BRT: Bamise’s killing devastating to mothers, there must be justice -Sanwo-Olu’s wife (Punch)
Lagos State first lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, has condemned the killing of of Miss Oluwabamise Ayanwole who went missing after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit and was later found dead.
Sanwo-Olu described the killing as sad, shocking, and devastating.
The Lagos State governor’s wife said this while leading a rally of women from different walks of life against the recent rejection of gender bills by the National Assembly, demanding an immediate passage of the bills on Tuesday.
“As mothers, we are devastated; we are in shock; we are not happy. Lagos State is not known for ritual killings and we will not tolerate such. Read more
LAGESC frowns at motorcycles plying pedestrian bridges in Lagos (Independent)
The Lagos State Government has noted with dismay how commercial motorcyclists (Okada), dispatch riders and men of the Nigeria Armed Forces in official uniform and mufti have virtually turned the wheelchair ramps on pedestrian bridges to make-shift bridges for crossing to the opposite lanes on major expressways in the State.
CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd), Corps Marshal of the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps, (LAGESC), disclosed this today at the Agency’s Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.
According to her, ‘‘Unruly commercial motorcyclists, uniformed men on private bikes and dispatch riders are in the habit of plying the wheelchair ramps meant for People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) to cross to the other lanes on expressways in Lagos State’’.
The Corps Marshal further stressed that this negative development has affected the use of bridges for pedestrians and People Living With Disabilities (PLWD) as they now resort to crossing the expressway thereby endangering their lives. Read more
Burna Boy replaces crashed Ferrari with 2022 Lamborghini (Nation)
Grammy award-winning singer Burna Boy has replaced his crashed Ferrari with a brand new 2022 Lamborghini Urus (Novitec Edition).
Burna Boy recently survived an accident with his expensive Ferrari 458 2013.
The 30-year-old was involved in an accident in the Lekki area of Lagos on Saturday, February 27, 2022.
Burna Boy confirmed he had a “bad accident” with his Ferrari on Instagram but noted he only sustained a minor leg injury. Read more
Reps make U-turn, rescind votes on rejected gender bills (Punch)
The House of Representatives has reversed itself on three gender-related bills that failed to pass in the ongoing amendments to the 1999 Constitution.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, called for a rescission of the votes on the affected bills after the lawmakers held an executive (closed-door) session on Tuesday.
While there are five gender bills, those to be revisited are Bill 36 to “expand the scope of citizenship by registration;” Bill 37 to “provide for affirmative action for women in political party administration;” Bill 38 to “provide criteria for qualification to become an indigene of a state in Nigeria.”
Those dropped are Bill 35 to “provide for special seat for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly;” and Bill 68 “to give women a quota in the federal and state executive councils or ministerial and commissionership seats.”Read more
Tambuwal lauds FG over Ukraine evacuation, tackling insecurity (Leadership)
The Federal Government has been commended for its sustained efforts in rescuing and bringing back Nigerians, especially students trapped in Ukraine as a result of the invasion of the country by Russia.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, who gave the commendation while receiving the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, also applauded the federal government for its non-partisan support to the state in checkmating the spate of insecurity that has ravaged parts of it and the country in the recent past.
“I commend the Federal Government for the ongoing efforts to evacuate trapped Nigerians from Ukraine,” the Governor said while singling out the minister for his uncommon determination and patriotism in ensuring the triumph of Nigeria’s diplomacy.
“He is among the few foreign ministers we have had that speak every important language in the world. He is doing well and representing our country very well in every fora internationally,” the governor explained. Read more
Court sacks Ebonyi governor, deputy over defection to APC (Independent)
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has sacked Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, and his Deputy, Dr Kelechi Igwe over unlawful defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A judgment delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo on Tuesday stated that Umahi and his deputy’s defection is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void and therefore ordered them to immediately vacate their offices.
Justice Ekwo held that having defected from the party on which platform they won the election, Umahi and Igwe are deemed to have resigned their offices.
The judge held that the votes that brought them to office belonged to the PDP and cannot hold on to the votes having elected to jettison the party that nominated them.
Justice Ekwo also held that the votes cast for PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election are not transferable to the APC that failed in the election. Read more
SERAP urges Buhari to probe spending on refineries (Independent)
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, and anti-corruption agencies to probe the spending on the country’s four refineries.
SERAP in a statement on Sunday threatened to sue the president if he fails to do so.
The statement quoted SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, as saying this in a letter dated March 5, 2022 and sent to Buhari and Malami.
The letter, read in part, “Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending on the refineries would be entirely consistent with constitutional guarantees and international standards. It may also galvanize public support for your government’s anti-corruption efforts. Read more
Etcetera returns with a new single after 12 years (Nation)
After a 12 years hiatus, artiste Etcetera Ejikeme has returned to the music scene with a new track entitled, ‘Still Believe.’
The single, Etcetera said, expresses all the excitement of someone who is back doing what he loves.
The mid-tempo, mild auto-tuned dance track has lyrics of someone assuring a partner that he still believes in their love.
The singer said of the song: “I wrote Still Believe as a way of letting couples, especially those in relationships that seem not to be working, to realize the power of appreciation in a relationship. You have to show your partner how much you appreciate them at every given turn. I hope this song encourages everyone to do that. Read more
NGO, wives of Lagos, Delta govs to raise awareness on Endometriosis (Leadership)
Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria (ESGN) has partnered with the first ladies of Lagos and Delta states with the view to champion awareness creation on Endometriosis, a condition affecting two to 10% of women globally.
A patron, ESGN, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, who disclosed this in a media parley, said research has shown that Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive ages starting in the early years of secondary school when most girls see their monthly menstrual period for the first time.
Ajayi added that 60% of women who have Endometriosis, experience symptoms before the age of 20, noting that it may not be diagnosed early until the adolescent sufferer grows into adulthood with concerns relating to infertility.
With a heavy incidence rate of about 10%of the female population, coupled with the rather debilitating effect on the quality of life of women living with the condition, Ajayi said it is sad to note that there is no known cure for Endometriosis. Read more
My music is real, Tems speaks on self awareness (Punch)
Fast rising Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, professionally known as Tems, has said that she took time to know herself because her music was real.
In a series of tweets late Monday, the Crazy Tings crooner lectured her fans on self awareness, as she revealed that her music came from the most honest part of her.
She charged her fans to discover themselves so they could enjoy life before they left the world.
Tems wrote, “The real beauty is in the process. It’s not the result. The beauty is in the moment not the memory, the memory is the collateral.
“Self awareness. That’s it. I take time off to know myself because my music is f**king real.
“It comes from the most honest part of me and that place must always be true as I live my life. Read more
Latest Hotel Transylvania and Fantastic Beasts movies secure China release dates (Variety)
Hollywood franchise movies “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” have both secured April theatrical release dates in mainland China.
“Transylvania” will open in Chinese cinemas on Sunday April 3, 2022, a couple of days ahead of the Qingming or Tomb Sweeping holiday on April 5. “Beasts” will open, more conventionally, on Friday, April 8.
Sony missed out on a China release for Spider Man: No Way Home, which was the biggest film worldwide in 2021. But the confirmation represents the studio’s second Hollywood film this year to receive approval from the Chinese authorities (after “Uncharted,” set for March 14 ). “Beasts 3” is the third of 2022 for Warner Bros. (after “The Matrix: Revolutions” in January and “The Batman” on March 18).
“Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” releases in North America on April 15, 2022, meaning that the studio has time to build a marketing campaign in the Middle Kingdom and that the Chinese outing briefly precedes the stateside debut.
All three previous installments in the Transylvania franchise have been releasd in China. The first scored $10.9 million in 2012. “Hotel Transylvania 2” earned $17.3 million in 2015, while “Hotel Transylvania 3” took $32.7 million in 2018. Read more
Steven Spielberg disagrees with decision to exclude certain categories from Oscars broadcast (FilmNews)
Steven Spielberg “disagrees” with the decision to exclude certain categories from the Oscars live telecast.
The West Side Story director addressed the Academy’s decision to hold awards for eight categories before the live telecast in an interview with Deadline on Monday.
“I disagree with the decision made by the executive committee. I feel very strongly that this is perhaps the most collaborative medium in the world. All of us make movies together, we become a family where one craft is just as indispensable as the next,” he said. “I feel that at the Academy Awards there is no above the line, there is no below the line. All of us are on the same line bringing the best of us to tell the best stories we possibly can. And that means for me we should all have a seat at the supper table together…”
The eight excluded categories include documentary short, editing, make-up and hairstyling, original score, production design, animated short, live action short and sound. Read more
Santa Clause Disney+ TV series casts Designated Survivor star (DigitalSpy)
Santa Clause’s new Disney+ TV series has added another big name to its cast, as Designated Survivor and Clarice actor Kal Penn has signed up.
Deadline reports that Penn will take on a leading role alongside Tim Allen and Elizabeth Mitchell, both of whom reprise their respective roles as Scott Calvin / Santa Claus and Carol Newman / Mrs Claus from the Santa Clause movie franchise.
The sequel series, which comes from Last Man Standing creator Jack Burditt, will reportedly see Scott having a crisis as he reaches his 65th birthday and realises that he can’t go on being Santa forever.
Not only is he starting to lose his magic, he has a family to support and he is beginning to believe that his two kids would benefit from a regular life.
Darkovibes, Stonebwoy perform with Davido at sold-out 02 Arena concert (MyJoy)
Nigerian Afrobeat star, Davido, invited two of Ghana’s favourite artistes to perform on stage with him at his second sold-out concert at the London 02 Arena on March 5.
The concert was organised to welcome Davido’s next album, ‘We Rise by Lifting Others’.
He first performed with Dancehall and Reggae artiste, Stonebwoy, who he collaborated with on the popular single ‘Activate’.
Davido later performed with Darkovibes, a member of the rap group La Meme Gang. The two collaborated on ‘Je M’appelle’ released in 2021. Read more
Comic Con Africa returns for a jam-packed four-day event (TheSouthAfrican)
After two years without a live event, Comic Con Africa is returning in full swing. The pop culture gaming event is set to take place in September 2022 and Phase one ticket sales have already opened. The gaming festival’s Show Director, Carla Massmann, said they have missed fans and are looking forward to uniting with them again.
The pop culture gaming festival is back by popular demand. The event has moved to Johannesburg Expo Centre to accommodate more than 80 000 attendees.
Comic Con Africa has added a new element called StreetCon, which will showcase the latest streetwear and accessories. Festival-goers can look forward to the return of the Food Truck Village and more exciting new additions.
In a statement, the Comic Con Africa team said they have spent the past year and a half to ensure this year’s event will be bigger, better and safer than ever before. Read more
Jimmie Allen honouring his late father as 57th ACM Awards co-host (Tennessean)
Alongside Dolly Parton and the Academy of Country Music’s (ACM) 2021 New Female Artist of the Year Gabby Barrett, Jimmie Allen – the ACM’s New Male Artist of 2021 – will co-host the 2022 ACM Awards on Monday night from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
In an exclusive conversation with The Tennessean, the singer – whose 2021-released Brad Paisley collaboration “Freedom Was A Highway” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay charts – reveals that the occasion will be a powerful, poignant homage to his father, James “Big Jim” Allen, who died in September 2019 at 65 years of age.
Allen’s also performing at the ACM Awards. “Down Home” will be officially released on March 8 from his forthcoming third studio album. It strikes a more powerful personal chord with the performer than anything else he’s ever released.
“People have wanted me to write a song about my father for a while, so I finally did,” Allen said. “In [“Down Home”], I’m letting him know that I miss him, that I have remembered everything he taught me, and that I want him to be proud of what I am doing.” Read more
Samuel L. Jackson loves his job as an actor (CBS)
Samuel L. Jackson is a movie star, and he loves his job. “Movie sets are my playground. That’s my happy place,” he said.
“Sunday Morning” contributor Kelefa Sanneh asked, “Is acting easy for you?”
“Yeah,” he laughed. “Feels like it is. It’s fun for me.”
He has made more than 150 films, and is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He’s worked closely with Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino, and he’s a familiar presence in the “Star Wars” and Marvel franchises. Read more
Simon may captain Eagles against Ghana (Punch)
Moses Simon looks set to wear the Nigerian captain’s armband when the Super Eagles take on the Black Stars later this month in a Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier, barring any last-minute change, Punch Sports Extra has learnt.
Leon Balogun and Wilfred Ndidi are also in contention for the role, it was also learnt.
Simon is one of the 32 players called up by Austin Eguavoen for the tie billed for the Cape Coast stadium on March 25 with the reverse fixture poised for the Moshood Abiola Stadium.
Team captain Ahmed Musa is not a starter despite making the squad and his vice, William Troost-Ekong, remains a huge doubt after Watford manager Roy Hodgson ruled him out of action for an unforeseeable future due to a muscle injury he sustained in training. Read more
Premier League cuts ties with Russian broadcaster and makes £1m payment to Ukraine (Express)
The Premier League has announced it has cut ties with broadcast partner Rambler and made a significant donation to Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion. A £1million payment will be sent to the people of Ukraine to aid urgent care and long-term recovery after Russia launched an attack.
Premier League clubs showed solidarity with Ukraine through the most recent gameweek at the weekend.
It included players mixing on the centre circle for a minute’s applause before games whilst screens displayed ‘Football Stands Together’ and captains wearing yellow and blue armbands.
Last Thursday, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters revealed Russia’s privilege of airing games was under review. Read more
Northern Ireland women’s football: Communities minister Deirdre Hargey announces £100,000 funding boost (BBC)
Northern Ireland women’s football has received a £100,000 funding boost in an announcement by the Executive’s Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey.
The news came on International Women’s Day in a year which will see the Northern Ireland team play in the country’s first major women’s finals.
Ms Hargey said the funds would “promote female sport through football”.
The minister said that it must be a “lasting legacy” to the international women’s team Euro 2022 qualification. Read more
Andy Murray predicts future as he picks out tennis’ next ‘Big Three’ (Mirror)
Tennis star Andy Murray has opened up on the players he believes can make up the sport’s next ‘Big Three’.
The men’s game has been dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have won an astonishing 61 Grand Slam singles titles between them.
As the clock continues to tick on their glittering careers, Murray, 34, who was long part of a ‘Big Four’ and consistently competed with the legendary trio – albeit without enjoying the same level as success in the Majors – has looked to the future.
He shared his thoughts on those he thinks can take over the mantle and solidify themselves as members of tennis’ next big three. Read more
Rangers secure hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gombe Utd (DailyTrust)
Enugu Rangers have picked their sixth win of the 2021/22 Nigeria Professional Football League following a 1-0 victory over Gombe United in Nnewi.
It was a tight contest in the first 45 minutes as both sides failed to take their chances to open the scoring.
However, that changed in the second half as Chidiebere Nwobodo made the best use of a pass from Chukwuebuka Okorie to give Rangers the lead in the 49th minute.
The Flying Antelopes held on to the lead to inflict a fifth league loss on the visitors. Read more
Ashun Wu sticks to plan on way to winning Kenya Open (IrishTimes)
Ashun Wu cruised to victory at the Magical Kenya Open as a closing 65 gave him an emphatic four-shot win in Nairobi.
Scot Ewen Ferguson entered the final day with a four-shot lead of his own but as he stumbled to a 76 and a tie for eighth, China’s Wu was a picture of consistency in picking up his fourth DP World Tour title.
The 36-year-old bogeyed the second but birdied the fourth and another gain on a par-five at the seventh started a run of four birdies in a row.
That gave him a two-shot advantage and with nearest challengers Aaron Cockerill, Thriston Lawrence and Hurly Long completing their rounds at 12 under, Wu knew exactly what he needed to do over the closing holes, with birdies on the 17th and 18th merely putting gloss on his victory as he finished at 16 under. Read more
WNBA’s Brittney Griner detained in Russia for weeks on drug charges (EastBayTimes)
WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested last month at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges.
The Russian Customs Service said Saturday that the cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The customs service identified the person arrested as a player for the U.S. women’s team and did not specify the date of her arrest. Russian media reported the player was Griner, and her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute those reports.
“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA,” Kagawa Colas said Saturday. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”
On Saturday, the State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and urged all U.S. citizens to depart immediately, citing factors including “the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials” and “the Embassy’s limited ability to assist” Americans in Russia. Read more