Oil Theft In The Creek: Security operatives coordinate our business – Oil bunkerers squeal (Vanguard)
Crude oil bunkerers have revealed that some Nigerian military personnel who are supposed to stop oil bunkering organize and consolidate their business in the creek for huge sums of money. They said that they paid various levies to establish their crude oil refining camps and get security protection.
In addition, security personnel passed information to them whenever other security agencies plot to raid their locations. The personnel reportedly have a record of illegal oil bunkerers in their good book, so they shield their camps from destruction.
Also, some of the unauthorized refining camps belong to some retired and serving military personnel, who hire skilled artisans and locals to work for them. Read more
Trouble in Health sector…Fewer than 30, 000 licensed doctors in Nigeria – NMA (Sun)
In November 2024, a Lagos resident in his 40s was diagnosed with cardiovascular problems at one of the tertiary hospitals in the state. After the diagnosis, the general doctors told him that he should proceed to a particular department, to see a consultant.
On getting to the department, he was given a date in February 2025. But by the middle of December 2024, his condition had deteriorated. He developed swollen legs, shortness of breath, and he could not walk for three minutes without sitting down to relax. He also complained about indigestion. Luckily, he discussed with relevant people that stepped in and presented his case as an emergency.
The man is one among many Nigerians with health conditions. To see a consultant, they have to wait for between two and five months. Sadly, for some, they’re already dead long before their date with the consultant. Read more
Appeal Court ruling on IPOB will motivate us to crush them – Military (DailyTrust)
The military high command says the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorists’ group is a morale booster.
It specifically stated that the ruling by the Court would motivate the military through its frontline troops to expedite action in destroying and dismantling the terror group wherever they may be hiding.
Daily Trust reports that the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel headed by Justice Hamma Barka, on Thursday, affirmed the proscription of IPOB and its designation as a terrorist organisation. Read more
Opposition woos Obasa as removal divides Lagos APC (Punch)
The removal of a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has continued to deepen division within the All Progressives Congress in the state. This was as opposition parties declared readiness to welcome the embattled lawmaker should he consider leaving the ruling party.
Since Obasa’s impeachment on January 13, 2025, by a majority of lawmakers over alleged misconduct and financial misappropriation, his removal has sparked conflicting reactions among members of the Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the APC in Lagos.
The division became evident when two GAC members, Senator Anthony Adefuye and Chief Muraina Taiwo, who opposed Obasa’s removal, were criticised by another member of the group, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, who dismissed their comments as “childish and inconsequential.” Read more
UNILAG announces Taiwan Scholarship Programme for students (Guardian)
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday announced the opening of a Taiwan Scholarship Program for its students.
UNILAG, in a statement on X, said the scholarship is for students who aspire to broaden their horizons, gain valuable international experience, and contribute to the global advancement of knowledge and innovation in their fields of study.
“The Ministry of Education (MOE) of Taiwan is offering an exciting scholarship opportunity for University of Lagos (UNILAG) students,” the statement read. Read more
Tinubu appoints Abba Aliyu as REA boss (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Abba Abubakar Aliyu as the substantive Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).
This was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.
The appointment, which takes effect from January 23, 2025, will see Aliyu serve an initial four-year term.
Aliyu, a seasoned energy expert with over two decades of experience in the power, water resources, and transportation sectors, had been acting as the agency’s Managing-Director since March 2024. Read more
NCAA revokes licences of 2 air operators (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has revoked the Air Operator Certificates of Eastwind Aviation Logistics Services Limited and Omni-Blu Aviation.
The NCAA announced the decision in a post on X on Friday.
The post reads, “The Authority has determined that both Omni-Blu Aviation and Eastwind Aviation are in violation of Part 1.2.1.5 of Nig. CARs on Falsification, Reproduction, or Alteration of Applications, Licences, Certificates, Logbooks, Reports, or Records. Read more
Bauchi Speaker faults Dogara’s alleged attack on Gov Mohammed (ThisDay)
The Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman, has condemned the alleged criticisms of the state Governor, Bala Monammed, by a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
In a statement on Thursday, Suleiman said Dogara’s allegations of betrayal were nothing more than an attempt to tarnish the reputation of a leader committed to the progress of Bauchi State.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dogara, had criticised Mohammed for antagonising the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Read more
SZA’s hit US comedy with Keke Palmer is now coming to UK cinemas (NME)
American hit comedy One Of Them Days, starring SZA and Keke Palmer, has secured a release date in the UK.
According to a press release from distributor Sony Pictures UK, the film will be released in cinemas on March 7, following a positive reception upon its release in the States. It will debut the same weekend as Bong Joon-ho’s sci-fi “Mickey 17”, starring Robert Pattinson.
The official synopsis reads: “Best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are about to have One of Them Days. When they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact”. The movie co-stars comedian Katt Williams and Euphoria’s Maude Apatow. Read more
Zoe Saldaña says she’s “really sad” over Emilia Pérez costar Karla Sofía Gascón’s tweets (People)
Zoe Saldaña is reacting to the controversy surrounding her Emilia Pérez costar Karla Sofía Gascón.
“I’m still processing everything that has transpired in the last couple of days, and I’m sad,” Saldaña, 46, said in a London Q&A in response to the revelation of bigoted social media posts from her fellow Oscar nominee, per The Hollywood Reporter.
“It makes me really sad because I don’t support [it], and I don’t have any tolerance for any negative rhetoric towards people of any group,” she continued. “I can only attest to the experience that I had with each and every individual that was a part, that is a part, of this film, and my experience and my interactions with them was about inclusivity and collaboration and racial, cultural, and gender equity. And it just saddens me.” Read more
Many across Africa shocked by 90-day freeze on US aid (VOA)
Many people across Africa are shocked and worried about the 90-day pause on U.S.-funded foreign aid and a stop-work order on existing grants and contracts worldwide.
While the orders have been modified to allow waivers for “life-saving humanitarian assistance,” many are struggling to assess the implications of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision.
The Trump administration says that the United States spends about $40 billion every year in aid, and that it’s time to review and prioritize America’s core national interest one dollar at a time. Read more
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell welcome baby via surrogate (FilmNews)
Lily Collins and Charlie McDowell have welcomed a baby girl.
The Emily in Paris actor and her film director husband shared on social media the news that they had welcomed a baby via surrogate.
“Welcome to the centre of our world Tove Jane McDowell,” Collins wrote in a joint Instagram announcement.
The new mum shared a photo of the baby girl, lying bundled in a bassinet. A monogrammed blanket with her name written in gold was draped over the cradle. Read more
“Superman” creator’s Estate sues DC and Warner Bros over foreign copyrights ahead of James Gunn reboot (Variety)
The estate of “Superman” co-creator Joe Shuster sued DC Comics and Warner Bros. on Friday, seeking to invalidate the companies’ copyrights in several foreign markets.
The suit revives a long-running dispute that was last addressed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal in 2013. The court rejected the Shuster estate’s attempt to cancel the “Superman” copyright, finding that Shuster’s sister had signed away his termination right after his death in 1992.
In the new case, the estate’s attorney, Marc Toberoff, asserts claims under copyright laws in the U.K., Canada, Ireland and Australia. The suit comes months before Warner Bros. Discovery will release “Superman” this summer, relaunching the valuable franchise and starting a planned cinematic universe of DC characters. Read more
Alessandra Ambrosio storms the runway in red at the Marc Cain show during Berlin Fashion Week (DailyMail)
She is one of the biggest names in the fashion business.
And Alessandra Ambrosio gave her fellow models a masterclass on Friday as she stormed the runway at the Marc Cain Fashion Show during Berlin Fashion Week.
The Brazilian model, 43, exuded glamour on the runway as she modelled a scarlet red dress adorned with sequin detailing. Read more
Horror as small plane crashes in Philadelphia, causing huge fireball as homes erupt in flames (LBC)
A small plane crashed in a residential area of the US city of Philadelphia on Friday night, just days after the Washington DC mid-air collision.
The crash, which took place about 11pm UK time on Friday, saw a plane smash into a row of buildings in the north-eastern city, setting them on fire.
Footage from the scene shows widespread chaos, fire and destruction, with eyewitnesses visibly and audibly shocked by what they see. Read more
Tella eyes Super Eagles recall (Leadership)
Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has expressed his hope of getting a recall to Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
Tella got his first call-up to the Super Eagles in 2023 under former coach Jose Peseiro for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
He got his first and only cap on matchday 2 of the qualifiers against Zimbabwe in Kigali, Rwanda, which ended 1-1. Read more
Jhon Duran: Aston Villa forward completes £64m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr (SkySports)
Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran has completed a £64m move to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
The Colombia striker leaves Villa Park to join Cristiano Ronaldo at the Saudi club having scored 12 goals in 29 appearances this season.
Al Nassr are understood to be paying just over £64m (€77m) plus bonuses for the striker, who was signed for around £15m from MLS side Chicago Fire FC two years ago. Read more
Ruben Amorim given brutal Man Utd verdict with two ex-stars in agreement (Mirror)
Former Manchester United players Owen Hargreaves and Robbie Savage have both issued a damning verdict on Ruben Amorim’s start to life at Old Trafford.
Amorim, 40, has had a busy first two months since his move from Sporting Lisbon, which set United back a cool €11 million (£9.25m). The Portuguese coach’s record after 18 games stands at nine wins, two draws and seven losses.
Thursday’s 2-0 victory away to FCSB in the Europa League marked the first time that United have won three games in a row this season, as Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag, struggled before his bombshell sacking in October. Before kick-off in Bucharest, Hargreaves and Savage were asked by presenter Jules Breach to rate Amorim’s United career so far on a scale of one to 10. Read more
Brighton sign defender Cashin from Derby (BBC)
Brighton have signed defender Eiran Cashin from Championship side Derby.
The 23-year-old centre-back has joined the Seagulls on a contract until June 2030, with sources saying Brighton have paid a fee of £9m.
Cashin has been a long-term target for Brighton and he was close to joining the Premier League club in the summer.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international was born in Mansfield and came through Derby’s academy. Read more
Flamboyant Dupont inspires France as they drub Wales in Six Nations opener (RNZ)
Antoine Dupont lived up to expectations as the mercurial halfback made his Six Nations comeback in style to lead France to a 43-0 crushing of Warren Gatland-coached Wales in this year’s curtain riser.
Dupont, who skipped last year’s championship to prepare for the Olympic Rugby Sevens tournament, which France won, delivered a hat-trick of assists as Les Bleus handed their opponents their 13th consecutive test defeat on Saturday morning (NZT).
France, who have only won the Six Nations once since Fabien Galthie took over five years ago, prevailed with doubles by wingers Theo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey and other tries by Julien Marchand, Emilien Gailleton and Gregory Alldritt with Thomas Ramos scoring the rest of the points from the tee. Read more
Benavidez and Morrell put undefeated records and light heavyweight belts on the line (DailyMail)
There is a heightened amount of supposed dislike between David Benavidez and David Morrell Jr. that is reminiscent of the Gervonta “Tank” Davis-Ryan Garcia war of words that dominated their showdown nearly two years ago.
Then, after Davis knocked out Garcia in the seventh round, they suddenly were best buddies.
So how much is real in the buildup to Saturday’s fight – and Benavidez hinted there is hype involved – is unknown. But what is known is this bout between undefeated light heavyweight champions is one many boxing fans have anticipated for several months.
“This is what boxing really needs,” said Morrell’s trainer, Ronnie Shields. “This is what boxing is all about – the best fighting the best.” Read more