Lagos bizman evicted for rearing goats accuses landlord’s children of destroying property, family kicks (Punch)
A Lagos-based businessman, Godwin Omodu, has accused his landlord’s family of evicting him unlawfully and destroying his property.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Omodu in 2019 rented an apartment at Plot 740, Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island, belonging to the late Justice Sogbetun.
It was gathered that when the family visited the apartment in 2020, it discovered that Omodu was rearing goats and that the structure had dilapidated.
It thereafter served an eviction notice on the tenant and others in the house.
However, Omodu claimed that he was given a seven-day notice as opposed to the six-month notice he was entitled to.
Omodu, in a petition by his lawyer, F.S. Oladele, to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, dated January 7, 2022, accused the family of threatening his life and unlawfully removing the building’s roof and stealing his property in a bid to evict him. Read more
No policeman will breach Lagosians fundamental rights under my watch, Alabi assures (Guardian)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Sylvester Alabi, has assured that no rights of Lagosians would be breached by any police officer during his time in office.
Alabi made the assurance at his first parley with journalists across various media organisations at the Officer’s Mess, GRA, Lagos.
According to him, police in Lagos, going forward, would be working closely with traditional rulers, community leaders, the media and residents to tackle crimes and protect lives and property.
Alabi stated that the media have an important role in shaping the information that would help checkmate activities of the officers, prevent abuse of offices and respect fundamental rights.
He said that his office would need the media in reporting efforts in curbing crimes in all nooks and crannies of the state. Read more
Importers warn over illegal private jetties operation in Lagos (Leadership)
The Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA) has called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other relevant agencies including the Nigeria Customs Service, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to halt the activities of unregulated private jetties and oil service centres that have converted their facilities to container terminals.
The President of the association, Godwin Onyekazi, said some private jetties operating on the Kirikiri channel and oil service facilities now engage in handling containers.
He said, “Hundreds of empty containers are loaded from unlicensed jetties on the Kirikiri channel onto big barges which then discharge these containers in neighboring countries. It is not clear who licensed these barge operators and the jetties, if these barges and jetties are registered with all relevant authorities and finally if they are paying the statutory dues to NPA and all other governmental agencies”.
He said while waiting for the authorities to address these concerns, it is clear that the operators are in breach of existing regulations. Read more
Oromoni treated at home, not hospital, says family doctor (Punch)
The family doctor of 12-year-old Sylvester Oromoni (Jnr.), a pupil of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos, who died under controversial circumstances, Aghogho Owhojede, has told a coroner inquest that the deceased was not taken to hospital but treated at home.
The news of Sylvester’s death went viral following a social media post by his cousin, Perry Oromoni, who alleged that some senior pupils of the college beat him up in his hostel because he refused to join a cult.
But the school denied the claim, stating that the boy complained of leg pains following an injury he sustained while playing football.
A coroner inquest was set up to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sylvester. Read more
Maritime truckers petition Lagos state government over extortion by officials (Tribune)
Haulage operators under the aegis of the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), have petitioned the Special Adviser to the Lagos State governor on Transportation, Mr Oluwatoyin Fayinka, over alleged arrest and indiscriminate issuance of fine ticket by the suspended ad-hoc teams of Committee on Removal of Abandoned Vehicles operating in the State.
Recall that the Lagos State government in September 2021 suspended the ad-hoc teams over several complaints of extortion received from members of the public on the activities of some of the units.
In a letter addressed to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Transportation by the Director, Legal, COMTUA, Temilorun Komolafe, the truckers alleged that fines are hardly issued, rather cash collections ranging from N300,000 to N500,000 are allegedly collected from truck owners by the members of the committee.
Komolafe, in the letter which was sighted by the Nigerian Tribune, stated that vehicles are however hijacked from drivers while in transit and driven away as abandoned vehicles. Read more
FG urged to declare state of emergency on school infrastructure (DailyTrust)
The federal government has been urged to declare a state of emergency on school infrastructure following the failure of state governments’ interest to invest in basic education in their states.
The call was made by Stakeholders in the Education sector at a National Education Summit organised by Human Development Initiatives (HDI) with the theme: Building Qualitative, Inclusive and Adaptive Education System: Meeting Modern Day Education Challenges in Nigeria” on Wednesday in Abuja.
They accused governors of abandoning the responsibility, saying that a good number of states do not appear enthusiastic about funding basic education.
Speaking, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, said absence of policy consistency, poor funding and inadequate basic facilities was a major challenge in the sector. Read more
NAOWA upholds legacy for better learning (ThisDay)
National President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Salamatu Faruk-Yahaya, Thursday, laid the foundation for constructions of classrooms, laboratories and a hall for better learning experience at Model Nursery and Primary School Nigerian Army Cantonment Ojo Lagos.
The structures – which comprise one block of six classrooms, I.C.T Laboratory and a 500-seater assembly hall – aims to improve the already existing structures in the school.
Speaking at the occasion, Faruk-Yahaya said once completed, the projects would provide additional classrooms to accommodate more pupils.
In her remarks, she outlined that the buildings would also create new learning opportunities in areas of information and communication technology, provide a conducive hall for assembly and other school activities as well as employment opportunities. Read more
Abductors of Zamfara lecturer’s relatives demand N70m ransom (Channels)
Abductors of the family members of a lecturer in Zamfara State have demanded a ransom of N70 million to release their victims.
This comes barely a day after five persons were abducted by bandits who stormed the residence of Abdulrahaman Adamu on Wednesday at Damba Quarters, a community in the outskirts of Gusau.
Adamu is the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Federal University, Gusau (FUGUS) in the state capital.
Hours after the incident, a family source who pleaded anonymity confirmed to Channels Television that the kidnappers have contacted them. Read more
‘Yahoo boys’: Abia varsity bans students from driving private cars on campus (Vanguard)
The management of the Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, has banned students from driving private vehicles on campus.
The management of the Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, has banned students from driving private vehicles on campus.
The ban was contained in a press statement issued Tuesday by the Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu.
The action is believed to be part of efforts to avoid an ostentatious show of affluence or flagrant display of ill-gotten wealth by students who indulge in internet fraud otherwise known as ‘Yahoo boys’. Read more
M.I. Abaga to quit bachelorhood in 2022? (Nation)
There are insinuations that award-winning rapper, Jude Abaga aka M.I. has proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Eniola Mafe.
An Instagram user had alleged that M.I. proposed to his girlfriend a few days back and she accepted his proposal.
The rapper is one of the top Nigerian celebrities and bachelors, who has done well for himself.
Neither M.I nor Eniola has confirmed or denied the engagement rumour. Read more
Mark Wahlberg wants friend Tom Brady to ‘enjoy the rest of his life’ after retiring from Football (People)
While Tom Brady’s career in the NFL wrapped up in Tampa Bay, actor Mark Wahlberg says it’s his time in New England that will be remembered the most.
On Tuesday, Brady confirmed he was walking away from his football career with a lengthy statement on social media.
“Right now, it’s best I leave the field of play to the next generation of dedicated and committed athletes,” the 44-year-old said in his letter.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion ended his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he joined in 2020 after leaving the New England Patriots. Read more
Tom Holland on a possible ‘Spider-Man’ Best Picture nod, and reuniting with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire (Variety)
With Oscar nominations just around the corner — they’ll be announced on Feb. 8 — pundits wonder if Academy members will embrace a superhero movie by giving a best picture nod to “Spider-Man: No Way Home.”
Variety’s film awards editor Clayton Davis wrote in a Dec. 23 column headlined “Can ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Swing Into Best Picture Race After Massive Opening?” that Spidey could be boosted due to its massive box office. “’Saving movie theaters’ is a powerful message that can resonate when filling out the best picture ballot,” Davis wrote, in part.
Even so, Spidey star Tom Holland is careful not to get ahead of things. “It would be a huge honor for it to be nominated for an Oscar,” the actor told me while promoting his upcoming action adventure film, “Uncharted.” “But I think I can speak on behalf of everyone at Marvel and Sony and particularly [director] Jon Watts, the fan reaction that we’ve received — the love and support — is enough.
“We have created something that has been such a culturally enriching experience for so many people, that watching those fan reactions to when Andrew [Garfield] comes through and Tobey [Maguire] comes through and Andrew saves Zendaya, I will never be able to live that down,” Holland continued. “That is just incredible. And for me, to be able to share that with the world is enough.” Read more
Anthony Mackie and Priyanka Chopra Jonas cast in assassin movie ‘Ending Things’ (Collider)
One of Anthony Mackie’s and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ next films will take them into the world of assassins. According to Deadline, the two will star in the upcoming action film Ending Things. The film will follow a hit-woman who wants out of the assassin business, and who tells her “business” partner that she’s ending their personal relationship as well. But she comes to realize she doesn’t want to end that part of their bond. The film is also described as being influenced by the 1994 film True Lies (directed by James Cameron), which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Mackie is well known for playing Sam Wilson/Falcon/Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His other recent work includes 2021’s The Woman in the Window (directed by Joe Wright), Outside the Wire (directed by Mikael Hafstrom), and 2020’s The Banker. He will also star in the upcoming film Desert Warrior (directed by Rupert Wyatt), and the fourth movie in the Captain America franchise (written by The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson). He will also be making his directorial debut in the upcoming film Spark. It will star Saniyya Sidney as Civil Rights pioneer Claudette Colvin.
Jonas is well known for playing Alex Parrish in the television series Quantico (which ran on ABC from 2015-2018). Her other recent work includes 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections (directed by Lana Wachowski), The White Tiger (directed by Ramin Bahrani), and 2020’s We Can Be Heroes (directed by Robert Rodriguez). She will also be starring with Sam Hueghan in the upcoming romantic comedy film Text For You (directed by James C. Strouse). Jonas is also scheduled to star in Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming limited series Citadel (created by Patrick Moran, Anthony Russo, and Joe Russo).
The film’s script was written by Kevin Sullivan. Verve and UTA are currently selling the script to potential buyers. Read more
Crosby, Stills and Nash become latest act to pull music from Spotify over Joe Rogan misinformation (Independent)
Crosby, Stills and Nash have become the latest act to demand that their music is removed from Spotify in protest at Joe Rogan’s alleged Covid-19 and vaccination misinformation.
The disbanded supergroup, who were known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when Neil Young was a member, showed solidarity for him in his row with the streaming giant.
The high-profile departures were led by Young and Joni Mitchell, who were then joined by Bruce Springsteen’s guitarist Nils Lofgren, Graham Nash and Indie.Arie.
Young started the trend by saying he would no longer be affiliated with Spotify, which has an exclusive podcast deal with Rogan. Read more
CNN President Jeff Zucker resigns over consensual relationship with key lieutenant (CNN)
CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker, the influential news executive who reshaped the iconic network, announced Wednesday morning that he has resigned from his position effective immediately.
Zucker’s stunning announcement came less than two months after he fired prime time anchor Chris Cuomo for improperly advising his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, about how to address sexual misconduct allegations.
“As part of the investigation into Chris Cuomo’s tenure at CNN, I was asked about a consensual relationship with my closest colleague, someone I have worked with for more than 20 years,” Zucker told employees in a memo. “I acknowledge the relationship evolved in recent years. I was required to disclose it when it began but I didn’t. I was wrong. As a result, I am resigning today.”
Zucker did not name his colleague, but the relationship is with Allison Gollust, his key lieutenant for the last two decades. Gollust is remaining at CNN. Read more
2 ‘alternate electors’ sue January 6 committee to block subpoena (NBC)
A pair of so-called alternate electors filed a lawsuit this week to block the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol from getting their phone records.
Kelli Ward, the Arizona GOP chair, and her husband Michael Ward argued in papers filed Tuesday in federal court in Arizona that the congressional panel should be prevented from getting their phone records because they are doctors.
The suit contends that if T-Mobile were to hand over their records to the committee, it would “violate state and federal privileges of medical privacy and physician-client communications; and substantially infringe the right to privacy guaranteed under Arizona state law by invading the Plaintiffs’ seclusion.”
A spokesperson for the Jan. 6 committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more
Russia to target German media in response to German ban on RT (France24)
Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said it will take “retaliatory measures” against German media in Russia after RT’s German-language channel was banned by a local regulator.
“This step leaves us no choice other than to start implementing retaliatory measures against German media accredited in Russia,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that similar measures will be taken against “internet-intermediaries” that have deleted the channel from their platforms, in an apparent reference to IT giant YouTube.
“The verdict of the German media regulator is an unambiguous sign that Russian concerns were demonstrably ignored,” the statement said. Read more
Women’s NBA superstar bemoans flight upgrade costs in pay row (RT)
WNBA superstar Liz Cambage has reacted angrily to reports that Becky Hammon, the new head coach of the Las Vegas Aces team she plays for, will earn a $1 million salary – pledging to stop paying for her flight upgrades while claiming that the wage gap between bosses and players is laughable.
Controversial Cambage, who admitted at the end of 2021 that she supplements her income on racy subscription site OnlyFans, lashed out at claims that former San Antonio Spurs assistant Hammon will become the highest-paid individual in the WNBA, with Aces owner Mark Davis said to be paying her salary.
Players on ‘super-max’ WNBA contracts, including Phoenix’s Diana Taurasi and Seattle’s Breanna Stewart, earn $228,000 a season, according to news.com.au.
The outlet says that despite a salary cap for the new season just shy of $1.4 million, there is no salary cap for coaches and executives.
Australia icon Cambage, who is said to have been paid $221,000 by the Aces last season and is now a free agent, voiced her dismay at the purported figures. Read more
Gov Emmanuel to NUGA 2022 LOC: I’m committed to sports development (DailyTrust)
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has reiterated his commitment towards the development of young talents in sports to fly the colours of Nigeria in major competitions in the World.
He stated this on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from the University of Lagos led by its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, at Government House, Uyo.
Governor Emmanuel, who is also an alumnus of the University of Lagos, commended the University for hosting the NUGA games and for extending the invitation for him to attend the 26th edition of the Nigerian University Games (NUGA) which holds in Lagos from March 16 to 27, 2022, recalling that NUGA games over the years has been a platform where young talents were spotted in various sports, commending universities for upholding to the initiative, and pledged to further encourage sports development and talent-hunt in the state.
“You have invited us for the opening ceremony on 16th of March this year, we will try. Read more
Sadio Mane fires Senegal to the AFCON final (Independent)
Liverpool hero Sadio Mane fired Senegal into the final of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations with a crucial insurance goal in the closing stages of their last-four meeting with Burkina Faso. The Reds ace ran the show for the Lions of Teranga, who survived a late scare to claim the all-important victory and set up a mouthwatering final against either Cameroon or Egypt.
Senegal were the pre-match 1 fired home from close range with 20 minutes remaining.
Mane then set up Idrissa Gueye to double his side’s advantage before Burkina Faso pulled one back through Blati Toure in the 82nd minute. Read more
West Ham transfer call helps Chelsea unlock Declan Rice dream but Jorginho heir dilemma looms (Football)
Chelsea being able to capture the signature of Declan Rice would prove one of the club’s biggest transfer wins in some time given the clear interest from both Manchester clubs.
New encouragement would have come from West Ham’s inactivity in the January transfer window which limits David Moyes’ options as The Hammers hope to secure Champions League qualification.
Rice is valued at around £100m but given the player’s recent rejection of contract offers and ambition of the talent means that it looks a strong possibility the England international could be up for grabs in 2022.
But his potential arrival is likely to impact another Cobham graduate. Read more
Minnesota Vikings expected to hire L.A. Rams OC Kevin O’Connell as head coach following Super Bowl (USAToday)
Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell is expected to be the next head coach of the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the team’s plans told USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the move cannot yet be finalized.
The hire cannot become official until after Super Bowl 56 since O’Connell’s Rams advanced to the NFL championship game against the AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
The Vikings met with Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh on Wednesday, but according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero they did not actually make him an offer — despite their session lasting nine hours. Harbaugh informed the Wolverines he would be staying in Ann Arbor afterwards. Read more
Schumacher’s kart track saved from demolition (PlanetF1)
The karting track owned by Michael Schumacher is set for a revamp, and has been saved from being demolished after a new lease was agreed for its survival.
The land around the Erftlandring, owned by the seven-time former World Champion near his childhood home in Kerpen, was bought by German energy firm RWE as it looked to mine lignite coal, but protests from environmental groups stopped the mining from happening.
The future of Schumacher’s track, where the German legend began his own racing career as a young driver, had been uncertain. But Gerhard Noack, president of the karting club in the area, confirmed the track will remain open, “making Michael’s dream come true” in doing so, having learned his skills at the circuit.
There are hopes the planned renovations at the track will enable organisers to host high-ranking kart races in Kerpen, bringing aspiring young racers to the area with new facilities. Read more
FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Instinct makes Grace Brown one of best in the world (Cycling News)
FDJ Nouvelle-Aquitaine Futuroscope team manager Stephen Delcourt praised his new rider Grace Brown for her ‘instinct’ and ‘spirit’ while racing the biggest races on the Women’s WorldTour. In an interview with the cycling press on Tuesday, Delcourt said he has high hopes for the Australian in the Spring Classics and the Tour de France Femmes.
“Grace is one of the best riders in the world. In every race last year, our sports director would say to Cecilie [Uttrup Ludwig] and Marta [Cavalli], ‘If Grace attacks, please, follow her, and if Grace has 10 metres, it’s finished, so please follow Grace’.
“Now, we want Grace to continue to attack, and then we can attack also. We are happy to have a rider like Grace, who rides with instincts and we really love her spirit.”
Brown kicked off this season with a victory in the time trial and second place in the road race at the Australian Championships. Although she wasn’t able to join her new teammates at a recent team camp in Altea, Spain, she spoke to the press in a video call from her home in Australia. Read more