Military busts gun factory in Plateau, recovers arms (Vanguard)
Photos: Military busts gun factory in Plateau, recovers arms
Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPSH) said troops of the command, operating under HAKORIN DAMISA IV, have discovered a gun factory in a building in Pakachi Village of Mangu local government area of Plateau State.
The spokesperson for the operation, Captain Oya James, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
The operation said one suspect was apprehended in the building, while a large number of firearms and ammunition were found. Read more
Electricity subsidy can’t continue – FG (DailyTrust)
The Federal government cannot continue to subsidise the power sector, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said.
Adelabu said this while expressing concerns over the poor electricity supply situation in the country caused by numerous issues including outstanding subsidy debts.
Briefing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister said the nation must begin to move towards a cost-effective tariff model, as the country is currently indebted to the tune of 1.3 trillion naira to generating companies (GenCos) and 1.3 billion dollars owed gas companies. Read more
Doctors support sachet alcohol ban, unions want NAFDAC DG suspended (Punch)
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors and the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives, on Wednesday, backed the ban on the importation, manufacture, distribution, sale, and use of alcoholic beverages in sachets, and small bottles of 200ml and below.
But the Trade Union Congress and the Nigeria Labour Congress, on Wednesday, continued their protest against the ban, demanding the suspension of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Prof. Mojisola
The unions have been protesting since last week when the NAFDAC DG announced that the agency would begin the enforcement of the ban on alcoholic beverages in sachets. Read more
Tell us how much goes to every tier of govt monthly – Falana charges AGF (Channels)
Renowned human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called upon the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to enhance transparency by publishing monthly allocations to states and local governments.
Speaking during an appearance on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana emphasized the need for transparency regarding the utilization of proceeds from the removal of fuel subsidy, asserting that the government must provide clear accountability to the Nigerian populace.
Falana stressed the importance of media oversight in ensuring accountability, urging media outlets to consistently demand and scrutinize the monthly allocations to all tiers of government. Read more
LASTMA re-trains additional 250 senior officers on traffic incident management (Independent)
In line with the on-going strategic re-positioning of operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for professionalism and more effective service delivery to the general public, the Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Association of Certified Forensic Intelligence and Crime Analysts today commenced a two-day workshop for senior officers of LASTMA on ‘Traffic Incident Management’ at the Police Training School, Ikeja Lagos.
The Honorable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi disclosed while declaring the workshop opened that the training was in line with Traffic ‘Management and Transportation’ as one of the cardinal programmes of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as captured in the administration’s (Themes+) pillars of development in the State.
Mr. Osiyemi disclosed further that the Government is investing huge resources in training and re-training of LASTMA personnel to guarantee a refined and robust traffic management system as well as reduce traffic congestion across the state. Read more
PDP mourns Ondo chapter chairman, Fatai Adams (Tribune)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is heartbroken and utterly devastated by the “shattering news” of the sudden death of its Ondo State Chapter Chairman, Hon Fatai Adams.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary said: “Indeed, our hearts bleed! Our Party, the nation and indeed humanity have lost one of our brightest and best in Nigeria’s contemporary political leadership.
“Hon. Adams was a humble, calm, insightful and sociable leader; a forthright democrat and charismatic mobilizer who stood for truth, justice, equity and fairness and played many pivotal roles towards the unity, stability, development and success of our great Party, the PDP at the State and National levels. Read more
Katsina to hold LG poll in February 2025 (Nation)
The Katsina State Independent Electoral Commission (KTSIEC), has slated Feb. 15, 2025 for the conduct of the state local government councils election.
Alhaji Lawal Alhassan, the Chairman, KTSIEC, stated this in Katsina on Wednesday when he addressed stakeholders.
Alhassan said that the announcement was in compliance with the provisions of Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution. Read more
CRD Lugbe residents cry out to Tinubu, Wike, others over FCDA’s threat to demolish their homes, reallocate lands (Sun)
Residents and property owners in Committee on Resettlement and Development Layout, popularly called CRD, in Lugbe, along Airport Road in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have sent a passionate plea to President Bola Tinubu to save them from threats by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to demolish their homes and reallocate their lands to private estate developers.
In a “Save Our Souls” petition, copies of which were sent to several government authorities, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the National Assembly, the distressed residents said they have been subjected to incessant harassment and threats by officials of the Development Control Department of the FCDA working in connivance with the River Park Estate developer.
The residents said the latest experience was on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 when some of them returned home from work to find demolition notices pasted on the walls of their buildings by persons who claimed to be officials of the Development Control Department. Read more
New Police Commisioner, Dankombo, assumes office in Adamawa (Tribune)
The new Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, appointed to Adamawa State Police Command, has assumed duty as the 32nd CP.
CP Dankombo took over from CP Afolabi Babatola, who has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and redeployed to higher responsibility as AIG in charge of zone 3 headquarters supervising Adamawa and Taraba States.
SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, spokesman of the command, said in a statement made available to the Nigeria Tribune in Yola that CP Dankombo hails from Kaltungu Local Government Area of Gombe State. Read more
1 dead and 21 injured in Super Bowl parade shooting (BBC)
One person has died and 21 people were wounded in a shooting in Missouri at the end of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory parade.
Officials said they treated eight victims who were in immediately life-threatening condition, as well as seven others who had suffered injuries that could prove life-threatening.
An area hospital confirmed that nine children were among the wounded. Read more
Ben Affleck supports Jennifer Lopez at ‘‘This is Me…Now’’ premiere (UPI)
Ben Affleck showed his support for Jennifer Lopez on the red carpet Tuesday.
Lopez, 54, and Affleck, 51, attended the Los Angeles premiere of Lopez’s film ‘‘This is Me…Now: A Love Story’’.
The couple were all smiles as they cozied up for photos, with Affleck in a dark suit and Lopez in a black dress with a sheer skirt embellished with crystals and depictions of the zodiac signs.
Cast members Fat Joe, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Derek Hough and Matthew Law also attended the premiere, along with Becky G, America Ferrera and other stars. Read more
Michael Keaton’s ‘‘Knox Goes Away’’ Trailer: Star directs himself as a hit man with weeks to live (People)
Michael Keaton pulled double duty on his new thriller ‘‘Knox Goes Away’’.
The Batman and Beetlejuice icon, 72, directed the film while also starring as the titular character, John Knox, a principled hit man who lives in what Keaton calls a moral “gray area” — i.e., he kills people, but only bad guys.
PEOPLE has the exclusive first trailer, which shows Knox’s doctor diagnosing him with a rapidly-advancing form of dementia. “How much time do I have?” John asks the doctor, who replies, “Weeks, not months.”
John takes the news in stride, with a bit of gallows humor too: “Even if I hated you for telling me,” he replies. “I’d forget soon enough.” Read more
ABBA Benny Andersson’s son Ludvig Andersson talks taking a chance on Berlin-bound Levan Akin, ABBA Voyage (Variety)
Hot Swedish helmer of Georgian descent Levan Akin is due to kickstart Berlin’s Panorama Feb. 15 with his feature drama “Crossing.” Nine years earlier, he walked the Berlinale red carpet with his youth sci-fi “The Circle,” showcased at Generation. Next to him were his Swedish producers of RMV Film – ABBA’s Benny Andersson and his son Ludvig Andersson.
The latter who met Akin over 20 years ago, has stayed by his side since his debut pic “Certain People” in 2011, serving also as executive producer on the 2019 Swedish Oscar entry “And Then We Danced,” and as co-producer this year of “Crossing”.
“RMV Film spotted Levan from his very first film and has supported him all along,” confirms French Quarter’s Mathilde Dedye, producer of “Crossing” and “And Then We Danced,”, who believes “trust and continuity to be very important for the development of auteurism.” Read more
Russia’s Putin signs law to seize assets of those who discredit military (AlJazeera)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law allowing authorities to confiscate the assets of people convicted of spreading “deliberately false information” about the military.
The law, which was signed on Wednesday, targets individuals convicted of a range of offences which include “discrediting” the government and spreading “deliberately false information” about the army, threatening them with the loss of money, property, assets and valuables.
It would also apply to those convicted of publicly inciting “extremist activities” and calling for actions harmful to state security. Read more
Hollyoaks‘ Jamie Lomas announces fiancee is pregnant in sweet Valentine’s post (DigitalSpy)
Hollyoaks actor Jamie Lomas has announced he and his fiancée Jess Bell are expecting their first child together.
The soap star shared the happy news in an Instagram post on Valentine’s Day, posting a photo of the couple beaming and holding up scan photos and a soft teddy bear.
“With it being valentines day and a day of Love I thought I would share with you all the wonderful news that myself and @drjessbell are expecting a beautiful little baby girl,” he wrote. “I hope you all have a great day and sending love to you all.” Read more
4 people detained in investigation of Turkish landslide at gold mine that left 9 missing (Fox)
Authorities on Wednesday detained four people in connection with a massive landslide that engulfed a gold mine in eastern Turkey, leaving at least nine workers missing, Turkish state media reported.
The landslide struck the Anagold Madencilik company’s Copler mine in the town of Ilic in Turkey’s mountainous Erzincan province on Tuesday. Video seemingly shot by a worker showed a huge mass of earth rushing down a gully, overrunning everything in its path. The landslide involved a mound of soil extracted from the mine, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said.
More than 800 search and rescue personnel, including police and military teams, mine rescuers and volunteers, were deployed to search for the nine missing personnel, Yerlikaya said. Read more
Heartland Queens, Rivers Angels steadily dominate NWFL Premiership (Nation)
Heartland Queens and Rivers Angels continued to dominate Groups A and B of the Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership after Matchday 8 games were concluded yesterday.
The Owerri-land ladies thrashed Adamawa Queens 3-0 at the Dan Anyiam Stadium to jump to 14 points and hold on to the leadership of Group A on goals difference with Nasarawa Amazons and Confluence Queens having the same number of points in second and third place respectively.
Chinyere Iheoma, Onyinyechi Kalu and Chinedu Gift Chinaka were on the score sheet for Heartland Queens in the 40th , 56th and 78th minutes to avenge their 2-1 loss to Adamawa Queens in Gombe in the concluding fixture of the first round. Read more
AFCON: Troost-Ekong, Aina make team of the tournament, as Osimhen misses out (Nation)
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the official 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) team of the tournament.
Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire had the joint-most players in the XI as both teams progressed to the final game of the competition.
South Africa captain and Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams won the award for Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong was named Player of the Tournament. Read more
Rafael Nadal makes ‘discomfort’ confession as he casts doubt over comeback plan (Tennis365)
Rafael Nadal has admitted he has dealt with “discomfort” in recent weeks and is “a little bit on the limit” as he suggested he may not make his return as early as planned.
The Spanish great revealed he will make a “last minute decision” on whether he will play in Doha and divulged that every injury blow he suffers is a mental blow.
Nadal withdrew from the 2024 Australian Open due to a hip muscle injury that surfaced during his comeback at the Brisbane International last month. Read more
Lewis Hamilton breaks public silence on Ferrari deal at Mercedes’ F1 car reveal (DailyStar)
Lewis Hamilton has opened up about his “emotional” exit from Mercedes and surprising switch to Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion described the move as “surreal” during the final car launch of his Mercedes career. Hamilton shocked the sports world when he decided to cut short his two-year contract extension with Mercedes, which he signed last August, to join Ferrari next year.
Despite the buzz around his blockbuster move, the 39-year-old insists his focus is on what he can achieve with Mercedes this season. In his first public comments since his move was confirmed, Hamilton said (via the Mirror): “[The last few weeks] have obviously been emotional and it is very surreal to be here. Read more
‘I no be Iwobi’, Sadiq Umar warns cyberbullies over AFCON loss (Vanguard)
Super Eagles and Real Sociedad forward, Sadiq Umar, has warned cyberbullies against trolling him following the Super Eagles’ loss against Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Umar stated that despite not playing at the tournament, he has been subjected to abuse from some persons after the game on Sunday.
Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has been the subject of attacks from netizens who blamed him for the loss against hosts Cote d’Ivoire. The actions led to calls against cyber bullying by Super Eagles players, Minister of Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), among others. Read more
English FA approve Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of 25% stake in Manchester United (National)
The English Football Association has approved Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s purchase of a 25 per cent stake in Premier League club Manchester United.
British billionaire Ratcliffe’s investment, which will give him control of football operations at the 20-time English champions, received the backing of the Premier League on Monday evening.
And now the FA have now also given the green light to the bid, which means Ratcliffe edges closer to sealing his place in the Old Trafford boardroom. Read more