Author: DailyNaijaNews

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has been drawn against Nicolas Jarry to start his Australian Open defence while Novak Djokovic will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Italy’s Sinner defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in last year’s final in Melbourne to secure his first major and went on to add the US Open and ATP Finals crowns to his collection. But the top seed will begin his title defence under a doping cloud after twice testing positive for traces of the steroid clostebol in March. He was exonerated by the International Tennis Integrity Agency but is awaiting the outcome of…

The University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, has announced Damilare Adebakin and Samuel Badekale, both from the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, as the best-graduating students with a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 5.0. They are closely followed by Olamide Emida, a student from the Department of Accounting, who achieved a 4.95 CGPA. The Vice-Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, disclosed this on Wednesday at the convocation press conference at the university’s senate chamber. Mrs Ogunsola, a professor of medical microbiology, said the total number of graduating students is 16,409. She said 9,684 students will receive first degrees…

The Police Command in Ogun State has raised concerns over a significant increase in reports of missing persons. Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Tuesday. She explained that the command had noticed an unprecedented rise in the number of missing persons across all age groups. Ms Odutola, a chief superintendent of police, noted that only a tiny fraction of the individuals had been found, with many regrettably not returning home. The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and more security-conscious while prioritising their safety. She added that, as a proactive and community-oriented…

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Osun State, Prof. Olufemi Asaolu, has announced plans to introduce programs in Medicine and Surgery, Chinese, and Yoruba language. Prof. Asaolu also revealed that the university had invested over N4b in the last 20 months for resource verification and upgrading its infrastructure. He commended Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for providing the necessary funds, which allowed the university to secure National Universities Commission, approval for 67 academic programs. In addition, the Vice-Chancellor shared that the university Senate has approved the introduction of several new programs, including Medicine and Surgery, Early Childhood Care Education,…

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) on Tuesday announced the debut of a TV drama series, ‘Hidden Riches,’ that seeks to uniquely tell the story of the complexities and potential of Nigeria’s mining sector. Segun Tomori, the special assistant on media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, in a statement on Tuesday, said the drama produced by Take 7 Media and directed by Bem Pever and Nwamaka Chikezie, will officially make a debut on 25 January from 8.05 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and will air every Saturday on the Network Service of the Nigerian Television Authority…

The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Super Eagles coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March. At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee. Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues,…

The Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) says the Nigerian film industry has experienced a significant surge, with the Box Office recording an impressive 60 per cent increase in 2024. In Lagos, Ope Ajayi, CEAN’s national chairman, revealed this while speaking with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN). According to him, N11.5 billion was earned from ticket sales across cinemas in Nigeria in 2024, as against N7.2 billion in 2023. He said in 2024, the cinemas accommodated no fewer than 2.66million persons and 2.54million persons in 2023. “We have recorded 60 per cent growth in revenue in 2024 and about 4.5…

In its quest to enforce integrity and rid its fold of fraudulent elements, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, dismissed twenty seven (27) officers from its workforce in 2024. The officers were dismissed for various offences bordering on fraudulent activities and misconduct. Their dismissal, following the recommendation of the Staff Disciplinary Committee of the EFCC, was ratified by the Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. Olukoyede reiterated the commitment of the Commission to zero tolerance for corruption, warning that no officer is immune to disciplinary measures. Every modicum of allegation against any staff of the Commission would always be investigated,…

The Nigerian Army has uncovered 20 illegal refining sites and apprehended 11 suspected operators of the facilities during ongoing raids in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers States. Danjuma Danjuma, the Nigerian Army 6 Division spokesperson in Port Harcourt, announced Monday that troops had also dismantled the illegal refineries. He said that soldiers also confiscated 31 boats, seven vehicles, and 190,000 litres of petroleum products and arrested 11 suspected oil thieves between 30 December 2024 and 5 January. “At Oando Wellhead in Benkrukru, within the Okordia general area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, troops discovered four oil sewage tanks containing over…

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Foundation has commenced its free cataract extraction surgery for 1000 people in states within the South-west region. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening for the surgery began on 16 Dec 2024, while the surgeries commenced on Monday. Speaking with NAN, Anne Amugo, the lead consultant physician for the foundation, said the initiative was intended to give back to society. Ms Amugo said no fewer than 100 persons had been scheduled for surgery on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta. She said the surgeries would be performed at the…