Abiola won June 12 election — Babangida (Tribune)
Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has acknowledged that the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
The controversial election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest, has been a subject of debate for decades, with various accounts of the events leading to its annulment by the military government.
However, in his autobiography, ‘A Journey in Service’, launched in Abuja on Thursday, Babangida admitted he was convinced Abiola emerged victorious. Read more
You restored my rank, my honour, did a lot for Nigeria, Gowon thanks IBB (Channels)
A former Head of State Yakubu Gowon has thanked ex-military president Ibrahim Babangida for helping him and contributing to Nigeria’s development.
Gowon said this in Abuja on Thursday during a book launch by the former military president.“I had a very rough time in government, I was even charged for treason,” Gowon said during the event.
“Later on, President Shagari rescinded that order, and you (IBB) in the end restored my rank and honour. You did quite a lot for the country.” Read more
I regret June 12 annulment – IBB (DailyTrust)
Former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) has expressed regret over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election, saying he would do things differently if given another chance.
He said this during the launch of his autobiography – “A Journey in Service”, in Abuja, on Thursday.
Speaking after former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo reviewed the book, IBB took responsibility for the cancellation of the exercise which was a two-horse race between Abiola, candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention (NRC). Read more
Lagos Assembly: Obasa denies stockpiling arms, Meranda refutes resignation claim (Punch)
The ousted Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Wednesday, denied reports linking him to stockpiling guns at his office at the assembly.
This is as the current Speaker of the House, Mojisola Meranda, denied resigning from her position.
Obasa denied reports linking him to some firearms allegedly uncovered at his office. Read more
Singer Portable arraigned in court over alleged assault on Ogun officials (Leadership)
Controversial singer, Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, has been arraigned at the Isabo High Court in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capitcal, over alleged assault on government officials.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the ‘Zazu’ crooner was declared wanted by the police on February 18 in connection with an alleged assault on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA).
He subsequently surrendered himself to the police in Lagos State on Wednesday. Read more
OAU to immortalise staff killed by lion (Vanguard)
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has promised to immortalise Mr Olabode Olawuyi, a veterinary technologist who was killed by a lion in the university zoo.
The registrar of the university, Mr Adetunji Bakare, stated this on Wednesday at a one-day workshop to mark the first anniversary of Olawuyi’s death, held at Pit Theatre, Department of Dramatic Arts, OAU.
The workshop, organised by the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), was titled “Workplace Safety Awareness”. Read more
100 Days: Okpebholo’s respect for Edo traditional institution will be forever remembered – Oba of Benin (Nation)
The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on the occasion of his 100-day anniversary in office as Edo governor.
The monarch lauded the governor for abolishing the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the last administration.
Oba Ewuare II noted that Okpebholo’s respect for the traditional institution of the Benin people and Edo State as a whole will be forever remembered. Read more
Qatar strengthens bilateral ties with Katsina (ThisDay)
The Qatari Government has expressed its readiness to deepen bilateral ties with the Katsina State Government in the fields of education, health and infrastructural development.
The Qatar Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri, revealed this shortly after inaugurating Qatar Street, a road named after the country by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
He said the bilateral ties would enable the Qatari Government and the Katsina State Government to explore and expand the health, education and infrastructural sectors of the state. Read more
Sharon Osbourne turned down Pirates of the Caribbean role for Ozzy and now admits it was ‘biggest’ mistake (DailyRecord)
Sharon Osbourne has revealed she stopped husband Ozzy from auditioning for a role for Pirates of the Caribbean and admits it was a huge mistake.
The Black Sabbath rockstar is preparing for his final concert with the band in July, but he could have been a famous movie pirate if his wife hadn’t put her foot down.
She says she still regrets not letting him take on the role alongside Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow character, which led to one of the highest grossing movie franchises of all time. Read more
Drake concert branded ‘‘dystopian’’ over fan signs begging for money (Independent)
Photos from Drake’s recent concert in Sydney are going viral as they showed fans with signs apparently begging the Canadian artist for money.
Drake has been known to hand out large sums to fans during shows or otherwise help them pay for medical bills, debts or other expenses.
Earlier this week, he was filmed scanning the crowd holding their signs aloft at the Qudos Bank Arena when he spotted one woman with a sign that said she was 20 weeks pregnant. Read more
Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus announces 2025 US tour for new memoir ‘‘Fahrenheit-182” (NME)
Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 has announced details of a US tour for his new memoir Fahrenheit-182.
It comes after he dropped news of the upcoming book back last September, and explained that it was set to explore his time with Blink-182 – including their formation and break-up – as well as his struggles with anxiety, suicide ideation, and his cancer diagnosis.
This shit gets dark,” he said in a promotional video at the time, also adding in a separate interview that the project as “a combo of music memoir meets medical journey”. Read more
Who will be the next Pope? Here are the contenders to watch (HOLA!)
Pope Francis’ health is declining. The 88-year-old Argentinean Pope was hospitalised last Friday with pneumonia in both of his lungs. While he appears to be in good spirits, the health scare has prompted many questions and many Catholic devotees to gather outside the hospital in Rome to pray.
Selecting a new Pope is a complicated process. While in theory any Catholic man can be selected, in practice, this process is limited to the 253 cardinals from around the world. These candidates will gather in Rome upon the Pope’s death or resignation. Read more
Starmer backs Zelensky after Trump ‘dictator’ claim (BBC)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelensky as a “democratically elected leader” after Donald Trump described the Ukrainian president as a “dictator”.
Sir Keir called Zelensky on Wednesday evening and told him it was “perfectly reasonable” for Ukraine to “suspend elections during wartime as the UK did during World War Two”, Downing Street said.
Trump had earlier criticised Zelensky, saying he had done a “terrible job” and claiming “he refuses to have elections” in Ukraine. Read more
The BBC’s library of classic sci-fi sounds is now available to sample (TheVerge)
Charles Pulliam-Moore is a reporter focusing on film, TV, and pop culture. Before The Verge, he wrote about comic books, labor, race, and more at io9 and Gizmodo for almost five years.
The original BBC Radiophonic Workshop put itself on the map by crafting the music for radio adaptations of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and the original Doctor Who theme song before shuttering in the late ‘90s. The Workshop’s experimental approach to audio engineering in pursuit of unique sound effects made them early pioneers of the electronic music genre. Even though a new Workshop opened in 2012, things were never quite the same, but the BBC has been working on a plan to give a new generation of musicians access to the original Workshop’s massive archive.
Today, BBC Studios and Spitfire Audio announced the launch of a new downloadable library containing multiple decades’ worth of archival music and sound effects created by the Radiophonic Workshop during its initial run. Access to the library can be purchased for £119/€143/$159 until March 17th, after which the price will jump to £149/€179/$199. Read more
Who are the Latin American cartels the US labelled as terrorist organisations (AXIOS)
The Trump administration on Wednesday designated eight drug cartels — including MS-13 and the Sinaloa Cartel — as global terrorist organizations.
The big picture: The move comes after President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office vowing to crack down on cartels for a “campaign of violence and terror.”
Driving the news: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a Federal Register notice Wednesday that the groups pose a threat to national security and should be labeled as terrorist organizations under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Read more
Chelle visits F’Eagles in camp (Punch)
Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle visited the Flying Eagles training camp in Ikenne Remo following his return from a European tour, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The former Mali coach, who recently met with key national team players in Europe, observed training sessions and shared words of encouragement with the U-20 squad preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Head coach Aliyu Zubairu has invited 30 players to camp ahead of the tournament scheduled for April 26 to May 18, where the seven-time champions will face Egypt, Morocco and South Africa in Group B. Read more
Ex-Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales guilty of kissing Jenni Hermoso without consent after World Cup final (LBC)
Former Spanish football chief Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of kissing a player without consent after the Women’s World Cup final in 2023.
Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup in Sydney, Australia in August 2023.
He was ordered to pay an 18-month fine totalling more than €10,000 after being found guilty on Thursday, equating to €20 a day. Read more
Darwin Nunez breaks silence after horror miss against Aston Villa (DailyMail)
Darwin Nunez has promised to give his all until his last day as a Liverpool player in a defiant response to criticism following his horror miss against Aston Villa.
The Uruguayan wasted a golden opportunity to put the Reds in front at Villa Park, inexplicably missing an open goal shortly after coming on as a second-half substitute.
Liverpool were made to settle for a 2-2 draw and missed the chance to go 10 points clear of Arsenal, who now have a game in hand. Nunez has been slammed by fans and former Reds players for squandering the opportunity, and was even publicly admonished by his manager Arne Slot for his attitude after the miss. Read more
Clarke joins sister in Scotland’s Six Nations squad (BBC)
Rhea Clarke has joined sister Elliann in being called up by Scotland and is one of nine uncapped players in head coach Bryan Easson’s 34-strong extended training squad for the Women’s Six Nations.
The University of Edinburgh scrum-half will hope to emulate her older sibling, with Bristol Bears forward Elliann already accumulating 15 caps.
Rhea is joined in the squad by uncapped Edinburgh clubmates Aila Ronald, Hannah Walker, Adelle Ferrie, Molly Poolman, along with four debutants from the English Premiership – Loughborough Lightning’s Becky Boyd, Sale Sharks’ Rachel Philipps and Bristol Bears duo Hollie Cunningham and Meg Varley. Read more
Emma Raducanu thanks fans for support after Dubai incident (Standard)
Emma Raducanu has thanked fans for their messages of support on social media after the “difficult experience” of being approached by a man displaying fixated behaviour ahead of her defeat to Karolina Muchova in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
The British star appeared to be in tears as she went to the umpire’s chair after the second game of her rain-delayed, second-round match on Tuesday. She regained her composure but could not prevent a second-round defeat.
A Women’s Tennis Association statement on the incident read: “On Monday, February 17, Emma Raducanu was approached in a public area by a man who exhibited fixated behaviour. Read more
NBA world reacts to Luka Doncic’s performance in Hornets-Lakers game (SI)
On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Charlotte Hornets.
The Lakers lost by a score of 100-97.Luka Doncic finished the loss with 14 points, 11 reboudns, eight assists and one steal while shooting 5/18 from the field and 1/9 from the three-point range in 33 minutes of playing time. Read more