1 injured as container crushes bus in Oshodi (Punch)
A 20-ft container crushed a commercial bus in the Oshodi area of Lagos State on Wednesday afternoon, injuring a commercial bus driver.
PUNCH Metro reports that this is the latest container-related accident experienced in the state in the space of three days.
A witness told our correspondent that Wednesday’s accident at Oshodi was caused by a brake failure.
While the passengers in the bus were said to have escaped without an injury, the same could not be said of the bus driver whose degree of injury could not be ascertained as of press time. Read more
Lagos 2023: LP’s Gbadebo leads Sanwo-Olu, Jandor in new survey (Tribune)
Labour Party (LP) Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has just caused a major upset by defeating 15 others vying for the office of Lagos Number One citizen in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, in an independent poll conducted on Tuesday.
Gbadebo polled a total of 7,776 votes to defeat the incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Adediran Azeez Olajide, popularly called Jandor.
While Sanwo-Olu garnered 4,711 as runner-up, Jandor had 3,250 to come a distant third in the poll.
The poll, according to the organisers, was launched on December 6, with the sole aim of ensuring excellence in the promotion of credible elections, participatory democracy, human rights, and strengthening of governance institutions for the consolidation of democracy practice around the world, adding that Nigeria is of great interest to them because of its position as the most populous black nation in the world as well as Africa’s second-largest economy. Read more
Obi commiserates with Jigawa over demise of Emir Sanusi ll (Guardian)
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi has sent his message of condolence to the Government and people of Jigawa over the death of the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Mohammed Nuhu Sanusi ll.
Obi in a statement said, “It is with deep shock, but with submission to the will of Almighty Allah, that the Labour Party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation received the very sad news, of the passing, on the 31st January 2023, of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Nuhu Sanusi ll, the 3rd Emir of Dutse, at the age of 79, in Abuja.
“Just a day earlier, my running mate, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed and I together with our entourage, were received with so much warmth and pageantry, at the Palace, in Dutse, as part of our Presidential Campaign itinerary. Read more
MURIC To Sanwo-Olu: Stop incessant falling of tankers, containers on Lagos roads (Independent)
The Lagos State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has bemoaned the death of seven innocent passengers who fell victims of a 20ft container which fell on a commercial minibus at Ojuelegba, Lagos on Sunday, 29th January, 2023.
The group urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to formulate a sustainable and enforceable policy that will regulate the operation and movement of tankers and heavy- duty lorries on major roads.
The statement was signed by the chairman of Lagos Chapter of MURIC, Dr. Busari Muhammad Jamiu. Read more
Lagos Assembly flays naira redesign, hails National Assembly (Guardian)
The naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has brought suffering on the citizens while endangering the economy, the Lagos State House of Assembly has lamented.
The lawmakers noted that the wrong timing of the good policy has thrown the country further into economic chaos, which could become difficult to resolve if urgent steps are not taken.
CBN, on Sunday, announced a 10-day extension of the deadline for naira swap. Read more
Guber Poll: Amosun shuns Abiodun, campaigns for ADC in Ogun (DailyTrust)
A serving Senator of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has appeared at the governorship rally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In October, 2022, Amosun, had declared his support for the ADC governorship candidate, Biyi Otegbeye, in next year’s election, shunning the incumbent governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun of APC, who is seeking a second term.
Amosun, however, said he is strongly backing the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge as the next president. Read more
Petrol will be available in 2 weeks – IPMAN (Punch)
The Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria has disclosed that the Premium Motor Spirit, known better as petrol, will be available and affordable soon.
The IPMAN National Operations Controller, Mike Osatuyi, also said that marketers are putting measures in place to end the perennial fuel scarcity across the country.
Osatuyi, who gave the assurance during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show on Wednesday, said there would be the availability of fuel in two weeks’ time. Read more
2023: Enugu Doctors, National Disability Group support Mbah’s election (ThisDay)
A group of medical doctors operating in Enugu State have thrown their weight behind the election of the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah.
The decision to support Mbah was arrived at after a careful study of his manifesto by the doctors.
This was even as the leadership of the National Disability Support Forum for Good Governance (NDSFGG) pledged to support the governorship aspiration of Mbah in the March 11, 2023, election. Read more
The Weeknd, Avril Lavigne, Tate McRae lead 2023 Juno Award nominations (Variety)
The 52nd annual Juno Awards, Canada’s answer to the Grammys, will take place on March 13 in Edmonton, Alberta. Leading the contenders is the Weeknd with six nominations, including the TikTok Juno Fan Choice prize, the only category voted on by the public. He is also up for single, album, artist, songwriter and pop album.
Pop vet Avril Lavigne and Albertan Tate McRae are right behind him with five apiece, Lavigne earning nods for TikTok Juno Fan Choice, single, album, artist and pop album, while McRae is also up for the TikTok honor, single, album and pop album, as well as Songwriter.
The Juno awards take place over two days. The first features a private industry event, streamed live but not televised, and doles out the majority of awards, leaving the broadcast packed with live performances and a fraction of awards. The televised show will air live on all CBC platforms (TV, radio, online), including CBC Music for global viewers. The ceremony was switched from its usual Sunday night to avoid losing viewers to the Oscars. Read more
Rebel conflict in Senegal’s Casamance region far from over (DW)
Four decades of fighting between separatist rebels from the MFDC (Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance) and the Senegalese government has left 60,000 displaced people and nearly 5,000 victims — including hundreds of deaths due to land mines.
Charles Ndeeky lost a leg after a land mine exploded in an area of Casamence which had been deemed “safe.”
“I had just returned to the village after some years spent abroad because of the war,” said Ndeeky. “At that time, authorities told us that the area was safe. But they were wrong. The MFDC and the military have left mines everywhere.” Read more
Couple leave baby behind at airport after being told they had to pay extra for him to fly (Tyla)
Two parents tried to leave their baby at an airport in Israel after being told they’d need to pay extra to take the child with them on the plane.
I know babies aren’t always the best travel companions, but come on. That’s what dummies, toys and cartoons are for – they’re not a plastic water bottle you can leave behind before security.
And yet, that’s exactly what these particular parents are accused of doing at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport, where they sought to board a Ryanair flight from Tel Aviv to Brussels, Belgium. Read more
Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott among 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominees (Today)
Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, Cyndi Lauper, George Michael and Sheryl Crow headline the field of 14 nominees for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which were announced Feb. 1.
Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, The Spinners, A Tribe Called Quest, The White Stripes and Warren Zevon round out the list.
Crow, Elliott, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, The White Stripes and Zevon appear on the ballot for the first time. In addition, this marks the first year of eligibility for Elliott and The White Stripes. Read more
Oscar-nominated short film puts Iran in focus (RTE)
Short films nominated for an Oscar do not often receive wide public attention, but when one is about an Iranian girl seeking freedom from male domination by taking off her veil, interest is sure to spike.
That is the premise of The Red Suitcase, a 17-minute film that, at the Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles on 12 March, will shine a bright light on the protests that have gripped Iran since last September.
Set in Luxembourg’s airport, it tells the story of a 16-year-old Iranian girl newly arrived from Tehran who, with trepidation, takes off her veil to escape an unhappy fate dictated by men. Read more
Sally Field says Tom Brady was nervous on 80 For Brady set (People)
Truth is Sally Field’s North Star.
It guided her through her career, motherhood and friendships — and got her to where she is today at 76— starring in 80 For Brady, a film about friends who take a road trip to see Tom Brady play in the Super Bowl, alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Rita Moreno.
“I can’t say that every character I play has to be like me,” she says exclusively to PEOPLE for this week’s cover story. “But there has to be an ingredient of truth in it.” Read more
India to raise spending on job creation before election (AlJazeera)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government presented to Parliament an annual budget of $550bn that calls for ramping up capital spending by 33 percent to spur economic growth and create jobs in advance of a general election next year.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday private investment was rising after the coronavirus pandemic and the government should focus on driving growth.
India’s economy is projected to grow 7 percent in the fiscal year ending in March. The government forecasts growth of 6-6.5 percent next year, but it is struggling to generate enough jobs for its population of 1.4 billion people. Read more
Southampton ‘agree £15.8m deal’ for Paul Onuachu (Guardian)
Super Eagles star, Paul Onuachu, has reportedly joined Southampton on a £15.8 million deal from Belgium’s Genk.
According to hampshirelive.news, the 6ft 7ins forward was expected to undergo his medical with the club, yesterday, ahead of signing a three-and-a-half-year contract at St Mary’s, where he’ll hope to fire to them to Premier League safety.
Belgian journalist, Sacha Tavolieri, said a deal has been reached between Genk and Southampton for a transfer fee of €18million (£15.8million) plus bonuses of around €3 million for Onuachu. Read more
Nigeria’s Arokodare joins Belgian club Genk (Punch)
Nigeria forward, Tolu Arokodare, has joined Belgian Pro League outfit, KRC Genk.
Arokodare moved to the Belgian club from French Ligue 2 club, Amiens SC on Tuesday night. The deal agreed is for four and half seasons.
He replaces fellow Nigerian Paul Onuachu, who left the Smurfs to join Premier League club Southampton in an £18 million deal in a last minute transfer deadline move. Read more
FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in Morocco’s Tangier (NewArab)
Two months after making history in the Qatar World Cup, Morocco is set to revive football euphoria in the region with the Club World Cup which kicks off Wednesday in the northern city of Tangier.
On Wednesday morning, dozens of football supporters flocked to Tangier to attend the first match of the “Mondialito”, Egypt’s Al Ahly against New Zealand’s Auckland city, which will start at 8 P.M. (GMT+1).
Egypt’s Al Ahly and Casablanca’s Wydad are the only African teams that qualified for the “Mondialito.” Read more
Leicester owner clears £194m debt (RFI)
Leicester chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha has relieved the club of an outstanding £194 million ($239 million) debt which had been owed to parent company King Power International (KPI).
The Premier League club said the loans had been issued by KPI over the past four years to help build a new training ground and support investment in the squad through the coronavirus pandemic.
The loans and related interest have been converted into equity held by KPI in the club.
Leicester was acquired by the Thai Srivaddhanaprabha family in 2010. Read more
NFL’s GOAT Tom Brady retires again, this time ‘‘for good’’ (AlJazeera)
Tom Brady, the American football quarterback considered by many to be the most accomplished player of all time, has announced he is “retiring for good”, capping off a 23-year professional career.
Brady made the announcement in a Twitter video on Wednesday, saying “Thank you, guys, for allowing me to live my absolute dream.”
Brady has had a storied career in the United States’ National Football League (NFL), winning seven Super Bowl championship games, more than any other player. He also holds a host of other records. Read more
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova shares update following cancer diagnosis (Express)
Martina Navratilova has issued an update after being diagnosed with two forms of cancer. Last month, the tennis icon revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in her life in addition to having cancer in her throat. The 18-time Major winner is now “hanging in there” as she undergoes treatment.
Navratilova revealed her cancer diagnosis last month – 13 years after being given the all-clear from breast cancer following radiation treatment. The 66-year-old discovered a swollen lymph node in her neck in November, and last month told fans that the breast cancer had returned alongside throat cancer.
“This double whammy is serious but still fixable. I’m hoping for a favourable outcome. It’s going to stink for a while but I’ll fight with all I have got,” she said, later adding: “Needless to say my phone and Twitter are both blowing up so I will say again – thank you all for your support and I am not done yet.” Read more