Lagos Generated $71.6m From Detty December Festivities — Sanwo-Olu’s Aide

Lagos State experienced a big boost in revenue during the festive season and generated $71. 6 from the end-of-year activities better known as “Detty December”.

Idris Aregbe, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, said this during the review of the ‘Lagos State Detty December 2024/2025 Report’.

“Lagos State once again proved why it is the tourism and entertainment capital of Africa with an extraordinary December 2024 season as it generated over $71. 6 million in revenue across tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors,” a statement on Monday by the Lagos Press Office read.

“During the season tagged ‘Detty December’, hotels alone accounted for over $44 million, while short-let apartments contributed over $13 million, underscoring Lagos’ immense economic potential as a destination city. ”

DETTY DECEMBER: LAGOS SETS HEIGHT FOR TOURISM, ENTERTAINMENT, ARTS – SANWO-OLU’S AIDE

•Generated over $71. 6m in revenue from events

Lagos State once again proved why it is the tourism and entertainment capital of Africa with an extraordinary December 2024 season as it generated over $71. 6 million in revenue across tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors.

During the season tagged ‘Detty December’, hotels alone accounted for over $44 million, while short-let apartments contributed over $13 million, underscoring Lagos’ immense economic potential as a destination city.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, spoke during the review of the ‘Lagos State Detty December 2024/2025 Report,’ with officials of Tantacom Experimental Projects and other stakeholders at the weekend.

Aregbe who also commended the report released recently by the MO Africa Consulting on the impressive millions of dollars revenues generated from the December, said tourism remains a vital driver of economic growth and cultural preservation for Lagos State, with the “Ember” season playing a key role.

It would be recalled that during the ‘Detty December,’ Lagos hosted a wide array of spectacular events that drew massive crowds and highlighted Nigeria’s rich heritage, among which were the Mrs. Universe Africa event, Greater Lagos Fiesta, music concerts, fashion shows, cultural exhibitions, culinary events, Spotify Wrapped Concert, Lungu Boy Block Party, Rhythm Unplugged, Entertainment Week Lagos, Joeboy, The La Vida Experience, African Fashion Week, and Fashion Souk.

The season also drew locals and members of the Nigerian diaspora, popularly known as IJGBs (I Just Got Back), as well as international tourists who were eager to experience the energy and diversity that make Lagos a global cultural destination.

Beyond the economic benefits, ‘December in Lagos’ has become a platform to celebrate Nigerian arts, culture, and music on a global stage. It fosters community spirit, strengthens ties with the diaspora, and reinforces Lagos as a destination of choice for cultural tourism.

Speaking on the success of the Detty December, Aregbe said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is shaping a Lagos that blends tradition with creativity, creating unforgettable experiences for all. He noted that various activities held during the Detty December not only enriched the cultural landscape but also had a profound economic impact.

He said the progress recorded by the Lagos State Government reflects the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the support of the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, noting that their dedication to fostering growth in tourism and culture laid the foundation for the achievements.

Aregbe said: “Tourism remains a vital driver of economic growth and cultural preservation for Lagos State, with the ‘Ember’ season playing a key role. This season represents a period of unity, vibrancy, and celebration, fuelled by the dynamic spirit of Lagosians.

“From enterprising artisans in local markets to creative entrepreneurs shaping the entertainment and tourism sectors, the resilience and ingenuity of Lagos people lie at the heart of its success. The participation of residents, alongside visitors from other states, has been fundamental in establishing Lagos as a cultural and tourism hub.

“As a government that listens and welcomes innovative ideas and collaborations, the insights from this season will be carefully studied, with key lessons factored into the 2025 Lagos Tourism is Rising campaign. As we reflect on these successes, we look forward to building on this momentum, creating more opportunities for Lagosians, and ensuring our city.

“As Lagos looks ahead to 2025 with the ‘Lagos Tourism is Rising’ campaign, the goal remains clear: to build on this momentum, celebrate our cultural richness, and solidify Lagos as a beacon of tourism, culture, and economic excellence.

Pauline Quirke’s quit Birds of a Feather for devastating reason before dementia diagnosis

Linda Robson once revealed the heartbreaking reason her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke left the show.

Pauline, 65, who was known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodous in the original series of the sitcom and its revival between 2014 and 2017, has been diagnosed with dementia. Her husband Steve Sheen announced she is set to “step away from all commercial and professional duties” to spend time with her family.

Steve said in the statement: “‘It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of Dementia in 2021. ” Loose Women star Linda, 65, explained last year that Pauline missed her family and never enjoyed performing in front of a live audience as she “doubted herself”.

Linda said: “When we finished work at night, Pauline couldn’t wait to get home [… ] and we all knew that she had never enjoyed the studio days where we had to perform in front of the live audience. For someone who is as brilliant as Pauline, it’s really sad how much she doubts her own ability and gets herself so nervous. ”

Birds of a Feather stars
Linda explained Pauline missed her family and never enjoyed performing in front of a live audience

Speaking to Mail+ , Linda even shared the exact way Pauline told her she didn’t want to do the Birds of a Feather Christmas special commissioned in 2020. “‘I don’t want to act any more’ she said,” Linda told the outlet, noting that Pauline continued: “‘It’s not Birds Of A Feather itself, it’s everything. I feel like I’m done with it. I feel bad for you two, but you can go on without me’. ”

After the news was announced, Linda said she knew that rumours would circulate that the pair had fallen out. In the same interview, Linda was quick to pour cold water on reports that she has a “feud” with Pauline, who she has had a friendship with for over 50 years.

Linda and Pauline in 2022
Linda and Pauline were last seen publicly together in 2022 (mirror. co. uk)

The ITV panellist has said that there has never been any fallout between the pair, who met when at a North London primary school. Linda described how they had been pals since primary school and used to play games together in the streets after school before joining a drama club as they headed into their teenage years.

They eventually hit the heights in the 1980s when Birds of a Feather became as popular as Only Fools and Horses, bringing in tens of millions of viewers with each episode. Linda was steadfast in saying that her friendship with Pauline would outlive any TV show as they had been there “for each other through thick and thin and for every single major life event”.

They were last seen publicly together in 2022, when they looked to bury any fallout rumours by meeting up with their Birds of a Feather co-star Lesley Joseph for a lunch in Central London.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Dementia UK.

Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Lastonia Leviston net worth: Inside the life and huge fortune of WAGS to Riches star – To be published Jan 21

New Netflix series WAGs to Riches features the partners of celebrities and their lives off camera.

The upcoming reality series will take a peek into their glamorous and drama-filled lives, as they balance the challenges of fame and relationships with their own personal ambition amid the often chaotic world of professional sports and music.

While dating men in the public eye might tie these women together, these W. A. G. s navigate their unique lives — from settling scores to handling side chicks — on their own terms.

The Netflix series consists of eight episodes and will be available on January 22.

One of the celebrities featured is Lastonia Leviston. Nicknamed “Stoni”, she is the mother of rapper Rick Ross’ first child. While their relationship has had its highs and lows over the years, Stoni feels she’s the most levelheaded of all his children’s mothers.

Leviston is an entrepreneur who owns her own businesses in Miami and is keen to expand her business empire. Outside of business, she successfully sued 50 Cent for publishing her sex tape.

But what else do we know about her life?

Relationship with Rick Ross and sex tape scandal

Lastonia Leviston sued Rapper 50 Cent for posting a sex tape of her on the internet (Gregory P Mango / Splash News)

Lastonia Leviston dated the rapper Rick Ross before his mainstream success in the mid 2000s. Together, they have a daughter named Toie, born in March 2002.

The pair never married and they split in 2003. The pair maintain a stable friendship since their split and spend time together with their daughter.

In the years after their split, Rick Ross was in a feud with rapper 50 Cent for several years and traded insults in public and across interviews.

In 2009, the Candy Club singer published a 13-minute long sex tape of Leviston on his website while he narrated and taunted his rival Rick Ross.

50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson III, said Leviston’s then-boyfriend gave him the tape in 2008.

The upload sparked a legal battle between 50 Cent and Leviston, who originally sought $15 million in damages.

A jury ordered the rapper to pay $5m (£3. 2m) in damages in 2015. During the trial, she was seen with her family in tears in the courtroom.

What is Lastonia Leviston’s net worth?

Lastonia Leviston in a dress
Lastonia Leviston previously dated the rapper Rick Ross and features in Netflix show W. A. G. s to Riches (Netflix)

According to media reports, Lastonia Leviston is expected to have a net worth of around $3 million.

She’s the founder and owner of Instatique, a lavish fashion boutique located in Miami — and she’s striving to grow a fashion empire down the road. She is also involved in Skin Fitness Therapy and likely earns approximately $70,000 a year from this alone.

Inside Lastonia Leviston’s family life

Lastonia Leviston with bags of shopping
Lastonia  Leviston features in new Netflix series  WAGs to Riches (Netflix)

Lastonia Leviston currently lives in Miami, Florida as she manages her business empire.

It is not publically known if Lastonia Leviston is in a relationship with anyone. Her social media keeps her personal life private.

She is a grandmother after Toie Roberts gave birth to her first child in 2022 and another child in 2023.

Inside Pauline Quirke’s rocky friendship with Linda Robson before dementia diagnosis

Linda Robson became swept up in rumours of a bitter falling out with her Birds of a Feather co-star and lifelong friend Pauline Quirke before her dementia diagnosis.

Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen has revealed the actress has been diagnosed with dementia and is set to “step away from all commercial and professional duties” to spend time with her family. In a statement, he shared: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my wife Pauline’s decision to step back from all professional and commercial duties due to her diagnosis of Dementia in 2021. “

Feud rumours between the co-stars were sparked when Pauline was nowhere to be seen in the Birds of a Feather special back in 2020. It left fans convinced that she and Linda had ended their friendship of fifty years. The two co-stars entertained viewers for decades as sisters Tracey and Sharon, who were left to fend for themselves after their husbands were arrested for armed robbery.

Yet for the 2020 Christmas special, Pauline did not make an appearance. Her lines in the title song were removed and so were pictures of Tracey and Sharon together. It was claimed Linda and Pauline had become estranged and in 2022, Linda decided to address the rumours.

Linda Robson and Pauline Quirke
The co-stars shut down rumours as they reunited for a ‘lovely lunch’ (mirror. co. uk)

She told The Mirror: “People say Pauline and I have fallen out. Obviously I couldn’t see her during lockdown but I’ve seen her since. She just doesn’t want to act anymore. She’s had enough – it’s long hours. She’s concentrating on her drama academies. She’s very hands on, going to classes and all that.

“I see Lesley [Joseph] all the time because we won Celebrity Coach Trip last year. And during the lockdowns I would leave funny things on her doorstep, like Tena Lady and hair dye! But when I was ill, both Pauline and Lesley rang me, or a member of my family, every couple of days to see how I was. They were both a big support and really there for me. “

Addressing the rumours at the time, Linda told The Sun: “Take no notice of what you’ve heard about me and Pauline falling out. It’s a load of old codswallop. Pauline just chose not to do Birds Of A Feather. She wants to concentrate on her acting academy, that’s that. ” She continued: “We’ve known each other since we were 10. We’re friends. Will Pauline return to the show? I don’t know. I just know that the Christmas special went down really well. ITV were really, really pleased. “

In 2023, Linda admitted that she had for a time felt ‘envious’ of Pauline after she began picking up more serious acting parts. Opening up during an episode of Loose Women, Linda confessed: “So I’ve never really been jealous of Pauline Quirke but I used to be envious of all the roles she got like dramas and everything.

“I used to think, ‘Lovely, I’m really pleased for you but I would love to do some drama role as well’. But now I am doing drama roles, so I don’t have to be envious anymore do I! But no jealousy can be a terrible thing really. I was delighted she was so successful but I just wanted a little bit of it as well and I wished I had got that. “

Linda, Pauline, and Lesley attempted to dispel any row rumours once and for all by meeting up for lunch in 2022- making sure there were photos taken of the occasion. Linda said: “We had our photo taken together and I got my daughter Roberta to upload it to my Instagram, captioning it: ‘A lovely lunch with my beautiful friends. ’ It was our way of saying, ‘There you go, that’ll shut you up! ’”

Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Jeremy Clarkson drops massive hint for Clarkson’s Farm season 4 months before official release

The new season of the popular Prime Video documentary Clarkson’s Farm is not due to be released until May this year, but Jeremy Clarkson has let slip what viewers could expect form season four.

The former Top Gear host is best-known for driving and reviewing cars on TV with co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond but his passion for cars has taken a back seat as he ploughs his enrgy into his love for farming.

Since buying a farm near Chipping Norton back in 2008, now known as Diddly Squat Farm, the 64-year-old has become a figurehead for farming in the UK. He went on to release Clarkson’s Farm, a documentary showing day-to-day life on the farm.

Since its 2021 debut on Prime Video, ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ has quickly become a fan favourite, with audiences applauding the series for shedding light on the highs and lows of farming life in the UK.

READ MORE: Foster mum crushed boy, 10, to death sitting on him after he threatened to call police to report child abuse

Jeremy’s Diddly Squat Farm Shop has been a huge hit with the public

Season three, which aired in May 2024, was described as “the funniest, most heartbreaking season yet” and followed the adventures at Diddly Squat Farm as the team dived into mushroom cultivation and coped with the emotional loss of a cherished pig.

And there has been a lot of talk around what season four might entail as fans eagerly await its release in May 2025.

Jeremy himself has now given a major hint over what could feature with a post on social media site X. On Thursday, January 16 he said: “Farmers. Contrary to reports, I did NOT buy a Deutz Fahr tractor at LAMMA. I came away with a better idea. ”

In response, one X user replied: “Isn’t it time you started testing and reviewing tractors as well as cars…. Good idea? ” To which Mr Clarkson responded: “See season 4. ”

Last year was a big year for Jeremy, full of both highs and lows, from buying, re-branding and re-opening The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall in August to suffering a health scare in October.

It is likely that the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm will feature the challenges Jeremy has navigated at the Oxfordshire pub, from pint glass thefts to bathroom and kitchen hurdles. It could also touch upon his health scare which left him needing to undergo a procedure on his heart. A stent was fitted in a two-hour surgery, and he admitted the ordeal left him thinking “that was close”, prompting him to take a look at his diet and lifestyle.

Jeremy announced season four will be aired in May 2025 but no specific date has been confirmed.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

Today’s horoscope for January 21 as Pisces is mindful of their words

It’s Tuesday, and one star sign should reconsider a decision recently made, while another will be committed to achieving a goal.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, horoscopes/leo/daily/”>Leo, horoscopes/virgo/daily/”>Virgo, horoscopes/libra/daily/”>Libra, horoscopes/scorpio/daily/”>Scorpio, horoscopes/sagittarius/daily/”>Sagittarius, horoscopes/capricorn/daily/”>Capricorn, horoscopes/aquarius/daily/”>Aquarius, and horoscopes/pisces/daily/”>Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From horoscopes/aries/daily/”>Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

A difficult assignment requires cooperation from everyone involved. A joint effort is what’s needed to get through a complex situation. The idea of continuing alone simply isn’t realistic. Besides, there’ll be more satisfaction from working alongside people you get on well with and trust.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

Heed the advice of an older friend or relative. This will increase your chances of success. Swallow that impatient urge that has you in its grip. Patience will be necessary when dealing with travel and transport plans. Some minor hiccups will have you questioning whether it would have been better to have postponed your plans.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

You will be committed to achieving any goal you choose to pursue. Accepting the opportunity to go on a workshop or training course will lead to more fulfilling opportunities. While others may be content with their past achievements, you are busy crafting innovative plans for the future and eager to act on these ideas immediately.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

Don’t allow convenience to dictate your choices. When a past issue resurfaces, someone will ask for a reconciliation. You may have enjoyed happy times together but you split up for a reason. Before responding, take some time to think about the type of relationships you really want to invite into your life.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

Demonstrating your emotions doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s the small acts that truly express your feelings. If you want to let someone know how much you care, think about cooking their favourite dish or putting together a beautiful bouquet of their favourite flowers.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Listen to someone who is encouraging you to reconsider a decision recently made. After reflecting on their viewpoint, you might agree that your first choice wasn’t the most suitable. Remain flexible with your plans in case of unforeseen circumstances. Enrolling in an online training course will boost your mood.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

You can easily fill your time with creative pastimes and feel contented. Your ambition to achieve a personal milestone is influenced by some good fortune. Even if you don’t notice any immediate difference, you will see the fruits of your labour by the end of the month.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

The same old patterns in your relationship with someone close just can’t continue as they are or have been. Rather than waiting for a friend or partner to meet your expectations, understand that the only person you can truly influence is yourself. All else is beyond your control.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

You are feeling unsettled when what you once believed was true doesn’t now fit in with your current lifestyle or daily needs. Don’t hesitate to explore these feelings further. This is all a part of getting ready for an important transformation.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Increasing expenses have been taking a toll on your finances. Don’t worry, there’s no need to panic just yet. Now that you’ve pinpointed the issue, you can start trimming down your expenditures. It is always frustrating to see how quickly money disappears but you can, to some degree, take back control.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

Although confusion created by someone in the workplace will frustrate you, the mistakes they are making will reveal some significant concerns. Since this will affect your finances or your job, it’s important to stay alert. Previous oversights may come to light.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

Be mindful of your words, especially in moments when you feel tempted to speak your mind. Consider the value of your relationships. If they truly mean something to you, taking the time to communicate thoughtfully can go a long way in preserving harmony.