Sanwo-Olu unveils Green Rail Line Project to boost Lagos transport (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated that a Green Line rail project connecting various parts of the state, from the Victoria Island axis to Lekki and the Free Trade Zone, including Ajah, will begin as soon as possible this year.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made this known to the press on Friday during the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Chief Yesufu Abiodun Oniru/Akiogun Road, an alternative route to the Admiralty Circle Toll Plaza in Lekki, Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The governor, while encouraging members of the communities to support the Lagos State Government, said that the project will benefit the communities. Read more
How police retired officer accused of raping teenager inside Lagos station (Punch)
The Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos State, Owolabi Akinlolu, who was accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in his office at the Ogudu Police Division, was allegedly retired from service in secrecy before his case was brought to court on Tuesday.
This falls short of the expectations of rights activists, the traumatised survivor, and her family, who had anticipated that the suspect would be dismissed from service and prosecuted upon the completion of the investigation.
PUNCH Metro reported in July 2024 that the survivor’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, accused the police of attempting to cover up the case, claiming that the suspect’s wife and family had pleaded with her to drop the charges, claiming Akinlolu was due to retire in December. Read more
NECO releases 2024 SSCE External Results (NewTelegraph)
The National Examinations Council (NECO), has released results of the November/December 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), conducted from November 14th to December 14th, 2024.
It should be noted that the release of the results is coming exactly 62 days after the last paper.
Registrar of NECO, Prof Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, who made this announcement in Minna, Niger State, on Friday, said out of the 86,067 that registered, 84,799 candidates sat for the examination, with 44,277 males representing 52.21 per cent while 40,522 representing 47.78 per cent were female. Read more
Sanwo-Olu commissions reconstructed roads in Lekki (Nation)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has commissioned the reconstructed Chief Yesufu Abiodun Oniru Road, Akiogun Road, an alternative routes to Admiralty Circle Plaza in Lekki and Abudu Smith Street.
The roads are located in the Iru Victoria Island Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
The event was attended by key government officials, including Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin; Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Mrs. Mojisola Meranda represented by lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1, Bonu Solomon; Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola; General Manager Metropolitan Construction Company Ltd, Rodinis Gian Lucature, among others. Read more
Obasa challenges removal, drags Lagos Assembly, Meranda to court (Punch)
Embattled Lagos lawmaker, Mudashiru Obasa, has approached the court to challenge his removal as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The lawmaker dragged the Assembly and the new Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, before a State High Court in Ikeja, claiming that the lawmakers were wrong to have removed him when the Assembly was on recess.
In a motion dated February 12, 2025, Obasa, through his counsel led by Chief Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, sought an order from the court for an accelerated hearing of the suit. Read more
Touchdown Travels partners ICAN on discounted flight tickets (ThisDay)
Touchdown Travels Limited has entered into a partnership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) at the Western Zonal Accountants Conference 2025, themed ‘Accounting Profession Beyond Numbers: Innovate to Elevate Professional Excellence’, held recently.
According to a statement, for over 31 years, Touchdown Travels Limited has been a trusted name in the travel industry, offering seamless services that cut across flight and hotel reservations, airport transfers, visa assistance, travel insurance, tour packages, and more.
As part of its mission to support professional growth and ease of travel, it partnered with ICAN on the conference with the theme, “Accounting Profession Beyond Numbers: Innovate to Elevate Professional Excellence.”
The conference, held from February 5–8, 2025, in Lagos, brought together industry leaders and financial experts to discuss the evolving landscape of accounting. Read more
Tinubu arrives Ethiopia for AU summit (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government.
The President was received at the airport by Ethiopian Deputy Chief of Protocol Eshetu Legesse, Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, and Amb. Nasir Aminu, the charge d’affaires of the Nigerian embassy in Ethiopia.
During a briefing, Tuggar informed President Tinubu about the summit and some diplomatic wins for Nigeria. Read more
Adebanjo’s marks in Afenifere, Nigeria will remain indelible — Fasoranti (Guardian)
The leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, has stated that the indelible marks left by the late chieftain of the association will be forever etched in the history of Afenifere and the country.
Fasoranti, in a statement he signed personally to mourn the passing of the nonagenarian, stated that the late Adebanjo was a comrade-in-arms and political associate for upwards of 70 years.
According to the Afenifere leader, the late chieftain was committed to true federalism and good governance. Read more
Grammy-winning pop singer set to join Euphoria season 3 cast starring alongside Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney (DailyMail)
A Grammy Award-winning star is the latest celebrity joining the cast of the third season of HBO’s Euphoria.
Filming for the much-delayed season finally got underway this week with series regulars and breakout stars Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi returning.
The upcoming season will leap frog in time and see the gang now out of high school – with singer Rosalia, 32, joining the line-up. Read more
DR Congo: M23 rebels seize second airport (DW)
Rwanda-backed rebels seized a second airport in eastern Congo on Friday, according to security and humanitarian sources.
M23 rebels and Rwandan troops took what was seen as the last military obstacle in the area of Kavumu, home to the airport that serves the South Kivu provincial capital of Bukavu.
The M23 group is the most prominent of more than 100 armed groups vying for control of Congo’s mineral-rich east. Read more
Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs rape suit dropped; rappers accused of assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 (Variety)
Sean “Diddy” Combs is still facing a criminal trial in May over sex trafficking and more, as well as dozens of sexual assault cases, but the Bad Boys Records founder and Jay-Z are now no longer are being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2000.
“Plaintiff Jane Doe, by and through her undersigned counsel, hereby gives notice that the above-captioned Action is voluntarily dismissed with prejudice,” said a two-page filing Friday dropping the sensational case that has been in the courts since October. “Counsel for Plaintiff have discussed this matter with counsel for each Defendant, who acknowledge and consent to this submission,” added lawyers Tony Buzbee, who is representing almost 100 clients against the much accused Combs, and Antigone Curis.
In a long statement posted on his Roc Nation social media feed, Jay-Z a.k.a. Shawn Carter slammed the long festering matter, while celebrating its end simultaneously. Read more
Britpop band Pulp announce summer 2025 arena tour dates (Standard)
Britpop band Pulp have announced a UK and Ireland arena tour for summer 2025 with two shows at London’s O2 arena.
The six new dates come as an extension to a string of shows already announced including the homecoming headline slot at Tramlines Festival and a headline set at Bilbao BBK in Spain.
Lead singer Jarvis Cocker announced the news on Instagram, writing: “Have I told you lately that I love you? Well… You deserve more and we have more. Read more
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni refuse mediation (FilmNews)
Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni have refused the district court’s mediation attempt as It Ends With Us battle rages on.
The warring duo’s respective legal teams filed a joint letter in New York stating that they would like to be exempt from the mediation program.
In the letter obtained by Page Six, the parties stated they “agreed that settlement discussions would be premature” during a conference held at the end of January. Read more
David Newton jailed after killing “old lady” in her own home then trying to set her body on fire (Mirror)
A man who murdered postmistress Una Crown at her own home before trying to burn her body has been jailed.
Evil David Newton was told he’d serve a minimum of 21 years behind bars for callously murdering Mrs Crown at her home in Wisbech, Cambs., in January 2013. The 86-year-old widow was found with her throat cut, stab wounds to her chest and her clothing set on fire in her bungalow.
The former kitchen installer was found guilty on Thursday of the brutal killing. The trial had heard how police did not initially consider Mrs Crown’s death as suspicious due to a “grave error of judgement”, leading to a two-day delay in preserving the scene for forensics. Read more
Israel army raids Nablus amid ongoing West Bank offensive (MEMO)
The Israeli occupation army launched a raid on the city of Nablus in the northern occupied West Bank early today, as its military offensive continues in the Jenin and Tulkarm governorates.
Eyewitnesses told Anadolu that Israeli occupation forces stormed Nablus from multiple directions, raiding and searching Palestinian homes.
Armed confrontations erupted between Palestinian fighters and Israeli forces near the Askar and Balata refugee camps in eastern Nablus, according to witnesses. Read more
NPFL: Desperate Enyimba throw gates open for Rivers clash (Punch)
Nine-time Nigerian champions Enyimba have announced free entry for fans to their Nigeria Premier Football League clash against Rivers United on Saturday (today) in Aba, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
With just two wins in their last 10 NPFL matches, Enyimba might be losing the trust of their fans but throwing the gates open might also be their way of endearing them again.
“Gate fee? Forget it! The clash against Rivers United is absolutely free, come and cheer the People’s Elephant,” the club announced via X on Friday. Read more
Everton, Liverpool and Slot charged after derby melee (BBC)
Everton, Liverpool and Arne Slot have been charged by the Football Association after the chaotic scenes at the end of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
The clubs have been charged with failing to ensure their players “did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way” after the final whistle.
Liverpool head coach Slot is charged with having acted “in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour” towards referee Michael Oliver and one of his assistants, which led to the Dutchman being red-carded. Read more
Enzo Maresca criticises Chelsea after witnessing ‘‘worst performance’’ of tenure (Independent)
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca criticised the desire of his players as he reflected on the “worst performance” of his tenure following a thumping 3-0 Premier League defeat by Brighton.
Six days on from slipping to an FA Cup fourth-round exit at the Amex Stadium, the Blues suffered a crippling sense of deja vu thanks to Kaoru Mitoma’s eye-catching opener and Yankuba Minteh’s double.
Maresca’s fourth-placed side have now taken just nine points from their last nine top-flight fixtures after blowing a big opportunity to put pressure on their rivals in the battle for Champions League qualification. Read more
Thompson grabs PGA Genesis lead with No.1 Scheffler one back (France24)
Davis Thompson closed with a birdie to seize a one-stroke lead over top-ranked Scottie Scheffler with Rory McIlroy three adrift after Friday’s second round of the PGA Genesis Invitational.
Thompson landed his third shot at the par-5 18th only 12 inches from the hole and tapped in for a six-under par 66 and the solo lead.
The 25-year-old American was on eight-under 136 after 36 holes at Torrey Pines near San Diego, where the event was moved from Riviera due to Los Angeles wildfires damage. Read more
Tennis star “changed shirts 65 times” in dramatic Delray Beach Open contest (Express)
Matteo Arnaldi has claimed that he changed into “65 shirts” during his marathon victory at the Delray Beach Open.
The No. 4 seed took on American teenager Learner Tien in the round of 16 and needed almost three hours to win.
Afterwards, Arnaldi made a hilarious confession about how brutal and “sweaty” the conditions were. Read more
Liverpool release statement condemning vile racist abuse to Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure (Mirror)
Liverpool have released a statement condemning racist abuse towards Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure after the two teams played out a dramatic 2-2 draw on Wednesday night.
Players on both sides clashed after full time at Goodison Park after an altercation between Doucoure and Curtis Jones, who accused the Everton star of provoking Liverpool fans.
Doucoure and Jones were both shown red cards following a feisty end to the Merseyside Derby clash. Read more