80-year-old man kills self in Lagos (Punch)
An 80-year-old man, Isiyaka Ayinde, has reportedly committed suicide at the Watch Tower in the Araromi Imota area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Online gathered that the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.
A police source told our correspondent that, according to a tenant in the compound, the deceased hung himself with a rope in the kitchen.
“He heard his children shouting that he should come and see Baba in the kitchen. When he ran into the kitchen, he saw the lifeless body of the tenant hanging on a rope that was tied to the burglary proof of one of the windows in the kitchen,” the police source said. Read more
Please do not overspeed on Third Mainland Bridge – Nkechi Blessing warns motorists (Nation)
Popular actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has advised motorists against driving at high speed on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Taking to her Instagram page, she warned against overspeeding on the bridge, especially with the recent reconstruction making the road smoother, to ensure safety.
The mother of one disclosed that she almost had an accident on the bridge, even though she was not driving at full speed. Read more
Tinubu condemns Borno, Kaduna Abductions, directs immediate rescue of captives (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the abduction of internally displaced persons, and students in Borno and Kaduna States, and has directed an immediate rescue of the victims.
In a statement by Special Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale on Friday, the president described the victims as “very vulnerable”, directing security and intelligence agencies to rescue them and ensure that justice is served against the perpetrators of the abominable acts.
“I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered,” President Tinubu said. Read more
IWD: How home delivery almost claimed my life – Bauchi mother (Vanguard)
A Bauchi housewife and mother of three, Susan Ayuba has shared her near-death experience during the delivery of her third child at her home in the Wuntin-Dada area of Bauchi metropolis.
Ayuba who blamed poverty and stubbornness for her decision to deliver at home, told Vanguard that she was saved by the intervention of a healthcare professional who incidentally was visiting her home that day.
She noted that because her two older children were delivered at home, she felt the third delivery would be seamless since she’s had two home-child delivery experiences. Read more
Emefiele: EFCC should audit all officials who served under Buhari — Olajengbesi (Leadership)
Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has said that with the startling revelations arising from the trial of ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, there was the need for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to audit the financial transactions of all officials of government who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a statement on Friday, the Managing Partner of Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor, commended the EFCC for exposing the alleged forgery of Buhari’s signature and that of ex-Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, by the embattled former apex bank boss, who is enmeshed in a $6.2m fraud for foreign observers in the last poll.
Olajengbesi said, “The audacity of those in power and their criminal influence is becoming too much and must be stopped. Read more
Farmers, foundation provide medical facilities for rural women in Abuja (Sun)
The Women Farmers Advancement Network (WOFAN-ICON2), MasterCard Foundation in partnership with Benson Colman and Associate Limited has provided a ‘Lab-ulance’ to support the healthcare system of a farming community in Gwarimpa village, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The gesture is part of WOFAN activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration.
The Lab-ulance is a tricycle fully kitted with medical equipment like laboratory equipment, midwifery equipment, refrigerator powered by a solar system and other basic health equipment. Read more
Anambra youths protest ‘delayed justice’ for slain community leader, Onyima (Tribune)
Hundreds of youths from Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra, on Friday, stormed the State Government House, along the Enugu-Onitsha highway Awka, to protest what they script as Justice delayed for it slain President General, late Chief Silas Onyima.
Nigerian Tribune earlier reported that the late President General was murdered at his Umuoji country home by suspected assassins last weekend.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said four suspected have so far been arrested and investigation to unveil the circumstances behind the act is still ongoing. Read more
Hoodlums gun down police officers in Ebonyi (Dailytrust)
A notorious gang has killed not less than five police officers in Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi state.
The incident happened at the popular Ebyia bridge along Hilltop road, Abakiliki, around 5am on Friday.
Also killed were two suspected prostitutes who were said to be returning to their respective homes in the area. Read more
France inscribes the right to abortion in its constitution as world marks International Women’s Day (NBC)
France inscribed the guaranteed right to abortion in its constitution Friday, a powerful message of support for women’s rights on International Women’s Day.
Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti used a 19th-century printing press to seal the amendment in France’s constitution at a special public ceremony. Applause filled the cobblestoned Place Vendome as France became the first country to explicitly guarantee abortion rights in its national charter.
The measure was overwhelmingly approved by French lawmakers earlier this week, and Friday’s ceremony means it can now enter into force. Read more
Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied finalise divorce after quietly separating last year (People)
Natalie Portman quietly filed for divorce from Benjamin Millepied, her director/choreographer husband of 11 years, eight months ago, and now the former couple is officially divorced, PEOPLE can exclusively confirm.
The actress, 42, filed last July and the divorce was finalised last month in France, where Portman and Millepied, 46, live with their children, son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, 7.
A rep for Portman confirms the news to PEOPLE. Read more
Young Thug’s lawyer cites overturned murder conviction in push to dismiss RICO case (HipHopDx)
Young Thug‘s lawyer, Brian Steel, has filed another memorandum of law in an attempt to get the YSL RICO case tossed out of court.
According to Law & Crime — who accessed the documents before the site-wide Fulton County Court outage — the move comes in the wake of a murder conviction in another Georgia case with ties to Hip Hop.
On Tuesday (March 5), Morgan Cardelle Baker’s conviction in a 2019 shooting of a security guard was thrown out after Georgia’s highest court ruled that a music video for “Ghetto Angels” by NoCap in which Baker waved a gun, should not have been played for the jurors tasked with considering the 2019 killing of Tamarco Head. Read more
Husband killed himself using wife’s breast cancer medication (Metro)
Tributes have been paid to a ‘devoted’ and ‘kind’ dad-of-three who took his own life after the death of his wife.
Adam Thompson, 39, was found dead at home in Mulbarton, Norfolk, by his own dad on October 10.
His death came four months after that of his beloved partner of 11 years, Lucy, 44, who had battled breast cancer for five years. Read more
Israeli settlement expansion in Palestinian areas amounts to war crime: UN (AlJazeera)
Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories have expanded by a record amount and risk eliminating any practical possibility of a Palestinian state, the United Nations rights chief warns.
The growth of Israeli settlements amounts to the transfer by Israel of its own civilian population into occupied territories, which is a war crime, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Friday.
The international community has long viewed Israeli settlements as a violation of international law and a hindrance to Palestinian statehood. Read more
Thief steals man’s coat in bar but crook wasn’t prepared for what happened next (Mirror)
Ben Gransmore claims his £300 North Face coat was pinched from a cocktail bar in Manchester city centre – but luckily, he AirTagged his coat ahead of his night out
A man who claims his £300 North Face coat was stolen on a night out says he managed to track down the thief all thanks to his Apple AirTag.
Ben Gransmore, 29, from Manchester, filmed the goose chase on TikTok after he had prepared for the worst due to previous theft incidents whilst out with his friends. He said his coat was snatched from the cocktail bar Mojo in Manchester city centre on March 2. Unfortunately for the suspect, Ben decided to AirTag his jacket after he had three coats stolen during nights out in the city before. Read more
Akira Toriyama, creator of “Dragon Ball” series and other popular anime, dies at 68 (CBS)
Akira Toriyama, the creator of the best-selling Dragon Ball and other popular anime who influenced Japanese comics, has died, his studio said Friday. He was 68.
Toriyama’s Dragon Ball manga series, which started in 1984, has sold millions of copies globally and was adapted into hugely popular animated TV shows, video games and films.
Toriyama died March 1 of a blood clot in his brain, Bird Studio said in a statement. Read more
NFF begins search for Super Eagles head coach after Peseiro’s departure (Channels)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has started the search for a new head coach for the Super Eagles, about two weeks after Jose Peseiro left the post.
Peseiro, who led Nigeria to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in February, left the role after 22 months in charge of the Super Eagles.
Since his departure following the running down of his contract, there have been speculations about an interim coach being appointed for the team. But the football body on Friday said it has begun the search for Peseiro’s successor, calling for applications to fill the role. Read more
Francis Ngannou swimming with the sharks against Anthony Joshua, says ex-UFC star’s trainer (DailyStar)
Dewey Cooper declared that Anthony Joshua will “face the wrath of Francis Ngannou” in their blockbuster boxing clash.
The boxing coach of the former UFC heavyweight king is as confident as ever in the Cameroonian scoring a victory over the two-time former unified world heavyweight champion in their thrilling fight on Friday (March 8).
Despite losing his professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury in what was a controversial split-decision, Ngannou’s stock only rose after pushing the Brit to his limit last October. Read more
“He can’t make the difference”- Ex-Arsenal star gives take on Osimhen’s possible transfer to Chelsea (Soccernet)
Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has iterated that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is not the solution to Arsenal’s problems, Soccernet.ng reports.
Chelsea have been a shadow of themselves since Todd Boehly acquired the club in 2022. The American businessman has changed the transfer structure of the club since he joined, and, unfortunately for him, the decision has not paid off.
Last season, Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League, and this season, they currently sit 11th, with 36 points after 26 games. The Blues have been poor on both ends of the pitch, conceding goals aplenty. Also, they have struggled in the final third, with their new signings struggling to find their feet. Read more
Ngannou will knock down Joshua in Saudi Arabia –Onana (CompleteSports)
Manchester United keeper Andre Onana has tipped former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou to overcome Anthony Joshua ahead of tonight’s fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Recall that Ngannou is a big United fan and attended the team’s tour game in Las Vegas against Borussia Dortmund last summer.
However, Onana in an interview with Man United TV, said that his country man possess the firepower to knock down the British boxer. Read more
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Carlos Sainz ruled out and replaced by Oliver Bearman (BBC)
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has been diagnosed with appendicitis and will miss the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Spaniard, 29, will be replaced for the rest of the race weekend in Jeddah by the team’s 18-year-old British reserve driver Oliver Bearman.
Sainz had been unwell for two days, saying Thursday practice was “one of my toughest days in a Formula 1 car.” Read more
Banda acquired by the Orlando Pride for second-highest transfer fee (AfricaNews)
The Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League have acquired Zambian forward Barbra Banda for a club-record transfer fee.
Banda signed a four-year deal with the Pride, who paid $740,000 to Chinese Women’s Super League club Shanghai Shengli FC, the team said Thursday night.
It is the second-highest transfer fee in women’s soccer, after NWSL expansion team Bay FC paid Real Madrid $788,000 for Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji last month. Read more