77% of Nigerian women use skin-lightening products — FG (Tribune)
The Federal Government has raised concerns as Nigeria has the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally, with a staggering 77% of Nigerian women using these products.
It also sounded the alarm on the dangers of skin bleaching, calling it a public health problem that requires urgent attention.
Speaking at a regional awareness-raising workshop in Libreville, Gabon, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, while citing the World Health Organization’s report, disclosed that Nigeria has the highest usage rates of skin-lightening products globally, with a staggering 77% of Nigerian women using these products. Read more
Prospective corps member dies en route to Ebonyi NYSC Camp (DailyTrust)
A prospective Corps member lost her life en route to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)orientation camp in Afikpo local government area of Ebonyi State.
The deceased was among a group of 12 prospective corps members who boarded a 14-seater bus to their destination.
The Interesting Things About Pha Din Pass, Dien Bien That Just A Few People Know
Daily Trust learnt that the deceased was a members of 2024 Batch C Stream 11. Read more
New Army commander warns criminal elements to surrender arms in Imo (Leadership)
The new Commander of 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Abass has called on criminals operating in Imo State to surrender their arms or risk a hard time under his watch.
Brig.-Gen. Abass gave the warning during the formal handover ceremony by the immediate-past Commander, Brig.-Gen. Usman Lawal at the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Abass, in a statement signed by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Capt Joseph Akubo, warned that criminals within the state will have a hard time as he will lead the onslaught against them. Read more
Yahaya Bello, Ododo visit FCT minister Wike in Abuja (Punch)
The former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at his Abuja residence on Thursday afternoon.
Bello was accompanied by his successor and current Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo.
The visit was disclosed in a statement by the minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. Read more
Bayelsa cults war: Police secure ‘ceasefire’ with cult leaders over killings (Vanguard)
Following the ongoing cult-related killings in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, authorities of the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have reportedly initiated a conflict resolution mechanism to enforce ‘ceasefire’ from warring cult group leaders in the State.
The Command warns that further conflict and killings would lead to automatic arrest and prosecution of the identified leaders.
Cult-related clashes had resulted in the killings of seven persons in the last week along the Igbogene, Amarata, Swali and Ekeki suburbs of the state capital. Three youths of the same parents were shot dead in the bloodshed. Read more
Edo governor mourns Jattu Market fire, pledges support for victims (Nation)
The governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed deep sadness over the devastating fire that engulfed the main market in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
The fire, which broke out around 8 p.m. on January 21, destroyed shops and goods worth millions of Naira.
Describing the incident as highly unfortunate, Okpebholo extended his heartfelt sympathies to the traders who lost their goods and other valuables. Read more
Lagos driver to face trial for injuring Ogun woman (Punch)
The Lagos State Task Force says it will prosecute a Lagos-based driver, Dauda Bello, who was arrested for causing bodily injuries to an Ogun-based woman and attempting to flee the scene.
PUNCH Metro learnt from a statement by the spokesperson for the task force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, on Wednesday, that the incident occurred on Tuesday.
Abdulraheem noted that the victim, a resident of Ogun State, was however given immediate medical attention. Read more
NAOWA empowers 115 women in Sokoto (Tribune)
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) of the 8 Division, Sokoto, has empowered 115 girls and women with vocational training as part of its commitment to skill acquisition and economic empowerment.
The milestone was marked with the unveiling of the newly remodelled NAOWA Vocational Centre, a project spearheaded by the division’s NAOWA Chairperson, Mrs. Meg Indidi Ajose.
Speaking during the event, the coordinator of the project, Mrs. Anne Omori Tawasimi, commended Mrs. Ajose for her dedication and vision in transforming the facility. Read more
Lost Tina Turner track to be finally released after 40 years (Mirror)
A secret Tina Turner song has been discovered after 40 years.
Hot For You Baby – which was originally intended to be on the late star’s 1984 Private Dancer album – is being released on March 21.
The single is being put out as part of an anniversary edition of that solo breakthrough collection of tracks. Read more
Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey honoured with iHeartRadio awards (MusicNews)
Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey are to be honoured at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
Thirteen-time Grammy Award, Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning artist Gaga will receive the 2025 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, and Carey, the best-selling female artist of all time, will be honoured with the 2025 iHeartRadio Icon Award.
Additionally, Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour will be celebrated as the Tour of the Century.
iHeartMedia and Fox Entertainment also announced the nominees for the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards, to be held in Los Angeles on Monday 17 March. Read more
Trump tells Putin to end “ridiculous war” in Ukraine or face new sanctions (BBC)
Donald Trump has warned he will impose high tariffs and further sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin fails to end the war in Ukraine.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, he said that by pushing to settle the war he was doing Russia and its president a “very big favour”.
Trump had previously said he would negotiate a settlement to Russia’s full-scale invasion launched in February 2022, in a single day.
Russia has not yet responded to the remarks, but senior officials have said in recent days that there is a small window of opportunity for Moscow to deal with the new US administration. Read more
5 treated after stabbing in south London, man arrested (ABC)
Five people have been treated following a stabbing Thursday morning in south London, according to London’s Ambulance Service.
London’s Metropolitan Police said a man has been arrested following the stabbing in Croydon. British media reports said the stabbing happened near an Asda supermarket.
The ambulance service said one person was taken to a major trauma center in London and four other people were hospitalized. Read more
Chinese man gets death sentence in deadly knife attack that injured 2 Japanese nationals (UPI)
A Chinese court on Thursday sentenced a man to death for a fatal knife attack near Shanghai last summer.
The man, 52-year-old Zhou Jiasheng, was jobless, in debt and didn’t want to continue living, a Chinese government official told reporters in Tokyo.
A Japanese mother and her child were also injured on a Japanese school bus in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The man who was killed tried to stop the attack. Read more
Birmingham Stabbing: Teen held on suspicion of murdering boy, 12, arrested over 2 more assaults (Mirror)
A 14-year-old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of 12-year-old Birmingham schoolboy Leo Ross is also accused of three attacks on pensioners in the area
A teenager being held on suspicion of murdering Leo Ross has been arrested over two further assaults.
Detectives have been granted extra time to interview the 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons. He was arrested on Tuesday night, hours after Leo, 12, was stabbed as he cycled home from school in Hall Green, Birmingham. West Midlands Police also held him on suspicion of attacking a woman in her 80s in the same area two days earlier. Read more
California woman arrested after 27 dead horses found during search warrant (NBC)
A California woman was arrested Wednesday after 27 dead horses were found across her multiple properties, officials said.
Jan Johnson, of Clements, was booked in the San Joaquin County jail on charges of cruelty to an animal, threatening a public official, criminal threats, and possession of a short-barrel shotgun.
Sheriff’s deputies along with Animal Services officers executed a search warrant at properties in Clements, located about 40 miles southeast of Sacramento, as part of an ongoing animal neglect investigation. Read more
Victor Boniface speaks on rumoured breakup with Norwegian girlfriend (Sun)
Super Eagles striker, Victor Boniface, has responded to allegations that he ended his four-year relationship with Norwegian partner Rikke Hermine over her demand for a legal marriage without a prenuptial agreement.
A prenuptial agreement is a written contract that protects both parties’ assets and finances in the event of divorce or death.
A social media post by African Hub alleged that Boniface was prioritising his financial future to avoid “potential pitfalls.” Read more
Awoniyi dismisses Nottingham Forest exit rumours (CompleteSports)
Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi has dismissed reports he is looking to leave Nottingham Forest this month.
Awoniyi has played second fiddle to New Zealand’s Chris Wood in Forest’s attack this season.
The Nigeria international has started just one league game so far this term. Read more
Erik ten Hag blocked Man Utd from signing Man City’s new £33m star (Metro)
Erik ten Hag blocked Manchester United’s deal for new Manchester City signing Abdukodir Khusanov, believing the Uzbekistan defender was ‘not quite ready’.
Khusanov has signed a four-and-a-half year contract with Man City after completing a £33.6m move to the Etihad Stadium earlier this week.
The Premier League’s first-ever Uzbek footballer made 16 appearances for Ligue 1 side Lens this season after attracting interest from Manchester United last summer. Read more
The 155th Open Championship: St Andrews to host major in 2027, the R&A announces (SkySports)
St Andrews will host The 155th Open in 2027 as the major returns to the home of golf.
The Championship, which will be played from July 15-18, returns to St Andrews for the first time since The 150th Open in 2022 when Cameron Smith produced a remarkable final-round 64 on the Old Course to lift the famous Claret Jug.
It will also mark 100 years since legendary amateur Bobby Jones triumphed in The Open at St Andrews in 1927 when his six-shot margin victory saw him successfully defend the title he won the previous year at Royal Lytham & St Annes. Read more
Arsenal avoid the pitfalls of European rivals with cruise through Champions League (Independent)
Arsenal do as much as they can, which means it is close to impossible for anyone else to do enough to prevent their safe passage into the Champions League last eight. Uefa are hoping for what might be a satisfyingly wild night next Wednesday, but some of it does sound a little absurd.
If Arsenal fail to get a point in Girona, all of Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, AS Monaco, Lille, Brest and Feyenoord would have to win by massive margins to have any chance of forcing them into the play-offs.
In short, they’re there, as was always expected before this 3-0 victory over a dogged Dinamo Zagreb. The game really became about correcting a few ongoing issues in the team, and the only thing Mikel Arteta could really have had any quibble with was that they could have taken more chances given recent goal-shyness. The manner of the goals – by Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and a first in months for Martin Odegaard – was nevertheless encouraging. Read more
China to host BJK Cup Finals for next 3 years (BBC)
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be held in Shenzhen, China for the next three years.
China, reigning champions Italy and six qualifiers will contest the week-long Finals in 2025, with a date yet to be confirmed.
Three venues in Shenzhen are being considered – including the 12,000 capacity Shenzhen Bay Sports Arena, which staged the WTA Finals in 2019. Read more