December 2024 | Page 5 of 12

Mayweather splashes $20m Christmas gift on grandson

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Floyd Mayweather has assured that generational wealth stays in his family for years to come. ‘TBE’ hung up his gloves in 2017 after pocketing a mammoth $1.2billion (£800m) in career earnings, making him the highest-paid boxer of all time. Over the years, Mayweather has splashed his cash on various lavish items such as a £40,000 diamond-encrusted iPod, a £10,000 one-of-a-kind golf buggy and a fleet of supercars worth over £20m. But more recently he has focused his outgoings on building up a large property portfolio for long-term investment. His vast property empire includes a Las Vegas mansion he bought for $10m (£7.6m), a $18m (£13.8m) Miami Beach compound in the Palm Island conclave and a $402m (£309m) block of New York apartments. However, his most recent $20m (£15.9m) purchase has been gifted to his three-year-old grandson, Kentrall Gaulden Jr. Mayweather has entered into an agreement to purchase a prominent building in New York City for ten figures. The property is located on 6th Avenue and 47th Street in Manhattan and comes complete with offices, a diamond exchange, and a large, income-generating billboard. Mayweather regularly frequented the diamond district, which is now owned by his grandson. “I used to shop in the diamond exchange as a young adult,” he said in a statement. “I never thought I would end up owning this important property at the entrance of 47th street… “Through hard work and dedication anything is possible.” “I got you a gift,” he said. “Guess what I bought you? “You are the first kid that owns a building in the diamond district in New York City.” Kentrall smiled and wrapped his arms around his grandad. ‘Money Mayweather’ may be flashing his cash now but it wasn’t always this way. The five-weight world champion grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with six relatives in New Brunswick, New Jersey. “When people see what I have now, they have no idea of where I came from and how I didn’t have anything growing up,” he told Mercury News in 2007.

Nigeria runners prioritise ECOWAS Marathon over other races

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago04 mins

Nigeria elite marathon runners most of them members of the Jos-based High Altitude Athletics Club have revealed their priority for the year 2025- competing and winning the top ten positions at the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. Their decision is based on the lucrativeness of the race, especially the 21 km and the organizers’ prompt payment of prize money. Speaking to the media shortly before the Christmas break, Steve Nuhu the director of High Altitude Athletics Club and manager of most of the elite marathoners in Nigeria told correspondents that they have all agreed to prioritize the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. Said Nuhu, “We all left Pankshin where we normally train a few days ago to spend Christmas and New Year with our families, by the special grace we will regroup the first week of the new year, and our focus for the new year is the ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon. “We arrive at this conclusion because we have a very good chance of winning about eight of the top ten positions in the ECOWAS race because it is a half marathon. For example, if our club produce the winners of the men’s and women’s races that is $10,000.00 each which comes to about N40 million in today’s exchange rate we can’t get that kind of money elsewhere. “Even if we place fourth or fifth in the ECOWAS Marathon, it is more rewarding financially than what we will get when we win a full marathon elsewhere, we are grateful to ECOWAS because their race is empowering us and lifting us out of poverty.’’ Nuhu also praised the organisers for the prompt payment of prize money and the general organisation of the race, “We also thank the management of ECOWAS Marathon for paying our prize money immediately after the race, we have never experienced a delay in the payment of prize money, it is always a great experience and exciting moment for our runners and we look forward to the 2025 edition with innate joy.” The 2025 ECOWAS Abuja International Marathon is slated for March 1, 2025. There are two races, the 21 km and the 5 km. The 21 km will start and finish at the ECOWAS Commission, Asokoro and the 5 km race will start at the Eagles Square and also finish at the ECOWAS Commission.

Four drug lords bag 28-yr jail term, forfeit houses, N67m, $50,000

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago07 mins

Four drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022 have been convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling twenty-eight (28) years with hard labour. The convicts: Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court. The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organization (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, among others. Operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations. The drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022. After over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Jubril Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour. The trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine. They were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 USD (Fifty Thousand US Dollars) belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 (Fifty-Five Million, Ninety-Nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Nine Naira, Fifty Kobo only) also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 (Nine Million Three Thousand, One Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira Six Kobo only) belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 (Three Million, Fifty Two Thousand, Two Hundred and Ninety Five Naira Twenty Kobo only), also belonging to Akinade. The Agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel. According to the trial court: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55kg (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD. “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion. “That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.” While commending all the officers and men of the Agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.

Gov. Abiodun appoints Oluwatoyin Taiwo as Chief of Staff

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has appointed Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo as his Chief of Staff. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Taiwo was the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) to the governor. The Chief of Staff’s letter of appointment was handed over to him by Governor Abiodun on Wednesday, according to a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the governor, Hon. Kayode Akinmade. The appointment, according to the letter, took effect from 18th December 2024. The Governor, while congratulating the new Chief of Staff, described the appointment as well-deserved, the statement added. Dr. Taiwo served as Commissioner for Culture and Tourism during the first term of Governor Abiodun and was subsequently elevated to the position of Deputy Chief of Staff before his new role. He is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Statistics before pursuing further degrees up to Ph.D.

Osimhen distributes food items, 2,000 tricycles in Lagos

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Galatasaray of Turkey forward and 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen has distributed 2,000 tricycles and food items to residents of Olusosun in Lagos. Osimhen, who is currently enjoying his holiday in Nigeria, returned to his craddle to identify with his childhood friends and other associates. According to him, “Returning to where my football dream and journey began in Olusosun gives me so much goosebumps. “I am humbled and grateful for the roots that shaped my dreams. This is me once again appreciating their love and support and I will always cherish Olusosun and it’s people. “Thank You!” He instructed that food items be given to mothers while tricycles were allocated to the youth, offering them a means of livelihood. This heartwarming gesture points to Osimhen’s commitment to uplifting his community, even as his star continues to shine on the global stage.

Pasuma denies acquiring new automobile

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Fuji music act Wasiu Alabi Odetola popularly known as Pasuma Wonder has denied claims on social media that he has added another automobile to his garage. The musician, who recently celebrated 40 years on stage, stated that he vehicle as displayed on the social media does not belong to him. “I believe there is need for clarity that the vehicle as claimed is mine, does not belong to me. “I don’t live fake life and there is no way I will buy a new car that pictures and video will not be posted. “I have not bought a new vehicle but I’m going to do so in 2025,” Pasuma stated this on statge at a recent gig.

CHAN Qualifier: Moroccan referee for Nigeria, Ghana clash

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Moroccan official Hamza El Fariq as referee for Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black. El Fariq will be assited by his compatriots Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Hicham Temsamani to serve as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone will be the commissioner while Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be in the role of referee assessor.

Victory, to qualify for CHAN finals, is our watchword -Ogunmodede

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede said on Thursday that the big focus of the Super Eagles B players and officials ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black Galaxies is to attain victory that will spring Nigeria to the finals of the competition early next year. Both illustrious regional rivals battled to a scoreless stalemate in Accra on Sunday and the final qualifying fixture is delicately poised ahead of the decider at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. “We are doing everything to stay focused by avoiding any distractions. Yes, we got a scoreless draw in the first leg away and now playing at home, but we are not in any way carried away. Our objective was to score an away goal in Accra but that did not happen. “On Saturday, we will approach the game like our lives depend on it. Our watchword is getting the win that will qualify us for the African Nations Championship finals coming up in East Africa.” The eighth instalment of the competition reserved for footballers plying their trade in their nation’s domestic Leagues will take place across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, 1st – 28th February 2025. Nigeria defended stoutly at the Accra Sports Stadium while relying on counter-attacks, but will have to launch onslaughts from the blast of the referee’s whistle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Their bitter regional rivalry, Ghana’s failure to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals and results of previous encounters in the African Nations Championship are indices that have rendered Saturday’s match a potentially-explosive affair with endless fireworks. The Black Stars have failed to reach the 35th AFCON finals, from a group that included Sudan, Angola and Niger Republic, and the Galaxies will throw the kitchen sink at the Super Eagles B to ensure they don’t follow in that negative trend. Ghana last missed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. For Nigeria, Ghana have dominated their African Nations Championship clashes, with the Eagles winning only one of six previous clashes. Three have resulted in scoreless draws. Ghana won 3-2 in Accra in 2008 and also 2-0 in Accra in 2022, and to boot, have claimed victory in even in the ones that ended in ties. The 0-0 draw in Calabar in 2008 meant Ghana sailed through to the inaugural CHAN finals in Cote d’Ivoire on the strength of their 3-2 win in Accra two weeks earlier, and when their semi-final clash in the third instalment of the final tournament in South Africa in 2014 ended 0-0, the Galaxies prevailed 4-1 after a penalty shootout. Ogunmodede’s charges have earned Nigeria’s best result against Ghana in the African Nations Championship on away ground, and look poised to gain victory in Uyo on Saturday.