Abandoned day-old baby rescued in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Police Command has rescued an abandoned day-old baby boy at Oko Oba, a suburb in the state.
According to the police spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a good citizen found the baby on Monday, March 15, 2021 at Oladejo street, Oko Oba, at about 10.20pm and informed the police at Abattoir division of the command, who picked up the baby for necessary medical attention and safety.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 received the baby in his Ikeja office and ordered the gender unit of the command to hand over the baby to the Child Protection Unit of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
CP Odumosu expressed his intention to discuss with the ministry the processes of adopting the baby boy as soon as possible. Read more
Man in court for allegedly belonging to secret cult (Vanguard)
A 36-year-old man, Gbenga Olanrewaju, on Wednesday appeared before a Surulere Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing a mobile phone and belonging to an unlawful secret cult.
The defendant, who resides in Ijesha area of Lagos, is being tried for conspiracy, stealing and belonging to a secret cult.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Courage Ekhueorohan, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on March 4, about 6:58p.m. at Mabo Junction on Ishaga Road, Surulere, Lagos.
Ekhueorohan alleged that the defendant and others still at large allegedly accosted one Blessing Madu and informed her that they were members of Aiye Confraternity (secret cult) to create fear into her. Read more
Court fixes date to hear suit against NRC (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed March 26 to hear a suit filed by some residents of Agbado, Odewale, Opeilu, Oposuru and Itoki communities in Ogun State against the Nigerian Railway Corporation over the demolition of their houses and alleged unpaid compensation.
Joined in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1384/2020 were the Chinese Civil Engineering Company Limited, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The Chairman of the affected landlords, Biodun Ola, in an interview with our correspondent said more than 120 property owners have not been compensated by the government over the demolition of their properties.
Ola, who identified himself as a pensioner, said they were in court because they prefer to follow due process to challenge the demolition instead of taking laws into their hands. Read more
Work to commence on burnt Airport link bridge March ending (Guardian)
The Federal Government, yesterday, pledged to commence repairs on the burnt Lagos Airport link bridge by the end of March.
The bridge, which links the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki expressway, was razed when a tanker conveying 44,000 litres of diesel burst into flames in January. Since then, the government has abandoned the bridge, causing untold hardship to motorists and commuters around the area.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, disclosed this when he led officials of the ministry to a two-day technical inspection of roads and housing projects in Lagos.
He said the repairs on the bridge would alleviate the inconveniences encountered by commuters going through the airport. Read more
Driver strips naked, booked by FRSC (Punch)
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Sector Command, has booked a driver, Isiaka Sanusi, who was flagged down by an operative on suspicion of dangerous driving during the Sector Commander’s special patrol operation at Ewekoro
According to a statement on Wednesday, the FRSC noted that there was the need for the country’s roads to be filled with sane and psychologically fit drivers.
The statement read in part, “Some flagrant infraction of traffic rules and regulations need to be checked scientifically in order to ascertain the mental eligibility of offenders. The FRSC Ogun Command, on Wednesday, booked one Isiaka Sanusi, following the display of an act of insanity when he was stopped by operatives of the organisation at Itori in the early hours of the day.
“On apprehension, Sanusi decided to display further his psychological imbalance when he stripped himself naked, thereby causing an embarrassing scene for himself. He was, however, calmed down through the assistance of the men of the Nigeria Police Force, Ewekoro Division, and thereafter he was booked accordingly. Read more
Apprehension as FG approves fresh N570b For P/Harcourt refinery (DailyTrust)
After sinking N1.47 trillion into the maintenance, revamping and running of its three moribund refineries in the last five years without bringing them back to life, the federal government yesterday approved a fresh $1.5b (N570b) for the repair of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Among others, the poor state of the refineries is responsible for the frequent increase in the price of petrol in the country, Daily Trust reports.
People with knowledge of the oil industry say had the refineries been working, Nigeria wouldn’t have been so badly hit by all the factors that affected the oil economy.
In taking the decision to “fix” the Port Harcourt Refinery yesterday, the federal government also said plans were on to carry out similar works on the Warri and Kaduna refineries. Read more
Jubilation as Obaseki commissions Ovwor-Effurun-Otor Bridge (Vanguard)
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Tuesday, commissioned the multi-million naira Ovwor-Effurun-Otor Bridge, Ughelli South Local Government Area, built by the Delta State government.
Indigenes of both communities who were excited by the completion of the project were on the ground to entertain Obaseki, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and other dignitaries who graced the occasion.
Commissioning the bridge, Obaseki who had earlier inaugurated the rehabilitated 34 kilometres Otu-Jeremi-Okwagbe Road, the interlocking of Ughelli South Secretariat and access road to the council’s staff quarters, expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the project.
Describing Okowa as an unusual politician who was not known to make promises he had no intention of fulfilling, he said “He is not only building physical bridges, he is building community, social and economic bridges. Read more
Hijab violence: CAN fingers Abdulrazaq, demands FG’s intervention (Punch)
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday called on the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the violence in Kwara State over the hijab policy.
CAN which expressed the views in a statement by its General Secretary, Joseph Daramola, advised Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to give peace chance.
Students in some Mission schools in the state had clashed over the wearing of hijab as part of their schools’ uniforms.
But Daramola said, “We learnt that the state government has ordered the reopening of the closed schools without resolving the crisis and consequently, churches and mission schools are being vandalised with impunity by the hoodlums banking on the state government’s support in the pretext of enforcing the policy. Read more
John Magufuli: Tanzania’s president dies aged 61 after Covid rumours (BBC)
Tanzania’s President John Magufuli has died aged 61, the country’s vice-president has announced.
He died on Wednesday from heart complications at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Samia Suluhu Hassan said in an address on state television.
Magufuli had not been seen in public for more than two weeks, and rumours have been circulating about his health.
Opposition politicians said last week that he had contracted Covid-19, but this has not been confirmed. Read more
Kanye West could now be worth more than $6b (NYPost)
a disaster, but his finances are looking up.
The “Runaway” rapper — whose wife of seven years Kim Kardashian filed for divorce last month after months of headline-grabbing turbulence — has seen his Yeezy shoe and streetwear empire surge in value, making him a multibillionaire, according to financial documents obtained by The Post.
Yeezy’s Adidas sneaker venture — whose sales have skyrocketed during the pandemic amid torrid demand for its dressy-yet-comfy footwear — is now worth as much as $3.7 billion based on the valuations of similar streetwear brands including Supreme, according to an analysis by the investment bank UBS obtained by The Post.
That’s not including a valuation of nearly $1 billion for Yeezy’s upcoming Gap apparel line, which is slated to launch this summer. Both ventures are wholly owned by West, according to people close to the company. Read more
Atlanta shootings: Suspect charged with murder as victims identified (BBC)
The alleged gunman who killed eight people at massage parlours in Atlanta, Georgia, has been charged with murder as police begin to identify victims.
Officials cannot yet confirm if the attack, in which six Asian women were killed, was racially motivated. Four victims were named on Wednesday.
The suspect faces multiple counts of murder as well as aggravated assault.
Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds said the suspect may have been a patron and claimed to have a “sex addiction”.Read more
“Nomadland” filmmaker Chloé Zhao on casting non-actors and making films for people who don’t agree with her (CBC)
Chloé Zhao on Nomadland and how casting non-actors brings authenticity to the screen
Nomadland keeps getting bigger and bigger.
After an award-studded run at film festivals and the Golden Globes, Nomadland picked up six Academy Award nominations.
Chloé Zhao made history as the first Chinese woman and woman of colour to be nominated for best director at the Oscars. She’s also nominated in the best adapted screenplay, best film editing and best picture categories.
The film stars Frances McDormand as a middle-aged woman named Fern who is forced to live in a van. She travels to find work wherever she can — in truck stops, farms and Amazon warehouses.
Like Zhao’s film The Rider, which stars real cowboys, Nomadland turns the lens on non-actors. Many of the people featured in the film are living nomadic lives, and not by choice. Read more
Addison Rae’s “She’s All That” remake heading to Netflix (Metro)
The She’s All That remake starring Addison Rae and Cobra Kai star Tanner Buchanan is officially heading to Netflix. The TikTok star will make her acting debut alongside the Netflix actor in He’s All That, which is set to drop on the streaming service later this year. Addison shared the exciting update with fans on Instagram as she wrote: ‘DREAM COME TRUE @netflix!!!!! ♥️ 190 countries.. insane. 🤯.’ For those who’ve forgotten the original film, it featured Freddie Prinze Jr and the late Paul Walker as high school pals who make a bet that Prinze’s character can turn any random girl in the school into a prom queen in a matter of week. Read more
Vanessa Bryant files suit naming LA deputies accused of sharing images of Kobe crash (NYPost)
Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant filed an amended lawsuit Wednesday that reveals the names of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies who allegedly shared graphic images of the helicopter crash site where her husband, daughter and seven others died last year.
In a series of Instagram posts, Bryant shared several pages of the federal lawsuit she has filed against LA County, the LA County Fire Department, the sheriff’s department and four deputies: Joey Cruz, Rafael Mejia, Michael Russell and Raul Versales.
The officers’ names were initially redacted when Bryant first filed suit in September, but a judge ruled earlier this month that they could be made public.
County lawyers had argued releasing the deputies’ names would open them up to potential online attacks. Read more
GameStop: Reddit users investing in gorilla conservation (BBC)
“Apes Together Strong” is a popular saying in Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum, and some users are taking that seriously.
Reddit users have been symbolically adopting apes and donating to foundations including The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and the World Wildlife Fund.
Some users are naming GameStop, or GME as they’re known on the New York Stock Exchange, as the adopter.
Donations have exceeded $350,000 (£250,000) in less than a week. Read more
Chelsea beat Atletico to reach Champions League last eight (BBC)
Chelsea reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in seven years with a 3-0 aggregate win over Atletico Madrid.
Having established a slender first-leg lead, Emerson Palmieri’s late strike sealed the win after Hakim Ziyech had earlier put the hosts firmly in control with a low effort after good work from Kai Havertz and Timo Werner.
Until then their dominance in possession had not translated into chances in front of goal, and in a nervy opening they also appeared fortunate to survive a penalty appeal after visiting winger Yannick Carrasco was pulled back by Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta.
Italian official Daniele Orsato waved away the claim, and the incident was not examined by VAR. Read more
Pirates Snatch Late Win Over Enyimba In Confederation Cup (DailyTrust)
Enyimba yesterday suffered a 2-1 defeat against Orlando Pirates of South Africa in their second Group A game of the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup in Soweto.
The former African champions fell to Namibia’s Deon Hotto’s opening goal of the game in the 27th minute at the Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg before Captain Austin Oladapo equalised for the Nigerians in the additional minutes of the half from the penalty spot.
At the restart of the second half, Enyimba took the game to their host but were unable to get the much needed goal as they missed several chances. Read more
Shawn Bradley, former Nets and Mavericks center, paralyzed in bike accident (NYPost)
Former NBA player Shawn Bradley was left paralyzed after he was struck by an automobile while riding his bike on Jan. 20.
Bradley, a 7-foot-6 center who played for the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers, revealed his injuries through a statement issued by the Mavericks.
The 48-year-old, one of the tallest NBA players in history, says he was hit from behind while biking near his St. George, Utah, home. The accident caused a traumatic spinal cord injury, resulting in a neck fusion surgery that has seen him hospitalized for the last eight weeks and undergoing rehabilitation.
“We are saddened to hear of Shawn’s accident,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said. “Shawn has always been incredibly determined and shown a fighting spirit. We wish him nothing but the best in his recovery. He will always be a part of our Mavs family.” Read more
Tiger Woods heads home to Florida to resume recovery after car crash (CBC)
Tiger Woods is back at home in Florida to resume his recovery from career-threatening leg injuries he suffered when his SUV ran off a road and down a hill in the Los Angeles suburbs last month.
“Happy to report that I am back home and continuing my recovery,” Woods said in a tweet posted Tuesday night. “I am so grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement that I have received over the past few weeks.”
Woods was injured Feb. 23, two days after the Genesis Invitational at Riviera. He was on his way to a television shoot for GolfTV a little after 7 a.m. when his SUV crashed into a median, rolled over and ended up on its side near a steep road known for wrecks, authorities aid. He had to be pulled out through the windshield. Read more
Lewandowski scores as Bayern Munich progress easily (BBC)
Robert Lewandowski was on the scoresheet again as Bayern Munich cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a win over Lazio.
The striker coolly slotted home a first-half penalty after Leon Goretzka was pushed by Francesco Acerbi.
Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made it 2-0 in the second half with a chipped finish from close range.
Lazio got one back through Marco Parolo late on, but Bayern sailed through with a 6-2 aggregate win. Read more
Giants’ Kenny Golladay visit has plenty riding on it (NYPost)
The interest is there, always has been. The need is there, too. The Giants are bringing Kenny Golladay, the best available wide receiver on the open market, in for a visit. Talks are underway as to what it will take in a contract to make a deal.
This is not a drill. It could happen, and if it does, just like that the Giants would look and feel markedly different. Markedly better.
The NFL is allowing free agency visits this year, as long as COVID-19 testing and protocols are in place. There will not be the elaborate wine-and-dine dinners with the coaching staff that came with these meetings in pre-pandemic times. Head coach Joe Judge and his staff will get Golladay in their building, The Post confirmed, getting a feel for him, allowing him to get a feel for them. The Giants will also give Golladay a physical — do not forget, he played in just five games in 2020 while dealing with a hip-flexor injury. Read more
England legend and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker wants brain tested for signs of dementia (Metro)Gary Lineker says he will get extra checks on his brain for signs of dementia. Research has concluded that former professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from a brain disorder than the general population, and an inquiry was launched by Parliament this month into sport’s links with the disease. Lineker, who has previously suggested a complete ban on heading in training, joined talkSPORT for a Dementia in Football documentary and revealed he as well as Match of the Day colleagues Alan Shearer and Ian Wright fear they could end up with a brain disorder. Read more