Popular skitmaker Isbae U responds to sex-for-skits allegation (Nation)
Adebayo Ridwan Abidemi aka Isbae U has responded to allegations he demands sex from ladies before featuring them in his skits.
The Nation reports Isbae U became a subject of discussion, topping social media trends after a popular gossip mill on Instagram received and posted screenshots of allegations from the ladies who spoke about their various encounters with the skit maker.
But reacting on Monday on his Instagram page, he said: “I have learnt, I am learning, and I will do better, nevertheless, I say Alhamdulilah”.
Sharing series of videos, he said: “I am here because of those that love me that I’ve let down, I have seen, and I have received every stone thrown at me. I am human, so are you. I’m not here to blame anyone for what’s happening but myself. Read more
CBN slashes ATM withdrawal, inter-bank transfer charges (Guardian)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has slashed charges for Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawal and inter-bank transfers.
CBN’s review of the charges was contained in its revised guidelines to charges by banks, other financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions.
ATM withdrawals that attract a service charge of N65 will now be N35 after the third withdrawal within the same month, according to the CBN. It also slashed the interbank transfers to a maximum of N50 per transaction from N300.
CBN has also amended guidelines to charges by banks, other financial institutions (OFIs), and non-bank financial institutions, the CBN has downward reviewed charges for electronic banking transactions and electronic banking transactions. Read more
Teni gives toddler $1,000 (Nation)
Music star Teni Makanaki has given $1,000 to a toddler in Lagos.
The ‘Uyo Meyo’ singer made the donation during a business conference last Saturday where she performed to guests at the conference.
Grace Oriaghan, a beauty expert and mother of the toddler, whose name was given as Arielle, made the announcement on Twitter on Sunday.
“My baby became a #RiseBaby yesterday after TeniEntertainer gifted her $1,000. Read more
After looting incident, Shoprite reopens its Circle Mall Store (Vanguard)
Retail Supermarket Nigeria Limited (RSNL), owners of Shoprite in Nigeria, have announced plans to reopen the Circle Mall Store. The store which is located in Jakande, Lagos was shut down following the vandalisation that erupted during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
Tayo Amusan, Chairman of RSNL, said the reopening serves as an opportunity to show customers that the dogged Nigerian spirit runs deep, even as the team works to optimize its operations for continued productivity.
He stated: “We’re excited to be reopening after a long hiatus. We have had tremendous support and we are looking forward to once again opening our doors to our customers in the Jakande, Lekki area and its environs.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the growth of the Nigerian economy even as we explore opportunities to expand our network of outlets thereby providing employment opportunities for Nigerians. We are also exploring opportunities to partner with more local farmers and small business owners to optimize agribusiness across Nigeria to considerably increase agricultural yield in the country”. Read more
NCAA to hike airlines’ operating licence fee, plans major review (Punch)
Aviation industry regulator-the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority-is considering a major review of domestic airlines’ operating licence fees and other charges, in order to ensure its bills are in tandem with current realities and what obtains in other countries.
The Director-General, NCAA, Captain Nuhu Musa, made the disclosure during an interview in Lagos on Friday.
He said the regulator was subsidising the industry considering how low its charges had remained over the years, pointing out that it was imperative to embark on a major upward review of the charges.
According to him, the agency does not benefit from allocations and it is not out of place to ensure proper charges are given. Read more
2023: Mazi Ohuabunwa promises uniting self-governance agitators (Independent)
One of the presidential aspirants on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, has declared that if he won the presidential ticket and the election in 2023, the self-governance agitations and Biafra feud would be over.
He stated that if the electorate could vote for him in the 2023 general elections, he would unite all the ethnic nationals in the country more than ever.
Ohuabunwa gave the assurance at weekend in Akure, Ondo State capital, while on courtesy visit to the secretariat of the state chapter of PDP where he met members of a socio-political group, the New Nigeria Group.
He dismissed as spurious, the speculations that if any Easterner should become president of the federation, s/he would bulkanise the country and allow the creation of Biafra Republic, saying Easterners were more comfortable with united Nigeria. Read more
Protesters ‘take over’ Kano court as Muazu Magaji is arraigned (DailyTrust)
Several youths have stormed the Kano Magistrate’s court premises in Nomansland, where the case of the former Commissioner of Works, Muazu Magaji, is taking place.
The youth armed with placards chanted, “Free Mu’azu Magaji”, while demanding justice for the embattled former Kano commissioner.
Magaji was arraigned before Justice Aminu Gabari on a four-count charge.
The charge, according to the police First Information Report, (FIR) bothers on defamation of character, injurious falsehood and others. Read more
Senate vows tough stance on revenue agencies (Independent)
The Senate has vowed to be rigid with revenue generating agencies of government as part of move to end future borrowings by the federal government.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said this Monday at a one day interactive session organized by the Senate leadership and its committee on Finance.
Addressing the engagement, Senator Lawan noted that the meeting focused on setting targets for revenue generation agencies, and addressing challenges they encountered in meeting such targets.
He lamented the low revenue portfolio of some agencies, noting that the situation is behind the government’s repeated borrowing; as he regretted that “the country spends so much servicing these debts.” Read more
NAFDAC calls for more support for herbal medicine development (Guardian)
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for more support and funding for herbal medicine.
The call was made in a statement signed by the Director-General (DG) of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said that the DG made the call at an inaugural symposium and launching of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS) at the University of Lagos.
Its theme was “Drug Development from African Medicinal Plants: Opportunities, Challenges and Regulatory Approach”.
Adeyeye said that the support for research by way of funding and development of herbal medicine would help to meet the desire for universal health coverage for all. Read more
JAMB introduces two additional subjects to UTME (Nation)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has introduced Computer Studies and Physical and Health Education as part of its UTME subjects.
The board disclosed this in its weekly bulletin released by the Director of Public Relations, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, and made it available to newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
It said that candidates sitting for the UTME could now pick Computer Studies or Physical and Health Education as part of the four required UTME subjects, if they so desire or as dictated by their programme preferences.
The board said that the addition of the two subjects to the existing 23 UTME subjects would commence from the 2022 UTME exercise. Read more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19 (CBC)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he has tested positive for COVID-19 and, so far, he’s feeling “fine.”
The positive result comes after he was exposed to one of his children who also tested positive for the virus last week. In a social media post, Trudeau said he would stay in isolation and work remotely while he recovers.
The prime minister and his family were moved from their residence, Rideau Cottage, over the weekend as a convoy of truckers and other anti-vaccine-mandate protesters converged on Parliament Hill to oppose the federal government’s pandemic restrictions. Read more
Meat Loaf albums and singles return to UK charts following his death (PlanetRock)
Three Meat Loaf albums have returned to the UK Top 40 following the singer and actor’s untimely death aged 74 earlier this month.
Meat Loaf, whose real name was Michael Lee Aday, died from unknown causes on Thursday 20th January with his wife Deborah at his side.
His masterpiece 1977 album ‘Bat Out of Hell’, which was written by Jim Steinman and produced by Todd Rundgren, has returned to the UK Official Albums Chart at Number 3 – it’s highest ever position.
‘Bat Out of Hell’ previously peaked at Number 9 in 1981 and 2013, however it has been an enduring seller in the UK shifting 3.3m copies and remaining on the album chart for a whopping 523 weeks – that’s over 10 years! Read more
‘Don’t feel blue’: Apple Music continues to troll Spotify with Neil Young and Joni Mitchell catalogues (Independent)
Apple Music has continued to troll Spotify amid the row over its support for Joe Rogan’s controversial podcast, which prompted musicians Neil Young and Joni Mitchell to quit the streaming service.
Last week, Young issued an ultimatum to Spotify over Rogan’s hosting of anti-vaccine and coronavirus conspiracy theorists. After Spotify sided with Rogan, who signed exclusively to the service in a deal worth a reported $100m, Young’s music began to be removed from the platform.
Mitchell then issued her own statement, telling Spotify to remove her music over “lies that are costing people’s lives”.
“I’ve decided to remove all my music from Spotify. Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives,” she said. “I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue.” Read more
Norma Waterson, celebrated British folk singer, dies aged 82 (Guardian)
Norma Waterson, whose bracingly beautiful singing made her a key figure in British folk music alongside her siblings Mike and Lal and husband Martin Carthy, has died aged 82.
Folk musician daughter Eliza Carthy wrote on Facebook: “Not much to say about such monumental sadness, but mom passed away yesterday afternoon, January 30th 2022.”
Waterson had recently been hospitalized with pneumonia. The family was crowdfunding for her treatment and support for Martin Carthy, amid financial difficulty during the pandemic which had prevented them from earning on tour.
Waterson was born in Hull in 1939, and was orphaned along with Mike and Lal and raised by their grandmother. They started out playing skiffle, then formed the Watersons with cousin John Harrison. With their stirring, unadorned vocal harmonising, sometimes without instrumental backing, the group helped to repopularise British folk music during the 1960s with a string of albums beginning with 1965’s Frost and Fire: A Calendar of Ceremonial Folk Songs. Read more
Benedict Cumberbatch, Laura Dern, Noah Jupe to star in Justin Kurzel sci-fi film ‘Morning’ (THR)
The A-list projects are gathering ahead of the virtual European Film Market.
The latest big-league film to be unveiled sees Oscar and BAFTA winner Laura Dern (Marriage Story, Little Women, Big Little Lies) and Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place I & II, Honey Boy) join Morning, the upcoming sci-fi feature from Justin Kurzel (Snowtown, Macbeth, Assassin’s Creed). Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog, Spider-Man: No Way Home, The Imitation Game) will also star in a supporting role, while he also executive produces alongside Dern.
Morning is set in a near future where society has a pill that does away with the need to sleep. With the added help of an artificial sun, there is finally no end to morning daylight, living and work. But as a young generation grows up deprived of the world of sleep, is it time for them to rebel and reclaim their dreams? Read more
Matt Smith, Morfydd Clark set for supernatural horror film ‘Starve Acre’ (Variety)
“Doctor Who” stars Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark are set to star in supernatural horror film “Starve Acre.”
From BAFTA-nominated “Apostasy” writer and director Daniel Kokotajlo, “Starve Acre” explores “inherited trauma and loss within a world ruled by supernatural folklore.”
The film is based on Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel of the same name.
BAFTA and Emmy Award nominee Smith (“House of the Dragon”) and BAFTA Cymru winner Morfydd Clark (“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”) will play a disconnected couple worried about their son in the “brooding and stylistic modern horror.” Read more
First update of National Museum of Egyptian Civilization mobile app launched (EI)
In line with the digital transformation strategy of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the first update of the mobile application “of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat was launched, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in a statement.
The update included several aspects: including the available information about the artifacts displayed in the museum, its internal maps, as well as the services provided to visitors, Ahmed Ghoneim, CEO of the Managing Executive Director of the Authority of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, said.
The update came according to the users’ evaluation of the application from Egyptian and foreign visitors to the museum, which facilitates and improves their experience, he said, noting that the museum will continue the process of development to connect the public with the museum more effectively and to emphasize the museum’s role as a cultural and civilized beacon.
The mobile application for the museum was completed in December 2021 in cooperation with IPMagiX. The application bears the name NMEC inand is downloaded from Google play or the App store. Read more
Long-awaited British ‘partygate’ report handed to Boris Johnson’s office (France24)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has received an update on the internal inquiry into alleged parties at his Downing Street residence that breached coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the Cabinet Office said in a statement on Monday.
Johnson, facing the gravest threat to his premiership over the alleged lockdown-busting parties at his residence and office at Number 10 Downing Street, has so far weathered growing calls to resign by asking angry lawmakers to wait for the report by senior civil servant Sue Gray.
“We can confirm that Sue Gray has provided an update on her investigations to the Prime Minister,” a Cabinet Office spokesperson said.
“The findings will be published on gov.uk and made available in the House of Commons library this afternoon and the prime minister will then provide a statement to the house when people have had the opportunity to read and consider the findings,” the spokesman added. Read more
Eriksen signs for Brentford months after cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 (Guardian)
Christian Eriksen has completed a remarkable return to the Premier League, signing for Brentford just seven months after suffering a cardiac arrest at last year’s European Championship.
The Denmark international left Inter Milan in December by mutual consent as the implantable cardioverter defibrillator, or ICD, he had fitted meant he was not allowed to play in Italian football.
But the Premier League does not have the same rule and Brentford issued a statement on Monday confirming they had signed the former Tottenham playmaker until the end of the season, subject to international clearance.
Eriksen, 29, who has been training with young players at another of his former clubs, Ajax, said he was raring to go in a short video on Brentford’s Twitter feed.
“Hi everyone, it’s Christian Eriksen,” he said. “I’m happy to announce that I’ve signed for Brentford Football Club and I can’t wait to get started and hopefully I’ll see you all very soon.”
Brentford manager Thomas Frank, who worked with Eriksen while in charge of Denmark’s Under-17s squad early in his coaching career, welcomed his compatriot, saying it was an “unbelievable opportunity” to bring a world-class player to the club. Read more
Remo Stars, Rivers Utd maintain unbeaten run after 1-1 draw in Ikenne (DailyTrust)
There was nothing to separate Remo Stars and Rivers United as the two clubs maintained their unbeaten run in the ongoing Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season after settling for a 1-1 draw in their MatchD9 fixture played yesterday in Ikenne.
The top of the table clash lived up to expectations as both sides displayed football artistry to justify their status as the only unbeaten teams going into the week 9 contest.
Both goals came in the first half but it was the hosts who drew the first blood when Andy Okpe tapped in a dangerous cross from Ifegwa Ojukwu in the 10th minute before inform Chijioke Akueneto also tapped into an empty net in the 43rd minute after a howler from goalkeeper Kayode Bankole to give Rivers United the much-needed equaliser.
On resumption, Remo Stars fought to pick the maximum points but Rivers United remained resolute to earn a crucial point on the road to remain on top of the table on superior goal difference as both teams have 19 points from the same number of matches. Read more
Canada defeats U.S. in Hamilton to remain unbeaten on impressive World Cup qualifying run (CBC)
Canada continued its march to the World Cup in Qatar on Sunday, bundling the 11th-ranked United States out of its way in a 2-0 victory.
With four games remaining in the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the 40th-ranked Canadian men are turning heads while turning aside all comers in the region. Unbeaten Canada is on the verge of booking its ticket to soccer’s world showcase for the first time since 1986 — and only the second time ever.
But with a game in El Salvador looming on Wednesday, coach John Herdman is not looking too far ahead — yet.
“We’ve got a long way to go. We’re not qualified yet,” he said. “The first thing we said when we brought the boys together at the end of the game is, ‘It’s not done. It starts again — tomorrow. We’ve got El Salvador. Read more
Barcelona devise swap deal with Ousmane Dembele for Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Express)
Barcelona have offered Ousmane Dembele to Arsenal as part of the transfer to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The 32-year-old is at the Nou Camp as he hopes to formalise a move away from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Barcelona are desperate to get rid of Dembele and have offered the winger to Arsenal as a sweetener during negotiations over Aubameyang.
The Gunners are in a similar situation with the 32-year-old, who has been ostracised from the first-team since a breach of discipline last month.
And the Gabon international has already jetted off to the Nou Camp to formalise a loan deal until the end of the season. Read more
Frank Lampard calls on Everton to regain confidence and positivity after being appointed as manager (EveningStandard)
Everton must regain their confidence and positivity after appointing Frank Lampard, their new manager has asserted.
Lampard has agreed a deal to succeed Rafa Benitez and return to the Premier League just over a year after he was sacked by Chelsea last January.
The 43-year-old impressed Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri in his interview and was offered the job ahead of Vitor Pereira and caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson.
His immediate priority will be to steer Everton to Premier League safety. They are currently 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone. Read more
Formula 1 declares mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for paddock staff (ESPN)
Formula 1 will make it mandatory for all personnel working in its paddock to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, without exemption, starting this season, a spokesperson for the sport’s commercial arm said on Monday.
The mandate, which was first reported by the Times newspaper and the BBC, will apply to anyone entering the paddock — an exclusive area in which teams and drivers set up shop for a race weekend.
“F1 will require all travelling personnel to be fully vaxxed and will not request exemptions,” the spokesperson said.
This will include all competitors, hospitality staff, members of the media, the governing FIA, Liberty Media-owned commercial rights holders FOM and even celebrity guests. Read more
Arum rooting for Usyk, looks forward to negotiating undisputed title bout ‘In-House’, without Hearn (BoxingScene)
Bob Arum would love for nothing more than Oleksandr Usyk to beat Anthony Joshua again.
The head of Top Rank Inc. said in a recent interview that he hopes to resume discussions about matching the winner of that heavyweight unification bout – on the line are Usyk’s WBA, WBO, and IBF titles – with his charge, WBC titlist Tyson Fury, at some point next year. Arum is coming off a week that saw his promotional partner, Frank Warren of Queensberry Promotion, win a record $41 million purse bid over Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn ($32 million) to the rights for Fury’s WBC title defense against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.
Although Arum does not work with either London’s Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) or Ukraine’s Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) in a business capacity, he hinted that a deal would be far easier to consummate with Usyk’s team. Usyk is managed by Egis Klimas, who, in addition to former undisputed lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, a close friend of Usyk’s, has a slew of fighters signed with Arum’s Top Rank. Joshua is backed by rival promoter Eddie Hearn, whom Arum has consistently butted heads with over the years.
Usyk is technically signed to Hearn’s Matchroom, but it is not clear when their deal expires. Should the Ukrainian beat Joshua again, Arum seems to believe that Hearn would be out of the picture, paving way for negotiations for the undisputed fight to occur ‘in-house.’ Read more