Appeal Court postpones judgement on Osun Governorship appeal (Tribune)
The Appeal Court, on Monday, postponed judgement on the Osun State Governorship Appeal filed by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Adeleke had, on February 9th, appealed the judgement of the Osun State Governorship Tribunal, which nullified his election and ruled in favour of the former Governor of the State, Gboyega Oyetola.
Governor Adeleke prayed the court to reject the ruling of the Osun State tribunal describing it as a “miscarriage of justice”.
However, when the tribunal ruled in favour of a former governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, two out of the three-member tribunal panel held that Oyetola proved that there was over-voting in some of the polling units. Read more
God doesn’t rig elections, Obi rejects insinuations his loss is divine (DailyTrust)
Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has said the problem of Nigeria is accepting what is wrong and unacceptable as God’s wish for the country.
Obi said this on Monday, while featuring on ARISE Television’s Morning Show.
He was reacting to the position of some Nigerians that the outcome of this year’s presidential election, should be seen and accepted as the wish of God.
But Obi said God does not wish bad things for people and that this is what the Obidient Movement is trying to change. Read more
Train Crash: Father says naira scarcity made daughter board staff bus (Punch)
Mr Femi Aina, the father of a National Youth Service Corps member, Oreoluwa, who was one of those who died in the Lagos train crash has said the lingering naira scarcity contributed to the unfortunate situation that led to his daughter’s unfortunate death.
Last Thursday, a Lagos State Government staff bus collided with a train in the PWD area of the state, leading to the death of some passengers with many hospitalised after suffering severe injuries.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Aina said his daughter did not usually board the staff bus every day, but did not have enough cash on her on that fateful day.
The PUNCH reports that the naira scarcity following the redesigning of the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria has pushed many Nigerians to hardships. Read more
JAMB shifts 2023 mock examination date (Guardian)
JAMB has shifted the 2023 Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) mock examination earlier scheduled for Thursday, March 16 to Thursday, March 30.
Its Head, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr Fabian Benjamin told newsmen in Abuja on Monday that the shift became necessary because of the postponement of governorship elections from March 11 to March 18.
“Candidates who registered early and indicated their willingness to take the Mock-UTME would be notified as to when to print their Mock-UTME notification slips, which would contain their centres and other details. Read more
Old naira notes remain legal tender in Lagos –Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday said the old naira notes remain legal tender in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, called on business owners, especially retailers, to accept the old N500 and N1,000 notes in line with the Supreme Court judgement that the currency remains legal tender until December 31, 2023.
Recall that the Supreme Court had invalidated the naira redesign policy initiated by the Federal Government on the grounds that it was not done with due consultation and in line with constitutional provisions. Read more
FAAN closes Lagos Airport runway for 8 week maintenance (Channels)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said a runway at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos State is being shut for eight weeks to carry out maintenance work.
In the now deleted tweet on Monday, the Authority reiterated its commitment to safety, security and comfort – its core values.
“This is to notify the public that runway 18R/36L of the Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport, Lagos has been closed for 8 weeks for Maintenance work to be carried out. Taxiway B-18L will be used for all flight operations,” it said. Read more
How I stole over 100 motorcycles within 3 months in Ondo – Suspect (Guardian)
A 35-year-old suspected robber, Olamide Wasiu, confessed to stealing over 100 motorcycles within the space of three months in various towns across Ondo State.
While owning up to the crime, Wasiu disclosed that after stealing the motorcycles, he will dismantle them before taking the stolen goods to buyers in Oyo, Osun, and Ogun States.
According to the suspect, who was paraded at the headquarters of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, Alagbaka, Akure, he added that his major buyer escaped to Abuja when he was nabbed by Amotekun operatives. Read more
Senate, Reps postpone resumption to March 21 (Vanguard)
The Senate and the House Representatives, on Monday, postponed plenary till Tuesday 21st March 2023.
The two chambers had earlier adjourned plenary till tomorrow (Tuesday 14th March 2023) to enable lawmakers to partake in the Governorship and State Assembly elections earlier fixed for Saturday 11th March 2023 which was later shifted to March 18, 2023.
A statement on Monday by the Clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Francis Akubueze read, “This is to inform all Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that the resumption of the Senate in Plenary has been rescheduled from Tuesday 14th March, 2023 to Tuesday 21th March 2023. Read more
Ice Spice reacts after Nicki Minaj crowns her ‘‘princess’’ of rap (HipHopDX)
Ice Spice has reacted after receiving a huge stamp of approval from Nicki Minaj.
The Young Money Queen showed support to the “Munch (Feelin’ U)” star this past weekend by following her on Instagram and jumping into her comments section to crown her the “Princess” of rap.
“Btchs slow so I gih dem a pass. [fire emoji] Nah. Grah! No more passes Princess…Let’s go,” Nicki wrote under Spice’s most recent IG post, which contained photos and videos of her performance at Rolling Loud California earlier this month. Read more
The Weeknd wins Artist Of The Year and more at 2023 Juno Awards (uDiscoverMusic)
The Weeknd won Artist Of The Year and three other trophies at the 2023 Juno Awards in Alberta, Canada, this weekend (March 11).
The Juno Awards celebrates the best in Canadian music each year, with its awards split over multiple nights.
The Opening Night Awards, a gala industry dinner, took place on Saturday at the Edmonton Convention Centre. Although The Weeknd was not present in person, he was honored with the awards for Artist Of The Year, Songwriter Of The Year, Single Of The for “Sacrifice,” and Pop Album for Dawn FM. Read more
Book thief who stole more than 1,000 manuscripts ‘wanted to cherish them before anyone else’ (Guardian)
The former publishing employee who stole manuscripts of books by Margaret Atwood, Sally Rooney and Ian McEwan has said he had a “burning desire” to feel like he was a publishing professional, and had no intention of leaking the books he stole.
Filippo Bernardini pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud in New York in January, encompassing the theft of more than 1,000 manuscripts.
Bernardini worked as a rights coordinator in London for Simon & Schuster, which has not been implicated in any of his crimes. He impersonated agents and publishers over email to obtain novels and other works from writers and their representatives. Read more
A$AP Rocky cheers on pregnant Rihanna from 2023 Oscars audience (PageSix)
And the award for most supportive boyfriend goes to… A$AP Rocky.
The “Fashion Killa” rapper continues to be Rihanna’s No. 1 fan, as he was spotted cheering on his pregnant partner from the audience at the 2023 Oscars Sunday evening.
After Rihanna, 35, wrapped her performance of “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack, cameras cut to Rocky, 34, pumping his fist in the air and flashing a giant smile to celebrate. Read more
Ke Huy Quan and Harrison Ford hugging at Oscars 2023 is going viral 38 years after Temple of Doom (People)
Indiana Jones and Short Round had a heartwarming reunion at the Oscars 2023.
After Ke Huy Quan’s film Everything Everywhere All at Once won Best Picture at the end of Sunday’s ceremony inside Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, he and presenter Harrison Ford shared a gigantic hug — almost four decades after Quan, 51, made his film debut as a child actor in 1984’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom alongside Ford, 80.
A side-by-side photo of the sweet onstage moment and a film still from Temple of Doom is going viral on social media, with many pointing out how meaningful the embrace is all these years later. Read more
Ursula finally surfaces in Disney’s live-action ‘‘Little Mermaid’’ trailer (Huffpost)
Audiences were finally granted more than just a glimpse under the sea on Sunday with the long-awaited debut of a full-length trailer for Disney’s live-action “Little Mermaid.”
Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy, who play mermaid Ariel and sea witch Ursula, respectively, appeared onstage at the 2023 Oscars to unveil the trailer for the movie, due out May 26.
“It has been such an honor stepping into the iconic role of Ariel,” Bailey said. “It’s been an extraordinary experience, a dream come true for me.” Read more
Russia admits chances of victory in Ukraine are narrowing (Newsweek)
Top Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has suggested that Russia’s chances of victory in Ukraine are narrowing.
Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, had previously said there was a possibility victory in Ukraine could be achieved for Russia through peace talks, with some conditions remaining non negotiable. However, on Monday he said the Russian leader’s war goals can now only be achieved by military means.
Russia has maintained throughout the conflict, which passed the one-year mark on February 24, that Crimea, which Putin illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, must remain part of its nation in any future peace talks. Putin has also said that four Ukrainian regions that he illegally annexed in September 2022 must also be recognized as Russian. Read more
Ofili races to silver at NCAA Indoor Championships (Sun)
Nigerian track and field sprint star, Favour Chukwuka Ofili on Sunday, won her second 200m indoor silver medals at the NCAA Indoor Championships, coming second in 22.20s to get on the podium for Louisiana State University (LSU).
Ofili lost to Saint Lucian Julien Alfred who completed the double in spectacular fashion, winning with yet another College Record, running a new in women’s 60m final of 22.01s.
The feat came 20 minutes after she missed out from a podium finish in the women’s 60m final, after she clocked 7.17s (her 5th sub 7.2s in 2023) to finish 6th. Read more
Ex-Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo passes on (Vanguard)
Former Head Coach of Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s senior national team, Ismaila Mabo, on Monday passed on.
He was 79.
According to family sources, the former national player and captain of Mighty Jets Football Club of Jos died after a protracted illness at his residence in Jos, Plateau State. Read more
Paul Pogba set to miss Irish clash with injury (RTE)
Paul Pogba will miss the start of France’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign – likely including their trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland – after being ruled out for several weeks with a muscle tear.
Juventus have confirmed that the 29-year-old midfielder, who has made only two appearances for the Serie A club this season, has suffered an adductor injury and reports have suggested he will be sidelined for around three weeks.
The World Cup runners-up are due to kick-off their Group B fixtures against the Netherlands at the Stade de France on Friday, 24 March, before heading to Dublin to the Aviva Stadium three days later. Read more
Guardiola era ‘will be judged’ on European success (BBC)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his reign will “absolutely” be judged on whether he leads the club to a first Champions League title, although he “doesn’t agree” with it.
City have won nine major trophies since Guardiola took charge in 2016.
Guardiola was asked whether his spell will be deemed a failure if City do not win Europe’s premier cup competition.
“It doesn’t mean I agree with it but, absolutely, I’ll be judged on that,” said the 52-year-old Spaniard. Read more
Mercedes not expecting to be within reach of ‘‘super dominant’’ Red Bull in Jeddah (PlanetF1)
Mercedes reserve driver Mick Schumacher is hoping the team will be closer to Red Bull’s pace in Saudi Arabia, but admitted they looked “super dominant” at the season opener in Bahrain.
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell finished fifth and seventh respectively during the first race weekend of the year, but more concerning for Mercedes was their pace deficit to Red Bull, as well as the race pace of the Ferrari and Aston Martin cars – with Fernando Alonso having passed both drivers on track on his way to a podium finish.
Given the former eight-time consecutive Constructors’ champions had wanted to begin the season on a high in their quest to wrestle back competitive control in Formula 1, team principal Toto Wolff described the race weekend as one of his worst in racing, with Mercedes left with work to do to get back to where they want to be. Read more
Scottie Scheffler reclaims No. 1 after win at Players Championship (UPI)
Scottie Scheffler not only snagged a $4.5 million prize for his victory at the Players Championship, he also reclaimed the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for his victory at TPC Sawgrass.
Scheffler carded a 3-under 69 and finished 17-under to claim the Players Championship title Sunday at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
“I played really well the whole week, really solid,” Scheffler told reporters. “I had some times throughout the week where I didn’t feel like I was swinging, playing my best or playing at 100%, then I would just kinda wait and pick my moments. Read more