DSS summons Fani-Kayode over coup allegation (Vanguard)
The Department of State Services (DSS) has invited a former Aviation Minister and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Femi Fani-Kayode, for allegedly planning a coup ahead of general elections.
Fani-Kayode, who is a spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, confirmed the invitation in a statement on Monday.
“I will present myself before the DSS this morning as I have been asked to do,” Fani-Kayode said in a statement on Twitter. Read more
Defilement: Probe begins as father dies fighting suspect (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for the driver of Luyol Secondary School, Iju, Jacob Fatokin, for allegedly killing a father who accused him of sexually molesting his daughter in the state.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim’s parents, after being notified of the driver’s illicit act against their daughter, visited the school to tender an official complaint against the driver.
The owner of the school, after listening to the parents and the pupil who narrated her ordeal in the hands of the driver, reportedly questioned the driver, who denied the allegation. Read more
Cash Crunch: Rural dwellers resort to trade by barter (DailyTrust)
Amidst the scarcity of both new and old naira notes in the country, residents of rural communities have adopted the ancient trade by barter to survive, Daily Trust reports.
Petty traders of perishable goods have also opened a ledger for their customers who are unable to pay for what they buy, hoping that they would sort it out when the cash crunch improves.
Nigerians are experiencing scarcity of the naira following the introduction of the redesigned N200, N500 and N1, 000 notes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which fixed February 10 as the deadline to phase out of old notes before some governors dragged the federal government to the Supreme Court that temporarily stopped the process of declaring the old notes illegal tender. Read more
Whitney Adeniran: Lagos govt orders closure of Chrisland (Tribune)
Following the death of a 12-year-old student of Chrisland Schools, Whitney Adeniran, Lagos State government on Sunday night ordered the closure of the college in the Ikeja area of the State.
Tribune Online had reported Whitney’s parents claimed their child died during the school’s annual inter-house competition — an allegation the school management has debunked.
The deceased, according to the school, slumped in “public view” and rushed to the nearest medical facility for first aid. Read more
Lagos calls for review of Surveyors Act (Punch)
The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, has called for the review of the 1962 Surveyors Act, for better infrastructure planning and development.
Adeyoye made the call in Ikeja while delivering a keynote speech at the Maiden National Conference of the Association of Private Practicing Surveyors of Nigeria, which is a subgroup of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors.
While speaking on the theme “Roles of Surveying in Infrastructural Development in Nigeria”, the special adviser noted that Surveyors were indispensable experts needed for accuracy in infrastructural planning and development across all sectors in the nation. Read more
Tizeti expands internet access to states, begins mass recruitment (ThisDay)
In line with its commitment to widening digital inclusion in Africa with affordable broadband connectivity, particularly to the continent’s underserved areas, Tizeti, West Africa’s pioneer solar-based internet service provider, is launching its 4G LTE network in ten new states in Nigeria.
They include Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna, where the demand for unlimited and cost-effective broadband internet is largely unmet. With the move, residents and businesses in the ten states will now have access to unlimited, high-speed broadband connectivity from Tizeti at an introductory offer of N30,000 or $40 for monthly fixed broadband and installation costs, with a discount from N69,500.
The launch is expected to provide significant opportunities for the states that have not had adequate broadband infrastructure, and this will improve the competitiveness of the states with high-speed, and affordable broadband internet from Tizeti. Read more
I rejected N150m, N80m car gift to dump Atiku for Tinubu – Popular Arewa singer (DailyTrust)
Famous Kannywood singer, Naziru Ahmad popularly known as Sarkin Waka, has said he was offered N150 million and a vehicle worth 80 million to dump the presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.
Sarkin Waka is one of the prominent northern singers supporting Atiku’s candidacy.
One of his songs for Atiku in this electioneering season is titled ‘‘APC sai Mun Bata Wuta’’. Read more
Supporters hold solidarity walk in Enugu for Mbah (Sun)
The Enugu metropolis was literally shut down on Saturday as members of over 500 different support groups took to the streets in solidarity for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Dr. Peter Mbah.
The solidarity walk which was like a carnival was through the major streets of the capital including Presidential Road, O’Connor Street, Ogui Road, Stadium, New Layout and Independence Layout.
The highly excited PDP supporters were adorned in colourful uniforms, caps, and placards bearing various inscriptions of endorsements and approval for the candidates especially its governorship standard bearer. Read more
Rihanna performs her greatest hits on aerial platforms during the 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show (People)
This is what we came for!
Rihanna took the stage at Super Bowl LVII for the Apple Music Halftime Show Sunday night, and dazzled the crowd with a career-spanning setlist in what was her first public performance since 2018.
The singer ran through an incredible set that began with “B— Better Have My Money,” “Where Have You Been?” “Only Girl in the World,” “We Found Love,” “Rude Boy,” “Work,” “Wild Thoughts,” “Pour It Up,” “All of the Lights,” “Run This Town” and “Umbrella,” before ending with a crowd-rising rendition of her hit song, “Diamond.” Read more
Dolly Parton Shuts Down Rumors With an Instagram Post Addressing New Scam (Woman’sDay)
Dolly Parton has legions of fans around the world, and she wanted to make sure they heard an important message.
Reports have been spreading around the internet that the 77-year-old superstar endorses Keto oils and CBD gummies that promise to prevent dementia. The ads feature realistic-looking reports and photos of Dolly claiming that she went on television to publicly endorse the products. Snopes fact-checked the claims and posted an article addressing the topic, calling the “allegations” against Dolly “false,” “spammy,” and “completely fictional.”
Dolly herself spoke out about the claims and shared a message with her fans on Instagram. And she included a bit of her trademark humor in the statement. Read more
BTS’ Jimin says debut solo album will drop “around March” (NME)
BTS member Jimin has shared a new update on his upcoming debut solo album, revealing that it’s slated to arrive much sooner than many fans expected.
The revelation came during a stream that Jimin hosted on Weverse last Friday (February 10), where he not only confirmed that the long-rumoured album is indeed real, but “is going to drop in around March”.
He explained (per Soompi): “I’m currently preparing lots of things that I can do together with you guys around that time. I’m planning lots of different kinds of things we can do to have fun together and enjoy ourselves, so I think you can safely look forward to it. Read more
Megan Fox deletes Instagram amid rumours of Machine Gun Kelly split (FilmNews)
Megan Fox has deleted her Instagram account amid rumours of a split from Machine Gun Kelly.
On Sunday morning, the Transformers actress sparked breakup speculation when she posted a mirror selfie to the platform and wrote, “You can taste the dishonesty/ it’s all over your breath” – quoting the 2016 Beyoncé song “Pray You Catch Me”.
It also appeared Megan had removed all snaps of Kelly, real name Colson Baker, from her grid and had unfollowed him. Read more
Berlusconi attacks Zelenskyy, urges US to stop the ‘gentleman’ (Euractiv)
Italy’s opposition left has urged Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to react to former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi who lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for actions he says have led to death and devastation in Ukraine.
Berlusconi also called Washington to step in and use the funds to rebuild Ukraine to stop Zelenskyy’s “attack” against the “two autonomous republics of the Donbas”.
“We are witnessing the devastation of his country and the slaughter of its soldiers and civilians”, Berlusconi said in Milan.
“It was enough if he would stop attacking the two autonomous republics of the Donbas, and this would not have happened. So, I judge this gentleman’s behaviour very, very negatively”, he added. Read more
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny trailer with Harrison Ford drops during Super Bowl (ET)
Harrison Ford blessed fans with a brand new trailer for the upcoming Indiana Jones film! On Sunday, an extended trailer for the fifth installment of the franchise titled, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, premiered during the Super Bowl.
Jones is back and cracking the whip, as he faces his destiny. According to the spot, the legendary archaeologist suits up for an action-packed installment that sees him riding a horse through a parade, making a rescue from an exploding plane, and of course, bringing the action.
In December, fans got a first look at the film’s younger — digitized — version of Jones when LucasFilm gave fans a sneak peek. Read more
Kenyan rice farmers battle quelea birds in Kisumu (BBC)
Rose Nekesa’s rice field in western Kenya has been invaded by huge swarms of the voracious red-billed quelea bird.
Thousands of farmers like her near the lakeside city of Kisumu fear they will reap their worst harvest in five years.
“I’m losing my voice because I spend all day shouting, to chase the birds away. These birds are not afraid of anything,” she tells the BBC, holding a huge lump of mud in one hand and a stick in the other.
“They are already used to us and everything we throw at them.” Read more
High-Altitude Athletics Club register 30 elite, 45 budding stars for Abuja Marathon (Guardian)
Jos-based Nigeria’s most successful marathon, road races, long and middle distances athletics club, High-Altitude Athletics Club, will participate in the Abuja International Marathon with 75 runners, according to the club owner, Steve Nuhu.
Unarguably Nigeria’s most successful distance coach, Steve Nuhu, said over the weekend in Jos that of the 75 runners, 30 of them are elite men and women runners, who have dominated the Nigerian running circuit in the last 10 years and have also done well overseas. Read more
Super Eagles eligible Balogun extends French Ligue 1 goals to 15 (ThisDay)
Super Eagles eligible forward, Folarin Balogun, 21, extended his reign as top scorer in the French Ligue 1 Sunday as he helped Reims defeat Troyes 4-0 to take his total goals for the season to 15 so far.
The Arsenal loanee at the French club has continued his incredible form this season, to be ahead of such established stars like Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
He scored Reims third goal on Sunday as the club leapfrogged Lyon and Toulouse to 9th spot on 33 points from 23 games. Read more
Conte’s future uncertain as erratic Spurs head to AC Milan (RFI)
Humbled by Tottenham’s trashing at Leicester, Antonio Conte’s future looks more uncertain than ever as the Italian leads his spluttering side into Tuesday’s Champions League clash against AC Milan.
Conte is back in Italy for the last 16 first leg tie just two weeks after undergoing gallbladder surgery in his homeland and his return is likely to be just as uncomfortable as his previous visit.
The Tottenham boss has looked increasingly unsettled this season and, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, it would be little surprise if he decided to quit the Premier League club in May. Read more
Rashford strikes again as Man United late show sinks Leeds (BBC)
Manchester United scored twice in the final 10 minutes at Elland Road to leave managerless Leeds deep in relegation trouble.
Five days on from Marcus Rashford netting the Red Devils’ first goal as they came back from 2-0 down at home to draw against the same opponents, the England striker broke the deadlock when he met Luke Shaw’s curling cross to head in his 21st goal of the season.
Substitute Alejandro Garnacho then outpaced the home defence before beating Illan Meslier at his near post to the obvious joy of manager Erik ten Hag on the touchline.Read more
Yibing Wu becomes 1st Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title (ESPN)
Yibing Wu became the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title, rallying in a three-set, all-tiebreaker thriller to beat John Isner in the Dallas Open on Sunday.
Wu overcame 44 aces from the big-serving Isner — one shy of tying a three-set record — and four match points in the 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (12) victory. The 23-year-old was the first Chinese player in an ATP final.
Wu also came back from a set down to beat top-seeded American Taylor Fritz in the semifinals. There were no service breaks in Wu’s victory over the fifth-seeded Isner, who was playing in his hometown tournament. Read more
Teddy Atlas backs Jake Paul to defeat Tommy Fury, explains why (BoxingScene)
Hall of Fame trainer Teddy Atlas is backing Jake Paul to come out on top in his upcoming fight with unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Tommy Fury.
Fury and Paul will finally collide on February 26 in Saudi Arabia.
They were scheduled to collide on two occasions, with Fury being unable to move forward both times. Read more