Lagos suspends NURTW from operating in parks, garages (Guardian)
Lagos State government Thursday night said it has suspended the National Union of Road Transport Workers Union (NURTW) from operating at motor parks and garages in the state.
The announcement came after the national leadership of the union earlier on Thursday suspended the chairman of the Lagos State chapter, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo.
Akinsanya, blaming the NURTW national leadership for the protracted crisis in the state chapter, said at a press conference later in the day that he and the state chapter had pulled out of the national union.
“After considering the provisions of the law, the Government hereby suspends the activities of NURTW, which must cease to operate in all parks and garages in Lagos State,” Commissioner for information, Gbenga Omotoso, said in a statement. Read more
Lagos to divert traffic on Awolowo Way Ikeja, Simbiat Abiola Way from Saturday (Independent)
The Lagos State Government said it would divert traffic on Awolowo Way between Ikeja Under Bridge and Simbiat Abiola Way from noon on Saturday to 6.00 am next Monday.
A statement by Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, said that the diversion was to enable junction improvement works by the government.
Oladeinde explained that the traffic diversion was necessary to facilitate the delivery of the junction improvement works at record time, and assured the safety of motorists within the period.
The commissioner explained that an adequate traffic management plan has been put in place for the period of the diversion, adding that motorists inbound Awolowo Way from the General Hospital Ikeja or Airport Road would be diverted to Oba Akran through Ikeja Underbridge. Read more
Domestic violence: Lagos govt commences publication of sex offenders’ identities (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has commenced the publication of details of sex offenders in the state to serve as deterrence to others.
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, DSVA, Mrs Titilola Vivour- Adeniyi, who disclosed this during a press conference at the agency’s office on Thursday, added that the measure was also in furtherance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s zero tolerance to all forms of domestic and sexual violence.
The details according to the Executive Secretary includes; the name and picture of the sex offender, the nature of the offence as well as the duration of the sentence handed down by the court.
Vivour-Adeniyi, noted that this was in line with the provisions of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law, particularly section 42 which provides that the Agency is to periodically publish details of Sex convicts in the state. Read more
LASG honours Agboyi-Ketu councillor (Punch)
THE Lagos State Government has honoured the Councillor representing Ward B at the Agboyi-Ketu Legislative Council, Oluwatoyin Odegbesan, for her contribution to the development of the state.
According to a statement on Thursday, Odegbesan received the Lagos State Government’s Women Achievement Recognition Award for Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area during the International Women’s Day event at Onikan.
She said, “The award is dedicated to the hospitable women of Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, without prejudice to creed, calling or political leanings. Aside from the borehole project to provide safe and clean water to my constituents, I undertook many people-oriented projects since assuming office. This is unbelievable, because when I started my political journey, I never believed I could become a councillor, but ‘human proposes, God disposes.’
“As a reward to God for his grace upon me, I have vowed to use my office as a fulcrum to inspire humanity and I am thankful to my husband who gave me the space to participate in politics.” Read more
Pupil shot dead, others injured as thugs disrupt inter-house sports (Nation)
A pupil has been shot dead while others sustained injuries after thugs disrupted the annual Inter-House sports of Agolo High School Ikare headquarters of Akoko North East Local Government Area.
The event ended abruptly when the shootings started as everybody scampered for safety.
An eyewitness said,:“Everything was going on smoothly but suddenly some thugs appeared from nowhere and started shooting sporadically.
“A stray bullet hit a boy, killing him while two others were seriously wounded but they are now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital. Read more
Obaseki won’t leave PDP, Ayu affirms (Punch)
The National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, Iyorcha Ayu, on Thursday said that the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, would not leave the party as was being rumoured.
Ayu gave the assurance to party members in Benin, at a rally organised in his honour by the Edo Government, where he described Obaseki as an asset to the PDP.
He also said that many people who left the PDP were already coming back, and many more would still do so.
The national chairman promised speedy resolution of the crisis rocking the Edo chapter of the party. Read more
Umahi apologises to the judge for the attack, and gets an order to stay (Nation).
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi has apologised to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for attacking him, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) confirmed yesterday
The judge on Tuesday sacked the governor and his deputy Eric Igwe for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Ekwo also ordered 16 lawmakers in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, who defected from the PDP to the APC, to vacate their seats.
He held that their votes cannot be transferred from one party to another.
Joshua Ogharisi set to partner Nike as official brand designer (Tribune)
Nigerian entrepreneur and pop culture enthusiast, Joshua Ogharisi, otherwise known as God’s Plan has announced popular fashion outfit, Nike as the official brand designer of his clothing brand GPN. Ogharisi who is the CEO and Creative Director of GP Nation, is about to launch his flagship fashion collection GPN in a few weeks time, making it available for Nigerians.
God’s plan, who made his intentions known to the public in a statement released on his social media handles, said that he and his team have spent several months working on the business idea, carrying out different levels of research on the needs of his target audience before releasing their flagship products.
“We have spent several months working on this project. I and my team have worked tirelessly to give Nigerians optimum satisfaction when it comes to our fashion brand and I can assure you that GPN was created just to meet the fashion needs of Nigerians ,”he said.
While speaking further, he attributed his decision to his admiration for the company and how they put in efforts to produce what could be considered as the best set of clothings, he also added that the recognition they’ve gained over the years by proving to be an efficient and trustworthy fashion outfit further convinced him that they were the best option for the job. Read more
Ex-Minister: I deserve to be jailed over how I served Nigeria (DailyTrust)
A former minister of works, Ambassador Ibrahim Musa Kazaure, has listed himself among those who ought to be jailed over the manner in which they served the country.
Condemning the set of leaders who governed Nigeria since the birth of democracy, Kazaure accused politicians of sabotaging the country.
He said this on a Radio France International programme.
“Even me talking to you, what we did to Nigeria, we deserve to be jailed,” he said, adding that all politicians that have held sway since 1999 have failed the country. Read more
Another Adele concert special is coming soon (EW)
If she can’t take the stage in Las Vegas, Adele will just have to settle for national television instead.
The “Easy on Me” singer will headline another TV concert special — on NBC this time, which is set to air on Sunday, March 20. Filmed at the London Palladium, the two-hour special, An Audience with Adele, will feature performances of such hits as “Someone Like You” and “Hello,” as well as cuts from Adele’s most recent album, 30.
Between songs, the concert will see Adele take questions from the celebrity audience — which included Idris Elba, Emma Thompson, and Hannah Waddingham, among others — and feature an emotional moment where the singer is surprised by a beloved former teacher. (The special originally aired on ITV in the U.K. in November.)
Adele previously headlined a concert special for CBS, Adele One Night Only, which also premiered in November. That event saw her perform at Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory for an audience that included Lizzo, Gabrielle Union, and Seth Rogen, among others. Not to worry, though, non-famouses: Adele swears those Vegas shows are definitely going to happen this year. Read more
Ellen Zoe Golden, former publicist for Billy Idol, Hall and Oates and other music stars, dies at 63 (Variety)
Ellen Zoe Golden, a veteran record industry publicist whose clients over the years included Billy Idol, Daryl Hall and John Oates, and Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summits, died at her home in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The cause of death was brain cancer, which Golden told friends she had been diagnosed with last fall. She was 63.
Golden’s career included stints at the Howard Bloom Organization and Universal Records, where she created the fledgling label’s media relations department in 1995 after shuttering her own independent EZG Media & Marketing.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of Ellen Golden’s passing,” said Idol — a client she worked passionately as he scaled commercial peaks in the 1980s — in a statement to Variety. “Ellen worked closely with me for many years. In fact, we lived across the street from each other in New York for a spell. She was on my publicity team during a period in my life when representing me wasn’t necessarily an easy task! She always had my back and I’m forever grateful. My condolences go out to the entire Golden family. She will be missed.”
Golden left the music business and moved to Costa Rica in the early 2000s, exploring her love of surfing and working as a travel agent and sales manager for Costa Rica Vacations, Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas and the Bevy Marketing and Designs. When not planning trips to Costa Rica for clients, she would be surfing, doing yoga, running, and binge-watching “The Walking Dead,” “Oz,” “Arrested Development” and “Scandal.” Read more
Fivio Foreign & Quavo to drop ‘Magic City’ music video ahead of ‘B.I.B.L.E.’ album release (HipHopDX)
Fivio Foreign is getting ready to drop his long-awaited debut studio album B.I.B.L.E., and he’s been teasing records off the project, such as his “Magic City” collaboration with Migos member Quavo. The “Big Drip” rapper gave a snippet of the fiery new track on his Instagram Story last week, and it looks like we’ll be getting the track very soon.
Quavo recently took to his Instagram Story this week with an update regarding “Magic City,” and fans can get excited that the duo is in the process of recording the official music video for the song. The song takes its name from the famed Atlanta premier strip club called Magic City where people like Future and others visit frequently. In Quavo’s post, fans can see the rapper flexing his jewelry before turning the camera and showing the music video set filled with people inside what appears to be a club.
“Movie OTW,” Quavo wrote in the IG Story. “Thinkin bout turning Brooklyn into Magic City. We droppin next week.”
Fans got to hear some of what Quavo was spitting on the drill-heavy track in Fivio’s teaser on Instagram last week. In his verse, Quavo goes right to work rapping about his riches and ability to clap back at the opps. Read more
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mocks ‘Woke’ Disney amid uproar over ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law (TheWrap)
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis slammed the Walt Disney Company as “woke” at a Thursday rally in Boca Raton, after Disney expressed disapproval of the Parental Rights in Education bill during the company’s shareholders meeting on Wednesday. Fox News Digital exclusively obtained the video.
DeSantis’ swipe against Disney comes just a day after Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that he will be meeting with the Florida Gov. in order to discuss the bill, which prohibits Florida school faculty from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten to third grade. The bill passed the state Senate Tuesday after passing the House last month. DeSantis’ spokesperson, Christina Pushaw, confirmed on Wednesday that the two spoke but said “The governor’s position has not changed.”
DeSantis doubled down in his Boca Raton speech.
“The chance that I am going to back down from my commitment to students and back down from my commitment to parents’ rights simply because of fraudulent media narratives or pressure from woke corporations — the chances of that are zero,” he said. Read more
Moesha Boduong deletes all posts, photos from social media again (MyJoy)
Ghanaian Actress, Moesha Boduong, has once again cleared all engagements from her Instagram account.
In the latest development, the socialite has deleted all posts and photos from her Instagram, for reasons she did not state.
Her followers and following, however, remain intact.
Moesha faced backlash from a group of celebrities when she made a comment they tagged as false while advising her to seek therapy. Read more
Emilio Delgado, Actor who played Luis on Sesame Street for 45 years, dead at 81 (People)
Emilio Delgado, who played Fix-it Shop owner Luis Rodriguez on Sesame Street for 45 years, has died. He was 81.
The Mexican-American actor was surrounded by family when he died Thursday at his home in New York City, his wife Carole Delgado told TMZ. Emilio had recently been in hospice care after he was diagnosed with Multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in December 2020.
“A beloved member of the Sesame family for over 50 years, his warmth and humor invited children to share a friendship that has echoed through generations,” a rep for Sesame Street shares in a statement to People
“At the forefront of representation, Emilio proudly laid claim to the ‘record for the longest-running role for a Mexican-American in a TV series.’ We are so grateful he shared his talents with us and with the world.” Read more
Abramovich among seven oligarchs to have £15,000,000,000 in assets frozen by UK (Metro)
Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned for his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin as the UK hit a fresh round of oligarchs accused of having the ‘blood of the Ukrainian people… on their hands’.
Described as a pro-Kremlin oligarch, the Chelsea FC owner was hit with an asset freeze and a travel ban in an updated sanctions list published on Thursday after ministers came under sustained pressure to target him.
The updated sanctions list, which hits seven new elite individuals, said Mr Abramovich has had a ‘close relationship for decades’ with Mr Putin, which the football club owner has previously denied.
Oleg Deripaska, an industrialist worth £2 billion who has had close links with the British political establishment, is also hit along with five others in the updated sanctions list. Read more
NPFL: Rangers’ move to play in Awka City Stadium thrills Monimichelle (Leadership)
Chief executive Officer of Monimichelle, Ebi Egbe, is thrilled over the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) side, Rangers International of Enugu move to play at the Awka City Stadium constructed by the Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd.
Rangers who are currently playing their NPFL home matches in Nnewi have applied to LMC requesting to shift base to Awka.
The Flying Antelopes have blamed their poor run at home on the Nnewi natural grass turf, saying it doesn’t support their free flowing football.
Egbe, who is now putting finishing touches to the Awka turf said yesterday that Rangers playing at Awka would be another good opportunity for Nigerians to see what his firm is capable of doing. Read more
Brendan Rodgers hails impact of Leicester winger Marc Albrighton (Independent)
Brendan Rodgers hailed the “invaluable” Marc Albrighton after the winger’s emphatic strike helped Leicester beat Rennes 2-0 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League last-16 tie at the King Power Stadium.
Albrighton put the Foxes ahead on the half-hour mark by cracking the ball home from the edge of the box following a burst down the left and tee up by Harvey Barnes.
The 32-year-old also provided the assist in stoppage time when substitute Kelechi Iheanacho curled in to ensure Leicester secured a two-goal lead to take into next Thursday’s second leg in France.
Boss Rodgers, whose side have now won each of their last four games in all competitions, said of Albrighton: “He’s an invaluable member of the squad, someone who turns up every day, trains, gives his all. When he plays he gives everything. Read more
Russian tennis star Anna Kalinskaya sports ‘no war’ attire during Indian Wells match (Metro)
Russian tennis star Anna Kalinskaya sent a powerful message in her latest Indian Wells match by opting to wear trainers with the words ‘no war’ on them.
The world No. 90 booked her spot in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open after her opponent Harmony Tan retired mid-match, giving Kalinskaya a 6-2, 1-0 win.
But Kalinskaya’s efforts on the court came second to the message she sent out to the world and her own country with her trainers branding a ‘no war’ message.
The 23-year-old posted on her Instagram last week calling for peace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is continuing to use her status to promote anti-war messages. Read more
Arsenal news: Gunners told to keep ‘vitally important’ Alexandre Lacazette amid fresh dilemma (Mirror)
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged the club to keep hold of Alexandre Lacazette with the striker’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The Frenchman currently looks set to leave this summer and has been linked with a return to Lyon despite being handed the captain’s armband following Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January departure for Barcelona.
And Lacazette is facing something of a dilemma when it comes to deciding his future.
It comes as former Gunners favourite Jeremie Aliadiere revealed who he thinks has been Mikel Arteta’s signing of the season who has kept the club’s top-four hopes alive following his arrival last summer. Read more
Ben Simmons greeted with loud chorus of boos by Sixers fans in return to Philadelphia (USAToday)
The return of former Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons is here. The 25-year-old three-time All-Star was traded to the Brooklyn Nets back on Feb. 10 in exchange for James Harden, and he faced the Philadelphia crowd for the first time on Thursday.
Simmons did not play in the game as he is dealing with a back issue, but he was on the Nets bench and around the team while facing the wrath of the Sixers fan base. It was the first time he was back at the Wells Fargo Center since the Game 7 debacle against the Atlanta Hawks in the 2021 playoffs.
As he came onto the court, Simmons was greeted by a big chorus of boos from Sixers fans waiting to pounce at the first opportunity to voice their displeasure for how things were handled recently before the trade.
There was a mock cheer after passing up the dunk against Trae Young and the Hawks in that infamous Game 7, Simmons finally went up for one. Read more
Verstappen: I won’t change my mind about Netflix Drive to Survive (GrandPrix247)
It is well known that Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen refused to cooperate with Netflix’s popular ‘Drive to Survive’ docu-series last year and the Dutchman has not changed his mind for 2022.
Season 4 of the popular series debuts on Friday, 11 March, on the streaming service but the Red Bull driver told reporters during testing in Bahrain that the story remained the same as far as he was concerned.
“I won’t change my mind,” said the 24-year-old. “I think that was already ruined after Season One. I think I’m quite a down to earth guy and I just want it to be facts and don’t hype it up.
“I understand of course it needs to be like that for Netflix and most people like that… it’s just not my thing. I’ll probably watch it and see how nicely over the top it is and then just continue with my life and I’ll probably watch some other documentaries on Netflix.” Read more
Osaka holds off Stephens in Indian Wells first round (France 24)
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka outlasted Sloane Stephens 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 in a tough first-round encounter at the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters on Thursday.
Japan’s Osaka, playing her first tournament since a third-round exit at the Australian Open saw her plummet out of the top 80 in the world rankings, was a break down at 0-2 in the third set but won the last six games to secure the victory over former US Open champion Stephens.
The marquee first-round match was an outlier at Indian Wells, where all 32 seeded players in both the men’s and women’s draws enjoyed first-round byes.
But Osaka and Stephens weren’t among them, Osaka starting the week ranked 78th in the world and Stephens 38th in the wake of her first title since 2018 at Guadalajara last month. Read more