Naval ratings allegedly stab, shoot Lagos doctor, mother demands justice (Punch)
A medical doctor, Owen Edo-Ojo, is battling for his life after security agents suspected to be naval ratings stabbed him in the neck and shot his thigh and pelvis.
The incident happened on Gbamgbala Street, Elegushi, in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the doctor, who wanted to attend a spa session, parked his vehicle in front of a building when the ratings accosted him.
An argument bordering on where Edo-Ojo parked his vehicle ensued and in the process, the naval personnel allegedly brutalised him. Read more
Lagos Speaker mourns APC chieftain’s wife (Punch)
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the demise of Alhaja Oluwatoyin Adaranijo, wife of a leader of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Safari Adaranijo, as a great loss.
Adaranijo, 64, died on Monday after a brief illness.
Obasa, in a condolence statement released by his media office on Tuesday, said the deceased who was a Chief Matron under the Lagos State Health Service Commission prior to her retirement, lived a worthy life of sacrifice.
He said, “Alhaja Oluwatoyin served God and humanity. She was a loving wife to her husband and a true mother to her children and would be sorely missed. Read more
Lagos grants amnesty to 21 inmates (Independent)
Lagos State Government through the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on Tuesday, released 21 inmates from various correctional facilities in the State.
The exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution (amended) which empowers the Governor to exercise Prerogative of Mercy.
Lagos Attorney and Commissioner Of Justice,Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, who was represented by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey, disclosed this at the ministry’s conference room while handing over the order for the release of the inmates signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to the Correctional Service Authorities.
Onigbanjo said that the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the present administration in the State to Justice Sector Reforms through decongestion of the Correctional facilities. Read more
Kamaru, Odudu, 2Baba others celebrate Face-Off Fight Night 2 (Nation)
For the second time this year, the fight series, Face-Off Fight Night 2, brought together celebrities and notable public figures from both Nollywood and the Nigerian music industry.
The event was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos on Friday night.
The first Face-Off Fight Night was launched in Nigeria on January 7, 2022, in a star-studded event with celebrities including Grammy award-winning Burna Boy, Bovi, Nengi Hampson, DJ Spinall, Olisa Adibua, Wofai Fada, William Uchemba, amongst others in attendance.
In attendance at the second series were mainstream artists such as 2Baba, Annie Idibia, Banky W, Phyno, Falz, Bovi, Nedu amongst many others including UFC Welterweight Champion, Kamaru Usman who was also the host and founder of Face-Off Fight Night to celebrate Mixed Martial art in Lagos. Read more
FG declares Nigeria destination for mining investments, insists fossil fuel will remain relevant for 30yrs (ThisDay)
The federal government has declared that Nigeria is becoming a fast destination for mining investments courtesy of the National Integrated Mineral Exploration Project (NIMEP).
This was announced by the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, at the Nigeria Mining Summit, which was organised yesterday by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
Adegbite said that the country is attracting attention from both local and foreign investors while the financial sector has also begun to support activities in the mining sector.
He, therefore, called for corporate companies to join the sector to reduce the activities of artisanal and small scale miners. Read more
Finally, Nigeria Air to commence operations in July (Independent)
There are strong indications that the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, would commence operations in July, a source close to the project told Daily Independent.
It was also gathered that the first out of the three wet leased aircraft for the airline may arrive Nigeria in June, while its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), which would enable it to commence as a scheduled operator from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) may be granted in or before June.
Investigation by Daily Independent revealed that the new airline, which had suffered numerous postponements, would eventually take to the sky on July 1, 2022, rather than April 2022 earlier scheduled for its takeoff by Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation.
A source further confided in Daily Independent that the airline, which was originally scheduled to commence operations in December 2018, could not start as planned due to the preparation towards the 2019 general elections, while the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its extension to 2021 further scuttled the commencement date. Read more
FAAC: FG, States, LG Share N695bn for February (Channels)
The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), has shared N695.03 billion to the three tiers of government as revenue for February amid plans by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) limited to deduct N242.53 billion for subsidy.
The FAAC Director Information, Mr. Olajide Oshundun, disclosed this in a communique on Tuesday, after a Virtual Conference.
From the amount, inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue, Value Added Tax (VAT), Non-Mineral Revenues and Excess Bank charges, the Federal Government received N236.177 billion, the states received N190.007 billion, the Local Government Councils got N140.612 billion, while the oil-producing states received N23.750 billion as derivation (13% of Mineral Revenue) and Cost of Collection received N23.989 billion and Transfer/ Refunds got N80.498 billion.
Oshundun noted that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) for February, 2022 was N177.873 billion as against N191.222 billion distributed in the preceding month of January 2022, resulting in a decrease of N13.349billion. Read more
Edo innovators to recycle plastic wastes (Tribune)
As a way of tackling plastic waste in the country, a group of young inventors in Edo State have developed a new technology which converts waste to wealth.
The invention, a pyrolyzer, which was developed by Edo State University, Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, was unveiled at the just-concluded Edo Technology and Innovation Expo.
Other inventions also unveiled at the Expo included an automatic fingerprint machine, a 5,000 litre/per day locally-made modular refinery capable of producing engine oil, kerosene, fuel and gas, a one-ton truck, among others.
The Expo with the theme, “Leveraging on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development” took place at the Edo Production Centre, Benin City. Read more
Lizzo asks friends for honest feedback on her new music (MusicNews)
Lizzo knows she has a hit on her hands when her friends start twerking to a track.
During an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Monday night, the Juice hitmaker offered fans a preview of her upcoming song, About Damn Time.
In addition, host James asked Lizzo who she goes to for honest feedback about her new music.
“My friends. They’ll tell me. They’ll be like, ‘This ain’t it girl.’ Or once they start twerking, I’m like, ‘This is it,'” she replied. “And then, I play it for my mom. But she is the last to hear it because she is a Virgo woman and she’s a harsh critic… but she cried, she loved it.” Read more
Kid Rock to Tucker Carlson on Fox News interview: ‘You can’t cancel me, I love it when they try’ (USAToday)
Tucker Carlson vowed that nothing was off the table in his interview with Detroit rocker and conservative firebrand Kid Rock airing on Fox’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” Monday.
“Why haven’t you been canceled?” Carlson asks Kid Rock, 51, in an interview preview posted Saturday on Carlson’s Twitter account.
“I am uncancellable,” Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, responds while wearing a “We The People” hat. “Because I don’t give a (expletive).”
“I’m not in bed with any big corporate things. At the end of the day, there’s nobody I’m beholden to — no record companies, no corporate interests, no nothing. You can’t cancel me,” Kid Rock said. “I love it when they try.” Read more
Jennifer Lopez accepts Icon Award at iHeartRadio Music Awards as Ben Affleck beams: ‘Just getting started’ (People)
Jennifer Lopez is an icon — but we already knew that.
The singer and actress was presented this year’s Icon Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards Tuesday night, and took the opportunity to offer a heartfelt thank you to her fans.
I appreciate this so much, so very, very much,” a smiling Lopez, 52, told the crowd. “I wish I could tell you that awards were the most important to me, but that’s not true. And don’t think that I don’t appreciate the shiny, sparkly things, because I do! I cannot lie, everybody knows that I do. But this isn’t why I do this. It’s not what matters most to me. I really do it for you guys.”
The star was interrupted several times by the roaring crowd, which included beaming boyfriend Ben Affleck, who stood as he clapped, his son Samuel, 10, and Lopez’s daughter Emme, 14. Read more
‘West Side Story’ star Rachel Zegler invited to the Oscars after backlash (NME)
Rachel Zegler has reportedly been invited to be a presenter at the 2022 Oscars after originally not receiving an invite.
The actor, who played Maria in Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story, said she “wasn’t invited” to the Oscars on Instagram last week in response to a fan.
After the snub caused anger online, She wrote: “I hope some last-minute miracle occurs and I can celebrate our film in person but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes, I guess. Thanks for all the shock and outrage – I’m disappointed, too. But that’s okay. So proud of our movie.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zegler has since been invited to be a presenter at the ceremony on Sunday, March 27. It’s believed the filming schedule for Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White, which Zegler is currently shooting in London, is being rearranged to allow the actor to attend. Read more
Former Endemol Shine boss Sophie Turner Laing becomes first female chair at U.K.’s National Film and TV School (THR)
Sophie Turner Laing, the former CEO of Endemol Shine and managing director of Sky, has been appointed chair of the board of governors at the National Film and Television School, arguably the U.K.’s most renowned industry college.
Turner Laing becomes the school’s first female chair, succeeding Ingenious founder Patrick McKenna who steps down at the end of his term in August, having held the post since 2013. During McKenna’s chairmanship, the NFTS became the first educational institution to be awarded a BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.
“Sophie is a creative powerhouse who will bring an extraordinary range of experience and dynamism to the National Film and Television School,” said Bal Samra, chair of the appointing panel, speaking on behalf of the NFTS Board of Governors.
“The NFTS is the leading light in the film, television and games industries across the UK, nurturing skilled craftspeople and visionary talents over the last five decades,” added Laing, who previously served on the school’s board of governors and contributed to masterclass. Read more
Beyoncé, Billie Eilish to sing at Oscars (CST)
Beyoncé will perform her nominated song “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” and Eilish and her brother and co-writer Finneas will perform “No Time To Die” from the James Bond film of the same name.
Sebastián Yatra will perform “Dos Oruguitas,” the nominated song from “Encanto” written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Reba McEntire will sing writer Diane Warren’s “Somehow You Do” from the film “Four Good Days.”
Van Morrison, who wrote and sings the nominated song “Down to Joy” from “Belfast,” will not be able to make the show because of his touring schedule. The song will not be performed.
World Cup Play-Offs: Enyimba’s John Noble replaces injured Okoye for Ghana clash (Independent)
Enyimba Football Club’s safest pair of gloves, John Noble, has been called to duty to replace Maduka Okoye as Nigeria gears up to face arch-rivals Ghana on Friday for the first leg of the doubleheader playoff at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.
Okoye, the Sparta Rotterdam of Holland first choice goalie, was originally expected to man the post on Friday but Babafemi Raji, the Super Eagles media officer, in a report, said the fair-skinned goalkeeper took ill and won’t be able to join the rest of the team for the very important fixtures against the Black Stars.
Noble, who has been part of the team for some time now, was thus called upon to take his place, a development that means that a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) player has not been part of the team.
Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, 20 players had arrived at the Eagles Abuja camp. The players include Samuel Chukwueze, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Semilore Ajayi, Olaoluwa Aina, Frank Onyeka, Odion Ighalo and Daniel Akpeyi. Read more
Paqueta defends Neymar after PSG jeers (France24)
Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta defended fellow Brazilian Neymar Tuesday after the star striker came in for boos and jeers over Paris Saint-Germain’s humiliating exit from the Champions League.
“Neymar is above all a great person, a great professional, with incredible talent. He’s without a doubt the best player on the Brazilian national team,” Paqueta, 24, told a news conference at the training center where Brazil are preparing for the final round of 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
“It’s a privilege to have him with us. When I’ve got Neymar at my side, I feel stronger, and my teammates too.”
Neymar and fellow PSG superstar Lionel Messi have been heckled by fans in Paris since the club crashed out of the Champions League on March 9 in an embarrassing last-16 defeat to Real Madrid. Read more
Diego Forlan explains how Manchester United could have benefited from Edinson Cavani this season (MEN)
Diego Forlan has suggested Manchester United would be in a much better position had they been able to call upon the services of Edinson Cavani more regularly this season.
The Uruguayan international, who is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of this season when his contract expires, has been plagued by injury issues this term, restricting him to just 17 appearances in all competitions. He has made 12 appearances in the Premier League and scored just two goals across all competitions.
He was handed a route back into the team by interim manager Ralf Rangnick for the 1-1 draw with Burnley last month, being handed a surprise start ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he immediately found himself injured again, missing the next five league games.
He returned to the squad against Tottenham Hotspur, appearing as a late substitute, before fulfilling the same duty against Atletico Madrid last week. Whilst injury issues have hampered his season, Cavani, who is currently away with the Uruguay squad on international duty, has frustrated the club at times with his fitness troubles. Read more
Paul Pogba’s World Cup winner’s medal stolen during burglary (ESPN)
France midfielder Paul Pogba said his World Cup winner’s medal was among the items stolen during a burglary at his home last week.
Pogba’s house was broken into on March 15 while his children were sleeping, with the incident taking place during Manchester United’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old won the 2018 World Cup when France beat Croatia in the final in Russia.
“There were jewels from my mother, my world champion medal,” Pogba told French newspaper Le Figaro on Tuesday. Read more
Ashleigh Barty: World number one makes shock call to quit tennis (BBC)
World number one Ashleigh Barty has shocked the sporting world by announcing she will retire from professional tennis at just 25.
The Australian made the announcement on social media on Wednesday, saying she was leaving to “chase other dreams”.
“I’m so happy and I’m so ready. And I just know at the moment in my heart, for me as a person, this is right,” she said in a video.
Barty won her first Grand Slam at the 2019 French Open. Read more
Oleksandr Usyk granted leave from Ukraine war front line to train for Anthony Joshua fight (DailyStar)
Oleksandr Usyk has been granted leave from defending Ukraine on the front line to start training for his crunch rematch with Anthony Joshua.
Following Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, The Cat, 35, immediately returned to his homeland to aid their war effort by joining the Kyiv Territorial Defence forces. Usyk, alongside fellow boxers Wladimir Klitschko, Vitaly Klitschko and Vasiliy Lomachenko, has been battling the advancing Russian forces on the front line.
Both Usyk and Lomachenko put their world title fights on hold to join Ukraine’s resistance fighters. Three-weight world champion Lomachenko turned down a shot reclaiming the unified lightweight title from George Kambosos Jr to stay and defend his country.
And whilst the current WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion had postponed his scheduled bout with Joshua, Usyk could not be set to leave Ukraine and honour the rematch clause. Read more
Young scores 45 in return to MSG, Hawks beat Knicks (CBS)
Trae Young had 45 points and eight assists in his first game at Madison Square Garden since last season’s playoffs, leading a late surge that gave the Atlanta Hawks a 117-111 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
Picking up right where he left off last spring, Young made seven 3-pointers, including one that tied the game at 105 with 2:54 to play. He then set up Bogdan Bogdanovic for a go-ahead 3 and followed another by De’Andre Hunter by leaving Taj Gibson behind off the dribble and knocking down a jumper to cap an 11-0 spurt and make it 113-105 with 1:04 left.
Bogdanovic added a season-high 32 points for the Hawks, who dropped the Knicks six games behind them for 10th place in the Eastern Conference, the final spot in the play-in field.
RJ Barrett had 28 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who fell to 30-42 to clinch their eighth losing season in the last nine. The only winning record was when they went 41-31 last season to earn the No. 4 seed in the East. Read more