Odumeje declares for presidency, says Nigeria needs ‘a digital leader’ (Guardian)
Popular Anambra-based cleric, Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Odumeje, has declared his intention to run for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027, stating that the country needs young, digital-minded leaders rather than “old cargoes.”
Odumeje made the announcement during a Sunday sermon, a moment that has since gone viral on social media. However, he did not disclose the political party under which he plans to contest.
“Both past and present leaders have failed to move Nigeria forward due to their age and lack of vision. The country needs a vibrant, resilient, and forward-thinking leader like me to usher in real progress,” he declared. Read more
Rivers Crisis: APC factions at war over threat to impeach Fubara (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress (APC), factions in Rivers State are at war over threat to impeach Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
While the faction led by Mr. Tony Okocha, recognised by the national leadership of the party warned Fubara to honourably resign from office or be disgraced out by impeachment, accusing him of multiple impeachable offences, the court-recognised leadership of the party in the state, loyal to former governor Rotimi Amaechi led by Chief Emeka Bekee has hit back at Okocha for daring to ask Governor Fubara to resign or be impeached.
This came as Governor Fubara, yesterday, that despite the ensuing political circumstances against his administration, Rivers people will emerge stronger eventually, urging the people to remain peaceful and law-abiding in the overall interest of the state. Read more
Soldiers rescue 75 civilians from Sambisa forest (Punch)
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have rescued 75 civilians from Sambisa Forest in Borno State.
Addressing newsmen on Monday during the victims’ handover to the Borno State government in Maiduguri, the General Officer Commanding 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. W. Shaibu stated that the rescued individuals comprised seven adult males, 34 women, and 34 children.
The GOC, represented by the Deputy Theater Commander, Brig. Gen. A.L. Akpodu explained that the civilians were rescued during a clearance operation conducted by the 21 Special Armored Brigade and the 199 Special Forces Battalion under Operation Desert Sanity IV in Sambisa Forest. Read more
We’re not disturbed by El-Rufai’s defection to SDP – Kaduna APC (Channels)
The Kaduna chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will not lose sleep over the defection of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
El-Rufai had on Monday announced his resignation from the APC, expressing disappointment with the ruling party’s leadership style. He accused it of straying from the progressive ideals of its founding members.
However, in its reaction, the Kaduna State chapter of the APC in a statement by its secretary, Yahaya Pate, said the party remained unperturbed by the defection of the former governor. Read more
Kebbi: Lakurawa kills 13 in revenge mission (DailyTrust)
In a reprisal attack over the killing of their leader, Maigemu, by combined security operatives last Thursday, the Lakurawa group on Sunday attacked Birnin Dede, a community in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State killing 13 people.
The Lakurawa group, which consists of persons from various tribes, including Hausa, Fulani, Toureq, Barebari and other tribes, has been operating in Kebbi State and environs for some time now.
Also in Ondo State, gunmen killed 14 farmers and razed communities. Read more
Report of herdsmen attack in Ondo untrue — Gov’t (Leadership)
The Ondo State government has debunked the report that herdsmen suspected to be bandits sacked some communities, killing about 20 people in the state.
There had been reports that over 20 persons lost their lives when the armed men attacked four communities in Akure North local government area of Ondo State in the early hours on Saturday.
It was also gathered that the communities attacked by the gunmen include Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor and Ademekun, all in the Akure North LGA. Read more
Naira-for-crude deal under threat over rising defaults, power play (Sun)
There are growing concerns over the continued sustainability of the Naira-for crude deal which took effect on October 1, 2024.
Some online news platforms had on Monday reported the suspension of the Naira-for-crude deal to Dangote Refinery Limited by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.
On October 1, 2024, the Federal Government officially announced the commencement of crude oil sale to Dangote Refinery, and other local refineries in the local currency. Read more
Economy looking up, says Tinubu (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said last night that the economy has picked up and will continue to get better.
According to him, the bold decisions made by his administration, along with the supportive efforts of sub-national entities, have produced positive results.
He called for the sustenance of the efforts. Read more
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder & Valerie Simpson Among Those Celebrating Roberta Flack’s Legacy at Harlem Memorial (Billboard)
An unexpected appearance by Ms. Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean was just one of the many riveting moments at the celebration of life honoring the legendary Roberta Flack inside Harlem, New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church on Monday (March 10).
Among the additional stars, executives, friends and family lifting up their voices in tribute to the pioneering singer-songwriter-musician-activist were Stevie Wonder, Valerie Simpson, Phylicia Rashad, Dionne Warwick, Alicia Keys, India.Arie, Peabo Bryson and Clive Davis. Flack died on Feb. 24 at age 88.
Before segueing into a beautiful and measured take on the Flack classic “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” an emotional Hill sniffled her way through reflections about her late idol. “We weren’t formally asked to do this because I think they were a little shy in asking us to attend,” Hill began. “So we kind of bum-rushed the service because it really wouldn’t be possible for us to just stand by and not participate. Read more
Disney wins ‘Moana’ copyright trial, but $10b sequel suit still riding the legal waves, for now (Deadline)
Buck Woodall’s five-year battle with Disney over who really created Moana looks to have come to an end, with a Los Angeles jury on Monday finding for the House of Mouse in the animated franchise dispute, at least for now.
While the panel of six women and two men determined in just under three hours that Disney and primary Moana creators John Musker and Ron Clements never saw or even knew about Woodall’s Bucky the Surfer Boy work while working on the 2016 animated hit, Woodall now has a separate copyright infringement action in the courts over blockbuster sequel Moana 2.
Right now, after a slew of internal communications and more sausage-making was revealed in documents for this trial, Disney is taking the win and leaving it at that. Read more
Medical transport helicopter crash leaves crew members, pilot dead (ABC)
Three people died after a medical transport helicopter crashed in Madison County, Mississippi, on Monday afternoon, according to the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
The aircraft was a Eurocopter EC-135 helicopter, which crashed into a wooded area around 1:15 p.m. local time, the Federal Aviation Authority said in a statement.
It was owned and operated by Med-Trans, UMMC said. Read more
World-renowned South African playwright dies, aged 92 (AfricaNews)
Internationally acclaimed South African playwright, director, and actor, Athol Fugard, died at his home on Sunday after a long illness. He was 92.
The anti-apartheid figure leaves behind a powerful legacy of works like “Master Harold and the Boys” and “Sizwe Banzi Is Dead” that have shaped theatre in the country.
The South African government confirmed his death saying the country had “lost one of its greatest literary and theatrical icons”. Read more
Tesla plunges, X suffers outages, on Elon Musk’s bad day (Axios)
Tesla shares cratered Monday on mounting fears of a sales slowdown, pushing the stock firmly below the starting level of its “Trump bump.”
The big picture: It was a bad day for Elon Musk, whose messaging platform X was also disrupted by a “massive” cyberattack.
While Tesla is facing plenty of challenges of its own, Musk’s divisive role as President Trump’s head of DOGE seems to increasingly be taking a toll on his business interests.
By the numbers: Tesla shares fell more than 15% Monday. They’re now down more than 53% since their high on December 23, a loss of $700 billion in market value. Read more
After landslide victory, Mark Carney meets with Trudeau as transition to power begins (CBC)
Prime minister-designate Mark Carney met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Monday as the new Liberal leader takes the reins of power after a landslide victory in Sunday’s party election.
Carney told reporters at Parliament Hill that the meeting was long and they discussed the most pressing issues of the day: Canada-U.S. relations and other matters of national security.
He said the government handover will be “seamless” and “quick” and he said his official swearing-in will happen in short order. Read more
2026 WCQ: Super Eagles Boost as Okoye features, Dele-Bashiru benched in Lazio’s home draw vs Udinese (CompleteSports)
Maduka Okoye was back in action and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru made the bench as Lazio and Udinese played a 1-1 draw in Monday night’s Serie A encounter.
While Okoye reclaimed his number one position for Udinese, Dele-Bashiru was an unused substitute for Lazio.
Okoye had been sidelined since December 2024 after Injurying his wrist and had to undergo surgery.
For Dele-Bashiru, he suffered an ankle injury and was out of action since February.
After being passed fit both players were included in their respective club’s matchday squads for Monday’s encounter Read more
NBA’s shortest player is a 5 feet 8 rising star from Japan. Meet Yuki Kawamura (CNN)
Standing at just 5 feet 8 inches tall, Yuki Kawamura is perhaps an unlikely basketball star.
“It’s not like I can do any dunk shots,” says the NBA’s current shortest player, who is almost a foot below the average height in the league. He’s the only man under 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall on an active NBA roster.
Nevertheless, the 23-year-old Memphis Grizzlies guard has become a fan favorite in his rookie season, thanks to his seamless no-look passes and ankle-breaking jump shots, as he battles to establish himself in the league.
“I think my strengths are in assist and game control, so I’m hoping to play to my strengths to contribute to the team’s win,” Kawamura told CNN Sport in an interview, adding that he has also been working on his three-pointers. Read more
Assar, Aruna lead African charge at WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 (Guardian)
The 2025 ITTF Africa Cup champion, Omar Assar of Egypt, and his continental rival, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria, are among the top 32 players in the world set to compete for glory at the $800,000 prize money WTT Champions Chongqing 2025, in China.
The tournament also features Africa’s top female players, Hana Goda and Dina Meshref of Egypt, who will battle against 30 other elite players, including the world No. 1 from China, in the first WTT Champions event of 2025.
WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 marks the season’s inaugural WTT Champions event, showcasing 32 Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles in electrifying action under the purple lights from today to March 16. Read more
Guimaraes winner at West Ham sends Newcastle 6th (BBC)
Newcastle prepared for the Carabao Cup final with a victory at West Ham that moved them up to sixth in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe’s side will look to end a 70-year wait for a major trophy on Sunday when they take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at Wembley.
They went into Monday’s fixture at London Stadium desperate for a win to ensure they face the Reds with momentum, and they got it thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ second-half strike. Read more
Vinicius, Mbappe help Real Madrid win against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga (AlJazeera)
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr scored in the first half to give Real Madrid an easy 2-1 win over neighbours Rayo Vallecano, helping them draw level at the top of the table in the battle to retain their LaLiga crown.
Only one point separates Spain’s three biggest clubs in one of the closest title races in recent years, with Barcelona leading the pack on 57 points, ahead of second-placed Real on goal difference with Atletico Madrid in third on 56 points after a 2-1 loss at Getafe earlier on Sunday.
Barca, who will face Atletico next weekend, have a game in hand after their match against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed due to the sudden death of their team doctor. Read more