Former commissioner emerges Lagos PDP chairman (DailyTrust)
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Congress Committee in Lagos has declared a former Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in the State, Mr Philip Aivoji, as the newly elected Chairman of the party.
Aivoji in a keenly contested election on Sunday defeated Dr. Amos Fawole with 839 votes to 816.
The outcome of the election saw delegates jettisoning the consensus arrangement earlier adopted by the party which would have produced Fawole.
Daily Trust had earlier reported how two Unity Lists emerged at the venue of the congress with delegates protesting that the race should be thrown open to enable them elect candidates of their choice. Read more
NURTW queries Oluomo (Nation)
The national body of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has queried the Lagos State Council Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya aka MC Oluomo, over alleged insubordination and anti-union activities.
The letter dated February 14, signed by the General Secretary of the union, Alhaji Kabiru Ado Yau, accused Akinsanya of refusing to carry out directives given to him by the national body.
The letter reads: “Our attention has been drawn to the fact that despite the National Secretariat’s directives during a meeting with you and other members of the Lagos State Administrative Council (SAC) in Abuja on February 9, pertaining to the appointment of Alhaji Azeez Abiola as chairman, Lagos State NURTW Tricycle Operators, you have refused to comply. Instead, you have resorted to intimidation and assault on the newly appointed tricycle chairman.”
The national body added that Akinsanya refused to hand over the former NURTW Secretariat situated at Abule Egba to the tricycle caretaker committee in a bid to prevent them from using the office. Read more
‘Only 8,145,416 Nigerians are fully vaccinated against COVID-19’ (Guardian)
Two years after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Nigeria and almost one year after the first shot of the vaccine was administered in the country, only four per cent of the 200 million population, that is 8,145,416 persons, have been fully vaccinated against the virus.
Unfortunately, Nigeria and most developing countries could not achieve the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) set target for all countries to vaccinate 10 per cent of their populations by the end of September 2021 due to inequity in the distribution of vaccines.
A consultant public health physician, an epidemiologist and Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Shuaib Faisal, told The Guardian yesterday: “As at the 25th of February 2022, 17,646,781 Nigerians have been vaccinated with the first dose while 8,145,416 Nigerians have received the second dose and are fully vaccinated. 682,108 Nigerians have received the booster dose. 4,317,621 tests have been conducted so far with 254,428 confirmed cases.”
On the way forward, Faisal recommended: increasing investment in health care especially primary healthcare and strengthening the nation’s public health infrastructure. “This is not just the work of the Federal Government, we need State and Local actors stepping up to implement and prioritise policies and expenditures to health,” he said.Read more
I’m honoured to be of Kuti clan, says Made (Nation)
Made Kuti, Afrobeat musician and grandson of Fela Kuti, has said that he is eternally honored to be from the Kuti clan.
The young and energetic musician, who in a short period of time is already a Grammy Award nominee, was the recipient of his dad (Femi Kuti) and Granddad’s (Fela Kuti) Afrobeat Hall of Fame Awards in Lagos over the weekend.
Receiving the awards on their behalf, Made thanked the organizers for deeming it fit to recognise the legends at the induction ceremony.
He also thanked the fans for enjoying the family’s music. Read more
Nigeria, Tanzania united on need for just energy transition – Osinbajo (Channels)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and his Tanzanian counterpart Dr. Philip Isdor Mpango are united in their views regarding a just energy transition as the global community moves towards net-zero emissions target and the need for greater international collaboration in deterring unconstitutional changes of government in Africa.
These were some of the issues discussed by both leaders at a bilateral meeting in Arusha on Sunday after Prof. Osinbajo arrived in Tanzania to speak at the inaugural session of the African Court of Human and Peoples’ Rights for the year 2022.
According to a statement by his special media aide Laolu Akande, the duo discussed a wide range of issues of interest to Nigeria and Tanzania, including infrastructure development, trade and investment, technology, climate change, and democracy.
Speaking about the need to promote democratic governance on the continent against the backdrop of recent coups d’etat in West Africa, they emphasized the need for regional bodies on the continent and others in the global community to support actions already taken by ECOWAS leaders. Read more
Constitution Review: Original Abuja indigenes demand mayoral slot, FEC representation (Independent)
Moves by the National Assembly to review the 1999 Constitution has seen Original Inhabitants of Abuja, asking the legislators to vote in favour of establishment of a mayor for the nation’s capital.
They also want the 9th National Assembly to vote in favour of an elected Mayoral Assembly to make laws for the FCT, rather than a situation where all legislative duties concerning the FCT are vested under NASS as currently constituted.
The National Assembly is expected to commence voting for the clause-by-clause amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution on Tuesday.
According to Lazarus Nyaholo on behalf of the Original Inhabitants of Abuja, section 297 to 307 should be replaced by Establishment of a Mayoralty for FCT with an elected Mayor and Mayoral Assembly which will now replace the President by designating FCT Minister as the Governor of FCT and National Assembly as the FCT Legislators respectively as against the status of executive and legislative functions respectively vested on the President and the National Assembly. Read more
Nigeria says 256 citizens received from Ukraine in Romania, Hungary, Poland (Guardian)
The Nigeria government said its diplomatic mission has received 130 citizens from Ukraine at Bucharest and Romania since Sunday.
Nigerians like other nationals are fleeing Ukraine for safety in neighboring countries following an ongoing invasion by Russia.
On Sunday, the federal government announced that Nigerians arriving from Ukraine through the borders in Romania and Hungary have been granted visa-free access.
The Nigerian Embassy said 74 Nigerians were received at Budapest, Hungary and another 52 in Warsaw, Poland, permanent secretary in the ministry of foreign affairs Gabriel Aduda said in a statement. Read more
Drug business: Court declines Abba Kyari’s bail application (Punch)
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, refused to grant the bail application of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, said the application had been overtaken by events following an order of a sister court, granting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s prayers to detain Kyari for another 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigation.
Justice Ekwo held that the sister court, which gave the order in favour of NDLEA on February 22, was a court of coordinate jurisdiction.
The judge, however, said he was inclined to hear Kyari’s fundamental enforcement rights suit with the urgency it deserves after the expiration of the 14-day court order. Read more
Education Minister walks out as meeting with Nigerian students deadlocks (Channels)
The meeting between the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, and protesting Nigerian students, on Monday, ended in deadlock as the minister walked out on them.
The students had earlier occupied the gate of the National Assembly demanding the lingering strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) must be resolved.
‘ASUU Must Go! Open the gate!’ the students chanted as they headed from the Unity Fountain to the gate of the National Assembly.
They were however stopped by security operatives at the NASS gate. Read more
MTN officially unveils new logo (Sun)
MTN Nigeria officially launched the Group-wide brand refresh with a press briefing yesterday in Lagos.
The company announced its brand repositioning using a contemplative slogan — “What Are We Doing Today?” It also articulated the context behind the new logo many had seen since February 16, 2022.
This is the second brand overhaul since the MTN Group was founded in 1994. Back in 2004, the changes made to the brand resulted in MTN taking ownership of the colour yellow that is now synonymous with MTN. Importantly, it also helped to elevate the brand to where it is today, recognised as the most valuable in Africa.
The Company’s new logo forgoes the italics, the red underscore and the solid coloured oval present in the previous logo for a minimalist look that retains the oval (now represented as a solid outline) with the letters M-T-N nestled in it. These can be used against a sunshine yellow or plain white background in either black or yellow font colours. Read more
Volodymyr Zelensky applies for Ukraine to become member of European Union (Metro)
President Volodymyr Zelensky has applied for Ukraine to join the European Union in what has been hailed as a ‘historic moment’.
The leader has been calling for ‘fast-tracked’ entry into the EU to help his nation fight off Russian forces, who invaded the country last week.
An image posted on social media shows him singing an official application at a desk with indoor barricades behind him.
‘We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession via a new special procedure,’ he said on his Telegram channel earlier on Monday, as fighting across the country intensified. Read more
Kanye West and Balenciaga’s GAP collaboration has landed (Independent)
Kanye West has released his hotly anticipated GAP collaboration with the Creative Director of Balenciaga Demna Gvasalia.
The collection is described as “timeless silhouettes translated through the lens of Ye and Demna’s shared vision of utilitarian design” and it represents the continued partnership between West – now known as Ye – and Balenciaga creative director, Demna Gvasalia.
The collection consists of just eight items, including the reimagined classic GAP logo sweatshirt in smoky grey as well as stonewashed denim, sweatpants, and logo T-shirts.
A dove motif has been sewn over the back of multiple items, which is said to represent “an unnamed hope for the future”. Read more
Talib Kweli teases release of new Black Star album with Yasiin Bey (AllHipHop)
Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) became major talking points in Hip Hop over the last two weeks, thanks to their appearances in Netflix’s jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy documentary about Kanye West.
With significant attention back on the two New York City-bred emcees, Talib Kweli is once again teasing the release of a new Black Star project. The duo dropped the classic Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star in 1998.
“The new Black Star album was recorded in hotel rooms and dressing rooms across the globe. I love how my brother @yasiinbey pushes me musically. #blackstarforever follow @blackstarkeepshining today…,” wrote Talib Kweli on Instagram.
Back in April 2020, Talib Kweli spoke to AllHipHop about Black Star’s forthcoming Madlib-produced sophomore studio LP. The Brooklynite said at the time, “Trying to find the right deal for the Black Star album. There are a few on the table, but we have to choose the right situation and roll this out properly. The people deserve that.” Read more
Tanasha Donna excited over Nollywood film role alongside D’banj, Efa Iwara (SoundCity)
Singer Tanasha Donna is hyped following her first movie cameo; a Nigerian movie dubbed “Symphony” set to stream on Netflix.
The singer, who is also set to appear in a Nollywood series, said that shooting the movie six months ago was a different experience for her.
“Another thing I’m super excited for this year is the movie that we filmed last year in Lagos, it’s called Symphony,” she said in an interview.
“It’s kinda like Empire but a movie for Africa, it’s a blockbuster movie and it’s gonna be on Netflix as well, it’s dropping at the end of March. Read more
Foo Fighters’ ‘Studio 666′ flops at theaters in its opening weekend (Loudwire)
Foo Fighters’ new comedy-horror film Studio 666 is being called a box office flop after underperforming at North American movie theaters in its opening weekend, as subsequently reported by Box Office Mojo and summarized by Billboard.
Despite being the only new feature film released in theaters nationwide over the weekend (Feb. 25-27), Studio 666 still came in at No. 8 in total box office receipts with a gross of $1.58 million from its debut on 2,306 movie screens across the country.
Among the Top 10 for the weekend, it debuted behind Uncharted, Dog, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Death on the Nile, Jackass Forever, Sing 2 and Marry Me, but ahead of Cyrano and Scream.
Produced in secret during the pandemic, the BJ McDonnell-directed Studio 666 stars the Foo Fighters plus comedians Whitney Cummings, Will Forte and Jeff Garlin. In the film, the band is forced to battle a supernatural force within the house where they’re recording an album. Read more
Spider-Man’s Kirsten Dunst addresses No Way Home absence (DigitalSpy)
Kirsten Dunst has weighed in on a possible return to the Spider-Man franchise following her absence from No Way Home.
The Power of the Dog star was rumoured to reprise her role of Mary Jane Watson – the character she played opposite Tobey Maguire in the Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi – in the 2021 movie.
One of the MCU’s worst-kept secrets, Tom Holland’s latest Spider-Man adventure features cameos from two past iterations portrayed by Maguire and Andrew Garfield, with the latter returning after playing the superhero in The Amazing Spider-Man movies.
When it became pretty clear that the two actors would don the red and blue suit again (despite the many denials), fans started speculating that Dunst and Emma Stone, who portrayed Gwen Stacy opposite Garfield’s Peter Parker, could return as well. Sadly, this was not the case. Read more
French ballet director quits Russian company over Ukraine invasion (RFI)
French ballet master Laurent Hilaire resigned on Sunday from his position as director of the Stanislavski Theatre Company in Moscow over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“I resigned yesterday,” he said, after the Kremlin launched an all-out assault on Ukraine on Thursday.
“I am leaving Moscow tomorrow in view of the situation.
“I am departing with a heavy heart, but the context no longer allows me to work with peace of mind.” Read more
Pep Guardiola admits Rodri handball should have been a penalty for Everton (MEN)
Pep Guardiola says that Rodri’s handball against Everton should have been a penalty, if the officials decided there was no offside in the build-up.
The Toffees have submitted a complaint to the Premier League about the VAR decision not to either over-turn referee Paul Tierney’s on-field decision not to give a spot-kick, or at least ask him to view the pitchside monitor to review his decision. Rodri was chasing back into his box when the ball bounced up and struck him on the upper arm, and Everton players, staff and fans were incensed that he was penalised.
Guardiola said after the game that he thought it had not been given as the VAR Chris Kavanagh spotted an offside against Richarlison just before the incident. But the Premier League later clarified that there was no offside, and that Kavanagh had decided there was not enough clear evidence that the ball had struck Rodri above the level of the armpit, which is the border for handball.
Guardiola said after the game that he thought it had not been given as the VAR Chris Kavanagh spotted an offside against Richarlison just before the incident. But the Premier League later clarified that there was no offside, and that Kavanagh had decided there was not enough clear evidence that the ball had struck Rodri above the level of the armpit, which is the border for handball. Read more
Plateau Utd sink Akwa 3-0 to keep pressure on Rivers Utd (DailyTrust)
Imperious Plateau United whipped defending champions Akwa United 3-0 in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) MatchDay 15 fixture played yesterday at the New Jos stadium to keep pressure on leaders Rivers United.
Rivers United who edged Nasarawa United 2-1 on Saturday are on top of the table with 32 points, one more than Plateau United after 15 matches.
In a one-way traffic situation, Plateau United took an early lead when Silas Nenrot’s feeble attempt at the edge of the box beat Akwa United’s goalkeeper Adewale Adeyinka for the opening goal in the 6th minute.
Five minutes to half time, Nenrot should have bagged a brace but he frittered a good chance created by Sunday Anthony who had assisted the first goal. Read more
Antonio Conte breaks silence on Russia-Ukraine conflict and ‘incredible yet stupid’ situation (FootballLondon)
Antonio Conte has given his verdict on the harrowing situation that is currently taking place in Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine are at war after Vladimir Putin began the invasion of their neighbours some days ago.
The war that has begun has already taken the lives of many people, with thousands of others trying to flee and escape the conflict.
Football seems irrelevant in situations like this with lives being lost, people being scared for their lives and no current end in sight. Read more
Zach Johnson confirmed as US captain for 2023 Ryder Cup (IrishTimes)
The US named Zach Johnson as their 2023 Ryder Cup captain on Monday, with the two-time Major winner succeeding Steve Stricker in the role.
The US defeated Europe 19-9 to win the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits last year, but the team has not won the competition on European soil since 1993.
The 2023 Ryder Cup will be played from September 25th to October 1st, 2023, at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome.
“To accept this captaincy, to lead this United States Ryder Cup Team abroad – after what we accomplished last year at Whistling Straits – is simply the greatest honour of my professional career,” Johnson said in a statement. Read more
Max Verstappen hints at Red Bull car development before Bahrain Grand Prix (GMS)
Max Verstappen has said that it is difficult to say where his Red Bull car ranks ahead of the new season and has hinted that further developments will be made to the RB18 before the first Grand Prix in Bahrain on March 20th.
The first of two Formula 1 tests took place last week with the Catalunya circuit hosting as all 10 teams sent their new cars out for their first real examinations.
Indeed, there was impressive general reliability across the board – barring a few issues for some towards the end of the week – and Red Bull will be overall pleased with the work they managed to get through.
Certainly, it sounds as though Max Verstappen was pleased with the work done in Barcelona, but he admits Bahrain will see a potentially completely different outlook and that there will be changes made to his car by the time of the first race: Read more
Domenicali: Replacing Sochi ‘no problem at all’ (PlanetF1)
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says it would not be difficult to sort out a replacement event for the Russian Grand Prix.
There are major doubts over the 2022 staging of the Russian GP following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Already football’s Champions League final has been moved from Russian city St Petersburg to Paris, while the Polish national football team are refusing to play Russia in their upcoming scheduled World Cup play-off match.
Formula 1 also took action in some form, Domenicali having held a meeting with the team bosses on Thursday night in Barcelona where the status of the 2022 Russian Grand Prix was discussed. Read more
Sloane Stephens news: Former US Open champion grabs glory in Mexico (Tennis365)
Former world No 3 Sloane Stephens beat Marie Bouzkova in the final of the Guadalajara Open on Sunday to win her seventh WTA title, and the first in nearly five years.
It only took Stephens two hours and 28 minutes to defeat her opponent, beating the Czech 7-5, 1-6, 6-2 to claim victory.
Bouzkova took the lead initially when in the first set she got an early break, but Stephens capitalized on when she got a break in the 11th game and she was able to serve for the set, which she successfully did.
Once the former US Open champion broke the 23-year-old in the sixth game of the deciding set the match was already pretty much a done deal and Stephens went on to be crowned champion. Read more