killed Ogun couple, son over salary increment – Suspect (Punch)
Lekan Akanbi, the suspected mastermind behind the murder of a former employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Kehinde and his wife, Bukola, on New Year Day in Ogun State, has revealed he killed the couple and their son over rejected salary increment request.
He claimed the failure on part of the deceased to grant his request and approve his salary led him to the act.
The suspect, who spoke when he was paraded by the Ogun State Police Command on Friday, claimed he contracted two cultists to kill the couple and their only son, Oreoluwa. Read more
Again Peter Obi leads in new Bloomberg poll (Vanguard)
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi has been projected as the leading candidate ahead of the February 25 election, according to a pre-presidential election opinion poll.
The poll, conducted by Premise Data Corp for Bloomberg News, between January 26 and February 4, was released on Friday.
According to the poll, Obi was the preferred choice of the respondents, putting him ahead of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Read more
Rotary Club of FESTAC Town empowers artisans in Lagos (Guardian)
Rotary Club of FESTAC Town has organised a vocational seminar/award with the theme: ‘Work na Work’ through which it empowered many artisans in Lagos State.
Speaking during the occasion, which was held recently to mark the 2022-2023 Vocational Services Month, the Guest Speaker, Dr. David Kayode Ehindero, noted that the event was timely, saying that focusing basically on natural resources has not helped Nigeria to grow.
Ehindero, who is the Executive Director and Lead Strategist at the Nigerian Workforce Strategic and Enlightenment Centre (NIWOSEC), said: “Globally people are using their most important resources which is human resources. Read more
BRT passengers hail Sanwo-Olu over 50% fare slash (Punch)
Some passengers of the Bus Rapid Transit in Lagos State, on Friday, commended the state government for giving them succour as the seven-day 50 per cent fare slash on state-run buses got underway.
The passengers spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos as Nigerians continued to face the cash and fuel scarcity gripping the country, which necessitated the state government’s action.
A passenger who boarded the BRT to Lagos from Costain, Mr Jude Samuel, appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for giving them relief at the time they needed it most. Read more
UNWTO to set up Tourism Academy in Lagos – Minister (Leadership)
The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the federal government and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are currently working with some private private-sector to establish a Tourism Academy in Lagos.
The minister disclosed this in Lagos yesterday at the graduation of the first set of trainees of the Terra Kulture-owned Terra Academy For the Arts (TAFTA), saying the Academy will provide accessible vocational and managerial transformative training for the tourism and hospitality sector.
“We are very keen to expand the opportunities available to our youths through training. I am therefore happy to announce that we are currently working with the UNWTO and some private sector players to establish a Tourism Academy in Nigeria. Read more
Rite Foods pledges commitment to innovative, sustainable products (ThisDay)
Indigenous food and beverage company, Rite Foods Limited has restated its commitment to sustainable and innovative products to enhance consumers satisfaction.
Managing Director of the firm, Mr Seleem Adegunwa declared this while addressing the press in Lagos
He revealed steps taken by the organisation towards the realisation of its objectives.
He disclosed that the organisation is committing huge investment to ultra-modern factories with up-to-date-technology as well as research. Read more
Nnamani faults expulsion from PDP, says decision is null (Channels)
A former Enugu State Governor Chimaroke Nnamani has faulted his expulsion from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as null.
The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on Friday expelled him and others from the party, citing anti-party activities.
But hours after the move, the former governor said the NWC lacked the powers to take such a decision. Read more
Naira scarcity caused by mint’s limited capacity – Emefiele at Council of State meeting (Nation)
Nigerians will have to wait for more time for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to meet the high demand for the new N200,N500 and N1000 notes, according to reports yesterday.
This is because the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc (The Mint) which is saddled with the task of printing the money lacks the immediate capacity to meet expectations.
Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, is said to have told the Council of State which deliberated on the cash crunch yesterday that The Mint simply lacks what it takes to meet the high demand for the new notes. Read more
Rapper AKA gunned down and killed aged 35 in South Africa drive by (Mirror)
A South African rap star is one of two men killed in a drive by shooting in the city of Durban.
Rapper AKA, real named Kiernan Jarryd Forbes, was just 35 when his life was brutally cut short on Friday – and not long before he was due to take to a stage to perform.
AKA and the second man were standing outside a restaurant in the South African city when they were killed by gun fire. Read more
Turkey-Syria earthquake: New-born and mother saved after four days in rubble (BBC)
A new-born baby and his mother have been rescued from rubble in Turkey, around 90 hours after the first of Monday’s deadly earthquakes.
The 10-day-old boy, named Yagiz, was retrieved from a ruined structure in the southern Hatay province.
Footage showed the child being carefully taken out overnight – a sight described by local media as miraculous.
Hopes of finding many more survivors are diminishing, amid freezing-cold weather four days after the disaster. Read more
EarthGang plea for return of hard drives containing new music (NME)
EarthGang have appealed for the return of a lost hard drive containing new music.
The hard drive was lost in LA last weekend, where the rap duo were attending the Grammys at the Crypto.com Arena.
They took to Twitter and later Instagram to make a plea for the drive to be returned. “This black bag was last seen at the LA Grammy weekend,” EarthGang wrote. “In it was our drive with our latest music. RT!! If anybody has seen it pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee DM us.” Read more
Jason Momoa wages war on Vin Diesel in official trailer for Fast X (Standard)
Jason Momoa wages war on Vin Diesel and his Fast and Furious family in the official trailer for Fast X.
The high-octane trailer sees multiple explosive car chases and stunts, including Diesel’s car being hoisted into the air by two helicopters.
The highly anticipated 10th instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise is due for release in cinemas on May 19. Read more
Chariots Of Fire director Hugh Hudson dies aged 86 after short illness (ITV)
Hugh Hudson, best known for Academy Award-winning film Chariots Of Fire, has died at the age of 86, a statement on behalf of his family said.
The filmmaker, who’s behind the 1981 drama about the story of two British runners in the 1920s, died in London’s Charing Cross Hospital on Friday following a short illness.
Hudson’s big-screen debut scooped best picture, original score, writing and costume design at the 54th annual Academy Awards in 1982. Read more
Amsterdam will ban cannabis outdoors in its red-light district (NPR)
The city of Amsterdam is banning the smoking of marijuana outdoors in its red-light district. The ban is part of a host of changes to appease those who live in the popular neighborhood, which attracts millions of tourists each year.
“Residents of the old city center are structurally and excessively bothered by the crowds and nuisance caused by mass tourism and substance abuse in the public space,” the city council said in a statement announcing the news on Thursday.
This behavior, the council said, comes “at the expense of the residents’ night’s rest and the quality of life and safety of the entire neighbourhood.” Read more
Moldovan government resigns in wake of multiple crises (BBC)
Moldova’s government has collapsed and its pro-EU prime minister has stepped down after 18 months of political and economic turbulence.
Europe’s poorest country was struggling with “multiple crises”, outgoing PM Natalia Gavrilita said on Friday.
With the war raging in neighbouring Ukraine, Moldova has been facing inflation, high energy prices, a refugee influx and Russian aggression.
The news came just hours after Russian missiles flew over Moldovan airspace. Read more
Hope alive! Ighalo close to Club World Cup glory (Punch)
Odion Ighalo will.be chasing a personal and club dream when Al-Hilal battle European champions Real Madrid in the final of the Club World Cup at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Morocco on Saturday (today).
However, it will be no easy feat as the 14-time Champions League winners are perennial winners and will be keen to extend their record of trophies at the competition.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal stunned South American champions Flamengo to reach the Club World Cup final with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday, thanks to two penalties from Salem Al Dawsari and a close-range strike from Luciano Vietto. Read more
NBBF calls 21 players to camp for Angola 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers (Guardian)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF) has invited 21 players to the D’Tigers’ camp ahead of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers billed for Luanda, Angola.
The list includes 19 home-based players and two foreign-based pros, who are free agents in the U.S.
They are expected to report to camp tomorrow in Abuja for preparations and other formalities for the World Cup qualifiers, which holds from February 24 to 26. Read more
Lionel Messi is up for the FIFA Best Male Player award alongside Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe (DailyMail)
Argentina forward Lionel Messi is on the shortlist for the FIFA Best Male Player award, joined by Paris St Germain team mate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, football’s world governing body announced on Friday.
Messi could win his second The Best trophy after leading Argentina to their third World Cup title by beating Mbappe’s France in last year’s final in Qatar, scoring seven goals during the tournament and earning his second Golden ball.
World Cup Golden Boot winner Mbappe and France’s 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema feature for the first time among the three finalists.
Canada’s women’s football team to strike over funding cuts (IrishNews)
Canada captain Christine Sinclair has said the national team will go on strike this week over a lack of funding they believe will compromise their ability to perform at this year’s Women’s World Cup.
Less than a week before the Olympic champions are due to play the United States, Brazil and Japan in the SheBelieves Cup, Sinclair and Janine Beckie appeared on TSN to say they will not take part in any team activities – including playing – until the dispute is resolved.
The interview came after both Canada’s women’s and men’s teams issued statements complaining about budget cuts for the women’s team from Canada Soccer, and demanding answers from the federation. Read more
Red Bull, Alfa Romeo get 2023 cars on track (StraitsTimes)
Formula One champions Red Bull and Ferrari-powered Alfa Romeo took their 2023 cars out on track on Friday for limited mileage pre-season filming.
Red Bull published a tantalising teaser on Twitter of their RB19 lapping at Silverstone while Alfa Romeo said their C43 completed a successful debut at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya.
Red Bull held a livery launch in New York last week with double world champion Max Verstappen and Mexican Sergio Perez while Alfa showed off their new look in Switzerland last Tuesday. Read more
Scheffler leads Rahm as darkness halts Phoenix Open second round (RFI)
Scottie Scheffler fired seven birdies in a seven-under-par 64 on Friday to take a two-shot clubhouse lead over Jon Rahm as the two chase Rory McIlroy’s number one ranking at the Phoenix Open.
World number two Scheffler, the defending champion in Phoenix, had a 10-under-par total of 132 and Spain’s third-ranked Rahm was his nearest rival in the clubhouse after a five-under-par 66 for 134.
Overnight co-leader Adam Hadwin of Canada was eight-under through 10 holes when darkness halted play in the US PGA Tour event at TPC Scottsdale, which has been in catch-up mode since a morning frost delay on Thursday. Read more