Kogi queries top monarch for ‘‘refusing’’ to welcome Buhari (Vanguard)
The Kogi State Government has issued a query to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr Ado Ibrahim, over his failure to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari during the President’s December 29, 2022 visit to the state.
The state government said the traditional ruler was disloyal and disrespectful to the offices of President Buhari and Governor Bello, adding that Ibrahim exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land to “disrepute”.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, who is the Vice President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, is the Paramount ruler of all Egbira people in Kogi Central Senatorial District where the governor also hails from.
President Buhari was in the state to inaugurate some projects including the new palace of the Ohinoyi, which was built by Governor Bello. Read more
LASUTH apprehended Impostor, Solomon Oriere, who sells COVID-19 vaccination cards (Guardian)
The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has successfully identified, apprehended and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force the impostor, Solomon Oriere, who sells COVID-19 vaccination cards without jabs, sell fake but ‘authentic’ test results. The arrest which was done Saturday morning followed an investigative report published by Premium Times.
According to the statement, the culprit made confessional statements confirming that he is not a member of staff of our institution.
The statement reads, “Since the advent of COVID-19 vaccination in the State and LASUTH, the process of COVID-19 vaccination has been efficiently carried out at LASUTH and is currently done in the LASUTH Immunization Clinic located just beside the Stroke Ward. At the Immunization clinic, members of the public, staff and other Nigerians who seek to be vaccinated are taken through a seamless process of information collection, proper vaccination and documentation of the process on the NPHCDA website by staff of the Immunization Clinic.”
They are also given appointments for other doses based on whichever is given at contact. The staff of LASUTH Immunization Clinic were only provided with the access to document electronically the current vaccination given and not past or future vaccinations. Read more
Political parties renting crowds for rallies – Adeboye (Punch)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has accused political parties of hiring crowd to attend their rallies.
The renowned cleric made this known in a sermon during the RCCG January Holy Ghost Service on Friday.
“I watch it in the news. If human beings promote you, oh, I don’t know whether I should say this. I’m sure you have been watching the campaign rallies, I watch it on the news. I don’t know if you have noticed that two different people don’t hold their campaign simultaneously in a town.
“Have you noticed that? You don’t know why? Because majority of the crowd, majority are rented. So I come, I pay, you gather. After I’ve gone, another man comes, he pays, you gather.” Read more
Hotelier shot lodger, 2 others over N4,500 bill (Tribune)
Officers of the Ijeshatedo Police Station in Surulere, Lagos, have arrested the owner of Queens Victory Guest House identified as Kingsley for allegedly shooting a lodger over argument on N4500 accommodation bill.
The hotel is located in Ijeshatedo, Surulere, Lagos.
The hotelier was also said to have shot two other male residents in the metropolis in their legs and scrotum.
According to a resident, Bolade Alade, trouble started between the hotel owner and the lodger when the lodger complained about the poor working condition of the air conditioner in his room. Read more
Drug abuse, mindset that needs change – Youth Influencers (Guardian)
Some influencers have said drug abuse, particularly among youths, is as a result of wrong mindset and attitude in managing their challenges.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos on Saturday that many people were not proffering the right solutions to their challenges, and instead, resorted to drugs.
Mr Chukwuemeka Onuh, State Coordinator, Collabo Nigeria, said drug abuse was on the high side, and many people were experiencing hardships being compounded by lack of job opportunities.
He urged those experiencing challenges to seek the right type of solutions that would better their future, rather than resort to drugs, which could only cause them more harm. Read more
NIS, NCoS get N1b security grant from ASR Africa (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have been awarded N1 billion from Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for Africa (ASR Africa) Security Sector Support Grant in recognition of their many successes.
A statement yesterday from the spokesman of the NIS, Tony Akuneme, revealed that the award of N500,000,000 was given by the Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative for Africa (ASR Africa) Security Sector Support Grant, in recognition of the many successes recorded by the Service both nationally and internationally.
He noted that the award was given in a brief event at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday.
Akuneme said the Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Idris, while receiving the award letter, commended the Chairman, BUA Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu, for the initiative and for recognising the strides of the Service. Read more
INEC Gives Update On PVC Collection, Says ‘We’re Encouraged (Tribune)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed optimal satisfaction with the turnout for Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) collection nationwide.
This was disclosed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye on Friday.
“The rate of PVC collection varies from one state to the other and from one place to the other.
“Some of the Resident Electoral Commissioners are sending daily reports to the Commission, some of them are sending reports every two days, and some are sending every week. So, we are still collating these reports.
“The National Commissioners are also supervising the collection of PVCs in the states that they supervise. But as of today, we are really encouraged by the turnout of people coming to collect. Read more
Plateau speaker escapes as police repel suspected kidnappers (Channels)
The timely intervention by operatives of the Plateau State Police Command on Friday night prevented suspected kidnappers from abducting the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Sanda.
In a statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Alfred Alabo, the incident occurred on the Speaker’s arrival at his residence in Federal Low-Cost Area of Jos South Local Government Area (LGA).
Sanda was said to have been accosted by three gunmen who attempted to forcefully gain entrance into the house, but they were prevented by security personnel on duty.
The PPRO stated that the timely response of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and his men who joined forces with the security personnel on guard repelled the assailants. Read more
Borat 2‘s Maria Bakalova lines up next starring film role in sci-fi drama (DigitalSpy)
Borat 2 actress Maria Bakalova has landed her next leading role, fronting a science-fiction drama.
As reported by Deadline, the actress — who has also starred in Bodies Bodies Bodies and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special — will join Nomadland’s David Strathairn in O Horizon.
The film follows Bakalova’s Abby, a brilliant young neuroscientist who tragically loses her dad (played by Strathairn). Lost in her grief, she is given a chance to reconnect with him when a programmer named Sam introduces her to some fancy new technology that can create a digital version of her late parent.
But this development forces Abby to look at every aspect of her life, her career and her relationships. Will things go all Black Mirror and take a dark turn? Read more
French Montana breaks his silence after 10 were shot outside Miami restaurant (DailyMail)
French Montana has broken his silence after ten people were reportedly injured in a shooting outside a Miami Gardens restaurant on Thursday.
The musician, 38, took to Twitter on Friday where he sent ‘thoughts and prayers’ to those injured in the shooting – which is said to include Rob49 and a bodyguard.
The shooting was said to have taken place at a music video shoot for Montana and Rob49 – but Montana clarified it was during a celebration event for his newly released Coke Boys 6 mixtape.
He wrote: ‘Last night, I was in Miami celebrating the release of my CB6 mixtape w/ friends at a local restaurant. Read more
Man admits high-profile manuscript scam (BBC)
An Italian man has admitted stealing more than 1,000 unpublished manuscripts, many written by high-profile authors.
Filippo Bernardini impersonated figures from the publishing industry to trick people into handing over their works.
He used his inside industry knowledge, having been employed by the publishing giant Simon & Schuster in London.
Bernardini, 30, pleaded guilty in New York to wire fraud, but his motive has never been clear.
Manuscripts were not found to have been leaked on the internet, nor were any ransom demands made. Read more
50 Cent says he’s working on an 8 Mile TV show with Eminem (THR)
50 Cent says he and Eminem are working together to create a television show based on the latter’s semi-autobiographical film, 8 Mile.
“I’m gonna bring his 8 Mile to television,” 50 Cent said in an interview with Big Boy TV, before confirming that the “Mockingbird” rapper is involved in the project, and the two have already made some progress toward getting it made. “We’re in motion.”
50 Cent continued, saying the show is “gonna be big. I’m working. I ain’t got no duds. I’m battin’ a hundred, I’m battin’ a hundred,” likely referring to his long-running Power series on Starz and its multiple spin offs Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan and Power Book IV: Force.
When Big Boy asked the rapper whose idea it was to turn the cult classic film into a series and whether or not he had to convince Eminem, 50 Cent said he didn’t. Read more
Angry Celine Dion fans protest outside Rolling Stone after controversial Greatest Singers List snub (Metro)
Celine Dion fans have taken matters into their hands after the pop icon was brutally missed off Rolling Stones’ viral 200 Greatest Singers of All Time list.
For the uninitiated, the storied rock magazine published the list on New Year’s Day, awarding Rosalía the spot of the 200th best crooner of all time, followed shortly by Billie Eilish at 198.
Hitting the halfway mark at 100 was the upcoming Glastonbury headliner Sir Elton John, while close to the finishing line was Someone Like You icon Adele at 22 and Queen Beyonce at eight.
Mariah Carey, unsurprisingly, came in at number 5, with Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin bringing it home in third, second and first respectively. Read more
Filmmaker and sculptor Michael Snow, who ‘‘demolished boundaries’’ of art, dies at 94 (Global)
Interdisciplinary artist Michael Snow, known in Canada and internationally for his abstract painting, public sculptures and the experimental 1967 film Wavelength, has died.
The Toronto-born artist died Thursday, said Tamsen Greene, senior director of New York’s Jack Shainman Gallery, which represented Snow. He was 94.
The National Gallery of Canada said in a statement that Snow was a “formidable ambassador” for the art world whose work challenged and changed perceptions.
Some of his most recognizable projects were public artworks, including the Toronto Eaton Centre’s geese installation “Flight Stop,” created in 1979, and the Rogers Centre’s “The Audience,” a sculpture of excited fans that was revealed as part of the SkyDome’s opening in 1989. Read more
South Sudan journalists detained over video of President Salva Kiir “wetting himself” (Sky)
Six journalists have been detained after a video surfaced appearing to show the president of South Sudan wetting himself.
The footage was widely shared last month and shows a dark stain spreading down President Salva Kiir’s trousers and a wet patch forming on the floor as he stands for the national anthem.
The national journalists’ union said those held work for the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation and were detained on Tuesday and Wednesday.
They are suspected of knowing how the video was released, said union president Patrick Oyet. Read more
FA Cup: Southampton come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 (Vanguard)
James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong scored for Southampton as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup third-round match at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Palace took the lead in 14 minutes when Odsonne Edouard scored but Ward-Prowse equalised for the visitors in 37 minutes.
Armstrong got the winner for Southampton in 68 minutes to bundle Patrick Viera’s men out of FA Cup.
Manchester United and Tottenham have also qualified for the fourth round.
The Red Devils beat Everton 3-1 on Friday. Harry Kane’s lone goal for Spurs knocked out Portsmouth on Saturday. Read more
Gusau lists benefits of abridged league as clubs receive grant (Sun)
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau on Thursday clarified that the 2022/23 season has to be abridged to provide opportunities for players in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to benefit from opportunities of competing for places in other leagues in the world.
Gusau spoke at the presentation of ₦200m takeoff grant to the 20 NPFL Clubs to enable them start the season and noted that aligning with the international calendar will also help the clubs have sufficient time to prepare for CAF Club competitions.
“Today is a great day, a day we are going to change the narrative of football administration in Nigeria in fulfillment of one of my campaign promise”
“The abridged league is a child of necessity as we want to take certain actions to bring our league the way other good leagues are run all over the world and it’s not about submitting names of club representatives to CAF because our players must have a break to rejuvenate, opportunities to play anywhere in the world in global transfer windows”, Gusau concluded. Read more
Erik ten Hag slams Manchester United’s ‘‘unimaginable’’ transfer business in previous seasons (Standard)
Erik ten Hag has hit out at Manchester United’s transfer business in previous seasons, believing an “unimaginable” amount of signings have not been up to the necessary standards.
The Dutchman took over at Old Trafford in the summer, following Ralf Rangnick’s unsuccessful spell as interim manager after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked.
Frenkie de Jong was linked with Man United, and a reunion with Ten Hag, for much of the summer window but ultimately did not make the move to England.
It was still a business period for the club though as Lisandro Martinez and Antony were signed from Ajax, while Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro also arrived. Read more
Kathrine Kuhl: Arsenal sign teenage Denmark midfielder (BBC)
Arsenal have signed Denmark midfielder Kathrine Kuhl from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland.
The 19-year-old has scored two goals and assisted four in 12 appearances for the Elitedivisionen club this season.
Kuhl helped the side win the Danish Women’s Cup in 2020 before making her international debut in April 2021.
“I’m very excited, it’s a big step for me,” said Kuhl, who is Arsenal’s second midfield signing in two days after Victoria Pelova joined on Friday. Read more
Helmut Marko hands Lewis Hamilton boost for 2023 title fight (F1News)
Red Bull could not have wished for a better start to the new era of Formula 1, as every team entered the season wondering if their design was one of the best on the grid.
The RB-18 was dominant and allowed Max Verstappen to storm to a record-shattering 15 race wins over the course of the season as he picked up his second consecutive world championship.
In the first couple of rounds of the 2022 season it looked as if Ferrari would be the team to beat, as Charles Leclerc put on a show and led the Scuderia to race wins with what seemed to be the quickest car.
Reliability issues and strategic blunders saw Ferrari fall away from Red Bull and almost into the grasp of Mercedes, who only won a single race in 2022 after a disastrous struggle with porpoising and a lack of pace. Read more
Venus Williams forced to withdraw from Australian Open with injury (CNN)
Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Australian Open due to an injury she sustained at the ASB Classic in New Zealand, tournament organizers announced via Twitter on Saturday.
The American was awarded a main-draw wild card for what would have been her 22nd appearance at the Australian Open, 25 years after her tournament debut in 1998.
Williams’ withdrawal comes just days after she won her first tour-level singles match in a year and a half, defeating fellow American Katie Volynets 7-6 (4) 6-2 in the opening round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
The 42-year-old then lost to China’s Zhu Lin 3-6 6-2 7-5 in the next round of the tournament. Read more