NCAA suspends Max Air after Kano incident (Channels)
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended commercial airline Max Air for three months following an incident involving one of the aircraft of the local carrier at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
A spokesman for the regulatory agency Michael Achimugu made this known in a statement on Wednesday, hours after the Tuesday night incident at the Kano airport.
The flight, Max Air B734, operated by the aircraft with registration marks 5N-MBD, on landing at the airport, at 10:51 pm, suffered a wheel landing gear collapse and a tire burst while landing on the runway at the airport throwing passengers into panic. Read more
Teenager, 2 others killed in Lagos building collapse (Punch)
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of a teenager alongside two other males in the building collapse at Northern Vulture Estate, Chevron Drive.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who made this known in a statement, said no fewer than six people were seriously injured.
“A young boy, about 15 years old, and two adult males recovered, were confirmed dead and subsequently bagged by emergency responders. Read more
Court strikes out defamation charge against Farotimi (Tribune)
The Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has struck out the criminal charge filed by the police against Lagos based legal practitioner and author, Dele Farotimi.
Justice Babs Kuewumi struck out the charge following an application by the police prosecutor, Samson Osobu.
Osobu told the court that the prosecution had filed a notice of discontinuance. Read more
Leadership Crisis: PDP BoT begins closed-door meeting (NewTelegraph)
The Board of Trustee (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, commenced an ememrgency meeting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
New Telegraph reports that the Acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum is currently presiding over the meeting.
Those in attendance include National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; Senator Ben Obi; BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; the Board Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Ex-Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; and former Osun State governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. Read more
EFCC calls first witness in trial of former Governor Yahaya Bello (ThisDay)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday called his first witness in the alleged corruption trial of immediate past governor of Kogi State, Mr Yahaya Bello.
The witness, Mr Fabian Nwora, a property developer with Efab Property Nigeria Limited, gave evidence of how one Shehu Bello had approached him in 2020 in respect of a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Mr Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, the witness gave details of the transaction up to when the anti-graft agency intervened. Read more
Zamfara: Gov Lawal inspects seized arms cache, lauds DSS (DailyTrust)
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State on Tuesday night commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for sharing intelligence with the Nigerian Armed Forces which led to the seizure of a large cache of arms and ammunitions couriered from Niger Republic.
The Governor’s commendation came after he inspected the seized cache of arms and ammunition
in Gusau, the State Capital.
Governor Lawal thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for greatly supporting the DSS and military to make Zamfara State and all of Nigeria safer. He assured that his government would continue to support the Security Agencies in Zamfara State to tackle terrorists and criminals. Read more
Bayelsa court sentences four to death by hanging over kidnapping (Nation)
A Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa on Wednesday, sentenced four persons to death by hanging over alleged conspiracy and kidnapping.
The four persons convicted included Manager Etonzor, Daniel Derietiedei, Inimotimi Rufus, and Tari Firstman.
The presiding judge, Justice Patience Diri, in the suit No. YHC/43c/2021, found the four persons guilty of the allegations of conspiracy and kidnapping under Section 2 (1) of the Bayelsa State Law 2013. Read more
Man steals ceiling fans, windows from Ogun mosque (Guardian)
The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Idowu Kehinde for allegedly stealing ceiling fans and aluminium windows from a mosque in the Adiyan area of Agbado.
The spokesperson of the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, confirming Kehinde’s arrest on Wednesday, said the suspect had confessed he sold the stolen goods to one Awal Yusuf.
“On January 27, 2025, at about 9:00 am, we received a report that one Idowu Kehinde, 35, jumped the fence of Mapara Moboluwaduro Central Mosque in the Agoro area of Adiyan, Agbado, and stole eight ceiling fans and four aluminium windows valued at N520,000,” Odutola said. Read more
Katy Perry teases what fans can expect from her Lifetimes Tour (AmericanSongwriter)
Katy Perry is ready to hit the road! Following the announcement that she will be setting off on The Lifetimes Tour in April, Perry teased what fans can expect from the show.
“This show will be full of BPM [beats per minute],” she promised in an interview with People. “So I suggest wearing some sensible shoes and staying hydrated because I think there’s going to be a whole heck of a lot of us just dancing the night away.”
The “loved-filled spectacle” will have no shortage of show-stopping moments. In fact, Perry likened her plans to a “Disneyland-on-wheels type tour.” Read more
ECOWAS confirms exit of the Alliance of Sahel States from the regional bloc (AfricaNews)
The junta-led West African nations of Niger, Mali,/ and Burkina Faso formally withdrew from ECOWAS on Wednesday.
The move was the culmination of a year-long process during which the regional bloc tried to avert their departure.
In a statement, ECOWAS said that its doors remained open should any of the three countries decided to return. Read more
Idris Elba spent a night in prison cell to prep for a role (CinemaBlend)
Idris Elba went the extra mile before playing Nelson Mandela on screen.
A lot of actors will go the extra mile when it comes to trying to portray a character on screen. Many will put their bodies through incredible workouts to bulk up to play a superhero. Others might gain or lose weight so as to better reflect what a character should look like. When playing real people, if possible some actors will meet the person they are playing if that’s possible. Or, if you’re Idris Elba, you spend a night in prison.
Back in 2013, Idris Elba played Nelson Mandela in Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, based on the memoir the South African leader wrote after spending nearly three decades in prison. Read more
Germany: Bundestag debates stricter migration policies (DW)
The German parliament is debating motions to tighten migration rules after a deadly attack by a rejected asylum seeker. CDU leader Friedrich Merz says he will not shun the help of the far-right AfD to push them through.
Proposals put forward by the conservative CDU/CSU bloc include turning asylum seekers back at the border. Critics say that CDU leader Friedrich Merz, the favorite to become chancellor at February elections, is preparing to break with the previous “firewall” against the far-right AfD.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s SPD and the Greens have both voiced opposition to the proposals, saying they contravene German and EU law on refugees. Read more
Pentagon strips Gen Mark Milley of US security detail and clearance (BBC)
The Pentagon has revoked the security detail and clearance for Gen Mark Milley, a former US general who has been critical of US President Donald Trump.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the move as one of his first acts in office, asking officials to investigate Gen Milley’s “conduct” and review his military grade.
Gen Milley previously served as the top US general during Trump’s first term but later criticised his former boss, and was quoted calling him a “fascist”. Read more
Jason Schwartzman resurrects Coconut Records for 1st new music in 13 years (Consequence)
After a 13-year break from releasing music as Coconut Records, Jason Schwartzman has returned to his indie rock project, hinting that new music is on the way.
The soft reveal of the project’s revival was made last month, when Schwartzman’s friend and collaborator, Ben Kweller, announced his upcoming album, Cover the Mirrors, with Coconut Records listed as a featured artist on the tracklist.
Then, earlier this week, Schwartzman made like Bob Dylan and joined TikTok, adopting the username @coconutrecordsofficial and posting videos featuring old Coconut Records songs and hashtags like #jasonschwartzman and #nostalgiacore. Read more
Norway is set to become the first country to fully transition to electric vehicles (CNBC)
Norway is set to become the first country in the world to effectively erase gasoline and diesel cars from its new car market.
Despite its vast oil and gas reserves, the Nordic country has long been recognized as a global leader in sustainable transportation. Its electric vehicle (EV) sales have increased from less than 1% of total auto sales in 2010 to a whopping 88.9% last year — and this trend doesn’t show any sign of slowing.
Data published by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, which is responsible for the country’s national road network, found EVs accounted for more than 96% of new cars sold in the first few weeks of this year. Read more
Nigeria beat Ireland in U-19 cricket world cup (Nation)
Nigeria defeated Ireland by 6 runs early Wednesday morning.
The win puts them as the third best team in the Super six group 2, narrowly missing Semi-finals.
The tense victory over Ireland completes Nigeria’s outing at the maiden ICC Under 19 Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria has automatically booked a place in the 2027 Under 19 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal. Read more
Olawoyin makes Super Lig TOTW (Punch)
Super Eagles midfielder Ibrahim Olawoyin has been named in the Turkish Super Lig Team of The Week for match-day 20 by multiple platforms, after inspiring his club’s 3-2 win over Adana Demirspor on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Olawoyin scored a goal plus one assist in the game to help Caykur Rizespor claim their eighth win of the season.
The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a clinical finish into the bottom corner following a clever assist from Casper Højer. Shortly after the break, the Nigerian setup Ali Sowe with a perfectly weighted through ball for Rizespor’s second. Read more
Chelle: Super Eagles will have a good outing at AFCON 2025 (CompleteSports)
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has said his team will aim for the title at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Nigeria, drawn in Group C, will face 2004 champions Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in the group stage.
The West Africans boast a rich history in the tournament, having won three titles (1980, 1994, and 2013). Read more
Herbert dropped from role as FIA steward (BBC)
Former grand prix driver Johnny Herbert has been dropped from his role as a steward in Formula 1.
Governing body the FIA said that Herbert’s “duties as an FIA steward and that of a media pundit were incompatible”.
The statement added that the decision was made “with regret” and that the three-time race winner was “widely respected and brought invaluable experience and expertise to his role”. Read more
Man Utd receive ‘‘fresh approach’’ for Rashford as Barcelona ‘‘work against the clock’’ to sign him (Football365)
Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli have made a new approach to sign Marcus Rashford from Man Utd before the transfer deadline, according to reports.
Rashford has only appeared in one matchday squad since the Red Devils beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 on December 12 after his shock omission in the Manchester Derby a few days later.
The England international insisted he was ready for a “new challenge” shortly after the 2-1 win over Man City and he’s been linked with a number of clubs ever since. Read more
Pep Guardiola tells 2 Premier League managers he ‘wishes he had their team’ (Metro)
Pep Guardiola has told two Premier League managers he ‘wishes he had their team’ amid Manchester City’s poor season.
Far from securing a record-extending fifth successive Premier League trophy, Man City face a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League after an alarming drop-off this season.City have already lost six Premier League games this term – double the amount they did last season – and after just fourth in the table going into February. Read more