NDLEA intercepts consignments enroute 5 countries (Guardian)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted substantial quantities of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Cannabis sativa packaged for export to five countries.
The countries are: Australia, China, Qatar, Ireland and Thailand through some courier companies in Lagos.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the arrest was made by the narcotic officers of the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI).
He said that the officers intercepted 2.9kg of Methamphetamine in packs of black soup and from a toner machine heading to Australia and Qatar. Read more
I used to accept any role, now I’m selective — Bimbo Ademoye (Punch)
Actress, Bimbo Ademoye, has said when she first got into the movie industry, she usually accepted any role that came her way. But now, she carefully selects which roles she accepts to play.
Speaking as a guest on Meet and Greet, a show put together by Inkblot Productions, she said, “Make sure you know the craft (before joining the industry). Don’t just come in because you are pretty, have long hair or a good shape. I came in with my ‘bow legs’ (knock knees), saying, ‘This is me’. My dad has a lot of connections but for some reasons, he did not ‘know people’ in the movie industry. I came in all by myself knowing full well that this is what I want to do. Back then, I used to take any movie roles (that came my way). Now, I am quite selective. Someone once got offended because I said, ‘No’. I told the person it was a beautiful story but I did not see myself playing it, and she got offended.” Read more
Agunsoye, TSG group storms Kosofe, declare support for Tinubu (Independent)
Hon. Oluwa Rotimi Agunsoye, a member of the National Assembly representing Kosofe Federal Constituency, in collaboration with Tinubu Support Group TSG, organised a major rally last Thursday, March 25, to show support and solidarity to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu, it would be recalled, had indicated interest in running for presidency under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the 2023 election.
The rally, which took place on Emmanuel High Street, Ojota, near the Kosofe Local Government Area, Ogudu, Lagos State, had a large gathering of party faithful.
The crowd included members of the TSG, market women, artisans, members of the Bola Tinubu Support Group, BTSO UK Diaspora. Read more
BRT explains skeletal services on Ikorodu-TBS route (Punch)
Primero Transport Services Limited, the operator of the Bus Rapid Transit in Lagos State, has blamed the high cost of diesel for the skeletal operations on the Ikorodu-Tafa Balewa Square route.
Head, Corporate Communications of the firm, Mr Mutiu Yekeen, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
“Due to the recent spike in diesel prices across the country, Primero Transport Services, operator of Blue BRT from Ikorodu to TBS, uses this medium to inform our commuters that there will be skeletal operations from March 26 to March 28.
“We will resume operations fully on Tuesday, March 29,” Yekeen said. Read more
Lagos Police Commissioner Alabi re-echoes ban on officers duties in mufti (Channels)
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has strongly warned all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Lagos State to strictly ensure that their men do not carry out police duties in mufti.
This warning is in compliance with the earlier directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, that officers on patrol and stop-and-search duties must appear in approved uniforms.
CP Alabi in a statement on Saturday consequently vowed to vicariously hold liable any supervisor or head of department under whose jurisdiction this directive is flouted.
He enjoined the general public to report sightings of any officer found on duty in mufti to enable the command to take appropriate disciplinary actions. Read more
Snakebite victims flood hospitals as cost of anti-venom drug soars (Vanguard)
Victims of snakebites are flooding treatment centres across the country as the scorching heat forces the reptiles out of their holes into bushes, farms, roads and people’s homes in search of fresh air.
Reports have it that states’ worst hit include Gombe, Plateau, Borno, Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Bauchi, with herders, farmers and rural dwellers mostly the victims.
Our correspondents, who visited some snake treatment centres, found that most of the patients were on the floor with medics complaining that facilities were being overstretched.
The situation of the victims appeared worsened by the sharp rise in the cost of the usually imported Anti-Snake Venom (ASV), following the high cost of foreign exchange.
With a vial of the Echitab drugs – the brand of ASV that cures bites of snakes in Nigeria – going for more than 55,000, stakeholders have heightened calls on the Federal Government to support the Echitab Study Group in Nigeria to produce the vaccine locally to lower production cost. Read more
Group to DSS: Uphold Kanu’s fundamental rights
(Nation)
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to treat the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu fairly, following allegations that he was being tortured in custody.
IPOB made the torture claims in a statement last week by its Media/Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.
Reacting, COSEYL in a statement by its President-General Goodluck Ibem urged the DSS to respect Kanu’s human rights.
Ibem said: “If news making the rounds is true, we call on the DSS to stop any form of maltreatment or torture of Nnamdi Kanu and respect his fundamental human rights to the letter. Subjecting him to any form of inhuman treatment is against any known law both Nigerian and international.”
FUTA mourns as former VC, Prof Daramola, dies at 64 (Tribune)
The Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) has expressed shock at the sudden death of the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Adebiyi Gregory Daramola.
In a statement from the University signed by its Registrar, Richard Arifalo, said the University received the news of the demise of Daramola with shock and sadness, saying FUTA has lost one of the builders and contributors to the growth and development of the institution.
According to Arifalo, Nigeria has lost an erudite scholar of international standing who exited the world at a time that his experience was in dire need for nation-building.
Prof. Daramola who served as sixth Substantive Vice Chancellor of FUTA between May 2012 and May 2017 died on Friday March 25, 2022 in the course of an illness at the age of 64. Read more
Job Creation: Group advocates making ‘business plan’ compulsory for final year students (Leadership)
The Convener of New Nigeria Group, Nazi Sam Ohuabunwa has said the present school curriculum will be reviewed to make it compulsory for final year students in tertiary institutions to submit business plan, in their various areas of specialisation.
He said this in Abeokuta during a visit to Ogun state secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)to avail delegates to the forthcoming PDP convention about plans to reduce unemployment through qualitative education that will lead to self employment of 50% of graduates , while others can seek white collar jobs.
He objected to the present theoretical education that does not guarantee job opportunities.
Ohuabunwa, who is an aspirant in the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party primary elections explained further that the business plan submitted by each student will thereafter be studied and certified by experts prior to granting of loans to successful graduates to start business. and by extension, creates wealth. Read more
University of Aberdeen elects first black rector
(Sun)
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike has been officially installed as Rector of the University of Aberdeen in King’s College Chapel, following in the footsteps of other notable Aberdeen University rectors including Winston Churchill, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, and television presenter, Clarissa Dickson Wright.
She is the first woman of colour and first Nigerian to be elected Rector of the university, an ancient position that dates back to the foundation of the University in 1495 and is voted by the students.
Martina Chukwuma-Ezike is Chief Executive of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, Scotland’s only dedicated asthma charity, which she founded in 2009. The charity set up the first Asthma Support Centre in the UK in order to provide support services for people with asthma and allergies in the northeast of Scotland. She is also a graduate of the University of Aberdeen, having completed her MBA in 2009, and has a longstanding relationship with the student body, offering mentoring, volunteering, and work placement opportunities at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation, enabling medical students to gain experience by working directly with asthmatics.
Martina co-developed the Grampian Respiratory Improvement Project for NHSG and is a sitting member of the Grampian Respiratory Improvement Group; She is a member of the Cross-Party Group on Lung Health at the Scottish Parliament and member of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations, mentoring and supporting newly appointed Chief Executive Officers. Read more
Lady Gaga’s dog walker testifies he hit attackers with champagne bottle in struggle (TMZ)
Lady Gaga’s dog walker gave graphic testimony in the case of the dognappers who attacked and shot him, saying he’s still having significant medical struggles months after the incident.
Ryan Fischer testified before an L.A. County Grand Jury about the 3 men who attacked him as he was walking Gaga’s 3 dogs. According to the transcript, obtained by Rolling Stone, Ryan was thrown to the concrete as one of the attackers began choking him, and he hit the guy with a bottle of champagne he had just purchased at a nearby liquor store.
He described what he did after being shot in the chest … “I immediately tried to call for help but realized I was bleeding out of my lung and that I was losing more and more air quickly.”
Five people have been charged with attempted murder and robbery. They have pled not guilty. Three of the men are alleged gang members who were driving around Hollywood specifically looking for French bulldogs … which go for a lot of money. They were not targeting the dogs because they were owned by Gaga. Read more
Phil Collins bids emotional farewell to fans at his final concert (Fox)
Music legend Phil Collins held his last concert ever amid his ongoing health issues.
Collins was joined by Genesis bandmates Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks for their last show ever at London’s 02 Saturday evening. Collins, 71, performed the show sitting down and quipped to the crowd he will now need to find a real job, the Daily Mail reported.
The band reunited for The Last Domino? Tour this year after postponing due to the coronavirus. The tour came after a 14-year live performance hiatus.
Collins has suffered from numerous health issues in recent years, including a dislocated vertebrae in his neck in 2007 that left nerve damage to his hands. He has used a cane since 2015, when he had back surgery, and revealed in September he can “barely hold” a drumstick. Read more
Taylor Hawkins fulfilled dreams of nine-year-old fan before his death (Metro)
Taylor Hawkins made the dreams of a nine-year-old drummer girl come true just days before he died at the age of 50.
The Foo Fighters musician’s death was confirmed this morning by the band, who said they were ‘devastated’ by his ‘tragic and untimely loss.’
The announcement sent shockwaves through the music world and tributes have poured in from fans and celebrity friends.
The cause of Hawkins’ death is currently unconfirmed, but it is reported that he had ‘10 different substances in his system’ when he died. Read more
Country SingerJeff Carson dead at 58
(AmericanSongwriter)
Country singer Jeff Carson, known for hits such as “Not on Your Love” and “The Car,” has died. He was 58.
Carson’s official Instagram account confirmed the news. “It is with sadness we confirm the passing of Jeff Carson.”
According to a press release, Carson died of a heart attack at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, on Saturday, March 26.
Carson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1963 and grew up in Arkansas, where he played in local bands. He later moved to Branson, Missouri where he met his wife, Kim, and wrote songs. The couple then moved to Nashville where Carson made a living as a demo singer. Some of the demos he recorded include songs for Tracy Byrd (“Walkin’ To Jerusalem”), Tracy Lawrence (“I See it Now”), Reba McEntire (“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”), Tim McGraw (“I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way”), Faith Hill (“It Matters To Me”), Mark Wills (“Places I’ve Never Been”), Diamond Rio (“Mirror Mirror”) among others. Read more
Ahead of Oscars tribute, Sidney Poitier’s daughter marks his legacy (Deadline)
Ahead of the tribute to Sidney Poitier during this year’s Oscars ceremony, his daughter Sydney has expressed her pride in her father’s legacy of “changing minds and changing hearts as to what it meant to be Black.”
This year’s acting categories see four actors of colour included in the nominations – Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Ariana DeBose (the first Afro-Latina actor to be recognised) and Aunjanue Ellis – nearly six decades after Sidney Poitier became the first Black man to win an acting Oscar, for his role of Lilies in the Field in 1964.
Sydney Poitier said that, prior to her father’s arrival, Black actors’ roles had been limited and one-dimensional “that didn’t really show the breadth of the Black experience at all,” and she credited her father for bringing another version of what it meant to be Black to white America.
She told the BBC that her father had been “the right person at the right time.” She said, “White people and Black people were buying tickets to see him. It was a huge cultural shift.” Read more
Denis Villeneuve, Ben Proudfoot and more Canadian film talent head into Oscar night (CityNews)
It’s a big night for Canadian Oscar nominees competing in categories including production design, documentary film, and makeup and hairstyling.
Among the highest profile is Montreal-based writer, director and producer Denis Villeneuve, whose sci-fi epic “Dune” has the second most nominations after “The Power of the Dog” with 10. He’s up for trophies in the best adapted screenplay and best picture categories.
Also for “Dune,” Montrealers Donald Mowat and Patrice Vermette are up for best makeup and hairstyling, and best production design, respectively.
The largely Canadian “Nightmare Alley” team, meanwhile, snagged nominations for Saskatoon-bred Tamara Deverell and Halifax’s Shane Vieau for best production design, Toronto’s Luis Sequeira for best costume design and Toronto producer J. Miles Dale for best picture alongside Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. Read more
Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s ‘The Lost City’ takes down ‘The Batman’ with $31m debut (Variety)
Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum’s screwball romantic comedy “The Lost City” collected $31 million at North American theaters over the weekend, a promising sign that Netflix hasn’t completely seized on the meet-cute market.
Of course, Paramount, which is behind “The Lost City,” did not rely only on positive reviews — or the tease of Tatum’s bare behind — to fuel ticket sales. The on-screen chemistry between Bullock and Tatum, who were inescapable on social media, billboards and in trailers while promoting the film, were key in getting audiences to cinemas. That’s a huge accomplishment in an era where familiar franchises have been dictating commercial success (at least, compared to the promise of A-list stars). At the same time, “The Lost City,” an original adventure that has been described as “Romancing the Stone” meets “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” indicates that romantic comedies haven’t entirely fallen out of favor with moviegoers.
“This is an excellent opening,” says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. “Romantic comedies have been in decline for a dozen years, well before the pandemic. The combination of a big cast plus crowd-pleasing romance plus comedy plus adventure has worked before, and it’s working again.”
“The Lost City” cost $68 million, which is fairly expensive for a rom-com. But Bullock and Tatum get compensated handsomely to headline in movies, and filming the explosion-heavy “The Lost City” on location in the Dominican Republic during COVID-19 did not come cheap. That price tag does not include the serious coin spent to market the movie, which premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin earlier this month. Read more
MTN Boss charges Super Eagles to clinch Qatar 2022 World Cup ticket (Leadership)
Telecom giant, MTN Nigeria, has charged Nigeria’s Super Eagles to make Nigerians proud by clinch the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup ticket against the Black Stars of Ghana.
The CEO, MTN Nigeria, Karl Olutokun Toriola, gave the charge after the three time African Champions played a goalless draw with Ghana in the first leg of Qatar 2022 qualification playoff at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana on Friday.
The Ghanaians were the more dangerous side, dominating possession for large parts of the game, but the Eagles’ defence stood resolute with fine performances from Francis Uzoho and Leon Balogun.
Ahead of the return leg on March 29, 2022, the MTN boss urged the team to make the nation proud. “The tie is finely poised, and we have all to play for in the return leg. We are relentlessly backing our Super Eagles to clinch the qualification ticket. The entire nation is behind them and we are also rooting for them,” Toriola said. Read more
Christian Eriksen scores with first touch for Denmark upon return to international football after cardiac arrest (CNN)
Christian Eriksen marked his return to international football by scoring with his first touch for Denmark having suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020.
The 30-year-old was brought on as a halftime substitute against the Netherlands in the two countries’ international friendly, 287 days after collapsing during Denmark’s game against Finland in Copenhagen last year.
And just minutes later, he produced an excellent finish into the top left-hand corner with his first touch of the game.
He could have added a second later on, but he agonizingly hit the post. Read more
Napoli want a discount on Fulham loanee Anguissa (FootballItalia)
Napoli want to keep André Zambo Anguissa but they’d prefer to pay a lower fee to Fulham for his signature.
The 26-year-old Cameroonian midfielder joined Luciano Spalletti’s side on a season-long loan deal with a €15m buy option attached last summer and he’s quickly implanted himself in the first team, being a key part of the midfield.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Napoli do want to sign Anguissa this summer but they don’t want to pay the €15m agreed with Fulham last summer in the loan deal. Instead, they’d prefer to obtain a discount or a least a way to defer payment.
The chances of the former Villarreal player staying in the Campania capital are high and it’s clear that he’s very happy playing under Spalletti. Read more
Barca make Raphinha breakthrough, Leeds ‘interested’ in defender (Football365)
Barcelona have reportedly agreed personal terms with Leeds winger Raphinha, with the two clubs yet to agree on a transfer fee.
Raphinha joined the West Yorkshire club in 2020 after they were promoted back to the Premier League.
He has been terrific since moving to England. Last season the 25-year-old scored six goals and provided nine assists as Leeds finished ninth in the league.
Raphinha has carried last term’s form into 2021/22 having scored nine goals in 27 top-flight appearances. Read more
Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson claims maiden DP World Title with Qatar Masters win (Sky)
Scotland’s Ewen Ferguson dedicated his maiden DP World Tour title to his mum after finishing with a flourish to win the Qatar Masters on Mother’s Day.
Overnight co-leaders Adrian Meronk and Matthew Jordan had shared the lead between them for most of Sunday’s final round but, as they struggled in strong winds on the back nine, Ferguson produced a chip-in eagle and a birdie in his last three holes to emerge victorious.
Ferguson’s closing 70 took him to seven under par for the tournament and earned him a one-shot victory ahead of playing partner Chase Hanna.
Meronk and Marcus Kinhult were another shot further back in a tie for third, with Jordan in the large group on four under after his 76. Read more
Lewis Hamilton warned his ‘big statement’ could reduce him to tears (Express)
Lewis Hamilton has been warned he could be reduced to tears over the issues with his Mercedes car after he dropped out of Q1 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. In his interview with Channel 4, Hamilton said the car was “undriveable” and he was “so nervous” in qualifying.
However, David Coulthard joked he was “always in tears” when fighting a nervous car and this could affect Hamilton this season.
Coulthard said: “For Lewis Hamilton to say he’s nervous is a big statement because talent like that is normally able to master a nervous car. A nervous car for me, I was always in tears.
“But for him to say that really tells us that whatever they did on that balance adjustment has just taken him way out of an operational window.” Read more
Thunder rookie Josh Giddey to miss remainder of season with hip injury (CBS)
Josh Giddey’s rookie season has come to an end. Prior to Saturday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault announced that Giddey would miss the remainder of the season due to soreness in his hip. Giddey hasn’t played in a game since Feb. 24 because of the injury, and Daigneault said the “return-to-play portion” of his rehab process would last longer than the two weeks remaining in the regular season.
“It’s a tricky injury that’s a little unpredictable,” Daigneault said. “I would not say it met or didn’t meet an expectation. We didn’t really have an expectation.”
Given that the Thunder are well outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference, it makes sense that they’re opting to err on the side of caution when it comes to Giddey. After all, his long-term health is the priority here.
The Thunder selected Giddey with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He appeared in 54 games this season and finished with averages of 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 31.5 minutes. His rookie campaign was filled with some history, as he became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double back in January. Read more