As major countries of the world await with eagerness to celebrate 2024, a few nations have already begun their celebrations. China, New Zealand, Australia and Kiribati were one of the first nations to ring in 2024 as ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza cast a pall over celebrations and heightened tensions across parts of the world. Residents of Auckland welcomed in the new year with a fireworks display over Sky Tower, New Zealand’s tallest structure. Jubilant crowds began bidding farewell to the hottest year on record Sunday, closing a turbulent 12 months marked by clever chatbots, climate crises and wrenching wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Sydney’s spectacular show lit the fuse on 2024, a year that will bring elections concerning half the world’s population and a summer Olympiad celebrated in Paris.

That why, or purpose, is defined in almost all dictionaries as the “…reason for existence.” When we apply the powerful concept of purpose to our lives and organizations, they transform. Not discovering and living in and by purpose will result in:1) Living haphazardly without a definite direction for your life. If you are not willing to make the sacrifice, then keep searching.” – Quintina RagnacciTO BE CONTINUEDFOR ENQUIRIES AND COMMENTS PLEASE SEND EMAIL TO [email protected]A REFLECTION ON PURPOSE Part 2Last time we began looking at purpose. “Living with purpose also helps you define and set a system of core values that will guide you throughout the coming years. You did not qualify to be given a purpose because your purpose pre-dates you so there is nothing to boast about or feel inferior about.

A gas explosion has occurred at the National Arts Theatre in the Igamu area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria. The fire resulting from the explosion has been successfully contained, with reports indicating that gas cylinders within the National Arts Theatre complex were the cause. The incident took place around 10 pm on Saturday, prompting the deployment of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service personnel, led by Director Magaret Adeseye, who confirmed that a burst gas cylinder was responsible but assured that the situation is now under control. Fortunately, there are no reported casualties at the time of this update. However, the occurrence may impact any scheduled New Year’s Eve events at the venue.

The Ondo State Farmers Association also said over 30 farmers have been killed by herdsmen. A day with AmotekunFor several months, this reporter sought approval from the leadership of Ondo Amotekun to go with them on one of their operations to no avail. Quickly, the Amotekun men moved in that direction and ran towards where the voices came from but didn’t find anyone. Despite the constant change in tactics, it didn’t look like the security outfit was any close to arresting any herdsmen. That road is now lonely, Amotekun men have practically been overpowered in that place because it’s like the epicenter of herdsmen.

Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on December 31, 2023. Photo: AFPRafael Nadal will face former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Brisbane International in a tough return to the ATP Tour after almost a year off due to injury. Thiem, a former world number three who was beaten by Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals, battled through two tough qualifying rounds to make the main draw. The two men have played 15 times, with Nadal winning nine and Thiem six. However, the Austrian has won their past two encounters at the ATP Tour Finals in 2020 and the Australian Open the same year.

“There’s no sea ice at all,” she says. The usually stable sea ice that colonies rely on to rear their young in the Bellingshausen Sea just wasn’t there, likely causing a “catastrophic breeding failure”. A study by Australian researchers in September found hemispheric wind patterns this year and last would usually have been associated with above-average sea ice cover. Sea ice on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and a map from the University of Colorado National Snow and Ice Data Centre showing the extent of sea ice on 24 September 2023. Reducing fossil fuels may not save the west Antarctic ice sheet, but other climate impacts can be avoided through decisive action.

“Two lives lost in a recent assault on Durbi village, Shere district, Jos East local government area. This incident follows the tragic Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi, resulting in over 190 casualties. Transition Implementation Committee chairman Markus Nyam confirmed the attack, revealing that assailants killed a father and his son on Saturday night. Vigilantes engaged the attackers, leading to one assailant’s death, while the Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven responded to prevent further harm. Ongoing efforts by state officials, including service chiefs, indicate a response to the escalating situation.”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly denounced the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State as an act of callousness and a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life. Global reactions, including the United Nations, have demanded accountability and justice for the victims. ECOWAS emphasized that the killings reflected callousness, insensitivity, and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life by the perpetrators. The regional body urged the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to identify and bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice. While reaffirming its support for Nigeria, ECOWAS pledged commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and eliminating terrorism, violent extremism, and banditry in the region.”

The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission on Friday, said it approved tax holidays for 34 companies seeking tax incentives and waivers under the Industrial Development Income Tax Act in 2023. She said tax incentives which had been a contentious issue due to the high amount of revenue lost to waivers granted every year, were meant to boost foreign investments into the country. Saturday PUNCH recalls that the Federal Government in September, said companies operating in Nigeria receive tax incentives worth N6tn annually. But speaking at the press briefing, Lovina indicated that not all companies are granted tax breaks due to stringent procedures followed by the commission on waivers award. However, there is already a notion that Nigeria gives out too many waivers, incentives, and concessions.

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has ordered the reopening of one of the state’s largest Juma’at mosques in Moriki town, Zurmi Local Government Area. A dispute between two factional groups, according to reports, led to the closure of the central worship centre also popularly called Friday mosque in the town. PUNCH Online reports that the former Chief Imam of Gusau GRA Jumuat Mosque, Zamfara State, Tukur Jangeme, fled the state following his resignation in November. Jangeme resigned from his position as Chief Imam following a video clip that went viral where he was seen condemning incumbent governor, Dauda Lawal, and praising his predecessor, Bello Matawale. Jangeme said, “I am not in Zamfara State at the moment.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, undertook a visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, areas that witnessed attacks by armed men on Christmas Eve. Accompanied by party officials, Obi committed to providing financial assistance, pledging five million naira to each of the affected local government areas. Expressing dismay at the attacks that resulted in the loss of lives and property, Obi emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure the protection of citizens and their belongings. He voiced his concerns about the increasing number of displaced Nigerians within their own country, deeming the situation unacceptable and calling for urgent government intervention. The assailants set numerous houses ablaze, looted farm produce, and destroyed properties, creating a dire situation for the affected residents.

The Nigerian Police, Zamfara State Command, have rescued a 52-year-old security guard, Malam Hassan Abdullahi, abducted in Gusau. Abubakar said in a statement on Friday that the armed men had invaded the house of one Alhaji Kabiru Umar, a staff of Zamfara College of Art and Science Gusau, where they went away with the security guard. “On receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Damba Division, mobilised a team of detectives for a search and rescue operation. He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Shehu, has commended residents for alerting the police on time about the incident. Shehu also commended the police operatives for their timely intervention which led to the immediate rescue of the abducted victim.

FITCHBURG — In the nightcap of the 17th annual Mark Bushnoe Memorial Christmas Tournament, the hosts from Lunenburg/Ayer-Shirley punched their ticket into Saturday night’s final in convincing fashion. Behind a balanced attack that saw seven different players score, the Blue Knights dominated the visitors from Leominster High and cruised to an 8-0 victory on Friday night at the Wallace Civic Center. “We played a solid three periods, and we obviously have more depth than them,” said Lunenburg/Ayer-Shirley head coach Eric Short. Nicosia scored 2:14 into the frame and scored just before the period ended with 33 seconds left. Logan Martin and Martone also scored in the middle frame as the Blue Knights held a 7-0 lead.

Two South Koreans abducted nearly three weeks ago by an unidentified armed group in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria have been released, the foreign ministry in Seoul disclosed Saturday. The two Koreans, who were abducted on December 12, are employees of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., a major South Korean builder, according to Seoul’s Yonhap news agency. South Korean authorities secured their custody on Friday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said, further stating that they are in good health. The South Korean government vowed to “continue to review the measures for the protection” of its nationals in Nigeria. Seoul will “actively engage with relevant government agencies, businesses, and overseas Koreans to prevent kidnapping incidents,” it added.

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