Rape: l took 4 bottles of beer, 6 sticks of cigarettes —Suspect (Vanguard)
A 35-year-old labourer, James Emmanuel, has confessed to have taken four bottles of beer and six sticks of cigarettes before raping a co-labourer, identified as Deborah, to death in Akure, Ondo State.
Speaking during an interview in Akure, the suspect, said the idea came after he took the four bottles of beer and six sticks of cigarette.
The suspect added that he killed the woman out of fear that she might expose him and dumped her corpse inside a waste pit in the farm premises.
A statement by the spokesperson for the state police command, Funmi Odunlami, said the victim was raped to death in her farm. Read more
Tinubu directs release of 42,000 metric tons of grains (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tons of maize, millet, and other commodities in strategic reserves to address the rising cost of food in the country.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said this on Thursday at the State House in Abuja after a meeting of the Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention.
According to Idris, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria has also committed to releasing about 60,000 metric tons of rice to the markets. Read more
Veteran Nigerian actress, Ethel Ekpe dies of cancer (Tribune)
Veteran actress Ethel Ekpe, celebrated for her contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry, passed away on Wednesday in Lagos State after battling cancer.
Ekpe gained prominence for her portrayal of ‘Segi’ in the acclaimed sitcom Basi and Company, which aired on the Nigerian Television Authority under the direction of Ken Saro Wiwa.
Her talent and versatility shone through in various productions, including Amaka Igwe’s Forever and Sons of the Caliphate. Read more
Gombe tops socioeconomic performance index, gets AAA rating (Leadership)
Gombe State has been rated best in the socioeconomic performance index among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The state secured the enviable position with a PSPI Score of 0.80, ranking first with an AAA rating, indicating an excellent performance.
Gombe is followed in declining order by Jigawa, Ekiti and FCT, which occupied second, third and fourth positions respectively. Read more
NSCDC Commandant assures Lagos State NYSC Coordinator of collaboration against drug abuse (Independent)
Commandant, Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, on Thursday, assured State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Lagos State, Mrs Yetunde Baderinwa of the Corps’ collaboration in stemming drug abuse among the youths.
He made this commitment when Baderinwa paid him a visit at the NSCDC Lagos Command in Ikeja.
Mrs Baderinwa while appreciating the Corps for its long-standing commitment to the NYSC, stated that the scheme wants to go beyond preventing the use of drugs at its Orientation Courses, but wants to be involved in identifying drug addicts among its Corps Members, and assist to stem the tide of abuse and addiction. Read more
Motorists seek extension of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway streetlights (Punch)
Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Thursday commended the Federal Government for the installation of streetlights on the Long Bridge area and called for the extension to all the sections of the expressway.
Our correspondent who monitored the ongoing installation of streetlights along the Kara-Warewa stretch of the Long Bridge observed that some streetlights had been installed within a stretch. At the same time, the installation was ongoing from the long bridge axis inward Kara.
Some motorists who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Thursday noted that the streetlights would help reduce cases of insecurity along the expressway. Read more
House wants uniform for security agencies made locally (Nation)
The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to ensure that all security agencies in the country use Nigerian textiles as their uniforms.
The Green Chamber said this would boost efforts to revive the nation’s textile industry and create jobs.
Adopting a motion by Esosa Iyawe (LP, Edo), the House said members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Federal Fire Service (FFS), and other uniformed government organisations should patronise Nigerian made textiles. Read more
Veterinary Council proffers solution to food security (Guardian)
Veterinary Council of Nigeria (VCN) has called for a transformative potential approach within the veterinary field to improve food security across the country, following a shortage of food threatening Nigerian homes
President of the Council, Dr Aisha Baju, gave the option at the 15th Oath-taking and Induction for 21 students from the College of Veterinary Medicine, in collaboration with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.
The association’s boss emphasised that the council was strategically aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ on national livestock reform, with a vision of putting measures in place to ensure that the highest level of veterinary services delivery is provided by veterinarians. Read more
Monica set to join Nicki Minaj on Pink Friday 2 Tour ahead of new album (HipHopDX)
Nicki Minaj has announced that Monica will be joining her on the North American leg of her upcoming Pink Friday 2 Tour.
In an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Boy Is Mine rapper revealed that the tour will precede at least two new projects: an R&B project on which she’s been working for a number of years and a Country album
“I’m really grateful for Nicki because she’s one of those people that has always said, ‘Monica meant everything to my childhood,’” the Atlanta native said. “Some people act like they forget and it’s pretty cool to not be forgotten and to be called for things like such, so we’re going to show up and show out.” Read more
Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo reenact 13 Going on 30 scene at his Walk of Fame ceremony (EW)
Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Garner are still busting out their “Thriller” dance moves after all these years.
The Alias actress honored her 13 Going on 30 costar at his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony Thursday — and as she walked to the podium to begin her speech, Garner joined Ruffalo in a brief re-creation of their 2004 rom-com’s iconic dance sequence. The duo also reprised the dance once Ruffalo’s star was unveiled.
After Timothy McNeil celebrated Ruffalo as a friend and David Fincher praised his skills as an actor, Garner took it upon herself to acknowledge a different side of Ruffalo’s persona: “I have got to be here to honor and elucidate rom-com Ruffalo,” she said. Read more
Pink reveals secret battle to perform her trademark daring stunts during Australian tour (DailyMail)
Pink has revealed her secret battle to perform her trademark stunts on stage as she prepares to kick off her Australian tour.
The American singer, 44, is well-known for nailing an array of death-defying acts during her concerts, including soaring over the crowds while suspended in a harness.
However, she has admitted that it hasn’t always been plain sailing to get insurance brokers to agree to let her do the stunts, as they have to sign off before every tour. Read more
40 stars pose for Edward Enninful’s farewell British Vogue cover (FilmNews)
40 cover stars have posed for the cover of Edward Enninful’s farewell British Vogue issue.
Enninful, who announced that he would be stepping down from his role as editor-in-chief of British Vogue in June last year, has marked the end of his tenure at the iconic magazine with a star-studded cover shoot for the March 2024 issue featuring 40 cover stars.
The cover, shot by renowned photographer Steven Meisel, features a host of “legendary women” including supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, talk show host Oprah Winfrey, singers Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, actresses Jane Fonda and Selma Blair, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and tennis star Serena Williams, among others.
Each of the women on the cover had previously been featured as cover stars during Enninful’s reign as editor. Read more
‘‘Frozen 3’’, ‘‘Toy Story 5’’ and new ‘‘Star Wars’’ movie confirm release windows (Digital Spy)
Disney has announced when film fans can expect ‘‘Frozen 3’’ and ‘‘Toy Story 5’’ to hit their screens.
The company’s Q1 2024 earnings call with CEO Bob Iger saw the shock announcement of ‘‘Moana 2’’ alongside a teaser trailer for the film set to release on November 27, as well as details of Taylor Swift’s The Era’s Tour concert film coming to Disney+.
But that’s not all, with the CEO giving some of Disney’s most anticipated movies release windows, such as the sequels in the Frozen and Toy Story franchises. Read more
Christian Bale breaks ground on foster homes project (LBC)
British-born actor Christian Bale has broken ground on a project he has been pursuing for 16 years – the building of a dozen homes and a community centre in Los Angeles County intended to keep siblings in foster care together.
The Oscar winner stood with a grin and a shovel full of dirt alongside local politicians and donors in the decidedly non-Hollywood city of Palmdale, 60 miles north and across the San Gabriel Mountains from Los Angeles.
But Bale, who was Batman in director Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, was not just playing Bruce Wayne and lending his name and money to a charitable cause. Read more
UK weather: Snow covers parts of country as schools close and commuters face disruption (Sky)
Snow has started to cover parts of the UK with up to 25cm forecast to fall over Thursday.
Dozens of schools have shut as a result in northern England and North Wales, while disruption should be expected on roads and railways.
An amber weather warning is in place across the Pennines, with yellow warnings for much of northern England, large parts of Scotland up to Pitlochry and all of Northern Ireland. Read more
‘These boys saved me,’ Ola Aina reacts to penalty miss (Vanguard)
Super Eagles wingback, Ola Aina has reacted to his penalty shootout miss against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.
On Wednesday night, Nigeria defeated South Africa 4-2 in a penalty shootout to get to the AFCON final.
The semi-final match finished in a 1-1 stalemate after 120 minutes.
Aina missed his spot-kick during the shootout, kicking the ball over the crossbar. Read more
NFF mourns passing of Coach Izilein, Kayode Tijani (ThisDay)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed sadness and sorrow following the deaths on Wednesday of former Super Falcons’ and U17 Boys’ National Team Coach, Godwin Izilein and renowned football journalist, diarist and analyst Kayode Tijani.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi expressed shock at the passing of the two respected figures in the Nigeria game, who were equally known and revered internationally for their accomplishments.
“We were preparing for our match against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and then we heard news of the passing of Coach Izilein. And just as we were celebrating the victory, we were again assailed with another sad news of the death of Mr. Kayode Tijani. Read more
Adam Idah hungry for more goals after dream start to Celtic career (RTE)
Adam Idah detailed his confidence from 12 yards after brushing off the pressure to net a stoppage-time winner on his first Celtic start.
The on-loan Norwich forward enjoyed a dream full debut as he scored penalties near the start and end of a 2-1 victory over Hibernian.
Celtic looked set to drop points for the second game running until Kyogo Furuhashi earned a penalty following Joe Newell’s late tackle, and Idah sent former Hoops goalkeeper David Marshall the wrong way for the second time in the game after switching sides. Read more
Southgate not ruling out staying England boss beyond Euro 2024 (France24)
Gareth Southgate has not ruled out remaining England manager through to the 2026 World Cup, saying Thursday that he would evaluate his future following this summer’s European Championship.
Southgate, who has been in charge of England since 2016, has a contract with the English Football Association until December of this year.
“There’s a fair chance half the coaches won’t be here after the Euros. That’s international football,” Southgate said following Thursday’s draw for the UEFA Nations League in Paris. Read more
Kobe Bryant immortalised with 19-foot bronze statue at Lakers’ arena (ABC)
The Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of Kobe Bryant on Thursday, honouring their late superstar with a 19-foot bronze likeness outside their downtown arena.
The 4,000-pound statue depicts Bryant in his white No. 8 jersey with his right index finger raised as he walked off the court following his 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in January 2006.
Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, said during the dedication ceremony that the statue is the first of three that will be created to honor the five-time NBA champion and top scorer in Lakers history. Another statue will feature Bryant in his No. 24 jersey, which he wore for the second half of his career, while a third will depict Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, who died with him and seven others in a helicopter crash in January 2020. Read more
Javier Martinez out-works Raul Salomon, wins unanimous decision on Lopez-Ortiz undercard (BoxingScene)
Javier Martinez hit Raul Salomon with every head and body shot imaginable, but Salomon remained on his feet throughout their eight-round super middleweight match Thursday night in Las Vegas.
Martinez, a southpaw from Milwaukee, remained unbeaten by outpointing Salomon unanimously on the Teofimo Lopez-Jamaine Ortiz undercard at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s Michelob ULTRA Arena. He didn’t have enough power to hurt Salomon, but Martinez convinced judges Max De Luca (79-73), Tim Cheatham (78-74) and Glenn Feldman (78-74) that he clearly won their bout.
The 28-year-old Martinez improved to 10-0-1 (3 KOs). Salomon (12-3, 10 KOs), of Long Beach, California, has not been knocked out as a pro. Read more