Sanwo-Olu slams new fees on Lagos vehicles, parts dealers (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered immediate compliance of vehicles and spare part dealers, to the state’s transport sector law of 2018, especially in the area of operational fees.
He equally directed the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) which supervises their operations to align its fees with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Law of 2018.
He gave them one month to begin to comply, stating that enforcement of the new fee becomes operational on March 1, 2024. Read more
CSO describes crass attacks on Naval Chief as repugnant, poor hatchet job (Sun)
A group under the auspices of Civil Society for Peace, Security and Development (CSPSD), has described the crass attacks on the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, as repugnant and smacked of a poorly orchestrated hatchet job.
Vice Admiral Ogalla has been battling allegations of collecting bribes to the tune of $170 millions to facilitate crude oil theft in connivance with foreign nationals.
The Civil Society argued that though it’s almost a waste of resources and man-hours to join issues with merchants of falsehood and deceit, tney are however constrained by mandate of fostering peace, security and development in the society to set the records straight.
Obadiah Solomon Ovye, Convener of the Civil Society, exonerated the Naval Chief of any complicity at a press conference held in Abuja on Friday. Read more
Nigerians are suffering, angry with your government, Wasiu Ayinde tells Tinubu (Guardian)
Fuji music legend, Wasiu Ayinde, known as KWAM 1, has called out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the hardship Nigerians are going through.
KWAM 1 vented what he said is the frustration of many Nigerians during a live performance in a video posted on social media.
The music star, who is a praise singer for Tinubu and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), lamented that Nigerians are unable to live well. Read more
We have a 3-year roadmap to revamp Ajaokuta Steel coy – Minister (Vanguard)
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Audu, has said that a three-year roadmap has been developed to resuscitate the moribund Ajaokuta Steel Mill located in Kogi.
Audu, while speaking at a media parley on Friday in Abuja, said the plan was part of efforts by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to revamp the steel industry and shore up the process of industrialisation in Nigeria.
He said that data on technical analysis and evaluation by experts indicated that the government requires between $2billion to $5billion US dollars to revive the Ajaokuta steel company. Read more
US Bureau to probe Hushpuppi over birthday feast for Tunde Ednut in detention facility (Leadership)
The United States Bureau of Prisons said it will probe Nigerian convict, Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas, currently serving an 11-year sentence, after a viral video that seemingly showed someone believed to be Abbas holding a feast with others inside what was reported as his detention facility at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
“We take these matters seriously,” the prison facility told Nigerian online newspaper, Peoples Gazette, Thursday night, adding that the “investigative department” would take charge of the inquiry to ascertain the facts— or lack thereof— about the viral video.
Recall that Hushpuppi’s ally and social media influencer, Tunde Adekunle, a.k.a Tunde Ednut, celebrated his birthday on January 22, 2024. Read more
Run away from Abuja, new FCT police boss warns kidnappers (Guardian)
The newly appointed FCT police command boss, CP Bennet Igwe, has asked kidnappers and other criminals to make haste and run away from Abuja, saying that their days are now numbered.
Igwe gave the warning today after taking over from the former CP, Garba Haruna.
“I want to appreciate Mr President and the Inspector-General of Police for finding him worthy. I also thank the FCT minister for his support. My message to kidnappers and armed robbers is that their time is up,” Igwe said. Read more
Abuja: Bandits demand 2 motorcycles after N8.5m ransom (Tribune)
Bandits who had previously collected N8.5 million before releasing four out of 17 abducted individuals, including a nurse in Kawu, Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have now demanded two brand new Bajaj motorcycles for the release of the remaining 11 victims still in captivity.
The bandits initially invaded Kawu community on December 26, 2023, and abducted 23 persons. Four of them managed to escape, leaving 17 others in captivity.
The bandits have reportedly threatened to harm the remaining 11 hostages due to delayed ransom payment. A family member of one of the victims, Bala Dantani, revealed that the ransom was paid in multiple instalments. Read more
Insecurity: Time for State police is now — Laolu Akande (DailyTrust)
In the face of the increasing prevalence of kidnapping and insecurity that have plagued every region of the country, former presidential aide and journalist, Laolu Akande, has declared that the time has come for the implementation of state police.
Akande emphasised that the current centralised security structure is inadequate to address the unique security challenges faced by different states across the country, backing the need for localised security forces to effectively combat crime across the nation.
Speaking as the host of his TV show on Channels TV, “Inside Sources,” on Friday, Akande, gave his ‘take’ in the “My Take” segment while addressing the state of the nation, speaking passionately about the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, which has left citizens feeling vulnerable and uncertain. Read more
‘‘Back to Black’’ Trailer: Marisa Abela sings as Amy Winehouse in Sam Taylor-Johnson’s biopic (IndieWire)
Amy Winehouse‘s legacy is getting the big screen treatment.
Following the acclaimed A24 documentary “Amy,” Winehouse’s life now lands a narrative feature with biopic “Back to Black” directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. “Industry” breakout star Marisa Abela portrays the ill-fated British crooner who died at age 27.
The official synopsis reads: “The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking 2006 album, ‘Back to Black,’ that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.” Read more
Carl Weathers, linebacker turned-actor in Rocky, Predator movies, dies (VOA)
Carl Weathers, a former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the Rocky movies, facing off against Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator and teaching golf in Happy Gilmore, has died. He was 76.
Matt Luber, his manager, said Weathers died Thursday. His family issued a statement saying he died “peacefully in his sleep.”
Weathers was comfortable flexing his muscles on the big screen in Action Jackson as well as joking around on the small screen in such shows as Arrested Development. He was perhaps most closely associated with Creed, who made his first appearance as the cocky, undisputed heavyweight world champion in 1976’s Rocky, starring Sylvester Stallone. Read more
Suits spinoff confirmed and will begin production in March 2024 (NBC)
After months of speculation, a “Suits” spinoff is officially in the works for NBC, the network announced on Thursday.
Titled “Suits: L.A.,” the series will be set in Los Angeles and will continue to include the high-stakes legal drama the original “Suits” has become known for.
The show will begin production in March 2024 in Vancouver, Canada.
Although not much is still known about the new series, Suits creator Aaron Korsh, who will return for “Suits: L.A.,” gave a sneak peak into what will be in store for fans when the series airs.
HBO cuts ties with pro-Russian White Lotus actor Milos Bikovic, role will be recast (NYPost)
HBO has cut ties with pro-Russian actor Milos Bikovic after he was initially hired to co-star in Season 3 of its hit series The White Lotus.
“We have decided to part ways with Miloš Biković and the role will be recast,” an HBO spokesperson said in a terse announcement.
Bikovic, 36, a Serbian actor, was awarded Russian citizenship in 2021 and has starred in several Russian films, including Sunstroke (2014). Read more
Wayne Kramer, MC5’s proto-punk rock guitarist and co-founder, dies at 75 (EW)
Wayne Kramer, the guitarist who co-founded the proto-punk rock band MC5, died Friday at the age of 75. According to a post on his official Instagram, “he passed away peacefully today from pancreatic cancer. He will be remembered for starting a revolution in music, culture, and kindness.”
Born Wayne Kambes in Detroit in 1948, Kramer founded MC5 alongside Fred “Sonic” Smith, who later married fellow rocker Patti Smith. MC5 gained a following for its energetic performances and left-wing political platform, which was partially influenced by the group’s manager John Sinclair. Short for “Motor City Five,” the garage band performed for eight hours straight at the infamous protest against the Vietnam War at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.
MC5’s live album Kick Out the Jams and studio album Back in the USA were both heavily influential on the blossoming punk subgenre, and the group helped mentor other prominent bands like the Stooges. The group disbanded in 1972 after the completion of its third album High Time, and Kramer recruited different musicians to form a new lineup of MC5 in 1974, singing many of the band’s lead vocals himself. Read more
Cher’s son Elijah Blue Allman has divorce dismissal request granted by judge (People)
Cher’s son Elijah Blue Allman’s request to dismiss his divorce from wife Marieangela King has officially been granted.
Allman, 47, first requested a divorce dismissal in Los Angeles County on Jan. 5, only for it to be denied by a judge several days later due to a temporary support stipulation. His request was finally granted on Wednesday, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Allman — the son of Cher and second husband Gregg Allman — first filed for divorce from King, 36, in 2021 after tying the knot in December 2013. Read more
Starvation deaths reported in Sudan Civil War, UN food agency says (Fox)
The U.N. food agency said Friday it has received reports of people dying from starvation in Sudan, where raging fighting between rival generals is hampering the distribution of aid and food supplies to those most hungry.
The 10 months of clashes between the Sudanese military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has decimated vast swaths of the northeastern Africa country.
The conflict erupted last April in the capital, Khartoum, and quickly spread to other areas of the country, after months of simmering tensions between the two forces. Read more
AFCON 2023: Eagles dedicate win against Angola to late Okwaraji (Vanguard)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dedicated their 1-0 victory against the Palancas Negras of Angola in the quarterfinals of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to the memory of late Samuel Okwaraji.
Okwaraji, a Nigerian international, slumped and died while playing in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Angola in Lagos.
In celebration of their victory against Angola at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, the team wrote on its X handle that the triumph was in memory of the late legend. Read more
DR Congo 3-1 Guinea: Leopards come from behind to secure semi-final spot (BBC)
DR Congo came from behind to beat Guinea 3-1 and book a semi-final spot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Mohamed Bayo put Guinea ahead with a 20th-minute penalty after the forward was fouled by Chancel Mbemba, who then fired in from a narrow angle at the other end to equalise seven minutes later.
DR Congo had a penalty of their own in the second half when Julian Jeanvier clipped the legs of Silas and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa converted to give the Leopards the lead with 25 minutes left. Read more
Nwabali breaks 44-yr record in Super Eagles 1-0 win over Angola (Vanguard)
Stanley Nwabali has broken a 44-year record for Super Eagles in Nigeria’s 1-0 win against Angola at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Nwabali secured four consecutive clean sheets in a major tournament (AFCON) to become the first Nigerian goalkeeper to do so.
The Chippa United goalkeeper surpassed Best Ogedegbe’s 1980 record and Alloy Agu’s 1990 3-game streak for Super Eagles. Read more
Mbappe gifted goal as Paris Saint-Germain beat Strasbourg (France24)
Kylian Mbappe had a penalty brilliantly saved but was gifted the opening goal as champions Paris Saint-Germain edged energetic Strasbourg 2-1 away in Ligue 1 on Friday.
PSG now have 47 points from 20 games with second placed Nice taking on third placed Brest Sunday on 38 and 35 points respectively.
“They pressed us high, we weren’t always precise enough, but we had a good match against an opponent who had a good dynamic and nothing to lose,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique.
Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk cancelled as Brit pulls out of world title fight (Mirror)
Tyson Fury has pulled out of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk just two weeks before the first bell.
Fury and Uysk were due to clash for the undisputed heavyweight world title on February 17 but the Brit has suffered a cut in training and the fight has been postponed. Usyk still hopes to defend his world titles on the date amid fears Fury will not be ready for several months.
Fury and Usyk were due to meet in Saudi Arabia to crown the first holder of all four belts and the first undisputed heavyweight ruler since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The fight had been due to take place two days before Christmas but was delayed when Fury struggled to defeat former UFC world champion Francis Ngannou in October. Read more
Michael Jordan’s championship sneakers sell for record US$8m (StraitsTimes)
A set of six individual Air Jordan sneakers worn by Michael Jordan during the National Basketball Association Finals sold for US$8 million (S$10.75 million) at an auction in New York, setting a new global auction record for game-worn sneakers, auction house Sotheby’s said on Feb 2.
The shoes, worn by one of basketball’s greatest players in the clinching games of the American’s six career NBA Finals championships, became the second-highest price achieved for Michael Jordan sports memorabilia.
“Today’s record-breaking price is a testament to the GOAT (greatest of all time),” said Mr Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Collectibles. Read more
