The wrestling community is reflecting on the life and legacy of Mexican icon Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Misterio Sr., who sadly passed away on December 20, 2024, at age 66.

His son, WWE superstar Rey Misterio Jr., announced via social media, sharing a heartfelt message: “Friends and family, I’m sad to share that my father, Miguel Ángel López Días, Rey Misterio Sr., passed away this morning… more updates to come. Thank you.”

This news has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow wrestlers, and friends, highlighting the remarkable contributions Rey Misterio Sr. made to the wrestling industry.

Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a major Mexican wrestling promotion where Rey Misterio Sr. left an enduring mark, expressed its condolences through a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“We are saddened by the passing of Miguel Ángel López Días, known as Rey Misterio Sr. We extend our sincerest condolences to his loved ones and keep him in our thoughts for his eternal rest.”

Rey Misterio Sr. was a pivotal figure not just in Mexican Lucha Libre but also in advancing the global recognition of the sport. Known for his innovative high-flying wrestling style, he established a connection with audiences worldwide. He gained fame in Mexico through top promotions like the World Wrestling Association (WWA) and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.

His influence reached beyond Mexican borders; he was one of the trailblazers of Lucha Libre in the United States, making appearances in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He participated in significant events, including the 1990 Starrcade and the Pat O’Connor Memorial International Cup tournament, alongside Konnan, and made a notable impact in these competitions.

In addition to his in-ring achievements, Rey Misterio Sr. was deeply committed to mentoring aspiring wrestlers. His nephew, Rey Mysterio Jr., has often conveyed his gratitude for the pivotal role his uncle played in shaping his career. Rey Mysterio Jr. credits his uncle with not only bestowing his iconic ring name but also training him alongside other legends of Mexican wrestling, including Psicosis, Halloween, and Konnan.

Before his wrestling career, Rey Misterio Sr. had a background in boxing. After an arm injury, his trainers encouraged him to pursue professional wrestling, leading to his debut on January 6, 1976, during a special Day of Kings event.

Over the years, he became an integral part of the Mexican wrestling scene, known for his performances and his unwavering dedication to nurturing young talent.

Throughout his extensive career, Rey Misterio Sr. garnered numerous titles and accolades, solidifying his standing as one of the most influential figures in the history of Mexican wrestling. He was more than just a competitor; he co-founded a gym dedicated to training aspiring wrestlers, blending skill, passion, and mentorship to ensure the growth and evolution of Lucha Libre.

While the cause of Rey Misterio Sr.’s passing remains undisclosed, the love and support from fans and wrestling organizations underscore the profound impact he had on the wrestling world.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the security agencies recorded 80 per cent success against kidnapping in two years.

Ribadu stated this at the official inauguration of the Multi-Agency Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) on Thursday in Abuja.

“Within a short period of time, I can say less than two years, we are getting 80 per cent successes, but we do not talk about it,” he said.

This is despite a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that Nigerians paid a ransom of over N2.2 trillion in the year 2024. According to the report, 2.2 million Nigerians were kidnapped, while 614,937 were killed in the same year.

However, Ribadu admitted that kidnapping was the most worrisome threat in Nigeria and globally.

He said the commissioning of the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) was a significant step forward in the nation’s collective fight against one of the gravest security challenges we face: ‘kidnapping’.

“As we all know, kidnapping remains one of the most pressing security threats in Nigeria today. It has caused untold hardship for countless families, disrupted economic activities, and posed a severe threat to our national stability. This menace demands a robust, multi-agency approach, which the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell embodies.”

He charged members of the cell to leverage their knowledge and expertise to ensure Nigerians are protected and feel safe.

“The training and resources you received have prepared you for this critical task, and I expect nothing but professionalism, dedication, and innovation in your work. Embrace synergy, leverage the knowledge you have acquired, and ensure that this Cell fulfils its mission to protect our people and communities,” he added.

The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center Office of the National Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), Major General Adamu Laka, said the establishment of the Multi-Agency Fusion Cell was a result of the Security Defence Partnership (SDP) Dialogue signed between the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United Kingdom in 2022 in a bid to stem the rising spate of kidnapping in the country.

Laka said that between 2022 and 2024, the United Kingdom, through the National Crime Agency (NCA), partnered with the Office of the National Security Adviser to provide capacity-building exercises as well as support to the National Counter-Terrorism Center in a bid to set up a kidnap fusion centre.

He added that the output of this partnership led to a multi-agency approach, with over 15 law enforcement agencies and stakeholders working together to fight kidnapping in Nigeria.

General Laka further said that the United Kingdom and Nigeria enjoyed a deep and long-standing security and defence relationship, underpinned by shared history, mutual trust, and shared Commonwealth principles of democratic governance and respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.

This is in addition to a shared desire to support regional and international peace and security, hence the inaugural UK-Nigeria SDP Dialogue signed by the two National Security Advisors of the two countries between January 31 and February 2, 2022.

The National Coordinator commended all the law enforcement agencies for working together to build capacity for the fusion cell, as well as the efforts in putting together Terms of Reference and Standard Operating Procedures to guide the activities of the cell.

He, however, emphasised that the fusion cell is a 24/7 coordination centre and not an operational outfit that could duplicate efforts.

While giving a background on the Security Defence Partnership, NCA Operations Manager, Chris Grimson, thanked the Nigerian government for the partnership and stressed the importance of having solutions tailored to the needs of Nigeria and implemented by Nigerians.

The fusion cell is housed in the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, and is supported by the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom

Ahead of the Christmas and New Year festivities, costs of basic food items have skyrocketed, raising apprehension among Nigerians, Daily Trust report.

This is as many civil servants, who spoke to our correspondents in different states of the country, said celebrations would be low-key.

Many of them also that said they were awaiting their December salaries.

Checks by Daily Trust in major markets showed a sharp rise in prices of chickens, turkeys, cows, groundnut oil and other commodities.

This is amidst the cost of living crisis in the country, which is believed to have been triggered by the present administration’s policies of petrol subsidy removal and currency floating.

The latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Nigeria’s headline inflation increasing to 34.60 per cent in the month of November.

For food inflation, the NBS said it increased to 39.93 per cent on a year-on-year basis, 7.08 per cent points higher than the rate recorded in November 2023 (32.84 per cent).

Checks by our reporters in markets in parts of the country showed that price of turkey has increased by 30 per cent compared to what it was around this time last year.

At Utako and Wuse markets in Abuja, the price of local turkey ranged from N85, 000 to N130, 000 depending on the size; and that of “agric” turkey, from N110, 000 to N140, 000.

Some of the sellers attributed the hike to high cost of transportation and feeding.

In Plateau State, a seller of chickens and turkeys at the Railway Market, Ibrahim Musa, said: “We have prices ranging from N8, 000 to N25, 000 for chickens; while turkeys cost between N70, 000 and N110,000. The current prices are discouraging people from buying, resulting in low patronage. Even during peak season when we expect a huge market, sales are slow.”

At the New Market, sellers of groundnut oil also confirmed the price increase. One of them, Abba Shehu, said: “A five-litre gallon costs N18, 000. We were informed that the increase in groundnut prices is the reason for the surge in oil prices.”

According to the chairman of the Cattle Market in Jos, Malam Rabiu Muhammad, the price of cows is also very expensive.

He said, “At the moment, we have cows selling for N1.5 million in the market. The price ranges from N700, 000 to N1.5 million, depending on the size. The price is really affecting the market.”

At the Wadata and Modern markets in Makurdi, Benue State, a chicken sells for between N15,000 and N22,000; and turkey, N65,000.

A four-litre bottle of cooking oil is not N19,000 and N22,000, depending on the brand.

A civil servant in the state, Olije Edward, said the thought of celebrating Christmas is bittersweet as her entire salary could barely buy a turkey or three modest chickens.

She asked: “How can we celebrate properly when everything is this expensive? What should be a season of celebration has instead become a period of anxiety for many families like mine in Benue who are forced to stretch their limited resources even further.”

At major markets in Agege and Mushin, Lagos, prices of chickens, turkeys and groundnut oil have equally gone up, with a cow selling for as much as between N1 million and N1.5 million depending on the size; chicken, between N13,000 and N15,000; groundnut oil (King) of 25kg, N100,000 and Golden terra, N95,000.

In Bayelsa, the rising costs of chicken, turkey, groundnut oil, goats and other food items are making residents to consider a low-key Christmas and New Year celebrations.

At Swali Market in Yenagoa, a turkey goes for N65,000; chicken, N25,000, five litres of groundnut oil, N25,000 and goat, between N80,000 and N90,000, depending on the size.

A civil servant in the state, who identified herself as Ebitare, said: “Things are very costly in the market, even the N80, 000 minimum wage promised by the government is not yet paid, we are still expecting it, because the government promised to start paying from this month.

“We don’t even know how to celebrate this Christmas, but anyhow it is, we will adopt low-key celebration, the most important thing is that God has preserved our lives to see another Christmas and we will still continue to celebrate more Christmas.”

Dr, Muda Yusuf, an economist and Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), commented on the situation, saying “Energy cost is an issue, transportation cost is an issue.

“Also, there is the issue of insecurity which has affected farming activities. Many of our farmers have been displaced. Many of them have abandoned their farms. The way we also manage our fiscal deficit is important. The level of borrowing is heating up the economy,” he said.

In a landmark moment for Africa’s creative and tech industries, Singapore’s TSC Global and Nigeria’s Del-York Group have signed a $4.5 billion joint venture agreement, marking the largest investment in Africa’s creative sector to date. The signing ceremony, held in Singapore and attended virtually by Lagos State Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, heralds the development of Lagos Film City (Kebulania), a project poised to position Lagos as a global hub for film, media, and technology.

“Lagos Film City (Kebulania) represents Lagos State’s vision for creative excellence and technological innovation,” remarked Sanwo-Olu. “This investment will transform our creative landscape while creating groundbreaking opportunities for our talented youth. This development demonstrates our commitment to positioning Lagos as Africa’s premier creative capital.” He credited Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the state’s Creative Industry Policy for facilitating this transformative partnership.

Under the new partnership, TSC Global will bring its expertise in sustainable, high-performance technical infrastructure, an area where the company is known globally. Linus Idahosa, CEO of Del-York Group, serves as the lead developer of the project and is dedicated to building ecosystems that fuel Africa’s creative industry. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Lagos State Government in 2022, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Epe site last year. Architectural work will begin in early 2025, followed by construction in the second quarter.

“Today marks Africa’s emphatic entry into global creative and technological leadership,” said Idahosa at the signing ceremony.

“Kebulania stands as a testament to what is possible when visionary leadership at both national and state levels creates an enabling environment for transformative investments. With the unwavering support of the Lagos State Government, alongside our partners, we are building more than an infrastructure – we are creating a legacy that will empower generations of African creators and innovators.”

Michael Dickerson, CEO of TSC Global, highlighted the strategic significance: ‘Our $4.5 billion Joint Venture bridges Africa and the world, creating unparalleled opportunities for creative and technological collaboration between continents. Together with the Del-York Group, we are creating a new model for creative industry development that will resonate globally.”

The Kebulania project is expected to generate over 10,000 direct jobs and 25,000 indirect employment opportunities, contributing more than $3.5 billion annually to Nigeria’s creative economy. It will also offer 50,000 training positions and boost foreign exchange earnings through international film and media productions.