Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to broaden its scope by offering interest-free loans to Nigerian students interested in skill-development programs. The directive came after a briefing from NELFUND’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, at the State House. The President emphasized the significance of including those who choose not to pursue university education, highlighting the importance of skill acquisition alongside traditional academic qualifications. The program is set to launch later in the month.
2. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State presented the report on the explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Close, Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan, to President Bola Tinubu. The incident, which took place last Tuesday, prompted President Tinubu to express condolences and direct the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to collaborate with the Oyo State Government in providing immediate relief to the victims. Governor Makinde, during his visit to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, thanked the Presidency for its support and assured that the Oyo State government would take necessary actions to aid the victims and identify and punish those responsible for the tragedy.
3. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to increase prayers to address the country’s current security challenges, specifically the issue of kidnapping. She expressed gratitude for the safe return of the Al-Kadriyar sisters, who were recently abducted by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja. Senator Tinubu acknowledged the power of prayer and urged Nigerians, especially mothers, to continue praying for the nation’s safety. She also commended security agencies for their efforts and urged them to persist in combating insecurity. The Al-Kadriyar family had five sisters kidnapped, with one tragically losing her life in the incident.
4. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured a spot in the AFCON 2023 round of 16 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Guinea-Bissau, relying on a first-half own goal. Meanwhile, after Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Mozambique in the 2023 AFCON, angry fans attacked the team bus last night, expressing frustration over the poor performance. The Black Stars had earlier suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and drew with Egypt in the group stage.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo led the Al Nassr football team on a trip to China for preparation ahead of a friendly tournament in January. The team is set to play against Shanghai on January 24 and Zhejiang on January 28. Ronaldo received a warm welcome from Chinese supporters at Shenzhen Airport due to his popularity in the country. Al Nassr fans, excited to see Ronaldo, bought tickets for the upcoming friendly matches against Inter Miami, featuring Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. After their China tour, Al Nassr will compete in the Riyadh Season Cup 2024, facing Inter Miami on February 1 and Al Hilal on February 8.
7. Femi Otedola secures the 20th spot on Forbes’ 2024 list of Africa’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated fortune of N1.1 billion. Four Nigerians feature in the top 20, indicating a positive shift in billionaires’ fortunes. The top 20 billionaires collectively hold $82.4 billion, reflecting a $900 million increase from 2023. Despite a late-year global rally, African equities ended the 12 months through January 8, 2024, down more than 9 percent.
