Yuletide: Lagos residents defy high fare to travel (Vanguard)
In spite of high transport fares, Lagos residents have continued to travel for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored activities at some motor parks in Lagos on Tuesday, reports that commuters queued to get tickets for their travels.
The motor parks visited include the popular Maza Maza and Okota motor parks. Read more
Defamation: LPDC declines to disbar Farotimi, activist leaves prison (Punch)
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee has rejected the request to disbar human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, over the allegation that he criminally defamed legal luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola.
The LPDC said it had no jurisdiction to adjudicate on the petition filed against Farotimi by one Mr. Ola Faro, a lawyer in Afe Babalola’s law firm.
Faro’s request came on the back of Afe Babalola’s legal battle against Farotimi over allegations of criminal defamation. Read more
6 states get new commissioners of police (Nation)
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment and posting of six new Commissioners of Police.
The appointments and postings, PSC said were sequel to the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force released by the Commission last week.
In the new appointments, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed was posted to Nasarawa state Command; Rabin Mohamned, now CP, Kaduna State Command and Adepoju Olugbenga Adewale posted to Rivers State Command.
Others are; Mohammed Baba Azare, now CP, Akwa Ibom State Command; Wilfred Olatokunbo Afolabi new CP Ondo State Command and Joseph Eribo, former CP, Akwa Ibom State now moved to Ekiti State as the new CP Ekiti State Command. Read more
Christmas: Nigeria on promising path to restoration, progress (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to renew hope and belief in a prosperous Nigeria.
In a personal message to Nigerians to wish them a merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year, he expressed confidence that Nigeria is on a promising path to restoration and progress.
He acknowledged the transformative changes and necessary reforms his administration has implemented since assuming office, recognising that the efforts have required sacrifices from the populace. Read more
Customs CG appoints new CAC for Tin-Can Island Command (Leadership)
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has appointed deputy comptroller Frank Onyeka, as the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tin-Can Island Command of the service.
The new comptroller, Onyema, took over from Dera Nnadi, who has been appointed Assistant Comptroller General.
Onyeka, however, pledged to build and improve on the legacies and achievements of his predecessor, ACG Nnadi. Read more
Sharia Court: I’ll insist law must be followed in Oyo — Makinde (Tribune)
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has addressed concerns surrounding the proposed establishment of a Sharia court in Oyo Town, affirming his commitment to upholding the law and the Nigerian Constitution.
While speaking on the issue in a video seen by Tribune Online, Makinde emphasised that although individuals or groups may pursue initiatives such as the Sharia Court, these actions must remain within the confines of the law.
He assured that any deviation from legal provisions would face scrutiny and enforcement to ensure compliance. Read more
Media Chat: Tinubu’s Insensitive To Plight Of Nigerians – PDP (NewTelegraph)
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said Monday’s presidential media chat was a further confirmation that President Bola Tinubu led All Progressives Congress (APC) government is insensitive to the current widespread hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians.
PDP in a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba on Tuesday, said by declaring that he has no regret for the sudden removal of fuel subsidy without any cushioning measures to mitigate the resultant crippling effect on the productive sector, showed that he is disconnected from the people.
The party told the president that the primary purpose of government is the welfare and security of the citizens. Read more
Oil Theft: Children, women used as shields at illegal refinery sites – Diri (DailyTrust)
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed concern over a new trend in oil bunkering, saying children and women are being used as human shields at illegal refining camps.
Governor Diri, who stated this on Tuesday during a meeting with first-class traditional rulers in the state and local government chairmen at the Government House, Yenagoa, said the ugly situation was discovered by security operatives on reconnaissance operations.
He called on traditional rulers to educate their subjects on the dangers of the illegal business to human health and the environment. Read more
Cardi B makes BIA lucrative offer if she can ‘provide receipts’ of cheating allegations (HipHopDx)
Cardi B would still love to see the receipts for BIA‘s claim from earlier this year that the Bronx rapper cheated on Offset during their marriage.
The drama between the pair seemingly began in the spring when Cardi dropped her “Like What (Freestyle)” a few months after BIA released “I’m That Bitch” – both of which sample Missy Elliott‘s 1999 hit, “She’s A Bitch.”
BIA didn’t respond very kindly when a fan made the comparison, which resulted in a response from Cardi on social media – which soon snowballed into songs from both, with BIA alleging that Cardi cheated and that she had the receipts. Read more
Coronation Street‘s Gail bids farewell after 50 years (BBC)
Coronation Street‘s long standing, long-suffering character Gail will bid farewell to Weatherfield on Christmas Day, after 50 years on the cobbles.
Actress Helen Worth has stuck with the character through thick and thin since 1974, and fans have seen Gail weather many domestic dramas, romances, bust-ups and even prison.
The ITV soap announced in June that she would depart with “a major storyline for the Platt family”, and her exit is set to be a typically eventful affair. Read more
Justin Baldoni hit with breach of contract suit from ex-publicist days after Blake Lively accusations (THR)
Hollywood Publicist Steph Jones has accused her former client, embattled filmmaker and actor Justin Baldoni, of breach of contract in a lawsuit filed against him in New York this week, just days after his It Ends With Us co-star sued him for sexual harassment on the set of the film.
Baldoni, who directed and starred alongside Lively in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, signed a one-year contract at Jones’ PR firm, Jonesworks, at a rate of $25,000 per month. In August, just as It Ends With Us was released theatrically, Baldoni dropped Jones’ firm and followed his publicist at Jonesworks, Jennifer Abel, to her newly launched PR firm. Read more
Denzel Washington gets baptized, receives minister’s license at New York church (USAToday)
Denzel Washington is celebrating a big moment for him and his faith.
The Oscar-winning actor, 69, was baptized and received a minister’s license at the Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York on Saturday in a service broadcast on Facebook.
“We celebrate the addition of Minister Denzel Washington into the clergy, having received his minister’s license in the Church of God in Christ today, in a truly uplifting moment,” Archbishop Christopher Bryant wrote on Facebook, where he shared a photo of Washington’s baptism. Read more
Comedian Tim Dillon plays late CEO Brian Thompson and slams supporters of his death in Netflix special (DailyMail)
Comedian Tim Dillon reportedly did an entire bit about the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the celebration of his death at a Netflix special.
Dillon, 39, is among a slew of comedians appearing on Torching 2024: A Roast of the Year, Netflix’s upcoming special shading this past year’s biggest moments.
And Dillon did not hold back as he did a sketch about the recent death of Thompson, playing the late CEO in a suit with painted-on bullet wounds, according to TMZ. Read more
Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean Sea after engine room explosion (ABC)
A Russian cargo ship has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria, leaving two crew members missing, according to Spain’s maritime rescue agency and the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Spanish agency said on Tuesday local time that 14 crew members of the Ursa Major vessel had been rescued uninjured and transferred to the Spanish port of Cartagena. The remaining two crew members are still missing.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the ship started sinking after an explosion in its engine room. Read more
5 convicted over Amsterdam violence against Israelis (RNZ)
A Dutch court has convicted five men for their part in last month’s violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam that shocked the world and sparked accusations of anti-Semitism.
The Amsterdam district court found them guilty for a range of crimes from kicking fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv in the street to inciting violence in chat groups.
The heaviest sentence imposed was six months in prison, for a man identified as Sefa O. for public violence against several people. Read more
Xmas: Iwobi shares food items to the needy (Nation)
Super Eagles and Fulham FC midfielder, Alex Iwobi has displayed his generosity by opening up his own temporary shop in Canning town (East London) to provide free food to those in need this Christmas.
The shop, aptly named Alexpress offers a wide range of festive treats and essentials, all completely free of charge for individuals and their families. After shopping, they also get a free turkey to celebrate the season.
The selfless act of Iwobi, who has been on stellar form for Fulham this season, is a testament to his kind heart and his commitment to giving back to the community where he was raised during his primary school years. Read more
Embiid ejected after confronting referee (BBC)
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected from his team’s 111-106 win against the San Antonio Spurs after confronting a referee.
Embiid was given a third foul against him by referee Jenna Schroeder when he charged Victor Wembanyama, knocking the Frenchman to the floor with two minutes and 59 seconds remaining of the first half.
The 76ers player argued the call with Schroeder and then had to be restrained from the official as he ripped off his protective face mask and continued his protests, leading to two technical fouls and his ejection from the match. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo to lead star-studded guestlist at prestigious Globe Soccer Dubai Awards (DailyMail)
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be among a host of past and present football legends in attendance at this year’s Globe Soccer Dubai Awards.
The 39-year-old is set to make the short journey from his home in Saudi Arabia to Dubai to attend the prestigious event held at Atlantis, The Palm on December 27.
Over 1,000 guests will be in attendance for the glitzy ceremony with Jude Bellingham, Lamine Yamal and Rio Ferdinand also on the star-studded guestlist. Read more
Manchester United: Ruben Amorim sets challenge to Marcus Rashford over squad exile (Standard)
Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford’s exile from Manchester United matchday squads will continue until the “right moment”, but has offered hope to the forward over a return.
The Portuguese tactician left the 27-year-old – as well as Alejandro Garnacho – at home for the 2-1 derby-day win over Manchester City, explaining it was a technical decision not based on injury or indiscipline.
Though whilst the Argentina international earned an immediate recall for the Carabao Cup quarter-final loss at the hands of Tottenham and then the Premier League defeat against Bournemouth at the weekend, the United no.10 remains on the sidelines. Read more
Djokovic eyes more Slam glory as Swiatek returns under doping cloud (France24)
Novak Djokovic is confident he can still win Grand Slams, starting at the Australian Open, with the Serbian kickstarting his bid for an unprecedented 11th title and record 25th major crown in Brisbane this week.
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka, who is gunning for a third Melbourne Park trophy, joins him at the Queensland Tennis Centre from December 29-January 5 in a stellar women’s field.
The 2025 season gets under way on Friday with the mixed-teams United Cup in Perth and Sydney, headlined by world number two Iga Swiatek in her first tournament since revelations that she served a one-month doping suspension. Read more
Swiss snowboarding Olympian dies in avalanche (RNZ)
A member of Switzerland’s national snowboard cross team has died in an avalanche at the mountain resort of Arosa in the east of the country, the Swiss-Ski federation said.
Sophie Hediger, 26, was caught up in the avalanche in Arosa, which lies west of Davos, on Monday, the federation said.”We are speechless, and our thoughts are with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” Walter Reusser, the Sport CEO at Swiss-Ski said in a statement. Read more