Ex-banker jailed 10 years for theft (Nation)
A Magistrate’s Court in Lagos has sentenced a former bank worker, Samuel Dare Arayode, to 10 years imprisonment for stealing and forgery.
Magistrate Olumide Fusikat, convicted Arayode of the theft of N540,000 belonging to his employer and forging a Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate.
Finding him guilty of all three counts, Mrs. Fusikat sentenced Arayode to 18 months on count one for forgery, seven years on count two for stealing and 18 months for conspiracy on count three.
The court ordered the convict to refund the stolen money to the bank with interest. Read more
Timaya breaks silence amid hit-and-run accusation, arrest (Punch)
Nigerian singer, Timaya Inetimi, has broken the silence amid his alleged arrest and hit and run accusation.
On his Twitter page on Thursday, the Dem Mama crooner stated that he didn’t have bad intentions towards anybody.
“Me no get no bad mind for nobody,” Timaya tweeted.
This comes shortly after viral videos emerged on Thursday, showing the singer being carted away by men in police uniforms. Read more
MTN secures live stream rights for Davido’s 02 concert (Nation)
MTN Nigeria has secured exclusive global rights to stream Davido’s live concert at the O2 arena on Saturday, March 5, 2022.
Through a partnership with the subscription-based music store and streaming service platform, uduX, MTN will be giving its subscribers the opportunity to experience the show.
Following a brief hiatus, Davido has been gearing up to give his UK fans the ultimate Afrobeats experience.
The concert comes as part of an elaborate prelude to the megastar’s upcoming album ‘We Rise By Lifting Others’ – a celebration of a decade-long run in the music industry, from the early days of ‘Dami Duro’ in Lagos to the recent release of ‘Champion Sound’ globally. Read more
Hanifa: Wife of self-confessed killer testifies against him in court (DailyTrust)
Jamila Muhammad Sani, wife of Abdulmalik Tanko, who confessed murdering 5-year-old Hanifa Abubakar, testified against him at a Kano High Court, on Thursday.
The court sitting at Audu Bako presided was over by Justice Usman Na’abba.
Killer proprietor makes U-turn, denies murdering 5-year-old Hanifa
Tanko’s childhood friend: How Hanifa’s killer betrayed me years ago
The prosecution witnesses led by the state counsel and Kano state Attorney General, Musa Lawan.
Three witnesses were presented on first day (March 2) which include two DSS personnel and a police officer who was the IPO of the case.
Presenting more witnesses as promised, the state counsel present one other woman and then Jamila as the fifth prosecution witness. Read more
2022 IWD: NGO to gift 100 traders, street sweepers food items (Independent)
Charitable Network for Community Empowerment (CHANCE), a Lagos based non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Wednesday, disclosed its plan to reach out to a minimum of 100 female traders and street sweepers with packs of food items.
This gesture, according to the Founder and Programme Director of the NGO, Mrs Olajumoke Saliu, is in commemoration of the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD).
Saliu at a press briefing in Lagos to announce the NGO’s lineup of activities in celebration of the 2022 IWD, explained that the day is an annual observance, one in which women are recognised for their achievements without regard to divisions and is celebrated in many countries around the world.
She further stated that the growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s rights and participation in the political and economic arenas. Read more
Nigerians call for transport policy to boost economic, social growth (Guardian)
Some Nigerians on Thursday in Abuja urged the Federal Government to formulate a transport policy that would ensure seamless movement of people and goods from one point to another.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that the nation required an efficient transport system to boost its economy and stimulate social integration.
According to Mr Christopher Ewalafo, a civil servant, an efficient transportation would ensure free flow of goods and services nationwide.
Ewalafo also said it boosts productivity, thereby increasing the country’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP). Read more
Baba-Ahmed slams National Assembly for rejecting gender bills (Channels)
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has faulted the rejection of gender bills by the National Assembly in the just-concluded constitutional amendments by the lawmakers.
The spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) said this on Wednesday; a day after the federal lawmakers rejected the bills. One of the bills captioned “Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for Special Seat for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for Related Matters,” failed after a majority of the lawmakers voted against it.
But the NEF image-maker does not agree with the move, maintaining that some of the bills could have bettered the country.
“There were some key clauses that would have added substantially in terms of improving the quality of the constitution and the leadership selection,” Baba-Ahmed said during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Read more
My administration driven by simple desire, says Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has disclosed that his administration is driven by the “simple desire” of making Lagos a better place for all and sundry.
Sanwo-Olu stated this when he paid a working visit to Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos state on Wednesday.
A statement by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile, titled, ‘Sanwo-Olu: Infrastructure delivery in Eti-Osa, a top priority in our plan’, said Sanwo-Olu inaugurated the newly constructed Sangotedo market built by the LCDA during the visit.
The governor, who described Eti-Osa area as “an important economic corridor” of Lagos, said his visit was to personally take stock of the ongoing government’s development projects and to get undiluted feedback from the residents on the interventions. Read more
10 Dons jostle to succeed Salami as Tech-U VC (Tribune)
Ten prominent professors are in the race to succeed the pioneer vice-chancellor of the First Technical University, Ibadan, Professor Ayobami Salami, whose tenure ends on May 8, 2022.
They are Professors Abubakre Oladiran Kamardeen, Adebiyi Kazeem Adekunle, Ajayi Sunday Adesola, Akinyemi Olukayode Dewunmi, Amu Olugbenga Oludolapo, Jekayinfa Simeon Olatayo and Ogunkunle Adepoju Tunde J.
Others are Professors Oguntunde Philip Gbenro, Oladipo Samuel Ekundayo and Oni Olatunde Michael.
The process for the appointment of the new vice-chancellor has reached the peak, according to a statement by the public relations officer of the institution, Akeem Lasisi. Read more
Daniel blames neglect of LGs for pressure on state govts (ThisDay)
A former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has said that pressure on several issues are mounting on the state government, due to neglect and non-functioning of local government administration.
Daniel said that dividends of democracy cannot spread to the grassroot until the local government, which is the third tier of government, is properly activated.
The former governor spoke in Abeokuta, in his remark at the opening of the South-west Conference of the Association of Ex Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ASELGON).
Daniel, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Patron of ASELGON, noted that the LGs are in comatose, putting pressure on state governors, who according to him, are “sweating and trying to satisfy the people.” Read more
Putin tells Macron ‘worst is yet to come’ and he wants to control all of Ukraine (Metro)
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed no let-up in his invasion of Ukraine, even as the warring sides met for ceasefire talks.
After the fall of a first major Ukrainian city to Russian forces, Putin appeared in no mood to heed a global clamour for an end to hostilities as the war entered its second week.
‘Russia intends to continue the uncompromising fight against militants of nationalist armed groups,’ Putin said, according to a Kremlin account of a call with French President Emmanuel Macron.
But Ukraine insisted that corridors for medical and other supplies were the bare minimum it expected, as negotiators arrived for the talks at an undisclosed location on the Belarus-Poland border. Read more
We did not get enough financial support – Wife of late Ghanaian music producer, Eyoh Soundboy (MyJoy)
Wife of late Ghanaian music producer Eyoh Soundboy has revealed that they did not get enough financial support to undergo kidney transplant.
In an interview with Andy Dosty, Aisha Yussif mentioned that they needed GHS 91,807 to undergo a kidney transplant in India.
According to her, all efforts to raise that amount of money proved futile leading to the demise of her husband on Wednesday morning due to kidney failure.
“It never happened. We never got the support,” she said. Read more
Swizz Beatz & Timbaland partner with Lena Waithe for Verzuz documentary (HipHopDX)
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland’s Verzuz battle series has made an enormous impact since launching in March 2020. What started out as a bit of fun during the global COVID-19 pandemic has snowballed into a full-fledged franchise celebrating some of Hip Hop and R&B’s most legendary acts.
Now, Verzuz is coming to the big screen. According to Deadline, Swizz and Timbo are partnering with Lena Waithe for a feature-length documentary called Gifted & Black, which chronicles the rapid rise of Verzuz within the larger context of Black musical innovation.
Produced by Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions alongside Amazon Studios and Good Trouble Studios, the documentary “explores the traditions of Black music to connect, going from the plantation to the Pulitzer Prize.” Featuring interviews, vérité and archival footage, Gifted & Black examines how Black music uplifts, unites and offers salvation through times of uncertainty.
Emmy and Peabody Award-winning James Adolphus — whose credits include Netflix’s Hip Hop docuseries Rapture and the JAY-Z-produced TIME: The Kalief Browder Story, has been tapped to direct the documentary, which will be released exclusively via Amazon Prime Video. Read more
Beyoncé’s violinist launches foundation to bring classical music to underserved children (TheStrad)
Classical-hip hop fusion violinist Ezinma hopes to bring classical music to underserved children, kicking off the launch of Strings By Heart with a series of performances in Harlem on Friday.
Ezinma, whose full name is Meredith Ezinma Ramsay, has performed with numerous headliners, including Beyoncé, Yo-Yo Ma, SZA, Kendrick Lamar and Joshua Bell. She is known for her viral music videos, fans of which have dubbed her ‘Classical Bae’. She wrote the score for the 2018 documentary The Times of Bill Cunningham and worked on the score for the blockbuster Black Panther.
Her motivation for starting the foundation stems from her own personal experiences of music education, ’I remember the isolation I felt as the only Black person in the orchestra, at times discouraged by my teachers from pursuing my dream,’ she says of her time studying in her native Lincoln, Nebraska and the Mannes School of Music.
She continues, ’The statistics are clear that music education plays a vital role in helping children and young adults get on the path to achieve their goals, improve self-esteem and more. Read more
Farrah Forke, actor on ‘Wings’ and ‘Lois & Clark,’ dies at 54 (USAToday)
Farrah Forke, best known for her role as helicopter pilot Alex Lambert on the ‘90s sitcom “Wings,” has died, according to Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, People and Deadline. She was 54.
Forke died of cancer at her Texas home on Feb. 25, a family friend told Deadline, People and Variety.
Forke’s “Wings” co-star Steven Weber also confirmed the late actor’s death on Instagram.
“Farrah Forke has passed,” Weber captioned a photo of Forke. “She was every bit as tough, fun, beautiful and grounded as her character ‘Alex’ on ‘Wings.’ Read more
James Bond producers upset by awards snubbing Daniel Craig (FilmNews)
James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are disappointed by the lack of awards recognition for Daniel Craig’s performance in ‘No Time To Die’.
The 54-year-old actor played Bond for the final time in last year’s blockbuster but franchise bosses feel that he deserved more accolades for his acting in the film.
Speaking to The Times newspaper, Wilson said: “You’re always happy to get nominated. But Daniel not getting any nods is really amazing to me.”
Broccoli suggests that Daniel was almost too “convincing” as 007 and believes his acting ability is underappreciated. Read more
WarnerMedia strikes first-look deal with ‘In The Fade’ filmmaker Fatih Akin (Deadline)
German-Turkish film director, screenwriter, and producer Fatih Akin has signed a first-look deal with WarnerMedia, the first such agreement the filmmaker has made in his career.
The multi-year deal will cover German and Turkish language movies and series for theatrical release, TV and for HBO Max.
Akin and WarnerMedia have previously worked together on three movies: the 2017 Golden Globe winning In The Fade, for which Diane Kruger won Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actress prize; the 2019 pic The Golden Glove, which debuted at Berlin in competition; and Rheingold starring Emilio Sakraya, which will be released theatrically on October 27 this year.
Hannes Heyelmann, EVP Programming EMEA at WarnerMedia, said: “We’ve worked with Fatih Akin for a number of years now and this deal furthers our fantastic relationship together. We know how important local content is to our audiences and together with Fatih we want to produce some great German and Turkish language content. We are looking forward to continuing our work with this incredibly talented director and writer.” Read more
Nigeria’s D’Tigress tip-off World Cup tourney against Japan (Independent)
The draws for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup were held on Thursday in Australia with Nigeria’s D’Tigress tipping off their campaign against Japan on 22 September 2022.
The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 will tip off on September 22 at Sydney Olympic Park.
The Nigerian Ladies, drawn in Group B of the World Cup against France, Serbia, Japan, Canada and Australia, will play their second game against host Australia on 23 September before playing France in their third game.
D’Tigress will observe a day of rest before playing Serbia on 26 September 2022 with their last group game against Canada holding on 27 September 2022. Read more
Sevilla prepare N9b bid for Umar Sadiq (Leadership)
Spanish La Liga giant, Sevilla are reportedly interested in the signing of Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq who currently plays for Almeria and has been superb so far this season.
Premier League side Newcastle United and Barcelona have also been linked with a move to sign the Super Eagles forward when the ongoing League season comes to an end.
Sevilla are currently occupying second position on the Spanish La Liga table and are hoping they would qualify for next season’s Champions League.
According to the report on Soccernet and Soccernews, Almeria chiefs are ready to sell Sadiq Umar in the summer but the club interested must be able to pay N9 billion. Read more
Gabriel names Arsenal star that convinced him to snub Everton (Football365)
Gabriel Magalhaes has revealed that Nicolas Pepe convinced him to sign for Arsenal over Everton.
The Gunners signed the Brazilian from Lille for £23.4m in the summer of 2020, but was on the verge of joining Everton six months previously.
The Toffees had started proceedings to buy the centre-back and Gabriel had even undertaken a medical to move to Goodison Park.
But the deal broke down at the eleventh hour and after another half-a-season with Lille he instead moved to Arsenal. Read more
UEFA president slams Super League clubs for kickstarting “nonsense” plans during war (DailyStar)
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has blasted rebel clubs Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus for plotting a fresh attempt at the breakaway European Super League.
The Slovenian President, 54, has slammed the European giants in a scathing assessment that they are “planning to launch another idea now in the middle of a war.”
“I’m sick and tired of speaking of this non-football project,” said Ceferin.
“Look, first they launched their nonsense of an idea in the middle of a pandemic; now we’re reading articles every day that they are planning to launch another idea now in the middle of a war. Read more
Verstappen’s manager fires F1 title warning at Hamilton and Mercedes (RN365)
Max Verstappen’s manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has fired a warning shot at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and anyone looking to challenge the Dutchman in his quest to become a double Formula 1 World Champion.
The 2021 season ended in unforgettable fashion for Verstappen, with the Red Bull driver overtaking fierce rival Hamilton on the last lap of the final race to end an epic title fight on top.
The two drivers came together multiple times over the course of the season, and ended the year fighting side by side in Abu Dhabi.
Now Verstappen has been rewarded for his triumph with a new long-term deal that will keep him at Red Bull until the end of 2028. Read more
Novak Djokovic’s French Open hopes receive a major boost (RTE)
Novak Djokovic looks set to take up his engagement in the French Open after France announced that it is suspending its vaccination pass this month.
The French sports minister announced in January that all athletes would need to be vaccinated in order to compete on French soil, throwing Djokovic’s defence of his Roland Garros title into severe doubt.
But, with the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic now subsiding, Prime Minister Jean Castex revealed the current restrictions will end on 14 March.
He said: “The situation is improving thanks to our collective efforts. The conditions are met for a new phase of easing of measures. From Monday 14 March, we will suspend the application of the vaccination pass wherever it applies.” Read more
Trofeo Alfredo Binda ‘spring world championship’ announces route (CyclingNews)
In its 23 editions, the Trofeo Alfredo Binda has secured its place as one of the most important races on the women’s racing calendar, forming a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour since 2016.
Its route, confirmed to be the same course as last year, offers opportunities for victory to arise from both solo attacks and reduced bunch sprints. Indeed, a varied cast of riders have won the Trofeo Alfredo Binda in recent years.
Last year, for example, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek-Segafredo) launched a long-range attack, and rode in solo for the last 25 kilometres, while in 2017, Coryn Labecki (then Team Sunweb) won from an albeit reduced bunch sprint.
In total, the peloton will race 143km across the Lombardian hillsides, beginning in Cocquio-Trevisago and ending in Cittiglio. The first section of the course features a twice-repeated seven-kilometre loop through Olginasio and Besozzo. Then, the race takes in the Grantola and Brinzio climbs, before entering the final circuit which will be raced four times. Read more