Lagos to open Agege-Pen Cinema bridge today (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will open the Agege-Pen Cinema Bridge to vehicular movement on Friday (today), The PUNCH has learnt.
A top government official, who chose to remain anonymous, told our correspondent on Thursday that the much-awaited 1.7 kilometre-long bridge would be commissioned.
While inspecting the construction works at the bridge last December, Sanwo-Olu had said the bridge would be ready by February 2021.
When asked of the status of the bridge on Thursday, the top government official said, “The governor will commission the bridge on Friday,” adding that the contractors were through with construction works. Read more
NSCDC bursts illegal foreign SIM card dealer (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos Command, has paraded a man, (name withheld) for allegedly dealing in illegal foreign Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) card business.
The NSCDC, Lagos Commandant, Mr Paul Ayeni, while parading the suspect on Thursday in Lagos, said that the 35-year-old was caught on March 3, around 5p.m. at Computer Village, Lagos
The NSCDC boss said that the suspect was arrested by the Joint Task Force of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and NSCDC, Lagos Command.
The commandant said that the suspect was caught during surveillance patrol of “Operation Clamp Down on illegal Dealers of SIM cards” in Lagos State. Read more
Land grabbers defy Lagos govt order, destroy structure on widow’s property (Punch)
Suspected hoodlums have invaded the property of a 75-year-old widow, Mrs Kehinde Agbetanmije, destroying a structure on it.
This was despite the intervention of the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers, which asked parties in the matter to keep off the land.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the hoodlums first invaded the property on Adetayo Street, Alake, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Lagos, on Monday, February 1, 2021. Read more
Fake COVID-19 Results: 5 racketeers arrested at Lagos airport (Leadership)
A combined team of detectives attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Airport Command, and Aviation Security (AVSEC) of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN ) have arrested 5 suspected syndicates which specialise in forging fake Covid-19 certificates.
Out of the five suspects, 35-year old Adewale Aderele is a guarantor to one of the suspects who is now at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, CP, Abubakar Umar Bature disclosed the arrest Thursday during a press briefing held at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The syndicates include: Archibong Idorenyin, 34 years owner of DAT cybercafe who is alleged to forge the virological screening test results; Abdulmalik Ibrahim (24) and Moses Sunday (20) who are staff of DAT Internet Cafe. The other suspect is Popoola Adewale of Patovilki Airport cleaning services. Read more
UNILAG admission cut off marks not released yet – Registrar (Punch)
The University of Lagos has distanced itself from reports claiming it has released cut off marks for placement of candidates for the 2021/2022 academic session.
This is contained in a statement by the institution’s Registrar, Mr Oladejo Azeez and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
Recall that the institution, which conducted its Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination online from February 15 to February 23, had since released the results of candidates. Read more
NIN Extension: Queues persist at registration centres (Leadership)
Despite the extension of the deadline for the National Identity Number (NIN) and SIM harmonisation by the federal government till next month, the process is still rowdy in some states of the federation.
In Lagos State, LEADERSHIP Friday discovered that many residents still leave their homes early in the morning to queue at registration centres.
The situation is not different in Kwara State where enrollees in Ilorin, the state capital on daily trooped to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) registration centres for their NIN registration. Read more
Attack on Marte, Dikwa: Army debunks troops desertion story (Vanguard)
Following report that about 100 soldiers absconded after Boko Haram attacked Marte and Dikwa, respectively, the Nigerian Army, Thursday faulted the report, describing troops desertion story as as false, unfounded and an attempt to malign the image and character of the Nigerian Army.
Disclosing this in a statement signed by Mohammed Yerima, Brigadier General, Director Army Public Relations, Nigerian Army said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a publication in a section of the media alleging that over a 100 Nigerian troops were reported to have absconded after Boko Haram attacks on Marte and Dikwa.
”This publication is false, unfounded and an attempt to malign the image and character of the Nigerian Army.
“For the records, in the fog of war, it is a routine that head count is conducted to determine the number of men and equipment holding aftermath of military offensive. Read more
NDLEA Seizes N60b Illicit Drugs In 6 Weeks (Leadership)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday, said it has seized N60billion worth of illicit drugs in the last six weeks.
This is just as President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has attributed the lingering insecurity to the funding activities of drug barons who provide insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers with arms and ammunitions to undertake criminal activities in the country.
Lawan made this known when the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brigadier General Buba Marwa (Rtd), paid a visit to his office on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja.
But Chairman of the NDLEA, Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), during an advocacy visit to the House of Representatives Committee on Narcotics, yesterday in Abuja, said they seized N60 billion worth of illicit drugs. Read more
Petrol queues abate as more stations resume operations (Punch)
The queues for petrol in Abuja and neighbouring Nasarawa and Niger reduced on Thursday as more retail outlets dispensed the product to motorists.
Petrol queues had dragged on in Abuja and environs since last week, a development that resulted in over 100 per cent hike in transport fares.
Oil marketers had attributed the scarcity of petrol in the affected areas to the alleged moves by government to hike the price of the commodity. Read more
Brad Pitt bloodied and bruised on set of action blockbuster “Bullet Train” with Joey King (Metro)
Brad Pitt was looking a little worse for wear on set of his new action blockbuster Bullet Train. The 57-year-old actor was spotted getting to work on the anticipated thriller alongside Joey King this week in Los Angeles, California. In the first major photos from production, Brad is seen with a tense look on his bloodied and bruised face, wearing a white T-shirt covered in black dirt and blood, and his long hair scraped back into a low pony. Read more
Prince Philip has successful heart procedure, palace says (BBC)
The Duke of Edinburgh has undergone a successful procedure for a pre-existing heart condition, Buckingham Palace has said.
The palace said the duke would remain in hospital for treatment, rest and recuperation for a number of days.
Prince Philip, 99, has already spent 16 nights in hospital.
He was being treated for an infection and moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London on Monday for tests and observation on his heart condition. Read more
Side effect of Moderna vaccine may be a delayed skin rash, doctors warn (NYPost)
An itchy rash may be a side effect of receiving the Moderna vaccine, doctors said.
About 12 recipients in a 30,000-person trial have seen their arms turn red, sore, itchy or swollen about a week after receiving the first dose, according to a letter from doctors published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Five of the patients had large skin lesions more than 10 centimeters (4 inches) in diameter at the injection site, the letter said.
Two experienced the rash in other places, such as near the elbow and on the palm of the hand. Read more
Thousands evacuated after third New Zealand earthquake sparks tsunami warnings (Metro)
Thousands of New Zealanders evacuated to higher ground on Friday after a third huge earthquake in less than eight hours triggered tsunami sirens and warnings. Workers, students and residents on the east coast of the country’s North Island were assisted by civil defence officials as authorities said tsunami waves could reach three metres (10 feet) above tide levels. There were no reports of damage or casualties from the quakes. Read more
Hong Kong activists: 15 of 47 granted bail but remain detained pending appeal (BBC)
Fifteen of 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists charged with subversion have been granted bail after a marathon hearing, but the entire group remains in custody pending an appeal.
They were charged under a new security law that critics say is being used by Beijing to crush dissent in the city.
China passed the law last year, saying it was required to bring stability.
The activists – 39 men and eight women – were among a group of 55 people arrested in dawn raids last month. Read more
‘Freedom lies in being bold’: Women around the world voice their hopes for 2021 (NYPost)
Monday marks 110 years since a designated annual International Women’s Day was first commemorated.
Started as a way to call attention to the need for equal rights and promote women’s suffrage, this year’s celebration has the theme “Choose to Challenge”.
Here are the voices of women around the world on the challenges they face and the hopes they have, ahead of the historic day.
LILY YAN, SECOND-YEAR UNIVERSITY STUDENT FROM MYANMAR:
“I had wanted school to resume in 2021, because it has been closed since the COVID outbreak in 2020, but now I don’t want to study any more under this military regime. To get rid of this military dictatorship is all we want for 2021.” Read more
Clashes in Senegal kill one after arrest of opposition leader Sonko (France24)
Senegalese police clashed with supporters of arrested opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on Thursday, leaving one person dead in the south of the country, a police official said.
It was the first death confirmed in clashes since Sonko was arrested on Wednesday for disturbing public order as protests broke out ahead of his court appearance on a rape charge.
Sonko, leader of the opposition Pastef party and former presidential candidate, is considered a key potential challenger for President Macky Sall in elections in three years.
One person was killed in clashes on Thursday in Bignona town, in the southern Casamance region, the police official said. Read more
Israel Adesanya: From being bullied by racists to UFC champion (BBC)
This Saturday in Las Vegas Nigeria-born MMA fighter Israel Adesanya attempts to be just the fourth person to be a two-weight UFC world champion.
The middleweight champion is stepping up to try and take the UFC’s light heavyweight crown from Polish fighter Jan Blachowicz.
Adesanya, who is known as The Last Stylebender, faces a tough task against the experienced and heavier Pole but he is no stranger to tackling monsters.
Throughout his life he has had to confront and overcome physical and psychological hurdles on his path to success. Read more
FG endorses Pinnick’s FIFA ambition (DailyTrust)
The federal government has officially endorsed the ambition of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), president, Amaju Pinnick to become a member of the FIFA Executive Council.
Addressing a press conference at the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engineer Nebolisa Anako who represented the minister, Sunday Dare said “Pinnick’s ambition would further reposition Nigeria in the global football map where we have made remarkable inroads”.
He further said the government is confident that if elected, the NFF president will be a great ambassador of the country.
“The minister not only pledged his support, but assured him that the Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians would lend their support. Amaju’s bid is not just for Nigeria, but Africa’s quest to assert her position as a strong voice in world football,” h said. Read more
Kevin Durant picks Kyrie Irving, James Harden to be on his NBA All-Star team (NYPost)
The Nets will have three NBA All-Stars for the first time in their history. And despite the quirks of the format, they’ll end up together on Team Durant.
The top vote-getter and captain of the Eastern Conference, Kevin Durant — who is injured and will miss the game — selected his Brooklyn teammates Kyrie Irving and James Harden in Thursday’s NBA All-Star Draft. He also tabbed Knicks forward Julius Randle with the fifth pick in the second round, giving his team a New York flavor.
The All-Star game will take place Sunday in Atlanta.
As the top overall vote-getter, Lakers star LeBron James had the top pick in the first round, comprised of the starters, regardless of conference. He tabbed Milwaukee star Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time reigning MVP. That left Durant free to take Irving with the second pick. Read more
Liverpool to host RB Leipzig in Budapest for Champions League last 16 second leg (BBC)
Liverpool will play the home leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig at Puskas Arena in Budapest.
The fixture has been moved to the Hungarian capital because of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Reds hold a 2-0 lead against the German side from the first leg, which was played at the same venue on 16 February.
The second leg will take place on Wednesday, 10 March. Read more
Jurgen Klopp explains Mohamed Salah’s early substitution during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea (Metro)
Jurgen Klopp claims he had concerns over Mohamed Salah suffering from fatigue during Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday evening. Mason Mount’s goal in the first half was enough to secure a 1-0 win for Thomas Tuchel’s side at Anfield. And with Liverpool chasing an equaliser in the second half, Klopp took the surprise decision to replace Salah with Diogo Jota after just 62 minutes. Salah was clearly unhappy with Klopp’s call as he shook his head on Liverpool’s bench. Read more
West Brom draw catalyst for Man City’s winning streak – Guardiola (Vanguard)
Pep Guardiola said his disappointment at Manchester City’s draw with struggling West Bromwich Albion led to a return to “ABC” principles that sparked the club’s record winning streak.
Premier League leaders City are now a huge 14 points clear of second-placed Manchester United ahead of this weekend’s derby match, with a 4-1 win over Wolves on Tuesday their 21st successive victory in all competitions.
City have not lost since a 2-0 league defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in November.But City manager Guardiola said it was the way his side played in a 1-1 draw at home to West Brom in December, with the Baggies trying to avoid relegation, that led his side to go back to basics. Read more