How N1m saved for my burial was stolen, 85-year-old woman laments (Vanguard)
An octogenarian, Madam Racheal Fadele, has cried out over the fraudulent withdrawal of N1 million from her account.
Fadele, who spoke with newsmen in Akure, Ondo State, said she saved the money for her burial ceremony since she had no surviving child.
She was accosted at the premises of a Chief Magistrates Court, in Akure, where a man suspected to have stolen the money from her bank account was arraigned by the officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in the state.
Fadele told newsmen that she retired as a civil servant in Oyo State. Read more
Policeman assaults Kwara doctor for examining wife without consent (Punch)
Members of the Nigeria Association of Government Medical and Dental Practitioners at the General Hospital, Ilorin, Kwara State, have commenced two-day strike over an alleged assault on their colleague.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the state Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association, Dr Ola Ahmed, said the doctors were forced to down tools due to the frequent threat to their lives.
“After an emergency congress, the doctors have unanimously agreed that no doctor will work in the hospital for 48 hours. We are tired of being a punching bag by the public,” he said. Read more
Obasanjo demands cancellation of presidential election in violent areas (DailyTrust)
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo said the Saturday’s presidential election failed integrity test and as such, the election must be cancelled.
Daily Trust reports that on January 1, Obasanjo openly endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as his preferred candidate for the February election.
He particularly asked the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to save Nigeria from the looming danger and disaster waiting to happen. Read more
Ekweremadu: Doctor lied to have kidney transplant, court told (Vanguard)
A Nigerian doctor has admitted in court that he lied about a potential kidney donor because he was “desperate” for his own operation to go ahead.
Dr Obinna Obeta, 51, is accused of being part of an international criminal conspiracy in an organ transplant trafficking plot.
The Old Bailey heard how Dr Obeta had travelled with a donor from Nigeria in 2021 who he incorrectly said was his cousin.
He denies breaking modern slavery laws.
Former Nigerian politician Ike Ekweremadu, 60, is accused of bringing a man to the UK to provide a kidney for his daughter Sonia. Read more
Appeal Court justice slumps, dies in Ondo (Punch)
A Justice of the Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Justice Lokulo-Sodipe, is dead.
The justice was said to have slumped in his office on Monday while dressing up to attend a court session.
It was gathered that all attempts to revive him proved abortive as he reportedly gave up the ghost on the way to the hospital.
He died at the age of 67. Read more
Whitney Adeniran: Lagos orders Coroner’s Inquest (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Government has ordered a Coroner’s Inquest, to ascertain the cause of death in the case of the late Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student of Chrisland School, who died on Thursday, 9th February, 2023.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, gave the directive in a statement today, noting that a thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
He said: “A Coroner’s Inquest has immediately been requested, in line with Sections 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of the death of the student”. Read more
Wild celebration as ex-gov Dankwambo, Goje and Tony Yaro win Senate seats (Independent)
The election of the immediate past Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of the PDP as Senator for Gombe North over incumbent Senator, Saidu Alkali of the APC, was greeted with wild celebration in Gombe town.
Dankwambo, who was defeated by the same Saidu Alkali in 2019 even while Dankwambo was serving his last few months as Governor was overwhelmingly elected with 143,155 votes as against Alkali’s 77,948 votes to represent Gombe, Dukku, Nafada, Kwami and Funakaye LGAs in the upper chamber of the country’s legislature.
For Gombe Central where third-term Senator and former Governor of the State, Muhammad Danjuma Goje of the APC, got reelected for the fourth time to represent Akko and Yamaltu/Deba LGAs as Senator. Read more
Obasanjo’s call for election cancellation is a coup – APC (DailyTrust)
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC PCC) has condemned the call by former President Muhammadu Obasanjo to cancel the Saturday’s elections in areas where the exercise was disrupted, describing it as a coup against democracy.
Obasanjo, who had declared his support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had compromised the conduct of the elections.
But responding to Obasabjo’s allegations, the Special Adviser, Media, Communications and Public Affairs, APC PCC, Dele Alake, said Obasanjo could not substantiate his claims, adding his comments were moves to derail the nation’s democratic process. Read more
Ortom loses senatorial bid to former special adviser (Channels)
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has lost his election bid for Benue North West Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial candidate lost to his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart in the district, Titus Zam.
The APC candidate polled 143,151 while the PDP scored 106,882 and the Labour Party 51,950. Read more
Missy Elliott and Timbaland tease new music (HipHopDX)
Missy Elliott and Timbaland have been prolific partners creatively throughout their careers and it appears they’ve reconnected in the studio more than 25 years after Missy’s epic debut.
The “Work It” rapper posted on her Instagram Story Sunday night (February 26) letting Timbo know it’s “go time” once again and the super producer echoed that sentiment when returning the favour with a post of his own.
“Watch time for us to press that go button @missymisdemeanorelliott we n our bag like always !!!!! Happy Monday,” the Verzuz co-founder wrote. Read more
Lea Salonga joins Broadway cast of David Byrne-Fatboy Slim musical “Here Lies Love” (Deadline)
Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga will join the Broadway cast of Here Lies Love by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim for a special guest engagement this summer.
Producers of the show announced the casting of the Filipina actor today. Salonga is also joining the show as a producer.
Salonga will appear in the show for five weeks from Tuesday, July 11 through Sunday, August 13. She will perform “Just Ask The Flowers,” sung by the character of Aurora Aquino, mother of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, whose assassination ignited the People Power Revolution that ousted Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos from power. Read more
Burny Mattinson, Animator and Disney’s longest-serving employee, dies at 87 (THR)
Burny Mattinson, who worked as an animator, director, producer and story artist during a 70-year career as the longest-serving “cast member” in the history of The Walt Disney Co., has died. He was 87.
Mattinson died after a short illness on Monday at a Canoga Park assisted living facility in Los Angeles, the studio announced. He was due to receive his 70th anniversary service award — the studio’s first ever — on June 4.
Mattinson was working full time at Walt Disney Animation Studios as a story consultant and mentor at the time of his death. Read more
Alec Baldwin sued by 3 ‘‘Rust’’ crew members for blast injuries in shooting (Variety)
Three “Rust” crew members sued Alec Baldwin and the film’s producers on Monday, alleging they have suffered anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the shooting death of the film’s cinematographer.
The three crew members were in the church building at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe, N.M., when Baldwin’s gun fired, striking cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and director Joel Souza. Baldwin has denied pulling the trigger, though prosecutors have charged him with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly firing the weapon while it was pointed at Hutchins.
The plaintiffs in the latest suit are Ross Addiego, the dolly operator, Doran Curtin, the set costumer, and Reese Price, the key grip. According to the suit, all three were in close proximity to Baldwin when the gun was fired, and suffered “blast injuries” from the deafening sound of the shot. Read more
UK government has “golden opportunity” to help music venues survive and thrive in Spring Budget (NME)
The live music industry has called on the government to embrace a “golden opportunity” to boost the sector in next month’s budget.
The Spring Budget will be announced by chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
Ahead of the financial forecast, figures from the live music sector have called on prime minister Rishi Sunak to deliver on his personal promise to cut business rates and reinstate a lower rate of five per cent VAT on tickets – in line with international comparison. Read more
Ukraine war: Zelensky says situation in Bakhmut worsening (BBC)
The situation in the city of Bakhmut, on the eastern frontline, is becoming “more and more difficult”, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Russian forces have been trying to take the city for over six months.
“The enemy is constantly destroying everything that can be used to protect our positions”, Mr Zelensky stated. Read more
US requests extradition of drug kingpin’s son, Mexico says (RFI)
The United States has asked Mexico to extradite a son of jailed drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman accused of following in his father’s footsteps, a Mexican government spokesman said Monday.
Ovidio Guzman, who was captured in January, has allegedly helped to run his father’s infamous Sinaloa cartel since El Chapo was handed over to the United States in 2017.
The US embassy in Mexico City presented the extradition request to the foreign ministry and attorney general’s office, according to the spokesman, who did not want to be named because he was not authorized to speak on the issue. Read more
Eguma hails players after Confed Cup win in Angola (Punch)
Rivers United coach, Stanley Eguma, has hailed his players their unrelenting spirit following their hard-earned 1-0 win over Congolese club, Motema Pembe, on match-day three of the CAF Confederation Cup in Luanda, Angola.
The NPFL champions made back-to-back wins in the group stage despite being reduced to 10-men before the end of the first half.
Ghanaian winger, Paul Acquah, scored the superb winner for Eguma’s side in the 53rd minute, poking home from close range off a rebound after his initial header from Denis Ndasi’s flick was blocked by the Motema Pembe goalkeeper. Read more
Lionel Messi beats Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema to Best FIFA Men’s Player award (ESPN)
Lionel Messi was named Best FIFA Men’s Player at a ceremony in Paris on Monday, beating Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema.
Messi won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina in December — the country’s first in 36 years — ending his wait for the only major honour to have eluded him in his career.
“It’s amazing. It was a tremendous year and it is an honour for me to be here tonight and win this award,” said Messi, who sat next to Mbappe throughout the ceremony at the Salle Pleyel. Read more
Rohr signs three-year deal with Benin (Punch)
Former Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has signed a three-year deal with the Benin Football Association, Punch Sports Extra reports.
Rohr takes over from Moussa Latoundji, who had been the team’s caretaker coach since Frenchman Michel Dussuyer was sacked after the Squirrels failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Benin Republic becomes the fifth African team the Franco-German will coach after Gabon, Niger, Burkina Faso and Nigeria. Read more
Guardiola takes aim at Manchester United drought (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola has taken a swipe at Manchester City’s critics by joking that Manchester United went six years without a trophy before their Carabao Cup triumph because “they didn’t spend” any money.
Over the past five years, United have spent £685m to City’s £660m, and their respective net spends are £527m and £162 m. Guardiola was asked whether United’s victory against Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday signalled they are a force again. “Sooner or later it should happen, shouldn’t it?” he said. “It should happen.”
He was asked again whether United were back and this time he answered with a smile. “If they spend a little more money, yes. It’s because they didn’t spend, isn’t it? It’s normal, they’re in the position they normally should be. The reality is that two teams, Liverpool and ourselves, have done incredibly well in the numbers.” Read more
Novak Djokovic breaks record for most weeks ranked No. 1 (ABC)
Novak Djokovic broke the record for the most time spent at No. 1 in the professional tennis rankings by a man or woman, beginning his 378th week in the ATP’s top spot on Monday to surpass Steffi Graf’s 377 leading the WTA.
He already held the men’s mark, eclipsing Roger Federer’s old ATP standard of 310 weeks in March 2021.
“I’m flattered, obviously. Extremely, extremely proud and happy for this achievement,” Djokovic said in a video posted on social media, in which he referred to Graf as “one of the greatest, most legendary, tennis players.” Read more
Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris concern as top F1 pundits predict Bahrain GP result (Mirror)
The 2023 Formula 1 season is just a few days away, with the Bahrain Grand Prix kicking off a record-breaking year with 23 races deciding the outcome of the world championship.
It remains to be seen exactly how competitive each of the teams will be. Pre-season testing offered some insight, but it is only when the cars take to the Sakhir track for practice and qualifying this coming weekend that the true balance of power will begin to become apparent.
Still, many top F1 pundits and journalists feel they saw enough during testing to have a stab at how they think the teams will stack up at the Bahrain GP. And there will be little surprise about who pretty much everyone thinks is the early-season favourite. Read more