Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Tensions are high in Lagos as the State House of Assembly faces a contentious session over the leadership battle between impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and newly elected Speaker Mojisola Meranda. Obasa, removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 out of 40 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement, has called his impeachment unconstitutional and vowed to reclaim his position. Obasa, returning from an overseas trip, criticized the process and law enforcement’s involvement while urging proof of the allegations against him. Meanwhile, Meranda’s supporters, including former House Committee Chairman Ogundipe Stephen…
Author: Esther Salami
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump made remarks aboard Air Force One that have sparked global controversy, as he suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt. His comments, described by critics as a deviation from longstanding U.S. foreign policy, have drawn sharp responses from leaders and organizations worldwide. Trump’s Proposal Speaking to reporters during the flight, Trump described Gaza as “a mess” and “a demolition site,” referencing the destruction caused by the ongoing 15-month war between Israel and Hamas. Trump proposed a drastic solution: relocating around 1.5 million Palestinians from…
Michael Onoja, a videographer with Encyc Media, does not believe the best camera or the best videographer exists. In an exclusive interview with Esther Salami of The News Chronicle, shared insights into the world of videography, accenting teamwork, confidence, and continuous learning as the keys to the media company’s rapid rise. In just three years, Encyc Media has become a household name in the creative industry, producing captivating content, including a widely celebrated wedding video of gospel minister Theophilus Sunday that left a lasting impression on viewers. “Teamwork makes the dream work,” he said. “You don’t achieve a lot if…
A U.S. federal judge has issued a temporary injunction against President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. The order, set to take effect in February 2025, was blocked on January 23, 2025, following its announcement earlier in the week. This marked the first significant legal challenge of Trump’s second term, which began with his inauguration on January 20, 2025. The judge, whose name has not yet been released in the public filing, stated that the injunction was necessary to allow a full legal review of the order’s constitutionality. Birthright citizenship is guaranteed under the 14th Amendment of the U.S.…
Axel Rudakubana, an 18-year-old teenager, has been sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison for the brutal murders of three young girls and the stabbing of 10 others during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event on July 29, 2024. The incident, described by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “one of the most harrowing moments in Britain’s history,” shocked the nation and prompted days of riots across the country. The horrific events happened at Hart Space studios in Southport, where 26 children, aged six to nine, were attending a summer vacation dance workshop organized by yoga teacher Leanne Lucas, 36.…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services to protest the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) recent approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs. The tariff hike, which raised call costs to N16.5 per minute, 1GB of data to N431.25, and SMS prices to N6, was introduced to address rising operational costs faced by telecom operators. NLC President Joe Ajaero criticized the hike, as having an impact on Nigerians already struggling with economic hardships. He noted that the average Nigerian worker spends 10% of their…
Beatrice Ekweremadu, the wife of former Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria following her release from a UK prison. Beatrice was jailed in March 2023 for her involvement in an organ trafficking case. A UK court convicted her, her husband Ike, and a doctor of facilitating the travel of a young Nigerian man to Britain to exploit him for organ harvesting. While Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, Ike received a nine-year, eight-month sentence. After serving part of her term, Beatrice’s release marks a pivotal moment for her family and community.…
Nine commercial banks’ Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) may not be disconnected as planned because the impacted banks have started taking steps to pay off their debt before the deadline of January 27. In contrast to their belligerent stance, before the punishment was announced, sources within the telecom operators told Nairametrics that some banks have begun making partial payments on their debt, while those that have not yet begun are requesting negotiations. Even as some banks began making payments late last year, the operators faulted the telecom regulator for taking too long to act, causing the debt to balloon to…
Three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas on Sunday, marking the beginning of a six-week ceasefire agreement between Israel and the militant group. The exchange saw 90 Palestinian detainees freed by Israel as part of the initial phase of the truce. The hostages, Romi Gonen (24), Doron Steinbrecher (31), and Emily Damari (28), were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza before being transferred to Israeli forces. The Israeli military confirmed their safe transfer hours after the agreement took effect at 11:15 a.m. local time. Details of the Release Footage aired by Al Jazeera showed the women walking between…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Donald Trump addressed supporters at a victory rally in Washington, D.C., ahead of his inauguration today. He promised to sign multiple executive orders on his first day as president. Elon Musk briefly spoke during the event, during which Trump highlighted his new advisory team, the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). Before Trump’s speech, key supporters, including Kid Rock, actor Jon Voight, and members of Trump’s family, energized the crowd. Due to cold weather, the city is bustling with thousands of Trump supporters while officials work to move the inauguration ceremony indoors.…
A tanker explosion on Saturday morning, January 19, 2025, claimed 86 lives and left 55 injured. The tragedy occurred along the Dikko-Maje Road opposite Baddegi Station, near the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) crashed. During an attempt to transfer the fuel to another container, the spilled PMS came into contact with a generator powering the operation, causing a massive explosion. Victims included passers-by, local residents, and shop owners, with most of the deceased burned beyond recognition. Emergency responders, led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), arrived swiftly to contain the situation. Mrs. Zubaida…
An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operation targeting suspected internet fraudsters turned tragic on Friday, January 17, 2025, when an EFCC operative, Salisu, was fatally shot during a raid in Awka, Anambra State. Incident in Awka The EFCC team, dispatched from the Enugu Zonal Command, arrived in Awka early Friday morning to apprehend a group of cybercriminals, commonly referred to as “Yahoo boys.” After successfully raiding their first target location, where they arrested several suspects and seized credit cards and four luxury vehicles, the operatives moved to a second location. At this second location, around 4:00 AM, the team…
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a nationwide ban on TikTok, the popular video-sharing platform owned by China-based ByteDance. The unanimous ruling, delivered on Friday, affirms Congress’s authority to address national security concerns linked to TikTok’s data collection practices and alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Effective January 19, 2025, the Court’s decision requires ByteDance to divest TikTok or face an outright ban. The ruling rejected TikTok’s First Amendment challenge, stating that the law is “decidedly content agnostic” and necessary to protect U.S. national security. “We conclude that the challenged provisions do not violate petitioners’ First Amendment rights,”…
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been convicted on corruption charges. On Friday, a Pakistani court sentenced Khan to 14 years in prison and Bushra Bibi to 7 years. The couple were accused of accepting a land gift from real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain in exchange for laundering $240 million during Khan’s tenure. This verdict adds to Khan’s sentences for corruption and other charges, bringing his total prison term to 14 years under Pakistan’s concurrent sentencing laws. Prosecutors argued that funds returned to Pakistan by British authorities in 2022 were meant to be…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories: 1. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a 13-count charge against Oba Otudeko, former chairman of First Bank Nigeria (FBN), and three others over alleged fraud involving loans obtained under pretenses. The other defendants include Stephen Olabisi Onasanya, former FBN group managing director; Soji Akintayo, a former Honeywell Flour Mills board member; and Anchorage Leisure Limited, a company linked to Otudeko. The charges, filed at the federal high court in Lagos on January 16, 2025, accuse the defendants of fraudulently obtaining loans totaling over N31 billion from First Bank…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. The Federal Government has responded to comments made by the Emir of Kano and former CBN Governor Muhammadu Sanusi II, who criticized the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms during a lecture in Lagos. Sanusi stated that he would withhold advice due to personal grievances and observed the government’s actions without assisting. In reaction, Information Minister Mohammed Idris expressed disappointment, emphasizing Sanusi’s duty to support reforms that align with principles he previously endorsed. Idris highlighted achievements like exchange rate unification and fuel subsidy removal, which have improved investor confidence, freed resources for critical sectors,…
President Yoon Suk Yeol was arrested on Wednesday as part of a criminal investigation into charges of insurrection linked to his short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. This marks the first time in South Korean history that a sitting president has been detained. Yoon’s arrest followed weeks of political unrest and a standoff at his fortified residence in Seoul’s affluent “Beverly Hills” district. The arrest operation, led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), involved over 3,000 police officers and investigators, who breached the compound’s security early Wednesday. Impeachment and Martial Law Declaration Recall that…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories: 1. The Nigerian Senate and stakeholders commemorated Armed Forces Remembrance Day on January 15, honoring soldiers who died in service. Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua praised their bravery and called for improved welfare for military personnel. Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf donated ₦12 million to support families of fallen heroes and urged stakeholders to aid veterans. Vice President Kashim Shettima symbolically released white pigeons, emphasizing unity and peace. President Tinubu, represented by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu, urged innovation in tackling security challenges and pledged enhanced military support. Meanwhile, over 120,000 Boko Haram members,…
A 53-year-old French interior designer, identified only as Anne, has revealed how she was conned out of €830,000 (£697,000; $851,355) by a scammer posing as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. Speaking to French media outlets TF1 and BFMTV, Anne recounted how the elaborate scam began in February 2023 after she shared photos of her luxurious ski trip to Tignes on Instagram. Anne explained that the scam started with a message from someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother. “The next day, I received a message from an account claiming to be Brad Pitt himself. He said his mother had spoken a…
On January 13, the Nigerian All-Share Index (ASI) closed at 105,367.25, down 83.81 points, or 0.08%, from 105,451.06 the day before. The index remained well above the 105,000 threshold despite the slight decrease. A slight decline in market activity was also observed, as the total trading volume dropped by 1.07% to 505 million shares from 511 million the previous day. On the other hand, market capitalization decreased marginally to N64.2 trillion, still above the benchmark of N64 trillion across 14,259 transactions. The session’s gainers demonstrated exceptional performance, with CAP and NEIMETH making advances of 10.00% and 9.96%, respectively. LASACO, on…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Gospel singer and fitness enthusiast Oluwatimileyin Ajayi was arrested in Orozo, Nasarawa State, after being caught with the severed head of his 24-year-old lady, Salome Enejo, a National Youth Service Corps member serving in Abuja. The incident occurred near a church during a Sunday service on January 12, 2025. Suspicious behavior near a river led church members to confront Ajayi, who attempted to flee but was apprehended. Upon inspection, a nylon bag he discarded was found to contain the victim’s severed head. Ajayi admitted to killing Enejo during an argument after…
A female passenger who caused the cancellation of an Ibom Air flight has been charged to court following her disruptive actions at Uyo Airport. On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a female passenger caused the cancellation of an Ibom Air flight scheduled to depart from Uyo to Abuja at 17:30 hrs. The incident occurred at Uyo Airport when the passenger, after boarding the aircraft, discovered that her luggage was not among those loaded onto the plane. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has since confirmed that the passenger’s actions have led to legal charges, and she is currently facing prosecution. Dr.…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo paid tribute to the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Speaking at a memorial service in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo recounted Carter’s visit to Nigeria, where he persuaded Abacha to transition Obasanjo’s imprisonment to house arrest. Carter was the only non-African leader to plead with Abacha personally for Obasanjo’s release. Obasanjo also shared emotional memories of Carter’s support, including how media mogul Ted Turner offered assistance and expressed gratitude for Carter’s humanitarian efforts. Released after Abacha’s death in 1998, Obasanjo described Carter as a compassionate leader dedicated…
Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire industrialist Chief Razaq Okoya, have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation following a viral video showing them spraying naira notes at a public event. The EFCC, in a letter signed by its Lagos acting director, Michael Wetkas, directed the duo to report at the commission’s special operations team office, located at 15A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, by 10:00 AM on Monday, January 13, 2025. The viral clip, which stirred outrage on social media, showed the Okoya brothers encircling a police officer who was seen holding bundles of ₦1,000…
Russian-born TV model Luisa Kremleva has received a six-month suspended prison sentence and a £1,500 fine after admitting to fabricating a rape accusation against AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez. The conviction concludes a nearly seven-year saga that began in June 2017, tarnishing the reputations of both parties. Kremleva, 28, falsely claimed that Hernandez, 27, had raped her in the back of a Porsche Cayenne outside Marbella’s glitzy Olivia Valere nightclub. She alleged that the French footballer forced himself on her, pushed her out of the vehicle, and caused injuries to her knees. However, an investigation by Spanish authorities quickly revealed…
Los Angeles is facing one of its worst wildfire crises, with at least five major fires raging across the region. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has consumed over 17,234 acres, while the Eaton Fire has scorched 10,600 acres. Both fires remain at 0% containment, raising concerns about their potential to spread further. The fires have left a trail of destruction, claiming the lives of at least five people and forcing the evacuation of over 137,000 residents. Pacific Palisades alone saw more than 60,000 people displaced, and nearly 2,000 buildings have been destroyed. Iconic locations such as the Hollywood Hills and…
On Wednesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded sarcastically to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.” The proposal, made during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, has stirred controversy. Standing before a 17th-century world map at her daily press briefing in Mexico City, Sheinbaum proposed dryly, “How about renaming North America as ‘América Mexicana,’ or ‘Mexican America’? After all, a founding document from 1814 that preceded Mexico’s constitution referred to it that way.” She added sarcastically, “That sounds nice, doesn’t it?” She then reminded Trump that the United Nations officially recognizes the…
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch engaged in a fiery exchange during the first Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) of 2025. They clashed over whether the UK should launch a national inquiry into grooming gangs, an issue Badenoch called one of the “worst scandals in British history.” Badenoch criticized existing investigations, including the 2022 Jay Inquiry, for failing to reveal the “full extent” of abuse. She called for a new statutory inquiry, claiming, “There have been thousands more victims, but no one has joined the dots or has the total picture. It is almost certainly still going on.”…
Landmark Group has announced plans to redevelop the historic Port Harcourt Tourist Beach into a world-class resort. This development comes as the company recovers from its $80 million loss following the demolition of the Landmark Beach Resort in Lagos in April 2024. CEO Paul Onwuanibe, speaking about the company’s latest project, expressed enthusiasm for the new venture, saying: “We are excited to create unforgettable leisure experiences in Port Harcourt, combining international expertise with local knowledge. This is about reviving history and building a legacy that boosts Rivers State’s economy.” The leading hospitality and leisure company secured waterfront land in Port…
Mubarak Bala, a well-known Nigerian atheist and former president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has been released after serving over four years in prison for blasphemy. Bala, 40, was arrested on April 28, 2020, at his home in Kaduna following allegations of blasphemy and incitement linked to controversial Facebook posts. He was later transferred to Kano, a predominantly Muslim city, where blasphemy is a crime under both Sharia law and Nigeria’s criminal code. In 2022, the Kano State High Court sentenced him to 24 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 18 charges, including blasphemy and incitement. The…
