Super Eagles To Get $5m As 2021 AFCON Champions

Super Eagles of Nigeria will get $5 million if they become champions at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

The CAF Executive Committee resolved to increase the prize money of this year’s edition.

The decision was taken at Friday’s EXCO meeting chaired by CAF President, Patrice Motsepe in Douala, Cameroon.

The increase is in line with CAF’s commitment to reward merit performance and enhance the status of the AFCON and will be in effect in the upcoming edition.

The new AFCON Prize Monies will see the winner rewarded with $5 million (an increase of $500 000) and runner-up will get $2.75 million (an increase of $250 000).

Semi-finalists, $2.2 million (an increase of $200 000) while quarter-finalists will earn $1.175 million (an increase of $175 000).

This represents a total increase in the AFCON prize money of $1.850m.

Hosts Cameroon and Burkina Faso will kick-off the tournament on Sunday, January 9th.

The Eagles will start their campaign with a tough tie against seven-time champions Egypt.

Meanwhile, the Austine Eguavoen-led side beat Cameroon club Coton Sport in a practice game on Friday.

2022 Grammy Awards Postponed Over COVID-19 Concerns

The 2022 edition of the Grammy awards has been postponed  due to “uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant” of Covid-19 that has ripped through the United States in recent weeks.

The organisers behind Grammys announced this in a statement on Wednesday, January 5, 2022  adding that the new date will be announced soon.

The statement read:

“Holding the show on January 31 simply contains too many risks,”and a rescheduled date will be announced “soon.”

“The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience, and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority.”

A class of pop stalwarts and newbies including Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo were among the leading nominees for the 64th annual show, with Jon Batiste, the jazz and R&B artist, television personality and bandleader garnering the most nominations with 11.

Last spring’s show was the first Grammys of the pandemic era, and was a more television-friendly, socially distanced cabaret-esque show that was heavy on performances.

Those awards were postponed to March 14 after the original date was postponed during last winter’s surge in coronavirus cases.

The 2022 edition was expected to see a return to the usual arena-style celebration at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

The heavily mutated Omicron variant, the most transmissible to date, accounted for around 95 percent of US cases in the week ending January 1.

Omicron’s rates of deaths and hospitalizations have been lower across the world, raising hopes the virus could be evolving into a relatively benign seasonal illness.

But the World Health Organization in Europe sounded an ominous note of caution on Tuesday, warning the soaring infection rates could have the opposite effect.

Buhari: Why I Won't Mention My 2023 Successor

President Muhammadu Buhari has decided to keep the name of his 2023 successor secret as the might be eliminated if he names him this time.

Buhari said this during an interview with Channels TV on Wednesday.

Asked if he has a favourite among those eyeing the presidency in 2023, Buhari said he would rather keep the name of the person to himself, saying he may be eliminated before 2023.

“I wouldn‘t (mention the name of my favourite successor) because he may be eliminated if I do. I better keep that a secret,” Buhari said.

Though the majority of those interested in Buhari’s job are yet to declare their ambition, some of those being rumoured include, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Chief Bola Tinubu, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and a host of others.

Nollywood Actress, Kemi Afolabi, Robbed, Injured On Lagos-Ibadan Express Way

A Nollywood actress, Kemi Afolabi,  has narrated her experience after some armed robbers attacked her and her driver on their way from a movie shoot.

According to the actress, the incident took place in the Arepo area of Ogun state on Tuesday,  January 4, 2021.

Afolabi took to her verified Instagram page @kemiafolabiadesipe to share pictures and videos of her injured arm as she claimed that the robbers destroyed her car and injured her with a cutlass.

She wrote, “I am in a state of shock! Traumatised!! I haven’t closed my eyes to sleep since yesterday.

“I also experienced the highly poor insecurity state in Nigeria which has become a norm. No matter how much we scream and cry, it always falls on deaf ears of those who govern us even when death is involved.

“My driver and I were attacked by armed robbers at Arepo where I went to film while in traffic on our way back home yesterday.

“They broke my windscreens, left my whole body with wounds and skin in pain because of the impact of the shattered glass which was forcefully broken while I was in the car.

 My arm was cut with a cutlass, and they took my phones, belongings and ran off! Sadly my driver also took a hit to his head.

“Still, I am thankful because it could be worse! However, this is nothing compared to what I’ve been through in recent times.

No matter what may come my way, I will forever be grateful to God for preserving my life.

“P.S: This message is typed via my daughter’s phone. If you are not able to reach me for now; you know why. It is well.

Teni Breaks Silence On Rivers Gunshot Incident

Nigerian artiste, Teniola Apata, better known as Teni, has finally reacted over a gunshot scare that halted her performance in Rivers State.

In the viral video which surfaced on Sunday, the singer fled the event which held at Buguma Town, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Teni reacted to the incident, via a thread on her  Instagram story on Monday as she stated that it could’ve been a different story.

The thread read, “(It) could have been a different story entirely but I’m grateful to God.

“Myself and entire team are safe and back home now. Thanks for the calls and messages.”

However, the acting spokesman for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident but said Teni was rescued by security operatives unhurt.

She also revealed that the command has started investigation into the incident to ascertain what really happened.

“The police division there in Buguma has been mandated to fish out those behind the attack. We will ensure they are brought to book,” she stated.

Popular Nigerian Comedian, Woli Arole, Welcomes Baby Boy

A popular Nigerian comedian Bayegun Oluwatoyin better known as Woli Arole and his wife Yemi have  have announced the birth of their newborn son.

The excited father shared the good news via his verified Instagram account @Officialarole

sharing the good news online, he stated that there are some testimonies you can't share while wearing clothe.

His full post read:

"There are some TESTIMONIES you can’t share wearing CLOTHE.

God has blessed our family with a bouncing baby boy.

Woli Arole d latest Daddy in town.

God bless you my WIFE.

 Yemi you’re God’s gift to me. 

Incase you see me dancing around today or smiling up and down, don’t ask me why oooo

 I am a DADDY.”

ex-BBNaija Housemate, Tobi Bakare, Wife Welcome First Child

A former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tobi Bakare and his beautiful wife, Anu, have welcomed the arrival of their first child, a baby boy.

The excited father announced his arrival via his Instagram page @Tobibakre by posting an adorable picture, which showed him bumping fists with the adorable child.

His caption read; 

He wrote, “If I had to write a perfect 2021, I couldn’t have written a better ending to this.

“I got you forever, Abdulmalik Oluwatobi Bakre. Love you son. 30/12/21 in the books forever. Happy new year from me and mines.”

Bakre had shared a picture of himself and his heavily pregnant wife four days ago.

Tobi and Anu got married in August 2021 as they also announced that they were expecting their first child.

The post has generated over 7000 congratulatory messages as at the time of filing this report.