Idumota Mayhem: Court sends ‘Kunle Poly’, Lagos NURTW executive, to Ikoyi Prison (DailyTrust)
Alhaji Azeez Adekunle Lawal, an executive of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos, known as “Kunle Poly”, has been sent to Ikoyi Prison.
Kunle Poly had been remanded at Zone 2 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Onikan-Lagos, for 30 days, over January unrest in Idumota, Lagos.
At the expiration of his remand, Lawal had been granted bail.
But on Monday, the Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered that he should be detained at Ikoyi pending another 30 days. Read more
Alaafin’s daughter makes acting debut (Nation)
Princess Adedoja, daughter of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, has made her debut in a Kunle Afolayan-produced movie ‘Anikulapo.’
The movie examines issues surrounding the rebirth of identity in Africa by exploring diverse conceptual perspectives.
Adedoja played the role of ‘Princess Ajoke’ in the movie.
The princess had the opportunity to star alongside several Nollywood veterans like Sola Sobowale, Fathia Balogun and many others. Read more
Lagos seeks inclusion of persons living with disabilities (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has called on residents to work towards including persons living with disabilities in society.
The General Manager of Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs, Mr Dare Dairo, made this call on Monday during a symposium.
Dairo, who was represented by the Head of Department, Social Development and Integration, LASODA, Mr Kelani Akeem, spoke on the theme, ‘Diversity in disability: The future we want.’
He said, “The Lagos State Government does not take the issue of persons living with disabilities with levity, it has put all efforts available into making diversity in disability to be seen by all in their day-to-day activities. Read more
Sylvester Oromoni: CCTV cameras now being installed at Dowen College ― Teacher (Vanguard)
Dowen College, Lagos, has begun the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras following the death of a 12-year-old student, Sylvester Oromoni Jnr.
A teacher and houseparent at the college, Mr Ahmed Ayomo, made the disclosure on Monday before an Ikeja Corona’s Court unravelling the circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the student died on Nov. 30, 2021.
His family is alleging that he died from injuries he sustained in an attack by five senior students of Dowen College for refusing to join a cult. Read more
Sexual harassment in secondary schools now rampant – ICPC (DailyTrust)
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on Monday, declared cases of sexual harassment across secondary schools in the country as an epidemic.
Bolaji Owasanoye, the chairman of the commission, made the declaration in Abuja at a one-day stakeholders’ summit on review of the draft policy on “Sexual Harassment for Educational Institutions.”
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The Commission’s boss also warned every stakeholder in various establishments to desist from any form of sexual gratification which can end their career shabbily.
He reiterated that the Act that established ICPC empowered it to prosecute in court, anybody culpable of sexual harassment the way it prosecuted the OAU professor, Richard Akindele, who demanded sex from his students. Read more
Nigerian delegation leaves for Ukraine on Wednesday ― Onyeama (Tribune)
The Federal Government’s delegation along with a delegation from the House of Representatives is expected to leave Nigeria to Ukraine on Wednesday with a view to commencing the evacuation of over 8,000 Nigerians living and studying in war-torn Ukraine.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Godfrey Onyema disclosed this during an interactive session with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and other members of the Body of Principal Officers affirmed that 5,600 Nigerian students and about 8,000 Nigerians are in Ukraine.
According to him, “The latest we had was that since Monday will not be feasible, we have tentatively fixed for Wednesday. The idea is Romania is going to be the hub and there are about a thousand already estimated to pick up from Romania. Then you have Slovakia about 200, Poland about 250 and Hungary the same figure. About 150 want to go through Russia, that are our students that we’ve advised our ambassador to get a permit for.
“So essentially that’s where we are as at today, moving into that next phase of getting these people. Of course, some of them don’t want to come back to the country but the point is also that we’ve given a commitment to these transit countries that have given us timelines for the refugees to stay in their countries. So we also have an obligation to ensure that within that timeline that they come back.” Read more
Electoral Act will make it easy to prepare for 2023 general elections, says Onaiyekan (Guardian)
The Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has said that the signing of the Electoral Bill will make it easy for the country to prepare for the 2023 general elections.
He, however, wondered why it had to take street protests for President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill in such a manner as if he was doing Nigerians a favour.
Speaking to journalists during the dedication of the Holy Cross Catholic Church, Gwarinpa, in Abuja, Onaiyekan argued that it is the responsibility of the president to sign the Electoral Bill adding that there is no need congratulating the President for doing what he ought to do.
The cleric stressed the need put in place things that will make elections in the country better than before.
“We are so used to things being done badly that whenever anybody does the right thing, it will be like something has happened that we have never heard before,” he said. Read more
Agbakoba: Electoral Act provision a breach of constitution (Nation)
A former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) yesterday said the Electoral Act provision, which requires political appointees to resign before participating in a party primary, is unconstitutional.
Section 84 of the Electoral Act, which the President advised the National Assembly to re-amend, provides that ‘no political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party’.
The section appears to be at variance with the Constitutional provisions in sections 66, 107, 137 and 182.
The sections provide that those in public service who wish to contest for political offices must resign 30 days before the date of the election. Read more
Complete sports founder, Ojeagbase is dead (Vanguard)
Dr. Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase, founder and executive chairman of Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspapers, SuccessDigest and other online publications, has passed on to glory.
He died on Saturday, 26 February, 2022 in Atlanta, United States of America (USA) after a brief illness. He was 71 years.
A statement by Mr Julius Ojeagbase, member of the family stated that Dr. Ojeagbase hailed from Uzebba, Iuleha in Owan West of Edo State. Popularly known as Sunny Ojeagbase (or simply “S.O.”) before he added Emmanuel to his names, the late media entrepreneur broke into national consciousness as the pioneer publisher of sports news in Nigeria when he established Sports Souvenir weekly newspaper in 1984.
Before then, he was a retired soldier of the Nigerian Army who cut his teeth in sports journalism as a stringer at the Daily Times newspapers in the mid-1970s. Through sheer talent, determination and hard work, Ojeagbase blossomed very quickly and was appointed sports editor of Sunday Concord newspapers at inception in 1980 and sports editor of The Guardian newspapers also at inception in 1983. He resigned from The Guardian in 1984 to pursue his dream as an entrepreneur.
Between 1984 and 1994, Ojeagbase introduced several other pioneering sports titles including Complete Football magazine, Complete Football International (CFI) and International Soccer Review (ISR) into the Nigerian sports market. Read more
2023: Abia leaders bicker over governorship seat (Sun)
Leadership of various political blocs in Abia State are bickering over which zone would produce Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023.
Governor Ikpeazu is from Abia South senatorial zone. While Abia North is insisting the governorship seat should revert to the zone where it started in 1999, the people of Ukwa Ngwa bloc are insisting it is the turn of Ngwa in Abia Central.
Speaking in Aba during a political gathering of Ukwa Ngwa youths tagged: “Ike Ngwu 2022,” President, Supreme Council of Ukwa Ngwa Youths, Dannie Ubani, warned that any political party that fails to zone its 2023 governorship ticket to Ukwa Ngwa bloc in Abia State would lose the election.
Ubani insisted that 2023 is the turn of Ukwa Ngwa people to take another eight years at the governorship position to make them at par with their Old Bende brothers that occupied the seat for 16 uninterrupted years. Read more
Neil Diamond sells entire catalog to Universal Music (NYPost)
Universal Music Group (UMPG) has acquired Neil Diamond’s entire musical catalog song catalog, which encompasses all the artist’s recordings, including 110 unreleased tracks, an unreleased album, and archival longform videos for an undisclosed amount.
Diamond’s recorded work as a songwriter spans his own hits like “Sweet Caroline,” “Song Sung Blue” and “Cracklin’ Rosie,” as well as covers of his songs by other artists, including “Red Red Wine” by UB40, “I’m a Believer” by The Monkees, Johnny Cash’s version of “Solitary Man,” and Urge Overkill’s rendition of “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” which was prominently featured on the 1994 soundtrack for the film Pulp Fiction.
The 1977 song “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” written by Diamond with Marilyn and Alan Bergman, also had an extra life on the charts. Diamond recorded his solo version, and friend Barbra Streisand covered the song a year later. A duet was pieced together with the two artists singing, and the song went to No. 1. Read more
Rapper RT, AKA Rubin Theoc, is taking the rap world by storm (AllHipHop)
Rap has been gradually taking over the music scene in the U.S. because of the artistic liberty it allows. Musicians can weave stories, write poetry, and pour their hearts out while rapping. With this, rap is influencing a whole new wave of mainstream music for young talent in the industry. Contemporary rappers experiment fearlessly to bring a new style and flow to this genre. One such talent is the rapper RT. This young and talented music artist has been storming the electronic music scene for quite a few years. His unique style of rapping has already created an enormous fan base.
Rubin Theoc, or as he is formally known as RT, was raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He calls both Fort Lauderdale and Miami his home because its diverse music culture has helped him shape his career as a music artist. RT was passionate about music from a very young age. He loved listening to all genres of music and was fascinated by the distinct style and rhythm of each. This appreciation for multiple music genres has helped RT create his unique style of composition that has set him apart from his contemporaries. Read more
Ukraine music star swaps his mic for a weapon in fight against Russia (People)
As the lead singer of top Ukrainian band Boombox, singer Andriy Khlyvnyuk regularly performs in front of thousands of fans in cities such as Donets, Kyiv and Odessa.
Following the Russian invasion of his country, however, it seems that he has put down his mic and picked up a weapon.
“Musicians are peacemakers,” Khlyvnyuk, 42, recently told the Euronews website — but “now it’s not time for playing guitars. It’s time to take the rifles.”
“They bombed us,” he added then about the Russian attack on his country, which has claimed the lives of at least 198 civilians and forced him to leave his kids in the care of his grandmother so he says that he can help take the fight to Vladimir Putin as a member of the growing resistance.
‘The Batman’ Russia release halted by Warner Bros. (Variety)
Warner Bros. has announced that it has halted its plans to release “The Batman” in Russia. The DC adaptation was set to release in the country on Friday.
“In light of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, WarnerMedia is pausing the release of its feature film ‘The Batman’ in Russia,” a spokesperson for WarnerMedia said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. We hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to this tragedy.”
Warner Bros.’ decision to halt the rollout of “The Batman” in the country comes only hours after Disney announced plans to pause its own theatrical releases in Russia, beginning with Pixar’s “Turning Red,” which was set to premiere on March 10 in the country.
“Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming ‘Turning Red’ from Pixar,” a Disney spokesperson said in a statement on Monday afternoon. “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.” Read more
Disney will stop releasing films in Russia (CNN)
Disney, Hollywood’s largest and most influential movie studio, is pausing the release of its theatrical films in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine last week.
“Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming ‘Turning Red’ from Pixar,” a Disney spokesperson said in statement on Monday night. “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation.”
The company added that Disney is working with its non-governmental-organization partners to “to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees” displaced by the military assault. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been condemned by many nations around the world and sparked a series of crippling economic sanctions targeting the Russian economy.
Disney (DIS) had multiple films set for release in Russia in the coming months. That includes Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” on May 5 and Pixar’s “Lightyear” on June 16. Read more
‘Beetlejuice 2’: Brad Pitt’s Plan B boards sequel in early development at Warner Bros. (Deadline)
Brad Pitt’s production company Plan B has boarded Beetlejuice 2, Deadline has confirmed, bringing a new sense of life to a project that has long been in the works at Warner Bros.
The sequel remains in early development, with the script yet to be written. No other attachments have been disclosed at this time.
Beetlejuice is a classic film from director Tim Burton in which the spirits of a deceased couple are harassed by an unbearable family that has moved into their home, hiring a malicious spirit of the same name to drive them out. Michael Keaton played the title role in the original, with Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, Winona Ryder and more rounding out the cast.
The film that Warren Skaaren adapted from a story by Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson grossed nearly $75M worldwide upon its 1988 Warner Bros. release and won an Oscar in 1989 for Best Makeup, while securing two BAFTA Award noms and other accolades. Read more
The Bodyguard star Kevin Costner reflects on Whitney Houston’s death( NME)
Kevin Costner has paid fresh tribute to Whitney Houston as he reflected on her death at the SAG Awards.
The actor starred in the hit 1992 film alongside the late singer, who passed away in 2012, playing the titular bodyguard to Houston’s character Rachel Marron.
Speaking on the SAG red carpet last night (February 27), Costner was asked about how he keeps the late star’s spirit alive 10 years after her death.
“When movies are working at their very best, they’re about moments and images that you’ll never ever forget,” he told People.
Referring to Houston’s hit cover of Dolly Parton‘s ‘I Will Always Love You’, the star continued: “I don’t think we’ll ever forget when that little song came out, that she just blew up. She sang the first part of it a cappella and musically the world was never the same. Read more
Eze plays like Okocha, invite him, Siasia tells Eguavoen (Punch)
Former Nigerian International, Samson Siasia, has told Super Eagles handler, Augustine Eguavoen, to convince England-born midfielder Eberechi Eze to switch allegiance and play for the Super Eagles.
Siasia believes Eze, who currently plays his club football at Crystal Palace in the Premier League, is like Nigerian legend Austin Jay-Jay Okocha.
“Well, we don’t just have a number 10, that is a creative midfielder in the mode of Jay-Jay Okocha that can distribute accurate passes to the strikers,” Siasia told The Sun.
“We don’t just have them now and that is why I have been thinking of Chidera Eze with Crystal Palace. The Super Eagles need that player. He could be the next Okocha if we invite him. Read more
FIFA suspends Russia from World Cup, UEFA throws teams out of European competition (ESPN)
Russia have been kicked out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar by FIFA after the world governing body and the European association, UEFA, issued a joint statement to confirm that all Russian national teams and clubs have been suspended until further notice following the invasion of Ukraine.
Amid growing pressure from European nations and the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and UEFA confirmed Monday that Russia would have no involvement in the upcoming World Cup playoffs — Russia were due to play Poland in a semifinal ahead of a potential final against Sweden or the Czech Republic in March — and that the Russia women’s team would be removed from the European Championships due to be staged in England in July.
Spartak Moscow have also been removed from the Europa League, meaning round of 16 opponent RB Leipzig will be handed a bye to the quarterfinals of the competition.
In a further move, UEFA confirmed that it was canceling its deal with sponsor Gazprom — the Russian energy company — which is worth €40 million a year to the organisation. Read more
Arsenal news: Captaincy options emerge as Mikel Arteta’s ruthless decision shows standing (Mirror)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s ruthless decision to axe former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave a brief insight into his standing inside the Arsenal dressing room.
Aubameyang was allowed to depart the club on a free transfer as he joined Spanish giants Barcelona on the January transfer window’s deadline day following a disciplinary breach in December which left him ostracised from the Gunners’ first-team squad.
And following his departure, Arteta’s options for the club’s next captain have emerged, with Alexandre Lacazette looking increasingly likely to depart when his contract expires this summer.
And with Arsenal’s push for Champions League qualification gathering pace, the club’s games in hand on rivals Manchester United have been examined. Read more
Indonesian boxer hero Tito in coma following knockout loss (TheRing)
Indonesian boxer Hero Tito remains in a medically induced coma following his knockout loss Sunday to James Mokoginta at the Holywings Club in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Tito, whose birth name is Heru Purwanto, was downed by an uppercut in round seven of the ten round lightweight bout. He is hospitalized at Mitra Keluarga Kelapa Gading Hospital in Jakarta.
The 35-year-old Tito (29-17-2, 11 knockouts) has been a pro since 2004, and has fought all over Asia. The biggest card he had appeared on was the Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios card in Macau in 2013, when he lost a majority decision to Ik Yang.
Tito was coming off a decision loss to Karthik Sathish Kumar in India last December, and was scheduled to fight Jacob Wyllie (5-0, 4 KOs) on March 12 in Australia. Read more
Maria Sharapova makes honest admission regarding rivalry with Serena Williams (TennisWorld)
Williams and Sharapova met for the first time at the 2004 Miami Masters and the American claimed a straight-set win. Sharapova got her revenge in their following match as she beat Williams at Wimbledon the same year. Sharapova and Williams also clashed at the season-ending WTA Finals event in 2004 and the Russian earned her second win over the American.
Hardly anybody could predict at the time that it would be Sharapova’s last win against Williams.
“Serena Williams was by far the most intimidating opponent for me.
When I was young, I lost to Monica Seles 6–0, 6–1, and I really thought I had a good game. I came off the court bawling, I don’t know if I was 16 or 17, and told my dad, who was my coach at the time, that I really thought I played well. Read more
Lakers intend to waive DeAndre Jordan, sign D.J. Augustin (SI)
The Lakers reportedly intend to waive center DeAndre Jordan to clear up space to sign veteran free agent guard D.J. Augustin, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
Jordan, 33, has essentially been a non-factor in Los Angeles since joining the Lakers in free agency last summer. He’s played in 32 games and made 19 starts this season, averaging 4.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in 12.8 minutes per game.
The Lakers will reportedly swap Jordan out for Augustin, who last played for the Rockets earlier this month before he was waived on Feb. 10. The 34-year-old veteran has journeyed around the NBA over the last 15 years, but remains a reliable shooter and a steady backcourt presence.
During his time in Houston this season, Augustin averaged just 5.4 points and 2.2 assists in 15 minutes per game. For his career, the 2008 No. 9 overall pick has averaged 9.6 points and shot 38% from beyond the arc. Read more
Raptors race out to fast start, go on to destroy short-handed Nets (CBS)
Scottie Barnes made his first 11 shots and had 28 points and a season-high 16 rebounds, leading the Toronto Raptors to a 133-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night in the opener of a home-and-home series.
Blown out by Charlotte and Atlanta in their first two games after the All-Star break, the Raptors were on the good side of a romp against a Nets team that was missing their best players, their coach and apparently anyone who could guard Barnes.
The forward was 10 for 10 at halftime, the first rookie to be perfect on 10 or more shots in a half since Derrick Rose on March 18, 2009, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Nets finally stopped the No. 4 pick when James Johnson blocked his shot with 7:08 left in the third quarter.
By then, Barnes was on the way to matching his highest-scoring game on a night Toronto led by as many as 39 points. Read more