Tinubu directs states to implement wage award (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to state governors to start paying the wage awards pending the determination of the new minimum wage to reduce the hardship of the economy on the people.
The president implied that if the states had implemented the wage awards, it would provide much-needed relief without causing inflationary pressures.
Speaking in Minna at the flag-off of the agricultural mechanization revolution for food security and the commissioning of the remodeled domestic terminal of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna, the President stated that all states need to adopt the wage award saying that the National Executive Council would also adopt it. Read more
Outrage as driver kills siblings (DailyTrust)
There was outrage on Monday as two siblings were reportedly killed in an accident at Irewon junction along Imowo-Ibadan garage road, Ijebu Ode in Ogun State.
The Spokesman of Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed this to newsmen in Abeokuta, on Monday.
Akinbiyi explained that the accident which occured at 7:50am involved a Honda Accord car. Read more
Whitney: Chrisland Schools violated child protection policy —Lagos social officer (Vanguard)
A Deputy Director with the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr. Yakubu Abisogun, yesterday, told a Lagos State High Court, in Ikeja, that Chrisland Schools, Ikeja failed to comply with the state’s safeguarding and child protection policy.
Abisogun, a Level-16 Social Wellbeing Officer, said the ministry’s findings showed that the schools’ preparedness for emergencies during the inter-house sport was close to none.
He said the school had just one nurse and there was no available ambulance to convey any student to the hospital in case of an emergency. Read more
Wike’s men declare support for Fubara (DailyTrust)
Former coordinators of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), a political group formed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, in 12 local government areas of Rivers State, have pledged their support and loyalty to the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The former coordinators represent Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bolo, Port Harcourt City, Opobo/Nkoro, Gokana, Bonny, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Oyigbo, Asari-Toru, and Akuku-Toru local government areas.
Collins Onunwo from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, who led a delegation on a solidarity visit to Governor Fubara, said they decided to resign from their leadership positions in GDI to join the Simplified Movement of Fubara in the interest of Rivers people. Read more
Lagos ex-governor Ambode’s chef remanded for alleged theft (Punch)
A Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Monday, ordered the remand of one Victor Abayomi, a chef to the former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, for allegedly stealing valuables worth millions of naira at the former governor’s Ikoyi residence.
Chief Magistrate Mr Peter Nwaka, who made the order, remanded the defendant for 30 days at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
Abayomi is facing two counts bordering on conspiracy and theft preferred against him by the State Security Service. Read more
ICPC investigator makes conflicting claims about Emefiele’s alleged corruption (Nation)
An investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Michael Agboro, made conflicting claims yesterday about whether or not former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele conferred corrupt and unfair advantage on himself while in office.
Agboro, who described himself as the Head of the Financial Unit of the ICPC, told a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while testifying in chief that his investigation revealed that Emefiele conferred corrupt advantage on himself in the award of some contracts.
But under cross-examination, he claimed that Emefiele did not confer corrupt advantage on himself while in office. Read more
Japa: Thousands of Nigerians affected as UK bans health workers from bringing dependants (Leadership)
The hope to migrate health and care workers with their dependents from Nigeria and other countries to the United Kingdom have been dashed with the ban to that effect on Monday.
The ban by the UK Government is coming over two months after similar stoppage of dependents migrating to the UK with principal applicants through the study visa.
In another decisive step, the UK Government on Monday announced that effective from today, March 11, 2024, while not stopping foreign heath and care workers from coming to the country, they are no longer permitted to come with their family members. Read more
Remove import duties on food items, activist urges Tinubu (NewTelegraph)
The Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, has urged President Bola Tinubu to temporarily remove import duties on imported food items to cushion the hardship in the country.
Importers had in October 2023 urged the authorities and stakeholders to review the current import duty structure in the country as foreign exchange has led to its escalating costs.
The former acting President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Agents, Dr Kayode Farinto, who made the appeal, said the recent surge in import duty due to the volatile exchange rate would burden the average Nigerian consumer. Read more
Global peace foundation holds peace festival in Niger (Tribune)
Global Peace Foundation, Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has held a unity in diversity peace festival in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
The country director of the foundation, Rev. John Hayab, said the NGO is building a global network of grassroots leaders to develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models for ethical, cohesive, and compassionate societies guided by the vision of one family under God.
Hayab explained that the “One Family Under God” campaign by the foundation is a values-based peacebuilding and conflict prevention initiative. Read more
Victoria Monét & Chris Brown win big on night 1 of 2024 NAACP Image Awards (Billboard)
Victoria Monét and Chris Brown were each double winners on night one of the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, which were held virtually at naacpimageawards.net on Monday (March 11).
Monét won outstanding album and outstanding new artist, both for Jaguar II. Brown won outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary) for his hit “Sensational (featuring Davido & Lojay, and outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional) for his featured role on Ciara’s “How We Roll.”
Monét won three Grammys on Feb. 4, including in two similar categories – best R&B album and best new artist. Read more
Dolly Parton: ‘‘I think’ Beyoncé recorded ‘‘Jolene’’ and it’s probably gonna be on her country album’’ (Variety)
With just a few weeks to go until her country album “Act 2” arrives, Beyoncé may have a Dolly Parton-sized surprise in store for the project.
Beyoncé historically keeps details close to the chest for her records—she dropped her two new singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” out of the sky during the Super Bowl—but Parton revealed that she believes the singer covered her 1973 classic “Jolene” for the set.
“Well, I think she has! I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that,” Parton told Knox News. “I love her! She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.” Read more
Ty Dolla $ign addresses Kanye West’s decision to sell ‘Vultures 2’ for $20 (HipHopDx)
Ty Dolla $ign has addressed Kanye West’s plan to sell Vultures 2 for $20 instead of putting it on streaming services.
In a text message exchange that was shared on YeFanatics’ Instagram Stories on Sunday (March 10), the California crooner explained to an unspecified recipient why selling the album is a frugal decision.
Though the exact source of the message remains unclear, the YeFanatics page has been communicating with West online in recent days. Read more
Karl Wallinger, songwriter and frontman of World Party, dies at 66 (Guardian)
Karl Wallinger, the Welsh-born musician, composer and frontman of World Party, has died at the age of 66.
His death was confirmed in a statement from his publicist, who said Wallinger was “presciently ahead of his time”. According to the statement, Wallinger died on Sunday; no cause of death was given.
A gifted songwriter, he penned songs such as World Party’s Ship of Fools, Put the Message in the Box, Is it Like Today? and She’s the One, which was covered by Robbie Williams in 1999. Read more
Pharrell Williams stops gig early due to dangerous crowd activity (MusicNews)
Pharrell Williams left the stage early at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after the crowd refused to listen to him.
The Happy singer was performing on Saturday when he told the crowd that throwing their light-up wristbands on to the stage was dangerous.
“This is the liveliest city right now on the planet but we have also got to be the safest,” he told the audience. “I know you guys are excited and I know you are wanting to throw your wrist gadgets and lights and all that, but you can’t as the girls are dancing. And me? I love women, how about you?” Read more
Al Pacino breaks silence over Oscars Best Picture gaffe as he blames producers (Mirror)
Actor Al Pacino has addressed his very awkward Oscars speech given ahead of the Best Picture Award, which left viewers scratching their heads.
As the legendary Hollywood took the stage to present the award to Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, viewers were left puzzled as he gave an odd introduction for the most important award of the night. During the awkward on-stage moment, Pacino said: “Best Picture…uh, I have to go to the envelope for that. And I will. Here it comes. And my eyes see Oppenheimer?” Despite this, film producer Emma Thomas and director Nolan went on stage to accept the award and give an emotional speech.
After the incident, the former Godfather actor cleared up confusion surrounding the moment placing the blame onto producers. He told TMZ: “There seems to be some controversy about my not mentioning every film by name last night before announcing the Best Picture award. I just want to be clear it was not my intention to omit them, rather a choice by the producers not to have them said again since they were highlighted individually throughout the ceremony.” Read more
Rising concerns over tensions in East Jerusalem as Ramadan begins with no cease-fire in sight (NBC)
The sun was shining over the streets of Jerusalem’s Old City on Monday as the first full day of Ramadan began — but with no cease-fire in sight, the war in Gaza cast a heavy shadow over the start of the holy month, with fears of tensions rising around the revered Al-Aqsa mosque.
Israeli border police patrolled the streets of the Old City’s Muslim quarter — an area that is usually bustling with people and adorned with lights, lanterns and decorations during Ramadan.
On Monday, it was markedly quiet, with no signs of celebration as small groups of worshippers made their way to Al-Aqsa, the third-holiest site in Islam, for noon prayers. Read more
I’m best man for Eagles job – Nsien (Punch)
US men’s U-19 national team coach of Nigerian descent, Michael Nsien, has made a bold claim for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job, as the Nigeria Football Federation continues its search for Jose Peseiro’s successor, The PUNCH reports.
The NFF advertised the country’s senior men’s national team coaching job last Friday, two weeks after Portuguese coach Peseiro left the job on the expiration of his contract.
Nsien is one of the frontrunners to take over the Super Eagles job with ex-internationals Emmanuel Amuneke and George Finidi as well as other candidates being mooted. Read more
Sabalenka overpowers Raducanu, Osaka falls at Indian Wells (StraitsTimes)
Aryna Sabalenka’s powerful serve and groundstrokes proved too much for Emma Raducanu as the Australian Open champion reached the fourth round at Indian Wells with a 6-3 7-5 victory while Naomi Osaka fell to Elise Mertens in straight sets.
Britain’s former Grand Slam champion Raducanu is trying to find her form after multiple surgeries last year and played well but was unable to seize her opportunities, converting just one of 10 break points in her first meeting with Sabalenka.
The Belarusian, bedeviled by double faults in the past, issued one on her first match point but kept her composure and blasted a cross-court forehand winner on her fourth opportunity to seal the win under sunny skies in the California desert. Read more
Cricket Scotland accused of prejudice towards women (BBC)
Women involved in Scottish cricket face a toxic environment and a high degree of prejudice, a new report has found.
The report, commissioned by Cricket Scotland, stated that sexism is very much alive in the sport and that antiquated views are still prevalent.
Trudy Lindblade, chief executive officer of Cricket Scotland, described the findings as a “damning indictment”. Read more
Anthony Gordon injury: Eddie Howe offers update after winger limps off in Chelsea defeat (Standard)
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his concern after Anthony Gordon was forced off injured against Chelsea.
The former Everton winger started Monday night’s chaotic 3-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge, but pulled up early with discomfort.
While Gordon initially played on, he went down again following an innocuous-looking challenge from Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella 10 minutes before half-time and could not continue after treatment as he was replaced by Jacob Murphy, who had initially dropped out of the starting lineup in favour of Miguel Almiron and scored a belting late goal that set up a nervy finish. Read more
Griezmann back as Atletico face Inter challenge in crunch week (France24)
Atletico Madrid host Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday boosted by key player Antoine Griezmann’s likely return from injury.
Diego Simeone’s side stumbled 1-0 in Milan in February in the last 16 first leg clash, with Griezmann spraining his ankle at the San Siro.
The French forward missed four games since, of which Atletico have won only once, but has returned to training and Spanish media say he is set to feature in the second leg. Read more
Felipe Massa sues for up to £150m in effort to overturn Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 title (Telegraph)
Former driver Felipe Massa said he has filed a lawsuit in London against auto racing governing body the FIA, series owner Formula One Management and Bernie Ecclestone to try to claim the 2008 World Championship title.
Massa added on Monday that he was also seeking damages, reportedly between £60-150million. That amount included prize money he lost and other potential deals he would have obtained as an F1 champion.
Massa has claimed since last year that he was the “rightful” 2008 champion due to the incident known as “Crashgate.” The 42-year-old Brazilian was runner-up to Lewis Hamilton. Read more