Lagos Assembly: My position threatened democracy – Meranda (Sun)
Mojisola Meranda has disclosed that she stepped down as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly because her position was a threat to democracy.
Shedding light on her decision on Monday, Meranda said it was made carefully and with firm consideration.
While expressing gratitude to the assembly for its support and collaboration, she pledged to continue serving the people of her constituency and the Lag0s State at large. Read more
Confrontation breaks out between Fubara, lawmakers (Nation)
A confrontation broke out yesterday in Rivers State as lawmakers gave Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour deadline to submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill for their consideration.
The lawmakers said unless this is done, the state might be plunged into a financial crisis because they (lawmakers) will proceed on a 12-week recess from Friday.
They made this position known during plenary. Read more
Peter Obi attends Chimamanda Adichie’s book launch in London (NewTelegraph)
The 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, on Monday attended the book launch of renowned Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in London for her new novel, Dream Count.
New Telegraph reported that Chimamanda recently released her new novel after a 10-year hiatus.
Taking to his Instagram page to share photos from the event, Peter Obi shared his experience all through the journey, revealing that he had traveled to the United Kingdom (UK) for the event. Read more
FG okays 11 new private universities in Nigeria (ThisDay)
The Federal Government has granted provisional licenses for 11 new private universities to operate in Nigeria.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who made this public following the Federal Executive Council’s meeting, which was chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, explained that the newly approved universities successfully completed the National Universities Commission’s (NUC) rigorous 13-step assessment process before being granted their licenses.
He listed the newly approved universities to include New City University, Ayetoro, Ogun State; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi, Abuja; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun State; Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State and Southern Atlantic University, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Read more
NNPCL, Dangote’s price reduction excites retailers (Vanguard)
The Petroleum Retailers Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, yesterday commended NNPC Retail Ltd for reducing the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol from N920 to N875 per litre.
The association said the move is expected to alleviate the financial burden on Nigerians amidst rising inflation.
In a statement to Vanguard, PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis Harry, said that the development will be a huge relief to Nigerians. Read more
Ramadan: Kebbi, Bauchi, Kano rebuff CAN, say schools remain closed (Punch)
The Kebbi, Bauchi and Kano State governments have reaffirmed that the holiday granted to both primary and secondary schools in their states for Ramadan fast will not be reconsidered, despite concerns raised by the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State governor, Ahmed Idris, stated that the decision was made after consulting all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders and parents.
“We are not reversing the decision. The closure of the schools was a result of meetings with all relevant stakeholders, including religious leaders, parents, and others. The leadership of CAN and the Muslim community were carried along before the decision was reached,” Idris said. Read more
Kogi allocates ₦3b to remodel Govt House, ₦350m for schools, hospitals (Guardian)
The Kogi State government has allocated ₦3 billion for the remodelling of the Government House in its 2025 budget, surpassing the ₦2.2 billion spent on the same project in 2024 while setting aside only ₦350 million for the construction and rehabilitation of schools and hospitals.
A review of the state’s 2025 approved budget revealed that Governor Usman Ododo’s administration also plans to spend ₦200 million on renovating and furnishing the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and another ₦200 million on rehabilitating and furnishing the Deputy Governor’s Office.
This comes even though similar upgrades cost half the amount in 2024, with ₦100 million spent on the Deputy Governor’s Lodge and another ₦100 million on the Deputy Governor’s Office. The 2025 budget also includes ₦15 million for a generator house at the Deputy Governor’s Office. Read more
Dolly Parton’s husband, Carl Dean, dies aged 82 (BBC)
Carl Dean, the longtime husband of country music icon Dolly Parton, died Monday at the age of 82.
Dean, who was famously private throughout his nearly 60-year marriage to Parton, died in Nashville, Tennessee, according to a statement she posted on social media.
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy,” the statement read. Read more
ECOWAS team leaves Guinea-Bissau after threat of expulsion (AfricaNews)
A mission from the West African Regional bloc, ECOWAS, has left Guinea-Bissau saying the president had threatened to expel it.
The team was sent to the country last month to help it reach a “political consensus” on how to conduct elections this year.
It said it had “prepared a draft agreement on a roadmap for elections” and had started presenting it to the stakeholders for their consent. Read more
1 killed, 4 injured in knife attack at Israeli bus station (UPI)
A knife attack at a transit station in Haifa, Israel, killed one man and injured at least four other people, police said.
Police said a man identified as Hassan Karim Dahamsheh, 70, was killed by a knife-wielding attacker Monday at the Lev Hamifratz bus station.
A 15-year-old boy injured in the attack was reported to be stable after emergency surgery at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center. A woman in her 70s and a man and woman in their 30s were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Read more
Jay-Z sues lawyer over ‘extortionate threats’ (PageSix)
Jay-Z is suing his former rape accuser and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, in an Alabama court, claiming they conspired to falsely accuse him of sexual assault and allegedly caused him to lose at least $20 million.
The hip-hop icon claims the defendants, which also includes lawyer David Fortney, “were soullessly motivated by greed, in abject disregard of the truth and the most fundamental precepts of human decency,” according to a complaint Page Six obtained.
Jay-Z — who is suing for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, civil conspiracy and defamation — alleges in the court documents that the ex-rape accuser, Jane Doe, has “voluntarily admitted” that Buzbee “pushed her towards going forward with the false story against Mr. Carter” after an “extortionate demand letter failed to yield the financial windfall.” Read more
Trump places pause on US aid to Ukraine (VOA)
President Donald Trump has placed a pause on aid to Ukraine, the White House announced late Monday.
“The President has been clear that he is focused on peace,” a senior administration official told VOA in an email. The official is not being named, as is customary when engaging with reporters. “We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution.”
Earlier Monday, Trump was pointed in saying a deal for rare earth minerals was key to continued U.S. support of Ukraine, and said he would make an announcement on the matter Tuesday when he speaks before a joint session of Congress. Read more
Disney Drops New Collectors Edition ‘Snow White’ Dolls Ahead of Live Action Remake (Variety)
The new live action remake of Snow White doesn’t hit theatres until March 21, but Disney is already rolling out new merch in support of the Rachel Zegler-driven project.
Disney has teamed up with Mattel on two new “Disney Collector” edition dolls. First unveiled at the New York Toy Fair, the limited-edition release features 12-inch dolls of Snow White and the Evil Queen, respectively. This is an officially-licensed release from Disney.
The Snow White Doll features the beloved Disney princess in her iconic yellow satin skirt with red and blue top. Read more
Monday wins Liga F POTM award (Punch)
Super Falcons striker Gift Monday has been awarded the Player of The Month for February in the Spanish women’s topflight, following her exploits at Tenerife recently, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Monday, who has been in incredible form for her club, beat off competitions from Real Madrid’s Alba Redondo, Barcelona’s Caroline Hansen, Ainhoa Marin (Deportivo), Ane Azkona (Bilbao), Ari Mingueza (Granada) and Elba Verges (Eibar).
The 23-year-old also became the first Nigerian to win the award after Rasheedat Ajibade, who won the maiden edition of the award last September. Read more
Aina, Awoniyi feature as Nottingham Forest beat Ipswich on penalties (CompleteSports)
Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi were in action as Nottingham Forest reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup thanks to a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Ipswich Town on Monday night.
Aina was in action for 90 minutes while Awoniyi was taken off for Chris Wood with eight minutes left in the game.
Matz Sels was the hero for Forest, as he denied Jack Taylor after the first nine penalties were all converted, sending Forest through to the last eight for the first time since 2022. Read more
Rwanda contract Algerian Coach, Amarouche, for Nigerian clash (ThisDay)
Super Eagles next opponents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Rwanda, yesterday announced the appointment of Algerian Adel Amarouche as their new head coach.
Nigeria and Rwanda will meet on March 21 in Kigali in continuation of their race for the Group C ticket to the Mundial to be hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
The Amavubi on same seven points as South Africa and Benin Republic lead the Group C with Lesotho on four points fourth. Nigeria on three points are fifth with Zimbabwe at the rear. Read more
New Kenya boss McCarthy targets World Cup qualification (BBC)
Benni McCarthy has said Kenya can “surprise a lot of people” by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after being appointed as the country’s new head coach.
The South African has signed a two-year deal that will see him lead the Harambee Stars up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations – a tournament which will be held on home soil in East Africa, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda co-hosting.
McCarthy, 47, replaces interim coach Francis Kimanzi, who has been in charge since Turkish coach Engin Firat stepped down at the end of last year. Read more
Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis sustains hamstring strain, out at least a week (UPI)
Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis sustained a hamstring strain and will miss at least a week, the team announced.
The Kings said Sabonis underwent an MRI on Sunday. The scan revealed a grade 1 left hamstring strain. The 6-foot-10 center exited in the first quarter of the Kings’ 113-103 win over the Houston Rockets on Saturday in Houston. He did not return.Sabonis averaged 19.5 points, a league-high 14.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game through his first 56 appearances this season. Read more