Lagos domestic worker robs Japanese N2.7m at gunpoint (Punch)
Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a domestic worker, Sossougueto Theodore, 50, who conspired with a neighbour, Oluwasegun Olusoji, 35, to rob his Japanese employer, Yasushi Murata N2.7m.
The duo carried out the robbery on February 1, 2022, at the residence of the expatriate on Chris Ali Street, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.
According to a statement on Thursday by the police spokesman in the state, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the duo broke into the victim’s residence and forced him to transfer N1m into the Zenith Bank account of Olusoji.
“After torturing and violently assaulting the victim, the robbers who were masked, armed with a gun, and an axe, made away with his ATM card after coercing him to disclose his PIN.
“A few days after the robbery, the suspects using the ATM, unlawfully and fraudulently withdrew the sum of one million, seven hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira, making a total of two million, seven hundred and twenty-nine thousand, eight hundred and fifty naira (N2, 729, 850.00) stolen from the victim’s bank account without authorisation,” the statement titled, ‘Domestic Worker Robs Employer In Lagos’ partly read. Read more
Wife kills husband with hot water in Ogun (Vanguard)
A housewife in Ogun State, Ramota Soliu, has reportedly fled her matrimonial home after killing her husband, Bello Soliu, at a Fulani settlement located at Iyana Ilewo in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that Bello died from the body injuries he suffered when the wife poured hot water on him, Saturday.
The woman, whose six years relationship with Bello has produced two kids.
It was also gathered that Bello had on Friday invited some relatives to help in talking to his wife, who he said was fond of starving him and an Arabic student living with them.
The fleeing woman allegedly woke up Saturday morning, boiled water and bathed her husband with it. Read more
Ikoyi building collapse: Lagos to demolish remaining skyscrapers, prosecute culpable officials (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has accepted 26 recommendations of the Toyin Ayinde-led panel that investigated the collapse of a 21-storey building in the Ikoyi area of the state.
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration also rejected two of the 28 recommendations of the panel.
In a White Paper exclusively seen by The PUNCH on Wednesday, the state government agreed with the recommendation of the panel that the existing two 15-storey buildings still standing at the site of the collapse on Gerrard Road in Ikoyi should be demolished and the land forfeited to the state government.
The state government also accepted the recommendation of the panel that the Developer of the collapsed property, Fourscore Heights Limited, be prosecuted because of the loss of lives in the rubble. Read more
How top police brass tried to shield Abba Kyari (DailyTrust)
The declaration of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari wanted by the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and his subsequent arrest on Monday followed failed attempts by police top brass to shield him from the latest and previous probes, Daily Trust can report.
Kyari, who is the Commander of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at the Force Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police Force and others are now in the custody of the NDLEA over allegations of involvement in drug dealings.
Insiders said there were spirited efforts by top police officers, including retired senior officers close to the embattled intelligence officer, to give him soft-landing in the aftermath of his indictment by the United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as part of the investigation into the $1.1 million advanced fee fraud involving Abbas Ramon, aka Hushpuppi.
Daily Trust reliably gathered that the attempts to shield Kyari from facing the full wrath of the law set a section of the management of the Police Service Commission (PSC) against the police top echelon. Read more
ASUU: FG sets up visitation panels, whitepaper committees (Guardian)
Barely a week into the one-month warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the Federal Government has taken a step towards resolving one of the pressing demands by the union.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, yesterday, announced the setting up of 21 panels to draft the whitepapers for the reports of visitation panels earlier sent to Nigerian tertiary institutions to review their activities.
ASUU had demanded the release of whitepapers on the reports of the panels constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2021 to visit 88 tertiary institutions across the country. It lamented that many months after the submission of reports to the government, the whitepapers were yet to be released.
The panels, which were constituted based on ASUU’s request, submitted their reports to the education minister in August 2021.
While receiving the report, Mr. Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukuwuemeka Nwajiuba, promised that government would give adequate attention to the recommendations contained in the reports. Read more
PPP initiatives: National hajj commission seeks support from Lagos (Vanguard)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has solicited for the support of Lagos State Government on its Public-Private Partnership, PPP, initiatives.
Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, however, expressed the state government’s readiness to support NAHCON, as usual.
Hamzat made the pledge on Wednesday, while receiving the Board members of NAHCON, led by the Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Hassan, during a courtesy visit at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
Hamzat stated that the state government will continue to assist the commission in its drives in enhancing its operations to the good people of Nigeria as the state government always prides itself in doing things that will assist the citizens of the country. Read more
Fire guts buildings, properties worth millions of naira in Rivers community (Guardian)
A truck ladened with suspected adulterated fuel in the early hours of Wednesday reportedly went up in flames at Mgbere Clan in the Ibaa community of Emohua Council of Rivers State.
It was gathered that the truck was stationed in the community and was about to leave, after it was loaded with petroleum products, when it went up in flames.
A source who spoke anonymously said the inferno razed 15 buildings and more than 20 shops were affected. Also, earlier in the week, on Monday, it was gathered that at Ohionu in the same Ibaa, a tanker loaded with petroleum products collided with a building.
It was learned that the tanker was trying to meander the rough roads of one of the bunkering sites when it ignited and caught up in flames, destroying buildings worth millions. Read more
Why I met Obasanjo over 2023 polls – Ango Abdullahi (DailyTrust)
The convener of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has met former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State over the 2023 general elections.
Accompanied by the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Nastura Ashir Shariff and the Director, Action and Mobilization CNG, Aminu Adam, Abdullahi met Obasanjo at his penthouse at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.
A statement made available by Obasanjo’s media aide on Wednesday said the meeting lasted for about two hours.
Speaking after the meeting, Abdullahi noted that Nigerian leaders needed to strategise ahead of the 2023 elections in the country. Read more
EU urges FG to strengthen competition framework, to partner Nigeria on investments (ThisDay)
The European Union (EU) Commission has said it would continue to partner Nigeria on business opportunities, investments and other developmental issues.
Executive Vice President of the European Union (EU), Ms Margrethe Vestager gave the assurance during a visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments, Adeniyi Adebayo at the Old Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja.
Vestager who is completing her 5-day working visit to Nigeria reiterated EU’s commitment to intensify cooperation with Nigeria in the areas of agri-food, energy & infrastructure.
According to Ms Vestager, “I have trust in agriculture as it has the capacity to create access to trade channels that would otherwise be difficult.” Read more
90 staff receive SIFAX Group long service award (Sun)
Ninety staff have been honoured for their meritorious and dedicated service at the 2021 SIFAX Group Long Service Award Ceremony held recently in Lagos.
Of the 90 staff, 39 were rewarded for 15 years of service, while the remaining 51 were honoured for 10 years. Each awardee was presented a certificate of recognition, an award plaque as well as financial reward.
Some of the awardees include: John Jenkins, Managing Director, Port & Cargo Handling Services Limited; Ezekiel Ajewole, Executive Director/Senior Special Adviser to the Group Executive Vice Chairman (GEVC); Mr. Oliver Omajuwa, General Manager, SIFAX Off Dock Trinity; Yusuf Yaro, Personal Assistant to the GEVC; Kayode Ogunwole, General Manager, IT and Henry Ajoh, General Manager, Ocean & Cargo Terminal Services Limited, Warri.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, who hosted the event, presented the awards to the staff. In his goodwill message, he appreciated the awardees for their valuable contribution to the growth of the company. Read more
Will Smith teams up with David Oyelowo to produce an adaptation of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun for Netflix (DailyMail)
Will Smith and David Oyelowo are putting on their producing hats, joining forces to put together an adaptation of an upcoming novel.
Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon have teamed up with Netflix for the adaptation of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun, via Variety.
The novel from Nigerian-born and British-raised journalist Tola Okogwu is described as Black Panther meets X-Men, and will be published June 14 from Simon & Schuster.
The book follows the title character, a teenager whose massive head of hair is the subject of ridicule to most except for her best friend Cheyenne.
Onyeka’s world is turned upside down, though, when Cheyenne nearly drowns and, inexplicably, Onyeka’s hair takes on a life of its own and saves Cheyenne. Read more
Ryan Reynolds makes ‘promise’ to fans who think Deadpool will be in Doctor Strange 2 (Independent)
Ryan Reynolds has addressed the theory that Deadpool will be introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in Doctor Strange 2.
On Sunday (13 February) a new trailer for the film, titled Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was released. In it, it was revealed that Patrick Stewart’s X-Men character Charles Xavier would make an appearance, while also hinting at the introduction of Superior Iron Man.
Xavier’s appearance in the trailer teased the arrival of a secret society known as the Illuminati, which also features Fantastic Four character Reed Richards, who is expected to be played by John Krasinski.
However, it was a tiny detail featured on the poster that led to theories about Deadpool’s inclusion, something Reynolds has now addressed.
Speaking to Variety, Reynolds, 45, said that he’s “not really supposed to say anything”, but told the outlet: “I’m really not in the movie.” Read more
Liam Gallagher to win BandLab NME Awards 2022 Music Moment of the Year (NME)
Liam Gallagher will be picking up this year’s Music Moment Of The Year Award at the BandLab NME Awards 2022 – in honour of the free concert he played for NHS workers at London’s O2 Arena.
The wildest night in music will return to London’s O2 Academy Brixton on Wednesday, March 2 to celebrate the best in music and entertainment from around the globe.
Joining the talent in the room on the night, former Oasis frontman and previous Godlike Genius recipient Liam Gallagher will be honoured with Music Moment Of The Year for his stellar gig at London’s O2 on August 17, 2021 – where he and Primal Scream welcomed the return of live music and thanked NHS staff for their hard work through the pandemic by performing a free show for healthcare workers.
Responding to the win, Gallagher told NME: “I’d like to thank NME for the Music Moment Of The Year award and would like to dedicate it to all the NHS and care workers and all the people that give a shit in general. LG x”
In a five-star review of Liam’s O2 show for NHS workers, NME hailed it as “a life-affirming, era-defining show”, adding: “You have not seen joy until you’ve seen thousands of NHS workers leg it back across the O2 Arena, belting out the lyrics to one of the greatest anthems of all time, a song about relying on one another and literally being someone’s saviour. After all this time, Liam wasn’t wrong when he told the audience: ‘It’s good to see your lovely faces and hear your lovely voices’.” Read more
Irish-language film An Cailín Ciúin wins at Berlin International Film Festival (IrishPost)
Irish film An Cailín Ciúin has won a prestigious award at the Berlin Film Festival, making history as both the first Irish-language film to be showcased and win at the awards.
The film, written and directed by Colm Bairéad and based on the short story by Claire Keegan, won the Grand Prix of the Generation Plus International Jury for the Best Film, having premiered at the festival earlier in the month.
The film tells the story of a girl’s summer with a foster couple away from her dysfunctional family in 1980s Ireland.
“As many films in this year’s Generation Plus competition, the winning film deals with the hardships of family life,” the jury said about this film.
“It is a film with a delicate story full of details about childhood, grief, parenthood and rebuilding a family. The very strong narrative is combined with stunning cinematography. The sound and the images create a unique atmosphere.”
For having won the prize, the film’s creators will receive €7,500.
The film also received a special mention from the children’s jury, praising the performance from protagonist Catherine Clinch as one which “truly impressed” them. Read more
Fremantle and Italy’s Cinecittà Studios enter strategic pact (Variety)
Fremantle and Italy’s Cinecittà have entered a five-year pact involving the continuous rental of six sound stages at the iconic studios, which are currently undergoing a major revamp.
The deal “confirms Fremantle’s strategic decision to make some of its top international productions in Italy: a decision that finds the perfect and natural partner in Cinecittà,” Fremantle said in a statement.
A radical revamp of Cinecittà, which has been underway since May 2021, has been gaining traction with a rise in occupancy of its sound stages and backlot, realistic prospects for profitability, and new state-of-the-art filming facilities.
The Cinecittà revamp is being conceived and carried forth by Nicola Maccanico, a former Warner Bros. and Sky Italia senior exec who has a mandate from Italy’s culture minister Dario Franceschini to turn the Rome studios into continental Europe’s top filming facilities thanks to a €300 million ($339) million) investment from the European Union’s post-pandemic recovery fund. Maccanico has since been busy overhauling several of the existing 19 sound stages and getting five new stages built, while also devising a five-year financial plan under which he expects Cinecittà to start turning a profit in 2023.
In addition to studio rental, the agreement with Fremantle includes the long-term use of Cinecittà’s services such as costume and prop facilities, digital post-production and 35mm and 16mm-development facilities. “Overall, it will offer production teams an all-round, integrated service which is efficient, inclusive and sustainable,” the statement said. Read more
Lil Wayne to perform first UK show in 14 years at Strawberries & Creem festival (Sky)
Rapper Lil Wayne is set to perform his first UK show in almost a decade-and-a-half, after visa issues prevented from previously entering the country.
The multi-Grammy winning rapper will perform at the Strawberries & Creem festival in Cambridge in June.
In December 2020, Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, admitted possessing a .45 calibre gun and six rounds of ammunition after his private plane was searched on arriving in Miami from California a year prior.
That was despite already being a convicted felon on another weapons charge, but he avoided jail by posting a $250,000 bail.
He was later pardoned by then president, Donald Trump.
In 2011, Carter’s visa was cancelled by the UK over his convictions, meaning his tour that year had to be called off.
According to festival organisers, Strawberries & Creem will be the Mirror rapper’s only European show in 2022.
The event, which has been running since 2014, aims to feature more women on its stages, with artists like Mabel, Ella Mai and Tems all joining the line-up.
It has linked up with the UN’s Safe Spaces Now initiative and has committed to more gender balance across the whole festival, including in those attending. Read more
Quavo is now a playable character in ‘NBA 2K22’- & his likeness is spot-on (HipHopDX)
Quavo is now a playable character in NBA 2k22. The Migos lyricist revealed on Wednesday (February 16) that players who unlock the correct MyTEAM player card will have access to Huncho.
“What’s happening? It’s Quavo,” the 30-year-old rapper said in a trailer reveal for his new character, which showcased a digitized Quavo balling out in the metaverse. “I am officially a playable character in 2k22. I’m very excited. Complete challenges to unlock my MyTEAM player card. Whatchu waiting on? Start balling as me today, The Huncho.”
Quavo’s basketball skills have become the stuff of legends in Hip Hop. He is often one of the most coveted players during NBA’s annual Celebrity All-Star Game, and closed out 2021 by schooling YK Osiris on the court in December, robbing him of $20,000 in the process.
Quavo’s love of basketball runs deep. He recently starred in and narrated the YouTube Original documentary series Home Courts, where he got the chance to show viewers how deep-rooted basketball is in the cultural fabric of Atlanta. The special also features many celebrities who call Atlanta their home, including former Mayors Andrew Young and Kasim Reed, NFL player Walter Stith and Killer Mike. Read more
Ex-Eagles decry plight of Atlanta ’96 hero turned bus driver (Punch)
Ex-Nigerian footballers have expressed sadness after they learnt that Atlanta 1996 gold medallist Kingsley Obiekwu has turned to a commercial driver in Enugu.
The retired footballers also called on the Nigeria Football Federation and the government to support footballers, especially those who represented the country, when they are retired.
A Facebook user known simply as Okwuluora posted on his page that he saw the former defender loading and driving a commercial Toyota Sienna minivan at Abakpa Motor Park in Enugu.
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa on Wednesday donated N2m to Obiekwu after he saw the post on social media.
The 47-year-old made eight appearances for the Eagles between 1996 and 1999, as well as stints at Go Ahead Eagles, Al Ahli Shabab, Al-Masry and Enugu Rangers at club level. Read more
Anthony Martial happy at Sevilla after Manchester United exit, says Monchi (Metro)
Sevilla sporting director Monchi believes Anthony Martial is happy in Spain following his Manchester United exit last month.
Martial made it clear that he wanted to leave United in the January transfer window and the French forward got his wish as he joined Sevilla on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 26-year-old has made two appearances for Sevilla and Monchi believes the Spanish club have helped improve the player’s frame of mind.
‘In these two weeks he’s been here, what I see is happiness,’ Monchi told The Times.
‘When a player has the technical, tactical, physical qualities, what you have to do is touch the perfect spot for these qualities to reappear. Read more
MFM 1-0 Katsina United: Azeez’s goal ignites survival hope for MFM (Nation)
The setting for MatchDay 13 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere was that of a relegation dogfight. Two struggling sides, MFM and Katsina United were locked in a contest that could have a lot to say on where they would play next season.
When it was looking like they were going to share the points equally, Tunde Azeez popped up.
He was introduced in place of Ritchie Eguavoen, and barely seven minutes after, the substitution paid off with Azeez grabbing the headline with a well taken strike.
Azeez had received a pass from Moses Shodehinde in the 81st minute to fire into the back of the net. It was a game changing effort that ensured MFM picked their third win in 13 games.Read more
Conte blasts Tottenham for ‘weakened’ squad (France24)
Antonio Conte on Wednesday blasted Tottenham’s transfer activities in January, saying that his team has been left “weakened”.
Spurs sent Tanguy Ndombele back to Lyon, Giovani Lo Celso and Bryan Gil moved to Valencia and Villarreal respectively, while Jack Clarke went on loan to Sunderland and Dele Alli signed for Everton.
Meanwhile they brought in Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski from Juventus, two players who had failed to impress in Turin.
“Rather than reinforce the squad, we on paper weakened it. Bentancur and Kulusevski are ideal prospects for Tottenham, because Tottenham are seeking young players they can develop and grow, not players who are ready. That is the issue,” Conte said in an interview with Sky Sport Italia. Read more
Paul Pogba considering move to Premier League rivals (MEN)
Paul Pogba could reportedly consider offers from the Premier League in the summer should he fail to pen fresh terms at Manchester United.
The midfielder’s future remains undecided as he reaches the final few months of his contract at United.
Pogba has been linked with a move to his homeland, with Paris Saint-Germain rumoured to be preparing a huge offer for the World Cup winner.
Real Madrid have also been touted as a possible destination, with other reports suggesting Pogba is keen on a return to Juventus. Read more
Tiger Woods still working on PGA Tour return: ‘A long way to go’ (NYPost)
A year ago, Tiger Woods nearly died when he crashed his SUV at a high rate of speed into a wooded area on a windy Los Angeles road.
On Wednesday, 51 weeks to the day after the grisly crash and on the eve of the Genesis Invitational, the 46-year-old Woods spoke of his slow comeback to playing competitively again.
In doing so, he tapped the brakes — something police reports revealed he never did before his crash at more than 80 mph last Feb. 23 — on the speed of his comeback.
“Will I come back? Yes,’’ Woods said from Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, where the tournament that benefits his foundation will be held this week. “Will I come back and play a full schedule? No. I can play certain events here and there, but on a full-time level, no, that will never happen again.’’ Read more
Formula One: Sport braced for disputes over new 2022 rules, says Ross Brawn (StraitsTime)
Formula One is braced for disputes over teams’ interpretations of this season’s new rules, but will now have the power to crack down swiftly on any outfit trying to use loopholes to circumvent them, the sport’s motorsport head Ross Brawn said.
The series is set for its most radical regulatory overhaul in decades, aimed at levelling the playing field and improving wheel-to-wheel racing.
In the past, Formula One teams have occasionally protested each other’s interpretations of the rules and Brawn is aware that the new regulations could spark disputes as engineers seek out loopholes in order to steal a march on their rivals.
“It wouldn’t be F1 without disputes,” the 67-year-old, who as team principal of his eponymous Brawn team had to fend off protests over the car’s double diffuser at the start of their title-winning campaign in 2009, told reporters. Read more