Man arrested for allegedly killing girlfriend (Nation)
The Police Command in Kwara State has confirmed the killing of a final year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin, Lawal Yetunde, by her boyfriend, whom she met on social media.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command Spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.
She said the suspect had been arrested through the deceased’s tracked phone number to the suspect’s house at Offa Garaji area, Ilorin. Read more
Gunmen abduct Catholic priest, 2 others in Rivers (DailyTrust)
Gunmen have abducted a Catholic Priest of Port Harcourt Diocese, Reverend Father Livinus Maurice, alongside two others.
Fr. Maurice, who is the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Catholic, Isokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state was abducted alongside two others whose identities were not disclosed while they were returning from a hospital visitation along Elele-Isiokpo road.
A statement signed by the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt on behalf of the bishop by the Chancellor, Reverend Father Bernadine Anaele, said the incident took place on Wednesday, February 12. Read more
PANDEF mourns Adebayo, describes him as great titan (Sun)
The apex sociocultural and political organisation of the Niger Delta people, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has joined other well meaning Nigerians to condole with the family of elderstatesman and Afenifere chieftain, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who passed onto eternal glory on Friday, February 14. Pa Adebanjo died at the age of 96.
A statement by PANDEF’s national chairman, Ambassador Godknows Igali, OON, described late Pa Adebanjo as a titan and legendary icon, who dedicated 96 years to activism, championing the cause of justice, equality and freedom for Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity or religion.
Part of the statement read: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees and national leadership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the entire people of the South-South geopolitical zone, we are profoundly shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a legendary icon and elder statesman who dedicated an extraordinary 96 years to activism, championing justice, equality, and freedom for the Nigerian people. Read more
$150m bribe: Ignore Binance executive’s ‘false allegations’, FG tells Nigerians (Tribune)
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to ignore the “misinformation, false allegations, and defamatory statements” by a Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan who was recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes.
In a statement on Friday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris expressed concern over the “unfounded and false allegations” made by Gambaryan and urged Nigerians to disregard the claims.
The statement reads: “The Federal Government of Nigeria notes with concern the outrageous allegations, misinformation, and defamatory statements being disseminated by Tigran Gambaryan, an American personnel of Binance who was recently tried in Nigeria for financial crimes. Read more
Poly students oppose conversion of YABATECH to varsity (Vanguard)
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has rejected the proposed conversion of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, into a university, arguing that the move would undermine the essence of polytechnic education.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, announced on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had approved the conversion of YABATECH into a university. During a visit to the institution, Alausa highlighted that YABATECH, with over 200 doctorate-holding staff, was well-equipped for the transition.
However, NAPS President, Eshiofune Oghayan, in a statement released in Kaduna on Saturday, criticised the decision, emphasising that converting polytechnics into universities would erode their core mission of providing hands-on, industrial-based training. Read more
Immigration not recruiting, beware of fraudsters – Spokesman (Guardian)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), has warned the public to ignore fraudulent recruitment advertisements on social media, stating that the organisation is not conducting any recruitment exercise at the moment
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, NIS Spokesman, Akinsola Akinlabi revealed that all recruitment exercises were conducted in a transparent, free, and merit-based manner, adding that the vacancies were advertised through the NIS website, official government channels, and recognised national newspapers.
Akinlabi said that the attention of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kemi Nandap, has been drawn to the alarming increase in fake recruitment activities perpetrated by fraudsters. The NIS image maker assured the general public that efforts are in top gear to ensure perpetrators of such fraudulent adverts face the full wrath of the law. Read more
Police rescue 7 from suspected traffickers in Ogun (Punch)
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued seven individuals from a suspected human trafficking operation in the Oja-Odan area of Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.
PUNCH Online also gathered that the driver and several other passengers in the vehicle involved had been arrested and detained by the command.
The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, told PUNCH Online on Friday that security operatives rescued the seven victims after intercepting a white Volkswagen bus suspected of transporting them along the Oja-Odan/Ohunbe Road on Monday, February 12, 2025. Read more
Some Northern elite feel excluded from Tinubu’s Govt – Buhari’s ex-aide (Channels)
A former All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader, Ismael Ahmed, says some members of the northern elite feel alienated from the administration of President Bola Tinubu despite mobilising chunk votes for him to win the 2023 presidential election.
Ahmed, a former Senior Special Adviser to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Investment Programmes, made this known on the Friday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
He said, “A lot of people from the north believe that they have put in all they can to get President Tinubu into government. Atiku (Abubakar) ran, (Rabiu) Kwankwaso ran, both are Nigerian politicians from the northern extraction yet Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was able to get four states in the North Central, three states in the North-West, one state in the North-East and with enough votes. Read more
Taylor Swift surpasses Madonna as female artiste with most UK No 1 albums (Guardian)
Taylor Swift has broken Madonna’s record as the female artist with the most No 1 albums in the UK, as her new live album Lover (Live From Paris) becomes her 13th chart-topper.
It means she draws level with Elvis Presley as the international artist with the most No 1s. Still outpacing her are the Rolling Stones with 14, then Robbie Williams and the Beatles, joint top with 15.
Featuring performances from the studio album of the same name, Lover (Live from Paris) is Swift’s fourth live album, and the first to reach No 1. It was originally released in limited quantities for Valentine’s Day in 2023, and reached No 90, but 47,000 sales of a new heart-shaped double vinyl version – the latest of the ever more elaborate and numerous physical editions of Swift albums – took it to the top. It’s the biggest opening week for an album this year. Read more
‘Army of Europe’ needed to challenge Russia says Zelensky (BBC)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of an “army of Europe” to guard against Russia as he suggested the US may no longer come to the continent’s aid.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, he also said that Ukraine would “never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement” after US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to start peace talks.
In a speech on Friday, in which he attacked European democracies, US Vice President JD Vance warned that Europe needed to “step up in a big way” on defence. Read more
3 hostages released in Gaza in exchange for 369 Palestinian prisoners (ABC)
Hamas militants have released three more Israeli hostages on Saturday as part of the ceasefire agreement between the warring sides.
The three hostages freed from captivity are U.S. national Sagui Dekel Chen, Yair Horn and Sasha Tropanov.
The returning hostages crossed the border into Israeli territory and are currently on their way to an initial reception point in southern Israel, where they will be reunited with members of their families. Read more
Guterres urges global support for Sudan amidst crisis (AfricaNews)
At the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the international community to urgently act in support of Sudan, where the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate.
Addressing a high-level conference on Sudan, Guterres emphasized the need for “tremendous leverage for good” and humanitarian aid to help the Sudanese people, who are enduring staggering violence and displacement.
He highlighted the bravery of local responders and women-led organizations providing aid in dangerous conditions, and stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring unhindered access to those in need. Guterres also called for an end to the flow of weapons fueling the conflict and urged for peace during the upcoming Ramadan. Read more
Brian Cox staunchly defends Kevin Spacey (FilmNews)
Brian Cox has come out swinging to defend Kevin Spacey following the cancellation of his career.
The 78-year-old Scottish actor starred alongside Spacey, 65, in the 1994 Disney film Iron Will where they formed a close bond.
Spacey’s career was torpedoed in 2017 when a number of men stepped forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct – allegations the actor himself denied and he has been cleared in court of some allegations. Read more
Harvey Weinstein sues his brother Bob (Sky)
Harvey Weinstein is suing his brother and other executives at their former film company, The Weinstein Company.
The disgraced producer filed a lawsuit on Thursday, alleging his sibling Bob Weinstein, and others from the business duped him into guaranteeing a $45m loan in 2016, but diverted funds for their own personal use.
The 72-year-old, who was once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, is currently in jail at New York City’s Rikers Island jail complex, while awaiting a retrial on sex crimes charges in the city. Read more
Pope Francis will remain in hospital, Vatican says (Fox)
Pope Francis will remain hospitalized and will continue treatment for a respiratory infection, according to a Reuters report citing a Vatican spokesperson.
Diagnostic tests apparently indicated that Pope Francis had a respiratory tract infection, the outlet added.
Vatican News reported that the 88-year-old pontiff had a “restful night” at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital. While the pope was experiencing a “slight fever” on Friday, it had broken by Saturday, according to Vatican News. Read more
Manuel Akanji Injury: Man City defender to undergo surgery today as Pep Guardiola reveals return timeframe (Standard)
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji is set to undergo surgery today and is facing up to 10 weeks out, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Akanji suffered a knock in the first-half of Man City’s defeat to Real Madrid in midweek and such was the discomfort that he didn’t reappear for the second half.
There had been reports that the Switzerland international would miss the remainder of the season through injury, but Guardiola has revealed a timeline for the defender’s return. Read more
AFCON U20: ‘‘Group of death’’ blessing in disguise, says Flying Eagles coach (Nation)
Nigeria U20 head coach Aliyu Zubairu remains unbothered by the tough opponents drawn alongside the Flying Eagles in the group stage of the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
The AFCON U20 draw, conducted on Thursday, placed record seven-time winners Nigeria in Group B alongside three formidable teams: Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa.
Egypt, a four-time U20 AFCON champion, boasts a rich history in the competition, finishing runners-up in 2005 and claiming bronze on three occasions. Read more
David Moyes sends classy message to Liverpool boss Arne Slot after Everton sending off (LiverpoolEcho)
Everton manager David Moyes has defended Arne Slot after his Liverpool counterpart was sent off following the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The Liverpool head coach and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both red carded following the final whistle on Wednesday.
Moments earlier James Tarkowski had volleyed in a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser to earn Everton a 2-2 draw that sparked scenes of jubilation in the home stands and bedlam on the pitch.
Slot and Hulshoff were given their marching orders by referee Michael Oliver as the Liverpool coaching staff made their displeasure known about the amount of injury-time that was played and the foul they felt the officials missed in the lead up to Tarkowski’s goal. Read more
Merino’s late double keeps Arsenal title pursuit on track at Leicester (BBC)
Arsenal closed to within four points of Premier League leaders Liverpool as substitute Mikel Merino’s two late goals gave them victory at struggling Leicester City.
The Gunners’ striker shortage threatened to be exposed by the Foxes until Merino, on for the desperately out of sorts Raheem Sterling, stole in at the far post to break the deadlock.
Merino’s 81st-minute goal was created by Arsenal’s outstanding player, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who hit the woodwork twice in the second half and was their main threat throughout. Read more
PGA Tour reveals poignant tribute to Tiger Woods’ mom as he mourns (DailyMail)
In the aftermath of the passing of his mother, the Genesis Invitational decided to pay tribute to the woman who helped raise the tournament’s organizer: Tiger Woods.
Each year since 2020, the Tiger Woods Foundation has been the main organizer for the tournament formerly known as the Los Angeles Open and held at the Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
But this year’s edition of the tournament will be vastly different than in year’s past after organizers decided to move courses following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Read more
Novak Djokovic’s new coach rumours quashed days after Andy Murray “decision’’ (Express)
Novak Djokovic plans to return at next week’s Qatar Open, his first appearance since retiring injured in Australia.
Ahead of the tournament, the world No. 7 is set to link up with a familiar face. Djokovic’s training plans have sparked rumours that he will work with a new coach, but these have now been put to bed.It comes days after Djokovic and Andy Murray reportedly decided to extend their coaching partnership. Read more