All for Money: Rampaging teenage yahoo boys take over ritual killings, girls deploy charms on rich men (Vanguard)
About five years ago in Oshodi, Lagos, a young man- very fair in complexion and handsome, was seen walking stark naked. It was a normal busy day and so, as he walked, people bumped into him and you could imagine the embarrassment on their faces each time that happened.
The guy kept straight face, mute and kept walking to God knows where. Some individuals, who were conversant with such public display of acute madness, told the inquisitive ones among us that he was carrying out a ritual for money. What a shame!
There’s a viral video on social media, showing two young men at a busy busstop, sitting on potties and defecating. One of them wipes his anus with a piece of bread and chews. Humans turning into dogs that feed on faeces because of money; this is bizarre! They are aware that they’re being videoed, but remain unconcerned. According to the narrators, this happened in Owerri, Imo State. Read more
Police foil lady’s attempted suicide over torture (Punch)
Operatives of the Rapid Respond Squad have prevented a yet-to-be-identified lady from committing suicide in the Iyana Oworo area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the lady, who claimed to have been undergoing a series of torture at home, reportedly ran away to commit suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge.
A dispatch rider, who saw the lady, walking suspiciously around the Iyana Oworo end of the bridge, alerted the operatives.
A Facebook post made by the agency revealed that the officers restrained her after being alerted.
The lady was said to have been taken to the police station as efforts were on to contact her family. Read more
2023: PDP will win Lagos to replicate Makinde’s exemplary leadership in Oyo – Orji (Independent)
Honourable Rita Orji, lawmaker that represented Ajeromi/Ifelodun federal constituency at the eighth Assembly, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win Lagos State in 2023 general elections so that the main opposition party will replicate the kind of exemplary leadership that Governor Seyi Makinde is known for in Oyo State.
Orji, in an interview, stated that Lagos residents have been yearning for positive change and not the kind of deception that the All Progressives Congress (APC) promised the citizens without delivering any of them, rather Nigerians and Lagosians have been wallowing in poverty, hardship and frustration since the ruling party took over governance.
“Lagosians have been yearning for PDP to take over power. The fact remains that we have not been losing elections in Lagos State as a party but we have issues of thugs, hijack of electoral materials, ballot boxes, etcetera by the ruling party and now that we have a hard-working governor in the South-West like Seyi Makinde, we will replicate what is happening in Oyo State in Lagos State.
“PDP will restore hope for Lagosians if given the opportunity and I am sure they will. What the people got from the APC is worse than a nightmare. Unfortunately, some people ganged up in 2015, used the media to remove PDP but today the APC has given Nigerians, poverty, hardship, bloodshed and hunger. Read more
Egbin restarts power generation, adds 660mw to National Grid (Leadership)
After a minor fire incident that knocked off electricity generation from Africa’s largest gas-fired power plant in Egbin, Lagos State, normal power generation has now resumed.
Group Managing Director of Sahara Power, owners of the Egbin Power Plant, Mr Kola Adesina, disclosed Leadership exclusively that as at this Saturday, a unit of the plant with installed 220 megawatts has commenced operation.
“The plant is not completely out of operation as erroneously reported. We only shut down as a safety measure but as I speak with you, one unit is back on steam generating 220mw. We understand the impact on the national economy, though it is a sequence but we have mobilised resources to ensure we continue to energise the economy,” Adeshina said.
He further said that before the end of the day, another unit will be up to raise generation from the plant to 440mw.Read more
APC primary: Tinubu, other aspirants can’t outspend me, says Orji Kalu (Punch)
A presidential aspirant, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, and other aspirants cannot outspend him during the upcoming All Progressives Congress presidential primary election.
He said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, adding that Tinubu isn’t a hindrance to his becoming next president.
Asked if he sees the former governor as a threat, Kalu answered, “No! and I am not a threat to his ambition. By the time we meet in Eagles Square, this issue will be settled.
“Mind you, politics is not only about money; it is about the people you are going to govern -the people of the North-West, the people of North-East, the people of North-Central, the people of the South-East, the people of the South-West, and the people of South-South, and we have the people. I can move the people and the people are with me.”
On why he decided to run fr president after an initial denial, Kalu said the situation of the country made him make a U-turn.South Read more
Osinbajo honours Tunde Kelani (Nation)
Foremost filmmaker Tunde Kelani has been honoured by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo hosted Kelani at the Aso Rock in a private and close knit affair that had associates of the VP and the filmmaker in attendance.
Earlier, the filmmaker had hosted Osinbajo in Ibadan at the launch of the Yoruba World Centre project.
Osinbajo attended the event, which took place at the University of Ibadan in November 2021. Read more
Don Jazzy, Toke Makinwa, others celebrate Tiwa Savage on 42nd birthday (Punch)
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Tiwa Savage, on Saturday clocked a new age and several celebrities have taken to Instagram to celebrate the acclaimed ‘African Bad Girl.’
Though Tiwa Savage did not announce her birthday on her Instagram page, the singer shared a picture of herself on Insta stories with a cake emoji.
The mother-of-one also shared birthday wishes from her fans and friends on her Instagram story.
Sharing an event e-flier on her Insta story, the Koroba crooner revealed that she was hosting a birthday bash at an undisclosed venue. Read more
Avoid coup now, sustain democracy, Catholic Bishop cautions politicians (Sun)
Catholic, Bishop of Lafia Diocese, Dr. David Ajang, has said politicians are the reasons why coups are happening in some parts of Africa, cautioning Nigeria politicians to avoid it now by doing the right thing towards sustaining Democracy.
Ajang disclosed this on Friday while giving his sermon during the 10th year wedding Anniversary of the family of Mr and Mrs Daniel Oga Ogazi, member of the Nasarawa state House of Assembly, at Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area of the state.
He highlighted coup incidents in some parts of Africa attributing it to bad governance, corruption and not engaging the youth in government and others, advising politicians to create an enabling environment that would create jobs for the youth and maintain good governance for the good of all in the country.
Ajang also urged husbands and wives to continue to show understanding, tolerate and love each other for their marriage to last. Read more
Removing your deputy may cause crisis, PDP warns Matawalle (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party has cautioned Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, to refrain from allegedly manipulating the State House of Assembly to commence impeachment process against his deputy, Mohammed Gusau.
The main opposition party made the call in a statement on Saturday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, and titled, ‘PDP Cautions Matawalle Over Impeachment Misadventure’.
The party accused the governor of “stoking and inducing violence in the state by orchestrating and manipulating the State House of Assembly to commence an illegal and undemocratic process of impeachment against the democratically elected Deputy Governor”.
The PDP also called on the President, Major General, Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and All Progressives Congress to immediately call Matawalle to order and ensure there is no assault on democracy in Zamfara state. Read more
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham ‘welcome baby girl’ (Metro)
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham have reportedly welcomed their second child, a baby girl.
The MailOnline reports that a close family member confirmed the happy news, saying that the baby was born in London on Wednesday.
The couple had announced they were expecting in August, with the model sharing a photo of her growing baby bump at the time.
Rosie, 34, revealed the happy news with a series of pictures of herself in the mirror modelling different outfits in which the last one was her in a white, ribbed dress, cradling her baby bump.
She told her followers at the time: ‘Taaa daahhh !! #round2.’ Read more
Audition for Ghana Gospel Music Icon reality show begins on March 5 (MyJoy)
The organisers of the annual Ghana Gospel Music Icon Reality show have announced preparations to commence audition for the maiden edition of the reality show.
Ghana Gospel Music Icon Reality show is a singing competition Reality show with the primary objective of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.
The organisers feel it is important to acknowledge the talents of the youth and help them nurture them for the future, hence the term ‘Ghana Gospel Music Icon Reality show’.
Ghana Gospel Music Icon Reality show is a singing competition Reality show with the primary objective of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through music.
The organisers feel it is important to acknowledge the talents of the youth and help them nurture them for the future, hence the term ‘Ghana Gospel Music Icon Reality show’.
The goal of the reality show is to entertain and educate the TV audience and inspire and unearth the music passion hidden in the youth. It is a strictly urban and contemporary gospel reality show.
The show which will involve the eviction of contestants from the show is expected to last for eight weeks.
The contestants would go through weeks of gruelling weekly performances and an eviction till the winner emerges.
Being organised by Lightway Church of God in Christ (LCGC) in California, USA, the audition for the reality show will take place on March 5, at the Sunlodge Hotel, Tesano behind the Shell Filling Station Accra. Read more
Joe Rogan: India Arie shares resurfaced clips of podcaster using N-word 22 times (Independent)
Resurfaced Joe Rogan footage, shared by musician India Arie, shows the podcaster using the N-word multiple times.
On Tuesday (1 February), the Grammy-winning singer said she was removing her music from Spotify because of Rogan’s “language around race”.
She branded the podcaster “problematic”, saying that she came to her decision as she felt she should “walk” through a door “opened” by Neil Young.
The week before, Young asked that his music be removed from the platform due to its affiliation with Rogan, whom he said had spread “false information” regarding Covid-19 vaccines.
Elaborating upon her reasoning for asking her music to be withdrawn from the platform, “Brown Skin ” singer Arie wrote in a statement: “I believe in freedom of speech. However, I find Joe Rogan problematic for reasons other than his Covid interviews…for me it’s also his language around race.”
At the time, she didn’t specifically mention what she was referring to, but she has now told her followers that she’d like to clarify her stance. On Instagram, she then posted an edited reel of YouTube clips that show Rogan using the racial slur 22 times.
Another clip shared by Arie shows Rogan telling a racist story that culminates with him comparing Black people to characters in the film Planet of the Apes.
Rogan has since posted a video on Instagram offering his “sincerest apologies” for using the slur. He also attempted to explain his reasoning for doing so.
Arie questioned Spotify’s policy of paying musicians minimal money for hosting their music, and then deciding to use their revenue to pay Rogan millions for his podcast, which is titled The Joe Rogan Experience. Read more
Elton John ‘will miss his own annual Oscars party this year (DailyMail)
Elton John will miss his own Oscars bash this year due to a scheduling clash and his husband David Furnish will take over, it has been reported.
The 74-year-old singer has hosted an annual Hollywood party on Academy Awards night for the past 30 years, in order to raise money for his Aids Foundation, but he will be absent this year.
The Oscars have been postponed from February to March 27 when Elton is back on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour and he reportedly didn’t want to disappoint fans after the tour was previously postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre column: ‘Elton is absolutely gutted he can’t make the party but it was completely out of his hands.
‘When his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was rescheduled, he kept the first Oscars date free.
‘But when the ceremony was then moved, everything was already set in stone.’
Elton’s annual Oscars Party has raised tens of millions for his Aids Foundation to date and he always plans his touring schedule so he can attend.
‘It was completely unavoidable. Elton didn’t want to let down those thousands of fans who’d held on to their tickets for his gig in Nebraska and waited so patiently for the tour to be rescheduled after Covid’, the source continued.
A representative for Elton has been contacted by MailOnline for a comment.
However, the party will go ahead in Los Angeles, with Elton’s husband David hosting the star-studded bash in his absence, according to the report. Read more
Fast and Furious boss rebooting Goosebumps for Disney+ (DigitalSpy)
Goosebumps is coming back to our TV screens from one of the bosses of the Fast & Furious franchise, the director of Pokémon Detective Pikachu and the co-writer of the latest two The Muppets movies.
As reported by Variety, Disney+ have picked up the series that was first announced back in April 2020, and have ordered 10 episodes.
Unlike the 1990s series, which was an anthology that adapted a different RL Stine story every episode (or two, they loved a two-parter and we lived for those cliffhangers), this will be one continuous story.
That story will follow five high school kids who unleash all sorts of supernatural evil upon their time, and have to put aside their differences and work together to sort things out. Apparently, they will learn secrets their parents kept hidden along the way. Will the parents be characters from previous Goosebumps stories?
Fast & Furious executive producer Neal H Mortiz is executive producing, while Detective Pikachu and the 2015 Goosebumps movie director Rob Letterman is helming the first episode, and will be co-writing with The Muppets and The Muppets: Most Wanted co-writer Nick Stoller.
This isn’t the first RL Stine adaptation that Disney+ have brought to our screens, as the eight-episode first season of the Just Beyond graphic novels dropped last October.
Last year, actor Justice Smith updated fans on what’s going on with the Detective Pikachu sequel, and while it looked like things were going well, he seems to think it’s not going to happen.
“I don’t know if it’s going to happen,” he said. “I think we have to just kind of bury our hopes. I don’t think it’s going to happen. I really hope so though. Honestly, I’m such a huge fan, who knows, who knows? I hope so.” Read more
Tom Holland regrets not calling Andrew Garfield on his ‘Spider-Man’ casting (NME)
Tom Holland has revealed that he regrets not getting previous Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield’s blessing before he took over the role.
Holland made his debut as the superhero in 2015’s Captain America: Civil War and has since played the character in five subsequent films. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter on his latest outing as the character in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland explains his regret at the situation.
“Something I can look back on now with a little bit of clarity and regret is that I never called [Garfield] when I took over as Spider-Man. Had someone said to me after my second movie that I was done and this other kid was taking over, I would’ve been heartbroken. So looking back, I wish I had the chance to make amends with him, but this film was our opportunity.”
Garfield reprised his role as the web-slinging superhero for the first time since 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in No Way Home, where he teamed-up with Tom Holland and Tobey Maguire’s versions of the Marvel character in order to save the multiverse. Further sequels and spin-offs to The Amazing Spider-Man 2 were planned, but were subsequently cancelled due to conflicts between Sony Pictures, Garfield and director Marc Webb.
Holland continued in the interview: “It was not only an opportunity for him to make peace with the character and the studio, but it was also an opportunity for me and him to have this moment where we realize we could share this thing. The look on his face when he saves Zendaya [MJ] is totally genuine, and I’m really proud of him.”
Garfield recently revealed that he only told three people in advance about his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
“I lied to people for a good two years and I lied to the internet for two years, and it felt great,” Garfield told The Ellen DeGeneres Show, adding that only three people in his life besides his agent knew that he was filming.
“My dad, my brother, and my mother are just kind of us. It was fun to keep it a secret,” Garfield added. “It felt like I was organising a surprise birthday party for a bunch of people who I knew would appreciate it.”
In other news, it was announced last month that Spider-Man: No Way Home had become the sixth highest grossing film of all time at the box office. Read more
Strictly’s Giovanni and Rose look stony-faced before he ‘replaces’ her in cheeky clip (DailyStar)
Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has shared an amusing backstage clip which shows him and his dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis looking stony-faced on the Liverpool leg of the show’s tour.
At the start of the clip which was captioned excitement, “backstage” crew are seen carrying boxes as stars of the show chat among themselves.
The camera then panned around to show Giovanni and Rose sitting next to each other with blank expressions on their faces as they turned around to look at each other.
In a second clip shared on Rose’s Instagram Story, Giovanni could be seen dancing with a huge bottle of water as he demonstrated how he would dance with Rose.
As the professional dancer showed off his moves, Rose captioned the video: “Demonstrating what it’s like dancing with me… apparently,” adding a laughing emoji face.
Last week she reflected on her “crazy” experience as she wows crowds across the UK on the tour.
As the professional dancer showed off his moves, Rose captioned the video: “Demonstrating what it’s like dancing with me… apparently,” adding a laughing emoji face.
On Monday she took to her Instagram page to share a series of fun behind-the-scenes snaps from the tour featuring her castmates.
“I do sometimes forget what city I am in while I’m on tour!” she wrote.
“Honestly this tour made me very thankful for all the love and support from lots of people. I am a very lucky person to have this crazy experience.”
US women’s hockey routs Russia as fresh faces step up at Olympics 2022 (NYPost)
In its first game without an injured veteran, some new blood stepped up to keep the offense coming for the U.S. women’s hockey team.
Three different first-time Olympians scored to help lift Team USA to a 5-0 win over the Russian Olympic Committee team on Saturday in Beijing.
Team USA moved to 2-0 in preliminary round play and will face Switzerland on Sunday.
It was the Americans’ first game without Brianna Decker, the team’s assists leader in the 2018 games, who suffered a tournament-ending leg injury in the opener on Thursday. In her absence, Savannah Harmon, Jesse Compher and Grace Zumwinkle each scored their first Olympic goal, with Team USA pouring on three goals in the third period to cruise to the win. Read more
Chelsea survive scare to beat Plymouth (BBC)
Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie missed a penalty late in extra time as Chelsea survived a huge scare to beat the League One side in the FA Cup fourth round.
Macaulay Gillesphey’s early header from Jordan Houghton’s cross sent the 6,000 travelling Argyle fans into delirium.
Chelsea deservedly restored parity through Cesar Azpilicueta’s delightful flick late in the first half.
Marcos Alonso put the Blues ahead in extra time before Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Hardie’s tame spot-kick.
After registering 41 shots and 20 corners, Chelsea were worthy victors but were pushed all the way by a resilient and hard-working Plymouth. Read More
NBA Africa, Hennessy Launch First Floating Basketball Court In Africa (Leadership)
NBA Africa and Hennessy celebrated their partnership with the launch of the first basketball floating court on the continent when NBA Crossover tipped off at Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge in Lagos, Nigeria recently.
The floating court will be on display in the coming days, until the Crossover concludes at Lagos’ Landmark Beach this weekend.
The event was hosted by media personality and entertainer, Jimmie Akinsola, and was attended by Nigerian artistes, media practitioners, former WNBA and NBA players – 2003 WNBA Champion Astou Ndiaye (Senegal), 2015 AfroBasket Champion and former NBA player, Olumide Oyedeji, and Wakanow CEO and former NBA player, Obinna Ekezie.
There were also NBA Africa and Hennessy leadership, including NBA Africa CEO, Victor Williams; NBA Africa Vice President & Country Head Nigeria, Gbemisola Abudu; Hennessy Global Project Manager, Jean Baptiste Descours, and Hennessy General Manager Nigeria, Sebastien Chouen. Read more
Queiroz knocks CAF, referee after red card suspension (Vanguard)
Pharaohs of Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz will miss the dug-out in today’s Africa Cup of Nations final after he was dismissed in the semi-final against Cameroon.
During the tension soaked semi-final on Thursday, Queiroz protested several decisions made by the centre referee Gassama from the Gambian. Queiroz was sent off after two warnings.
“Again, unfortunately, they send this type of referee to a game of this level, referees with no experience, no level, wanting to put on a show… It started right in the dressing room,” Queiroz told the press.
“We hadn’t started the game yet and he came to the locker room to intimidate our staff. But even against this, against all the decisions, which were always against Egypt, we were the best team in the second half and on penalties.Read more
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel tests positive for Covid-19 (Metro)
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be absent from the touchline for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Plymouth Argyle.
The Blues are due to take on the League One side at Stamford Bridge at 12.30pm, but will now do so without their manager.
After the FA Cup tie, the squad will fly out for the Club World Cup, which takes place in Abu Dhabi next week.
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea – Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg
The Blues will fly out for the Club World Cup later on Saturday (Picture: Getty Images)
Last season’s Champions League winners will go up against either Al-Hilal or Al-Jazira in the semi-finals on Wednesday, before a potential final against Palmeiras, Monterrey or Al Ahly next Saturday.
Chelsea are hoping Tuchel will be able to link back up with the squad later next week. Read more
Blackstenius saves late point for WSL leaders Arsenal against Man Utd (BBC)
Stina Blackstenius’s first goal for Arsenal denied Manchester United a crucial victory in the WSL title race at Meadow Park.
United led for much of the game after Alessia Russo’s early header.
Katie McCabe was sent off for Arsenal after 75 minutes but despite that Blackstenius levelled minutes later.
Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table is now five points, but that could be reduced when second-placed Chelsea face Manchester City on Sunday.
United stay in third having missed the chance to close to within two points of the leaders.
United midfielder Katie Zelem’s set-pieces were on point throughout and led to the opening goal after 10 minutes, Russo rising highest to head home despite calls for a foul by Hayley Ladd in the build-up. Read more
Gabriel Martinelli wants Arsenal’s No.14 shirt after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s exit (Metro)
Gabriel Martinelli wants to take over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s No.14 shirt at Arsenal following the striker’s move to Barcelona.
Aubameyang sealed his move to Camp Nou in the final hours of the January transfer window after a major fall out with Mikel Arteta.
The 32-year-old was stripped of the captaincy in December following a series of disciplinary breaches and did not feature again for Arsenal following Arteta’s decision.
Martinelli, meanwhile, has impressed for the Gunners this season, with the 20-year-old scoring four goals so far.
The Brazilian forward is still wearing the No.35 shirt he was given after joining Arsenal in 2019. Read more