Ogun suspends monarch over assault on subject (Guardian)
Viral Video: Ogun suspends monarch over assault on subject
Following a viral video circulating on social media, showing Oba AbdulSemiyu Adewale Ogunjobi, the Olorile of Orile-Ifo in Ogun State, assaulting one of his subjects, the state government has announced a six-month suspension for the monarch.
The sanction, contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, categorically denounced the actions of the Oba as uncivil and not befitting of the status of a king.
The statement affirmed that the decision was reached after the Kabiyesi and his victim were invited by the commissioner for interrogation. Read more
NLC suspends proposed protest over telecom tariff hike (Channels)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its proposed protest over the 50 per cent increase in telecommunication tariff.
The decision was taken after the labour union met with the delegation from the Federal government led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, on Monday.
According to a statement signed by the Director, Information & Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Seguin Imohiosen, the meeting was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians. Read more
Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Obi, Davido, Ayra Starr, fans celebrate Tems’ Grammy win (Sun)
President Bola Tinubu, music stars, Davido and Ayra Starr as well as other fans congratulated Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, on winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Tems made history at the 67th Grammy awards on Sunday in Los Angeles by clinching the Best African Music Performance for her song “Love Me Jeje.”
Notably, Tems was the only African artiste with three nominations across the global music categories; as her debut album, “Born in the Wild” was up for Best Global Music Album and Best R&B song for “Burning”. Read more
Health sector gets $1b for human capital development (Nation)
Amid a shift in the United States (U.S.) development assistance policy, Nigeria yesterday unveiled major strategies in domestic health sector investments.
The strategies approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting in Abuja include a $1 billion initiative to strengthen human capital development and N4.8 billion for the Presidential Treatment Programme for HIV patients.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who briefed reporters at the State House, Abuja, said a standing committee has been raised. Read more
N/Assembly resumes today, to accelerate Tax Reform Bills (DailyTrust)
The National Assembly will resume plenary today, with plans to expedite action towards passage of the tax reform bills, Daily Trust has learned.
Following its first sitting of 2025 on January 14, both chambers adjourned until January 28, to allow various committees to conclude work on the defence of the 2025 Appropriation Bill presented to the parliament by President Bola Tinubu on the 18th of December, 2024.
However, the resumption was postponed to February 4, to allow committees sufficient time to complete ongoing engagements with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on the 2025 budget. Read more
Amaechi’s membership deepens Rivers APC crisis (Leadership)
The membership status of the former minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, has further split the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
A dispute over Amaechi’s APC membership arose yesterday as the party chairman in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has declared that the former minister and his supporters were no longer members of the party.
In a swift response, the Emeka Beke-led APC in the state, said Okocha camp does not have what it takes to push Amaechi out of the party he built. Read more
AVA unveils money market fund (Punch)
AVA Global Asset Managers Limited has launched its Money Market Fund, approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In a statement on Monday, the open-ended fund is designed to provide unit holders with a stream of income.
According to the statement, with an offer size of N1bn and a unit price of N1.00, the fund aims to help investors grow their wealth amid economic uncertainties. Read more
FG engages World Bank on strategic partnership (NewTelegraph)
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to private sector-driven growth and sustainable development.
To crystallize this desire, it harps on forging strategic partnerships with global institutions such as the World Bank to bolster its economic resilience and reduce reliance on external debt.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun underscores this commitment on Monday in Abuja at a meeting with the World Bank Executive Director, Dr. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. Read more
Juliette Binoche Named 2025 Cannes Film Festival President Of The Jury (Deadline)
French actress Juliette Binoche has been named President of the Jury for the 2025 edition of the Cannes Film Festival in May.
The honor which was announced on Tuesday morning Paris time will fall exactly 40 years after the Oscar-winning The English Patient star first touched down at the festival with André Téchiné’s Palme d’Or contender Rendez-vous in 1985.
Binoche follows in the footsteps of U.S. director Greta Gerwig whose jury feted Sean Baker’s Anora with the Palme d’Or last year.
“I’m looking forward to sharing these life experiences with the members of the Jury and the public. In 1985, I walked up the steps for the first time with the enthusiasm and uncertainty of a young actress; I never imagined I’d return 40 years later in the honorary role of President of the Jury. I appreciate the privilege, the responsibility and the absolute need for humility,” said Binoche. Read more
Ugandan activists demand release of an opposition leader facing military trial (AfricaNews)
Ugandan opposition leaders on Monday demanded the release of a colleague whose military trial faces a legal challenge after the top court ruled that civilians can’t be court-martialed.
Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate in the East African country, has been in jail since his abduction from the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, where he went missing on Nov. 16.
Days later, Besigye and an assistant appeared before a military tribunal in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, to face charges related to illegal possession of a firearm and threatening national security. Besigye has since been charged with the more serious offence of treachery, which carries the death penalty. Read more
Babyface’s Grammys snub outrages Boyz II Men, Khloé Kardashian & Dionne Warwick (Allhiphop)
Multiple stars have come to the defense of Babyface after the R&B star became the subject of a controversial incident at the 67th Grammy Awards.
On Monday (February 3), Boyz II Men vocalist Shawn Stockman recently expressed his frustration on Instagram regarding an incident in which Babyface was abruptly cut off during an interview with the Associated Press. The moment, which has since gone viral, occurred after Babyface’s interview was interrupted by the reporter shouting for Chappell Roan, who had just walked by. The move led Babyface to hand off his microphone and walk away in apparent frustration as he muttered, “Go do that.” Read more
Dow and S&P 500 recover some losses after Trump pauses tariffs on Mexico (ABC)
The stock market fell on Monday amid uncertainty about the fate of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on Canada, Mexico and China over the weekend.
Soon after a market decline began early Monday morning, Trump paused the tariffs on Mexico for one month following a conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, prompting the stock market to recover some of its losses.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid about 150 points, or 0.35%, in early trading on Monday. The S&P 500 dropped 0.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq ticked down 1%. Read more
Gaza authorities plead for tents, accuse Israel of obstructing aid (AlJazeera)
Local authorities in the Gaza Strip have called on donors and aid groups to prioritise sending tents and temporary shelters to help house people whose homes have been destroyed by Israel.
The Gaza Government Media Office said on Monday that thousands of Palestinian families across the enclave are sleeping out in the open amid the frigid temperatures.
“Securing shelters has become an urgent humanitarian need that cannot be delayed. It is the most pressing need at this moment,” the office said in a statement. Read more
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni lawyers spar during first court hearing (BBC)
Lively and Baldoni, seen in a clip from their film, have not yet had to face each other in court over the legal drama surrounding their film, It Ends With Us
Lawyers for actors Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively spent their first day in court sparring over the sexual harassment and other allegations that have erupted surrounding their film, It Ends With Us.
In December, Lively filed a legal complaint against Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and starting a smear campaign against her. Baldoni has denied her claims and, in response, sued her on a various grounds, including defamation.
The movie co-stars were not required to attend the pretrial meeting at federal court in Manhattan on Monday. Read more
South Korea fears being sidelined by Trump-Kim revival (DW)
There is growing concern in South Korea that US President Donald Trump intends to bypass Seoul and reach out unilaterally to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a similar fashion to the US leader’s actions during his first administration.
South Korea was quietly alarmed during Trump’s first term when he held three rounds of talks with Kim, exchanged 27 “love letters” and, in June 2018, unexpectedly announced the complete suspension of joint US-South Korean military exercises during a summit in Singapore.
“He wrote me beautiful letters, and they’re great letters,” Trump said in September 2018. “We fell in love.” Read more
Warri Wolves maintain top spot as Beyond Limits FC rue missed chances (Guardian)
Players and officials of Beyond Limits FC wore long faces on Sunday after dropping two points at home in their Nigeria National League (NNL) encounter against visiting Warri Wolves FC at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. Warri Wolves, led by Coach Napoleon Aluma, picked one point to maintain their grip on top of Conference A table.
The Seasiders’ defensive resilience was on full display as they kept the defending champions, Beyond Limits FC’s attacking forces at bay, despite the best efforts of top scorers Ekene Ohio, Oroh Ezekiel, Lateef Yusuf, and Igbunu Evwierhurhona.
With the result, Warri Wolves FC extended their lead at the top of the table to 16 points from eight matches, having won four and drawn four. On their part, Beyond Limits FC remains in third place with 12 points. Read more
‘Celebrated’ Boniface breaks silence on botched Saudi deal (Nation)
Nigeria international Victor Boniface has broken his silence on recent reports linking him with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr even as he was celebrated by Leverkusen for scoring on his 50th Bundesliga appearance .
The 24-year-old striker was tipped to leave German champions for Al-Nassr in a deal worth around €70 million before the Saudi transfer window deadline day on Friday.
However, Al-Nassr reportedly pulled out of the deal to sign Boniface and instead signed Colombian striker Jhon Duran from English Premier League side Aston Villa. Read more
Akpom will make us stronger — Lille boss (Punch)
French Ligue 1 side Lille president Olivier Lentang believes new signing Chuba Akpom will strengthen the team after securing the striker’s services on loan from Ajax until the end of the season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 29-year-old Nigerian-born striker joined Les Dogues with an option for a permanent transfer after undergoing a medical on Saturday and watching their 4-1 home victory against AS Saint-Etienne.
“It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival of Chuba. We have been following him for a very long time, he has played in big clubs and he has experience in European competitions,” Lentang said. Read more
Chelsea go 4th after comeback win over West Ham (BBC)
Chelsea returned to the top four in the Premier League after coming from behind to beat West Ham on former manager Graham Potter’s return to Stamford Bridge.
After fellow top-four contenders Manchester City and Newcastle lost at the weekend, the Blues were made to work hard for the three points by the visitors who led through Jarrod Bowen at the break.
But substitute Pedro Neto equalised for Enzo Maresca’s side in the second half before Cole Palmer’s cross looped over Hammers goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, which took a big deflection off Aaron Wan-Bissaka to gift the win to the home side. Read more
Mavericks fans left stunned over Luka Doncic trade in NBA shake up (France 24)
The Lakers and Mavericks have sent the NBA world into a frenzy, with ESPN reporting early Sunday morning that the teams had completed a trade that will send Luka Doncic to Los Angeles and Anthony Davis to Dallas.
No trade in league history had ever featured a midseason swap of reigning All-NBA selections, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
While the two stars are at the center of the deal, the Lakers will also get Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks will receive Max Christie and a 2029 first-round draft pick, per the report. Read more
Tottenham win Mathys Tel race signing loan deal with surprise contract clause (Metro)
Tottenham have secured the loan signing for Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel until the end of the season, agreeing a buy option in the deal.
The 19-year-old became one of the most talked-about players of the transfer window as a string of Premier League clubs chased his signature.Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were all in the hunt and it seemed as though Tottenham were set to lose out when reports suggested the Frenchman had turned them down, favouring a switch to Old Trafford. Read more