Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has lost his mother, months after the Chippa United safe hands announced the death of his father.

Nwabali shared the sad news of his mother’s death on X Wednesday evening.

“Rip mom,” he wrote, describing it as the “worst year of my life already “.

Before that, Nwabali had posted, “A very very crazy world indeed”.

The goalkeeper, did not, however, give details of how the mother died.

He lost his father just over a month ago. This happened a few hours before the Super Eagles match against Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification game in mid-November.

The 28-year-old was thereafter excused from the match.

“He has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his teammates on,” the Super Eagles’ Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.

Nwabali’s father Godspower Onyekam Abali, Chief Onyeogazrim 1 of Okwuzi, was 67 when he died.

The South Africa-based goalkeeper made headlines early last year after shinning for the Super Eagles at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

He played in all matches as the three-time African champions reached the final of the competition before losing to hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigerian music superstars Wizkid and Ayra Starr have earned global recognition as they secure spots in Chart Data’s list of top artistes of 2024.

Released on New Year’s Eve, the list highlights the most influential and impactful artistes worldwide.

Wizkid claimed the 11th position, while rising star Ayra Starr followed closely at number 18. The inclusion of these two Nigerian superstars further emphasizes the growing influence of African music on the international stage.

South African singer Tyla also made a notable appearance on the list, securing the 12th position.

In the top 10, global pop sensations dominate the rankings. South Korean superstar Jimin takes the lead, with American music legends such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, and rapper Kendrick Lamar rounding out the top spots.

British pop phenomenon Charli XCX, along with Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Nicki Minaj, complete the top 10.

In addition to this recognition, Nigerian artistes Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy were also listed among the “Top 20 Music Global Icons Shaping The Future” by Active World.

Davido, who has made waves both locally and internationally, earned the third spot, while Wizkid and Burna Boy secured the 6th and 8th positions, respectively.

Nollywood actress Moyo Lawal has taken to social media to mark her birthday with an emotional message reflecting on her personal trials and triumphs as she turns a year older.

In a touching Instagram post, the actress described herself as a living testament to resilience, drawing strength from the biblical verse Isaiah 54:17: “No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper.”

Moyo shared that the past year had been one of the toughest of her life, stating that there was a time when she doubted she would even see 2025.

In a personal moment of reflection, she questioned her ordeals and shared that God responded by calling her one of His ‘bravest soldiers,’ reminding her that He would never burden her with challenges she could not handle.

The actress went on to express that these words helped her understand that in the most difficult moments of life, God is often preparing us for monumental breakthroughs.

Moyo emphasized that trials are not just obstacles but opportunities for God’s power and deliverance to shine through.

Moyo extended heartfelt gratitude to her support system, acknowledging the people who have stood by her side during her toughest times.

In her post, she wrote:

“I am a shining example of no weapon fashioned against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). You know, with the trials I had to face, if anyone had told me that I would see 2025, I would have called the person a blatant liar.
I remember in one of my most humbling reflections, I asked God, “Why me?” and He replied, “Why not me?? You are one of my bravest soldiers, and I will not burden you with what I know you can’t handle.” This reminded me that in our greatest times of testing and affliction, God is setting us up for the greatest display of His power and deliverance.
However, I digress. It’s my birthday, and a new beginning has manifested. To everyone who held my hands, wiped my tears, and cried with me (yep, I have some very dramatic people in my life), I THANK YOU. I have such an amazing support system that I thank the Almighty God for every single day (well, most times when they are not being annoying. I digress again, sorry).
In fact, my people did such an amazing job that I healed so well and practically found my old self again (I literally feel 21 again). Shey, you people didn’t overdo it like this. Eniyan l’aso mi, and my gratitude can never, ever be enough.

I cannot forget my darling fierceglowers @moyolawalplus who have kept us in business despite no fancy store and our inadequacies. Thank you so much.
I have started writing again ooooh. Just like an eagle, I will continue to rejoice in the trials I have faced because they have continued to empower me toward my destiny.
My eagle outfit @selizroyal_headwears
Makeup @iwalewa_signatures
Photography @praise_that_photographer
Skinplug @moyolawalplus
P.S. Happy New Year, everyone.”

Since posting, Moyo’s Instagram page has been flooded with heartfelt birthday messages from fans, friends, and well-wishers, all celebrating her resilience, growth, and the new chapter she is embracing.

The President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to match his talks about making Nigeria better with actions.

Osifo submitted that it is on record that the economic policies of the Tinubu government have significantly added to the challenges facing the citizens.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television, the TUC President lamented that the attempts by President Tinubu to inspire hope is not in tandem with the economic realities caused by his policies.

Osifo made the declaration against the backdrop of the President’s New Year message in which, among other things, Tinubu promised to reduce inflation to 15%, stabilize the naira, and promote economic growth.

He vowed that in 2025, his government would boost local food production, increase the manufacturing of essential medicines, and improve credit access through the establishment of the National Credit Guarantee Company.

However, Osifo said while it is understandable that President Tinubu is only trying to market the country as any other leader would do, the reality of the situation in Nigeria doesn’t match the words.

He stated “The president of a country is the chief salesman of a country, his own primary responsibility is to lay out the message that he has laid out.

“To paint a very bright picture, to paint a picture of a lot of goodies that could come in 2025. So he has done what any president in the world could do. So generally, from listening to the statement and reading through it over and over again, we could see that a lot of things were painted with optimism.

“So in reality, what the president has said is trying to inspire hope, but that hope that he’s trying to inspire, is not really in tandem with what we have currently in our economy.”

No More Rhetorics

The TUC President identified some of the policies of the Tinubu government that have contributed significantly to the nation’s current challenges and economic difficulties, which many citizens are experiencing.

He urged President Tinubu to match his words with actions that justify the talks.

“Nigerians, Nigerians know clearly that a lot of these policies have brought about challenges, and have brought about difficulties that we are facing today.

“Today our exchange rate is about 1,600, depending on the parallel market or The Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Fixing, It is also these policies that have also brought about the inflation that we have today.

“We’ve been told, for example, that inflation is going to come down to 15% by 2025.

“We’ve been told, for example, that our crude oil production is going to rise to about 2.06 million barrels per day. We’ve also been told, as well, that the balance of payments, we’ve been told how much we are going to borrow to finance our budget. So all these that the president has said, we have taken the brighter ones.

‘When you now analyze them, what are the parameters that have been put in place? What are those details that have been put in place that we can see that truly it is not just talkism, that truly what the president is saying, there are actions to match them,” Osifo submitted.

Police said one person died and seven were injured when a Tesla cybertruck exploded outside the entrance of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The 64-story hotel is just off the famed Las Vegas Strip and across the street from the Fashion Show Las Vegas shopping mall.

Kevin McMahill, sheriff of the metropolitan police department, said the incident was reported this morning.

“There is one deceased individual inside the cybertruck, and I don’t know whether it is a male or a female at this time,” McMahill said.

“At this time, we are investigating a number of leads, and I’m not prepared to release any of that information to you just yet.”

“I can tell you that there are seven victims right now that sustained injuries from the explosion,” he added, describing the injuries as “minor”.

The cause of the explosion is not immediately known.

McMahill said the Cybertruck, a 2024 model, pulled up to the hotel’s glass entrance doors as smoke began emerging from the vehicle before a large explosion occurred.

The sheriff noted that officials are “very well aware” of the deadly New Orleans attack when a man intentionally drove a pickup truck into a crowd, killing at least 10 people.

The attack happened just hours before the Las Vegas incident.

McMahill said because of the timing, officials are taking all precautions to keep the community safe.

Tesla, owned by Elon Musk, the billionaire tech mogul who has become Trump’s close ally, debuted the groundbreaking Cybertruck with its futuristic steel design in 2023.

“A Cybertruck, the Trump Hotel—there are lots of questions that we have to answer as we move forward with that,” McMahill said.

Musk said the company had never recorded such an incident and added that a senior team of investigators was looking into the case.

Two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua visited President Bola Tinubu at his residence in Lagos on Wednesday.

The visit was disclosed by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, through a post on X (formerly Twitter).

During the courtesy call, Joshua presented President Tinubu with an autographed boxing glove as a gesture of respect.

“Champ @anthonyjoshua pays homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos. Presents him with his autographed glove,” Dada shared in the post.

Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun has announced that former two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua will serve as the torchbearer for the rescheduled 2024 National Sports Festival.

During a meeting at his office in the Gateway State on Monday, December 30, Governor Abiodun expressed his enthusiasm for Joshua’s involvement, stating, “We are thrilled to officially welcome you as our sports ambassador and request that you return to ignite the torch for the Gateway Sports Festival.”

The Governor also unveiled plans for the construction of a new indoor boxing ring named after Anthony Joshua, which will be located in a stadium in Abeokuta.

He emphasized the importance of this facility, saying, “This new boxing ring will encourage you to visit home more frequently and foster a vibrant sports culture in our state.”

In addition to these initiatives, the Governor offered Joshua a new residence in Sagamu, aiming to strengthen their partnership in sports development.

He encouraged Joshua to collaborate with the Director General of the National Sports Commission and the state Commissioner for Sports Development to organize a boxing championship in Ogun State.

Governor Abiodun praised Joshua’s remarkable achievements on the global stage, affirming that his administration is committed to supporting his career in every possible way.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, has expressed optimism that 2025 will serve as a pivotal year for the actualization of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Edu shared this in her New Year message, which was released on Wednesday, marking the beginning of the new year.

Describing 2025 as a year of restoration, Edu said it would usher in a season of “endless possibilities” for Nigerians, where hard work translates into shared prosperity.

Edu called on Nigerians to embrace 2025 as a fresh start, filled with promise and the potential to fulfill their aspirations under the Tinubu administration’s vision.

She emphasized that the New Year would solidify the administration’s efforts to deliver on its promises, urging Nigerians to remain optimistic about the future.

“2025 stands before us like a chapter in a book waiting to be written. It is incumbent upon us to pen optimism and hope into it, believing that the New Year offers us a refreshing new dawn to turn our dreams and aspirations into reality.

“I have no doubt that 2025 will bring full restoration from the hardships and trials of 2024. It will be a year for the optimisation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” she said.

Continuing, Edu noted, “2025 holds immense promise for our dear country. It is a year when Nigerians will take charge of their great future as current economic challenges give way to a horizon of hope, leading to the blossoming of prosperity.”

She urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their love for the country and believe in the ability of the current administration to pull Nigeria out of economic difficulties.

“Mr President means well; good intentions need time to yield results. I believe in the Nigerian project. I have always given my all to Nigeria and Nigerians, and nothing will ever change that.

“I fervently urge Nigerians to approach the future with confidence and an overwhelming sense of assurance that we are inching closer to the end of our trying times as a nation,” Edu added.