‘He passed on in hotel’, Police confirm death of ex-Immigration CG (DailyTrust)
The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of ex-Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang.
In a statement on Tuesday, Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer of FCT Command, said reports of the deceased being kidnapped and killed are untrue.
According to Adeh, Paradang died after receiving a female guest at a hotel he checked into in Abuja. Read more
EFCC grills ex-Akwa Ibom Gov Emmanuel for alleged ₦700b fraud (Channels)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, for alleged N700 billion Fraud.
Emmanuel was arrested after he honoured an invitation of the EFCC on Tuesday to answer allegations of money laundering and diversion of funds preferred against him by the Network against Corruption and Trafficking.
The petitioner alleged that Emmanuel received N3 trillion from the Federation Account in eight years but left a debt profile of N500bn and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300bn. He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700bn. Read more
Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Ondo, victims seek assistance (Guardian)
A heavy rainstorm, accompanied by strong winds, has caused significant damage in Akure, the Ondo State capital, destroying houses, schools and church buildings.
The disaster, which occurred on Monday night, affected several communities, including Eleyewo, Ilu-Abo and Bolorunduro in Akure North Local Council.
The Guardian learnt that residents of the affected areas were seen salvaging soaked belongings, with many in a state of disbelief over the extent of the damage. Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed, including vehicles, shops, and other valuables. Read more
Pastor arrested over murder of 28-year-old LASU graduate (Vanguard)
Expectations of 28-year-old Ogubode Adedamola, a graduate of the Lagos State University (LASU) to join his mates in the April 3rd 2025 Convocation, have been rendered futile following his alleged murder by a Pastor.
Report said the clergy, Evangelist. Whepetoji Babaniyeh had been arrested by the Police.
However, when the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin was contacted, he said he did not know of the arrest. Read more
Rivers Crisis: N’Delta groups threaten violence as budget ultimatum expires today (Punch)
Tensions in Rivers State have escalated as Ijaw groups, including the Ijaw National Congress and the Ijaw Youths Council, issued a strong warning against the impeachment of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The groups declared their readiness to defend Fubara’s mandate, cautioning that any move to remove him could destabilise the Niger Delta and disrupt oil production in the region.
The warning follows the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly for Fubara to resubmit the 2025 budget for approval. Read more
Elections are integral part of democratic process – Yiaga Africa (Nation)
The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, has emphasized that elections should not be viewed as a one-day event but rather as part of a broader democratic process.
Speaking in Abuja at a Reflection Conference on Democratic Elections in West Africa, organized by Yiaga Africa, Itodo highlighted the importance of continuous electoral engagement.
He noted that the conference aimed to analyze key lessons from recent elections observed by the organization, fostering discussions on strengthening democracy in the region. Read more
Natasha/Akpabio Saga: Northern, Southern Leaders In Sentimental War (Leadership)
Northern and Southern leaders have engaged in a sentimental war over the sexual harassment allegation levelled against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has alleged that the sexual harassment allegation by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio is a political calculation aimed at stopping President Bola Tinubu administration’s second term.
The Niger Delta body which claimed that the intervention of the apex socio-cultural Northern body, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in the unfolding saga exposed their plot to remove Akpabio as Senate President and ultimately Tinubu in a bid to ensure the North returns to power in 2027. Read more
Regina Hall wonders if Brenda and Ray are married in Scary Movie sequel (EW)
Regina Hall is wondering what her former character — Brenda Meeks in the Scary Movie franchise — is up to, though she has her own ideas.
News broke in January that the Wayans brothers, including Keenen, Marlon, and Shawn, are developing a sixth movie in the franchise, which has been dated for next summer. It marks the first time in 18 years they’re reuniting to write an original script for the franchise, per Variety.
When asked if she knows about the project, Hall teased, “that is what the ghosts are telling me.” She added, “Yes, they’re writing something. I honestly don’t know anything about it, I don’t know where Brenda fits in, I don’t know what Brenda is doing 25 years later.” Read more
Sudan: Distressing report on child rape cases by UNICEF (AfricaNews)
The United Nations has reported that sexual violence against children is being employed as a common strategy in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. A recent report highlights that millions of children are in jeopardy due to this alarming trend.
In a shocking report, the UN children’s agency has revealed that children as young as one year old have been victims of rape across nine states in Sudan.
As of early 2024, the agency reported that 221 children, including boys, have suffered this horrific fate at the hands of armed men. Read more
Demi Moore, Fernanda Torres celebrate Mikey Madison’s Oscar Win (Variety)
Mikey Madison won the Oscar for best actress over contenders such as Demi Moore and Fernanda Torres, but there’s only love among the nominees. Moore, whose performance in “The Substance” made her an Oscar frontrunner after she won best actress prizes at the Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice and SAG Awards, took to Instagram after the Academy Awards and gave Madison a heartfelt shoutout.
“As this awards season comes to a close, I’m so overwhelmed with gratitude for this journey,” Moore wrote. “It’s been the ride of a lifetime and we’re just getting started! So grateful for my team, my fellow nominees, and everyone who has made this experience so full of joy and light… And a huge congratulations to Mikey Madison — can’t wait to see what you do next.” Read more
Boy, 11, ‘stabbed by another pupil’ at primary school (Metro)
A boy has been injured in a primary school stabbing involving another pupil.
The victim, who is believed to be 11, was taken to hospital with injuries that are non-life threatening this morning.
Police in north Dublin said both children attend the school. It is understood that an implement was used during the incident, which was not specified. Read more
Paul McCartney pens letter urging the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to give Joe Cocker his due (AS)
With over five decades worth of experience in the music industry, Joe Cocker produced hits like “Feelin’ Alright” and “Unchain My Heart.” While releasing over 20 studio albums throughout his career, Cocker will always be remembered for the song “You Are So Beautiful.” While landing on Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest singers list, Cocker never gained entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Passing away from lung cancer in 2014, the singer recently received some support from none other than Paul McCartney, who urged the Rock Hall to induct the English singer.
On February 25th, McCartney wrote a letter to the Rock Hall about the possibility of inducting Cocker. The singer stood alongside artists like Billy Idol, Cyndi Lauper, the White Stripes, Outkast, and Oasis. With the ceremony expected to air this fall, McCartney already promoted Cocker. Read more
Lebanon’s Aoun, Saudi crown prince call for Israeli pullout from all of Lebanon (TimesOfIsrael)
Lebanon’s president on Tuesday ended a visit to Saudi Arabia, where he discussed regional affairs with the kingdom’s crown prince, after which both countries said Israeli troops should withdraw from south Lebanon and only the Lebanese state should have weapons.
The visit by Joseph Aoun, the first by a Lebanese head of state to the oil-rich kingdom in eight years, improves ties between the two countries that have been cold for years over Iran’s influence in Lebanon.
Aoun visited Saudi Arabia several times when he was army commander, and many in Lebanon hope that his visit as president will open the way for lifting the ban on imports from Lebanon as well as allowing Saudi citizens to travel to the country. Read more
2026 WCQ: Remo Stars hail Bankole’s invitation to Super Eagles (CompleteSports)
Remo Stars have extended their congratulatory message to goalkeeper Kayode Bankole on his maiden invitation to the Super Eagles for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.
Bankole was named in Eric Chelle’s 38-man list for the World Cup qualifiers.
Recall that Bankole’s impressive goalkeeping in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) has seen Remo Stars sit at the top of the league table. Read more
Nigeria’s U-23, U-18 handball teams begin preparations for int’l championships (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s Under-23 and Under-18 men’s handball teams have commenced intensive training camps ahead of two major international championships.
The U-23 team, coached by Solomon Yola and Adebayo Yekini, is training at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja in preparation for the 5th IHF Emerging Nations Championship, set to take place from March 11 to 16, 2025, in Varna, Bulgaria. Read more
Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior clarifies dramatic Ballon d’Or boycott and links with big money Saudi Arabia move (Standard)
Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has set the record straight over last year’s dramatic Ballon d’Or boycott.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri won football’s most prestigious individual prize in Paris back in October and in doing so, became the first player from the Premier League to achieve the feat since Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.
Though the event wasn’t without controversy as Real Madrid boycotted the entire ceremony due to Vinicius Jr. missing out on the award. Read more
Raducanu could face Gauff at Indian Wells (BBC)
Britain’s Emma Raducanu will play world number three Coco Gauff in the second round at Indian Wells – if she can beat Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima in the first round.
Raducanu is scheduled to play world number 52 Uchijima on the tournament’s opening day on Wednesday.
It will be the British number two’s first tournament since a stalking ordeal at the Dubai Tennis Championships last week. Read more
Tadhg Furlong trains fully as he edges closer to Six Nations return (RTE)
Tadhg Furlong appears to be edging closer to a return to action this weekend, with the prop taking a full part in Ireland’s training session ahead of Saturday’s crucial Guinness Six Nations meeting with France.
The tighthead has only played once since mid-October, having struggled with calf and hamstring injuries, but took a full part in this afternoon’s training, which included full-contested scrummaging.
“We’ve just done scrums just now so it was good to see Tadhg in a scrum, a fully-contested scrum,” national scrum coach John Fogarty said. Read more