Banks in shock as rejection of old N500, N1000 spreads (Vanguard)
The enthusiasm that greeted the Supreme Court judgement that the old N500 and N1,000 notes should be in use till December 31st 2023, has dissipated as a widespread rejection of the old notes by bank customers, transporters and other businesses took over the financial and economic space.
The rejection of the old notes is driven by the continued silence of the Federal Government and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the court judgement.
Banks implement cash withdrawal limits
Meanwhile, banks have started effecting cash withdrawal limits of N100,000 per week for individual customers.
However, the money is paid in old banknotes which most customers refused to collect. Read more
Soldier nabbed for alleged drug trafficking in Lagos (Punch)
A 49-year-old soldier, Olanrewaju Lawal, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos State for alleged trafficking of tramadol and other illicit drugs in the state.
Lawal who was arraigned before Justice Akintayo Aluko is facing six-count bordering on conspiracy and unlawfully engaging in the transportation of the banned substances.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s prosecutor, Lambert Nor, who is the head of NDLEA’s legal/prosecution department of the Lagos State Command, told the court that the defendant and others now at large, have been operating a drug trafficking organisation between September 15, 2022, till January 12, 2023, when he was arrested at Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos State. Read more
32 cyber attacks leave oil sector vulnerable (Guardian)
The global oil and gas sector, last year, recorded about 32 cybersecurity attacks, a report published by an organisation, Tenable, has revealed. Among the 29 industries reported during the report, the oil sector falls to number 10 industry that remains highly vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
The World Economic Forum had noted that the complex systems and technologies being used by the oil sector made it increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks.
While the WEF had established the Cyber Resilience in Oil and Gas initiative to improve cyber resilience across the oil and gas ecosystem, it noted that cybersecurity remained critical to the sector. Read more
Lagos assures parents of dead Chrisland student of justice (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Ministry of Education has assured the parents of Whitney Adeniran, the Chrisland pupil who died during the school’s inter-house sports competition in Agege Stadium, that no effort will be spared to get justice for her.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, stated this during a condolence visit to Mr and Mrs Adeniran at their residence in Lagos.
The commissioner confirmed the receipt of the post-mortem report sent by the state Ministry of Justice on the cause of Whitney’s death and restated the commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu that nothing will be spared to ensure appropriate interrogation of the cause and prosecution of anyone found culpable. Read more
Graduate jailed 2 years for impersonation, internet romance scam (Vanguard)
An Ikeja Special Offences Court, yesterday, sentenced a graduate, Pul Dogun, to two years in prison for impersonating a US military officer and engaging in an internet love scam.
Justice Ramon Oshodi sentenced Dogun to two years at the Kirikiri prison, following his plea bargain to an amended charge of impersonation.
Justice Oshodi said: “I have listened to you and your lawyer’s allocutus but I do not agree that you are guilty pleas is timing.
“The only reason I am inclined to grant non-custodial is that I can see you are remorseful. I hereby sentence you to two years imprisonment.” Read more
Nollywood actor, Fadeyi Oloro, is dead (Punch)
Veteran Nollywood actor, Ojo Arowosafe, popularly known as Fadeyi Oloro, is dead.
He died Tuesday after a protracted illness.
The details of Fadeyi’s death were still sketchy as of press time.
Born September 15, 1957, the veteran actor died at 66. Read more
Kaduna’s only female LG boss, Nita, rallies support for Uba (Leadership)
As the governorship polls across the country beckons, the administrator of Jaba local government area and only female council boss in Kaduna State, Mrs Nita Byack George, has engaged in last minute moves to rally support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Uba Sani.
Nita particularly implored women and youths in the state to come out en masse on Saturday and vote for Senator Uba Sani.
According to her, Uba Sani who represents Kaduna Central in the Senate would not only ensure continuity in governance but also make sure that it is all inclusive. Read more
Cross River, LAPO celebrate International Women Day (Guardian)
Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs has launched a Gender Strategic Plan to commemorate 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The plan was launched during the IWD celebration, yesterday, March 7, a day set aside by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate women across the world.
Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Prof. Gertrude Njar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Alice Egbe, said the ministry, with support from partners, decided to launch the plan on women’s day. Read more
Avatar 2’s digital release date has finally been confirmed (DigitalSpy)
Avatar: The Way of Water finally has a digital release date.
From visionary filmmaker James Cameron, this sequel to 2009’s sci-fi epic takes viewers away from the twisting jungles of Pandora and into the vast oceans to meet the Metkayina reef clan. In the reef, Jake Sully, Neytiri and their family take refuge from the wrath of an avatar Colonel Quaritch.
The sequel film will swim onto digital platforms on Tuesday, April 4.
Its digital release encompasses all major retailers including Apple TV, Prime Video and the Sky Store. It also includes hours of bonus features, such as ‘‘Building the World of Pandora’’,‘‘The Sounds of Pandora’’, ‘‘Becoming Na’vi’’ and ‘Pandora’s Next Generation’. Read more
Kim Basinger, 69, makes rare appearance at daughter Ireland Baldwin’s baby shower (PageSix)
Kim Basinger made a rare public appearance Monday night at her daughter Ireland Baldwin’s strip-club-themed baby shower.
The 8 Mile actress, 69, was photographed holding hands with boyfriend Mitch Stone as they left Hollywood strip club Jumbo’s Clown Room following the celebration.
The mom of one — who shares Ireland with actor Alec Baldwin — rocked a gray pantsuit which she paired with a black blouse and black shoes. She completed the look with a brown purse and wore her platinum-blonde hair straight. Read more
Peter Gabriel shares new song “Playing For Time” and announces North American tour dates (UnderTheRadar)
Peter Gabriel has shared a new song, “Playing For Time,” and announced some new North American tour dates. “Playing For Time” is the third single from Gabriel’s forthcoming new album, i/o, which will be his first album of original songs in over 20 years. The album’s exact release date has yet to be announced. Check out “Playing For Time” below, followed by the tour dates.
Gabriel had this to say about the new song in a press release: “‘Playing For Time’ is a song that I have been working on for a long time and have performed live, without lyrics, so some people may be familiar with it. It’s been an important song for me. It’s about time, mortality, and
memories and the idea that each of us has a planet full of memories which get stashed inside the brain. Read more
Ukraine denies involvement in Nord Stream pipelines blast (BBC)
Ukraine has denied any involvement in last September’s attack on the Nord Stream pipelines, which carried Russian gas to Europe.
Kyiv’s remarks follow a report from the New York Times, which cites anonymous US intelligence officials who suggest a pro-Ukrainian group was to blame.
In a separate report, German media say investigators believe they identified the boat used to plant the explosives. Read more
Hayden Panettiere called Scream 6 directors to pitch her character’s return (THR)
Hayden Panettiere successfully scared up her Scream 4 character’s return for the horror franchise’s latest chapter after taking necessary time off from acting for her health.
The Scream 6 star spoke to Good Morning America on Monday about her anticipated appearance in the New York-set sequel as Kirby Reed, the lone survivor of the Woodsboro Massacre remake in the franchise’s fourth installment. The role is part of Panettiere’s return to Hollywood after she put a pause on acting following her role in ABC’s Nashville, which ended in 2018.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do next,” Panettiere said. “I did have to take those four years off and thank God I did. I had to work on myself — my mental health, my physical health, my spiritual health.” Read more
Ian McShane happy to leave John Wick action scenes to Keanu Reeves (FilmNews)
Ian McShane is happy to leave the action sequences in John Wick to Keanu Reeves and their co-stars.
Former stuntman-turned-director Chad Stahelski has used his action expertise to create a high-octane franchise filled with explosions, car chases, gun and sword fights, as well as hand-to-hand combat.
While Reeves and his revolving support cast happily get involved in the films’ signature stunt setpieces, McShane has no interest in his character Winston being given any. Read more
Belarus opposition leader handed 15-year jail term for treason (VOA)
Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was handed a 15-year jail term Monday after being convicted in absentia for treason and “conspiracy to seize power,” a verdict she said was punishment for her efforts to promote democracy.
Tsikhanouskaya, 40, a former English teacher, fled to neighboring Lithuania in 2020 after running against incumbent leader Alexander Lukashenko in a presidential election, which official results showed Lukashenko won by a landslide.
She and the opposition said at the time that the results had been doctored to hand victory to Lukashenko instead of herself. Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron hand for nearly 30 years, denied the claim. Read more
Greensprings Kanu Football Camp resumes in April (ThisDay)
Preparations are in full swing as the ninth edition of Greensprings Kanu Football Camp resumes next month.
The event, an annual football camp for children since 2012, was postponed indefinitely in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With its resumption this year, the football camp is scheduled to hold from Sunday, April 16 to Friday, April 21, 2023, at the Lekki Campus of Greensprings School. Read more
Chelsea reach Champions League quarter-finals (BBC)
Graham Potter enjoyed his finest night as Chelsea manager as they overcame a first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Potter was under huge pressure after a dismal run of results following Chelsea’s huge outlay in the transfer market, but he will hope the manner of this performance and the advance into the latter stages of Europe’s elite competition will deliver a measure of calm and stability to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea fully deserved their win, although they squandered several big opportunities before Raheem Sterling made the breakthrough after 43 minutes, firing past Dortmund keeper Alexander Meyer after initially fluffing his shot. Read more
Appeals court restores promoter’s lawsuit against FIFA (ABC)
A promoter’s lawsuit against FIFA and the US Soccer Federation can proceed toward trial after a lower-court judge had thrown it out, a federal appeals court decided Tuesday.
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the lawsuit by Relevant Sports, controlled by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, after the USSF refused to sanction a league match between Ecuador’s Barcelona and Guayaquil in Miami Gardens, Florida.
In its refusal, the USSF had cited a 2018 FIFA policy that its ruling council “emphasized the sporting principle that official league matches must be played within the territory of the respective member association.” Read more
DeSantis trolls Biden, asks if Novak Djokovic can take boat to Florida (NYPost)
Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis took a swipe Tuesday at the Biden administration’s immigration and COVID-19 vaccination policies, asking the White House whether tennis great Novak Djokovic would be allowed to come to Florida by boat to compete.
“The only thing keeping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden’s misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigner [sic] travelers,” DeSantis tweeted Tuesday, along with a copy of his letter.
“Mr. President – lift your restrictions and let him compete,” DeSantis added. Read more
Antonio Conte: Tottenham boss has ‘‘a lot of energy’’ as he returns after surgery (BBC)
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte says club doctors were “really worried” about his health but he now has “a lot of energy” as he returns to the club.
Conte, 53, had gallbladder surgery last month and, after briefly returning for two matches, has missed Spurs’ past four games to recover in Italy.
He will be back in the dugout for his side’s Champions League last-16 second leg against AC Milan on Wednesday.
“I still have to recover weight but for the rest I am OK,” the Italian said. Read more
Monfils returns to action at Indian Wells missing Djokovic and Nadal (RFI)
French veteran Gael Monfils will return from a six-month injury lay-off at the Indian Wells tournament which starts on Wednesday.
The 36-year-old last played competitively at the Montreal Masters in August 2022.
The former world number six, who has dropped to 210 while nursing his injured right heel, will open his account against Jordan Thompson from Australia. Read more