenther Steiner has indicated that he is prepared to take a break from Formula 1 after his departure from Haas.
It was announced earlier this week that Steiner would depart as Team Principal of Haas after a poor 2023 season where the team finished last in the Constructors’ Championship, and will be replaced by Engineering Director Ayao Komatsu.
Steiner had been instrumental in Haas establishing itself on the grid, having convinced owner Gene Haas to set the team up, with Romain Grosjean finishing sixth on the squad’s debut at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix. Read more