Bloody Valentine’s Day: 9 die in Rivers cult mutiny (Vanguard)
Police in Rivers state have confirmed nine persons dead in a bloody St Valentine’s Day cult clash in Ikata, Upata Kingdom, Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA).
The Spokesperson, of Rivers Police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko who confirmed the horror on Wednesday said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Effiong Okon, has deployed tactical units to restore calm in the area.
A community source narrated to Vanguard that, “This bloodletting was provoked by supremacy conflict within the same cult group. The Greenland cult group has been factionalised as a gang loyal to VIP, one of the leaders, and another faction submissive to Ebuka. Read more
Gridlock as tankers crash on Lagos bridge (Punch)
Commuters heading towards the Lagos Island and Apapa areas of Lagos State were on Wednesday morning stranded following an accident involving a container-laden truck and a tanker on the Alaka bridge inward Eko bridge.
Both trucks completely occupied the two-lane road, creating a gridlock which forced officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency at the scene to divert traffic.
“All Eko Bridge bound traffic are being detoured via Costain and on to the Eko Bridge,” LASTMA said on its Twitter handle. Read more
Court grants N5m bail to actress arraigned for alleged naira abuse (Channels)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has granted bail to an actress, Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin, who was arraigned before the court on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly spraying new naira notes at a party.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke who admitted the actress to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum also ruled that the surety must be a public servant in the service of the Federation or the Lagos State Government not below the rank of Grade Level 12, or a holder of a genuine statutory certificate of occupancy of a developed landed property within the Lagos State Municipality.
The court also held that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the original statutory certificate of occupancy of the landed property is to be deposited with the Registrar of the court and in the case of the public servant, an official letter from his or her head of department stating the status and salary level of the surety. Read more
Old naira notes still legal tender – Supreme Court (Punch)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday affirmed the validity of the use of old 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes.
The apex court maintained that the February 8 hearing which paused the implementation of the February 10 deadline ban on the use of old naira notes still subsists.
The clarification from the court followed a complaint by Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), lawyer to the Kaduna, Kogi and Zamfara states respectively. Read more
Sanusi visits Kano 3 years after dethronement (DailyTrust)
For the first time since his dethronement as emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II visited the state.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje dethroned him three years ago.
Sanusi reportedly visited Kano to greet his mother on his way to Dutse, Jigawa State capital, where he is expected to pay a condolence visit to the emirate over the recent death of its Emir, Late Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi.
He is also expected to congratulate the new emir, Hameem Nuhu Sanusi. Read more
Ibadan residents protest again over new naira notes (Tribune)
Commercial activity has been put on hold in some areas in Ibadan following a protest embarked upon by residents over the deadline of the naira swap.
The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele has stated that old naira notes; N200, N500 and N1000, have stopped being a legal tender.
The directive has led to refusal of the notes as means of business transaction by the traders at major markets in Ibadan. Read more
Buhari celebrates Osinbajo’s mum at 90 (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended hearty felicitations to the Osinbajo’s family on the 90th birthday celebration of their matriarch, Mama Olubisi on February 16.
In a letter he personally signed, the President thanked the celebrant for giving the country illustrious offspring like Vice President ‘Yemi Osinbajo and his other siblings.
A statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, quoted the President’s letter to the celebrant “it gives me immense pleasure to felicitate with our dear Mama Olubisi Osinbajo, as she turns 90, entering the rare ranks of a nonagenarian. Read more
FG inaugurates duty-free village for diplomats (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has unveiled a Diplomatic duty-free village in Abuja where diplomats can buy items and enjoy tax-free services in the country.
The facility is set on 2,700 square-metre lands along the Olusegun Obasanjo Way Central Business District in Abuja.
The Diplomatic village was established in compliance with the United Nations Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which exempts diplomats from all duties and taxes, whether national, regional or municipal. Read more
Lady Gaga unveils a glimpse of “Joker: Folie a Deux” character (MusicNews)
Lady Gaga has shared a first-look image of her “Joker: Folie a Deux” character.
The 36-year-old actress and singer is set to play Harley Quinn in the sequel to the hit film Joker and a new close-up shot sees Gaga holding the face of co-star Joaquin Phoenix – who will reprise his role as Arthur Fleck/Joker.
Todd Phillips is returning to direct the sequel that he co-wrote with Scott Silver. The movie is set to be released in October 2024 and will feature Zazie Beetz, Brendan Gleeson and Harry Lawtey as additional cast members. Read more
Shania Twain returns to Billboard Charts With Queen of Me (uDiscoverMusic)
Shania Twain’s acclaimed and celebrated new album, Queen of Me, has landed at No.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The success of the album has secured Twain her seventh top five entry.
In the UK, she landed her third UK No.1 album with Queen of Me. She beat the strong challenge of BRIT-nominated artist and songwriter RAYE, who entered at No.2 with My 21st Century Blues, some 2,500 chart units behind the Canadian superstar.
Queen of Me also entered the Official Vinyl Albums Chart in the top spot. The album follows Twain’s UK chart-topping success with Come On Over in 1998 and Now in 2017. In Australia, the new album started at No.5, in a market where she’s had three No.1s, with Come On Over, Up (in 2005), and Now. The Australian album chart saw Taylor Swift returning to the summit with a 2-1 climb for Midnights, in its 16th chart week. Read more
Steven Spielberg: Tom Cruise saved Hollywood’s ass with Top Gun: Maverick (PageSix)
From one legend to another.
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg wasted no time giving Tom Cruise his well-deserved flowers at the Academy Awards luncheon on Monday.
Pulling Cruise in for a hug, Spielberg told the 60-year-old actor that he “saved Hollywood’s ass” with his hit blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick — which scooped up a Best Picture nomination.
“You saved Hollywood’s ass, and you might have saved theatrical distribution,” Spielberg tells Cruise in the clip. “Seriously, Maverick might have saved the entire theatrical industry.” Read more
BBC announces Kanye West documentary, podcast (UPI)
The BBC has announced it is working on a new documentary called “We Need to Talk About Kanye” focused on troubled rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West.
The program will star investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, who is famous for his examination of pop star Britney Spears’ conservatorship in the fact-based film The Battle for Britney.
“Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s 2024 election campaign, and at a time when his behavior has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this one-off documentary follows Mobeen as he attempts to understand the complex journey that led Ye to become one of the most famous and creatively successful artists of his generation,” a press release from the British broadcaster said Wednesday. Read more
Busta Rhymes throws drink at woman who touched him inappropriately (HipHopDX)
Busta Rhymes was not happy with an overzealous fan who tried to cop a feel and touch his backside while he was walking through an airport.
The incident took place earlier this week, and video footage showed Busta Bust walking through the airport with his team along with a fan that was close by. At one point, the fan crept closer to Busta Rhymes, seemingly looking for an opening to get next to him.
Suddenly the woman reached through the crowd and grabbed Busta’s behind, and pulled away as if she didn’t want to get caught. Unfortunately, Busta saw her and as he turned around, he tossed his drink directly at her. Read more
EU targets Iran drones, Russian tech in new Ukraine sanctions (AlArabiya)
The European Union’s executive arm proposed Wednesday new sanctions on Russia that would cut off goods worth 11 billion euros and target Iran’s drone producers over the war in Ukraine.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said she hoped the EU’s 27 member states would agree to the new package as part of a joint battery of G7 sanctions on the one-year anniversary of the invasion on February 24.
“We are targeting many industrial goods that Russia needs, and that it cannot get through backfilling through third countries,” she said, citing “vital goods such as electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines.” Read more
Egypt 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to go for World Cup ticket (Sun)
President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has assured the Flying Eagles of all necessary support and attention from the football-ruling body as the team continues its build-up to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
The NFF President gave the assurance on Sunday evening while visiting the Flying Eagles at their training tour base, Hotel Novotel in Mohammedia, Morocco shortly after the team’s 2-1 victory over their Congolese counterparts in a friendly at the Complexe Sportif Sidi Mohammed.
“Let me use this opportunity to congratulate you all for emerging victorious against the Congolese team. It was a well-deserved victory because you played well. I believe there are a lot of good players here that will make the generality of Nigerians proud. Read more
Xavi speaks out on Manchester United’s attempt to sign Frenkie de Jong (MEN)
Barcelona coach Xavi insists there was no doubt Frenkie de Jong would stay at the club amid Manchester United’s interest in the summer.
United agreed an €85 million fee with Barcelona to sign De Jong but the midfielder publicly expressed his preference to stay in Catalonia and his wage deferral proved to be an insurmountable stumbling block. After the 4-0 drubbing by Brentford on August 13, United ended their pursuit of De Jong and used the funds set aside for the Dutchman to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid for £60m rising to £70m.
De Jong, 25, has started in 15 of Barcelona’s 21 La Liga games this season and Xavi has recently settled on a line-up that consists of four midfielders, with Gavi pushed further forward to offset the absence of the injured Ousmane Dembele. Read more
Jesse Marsch will not be the new Southampton manager (DailyMail)
Jesse Marsch will not be Southampton’s new manager after the two parties failed to agree terms on his contract.
The American coach, 49, who was sacked as Leeds United manager just nine days ago, had been the front-runner to take over from Nathan Jones at St Mary’s.
However, the Saints will now have to look elsewhere after negotiations broke down because the club were not keen on a long-term contract given their current situation.
They are currently bottom of the Premier League table, some four points adrift of Leeds in 17th place. Read more
Lewis Hamilton ready to break rules and risk F1 ban as Mercedes star sends message to FIA (Express)
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is ready to break the FIA’s new rules on free speech as he continues to use his voice to highlight issues he is passionate about. Drivers are open to penalties if they speak out with a race ban among the sanctions available, something the Mercedes man is happy to risk.
The FIA introduced new rules for the upcoming season that would limit the amount that drivers are able to speak openly on controversial issues. The degree prohibits “personal, religious and political statements” without written consent, something which is likely to impact Hamilton more than most as one of the most vocal men in the paddock.
The Brit champions a number of causes most notably black rights and representation while he is also a prominent supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Read more
Michael Jordan donates $10m to Make-A-Wish for 60th birthday (USAToday)
Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan is celebrating his 60th birthday on Friday by making a $10 million donation to Make-A-Wish.
It is the largest donation ever received from an individual in the organization’s 43-year history.
Jordan’s hope is that his decision to celebrate his birthday by donating to Make-A-Wish will inspire others to help fulfill the wishes of the kids still waiting for their wishes to come true. Read more