Yuletide: Tinubu declares free train ride nationwide (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has declared free train rides nationwide for commuters from the 20th of this month till January 5, 2025.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the President on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He said the president approved the measure to cushion the effect of the high cost of transportation during the Christmas season. Read more
NIS holds free medical outreach for 1000 residents in Lagos (Nation)
The Nigerian Institute of Surveyor (NIS) has organised a free medical outreach for residents within Ikeja and its environs.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that about 1000 residents in various locations within Ikeja benefitted from the free healthcare gesture from the institute.
The chairman of the Institute Lagos branch, Kolade Kazeem, said the NIS organised the free medical care as part of its Community Social Responsibility (CSR). Read more
2025 Budget: FEC orders final adjustments as Tinubu presents Wednesday (Punch)
The Federal Government on Monday approved the 2025 budget proposal.
This follows the Senate’s endorsement of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework 2025 – 2027 on November 22.
President Bola Tinubu will present the proposed N47.96tn budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday. The exercise, earlier slated for Tuesday (today), was postponed to allow the executive arm to make final adjustments to the budget. Read more
Edo police rescue 4 kidnap victims (NewTelegraph)
The operatives of the Okada Division of the Edo State Police Command, on Monday, rescued the kidnapping victims tied down by suspected kidnappers.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Office, Edo State Command, SP Moses Yamu, on Monday in Benin City, the state capital.
According to him, the victims were rescued on Sunday at about 2: 00 PM following a distress call about a kidnap incident along Okada-Ayekun camp via Utese. Read more
Tinubu appoints 8 new Permanent Secretaries (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed eight permanent secretaries in the federal civil service to fill existing and impending vacancies in some states and geopolitical zones.
It was the second set of eight permanent secretaries appointed by the president, following those appointed last June from Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, South East and South-South.
The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation recommended that the new permanent secretaries be appointed after diligent selection. Read more
Governors aware of roadblocks we mount –Police (DailyTrust)
The Police High Command says state governors are aware of the roadblocks mounted by its personnel either on major highways or some intercity roads in their respective locations.
It also said that Nigerians abroad are trooping into the country to enjoy Christmas in their respective communities sequel to improved security situation in every nook and cranny of the country.
The spokesman of the force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, stated this while fielding questions from journalists during a joint press briefing of all spokesmen of all security agencies held at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Abuja. Read more
FEC renames University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University (VON)
The Federal Executive Council has approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known to State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Idris said that the renaming is in honour of the Former Head of State and an elder statesman, retired General Yakubu Gowon. Read more
106 bag LCCI Entrepreneurship, Mentoring Certification (Independent)
No fewer than 106 persons have bagged the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Entrepreneurship Mentoring Programme (EMP) Certification.
Mr Gabriel Idahosa, President, LCCI, in his remarks at the event, noted at the graduation in Lagos that 14 other persons also bagged the LCCI-Lagos State University (LASU) Diploma in Entrepreneurship Certification.
Idahosa, who was represented by Dr Chinyere Almona, Director-General, LCCI, described the EMP as not only a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for LCCI but also an investment in the socio-economic future of Nigeria. Read more
‘‘Babygirl’’: Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson confess they were nervous to meet (Extra)
“Babygirl” stars Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson and writer-director Halina Reijn sat down with “Extra’s” Melvin Robert to dish on the erotic thriller.
Nicole shared, “It’s just a very unique character, in a unique film, and hopefully very human… but still entertaining, funny. Hopefully, it kind of makes you feel something.”
Kidman also opened up about her complex character going through an “existential crisis.” Read more
‘‘Wicked Part Two’’ gets official title ahead of 2025 release (Deadline)
Jon M. Chu’s second Wicked film, previously known as Wicked Part 2, has now been titled “Wicked: For Good”.
The change references a highly anticipated song and duet between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) in which the pair sing about how their frenemies relationship has impacted their lives forever. The second film has already set a release date of November 21, 2025.
Grande, Erivo and Chu posted a video of the title change on Instagram. Read more
Human Rights Watch accuses Sudan’s RSF of rape, sexual slavery (VOA)
Human Rights Watch has accused Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias of rape and other acts of sexual violence against women and girls in South Kordofan state. The rights group says the sexual violence constitutes war crimes, and that it underscores the urgent need for international action to protect Sudanese civilians and deliver justice to the victims.
Human Rights Watch says representatives met with raped or sexually abused women in Sudan’s South Kordofan state during their visit this past October.
The women, from the Nuba minority ethnic group, said they were violated and exploited by members of Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias. Read more
Legendary Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73 (BBC)
Zakir Hussain, one of the world’s greatest tabla players, has died at the age of 73.
The Indian classical music icon died of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said in a statement.
Hussain was a four-time Grammy award winner and has received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. Read more
‘‘Murder, She Wrote’’ movie eyes Jamie Lee Curtis for Angela Lansbury’s iconic role (Variety)
Jamie Lee Curtis better bust out the doilies and contempo casual trench coats — it seems she’s headed to “Murder, She Wrote.”
Variety has confirmed that Oscar winner Curtis is in early talks to play the iconic Jessica Fletcher, a crime writer turned crack detective, who was at the center of the long-running original TV series that starred Angela Lansbury.
Universal Pictures is putting together an untitled feature film project together around Fletcher, via producers Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Amy Pascal (all have overall deals on the Donna Langley-run studio lot). Read more
Germany set for new elections after Chancellor Scholz loses confidence vote (AlJazeera)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost a confidence vote in parliament, triggering snap elections seven months ahead of schedule.
The vote on Monday came after Scholz’s fragile coalition collapsed, sparking a political crisis in the European Union’s largest economy.
Scholz won the support of 207 lawmakers in the 733-seat lower house, or Bundestag, while 394 members voted against him and 116 abstained. That left him far short of the majority of 367 needed to win. Read more
Madison, Wisconsin, school shooting leaves 2 dead, 6 injured; juvenile suspect dead (Fox)
At least two people were killed and six others were injured in a school shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, with police saying the suspected shooter was found dead at the scene.
During an update Monday afternoon, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said a teacher and a teen student were killed.
Barnes said that the shooter’s family was cooperating with police. Read more
Lookman emerges Africa’s Best Player; Nnadozie remains Best Goalkeeper (DailyTrust)
Super Eagles and Atalanta dazzling attacking winger, Ademola Lookman was named the 2024 Africa men’s Football Player of the Year, replacing his compatriot Victor Osimhen who won the prestigious award last year after an outstanding season with Napoli in the Serie A.
Lookman who was the most popular choice ahead of the glamorous Awards ceremony in Marrakech, Morocco warded off fierce competition from the quartet of Ivorian Simon Adingra, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi to be crowned the new king of African football. Read more
Shooting Stars will secure continental ticket, says Ogunbote (Leadership)
Shooting Stars head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has discussed his team’s chances of picking a continental ticket at the end of the season.
The Ibadan club moved to fourth position on the table following a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Saturday.
Though there is still a long way to go before the end of the campaign, Ogunbote is optimistic they can secure a top-three finish. Read more
Spain handed kind Women’s Euro 2025 draw, holders England in tough group (France24)
World Cup winners Spain will play Italy, Belgium and Portugal at Women’s Euro 2025, while England face a tough path to defending their title at the tournament in Switzerland.
Reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup runners-up England were drawn alongside France, the Netherlands and debutants Wales in a challenging Group D of the tournament, which runs from July 2-27.
The Netherlands won the tournament on home soil in 2017 under current England boss Sarina Wiegman. Read more
Iniesta bids farewell to glittering career in front of 45,000 in Tokyo (Barrons)
Retiring Spanish football legend Andres Iniesta bid farewell to his playing career Sunday in an exhibition match between Barcelona and Real Madrid greats in Tokyo and will now look to go into coaching.
The 40-year-old announced in October that he was hanging up his boots after a career that saw him win two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.
He gave a crowd of more than 45,000 fans in Tokyo one last glimpse of the skills that also saw him win nine La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his 16 years with Barcelona. Read more
Oleksandr Usyk receives emotional letter from Ukrainian soldier ahead of blockbuster Tyson Fury rematch (GBNews)
Oleksandr Usyk has received a letter from a Ukrainian soldier fighting the war against Russia ahead of his rematch with Tyson Fury this weekend.
The 37-year-old will go into the clash as the favourite to reign supreme, having won all 22 of his career bouts so far.
Usyk won the first showdown via split decision, with the veteran producing a vintage performance to reign supreme.
And as he prepares to face Fury for a second time, the boxing star has received a letter from a Ukrainian soldier fighting in the war against Russia. Read more
France judo star Riner returns to competition after Olympic heroics (JapanToday)
Five-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner will return to competition in the prestigious Grand Slam tournament in Paris on February 2, the French Judo Federation announced Monday.
Riner has not fought since the Paris Games last summer, where he won a third individual Olympic heavyweight title (+100 kg) and a second team gold.The 35-year-old, who has said he wants to continue his career until the Los Angeles Games in 2028, is the title holder in Paris. He won there last year for a record eighth time. Read more