Insecurity: 13 suspects arrested over Ekiti monarchs’ killing – Police (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Police Force, NPF said 13 suspects have been arrested over the killing of two traditional rulers in Ekiti State.
The force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday.
He said, “Now, we have 13 suspects arrested so far in connection with that incident. And we are sure we are going to get more of these suspects.
“We are working with them (suspects) and they are giving us reliable and useful information. Read more
Lagos to partner EU for improved Nigeria-Europe trade (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with the European Union to promote trade and investment between Nigeria and Europe through the European Business Chamber in Nigeria.
The European Business Chamber, EuroCham, was launched in Lagos by 19 European companies in October 2018 with the primary role to actively promote trade investment and exchanges between European and Nigerian businesses, raise awareness and present recommendations on particular issues of interest or concern to the organisation and its members.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, while receiving the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States, Samuela Isopi, on a courtesy visit in Ikeja on Wednesday, pledged that his administration would continue to create an enabling environment for foreign and local investments to thrive towards the overall growth of the nation’s economy. Read more
Adelami sworn in as Ondo deputy governor (Channels)
The Ondo State government has sworn in Dr. Olaide Adelami, a former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, as the new Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of Adelami, in Akure, the state capital, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the dissolution of the cabinet inherited from the late governor Rotimi Akeredolu was done in good faith.
Aiyedatiwa added that he “harbors neither ill wind nor animosity towards no one” by the decision to dissolve the cabinet. Read more
Okada man disappears with woman’s bag of maize in FCT (DailyTrust)
A woman, Hauwakulu Ishaku, broke down in tears after a commercial motorcyclist disappeared with her bag of maize in Abaji town in Area Area Council of the FCT.
Hauwakulu, while narrating the incident, said she engaged the cyclist to convey the maize to her house but that he disappeared with the maize.
She explained that she bought the maize on Monday and took it for grinding and that she went back and picked the flour on Tuesday and handed it over to the cyclist to convey it to her house after paying him N200. Read more
Court refuses to hear UNICAL professor’s bail plea as ICPC investigator testifies (Leadership)
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday declined to hear the bail applications of Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar (UNICAL), and his co-defendant, Sunny Anyanwu.
Justice James Omotosho stated that the bail applications would be considered after the testimony of the key witness, identified only as TKJ, to protect her during the trial.
The decision came after the defence counsel, Joe Agi, SAN, requested that his clients’ bail plea be heard immediately after an investigator from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Lucy-Ogechi Chima, had completed her testimony. Read more
Daniel Atteh unveiled as Macallan’s ambassador for Lagos (Tribune)
Globally renowned Scottish whisky brand, The Macallan, has unveiled Daniel Atteh as its brand ambassador for Lagos in a significant announcement last Friday, January 26. The unveiling took place at the Tha Macallan Lounge in Kaly Restaurant and Bar, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Daniel Atteh, popularly known as ‘Sir Dee’ recognised for his role in reality television is an astute host, actor, luxury lifestyle Influencer and whisky connoisseur. This deliberate choice., according to The Macallan, underlines the brand’s commitment to diversity and innovation, showcasing that excellence is not confined to traditional spheres but transcends new and unexpected territories. Read more
Kwara monarch shot dead at palace, wife abducted (DailyTrust)
Gunmen on Thursday night invaded the palace of Olukoro of Koro in Ekiti local government area of Kwara State and killed the traditional ruler of the community, General Segun Aremu (rtd).
The gunmen also whisked away the wife of the monarch and two others.
Koro in Kwara is the neighbouring town of Irele/Oke Ako/Ipao/Oke Aiyedun and Ikole and shares boundaries with Ekiti State where two monarchs were recently killed. Read more
Tinubu condoles with VP Shettima over passing of stepmother (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu has condoled with his deputy, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, over the death of his stepmother, Hajja Hauwa Ajja Kormi, who died on Thursday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The late Hajja Hauwa died after a protracted illness and is survived by five children, stepchildren, and many grandchildren.
The funeral, which was held at the Shehuri North residence of the deceased on Thursday, was attended by a federal government delegation led by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who represented President Tinubu. Read more
Issa Rae sees Hollywood falling down on promises of diversity and inclusion (Deadline)
Issa Rae is blunt about how the entertainment industry seems to be changing.
In a Time interview out today, she fired back at an industry she feels is now being driven by considerations other than creativity and inclusion.
A big part of that attitude is her recent history. In January, her TV series Rap Sh!t was axed by Warner Bros. Discovery. It was just one part of a disturbing trend in Rae’s eyes. “I’ve never seen Hollywood this scared and clueless, and at the mercy of Wall Street,” she says. Read more
Brad Pitt in talks to star in Quentin Tarantino’s final film ‘‘The Movie Critic’’ (Variety)
Brad Pitt is likely reuniting with Quentin Tarantino for the filmmaker’s 10th and ostensibly final feature, “The Movie Critic.” The status of the deal is unclear.
Tarantino has remained tight-lipped about “The Movie Critic,” but it’s reportedly set in southern California during the 1970s and center on a cynical film reviewer. It’s rumored to be inspired by the life of Pauline Kael, the late New Yorker writer who was one of the most influential film critics of her time.
Tarantino sidestepped inquiries about “The Movie Critic” during a conversation at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, saying to audience members, “I can’t tell you guys [anything] until you see the movie. I’m tempted to do some of the character’s monologues right now, but I’m not going to. Maybe if there were less video cameras. You just have to wait and see.” Read more
Turkish police free hostages taken by pro-Gaza man at factory near Istanbul (National)
Seven workers taken hostage by a pro-Palestinian gunman at a plant near Istanbul owned by US consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble were released by Turkish police on Thursday evening.
The police raid took place almost nine hours into the standoff when the lone gunman went to the bathroom, local officials said.
The man, who was staging a protest against the war in Gaza, was detained unharmed, local Governor Seddar Yavuz told reporters. Read more
Hootie & the Blowfish singer Darius Rucker arrested on minor drug charges in Tennessee (EW)
Hootie & the Blowfish frontman and country music star Darius Rucker was arrested on minor drug charges in Tennessee, authorities said Thursday.
According to the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, Rucker, 57, faces charges on two counts of simple possession or casual exchange and one count of violation of registration law. Rucker was released Thursday on a $10,500 bond, authorities said. Further details were not immediately available.
An attorney for Rucker, Mark Puryear, told TMZ that his client is “fully cooperating with authorities related to misdemeanor charges.” Puryear didn’t immediately respond to EW’s request for comment Thursday evening. Read more
Bruce Springsteen’s mum Adele dies at 98 (MusicNews)
Bruce Springsteen’s mum, Adele Ann Springsteen, has died aged 98.
The 74-year-old singer-songwriter took to Instagram on Thursday to announce that his mum, Adele, passed away on Wednesday, more than 10 years after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Adele Springsteen – May 4, 1925 – January 31, 2024,” Bruce wrote alongside a clip of him and his mum dancing to swing music together. Read more
Chicago joins string of US cities calling for Gaza ceasefire (National)
Chicago’s City Council on Wednesday approved a resolution that called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, making it the largest US city since October to issue such a call.
Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a 23-23 tie, voting in favour of the resolution, which also demands greater humanitarian aid for the enclave and the release of hostages.
Chicago is the third most populous city in the US and the 2020 US Census found that the metropolitan area is home to one of the largest Palestinian populations in the country.
Iran threatens to ‘‘decisively respond’’ to any US strikes as Biden weighs retaliation to Jordan attack (NYPost)
Iran threatened Wednesday to “decisively respond” to any US attack on the Islamic Republic following President Joe Biden’s linking of Tehran to the killing of three US soldiers at a military base in Jordan.
The US has signaled it is preparing for retaliatory strikes in the Mideast in the wake of the Sunday drone attack that also injured at least 40 troops at Tower 22, a secretive base in northeastern Jordan that’s been crucial to the American presence in neighboring Syria.
However, concerns remain that any additional American strikes could further inflame a region already roiled by Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the ongoing attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea. Read more
Asisat Oshoala leaves Barcelona for US club (Punch)
Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, has left FC Barcelona Femini to join a new National Women’s Soccer League team, Bay FC, in the United States.
Bay FC announced the new signing in a statement on Thursday.
The six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year signed a two-year deal with Bay FC with an option to extend the contract by one year till 2027. Read more
Al Nassr thrash Inter Miami as Ronaldo, Messi watch on (France24)
Al Nassr crushed Inter Miami 6-0 as injury ruled Cristiano Ronaldo out of a much-hyped showdown with Lionel Messi, who was limited to a late substitute appearance in Thursday’s friendly in Riyadh.
Ronaldo’s calf injury prompted Al Nassr to cancel their two-game China tour last week and it denied him what could have potentially been a last match against longtime rival Messi.
The pair have won a combined 13 Ballon d’Or awards, with Messi taking home the prize for a record eighth time last year. Their most recent meeting came in January 2023 when Ronaldo played in a Saudi select team beaten 5-4 by Messi’s PSG. Read more
West Ham fight back to draw with Bournemouth after Phillips debut blunder (RTE)
Kalvin Phillips endured a nightmare West Ham debut after gifting Bournemouth a goal with almost his first touch in claret and blue.
The England midfielder, whose loan switch from Manchester City was arguably the most high-profile deal in this transfer window, inadvertently set up Dominic Solanke to score with less than three minutes gone.
Fortunately for West Ham, a James Ward-Prowse penalty in the second-half was enough to secure a 1-1 draw. Read more
Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid suffers injury to lateral meniscus, team says (CBS)
Philadelphia 76ers’ superstar and reigning MVP Joel Embiid suffered an injury to his lateral meniscus in his left knee, the team announced on Thursday night.
The Sixers say an MRI after Tuesday’s game vs. the Golden State Warriors and further evaluation over the last 24 hours revealed the injury.
Embiid will be out through at least the weekend, the Sixers say. A treatment plan for Embiid will be finalized in the future and updates will follow. Read more
Stolen Jackie Robinson statue will be replaced after more than $160k donated (Guardian)
A historic statue of baseball trailblazer Jackie Robinson will be replaced after donations poured in after it was stolen from a Kansas park and found destroyed.
On Wednesday – which would have been the 105th birthday of Jackie Robinson – an online fundraiser raised more than $160,000 to replace a bronze statue of the baseball legend that was stolen from McAdams Park in Wichita, Kansas, the Associated Press reported.
Major League Baseball (MLB) and its 30 clubs have also promised to help restore the stolen statue of Robinson, the first Black baseball player to integrate Major League Baseball in 1947, MLB.com reported. Read more
James Maddison and Neal Maupay clash after dart celebration drama (BelfastTelegraph)
James Maddison and Neal Maupay were embroiled in a war of words after the Brentford forward mocked the Tottenham midfielder’s goal celebration.
Maupay opened the scoring in the 15th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday night and celebrated by throwing a dart alongside Ivan Toney, mimicking the move Maddison and Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min have done this season.
That annoyed big darts fan Maddison, who had a heated exchange with Maupay on the goalscorer’s way back to the centre circle.
The England international had the last laugh though, with goals from Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Richarlison securing a 3-2 win for Spurs. Read more