Lagos to lay 4th Mainland Bridge foundation before end of 2021 – Sanwo-Olu (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday said that the foundation for the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge would be laid before the end of year 2021.
Sanwo-Olu made this known during the 16th Executive/Legislative Parley, with the theme: ”A Consensus Agenda for Rebuilding Lagos”, organised by the Office of Civic Engagement.
He said that the government was determined that execute the Fourth Mainland Bridge, as it would improve movement in the state.
”We did not politically promise Fourth Mainland Bridge but we are going to do Fourth Mainland Bridge. Read more
YabaTech fixes March 16 – 22 for Post UTME (Nation)
The Yaba College of Technology (Yaba Tech) says arrangements have been concluded for the conduct of its Post United Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
It said the examination would now hold virtually from March 16 to March 22.
Mr Joe Ejiofor, Deputy Registrar and Head of Corporate Affairs of the institution disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
He noted that the decision was reached after a meeting of the institution’s admission committee. Read more
317 students abducted from Zamfara school, say police (Punch)
Police in northwest Nigeria said 317 students were abducted by gunmen on Friday in the country’s latest mass kidnapping, and a rescue operation was underway.
“The Zamfara State Police Command in collaboration with the military have commenced a joint search and rescue operations with a view to rescuing the 317 students kidnapped by the armed bandits in Government Girls Science Secondary School Jangebe,” police spokesman Mohammed Shehu said in a statement.
Heavily-armed criminal gangs known locally as “bandits” in northwest and central Nigeria have stepped up attacks in recent years, kidnapping for ransom, raping and pillaging.
Just last week, 42 people were taken by a gang from a boys school in nearby Niger state. Read more
Traffic violation: LASTMA officials to carry body cameras – GM (Punch)
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olajide Oduyoye, says officials of the agency will begin to monitor traffic violation with the use of smart body cameras.
He stated this on Friday while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme monitored by The PUNCH.
The LASTMA general manager said, “Technology is the way to go. Our Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is on top of that. He approved the deployment of technology for us to improve our communication last year 2020.
“This year, we are definitely hoping to start in the next few weeks what you will say are non-approachable offence dealings. That means we are going to be having body cameras on officers to capture incidences because things happen so fast and you can’t really say let me get my camera. But if you have your body camera on that is recording, then, you can capture all sorts of different things that you can use against offenders.” Read more
Gunmen kill 4 policemen in Calabar (DailyTrust)
Gunmen have shot and killed four policemen at a checkpoint in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
The incident reportedly happened in the wee hours of Thursday, 25 February, 2021.
The gunmen were said to have swooped on the unsuspecting policemen at Ayanmbat community near Idundu in the Aka Efa area of the Cross River capital.
The policemen whose identities had not been disclosed were said to have been killed while resting at the location.
Neighbours, who heard the gunshots, said they thought it was a robbery attack. Read more
Police dissolves Eagle Crack Squad over unprofessional conduct (Guardian)
The Rivers State commissioner of police, Eboka Friday, has dissolved the Eagle Crack Squad of the command over unprofessional conduct.
Rivers State Police Command spokesman Nnamdi Omoni said the decision was taken after a management meeting.
Omoni noted that the dissolution followed complaints of unprofessional conduct exhibited by the personnel of the unit.
The Guardian gathered that some officials of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, (SARS) infiltrated the Eagle Crack unit which led to the upsurge in extortion and human rights abuses by the E-crack team in the State. Read more
ASUU awards N1.5m scholarships to 30 Zik’s varsity indigent students (Nation)
Over 30 indigent students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state have benefited from N1.5million scholarship awards by the members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of the institution.
The beneficiaries who received N50,000 each for the 2019/2020 academic session were selected from across various faculties of the University.
Speaking during the award presentation at the University Auditorium, the ASUU-NAU Chairperson, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh said the gesture which would be annual was part of ASUU-NAU social responsibility to the students and their parents.
He said members tasked themselves to raise the fund for the scholarship to help indigent students unable to pay their school fees, expressing optimism that the assistance reduce school dropouts and its attendant criminality. Read more
Man stabbed to death for leaking lady’s romance to husband (Guardian)
A 25-year-old man, Victor Ikegwuonu, has been stabbed to death in Orlu zone, Imo State, for allegedly making a disclosure of lovers’ hot romance to the husband of the lady.
According to a statement by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu, Ikegwuono had allegedly told a 52-year-old Chijioke Anyiam that one Emeka Ezurike was in an illicit affair with his wife. This infuriated Emeka, who stabbed Victor to death.
The statement read: “On Tuesday, operatives of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Orlu, arrested one Emeka Ezuruike, a native of Ubommiri, Emuoba, Rivers State, for killing one Victor Ikegwuonu, of Nduichi, Arondizuogu.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that Victor Ikegwuonwu was said to have informed one Pa Chijioke Anyiam that his wife, Patience Anyiam, aged 30, was involved in a hot romance with Emeka Ezuruike, an affair, which he said had been on for a very long time.
“Sequel to that, Emeka went to see Victor ask him about the allegation. During the enquiry, both of them got into a serious fight and in the process, Emeka stabbed Victor with pieces of broken bottles, which led to Victor’s death. Read more
NDLEA seizes brewery truck with illicit drug in Imo (DailyTrust)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Imo has intercepted a 40-foot truck carrying Nigerian Breweries beer bottles, with 239kg of substances suspected to be cannabis concealed inside.
This is as the men of the Ondo state command of the agency arrested a 20-year-old Bidemi Timileyin, with 6.12 grams of cocaine at a joint in Ajiboro community Ondo town, Ondo West local government area of the state, while other suspects escaped.
The Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said on Friday in Abuja that both seizures were made on Wednesday, 24 February 2021.
He quoted the commander, Imo state Command of NDLEA, Nse Jack, as saying that preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit substances were loaded into the truck in Benin, Edo State on its way from Idiroko, Ogun State heading to Aba in Abia State. Read more
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak join forces as Silk Sonic, announce new album (Metro)
Bruno Mars has revealed he and Anderson .Paak are joining forces to become Silk Sonic, and the duo already have an album on the way. Sharing the exciting news with his followers on Instagram and Twitter, Bruno wrote: ‘We locked in and made an album. The band’s called Silk Sonic. First song drops next Friday.’ Bruno revealed that the first song would be arriving on March 5, also sharing the album artwork which appears to be called ‘An Evening with Silk Sonic,’ and which will feature Parliament-Funkadelic’s Bootsy Collins as a ‘special guest host’. It’s not the first time the pair have teamed up as Anderson toured with Bruno as the opener on his 24K Magic world tour in 2017. Read more
Twitter unveils ‘super follow’ feature (BBC)
Twitter has announced plans for a new “super follow” feature which will enable account holders to charge for exclusive additional content.
This could take the form of extra tweets, joining a community group or receiving a newsletter, the firm said.
Twitter unveiled its plans at a virtual event held for investors.
It’s the first time in a while that the platform has announced significant changes to the way in which people can use it. Read more
Amnesty: Eritrea’s Tigray ‘massacre’ might be crime against humanity (DW)
After conducting research with residents and witnesses from the town of Axum, which lies in the northern Ethiopian region of Tigray, Amnesty is in little doubt that mass killings were carried out by Eritrean forces.
Human rights organization Amnesty International said on Friday that “hundreds” of people were massacred by Eritrean troops in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region last November.
Abiy Ahmed and Angela Merkel
Amnesty’s Jean-Baptiste Gallopin, who conducted numerous interviews with residents and witness from the historical town of Axum, where the alleged massacre took place, told DW: “The perpetrators were Eritreans.” Read more
Israel passes law to name and shame people who haven’t had Covid jab (Metro)
Israel has passed a law allowing the identities of people who have not been vaccinated to be shared with other authorities. The decision on Wednesday raises concerns over privacy for those who may opt against getting the jab. It passed by 30 votes to 13 and gives local governments, the director general of the education ministry and some in the welfare ministry the right to receive the names, addresses and phone numbers of everyone who has not had the vaccine. The objective of the measure – which remains valid for three months or until the Covid-19 pandemic is declared over – is ‘to enable these bodies to encourage people to vaccinate by personally addressing them’, according to a statement issued by parliament. Read more
Isis bride Shamima Begum cannot return to UK, Supreme Court rules (BBC)
Shamima Begum, who left the UK for Syria to join the Islamic State group as a teenager, will not be allowed to return and fight her citizenship case, the Supreme Court has ruled.
The court said in a unanimous ruling that her rights were not breached when she was refused permission to return.
Ms Begum, 21, wants to come back to challenge the home secretary’s decision to remove her British nationality.
She is currently in a camp controlled by armed guards in northern Syria. Read more
South Korea launches coronavirus vaccination drive (DW)
South Korea began a mass immunization drive on Friday by giving coronavirus shots from AstraZeneca to staff and residents at nursing homes.
Authorities plan to inoculate 70% of the population of 52 million by November, with the aim of returning to some semblance of normalcy by the end of the year.
“Let us all take every step forward to return to those days that we miss,” said Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, as he urged all citizens to take the free jabs.
More than 5,000 caregivers and patients in care facilities were set for the first vaccinations. However, authorities said people over the age of 65 would not receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, citing a lack of data on its effectiveness in the elderly. Read more
Eddie Murphy reveals he turned down Coming To America sequel idea starring Michael B. Jordan (Metro)
Eddie Murphy has revealed that the Coming to America sequel could have been very different if he had agreed to a pitch he received from Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. The iconic comedian is reprising his role as Prince Akeem in the highly anticipated follow-up, Coming 2 America, however, there was once an idea for a sequel to focus on Michael B. Jordan instead. Speaking to The New York Times, the 59-year-old explained: ‘[Coogler] had an idea for Michael B. Jordan to play my son and he would be looking for a wife. ‘I was like, then the movie would be about the son, it’s not our characters, we already did that. It didn’t come together.’ Read more
Osimhen to resume training next week (Punch)
Victor Osimhen will return to training next week, Napoli Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli has stated.
Giuntoli also confirmed that the 21-year-old Nigerian striker had a drop in blood sugar.
Osimhen was knocked unconscious in a scary incident during the final minutes against Atalanta, after a challenge with Cristian Romero and was stretchered off the pitch and taken directly to hospital.
“Osimhen lost consciousness, he also had a drop in blood sugar at the end of the game, so we think he can come back next week,” Giuntoli said on Thursday. Read more
2021 AFCON Qualifiers: Eko Hotels to house Eagles (Nation)
Barring any last minute changes, the serene Eko Hotels & Suites will house the Super Eagles ahead of their final round of matches for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Benin Republic and Lesotho in March.
Coach Gernot Rohr was in Lagos a fortnight ago to check up the facilities at his disposal for the two crucial matches as the Super Eagles seek their second consecutive AFCON ticket under the watch of the German tactician.
NationSport gathered that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Rohr have agreed to keep the Super Eagles at the pristine hotel ‘in the heart of Victoria Island.’
“The Super Eagles will stay at Eko Hotels & Suites when they come to Lagos for their finale2021 AFCON matches ,” a reliable source at the NFF told NationSports. Read more
The Libya Football Federation announces stadium ban to be lifted (BBC)
The Libya Football Federation (LFF) has announced the first steps in the lifting of a ban on the use of its stadiums for international matches.
Security issues means that Libyan clubs and its national team have not been able to play on home soil for more than seven years.
The news came after a recent visit from a Confederation of African Football (Caf) delegation to inspect facilities and the security situation in the north African country.
“I have good news today, especially for football fans and all Libyans, which is the lifting of the complete ban on all our stadiums, especially the ban in terms of security,” said LFF president Abdulhakim Al-Shalmani in a video message on Twitter. Read more
Allardyce says West Brom relegation wouldn’t ruin his reputation (Guardian)
West Bromwich Albion manager Sam Allardyce insists his reputation will not be tarnished if his struggling side are relegated from the Premier League this season.
Second-bottom Albion are 11 points from safety and looked destined to drop into the Championship with only 13 games left to climb out of the relegation zone.
Allardyce, 66, has kept the likes of Sunderland, Bolton and West Ham in the top-flight in the past.
But the former England boss has not had the impact many expected since taking over at The Hawthorns in December. Read more
Man Utd face AC Milan in Europa League (BBC)
Manchester United will play seven-time Champions League winners AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League.
AC Milan, who sit second in Serie A, are yet to win the competition while United’s only triumph was in 2017.
Arsenal, finalists in 2019, face Greek side Olympiakos, who knocked them out in the last-32 stage last year.
Tottenham will play Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb while Rangers have been drawn against Czech side Slavia Prague, who defeated Leicester City this week. Read more
Guardiola admires ‘Buddha-like’ calm of Moyes, Ancelotti (Guardian)
Manchester City’s 19-game winning run in all competitions makes Pep Guardiola the envy of every other Premier League boss but the Catalan has spoken of his admiration for West Ham’s David Moyes.
The Hammers were facing a relegation battle when Moyes took charge for a second time last season, but head to the Etihad on Saturday in fourth spot.
A draw or a win would end City’s record-breaking run and bolster West Ham’s own chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.“They are in a Champions League position,” Guardiola said on Friday. “That is not a good run, that’s many months and they are there. Read more