Nigerians lambast accountant general, commissioners over UK workshop (Punch)
Civil society and rights groups have lambasted the Accountant General of the Federation, commissioners of finance of the 36 states of the federation and other government officials for choosing to hold a workshop in the United Kingdom at a time when the economy is experiencing a major downturn.
The Office of the AGF reportedly held a workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK.
Findings showed that the workshop was held at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington London, from March 4 to March 9, 2024. Read more
Tinubu Appoints Temitope Ilori As New NACA DG (ThisDay)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Temitope Ilori as Director General of the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA) for the initial term of four years with effect from February 2, 2024.
A statement by the Publicity Department of NACA said Ilori, before her appointment, was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Community Medicine, University of Ibadan, and a Consultant Family Physician in the Department of Family Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
It said that Ilori obtained her MBBS degree from the University of Ibadan and had her residency training at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Read more
FG investing in alternative energy to tackle deficit — Adelabu (Tribune)
In an effort to address Nigeria’s energy deficit, the Federal Government (FG) said it is investing in alternative power sources.
This is coming on the heels of the proposed 30 Megawatts (MW) Windfall And Solar Hybrid Project at Lekki, Lagos.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, made the disclosure during a presentation on the project, Wednesday, in Abuja. Read more
NAAT to begin 3-day warning strike next week (Channels)
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has declared a three-day warning strike starting on Wednesday, March 28 to drive home their demands.
NAAT made the decision after its national emergency meeting at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan on Wednesday.
The union president Ibeji Nwokoma noted that despite the Federal Government’s approval of the payment of their salaries members are yet to be paid. Read more
Tinubu transmits Students Loan to Reps for consideration (DailyTrust)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives seeking repeal of the Students Loans Act 2023 and enactment of the Students Loan Bill 2024.
Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen read the letter transmitting the Students Loans Repeal and Enactment Bill from the president during Thursday’s plenary.
The president in his letter explained that the request for repeal of the Students Loans Act 2023 and a fresh enactment is to address some challenges with the earlier Act and to enhance the implementation of the students loan scheme by his administration. Read more
Baker’s throat slit in Lagos apartment, heart allegedly missing (Punch)
A baker, Tina Ileogben, has been killed and her heart reportedly ripped out of her chest and stolen at her residence on Olowo Street, in the Alhaja Shifiwa area of Dopemu, Agege, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim, who was said to be working at a bakery, did not report for duty on Wednesday when one of her colleagues was instructed to check her at home.
On getting to the premises, it was learnt that the colleague met the door leading into her flat open and upon gaining entry, met her lifeless body on her bed. Read more
Appointment: Sanwo-Olu upgrades Akosile to SA, Media Publicity cadre (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promoted his erstwhile Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, to Special Adviser, Media and Publicity.
The appointment, made available on Thursday, took immediate effect, as announced in a letter dated March 13, 2024, signed by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro.
The letter read in part: “I wish to convey the approval of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State, of your new appointment as Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (Non-Cabinet Rank) to Mr. Governor. Read more
Normalcy returns to Adamawa communities after communal clash (Leadership)
Normalcy has returned after the communal clash that claimed three lives at Selti and Kpasham communities in Adamawa state.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, stated this in a statement, on Wednesday.
SP Nguroje, explained that the Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, patrolled and assessed the area personally with a team of operatives, adding that order has since been restored in the communities. Read more
Jennifer Lopez cancels multiple dates on ‘‘This Is Me… Now’’ tour amid weak ticket sales (Variety)
Jennifer Lopez has canceled seven dates of her first North American tour in five years, in support of her new album “This Is Me… Now” and its pair of companion films.
The dates spanning Aug. 20-31 in Cleveland, Nashville, Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa, New Orleans and Houston were listed as canceled on Ticketmaster at some point on Wednesday; the Cleveland and Houston dates apparently had been removed from the itinerary earlier, as they were part of the tour’s originally announced itinerary on Feb. 24 but are no longer present on the site at all. An updated itinerary can be found on her social media accounts.
While the tour is still scheduled for a robust 30 shows, large numbers of tickets at most of the tour’s dates remain unsold, judging by the seating charts on Ticketmaster.com. While such charts are not always completely accurate, the blue (available) segments of the seating charts on most dates are overwhelmingly larger than the grey (unavailable) ones. Read more
Cate Blanchett: ‘I’ve always wanted to play a nun’ (Dazed)
“I’ve got to come clean,” Cate Blanchett admits with a devilish grin. “I’ve always wanted to play a nun.” After tackling everything from Bob Dylan in I’m Not There to an Elf in The Lord of the Rings, Blanchett’s prayers have finally come true: in Warwick Thornton’s magical-realist drama The New Boy, the 54-year-old Australian actor stars as Sister Eileen, a wine-drinking, Jesus-loving nun who runs a remote monastery in Australia during World War Two. “They’re such mysterious figures, particularly cloistered nuns,” Blanchett observes. “I’m fascinated by the concealment.”
Co-produced by Blanchett’s company Dirty Films, The New Boy unravels as an entrancing clash of beliefs. An aboriginal boy around the age of 10, played by newcomer Aswan Reid, is captured by police on horseback and brought to Sister Eileen’s orphanage to be indoctrinated into Christianity. The unnamed child, though, arrives with his own Indigenous spirituality, as well as magical powers glimpsed through orbs of light generated from his fingertips. Read more
Republic of Congo reports first mpox virus cases in several regions (ABC)
The Republic of Congo has recorded its first cases of mpox in several regions, the health ministry said, an indication of how the disease may be spreading across Africa since sexual transmission was first confirmed on the continent last year.
Mpox is a virus that originates in wild animals and occasionally jumps to people, who can spread it to others. The virus was previously known as monkeypox, because it was first seen in research monkeys.
The World Health Organization said in November it had confirmed sexual transmission of mpox in neighboring Congo for the first time. African scientists warned this could make the disease difficult to contain. Read more
Paul Simon tried to stop Frank Sinatra from covering one of his songs (People)
Paul Simon wasn’t a fan of Frank Sinatra’s “Mrs. Robinson” cover at first.
While attending the MGM+ premiere of the two-part Alex Gibney-directed docuseries In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon held at DGA New York Theater on Wednesday, Simon, 82, was asked whether he ever knew the “That’s Life” crooner.
“I met him once. It was very interesting too, because he made a cover record of my song ‘Mrs. Robinson.’ And he changed the lyric[s]. They were fantastic, but when I first heard it, it was like, ‘man, ring a ding, ding you Mrs. Robinson, Jesus loves you more,’ and this is in the sixties, and I said, ‘He can’t do that,’ ” Simon said during a Q&A that was moderated by Stephen Colbert. Read more
Bon Jovi shares ‘‘Legendary’’ and announces new album ‘‘Forever’’ (NME)
Bon Jovi have announced their new album ‘Forever’ and have shared its lead single ‘Legendary’.
The lively and joyous track sees frontman Jon Bon Jovi sing: “Got a fistful of friends That’ll stand up for me / Right where I am / Is where I wanna be / Friday night comes /Around like a song / Sweet Caroline and we all sing along / Got my brown eyed girl / And she believes in me / Legendary,” in the chorus over a pulsing beat and bright guitars.
Directed by Dano Cerny, ‘Legendary’s accompanying video begins with the band in a recording studio before it transforms into a patch of grass in outer space. Bon Jovi proceeds to perform the track from there. Read more
Bill Skarsgard seeks revenge in 1st “The Crow’’ trailer (THR)
After years of stops and starts, The Crow reboot is finally flying and now has the first trailer to prove it.
Bill Skarsgard leads the film, which centers on a man who is murdered, alongside his fiancée but is granted supernatural powers to seek revenge.
“The Crow” began life as a comic book, with James O’Barr debuting the character in 1989. It grew to new levels of popularity with the cult hit film, which starred the late Brandon Lee, who was tragically killed in an on-set accident during filming. Multiple sequels followed, including The Crow: City of Angels (1996), The Crow: Salvation (2000) and The Crow: Wicked Prayer (2005). Read more
Star Wars actor Michael Culver dies aged 85 (LBC)
Star Wars actor Michael Culver has died aged 85.
Culver was best known for playing Captain Needa in Empire Strikes Back, who was force choked to death by Darth Vader after failing to locate Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon.
He was also known for appearing in a Sherlock Holmes TV series, a film adaption of E M Forster’s “A Passage to India” and the 1970s version of Persuasion, based on Jane Austen’s novel.
The British actor’s agency said that he died on February 27 at home. Read more
African Games 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to secure semi-final ticket (CompleteSports)
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has called on players of the U20 Boys, Flying Eagles to be ready to put up more than their level best when they confront Senegal’s Young Lions of Teranga on Friday in a make-or-break 13th African Games group phase final match at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Accra.
The NFF boss minced no words in saying he has not been impressed with the outing of the seven-time African champions at the continental meet so far, in which they have lost 1-2 to Uganda and edged South Sudan thanks to a late penalty converted by Isiyaka Muhammad Sadiq.
“Nigeria has a high pedigree in youth football across the globe and that is a fact that should ring loud in the minds of every player wearing the green-white-green at that level. We did not fare well against Uganda and I gave the boys a piece of my mind. Read more
Over 600 apply to coach Super Eagles, Golden Eaglets (Nation)
No fewer than 600 have applied for the recently widely-advertised Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets coaching positions recently by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Almost a fortnight ago, the NFF declared the Super Eagles head coach position vacant after Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro officially left the post at the end of last month after guiding the Nigeria’s national men’s team to a second place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Asides the vacant Super Eagles’ managerial position, the NFF equally declared vacant the coaching position of the national Under-17 team (Golden Eaglets), last held by former Nigeria International defender, Nduka Ugbade. Read more
Arsenal star Ben White asks not to be in England squad as Gareth Southgate denies fallout (Express)
England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that Ben White asked not to be selected for the Three Lions squad that was announced on Thursday. Arsenal defender White has not played international football since leaving the England camp midway through the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
White has been a regular for the Gunners at right-back this season as they hunt down a Premier League title under Mikel Arteta. The 26-year-old was therefore considered likely to be named in the squad to face Brazil and Belgium later this month.
However, Southgate explained in a press conference immediately following his squad announcement that White had made himself unavailable for selection. “Clearly on form I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in,” said the 53-year-old. Read more
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne omitted from Belgium squad with groin injury (SportsMole)
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has suffered a fresh injury setback as the playmaker has been omitted from the Belgium squad with a groin problem.
The 32-year-old was sidelined for the first five months of the campaign after tearing his hamstring in Man City’s Premier League opener against Burnley back in August.
De Bruyne made his long-awaited return at the beginning of January and has since been in outstanding form for the Citizens, contributing with one goal and 10 assists in 11 appearances across all competitions. Read more
Why McLaren is being forced to “protect” Piastri in Melbourne (RN365)
McLaren Team Principal Andreas Stella has revealed he will “protect” Oscar Piastri during his home event in Australia next week.
Piastri will take part in his second home grand prix around Albert Park after making his F1 debut with McLaren last year.
The 22-year-old scored the first points of his career in Melbourne by crossing the line in eighth place amid a chaotic finish to the event. Read more
Emma Navarro upsets Aryna Sabalenka to reach her first WTA 1000 quarter final in Indian Wells (UbiTennis)
Emma Navarro beats two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 3-6 6-2 in their first head-to-head match to reach her fourth quarter final this season and the first at the WTA 1000 level. Navarro leads the WTA Tour with 18 wins.
Navarro won two deuce games on her serve to take a 4-3 lead. The US player broke Sabalenka and held serve to close out the first set 6-3.
Sabalenka broke serve once in the fourth game of the second set to clinch the second set 6-3. Read more