Abducted Kaduna pupil narrates how he escaped from kidnappers (Punch)
One of the kidnapped pupils from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mustapha Abubakar, who luckily escaped has recounted his ordeal in the hands of his abductors.
This was according to a report by BBC Hausa Service published online on Monday, March 11, 2024.
According to Abubakar, the kidnappers treated them like a ‘herd of cows’ grazing in the bush. Read more
Ningi insists N3.7t projects in 2024 budget not traceable (DailyTrust)
Senator Abdul Ningi has insisted that projects worth N3.7 trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act are not traceable.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Senator Abdul Ningi, who is the Chairman of Northern Senators’ Forum, alleged that the National Assembly debated and passed N25 trillion as 2024 budget and not the N28.7 trillion that is being implemented by the federal government.
The senator also accused the Tinubu administration of not being fair to all sections of the country by the ongoing implementation of the budget. Read more
MohBad: Family seeks court order for DNA test on child (Vanguard)
Family of the late Afro-pop star Mr. Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, who died on September 12, 2023, in an unusual circumstance had fixed a date for mention of the DNA test application requested.
In a release, the head of Aloba’s legal team, Monisola Odumosu, noted that all necessary legal apparatus is in place to ensure the success of the matter.
She said, “The application is at the Family Court of the Ikorodu Magistrate Court (MKD/31/FAM/2024), Joseph Aloba v. Cynthia Omowunmi Aloba. The family represented by the deceased father is seeking an order of the court directing that a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test be conducted concerning the paternity of Master Liam Aloba, an alleged son of Mr. Ilerioluwa Promise Oladimeji Aloba (deceased), in a recognised and accredited government or private medical facility within Lagos State, Nigeria, at the expense of the applicant.” Read more
Ibadan Explosion Victims: Oyo spends N160m on accommodation, feeding (Tribune)
The Oyo State Government has said that it has been spending between N15 million and N20 million weekly on accommodation and feeding for the victims of the Bodija explosion for the past eight weeks.
The State Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, made this known in a statement on Monday following reports that it had kicked out and abandoned the victims of the Bodija explosion.
As contained in the statement, Oyelade stated that the government had so far spent over N160 million on accommodation and feeding of the victims, saying 38 victims were still being housed in seven hotels in highbrow areas. Read more
Police detain man for alleged theft of motorcycle tyres (Punch)
A man simply identified as Jonathan Onu is now in police custody for allegedly stealing motorcycle tyres worth N300,000 from the Trade Fair Market in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred at about 7.35pm on March 2.
A police source told our correspondent that the suspect stole 20 pieces of motorcycle tyres from the market.
“A chief security officer in the Trade Fair complex said Onu, a security man working in the complex, carted away 20 pieces of motorcycle tyres from a cargo company valued at N300,000,” the police source said. Read more
SSANU, NASU to begin warning strike March 18 (Channels)
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union have declared a 7-day warning strike – beginning March 18, 2024 – to demand the payment of four months of their members’ withheld salaries after the 2022 nationwide strike.
The decision was part of the resolution of the joint action committee of the two unions, after a meeting which was held in Akure at the weekend.
According to the SSANU president, Mohammed Ibrahim, who read the communiqué of the meeting to journalists in Abuja on Monday, the decision to embark on the warning strike was taken as a last resort since several protest letters and other communications with the Federal Government did not result in the payment of the withheld salaries. Read more
Naval Commander threatens officers involved in oil theft with dismissal (Leadership)
The Naval Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Jubilee, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Commodore Martins Fakrogha, has warned personnel involved in aiding and abetting crude oil theft to be ready to face maximum punishment of dismissal.
Fakrogha stated this in an interview with journalists in Ikot Abasi where he admitted the involvement of military personnel in the illicit trade.
The Commander however noted that such occurrences have reduced in the last six to nine months since President Bola Tinubu-led administration assumed power. Read more
Oyo bans use of Styrofoam (Nation)
The Oyo State Government has placed a ban on the use of styrofoam for food services, storage, and other related purposes.
The state Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, made this announcement on Monday during the Food Safety Stakeholders Forum and the inauguration of the Food Safety Compliance Enforcement Task Force.
The Task Force is to oversee the enforcement of food safety rules and regulations in Oyo State. Read more
Elizabeth Hurley poses with lookalike son Damian, 21, as the mother-son duo attends 2024 Oscars Party (People)
Elizabeth Hurley is showing her son the ropes of the red carpet.
On Sunday, the Gossip Girl alum, 58, brought her 21-year-old son Damian along with her as they attended Vanity Fair’s 2024 Oscars Party. Wearing a silver, shimmery dress, Hurley stood next to her lookalike son, who wore a navy satin shirt and black trousers.
Inside the party, the two stayed close as they smiled for the cameras together. Read more
Ryan Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes supports him backstage after ‘I’m Just Ken’ Oscars show (Mirror)
Ryan Gosling’s wife Eva Mendes wasn’t seen on the red carpet during Sunday night’s Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
But there was a reason behind her absence as her beau took to the stage to perform I’m Just Ken live on-air from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. She was quietly supporting her husband backstage, sharing a sweet message from behind the scenes.
“Always by my man,” she captioned a clip on Instagram, showing her stood outside Ryan’s dressing room as he got into his Barbie character. She cut a casual figure and wasn’t geared up to walk the glitzy carpet, much to some fans’ disappointment. Read more
20 Days in Mariupol wins at Academy Awards where wars in Ukraine, Gaza cast shadow (PBS)
Protest and politics intruded on an election-year Academy Awards on Sunday, where demonstrations for Gaza raged outside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and early awards went to “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” and “The Boy and the Heron.”
Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Academy Awards on Sunday, slowing stars’ arrival on the red carpet and turning the Oscar spotlight toward the ongoing conflict. Some protesters shouted “Shame!” at those trying to reach the Dolby Theatre.
Jonathan Glazer, the British filmmaker whose chilling Auschwitz drama “The Zone of Interest” won best international film, drew connections between the dehumanization depicted in his film and today. Read more
Legendary Irish music promoter Vince Power has died aged 76 (MixMag)
Vince Power, the legendary Irish music promoter who ran events all over the UK, Ireland, and beyond, has died at the age of 76.
Born John Vincent Power, the “revolutionary” promoter and festival owner was involved in the making of Reading & Leeds, Barcelona’s Benicàssim, and had a hand in the running of Glastonbury over the years.
The news of his death was confirmed in a statement by his family, who announced (via The Irish Post): “It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Vince Power.” Read more
Joanna Newsom announces intimate solo concerts in Los Angeles (Variety)
Singer-songwriter-harpist and indie icon Joanna Newsom, who has kept a low profile since the tour supporting her 2015 album “Divers,” has announced a five-night solo residency in Los Angeles. Billed as the “Strings/Keys Incidence,” the shows will take place at the intimate Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever from May 15-19. One of the shows is a matinee.
The humorously worded announcement promises that new material will be performed: “I know what you’re thinking — we’re all thinking it — What’s in the saddlebag, Newsom?,” it reads. “It’s hard to tell from here, but darn if she doesn’t seem to be packing some new tunes!” (The full announcement and dates are pasted below.)
Newsom premiered five new songs in an unannounced one-off performance opening for Fleet Foxes just under a year ago. Read more
Vanessa Hudgens announces pregnancy on Academy Awards red carpet (Mirror)
The 96th Academy Awards is taking place in Hollywood with the biggest names in showbiz taking to the Dolby Theatre for the biggest night in the entertainment calendar
Vanessa Hudgens kicked off the 96th Academy Awards making her baby bump debut. Dressed in all black, the actress announced she was expecting her first child with husband, Cole Tucker.
The Oscars are upon us with the most eagerly anticipated event of the showbiz calendar descending on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Read more
Flag of NATO’s 32nd member, Sweden, raised at alliance’s headquarters (AlJazeera)
Sweden’s flag has been raised at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, marking the country’s entry into the military alliance two years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg looked on as two soldiers on Monday raised the blue banner emblazoned with a yellow cross among the official circle of national flags at the transatlantic grouping’s offices in the Belgian capital.
Ahead of the flag-hoisting ceremony held in the rain, Kristersson said expectations were “high”. Read more
African Games: Nigerian wrestlers sweep gold in Ghana (Vanguard)
Team Nigeria recorded a clean sweep of gold medals on Sunday at the ongoing African Games in Ghana, after six female wrestlers won in their various categories.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mercy Genesis kicked off the gold medal rush, winning Nigeria’s first wrestling gold medal in the 50 kg category.
It was an atmosphere of joy and excitement for Nigeria after sweeping all five gold medals at the female wrestling events. Read more
Bonfrere Jo endorses Amuneke for Eagles job (Leadership)
Former Super Eagles technical adviser, Jo Bonfrere has endorsed Emmanuel Amuneke for the team’s vacant coaching job.
The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, declared the position vacant following the expiration of Jose Peseiro’s contract.
Peseiro was in charge of the three-time African for 22 months.
The Portuguese guided the West Africans to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Read more
Mbappe on bench again as PSG held, Marseille revival continues (IBT)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique defended his stuttering team after they were held 2-2 by Reims in Ligue 1 on Sunday, a third straight domestic draw which still allowed the reigning champions to go 10 points clear at the top of the table.
Kylian Mbappe was rested at kick-off after scoring both goals in PSG’s 2-1 midweek win at Real Sociedad which saw them qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.
Without him, PSG fell behind to a Marshall Munetsi goal following an error by Achraf Hakimi. Read more
Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz spurns Spain for Morocco (ESPN)
Real Madrid forward Brahim Díaz has decided to represent Morocco over Spain at international level due to a lack of communication from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), sources have confirmed to ESPN.
Díaz, 24, was born in Malaga to a Spanish mother and a Moroccan father. He has represented his country of birth at various youth levels and even has one cap for the senior side, but Morocco have convinced him to switch international allegiance.
Save a late twist, he will be named in the Atlas Lions squad for the first time later this week for fixtures against Angola and Mauritania later this month. Read more
‘‘Roger Federer was just so far above pretty much everybody else’’, says newly retired pro (Tennis365)
Steve Johnson has revealed Roger Federer was the toughest opponent he faced in his career over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal after announcing his retirement.
The former world No 21 proclaimed that Federer was “just so far above pretty much everybody else” he played both as a tennis player and tactically.
Johnson called time on his 12-year professional career after losing to Emilio Nava in the first round of qualifying for the 2024 Indian Wells Open earlier this month. Read more
Liverpool’s draw with Man City gives them PL title race edge (ESPN)
Arsenal were the only winners at the end of Liverpool’s titanic tussle with Manchester City at Anfield, but after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw against the champions, Jurgen Klopp’s team are the ones who really have the advantage in the Premier League title race.
Having scored a late winner to seal a 2-1 win against Brentford at the Emirates on Saturday, Arsenal claimed the top spot in the table and held onto it as two of the best sides of the Premier League era slugged it out for almost 100 minutes on Sunday to end the day with a point apiece.
But while a first glance at the table would suggest that the momentum is now with the Gunners, who are a point clear of Liverpool at the top by ending the day ahead of Pep Guardiola’s team — a side attempting to become the first English squad to win four successive titles — Liverpool will now believe that their destiny is in their own hands. Read more