How teenager who beheaded girlfriend for rituals was arrested (DailyTrust)
There was confusion in Oke Aregba community in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Saturday, when some teenage boys were caught burning the head of a girl, said to be in a relationship with one of them, for alleged money rituals.
Our correspondent gathered that a community security guard, one Segun Adewusi, had in the wee hours of Saturday observed that some the boys were burning something suspicious in a local pot.
It was gathered that the security guard immediately alerted the police at Adatan station, who went to the scene to get three of the boys arrested as one had fled before police arrival.
A source, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent, said the slain girl, identified as Rofiat, was a resident of Idi-Ape.
She was a girlfriend to one Soliu, who is now in police net.
Soliu was said to have lured the girl to his room, where he held her down and asked one of his friends to slaughter her with a knife. Read more
JAMB To Hold UTME From May 6, Registration Begins On February 12 (Tribune)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) is to hold this year’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) from May 6 to May 16, 2022, it was announced on Saturday afternoon.
In fact, the registration for the UTME and that of Direct Entry will hold simultaneously from February 12 to March 19, 2022 at various centres across the country.
These were disclosed by officials of JAMB during an interactive session with newsmen on Saturday. Read more
LASU begs Bella Shmurda to return, complete degree programme (Nation)
The Lagos State University (LASU) has urged Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed aka Bella Shmurda to return for the completion of his degree programme at the institution.
The 25-year-old artiste had stated that he failed some courses while at the institution, forcing him to quit school.
He became popular after the release of his debut single ‘Vision 2020’ after he featured Olamide in the remix version.
Bella has since released hit songs like Cash App featuring Zlatan and many others. Read more
Passenger facilitation to slow down as FAAN expands Lagos airport terminal (Punch)
Facilitation of passengers at the General Aviation Terminal of the Lagos airport will be affected as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria is set to expand the Zulu wing of the terminal.
FAAN General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, made this known in a statement titled, ‘FAAN to expand GAT, Lagos’.
The airports’ authority said the expansion of the terminal at the local wing of the Lagos airport is part of efforts to improve infrastructure and service delivery in the aviation sector.
The statement read in part, “The expansion project, which will commence any moment from now, will only hamper passenger facilitation minimally at the terminal, as normal passenger check-in will not be affected in any way. Read more
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Islamic City petitions Buhari over ‘eviction plan’ (DailyTrust)
A group of Muslims under the aegis of Zumuratul Jamiu Mumin Society of Nigeria, has petitioned President Muhammadu Buhari, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and the Works and Housing Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola over alleged plot to drive them from their land at Pakuro-Lotto on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The group accused the contractor handling the rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan expressway of planning to construct an overhead bridge on their settlement, popularly known as Islamic City.
Daily Trust reports that there has been a raging battle between members of the group and the contractor over the move to construct the overhead bridge which could dislodge them from the settlement.
The decision, the group said, was an attempt to eliminate the only thriving Muslim community in the area. Read more
Lekki residents demand coastal road, laud Sanwo-Olu’s Ojota-Opebi Bridge proposal (Punch)
The Lekki Estates Residents and Stakeholders Association comprising over 150 estates and communities between 1004 Estate and Epe has commended the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for commissioning the construction of Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge to ease traffic gridlock around Ikeja and environs.
The association in a statement on Friday signed by its Chairman, Olorogun Emadoye, described the proposed bridge as one of the numerous projects to better the lives of Lagosians.
LERSA however urged the governor to immediately halt the encroachment on the land allocated for the construction of the Lekki Coastal Road by private developers and initiate the process to make the construction process a reality.
The association added that when completed, the Lekki Coastal Road would reduce the perennial gridlock on the Lekki-Epe Expressway. Read more
APC focused on common man’s welfare – Osinbajo (Guardian)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, says the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government remains committed to the welfare of the common man.
Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the vice president said this while receiving a delegation of the APC Professionals Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that APC is a party of the people and would continually ensure that the common man benefits maximally from the government.
“This is a party of the common man; a party of the people, a party that takes as its cradle the importance of ensuring that the common man benefits maximally from the government. Read more
Police arrest 3 suspects accused of killing lady for ritual (Independent)
Three young men have been arrested for allegedly killing a lady for ritual purposes in Ogun State.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the arrest of the suspects explained that the suspects between the ages of 17 and 20 years, were apprehended very early on January 29 following a complaint at the Police Divisional Headquarters in the Adatan area of the state capital.
The head of the community security guard had reported that the suspects were seen burning a substance suspected to be the head of a human in a local pot.
“Upon the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Adatan Division, Superintendent of Police Abiodun Salau, quickly led his detectives to the scene, where the three suspects were arrested, while the fourth one who happened to be the boyfriend of the murdered girl escaped,” Oyeyemi said. Read more
NDLEA trains 2,000 new officers to boost Nigeria’s anti-drug war (Channels)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has trained 2,000 new officers to boost the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
The agency held a passing out parade for the narcotic assistants on Saturday at the NDLEA Academy in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Addressing the new officers at the event, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa, reminded them of the consequences of compromising the agency’s effort and to be mindful of the temptation of inducement.
“It is pertinent that I repeat at this occasion the advice I have given those who went ahead of you: beware of the lure of filthy lucre,” he was quoted in a statement by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi. “As you go about your duty, there will be inducement with money and calculated efforts to derail you from doing your duty by drug traffickers, fixers, and barons. Read more
US East Coast blanketed by ‘bombogenesis’ snowstorm (BBC)
The US East Coast is hunkering down as a major blizzard hits the region for the first time in four years.
Heavy snow and hurricane-force winds are forecast in some areas, with five states declaring emergencies ahead of the storm’s arrival.
Experts warn of “historic” snowfall in some places and flood warnings have been issued near the coast.
More than 80,000 households across Massachusetts were suffering power outages by Saturday morning.
Forecasters say there is a chance the storm, known as a Nor’easter, will blanket the Boston area with up to 2ft (61cm) of snow. Read more
Malta Film Awards host David Walliams arrives in Malta (MaltaToday)
Globally acclaimed British comedian, actor, writer and television show presenter David Walliams, arrived in Malta earlier today, ahead of tonight’s Malta Film Awards, which he will be hosting.
In a first for Malta, the film awards show will be held, celebrating the skills and talent of Malta’s creative film and television industry. The awards will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
90 nominees are competing in 18 different categories, with the show broadcast live on TVM at 9pm. The winner of each of these categories will be announced live during the ceremony.
Walliams will be hosting the entire awards ceremony which will also see both local and international talent take it to the stage in a variety of performances aimed to commemorate Malta’s success story in the film history. Read more
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sequel announced along with 2 more Star Wars games (DigitalSpy)
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is officially getting a sequel, alongside two brand new games set in a galaxy far, far away, it has been announced.
There’s the sequel, currently being referred to as ‘the next Star Wars Jedi’ game as opposed to Fallen Order 2, a strategy game, and a first-person shooter. All three will be coming from Respawn Entertainment, who developed Fallen Order, the Titanfall games and Apex Legends.
Stig Asmussen is returning as director for the new Jedi, while Peter Hirschmann from the old LucasArts days is leading the first-person shooter, and Respawn is working with Sid Meier’s Civilizations’ Greg Foertsch and his new studio Bit Reactor on the strategy game.
Star Wars has previous entries in the first-person shooter and strategy genres, with Dark Forces, and Empire at War and Galactic Battlegrounds, respectively. They were all pretty good, which is not something you can say of the franchise’s foray into every game genre (Masters of Teras Kasi is commonly cited as one of the worst-ever fighting games). Read more
Roland Joffe talks plans for new Malta-based international film school (ScreenDaily)
Veteran UK director Roland Joffé has given further details of the new international film school he is planning to establish in Malta.
Joffé is currently in “deep discussions” with the Maltese government and hopes to be able to formally announce the film school, which will be called The Malta Film Academy, “within a few months”.
“I want to start a film school that will give a powerful training in cinema but will also give people the chance to study international relations,” said Joffé, speaking during the inaugural Malta Film Week.
“I would like to breed a new generation of filmmakers who understand that for filmmakers now, you’re living in a world environment and you have to live with different cultures without annihilating those cultures and learn how to work with them.” Read more
House of Gucci’s Lady Gaga shares concerns about ageism in the entertainment industry (CinemaBlend)
Unfortunately, there’s long been an unspoken expiration date on actresses in Hollywood. When they reach a certain age, women are historically no longer given as many roles and, when they are, they greatly differ from the ones they previously received. (Even Reese Witherspoon was told her career would drop off when she reached her 40s.) Actresses often discuss going from being leading ladies to being offered roles as someone’s mother or grandma. Now, Lady Gaga is the latest actress to speak out about ageism concerns in Hollywood.
The hit-making singer and A Star Is Born actress is 35 years old and currently being celebrated for her role as House of Gucci’s Patrizia Reggiani, who famously married into the Gucci family and then hired a hitman to murder her husband, Maurizio. The movie speaks to the topic of women being disposed of when they are no longer deemed young and beautiful.
While speaking to Deadline, the songstress was asked if being a woman in her 30s working in the entertainment industry brings about some of the feelings Patrizia Reggiani dealt with in her life. In the actress’ words:
“I think that it’s something I relate to deeply, certainly on a personal level. I often say ‘Well, if I’m over 30 and I’m not married, or if I lose my looks at this time, then I’m not going to work anymore.’ Or, as an actress in this industry, ‘My face has to be frozen in time in order to get a job.’ Everything from being in the entertainment industry as well as just being a woman in the world has informed my opinion on this, and I think a lot of women can relate to that. Or the women that I’m close with, the community that I connect to.” Read more
Veteran actor Patrick Shai laid to rest (SABC)
Scores of friends, family and fans gathered at the Soweto Theatre, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday for veteran actor Patrick Shai’s funeral service Saturday.
Shai died last Saturday at his Soweto home aged 65.
His career began in some of the SABC’s best dramas such as Yizo Yizo, Soul City, Bophelo ke Semphego and Generations. He was also a Gender-Based Activist and a founding member of Free Film Makers of South Africa.
It was an emotional send-off for Patrick Shai, a pioneer in South Africa’s entertainment industry. The Soweto Theatre was filled to capacity with mourners, who paid their last respects to the veteran actor. Read more
Bodies of family that froze to death trying to cross US border may not return to India (Globe&Mail)
A relative of a family that froze to death in southern Manitoba while trying to cross the United States border says it’s expected the bodies will not be flown home to India for a funeral.
Amritbhai Vakil said family members have decided it would be emotionally difficult to see the couple and their two children and too expensive to transport the bodies.
“Can you imagine what will happen to the parents when they see four bodies all at once?” he said.
They hope there might be a funeral in Canada, Vakil added.
They hope there might be a funeral in Canada, Vakil added. Read more
Aussie Ash Barty defeats American Danielle Collins to win Australian Open (ABC)
Ashleigh Barty ended a 44-year drought Saturday by becoming the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since 1978.
The world No. 1 and crowd favourite capped off a dominant fortnight at Melbourne Park, overcoming American 27th seed Danielle Collins 6-3, 7-6(2) on Rod Laver Arena, to clinch her home Slam without dropping a single set.
After wrapping up a comfortable first set in just 32 minutes, Barty found herself in a 1-5 hole when Collins began to apply her trademark aggression and fierce backhand groundstrokes at the beginning of the second frame. But Barty was able to rally and reel off four consecutive games to quickly draw level at 5-5 and heap the pressure back on her 28-year-old opponent.
The set would eventually require a tie-breaker and Barty displayed nerves of steel to win seven of nine points, letting out a roar of excitement after striking her 14th forehand winner on championship point. Read more
Dessers nets 4 for Feyenoord against Vitesse (Nation)
Super Eagles star Cyril Dessers put the disappointment of missing out on AFCON 2021 behind him after scoring four goals in Feyenoord’s 6-2 win over Vitesse on Thursday.
Dessers has scored eight goals in 26 appearances for Feyenoord, but it was not enough to secure him a spot in Nigeria’s squad for AFCON 2021.
However, he showed why he deserved to be on the plane as he scored four goals in his side’s 6-2 win over fellow Eredivisie side Vitesse in their friendly clash on Thursday.
Patrik Wålemark put Feyenoord ahead in the third minute before Dessers doubled the lead moments later. Read more
Tanguy Ndombele’s PSG move ‘breaks down’ as Tottenham face more transfer woe (Express)
Tottenham’s transfer miseries are reportedly set to continue, after it was revealed that Tanguy Ndombele will not move to Paris Saint-Germain after the French club could not free up a space in their squad by selling a midfielder.
Ndombele, 25, joined Tottenham from Lyon for a club-record fee of £55million in 2019 under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino.
Since then, the Frenchman has struggled to make his mark under five managers – including Jose Mourinho, Ryan Mason, Nuno Espirito Santo and now Antonio Conte.
Game time has become sparse under Conte, with the Italian instead preferring Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp. Read more
Lampard is a ‘lucky man’ claims pundit ahead of Everton appointment (Football365)
Tony Cascarino has claimed Frank Lampard is a ‘lucky man’ as the former Chelsea boss looks set to take over at Everton.
Everton have been looking for a new manager over the last two weeks after sacking Rafa Benitez.
Interim manager Duncan Ferguson, former Porto boss Vitor Pereira and Lampard were all interviewed for the role and it is looking increasingly likely that the latter will be the new man in charge at Goodison Park.
Ex-Everton star Wayne Rooney was also considered by the Everton hierarchy but the Derby County boss turned down the opportunity to be interviewed. Read more
FIA release statement to address Masi rumours (PlanetF1)
The FIA has released a statement surrounding the rumours swirling about the future of Michael Masi as race director, declaring that no decision has yet been taken about the events of Abu Dhabi.
A report from the BBC claimed that the FIA are planning a change in structure that would see the responsibilities of the race director split across several people, and the FIA’s new head of Formula 1 hinted that there could be a change coming.
Peter Bayer told Austrian journalist Gerhard Kuntschick, as quoted by the BBC: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
“But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.” Read more
Rory McIlroy 2 shots off pace at Dubai Desert Classic; Justin Harding retains lead (ESPN)
South Africa’s Justin Harding retained a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Dubai Desert Classic after a 1-under-par 71 on Saturday kept him ahead of four-time major winner Rory McIlroy.
The 35-year-old Harding hit a bogey on the eighth hole but recovered with two birdies on the 12th and 13th to finish at 12 under.
McIlroy carded a third-round 69 to sit on 10-under for the tournament, while his Ryder Cup teammate Tommy Fleetwood was at 9 under along with South African Erik van Rooyen.
“I thought I played quite solidly. It was a difficult day to be fair, some tough flags to get at,” Harding, who has won two titles on the European Tour, said. Read more
Furious Nick Kyrgios demands security kick rowdy fan out during Australian Open final (Metro)
Nick Kyrgios demanded security remove one rowdy fan during his Australian Open doubles final win after he shouted out during a point.
Kyrgios and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis secured a straight sets win over fellow Aussie pair Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden to win their first ever Grand Slam.
A raucous crowd were already in good spirits having watched Ashleigh Barty win the women’s singles final on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday and the noise was turned up a notch for the ‘Special Ks’ entertainers.
However, one fan overstepped the mark and ended up being thrown out before the match ended.
During a crucial ninth game of the second set and with Kokkinakis and Kyrgios closing in on victory, one rowdy fan shouted out ‘Let’ when Purcell was about to take a shot. Read more
