Akpabio’s wife, Kingibe tackle Natasha over sexual harassment claim (Nation)
The rift between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, assumed a new dimension yesterday with claims by the latter that Akpabio had previously made advances to her.
Speaking in an interview on Arise Television, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan recalled that the incident took place during a visit to Akpabio’s residence in Akwa Ibom State shortly after her emergence as senator.
Alleging that her recent clash with Akpabio in the upper chamber of the National Assembly stemmed from a sexual harassment he previously suffered at the Senate President’s hands, she said: “It all started the day before his birthday and my birthday, because we are birthday mates. We were all in Akwa Ibom. Read more
Wike speaks on Supreme Court judgement in Rivers (Guardian)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has praised the judiciary for its boldness in standing firm against what he described as “impunity” in Rivers.
Wike made the commendation in Abuja on Friday while reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the constitution of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the legality of the state’s 2024 local government elections.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the Rivers House of Assembly led by Mr Martin Amaewhule as the authentic and legally constituted legislative body in the state. Read more
Sultan declares Saturday day 1 of Ramadan (Channels)
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has declared Saturday, March 1st, 2025 as the first day of Ramadan 1446AH.
He said the declaration was based on the sighting of the moon in almost every part of the country earlier on Friday which is the 29th day of the Month of Shaban and thereby signifies March 1st as the first day of Ramadan 1446.
“We got the information from Muslim leaders across the country and we accept the sighting of the moon accordingly,” the Sultan said. Read more
Army renames Ikeja Cantonment to honour Gen. Lagbaja (Nation)
The Nigerian Army, yesterday, honoured the late Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja by renaming the Cantonment after him.
The popular Ikeja Cantonment is now to be known as T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja.
The renaming ceremony which was held yesterday followed impressive facility upgrades including an engraved picture of Lagbaja made with over 400,000 nails in front of the refurbished main gate to the cantonment; digital boards; remodelled accommodation for Commander 9 Brigade; newly built residence of Commander 70 Supply and Transport Command; renovated seven by Corporal Below and three by Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCOs) quarters. Read more
Lagos residents decry robberies (Punch)
Residents of the Iyana School, Iba area of Lagos State have raised the alarm over frequent robberies in the community.
According to them, the robbers operate in large numbers, using Volkswagen (Faragon) buses, tricycles, motorcycles and other means to carry out their attacks.
Speaking to Saturday PUNCH, a resident, Owolabi Oriyomi, said the robbers usually target unsuspecting passengers. Read more
Island Muslim Community to spend N5b on cemeteries, hospitals, orphanages (ThisDay)
Support for Muslim facilities, such as hospitals, care for orphanages and cemeteries have propelled the Island Muslim Community (IMC) to plan an expenditure of N5 billion.
Some of the proposed projects are Shariah-compliant cemeteries, a 1- 10,000 sqm Ikorodu Cemetery Land, currently being developed, Premium Cemetery at Akodo and Cemetery at Ibeju-Lekki.
World Class Hospital for women and children: A gender sensitive hospital where the dignity of the Muslim woman is respected in service delivery and men are attended to by male doctors. Read more
NAFDAC blacklists Indian Pharmaceutical firm over dangerous addictive pills (Vanguard)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has blacklisted Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, an Indian pharmaceutical company, for manufacturing and exporting dangerous, addictive pills capable of causing severe health risks, including death.
NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the announcement at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, revealing that the company operates from the outskirts of Mumbai, India.
According to Adeyeye, the company is responsible for the production and export of highly addictive pills containing a hazardous combination of Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant with strong addictive properties. Read more
‘‘Fraud’’: Kano anti-graft agency arrests LG Chairman (DailyTrust)
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the Chairman of Kiru Local Government Area, Abdullahi Mohammed ,for allegedly selling a land originally designated for the Kafin Maiyaki Mini Stadium.
According to the commission’s investigation, a company called Mahasum purchased the plots meant for the stadium for over N100 million, with payments deposited directly into Mohammed’s personal account.
Confirming the arrest, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabir Abba Kabir, revealed that Mohammed’s account received a total of N240 million between November 1, 2024, when he was sworn into office and February 27, 2025. The commission has since recovered the funds. Read more
Mischa Barton reveals she’s a huge Oasis fan: “They’re the coolest” (NME)
Mischa Barton has revealed she is a fan of Oasis, during an interview to promote her new film An Invitation to Murder.
Barton, best known for her role in ‘00s teen drama The O.C., took part in an interview with The Guardian, answering questions sent in from readers. The British-born star was asked how she came to be in the video for ‘Everybody’s On The Run’ by Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. In the video, her character getting out of a taxi, only to have her dress caught and torn off by the taxi door, and chasing after it.
“I’ve hung out with Noel before,” she said regarding how she was approached. “We have mutual friends, so he just asked me. He’d just started High Flying Birds and was coming to LA. I think he knew I lived there and hoped I would be available. It was fun. I don’t know how I felt about getting my skirt ripped off. I was like: ‘Is this really what we’re doing?’ But I’m still super-glad I did it because they’re the coolest”. Read more
Pope Francis suffers ‘breathing crisis’ amid battle with pneumonia (AlJazeera)
Pope Francis has suffered an “isolated breathing crisis” in hospital which caused him to vomit but he was given non-invasive mechanical ventilation and responded well, the Vatican said, as the pontiff continues to battle pneumonia.
The Vatican said on Friday the breathing crisis led to “an episode of vomiting with inhalation and a sudden worsening of the respiratory picture.”
“The Holy Father promptly underwent bronchoaspiration and began non-invasive mechanical ventilation, with a good response on gas exchange. The Holy Father remained alert and oriented at all times,” the Vatican added. Read more
EU hits back at Trump’s claim that bloc ‘screws’ the US (France24)
The European Union on Thursday pushed back hard against allegations by US President Donald Trump that the 27-nation bloc was out to get the United States, and warned that it would vigorously fight any wholesale tariff of 25% on all EU products.
The tit-for-tat dispute following Trump’s comments, which were aimed at a staunch US ally and its main postwar economic partner, further deepened the trans-Atlantic rift that was already opened by Trump’s warnings that Washington would drop security guarantees for its European allies.
Thursday’s EU pushback came after Trump told reporters that “the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. That’s the purpose of it, and they’ve done a good job of it,” adding that it would stop immediately under his presidency. Read more
“Sacramento” road-trip movie trailer released starring Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart and Michael Angarano (CBS)
Bright lights are shining on California’s capital city as the trailer for the highly anticipated road-trip comedy “Sacramento” was released on Thursday.
“Sacramento” stars Michael Cera, Kristen Stewart, Maya Erskine and Michael Angarano, who also directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Christopher Nicholas Smith.
The movie follows two old friends, Rickey and Glenn, on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento.
Iconic locations like the Tower Bridge, Freeport water tower, Old Sacramento and Gunther’s Ice Cream are featured in the film and are briefly glimpsed in the trailer. Read more
Hairy Biker Si King pays emotional tribute to his late co-star Dave Myers on the one year anniversary of his tragic death (DailyMail)
Hairy Bikers star Si King has paid tribute to his late co-star and friend Dave Myers with an emotional Instagram post on Friday, one year after his tragic death.
Dave passed away in February 2024 at the age of 66, with his family and co-star, 58, by his side following a lengthy battle with an unspecified cancer.
Si, 58, has worked to continue Dave’s legacy and his special documentary, The Hairy Bikers: You’ll Never Ride Alone, saw him close the chapter on an incredible 25 years of memories with his biking brother. Read more
James Cameron says US under Trump is ‘‘horrifying’’ as he becomes New Zealand citizen (Guardian)
James Cameron has voiced his relief that he is becoming a New Zealand citizen in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president, saying that America under Trump is “a turn away from everything decent”.
Asked how worried he was about Trump’s second term, the 70-year-old film-maker told New Zealand outlet Stuff: “I think it’s horrific, I think it’s horrifying … I see it as a turn away from everything decent. America doesn’t stand for anything if it doesn’t stand for what it has historically stood for. It becomes a hollow idea, and I think they’re hollowing it out as fast as they can for their own benefit.”
The Titanic director has owned a large dairy farm in South Wairarapa since 2012 and has long voiced plans to permanently move to New Zealand, having made his Avatar films with Wellington’s Weta Digital, for which the visual effects studio won an Oscar. Read more
Rivers to file complaint after Adamawa’s coach accusations (Punch)
Rivers Angels are set to file an official complaint to the Nigeria Women Football League over accusations of match manipulation made by Adamawa Queens coach, Dadeino Heman, following their 6-0 defeat in Port Harcourt, The PUNCH reports.
Heman had accused the seven-time NWFL champions of using referees to secure victory despite acknowledging that Rivers Angels possessed superior quality players.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Rivers Angels Media Officer Faith Meremegbunam confirmed the club’s intention to take formal action against the Adamawa Queens coach. Read more
Pep Guardiola refuses questions on LaLiga’s Man City complaint (DailyMail)
A riled-up Pep Guardiola repeated a one-word response to questions on Javier Tebas, after the LaLiga chief confirmed the league has reported Man City to the European Commission over an alleged financial scandal.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas made the bombshell claim at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London on Thursday.
Tebas accused Man City of a Enron-style financial scandal. Enron was an infamous multi-billion-pound accounting deception which erupted nearly 25 years ago in the United States. Read more
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff: Rashford, Asensio link up again as Spaniard scores another brace (Football365)
Marco Asensio scored another brace to send Aston Villa into their first FA Cup quarter-final in a decade at the expense of Championship side Cardiff City.
Friday was the fourth time Aston Villa and Cardiff met in the FA Cup, with the Welsh side winning two and Villa winning one.
Nobody was reading into that, as the most recent one came in 1948/49.
Villa went into the fixture unbeaten in their last 15 home matches against Cardiff, winning the past seven and were without a defeat since December 1954. Read more
Ferrari “have work to do,” says Hamilton (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton said Ferrari “definitely have some work to do to improve” as his former Mercedes team-mate George Russell set the pace on the final day of pre-season testing.
Russell pipped Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.021 seconds with a lap just five minutes before the end of the day’s running.
Hamilton ended the day sixth fastest in his Ferrari, 0.8 seconds off Russell. Read more
Knapp hangs on to lead at Palm Beach Gardens (France24)
Jake Knapp came down to earth after his stunning opening round 59 with his one-under-par 70 on Friday cutting his lead at the PGA Tour Cognizant Classic to a single stroke.
Playing the back nine at PGA National first, Knapp reached the turn even-par but then after birdies on the third and fourth holes made a double bogey on the par-4 sixth.
Kapp drove into the water and then hit his third shot into the rough. Nevertheless he ended the second round with a one-stroke advantage over France’s Matthieu Pavon, who shot a 7-under 64. Read more