Naira, fuel scarcity: Sanwo-Olu rolls-out relief package (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced measures to cushion the effects of the current scarcity of currency occasioned by Central Bank of Nigeria, naira swap and seemingly artificial fuel scarcity in the state.
Sanwo-Olu, made the announcement during a state-wide broadcast on the State of the Nation, held at Lagos House, Marina.
The governor, who commended residents for keeping calm even in the face of “unfortunate hardship” due to the scarcity and resilience, explained that measures became necessary to ameliorate the situation among vulnerable in the state. Read more
Knocks as INEC likes Twitter post criticising Obi’s candidacy (Punch)
Nigerians on Wednesday knocked the Independent National Electoral Commission for identifying with a post that criticised the candidacy of Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, on Twitter.
The official verified INEC Twitter handle on Tuesday liked a post against Obi on the micro-blogging site. The post was coming days to Nigeria’s presidential election and Obi is one of the major contenders.
The post was made by a news media outlet (not PUNCH) where Seun Kuti, son of legendary Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, said the LP candidate was “an opportunist that can’t deliver Nigeria.” Read more
Fake medical doctor arrested in Kebbi, handed over to police (Guardian)
Kebbi State Ministry of Health has arrested a fake Medical Doctor, Yusuf Omotayo Abdulfatahi, who was working with one of the renowned private hospitals along old garage road in Birnin Kebbi.
Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Health Dr. Sheahu Koko, who spoke through the acting Director, Medical Services in the Ministry, Dr. Lawal Kangiwa, said the fake doctor visited the Ministry last month seeking employment with the state government.
“He came with his medical certificates claiming that he finished from Ahmadu Bello University (Abu) Zaria, in 2007, while the documents were sent to the National Medical and Health Dental Council to verify. Read more
Ahead elections, Customs intercepts military wares, explosive-making chemical in Lagos (Leadership)
Ahead of the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has intercepted military camouflage and 450 units of explosive-making chemical also known as carbide, smuggled into the country.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the acting Controller of the Unit, Hussein Ejibunu, said the 68 pieces of smuggled military wares were seized in January and 47,750 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth N517.9 million.
Ejibunu, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, also handed over seized 2,135 wraps of marijuana weighing 1,163 kg to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), saying that the Unit was out to tackle the economic menace caused by recalcitrant importers and agents. Read more
Lagos businessman defrauds customer of N2.5m (Punch)
A businessman, Joseph Friday, has been arraigned at the Ebute Meta Magistrate’s Court, Lagos State, for allegedly defrauding his customer, Peter Onuorah, of N2.5m around Okobaba Sawmill, in the Ebute Metta area of the state.
Friday was arraigned on two counts of theft.
The police prosecutor, Orobosa Osagie, told the court that the defendant committed the crime sometime in March 2022, adding that Onuorah paid him the N2.5m to supply him with timber. Read more
Sanwo-Olu commiserates with Funke Akindele over mother’s death (Tribune)
Lagos State governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has sympathized with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship Candidate in the state, Ms Funke Akindele, over the death of her beloved mother, Dr. RB Adebanjo-Akindele.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Gboyega Akosile, saying it was often hard to find the right words at a time like this for someone who had lost a beloved person, just as he noted that losing mothers is one of the deepest sorrows for man.
The governor, while noting that death of loved ones whenever it happened, was usually a very painful episode, prayed for peace, comfort, courage and love for Funke, his immediate siblings, the Adebanjo and Akindele families as they go through a most difficult period of mourning of the dead. Read more
Tinubu hails Nigerian govs over Supreme Court ruling on CBN naira swap policy (ThisDay)
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has hailed the governors of the 36 states for standing on the side of the Nigerian people over the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) new naira and cashless policies that have subjected the masses to hardships.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday in a suit brought before it by the governments of Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna States gave an interim injunction against the CBN and federal government allowing the old N200, N500 and N1,000 notes to remain legal tender beyond February 10 deadline until the case is fully disposed of.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by the Director, Media and Publicity, APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Bayo Onanuga, commended the governors, especially the APC governors, who instituted the suit against the CBN and federal government at the Supreme Court, saying they acted well on behalf of the hapless Nigerians who have been made to bear the brunt of the naira redesign policy that has been poorly implemented. Read more
Buhari sacks NSITF Boss, Michael Akabogu (DailyTrust)
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Michael Akabogu has been relieved of his appointment.
The reason for the development was yet to be made public but it was learnt that his sack was not unconnected with alleged forgery of his National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge Certificate.
An impeccable source at the fund, who confirmed this to Daily Trust said he was asked to step aside pending the conclusion of an investigation being carried out by the police. Read more
Leonardo DiCaprio not dating Eden Polani (FilmNews)
Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly not in a romantic relationship with 19-year-old model Eden Polani.
The Hollywood actor raised speculation he is dating the model after they were photographed sitting next to each other at Ebony Riley’s EP release party in Los Angeles on 31 January.
Soon after the photographs hit the Internet, Twitter exploded with outraged comments about Leonardo’s 29-year age gap with “his new partner”.
However, a close source to the 48-year-old Titanic actor told multiple outlets the two are not in a romantic relationship. Read more
Hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash reflects on 50 years of the genre (Today)
Grandmaster Flash is in awe of how hip-hop went from a genre he and his friends pioneered by walking around with boom boxes to a Grammy-winning genre leading the entire music industry.
The 65-year-old is credited with helping create the genre 50 years ago with his group, Grandmaster and the Furious 5, who rose to fame in the ’70s and ’80s in the Bronx. They became the first hip-hop group inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.
Now, Grandmaster Flash is championing a new museum celebrating hip-hop that is set to open in the Bronx next year. Read more
GLAAD Media Awards honours Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, & Jeremy Pope (OUT)
The stars are coming out for this year’s GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles!
Taking place annually in both Los Angeles and New York, GLAAD’s Media Awards honors the TV show, films, and creators and all that they do “for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of LGBTQ+ people and issues. Since its inception in 1990, the GLAAD Media Awards have grown to be the most visible annual LGBTQ+ awards show in the world, sending powerful messages of acceptance to audiences globally.”
And this year, GLAAD announced that some major superstars — Christina Aguilera, Bad Bunny, and Jeremy Pope, to be exact — will be honored with some of their most prestigious awards! Read more
Fantastic Four director gives exciting update as he shuts down casting rumours (DigitalSpy)
Marvel fans have been given an update on the eagerly-anticipated Fantastic Four film.
It will be a while before fans get to see the movie, after Disney delayed the MCU release until February 14, 2025.
However, speaking to Collider, director Matt Shakman revealed that filming for Fantastic Four will begin “early next year”, saying it’s his priority going forward. Read more
Madonna says she’s caught in the glare of ageism and misogyny after Grammys appearance (People)
Madonna is opening up about her experience after appearing at the 2023 Grammy Awards in a pointed social media post.
On Tuesday, the “Like A Prayer” singer posted some of her favorite moments from music’s biggest night. She posed with Cardi B and Sam Smith, and shared a NSFW kiss with artist DOPEY. Ab-Soul and DJ Honey Dijon also made cameos in the risqué footage.
In the caption, she opened up about introducing Smith and Kim Petras, both 30, before their “Unholy” performance on Sunday night, which made Petras the first-ever trans woman to take the stage at the event. Read more
Snoop Dogg teases summer takeover with Dr. Dre ahead of ”Missionary” album (HipHopDX)
Snoop Dogg is readying new music with Dr. Dre this summer.
The Long Beach rapper took to Instagram on Tuesday (February 7) to share a throwback photo of himself and Dre, while confirming that new material from them will be released in the coming months.
“Dynamic. Duo,” he wrote in the caption. “Music comin summer 23.”
The teaser comes just months after Snoop Dogg announced that he and Dr. Dre are working on a new album together called Missionary, which will serve as the spiritual successor to his 1993 debut Doggystyle.Read more
Britain promises more support for Ukraine as Zelensky addresses UK parliament (RFI)
Britain has vowed to support Ukraine to ensure military victory this year, as President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on a rare foreign visit just weeks before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Zelensky, dressed in his usual green fatigues, held talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak this Wednesday and is due to meet King Charles III following an address to the UK parliament on what is only his second overseas trip since the war began.
“The United Kingdom was one of the first to come to Ukraine’s aid,” Zelensky said on social media, adding he wanted to “personally thank” the British people. Read more
Osimhen breaks Ronaldo’s Serie A record (Punch)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen on Sunday broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s four years record to become Serie A’s jump-king after a leap of 2.58 metres during Napoli’s impressive 3-0 win away to Spezia.
Osimhen achieved the incredible feat when he netted his first goal – Napoli’s second of the day – against the Little Eagles at the Stadio Alberto Picco.
The Nigeria international has scored great headers during his career, but the goal against Spezia was truly extraordinary and could go down as a contender for the greatest headed goal in football history. Read more
Leeds chairman tells fans he ‘‘needs more time’’ to sort Marsch replacement (Football365)
Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani insists the Premier League club needs more time in their quest to find a new head coach.
The Yorkshire club sacked Jesse Marsch on Monday and Radrizzani has since been replying to messages posted to him on Twitter by Leeds fans asking whether they were closing in on a replacement.
The Italian had hinted on Tuesday night that an announcement by Leeds was imminent, saying: “We are on it. Hopefully white smoke by tonight or (tomorrow) morning.” Read more
Turkey earthquake: Atsu receiving treatment (Punch)
Former Premier League footballer Christian Atsu has been “successfully rescued” from under the rubble of a collapsed building following an earthquake in southern Turkey.
The Ghana Football Association confirmed the news and said the 31-year-old is receiving treatment.
Atsu, who played for Chelsea and Newcastle, was reported missing on Monday after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria.
The 31-year-old player was confirmed missing on Monday. The Ghanaian joined Hatayspor last summer – the club’s sporting director Taner Savut is reported to still be trapped. Read more
Man Utd owners the Glazers open to 2 propositions with eye-watering Qatar bid imminent (Express)
Manchester United’s owners the Glazers are interested in both a full sale of the club and the prospect of additional investment as The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani eyes an imminent lucrative bid.
The billionaire American family confirmed in November that they were seeking “strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth” during a statement which outlined their interest in potentially selling up at Old Trafford should the right opportunity present itself nearly 18 years on from their 2005 takeover.
It’s understood a group of private, high-wealth figures based in the Middle East are prepared to launch a huge mega-money proposal that could effectively see them handed over the keys to Old Trafford, although there are numerous obstacles that would still need to be overcome with both UEFA and the Premier League even if the Glazers accepted their advances. Read more
Perez outlines main target for 2023 F1 season (F1i)
Sergio Perez says he’s heading into his third season with Red Bull with the main target of fighting for a race win at every race in 2023.
Perez was in the running last year for the runner-up spot in the Drivers’ Championship, but the Mexican was beaten to second place by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Perez delivered two race wins to his team last year – in Monaco and in Singapore – but that track record pales in comparison to teammate Max Verstappen’s 15 wins in 2022. Read more
Martin Bakole: Heavyweight signs long-term promotional deal with Boxxer (BBC)
Martin Bakole has signed a “long-term” deal with promotional company Boxxer.
The Congolese boxer, 29, is in the top place in the WBA heavyweight rankings and has 18 wins from 19 bouts.
Bakole, who lives in Scotland, last fought against Frenchman Tony Yoka in May, winning a majority decision.
“I will build on my last performance in Paris [against Yoka] and soon become the new world heavyweight champion,” said Bakole. Read more