The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has given taxpayers 30 days window to secure their 2020 tax clearance certificates.

The 30-day window, which starts on January 2, 2020, is one of the major directives issued by the tax collector’s new Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami since he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

FIRS believes the window would ease the process of obtaining the tax clearance certificates, which can be used by contractors and service providers to seek contracts, obtain loans, renew permits, registration, franchises, and sign agreements.

The exercise, which ends by January 31, 2020, is in line with the provisions of Section 101 (1) of Companies Income Tax Act 2004 and in conformity with Self-Assessment Regulation, 2011.

“Notice is hereby given that the Service has put in place machinery to issue 2020 TCC for all eligible taxpayers from 2nd January to 31st January 2020.

“The issuance of the TCC to ease the burden of taxpayers is in line with the provisions of Section 101 (1) of CITA LFN 2004 and in conformity with Self-Assessment Regulation, 2011.

“Taxpayers are therefore encouraged to take advantage of this initiative and apply for their 2020 TCC as soon as possible.”

Nami sends warning to defaulters: The FIRS boss said the agency would not hesitate to place a lien on the bank accounts of companies that default on tax and mislead the tax administrator on their tax compliance level.

It had previously reported that in a renewed bid to bring tax defaulters to book in the country, the FIRS announced its intention to commence nationwide tax enforcement on December 18, 2019.

FIRS disclosed plans have been concluded to begin tax enforcement against tax defaulters as they continue to fail in fulfilling their tax obligations. The FIRS acting Chairman also advised defaulting taxpayers to “settle their tax liabilities within Seven days of the publication to avoid any inconveniences or interruptions in their operations.

If a lien is imposed on a bank account, some or all of the account’s funds cannot be withdrawn and used by the account holder. This is because a creditor or attorney has filed legal paperwork with tax defaulter’s bank in a bid to freeze defaulter’s funds.

Nigerian musicians, Burna Boy and Rema make list of Barack Obama's playlist of 35 songs of 2019

Today, former US President Barack Obama shared his playlist of 35 songs for the year 2019 and two Nigerian stars, Burna Boy and Rema made the list.

According to Obama, 'from hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick'.

Burna Boy's 'Anybody' and Rema's 'Iron Man' made the list.

See the full list below...

From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 30, 2019

pic.twitter.com/mQ2VssyDwt

She was problem from the very beginning and we fired her twice - Wale Jana shades Cee-C as he shares his mistakes of 2019

Wale Jana, the CEO of Sapphire Group has shared a list of the mistakes he made in 2019 and he took several shots at ex-Bbnaija housemate, Ceec who was his brand ambasaddor for one year.

According to Wale Jana, 'the truth is she had been a problem from the very beginning and we had fired her twice before that time. She had to fly to Abuja with her own money for our last event and she came to beg'.

See his full post below...

Today I am sharing on the mistakes of 2019 

1. Getting short term investors; from 2016 till 2018, we were not really producing much all we did was sell but the moment we started branching out to lots of locations and producing more products we needed more time. Get investors who can give you at least 1 to 3 years. You will be happier.

2. Getting the wrong investment banker; there are lots of phony people out there who will collect money from you and tell you they can raise money for you. If they can’t show you at least 3 people they have raised money for don’t do business with them.

3. Signing the wrong brand ambassador; I hear people say we let her go because she didn’t support me. The truth is she had been a problem from the very beginning and we had fired her twice before that time. She had to fly to Abuja with her own money for our last event and she came to beg, I am surprised to hear that she left because she was too expensive.

We fought every time to get her to even post as an ambassador, you are just a one year old celebrity and you want to be competing with the Senior Prefect Tonto Dikeh she also couldn’t get along with anyone, it was always one drama or the other. When she left and BamBam and Regina Daniels came on board we had peace and so much unity, our creativity also moved to the next level.

4. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate; I suddenly realized that I was running like 5 or more different companies; Sapphire Scents, Sapphire Time, Oju by Sapphire, Sapphire Jewels, Sapphire Apparel etc and it dawned me that I couldn’t cope any more. In 2020 I am hiring 4 managers and a CEO while I focus on making perfumes and promoting the brand. 

Mistakes could be painful but that pain sets you straight, you will be smarter next time. Now I know what I wouldn’t do in 2020 and you should learn from this as well. Tag someone who should read this, please share so that others can be blessed as you have been blessed.

He Jiankui, a Chinese scientist who created the world’s first “gene-edited” babies has been handed a 3-year jail sentence.

The associate professor at Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen first ignited worldwide outrage in November 2018 after revealing that he used gene-editing technology known as Crispr-Cas9 to change the genes of twin girls to protect them from getting infected with the AIDS virus in the future. He has been held under armed guard at a university guesthouse since he declared his work to the world at the international gene editing conference, including major interviews with Western media.

The Chinese scientists who alongside his collaborators forged ethical review materials and recruited men with AIDS who were part of a couple to carry out the gene-editing, was suspended from his job and accused of work that was "extremely abominable in nature".

Jiankui who carried out the gene-editing process on seven embryos in late 2018, was found guilty of illegal practice alongside two others and he was fined 3m yuan (US$430,000).

State news agency Xinhua reported that Zhang Renli who worked with Jiankui was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 1m yuan. Qin Jinzhou on the other hand received an 18-month sentence, but with a two-year reprieve and a 500,000 yuan fine.

The court said;

“The three accused did not have the proper certification to practise medicine, and in seeking fame and wealth, deliberately violated national regulations in scientific research and medical treatment.

 “They’ve crossed the bottom line of ethics in scientific research and medical ethics.”

During the sentencing, it was also learnt that a third baby from a different mother to the twins, was born as part of the project before it was shut down by the authorities. An original research published earlier this month by the MIT Technology Review found that he may not have succeeded in reproducing the gene that makes some people immune to HIV.

Lai Mohammed, Nigeria's Minister of Information and Culture, says there is no cause for alarm over the country's $84 billion debt profile.

The Minister said this at a press conference held today December 30th where he highlighted the administration’s major achievements in the year 2019.

There is currently a nationwide outrage over a $29.6 billion loan request President Buhari sent to the National Assembly. In his letter of request, President Buhari said the loan is “critical to the delivery of the government’s policies and programmes”.

Reacting to the outrage, Lai Mohammed at the press confrence said

“There have been concerns in certain circles about the country’s growing debt, both domestic and external. In the process, there have been some misrepresentations and scare mongering. We therefore believe it is important to put things in the right perspective, so our citizens will be well informed.

The public debt stock is actually a cumulative figure of borrowings by successive governments over many years. It is therefore not appropriate to attribute the public debt stock to one administration.

Nigeria’s total public debt stock in 2015 was $63.80 billion, comprising $10.31 billion of external debt and $53.49 billion domestic debt. By June 2019, the total debt stock was $83.883 billion, made up of $27.163 billion of external debt and $56.720 billion domestic debt. It is therefore not correct to say that Nigeria’s external debt alone is $81.274 billion.

There is yet no cause for alarm. This is because Nigeria has a debt ceiling of 25% in the total public debt stock to Gross Domestic Product (Debt/GDP), which it has operated within. The ratio for Dec. 31 2018 and June 30 2019 were 19.09% and 18.99% respectively.

The debt service to revenue ratio has however been higher than desirable, hence the push by the government to diversify the economy and increase oil and non-oil revenues significantly. The government is also widening the tax base to capture more tax-paying citizens.”

Lai Mohammed also denied claims made by a member of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Francis Fadahunsi, that he is the sponsor of the controversial Hate Speech bill. Fadahunsi in a recent media chat, alleged that Mohammed is behind the bill aimed at crippling quality and vibrant journalism. Reacting to the allegation, Mohammed said

You must have read the fake news attributed to Sen. Fadahunsi that I am behind the hate speech bill at the National Assembly, and that the senator who is sponsoring the bill is fronting for me. This is a typical example of the fake news we are trying to fight.

I am not the sponsor of the hate speech bill at the National Assembly. However, I remain committed to sanitising the social media. I have said that all stakeholders will be involved in determining the modalities for regulating the social media''.

Fitch Ratings has revised the Outlooks on the Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) of four Nigerian banks, Zenith Bank plc (Zenith), Guaranty Trust Bank plc (GTB), United Bank for Africa plc (UBA) and Bank of Industry Limited (BOI), to Negative from Stable and affirmed their IDRs at 'B+'. The agency has also affirmed the 'AAA(nga)' National Ratings of Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC and Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC.

The rating actions follow the revision of the Outlook on Nigeria's Long-Term IDRs to Negative from Stable on 19 December 2019.

Key Rating Drivers

IDRs, VRs, Senior Debt Ratings

Zenith, GTB and UBA are the highest-rated commercial banks in Nigeria (on the international scale). The ratings are driven by their standalone creditworthiness, as defined by their respective Viability Ratings (VRs). In Fitch's view, the VRs are capped by the Nigerian sovereign (B+/Negative) rating, given the concentration of the banks' activities within Nigeria, including lending to the real-economy sector, and the banks' linkage to the sovereign credit profile through significant exposure to government securities.

Fitch expects the banks' credit profiles to be negatively affected in the event of a sovereign downgrade, particularly if this is accompanied by sharp naira devaluation. In this event, our assessment is that capital and, potentially, asset-quality metrics would be negatively impacted. Accordingly, Fitch has revised the Outlook on the Long-Term IDRs of these three banks to Negative.

BOI is a state-owned development bank and its Long-Term IDR is equalised with the Nigerian sovereign rating and driven by its Support Rating Floor (SRF) of 'B+', which reflects a limited probability of support from the state if required. The Negative Outlook on BOI mirrors that on the Nigerian sovereign. Our view of support considers BOI's 99.9% state ownership, policy role and strategic importance to Nigeria's economic and industrial development.

Support Ratings And Support Rating Floors

We have affirmed the Support Ratings and Support Rating Floors of Zenith, GTB, UBA and BOI given that our assessment of sovereign support remains unchanged.

National Ratings

The National Ratings reflect the issuers' creditworthiness relative to other Nigerian issuers. The National Ratings of all banks have been affirmed, given that their creditworthiness relative to other issuers in Nigeria is not expected to change as a result of the rating action on the Nigerian sovereign.

Rating Sensitivities

The Negative Outlook on Zenith, GTB, UBA and BOI reflects our view that a sovereign downgrade would likely be accompanied by a downgrade of these issuers' Long-Term IDRs. The ratings of Zenith, GTB and UBA are also sensitive to deterioration in operating environment and its impacts on asset quality and capitalisation.

BOI's IDRs, Support Rating and SRF are sensitive to changes in Nigeria's sovereign ratings. The bank's ratings are also sensitive to a reduced propensity of the authorities to support the bank but this is not our base case.

The National Ratings are sensitive to a change in Fitch's opinion of the banks' creditworthiness relative to other issuers in Nigeria.

Public Ratings With Credit Linkage To Other Ratings

BOI's IDRs are a equalised with Nigeria's sovereign ratings and move in tandem with the latter.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC's and Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC's National Ratings are driven by potential support from ultimate parent, Standard Bank Group.

ESG Considerations

The highest level of environmental, social and governance (ESG) credit relevance for BOI, GTB, UBA and Zenith, is a score of 3. This means ESG issues are credit-neutral or have only a minimal impact on the entities, either due to their nature of to the way in which they are being managed by the entities.

Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has sued his own club over claims they owe him £2million in bonuses from last season.

The Chilean midfielder believes he is owed extras from the team's qualification to the knockout and quarter-finals of the Champions League, and says he should have received payments after Barcelona won the title.

In a report by Spanish outlet ABC, the player's lawyers filed a lawsuit against his employers on December 5, outlining a list of bonuses that Vidal was supposedly entitled to.

Vidal was set to receive an extra £2m in bonuses if he featured in 60 percent of games last season, and he played 53 matches in all competitions. But the club claim he does not qualify because he did not play a minimum of 45 minutes per game, saying the lawyers have misinterpreted his contract.

He has allegedly been paid £1.4m, but says he is owed a total of £3.5m with Marca claiming in their report that the lawsuit could be a ploy by Vidal and his lawyers to secure a move for him away from Barcelona.

Arturo Vidal, who is being linked with a move to Inter Milan has made just six starts for the club this season.

Shina Peller's nightclub, Club Quilox has been reopened by the Lagos State government days after he was arrested and detained for allegedly mobilising thugs to invade a police station after the vehicles of some of his club’s customers were towed for obstructing the free flow of traffic in Lagos state.

In a statement released on Saturday December 28, the General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) Dr Dolapo Fasawe said the club owned by the House of Representatives member was reopened after its management got committed to carrying out its activities without obstructing the flow of traffic on Ozumba Mbadiwe and other adjoining streets.

Fasawe disclosed that the club's management who promised to ensure its clients’ vehicles were properly parked in designated areas, has also demonstrated firm commitment to ensure that sound emanating from musical events hosted within its facility does not exceed the recommended limits set by the state.

She said;

”We are reopening the club for operation as it has fulfilled our conditions and complied with the extant law guiding its operations.

”The club was sanctioned and fined for environmental nuisances and we ensure total compliance before reopening."

The rematch for Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury boxing clash has been confirmed to take place in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 22, 2020

This comes a year after the first bout between the WBC champion Wilder and the British heavyweight ended in a draw at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Wilder confirmed the rematch in a tweet saying: "After February 22nd there will be no more unanswered questions. I will finish what I started, and this time Tyson Fury will not be getting up off that canvas so quickly.

"I've proven myself time and time again and I will do it again in February."

The 31-year-old added in a statement: 'There's no more ducking and diving. The date has been set, and the 'Bomb Squad' is about to be securely detonated and the real champion crowned as the world watches on for the most anticipated fight in years.

'This is unfinished business for me, but come February 22, this dosser will finally get what's coming to him, and I can't wait!'

'I promise my fans that there won't be any controversy with this one. I'm going to finish it,' Wilder said. 'There will be no more unanswered questions. I will finish what I started and, this time, Tyson Fury will not be getting up off that canvas so quickly. I've proven myself time and time again and I will do it again.' 

President Buhari has appealed to Christians in Nigeria not to allow execution by the Islamic State West Africa Province, turn them against Muslims. 

The president said this in reaction to a fresh video released by the terrorist group, showing the killing of some Christians in captivity. ISWAP said the government had failed to successfully negotiate their release, which led to their execution.

President Buhari in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said he was saddened and shocked by the death of innocent hostages in the hands of ''remorseless, godless, callous gangs of mass murderers that have given Islam a bad name through their atrocities.'

He said,

“We should, under no circumstance, let the terrorists divide us by turning Christians against Muslims because these barbaric killers don't represent Islam and millions of other law-abiding Muslims around the world. 

“As a President, the collective security of all Nigerians is my major preoccupation and the death of an innocent Christian or Muslim distresses me. 

“No true Muslim would be shouting 'Allahu Akbar’ while killing innocent people, an evil frequently condemned by the Holy Qur'an. These agents of darkness are enemies of our common humanity and they don't spare any victim, whether they are Muslims or Christians, and therefore, we shouldn't let them divide us and turn us against one another."

Speaking further, Buhari called on all Nigerians to be united against terrorists and avoid unhelpful conspiracy theories that serve the interest of Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP.

The Federal Government has ordered the release of former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki and publisher/convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore.

Abubakar Malami, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), disclosed this in a statement released today Tuesday December 24th. He said the decision to release them was in compliance with the bail granted the two by the court.

The statement reads

“The office of the honourable Attorney General of the Federation has reviewed the pending criminal charges against the duo of Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.) and Omoyele Sowore.

Whilst the Federal High Court has exercised its discretion in granting bail to the Defendants in respect of the charges against them, I am also not unmindful of the right of the Complainant/Prosecution to appeal or further challenge the grant of bail by the court having regards to extant legal provisions, particularly Section 169 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015

However, my office has chosen to comply with the court orders while considering the pursuit of its rights of appeal and/or review of the order relating to the bail as granted or varied by the courts.

“n line with the provisions of Sections 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in compliance with the bail granted to Col. Sambo Dasuki (Rtd) (as recently varied by the Court of Appeal) and the bail granted to Omoyele Sowore, I have directed the State Security Services to comply with the order granting bail to the Defendants and effect their release.

The two defendants are enjoined to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land.

I wish to reiterate again the utmost regard of my office for the entire judicial structure of Nigeria.

This administration remains unrelenting in deepening the rule of law and the administration of justice in general.”

Dasuki who was the National Security Adviser under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, was arraigned in court by the Buhari government for allegedly masterminding the $2 billions arms deal. He has been in dention even after the courts have granted him bail.

Sowore was arrested in August this year and arraigned in court for  treason, money laundering and cyberstalking President Buhari. On September 24th, he was granted bail by the Federal High Court Abuja, on the condition that he surrender his international passport within forty-eight hours. He was released on December 5th after meeting his bail conditions but rearrested inside a Federal High court on December 6th.

The US, UK, EU governments have at various times, condemned the prolonged detention of both men despite the courts granting them bail.

Shina Peller, a member of the House of Representative and owner of popular club, Quilox, has been arrested and detained by the police in Lagos.

Peller, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, was arrested while allegedly trying to bail some clubbers from the police station this morning December 23rd.

A statement released by Kola Popoola, his Press Secretary, reads in part

“Peller was at Moroko Police Station to bail some of Club Quilox’s customers who had allegedly parked on the road during a show at the club. Prior to the kickoff of the 36 hours non-stop show which usually holds every year at Quilox, Peller had informed the concerned Lagos traffic authorities to avoid unnecessary traffic gridlock.

On getting to Moroko Police Station, the police started harassing Peller and even went as far as seizing all his phones for no reason.

“The continuous harassment and unjust detaining of a member of House of Representatives,Peller, by the police calls for urgent attention of the media, and the Commissioner of Police.”

The final three contenders for 2019 African Player of the Year have been announced.

Liverpool superstars, Sadio Mane (Senegal) , Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Manchester City and Algeria attacker, Riyad Mahrez made the final three contenders for the award.

The winner will be decided by votes from head coaches/technical directors and captains of the senior national teams. The winner will be announced at the CAF Awards in Egypt on January 7.

Mohamed Salah has won the African Player of the Year accolade for the past two years, but Sadio Mane is favourite to win the 2019 African Player of the Year.

The adoption of electronic transactions for customers has earned Zenith Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank of Africa (UBA), and other seven banks N135.15 billion earnings between January and September 2019.

A look into the unaudited 2019 third-quarter reports of the banks, showed that their revenue from electronic transactions grew by 57% as against the N86.312 billion they earned from the first 10 months of 2018.

How the revenue was generated: The banks were able to secure the earnings from the fees and commission that they charged their customers when they carried out transactions through the Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), USSD, Internet banking, Point of Sale payments, electronic bills payment and agency banking.

The banks: The DMBs, which contributed to the total earnings, include – Zenith Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Sterling Bank Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Limited. Others are Jaiz Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc.

Zenith Bank reaffirms market dominance and leadership with Q3 2019 results, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc

Breakdown of the figures: Zenith Bank earned the highest income on its electronic platforms from January to September this year, reporting N35.32 billion revenue, a 100% revenue boost from N17.66 billion in the corresponding period of 2018.

First Bank ranked second in the value of earnings from electronic payments, reporting N34.42 billion revenue, a 46% increase from the N23.59 billion generated during the same period in 2018.

With N26.71 billion revenue, United Bank for Africa recorded a 44% increase in its electronic banking income in the nine months under review in 2019 as against N19.95 billion earned in the same period in 2018.

Earnings from electronic transactions by GTBank rose by 63% from N6.77 billion from January to September 2018 to N11.04 billion in the same period in 2019.

Access Bank, Scam Alert: Access Bank issues warning to customers over fraudulent acts , Director, West Africa region, IE, Onyekachi Eke, Access Bank lists N30 billion bonds on NSE , Access Bank, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc, A new BVN guideline to curb e-fraud is coming soon - CBN announces

Access Bank’s electronic business income in the first nine months of this year amounted to N8.85 billion, an increase of 58% over the N5.79 billion revenue earned in the corresponding months in 2018.

FCMB’s earnings from electronic transactions also improved by 45% to N7.98 billion in January to September 2019 as against N6.013 billion in the corresponding period in 2018.

Sterling Bank recorded N5.11 billion income from electronic payments in the first nine months of the year and N3.44 billion electronic payment earnings in the corresponding period of 2018, recording 48% earnings growth.

With a total of N2.63 billion reported for January to September 2019, Fidelity Bank’s digital payment earnings grew by 92% from N1.37 billion in the first nine months of 2018.

Mr Segun Agbaje, CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc

Wema Bank earned N2.79 billion from its digital payment platform in the nine months under review, growing by 45% as against the N1.93 billion revenue in the same period in 2018.

Fees and commissions on digital payments earned by Jaiz Bank amounted to N307.55 million as against the N34.68 million it earned in the first nine months of 2018, recording 786.88% growth.

Following long hours of debate amongst US Lawmakers, Donald Trump has been impeached as the President of the United States after majority of the House voted on the articles of impeachment Wednesday night.

In a historic move, the House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against President Trump amd lawmakers voted primarily along party lines to impeach Trump, a move that will further divide and polarize the already much polarized nation. There were 230 votes in favour of Impeachment from Democrats while there were 197 nays by Republicans against Impeachment.

One member, Democratic Rep. And presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard,  refused to vote yay or nay but voted present.

While the impeachment voting was going on, Trump was holding a fiery rally with tens of thousands of his supporters in Michigan.

Trump is accused by Democrats of abuse of power and obstruction of congress, after he allegedly withdrew aid to Ukraine unless Ukraine's government launched an investigation into his domestic rival, Joe Biden.

Trump is now officially the third sitting US President to be impeached and he will now face the Senate, controlled by his party, in a trial.

Sad day for Republicans, good day for Democrats.

The Recording Academy has announced American rapper and businessman, Sean “Diddy” Combs as the 2020 Grammy Salute To Industry Icons honoree in recognition of his 25-year career and “continuous influence on the music industry and beyond.” 

The acclaimed music producer who just celebrated his 50th birthday will get to celebrate his decades-long career at The Recording Academy’s Pre-Grammy Gala on January 25, a day before the annual awards ceremony. 

According to a statement by Clive Davis, co-host of the Pre-GRAMMY Gala, said Combs “fully deserves this wonderful recognition.  “It’s personally so gratifying that Sean “Puffy” Combs is this year’s icon,” he said.

“From his past innovative and creative contributions right from the very inception of the hip hop revolution, to his many memorable appearances at the Pre-Grammy Gala as both speaker and performer, it’s all come full circle. I couldn’t be happier for Sean as a dear friend and colleague” he said.

The budget was sent to the President for his assent last week. This means Nigeria will operate a one-year budget circle – from January to December 2020 – for the first time in 11-years.

Announcing the signing of the 2020 budget, President Buhari on his Twitter account stated that, “It is my pleasant duty, today, on my 77th birthday, to sign the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law. I’m pleased that the National Assembly has expeditiously passed this Bill. Our Federal Budget is now restored to a January-December implementation cycle.”

It is my pleasant duty, today, on my 77th birthday, to sign the 2020 Appropriation Bill into law. I’m pleased that the National Assembly has expeditiously passed this Bill. Our Federal Budget is now restored to a January-December implementation cycle.

There had been reports that President Buhari would sign the Budget today, two months after he presented the bill before a joint session of the National Assembly. The 2020 budget was increased from N10.33 trillion as proposed by the executive to N10.6 trillion by the National Assembly.

The last time the Senate passed a budget before January was in 2008. But in recent years, the Senate has gradually reduced the time frame for consideration and passage of the budget. The passage of the 2017 and 2018 budget took six months each, while the 2019 budget was passed five months after President Buhari presented the appropriation bill in December 2018.

Burna Boy's album, African Giant is the most streamed album in Africa in 2019, according to Billboard Africa.

African Giant also ranks number 11 worldwide.

Billboard Africa tweeted: "Burna Boy #AfricanGiant album is the most streamed album in Africa 2019, it currently has 61.7M+ streams on Audiomack and ranks No.11 worldwide."

Pep Guardiola's Man City face Zidane's Real Madrid in the pick of the last-16 ties

Manchester City have drawn Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, while Chelsea will face Bayern Munich in a repeat of the 2012 final.

Defending champions Liverpool have been drawn to face Atletico Madrid, while Tottenham will face RB Leipzig in the first knockout round.

Pep Guardiola will return to Spain for City's first leg against Real Madrid, with the Premier League side having home advantage in the second leg.

City and Real met in the semi-finals of the 2015/16 competition, with Madrid winning 1-0 on aggregate on their way to the title.

Liverpool return to the Wanda Metripolitano, where they won last season's final, to face Atletico

Liverpool also have the advantage of having their second leg against Atletico at Anfield, with the first tie being played at the Wanda Metropolitano, where Jurgen Klopp's side beat Tottenham to win last season's final in June.

Both Chelsea and Tottenham will be away from home in their second legs.

Chelsea's only Champions League title came against Bayern when they prevailed 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Allianz Arena in 2012.

Five-time winners Barcelona take on Napoli, Borussia Dortmund will play Paris Saint-Germain and Serie A champions Juventus face Lyon.

Italian club Atalanta, who qualified for the competition for the first time, will take on former finalists Valencia.

Last-16 draw in full

Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain (first leg Feb 18, second leg March 11)

Real Madrid vs Manchester City (first leg Feb 26, second leg March 17)

Atalanta vs Valencia (first leg Feb 19, second leg March 10)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool (first leg Feb 18, second leg March 11)

Chelsea vs Bayern Munich (first leg Feb 25, second leg March 18)

Tottenham vs RB Leipzig (first leg Feb 19, second leg March 10)

Napoli vs Barcelona (first leg Feb 25, second leg March 18)

Manchester United, Europa League winners in 2017, have been drawn to face Belgian side Club Bruges in the last 32 of this season's competition.

Arsenal will play Greek club Olympiakos while Wolverhampton Wanderers will face La Liga side Espanyol.

Celtic play Copenhagen while fellow Scottish Premiership side Rangers come up against Portuguese club Braga.

The first legs will take place on Thursday, 20 February with the return matches a week later on 27 February.

This season's final takes place on 27 May in Gdansk, Poland, which hosted four games at Euro 2012.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's inconsistent side are four points outside the Premier League top four and face a Bruges side that are top of their league having lost just once this season and conceded only seven goals in 18 games.

Arsenal may have a new permanent manager in place by the time they come up against Olympiakos, who dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third behind Bayern Munich and Tottenham.

Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolves host Espanyol at Molineux in the first leg before he takes his side to face the struggling Spanish side, who are bottom of their domestic league.

Last-32 Europa League draw in full:

Wolves v Espanyol

Sporting Lisbon v Istanbul Basaksehir

Getafe v Ajax

Bayer Leverkusen v Porto

Copenhagen v Celtic

APOEL v Basel

Cluj v Sevilla

Olympiakos v Arsenal

AZ Alkmaar v LASK

Club Bruges v Manchester United

Ludogorets Razgrad v Inter Milan

Eintracht Frankfurt v Red Bull Salzburg

Shakhtar Donetsk v Benfica

Wolfsburg v Malmo

Roma v Ghent

Rangers v Braga

Europa League calendar

20 February: Last-32 first legs

27 February: Last-32 second legs

28 February: Last-16 draw

12 March: Last-16 first legs

19 March: Last-16 second legs

20 March: Quarter-finals and semi-finals draw

9 April: Quarter-finals first legs

16 April: Quarter-finals second legs

30 April: Semi-finals first legs

7 May: Semi-finals second legs

27 May: Final

Kourtney Kardashian is insisting that she wants to leave the family's reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

In season 17 of KUWTK, the siblings are seen getting into a lot of disagreements as Kourtney struggled with boundaries, while Kim and Khloe complained they had to "pick up the slack" when Kourtney didn’t want to film.

Things eventually blew up and their mum, Kris Jenner was forced to suggest they all go to Wyoming to bond.

While in Wyoming, as Khloe did the ropes course as part of their outdoor activities as a family, Kourtney picked up a megaphone and started booing her. Khloe then called her a "bully" and a "bit**".

In response, Kourtney said: "I feel like I’ve been bullied for the last two years by Kim and Khloé, if I don’t do something that fits their mold of how they want me to be. I just think no matter what, my sisters, they’re always looking for a reason to give me shi*."

Back at the lodge, Kourtney threatened to head home, but Kendall convinced her to stay so they could all work things out.

At dinner, the conversation returned to the future of KUWTK and Kourtney reiterated that they all need to respect each other's boundaries. She also mentioned that she's feeling unsure about continuing to be on the show.

Kim responded: "If everyone acted like you did, filming-wise, then we’d absolutely have no show."

Kourtney responded: "I have three kids that are my priority more than the show. What I’m saying is I’m getting to the point where I’m not happy. Everyone has their breaking point. Life is short. It’s not all about filming this show. It’s not okay that I feel like I’m at my breaking point. I need a break and I don’t want to film anymore."

A Tinubu Chief Magistrate Court in Lagos has ordered the police to arrest and bring for immediate arraignment musician, Afeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, over an alleged car theft.

According to a report by NAN, Naira Marley alongside two of his brothers and one of his cousins, Idris Fashola, 18, Babatunde Fashola, 24; and Kunle Obere, 22, were dragged before the court by the police on four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, assault and obstructing the arrest of Naira Marley.

NAN reports that the prosecutor, ASP Edet Okoi, told the court that the three defendants committed the offences on December 16th at Eko Hotel Roundabout on Victoria Island, Lagos. Okoi said the trio who were in a motorcade with Naira Marley, allegedly stole a Toyota Camry vehicle with Registration No. FEE 120 AA valued at N1.8 million and an IPhone X5 worth N330,000 belonging to one Mr Adelekan Ademola. He added that the three defendants and others at large assaulted the complainant by beating him up.

Okoi alleged that the second defendant, Babatunde Fashola and others at large obstructed the police while performing their lawful duty and prevented them from arresting Naira Marley.

“One of the vehicles in the musician’s motorcade hit the complainant’s vehicle from the back while he was throwing out money from his vehicle to his fans. When the complainant came down from the vehicle to inspect the damage, Obere entered into the complainant’s Camry and drove it off with the motorcade. Ademola reported to the police and the vehicle was tracked to where it was parked at Jakande Crescent, Oniru in Lagos.

“When the police arrived at the location in company with the complainant, Naira Marley and his boys started beating the complainant. A group of boys obstructed the police from arresting the musician but they were able to apprehend the three defendants,” Okoi told the court

He said that the offences contravened Sections 112, 172, 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The  Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Sgt. Sunday Idoko, handling the case to present Naira Marley before the court on December 21st when the case would be listed for further hearing.

The two brothers of Naira Marley and his cousin appeared in court and were granted N500,000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Angela Okorie has shared new photos showing her battered face following a vicious attack over the weekend. While sharing the photos, Angela appealed to her fans to please pray for her as she expressed gratitude to God for sparing her life. Accoridng to her, over 30 bullets were fired at her car by the alleged assassins who wanted her dead.

Read what she wrote on her page this evening below

My God is Alive

The world Needs to Know

The God I am serving is a living God

This can only be God

My Thanksgiving can't be small

We all need to come together

And give God all the Glory

Keep praying For Me

He has done what No man Can Do

The world will celebrate Jesus

All over the World

My mouth is full with praise

Bitrus Bwala, a lecturer at the College of Education in Gashua, Yobe state disclosed that Leah Sharibu is alive as he spoke from captivity in a newly released video.

The lecturer who spoke in video shared by Ahmad Salkida (a journalist known to have access to Boko Haram) begged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Christian Organisation of Nigeria (CAN) to help him and the other captives regain their freedom.

Bwala also confirmed the death of four out of five abducted aid workers of Action Against Hunger (AAH) who were recently killed by the insurgents.

He said;

“I am a principal lecturer with College of Education, Gashua, Yobe state. I was on my way to my station on the 27th of November 2019 that I was abducted.

“I appeal to the federal government to come to our aid. As you can see behind me are fellow Christians who were arrested on various points. I equally appeal to Christian association to do whatever is within their reach in order to rescue us because when we came, we saw some workers here, particularly workers with food organisation, however, shortly, they were executed.

“We also saw that the government has not done enough that is why Leah Sharibu is still with this group. We, therefore, appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a Kano based lawyer Bulama Bukarti asking the court to mandate the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the state governor, Abdullahii Umar Ganduje, for allegedly receiving kickback from a contractor.

Recall that in October 2018, videos purportedly showing the governor receiving bundles of dollar notes from a road contractor surfaced online. The governor has since denied the allegation, saying the videos were doctored.

Bulama had approached the court seeking for an order compelling the EFCC to provide report of its forensic investigation analysis of the said videos.

However, delivering judgement in the suit today, Justice Egwuatu dismissed the case on the grounds that the evidence brought before him did not show that the EFCC has the record of the forensic analysis of the bribery video allegations.

The stocks of Zenith Bank Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Nestle Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, and Seplat Plc have made the list of shares of fortune, a report from ARM Securities disclosed.

Though the tides in the Nigerian equities turned as the All-share index lost its four-week rally when it dropped to 26,855.52 points, with market capitalization shedding N70.8 billion, the stockbroking firm is optimistic that the stocks would give their investors expected returns on investment (ROI).

Where they stand

The Zenith Bank Plc stock also made the ‘STRONG BUY’ list at N31.50. The stock’s performance shocked ARM’s experts so much that they had to adjust their projections for FY 2019, following some surprises observed in the bank’s second-quarter figures (Q2).

As stated in the report, “We revised net interest income lower due to compressed yields on its loans and treasury asset (H1’18 -10.6% against H1’19 – 9.1%) amidst contraction in funding cost. We adjusted NIR higher due to upward review of electronic fee income and trading book. We now forecast profit before tax (PBT) of N218 billion, while we cut our Fair Value Estimate (FVE) to N31.57/share from N33.71/share.” 

Zenith Bank reaffirms market dominance and leadership with Q3 2019 results, Zenith Bank Plc, Access Bank Plc and United Bank for Africa Plc

Dangote Cement Plc (DANGCEM) is a leading cement manufacturer in Nigeria and it made ARM’s ‘STRONG BUY’ list. The firm’s earning per share (EPS) is expected to drop to N14 from the N22 billion that was recorded in 2018. This is due to lower volumes in Nigerian business (caused by increased competition from BUA Cement) and some of its Pan African business, as well as the high base of tax credits the company recorded last year.

Nonetheless, experts in ARM argued that DANGCEM, which currently trades at FY 19E P/E of 11x on its estimates, is cheap compared to its competitors, WAPCO and CCNN at 17.7x and 16.8x, respectively. The stockbroking firm also believes that the cement manufacturer’s current valuation is unjustified given the superior return on equity (ROE) of 24%.

Nestle Plc is another stock that made the ‘STRONG BUY’ list as its FVE was pegged at N1447.39. According to ARM, the conglomerate managed to stay afloat, reporting modest growth in earnings amidst incessant competition. As at the end of last September, it’s Earning Per Share (EPS) expanded by 11.2% year-on-year (YoY) to N46.48. The growth of the EPS was driven largely by the absence of impairment charges, which created a high base for input costs over the same period in 2018. Asides the improved earnings, “its strong cash balance, ROE and 100% dividend payout further supports the case for a STRONG BUY rating.” 

Nigerian Breweries Plc’s stock FVE was pegged at N75.82. Defeating obstacles like intense competition from International Breweries (IB) and graduated excise duty (+17% YoY) that kicked off on January 19, NB’s revenue growth is expected to be slow as ARM expects higher finance cost (+38% YoY) to be another pressure point to earnings in 2019.

“Given our case for a slight improvement in volumes and decline in cost of sales (-1.1% YoY), which translates to gross (+120bps YoY) and Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) (+101bps YoY) margin expansion, the misery seems moderated. Overall, the net impact of all our adjustments translates to PBT of N29.9 billion and EPS of N2.58 (+6.3% YoY) over 2019.”

Despite the drop in Seplat Plc’s total production in third-quarter 19 (Q3) due to the decline witnessed in gas production that offset the improvement in the oil segment, experts are optimistic that the stock remains a ‘STRONG BUY’. They attribute their projection to the fact that the stock remains positive on growth in production going into the final quarter of the year (especially in oil) and into 2020, as Seplat increases capital expenditure.

As stated, “Cashflows remain healthy. Upsides reside in the ANOH Gas project and acquisition of Eland Oil & Gas Limited.”

Experts say… 

Stockbrokers, who spoke with our analyst in separate interviews, agreed with the ARM report as they believe that the stocks listed above are investors’ delight.

A stockbroker, Abimbola Olaniyi, gave a thumbs-up for Dangote Cement, which operates across 16 African nations and controls about 60% market share in Nigeria. According to him, the earning profile of over the last few quarters from Q1 2018 to 2019 revealed that its revenue grew by at least 12%.

“Though its revenue declined by 0.80% in Q1 2019 as the company recorded N240.16b revenue, its performance has been very commendable as revenue increased impressively in each of the quarters of 2018.”

Why Nestle Nigeria’s return remains strong - EFG Hermes

Experts in EFH Hermes Research also confirmed that despite the food inflation that has slightly accelerated over the past two months, which is affecting the purchasing power of Nigerians, Nestle remains a major stock to watch in the consumer segment of the Stock Exchange.

With the further competition that would impact margins and significantly increase capex, “Nestle’s returns are expected to remain strong and well above its Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), and Returns on Equity as it would continue generating value over the coming years.”  

The US House Judiciary Committee has just approved two articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump.

The articles, which include two charges- Obstruction of congress and Abuse of power, will now go to the House floor for a vote next week, a move thay could make Trump only the third president in US politics history to be impeached by the House of Reps.

All 23 Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted to approve the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump while all 17 Republicans on the committee voted against the articles, making this impeachment move as divisive and partisan as ever.

Trump's impeachment move is as a result of a July phone call with Ukraine's president Zelensky where he allegedly asked the Ukraine president to investigate his political rival Joe Biden while he held on to military aid meant for the East European nation.

Trump, the Republican party and the Ukrainian government have denied Trump pressured Zelensky but Democrats have continued with the impeachment push even though they know Trump will be cleared by the Senate.

Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Republican from Texas, called it a “a sad day for the country" after the House Judiciary committee voted to approve the articles of impeachment.

“I really hope and pray the Senate will not just pick it up and dismiss it. America needs to hear from the witnesses, and we didn’t get to hear from them here. This was a kangaroo court,” Gohmert said.

PSG striker, Neymar is taking his former club, Barcelona to court for £2.9m in unpaid wages from his previous four-year stay at the Spanish club.

The 27-year-old Brazilian footballer who signed for Barcelona in 2013 from Brazilian club Santos has accused Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu of acting with 'absolute bad faith' since he joined the Ligue 1 champions for a world-record £198m fee in 2017. 

According to Spanish outlet El Mundo, Neymar now believes he is owed £2.9m (€3.5m) in unpaid wages in addition to the £36.2m (€43.6m) he thinks he is owed via a renewal bonus. 

The report also details that Barcelona believe they are owed money from selling Neymar, ''due to the first part of a renewal bonus, alongside £7m (€8.5m) in damages and interest.''

In an interview with Cadena Ser, Neymar Santos Sr, who serves as an agent to his son, said that the action was part of the original suit and expressed optimism that everything would be settled amicably.

“It’s a demand about his termination when he left the club,” Neymar’s father said, adding that ''Neither Barcelona nor us are worried. We will solve this situation.”

With the current court battle, It's now unclear if Neymar will return to Barcelona despite rumors in the summer linking him with a return to the Nou Camp.

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has cancelled Christmas for his first-team stars, as they have all been banned from attending the club’s festive party.

According to Goal, Guardiola is keen to avoid another festive slump, like the one which threatened to derail their treble hopes last year. After last year’s celebrations, Manchester City were surprisingly beaten 3-2 at home to Crystal Palace and then lost to Leicester four days later.

They eventually recovered to successfully defend their Premier League title. And with City currently 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool, Guardiola has taken action to avoid a similar slump by banning players from this year’s bash.

Chris Brown, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber are reportedly the top three best-selling male singers in the US from 2000 to 2019.

Chris Brown tops the list of best-selling male singers in the US from 2000 to 2019, with sales of over 135 million units.

Bruno Mars is the second best-selling male artist in the United State of America. The third best-selling male singer is Justin Bieber.

Christ Brown shared an Instagram post showing the top best-selling male artists.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has released a copy of the letter he wrote to Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) excusing himself from the ceremony where he was to receive an “integrity award”. 

In the letter released by Laolu Akande, Osinbajo’s spokesman, the vice-president said it would be insensitive for him to attend the award ceremony in the light of the travails of Omoyele Sowore, convener of RevolutionNow movement.

Osinbajo released the letter on Monday, hours after the centre announced it was postponing the award of Osinbajo over Sowore’s treatment. It had said the postponement was “to align with protests against the repression of freedom of speech in recent times especially the incident between the Department of State Security (DSS) and Omoleye Sowore.” In the letter shared with TheCable, Osinbajo explained the reason he would be absent at the event. 

The letter reads:

”I am extremely grateful for the recognition and award of the “Integrity Specialty of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s Anti-corruption Defender Award of 2019” to me.

“The award, I note, is for our Justice reform efforts in Lagos State. I had accepted the award with pride on behalf of the excellent Justice Sector team we had. 

“However, two reasons explain my absence. First is that I am currently in Abu Dhabi for an international meeting under the auspices of the government of the UAE where I am the keynote speaker. 

“Second, in view of the development on Friday in the Sowore case, I think it would be insensitive and inappropriate to attend the ceremony. Please accept my heartfelt apologies and extend the same to the other members of the organizing team. God bless you.”

President Buhari has named Edward Adamu as the new chairman of the governing board of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Adamu is to take over from Muiz Banire who was appointed by the President in July 2018 and was confirmed by the Senate in October 2018.

President Buhari sent a letter to the Senate asking for Adamu's confirmation as new AMCON boss.

The nominations for the 2020 Golden Globes have been released.

Netflix's top movie Marriage Story earned six nominations, while The Irishman nabbed five, and The Two Popes has four.

In the television categories, HBO’s Chernobyl and Netflix’s The Crown and Unbelievable lead the television field with four nominations each.

The 77th Golden Globe Awards will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2020, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. English stand-up comedian and actor, Ricky Gervais will host the ceremony.

The full list of nominations is below.

Best Motion Picture — Drama

1917

The Irishman

Joker

Marriage Story

The Two Popes

Best Motion Picture — Comedy

Dolemite Is My Name

Jojo Rabbit

Knives Out

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Rocketman

Best Television Series — Drama

Big Little Lies

The Crown

Killing Eve

The Morning Show

Succession

Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy

Barry

Fleabag

The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

The Politician

Best Limited Series or TV Movie

Catch-22

Chernobyl

Fosse/Verdon

The Loudest Voice

Unbelievable

Best Motion Picture — Foreign

The Farewell

Les Miserables

Pain and Glory

Portrait of Lady on Fire

Parasite

Best Motion Picture — Animated

Frozen 2

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Lion King

Missing Link

Toy Story 4

Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Christopher Abbott, Catch-22

Sacha Baron Cohen, The Spy

Russell Crowe, The Loudest Voice

Jared Harris, Chernobyl

Sam Rockwell, Fosse/Verdon

Best Actress in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Michelle Williams, Fosse/Verdon

Helen Mirren, Catherine the Great

Merritt Wever, Unbelievable

Kaitlyn Dever, Unbelievable

Joey King, The Act

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Limited Series or TV Movie

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Andrew Scott, Fleabag

Stellan Skarsgård, Chernobyl

Henry Winkler, Barry

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Limited Series or TV Movie

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Emily Watson, Chernobyl

Patricia Arquette, The Act

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Bill Hader, Barry

Ben Platt, The Politician

Paul Rudd, Living With Yourself

Ramy Youssef, Ramy

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kirsten Dunst, On Becoming a God in Central Florida

Natasha Lyonne, Russian Doll

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Brian Cox, Succession

Kit Harington, Game of Thrones

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Tobias Menzies, The Crown

Billy Porter, Pose

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show

Olivia Colman, The Crown

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Nicole Kidman, Big Little Lies

Reese Witherspoon, The Morning Show

Best Original Score — Motion Picture

Motherless Brooklyn

Little Women

Joker

1917

Marriage Story

Best Original Song — Motion Picture

“Beautiful Ghosts,” Cats

“I’m Gonna Love Me Again,” Rocketman

“Into the Unknown,” Frozen 2

“Spirit,” The Lion King

“Stand Up,” Harriet

Best Screenplay — Motion Picture

Marriage Story

The Two Popes

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Parasite

The Irishman

Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture

Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes

Al Pacino, The Irishman

Joe Pesci, The Irishman

Brad Pitt, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actress — Motion Picture

Kathy Bates, Richard Jewell

Annette Bening, The Report

Laura Dern, Marriage Story

Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers

Margot Robbie, Bombshell

Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy

Daniel Craig, Knives Out

Roman Griffin Davis, Jojo Rabbit

Leonardo DiCaprio, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Taron Egerton, Rocketman

Eddie Murphy, Dolemite Is My Name

Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy

Ana De Armas, Knives Out

Awkwafina, The Farewell

Cate Blanchett, Where’d You Go Bernadette

Beanie Feldstein, Booksmart

Emma Thompson, Late Night

Best Actor in a Motion Picture — Drama

Christian Bale, Ford v Ferrari

Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory

Adam Driver, Marriage Story

Joaquin Phoenix, Joker

Jonathan Pryce, The Two Popes

Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Drama

Cynthia Erivo, Harriet

Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story

Saoirse Ronan, Little Women

Charlize Theron, Bombshell

Renee Zellweger, Judy

Best Director — Motion Picture

Martin Scorsese, The Irishman

Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Bong Joon Ho, Parasite

Sam Mendes, 1917

Todd Phillips, Joker