INFORMED LENS MEDIA REPORT

  On Sunday, December 29, 2024, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, passed away at the age of 100. His death occurred at his home in Plains, Georgia, where he had been receiving hospice care for over a year. The Carter Center confirmed his passing through a brief statement on social media. Carter, who rose to prominence as a peanut farmer and a little-known governor of Georgia, became president in 1976 amidst the political turmoil following the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency was marked by significant achievements, including the historic Camp David Accords, which established peace between Egypt and Israel. However, his term was also marred by economic challenges and the Iran hostage crisis, leading to his defeat in the 1980 election. After leaving office, Carter dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts, founding The Carter Center in 1982. His work focused on global health, democracy promotion, and human ri...

 Namibia has elected its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who previously served as Vice President. At 72, she won the election with over 57% of the votes, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in leadership. Her victory comes amid allegations of electoral irregular ities from the opposition, particularly the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), which claimed there were numerous issues during the voting process, including long queues and a shortage of ballot papers. The election, held on November 27, 2024, was extended due to logistical problems, with some voters waiting up to 12 hours to cast their ballots. Despite these challenges, nearly 77% of the registered voters participated. The IPC has stated it will not recognize the election results, citing a "multitude of irregularities" and vowing to contest the outcome through established electoral processes. Nandi-Ndaitwah's election is seen as a pivotal moment for Namibia, a country rich...

Pastor Bolaj Pastor Bolaji Idowu, the Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Center (HICC), has been released from police custody after high-profile interventions from influential figures within the Aso Rock Villa and prominent clerics across Nigeria. Pastor Idowu was initially detained on Tuesday by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, facing serious allegations of a staggering N1.5 billion fraud. Reports indicated that he would remain in custody overnight as investigations continued. However, late in the evening, Sahara Reporters revealed that the tide shifted dramatically. Sources within the police disclosed that significant pressure from powerful pastors and officials linked to President Tinubu’s administration played a crucial role in securing his release. “Pastor Bolaji was freed after key pastors and Aso Villa insiders stepped in,” a senior police source shared with Sahara Reporters. “He has been instructed to repay the funds traced to his acco...

In a remarkable demonstration of commitment to student welfare, the newly inaugurated Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Professor Edoba Omoregie, SAN, wasted no time in addressing the pressing needs of students upon assuming office. Less than 24 hours into his tenure, Professor Omoregie embarked on a comprehensive inspection of the university’s student hostels, a move that has resonated positively with the student body. Accompanied by key university officials, the Vice Chancellor toured several hostels, including Halls 1, 2, 3, 4, as well as the NDDC and Clinical hostels. The inspections were met with enthusiastic applause from students, who expressed appreciation for the new leadership’s proactive approach to their living conditions. During his post-inspection remarks, Professor Omoregie did not shy away from acknowledging the subpar conditions of many hostels, describing them as "unacceptable." He emphasized the urgent need for improvements to ensure a conducive l...

Irish chef Alan Fisher, who resides in Japan, has recently outshone Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci by achieving not one but two Guinness World Records. The remarkable announcement came through an official post on the Guinness World Records' Twitter page, leaving the world in awe of Fisher's cooking prowess. Alan Fisher's first record-breaking achievement was in the category of the longest individual cooking marathon, an astonishing 119 hours and 57 minutes. This impressive feat surpassed the previous record set by Nigerian chef Hilda Baci earlier this year, which stood at 93 hours and 11 minutes. In his second groundbreaking achievement, the Irish chef secured the record for the longest baking marathon, an incredible 47 hours and 21 minutes. This accomplishment shattered the prior record held by American baker Wendy Sandner, which was 31 hours and 16 minutes. What truly sets Alan Fisher's accomplishments apart is that he undertook both record attempts consecutively,...

The 2030 World Cup is set to be a truly international spectacle, with Morocco, Portugal, and Spain securing the rights to host the 48-team tournament. What's even more surprising is that the opening three matches have been handed over to Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay. This unprecedented decision has taken even the most seasoned FIFA enthusiasts by surprise. The 2030 World Cup will span three continents, involving teams playing in six countries, all of which will automatically qualify. It's a significant departure from tradition, as the tournament has never been played across multiple continents before. In a virtual meeting of the FIFA council held recently, this monumental choice was made. However, it's important to note that it will require confirmation through a vote by all 211 FIFA members in the final months of the coming year. This decision comes after months of speculation and political maneuvering among continental confederations vying for the prestigious hosting ...

  22-year-old Ilebaye Precious Odiniya, popularly known as Ilebaye, has won the N120 million grand prize of the Big Brother Naija All Stars season. The Kogi-born reality TV star was announced as the sinner after staying 10 weeks in the Big Brother House. Ilebaye's victory marks the first time in Big Brother Naija history that the top three finalists have all been women. She beat out Mercy Eke and CeeCee for the title. Ilebaye is a criminologist, businesswoman, and model. She is known for her vibrant personality and her sense of humor. She is also a talented singer and dancer. Ilebaye's victory has been met with mixed reactions. Some fans are excited to see a new winner, while others are disappointed that their favorite housemate did not win. However, there is no doubt that Ilebaye is a deserving winner.  Congrats to her