I can never again quit acting for any man –Tracy Edwin (Sun)
Nollywood actress and newly appointed Actors Guild of Nigeria’s Special Adviser on Gender Equality, Okechukwu Chidinma Tracy aka Tracy Edwin, has vowed to never again sacrifice her acting career in a bid to please any man.
Tracy Edwin told Saturday Sun: “I can’t go naked in movies, no matter the offer. But I am okay with wearing just pants and bra. Aside that, I can play any role even if it involves deep kissing. Maybe, when I get married, I might stop the kissing and romance scenes. That will be after discussing with my husband. But I can never quit my acting career for any man again. It’s my passion, except unless I am ready to let go. I had done it before and ended up depressed. I left Nollywood for six years because of a relationship. My father is late and my sister, who was training me in school, wanted me to get involved with a man. They didn’t want me to pursue a career in Nollywood.” Read more
1 killed as police nab abductors of Ekiti pupils, teachers (Nation)
The Police have killed one and arrested suspected kidnappers of Ekiti pupils and teachers.
Ekiti Police Commissioner Akinwale Adeniran spoke on Friday while parading suspects.
According to a statement by Ekiti Police spokesman DSP Abutu Sunday, the breakthrough was made possible through the dogged effort of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) led by their Commander, CSP. Ogundola Marcus. Read more
Tinubu orders immediate upgrade of LUTH, 15 others (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the immediate upgrade of 16 health institutions across all six geo-political zones in the country.
The president directed that the infrastructure and equipment of the institutions should be immediately upgraded.
The institutions include the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Surulere and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria. Read more
Court orders AGF to re-open prosecution of Dele Giwa’s killers (Channels)
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja has ordered the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to re-open the investigation and prosecution of those who murdered the founder of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, in 1986.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ekwo held the AGF was under obligation to prosecute and penalize killers of media practitioners in the country.
Mister Dele Giwa was murdered on October 19, 1986, in his Lagos office through a letter bomb. Read more
Lagos paid N138.1b accrued pension to 34,178 in 17 years – Sanwo-Olu (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government says it has paid not less than N138.1 billion as accrued pension right to 34,178 retirees since the inception of the Contributory Pension Scheme(CPS) in the state in 2007.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State disclosed this at the 103rd Bond Retirement Bond Certificates Presentation, organised by the Lagos State Pension Commission(LASPEC) on Friday in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu stated that since the inception of his administration in May 2019, the government had paid N56.552 billion into the Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of 16,026 retirees of the state. Read more
LASTMA enhances operations with technology solution (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has launched, ‘‘Ticket Alert’’, a modern technology method of notifying motorists of outstanding fines accrued through traffic offences.
Making an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), recently, the agency noted that the new digital platform would make it impossible for defaulters to escape from clearing unsettled fines which must be paid within 30 days.
The statement read: “LASTMA is now equipped with modern technology to assist in identifying traffic violators, making it practically impossible to escape when they have pending fines on traffic offences. Read more
Kano Hisbah arrests famous TikToker Murja Kunya (DailyTrust)
Well-known TikToker Murja Kunya has been arrested by Kano State’s Hisbah Command for reportedly posting indecent and immoral content on TikTok.
Kunya is well-known for her controversial content, which regularly sparks discussion across many Northern Nigerian states.
The Hisbah had earlier launched a search for six TikTok influencers, alleging that they violated Islamic principles on a daily basis while using social media platforms. Read more
Power Sector Privatisation: DisCos reeling under N3t debt 10 years after (Leadership)
The Nigeria electricity sector has grappled with a delusive perception of a brighter power industry following the 2013 privatisation exercise.
The sector is currently grappling with an inherited debt crisis of over N3 trillion.
Although the federal government is working to address the issue by settling existing sectoral debt obligations and improving liquidity in the power value chain\, it is viewed that a national discourse is needed to determine the perspective on electricity supply as a commercial product or social service. Read more
With Senegal set to go back on election track, what’s to become of Ousmane Sonko? (AfricaNews)
An announcement that hit the regime like a ton of bricks. After Parliament voted to back the postponement of the presidential election on February 5th, Senegal’s constitutional council ruled against the move on Thursday (Feb. 15).
The National Assembly voted to reschedule the vote for Dec. 15 and extended Macky Sall’s rule set to end on April 2nd.
The ruling said the bill adopted by the national assembly was “contrary to the constitution”. The decision delighted opposition candidates who filed a case to the council. Read more
Naomi Campbell launches anti-bacterial travel clothing line for germophobes (Cosmopolitan)
Naomi Campbell is known for many things, including but not limited to: being one of the OG ‘Supers’, serving a killer catwalk strut, seemingly defying ageing and having an impeccable sense of style. Oh, and being a complete germophobe, too… For who could forget the time she was spotted walking through an airport in a full hooded hazmat suit and Burberry scarf, or *that* viral 2019 video of the model wiping down her entire business class plane seat en route Dubai? Icon behaviour truly knows no bounds.
And now, it seems that Naomi has finally combined her various passions by launching a new travel clothing line that boasts anti-bacterial properties. No, we’re not joking! Working in collaboration with fashion brand BOSS, Naomi has helped create a “dedicated capsule collection for sophisticated, contemporary travellers” of 40 pieces that incorporate “innovative technological fabrics, intended to make life a bit easier.” Read more
Olivia Newton-John’s daughter Chloe reveals ‘‘health issues’’ since mom’s death (People)
Chloe Lattanzi is opening up about some of the health problems she’s been facing since Olivia Newton-John’s death from breast cancer last August.
On Saturday, the 37-year-old daughter of the Grease icon posted a video on Instagram explaining how she’s been “neglecting” her health over the past year.
“Since my mom’s passing and the year and a half with her going through cancer, I have not been OK,” Lattanzi said. “If I have forgotten to return your calls — I’ve had extreme memory loss, I’ve had difficulty getting out of bed. I’ve stuck to my commitments but I have been neglecting myself.” Read more
‘‘M3GAN 2’’ release date gets pushed back 5 months (DigitalSpy)
‘‘M3GAN 2.0’’ will no longer be arriving in cinemas on January 17, 2025.
Fans of the AI horror M3GAN needn’t worry though, as Universal Pictures is only pushing the sequel’s release date back by five months – to Friday, May 16.
Filming is expected to begin soon, with director Gerard Johnstone and screenwriter Akela Cooper, plus cast members Violet McGraw (as Cady) and Allison Williams (Aunt Gemma) all returning for more evil doll mayhem. Read more
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby among stars cast in Marvel’s ‘‘The Fantastic Four’’ (RTE)
Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have been revealed as the cast members of upcoming Marvel film The Fantastic Four.
The comic book story about a superhero team comprised of astronauts who develop special powers after being exposed to cosmic radiation has been made into a number of films and TV series across the years.
Marvel Studios posted a photo to its social media on Wednesday which showed a cartoon image of the four actors in their respective roles. Read more
Donald Trump ordered to pay over $350m in New York financial fraud case (Guardian)
Donald Trump, his eldest sons and associates have been ordered to pay over $350m by a New York judge who found them guilty of intentionally committing financial fraud over the course of a decade.
“The frauds found here leap off the page and shock the conscience,” Judge Arthur Engoron wrote in his decision. In a devastating blow for the former president who had built his reputation as a successful real estate developer, Engoron barred Trump and two other executives from serving as officers or directors of any corporation or entity in New York for three years. His sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr, were banned for two years.
The three-month hearing was an often heated affair with Trump attacking Engoron in and out of the courtroom. The former president’s decision to take on the judge appeared to backfire. Read more
Santa Rosa teen arrested, charged with possessing a gun he made using 3D technology (NBC)
A 14-year-old Santa Rosa boy is in juvenile hall charged with not only possessing a gun, but also with manufacturing it.
Police say the high school student was using 3D technology to do it.
The police’s anti gang task force, armed with a subpoena, raided the boy’s home on the 2300 block of Summer Creek Drive Wednesday morning. Read more
Lookman to miss Sassuolo game (Punch)
Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, will miss Atalanta’s Serie A game against Sassuolo on Saturday due to a sprained ankle injury.
According to Alfredo Pedulla, Lookman who rejoined Atalanta on Wednesday suffering the injury in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast and will not be available for selection again for the league encounter billed for the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, Italy.
Lookman who scored three goals and made an assist to help Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, where they lost to hosts Ivory Coast made CAF Best XI of the AFCON alongside his compatriots, Ola Aina and William Troost-Ekong. Read more
Erik ten Hag wants sporting director on same page as Man Utd target Dan Ashworth (BelfastTelegraph)
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will not have any input into the appointment of a new sporting director but admits whoever arrives will have to be “on the same page”.
The PA news agency understands the club hope to bring in Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth to fill the vacant role.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s deal to acquire a 25 per cent stake in the Old Trafford giants and take control of football operations is expected to be completed next week and the Ineos chairman’s determination to hit the ground running has seen his team move to strengthen United’s football leadership group, with recruitment a particular area of focus. Read more
Jose Mourinho reveals how close he came to being England manager (Mirror)
Jose Mourinho has revealed how close he came to being England manager – and insisted he would have won a trophy.
Mourinho says there was a contract on the table waiting to be signed before Fabio Capello eventually got the job after Steve McClaren failed to qualify for Euro 2008. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho was at the peak of his powers back then and he claimed the strength of the squad in those days deserved success.
Mourinho, talking to Rio Ferdinand’s VIBE with FIVE podcast, said: “I had it there on the table. I had it, I promise you.
“I’m still there a little bit but I always had it in my mind that a national team job was a job that I wouldn’t enjoy so Chelsea was 2004/5, 2006/7, 2007/8 and it was in 7/8 when Mr Capello got the job.” Read more
Tiger Woods withdraws from Genesis Invitational with flu symptoms and dehydration (NBC)
Tiger Woods returned to the PGA Tour and lasted only 24 holes, withdrawing Friday from the Genesis Invitational with flu-like symptoms and dehydration after hitting his tee shot on the seventh hole at Riviera.
Rob McNamara, his longtime associate and vice president of TGR Ventures, said Woods felt flu symptoms Thursday night and they were worse when he woke up.
“He had a little bit of a fever and was better during the warm-up, but then when he got out there and was walking and playing, he started feeling dizzy,” McNamara told a PGA Tour official. “Ultimately, the doctors are saying he’s got potentially some type of flu and that he was dehydrated. He’s been treated with an IV bag and he’s doing much, much better, and he’ll be released on his own here soon.” Read more
Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart arrested for punching Suns player Drew Eubanks (Vibe)
Detroit Piston Isaiah Stewart was arrested for assault after punching Drew Eubanks in the face before their game.
According to the NBA, Eubanks and Stewart were caught in an argument hours before the Pistons took on the Phoenix Suns. Drew told the league that the argument found both men pressing each other “chest-to-chest.”
The Pistons player punched Drew in the face before security intervened. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and found that Eubanks suffered from a minor injury. Phoenix authorities state that Stewart was released and issued a citation. It’s currently unclear what started the argument and attack. Read more
Pakistan Cricket Board terminates bowler Haris Rauf’s contract (AlJazeera)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has terminated the central contract of fast bowler Haris Rauf after he refused to join the Test team for the tour of Australia, which coincided with his stint at Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
“Haris’ central contract has been terminated from December 1, 2023 and no NOC [no objection certificate] to play any foreign league will be granted up to June 30, 2024,” the PCB said in a statement on Thursday.
“The PCB management provided a chance for a personal hearing to Haris in compliance with the principles of natural justice on 30 January 2024 and his response was found unsatisfactory.” Read more