Trendingonline24

Former Big Brother Naija season five housemate, Lucy Edet, has revealed that people flaunt their wealth so that they can be seen as relevant. The reality TV star took to her Twitter page on Thursday to note that people are treated differently when they are perceived to be wealthy. According to her, people only pay attention to the rich and that’s why people flaunt their wealth; in order to gain attention. Speaking about herself, the 31-year-old chef noted that she preferred to be perceived as one without wealth. She further advised her fans to be true to themselves. Lucy tweeted, “The treatment you get when people think you have money is just so different! No one gives a sh*t about you till they perceive you as a moneybag! That’s why people flaunt, so they’ll be seen as relevant! Me? The more people that think I don’t have, the better. Show your true nature!”

President Buhari on Thursday, signed the 2022 budget into law. Present at the signing of the budget were: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila. The president also signed the 2021 finance bill into law at the State House on Friday. With this action, Buhari has maintained the January to December budget cycle. This comes less than two weeks after the Senate and the House of Representatives passed the appropriation bill. The National Assembly increased the budget spending by N735.8 billion from the proposed N16.391 trillion to N17.126 trillion.  The lawmakers also raised oil benchmark from $57 per barrel proposed by the executive to $62.

Taliban ruling in Afghanistan has issued a decree that prevents barbershops from shaving or trimming beards for men, adding that such deeds are forbidden in Islam.  This is coming days after the Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers imposed travel restrictions on women. Voice of America has received a copy of the instructions that the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued this week. A Taliban official shared the original order in the Pashto language; however, its authenticity has not been publicly confirmed by senior leadership. When contacted by VOA, Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, did not dispute the order’s authenticity but said he was still “trying to get information” about the decree. The order quoted several verses from the Quran and hadiths, or sayings, about following whatever the Prophet Muhammad has asked Muslims to do. “Growing a beard is a natural deed and the Sunnah [the way of life and legal precedent] of all Prophets and Islamic...

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused security agents in Imo State of silently killing and abducting innocent youths.  IPOB said the police and other security operatives have been unjustly arresting innocent Imo residents for the past seven months.  The media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful disclosed this in a statement obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday.  It read in parts, "We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu condemn the numerous attacks and incessant abduction of the people of Orsuihitekwa, Nkwere and Orlu Local Government Area in Orlu, Imo State by a combined team of the Nigeria security agencies.  "Since seven months ago, they have invaded this community of Orsuihitekwa and environs with armoured tanks and fighter jet that resulted to the death of many innocent people, it is yet to be reported in the media. So many people ran away abandoning ...

Haseena Niazi had pinned her hopes of getting her fiancé out of Afghanistan on a rarely used immigration provision. The 24-year-old Massachusetts resident was almost certain his application for humanitarian parole would get approved by the U.S. government, considering the evidence he provided on the threats from the Taliban he received while working on women’s health issues at a hospital near Kabul. But this month, the request was summarily denied, leaving the couple reeling after months of anxiety. “He had everything they wanted,” said Niazi, a green card holder originally from Afghanistan. “It doesn’t make any sense why they’d reject it. It’s like a bad dream. I still can’t believe it.” Federal immigration officials have issued denial letters to hundreds of Afghans seeking temporary entry into the country for humanitarian reasons in recent weeks, to the dismay of Afghans and their supporters. By doing so, immigrant advocates say, the Biden administration has failed to hon...

Guinea’s interim head of state, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, has warned national team players that they must win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next month or refund the money invested in them. The Syli Nationale are paired in Group B of the AFCON alongside Malawi, Senegal, and Zimbabwe. According to him, the national team will reimburse every money invested in them if they fail to win the tournament. Guinea have also never won the AFCON, with their best finish in the tournament being a runner-up place in 1976. However, interim President Doumbouya has tasked the team to win the cup or risk reimbursing every money invested in them, according to ModernGhana as per African Insider. “The cup or you reimburse the money that’s been invested in you,” the Guinean President was quoted as telling the players. Guinea will kick-start its campaign against Malawi on January 10, 2022. Guinea will be led by Liverpool star Naby Keita at Cameroon 2021. The 33rd edition of the tournam...

Nigeria Customs Service is set to commence basic training for the recently enlisted and documented candidates. The training programme which will last for six months will take place at the training colleges of the Service in Kano and Lagos, and will commence on Monday, January 10, 2022. A statement by the Service read in part, “Consequently, all documented candidates of Grade levels 03, 04 and 06 are requested to arrive the Customs Training College, Goron Dutse, Kano, while those of Grade 08 are to report at Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday 9th January 2022. “Recruits are to note that any act of indiscipline at any stage of the training programme will attract severe penalties which may include outright dismissal/ eviction from the College. “Please also note that arrival at the designated College according to the specified levels above on Sunday 9th January 2022 is mandatory as training commences on Monday 10th January 2022.”

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone and forward Antoine Griezmann have tested positive for Covid-19, as the reigning La Liga champions announced five new cases on Thursday. Atletico said Simeone and 2018 World Cup-winner Griezmann were asymptomatic and isolating along with Koke, Hector Herrera, and Joao Felix. La Liga rivals Barcelona also confirmed three new cases, bringing the total to at least nine at the Catalan club, with the league set to resume this weekend after the winter break. Barcelona’s Sergino Dest, Philippe Coutinho, and Abde Ezzalzouli join the list of players infected, the club said, after Ousmane Dembele, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Gavi, and Dani Alves tested positive.

Paris Hilton commands as much as $1 million a night working as a celebrity DJ, entertaining partiers at clubs in China, Dubai and on the Spanish vacation island of Ibiza. This New Year’s Eve, she will be playing an electronic set for the revelers who drop by a venue of a different sort -- her virtual island on Roblox (RBLX.N). Hilton created an island in the online virtual world, dubbed Paris World, where visitors can explore digital replicas of her Beverly Hills estate and its dog mansion, stroll a boardwalk inspired by the neon carnival wedding celebration she and husband Carter Reum hosted earlier this year at the Santa Monica Pier in California, and explore the island in a luxury sports car or Sunray yacht. Like other virtual hangouts, Paris World will collect small payments for purchasing virtual clothing or booking a ride on a jet-ski. “For me, the metaverse is somewhere that you can do everything you can do in real life in the digital world,” said Hilton, who worked ...

Grammy award-wining British singer, Ed Sheeran, has thrilled fans with the remix of Fireboy’s song, ‘Peru’, which was released on Friday. Fireboy had announced the release with a tweet, as he appreciated his team for making it possible. Sharing an e-flier of the remix, he wrote, “Out now worldwide! ‘Peru’ x Ed Sheeran produced by Shizzi. Big love to my amazing team and everyone who made this possible. This is history. Let’s run it up!” Less than 12 hours after the song’s release, fans have taken to Twitter to hail the British singer for his verses in the song. A tweep, @deejayfaremi , said, “Fireboy went ahead and gave Ed Sheeran a platform to show his skills.” Another tweep, @sezekewsili , wrote, “Ed Sheeran ate his verse on Peru.” “No! No!! Ed Sheeran just made “Peru” glow up with that remix. Big up to Fireboy DML,” @iamkofoworola tweeted.   @aaa tweeted, “Ed Sheeran x Fireboy is one of the collaborations I thought would never happen in two years. Our generation is...

Nollywood star, Yul Edochie, on Monday advised Ghanaian rapper, Shatta Wale, to apologise for throwing shades at Nigerian artistes. The actor was reacting to Shatta Wale’s rant on Sunday, where the rapper threw shades on Nigerian artistes after selling out a Ghanaian stadium. “They said I won’t be able to fill my own stadiums, I don’t need any Nigerian artiste to sell out Ghana’s stadium, f**k Nigerian artistes,” the rapper had said. On Monday, Shatta Wale also took to his Twitter page to blast Nigerians, telling them to be grateful to Ghana for supporting Nigerian artistes. In response to his rants, Yul Edochie, who had affirmed his intentions to run for Nigerian Presidency, stated that the rapper should apologise for his utterances. The actor posted on his social media platforms, “Dear Shatta Wale, coming out to say ‘F**k Nigerian artistes’ is extreme and too low for a man like you. That’s hate. “I remember when Nigerian movie producers were giving all the lead roles to G...

Residents of two villages, Kwapre and Dabna in the Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State have abandoned their homes over the fear of attacks by terrorists and bandits ravaging parts of the state.  Kwapre and Dabna villages in Garaha Ward in the Hong Local Government Area were currently ghost villages, as people fled to safer places. Kwapre, Dabna, Lar, Zah and other adjoining villages are in Garaha Ward, where the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, and the slain Nigerian Army Brigadier General, Dzarma Zurkusu hailed from. A community leader in Garaha, Honorable Hyella, told SaharaReporters that people fled Kwapre to escaped being trapped and kidnapped by bandits and the Boko Haram. He said, “There are only seven persons left in Kwapre now; the rest have relocated to either Hong or Pella. “People have justifiable reasons to run for their lives, because 52 persons were abducted in April this year and only eight persons have returned ...

Less than two years after the Independent National Electoral Commission deregistered 74 political parties due to their poor performance in the 2019 general elections, the commission says no fewer than 107 groups have approached it for registration as political parties. Responding to a Freedom of Information request sent by Sunday PUNCH, the Deputy Director, SERVICOM at INEC, Olayide Okuonghae, said between 2019 and December 14, 2021, about 101 political associations had applied for registration. The letter read in part, “In reference to your letter dated December 9, 2021, the commission wishes to inform you that from 2019 to December 14, 2021, a total of 101 political associations have forwarded their letters of intent to be registered as political parties.” Also confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, said in an interview with one of our correspondents that INEC could not reveal the names of the associations because they...

The National Association of Nigerian Students, South West, Zone D, told the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari that the N305bn proposed by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2023 general elections was too much. The Coordinator of NANS in the Southwest, Emmanuel Olatunji noted that the country may not be able to manage the implications of such expenditure during a “the precarious economic climate of the nation”. This was disclosed in an official statement which noted that “The Nigerian economy is barely hanging by a thread and the requested N305bn may not be feasible at this time. “Consequently, we admonish both INEC and the Federal Government to adopt astute patriotism to the country by looking for the nearest most appropriate solution to this potential quagmire.” The NANs coordinator suggested that INEC should form a budget assessment committee to examine the “appropriate downward review,” of the budget to a practicable figure. He noted that this ...

The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Emergency Management Authority and the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates have suspended all inbound flights for national and international carriers and transit passengers from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. This suspension is effective from Saturday, December 25, 2021, at 7.30 a.m. This includes suspending the entry of travellers who were in the four countries 14 days before coming to the UAE, while flight operations will continue to transport passengers from the UAE to the same countries. According to the statement by the agencies, the UAE nationals, their first degree relatives, diplomatic missions, official delegations between UAE and these countries and Golden residence holders are excluded from this decision. “The excluded categories should present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours of departure and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of departure whenever possib...

Some suspected gunmen have reportedly abducted a businessman who is also a traditional chief, Emmanuel Ojo Obafemi in Ijan-Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of Ekiti State. The incident occurred around 5:42 pm on Thursday, as narrated by the wife of the victim.  The armed assailants, numbering about 10 stormed the farm of the traditional chief a few kilometres away from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. It was learnt that he was working on his farm when the gunmen arrived.  He was taken away to an unknown destination. “They did not come with vehicle or motorcycle, but they shot sporadically into the air before whisking him away,” the victim’s wife said. Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Sunday Abutu, in a telephone interview said he had not been briefed of the incident, stressing that he would brief journalists once he got full details of the incident. But the Commandant of Amotekun Security Corps in the state, Brig. Gen. Joseph Komolafe (rtd.) said the ...

After being 3 years on the popular Reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, Tacha Received N10M , TV, and other gifts from fans as she Celebrates her 26th birthday. She also got billboard for her businesses despite the economy situation in the country. 

Jack Dorsey has been blocked on Twitter, the social media platform he co-founded, by renowned venture capitalist Marc Andreessen. The block comes after Dorsey criticized certain corners of the venture capital industry and made several specific remarks about the firm Andreessen co-founded, Andreessen Horowitz. This week, Dorsey has expressed multiple views on “Web3” — a potential new decentralized version of the internet based on blockchain. Perhaps most notably, the entrepreneur said Web3 would be owned by rich VCs like Andreessen instead of “the people”. “You don’t own ‘web3,’ he tweeted. “The VCs and their LPs do. It will never escape their incentives. It’s ultimately a centralized entity with a different label.” Then, on Wednesday, Dorsey tweeted: “I’m officially banned from Web3,” alongside a screenshot showing he had been blocked by Andreessen. His tweet prompted several other Twitter users who have also been blocked by Andreessen to share similar screenshots. Andreess...

China is redoubling efforts to control new virus outbreaks with a lockdown of the 13 million residents of the northern city of Xi’an following a spike in coronavirus cases. The measure comes just weeks before the country hosts the Winter Olympics in Beijing, roughly 1,000 kilometers (6210 miles) to the west. There was no word on whether the virus was the newly surging omicron variant or the far more common delta. China has recorded just seven omicron cases — four in the southern manufacturing center of Guangzhou, two in the southern city of Changsha and one in the northern port of Tianjin. China has also been dealing with a substantial outbreak in several cities in the eastern province of Zhejiang near Shanghai, although isolation measures there have been more narrowly targeted. Authorities have adopted strict pandemic control measures under their policy of seeking to drive new transmissions to zero, leading to frequent lockdowns, universal masking and mass testing.  Wh...

Grammy award-winning singer, Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid revealed that fellow Nigerian singer, Wande Coal, housed him when he had nowhere to go. Wizkid made this known during the Flytime music festival in Lagos on Tuesday night, where he was the headline artist. After an energetic performance with Wande Coal on stage, Wizkid asked his fans to celebrate the Bumper to Bumper crooner for inspiring him. “That’s the man that inspired me. You all should make some noise for Wande Coal, “ Wizkid said. After the fans cheered Wande Coal, Wizkid said, “I remember when I was making my first single. When I was making Holla at your boy, Tease me, don’t dull. Wande Coal was always there for me. “He let me sleep in his room when I had nowhere to go. I just want to say a big thank you to that guy. That’s a very special human being.” The audience went on to cheer Wande Coal after Wizkid’s revelation.

Federal Government declared Monday 27th, Tuesday 28th December 2021 and Monday, 3rd January 2022 as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year Day celebrations respectively. This was made known by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Shuaib Belgore, on Wednesday. Aregbesola enjoined Christians to practice the doctrines of Christ, which included but not limited to these – faith, hope and love. He was quoted as saying, “We must emulate the life of Jesus Christ in His practice and teachings on Humility, Service, Compassion, Patience, Peace and Righteousness, that His birth signifies. “This will be the best way to portray Christ and celebrate his birth.” He emphasised that peace and security are two critical conditions for economic development and prosperity. He urged Christians and Nigerians to make the best use of this festive period to pray for the total eradication of insecurity bedevilling the...

The Senate on Wednesday failed to override the President’s veto on the 2010 Electoral Act (amendments) Bill 2021. The red chamber made the u-turn when members emerged from a 40-minute closed session. The President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, explained after the executive session that the upper chamber had decided to consult with members of the House of Representatives on the matter. He said since the House had gone on recess and the constitution prescribes that both chambers should take a joint decision on the matter, it would be proper for them to wait till January before any action could be taken. Lawan also said the Senate in the closed session agreed that members should consult with their constituencies who are critical stakeholders in the electoral process. The Senate had on Tuesday, adjourned plenary till today (Wednesday), to enable them to override the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the 2010 Electoral Act (amendments) Bill 2021. An investigati...

Civic group, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has urged federal lawmakers to use their veto power to sign the Electoral Bill 2021 to law. The group gave an option that in the case the National Assembly comprising the Senate and House of Representatives did not want to use their veto, they should remove the provisions of direct primaries elections for political parties which President Muhamamdu Buhari gave as an excuse for declining his assent to the bill. Buhari, Monday, had returned the Electoral Act 2021 Amendment unsigned to the National Assembly stating that imposing direct primaries on political parties would spell doom for the polity. Reacting to the President’s withdrawal of his signature, CDD said it was shocked as Buhari missed a golden opportunity to register his name in history. The group said this in a press statement signed by its Director, Idayat Hassan, which was made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday. The statement was titled, “Electio...

The Federal Government has secured a $700m loan from the World Bank for specific water projects in the country, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said. According to him, most of the problems associated with water supply in the country are the responsibilities of state governments. The minister said these in an interview with journalists on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Rewards and Recognition Awards ceremony organised by the ministry in Abuja. He said seven states, comprising Imo, Delta, Bauchi, Ekiti, Katsina, Kaduna and Plateau, were expected to benefit from the first tranche of the loan. According to him, the duty of the Federal Government in the area of water supply is to provide support to states. The minister noted that lack of access to potable water had been a major problem for Nigerian communities. He said, “What Nigerians need to understand is that the Federal Government is not responsible for providing water in their taps; that ...

A 25-year-old housemaid, Dominion Okoro, on Tuesday in Benin revealed that she killed Madam Maria Oredola Igbinedion, 85, the mother of a former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion. Narrating how she carried out the nefarious act on December 2, Okoro, who was arrested in her hometown, Calabar, said she hit her late boss with a stool while sleeping in order to rob her of her possession. Okoro, who stated this while being paraded at Edo State Police headquarters in Benin, disclosed that she made away with N100,000, a wristwatch and jewellery from the GRA residence of the Igbinedions. She said, “I killed Mama (Madam Maria Igbinedion) to carry her money. She did not offend me. While she was sleeping on her bed, around 12:01 a.m. on December 2, 2021, I used a stool to hit her on the head and she was shouting for help, but only the gateman was around and he did not hear the shout. Mama later died. “I waited till 4 a.m. on December 2, 2021, before leaving the house with ...

The Nigerian social media space has always been notorious for its unmatched hilarity especially with its talented flock of creators. Even in the face of a tumbling economy and repressive government policies, Nigerians had no dull moment this year with entertaining trends on the Internet. The following are popular social media trends that stood out with Nigerians in 2021: 8. Alcohol Challenge Joeboy, a Nigerian singer known for his portable-length hit songs probably expected his September release, Alcohol to make a rave on the music scene. However, what he did not foresee was the Alcohol Challenge that trended on social media platforms following the song’s release. Fans posted videos of themselves bathing in drinks, oil, soups and food while singing along to the song. The Baby crooner had to call for order in October after videos of fans drinking, and pouring toxic substances on themselves went viral. “I appreciate the love ALCOHOL is getting but stop poring stuff on your bo...