Lagos deactivates passports of 200 Covid protocol defaulters (Guardian)
Lagos State Government Wednesday said it has deactivated the passports of 200 inbound passengers who refused to appear before the mobile court after presenting fake PCR tests and COVID vaccination cards.
Commissioner for Prof Akin Abayomi said some inbound passengers presented fake PCR tests and COVID vaccination cards and filled in false travel information in an attempt to bypass the national COVID guidelines.
“Returning passengers present themselves at the airport either with fake COVID-9 PCR tests or fake vaccination cards or registering as children under 10 years to bypass the National guidelines or providing false COVID related information,” Abayomi said.
“These acts will not be tolerated as they represent the main catalyst of all the four waves which have had a major impact on the state public health systems and the economy. Read more
LASU: Tunji-Bello canvasses expanded admission quota for prospective medical students (Independent)
The Lagos State University (LASU) Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, mni, has urged the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), to consider an upward review of the admission quota of the institution’s College of Medicine from the current 100 to 150 students.
She justified the request on the significant improvement in facilities and quality of personnel that the College has witnessed since the last accreditation exercise in 2013.
The VC made the appeal during the courtesy visit of the Medical and Dental Association of Nigeria accreditation team at the conference hall of the Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, LASUCOM, Ikeja.
While addressing the 14-man team, the Professor of Physiology said: “The MBBS programme commenced in 1999 with a total number of fifty-two (52) students. Today, we have produced Fifteen (15) sets of medical graduates comprising eight hundred and forty-six (846) medical doctors. Read more
Police declare 21 wanted over 71-year old monarch’s abduction, murder of 2 (Nation)
Police in Anambra State have declared 21 persons wanted over the alleged murder of Chief Ajieh Nwanasor and Ikenna Ugochukwu as well as the abduction of the traditional ruler of Ogwu-Aniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Igwe Oliver Chike Nnaji.
The 71-year-old monarch was allegedly abducted from his palace on November 15, 2021, by a suspected gang who planned to control the resources of the community.
The Police had assured that no stone would be left unturned towards the rescue of the monarch.
But in a statement on Wednesday by Police spokesperson, Ikenga Tochukwu, the Command listed the names of the suspects in their wanted list to include Okwudili Ogana, Chidi Ekpendu, Chukwunonso Udom, Amaechi Akachukwu and Emmanuel Ejiofor. Read more
Army arrests 150 suspected political thugs heading from Ibadan to Ekiti, moves them to barracks in Ondo (Tribune)
No fewer than 150 men suspected to be political thugs were arrested by men of the 32 Artillery Brigade in the early hours of Wednesday.
The armed men were arrested around 3:00 a.m. at Ita Awure/Efon junction in Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State, and were said to be heading to Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, ahead of Wednesday’s primaries election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
A source told Tribune Online that all the arrested suspected political thugs had been moved to Owena Barracks in Akure, the Ondo State capital, for further investigation.
The source said the suspected armed thugs were on their way to Ekiti from Ibadan, Oyo State, and were arrested at Efon Local Government Area of Ekiti State, by military men. Read more
Army screens 3,800 recruits to meet manpower requirements (ThisDay)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, said yesterday the army embarked on the screening of 3,800 recruits in order to meet the manpower requirements of the army.
He said only the best candidates who are medically and physically fit would be recruited into the Nigerian Army.
The COAS gave the assurance when he visited the Nigerian Army Battle Fitness Centre (NABFC) in Falgore, Kano State, where the ongoing screening exercise for 82 Regular Recruit intakes is being conducted.
Yahaya charged the recruitment officers to leverage on the experience garnered from the previous recruitment exercises to improve upon the conduct of the ongoing recruitment and ensure that the goals of the exercise are not compromised. Read more
Borno set to seize UN property over tax evasion (DailyTrust)
The Borno State government on Wednesday said that it would commence the confiscation of seven properties belonging to the United Nations agencies which are domiciled in the state over tax evasion.
The Executive Chairman Borno State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BO-IRS), Mohammed Alkali affirmed this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
The affected properties are the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Food Programme(WFP), United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR), United Nations International Children Emergency Fund(UNICEF), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs(OCHA), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), and United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) with operations offices in Maiduguri.
“It is noteworthy that the aforementioned organisations are generally exempted from payment of tax from their operational funds. They are, however, mandated by law through the provisions of the personal income tax act, CAP P8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to remit to the state government what is known as PAYE ( Pay As You Earn) with Withholding Tax (WHT) for their staff and individuals and enterprise contractors respectively. Read more
Nigeria to impose Twitter conditions on other social media platforms (Guardian)
Nigeria is looking to impose the same conditions given to Twitter on all other social media platforms accessible in the country.
Nigeria’s information minister Lai Mohammed said the decision was borne out of the recent development on suspension of Twitter operations in the country and the agreement reached before the suspension was lifted.
“Whatever applies to Twitter will apply to all other social media platforms, be it WhatsApp, Facebook or any other,” News Agency of Nigeria quoted Mohammed as saying on the sidelines of bilateral discussions with Africa Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) on how Nigeria can access funding to support its growing creative industry.
The discussions were held in Egypt. Read more
FG debunks news of free DNA tests for Nigerians (Punch)
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunmimbe Mamora, on Tuesday, debunked news about free deoxyribonucleic acid tests popularly known as free DNA tests for Nigerians.
The minister disclosed this in an interview with The PUNCH In Abuja.
The Punch reports that some Nigerians took to the popular microblogging site, Twitter, with claims that the minister had said government hospitals and clinics would conduct free DNA tests.
The tweets had generated several reactions. While certain individuals expressed joy at the opportunity of exposing paternity fraud, other citizens wondered if the government would be able to finance the free tests. Read more
Chude & Ego Foundation appoints new Trustees (Leadership)
The Chude & Ego Foundation has constituted its Board of Trustees, which is to be led by its Founder, Nonso Okpala.
Other Board members include Mobolaji Adewumi and Okunwa Okpala.
The development was part of the Foundation’s 2021 Board resolutions.
Chude & Ego Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to transforming low-income communities by providing access to world-class education and quality healthcare. The
Foundation has set for itself the goal of empowering individuals to rise above economic and social barriers, channel their productivity and thrive for themselves and for their communities. Read more
Ignore ‘sex for role’ claims in Nollywood, says Kanayo O Kanayo (Punch)
Veteran Nollywood actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has asked the general public to disregard claims concerning sex for roles in Nollywood.
The term ‘sex for roles’ connotes a situation where an up-and-coming actor or actress would be asked to engage in a sexual relationship with a higher colleague before being given a role in a movie.
Speaking about this via his Instagram page on Wednesday, Kanayo asked the public not to believe what they were being told concerning the issue of sex for roles.
The actor, however, posited that many up-and coming actresses do not work hard and professionally act out their script as expected; a situation he described as shameful. Read more
Bradley Cooper almost gave up on acting before being offered role in Licorice Pizza (Metro)
Bradley Cooper has revealed he was close to giving up on acting, before he was offered a role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza.
The actor, who also said he hasn’t auditioned for a role since 2012, has seen huge success in films including his critically-acclaimed hit A Star Is Born.
However, he admitted he was just about ready to give it up before Licorice Pizza came along and we’re very thankful for Paul in that case.
The 47-year-old told Mahershala Ali in an interview for Variety: ‘The reason that I didn’t give up acting is Paul Thomas Anderson, specifically.
‘When he called me to maybe be in his movie, Mahershala, I mean really, I think I’d open up a door in his movie. I’d do anything.’
He added that the filmmaker taught him ‘things he never knew’ on set, with the actor hailing him as ‘incredible’. Read more
Message in a bottle from Scottish girl found in Norway after 25 years (BBC)
A message in a bottle sent by a young girl in Aberdeenshire has been found in Norway 25 years later.
Joanna Buchan was eight when the bottle was dropped from a fishing boat off Peterhead in 1996 for a school project.
It was found 800 miles (1,287km) away at Gasvaer in northern Norway by Elena Andreassen Haga, who tracked Joanna down on social media.
The schoolgirl’s letter reveals a love of sweets but a dislike of the opposite sex. “By the way I hate boys,” it ends.
Neatly handwritten and addressed to the “discoverer”, Joanna also describes her pet dog, her school projects and her love of collecting Blu Tack. Read more
Jazz pianist Bobbe ‘Beegie’ Adair, known for work with Dolly Parton and more, dies at 84 (USAToday)
Jazz pianist, session musician and bandleader Bobbe Long “Beegie” Adair, who played on over 100 records throughout her six decade career, has died. She was 84.
Her manager, Monica Ramey, said Adair died Sunday in Franklin. A cause of death was not immediately released.
Adair, raised in Cave City, Kentucky, began playing at age 5, attended college in Kentucky and then moved to Nashville to work in the city’s music scene in the 1960s. She worked as a musician on Johnny Cash’s TV show and Ralph Emery’s TV show, as well as on albums by Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Chet Atkins and many more.
She started her own commercial jingle company with her husband and started recording with her own bands. She released 35 albums with her trio of bassist Roger Spencer and drummer Chris Brown. Her trio would regularly perform at venues like Carnegie Hall and Birdland Jazz Club. Read more
Thundercat comments on making his acting debut in Disney+’s ‘The Book Of Boba Fett (AllHipHop)
The Disney+ streaming service premiered the new Star War series The Book Of Boba Fett on December 29. Award-winning musician Thundercat (born Stephen Lee Bruner) shows up in the “Chapter 4 – The Gathering Storm ” episode.
Thundercat plays a body-modification artist known as The Modifier. The Golden Age of Apocalypse album creator’s The Book Of Boba Fett role is his on-screen acting debut. He previously voiced Grune The Destroyer for Cartoon Network’s animated ThunderCats Roar.
“Thank you, [executive producers Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni, Robert Rodriguez] and the family at Disney and Star Wars for giving me a chance, I have loved Star Wars my whole life,” says Thundercat. “I am happy to be part of its legacy.”
The Book of Boba Fett stars Temuera Morrison as the title character. Ming-Na Wen and Pedro Pascal are part of the cast as well. The Mandalorian spin-off is set to run for seven episodes on Disney+. Read more
Peter Robbins, original voice actor of Charlie Brown, dead at 65 (People)
Peter Robbins, the original voice actor for Charlie Brown in the early animated Peanuts specials, has died. He was 65.
Robbins’ family confirmed the news to Fox 5 San Diego, saying that he died by suicide last week. People could not immediately reach his relatives for comment.
Robbins, whose real name was Louis G. Nanasi, was born in Los Angeles in 1956, Deadline reported. He began voicing the beloved cartoon character in 1963, lending his talents to iconic specials including A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Boy Named Charlie Brown and It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.
Beyond his four-year run voicing the Charles M. Schultz character, Robbins’ other credits include the comedy Blondie and guest spots in The Munsters, Get Smart and The Donna Reed Show, among others, in the 1960s. He stepped away from acting in 1972, per the outlet. Read more
Nicole Kidman, ‘The Power of the Dog’ win top prizes at 11th Annual AACTA International Awards (Variety)
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) announced the winners for the 11th annual AACTA International Awards, with Nicole Kidman nabbing her 7th AACTA award for her portrayal of Lucille Ball in “Being the Ricardos.”
Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” dominated the film categories with three wins — best film; best lead actor for Benedict Cumberbatch; and best supporting actor for Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee.
“Belfast” star Judi Dench won the best supporting actress prize, while “Dune” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve picked up the award for best direction in film. Aaron Sorkin won the screenplay prize for his “Being the Ricardos” script.
In the television categories, Kidman and Smit-McPhee’s fellow Australian, “The White Lotus” star Murray Bartlett was named best actor in a series, revealing his win exclusively to Variety’s Marc Malkin on his “Just For Variety” podcast. Read more
UK Police arrest 2 men over Texas synagogue hostage incident (EpochTimes)
Two men have been arrested in the English city of Manchester as part of the investigation into the hostage-taking incident at a Texas synagogue involving British national Malik Faisal Akram, British police said on Wednesday.
Akram, 44, originally from Blackburn in Lancashire, was shot dead when FBI officers rushed into Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on Jan. 15, following a 10-hour stand-off.
Announcing the latest development, Greater Manchester Police said that two men were arrested in Manchester on Wednesday morning and remain in custody for questioning.
The force said that officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North West are “working closely with and are supporting U.S. law enforcement.” Read more
Super Eagles ’ll return stronger –Ahmed Musa(Sun)
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has assured that the team will return stronger after their shocking elimination from the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.
The Saudi Arabia based winger, via his twitter handle @Ahmedmusa718, made this appeal shortly after returning to the country on Tuesday.
Musa, who only came in as a second half substitute once in all four games the Super Eagles played in Cameroon, wrote: “In life, things wouldn’t always go the way we want them to and that’s something we have to accept however hard it is.
“We gave our 100% & unfortunately that wasn’t good enough to take us through. We won’t give up; we will do better next time. Thanks for all your support and prayers.” Read more
End of the road at AFCON for Bucs duo (OrlandoPirates)
Orlando Pirates pair Gabadinho Mhango and Olisa Ndah both saw their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey come to an end at the Round of 16 stage of the tournament.
The duo represented Malawi and Nigeria respectively in Cameroon, and both put vital minutes under their belt while the DStv Premiership was on hold.
For Mhango, who turned out in the colours of The Flames, the continental showpiece was an unprecedented success as he helped his country to their second victory in the tournament in what was only their third appearance.
The Buccaneers striker provided both goals for Malawi in their group stage campaign, as he netted a brace against Zimbabwe, leading his side to a third place finish in Group B. That was enough to qualify for the knockout rounds, where they faced a daunting task, coming up against one of the pre-tournament favourites in Morocco in the Round of 16. Read more
Premier League clubs agree to new postponement guidance after controversial decisions to call games off (Sky)
Premier League clubs have agreed on new postponement guidance that says teams will have to show four positive COVID-19 cases in order to have a match called off.
The guidance change comes after a series of controversial decisions to call off matches, with clubs using a combination of coronavirus, injuries, suspensions and players on international duty to postpone games.
There have been 22 match postponements due to coronavirus and other factors in the Premier League this season.
The last match to be called off was Arsenal’s controversial postponement against Spurs, which drew criticism from their north London rivals. Read more
Idris Kanu: Northampton Town sign Peterborough United winger on loan (BBC)
Northampton Town have signed winger Idris Kanu on loan from Peterborough United for the rest of the season.
The 22-year-old has just returned from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he was a member of the Sierra Leone squad.
He has made six appearances for Peterborough this season, the most recent in November.
Meanwhile, Cardiff City striker Chanka Zimba, signed on loan by Northampton on 6 January, will be out for six weeks with a hamstring injury. Read more
Australian Open lift ban on fans’ Peng Shuai protest shirts after furious backlash (Mirror)
Australian Open officials have decided to reverse their decision to ban T-shirts donning the slogan ‘Where is Peng Shuai?’ – but banners will remain forbidden from being displayed at Melbourne Park.
Tennis Australia were forced to defend themselves after security at Melbourne Park ordered spectators to remove T-shirts and banners that supported Chinese tennis player Shuai. The decision received heavy criticism, including from 18-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, who branded the decision ‘cowardly’.
Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, has also expressed her support for the doubles star while a protest has been planned for the women’s final.
Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley has since decided to allow such T-shirts as long as fans possess no ‘intent to disrupt’. But banners remain banned. Read more
Alpine to unveil 2022 car two days before 1st F1 test (F1i)
Alpine will roll out its all-new A522 charger on February 21, just two days before the start of Formula 1’s pre-season testing in Barcelona.
The Enstone squad heads into the 2022 season on the back of a maiden campaign under its new Alpine identity that yielded a milestone win in Hungary thanks to Esteban Ocon and fifth place in F1’s Constructors’ Championship.
While the French outfit’s line-up remains unchanged with Ocon and teammate Fernando Alonso, the team has yet to announce the new members of its upper management that will answer to Alpine chief executive Laurent Rossi.
The recent exits of former executive director Marcin Budkowski and advisor/director Alain Prost have left a management void that former Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer is expected to partially fill. Read more
Australian Open: Daniil Medvedev beats Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up Stefanos Tsitsipas match (BBC)
Title favourite Daniil Medvedev saved a match point before producing a stunning comeback against Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up an Australian Open semi-final against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Second seed Medvedev eventually won 6-7 (4-7) 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 6-4, becoming the first player to fight back from two sets down in Melbourne this year.
Fourth seed Tsitsipas earned a dominant straight-set win over Jannik Sinner.
The 23-year-old, beaten by Medvedev in last year’s semis, won 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Now Tsitsipas has the opportunity to avenge that defeat against the Russian and reach his first Australian Open final. Read more
