Real Madrid beat Sevilla to keep pressure on leaders, Atletico
Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored long-range stunners as Real Madrid beat Sevilla to keep up the pressure on La Liga leaders, Atletico Madrid. First-half strikes from Mbappe, Valverde and Rodrygo put Los Blancos in control, before Brahim Diaz finished a fine team move shortly after the break to put the result beyond the visitors. Sevilla captain Jesus Navas, 39, came off the bench to make the final appearance of his career, bringing an emotional end to his 20-year connection with the club. He is retiring mid-season due to a chronic hip injury. Madrid took the lead in the 10th minute through Mbappe, who beat Alvaro Fernandez with a dipping 25-yard strike at the end of a swift counter-attack. Ten minutes later Valverde doubled the lead with his own stunning effort from 30 yards following a Madrid corner. Rodrygo swept home a Lucas Vazquez cut-back in the 34th minute to hammer home Madrid’s dominance, although Sevilla immediately pulled a goal back when Isaac Romero headed home Juanlu Sanchez’s cross from close range. Mbappe turned provider eight minutes after the restart when he slipped in Brahim behind the visiting defence to lift a finish over the goalkeeper, before the Bernabeu rose to applaud Navas onto the field. The Spaniard – the only player in history to win the World Cup, European Championship and Uefa Nations League – made his 705th appearance for Sevilla, exactly 20 years to the day since he first played at the Bernabeu. Navas, who also played at Manchester City, almost instantly provided an assist but Isaac’s low strike rebounded off the foot of the post. Dodi Lukebakio beat Thibaut Courtois at his near post to pull another goal back for Sevilla five minutes from time. A 19th victory in their last 20 home games against Sevilla helped Madrid leapfrog Barcelona into second place in the table, two points ahead of their arch-rivals with a game in hand – and a point behind neighbours Atletico. Barcelona conceded in the 96th minute to lose 2-1 to Atletico on Saturday, and have now won just two of their eight league games since thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in October.
Trump vows to ‘stop transgender lunacy’ on 1st day in office
Incoming US President, Donald Trump has vowed to “stop the transgender lunacy” on day one of his presidency, in fulfillment of his campaign pledges against LGBTQ rights. Trump’s declaration on Sunday comes as Republicans are set to control both chambers of Congress and the White House continue their push against trans-gender rights. “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military and out of our elementary schools and middle schools and high schools,” the president-elect said at an event for young conservatives in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday. He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports,” adding that “it will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.” Speaking to the AmericaFest conference in one of the battleground states he carried in the November election, Trump further promised tough measures against “migrant crime” and doubled down on his vows to restore US control of the Panama Canal. Transgender issues have roiled US politics in recent years, as Democratic- and Republican-controlled states have moved in opposite directions on policy such as medical treatment and what books on the topic are allowed in public or school libraries. Last week, when the US Congress approved its annual defense budget, it included a provision to block funding of some gender-affirming care for the transgender children of service members. In his speech Sunday, which amounted to something of a victory lap, Trump made expansive promises for his second term — and drew a dark picture of the four years preceding it, under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the latter of whom he defeated in the 2024 election. Day 1 promises During his campaign, Trump and his supporters spent nearly $60 million on eight anti-trans network-TV ads, one of them in Spanish, between Sept. 19 and Nov. 1, according to AdImpact, a firm that tracks political ad spending. He has supported a number of policies targeting transgender people, who make up less than 1% of adults in the U.S. At campaign rallies over the summer, he promised to take at least two actions regarding the trans community on his first day in office: undo Biden administration Title IX protections that allowed trans students to use the school bathrooms that align with their gender identities, and cut federal funding for schools “pushing critical race theory, transgender insanity and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto the lives of our children.” Trump also promised to reinstate a policy enacted during his first term that barred trans people from enlisting in the military and to institute a new policy barring transition-related care for minors nationwide. The agenda on his website says he would declare that any hospital or clinician that provides transgender care to minors would “no longer meet federal health and safety standards for Medicaid and Medicare — and will be terminated from the program immediately.” The president-elect’s agenda also includes issuing guidance to federal agencies to define sex only as one’s sex assigned at birth, which would make it harder for trans people to change the gender markers on federal documents such as passports.
Lateef Adedimeji celebrates wife on their 3rd wedding anniversary
Nollywood actor, Lateef Adedimeji and his wife, Mo Bimpe (Adebimpe Adedimeji) are celebrating a remarkable milestone in their relationship as they mark their 3rd wedding anniversary. To honour the special occasion, Lateef Adedimeji took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by stunning photos of the couple. In his post, the actor expressed profound gratitude to his wife, recognizing her as a pillar of strength and motivation in his life. He thanked her for her unwavering support, love, and companionship, emphasizing the transformative impact she has had on him. The couple’s celebration of love and partnership has warmed the hearts of fans and followers, who have flooded the comment section with congratulatory messages and good wishes for their continued happiness. He wrote:“The most amazing woman ever @mo_bimpe my love, my baby, my best friend, you practically see me before I see myself. Thank you for all you do, and thank you for always pushing me to get it done. When it’s tough, I just need to look back to see you are there, and I am good to go. Thank you for all you do, thank you for always making me see who I am, thank you for loving me wholeheartedly, thank you for making life easy. Even when it’s tough, knowing you are there just brings peace.Adebimpe Omo oba, Ade aya Ade, my obim. It’s even how you will wake me up with Iya PÈJÙ costume for me when ideas pop up in your head.Life gets better each day with you.It’s a double celebration you know. May Allah never forsake us. I love you, Rahmah, and I will always be here.Happy wedding Anniversary my love.” The actor had assured his wife, Mo Bimpe on their 3rd ‘tradiversary’ of his loyalty. On Instagram, Adedimeji Lateef shared a video clip from their 2021 pre-wedding photoshoot, accompanied by a love note. The actor called his wife many sweet names, thanking her for being there and assuring her things can only get better. NEW DAILY PRIME reports that the celebrity Nollywood couple got married in Ikeja, Lagos on December 22, 2001.
TikToker, Seaking arrested for asking Nigerians to attack police
Popular TikToker Seaking has been arrested by policemen after he was accused of inciting violence against the Nigerian Police. Seaking, who was taken into custody on Saturday, had posted a video shortly before his arrest, in which he criticized President Bola Tinubu, Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun. In another video, he called on Nigerian youths to unleash violence on the police whenever they encountered them should the officers “pass their boundaries.” It was his subsequent call for violence against the police, as gathered, that prompted his arrest. A video circulating on social media shows Seaking being questioned by security personnel at an undisclosed location. Following Seaking’s arrest, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, responded to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who had called for information regarding Seaking’s whereabouts. Effiong had written, “Anyone with useful information about his family or the police station he was taken to should kindly contact me.” In a reply to Effiong, Hundeyin questioned whether inciting violence was not a crime, writing, “Please enlighten us @InibeheEffiong. Is it a crime or not to incite members of the public to violence/anarchy?”
2 bn jobs to disappear due to automation by 2030 – World Bank
By Alade Adisa A report by the Global Partnership for Education, GPE, under the auspices of the World Bank, has predicted that over 2 billion jobs may be lost globally due to automation, as technology is rapidly changing the labour market and the demand for skills required to be productive.The report was titled “Teachers and technology: What can we do to support educators to prepare students for the future?”It added what as new technological innovations occur, including Artificial intelligence, AI, 44 percent of workers’ skills are likely to be disrupted in the next five years.“Technology is rapidly altering the labor market and the demand for skills required to be productive. Half of today’s jobs—around 2 billion—are expected to disappear due to automation by 2030.“As new technological innovations occur, including artificial intelligence, 44% of workers’ skills are likely to be disrupted in the next five years, underlining the need for learning to keep up with changing market demands.“Amid these transformations, education systems shoulder a significant responsibility: equipping students with the skills they need to navigate their future, find a job, and contribute to the prosperity of their countries.”The report, however, added that “unfortunately, education systems are struggling to equip teachers with the skills they need to help children navigate their future.“Good teachers are the cornerstone to providing quality education and ensuring children are learning. Yet, two-thirds of teachers feel they do not have the skills to design and facilitate digital learning (UNICEF, 2020). Further, there is a shortage of 44 million teachers globally to meet the SDG 4 by 2030.“This discrepancy poses risks for future economic dividends, especially considering the increasing demand for digital proficiency in job markets.”GPE is responding to a demand for more direct support to apply technology to help transform education systems to improve access, learning and management. This means seizing the potential of Tech4Ed for better leveraging countries’ most important assets – human capital – to expand opportunities for growth and stability. GPE will soon launch an approach for action to identify the key challenges and opportunities in implementing technology-based distance learning solutions, and what lessons can be learned from countries’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.On the challenges faced in the classroom, theProgramme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 saw an “unprecedented drop in student performance” across the OECD regions.“Compared to the last edition, in 2018, the mean performance in reading fell by 10 score points, while math results fell by nearly 15 points. And nearly two thirds of 10-year-olds are unable to read and understand a simple text.“This shows that the challenges teachers are facing in their classrooms are even greater than before and further exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic.“Globally, teachers face many challenges such as large classroom sizes, the burden of administrative tasks and meeting the diverse needs of students, especially in light of severe learning losses happening worldwide. Thus, there is an urgent need to support teachers to cope with these challenges to ensure we are preparing students for the future workforce.”On the type of support teachers need, it called for investment in and collaboration with teachers right from the start.“Some examples of how we can set teachers up for success while applying technology in education include:Build teachers’ capacity for technology adoption and use. As emerging technologies redefine teaching and learning processes, teacher professional development must adapt and respond to new educational needs by engaging and empowering teachers. These capacities include effectively utilizing digital tools, including AI, integrating pedagogical approaches, supporting blended learning techniques, and strengthening classroom management.$Building teachers’ confidence can support quality learning experiences that cater to the diverse profiles and needs of students.Support and enable teachers to focus on human-centered skills that cannot be automated. This includes critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, collaborative and adaptability skills, and other socio-emotional skills.“Align digital learning platforms with relevant content and sound pedagogical approaches. Using digital tools for formative assessments enables teachers to track student progress in real time and meet the needs of individual learners. Teachers are empowered to concentrate on personalized student support rather than overburdened by extensive manual assessments.“Increase accountability and transparency by streamlining processes and set standards for system efficiency. Through technology, we can track progress and objectives, share lessons, and course-correct quickly. And by optimizing and automating the processes for teacher management, governments can promote data-driven decision making and ensure greater transparency, including in teacher recruitment, distribution, and capacity development.“Listen to teacher voices from diverse contexts to define needs and lead learning opportunities. Those closest to the problems should have the largest say on the types of technology best suited to address them. Creating spaces for teachers to share best practices, resources, and pain points puts teachers in a position to drive their own development while highlighting their expertise when it comes to solving the problems they are facing. As artificial intelligence and other technological innovations speed forward, there is an indisputable need for education systems to adjust in order to prepare young people for a digitalized world.“Teachers must remain at the center of the transformation process of education. With empowered and supported teachers during the integration of digital technology in the classrooms, education systems can achieve the scale and efficiency needed to reach every child with the education they deserve.”
Agency charges Nigerians on HIV/AIDs status
A call has been made by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) to Nigerians to always be conscious of their Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) status. The NACA made the appeal in a statement signed by its the Director General,Dr. Temitope Ilori.According to agency’s Head of Public Relations and Protocol, Toyin Aderibigbe,Ilori advised citizens to visit the nearest health facility located in their communities ,adding that the festive seasons were the right period to take such action. Ilori also charged members of the public to prioritise their health and protect others via safe sex or ensure abstinence, stating that HIV remains a significant public health concern. “We urge everyone to take advantage of the free and confidential HIV testing services available across the country. The NACA’s chief explained that early detection of aids helps improving people’s living conditions.She noted that there is access to educational materials to prevent contacting the virus. She stressed the agency’s commitment and goal in reducing the spread of HIV and declaring Nigeria AIDS-free.
Kwara prioritises works, education in N540.3bn 2025 budget
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has presented the 2025 budget proposal valued at N540.37 billion to the State House of Assembly. In a statement yesterday, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary said he emphasised his administration’s commitment to completing ongoing projects, initiating new ones, and supporting vulnerable populations. The budget tagged the “Budget of Economic Stability and Sustained Prosperity,” allocates 62.1 per cent to capital expenditure and 37.9 per cent to recurrent costs, with a focus on infrastructure development, social protection, and economic growth across the state. The governor outlined key projects, including the construction of 250 mass housing units and inner roads in the Kwara Smart City, the completion of the International Conference Centre, Innovation Hub, Patigi Motel, Kwara Hotel, and several road projects, and the reconstruction of stadia in Offa and Lafiagi. He also announced plans to begin work on a multi-story CourtHouse and the upgrade of the Metropolitan Square. The Ministry of Works and Transport received 17.51 per cent of the budget to further road construction and maintenance efforts across the state. The social sector was allocated 32.5 per cent, focusing on youth and women empowerment and poverty alleviation initiatives. Education received 16.2.per cent, with plans to operationalize the new university of education and strengthen existing institutions, while the health sector was allocated 10.56 per cent to improve medical services statewide. Governor AbdulRazaq also highlighted efforts to strengthen mechanized agriculture with the procurement of modern equipment. In reviewing the administration’s achievements in 2024, the governor noted that 171,649 farmers benefited from irrigation systems and N2.2 billion worth of farm inputs, while funding was provided for 180,920 candidates across major exams, including WAEC and NECO. READ ALSO: Kwara announces temporary closure of ‘struggling’ HTSL He said over 70,000 vulnerable people benefited from social protection programs, including those affected by the urban renewal initiative, and 15,000 indigent residents received free medical care. The governor celebrated the urban renewal programme’s success in transforming Ilorin into a modern city and noted a significant reduction in the state’s debt profile from N109.16 billion in December 2023 to N58.87 billion by the third quarter of 2024. Governor Abdulrazaq appreciated stakeholders for their support and assured them that the 2025 budget stands on solid economic projections, including an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel, daily oil production of 2.06 million barrels, and a GDP growth rate of 6.4 per cent. He outlined the funding sources as FAAC receipts, which constitute 48.1 per cent, and internally generated revenue, capital receipts, and an opening balance of N62 billion, making up 51.9 per cent. The governor emphasised that the budget is not just a ritual but reflects a commitment to delivering on promises as resources permit. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, commended the governor’s transparency, accountability, and commitment to completing legacy projects, promising a thorough and swift review of the budget proposal. He acknowledged the state’s investments in paying counterpart funds to development partners, which have bolstered its standing in education, health, and agriculture. The Speaker assured the public that the Assembly would engage ministries, departments, and agencies during budget defence sessions to ensure the proposal aligns with the state’s development goals.
‘Resign now!’ Kenneth Okonkwo slams Tinubu for hunger-induced stampedes
Kenneth Okonkwo, a former spokesman for the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential campaign council, has called for the resignation of Nigeria’s current leadership, led by President Bola Tinubu. Okonkwo, who left the LP in July this year, attributed the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija—communities in Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States, respectively—to the hunger and hardship caused by President Tinubu’s reforms. Earlier, The New Daily Prime reported that many lives were feared lost during stampedes at funfairs and palliative distributions for underprivileged individuals. In a statement shared on his Instagram account on Saturday, the 56-year-old described Tinubu’s reforms as “excruciating and destructive to the dignity of the human person in Nigeria,” adding that nothing is functioning in the country. The lawyer said, “The more than 65 deaths of innocent children and Nigerians in Ibadan, Maitama, and Okija communities of Oyo, Abuja, and Anambra States respectively from stampede resulting from struggles for N5,000.00 and rice is a manifestation that hunger and hardship in Nigeria under Tinubu are becoming unbearable. “It’s obvious that in Nigeria today, the worth of a Nigerian life is reduced to N5k and grains of rice. If these incompetent and corrupt leaders have any sense of shame, they will collectively resign and make way for a new generation of leaders that have a conscience to pilot the affairs of Nigeria.” READ ALSO: Atiku arrogant, jealous of Tinubu – Presidency The actor-turned-politician emphasised that Nigerians’ patience is running thin, urging Tinubu’s administration to take proactive measures before being forced to do so by the people. “God will not forsake Nigeria. The day of reckoning will come one day. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God punish and torture the souls of our demented leaders”, he added.
Bournemouth humiliate shambolic Man United 3-0 at Old Trafford
Manchester United suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at Old Trafford for the second consecutive year. The result leaves Ruben Amorim‘s United side languishing in 13th in the Premier League standings at Christmas—their lowest position during the festive period since the 1989-90 season—while Bournemouth sit fifth, potentially securing a Champions League spot given the current standings of English teams in Europe. Dean Huijsen opened the scoring in the 29th minute with a header, capitalizing on United’s continued vulnerability at set-pieces. Things worsened when Justin Kluivert converted a penalty after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui, and Antoine Semenyo added a third just two minutes later, finishing a Dango Ouattara cross following a mistake by Kobbie Mainoo. For United, it was another grim display, compounded by the absence of Marcus Rashford, who was omitted from the matchday squad for the third time under Amorim. Rashford was present at Old Trafford to witness the defeat, but the team desperately needs him back in form alongside other improvements if they are to turn their season around. The performance bore troubling similarities to last season’s defeat to Bournemouth, which occurred under Erik ten Hag. A managerial change has not solved United’s set-piece frailties or defensive lapses, raising serious questions about the team’s direction as they head into the new year.
Eliminate terrorists, kidnappers by 2025, Tinubu orders security agencies
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to eliminate insecurity, banditry, insurgency, and all forms of criminality in the country by 2025. The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, disclosed this while addressing the gathering of All Progressive Congress supporters that welcomed him in Gusau on Saturday. Matawalle said the President, had at all the opportunities given the security agencies the marching orders and full mandate to rid the country of terrorism, banditry, vices, insurgency, and all acts of criminality by non-state actors who make life unbearable for Nigerians. He said government was determined to provide all that was required for security operatives to get the job done without further delay. The minister said, “The President has declared a total war and zero-tolerance for insecurity, and he had repeatedly told us to get rid of all criminals, insurgents, separatists and non-state actors who trouble peace-loving Nigerians. ”I have gone to many countries in regard to the purchases of security gadgets, some already received and deployed to Sokoto. “We are encouraging communities to expose informants who live either in the bush or within the community as part of their support to operatives in tackling the security issues. “We are committed to arresting all notorious bandits and their collaborators, so intelligence information is very crucial to succeed in our target.” Matawale, who was a former governor of Zamfara State urged affected communities to be bold in exposing criminals and their collaborators so that the war against insurgency can be won much quicker and easily. The minister said that within the seven days he would be in the state, he would go round some communities to review security challenges for further action. He commended President Tinubu for constructing the Zaria to Sokoto dual carriageway, saying it would enhance security, transport and other economic activities in the axis. The minister enjoined citizens to continue to pray for the president to succeed in his administration.
