400-level varsity student commits suicide (Vanguard)
A 400-level female student at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Adaze Doris Jaja, has reportedly committed suicide.
The police spokesperson in the state, Omolola Odutola, on Tuesday, said the 31-year-old died in a hotel room.
She said Adaze was reported to have been found lying unconscious and foaming in the mouth with an empty bottle of Sniper beside her. Read more
Protests: FG to address food shortages — Information minister (Tribune)
Following the outbreak of protests in parts of the country over the rising cost of living, the Federal Government has set the machinery in motion to tackle food shortages in the country.
A special presidential committee met at the presidential villa on Tuesday to articulate actions necessary to stem the tide including the release of available food in stock.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke to correspondents after the meeting, said government is concerned about the protests, particularly the one that occurred in Minna, Niger State and wants to ensure that there is relief for citizens. Read more
Labourer jailed 10 years for robbery (Punch)
A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Monday sentenced a 30-year-old labourer, Samson Saliu, who specialised in robbing people in the early hours of the morning and at night at the Ijora Badia Bridge, to 10 years imprisonment for armed robbery.
Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay sentenced Saliu after a plea bargain agreement and changed his plea from not guilty to a guilty plea.
The defendant was first arraigned on July 21, 2021, on six counts of conspiracy, and armed robbery preferred against him by the state government. Read more
FG arraigns Adebutu, Ogun PDP guber candidate, for ‘‘vote buying’’ (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government on Tuesday amended charges filed against the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu, and nine others before a State High Court sitting in Abeokuta.
The charges were amended to accommodate and arraign Adebutu in the suit instituted in July, 2023, on allegations of financial inducement of voters during the March 18 election.
Nine other defendants were arraigned by the Federal Government in July, 2023 with the exception of Adebutu who was reportedly out of the country. Read more
Sextortion: Nigeria police cautions public on use of dating apps (Guardian)
Nigeria Police has cautioned the public on the use of dating applications due to growing cases of sextortion, blackmail and cybercrimes.
Force Public Relations Officer, (PRO), Ademuyiwa Adejobi, gave the caution at a briefing on a recent case of sextortion, cyberbullying, character defamation, and blackmail in Abuja.
He said increasing cases of cybercrimes in Nigeria calls for caution among users of such apps. Read more
Edo 2024: APC’s Idahosa pledges to review state loans if elected (Tribune)
One of the leading governorship aspirants under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the September 21, 2024 governorship election, Mr Dennis Idahosa, has said that if elected governor, his administration would review the several loans the state incurred under the administration of the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki.
This was just as he promised that his administration would grant full autonomy to local government areas for grassroots development.
Idahosa made the promises on Monday evening when he met members of the Correspondents Chapel, Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where he said he would replicate his developmental strides as the member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in Edo State as governor. Read more
Nigeria’s economy almost collapsed before Tinubu, says Edun (Nation)
Wale Edun, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance claims that before President Bola Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria was headed for economic collapse, adding that the nation is now on the road to recovery.
Edun revealed this on Tuesday, February 6, when he appeared before the House of Representatives to discuss the status of the economy.
He said: “Where we are as a nation economically is a much better place than we were on the 29th of May, 2023. We have heard from the governor of the CBN. He has talked about the importance of sustainability. Read more
Olukoro killing: Kogi council, Yagba West explains roles in arrest of kidnap kingpin, freed captives (Guardian)
The proactive security measures taken by the Caretaker Chairman of Yagba West local council, Kogi State, Tosin Olokun, by adopting stakeholders’ engagement strategy has yielded fruits as Yagba West Security Joint Task Force played a significant role in the arrest of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Babaka Mairali, who has been terrorising Ekiti/Kwara/Kogi borders, Yagba West Council Media Team stated on Tuesday.\
Babaka Mairali and his gang are suspected to have masterminded the killing of the Olukoro of Koro, in Ekiti Local Council, Kwara State, Oba Olusegun Aremu, during last Thursday’s attack of Koro community.
The victim, a retired army general died in the attack when the assailants forcefully entered his palace. Read more
Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘‘Hiss’’ hits No. 1 following feud with Nicki Minaj (NBC)
Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Hiss” is the No. 1 song in the United States, marking the Houston rapper’s first solo No. 1.
“Hiss” became the catalyst to a shockingly strange string of events after its arrival on Jan. 26. An online rap war between Megan and Nicki Minaj erupted over one line in the song — “These hoes don’t be mad at Megan, these hoes mad at Megan’s Law” — was widely interpreted as a reference to Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty, a registered sex offender. In response, Minaj crafted her own diss track called “Big Foot,” directly referencing Megan’s dead mother and her 2020 shooting by Tory Lanez.
Though Megan never directly addressed Minaj, the controversy was enough to get the internet (including Minaj) talking for days. In that same period, Megan went on Good Morning America to announce she would be going on tour this summer and officially signed an agreement with Warner Music Group, in tandem with Roc Nation, that will allow her to remain an independent artist with the benefits of label services. Read more
Jonathan Majors domestic violence sentencing delayed; Loki actor faces potential prison stint (Deadline)
Found guilty on domestic violence charges late last year, Jonathan Majors will not be sentenced today as originally scheduled.
Convicted of reckless assault and harassment in his trial back in December, Majors’ sentencing was initially supposed to occur early this morning in New York City. That plan shifted first thing Tuesday as lead defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry opted to file various motions with the court today, court officials told Deadline. Set to address those motions, the hearing will now begin around 2:15 pm ET/11:15 am PT.
Originally Majors was supposed to be in the Manhattan courtroom this AM, but his appearance today will now be virtual. Read more
Killer Mike issues statement following arrest at 2024 Grammys (NME)
Killer Mike has said he “will be cleared of all wrongdoing” following his arrest at the 2024 Grammys.
The Run The Jewels rapper, who won Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for his song ‘Scientists & Engineers’, plus Best Rap Album for ‘Michael’ on the Sunday night (February 4), was taken away in handcuffs after the ceremony ended.
The Los Angeles police department said he had been taken into custody in relation to a physical altercation inside the event venue on Sunday, according to BBC News. Read more
Paramore hope their Best Rock Album Grammy win opens doors for women in alternative music (MusicNews)
Paramore hope their Grammy win for Best Rock Album will act as a reminder to make “rock and alternative spaces more inclusive”.
The Hayley Williams-led pop rock group became the first female-fronted act to win the prize at the prestigious ceremony at the weekend, with their acclaimed LP ‘This Is Why’ beating Foo Fighters‘ ‘But Here We Are’, Greta Van Fleet‘s ‘Starcatcher’, Metallica’s ’72 Seasons’ and Queens of the Stone Age’s ‘In Times New Roman’.
And the ‘Misery Business’ hitmakers – completed by Zac Farro and Taylor York – hope it will open the doors for other female artists in the scene. Read more
Country music singer Toby Keith dies at 62 (UPI)
Country music singer Toby Keith has died.
Keith’s team announced on his website Tuesday that Keith died Monday following a battle with stomach cancer. He was 62.
“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” the post reads. Read more
UK leader Rishi Sunak says King Charles III’s cancer was caught early (ABC)
King Charles III’s cancer was caught early and the whole country is hoping for a speedy recovery, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Tuesday, as the monarch’s son Prince Harry reportedly flew from the U.S. to visit his father.Buckingham Palace announced Monday evening that the king has begun outpatient treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. It was found during his recent hospital treatment for an enlarged prostate but is a “separate issue” and not prostate cancer, the palace said.
“Thankfully, this has been caught early,” Sunak told BBC radio, adding that as prime minister he would “continue to communicate with him as normal.” Read more
Former Chilean president Sebastián Piñera dies in helicopter accident (NBC)
Sebastián Piñera, the two-time former president of Chile who faced social upheaval followed by a pandemic in his second term, died Tuesday in a helicopter accident. He was 74.
Chile Interior Minister Carolina Tohá confirmed the death of the former president. No further details were immediately released about the cause of the accident.
Serving as president from 2010 to 2014 and again from 2018 to 2022, he led the South American nation during devastating natural disasters, including the fallout of an earthquake and a tsunami. Read more
AFCON 2023: Osimhen declared fit for semi-final clash against South Africa (Channels)
Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection for Wednesday’s AFCON semi-final clash against South Africa.
According to the Team Media Officer Babafemi Raji, the 24-year-old joined the team in Bouaké and trained with the squad on Tuesday.
“Victor Osimhen has been declared fit and available for selection in the semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday,” a post on the team’s handle captioned ‘Super Eagles Camp Update,’ read. “He has joined the team in Bouaké and has trained with the squad today.” Read more
Simona Halep: Former world number one’s appeal against doping ban to begin (BBC)
Former world number one Simona Halep’s appeal against a four-year doping ban will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport from Wednesday.
The Romanian, 32, was suspended after an independent tribunal determined she committed “intentional” anti-doping violations in September.
Halep, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, said she would fight to clear her name of the “false allegations”. Read more
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino details text Todd Boehly sent him after Wolves defeat (Express)
Mauricio Pochettino knew he had the support of the Chelsea hierarchy when he received a text after losing to Wolves on Sunday, the Blues manager claims. Speculation continues to swirl around his future job prospects at Stamford Bridge, but co-owner Todd Boehly looks set to give the Argentine every chance at success.
Chelsea were humbled by Wolves in front of their home fans, with Matheus Cunha bagging a hat-trick in a 4-2 win. Pochettino has now overseen consecutive defeats with four goals conceded in each, and fans were not shy in voicing their anger on Sunday.
The former Tottenham boss has only been in situ for eight months, but calls are growing for Boehly and Clearlake Capital to make a change, with Chelsea still lacking identity and languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League. Read more
Messi says he ‘‘feels much better’’ and hopeful of playing in Tokyo after PR disaster in Hong Kong (CTV)
Look for Lionel Messi to play on Wednesday in Tokyo where Inter Miami meets Japanese club Vissel Kobe in a friendly.
And don’t look for another public relations disaster as happened on Sunday when Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain sat on the bench for an entire match against a selection of players from the Hong Kong league, angering thousands of fans who demanded refunds.
Teammate Luis Suarez — another big name at Miami — also remained on the bench. Read more
Christian Horner and Red Bull to meet on Friday after allegations of inappropriate behaviour against team principal (Sky)
Red Bull will meet with Christian Horner on Friday after they launched an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour that were made against the team principal of the company’s F1 team.
Horner, 50, has been Red Bull team principal since their first Formula 1 season in 2005, leading the Milton Keynes-based squad to seven drivers’ titles and six constructors’ triumphs during his 19 years in charge.
The investigation, which is being carried out by an external specialist barrister, was confirmed by the F1 team’s Austrian parent company on Monday and a meeting between Horner and Red Bull will take place this Friday, Sky Sports News understands. Read more
Officials tout Super Bowl plans to crimp counterfeiting, ground drones, curb human trafficking (NBC)
Amid warnings about counterfeit goods, human trafficking and illegal drones at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, federal, state and local security officials said Monday they’re preparing for a busy week in the air, at airports, at Allegiant Stadium and in merchandise shops as crowds arrive for the NFL championship game.
Representatives from agencies including Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration — accompanied by a bomb-sniffing beagle named Ozzie — briefed the media at Harry Reid International Airport about their plans to counter such illegal activity.
The officials displayed a table piled high with knockoff sports memorabilia including jerseys, T-shirts, caps, beanies and a sparkling silver replica of the Vince Lombardi Super Bowl trophy. Read more