Osun LG Polls: Don’t truncate democracy, Makinde warns APC (Channels)
The Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to truncate democracy by resorting to self-help on local government administration in Osun State.
The governor gave this warning on Sunday during the swearing-in of the 30 newly-elected local government chairmen in Osun State.
Makinde asked the APC not to exploit federal might to truncate democratic processes. Read more
Nigeria records 80 deaths from Lassa Fever in 1 week (DailyTrust)
Nigeria recorded 80 deaths from Lassa fever in one week (3rd to 9th February), according to an official statement published on Sunday by the Premium Times.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said in the statement that it recorded the 80 deaths from 413 confirmed Lassa fever cases across 11 states during Epidemiological Week 6 (Feb. 3–9, 2025).
The NCDC disclosed this information on its official website, noting that the case fatality rate (CFR) had risen to 19.4 per cent, up from 17.5 per cent in the same period in 2024. Read more
IBB should be in prison for rest of his life — Aborisade (Guardian)
An Ibadan-based human rights activist, Femi Aborisade, has said that former military president Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida should be in prison for the rest of his life for damaging the country.
It would be recalled that IBB launched his autobiography, A Journey of Service, on February 20, 2025, giving a personal account of his regime, which began on August 27, 1985, and lasted until August 26, 1993.
In the book, IBB delved into many issues, including the annulment of the 1993 presidential election. Read more
Experts raise the alarm on misuse of antibiotics in livestock, fish farming (Leadership)
The unregulated use of antimicrobials in livestock and fish farming has assumed a public health concern as farmers across Nigeria routinely administer antibiotics to their animals without prescriptions, leading to drug residues in food products such as meat, eggs and milk.
This practice, experts said, is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and poses direct health risks to the consumers.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday, a director at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau State, Dr Sati Ngulukun, highlighted how farmers, lacking proper guidance, often rely on hearsay or unverified advice when administering antibiotics. Read more
Court orders reinstatement of sacked Lagos Assembly Clerk Onafeko (Nation)
The National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the reinstatement of the sacked Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko.
The order follows an ex parte application to the Court made by Onafeko through his counsel, Yusuf Nurudeen, in a case he filed against Lagos State Government, Lagos State Civil Service Commission, Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Attorney-General of Lagos State and Mr. Ottun Babatunde.
Onafeko was the Clerk of the House before January 13 when Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa was removed as Speaker, with the then Deputy Speaker, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda elected as the new Speaker. Read more
We’ve enough fuel to meet Nigerians’ need — Dangote refinery (Punch)
The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery currently has over 500 million litres of petrol in its reservoir.
He also said the refinery now produces enough fuel for local consumption and export. Dangote spoke during a tour of the $20bn Lekki-based facility with the Zambia Minister for Energy, Makozo Chikote on Saturday.
The Zambian official visited the Dangote refinery in Lekki, Lagos State, seeking collaboration with the founder to help solve the country’s energy security issue. Read more
C’River moves to restructure Calabar Carnival after 20 years (Sun)
The Cross River Government has put plans in motion to restructure the annual Calabar Carnival after 20 years of existence.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, said in a statement that the Governor Bassey Otu-led government had set up a 13-member carnival review committee headed by Chief Edem Duke, a former Minister of Culture.
Gill said the review committee had a 10-point terms of reference, and that its report would be delivered within two weeks. Read more
Coco Jones serves up ‘Taste’ on new song (RatedR&B)
Coco Jones has released her new single “Taste.”
The sultry track, which samples Britney Spears’ 2003 hit “Toxic,” was produced by Stargate, Jasper Harris, and Aaron Shadrow.
Over a silky production, Jones finds herself spellbound by her partner’s bedroom skills. “Got me where I’d never be / Way you kiss my lips and leave a legacy / Oh, to live without you, what a tragedy,” she coos. Read more
Kamala Harris Gives Rousing NAACP Image Awards Speech, says ‘our power has never come from having an easy path’ (Variety)
Former Vice President Kamala Harris gave a rousing speech at the 56th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California, where she accepted the organization’s Chairman’s Award.
“This organization came into being at a moment when our country struggled with greed, bitterness and hatred. And those who forged the NAACP, those who carried its legacy forward, had no illusions about the forces they were up against — no illusions about how stony the road would be,” Harris said on stage in her first TV appearance since leaving office. “But some look at this moment and rightly feel the weight of history. Some see the flames on our horizons, the rising waters in our cities, the shadows gathering over our democracy, and ask, ‘What do we do now?’ But we know exactly what to do, because we have done it before, and we will do it again.” Read more
Tony Raines arrest operating vehicle intoxicated (TMZ)
Tony Raines, an MTV reality TV star, was arrested early Sunday morning for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, TMZ has learned.
Raines, a contestant on “The Challenge” and “Real World: Skeletons,” was arrested on 1 count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, 1 count of reckless operation and four counts of negligent injuring.
It’s unclear exactly what led to his arrest … but, sources tell us Raines was at a wedding in Hammond, Louisiana on Saturday night and he went to the afterparty at a nearby restaurant after. Read more
Kanye West dispels divorce rumours by sharing most exposing photo yet of Bianca Censori (Metro)
Kanye West has showed it’s business as usual for him in the face of divorce rumours by sharing one of his most revealing photos yet of wife Bianca Censori.
The couple, known for headline-grabbing stunts involving the rapper showing off Bianca nearly naked in public, has come under particularly intense scrutiny in recent weeks following their appearance at the Grammys on February 2.
Architect Bianca, 30, wore a fully sheer dress over her nude body for the red carpet, in an appearance that was dissected by outraged fans and commentators, before Kanye returned to X and embarked on a horrific antisemitic tirade – as well as attempting to sell T-shirts emblazoned with a swastika. Read more
William Shatner confirms talks to return to Star Trek as Captain Kirk (Redshirtsalwaysdie)
William Shatner hasn’t graced our screens as Captain William Kirk since Star Trek: Generations. He vocally returned as Kirk in Roddenberry Archive’s short “Unification,” with his face de-aged; however, Sam Witwer actually played the role. That didn’t make fans any less happy to see the captain back. We’ll take him no matter how we can get him, and now, it’s possible we might be able to see him once again as the formidable Captain Kirk.
At Fan Expo Vancouver on Friday, February 21 at the Execute! A Panel with William Shatner, the 93-year-old legend confirmed that he’d been contacted by a writer on one of Star Trek’s series. [Via thedirect] [The Direct added that this was an in-development series, but that was not included in the quote from Shatner.] And he added that he was impressed by this writer. “I have been asked to come back as Kirk so many times. If Kirk is going to come back, it has to mean something. It has to be the show. But I was so impressed by this writer, so I said let’s talk after I’m done in Vancouver. So I’m awaiting a pitch to make it the show, it should come on Monday or Tuesday,” Shatner said. Read more
Shackled, starved, alone in tunnels: Families of freed hostages share new details (TimesofIsrael)
The families of several recently freed hostages demanded during a press conference on Sunday that the Israeli government follow through with the remainder of the ceasefire and hostage deal outline, as they shared a glimpse into the horrors their loved ones had endured during the 500-odd days they were in captivity.
Speaking from Rabin Medical Center, the parents and siblings of Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, and Tal Shoham recounted some of the details their sons had shared with them, from being held alone in the dark for over 400 days, to not receiving medical treatment for chronic conditions and finding a way to stay connected to their Judaism while in Gaza.
At other hospitals in central Israel, the families of freed captives Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed looked ahead at the arduous rehabilitation process that now awaits their loved ones, who were returned on Saturday after more than 3,000 days in captivity. Read more
Ofili’s 60m record thrills NSC organ (Guardian)
The National Sports Commission’s Elites Athletes and Podium Board has described as “fantastic” the 7.25m recorded by U.S.-based sprinter, Favour Ofili in the 60m final of the Olympic Development event.
Ofili, whose omission in the 100m event at the Paris Olympics Games sparked anger in the nation’s sports circle, placed second at the LSU Twilight competition, which was held at the Carl Maddox Field House, an indoor track and field facility located on the campus of Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Friday.
Thelma Davies won the race in 7.23, but Ofili, who ran for the Tiger Olympians, gave a good account of herself. Interestingly, Ofili ran the fastest time in the qualifiers (7.26) ahead of Davies (7.27), giving hope of a possible sub-7.20 in the final. Read more
Flying Eagles to round off AFCON preparation in Abidjan (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles will depart Abuja today for Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire where they are expected to round off preparations for this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 tournament.
The Flying Eagles have been in camp in Abuja for weeks after Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu called up 30 players for the botched friendly matches with Egypt’s Young Pharaohs.
Meanwhile, following the circumstantial cancellation of the planned friendly matches against Egypt, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said it has secured a replacement team, in order for the Flying Eagles not to leave camp without testing their strength ahead of the forthcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations. Read more
NBA world reacts to Luka Doncic’s performance in Lakers-Nuggets game (SI)
On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Nuggets in Denver.
The Lakers won by a score of 123-100.
Luka Doncic finished the win with 32 points, ten rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block while shooting 10/22 from the field and 4/9 from the three-point range in 31 minutes of playing time. Read more
Carlos Sainz secures new role as Sebastian Vettel replaced (PlanetF1)
New Williams driver Carlos Sainz has landed a new role as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) ahead of the F1 2025 season.
Sainz replaces four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, who has vacated his position in the F1 drivers’ union last year.
Carlos Sainz replaced Sebastian Vettel as GPDA director
In a statement posted to social media, Sainz said: “I am passionate about my sport and think we drivers have a responsibility to do all we can to work with the stakeholders to forward the sport in many aspects. Read more
Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai down Man City to put Liverpool 11 points clear of Arsenal (Metro)
Liverpool have one hand on the Premier League trophy following a comfortable 2-0 win at Manchester City on Sunday.
Following Arsenal’s shock loss to West Ham, Arne Slot knew that victory at the Etihad would put his side 11 points clear at the top of the table.Their task was made easier before kick-off with Erling Haaland missing the clash through injury, but even if the star striker was fit, it likely would have made no difference. Read more