Stop attacking me for being second wife, Mercy Aigbe tells critics (Punch)
Actress, Mercy Aigbe, has warned critics of her new marriage to movie marketer, Kazim Adeoti, to stop attacking her for being a second wife.
In an interview with Media Room Hub Magazine, Mercy said, “Please, I just want to beg Nigerians. Please, I’m not the first person to be a second wife. It is my choice to be a second wife. And, I’m happy with it. Please, everybody should just leave me alone. Let me just be happy.
“If you can be happy for me, be happy for me. If you are not happy for me, go and get busy.
“On a much more serious note, it is my choice. I am happy. Just leave me to enjoy my marriage, please.”
The actress also maintained that she married her husband for love, not his money. He said, “I did not marry my husband for his money but because he is my best friend, and I love him. Read more
Alleged defilement: We were acting movie script – Baba Ijesha (Guardian)
Nollywood actor, Olarewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, on Friday testified before an Ikeja Special Offences Court that he was acting a script in the viral video with a minor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Baba Ijesha made this revelation while being led in evidence by the defence counsel, Dada Awosika (SAN).
Baba Ijesha told the court that the foster mother of the minor, Ms Damilola Adekoya, a comedian also known as Princess, had called and requested him to be part of the movie production.
“On April 19, 2021, Princess sent me a message that she wanted to start a production and she would like me to play the role of a lover boy which I replied ‘okay’.
“She said I was to play the role of a lover boy adding that she wanted to surprise people that I can also play normal roles. Read more
How we escaped intense bombings, death in Ukraine-Russia war – Nigerians (Punch)
Nigerians who escaped Russia’s ongoing military offensive in Ukraine arrived in Abuja, the nation’s capital, on Friday, narrating how they escaped the intense bombings and missiles fired by Russia’s military forces.
The war, which has led to the death of hundreds of civilians and troops, leaving thousands injured and many more displaced, has seen millions of foreign nationals fleeing Ukraine for neighbouring countries.
As of Friday night, no fewer than 775 Nigerians had been flown back to the country. The first batch comprising 415 persons arrived from Romania in the morning while the second batch, comprising 180, arrived from Poland at about 6:30 pm. Another 180 arrived in the third batch. They were all received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. One more batch was being expected from Hungary and Poland as of the time of filing this report.
Some of the returnees who fled Ukraine to Romania told Saturday PUNCH how they were able to escape the invasion. Despite appeals for diplomacy and the heavy sanctions imposed by other countries, the European Union and other allies, the Russian forces, under the strict orders of President Vladimir Putin, have continued to launch bombs and missiles into different parts of Ukraine, the second largest city in Europe. Read more
Redline Rail Mass Transit: Lagos Govt To Divert Traffic At Muritala Mohammed Way/Yaba Axis From Monday (Channels)
The Lagos State Government will divert traffic on Muritala Mohammed Way in preparation for the first phase of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project (Oyingbo to Agbado), from Monday, March 7, to April 15, 2022.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday, the Commissioner, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, explained that a lane will be barred from vehicular movement to extend the capacity of Muritala Mohammed way from one lane to two lanes.
The Commissioner also announced the extension of the Ojuelegba/Tejuosho slip road which will commence simultaneously from Monday, March 7, to September 30, 2022, for a duration of six months.
According to the diversion plan earmarked for the construction period, Oladeinde stated that traffic circulating Western Avenue, inbound Yaba will be diverted to Empire road to access Muritala Mohammed way, while traffic circulating Muritala Mohammed Way inbound Yaba will be diverted to Empire road to connect Western Avenue for the desired destinations. Read more
You are a citizen of the world, a true patriot –Anyim eulogises OBJ at 85th birthday (Sun)
Senator Anyim Pius Anyim has praised ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo as a foremost statesman and citizen of the world.
In a birthday message to the former President who clocks 85 on Saturday, Anyim, a frontline presidential aspirant for next year’s election, said Obasanjo has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
The former Senate President and staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also recalled that OBJ, as the former President is popularly called, has played key roles at various stages of Nigeria and Africa’s political history.
The congratulatory message, which Anyim personally signed on Friday reads: Read more
#EndSARS: Clergyman demands N250m from police over brother’s death (Vanguard)
A clergyman, Henry Sanni, on Friday demanded N250 million from the police for the alleged extra-judicial killing of his brother.
Sanni, made the allegation in a petition before the Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigeria police.
Sanni told the panel that his younger brother, Femi, was gunned down by the Police in Abuja in 2007.
The petitioner, who is a Catholic Priest of the Ilorin Diocese, accused the police of wrongly naming his brother as an armed robber because they just wanted to kill him.
” My late brother was a businessman who owned two block industries, in Abuja and in Ilorin, Kwara. Read more
Second batch of Nigerians from Ukraine arrives in Abuja (Punch)
The second batch of Nigerian evacuees from Ukraine has arrived in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
They arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, at 6:35 pm on Friday on an Air Peace flight.
The 181 evacuees arrived from Poland.
The stranded Nigerians were evacuated to Nigeria following the intervention of the Federal Government with the cooperation of governments of countries neighbouring Ukraine.
According to Gabriel Aduda, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Government has made all necessary arrangements to ensure that no Nigerian is left stranded in any of the countries where they have fled to. Read more
2023 Presidency: I can’t disown Tinubu, says Emir of Katsina (DailyTrust)
The Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmuminin Kabir Usman, has promised to look into the political aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the view to contributing, advising and correcting where necessary.
Dr Usman said there was no way he could disown the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the event that he needed his support considering their long lasting relationship.
“We will look into whatever movement he is into, where we will support where there is need to support and we will correct where necessary. I knew Tinubu when he was governor while I was district head and he has assisted me in many ways. Now that I am on the throne, he is contesting for president, tell me why I should disown him,” the emir has said.
The emir was speaking in his palace in Katsina when he received members of the Arewa Organisations Movement for Asiwaju led by Senator Abu Ibrahim.
He maintained that with the security challenges raging particularly in the northern part of the country, which he said was man made, there was the need to elect somebody with the ability to return normalcy and that must be done with all sincerity. Read more
Police arrest surety over failure to produce Sowore for investigation (Guardian)
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday confirmed the arrest of one Abubakar Marshall, who stood as surety for Mr Omoyele Sowore following his arrest over a defamation case.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Abuja.
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was arrested on Feb. 24, following a petition of criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false, against him.
His arrest followed a petition by former member, House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko, through his lawyers, Trifold Law & Partners, against Sahara Reporters Foundation.
Adeh said Marshall stood as surety for Sowore after he was granted an administrative bail with a promise to produce him the on Feb. 25.
She said the surety was arrested and immediately charged to court following his failure to produce Sowore for investigation on an agreed date as he promised. Read more
Camila Cabello announces release date for album Familia (ThePrint)
Camila Cabello, on the celebration of her 25th birthday, announced the release date for her much-anticipated album Familia.
The Havana singer shared a photo of herself in a colourful layered dress hugging a young girl. She captioned the photo “2 facts: it’s my birthday and this album is my whole f—ing heart. FAMILIA. Out April 8.”
Soon after, she shared a selfie video of herself on her Instagram story and wrote, “One of my intentions today is to receive all this love From my friends and family and all of you who support me, love on me and cheer me on. Grateful for all of it and taking it in today.”
Back in July, the singer released the first single off the Familia album titled Don’t Go Yet, which she sang about embracing her Cuban-Mexican heritage.
Speaking of the single to Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, she said that she wanted the song, and the entire album, to “manifest collective joy.” Read more
When is Ramadan in 2022 and how long does it last? (Metro)
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is nearly here.
The holy month is marked by Muslims fasting from sunrise until sunset every day.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar we follow in the UK, the Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, causing a change in when Ramadan starts and ends each year.
So, here is the low down on when Ramanda starts in 2022 and when it is due to end.
When is Ramadan in 2022 and how long does it last?
Ramadan is set to kick off on Saturday, April 2, and conclude on Sunday, May 1. Read more
Dozens of soldiers killed in attack on military camp in Mali (France24)
A jihadist attack on a military camp in central Mali on Friday killed 27 soldiers and 47 “terrorists” were “neutralised”, the country’s army said.
The fighting left 33 soldiers injured, 21 seriously, and seven are missing, the army added in a statement, while 23 other suspects were “neutralised” later in the day.
The West African state has been battling jihadist movements affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group for almost a decade, with around two-thirds of its territory outside state control.
A French military source speaking on condition of anonymity said hundreds of jihadists attacked the camp of around 150 soldiers close to 0600 GMT, putting the death toll between 40 and 50. Read more
Russell Wilson proposes to Ciara again, asks her for more babies (People)
Are Ciara and Russell Wilson seeing more children in their futures?
The Grammy-winning artist, 36, guest hosted The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday and was joined by her husband for the special occasion. During the show, the Seahawks quarterback, 33, surprised the “Level Up” singer with an unexpected proposal, asking his wife if she wanted to have another baby. The couple are already parents to 19-month-old son Win Harrison, daughter Sienna Princess, 4, as well as son Future Zahir, 7, whom Ciara shares with ex Future.
The sweet moment happened after Ciara joked to the audience that her husband makes her extremely nervous, blushing after he gave her a large bouquet of roses.
The NFL star laughed and asked the audience, “Do you guys want me to make her more nervous?” as Ciara looked surprised. Dropping to one knee, Wilson asked, “I have a question for you. Serious question. Can we have more babies?” Read more
US Supreme Court rules in favour of FBI in Muslim spying case (AlJazeera)
The United States Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the FBI in a case concerning discrimination claims by three Muslim men from California who accused the agency of conducting illegal surveillance of them after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The court on Friday unanimously overturned a lower court’s 2019 ruling that said a federal law regulating government surveillance called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) trumped the state secrets privilege – a legal defence based on national security interests – that the government asserted.
The ruling means the case returns to lower courts for further litigation, with the claims made by the plaintiffs not yet dismissed.
The Supreme Court faulted the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals’ analysis, with Justice Samuel Alito writing that the FISA provision in question “does not displace the state secrets privilege”.
The lawsuit accused the FBI of infiltrating mainstream mosques in southern California and targeting Muslim Americans for surveillance because of their religion. Read more
Kanye West compares his divorce to Covid and getting his hands burned in emotional poem (Mirror)
Kanye West has waxed lyrical about the pain of divorce as he faces his future without soon-to-be ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
The 44-year-old rap sensation split from 41-year-old Kim last year – and seven years after they tied-the-knot in a lavish Italian wedding ceremony, complete with golden loos.
In recent weeks, however, Kanye has shown signs he is struggling with the prospect of a future without Kim as his wife and has repeatedly lashed out at the reality star and her 28-year-old boyfriend Pete Davidson while also pining that he wants to win her back.
Now, 48 hours after Kim was declared “legally single” by a judge and after she erased the name “West” from her social media handles, Kanye has shared what appears to be a poem about divorce and how it makes him feel. Read more
Sky News correspondent shot while covering Ukraine invasion (NYPost)
A Sky News journalist was wounded in a terrifying gunfire ambush while covering Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, he said in a report Friday.
Chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay and his team came under fire by Russian attackers near a Kyiv checkpoint as they tried to leave the city Monday.
“Our world turned upside down,” Ramsay wrote in a first-person account of the attack. “I do recall wondering if my death was going to be painful.”
He said he first heard a small explosion and felt a tire on the vehicle he was riding in pop, causing it to roll to a stop on a desolate street. Read more
Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak confirms Chelsea takeover bid (Metro)
Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak says he has launched an offer to take over the ownership of Chelsea.
Roman Abramovich unveiled his plans to sell Chelsea on Wednesday night, just days after it was revealed that the club’s ‘stewardship and care’ had been given up to its foundation trustees amid the threat of anti-Russian sanctions.
It comes after Russian military forces launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine under the orders of president Vladimir Putin, who Abramovich has allegedly held close ties with in the past.
Abramovich – who has overseen 15 managers and 21 trophies across his 19-year-old reign – values the Blues at between £3-4bn and has vowed to donate all net proceeds from the impending sale to victims of the conflict in Ukraine. Read more
Nigeria vs Ghana: Osimhen, Lookman, Dennis in Super Eagles squad for Black Stars World Cup play-off (Vanguard)
Technical Adviser Augustine Eguavoen has called up Captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, midfielder Wifred Ndidi and forwards Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho in a Super Eagles’ provisional list of 32 for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana.
Also called up are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Daniel Akpeyi, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze.
Leicester City FC of England forward Ademola Lookman, recently cleared by FIFA to switch international allegiance and former U17 World Cup star Akinkunmi Amoo are officially called for the first time, while defender Calvin Bassey and forward Emmanuel Dennis return to the fold of the three –time African champions.
2021 AFCON forwards Taiwo Awoniyi and Peter Olayinka, defender Chidozie Awaziem and long-time absentee Ogenyi Onazi are in a seven-man standby list.
The camp opens in Abuja on 21st March, with a 24 –man final list for the two big games to be released at a later date. Read more
Shane Warne: Australia cricket legend dies aged 52 (BBC)
Legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, has died of a suspected heart attack aged 52.
Warne took 708 Test wickets, the second most of all time, in 145 matches across a stellar 15-year international career.
He had been found unresponsive in his villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday, said his management company.
“It is with great sadness we advise that Shane Keith Warne passed away of a suspected heart attack,” it added.
“Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.
“The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.” Read more
Mikel Arteta backs gesture as Gunners ‘interested’ in Fabian Ruiz transfer (Mirror)
Arsenal face Watford on Sunday looking to keep their excellent run of recent form going in their hunt for fourth spot.
Gunners fans will travel to Vicarage Road to show support for their side, but are also planning to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
Mikel Arteta has backed the supporters’ plans to wear the country’s colours and insists he’s “behind any initiative that is to demonstrate that we have to live in peace.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly lining up a summer move for Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz and Paul Merson has delivered a withering assessment of Nicholas Pepe’s transfer value. Read more
Jurgen Klopp reveals what he will remind Liverpool players about this weekend (LiverpoolEcho)
Jurgen Klopp plans to remind his Liverpool players of the dangers of West Ham United’s set-pieces when they visit Anfield this weekend.
And the Reds boss believes protecting his back four will be key to closing the gap on Manchester City to three points in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
The Hammers are one of just two teams to have won against the Reds this season in the league, ending a 10-game unbeaten start for Klopp’s men back in early November.
That 3-2 win at the London Stadium came on the back of two goals that were headed in from corners by Michail Antonio and Kurt Zouma either side of a strike from Pablo Fornals. Read more
‘That’s another win for Ukraine’ – Yastremska into Lyon semis (BBC)
Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska has reached the semi-finals of the Lyon Open a week after fleeing the Russian bombing of her home city of Odessa.
Yastremska, 21, got past Italian fifth-seed Jasmine Paolini 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the quarter-finals to reach the last four of a WTA event for the first time since the summer.
“That’s another win for Ukraine,” Yastremska said.
“I feel so much support from everybody.” Read more
Beijing Winter Paralympics open after athlete ban controversy (AlJazeera)
Athletes paraded through Beijing’s national stadium as the Winter Paralympics opened after a storm of controversy surrounding the banning of Russian and Belarusian athletes due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The lead-up to the Games was marred by high tension in the athletes’ village, threats of competition boycotts and an eleventh-hour reversal by organisers of a previous decision to let Russian athletes and those from ally Belarus compete as neutrals.
But on Friday, focus returned to the competition as Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declared the Games open and a fireworks display erupted over the capital’s “Bird’s Nest” stadium.
Hundreds of athletes from dozens of countries waved flags in a procession through the venue, which had only carefully-chosen domestic spectators on hand due to COVID-19 rules. Read more