Domestic worker steals employer’s $51k, 3 days after employment (Tribune)
A domestic worker, Blessing and her husband, Bassey, have been arrested by the police in Lagos State for stealing $51,000 belonging to her employer.
Blessing had worked only for three days before she stole her employer’s money and fled to Cross Rivers State, where she was arrested.
The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, after a complaint was made to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the zone. Read more
FCCPC reopens Abuja Store sealed for ‘‘misleading pricing’’ (Channels)
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has reopened Sahad Stores, a supermarket located in the Garki area of Abuja.
A Saturday’s visit by channels Television to the supermarket which is located at the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory revealed that business activities are gradually picking up after it was sealed on Friday.
On Friday, the supermarket was sealed by an enforcement team, for engaging in “misleading pricing and lack of transparency in pricing”. Read more
Hardship: Leave if you are overwhelmed, PDP Governors knock Tinubu (DailyTrust)
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised President Bola Tinubu to throw in the towel if he cannot provide a sustainable solution to the problems plaguing the nation.
The PDP Governors who gave the advice in a statement at the weekend reminded the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of the need to be guided by the fact that it is (APC) that sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria, not to compound them or shift blame and use propaganda to confuse issues.
The Governors noted that the hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious or party colouration, stressing that “a hungry man is an angry man”. Read more
Lassa fever kills 10 in Ebonyi (Tribune)
A pregnant woman, two children, and ten (10) men and women have succumbed to the Lassa fever outbreak in Ebonyi State.
The Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, Mr. Orogwu Sampson of the Ministry of Health, disclosed this over the weekend.
According to Orogwu, between January 4th and February 16th, 2024, no fewer than 25 confirmed cases have been recorded, including two health workers. Read more
Farmers association denies demanding N2,000 from members (Punch)
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria has denied asking farmers to pay N2,000 for farm inputs.
This was according to a statement on Saturday by the Assistant Public Relations Officer, AFAN, Salisu Mukhtar.
He said that the claim by the group that they were working in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development confirms that they were fraudulent because the FMARD has been renamed. Read more
4 Lagos-bound travellers die, 10 injured in Ondo accident (Leadership)
No fewer than four persons have been confirmed dead, while 10 others sustained various degrees of injuries in an accident along the Ore-Ijebu Ode expressway on Saturday.
LEADERSHIP gathered that the passengers were travelling in a luxurious bus from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Lagos State when the crash occurred.
According to information, the accident happened around 6:30am at a sloppy area in Ore, Ondo State. Read more
Fubara nominates Nwabali for State Honour, gifts him N20m (Channels)
It was a rain of cash and honour at the Rivers State Government House on Friday evening, as Governor Siminalayi Fubara hosted Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali and the latest Basketball Champions, Rivers Hoopers.
Governor Fubara at the ceremony held at the Executive Council Chambers announced the cash gift of N20m to the goalkeeper who is from Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state for his impressive performance.
The governor also nominated him for a state award, Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS), the second-highest honour awarded to individuals who have excelled in their profession, and for high profile politicians like serving and former governors. Read more
Navy warns maritime criminals to stay off Nigerian waterways (Tribune)
The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Ibaka has warned maritime criminals to stay off Nigerian waterways as the Command has stepped up surveillance to ensure no criminals escape from the command area of responsibility.
The Commander, FOB Ibaka, Capt. Uche Aneke, gave the warning on Friday during the handing over of MT BORA to Blueseas Maritime Company as investigations revealed that the vessel was not culpable.
The commander stated that criminal elements in FOB IBAKA Area of Operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility will continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence. He warned that such criminals will be arrested and duly prosecuted, emphasising that Nigerian waters and coastal areas are not for illegal activities. Read more
Lizzo flaunts weight loss in racy lingerie thirst trap (Hiphopdx)
Lizzo has confidently flexed her weight loss results in a daring lingerie photoshoot, embracing body positivity and self-love.
On Thursday (February 15), the 35-year-old singer showed off her curves in a lingerie number from her shapewear line Yitty.
Lizzo’s collaboration with Kristen Dykstra for Kate Hudson’s Fabletics features a diverse range of apparel, including bodysuits, sports bras and the iconic lacy number worn here by the Grammy-winning artist. Read more
Jennifer Hudson to headline 2024 NBA All-Star Game halftime show (TGJ)
Ahead of the first slam dunk at Sunday’s NBA All-Star game in Indianapolis on Sunday (February 18), the NBA lifted the veil on news that GRAMMY-winning superstars Jennifer Hudson and Babyface would lead the megawatt talent that’s set to provide the night’s musical entertainment.
Before Hudson shines in the court’s spotlight by cranking out hits like ‘Spotlight,’ ‘Walk It Out,’ ‘Think Like a Man,’ ‘If This Isn’t Love,’ ‘Where You At,’ and more, Indianapolis native and 13x GRAMMY Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Babyface (born Kenneth Edmonds) will get viewers in their patriotic feels with his unique take on the ‘Star Spangled Banner.’
The latter performance will come just a year after he took to the other biggest sporting event of the year – the NFL’s Super Bowl – to honor the nation with a stirring ‘America the Beautiful’ performance. Read more
‘Sugar daddy’ teacher raped schoolgirl, 12, in hotel then took her to toy shop (Metro)
A paedophile teacher raped a 12-year-old girl in a hotel before buying her £500 worth of toys.
Simon Murch, from Sheffield, met his victim online after she told him she was aged 18 when in fact she was aged 12.
After picking her up by her house, the 55-year-old would have realised the girl was clearly underage, the prosecution say. Read more
Baby Tate takes on Barbz accusing her of ‘biting Nicki Minaj’s style’: ‘Do your research’ (Hiphopdx)
Baby Tate has been accused of biting Nicki Minaj‘s style for being animated in her newest freestyle, but she was quick to let her critics know that’s not the case.
Following the release of her From The Block freestyle on February 8, Tate has been getting a lot of love for the creative bars – but some Barbz felt that her animated delivery and her look, which incorporated a wig with bangs, were a direct bite off of Minaj.
“Sounds like you have potential but looks like you biting Nicki Minaj’s style too much. You’ll always be compared to her if you don’t develop your own look and mannerisms,” one fan wrote. Read more
Alexey Navalny’s team confirms his death, calls for body to be returned (AlJazeera)
The death of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has been confirmed by his team, with his spokesperson saying the Kremlin critic “was murdered”.
Navalny died at 2:17pm (09:17 GMT) on February 16, according to the notice given to his mother, Kira Yarmysh wrote on X on Saturday in the first confirmation from his allies.
Yarmysh cited an employee of the “Polar Wolf” Arctic penal colony where the 47-year-old was serving a 19-year sentence as saying his body was picked up by investigators from Russia’s Investigative Committee and was now in the town of Salekhard. Read more
Wisconsin woman awaiting trial for killing her rapist as teen is arrested in Louisiana (People)
When law enforcement arrived at the crime scene, they found a burned male body with two bullet wounds in his head. The man’s BMW had been stolen from the driveway of his Kenosha, Wis., ranch home.
In the early morning hours after the shooting, a 17-year-old girl posted a selfie to Facebook, with the man’s curtains behind her, captioning the photo: “My Mug Shot,” per an expose by The Washington Post that compiled numerous court documents and reported interviews from the years-long case.
As law enforcement’s homicide investigation continued, they learned that the dead man – Randall “Randy” Phillip Volar III, 34 – had been in their custody just three months before, charged with child sexual assault among other crimes, The Post reported. Then, inexplicably, law enforcement had let the man go — without posting bail, according to the paper’s reporting. Read more
Zimbabwe’s vice president says the government will block a scholarship for LGBTQ+ people (AfricaNews)
Zimbabwe’s powerful vice president said the government will block a university scholarship for young LGBTQ+ people, a move that human rights groups described Friday as a perpetuation of the African country’s homophobic practices.
The state university scholarship for people between the ages of 18 and 35 is sponsored by GALZ, a membership organisation for LGBTQ+ people in Zimbabwe. The association started offering it in 2018 without incident. But a recent online advertisement inviting applications attracted a harsh response from Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, a self-proclaimed devout Catholic and former army commander.
In a strongly worded statement Thursday night, Chiwenga claimed the scholarship was “a direct challenge” to the government’s authority. Read more
My mum would be happy if I play for Nigeria —Premier League star striker (CompleteSports)
Luton Town striker, Elijah Adebayo, has said his mum would be happy if he decides to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Adebayo was born in Brent, England, but has never made any appearance at international level.
The 26-year-old has been impressive for relegation battlers, Luton who are on 20 points and just one point away from the relegation zone. Read more
Giannis, Adebayo, 5 other players with African ties at 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend (Leadership)
Seven players with ties to Africa will represent the continent in Indianapolis when the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend gets underway this weekend on ESPN and Canal+ in Africa.
The NBA All-Star Game returns to the East vs. West format and will see Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greek) with Nigerian ties, captain the East in his eighth All-Star appearance, with LeBron James leading the West in his record-breaking 20th NBA All-Star Game.
Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo (U.S,; ties to Nigeria) will join Giannis representing the Eastern Conference in his third All-Star appearance. Read more
Carter, Billups among finalists for Basketball Hall of Fame (ABC)
Aerial artist Vince Carter, big shot-maker Chauncey Billups, smooth-scoring Seimone Augustus and Wisconsin’s winningest coach, Bo Ryan, headlined 14 finalists announced Friday for enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
Carter, an eight-time All-Star, Slam Dunk champion, Rookie of the Year and Olympic gold medalist who retired in 2020 after scoring more than 25,000 points in 22 seasons, was on hand for the news conference.
“Unbelievable,” said Carter, considered one of the greatest slam dunk showmen ever to grace the hardwood. “I loved to play, more than anything. It wasn’t about the numbers. I was asked probably five years prior to retiring, ‘Why are you still playing? You’re killing your average.’ And I said, ‘But I still love to play.’ And that’s what mattered.” Read more
Nigeria, Egypt lose matches at ongoing ITTF World Championship (Vanguard)
Two of Africa’s representatives, Nigeria and Egypt, have suffered defeats at the ongoing ITTF World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) taking place in Busan, South Korea.
A statement by Olalekan Okunsan, the Public Relations Officer (PRO), Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), stated that while Nigeria lost 0-3 to Chinese Taipei, Egypt were beaten 3-0 by Romania in their first group match.
It would be recalled that there was a walkover of the Nigerian men’s team by Japan following the absence of Quadri Aruna and the late arrival of Bode Abiodun in the country’s first match at the championship. Read more
Grant Holloway breaks his own 60m hurdles world record at US Indoor Championships (BBC)
Grant Holloway broke his own world record in the 60m hurdles at the US Indoor Championships in New Mexico.
The Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist ran 7.27 seconds in the heats to shave two hundredths off the record.
Victory was Holloway’s 60th in succession in the 60m hurdles, a streak stretching back a decade. Read more
‘Not mature enough’… Dimitar Berbatov predicts how Arsenal will fare vs Burnley (HitC)
Dimitar Berbatov has predicted how Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will fare against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker thinks that there will be four goals in the Premier League match.
So, what has Dimitar Berbatov said about Burnley against Arsenal? Let’s take a look. Read more