Meet Urum Eke who rejected Tinubu’s CBN appointment (Punch)
A consultant with the World Bank, Urum Eke, on Thursday, rejected President Bola Tinubu’s appointment to serve as a member of the Central Bank of Nigeria Board of Directors.
Tinubu had, on February 13, forwarded the names of Eke and four others for confirmation as members of the board for the CBN.
However, during the confirmation, the former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Kalu,( APC, Abia North ) told the Senate that Eke, who is his constituent, had called him on the phone to reject the offer, noting that it would conflict with his present job as a consultant with the World Bank. Read more
Tinubu to Labour: Embarking on strike 9 months into my govt unacceptable (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday used the opportunity of the inauguration of the Lagos Red Line Rail Project in Ikeja to lambast organised labour unions for a series of strike actions it had embarked upon since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The organised labour had embarked on two strikes in the nine month old regime of President Tinubu with the last being on Tuesday when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) organised peaceful protest marches in Abuja, Lagos and some other cities over the rising cost of living in the country and seeming inaction of the Federal Government to people’s predicament.
The inauguration of the rail project was an avenue for the President to descend on the labour leaders by calling on labour unions to refrain from disruptive actions saying their recent strike actions are unacceptable to his government. Read more
I met Abia in bad shape but I’m not complaining – Otti (Channels)
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, has lamented the condition the state was in when he took over reins of power last May, saying that it was left in a very bad shape by his predecessor, Okezie Ikpeazu.
When asked if he met the state in bad shape, he replied, “Absolutely, very, very bad shape, but I am not complaining. I have folded my sleeves and I am just dealing with what I met here.”
The governor was a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday. Read more
Oil Theft: Courts order forfeiture of 2 intercepted vessels to FG (Tribune)
Following their interception and parade, two Federal High Courts, sitting in Abuja, have ordered the forfeiture of two illegal oil bunkering vessels, MT KALI and MT Harbor Spirit, to the Federal Government.
The courts also ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) to put for sale the contents of the vessels suspected to be stolen crude oil.
This sale order smacks a departure from the retrogressive method security operatives had been applying as a deterrent to oil thieves by burning erring vessels with their contents which, in turn, further endangered the environment. Read more
Gunmen kill POS operator in Ebonyi, cart away cash (Sun)
Unknown gunmen have killed a Point of Sale(POS) operator, Louis Enoshi in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State.
The incident occurred Wednesday evening at Ezzamgbo in the local government.
The gunmen had stormed Enoshi’s residence in Ezzamgbo and demanded for cash.
An eyewitness told Daily Sun that In the process, he was shot dead while the hoodlums made away with the cash, his phone and POS machine. Read more
Women Affairs Commissioners seek UNDP’s intervention on gender based issues (Independent)
The Dean, Commissioners of Women Affairs in Nigeria, Dr Ini Adiakpan, on Thursday evening, called for a broader partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a bid to address the gender based development challenges in the country .
Dr Adiakpan, leading other Commissioners of Women Affairs from the 36 States of the Federation, spoke at a high-level dialogue on advancing programmes for women and girls in Nigeria, which was held at the United Nations House, Abuja.
Dr Adiakpan, who is the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Akwa Ibom state, said as government officials incharge of women and girls, they have the mandate to initiate, plan and implement development programmes on women, children, persons with disabilities, the aged, vulnerable persons etc. Read more
Yusuf seeks clerics’ advise, criticism to deliver good governance (Nation)
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, yesterday, sought the support of Islamic clerics in the state, to help him deliver good governance to the people, through prayers and wise counselling.
He spoke at Africa House, Government House, Kano during a meeting with the Imams of Juma’at Mosques.
The governor, who just returned from Saudi Arabia after the lesser hajj, told the clerics to always put him on his toes whenever he goes wrong. Read more
Senate directs Police to employ 10 from each 774 LGAs (Channels)
The Senate on Thursday, February 29, directed the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force, to recruit a minimum of 10 candidates from each of the 774 local government councils in Nigeria.
The directive, according to the Upper Chamber, should form part of its annual recruitment processes.
The resolution was reached as a result of a motion moved by Sen. Emmanuel, Udende Memga representing Benue North East, on the need for the Police Service Commission and the Nigerian Police Force, to adhere to the Federal Character Principle in the recruitment of constables in the Nigerian Police Force. Read more
Lizzo says nobody told her about request to be in Jennifer Lopez’s musical film (People)
Lizzo is addressing a claim that she wasn’t able to appear in Jennifer Lopez’s musical film.
On Wednesday, Lizzo, 35, shared a TikTok where she responded to a clip from Lopez’s Prime Video documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told in which one of the “Waiting for Tonight” singer’s team members claimed she was “not available” to participate in her star-studded movie musical This Is Me…Now: A Love Story.
“Ain’t nobody told me nothing,” the “Truth Hurts” artist said in the video. “Nobody asked me. J. Lo, I love you.” Read more
Zambia declares national disaster after drought devastates agriculture (AlJazeera)
Zambia has declared the drought the country is currently going through a national disaster, with President Hakainde Hichilema saying the lack of rain has devastated the agricultural sector, affecting more than one million families.
The southern African country has gone without rain for five weeks at a time when farmers need it the most, Hichilema said in a televised national address from the capital, Lusaka, on Thursday.
This compounded the effects of another dry spell and flooding that hit the nation last year, he added. Read more
James Gunn announces “Superman: Legacy” title change and gives 1st look at new Superman suit (ET)
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … no, it’s Superman: Legacy up, up and away!
James Gunn has just announced that “Superman” (formerly known as “Superman: Legacy”) officially started principal photography on Thursday. Oh, yes, there’s also been a name change.
“Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on SUPERMAN today, February 29, which just so happens to be — coincidentally and unplanned — Superman’s birthday,” the famed director announced in an Instagram post Thursday. “When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film Superman: Legacy. By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you in July 2025.” Read more
MTV announce huge EMAs will take place in Manchester (MEN)
One of the world’s biggest music awards shows is to take place in Manchester for the first time. Music station MTV has confirmed that its 2024 MTV EMAs will be staged at Manchester’s new Co-op Live arena.
The event attracts the world’s biggest music stars and is now in its 30th year. Past award ceremonies have seen live performances by the likes of Muse, Stormzy, Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa.
This is the first time the show, billed as “music’s biggest global celebration” will be staged in the city and marks an epic return of the EMAs to the UK after seven years. Read more
Hairy Bikers chef Dave Myers dies aged 66 (Telegraph)
Dave Myers, the TV chef best known as one half of the Hairy Bikers, has died at the age of 66, according to a statement on social media from Si King, his co-star.
Myers found fame alongside King, his friend of 30 years, as part of the motorcycle-riding cooking duo.
He gained new fans in 2013 when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with Karen Hauer, reaching week seven of the BBC competition. Read more
EU moves to end standoff with Poland over anti-EU policies, begins to release billions in funds (VOA)
The European Union took a major step in ending its standoff with member state Poland on Thursday by announcing it will begin releasing billions of euros to it that were frozen over the previous government’s policies that the bloc said amounted to widespread backsliding on fundamental democratic principles.
The move is an important reward for Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who has sought relentlessly since taking office in December to overturn measures imposed by the previous conservative government. Beyond its political significance, it opens the way for up to 135 billion euros ($145 billion) in EU aid to go to Poland over the coming few years.
The decision cements a sea change in relations. Both sides had openly clashed after the stridently nationalist Law and Justice party came to power in 2015 and implemented reforms that critics said placed Poland’s judiciary under political control. The EU threatened to suspend Poland’s EU voting rights and also blocked its access to EU funds. Read more
Celeste Manno: Luay Sako jailed for murdering co-worker (BBC)
A man in Australia who stalked and killed his former co-worker has been sentenced to 36 years in jail.
Luay Sako broke into Celeste Manno’s home in Melbourne in 2020, and stabbed her to death after months of stalking.
Prosecutors said he broke into her home hours after she posted a photo online with her new boyfriend, and stabbed her 23 times in two-and-a-half minutes.
Ms Manno’s family believe Sako should have been jailed for life. Her mother condemned the sentence as “outrageous”. Read more
Mikel pushes for Osimhen to join Chelsea (Leadership)
Former Nigeria’s captain, John Obi Mikel, has said that he was trying to get Napoli FC striker, Victor Osimhen, to join Chelsea.
The former Chelsea star claimed he was doing everything he can to push Osimhen towards Stamford Bridge, and said that the Napoli striker wanted to make the move, even though reports suggest he would cost as much as €130 million (£110m/$140m).
However, he admitted that there was plenty of rival interest from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. Read more
Boboye eyes Sunshine turnaround after 1st win (Punch)
Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye, is confident that their 2-0 win over Lobi Stars in Akure on Wednesday is the beginning of the much-desired change in the fortunes of the club in the ongoing 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League, The PUNCH reports.
Thanks to two first half goals from Temitope Vincent and Chidozie Iwundu, the Owena Whales recorded their first win in six games and first in three games under Boboye who took over before the start of the second stanza.
Before now, their last win was a 2-0 victory over Doma United, during a match-day 16 game in Akure on December 27. Read more
Manchester United: Marcus Rashford says commitment to club cannot be questioned (BBC)
Marcus Rashford says people questioning his commitment to Manchester United need to show “more humanity”.
Rashford, 26, has scored five goals for United this season and faced criticism about perceived attitude issues.
He missed United’s FA Cup win over Newport, days after he was reportedly seen in nightspots in Northern Ireland.
“If you ever question my commitment to United, that’s when I have to speak up,” the England forward said in a piece for The Players’ Tribune. Read more
Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou beats Mikel Arteta to prestigious manager of the year award (Mirror)
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has pipped Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta to the Manager of the Year award at the London Football Awards 2024.
Since moving to Spurs from Celtic last summer, the Australian has made a big impression. He has implemented an attacking style of football and turned Tottenham into top-four contenders after a disappointing previous Premier League campaign, which saw them finish in eighth.
With a third of the season to go, Spurs are firmly in the hunt for a place in the Champions League next season. They currently sit five points behind fourth-place Aston Villa with a game in hand. With Tottenham not in Europe, the top-flight is their only focus after they suffered early exits in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Read more
LeBron James leads huge 4th-quarter comeback as Lakers beat Clippers (WashingtonTimes)
LeBron James single-handedly outscored the Los Angeles Clippers in the fourth quarter Wednesday as he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 116-112 comeback win.
The 21-point fourth-quarter comeback was the largest of James’ career. The 39-year-old scored 19 points in the final frame while the Lakers held their rivals to just 16 points in the final 12 minutes.
“It’s just a zone, and you can’t really describe it,” James said after the game. “During it, you don’t feel anything. It’s just like a superpower feel.” Read more
Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani announces he’s married (ABC)
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is off the market!
In a surprise statement to his fans posted on his Instagram Thursday, Ohtani, 29, who has been very private about his personal life revealed he is married to a woman from Japan.
Alongside a photo of a statement written in Japanese, he wrote in the caption, “To all my friends and fans throughout, I have an announcement to make.”
“Not only have I began a new chapter in my career with the Dodgers but I also have began a new life with someone from my Native country of Japan who is very special to me and I wanted everyone to know I am now married,” he continued. I am excited for what is to come and thank you for your support.” Read more
