“CBN orders banks to pay new notes over the counter (Nation)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reversed itself and directed banks to commence paying customers new Naira notes Over The Counter (OTC).
The apex bank said the order was to reduce queues around Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) across the country.
CBN Governor Godiwn Emefiele gave the directive in Abuja on Thursday.
A statement from CBN’s Director Corporate Communication Osita Nwanisobi, explained banks can only pay N20,000 of the new notes over the counter per day to individuals. Read more
Service downtime deepens consumer woes as internet banking fails (Guardian)
First day into the extended 10 days granted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes to be swapped for new ones, the cash squeeze continued across the country, yesterday, as millions of Nigerians struggled to complete transactions for goods and services.
The scarcity of cash, both old and new notes, is further compounded by service downtime consumers are experiencing on Internet banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and Point of Sales (PoS) terminals.
These challenges, especially access to cash over the counter, ATMs and PoS, yesterday, further took a downward trend as banks failed to give out cash to customers. This is even as various ATM terminals visited were not dispensing cash, while those dispensing minimally had huge crowd to contend with. Read more
Lagos police begin hunt for man wielding rifle (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has declared one Tajudeen Olanrewaju Bakare, wanted for threatening public peace and illegal possession of firearms on the street.
Bakare, popularly known as Oba Ogboni Abalaiye Ajamajebi was seen in a viral video on social media earlier in the week wielding a pump action rifle and threatening residents of the Surulere area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement made available on his verified Twitter handle, said “the CSP Egbeyemi-led Rapid Response Squad, working on actionable intelligence, carried out a sting operation on the residence of the man in the Surulere area of the state. Read more
Customs seizes fake dollars worth N2.7b, others in Lagos (Tribune)
The Seme Customs Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday said it’s men seized fake six million Dollars worth N2.763bn in Gbagi area of the Seme border in Lagos.
According to the Customs Area Controller of Seme Customs Command, Controller Dera Nnadi, “In the last 13 days, the Command recorded milestones in its anti- smuggling operations. Some of the anti-smuggling landmarks by the Command include the seizure of fake Six Million USD (equivalent of N2.763 Billion at exchange rate of N460.52) and the arrest of two suspects conveying the fake currency from Nigeria to the Republic of Benin. Two male suspects were arrested in connection with the crime and are in currently in our custody pending prosecution. The arrest was made at Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme corridor on the 31 of January, 2023.
“Also on the 31st of January, 2023 at about 0530 hours, Officers on patrol along Gbetrome base intercepted Six Maltese International Passports with the same picture of a lady but bearing different names. Read more
Women to march for peaceful election in Lagos (Sun)
Women from all walks of life will today embark on a peaceful march in Lagos State as part of efforts to promote awareness for issue-based campaigns by political parties and their aspirants as well as peaceful participation in the general election.
The exercise, according to the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Nigeria (WANEP-Nigeria), and Urgent Action Fund Africa (UAF- Africa), is geared to enhance individual capacities on the need to exercise their fundamental rights as citizens of Nigeria in a well organised and peaceful manner devoid of violence.
The one-day walk will commence at the premises of the Lagos State Television (LTV8) on Agidingbi Road and terminate at the state secretariat, Alausa where they will present a report to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as disclosed by the organisation. Read more
New naira notes will get to Nigerians soon, CBN assures (Channels)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reassured Nigerians of the availability of the newly-designed naira notes.
While there has been an outcry over the shortage of the new notes, the apex bank says it is working with stakeholders to address the challenge.
“CBN is committed to ensuring that the new Naira notes reach the hands of Nigerians as soon as possible,” the bank tweeted Thursday morning. Read more
PDP plans massive rally for Atiku in Kano (ThisDay)
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is planning a big rally for its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Kano February 9.
The Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, (Local Organising Committee), Atiku Presidential Campaign Rally, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, told journalists yesterday that the rally is designed to be the mother of all rallies.
According to him, going by the strategic nature of Kano in the nation’s politics, PDP is planning a very big rally. Read more
No sit-at-home for February poll, IPOB declares (Nation)
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Thursday said it will not issue any sit-at-home order during the February poll.
It warned a group Pan Nigeria President of Igbo Extraction Coalition (PANPIEC) to desist from linking IPOB with the enforcement of sit-at-home orders to blackmail IPOB and ESN.
The group in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful said that IPOB has no plan or intention to order any sit-at-home during the election period. Read more
Pink unveils “Trustfall” tracklist featuring Chris Stapleton, the Lumineers, First Aid Kit (RollingStone)
In anticipation of her upcoming ninth studio album Trustfall, set for release on February 17, Pink has revealed the complete tracklist, featuring appearances from First Aid Kit, Chris Stapleton, and the Lumineers.
“I am so in love with this new album and CANNOT WAIT for you to hear every single song,” the singer wrote on Twitter. The album comes in at 13 tracks, including the previously released singles “Trustfall” and “Never Gonna Not Dance Again.”
Most of the project’s guest appearances mark first-time collaborations. The Lumineers appear early on, assisting with “Long Way to Go,” which is immediately followed up by “Kids In Love” featuring First Aid Kit. Read more
Sarah Michelle Gellar says Dolly Parton was ”secret producer” on Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Mirror)
Sarah Michelle Gellar has confirmed the wild rumour that Dolly Parton actually was a ‘secret producer’ on Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
The music icon had a hand in the cult show, which aired from 1997 until 2003.
Sarah, 45, played the monster hunter for seven seasons and it seems that Dolly helped shape what she was doing. Read more
Kate Moss casts Ellie Bamber to portray her in ‘‘Moss & Freud’’ biopic (THR)
Ellie Bamber, the rising Brit star recently seen in Willow and The Serpent, is set to play supermodel Kate Moss in upcoming biopic Moss & Freud.
The film comes from writer/director James Lucas — who won the live-action short film Oscar for The Phone Call (starring Sally Hawkins and Jim Broadbent) — and is set to dramatize the period in 2002 when Moss, at the peak of her fame (and then heavily pregnant), chose to sit nude for famed British artist Lucian Freud. It was a decision that deeply impacted and transformed both of their lives (and the painting subsequently sold in 2005 for almost $5 million).
Oscar-nominee Derek Jacobi (Murder on the Orient Express, The King’s Speech) will play Freud. Moss will executive produce with the support of the Lucian Freud Archive. Read more
9 of top 10 biggest films of 2022 were sequels or spin-offs (RTE)
Sequels and spin-offs made up nine of the top 10 biggest films at the Irish and UK box office last year, figures show.
Top Gun: Maverick and Avatar: The Way of Water led a surge of movies that were either follow-ups or part of a long-running franchise.
The only standalone movie to appear in the top 10 is the biopic Elvis, which scraped into 10th place. Read more
Bill Murray, Harold Ramis friction on Groundhog Day made film ”considerably less fun to make,” producer says (Fox)
Despite making six movies together, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis did not maintain a healthy relationship after filming Groundhog Day in 1993.
Ramis, who died in 2014 after suffering complications from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, not only starred alongside Murray in films, but also directed the former Saturday Night Live actor.
In addition to co-writing the screenplay, Ramis directed Groundhog Day, which according to producer Trevor Albert, caused a “tense” environment on set between director and star actor, Murray. Read more
Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane wins performance of the year drum award (Loudwire)
Shane Hawkins, the teenage son of the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, has won Drumeo’s 2022 Performance of the Year award for drumming in his own right.
The 16-year-old rocker was honored by the online drum lesson database for his performance of Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” with the Dave Grohl-led band at a pair of tribute concerts to honor his late father last year.
Further winners in other categories at the 2022 Drumeo Awards included Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Jay Weinberg (Slipknot) and the drummer Sarah Jones (Harry Styles). Read more
EU readying more sanctions against Russia (DW)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Thursday ahead of an EU-Ukraine summit hosted by the war-torn country.
“Good to be back in Kyiv, my 4th time since Russia’s invasion…. We are here together to show that the EU stands by Ukraine as firmly as ever. And to deepen further our support and cooperation,” she wrote on Twitter.
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy thanked the EU for its support, including for its membership bid to the bloc, saying that “pan-European integration strengthens our ability to protect life.” However, he also expressed disappointment that the pace of EU sanctions against Moscow had “slightly slowed down” in recent months. Read more
Excited Onuachu eager to start new chapter at Southampton (Guardian) Super Eagles Striker, Paul Onuachu, says he cannot wait to start his Southampton career.
Onuachu joined Southampton on deadline day from Genk for a fee said to be a little over £18 million.
The 28-year-old striker signed a three-and-a-half-year contract at St Mary’s to become Southampton’s fifth recruit of the January transfer window, following Ghanaian forward Kamaldeen Sulemana through the door at St Mary’s during the final hours of deadline day.
His arrival from Belgian side Genk was announced at 12.30am yesterday morning after the deadline for the January window, with Saints having submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League to complete the transfer. Read more
Odigie, Imade lead race for NPFL award (Punch)
Bendel Insurance coach Monday Odigie has emerged as the clear favourite to win the League Bloggers Coach of The Month Award for January in the already five-week-old 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League.
Odigie is contending with Lobi Stars Mohammed Baba-Ganaru, Stanley Eguma of Rivers United as well as Daniel Ogunmodede of Remo Stars for the award.
From their respective numbers in the month under review, Odigie stands above the rest with four wins in four games. Baba-Ganaru, Eguma and Ogunmodede all secured three wins in four matches for their respective teams. Read more
Attempted rape charge against Man Utd star Greenwood dropped (RFI)
Charges including attempted rape and assault against Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood have been dropped by prosecutors, British police said on Wednesday.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light were factors in their decision to stop the case against the 21-year-old.
Greater Manchester Police said it was “only fair” that they announce that Greenwood, who was arrested in January last year, would no longer face criminal proceedings “given the significant media coverage of this case”. Read more
Nottingham Forest close to securing deal for free agent Andre Ayew (BBC)
Nottingham Forest are close to signing Ghana international and free agent Andre Ayew.
The 33-year-old forward is without a club following his exit from Qatari outfit Al Sadd and is closing in on a short-term deal at the City Ground.
He has turned down the chance to join Premier League rivals Everton and is undergoing a medical at Forest. Read more
FIA officially open applications for new F1 teams and reveal new requirements (PlanetF1)
The FIA has officially announced the opening of its application process for new “entities with a serious intent to enter Formula 1”, to join the grid in the future.
Following on from FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem saying a new ‘expressions of interest’ process will take place for prospective new teams to stake their claim to join Formula 1, the governing body has now opened its application window to do so.
The FIA say the process for judging applications will involve “thorough due diligence”, including the “technical capabilities and resources of the applicant team, the ability of the team to raise and maintain sufficient funding to allow participation in the Championship at a competitive level and the team’s experience and human resources.” Read more
Boxer Kell Brook apologises after video emerged of him appearing to snort white powder (Mirror)
Former world champion Kell Brook has issued a heartfelt apology days after he was filmed appearing to snort a white powder.
The video appeared to show the retired star bent over a coffee table in his kitchen, and using a roll-up to consume the powder. More white powder is visible on the table and the 36-year-old muttered “nice” after the act.
Brook’s manager later denied his client was guilty of wrongdoing but Brook has now apologised, tweeting: “I messed up. I hold my hands up and want to apologise to my family, gym, friends and fans. It’s no secret that I struggle with mental health and I’m finding retirement really hard. I’m actively seeking the help I need to get me on the right path. Again i apologise for the hurt I’ve caused.” Read more