Ndume calls for investigation into USAID’s alleged Boko Haram funding (Guardian)
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has urged the Federal Government to investigate allegations by U.S. Congressman Scott Perry that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations.
Perry, a Republican from Pennsylvania, made the claims during a congressional hearing on government efficiency last Thursday, alleging that $697 million in U.S. aid had been funneled to terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda. He also stated that USAID’s funding of $136 million for 120 schools in Pakistan showed no evidence of actual construction.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ndume said the Nigerian government must take the allegations seriously and verify their accuracy. Read more
How NDLEA official was burnt alive in Kaduna (DailyTrust)
An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) identified as Aliyu Imran has been murdered in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to SaharaReporters, Imran, an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotic 1, was burnt alive by an angry mob in Gadan-Gayan area of Igabi LGA after a vehicle being pursued by the deceased and some of his colleagues was involved in an accidents that resulted in deaths.
“The officer and his colleagues were pursuing a suspected drug dealer when the suspect, in an attempt to escape, reversed his vehicle, killing at least three people on the spot,” the platform reported. Read more
Access to aid over, Okonjo-Iweala asks African leaders to be innovative (Channels)
The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has asked African leaders to look inward for funding opportunities for the continent.
“Access to aid, I think we can begin to think of it as a thing of the past,” the former Nigerian finance minister said at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
According to the ex-World Bank developmental economist, Africa really needs to change its mindset and see opportunities with the seeming challenge and effect of the pause of billions of dollars in global funding for United States’ health and education projects in countries of the world. Read more
NAFDAC seals 3,000 shops in Lagos, seizes 12 truckloads of fake drugs (Punch)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has intensified its enforcement efforts against the sale of illicit and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, sealing over 3,000 shops within the Idumota Open Drug Market in Lagos in the first week of operations.
This was made known in a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday by NAFDAC.
During the raid, officials uncovered alarming violations, including vaccines stored in dilapidated, unventilated rooms sealed with iron sheets, posing severe health risks. Read more
Customs’ AEO programme boosts trade value to NGN 563.8b in one year – Adeniyi (Nation)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced that its newly introduced Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme has significantly boosted trade value among participating companies.
The six companies involved in the pilot scheme increased their collective trade from NGN 185.8 billion in 2023 to NGN 563.8 billion in 2024.
Speaking at the official launch of the AEO programme in Lagos, Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, highlighted the initiative’s impact on revenue generation, which surged from NGN 18.4 billion in 2023 to NGN 51.1 billion in 2024. Read more
Ajadi mourns Ayo Adebanjo, says Nigeria has lost true nationalist, great politician (Independent)
A South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has commiserated with the Yoruba People and the entire Nigerians over the death of Leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo saying with his death the country has lost a true nationalist and great politician.
Pa Adebanjo passed on last Friday at his Lekki residence in Lagos. He was a distinguished Lawyer and former Organizing Secretary of the Action Group and he is survived by his wife, Mrs Christy Ayo-Adebanjo along with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Read more
Shehu Sani defects to APC (Vanguard)
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has welcomed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Shehu Sani and other prominent politicians in Kaduna.
Gov Sani also assured Shehu Sani and the other 49 political stalwarts that defected to the APC that they would enjoy the same rights and privileges like every other member of the party.
The Governor spoke when he addressed a mammoth crowd of the party’s supporters at the Murtala Square at a mega rally held on Saturday. Read more
Tinubu, Makinde congratulate Bishop Wale Oke on his re-election as PFN president (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde have congratulated Bishop Francis Wale Oke on his re-election as the national president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
Bishop Oke, respected religious leader and author, who is also the presiding bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries International, was re-elected as president of the religious body at the 18th Biennial National Conference in Abuja.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, also congratulated the Christian faithful, while he equally commended Bishop Oke for his consistent effort in promoting religious harmony and national renaissance, as demonstrated in his ‘Nigeria Turning Point Prayer Movement.’ Read more
Maya Hawke laments some producers relying on follower counts to cast films (Deadline)
Maya Hawke shed some light on some of the difficulty surrounding filmmaking, what she calls a “confusing” state in the industry nowadays in which some producers rely on social media follower counts to cast their movies.
The Stranger Things actress discussed the topic on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast recently, when she made the distinction between actor and celebrity, saying how she has always wanted to embody the former (judged on her work versus her personality).
“But the industry keeps changing, and you have to change with it, and understand that all of these things are getting blurred and there are wonderful, incredible actors I admire whose personalities we all know very well,” she began. Read more
South Korean actress Kim Sae-Ron has died at 24 (Forbes)
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron has died at the age of 24. Her death was reported to the police by a friend who came to visit her Seongdong home in Seoul on the afternoon of Feb. 17. The police confirmed that the actress died on Feb. 16. The cause of her death continues to be investigated, but the police reported no signs of a break-in or any foul play.
Born in 2000, Kim debuted as a child actress when she was nine years old. She became a popular child star through the films A Brand New Life (2009) and The Man From Nowhere (2010). Considered a child prodigy, Kim won several awards for her first two roles, including Best New Actress at the Korean Film Awards and Buil Film Awards.
As a teenager Kim appeared in more roles, notably in the film A Girl at My Door (2014), in which she played a victim of bullying and domestic violence. Her performance was praised by critics and she was nominated for several awards, winning Best New Actress at the 35th Blue Dragon Film Awards and Golden Cinematography Awards. Read more
2 Kenyans allegedly abducted in broad daylight, held for 32 days (VOA )
Since June 2024 — when a series of mass protests took place in Kenya — 82 cases of alleged forced disappearances were recorded by the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission.
Rights groups say some of those alleged victims have been lucky to reunite with their loved ones, but 29 are still missing. While many accuse the police of perpetrating such acts, it’s yet to be confirmed who’s behind the abductions.
VOA requests for comments from the National Police Service were not answered. Read more
Dozens killed in latest mine accident at illegal mine in Mali (AfricaNews)
Dozens of people, most of them women, have died after an illegal gold mine collapsed in the west of the Mali on Saturday.
Officials said the victims had climbed into the open-pit left by industrial miners in the hope of finding small pieces of gold.
Rescue operations continued well into the evening at Bilali Koto as emergency services and volunteers worked to extract survivors. Read more
Local Talent, Schooled on International Shoots, Boosts Uruguay’s Film Industry (Variety)
Welcoming foreign shoots while the rest of Latin America was in COVID lockdown, Uruguay has benefited from a growing influx of international productions, with local talent and crew gaining invaluable on-set experience.
National production has increased to nearly pre-pandemic levels, 33 features in 2023, on a par with 2019, and 30 features in 2024, way up on 2016’s 11 features produced.
Uruguay’s film industry has also grown in diversity in terms of genres and co-productions. Last year also saw 32 local theatrical releases, with documentaries making up the bulk but also featuring Montelona co-produced “A Blue Bird,” the latest from “Las Acacias” director Ariel Rotter, and the 2024 Cannes Critics’ Week winner “Simon of the Mountain” by Federico Luis. Read more
Amanda Holden “given warning” by BBC bosses after breaking show rules (Standard)
Amanda Holden was “spoken to” by the BBC after breaking a rule with her recent Instagram post.
The presenter, 54, is known for fixing up properties with her friend Alan Carr on their hit BBC show, Amanda & Alan’s Spanish Job – a spin-off from their show Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job.
She often wears a navy personalised boiler suit in the episodes, with the words “Handy Mandy” embroidered on the back. Read more
6 people arrested over abduction of man in Dublin (BBC)
Five men and a woman have been arrested in Dublin over the alleged abduction of a man in the city.
More than 100 police searched several homes in the greater Blanchardstown area on Saturday morning.
A house suspected of being the location where the man was held against his will has been sealed off and is being forensically examined, Irish broadcaster RTE is reporting. Read more
Chiney Ogwumike named first female BAL Ambassador (CompleteSports)
Nigerian American basketball star, two-time WNBA All-Star, and ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike has been named the first-ever female Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ambassador.
The historic announcement was made by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall during the NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon at NBA All-Star Weekend 2025 in San Francisco, USA.
Ogwumike, whose parents hail from Nigeria’s Delta State, is widely recognized for her contributions to basketball both on and off the court. Read more
Bassey scores winner in clash of Nigerians (Punch)
Calvin Bassey scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Fulham secured a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Craven Cottage on Saturday, in a game that featured three Super Eagles stars, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The defender’s 62nd-minute header proved decisive, as he outjumped international teammate Ola Aina at the back post to nod home Raul Jimenez’s flick-on from a corner.
The match saw Bassey and Alex Iwobi line up for Fulham against Aina’s Forest, while Taiwo Awoniyi missed out due to the concussion and broken nose he suffered in midweek FA Cup action. Read more
Kai Havertz breaks silence after operation and details Arsenal role moving forward (Mirror)
Kai Havertz has spoken out following successful surgery and insists he’s ready to give Arsenal “all the support in the background.”
The German has led the line for the Gunners for much of his time in north London but was dealt a huge blow during the team’s training camp in Dubai. Havertz suffered a hamstring injury which will now rule him out for the season – further adding to Mikel Arteta’s injury problems.
Arsenal are now struggling for attacking resources but Havertz is on the road to recovery. He admits he’s had to deal with “physical and mental” challenges over recent days. Read more
Redknapp slams Daniel Levy as he claims Spurs lack “winning culture’’ (DailyMail)
Jamie Redknapp has slammed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy amid the club’s struggles on the pitch this season.
Spurs currently linger 15th in the Premier League table and were dumped out of both domestic cup competitions last week.
Pressure on Ange Postecoglou has soared, with Spurs on track for their worst-ever season in the top flight. Read more
Jannik Sinner ban “a good signal for tennis” as Daniil Medvedev weighs in on news (Express)
Daniil Medvedev has insisted Jannik Sinner’s three-month ban is a “good signal” for tennis if it means other players can defend themselves to the authorities in similar circumstances. Sinner will be prohibited from competing until the start of May after the World Anti-Doping Agency sanctioned him on Saturday.
Sinner failed two anti-doping tests last spring after testing positive for clostebol during Indian Wells.
But the Italian argued that he had only come into contact with the substance after his physio had used it to remedy a cut on his own finger before spreading it when he subsequently treated the tennis star as part of his usual routine. Read more
Hamilton given surprising “Mercedes expectation” in first Ferrari season (RN365)
Anthony Davidson believes a good first season for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari would be to replicate his final Mercedes campaign.
Hamilton’s 12th and final Mercedes season was technically his worst for the team, with a seventh-place finish in the standings, although he banked two wins and a handful of podiums, breaking his long-win drought in the process.
At times, including in those wins at the British and Belgian Grands Prix as well as a run to second in Las Vegas, Hamilton showed strong flashes of pace, but struggled towards the end of the year, especially with a dreadful weekend in Brazil. Read more