IGP Egbetokun’s tenure extended to 2027 – AGF (Guardian)
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Thursday said the continued stay in office by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun is legal.
Fagbemi, in a statement, explained that Egbetokun’s appointment took effect from October 31, 2023.
He, however, added that before his retirement age, the Police Act was amended to allow the occupant of the office to remain and complete the original four-year term granted under Section 7 (6) of the Act, even though he has attained the age of 60 years. Read more
LSHA Crisis: Ex-Speaker Obasa’s removal legal, Lagos lawmakers insist (Channels)
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) have doubled down on the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as the speaker of the lawmaking body and have described the move as legally binding.
Obasa was removed some weeks back owing to allegations of corruption and other offences.
While the former speaker had claimed he is still in charge -even when another person has been elected into the position – the Lagos State Assembly on Thursday said Obasa’s removal remains binding. Read more
Kaduna monarch slumps, dies at occasion (DailyTrust)
A district head in the Zazzau emirate council of Kaduna State slumped at an occasion, on Thursday, and later died at the Gambo Sawaba General Hospital, Kofar gayan Zaria.
The Sarkin Yakin Zazzau, Alhaji Rilwan Yahaya Pate, slumped attending an occasion along with the Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
Confirming the incident in a statement, Abdullahi Aliyu Kwarbai, the Media and Publicity officer of the Zazzau. said “It is with great sadness that the Zazzau Emirate Council announces the passing of Sarkin Yakin Zazzau Alhaji Rilwanu Yahaya Pate, a Council Member of the Emirate. Read more
FG sets N25.2tr target for FIRS (Nation)
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has a mandate to generate N25.2 trillion in tax revenue this fiscal year, its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, confirmed yesterday.
This ambitious target followed the agency’s historic achievement last year. It raked N21.6 trillion last year, surpassing its N19.4 trillion goal.
Adedeji described the 2024 performance as a landmark in Nigeria’s tax administration history. Read more
PDP crisis: Stakeholders demand Wike, Bauchi gov truce as governors meet today (Punch)
Prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, including the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee members, have waded into the rift between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed.
While some called on both leaders to close ranks and rebuild the party ahead of the next election cycle in 2027, others argued that the rift between the two politicians was personal and as such, would have no impact on the fortunes of the party at the polls in two years’ time.
Last week, Wike through his media adviser, Lere Olayinka, chided the Bauchi governor for his opposition to the tax reform bills, which were transmitted to the National Assembly in the last quarter of 2024. Read more
El-Rufai hits back at FG (Sun)
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has, again, lashed out at individuals he described as “clowns” allegedly paid to defend President Bola Tinubu’s government.
El-Rufai spoke in reaction to a post by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, who had criticised him over his recent public attacks on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at a national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria on Monday, el-Rufai painted a grim picture of governance and opposition in the country, describing the situation as a “national emergency.” He further condemned the APC, saying it lacks internal democracy and asserting that he no longer recognizes the party. Read more
Makinde directs Oyo workers to wear Yoruba traditional ‘Aso Oke’ on Thursdays (Leadership)
Oyo State government workers have been mandated by Governor Seyi Makinde to wear attires with the touch of traditional Yoruba fabrics popularly known as ‘Aso Oke’ every Thursday.
This is in addition to the existing practice where civil and public officials wear traditional attires on Fridays.
A circular from the Office of the Head of Service to heads of ministries and agencies issued on January 27 explained that the policy seeks to showcase and preserve Oyo State’s vibrant cultural heritage while generating economic opportunities. Read more
Cardoso: Naira’s recovery attracting foreign investors (ThisDay)
The Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, yesterday said despite Naira’s volatility in recent years, the international community believed the currency is now reflective of its real rate and currently more competitive.
The CBN governor also said recent reforms in the nation’s Foreign Exchange (FX) segment have continued to attract foreign investors into the economy, vowing that the monetary authority will do everything possible to ensure that current inflows continue.
Speaking at the 2025 Monetary Policy Forum with the theme, “Managing the Disinflation Process” in Abuja, the CBN governor noted that foreign investors would always be willing to invest in an environment where returns are attractive. Read more
Figure skating sisters & famed couple among victims identified in plane & helicopter crash (Metro)
Figure skating young sisters and a famed couple in the sport have been identified among 67 killed in the American Airlines plane and Black Hawk helicopter crash in Washington, DC.
More than 30 bodies have been recovered from the Potomac River after the Thursday night mid-air crash, including multiple figure skaters of all ages, accolades and fame, and American Airlines Flight 5342 crew.
The recovery operation continued on Thursday to find the remaining bodies. Here are the victims who have been identified so far: Read more
Lady Gaga breaks her silence on disastrous reception to box office bomb Joker: Folie à Deux (DailyMail)
Lady Gaga is coming clean with her reaction to the widespread distaste for her film Joker: Folie à Deux.
The 38-year-old pop superstar–turned–actress spoke about the disastrous reception the film received in her new cover story for Elle.
Gaga — who shared her fiery reaction to the reelection of Donald Trump — starred in the Joker sequel opposite Joaquin Phoenix, but the magic from the first film wasn’t anywhere to be found the second time around, at least according to most critics and audience members. Read more
Jason Reitman says Ghostbusters movies stopped in the ’80s because director dad Ivan Reitman “never understood sequels” (People)
Director Jason Reitman says his father Ivan Reitman’s disinterest in sequels may have been why the Ghostbusters franchise languished for more than three decades.
“My dad never understood sequels,” Jason, 47, said of his director dad on the most recent episode of Neal Brennan’s Blocks podcast. “My dad was like, ‘I don’t know why people want to return to this stuff.’ ”
Ivan Reitman, of course, directed 1984’s Ghostbusters as well as the beloved comedy’s 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II. But according to his son, Ivan was less interested in continuing the franchise than in telling new stories, as he did in 1988’s Twins, 1990’s Kindergarten Cop and 1993’s Dave, among other films. Read more
Jason Schwartzman returning as Coconut Records for first new music in 13 years (NME)
Jason Schwartzman is set to return with his first new music as Coconut Records in 13 years.
The US actor and musician, who has starred in numerous Wes Anderson films, released two studio albums under the moniker: ‘Nighttiming’ (2007) and ‘Davy’ (2009). Schwartzman’s indie solo project also provided the score for the 2012 comedy-drama film Goats.
Last month, Schwartzman’s friend and collaborator Ben Kweller confirmed that Coconut Records had contributed to a track called ‘Depression’ on his upcoming new record ‘Cover The Mirrors’. Read more
Justin Baldoni’s voice note to Blake Lively addresses It Ends With Us rooftop scene feud (Mirror)
Justin Baldoni appeared to apologise to Blake Lively in a grovelling voice note message – admitting “I fell short” over his response to her changes to a scene of It Ends With Us.
Lively, 37, has accused Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and a concerted effort by PRs to destroy her reputation after she complained. Now, audio appears to record Baldoni, who has denied the claims and filed his own lawsuit, offer Lively the grovelling apology.
The message – published for the first time in national media today – goes on to record the director saying he is pleased she feels comfortable enough to tell him that and describes himself as “a very flawed man, as my wife will say.” Read more
Quentin Tarantino is “in no hurry” to direct final film (FilmNews)
Quentin Tarantino is in no rush to make his final feature.
During a conversation at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday, the Pulp Fiction director explained that he doesn’t want to start production on another film until his children are older.
“I’m in no hurry to actually jump into production,” Tarantino said, reports Variety. “I’ve been doing that for 30 years. Next month, my son turns five, and I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter. When I’m in America, I’m writing. When I’m in Israel? I’m an abba, which means father.” Read more
Wilderness announces 2025 lineup including headliners Supergrass and Wet Leg (Independent)
Wilderness has unveiled its 2025 lineup, as the annual festival announces its renewed partnership with The Independent.
Taking place in the picturesque nature reserve at Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, Wilderness will be headlined this year by rock band Supergrass, Nineties rave duo Orbital, and Brit Award-winning, Grammy-nominated indie-rock duo Wet Leg.
Completing the headliner lineup are Baement Jaxx, who are making their return to live shows for the first time in over a decade, as they celebrate the 25th anniversary of their groundbreaking album, Remedy. Read more
Rivers Utd stumble at home, Enyimba frustrated in Oriental Derby (DailyTrust)
Rivers United’s title hopes took a hit as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Bendel Insurance in matchday 21 of the 2024/25 Nigeria Premier Football League, extending their winless run to four league matches.
The result drops the ‘Pride of Rivers’ to third place with 35 points from 21 games, now trailing league leaders Remo Stars by seven points.
Enyimba also faltered, managing only a 1-1 draw against Heartland in the ‘Oriental Derby.’ The reigning champions sit eighth on the table with 28 points from 20 matches. Read more
Ayomike, Olukoya, others battle for title at Ikoyi golf championship (Guardian)
Tim Ayomike is the star on every players’ lip as the yearly Ikoyi Golf Club Championship tees off today at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938. Ayomike is the defending champion of the championship and such stars as Remi Olukoya, Peter Eben-Spiff, a former champion, Akeem Lawal, Ewi Akpata and Mike Makinde are angling to take the crown from him.
The competition, which is already generating a lot of interests within the Club, is open to golfers within handicap range of 14 and below.To be played over 36-holes, the competition is sponsored by Guinness, Aramanda and Turkish Airline.
Captain, Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938, Tade Adekunle, has described the Club Championship as the biggest golf tournament in the club that all golfers look forward to and practice for, saying, the organisation of this edition will be a departure from the past. Read more
Afghan women cricketers reunite in first game after fleeing Taliban (France24)
Afghanistan’s women cricketers on Thursday played their first game since fleeing the Taliban three years ago, a charity match in Australia that captain Nahida Sapan hoped would spark “a movement for change”.
Hundreds of women athletes fled Afghanistan as the Taliban took over in August 2021, escaping a hardline stance that essentially banned women’s sport and education.
Most of the national women’s cricket side settled as refugees in Australia, where they reunited for the first time on Thursday to play a charity match in Melbourne. Read more
Tierney will be Celtic player by summer – Rodgers (BBC)
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Kieran Tierney will move to Celtic from Arsenal this summer at the latest – and that fellow left-back Alex Valle’s loan from Barcelona is being cut short.
Tierney is out of contract with the Premier League club this summer and Celtic are hoping an agreement can be reached to bring the 27-year-old Scotland defender to the Scottish champions during January.
There had been speculation about Valle’s future should Tierney return to Celtic, with Italian club Como reportedly interested in taking the 20-year-old on loan for the rest of the season. Read more
Lewis Hamilton crashes Ferrari in major setback during Barcelona test (Independent)
Lewis Hamilton escaped unharmed after crashing his Ferrari car during an F1 test in Barcelona on Wednesday.
The seven-time F1 world champion, who has moved to the Italian outfit after 12 years with Mercedes, is taking part in a behind-closed-doors test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week.
Yet on Wednesday morning, driving the 2023 SF-23 car for just the third time, Hamilton lost control in the final sector of the 4.6km circuit and crashed into the barriers. Read more
UFC fighter says Adolf Hitler was a ‘good guy’ in shameful rant (Metro)
UFC president Dana White says he is ‘beyond disgusted’ after Bryce Mitchell said Adolf Hitler was a ‘good guy’ – but would not be punishing the fighter over the shameful rant.
Mitchell, who fights in the featherweight division of the UFC, made the shocking comments on the first episode of his new podcast, which has been uploaded to YouTube.
The 30-year-old said: ‘I honestly think Hitler was a good guy, based upon my own research, not my public education and indoctrination. Read more