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Two nabbed over alleged slitting of neighbour’s throat The Kwara State Police Command has arrested two suspects identified as Abdullateef Yakubu and Yakubu Olanrewaju of Shao Garage area, Ilorin, for allegedly slitting the throat of a neighbour over a disagreement. The incident occurred around past 12:00 am on Monday at Shao Garage area, Ilorin, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara State. A source familiar with the matter told  newsmen that a brother of the victim, AbdulRazaq Babatunde, who was attracted by the shout of a resident, came out during the hour only to find his younger brother, Abubakar Babatunde, in the pool of his blood bleeding from his slit throat. “He was subsequently rushed to the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital for medical attention”, the source added. When newsmen contacted the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident. She said the incident was reported while two people were arrested over the inc...

Akeredolu’s loyalists kick over suspension of Ondo caretaker chairmen by Aiyedatiwa Some loyalists of late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu have accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of aiding the agenda of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by suspending caretaker chairmen recently appointed by Akeredolu. The Akeredolu loyalists said Aiyedatiwa planned to sack all political office holders appointed by Akeredolu ahead of this year’s governorship election. They said Aiyedatiwa ordered the suspension of the caretaker chairman despite the appeal filed against the Injunction secured by the PDP. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the suspended caretaker chairmen said the action of Aiyedatiwa asking them to leave office might plunge the Ondo APC into crisis. He said their suspension by Aiyedatiwa was prejudicial and amounted to taking side with the opposition party despite the appeal filed against the lower court ruling. He said: “The circular by the Permanent Secretary i...

 AFCON winners to pocket $7m as CAF increases prize money by 40% The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has raised the prize money for the winners of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast to $7 million — up from the previous amount of $5 million. The continental football governing body announced the 40 percent increment in a statement released on Thursday. Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, said portions of the prize money will contribute to developing football in member associations. “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000, which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money,’ the statement reads. “I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with t...

PANIC AS 17-YEAR-OLD GOES MISSING IN LAGOS AFTER LEAVING HOME TO SEE A FRIEND 4th January, 202 A 17-year-old girl identified as Special, has been reported missing by her family in Lagos State.  According to a family member, Ebegbare Ajiri, the teenager left home in the Ijanikin area of Ojo, on Wednesday afternoon, January 3, 2024, to see a friend at Agbara but never got to her destination.  "Please my baby is missing. She left home (Ijanikin) at 3 pm to see a friend at Agbara but never got to her destination. She's just 17. If you live around Iya Oba to Agbara axis and you've seen her please let me know or report to the nearest police station," Ebegbare said in a post on Thursday.  Credit: lindaikeji

ICJ hears S/Africa’s genocide case against Israel on Gaza Jan. 11 Israel is to face accusation of genocide before an international court, with hearings based on a South African complaint scheduled for January 11 and 12. The dates were announced Wednesday evening by the International Court of Justice, the highest UN court, in The Hague. According to the court, South Africa will make its case on January 11 and Israel on the 12th, with two hours planned for each side. South Africa had invoked the Genocide Convention in its complaint filed with the court on Friday. Both South Africa and Israel have signed the convention. For the time being, these are summary proceedings. South Africa had requested immediate measures, saying the court should order an end to the violence against Palestinians in order to protect their rights “from further serious and irreparable harm.” According to South Africa, Israel’s attacks are “genocidal in nature,” as they are aimed at destroying the Palestinians in th...

Plateau: Why some governors should refund their security votes By Yemi Oke By way of introductory background, my personal opinion is that it is illogical to deploy a normal solution to solving an abnormal development. This typifies the recent Plateau killings as well as other criminalities happening in some states in Nigeria. The most barbaric killing (put frankly, insane murder) of hundreds of Nigerians in Plateau State, or any murder of innocent souls whatsoever anywhere in the country, is a sign of mis-governance, poor/weak leadership or no leadership at all. In a federated political setting like Nigeria, even in a unitary or regional government, a protracted murdering of defenceless persons that lasted from 6pm till around 5am of the next day shows a failure of government in that state.  We need to urgently begin to re-assess some basic facts and realities as a country:   The Plateau killing is a clear sign that, as some of us had earlier argued elsewhere, some of the...

We are restructuring, not ending operations in Nigeria, says JSM Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Limited (“JSM”) located in Awa, Onna Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, has clarified that it has not ended its operations in Nigeria. JSM, which was inaugurated on September 23rd, 2017, by the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has become the market leader with its top-quality syringes in the country, in addition to creating employment opportunities for Akwa Ibom people and other Nigerians. However, despite the huge sum invested in the syringe factory, the management staff have been unable to meet up with its expected target, hence, the decision of the investors to restructure and reorganise the management team and the entire structures of the production lines for better profitability and sustainability. A statement by JSM investors through the Managing Director of VKS Group of Companies, Mr. Onur Kumral, dismissed the reports that JSM was ending its operatio...

Aiyedatiwa seeks Ondo elders’ blessings Ondo governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appealed to elders of the state to support his administration to uphold late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s legacies as well as serve the people diligently. Aiyedatiwa promised that he would continue with all Akeredolu’s ongoing developmental projects and programmes and also give him a befitting burial. He spoke when he paid a visit to the Ondo elders at the residence of leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti. The Ondo governor, who lauded contributions of the elders to the development of the state and the country at large, said the visit was to pay homage to the elders and to thank them for the fatherly role they played to restoring peace during the political crisis in the State. He said: “I extend my heartfelt greetings to Chief Reuben Fasoranti and the distinguished elders present. Your wisdom and guidance have been invaluable to our State’s stability. In the past, during challenging times, yo...

Nigerians mourn 19-year-old student killed by police in Canada The death of a 19-year-old student, Afolabi Stephen Opaso, who was shot by operatives of the Winnipeg Police Service in Canada, has thrown the Nigerian community in the area into mourning mood. Opaso was studying at the University of Manitoba. The Police Service had claimed in a statement on its website that it received a call that Stephen was armed and behaving erratically. “On December 31, 2023, at approximately 2:22 pm, the Winnipeg Police Service responded to an apartment suite in the first 100 block of University Crescent for a 911 call regarding a male acting erratically. The caller advised the male may be armed and there were other people in the suite. “Upon police arrival, they were confronted by an armed male. During this encounter, an officer discharged his firearm, striking the male. Officers provided immediate medical care and ensured the well-being of all other parties on the scene. Nobody else was injured. ...

My frog pendant was inspired by social media trolls, says Davido Grammy-nominated Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has shared that trolling on X (formerly Twitter) motivated him to acquire a multi-million-naira frog pendant from Ice Box. Davido, in a recent interview with GQ, said he made a frog pendant to get back at social media trolls. He explained that because of his hoarse voice, trolls were calling him “frog” on X and he decided to make something out of it. Davido said: “I made a frog pendant because my voice is hoarse and they (trolls) were calling me frog on Twitter. I was like, you know what? I’m going to make a chain out of that sh*t.”  

Why ladies should date at least three men simultaneously – Tacha BBNaija reality star, Anita Natacha Akide, popularly known as Tacha has told women the necessity of dating more than one man.  According to her, the chances of getting a ring will be high when a lady dates at least three men simultaneously.   The reality star created a list on social media titled: “5 things to stop doing in 2024.” But Tacha said in the video posted on her X account that women should quit dating just one man, saying that dating three will benefit them more since one of the three will propose. Tacha said: “If you want that ring sis, date at least three guys. If Martins doesn’t pop the question, Easy would, and if Easy does not ask the question, Femi would.” The reality TV personality advised people to stop disappointing themselves. She said that it doesn’t matter if people like them or not. She added that women should approach males to ask for money because failing to do so does not demonstrat...

Some BBNaija stars live fake lifestyle on social media, says Pere Former Big Brother Naija All-Stars housemate, Pere Egbi has accused some of his co-stars of living a fake life for the public’s aesthetics.   He argued that a lot of them flaunt lifestyles that are far out of their reach on social media. Pere made the allegation in the latest episode of the ‘Spill With Phyna’ podcast, hosted by Big Brother Naija Level Up winner, Josephina Otabor, aka Phyna. He said: “Some of our BBN colleagues dey live fake life well well. A lot of them.” The host, Phyna agreed with him, citing the claim by Khloe, a former Big Brother Naija housemate, who said she hasn’t flown in the economy class before. Pere described Khloe’s claim as “nonsense”.  

 Bogus degrees By The Nation Newspaper  ...Fed. Govt. must go beyond suspending accreditation of degrees from Benin and Togo An investigative report by Daily Nigerian Newspaper has led to the suspension of accreditation of degree certificates from Benin Republic and Togo by the Federal Government. The report, titled “How Daily Nigerian reporter bagged Cotonou varsity degree in 6 weeks”, detailed how the reporter got the degree that should ordinarily take three or four years to acquire in just six weeks! Consequently, Augustina Obilor-Duru, on behalf of the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, issued a statement decrying the development. According to her, the government lamented that “some Nigerians deploy nefarious means and unconscionable methods to get a degree with the end objective of getting graduate job opportunities for which they are not qualified”. The suspension would subsist pending the outcome of an investigation involving the mini...

Why I do not own a car despite being a celebrity – Pere Reality TV star, Pere Egbi said that he refrains from owning a car because he doesn’t view it as an investment. He berated those who squander their money on exotic cars, stressing that landed properties and businesses are assets but not cars. Speaking in the latest episode of the Spill With Phyna podcast, Pere said: “Car no be investment. A house is an asset, a business is an asset. Using all your savings to buy cars is unnecessary. “Right now, I don’t own a car. I used to drive a brand new lexus LS570 but I sold it because I needed to put the money into my film. It’s an investment. At the end of the day, I made more from the film.” He also disclosed in the podcast that he got married at the age of 25 in the United States. He said his marriage crashed because his ex-wife suspected that he was having an affair with a female friend.

Neo Akpofure’s first trip to Lagos was because of BBNaija – Phyna Big Brother Naija Level Up housemate, Josephina Ijeoma Otabor, known as Phyna, has slammed her colleague, Neo Akpofure for speaking about her in a condescending manner during the All-Star edition of the show. She said Neo rebuked someone for saying her slang around him, calling her “razz.” The BBNaija ‘Level Up’ winner said it was degrading coming from Neo whose first trip to Lagos was because of Big Brother Naija. She spoke in the latest episode of her podcast, Spill With Phyna. Phyna said: “Neo was in Big Brother All Stars House, I was watching that day. I don’t know what made me watched. And I was watching Neo, I don’t know who he was talking to and the person used my slang, ‘Who deyyyy’ for him. And he was like, ‘Take that razz girl’s slang out of my ears. That girl is too razz. “Coming from Neo that came to Lagos for the very first time because of Big Brother Nigeria. Till now I’m still trying to understand why he w...

Remove Yul Edochie’s name, come out of his shadow – Blessing CEO tells May Controversial relationship expert, Okoro Blessing, popularly known as Blessing CEO has drummed support for Yul Edochie amid his marital saga on the internet.  She confronted May Edochie, Yul’s estranged wife, questioning why she hesitated to remove his name amid their deteriorating marriage. Blessing CEO also lent her voice to the ongoing bride price issue the movie actor had raised. The Nation reported that Yul called his wife out for refusing to drop his name and return his bride price. he relationship therapist asked why May has continued to carry on Yul’s surname since he is so bad that she wants nothing to do with him. Speaking further, Blessing said that it’s already been two years since their marital crisis started, and what a woman in her situation would have done is to immediately drop the husband’s surname. Blessing CEO said: “Yul Edochie is so bad as a man, why are you still under his shadow? Why ...

Nigerian student breaks Guinness World Record for longest painting marathon Chancellor Ahaghotu, a Nigerian student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, has been announced as a new Guinness World Record, GWR, holder for the longest painting marathon. Ahaghotu, who painted for 100 consecutive hours, surpassed a Belgian painter, Roland Palmaerts, who held the record since 2013 after painting for 60 hours. GWR, on Wednesday in a post on its official handle, announced that Ahaghotu broke its 10-year-old record after a 100-hour marathon painting. Read Also: Ekiti chief breaks Guinness World Record for longest TV watching marathon “After painting for 100 consecutive hours, Chancellor Ahaghotu, a Nigerian art student has broken a decade old record for the longest painting marathon”, the GWR said. Ahaghotu painted 106 pieces depicting subjects, including celebrities, plants, animals and food items. Speaking of his new achievements, Ahaghotu stated that the painti...

Delta governor appoints Singer Harrysong as aide Popular singer-songwriter, Harrison Tare Okiri, better known as Harrysong has taken to social media to announce his appointment by the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori as an Executive Assistant. Sharing the good news online along with his appointment letter, Harrysong reintroduced himself as he urged his fans and followers to address him as Honourable Superstar Harrysong. Expressing gratitude to his governor, he appreciated him for entrusting him with the office to work. In his message to the indigenes of Delta State, he told them to get ready to see him work. He wrote: “Newly Appointed E.A (executive assistant). ENTERTAINMENT. To the Executive Governor of DELTA STATE RT HON SHERIFF F.O. OBOREVWORI. Thank you, my governor. Now address me as > HON SUPERSTAR. HARRYSONG. Thank you so much my Governor for entrusting me with this office to work. Deltans. Get ready for KINGMAKER on March 30th. #sherrified AND UKODO INTERNATIONAL ...

Top 10 richest men in Africa at the start of 2024 South African business mogul, Johann Rupert, has dethroned Nigerian Aliko Dangote to emerge as Africa’s wealthiest man, according to a list released by Forbes Magazine. Here is a list of Africa’s richest men (Rank, Name and Net worth) 1. Johann Rupert & Family $10.3 billion 2. Aliko Dangote $9.5 billion 3. Nicky Oppenheimer & Family $8.3 billion 4. Nassef Sawiris $7.4 billion 5. Abdulsamad Rabiu $5.9 billion 6. Nathan Kirsh $5.8 billion 7. Issad Rebrab & Family $4.6 billion 8. Mohamed Mansour $3.6 billion 9. Naguib Sawiris $3.3 billion 10. Mike Adenuga $3.1 billion  

58 illegal degree-awarding Universities in Nigeria By Alao Abiodun The National Universities Commission (NUC) has identified at least fifty-eight (58) illegal universities operating in Nigeria.  The names include those who claim to be affiliates of foreign universities in the country. Also, nine degree mills are currently undergoing further investigations and/or court actions. The development comes following the suspension of degree certificates from two francophone West African countries after an undercover journalist detailed how he acquired a degree from a university in Benin Republic under two months and was deployed for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). In the list below, institutions that have ‘other campuses’ are indicated with “others”; those ‘operating anywhere in Nigeria’ have “anywhere” as suffix. They are as follows: 1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, operating anywhere in Nigeria 2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Techn...

FG’s ban on Benin certificates affects 15,000 Nigerian students – NANS Benin The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Benin Republic, has requested the government’s leniency over the ban on the validity of degree certificates from both the country and Togo, saying 15,000 Nigerian students are in Benin who will be negatively affected by it. The ban came after an undercover reporter described how he participated in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the second time and graduated from a Benin Republic institution in less than two months. Following the revelation, the federal government banned the validation of degree certificates from the countries. However, Ugochukwu Favour, the NANS president in Benin Republic, stated on Thursday, January 4, that the government should take into account pupils who had been admitted legitimately. “For now, I will say that the Federal Government should look into the issue. Now, you can’t because it is happening in this school, punish e...

1985 winning Golden Eaglets Coach Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen is dead Nigeria’s ex-international and former Golden Eaglets Coach, Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen, is dead. He died in the early hours of Wednesday in Benin City, after a protracted illness at 85 years. A family source who asked not to be named, disclosed that the soccer tactician had been bedridden for ailments suspected to be stroke and diabetes. The late Edo-born coach was also part of the nation’s football team at the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games. He was head of a three-man crew that included Bala Shamaki and Christian Chukwu when the Nigerian team shocked the world Under-17 world cup in China in 1985. He led the team again in 1987 to Canada and got to the final before his team was edged out by the then Soviet Union after a penalty shootout. At the third attempt in the competition, his team also lost to Saudi Arabia by penalty shootouts in the quarter finals. Coach Brodericks-Imasuen, popularly known as ‘Sabara’ in his play...

'Nigerians are crying already': Primate Ayodele fires message to Tinubu The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has once again urged President Tinubu to solve the economic hardship faced in Nigeria. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele warned Tinubu to treat the economic situation of the country as top priority because it keeps getting worse by the day. The prophet stated that there will be massive protests if the president doesn’t solve the problems. He claimed that people are hungry and salary earners can no longer sustain themselves with what they get. The cleric said: “If Tinubu doesn’t get to work immediately and find a way to solve our economic issues, there will be massive protests. The people are crying already, salary earners are not satisfied and it will get to a state where governors will not be able to pay salaries again. “Don’t wait till they start stoning you and every politician before working, ...

45,000 apply for 2,000 teachers job in Ogun Ogun State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu, says 45,000 persons applied for the recently concluded Ogun Teach intern meant to employ 2,000 teachers in the state. Arigbabu said with the number of applicants, government will pick only the very best and who by the end of April, will be collecting their letters of engagement. The commissioner, however, warned that education from primary to secondary school remains free in the state and that any headteacher or principal caught violating the policy of the government would be sanctioned. Arigbabu disclosed this during the second term pre-resumption stakeholders’ meeting for the 2023/2024 academic session held at Lisabi Grammar School, Idi Aba, Abeokuta, on Wednesday. He said since 2022 when the state government devised the stakeholders meeting, it has helped a lot to impact on smooth administration of schools in the state. He said, “When this government came on board, ...

We Begged For Money Because Nigerian Government Didn’t Pay Us Salaries —Dismissed Constables Caught On Camera Demanding Money From Female Dutch Biker The two special constables working with the Oyo State police command who were dismissed after being caught on camera demanding money from a female Dutch biker who was touring African countries have blamed the Nigerian government for their predicament.  SaharaReporters had reported that the two constables who were caught in the viral video demanding a bribe from the tourist were subsequently arrested. Hence, the duo were dismissed from the force and consequently stripped of the Nigerian police uniform to further confirm their exit from the constabulary. The Oyo Commissioner of Police said their dismissal from police constables followed a recommendation of the orderly room investigation. The CP said, “The two dismissed constabularies would not be prosecuted in court since they were not originally trained officers of the Nigerian police....

 US Imam Shot Outside New Jersey Mosque Dies An imam who was shot Wednesday outside a mosque in New Jersey has died, the US state's attorney general said, adding that the killing did not initially appear to be driven by "bias" or domestic terrorism. Hassan Sharif was shot multiple times near a mosque in Newark, just west of New York, before being taken to hospital where he later died, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said. "We do not yet know the motivation for this crime (but) the evidence collected thus far does not indicate that this was an act motivated by bias, or an act of domestic terrorism," said Platkin. He added that "in light of global events, and with a rise in bias that many communities are experiencing across our state -- particularly the Muslim community -- there are many in New Jersey right now who are feeling a heightened sense of fear." The state is home to 300,000 Muslim Americans, he said. Since the outbreak of the Israel-Ha...

Yul Edochie Pens Tribute On Late Son's Posthumous Birthday Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, has penned a heartfelt note on what would have been his late son Kambilichukwu's 17th birthday.  Expressing his grief on his Instagram account on Thursday, Yul expressed the pain of losing a son and recounts a dream where Kambi appeared taller, handsome, and joyful.  Yul also acknowledged the difficulty of life without his son but emphasises his strength for the sake of his siblings, relying on God's will. He wrote, "Kambi yooooo! Happy 17th birthday, my great son.Hope you’re doing well over there.I never knew I’ll ever do a write-up like this, but here we are. Life. "I kept asking God to let me see you again, and he granted my wish. And I saw you once in my dream. You looked much taller and more handsome. And bigger. You were glowing. Seems you’re now playing basketball over there and left football. You looked very happy. "Obviously, life over there is quite different fr...