FG begins repair works on Long Bridge Monday (Punch)
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Works has announced a plan to commence the repair of damaged expansion joints of the Long Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
According to a statement signed by the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Keisha on Friday, the repair would commence from 7am on Monday, March 4 to March 25, 2024.
Kesha said commuters leaving and entering Lagos through the Long Bridge will be narrowed to two lanes on both sides of the bridge to enable the contractor handling the repair works to commence works on the other two lanes of the carriageways. Read more
Port Harcourt-Aba train services begins operation in March, says FG (Nation)
The Federal Government, on Saturday, says train services on Port Harcourt to Aba route will start operation by the end of March.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Port Harcourt-Aba rail project is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railroad project initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) disclosed this in Port Harcourt after leading a delegation to test-run the reconstructed section of Eastern Narrow Guage Rail line. Read more
Why we turned Abuja into construction site – Wike (Vanguard)
Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has said the decision of President Bola Tinubu to turn the nation’s capital, Abuja, into a huge construction site is to ensure that his Renewed Hope Agenda find immediate expression in the lives of residents even before his first anniversary in office.
Wike disclosed this on Saturday after he inspected several ongoing projects across the city.
The minister who expressed delight at the pace of work in the various sites, said some of the projects are nearing completion. Read more
We’re not after your job, implement our agreements, NLC replies Tinubu (Channels)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has told President Bola Tinubu that members of the union are not interested in any political position including his office.
The President during the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line Project on Thursday, threw a jibe at the Labour unions, telling them to stop their protests and maintain peace as they are not the only voice for Nigerians.
He told the Labour unions to wait for 2027 if they want to participate in the electoral process. Read more
Police arrest IMSU student for allegedly stabbing FUTO counterpart to death (ThisDay)
The Imo State Police Command yesterday, arrested a 300-level student of Imo State University, (IMSU) identified as Francis Marvelous, 21, for allegedly stabbing to death a final year student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Henry Okoye stated, that the suspect was arrested after a distress call received from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of FUTO, Patrick Egwu, and convoy patrol promptly moved to the university and arrested the suspect who was almost lynched at the scene by angry mob.
“The arrest was sequel to a swift response to a distress call received from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of FUTO, retired DSP Patrick Egwu, by police operatives on convoy patrol who promptly arrested the suspect who was almost lynched at the scene by an angry mob. “The body of the victim was recovered and rushed to Federal Medical Center, Owerri where he was confirmed dead and deposited at the mortuary. Read more
Lagos Chapter of IPAC elects 1st female chairman (Independent)
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State has elected a first female, Mrs. Temilola Akinade of National Rescue Movement (NRM), as chairman to lead the new executive committee.
Akinade emerged the new Lagos Chairman of IPAC in a keenly contested election held at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Media Centre, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State.
The election was conducted by the body’s National Officers led by Mr. Martins Egbeola, National Organising Secretary and monitored by INEC officials. Read more
Abuja Muslim Forum launches 10-year strategic plan (DailyTrust)
The Abuja Muslim Forum (AMF), an umbrella body of all Muslim organisations in Abuja and its environs, has urged organisations and individuals to key into the forum’s 10-year development strategy titled ‘Repositioning Abuja Muslim Forum for strength and prosperity over the next Decade’.
The Amir (leader), Alhaji Abdulrasaq Ajani, made the call in Abuja at a special dinner for executive members and other critical stakeholders, where the strategic plan was formally unveiled.
The 12-member executive committee inaugurated on October 28, 2023, would pilot the affairs of the organisation in the next three years from date of inauguration. Read more
Edo 2024: Agbomhere urges APC chairman to reposition party ahead polls (Tribune)
Immediate past All Progressives Congress (APC) South South Organizing Secretary, who was an aspirant at the just concluded Edo State gubernatorial primaries election, Dr Blessing Agbomhere, has urged the acting APC State Chairman, Khalifa Jarret Tenebe, to reposition and restructure the Party ahead of the governorship poll fixed for September this year.
Agbomhere made the statement in Abuja while responding to questions from newsmen on the brewing crisis in the party as a result of the concluded primaries which produced Senator Monday Okpebholo as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He called on the State Chairman to carry every party member along in preparation for the coming poll as the party gears up to reclaim Edo state from the People’s Democratic Party. Read more
Rihanna plays 1st show in 8 years at billionaire’s wedding in India (NME)
Rihanna played her first full live show in almost eight years last night (March 1) at a pre-wedding ceremony in India.
The singer was reportedly paid $6million (£4.7million) to perform a private concert celebrating the marriage of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Indian billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and his partner Radhika Merchant (via TMZ).
Taking place in Ambani’s hometown of Jamnagar, the extravagant three-day event hosted a 19-song gig from Rihanna – marking her first full-length performance since 2016 (via Setlist.FM). Read more
Judith Godrèche calls out film industry sexual violence in parliament (FarOut)
Actor Judith Godrèche has criticised the French film industry, urging an investigation into sexual violence within the sector during her address to senators in the upper house of parliament.
The hearing represents the first instance of an artist addressing the Senate regarding sexual and gender-based violence within the French film industry. Godrèche, a huge name in France’s #MeToo movement, joins many others with recent claims about the arts industries not taking sexual abuse seriously.
Godrèche explained to the senate’s women’s rights committee that the “incestuous” nature of the film industry reflects “all the families” impacted by violence and demanded the removal of Dominique Boutonnat, the president of the influential National Centre of Cinema (CNC), from his role. Boutonnat has been accused of sexually assaulting his godson in 2020, per The Guardian. Read more
Paddy McGuinness reveals he hasn’t spoken to Freddie Flintoff in 10 months after horror Top Gear crash (OK!)
Paddy McGuinness has revealed he’s not spoken to his former Top Gear co-host Freddie Flintoff in months following his horror crash.
The 46-year-old cricket star had a brush with death after crashing in an open-topped Morgan Super 3 car, which had no airbags.
The smash took place in December 2022 while Freddie was filming a segment for the BBC motoring show. Read more
Geri Horner beams as she supports husband Christian in Bahrain after “leaked texts’’ (DailyRecord)
Spice Girl Geri Horner was seen supporting her husband Christian Horner at the Bahrain Grand Prix, just days after messages of a sexual nature alleged to have been sent from her husband to a female employee were leaked.
Geri, 51, showed she is standing by her man as she was happily snapped by his side at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
She smiled as she held her husband’s hand while they walked into the Paddock before the first race of the season at Bahrain’s International circuit. There had been whispers that Geri might not attend following recent claims about her partner, who is the father of her seven year old son Montague. Read more
Ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels sinks in Red Sea (VOA)
A ship attacked by Yemen’s Houthi rebels has sunk in the Red Sea after days of taking on water, officials said Saturday. It is the first vessel to be fully destroyed as part of the Iran-backed militants’ campaign over Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The sinking of the Rubymar comes as shipping through the crucial waterway for cargo and energy shipments moving from Asia and the Middle East to Europe has been affected by the Houthi attacks.
Many ships have already turned away from the route. The sinking could see further detours and higher insurance rates put on vessels plying the waterway — potentially driving up global inflation and affecting aid shipments to the region. Read more
Black female country singers: “We’re tolerated, not celebrated’’ (BBC)
Last week, Beyoncé made history on the US country charts – becoming the first black woman to score a number one single, with her latest single Texas Hold ‘Em.
The release is the first taste of an entire country album – a follow-up to the house music-focused Renaissance – which Beyoncé has referred to as Act II.
But while she’s blazing trails in a genre where black artists have traditionally struggled to gain recognition, there are a handful of black women who’ve walked that path before her.
Rissi Palmer, 42, from Missouri is one of them. She broke a 20-year wait for a black woman to appear on the country charts with her 2007 single Country Girl. Before her, it was Dona Mason in 1987.
Joshua Jackson returns to movies for the 1st time in almost a decade with “Karate Kid” role (ET)
ET can confirm that Joshua Jackson has joined the cast of Sony Pictures’ upcoming Karate Kid, alongside Ben Wang, Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio.
According to Sony Pictures, the movie will both fuse and continue the movies’ mythology and bring the story to the East Coast, focusing on a teen from China who finds strength and direction via martial arts and a tough but wise mentor.
Other plot details remain under wraps, but the studio shared that Macchio will reprise his role as Daniel LaRusso from the original Karate Kid film trilogy, which began in 1984 when Macchio’s Daniel moved to California and became an unlikely karate champion under the tutelage of Mr. Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita. Read more
Odegbami urges NFF to engage indigenous coach for Super Eagles (Punch)
Ex- international, Segun Odegbami, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation to look inward for an indigenous coach to handle the Super Eagles.
Odegbami, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos State, said that Nigeria needed a better hand to handle the Super Eagles.
Portuguese manager, Jose Peseiro, confirmed his exit as coach of the Super Eagles after his contract officially expired on Thursday. Read more
Augustine Eguavoen returns to Super Eagles dug-out after Peseiro exit (Soccernet)
On 12 December 2021, Eguavoen was appointed manager of Nigeria on an interim basis for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, following the departure of Gernot Rohr.
Super Eagles technical director, Augustine Owen Eguavoen, has taken over the coaching role of the Nigerian Football team after Jose Peseiro’s exit, Soccernet.ng reports.
Peseiro, 63, was appointed as the coach of the Super Eagles after Nigeria’s exit from the AFCON 2021 tournament in Cameroon, taking office in May 2022. Read more
Eric Dier makes loan move to Bayern Munich permanent (ESPN)
Eric Dier’s loan move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich has been made permanent after he completed the required number of appearances mentioned in his contract, the Bundesliga club said on Saturday.
The England defender joined Bayern on loan in January in a deal to the end of the season after spending a decade with Spurs, reuniting with former teammate Harry Kane.
Bayern said Dier’s contract has been extended until June 2025 with Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, saying the 30-year-old provided “valuable support” in defence. Read more
Juventus set sights on Napoli’s Raspadori as Chiesa future in doubt (FootballItalia)
Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli is interested in picking up Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli this summer as Juventus look for possible replacements for Federico Chiesa.
Chiesa has not managed to find a rhythm in Turin this season, still dealing with minor injuries and fitness problems following the cruciate ligament rupture he suffered over two years ago. The 26-year-old has only started 15 Serie A games this term, scoring just twice since September.
With less than 18 months left on his contract with Juventus, there are doubts about the future of Chiesa at the club, with some believing this summer could be the perfect time to sell the Euro 2020 winger. Initial talks between his entourage and the Old Lady still haven’t started yet. Read more
Nick Kyrgios gives his verdict on Andrey Rublev’s sensational Dubai disqualification (Tennis365)
The fall-out from Andrey Rublev’s sensational disqualification from the Dubai Open continues, with Nick Kyrgios joining the debate over a story that has rocked tennis.
Rublev was defaulted after being accused of swearing at a line judge in the deciding set of his semi-final at the Dubai Open, after he protested his innocence in a story that has sparked a huge debate in the world’s sporting community.
The combustible Russian was trailing 6-5 in the third against Alexander Bublik when he appeared to say something to the line judge. Read more
FIA exercising caution in Horner probe, but case ‘‘damaging’’ for F1 (F1i)
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the governing body is taking a hands off approach – for now – to the controversy surrounding Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, but admits the case is “damaging the sport”.
The FIA and Formula 1 find themselves embroiled in a complex situation involving Horner. Despite a recent independent investigation clearing the Briton of inappropriate behavior allegations, the controversy continues to generate headlines, damaging the sport’s image.
Following accusations from a female employee of Red Bull Racing, parent company Red Bull GmbH launched an internal investigation led by an independent barrister. After eight weeks, the investigation found insufficient evidence to support the claims and dismissed the complaint. Read more