N500m palliatives scandal rocks Senate (DailyTrust)
The Senate has been thrown into a rowdy session following revelation of uneven distribution of federal government’s palliatives to senators for onward disbursement to their constituents.
The Red Chamber was debating the allegation by Senator Abdul Ningi, the Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, during an interview with BBC Hausa.
Ningi had claimed that a whopping N3.7 trillion was padded in the 2024 budget, causing an uproar among his fellow senators and sparking intense debates. Read more
Sangotedo residents cry out over demolition of houses, estates (Vanguard)
Residents of Sangotedo town in Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, have cried out to the government to come to their rescue, following the alleged demolition of their property by Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, officials.
The Olufunmi Eshilokun Royal Family of Sangotedo, which raised the alarm, said one Percio Property Company, accompanied LASBCA officials in the demolition.
HRH Oba Mohammad Akorede, the Olu of Sangotedo Kingdom, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, said the urgent intervention of the state government would forestall total economic ruins, destruction and demolitions of their property constructed with hard earned money. Oba Akorede in a statement by Prince Halidu Olufunmi, Head and Olori -Ebi of the Olufunmi Eshilokun Royal Family, said: “The Olufunmi Eshilokun Royal family are the owners and overlords of large parcel of land situate at Sangotedo Town in the Eti-Osa East, LCDA. Read more
Police grill Primeboy over petition by Mohbad’s wife (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has revealed that Ibrahim Owodunni, aka Primeboy, was interrogated at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, on Tuesday, owing to a petition filed by Wunmi, the wife of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Primeboy was arrested during a scheduled visit to the SCID alongside Ayobami Fisayo, aka Spending.
A source privy to the development told our correspondent that Primeboy and Spending had been asked to visit the SCID every week since the commencement of the investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Read more
Tinubu, Akpabio, others meet in Aso Rock after Ningi’s suspension (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu held a meeting with Senate representatives led by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, at the State House.
The meeting is coming shortly after the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central (PDP) who recently alleged that the 2024 Budget had been padded up to the tune of ₦3 trillion.
Ningi alleged that there are two budgets in circulation and that the one currently being implemented is not the one passed by the National Assembly. Read more
Lagos charges officers on increased responsibilities after promotion (ThisDay)
The Lagos State Government has urged Eligible Officers in the ongoing Year 2024 Promotion Exercise to be prepared for more responsibilities that are expected to come with their anticipated position.
The Chairman, Civil Service Commission Mrs. Olubunmi Fabamwo gave the advice on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the physical sessions of the Year 2024 Promotion Exercise, Revised Structured Training Programme organised by the Civil Service Commission for those eligible, at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.
The chairman underscored the importance of understanding that promotions to higher Grade Levels, also comes with proportionate increase in responsibilities, and urged the officers not to only aspire for career progression but to take cognisance of the added duties and obligations that accompany such advancement. Read more
Customs release 15 trucks of seized grains to Sokoto traders (Channels)
The Nigeria Customs Service, Sokoto-Zamfara Area Command has released 15 trucks of seized grains to traders.
The Area Controller of the Command, Kamal Mohammed, while handing over the grains to the owners, charged them to reciprocate the gesture of President Bola Tinubu by ensuring the grains are sold in Nigerian markets.
Controller Kamal also said the Command in collaboration with Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT) will monitor the sales of these grains in Nigerian markets and ensure they are not smuggled out of the country. Read more
Tinubu appoints Ezeh, Samuel as pioneer FCT Civil Service Commission Chair, HoS (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Engr. Emeka Ezeh as the pioneer chairman of the newly created Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Civil Service Commission.
Similarly, the President also approved the appointment of Atang Udo Samuel as the pioneer Head of the Civil Service of the FCT.
The appointments were sequel to their nominations by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, via a letter dated March 11, 2024 and forwarded to President Tinubu for action. Read more
Atiku tackles Tinubu over PDP exit rumours (Tribune)
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu of pure mischief over a media report that he plans to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a yet-to-formed mega party.
The presidential candidate of the main opposition party in the 2023 election took to his verified X handle, @atiku, on Tuesday, lambasting the president for his alleged relentless pursuit of personal agendas at the expense of national governance.
Atiku reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the PDP but asserted his advocacy for a swift merger of the opposition. Read more
Beyonce unveils name of new country album (Sky)
Beyonce has revealed the name of her new album.
Act II: Cowboy Carter will be released on 29 March.
The title was revealed on her official website, along with details of how fans can snap up limited edition CD, vinyl and box set editions of the release.
Beyonce announced the follow-up to Act I: Renaissance at the Super Bowl in February, where she starred in a Verizon advert that ended with her saying: “They ready, drop the new music.” Read more
Paris Jackson is radiant as she watches emotional tribute to dad Michael at Madonna tour (Hello!)
At Madonna’s Celebration Tour stop in Los Angeles, Paris Jackson, daughter of the legendary Michael Jackson, was among the A-list attendees.
The concert held special significance for the 25-year-old Paris, as it included a heartfelt tribute to her late father, who passed away in 2009 due to acute Propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication.
During the tribute, the audience witnessed two silhouettes, seemingly representing Madonna and Michael Jackson, dance together in harmony to a mashup of “Billie Jean” and “Like A Virgin”. Read more
Pirates seize control of cargo ship near Somalia, say owners (AlJazeera)
Pirates have seized a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier off the coast of Somalia and taken its 23-member crew hostage, the ship’s owners said.
The MV Abdullah was sailing from Mozambique’s capital Maputo to the United Arab Emirates with a cargo of 55,000 tonnes of coal when it was attacked on Tuesday, according to Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills, which owns the vessel.
Pirates, emperors and the Middle East axes of evil
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“A group of 15-20 Somali pirates hijacked the ship,” said Meherul Karim, chief executive officer of Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills. Read more
Eric Carmen, “Hungry Eyes” singer, dies at 74 (Canoe)
Eric Carmen, who fronted the Raspberries and sang the Dirty Dancing hit “Hungry Eyes”, has died at the age of 74.
His wife, Amy Carmen, shared the news on the singer’s website.
“It is with tremendous sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Eric Carmen,” she wrote. “Our sweet, loving and talented Eric passed away in his sleep, over the weekend. It brought him great joy to know, that for decades, his music touched so many and will be his lasting legacy. Please respect the family’s privacy as we mourn our enormous loss.” Read more
Donald Trump Jr., Kimberly Guilfoyle keep Christmas-style ‘Patriot Tree’ up year-round – in front of his dad’s portrait (PageSix)
It’s a Merry Trumpmas year round at Don Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle’s Florida home!
Guilfoyle celebrated her 55th birthday over the weekend with an over-the-top party that featured acrobats and a singer, we hear.
But the most surprising detail of the bash was that the duo had a Christmas tree still up in front of a large portrait of Donald Trump. Read more
Celebrity Big Brother’s Sharon Osbourne leaves the show (DigitalSpy)
Sharon Osbourne has officially exited the Celebrity Big Brother house.
The former X Factor judge’s stint in Britain’s Most Famous House came to an end during Tuesday’s (March 12) live eviction special — though she wasn’t voted out by the public.
Sharon was only ever meant to stay in Celebrity Big Brother for a week as the first-ever “celebrity lodger”, where she was exempt from evictions and had her own private bedroom. Read more
Navalny ally Volkov hospitalised after attack in Lithuania (VOA)
Leonid Volkov, a close ally of late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday after being attacked outside his home in Lithuania, local police told AFP.
Volkov, 43, is one of Russia’s most prominent opposition figures and was a close confidant of Navalny, working as the late leader’s ex-chief of staff and as chairman of his Anti-Corruption Foundation until 2023.
“Leonid Volkov has just been attacked outside his house. Someone broke a car window and sprayed tear gas in his eyes, after which the attacker started hitting Leonid with a hammer,” Navalny spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on X, formerly Twitter. Read more
Oliseh open to returning as Super Eagles coach (Leadership)
With growing clamour for an indigenous coach for the national team, a former Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed willingness to consider managing the Nigerian football team once again.
Oliseh however said his consideration is on the condition that the right circumstances are in place to carry out the assignment.
Oliseh, who previously led the Super Eagles from July 2015 to February 2016, revealed this during an interview with Channels TV Sports. Read more
Lifters shine as Female Yellow Greens eye AG bronze (Punch)
Team Nigeria won six more gold medals in the weightlifting event of the ongoing African Games in Ghana on Tuesday through Ruth Ayodele and Joy Eze, who won three each in the 64kg and 71kg respectively.
After Monday’s routine, which saw Edidiong Umoafia open the floodgates with three gold medals, the lifters returned to the GCB Hall of the University Ghana and took Nigeria’s tally to 15 in the event.
Ayodele is competing in her first African Games and claimed her three gold in the 64kg lifting 94kg snatch, 114kg clean & jerk, totaling 208kg while Eze. Read more
Mikel Arteta hails “magical night” as Arsenal take another step forward in Porto triumph (Standard)
Mikel Arteta described Arsenal’s Champions League win over Porto as a “magical night” and believes the result was a big step forward for the club.
Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2010 after beating the Portuguese side 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw on aggregate and 1-0 win on the night at the Emirates.
David Raya proved the hero, saving Galeno’s spot-kick, after Leandro Trossard’s goal in the first half had levelled the tie. Read more
Relegation battler Celta Vigo fires Rafa Benítez after just 5 wins in Spanish league (USAToday)
Celta Vigo has fired coach Rafa Benítez after winning just five league games this season.
The Spanish club announced the decision on Tuesday, thanking the former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager for “eight months of absolute dedication and total commitment” but saying he fell short of obtaining “the results expected.” His contract was to 2026.
Celta lost 4-0 to league leader Madrid on Sunday and is 17th in the Spanish league, one place above the relegation zone with 10 matches remaining. Read more
LIV Golf star Paul Casey to make DP World Tour comeback with Porsche loophole (Mirror)
Paul Casey will play on the DP World Tour for the first time this month since defecting to LIV Golf in 2022.
The former Ryder Cup star has not played on the Wentworth-based circuit since the Dubai Desert Classic in January 2022, joining the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway tour soon after. Casey resigned his DP World Tour membership in 2023 after he was punished for joining LIV, but he will make his first appearance on the tour next week.
Casey will tee it up at the Porsche Singapore Classic on March 21 after receiving a sponsor exemption. Casey has played just twice outside of his appearances on LIV Golf in the past two years, with both appearances coming on the Asian Tour. Read more
‘‘I’m not having fun’’– Lewis Hamilton opens up on Saudi Arabian GP struggles with W15 (PlanetF1)
Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is not “having fun” at the start of the F1 2024 season amid his muted performances with the new Mercedes W15 car.
After two winless seasons in 2023/23, Hamilton and Mercedes are hoping to return to front-running contention in 2024 with the new-look W15 ahead of the seven-time World Champion’s stunning switch to Ferrari next season.
However, Hamilton has failed to finish in the top six so far this season with the 39-year-old lagging behind team-mate George Russell. Read more