Bamise: Family rejects planned autopsy, police suspend exercise (Punch)
The family of the late Bamise Ayanwole, the 22-year-old fashion designer allegedly killed by a BRT driver in Lagos, has rejected an alleged plan by the Nigeria Police to conduct an autopsy on the body of the deceased.
Rather, the family demanded that the police should ensure that the dress the late Bamise wore at the time of her death as well as her mobile phone and other personal belongings were not tampered with.
An elder brother of the deceased, Pelumi, told City Round on Friday that the bereaved family was only given a 24-hour notice by the police that a post-mortem would be carried out on Thursday.
Pelumi said the family considered the notice to be inadequate to arrange for an independent pathologist to ensure fairness.
“We were informed by the Nigeria Police that they would love to conduct the autopsy. They called us on Wednesday to conduct the autopsy on Thursday and we feel such a time would not be enough for us to gather experts who will witness and participate in the autopsy. Read more
YABATECH approves cut-off marks for 2021/2022 admission (Vanguard)
The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has approved the cut-off marks for the 2021/2022 Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) for its National Diploma programme.
The Deputy Registrar of the college, Mr Joe Ejiofor, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
Ejiofor said that the admission cut-off marks were released by the Admission Committee after its meeting on Thursday.
He said that about 9,000 candidates took part in the Post-UTME held online in February.
“The Admission Committee had a meeting and the outcome is the release of the cut-off marks for those who sat for the Post-UTME in February for ND programme in the college. Read more
Elephants invade Ogun farm, injure farmer (DailyTrust)
A member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Sola Adams, on Thursday raised the alarm that roaming elephants had destroyed farmlands and also injured a farmer in the Itashin area in Ijebu East Local Government Area of the state.
Adams, who represents Ijebu East constituency, said this under personal explanation during the plenary in Abeokuta.
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In 2018, a herd of elephants migrated from the Omo Forest Reserve into Itashin forest, a border community between Ogun and Lagos States.
Following the migration, the wild animals have been roaming around, destroying farmlands in the area.
Last year, a 10-year-old male elephant died in the area having sustained injuries from a gunshot allegedly fired by hunters. Read more
Women task policymakers on inclusive economic, financial policies (Independent)
Policymakers in the country have been called upon to ensure that economic, financial and business policies designed are all-inclusive in principles and implementation.
Dr.(Mrs.) Funmilola Williams-Daudu, Ondo State Coordinator of NAWORG, the women wing of National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) made the call in her address at the launching of Women, Agro Processor, Agricgen (WAPAGEIN) and Exporters Initiative in Abuja.
She explained that the key mission of WAPAGEIN was “to develop a better agricultural and business management practices that will result in improved competitiveness, productivity, income, gross marginal yields for smallholder farmers and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.”
Williams-Daudu emphasised the need to provide equal opportunity for all, irrespective of their gender, saying though ‘a recent survey by the World Bank revealed that Nigeria has one of the highest rates of women Entrepreneurships in the world, most of the businesses are classified as low-level female entrepreneurship because they operate in the informal sector that yields very little income”. Read more
Aviation crisis lingers as airlines, marketers fail to agree on jet fuel price (DailyTrust)
Airline operators and fuel marketers are yet to agree on a new pricing framework for aviation fuel known as Jet A1, Daily Trust can report.
Both parties have been meeting since Tuesday at the instance of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
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This followed the intervention of the House of Representatives which summoned stakeholders over the scarcity and skyrocketing price of Jet A1 which has disrupted flight operations.
At the meeting with the House of Representatives on Monday, it was agreed that aviation fuel would be sold at N500 per litre as against the over N600 sold in some parts of the country while airline operators would also be licensed to import ATK (Aviation Turbine Kerosene).
However, a follow-up meeting coordinated by the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage & Retailing Infrastructure of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, and Group Executive Director, Downstream of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Adeyemi Adetunji, failed to agree on the new pricing template. Read more
Why I want to start my work from Okpoko -Soludo (Punch)
The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has explained the rationale behind making Okpoko his first place of visit following his inauguration as the state governor on Thursday.
He noted that since the area has been accepted as the weakest link in the state, he had no option but to begin his administration’s projects from Okpoko.
Soludo said that the clarification had become imperative after he received several concerns on why he made the area his administration’s first priority.
In a post on his Facebook page on Friday, the governor noted that the people of Okpoko need more attention than any part of the state at the moment. Read more
FUTA Alumni make case for alumnus as next vice chancellor (Tribune)
The alumni association of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) has canvassed the selection of an old student of the institution as its next vice-chancellor in May 2022.
The association made the call in a position paper it presented to the pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council, Dr Godknows Igali.
According to the president of the FUTA Alumni Worldwide, Mr Adeyemi Bello, who led a delegation to Igali, there are many alumni of FUTA who are in senior academic positions that could be appointed as the institution’s vice-chancellor.
He said FUTA, which was established in 1981, has produced graduates that are technology-oriented, self-reliant and relevant to the immediate society, including leading academics all over the world, and one of them should be the next vice chancellor. Read more
Court jails 5 for Internet fraud in Ilorin (Punch)
The Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Friday secured the convictions of five persons charged over offences bordering on internet-related fraud before Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin.
The convicts are: Ololade Olabisi from Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Issa Shahajudeen, a native of Offa in Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, Segun Ajila from Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Babatunde Saheed from Ilorin and Abdulmatin Olawale from Akinyele Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Prior to their conviction, the defendants had pleaded guilty to the separate charges preferred against them by the anti-graft agency.
The prosecuting counsel urged the court to consider the facts and circumstances of the cases, the guilty pleas by the defendants, their extra judicial statements and convict them as charged. Read more
Osun monarch, Ogunsua of Modakeke, is dead (DailyTrust)
A prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, the Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Moses Oyediran, is dead.
The late traditional ruler, who hailed from Ajombadi Ruling House of Modakeke, became Oba in 2018.
The indigenes of Modakeke said the reign of the late monarch was peaceful and that he was committed to the growth and development of the town.
They recalled the monarch’s role in ensuring that peaceful coexistence with other towns in the axis. Read more
Gospel music gets less air time than secular Music – ChyChy (Leadership)
Abuja-based gospel artiste ChyChy said gospel music gets less airtime than other kinds of music which makes it harder for a lot of gospel artistes to be heard.
ChyChy who have been shuttling between law and gospel music debuted her first album Beautiful God in (2011), a single track I Belong To God in (2019) and her latest single Grateful released in February 2022. Getting back to music after many years in hiatus between songs, seems compounded by the fact that broadcast stations play gospel songs once in seven days compared to secular music that are replayed four to six times a day.
While most gospel artistes are tempted to switch from gospel to secular music, or from one platform of worship to another in order to hit the big time, ChyChy said it is not the right move.
“It is not right to leave your place of worship just because you want to make it big. Genuineness matters. For me, it is not about material gains or money, it is about fulfillment. And being fulfilled brings happiness. The rewards that come from that fulfillment is just a bonus.” Read more
World’s most boring person identified – so bad it’s not even worth reading about (Metro)
Scientists have discovered what they believe to be the most boring person in the world.
If you live in a small town, you’re an accountant who likes watching TV, we’re afraid you’re at risk of being a snooze-inspiring bore.
Religion, bird watching and smoking are now seen as the dullest hobbies while working in data analysis, cleaning and banking are also signs you might not be very interesting.
Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg, who led the study, said boring people are generally disliked and avoided by others. Read more
Last apps standing?: Telegram, WhatsApp duck Russia bans (France24)
Chat platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram have avoided being blocked by Russia — unlike some of the world’s biggest social networks — in a tenuous tolerance that experts warn could end suddenly.
Years of tension between Moscow and US-based Facebook and Twitter erupted into confrontation after the invasion of Ukraine, with the platforms targeting state-tied media and then finding themselves restricted in Russia.
YouTube, which has barred channels linked to Russian state media globally, was on Friday also facing a direct threat of being blocked after Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, accused the site’s owner Google of being “anti-Russian.”
Messaging apps, however, have gotten a pass so far in part because Meta-owned WhatsApp is less suited for mass communication, while Telegram’s ability to blast information to large groups has made it useful both for independent media and the Kremlin. Read more
Javier Bardem says he was ‘invoking’ Desi Arnaz’s ‘Essence’ in “Being the Ricardos” (People)
Javier Bardem channelled Desi Arnaz for his Oscar-nominated performance.
In Being the Ricardos, the star plays the late Cuban-American television actor who was one half of the iconic I Love Lucy duo opposite then-wife Lucille Ball, played by Nicole Kidman in the movie.
As part of PEOPLE’s 2022 Oscars portfolio in this week’s issue, Bardem, 53, explains how he got into Arnaz’s shoes — and recalls feeling his spirit with him on set.
“When you play a character like him, you are invoking his spirit and essence, and you have to be respectful with that. … Every time I would come back from the shoot, I would talk to him. I would look at the stars and let him know how the day went,” says Bardem. Read more
‘I do not regret smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol; it helped shape my life’ – MOG Music
(MyJoy)
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician, Nana Yaw Boakye, popularly known as MOG Music, has disclosed that he does not feel apologetic about smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol during his juvenile days.
The “Meto” hit-maker says smoking of marijuana and drinking alcohol back in the day, somewhat shaped his line of thoughts and led him to do things differently.
“I won’t say I regret it. It helped shape me. That was because the experiences I had with that group of people helped shape my thinking. I had to learn things the hard way,” he told KMJ in an interview on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM.
Addressing how he got introduced to smoking weed and drinking, he attributed the influence to the group of friends he had back then, and the youth exuberance that accompanied their presence. He also got teased by the same friends for being a virgin. This, according to MOG Music, drove him to do something in order to feel belonged. Read more
Assad: Syria’s leader makes historic visit to UAE (BBC)
Syria’s president has made his first trip to an Arab country since the Syrian civil war began 11 years ago.
Bashar al-Assad arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday, and met several influential and controversial rulers who signalled a willingness to strengthen ties with Syria again.
It marks a potential warming in Syria’s relations with its Arab neighbours, which had previously isolated Mr Assad.
But the US criticised the trip, saying it was “profoundly disappointed”.
Among the Emiratis Mr Assad met was the billionaire ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum, who has been embroiled in a number of controversies recently. Read more
Keith Richards confirms Steve Jordan will help finish The Rolling Stones’ new album (NME)
Keith Richards has confirmed that The Rolling Stones’ touring drummer Steve Jordan will be on hand to help the long-running band finish their forthcoming new album.
Jordan has been filling in on drums for the Stones following the death of their longtime drummer Charlie Watts, who passed away in August last year.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast, Richards clarified reports which previously claimed that Watts had finished work on the Stones’ next studio album before his death.
“We do have a lot of Charlie Watts still in the can,” he said. “We were half-way through making an album when he died…” Read more
Julia Fox defends Kanye West amid Pete Davidson, Kim Kardashian drama (Newsweek)
Kanye West’s ex, Julia Fox, has insisted he is “harmless” amid his ongoing war of words with ex-wife Kim Kardashian and her partner, Pete Davidson.
West, 44, was this week hit with a 24-hour ban from Instagram after violating the social media platform’s policy on hate speech, bullying and harassment, following a slew of posts aimed at Kardashian, 41, Davidson, 28, and TV host Trevor Noah.
The rapper and designer’s posts about Davidson, whom he has taken to calling “Skete,” received increased attention when he unveiled the Eazy music video, which depicted him kidnapping and burying a claymation likeness of the comedian.
In the lyrics of the track, West is heard rapping: “God saved me from that crash / Just so I can beat Pete Davidson’s a**.” Read more
Avoid ‘tactical blunders’ against Black Stars, Fuludu tells Eagles (Guardian)
Former Super Eagles midfielder, Edema Fuludu, has cautioned the team to avoid ‘school boy errors’ in the first leg of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Black Stars of Ghana at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Friday.
The 71-year-old rivalry between the two African football powers will continue with an opening leg in Kumasi on March 25, with the return leg fixed for March 29 in Abuja.
Fuludu, a member of the Super Eagles’ squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations title at Tunisia ’94, told The Guardian, yesterday, that any mistake in the first leg might be difficult to erase in the second game.
“Playing the first leg in Ghana is good for the Super Eagles in the sense that it will give the technical crew the room to amend some of the tactical mistakes made. But our players must try as much as possible to avoid unpardonable errors. The football rivalry between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars has come a long way, and we mast stop Ghana this year.” Read more
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fires another subtle dig at Arsenal after what he did for Barcelona
(FootballLondon)
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fired another shrouded dig at Arsenal after he found the net once again for Barcelona mid-week. The Gabonese striker was on hand to find the back of the net in the Catalans’ Europa League tie against Galatasaray.
Coupled with Pedri’s first-half strike, it means that the Spanish giants booked their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt after Friday’s draw. Aubameyang ’s record for the club now sits at seven goals in just ten games since his Arsena l departure – an excellent strike rate considering he had scored that amount for the Gunners throughout the entirety of the first-half of the season.
Following his goal, Aubameyang revealed how he had managed to find such top form, explaining that his happiness at the Camp Nou is a huge reason behind his positive run.
Speaking with Mundo Deportivo, the 32-year-old said: “What can I tell you? I am working a lot and I think that the most important thing is that I am happy. Read more
Pep Guardiola reacts to Champions League draw with Manchester City facing Atletico Madrid (SI)
Manchester City, who beat Sporting CP 5-0 to ensure their spot in the Champions League quarter-final for a fifth successive season, found out on Friday that they will face Atletico Madrid in the next round of the competition.
Atletico beat City’s local rivals Manchester United in the first knockout round, with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Ralf Ragnick’s troubled Reds.
City are set to welcome the La Liga heavyweights to the Etihad Stadium in the first-leg on Tuesday 5th April, and will then travel to the Spanish capital for the second-leg on Wednesday 13th April.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Emirates FA Cup, Pep Guardiola provided his reaction to the Champions League draw, with the Sky Blues set to face Diego Simeone’s side after the international break. Read more
Roger Federer foundation donating $500K to support education for Ukrainian children (ESPN)
Roger Federer is offering financial help to Ukrainians during Russia’s invasion of the country.
Federer wrote Friday on social media that his foundation will donate $500,000 “to establish access to continued schooling for Ukrainian children.”
Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been attacking schools, hospitals and buildings where people sought safety in various cities.
“My family and I are horrified seeing pictures from Ukraine and heartbroken for the innocent people who have been so terribly affected,” Federer wrote. “We stand for peace.” Read more
Kamaru Usman vs Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez: Dana White calls it ‘a stupid fight that makes no sense’
(GMS)
UFC president Dana White believes Kamaru Usman boxing Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez would be a ‘stupid fight that makes no sense’.
Usman, 34, has long campaigned for a shot at Mexico’s pound-for-pound king, claiming he can do what Floyd Mayweather himself could not should they share a ring.
However, the UFC strictly prohibits its fighters from competing outside of the promotion, unless they are granted special exemption of course, as was the case with Conor McGregor.
The Irish MMA superstar crossed codes in August 2017 as he entered the ring for the first time as a professional for a multi-million dollar showdown with the former five-weight world champion which was aptly dubbed ‘The Money Fight’ Read more
Ukraine: US basketball star detained in Russia (France24)
Detained for more than a month in Russia, US basketball star Brittney Griner has become an unlikely victim of the war in Ukraine — and the best way to free her remains a crucial question.
Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, was detained in Moscow airport on February 17 on charges of carrying vape cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her luggage.
She was immediately placed in a detention center, and on Thursday a Russian court extended her arrest until May 19.
The 31-year-old — one of few women who can “dunk” a ball and considered one of the best players in the world — faces up to 10 years in prison.
Griner was in Russia to play club basketball before the US season resumed, a common practice for American players, who can earn much higher salaries in foreign leagues than on domestic teams. Read more
Lewis Hamilton handed fine before first 2022 F1 race after negotiations with FIA boss (Mirror)
Lewis Hamilton has been fined for refusing to attend the end-of-season gala to celebrate Max Verstappen’s world title win.
The seven-times world champion did not show up at the glittering bash in Paris after he and his Mercedes team felt they were robbed by a controversial decision in the last lap of the Abu Dhabi finale. Hamilton has now confirmed he will have to pay a financial penalty for his no-show at the awards night… but that it will go to a cause.
He met with new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix and announced: “There will be some sort of fine re. the gala but we have worked together to make sure that the money will be put towards youth from underprivileged backgrounds getting into motorsports engineering.” Formula One protocols demand the top three drivers in the final standings turn up to the prize-giving in Paris to receive their award.
But Hamilton was clearly unable to go and watch Verstappen collect the crown the Brit thought he had won right up until that last lap in Abu Dhabi. As for this season, Hamilton has vowed to “raise my game” and will have “the same dedication, drive and passion I had way back in my karting days.” Read more