Bus drivers kill LASTMA officer, beat colleague to a coma (Punch)
No fewer than seven persons have been arrested in connection with the death of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Godwin Obasu, who, alongside his colleague, Hakeem Adeniyi, was reportedly attacked by commercial drivers in the Bariga area of the state.
Adeniyi, who sustained injuries during the incident, was said to be battling for his life at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the two LASTMA officials apprehended a commercial bus for contravening the traffic law of the state.
The bus driver was said to have mobilised his colleagues, who attacked Obasu and Adeniyi with different weapons, including machetes. Read more
Revelry as Lagos begins mass COVID-19 vaccination (Nation)
The frenetic pace of activities at Omodigbo Primary Health Centre in Mushin, Lagos, has been unusual lately for a facility of its status. Every day beginning from Monday this week, all qualified persons, who have registered in the online portal created for the purpose, receive vaccine jabs in the busy facility, which make them inoculated against Coronavirus – a seamless exercise that can be concluded in a jiffy for every eligible person.
But administration of COVID-19 vaccine is not limited to the health facility in Mushin; it is an exercise that goes on simultaneously in all the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas in the state. In Lagos where 88 sites have been approved for people to receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine, it takes only a few minutes for every qualified and registered person to get vaccinated.
Since last Friday, when the state began its COVID-19 AtraZeneca vaccination programme, it has rekindled hopes in Nigeria’s epicentre of Coronavirus, as the global medical community believes that the mass vaccination exercise is a worthwhile project for governments to embark upon to enhance the immunity of citizens and protect their health. Read more
Nollywood-Military movie, Eagle Wings premieres in Lagos (Vanguard)
Movie lovers, practitioners and critics who graced the premiere of ‘Eagle Wings’ penultimate Sunday at Blue Pictures Cinema, Lagos will definitely agree that the blockbuster has set a record in the Nigerian movie industry.
The military-themed movie, a first of its kind in Nigeria, was produced and directed by Paul Apel Papel in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Investments Limited, an investment arm of the NAF.
Eagle Wings’ follows the story of an Air Force Fighter pilot who must navigate his way to safety amid an insurgency. It highlights the sacrifices of the military in combating insecurity and keeping the peace of the nation. The movie also explores the often tragic, yet thrilling mission in battling for life, peace, and freedom to love, in the face of great danger. Read more
Parents of 39 abducted Kaduna students protest, demand their release (ThisDay)
Parents of the 39 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna, yesterday staged a protest, demanding the release of their children.
The protest took place at the school premises located along Airport road in Kaduna.
Some of the students of the institution also joined in the protest in solidarity for their colleagues, who have been in captivity for the past seven days.
Gunmen had invaded the school last Thursday at about 11:30 pm, kidnapping 39 students. Read more
Hijab: Kwara TESCOM directs principals, teachers, staff to report on Friday (Vanguard)
The Kwara Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) has directed principals, teachers and staff of the yet to be opened grant-aided mission schools to report at their respective schools on Friday.
Malam Bello Abubakar, the Chairman of the commission, gave the order in a statement issued by TESCOM Press Secretary, Mr Peter Amogbonjaye, on Thursday in Ilorin.
It quoted Abubakar as saying that the teachers’ resumption became necessary to prepare the final year students for their external examinations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 10 affected grant-aided mission schools had been shut in Ilorin since Feb. 19, over the use of Hijab by Muslim female students. Read more
Spending $1.5b on refinery misplaced, say LCCI, others (Nation)
More reactions on Thursday trailed Wednesday’s approval of $1.5 billion by the Federal Executive Council’s (FEC’s) for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar said the approval was suspicious while Lagos Chamber of Commerce Industry and Industry (LCCI) described it as a misplaced priority.
A former President of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Dr. Samuel Nzekwe, called for the judicious use of the cash.
Atiku, in a statement he personally signed on Thursday, argued that a nation with an unemployment rate standing at 33 percent and inflation at 17 percent, should not waste such a huge sum on a “moribund” refinery. Read more
Gunmen kill soldiers, policemen in Anambra (ThisDay)
Unknown gunmen have reportedly killed unspecified number of policemen and soldiers in different locations in Anambra State.
This is coming as bandits on Wednesday invaded Ungwa Waziri, Karji, a suburb of Kaduna metropolis, killing a police inspector and abducting three residents of the area.
The incidents in Anambra State occurred yesterday, sources said.
While the policemen were said to have been killed in Neni, Anaocha Local Government Area at a checkpoint, the soldiers were killed at an outpost in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, both of Anambra State. Read more
Appeal Court dismisses APC’s suit challenging Obaseki’s certificates (Nation)
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday dismissed the appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) against the January 9, 2021 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the authenticity of the academic certificates presented by Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The three-man panel of the court, led by Justice Stephen Adah, unanimously upheld the argument by Obaseki’s legal team, led by Ken Mozia (SAN), that the APC appeal and one of its members was without merit.
The judgment was on the appeal filed by the APC and Edobor Williams. Read more
Insecurity: Nigeria to take delivery of six fighter jets in July (ThisDay)
The move by the federal government to fight insecurity, especially the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east will receive a boost as the country will take delivery of six Super Tucano jets in July from Georgia in the United States.
This was disclosed yesterday by the Media Assistant to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu, who stated that six of the 12 Super Tucanos fighter jets ordered by the federal government will arrive Nigerian shores by mid-July,2021.
Shehu, in his verified twitter handle, added that the remaining six fighter jets will be delivered at a later date while 14 Nigerian pilots are currently undergoing training at Moody Air Force Base also in Georgia.
He explained that the six Super Tucanos are now being prepared for final delivery saying “the Super Tucanos came off the production line in Jacksonville Florida and are now being equipped and flight- tested. Read more
US House OKs path to citizenship for millions, including ‘Dreamers’ (NYPost)
The House of Representatives on Thursday voted to approve a path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants, including farmworkers and “Dreamers” brought to the country illegally as minors.
The American Dream and Promise Act passed 228-197 with nine Republicans joining all Democrats voting in favour. The bill would benefit young migrants and refugees with Temporary Protected Status.
Republicans joining most Democrats in favour and one Democrat voting in opposition.
Many Republicans argued that the bills were poorly timed due to the surge of illegal immigration at the US-Mexico border. Read more
Armie Hammer: US actor accused of rape (BBC)
US actor Armie Hammer has been accused of raping a woman in Los Angeles in 2017.
The woman, a 24-year-old named only as Effie, made the allegations during a virtual news conference on Thursday.
Hammer, 34, denied the allegations. His lawyer said they were “outrageous” and Hammer “welcomes the opportunity to set the record straight”.
Los Angeles police told the BBC Hammer was a suspect in a sexual assault investigation opened on 3 February. Read more
Ryan Reynolds watches his box office flop Green Lantern for first time (Metro)
Ryan Reynolds didn’t exactly receive rave reviews for Green Lantern so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that he’s only got round to watching the blockbuster now. Released in 2011, Green Lantern was a huge box office flop only making an estimated $19million (£13.6m) profit on its $200m (£143m) budget and receiving frankly terrible reviews. It currently has a 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes which pretty much says it all. Before getting stuck into Zach Snyder’s Justice League last night, Ryan thought he’d revisit his superhero movie of years gone by. Read more
Paris region and beyond to begin month-long limited lockdown on Friday (France24)
French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced Thursday a month-long limited lockdown for Paris and other regions of the country starting Friday as the number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care units spikes. Schools and essential shops, including bookstores, will remain open.
Castex said the new restrictions will take effect from Friday midnight and will last four weeks. The restrictions will be imposed on 16 regions, including the Paris area.
While non-essential businesses will close and movement outside will be restricted in the affected regions, schools will stay open and outdoor exercise allowed up to 10 kilometres (6 miles) from home, he said. The curfew will also be reduced, starting at 7 pm from Friday.
The progression of the Covid-19 epidemic in France is clearly accelerating, Castex said. “More and more this is looking like a third wave,” he told the news conference. Read more
Woman who falsely claimed she married Pete Davidson arrested inside his NYC home (PageSix)
A woman who falsely claimed she had married Pete Davidson was arrested Thursday for trespassing at the comedian’s Staten Island home, sources said.
Michelle Mootreddy first showed up at the “SNL” jokester’s Annadale property at about 3:30 p.m. and knocked on the door, police and sources said.
Davidson was not home at the time, but his mother answered and told Mootreddy to leave, according to law enforcement sources.
Shortly after, Mootreddy walked around the side of the home and entered through the back door, the sources said. Read more
US and China trade angry barbs at high-level Alaska talks (BBC)
US and Chinese officials have exchanged sharp rebukes in the first high-level talks between the Biden administration and China, taking place in Alaska.
Chinese officials accused the US of inciting countries “to attack China”, while the US said China had “arrived intent on grandstanding”.
Relations between the two superpowers are at their most strained for years.
The US has pledged to raise contentious issues such as Beijing’s treatment of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Read more
COVID-19: EU states to resume AstraZeneca vaccine rollout (BBC)
The EU’s leading states are to restart their roll-out of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after Europe’s medicines regulator concluded it was “safe and effective”.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) reviewed the jab after 13 EU states suspended use of the vaccine over fears of a link to blood clots.
It found the jab was “not associated” with a higher risk of clots.
Germany, France, Italy and Spain said they would resume using the jab. Read more
Jose Mourinho blasts Spurs stars’ attitude after Europa League exit (Metro)
Jose Mourinho questioned the attitude of his Tottenham Hotspur side after a shock Europa League exit to Dinamo Zagreb. Having entered the second leg with a 2-0 lead, Spurs were beaten 3-0 on the night, with Mislav Orsic scoring a hat-trick. The third of his strikes came in extra time and left Mourinho feeling ‘more than sad’. The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid manager couldn’t hide his frustration for the manner in which his side performed and admitted the game was won by Zagreb having a better attitude. Read more
Pogba winner in Milan sends Man Utd through to last eight (BBC)
Paul Pogba returned from injury to send Manchester United into the Europa League quarter-finals and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the midfielder will continue to make a big impact in the final stages of the season.
The Frenchman scored the winner against AC Milan at the San Siro three minutes after being introduced as a half-time substitute in the second leg of an evenly poised last-16 tie.
“The boys have done remarkably without Paul but we know his qualities,” Solskjaer said.
“He makes a very, very big difference to us. Paul has been working really hard, but you could see he couldn’t play more than 45 minutes.” Read more
LaVar Ball wants Pelicans to trade Lonzo: ‘Can’t stay’ (NYPost)
One day after The Post reported Lonzo Ball would have the Knicks on his radar as a restricted free agent, LaVar Ball joined the fray, saying he’d like to see his son dealt by the March 25 deadline because he’s not a fit in New Orleans.
“I don’t know what [the Pelicans] are going to do. I hope he’s traded, though,” the controversial father said on Los Angeles radio Thursday. “I don’t like watching the way that he’s playing. … He can’t stay in New Orleans. C’mon man.’’
Ball said his ever-improving son doesn’t mesh with the talent there and isn’t being used properly as a playmaker. The Pelicans have to decide whether to trade Ball before the deadline, with the possibility of him receiving another offer too rich for their blood in the offseason.
The Post reported in Thursday’s editions Knicks president Leon Rose, his former agent, has Ball high on his list. The Knicks lack pass-first point guards. Read more
Rangers: Steven Gerrard says Glen Kamara racially abused by Slavia player (BBC)
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard was left “angry and upset” after midfielder Glen Kamara told him he was racially abused during his side’s Europa League defeat by Slavia Prague.
Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela said something to Kamara while covering his mouth amid a melee in the final stages.
That enraged the Rangers’ players, who confronted Kudela, and Gerrard got involved with his opposite number.
“My player tells me he was racially abused,” Gerrard said. Read more
Rockets trade P.J. Tucker to Bucks as season implodes (NYPost)
The Milwaukee Bucks acquired veteran forward P.J. Tucker from the Houston Rockets in a four-player trade on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
The Rockets will receive point guard D.J. Augustin, forward D.J. Wilson and a 2023 unprotected first-round pick.
Rodions Kurucs and its own 2022 first-round pick back from Houston. The Bucks had dealt that pick during the four-team trade in which then-Rockets star James Harden moved to the Brooklyn Nets.
Houston also will have the right to deal its 2021 second-round pick for Milwaukee’s 2021 first-round pick unless the latter is one of the top nine selections. That swap almost certainly will occur, as the Bucks possess one of the top records in the NBA. Read more
Ibrahimovic’s Milan turn to Serie A title chase after Europa exit (France24)
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan return to their decade-long Serie A title quest on Sunday desperate to close the gap on leaders Inter after their Europa League exit to Manchester United.
“I want to play to win something,” said Ibrahimovic, who returned after an injury layoff in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat in the last-16 second leg against his former club.
“There are still a few games to win and at the moment we are second, we have to continue the race to win the championship.”Then if we reach the Champions League, it’s nice, but the goal is to win a trophy. Read more