Election budget should have been used to fix schools, hospital – Singer, Simi (Vanguard)
Nigerian songstress, Simisola Ogunleye-Kosoko, popularly known as Simi has said that the budget for the 2023 elections should have been used to fix schools and hospitals.
Simi said this via her Twitter handle on Monday.
Lamenting about the conduct of the polls, she described it as a ‘joke of an election’.
The Duduke crooner said that the budget for the election should have been channeled to fixing schools and hospitals. Read more
Sanwo-Olu approves 20% salary increase for workers (Nation)
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a 20 percent increment of salary for civil servants in the State.
TIt reads: “Furthermore, kindly note that the arrears for the month of January, 2023 will be paid along with salaries for the month of March, 2023 while the arrears for the month of February 2023 will be paid together with the salaries of April, 2023.his was contained in a statement by the Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola on Monday.
It reads: “Furthermore, kindly note that the arrears for the month of January, 2023 will be paid along with salaries for the month of March, 2023 while the arrears for the month of February 2023 will be paid together with the salaries of April, 2023. Read more
Lagos husband arraigned for wife’s death (Punch)
A 37- year -old auto dealer, Ikechukwu Ogbonna aka IVD, was on Monday arraigned before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja over the alleged manslaughter of his late wife Abimbola, who died in a fire incident at their residence in the Lekki area of the state.
The defendant was arraigned on one count of involuntary manslaughter in suit No LD/21055C/23 preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.
The prosecuting counsel, Adeshola Bello, told the court that there was a mix-up in the date the alleged offence was committed. Read more
I’m shattered, heartbroken over Saturday’s polls – Bode George (Leadership)
by Biodun Sivowaku 9 seconds ago Reading Time: 4 mins read
I’m Shattered, Heartbroken Over Saturday’s Polls – Bode George
A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has reacted to the last Saturday’s Governorship and State Assembly elections in Lagos State, saying that he felt shattered and heartbroken that Nigeria’s democracy was in shambles.
Chief George in a statement signed by him on Monday, said as a Lagosian, “I felt so shattered, so heartbroken that our democracy is now in shambles.”
According to him, “What a disgrace! I am close to 80 years now but never in my life have I seen such a despicable and dishonourable way of not allowing people express their right to elect whoever they want.” Read more
EU thumbs down for guber, Assembly polls (Sun)
European Union (EU) has said the governorship and state House of Assembly elections were fraught with massive voter apathy, multiple incidents of thuggery, intimidation, vote-buying, interruption of polling in various locations with 21 people killed across the country.
Chief Observer of European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria, Barry Andrews, stated this, yesterday, in Abuja, while giving the EU’s second preliminary statement on the election.
He also knocked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its poor conduct of the polls.
He said Nigerians have a great appetite for democracy and were keen to engage in various civic activities, but lamented that in large parts of the country, their expectations were not met during the presidential and National Assembly polls. Read more
Sultan asks Muslims to look out for Ramadan moon on Wednesday (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged the Muslims across the country to look out this year’s Ramadan after sunset on Wednesday.
The Director of Administration of the council, Arc. Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said this in a statement in Abuja.
“Consequent upon the advice of the National Moon-Sighting Committee (NMSC), the President-General enjoins the Nigerian Muslim Ummah to search for the crescent of Ramadan 1444 A.H. immediately after sunset on Wednesday, 29th Sha’aban, 1444 A.H. which is equivalent to 22nd March, 2022. Read more
Army kills 2 police officers, injures others in Taraba (Tribune)
Military men posted to INEC head office in Jalingo, the venue of the governorship election collation centre, have shot and killed two police officers in what is said was a common misunderstanding between a woman police and a soldier.
The state police public relations officer, Usman Abdullahi, confirmed the incident and also said two police officers and a soldier were also shot in the incident and are currently receiving treatment in a hospital. At the same time, two other police were also disarmed and tripped and necked by the military when the soldiers later invaded the police headquarters.
According to the PPRO, the situation started when a female police officer reporting for duty at the INEC state headquarters in Jalingo was stopped by a military man at a checkpoint close to the headquarters and asked for her proper identification. Read more
Wike’s anointed candidate Siminialayi Fubara declared Rivers governor-elect (Channels)
Siminialayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared the winner of the Rivers State governorship election.
State Returning Officer, Professor Akpofure Rim-Rukeh announced the result late Monday night at the end of the two days collation at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Head Office in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The PDP candidate polled 302,614 votes to defeat his closet rival Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 95,274 votes while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, Senator Magnus Abe, and Labour Party (LP)’s, Beatrice Itubo came a distant third and fourth with 46,981 and 22,224 votes respectively. Read more
Okowa’s candidate, Oborovweri, wins Delta guber election (Leadership)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborovweri, winner of the State’s 2023 governorship election held on Saturday.
Oborovweri, also the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged the winner having won the majority of the votes cast across the 25 local government areas of the State.
Declaring the winner on Monday, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill, of the University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, said Oborovweri scored a total of 360,234 votes to get elected as governor of the State for the next four years. Read more
New Jordan Peele movie set for Christmas Day 2024 release from Universal (TheWrap)
Jordan Peele is staying in business with Universal Pictures, as the studio has just set an untitled fourth film from the Nope writer/director for release on Dec. 25, 2024. Additionally, an untitled horror/thriller from Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions will open in theaters on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024.
Peele’s feature directorial debut, Get Out, was released by Universal in 2017 and grossed over $255 million against a budget of just $4.5 million. On top of commercial success, it netted Peele a Best Original Screenplay Oscar with additional nominations for Best Picture, Director and Actor.
Peele followed Get Out up with 2019’s Us, which grossed $256 million and garnered acclaim for Lupita Nyong’o’s performance. Read more
Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso cast promote mental health awareness at White House with surprise appearance by Trent Crimm actor (THR)
Jason Sudeikis and members of the Ted Lasso cast dropped in on Monday’s White House press briefing to discuss mental health awareness, and in the process took just a single question from coach Ted Lasso’s favorite journalist, Trent Crimm.
Sudeikis, alongside Ted Lasso co-creator Brendan Hunt, writer Brett Goldstein and fellow cast members Toheeb Jimoh and Hannah Waddingham took the stage with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre ahead of the group’s private meeting with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. The Emmy-winning show’s cast and creative team dropped by the nation’s capital to promote and discuss addressing mental health in an effort to support one’s overall well-being.
After being introduced by Jean-Pierre, Sudeikis — who was ultimately the only one to take the mic during the more than five-minute appearance — opened his statement with an expression of gratitude for the honor of being invited to meet with the president. “I truly did not know that it was going to be this on the way here,” he told the White House press pool, to their laughs. “Not until we were out here, so thank you for taking an interest — and I know you’re here for bigger reasons than us.” Read more
XXXTENTACION’s mother and girlfriend react to murder convictions (HipHopDX)
XXXTENTACION‘s son’s mother, Jenesis Sanchez, is celebrating that after nearly five years, a verdict has finally been reached in X’s murder case.
Jenesis took to social media with her thoughts on Monday (March 20), following a guilty verdict being handed down for the three men standing trial for the late rapper’s murder.
“After 5 long years you may finally rest in peace,” she wrote on her Instagram Story. “[Our four-year-old son] Gekyume will never get to meet you earthside but it is my job as a mother to ensure I share those special memories with him.” Read more
Paul Grant dies: Star Wars and Harry Potter actor was 56 (Deadline)
Paul Grant, an actor that appeared in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, has died. He was 56.
“I’m heartbroken… No girl deserves their dad to be taken away… He was so well known and loved [for his work]. He’s gone too soon,” Grant’s daughter Sophie Jayne Grant told Sky News.
Grant played an Ewok in the George Lucas franchise and played a goblin in the Harry Potter franchise. The actor was reportedly found unresponsive on Thursday, March 16 at a train station in London and had been declared brain dead at the scene. Grant was taken off life support on Sunday, March 19. Read more
I’ll win VGMA Best Rap Performance award again – Lyrical Joe (MyJoy)
Ghanaian rapper Lyrical Joe, is not resting on his oars as he gears up to win the Best Rap Performance award at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, for the second time.
The rapper won the slot last year over artistes like Sarkodie, Strongman, Amerado, Lyrical Joe, Obibini and Teephlow.
This year, he has been nominated again in the same category with TeePhlow, Strongman, Amerado, Sarkodie and Medikal. Read more
Adam Sandler receives Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (CBS)
Surrounded by loved ones and famous friends, Adam Sandler was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Sunday night.
The longtime funnyman from Brooklyn was celebrated by fellow comics and actors, including Jennifer Aniston, Chris Rock, Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Conan O’Brien. The award show was filled with praise and lighthearted jokes at the expense of Sandler.
Director Judd Apatow, Sandler’s former roommate, recalled his confidence early on.
“The moment you met him, you knew Adam was going to be a big star,” Apatow said. “And so did Adam.” Read more
China says Putin has ‘‘Immunity’’ from war crimes prosecution (Newsweek)
China threw its considerable political weight behind Vladimir Putin on Monday by challenging the International Criminal Court’s right to prosecute the Russian president.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, told a press conference in Beijing that the ICC should “take an objective and just position” and “respect the jurisdictional immunity of a head of state under international law.” The court should “avoid politicization and double standards,” he said.
“China’s position has always been that dialogue and negotiation provides the fundamental way out for the Ukraine crisis,” said Wang, whose comments came shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow on a three-day state visit. Read more
NFF lied it informed coaches about rotation — Shorunmu (Punch)
Super Eagles goalkeepers trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has hit back at the Nigerian Football Federation, saying they lied to Nigerians over his absence from the team’s camp for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations double-header qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau on Friday, The PUNCH reports.
Shorunmu had told The PUNCH on Monday that he and assistant coach Finidi George were told by the NFF not to join the squad for the 2023 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau at the request of head coach Jose Peseiro.
However, the NFF replied in a statement on Monday — which was made available to our correspondent — that the federation had put in place a “rotation policy” among the assistant coaches, as part of cost-cutting measures. Read more
Marcus Rashford out of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers v Italy, Ukraine due to injury along with Nick Pope, Mason Mount (Eurosport)
Marcus Rashford has withdrawn from the England squad for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine due to injury.
Rashford was taken off in the 83rd minute of Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Fulham on Sunday.
It has been confirmed by England he will not play a part in the matches against Italy on March 23 and Ukraine on March 26 after picking up a “knock”. Read more
Boniface praises Orban after fastest hat-trick (Punch)
Royale Union Saint Gilloise striker Victor Boniface has praised countryman and KAA Gent forward Gift Orban for his sensational scoring form.
The 20-year-old scored the fastest hat-trick in Gent’s 4-1 away win against Turkish Süper Lig Istanbul Basaksehir in the Europa Conference League Round of 16.
The Nigerian grabbed the three goals in three minutes to take his goal tally to five goals in five Europa Conference League matches. Read more
Nicolas Pepe makes feelings clear on next season after Arsenal loan exit (Mirror)
Arsenal flop Nicolas Pepe is understood to be open to a permanent stay with French side Nice, where he is spending the season on loan.
The Ivorian forward remains Arsenal’s record signing after arriving for £72 million in the summer of 2019 but will only have one year left on his contract if he returns to north London this summer. Nice could make his loan move permanent, according to L’Equipe, as the Sir Jim Ratcliffe-owned club prepares to assess his performances until the end of the campaign.
It’s added in the report that the Ligue 1 outfit don’t have a designated option to buy Pepe, 27, but could explore a deal with Arsenal which would see him remain in the south of France. The former Lille winger recently returned from a two-month injury lay-off and has scored eight goals in 25 appearances this term. Read more
Ernie Els takes Hoag Classic for his 1st win since Oct. 2020 (ESPN)
Ernie Els kept making birdies no matter how he gripped the putter Sunday, and it carried him to a 6-under 65 to win the Hoag Classic and deny Bernhard Langer a chance at setting the career victory mark on the PGA Tour Champions.
Els started the final round five shots behind Langer when the big South African rolled in three straight birdie putts to get in the mix, and he closed it out with a 65-yard bunker shot to 12 feet and a birdie on the 18th hole about the time Langer began to falter.
Langer has 45 career wins on the PGA Tour Champions, tied for the most with Hale Irwin. The 65-year-old German began the final round with a one-shot lead and picked up an early birdie. He was still tied for the lead when he made two bogeys on the back nine, and failed to make birdie on the par 5s. Read more
Rybakina sets sights on top ranking after Indian Wells triumph (StraitsTimes)
Elena Rybakina is targeting the world No. 1 ranking, after the Wimbledon champion defeated Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday to capture the Indian Wells crown for her first title of the season.
Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but now represents Kazakhstan, missed out on 2,000 ranking points last year after Wimbledon was penalised for banning Russian and Belarusian players in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.
Her 7-6, (13-11), 6-4 victory over the second-ranked Sabalenka in a reversal of the Australian Open final lifted her to a career-high No. 7 and the 23-year-old said she was determined to push on. Read more