FCT: Man gets N28, 000 dowry refund (DailyTrust)
A man, Boyi Adamu, has got refund of N28, 00 dowry after a Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Gwagwalada agreed to a divorced proposal by his estranged wife, Hauwa Abdulkarim.
Abdulkarim, who resides in Anguwar-Dodo in Gwagwalada, Abuja, had in her petition before the court, said she was no longer interested in the seven year-old marriage.
Adamu, who resides in Rafin-Zurfi, earlier urged the court to give him time to settle the matter with his wife, but failed as the wife insisted on divorce.
He, therefore, sought for refund of the sum of N203,500 from the divorce seeking wife for marriage expenses he incurred.
However, at the instance of the court, the couple negotiated and arrived at N28,000, which was paid as dowry. Read more
Strike: Workers paralyse academic activities in FUTO (Punch)
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, and the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, on Tuesday grounded academic and non-academic activities on the campus.
The workers said they were joining the nationwide strike embarked on by their colleagues in other universities.
Our correspondent learnt that the downing of tools followed the federal government’s handling of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, the sharing formula of the N40 billion earned academic allowances and the non-payment of arrears of the new minimum wage. Read more
Police Arrest 1 For Gang-Raping Teenager – PPRO (Independent)
The Benue Police Command says it has arrested a suspect (name withheld) for gang-raping a female teenager along with three others in Obi Local Government Area of the state.DSP Catherine Anene, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi via a text message.Anene said that the alleged gang- raping took place on Jan. 24 at Itakpa-Ito, in the local government around 7:30 p.m.She said that they conspired and raped the teenage girl while on her way back from the river, made videos of the act and posted same online.“She was on her way to visit her sister at Itakpa-Ito and four men intercepted her on the way, dragged her to a room and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.“They made a video of their act and shared it on social media for public viewing.“The victim was rushed to hospital where she received treatment and has been discharged.“One of the suspects has been arrested and efforts are being made to arrest the other suspects at large. Read more
No rescue, arrest of suspects in FCT “human milk factory” – Police (Guardian)
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says it has no record of arrest or rescue of 115 young mothers from a “human milk factory’’ in the territory.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the FCT, ASP Mariam Yusuf, made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.
Yusuf said the clarification followed an article trending in the social media that the command had arrested or rescued 115 young mothers from the said factory.
“The command wishes to categorically state that there is no record of such incident or operation in the FCT. Read more
How Chico Ejiro inspired my bald look – Segun Arinze (Punch)
Popular Nollywood actor, Segun Arinze is not only known for his acting prowess but also his signature look, his bald head. In an exclusive chat with The Punch, the movie star revealed that his look was inspired by the late filmmaker, Chico Ejiro.
Arinze noted that he began to rock the bald look after he starred in 1996 classic movie, Silent Night, where his character was required to be bald.
He said, “I did not lose my hair. When Chico Ejiro called and asked if I would like to play a part called Black Arrow in the film, Silent Night, I agreed. He asked if I would not be aversed to shaving my hair and I said, no. I shaved my hair and ever since then, I left it like that. I shaved my hair for the movie, Silent Night and after that, I decided to leave it.
“If I really want to grow my hair, I will but I feel comfortable like this. I do not need to comb it. All my kids have hair; if I want to grow my hair, I can. All I need to do is to keep it for about three months and it will grow.” Read more
Bird Flu: Plateau depopulates 5 poultry farms in Jos (Guardian)
The Plateau Government has depopulated and closed five poultry farms at Dung Community in Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
The steps were taken due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza, popular known as “bird flu”.
Dr Shase’et Sipak, the Chief Veterinary Officer in the state, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos.
According to Sipak, the decision to depopulate the farms came after samples taken from them tested positive to the pathogenic disease. Read more
Govt urges MDAs to adhere to procurement law (Punch)
The Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has urged the accounting officers, procurement officers and other relevant personnel of the ministries, departments and agencies of the state government to adhere strictly to the provisions of the procurement law to achieve plans and projects contained in the approved budget of the state.
Muri-Okunola stated this during the opening ceremony of the annual public procurement clinic organised by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency via zoom.
The head of service, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Samson Ajibade, urged the personnel involved with the implementation of the procurement law to brace for the challenge posed by the deployment of technology to drive public procurement in the state. Read more
Kano-Maradi rail line will serve over 80m Nigerians, says Buhari (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said the Kano-Maradi railway project will be beneficial to 80 million people within the region when completed.
The rail line traverses Kano and passes through Kazaure, Daura, Katsina and up to the border town of Jibiya and the Niger Republic city of Maradi.
The project is expected to boost import and export of goods between Nigeria, Niger and other neighbouring landlocked countries.
Buhari disclosed this when he virtually presided over the groundbreaking ceremony, signifying the commencement of construction work on the rail project. Read more
BUA Group, CACOVID bicker over COVID-19 vaccine for Nigerians (Tribune)
There seems to be some level of confusion as BUA Group has lambasted the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) for disowning its claims on the purchase of a million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine for Nigeria.
After reports went viral on Monday that the conglomerate had acquired the vaccines, the coalition quickly remarked that “no individual or company can purchase vaccines directly from any legitimate and recognized manufacturer.”
The private sector-led coalition against COVID-19 had disowned the statement by the BUA group, stating that the company has purchased one million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for Nigeria.
Recall that BUA group in a statement issued earlier on Monday, had announced that it had secured one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, through the AfreximBank vaccine programme in partnership with CACOVID. Read more
Lucky woman buys two lotto tickets a day apart – and wins six-figure jackpot on both (Metro)
A very lucky gambler won two impressive six-figure lottery jackpots from two separate tickets bought in different shops a day apart. Orlene Peterson bagged her first win, a cool $200,000, after picking up a Grand Fortune scratch-off ticket from a store near her home in Hayden, Idaho, towards the end of January. She quickly found out the ticket was a winner, and received a message on the store scanner to contact Idaho Lottery headquarters. On realizing how big her win was, Orlene said: ‘I couldn’t believe it.’ Then, in an astonishing stroke of luck, she picked up a separate scratch-off ticket for a game called Comin’ In Hot the next day – and won $300,000 on it. Read more
Mystery illness in Tanzania reportedly kills 15 people, leaves victims vomiting blood (NYPost)
At least 15 people have died and more than 50 others hospitalized in Tanzania from a terrifying mystery illness that causes patients to vomit blood, according to reports.
Some of the patients, mostly male, died within hours of developing symptoms in the southern Mbeya region of the country, the Sun reported.
Felista Kisandu, the local chief medical officer, said a team of experts have been dispatched to assess the patients and investigate the cause of their illness.
“This problem has not been widespread,” Kisandu said. “It has happened in just a single administrative ward of Ifumbo where people vomit blood and die when they get to the hospital late.” Read more
No breakthrough on Covid origins as WHO-China probe ends (Guardian)
A much-anticipated inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic wrapped up its mission in China on Tuesday with no breakthrough discovery, as investigators ruled out a theory that Covid-19 came from a lab but failed to identify which animal may have passed it to humans.
While the coronavirus likely jumped to humans from animals, it is still unclear which species first transmitted it, said Liang Wannian, who headed up the Chinese contingent of an inquiry carried out jointly with World Health Organization (WHO) experts.
The WHO mission — which China repeatedly delayed — was dogged by fears of a whitewash, with the US demanding a “robust” probe into the origins of the pandemic in late 2019, and China firing back with a warning not to “politicise” the investigation.
During the closely monitored mission — which included a visit to a propaganda exhibition celebrating China’s recovery — reporters were largely kept at arms’ length from the experts.
Liang, supported by WHO expert Ben Embarek, said there was “no indication” the sickness was circulating in Wuhan before December 2019 when the first official cases were recorded.
Embarek, who said identifying the virus’ pathway from animals to humans remains a “work in progress”, also scotched a controversial theory that the virus had leaked from a lab, calling it “extremely unlikely “. Read more
Spacecraft from NASA, China, UAE all arriving on Mars in February (NYPost)
After hurtling hundreds of millions of miles through space since last summer, three robotic explorers are ready to hit the brakes at Mars.
The stakes — and anxiety — are sky high.
The United Arab Emirates’ orbiter reaches Mars on Tuesday, followed less than 24 hours later by China’s orbiter-rover combo. NASA’s rover, the cosmic caboose, will arrive on the scene a week later, on Feb. 18, to collect rocks for return to Earth — a key step in determining whether life ever existed at Mars.
Both the UAE and China are newcomers at Mars, where more than half of Earth’s emissaries have failed. China’s first Mars mission, a joint effort with Russia in 2. Read more
Supremes co-founder and singer Mary Wilson dies aged 76 (BBC)
Mary Wilson, who co-founded The Supremes and remained a member of the group until they split up, has died at the age of 76.
The singer passed away at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her publicist Jay Schwartz announced, but he did not confirm the cause of death.
The Supremes were known for hits such as Baby Love and You Can’t Hurry Love.
The group was founded in Detroit as The Primettes in 1959, when Wilson was 15 years old. Read more
Paris Hilton cries while testifying about abuse at Provo Canyon School (NYPost)
Paris Hilton broke down in tears this week as she testified to a panel of Utah politicians about being chronically abused at a boarding school there.
“My name is Paris Hilton. I’m an institutional-abuse survivor,” the 39-year-old socialite told a state Senate committee hearing at the Utah Capitol Monday.
Hilton, 39, was shown wiping away tears as she testified about her alleged abuse at age 17 at Provo Canyon School in the Beehive State, which she dubbed “hell itself on earth.”
“I was verbally, mentally, and physically abused on a daily basis,” Hilton said of her time when she was “no longer Paris” but just a number.
“I was cut off from the outside world and stripped of all of my human rights,” she said, accusing the staff of being “evil and sadistic.” Read more
Christina Milian replaces Naya Rivera on Step Up (BBC)
Christina Milian will take over Naya Rivera’s role in the Step Up TV series, US cable network Starz has announced.
Rivera, who previously starred in Glee, drowned in a boating accident in California last summer.
Milian will now take over playing her character, Collette Jones, for Step Up’s third season.
“I am so excited to join the Step Up family,” Milian said. “I know I have massive shoes to fill. Naya was incredible.”
She added: “I hope to honour Naya, her family, friends and fans with a great performance.” Read more
Australian Open: Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas into second round (BBC)
World number two Rafael Nadal began his bid for a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title with a straight-set victory over Laslo Djere at the Australian Open.
The Spaniard did not play in the ATP Cup last week after struggling with a back injury, but he moved well in a 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over the Serb.
He will play American world number 177 Michael Mmoh in the second round.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev and compatriot Andrey Rublev also advanced on the second day at Melbourne Park.
Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas cruised through against Gilles Simon, seeing off the 36-year-old Frenchman 6-1 6-2 6-1 in one hour 32 minutes. Read more
Amad Diallo in line for Man Utd debut after he’s spotted at team hotel ahead of West Ham FA Cup tie (Metro)
Amad Diallo is in contention to make his Manchester United debut against West Ham in tonight’s FA Cup fifth round tie against West Ham at Old Trafford. The 18-year-old winger joined United for an initial £18.7million fee in the summer from Atalanta, but spent the first half of the season with the Serie A club, before arriving in Manchester last month. Diallo has already impressed at Under-23 level, scoring twice, including a cheeky Panenka penalty, in a 5-3 win over Liverpool and again caught the eye with three assists and a goal in last weeks victory against Blackburn. The teenager was pictured with United’s squad and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the team hotel on Tuesday afternoon and, according to the MEN, has been included in the Norwegian’s matchday squad. Read more
PSG’s Di Maria to miss Barca Champions League tie (Punch)
Argentinian forward Angel Di Maria will miss the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League last 16 match at Barcelona, coach Mauricio Pochettino said on Tuesday.
Di Maria suffered a thigh injury during the 2-0 Ligue 1 win against Marseille on Sunday and “he will not be at the Camp Nou” for the game on February 16, Pochettino said.
“Angel is an important player for us but we have a big squad with players who can win matches for us,” the coach added.
Di Maria, the 32-year-old former Manchester United winger, has been ever-present in the PSG lineup since Pochettino joined the club in December, lining up alongside Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi in a high-powered attack. Read more
Draymond Green takes one of the worst shots you’ll ever see (NYPost)
Golden State’s announcing duo summed it up perfectly – “why?”
Draymond Green took one of the most bizarre shots in recent memory in the closing seconds of the Warriors’ 105-100 loss to the Spurs, a result that may have been different had he not chucked it up.
Down 103-100, Golden State had the ball with 8.7 seconds left out of a time out. The play call should have been obvious – get the ball to Stephen Curry, perhaps the greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history.
Apparently, Green didn’t get the memo. Immediately after receiving the ball near the Spurs logo at half-court, he chucked up a desperation 3-pointer, which predictably bricked off the backboard. Read more
NBA: LeBron James shines as Los Angeles Lakers beat Oklahoma City (BBC)
LeBron James scored 28 points in a stellar display to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a 119-112 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
James also served up 14 rebounds and 12 assists as his team earned a fifth straight win to leave them second in the Western Conference.
Montrezl Harrell added 21 points and eight rebounds for the Lakers, while Dennis Schroder added 19 points.
Only the Utah Jazz sit above the Lakers in the Western Conference. Read more
Deontay Wilder fires back at ex-trainer Mark Breland and ramps up water spiking theory (Metro) Deontay Wilder has continued his war of words with Mark Breland, accusing his former trainer of being disloyal and abandoning him during his two meetings with Tyson Fury. The former WBC heavyweight champion initially took aim at Breland and Fury in October, claiming‘The Gypsy King’ had cheated his way to the title and suggesting his water was spiked with muscle relaxers ahead of their February rematch – possibly by Breland himself. Breland, Wilder’s trainer throughout his professional career until their split last year, broke his silence on Saturday, saying: ‘His career is over now, I’m done and he’s done,’ he told The Fight is Right. Read more