Nearly 700 workers for Telus in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have received voluntary severance packages in what the United Steelworkers (USW) is calling a “New Year gut punch.”Voluntary severance packages (VSPs) offer money for workers to leave their jobs. United Steelworkers members received 527 VSPs, as well as 171 members from two Quebec locals of the Canadian Union of Public Employees. “All of those things are made very clear to folks who are being offered the package.”Making sales a bigger part of a workers role has already had an impact on some Telus technicians, Phillips said. Many of these workers were hired to do repairs and installation but are now expected to make sales while they work. Phillips said the USW is monitoring Telus’ financial situation closely and many workers are feeling resentment for becoming the punching bag for their employers’ financial pressures.

The Southwest Labour Party Vice Chairman, Comrade Abayomi Arabambi with the newly inaugurated leadership of the Ogun State chapter of the partyThe Labour Party has accused the Ogun State Government of allegedly selling government-owned housing assets, a claim the state government has dismissed as baseless and misleading. The National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, alleged that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun was disposing of public housing assets, including the Ibara Housing Estate in Abeokuta, buildings of the Ogun State Housing Corporation, and other properties under the corporation’s control. According to the party, rather than selling public estates, the government should focus on road construction, rehabilitation of existing housing facilities and strengthening the Housing Corporation to fulfil its mandate of providing affordable housing. The party demanded the immediate suspension of all housing asset disposals, full disclosure of beneficiaries and processes in line with Freedom of Information Act requests allegedly submitted over two months ago, and an independent audit of the Ogun State Housing Corporation. Reacting, the Ogun State Government dismissed the allegations as “hogwash,” describing them as the product of ignorance.

Sevilla striker Akor Adams made a memorable return from the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, coming off the bench to score twice and secure a 2–2 draw against Elche, PUNCH Online reports. The hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half through Germán Valera. Adams, who enjoyed a strong AFCON campaign in Morocco with Nigeria, was introduced at the start of the second half. The 25-year-old Adams featured in all seven of Nigeria’s AFCON matches, finishing the tournament with two goals and two assists as the Super Eagles claimed the bronze medal. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda had confirmed that both Adams and Ejuke would be available for the Elche game after completing their AFCON commitments and arriving in Spain on Sunday.

The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Ikeja, said it intercepted four live pangolins during a targeted patrol at Alapa Creek, Ajilete community, in Ogun State. Upon spotting the officers, the suspects fled into the creeks, abandoning both the pangolins and the boat”, he stated. According to him, to ensure the welfare of the animals, the seized endangered species were handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Centre for safekeeping. Aliyu reaffirmed the unit’s commitment to enforcing wildlife protection laws and partnering with stakeholders to eradicate trade in endangered species. PUNCH Online reports that CITES is a multilateral international agreement established in 1973 to regulate international trade in wild animals and plants.

According to the President, the late Islamic scholar played a significant role in promoting religious harmony, peaceful coexistence and community development. Tinubu prayed Almighty Allah to grant the late cleric Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort his family, the Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim Ummah. “For over 40 years, Sheikh Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih led the Muslim community with erudition, humility and devotion. Also reacting, the Senator representing Kwara Central, Saliu Mustapha, described the death of the Chief Imam as a monumental loss to Ilorin Emirate and the Muslim world. Sheikh (Dr) Muhammad Bashir Imam Solih, born in the 1950s, was appointed the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin in 1983.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has accepted US President Donald Trump’s invitation to join his “Board of Peace” as a founding member, the Moroccan foreign ministry said on Monday. ‎‎”Welcoming President Donald Trump’s commitment and vision to promoting peace,” the monarch “has graciously accepted this invitation”, the ministry said in a statement published by MAP news agency, adding the country would “ratify the charter establishing this board”. ‎‎The US-led initiative aims to “contribute to peace efforts in the Middle East and adopt a new approach to resolving conflicts around the world”, it said. ‎‎The board was originally conceived to oversee the rebuilding of Gaza, but its charter does not appear to limit its role to the Palestinian territory. ‎‎Others who have received invitations to join the new board, such as Putin, have not yet announced whether they will accept.

Former OPEC president Diezani Alison-Madueke appeared in a London court on Monday, ahead of her full trial on bribery charges relating to her time as Nigeria’s oil minister. Preliminary proceedings, including technical matters and jury selection, began this week, with Alison-Madueke in attendance. Alison-Madueke, who was in office from 2010 to 2015, was the first woman oil minister in Nigeria and the first female president of the global oil cartel OPEC. “We suspect Diezani Alison-Madueke abused her power in Nigeria and accepted financial rewards for awarding multi-million-pound contracts,” the NCA said at the time. The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 26 and is expected to last 10 to 12 weeks.

He described the late Chief Imam as an institution whose influence transcended the Ilorin Emirate and Kwara State, noting that his more than four decades of leadership on the mimbar made him a moral compass and spiritual authority for generations of Muslims. “Ilorin, Kwara State and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah have lost a rare gem, an accomplished scholar and a symbol of faith, moderation and service. “The late Chief Imam served diligently as the spiritual head of Ilorin and as Chairman of the Kwara State Council of Ulama, Alfas and Imams. Recalling his personal relationship with the late cleric, Saraki described it as one of father and son. Sheikh Salihu, who served as the 12th Chief Imam of Ilorin, was widely respected for his deep knowledge of Islamic theology, humility and dedication to the unity of the Muslim Ummah.

Saida, the mother of popular Afrobeat star Afeez Adeshina, popularly known as Destiny Boy, has revealed the real reason behind the death of her son. “Destiny went to rest. Oba Edu said we should ensure he’s properly treated and that he will take care of himself. He wouldn’t have gone to Ife if Destiny Boy were in good condition. They invited his father too before he was taken to the hospital.”Recall that Destiny Boy died on Sunday at the age of 22 years.

Woody Harrelson has remained good friends with fellow actor Matthew McConaughey over the years, but their time costarring on True Detective really tested the bonds of their friendship. "He's method," Harrelson, 64, said of McConaughey tackling his role as Louisiana detective Rustin Spencer "Rust" Cohle for the series. Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson on 'True Detective'. Jim Bridges/HBODespite their differing viewpoints, McConaughey said True Detective remains his "favorite" TV project to watch.

The Ogun State Government has claimed that social welfare activist, Adetoun Onajobi, popularly known as Just Adetoun, has gone into hiding, and a medical doctor who allegedly issued a fake medical report to help her evade police arrest has been remanded in prison. Ogungbade described the allegations as false and dangerous, adding that Ogun State operates several emergency response services. Her lawyer later submitted a medical report to the police, however, police investigations revealed that the document was fake. “A letter was written to the police by her lawyer, attaching a medical report allegedly issued by a Lagos-based doctor stating that she was medically indisposed. “The doctor confessed that he never met, examined, treated or revived Adetoun Onajobi, contrary to the claims contained in the medical report.

The Oyo State Police Command has commenced bush-combing operations in search of kidnappers of an Indian expatriate and other criminal elements in the state. The PUNCH reports that gunmen on Saturday killed a police officer and kidnapped an Indian expatriate at Ogunmakin community in the Oluyole Local Government Area of the state. “The state Police command is reviewing its security architecture to checkmate the activities of the kidnappers and other criminal elements in the 33 Local Government Areas of the state. “An Indian expatriate was kidnapped during the attack. They have started combing the bushes in search of the criminal elements.

A former England striker Alan Shearer has criticised the decision to book Diogo Dalot during Sunday’s Manchester derby, insisting the challenge should have earned a red card. Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, Shearer said: “I think VAR got that terribly wrong. For me, that was a clear red card.”He added, “Forget about whether the contact was ‘glancing’ or not. I can understand why the referee hasn’t given it—it might have been difficult for him to see—but when the VAR has two professionals looking at that, it should have been a very easy decision to give a red card.”The incident saw referee Anthony Taylor issue a yellow card, a decision supported by video assistant referee Craig Pawson, who described the contact as “glancing and not with excessive force.”Shearer argued that while Taylor may have struggled to see the full extent of the challenge in real time, the VAR officials had sufficient footage to make a clear-cut decision for a sending-off. The ruling has reignited debate among pundits and fans, highlighting ongoing discussions about VAR consistency and the differing standards for serious foul play between the Premier League and European competitions.

Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to an all-time high of $6.1bn in 2025, marking the strongest performance in the sector since the establishment of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council nearly five decades ago. The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during her annual progress report and 2026 non-oil export outlook briefing. “Ladies and gentlemen, based on the records obtained from pre-shipment inspection agencies, Nigerian non-oil export performance in 2025 reached an all-time high. “This marks the highest non-oil export value achieved in the country for formal documented trade in the country and also from the inception of the council almost 50 years ago. Ayeni added that ongoing reforms, export incentives, and capacity-building initiatives would be intensified in 2026 to sustain growth and expand Nigeria’s non-oil export footprint.

Dad’s mother, my Grandma Mimi, is an astonishment to me. After my grandfather’s death, Grandma Mimi got remarried, and I remember meeting my new step-grandfather Meir just once. Grandma Mimi is the first adult, the first person maybe, who has voiced the worry I carry at all times, about my future, and about my loneliness. “You know that I’m going to have a talk with your mother about all this,” Grandma Mimi tells me now. I can see how much Grandma Mimi is in fact looking forward to the open-field battle of this “talk”, and I know I’ve supplied her with the ammunition.