Bandits abduct construction workers, burn vehicles in Niger communities (ThisDay)
Bandits went on the rampage again in Niger State communities, abducting two construction workers and many others and burned down vehicles.
The bandits, also in the early hours of Tuesday, blocked the ever busy Suleja -Minna road causing confusion among motorists.
The two construction workers were abducted from their camp along the Lambata-Izom road around 4.30pm on Monday when the gunmen raided the facility.
The nationalities of those kidnapped are unknown, but it was said that the gunmen tied the hands of other construction workers behind their backs before beating them mercilessly after which they escaped with the duo.
It was gathered that after the operation, they started shooting sporadically into the air so as to pave the way for their escape. Read more
Apapa Traffic: NPA’s electronic call-up has reduced extortion, haulage cost – TTP (Leadership)
The deployment of electronic call-up system also known as Eto, on the Apapa port complex in the last 12 months has led to significant reduction in extortion and haulage cost along the port’s access roads, the Truck Transit Park Nigeria Limited, said on Monday.
Speaking during a media briefing to commemorate the one year anniversary of the E-call-up system at the Lagos ports, the managing director, TTP, Jama Onwubuariri, said, it has also reduced the hours truckers spend in accessing the ports from three weeks to 90 hours, even as he said, the firm targeted 24 hours.
TTP, a firm handling the electronic call-up system for the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said that the call-up initiative had led to reduction in cargo haulage cost and orderliness around Apapa port in the last one year.
“The deployment of Eto in the last 12 months, has led to significant reduction in extortion along the port’s access roads. The initiative also led to reduction in cargo haulage cost and improved orderliness around Apapa. With Eto introduction, economic and recreational activities have slowly returned to Apapa,” he said. Read more
Rotary Club empowers police officers’ wives in Lagos with loans, business skills (Guardian)
Rotary Club of Folomo has empowered police officers’ wives in Folomo Barracks, Lagos, with skills in various trades to make them entrepreneurs.
Also, 10 women benefitted from a N500,000 loan, with each getting N50,000 to start a business.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Elizabeth Gwalkywa, who was visibly elated, said she was happy not only for herself but also for some of her neighbours, who were full-time housewives but would become self-employed as they have been taught how to be useful in their homes by learning small trades through the skills acquisition programme and got loans to start any business of their interest.
The welfare officer of the barracks, Mrs. Folashade Bello, said she was happy with the succour given to the women by Rotary Club of Folomo.
She said, “The N500,000 was shared as loan to 10 beneficiaries, meaning that each person got N50,000. People may think that money is too small, but some people are going to be counting their own money in a’ few months’ time and begin to assist their families. Our husbands’ salaries are too small. Read more
Adeboye’s global contributions testimonies of divine calling – Buhari (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has noted the contributions of the General-Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to Nigeria and the rest of the world as testimonies of his divine calling.
The President, who was celebrating the clergy on his 80th birthday anniversary, pointed out that Pastor Adeboye had contributed to the development of the world in the areas of education, health and infrastructural development.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari joined the Adeboye family, the RCCG folds worldwide, friends and associates of the preacher to celebrate the renowned academic-turned-cleric.
“President Muhammadu Buhari joins members of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the Christian community, particularly clergymen in Nigeria and abroad, in celebrating with Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye on the auspicious occasion of his 80th birthday, March 2, 2022. Read more
Lions Club raises N65m for paediatric centre (Nation)
The Ikorodu Doyen Lions Club has commenced N65 million fundraising for its “legacy project.”
The fundraising was done during its 40th anniversary held at the Oluwatoyin Lions Activities Centre, Ibeshe, Ikorodu.
The District Governor of the club, Fortune Wagbatsoma said the 40th anniversary was a testimony of the resilience and commitment of the members of the club towards the mission of empowering volunteers to serve communities.
The project, she said, was about expanding, equipping and renovating the Agbala Paediatric Centre at Ikorodu General Hospital. Read more
IPOB: Why I’ll kill Nnamdi Kanu with my bare hands – Dokubo (Independent)
Asari Dakubo, the former leader of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta on Tuesday threatened to kill the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with his bare hands even with the presence of the Nigerian security agencies.
Speaking in a viral video shared on his Facebook page, Dakubo, who is a strong critic of Kanu vowed to deal with the IPOB leader.
Daily Independent gathered that Dakubo issued the threat while dismissing the news reports that some members of the outlawed group had beaten him up.
Reacting to the claims as falsehood, he said the day such happens, he will practically go to court and eliminate the IPOB leader personally.Read more
Russia-Ukraine War: Evacuation Of Stranded Nigerians Begins Wednesday (Tribune)
The Federal Government’s delegation along with a delegation from the House of Representatives is expected to leave Nigeria to Ukraine on Wednesday with a view to commencing the evacuation of over 8,000 Nigerians living and studying in war-torn Ukraine.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyema disclosed this during an interactive session with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and other members of the Body of Principal Officers affirmed that 5,600 Nigerian students and about 8,000 Nigerians are in Ukraine.
According to him, “The latest we had was that since Monday will not be feasible, we have tentatively fixed for Wednesday. The idea is Romania is going to be the hub and there are about a thousand already estimated to pick up from Romania. Then you have Slovakia about 200, Poland was about 250 and Hungary the same figure. About 150 want to go through Russia, that are our students that we’ve advised our ambassador to get a permit for.
“So essentially that’s where we are as at today, moving into that next phase of getting these people. Of course, some of them don’t want to come back to the country but the point is also that we’ve given a commitment to these transit countries that have given us timelines for the refugees to stay in their countries. So we also have an obligation to ensure that within that timeline that they come back.”
He said: “President Putin said no they are not going to invade. We were in touch with our ambassador there, I was on the phone with him almost every day and I said to him should start evacuating? He said no everything is perfectly calm, life is going on as normal and there’s no need to panic and start evacuating. Read more
Atiku swimming against political tide – Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Punch)
The Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could be swimming against the moment’s political tide should he decide to work against Igbo Presidency, come 2023.
According to the group, the mood of the entire country favoured the Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
The group stated this in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Tuesday.
The group added that Atiku should ponder on the fact that the disintegration of the country was imminent, if the Igbos are denied the Presidency. Read more
Senate passes bills on LGA financial, administrative autonomy (Sun)
The Nigerian Senate has voted in favour of Local Government Administrative and financial Autonomy to separate local government and state Bank accounts during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Senate during Tuesday’s voting on the Report of the committee on constitutional review on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration bills , 2022 voted in favour of both bills.
According to the results of the votes ,Bill No 1 (22) which is on Local Government financial received 92 votes out of 94 registered Senators while Bill No 2 which is on Local Government Administrative Autonomy got 88 votes from Senators in favour of its passage.
The senate and the house of representatives on Tuesday commenced the voting process on the fifth alteration of the 1999 constitution. Read more
Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo celebrates 60th birthday (Nation)
Veteran Nollywood actor, Anayo Onyekwere, who is known in the movie industry as Kanayo .O. Kanayo, has celebrated his diamond birthday in a grand style.
The actor took to his social media on Tuesday to celebrate himself as he shared pictures and videos of himself.
He acknowledged God for his faithfulness in his life and accomplishments.
The veteran actor is well-known for his role as an occultist and stingy man in most of his movies which has made many people think that is how he is in real life. Read more
Vanity Fair Oscar party to make A-list return in more ‘open-air’ space (PageSix)
The Vanity Fair Oscar party is making a comeback.Emma McIntyre /VF20
Hollywood’s most glamorous party is back.
Showbiz publicists have been anxiously clicking refresh on their email inboxes this week, we hear, since Vanity Fair will once again host its A-list Oscar party.
Insiders exclusively tell us that the VIP celebration of the Academy Awards will again take place at the Wallis Ansnenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif. — but that the venue will be reimagined as a more “open-air space.”
There’s buzz that invitations started going out this week for the March 27 party.
It’s the first in-person Vanity Fair party for the awards since 2020: Last year, during the pandemic, the brand pivoted to a series of virtual engagements to benefit the Motion Picture & Television Fund’s coronavirus relief efforts. Read more
Russian conductor Valery Gergiev dismissed from Munich Philharmonic post (RTE)
Acclaimed Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, known to have close ties to the Kremlin, has been dismissed from his job as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic after failing to denounce Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
“With immediate effect, there will be no further concerts by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra under his direction,” Munich mayor Dieter Reiter said in a statement.
The dismissal is the latest blow for the 68-year-old classical music titan who has come under pressure from arts institutions around Europe since Russia attacked Ukraine last week, and has been dropped from a slew of prestigious concerts.
As well as being the principal conductor in Munich since 2015, Gergiev is also the chief and artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg. Read more
‘We’re not special’: Mel C says the Spice Girls are ‘average in so many ways’ (Independent)
Mel C has admitted that she’s still surprised at the success of the Spice Girls because she believes that, individually, they are “not special”.
The singer, who was also known as “Sporty Spice” during her time in the chart-topping group, spoke to Annie Mac on her podcast, Changes.
When speaking about her career, she revealed that she and the other Spice Girls often marvel about how well they’ve done.
“We still laugh about it now because we are just so average in so many ways,” she said. Read more
Afghans in Ukraine find themselves fleeing another war (VOA)
Hundreds of Afghans who fled war in their own country in recent years are now stranded in Ukraine, where many are attempting to escape.
Rana Alwat, her husband and son left Odessa and boarded a train to flee the country. After taking a bus and waiting in long queues on the Polish border, the family arrived Monday.
“My 3-year-old son was so terrified of the bombs exploding, I told him it was just balloons popping,” she told VOA.
Six years ago, the 26-year-old migrated to Odessa, Ukraine, in search of a better future and had been teaching at an Odessa-based Afghan refugee school.
“This is a very bad feeling. I came here with dreams and wished to study and pursue higher education. I am facing the same misfortune; I am very scared for my family and now must resettle again.” Read more
Denzel Washington was unfamiliar with Macbeth (FilmNews)
Denzel Washington was unfamiliar with Macbeth before his latest film role.
The 67-year-old actor has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of the titular character in Joel Coen’s movie ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ and believes that his lack of knowledge about Shakespeare’s play was a “blessing in disguise”.
Denzel told the BBC: “(I’d) never read Macbeth and never seen Macbeth, which was I think a blessing in disguise.
“I picked up one of the films, looked at about two minutes of it and turned it off. Didn’t want to be affected by what I saw.” Read more
Nicola Benedetti becomes first woman and first Scot to lead Edinburgh international festival (Guardian)
Nicola Benedetti, the award-winning Scottish violinist, is to take over as director of the Edinburgh international festival, becoming the first woman to run the event.
Benedetti, a Grammy and Brit awards winner, is also the first Scot to direct the festival since its foundation in 1947, adding to the dramatic impact her appointment is likely to have on the event’s wider popularity and fame.
In a brief statement, Benedetti said: “I am deeply honoured to contribute to the long and rich history of the Edinburgh international festival and the cultural landscape of Scotland. This festival was founded on principles of reconciliation and the ideals of art transcending political and cultural fracture.”
She will succeed Fergus Linehan, an Irish arts administrator who staged his first festival in 2015, in October. At 34, she is also one of the festival’s youngest directors. Its third director, Robert Ponsonby, was 30 when he took control in 1954. Read more
EastEnders star Zack Morris lands first movie role following soap exit (DigitalSpy)
Zack Morris is set to appear in his first movie role after his departure from EastEnders.
The actor was confirmed to be leaving Albert Square last week as Keegan Butcher-Baker, and has already filmed his final scenes ahead of their broadcast this spring.
The star has now jumped to his next project – a new movie called Jericho Ridge, which will see him star alongside the likes of Nikki Amuka-Bird (Old), Michael Socha (This is England), Chris Reilly (Devils), Philipp Christopher (Origin), Solly McLeod (Boxing Day) and Capital T.
Described as a siege survival thriller, the film is set in a remote and run-down North Washington state town and centres on a lone deputy called Tabby (Amuka-Bird) as she tries to survive and save her son from a murderous drug cartel. Read more
2022 World Cup playoff: Moses Simon to lead Ndidi, Lookman, other Eagles to camp March 19 (Sun)
As the Super Eagles camp opens on March 21 for the crunch encounter with Ghana Black Stars, Nigeria’s stand up player at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, Moses Simon will expectedly lead Leicester City’s trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman to the Abuja camp, as they are primed to arrive Nigeria March 19.
Also expected to arrive Nigeria on that date is Brighton’s Frank Onyeka while Al Hilal striker Odion Ighalo, is expected a day later.
The Watford contingent – William Troost Ekong, Emmanuel Dennis, and Oghenekaro Etebo – will be arriving on March 22 just the Italian contingent of Victor Osimhen and Ola Aina are expected to arrive on March 22 same as Alex Iwobi of Everton.
FIFA has set March 21 to 29 as the international break which allows all clubs in Europe and elsewhere to release their foreign players to play for their national teams which means the two sides will have all their players available if selected. Read more
Guardiola urges Grealish to ignore critics after slow start at Man City (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola has urged Jack Grealish to ignore his critics and his underwhelming statistics after a slow start to his Manchester City career.
The England midfielder has not been the dominant force he was at Aston Villa since his British-record £100 million ($134 million) move to the Premier League champions in August, scoring just three goals and making three assists in all competitions.
The 26-year-old even admitted in an interview in December that he had found the transition more difficult than he had expected and thought he would get more assists and goals.
But Guardiola said he was happy with the winger’s contribution.
“Maybe he listened too much to what the people say and it’s wrong,” said the City boss, whose side play second-tier Peterborough in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday. Read more
West Ham star Andriy Yarmolenko joins Ukrainian footballers in plea for support amid Russian invasion (Standard)
West Ham forward Andriy Yarmolenko has joined his Ukraine teammates in a plea for football to continue its support for their home country following the invasion of Russia.
The Ukrainian internationals have issued a plea to all involved in football to “to show and tell the truth about war in Ukraine” and fight back against Russian propaganda.
Vladimir Putin instructed his forces to invade their neighbour in the early hours of Thursday last week, incorrectly claiming that the Russian military were carrying out a “special military operation” with the objective demilitarisation and “denazification” of Ukraine.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, responded by asking how a people who lost eight million of its citizens fighting Nazis could support Nazism. “How could I be a Nazi?” said Mr Zelensky, who is himself Jewish. Read more
Inter target Christensen agrees Barcelona terms
(FootballItalia)
Andreas Christensen is one of Inter‘s main targets for the summer, but the Chelsea defender is reportedly close to joining Barcelona as a free agent.
The Denmark international sees his current deal at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of the season and the Premier League giants have not been able to reach an agreement over the player’s extension at the club. Therefore, he is eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement with any other club ahead of a free transfer in the summer.
Inter are planning to change their defensive department in the summer with Stefan de Vrij potentially leaving the club with just one year left in his contract at San Siro. La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Christensen is one of the Nerazzurri’s main targets in the summer, but Barcelona seem on the verge of securing a deal for the 25-year-old.
According to Diario Sport, Christensen is ‘close to signing’ a four-year deal with the La Liga giants. Talks between the two parties have been ongoing for several months and the player’s entourage has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Barcelona. Read more
Ronnie O’Sullivan races past James Cahill to reach Welsh Open 2nd round after European masters final Loss (Eurosport)
Ronnie O’Sullivan bounced back in style with a swift 4-0 victory over James Cahill in the first round of the Welsh Open.
Two days after losing the European Masters final 10-9 to Fan Zhengyi, O’Sullivan was back in action in Newport.
He opened with breaks of 53 and 83 to take a 2-0 lead, and finished with a 90 to book a meeting with Lukas Kleckers for a place in the third round.
O’Sullivan may have led the head-to-head 4-1 going into this meeting but it was Cahill’s famous 10-8 victory over ‘The Rocket’ at the 2019 World Championship that will have reminded the world No. 2 of his opponent’s capability to cause an upset. Read more
Tyson Fury responds to Dillian Whyte’s absence from first face-off for world title fight (Mirror)
Tyson Fury believes Dillian Whyte has already raised the white flag ahead of their heavyweight clash.
The British rivals will clash at Wembley on April 23 when Fury puts his world title on the line for the second time.
Whyte has remained silent since the purse bid was held and opted to remain at his training camp in Portugal rather than fly to London for today’s press conference.
And Fury said: “I’m not concerned because this is the Tyson Fury roadshow, it’s never about the opponent. Read more
Winter Paralympics 2022: Russia decision to be made by IPC on Wednesday (BBC)
A decision about banning Russian athletes from the 2022 Winter Paralympics will be made on Wednesday after it was confirmed the full Ukraine squad will take part in Beijing.
All Russian athletes have arrived before the Games start later this week.
The opening ceremony is on Friday, with competition starting on Saturday.
“Any decision we take is open to legal challenge from different sides,” said International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons. Read more