Thank God we don’t look like what we’ve been through.

Nigerian actress Jumoke George did not mince words about her harsh childhood experiences, hot-headed father who disowned her, diabolical step-mum who sent her to the herbalist, her biological mum who rejected her and a husband who beat her to stupor on a regular basis.

In an interview with Biola Bayo on the Talk to B show, Jumoke George recounted how her fetish stepmother maltreated and sent her to herbalists to get charms used to control her father. She said she was being treated like a slave and made to do despicable things like preparing food the charm would be added to. In her words:

“My stepmother was even worse. From a tender age, I was sent to a herbalist’s house. It’s a pity and it saddens my heart that I am even the one that will prepare the food that the charm will be added to for my dad. You can’t even handle a slave the way they handled me. Today, I just put an end to that kind of job I am always sent”.

The actress revealed how her plan to stop the fetish step-mum became the genesis of her doom because when she finally opened up to her father about it, he refused to believe and sent her packing. Jumoke George explained:

“When I pleaded with him to allow me to talk, he said, ‘From henceforth, I disowned you,’ and he went into his room, and the next thing I saw is that he came out with his gun.

It was from that moment I entered into a problem. The big mistake I made in my whole life was crying that I wanted to go with my dad when he got transferred”.

The dark-skinned actress revealed that her decision to stay with her father over her mother led to her fallout with her mother, who refused to take her in when she became homeless. However, they have been able to resolve their differences a few years ago. She continued:

“It wasn’t until four or five years ago that I knew what I did to offend my mother. But then, she pleaded with me that I should forgive her, that she didn’t have Christ, and it was a time of ignorance, and she was feeling hurt then.

I was sleeping around; I even slept on the table they used for selling goods by the roadside. If I see abandoned vehicle, I will sleep inside. Then, I used a safety pin to hold my bras. I used twine ropes to hold my pants”.

Sharing what led to her failed marriage, the veteran actress recounted how her ex-husband maltreated her by being physically abusive, especially when she got pregnant. Jumoke George added:

“When pregnancy came in, my journey with him was like going from frying pan to fire; he will always beat me. It got to a stage; he would come and meet me at movie rehearsal to beat me so that we would both roll down from the upstairs”.

Jumoke isn’t the only celebrity who has been abandoned by their parent. Last year, actor Charles Inojie revealed that his mother abandoned him when he was a-year-old after she parted ways with his father, which left his grandmother no choice but to raise him.

To worsen things, his father remarried and prioritized his step-mum over him, leading to maltreatment.

Similarly, Bimbo Ademoye disclosed in an interview,

how her mother abandoned her when she was two. She stated that she has, however, tried building a relationship with her years after.

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has celebrated her 47th birthday in style, marking the special occasion with an outpouring of love and admiration from fans and well-wishers.

On December 21, 2024, the veteran actress took to social media to express her excitement and gratitude as she embraced another milestone year.

In her heartfelt birthday post, Iyabo Ojo wrote:

“Happy birthday, 2 me. Long live Queen Mother…”

The post quickly caught the attention of her fans, who flooded the comments section with well-wishes, admiration, and birthday greetings.

This birthday celebration comes just days after Iyabo Ojo proudly supported her daughter, Priscilla, at the Eloy Awards, where Priscilla was honored for her achievements.

The proud mother shared a video of Priscilla walking on stage to accept her award, expressing immense pride in her daughter’s accomplishments.

Earlier this year, Iyabo also shared a touching moment with Priscilla, referring to herself as the “Queen Mother” in the lead-up to her daughter’s upcoming wedding.

The actress explained that the title stemmed from her daughter being a “queen,” and her own proud role as the mother.

Netizens Reactions…

Lawyer and model Doris Esiokhayamhe Ogah from the south-south region, on Thursday night, December 19, 2024, won the 45th Miss Nigeria pageant.

The event, which took place at the Royal Box Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, featured 20 semi-finalists who were unveiled on Tuesday.

The contestants went through various stages, showcasing their cultural heritage.

Ogah defeated four other finalists — Ann Eneanya, Divine Nelson, Bukunmi Ogunsanya, and Diane Paul — to secure the prestigious award.

Shatu Garko, the 44th Miss Nigeria, thereafter crowned Ogah as her successor.

Speaking after the feat, Ogah described her participation in the pageant as “an honour”. She also expressed gratitude to the organisers for turning her dream into reality. The 26 year old 45th Miss Nigeria wrote in an earlier Instagram post:

“My name is Doris Esiokhayamhe Ogah, and I am honored to proudly represent the South-South Geopolitical Zone in this year’s Miss Nigeria pageant.”

“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be given the opportunity to serve as an example to inspire and empower countless women and girls around the world,”.

he All Progressives Congress, APC, National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, has slammed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, over his comment on the Oyo, Anambra States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Stampedes.

Recalls that tragedy struck at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday during a funfair organized by the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Naomi Shikemi.

On Thursday, the Oyo State Police Command confirmed 35 persons dead while six others were still in critical condition.

However, reports emerged on Friday indicating that the death toll had hit 40 while many are still hospitalized.

A similar incident also happened in Anambra and FCT during the sharing of Christmas palliative.

Reacting via a post on X, Peter Obi described the tragic death of the children as evidence of a systemic failure in Nigeria.

Obi said the fatal outcome of the event exposed the harsh realities in Nigeria where children out of inequalities are exposed to such danger scrambling for mere Christmas gifts.

Faulting the remark, Bashiru accused Peter Obi of playing politics with the tragic incidents.

He wrote, “@PeterObi is consistently inconsistent. I would have been disappointed if he did not try to play politics with the tragic incident.”

Former U.S. President, Barack Obama has unveiled his annual music playlist, and two Nigerian artists—Rema and Asake—made the list.

In a post via his X page (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, the playlist features 24 songs from various genres.

Rema’s “Yayo” and Asake’s “Active” featuring Travis Scott are the only Nigerian songs on the list this year.

“Yayo” was also featured on Obama’s 2024 summer playlist.

In his post, Obama encouraged his followers to dive into the curated tracks and share their own recommendations.

“Here are my favourite songs from this year! Check them out if you’re looking to shake up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, the list includes Tyla’s “Jump”, Leon Bridges’ “Peaceful Place”, Bi’s “Lunch”, Bae Kalil’s “Is It Worth It”, and The Red Clay Strays’ “Rablin”.

In 2019, Burna Boy and Rema were included in Obama’s year-end playlist.

Wizkid and Tems’ hit collaboration “Essence” made the 2020 list. In 2022, Burna Boy’s “Last Last” and Rema’s “Calm Down” also earned spots.

Last year, songs by Davido, Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake were featured prominently.

Obama started the tradition of curating annual playlists during his presidency, when he partnered with Spotify to share his musical picks with the world.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has confirmed that the 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity Port Harcourt Refinery remains fully operational, despite circulating media reports suggesting otherwise.

The refinery, which resumed operations in November 2024 after an extensive rehabilitation, is contributing significantly to enhancing domestic supply.

However, according to an earlier report by The PUNCH, the cessation of petrol lifting particularly occurred on Friday, December 13, as the 18-arm loading bay of the new Port Harcourt refinery was found to be vacant.

While approximately 18 trucks were observed along the busy road leading to the refinery, journalists who visited the refinery noted that nine trucks were parked within the yard, and the loading bay remained empty.

Meanwhile, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi O. Soneye, has dismissed these claims, stating that the refinery is indeed fully operational and loading operations are proceeding as scheduled.

Soneye clarified, “The attention of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed two months ago has been shut down.

“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC. Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing.”

In one year, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) has intercepted and recovered the sum of N30 billion meant for constituency projects.

The anti-graft agency made the recoveries from items listed in the budget which were reportedly diverted by some lawmakers.

They were uncovered under the Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI) phase 7, 2024 which was carried out between December 2023 and December 2024.

The initiative, which was launched in 2015, tracks the implementation and performance of constituency projects to promote accountability.

The focus areas are education, empowerment and capacity building, health, water resources, agriculture, road infrastructure, and power.

LEADERSHIP Weekend discovered that the ICPC tracked a total of 1,500 projects in 22 states during the period under review.

Of the total project value of N610 billion, the ICPC saved N30 billion, recovered N360 million in cash and assets worth N400 million.

In the area of Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS), which is a yearly programme of the ICPC, it rated the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) as the lead in its 2024 assessment.

While JAMB achieved 89.75 per cent compliance, the NRC attained 89.33 per cent and NBET 88.73 per cent.

These were part of the ICPC report released during a press conference on Thursday, detailing the assessment of 330 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the country to evaluate their ethical standards, anti-corruption measures, and governance practices.

The assessment focused on key ndicators such as governance and executive management practices, finance and auditing processes, as well as policies, ethics education, and whistle-blowing mechanisms.

The report also showed that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria Press Council (NPC), Legal Aid Council (LAC), Abuja, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Abuja, scored zero points in the evaluation – which implied non-compliance.

Similarly, tertiary schools such as the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike in Abia State; Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation (FFM) in Mando, Kaduna State; Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State; Federal Polytechnic Ede (FPE) in Ede, Osun State, and the University of Ibadan (UI) in Ibadan, Oyo State, were also among those at the bottom of the list.

ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, while briefing the press, said the EICS was designed to enhance the transparency, accountability, and integrity of government institutions, ultimately contributing to the fight against corruption.

He said that the commission will continue to recognise and reward MDAs with substantial compliance, while also holding non-compliant institutions accountable through enforcement actions.

While asserting that the commission will continue deploying these tools to promote integrity and accountability, he warned that non-compliant MDAs will face necessary actions, including enforcement, to ensure adherence to government directives.

“We are certain that these efforts will continue to underline ICPC’s dedication to enhancing good governance and preventing corruption,” he said.

Meanwhile, in general the ICPC recovered a total of N53.1billion in cash and assets in the past one year.

A breakdown of the recovery showed that N29.700 billion was recovered in cash and domiciled in ICPC recovery accounts; N10.986 billion VAT recovered and remitted to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); N10 billion Covid-19 vaccine fund meant for production of vaccine recovered and remitted to the treasury and assets valued at N2.5billion also recovered.

The ICPC chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, while speaking on the general recoveries, said the agency recovered foreign currency of about $966,900.83 in the past one year.

Dr Aliyu explained that the funds were intercepted while conducting Systems Study and Review (SSR) for 323 ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government.

According to him, “As part of its commitment to institutional accountability, the commission assessed 323 MDAs through its Ethics and Integrity Compliance Scorecard (EICS).

“It also established 80 Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) across MDAs to reinforce its anti-corruption efforts. While doing these, the commission stopped the diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.882 billion.”

The ICPC boss further disclosed that the organisation had processed 851 petitions, with 342 assigned for investigation, 95 fully investigated, 72 cases filed in court, and 16 convictions secured in the past one year.

While speaking on plans to get faster prosecution of cases, Aliyu said, “In this regard, we are streamlining our processes to ensure faster and more effective prosecution of cases, leading to the resuscitation of 10-15-year-old cases in courts. We have also advanced the fight against sexual harassment and corruption in educational institutions and public offices, achieving ongoing prosecutions and increased public support.”


CSOs Want Perpetrators Sanctioned

Meanwhile, some civil society organisations have called for sanctions against people caught diverting constituency projects.

The convener of the Coalition of Anti-corruption Group, Martins Udeh said anyone caught diverting project funds for personal gains should be jailed.

For his part, the chairman of Transparency Organisation Network Nigeria, Philip Ajah, said Nigeria’s need to publicly name, shame and prosecute all those involved in constituency projects diversion.

The wrestling community is reflecting on the life and legacy of Mexican icon Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Misterio Sr., who sadly passed away on December 20, 2024, at age 66.

His son, WWE superstar Rey Misterio Jr., announced via social media, sharing a heartfelt message: “Friends and family, I’m sad to share that my father, Miguel Ángel López Días, Rey Misterio Sr., passed away this morning… more updates to come. Thank you.”

This news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow wrestlers, and friends, highlighting the remarkable contributions Rey Misterio Sr. made to the wrestling industry.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a major Mexican wrestling promotion where Rey Misterio Sr. left an enduring mark, expressed its condolences through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“We are saddened by the passing of Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Misterio Sr. We extend our sincerest condolences to his loved ones and keep him in our thoughts for his eternal rest.”

Rey Misterio Sr. was a pivotal figure not just in Mexican Lucha Libre but also in advancing the global recognition of the sport. Known for his innovative high-flying wrestling style, he established a connection with audiences worldwide. He gained fame in Mexico through top promotions like the World Wrestling Association (WWA) and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

His influence reached beyond Mexican borders; he was one of the trailblazers of Lucha Libre in the United States, making appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He participated in significant events, including the 1990 Starrcade and the Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup tournament, alongside Konnan, and made a notable impact in these competitions.

In addition to his in-ring achievements, Rey Misterio Sr. was deeply committed to mentoring aspiring wrestlers. His nephew, Rey Mysterio Jr., has often conveyed his gratitude for the pivotal role his uncle played in shaping his career. Rey Mysterio Jr. credits his uncle with not only bestowing his iconic ring name but also training him alongside other legends of Mexican wrestling, including Psicosis, Halloween, and Konnan.

Before his wrestling career, Rey Misterio Sr. had a background in boxing. After an arm injury, his trainers encouraged him to pursue professional wrestling, leading to his debut on January 6, 1976, during a special Day of Kings event.

Over the years, he became an integral part of the Mexican wrestling scene, known for his performances and his unwavering dedication to nurturing young talent.

Throughout his extensive career, Rey Misterio Sr. garnered numerous titles and accolades, solidifying his standing as one of the most influential figures in the history of Mexican wrestling. He was more than just a competitor; he co-founded a gym dedicated to training aspiring wrestlers, blending skill, passion, and mentorship to ensure the growth and evolution of Lucha Libre.

While the cause of Rey Misterio Sr.’s passing remains undisclosed, the love and support from fans and wrestling organizations underscore the profound impact he had on the wrestling world.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the security agencies recorded 80 per cent success against kidnapping in two years.

Ribadu stated this at the official inauguration of the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) on Thursday in Abuja.

“Within a short period of time, I can say less than two years, we are getting 80 per cent successes, but we do not talk about it,” he said.

This is despite a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigerians paid a ransom of over N2.2 trillion in the year 2024. According to the report, 2.2 million Nigerians were kidnapped, while 614,937 were killed in the same year.

However, Ribadu admitted that kidnapping was the most worrisome threat in Nigeria and globally.

He said the commissioning of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) was a significant step forward in the nation’s collective fight against one of the gravest security challenges we face: ‘kidnapping’.

“As we all know, kidnapping remains one of the most pressing security threats in Nigeria today. It has caused untold hardship for countless families, disrupted economic activities, and posed a severe threat to our national stability. This menace demands a robust, multi-agency approach, which the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell embodies.”

He charged members of the cell to leverage their knowledge and expertise to ensure Nigerians are protected and feel safe.

“The training and resources you received have prepared you for this critical task, and I expect nothing but professionalism, dedication, and innovation in your work. Embrace synergy, leverage the knowledge you have acquired, and ensure that this Cell fulfils its mission to protect our people and communities,” he added.

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center Office of the National Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, said the establishment of the Multi-Agency Fusion Cell was a result of the Security Defence Partnership (SDP) Dialogue signed between the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2022 in a bid to stem the rising spate of kidnapping in the country.

Laka said that between 2022 and 2024, the United Kingdom, through the National Crime Agency (NCA), partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser to provide capacity-building exercises as well as support to the National Counter-Terrorism Center in a bid to set up a kidnap fusion centre.

He added that the output of this partnership led to a multi-agency approach, with over 15 law enforcement agencies and stakeholders working together to fight kidnapping in Nigeria.

General Laka further said that the United Kingdom and Nigeria enjoyed a deep and long-standing security and defence relationship, underpinned by shared history, mutual trust, and shared Commonwealth principles of democratic governance and respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.

This is in addition to a shared desire to support regional and international peace and security, hence the inaugural UK-Nigeria SDP Dialogue signed by the two National Security Advisors of the two countries between January 31 and February 2, 2022.

The National Coordinator commended all the law enforcement agencies for working together to build capacity for the fusion cell, as well as the efforts in putting together Terms of Reference and Standard Operating Procedures to guide the activities of the cell.

He, however, emphasised that the fusion cell is a 24/7 coordination centre and not an operational outfit that could duplicate efforts.

While giving a background on the Security Defence Partnership, NCA Operations Manager, Chris Grimson, thanked the Nigerian government for the partnership and stressed the importance of having solutions tailored to the needs of Nigeria and implemented by Nigerians.

The fusion cell is housed in the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, and is supported by the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom