India-bound businessman nabbed with heroin at Lagos airport (Punch)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arrested a businessman, Kingsley Celestino, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State with over 9.40kg of heroin concealed in false bottoms of his two travelling bags.
Kingsley, a business class passenger on Qatar Airlines flight was arrested at Terminal 2 of the MMIA on Saturday, March 4, on his way to India. Though a native of Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the 49-year-old was travelling with a Guinean international passport.
The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, revealed these in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Sunday. Read more
Whitney Adeniran: Chrisland School to remain shut – Lagos Govt (Channels)
The Lagos State Government has said Chrisland Secondary School will remain shut as it investigates the death of Whitney Omodesola Adeniran.
Miss Adeniran, a 12-year-old student of the school, was said to have slumped during her school’s inter-house sport on February 9.
Following the controversial circumstance surrounding the student’s death, the state government through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, immediately ordered a coroner’s inquest into the matter to ascertain the cause of death. Read more
Former AGF, Aondoakaa, Insists Tinubu Must Score 25% in FCT to Be Declared Winner (ThisDay)
A former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has maintained that before a candidate can be declared winner in a presidential election, that candidate must score 25 per cent of the votes cast in the election in 2/3 of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
This is coming as a constitutional lawyer, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (INEC), faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for going ahead to declare Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the President-elect, having not scored the required 25 per cent in the FCT.Aondoakaa, who stated this while appearing as a guest on ARISE NEWS Channel programme, maintained that this requirement had been the law and has not changed since the pronouncement of the Supreme Court in 2008. Read more
Zamfara police confirm killing of DPO, inspector by gunmen (Punch)
The Zamfara State Police Command has mourned the death of a Divisional Police Officer in charge of Maru Local Government Area of the state, SP Kazeem Kareem, and Inspector Rabiu Umar killed by gunmen on Saturday.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the command, SP Mohammed Shehu, said the Commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf, prayed Almighty Allah to repose the departed souls and give their families and relations the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The statement said, “On March 5, 2023, around 2am, gunmen in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons attacked Maru Division with intent to destabilise the security architecture of the town in order to easily attack and abduct members of the community. Read more
NASS members-elect to get certificates of return Tuesday (DailyTrust)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it will commence the presentation of Certificates of Return to elected members of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Its Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this at a meeting of the commission with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Abuja on Saturday.
Yakubu said that the senators-elect would be presented their certificates on Tuesday while members of the House of Representatives-elect would receive theirs on Wednesday. Read more
Adelabu denies stepping down, vows to win guber race (ThisDay)
The gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, yesterday, once again debunked the rumours of his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race, describing it as the handiwork of political desperados determined to keep the state in a web of lies and ineptitude.
This was contained in a statement by the Bayo Adelabu Campaign Organisation (BACO) yesterday.
He said the upsurge in misinformation and outright fake news against the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), with few days to the governorship election was a testament to the acceptance of his message of awakening the electorate in the state. Read more
Buhari condoles Abacha family over death of Abdullahi (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the former First Lady, Marayam Abacha, and family on the death of their son, Abdullahi.
The President, in a statement issued Saturday by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, said his prayers and thoughts were with the family of Abacha as they grieved the passing of the young Abdullahi.
President Buhari prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and comfort for those who mourned. Read more
Gunmen kill clergyman, two children in Plateau (Tribune)
A clergyman identified as Reverend Musa Hyok of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) and two of his children were killed in a midnight attack by gunmen in the Kanawuri community of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Nigerian Tribune learned that the gunmen, numbering about twenty, invaded the community at about 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and went on a shooting spree to disorganize the people before they attacked the resident clergyman.
A source close to the community revealed that the gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia were on a reprisal attack as a result of the killings of three Fulani youths in the area a few days ago. Read more
Jonathan Majors and Michael B Jordan want to make more movies together (FilmNews)
Jonathan Majors and Michael B. Jordan are planning to make more films together.
The two stars are currently promoting their latest movie “Creed III” and had such a good time working on the project – which Michael also directed, as well as starring in as Adonis Creed – they hope to develop an enduring partnership.
Asked if they’ll work together again, Michael told the New York Times newspaper: “We plan on it.” Read more
Ocean Treaty: Historic agreement reached after decade of talks (BBC)
Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world’s oceans following 10 years of negotiations.
The High Seas Treaty aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, to safeguard and recuperate marine nature.
The agreement was reached on Saturday evening, after 38 hours of talks, at UN headquarters in New York. The negotiations had been held up for years over disagreements on funding and fishing rights. Read more
King Charles officially invites Harry and Meghan to coronation (Metro)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly confirmed they have been invited to King Charles’ coronation.
But Prince Harry and Meghan have refused to say whether they plan on attending on May 6.
A Sussex spokesperson told The Times: ‘I can confirm The Duke has recently received email correspondence from His Majesty’s office regarding the coronation.
‘An immediate decision on whether The Duke and Duchess will attend will not be disclosed by us at this time.’ Read more
Everything Everywhere All at Once dominates Spirit Awards ahead of Oscars (National)
The film Everything Everywhere All At Once swept up more film prizes on Saturday, as it was named Best Feature at the Film Independent Spirit Awards — one of the last major Hollywood ceremonies before next weekend’s Oscars.
The sci-fi film won in every category that it was nominated, in a ceremony held at Los Angeles’ Santa Monica beach.
Voters granted seven awards to the film, which was made on a budget of about $25 million and has become independent studio A24’s biggest-ever hit, with a global box office gross of over $100 million. Read more
Music Venue Trust nears £2.5m target to take public ownership of grassroots venues (NME)
The Own Our Venues initiative launched by the Music Venue Trust last year is closing in on its £2.5million fundraising target.
The project, which was launched in May 2022, aims to secure the long-term futures of grassroots venues by purchasing the venues’ freeholds to bring them under community ownership. It has previously been likened to “The National Trust, but for venues’”and is based on the Community Share model that has been used to protect the future of pubs, post offices and sports grounds.
Now, the MVT has said it has raised £1.8million of the necessary money and has set a deadline of March 30 to secure the remaining investment needed to start purchasing venues. The charity plans to get purchasing underway in April. Nine venues have been earmarked for inclusion in the first phase of the project, with further venue freeholds set to be identified for purchase as and when they become available. Read more
Gucci Mane’s wife shared adorable photos of their newborn daughter (HipHopDX)
Gucci Mane‘s wife, Keyshia Ka’oir, has given fans a look at the couple’s adorable newborn daughter, Iceland Davis, sharing a series of pics online.
Iceland is the couple’s second child, born a little over two years after their son Ice Davis. The couple revealed their pregnancy in September 2022, after Ka’oir expressed the desire for another child with the “So Icy” rapper.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday (March 2), Ka’oir showed little Iceland three weeks after her birth on February 8. The newborn was officially revealed to the world the following day, in a photo showing Ka’oir and Gucci holding her in the maternity ward. Read more
Iran: Protests break out over suspected poisoning of schoolgirls (Sky)
Protests have broken out in Iran’s capital Tehran after hundreds of girls were suspected to have been poisoned in dozens of schools.
Parents gathered outside an education ministry building in the western part of the city on Saturday, which turned into an anti-government demonstration.
“Basij, Guards, you are our Daesh,” protesters chanted, likening the Revolutionary Guards and other security forces to the Islamic State group. Read more
AFCON U20: CAF appoints Libyan referee for Nigeria, Gambia match (Punch)
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Libyan referee, Abdulrazg Ahmed, as referee for Monday evening’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations clash between Nigeria and Gambia at the Cairo International Stadium.
Hamza Bouzit, who is from Algeria will be assistant referee 1, while Nigerien official Abdoul Moctar Saley and Jalal Jayed from Morocco will serve as assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Boutane Said from Comoros will be in the role of match commissioner and Imade El Fahouss from Morocco will be the general coordinator. Read more
FIFA to reveal Flying Eagles U-20 World Cup group foes March 31 (DailyTrust)
The Flying Eagles will on March 31 know their group opponents during the draw for the 23rd edition of the upcoming 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup according to FIFA.
Indonesia will host the competition from May 20 to June 11, 2023. The tournament was originally scheduled for 2021 only to be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Flying Eagles booked a spot in the competition after beating the Hippos of Uganda in their quarter-final tie at the ongoing 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt on Wednesday. Read more
Russo stars as Man Utd put five past Leicester (DailyMail)
Alessia Russo struck a hat-trick as Manchester United thrashed Leicester 5-1 to move four points clear at the top of the Women’s Super League.
England striker Russo’s first-half double put United in control and she added her third early in the second period soon after Remy Siemsen had reduced the deficit for the Foxes.
Russo then set up Leah Galton for United’s fourth and substitute Lucia Garcia added their fifth as Marc Skinner’s side cruised to their 11th league win from 14 matches this season to keep the pressure on reigning champions Chelsea. Read more
Antonio Conte returns to Tottenham uncertainty as Wolves defeat caps dismal week (Mirror)
Antonio Conte will be in charge for Tottenham’s crunch Champions League showdown with AC Milan on Wednesday.
Conte is expected to take training on Monday after flying back to London following an extended rehabilitation period having undergone emergency gallbladder surgery. But the manager returns to growing uncertainty at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Spurs suffered a major setback to their top-four hopes after losing in the Premier League at Wolves on Saturday and their exit from the FA Cup last week.
Tottenham trail 1-0 from last month’s first leg of the last-16 tie with Milan and will be under huge pressure to turn it around in the second leg because an early European exit would be another financial blow. Read more
Eilish McColgan breaks Paula Radcliffe’s 10,000m British record in California (Eurosport)
Eilish McColgan broke the British 10,000m record in California after setting a time of 30 minutes 00.86 seconds.
McColgan’s time surpassed Paula Radcliffe’s time of 30:01.09, which was set more than 20 years ago in Munich in 2002.
The 32-year-old, training at altitude in Colorado of late, registered the time at the Soundrunning Ten event.
“I’m absolutely buzzing,” McColgan said afterwards. Read more
NBA star Ja Morant to miss at least 2 games after appearing to flash gun in video (Fox)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been handed a suspension and will be away from the team for at least two games.
The team’s announcement came after Morant — the NBA superstar who was accused of flashing a gun at and punching a teen over the summer after a pick-up game — went viral when an Instagram Live video surfaced in which he appears to be touting a gun at a strip club.
In the video, All-Star guard Morant appeared to be wearing the diamond pendant that he was gifted by Nike at the NBA All-Star Game in February. Read more