Tinubu inaugurates 37km Red Line Rail project in Lagos (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commissioned the 37 Kilometer Lagos red line train project.
The Red Line rail project is a 37 Kilometer North South rail route which will run from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina with 13 stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.
It is expected to facilitate 37 trips daily, accommodating approximately 500,000 passengers.
Unlike the electric-powered Blue Line, the Red Line will utilise a diesel-powered system known as Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). The Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023. Read more
FCT police arrest car snatchers, fraudsters recover 9 vehicles, fake $300k notes (Leadership)
The operatives of the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested three suspects, who specialised in car snatching and robbery in the Abuja and its environs.
Parading the suspects, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ben Igweh, said the operatives of the FCT Police Command on February 16, 2024 at about 3:00pm and acting on credible intelligence, arrested three notorious and wanted car snatchers namely;
David Junior Godwin, male of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State (gang leader); Paul Taju, male of Gwagwalada, Abuja and Ali Shitu, male of Port-Harcourt, River State.
The CP said, “the suspects are members of a four-man gang who specialises in inter-state car theft and snatching. They are responsible for series of car snatching and the disappearance of several hilux vehicles reportedly stolen in FCT and its environs. Read more
EFCC arrests 36 suspected internet fraudsters in Abeokuta (Channels)
Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), have arrested thirty-six (36) suspected internet fraudsters in Ogun State.
They were arrested on Monday at Gbokoniyin and Yetedo areas of Abeokuta in Ogun State, following actionable intelligence gathered and worked upon by the Commission.
Items recovered from them include nine exotic vehicles, fourteen (14) laptops, forty-nine (49) mobile phones and other incriminating documents. Read more
Bayelsa Poll: Group blasts Diri over comments on police role in election litigation (Sun)
The Bayelsa Professional Forum (BPF) has described as unfortunate the public display of ignorance of the roles of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) during elections by the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
The Secretary, BPF, Philip Erepa, in a statement in Yenagoa said he watched with dismay during a live youth programme where Diri in his remarks suggested that the police had no responsibility during elections.
Erepa said Diri ignorantly claimed that the police had no responsibility to stand as a witness to an election, which they monitored and secured. Read more
MohBad’s father demands probe of late son’s wife (Punch)
Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has called on the Nigeria Police to summon the wife of his deceased son, Omomunmi, to provide insights into the death of his son.
He disclosed this in a statement signed by the family and sent to PUNCH Metro on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro had reported that Aloba filed a suit seeking to call more witnesses in the bid to unravel the cause of the death of his late singer-son. Read more
Boston declares March 2 ‘Burna Boy Day’ (Tribune)
The City of Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has declared March 2 as “Burna Boy Day”, in recognition of the Nigerian artiste’s performances and advocacy works.
This was disclosed in a letter signed by Ruthzee Louijeune, the Boston City Councilor.
The letter reads: “Singer and songwriter Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, known professionally as “Burna Boy, was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and is now a global cultural icon who has helped introduce and popularise afro beats to the entire world. Read more
Police arrest killers of Corps Member, others in Benue (ThisDay)
Operatives of the Benue State Police Command have arrested and paraded three suspected armed robbers who killed a National Youth Service Corps member, Irene Chioma Emmanuel.
The command also paraded 12 other suspects for various crimes ranging from kidnapping, robbery, and gun manufacturing.
The Benue State Commissioner of Police (CP), Emmanuel Adesina, who briefed reporters yesterday while parading the suspects, said the corps member was slain while attempting to shield her laptop from being forcefully taken away by the suspects. Read more
Reps want mandatory drug test for school students (Vanguard)
The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Education to collaborate with the Ministry of Health to develop a mandatory drug test for secondary school students in Nigeria.
This followed the adoption of a motion “On need to Introduce Mandatory Drug Test for Secondary School Students in Nigeria, by Rep. Moshood Oshun(APC-Lagos) at plenary in Abuja on Thursday
Presenting the motion, Oshun, said the adolescent age remained a critical period in human development.
He said individuals at this age were usually influenced by factors such as experimental curiosity, peer pressure, poor socio-economic conditions at home and the need for extra energy for daily activities. Read more
WeightWatchers shares drop as Oprah Winfrey decides to exit board (RTE)
Shares of WW International, also known as WeightWatchers, took a pounding today after the company disclosed that media icon Oprah Winfrey will exit its board later this year.
The loss of the hugely popular public figure from its board at a time when WW is struggling to turn a profit sent its shares down 25.6% to $2.84 in premarket hours.
They have more than halved in value so far this year. Read more
At least 24 dead after migrant boat heading to Europe capsizes off Senegal’s northern coast (Fox)
At least two dozen people died off Senegal’s northern coast and many others were injured when their boat capsized, officials said, underscoring the danger of the route used by an increasing number of migrants seeking to reach Spain from West Africa.
The boat was bound for Europe and capsized near the town of Saint-Louis, where bodies washed ashore Wednesday afternoon and the fire department was alerted, said Alioune Badara Sambe, the local governor.
The injured are being treated in a hospital in Saint-Louis and an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident has been opened, he said. Read more
South Korea has given doctors until tonight to end a strike, or face prosecution (NBC)
South Korea’s government made a last appeal to junior doctors to end a walkout, with hours left to go before the Thursday deadline on its threats to suspend medical licences and prosecute the strikers.
Thousands of medical interns and residents have been on strike for about 10 days to protest the government’s push to boost medical school enrollments. Government officials have warned that strikers would face legal repercussions if they don’t return to their hospitals by Thursday.
As of Wednesday night, about 9,076 of the country’s 13,000 medical interns and residents were confirmed to have left their hospitals after submitting resignations, according to the Health Ministry. Read more
Meek Mill denies following ‘gay page’ on social media — but fans provide receipts (HipHopDx)
Meek Mill has shut down claims he was following a gay porn page on social media — but fans aren’t buying it.
A fan posted a screenshot on Wednesday (February 28) that allegedly showed Meek following an X account called “@BlackGayPornn.”
When confronted about it, the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper denied its validity, writing back: “I would never follow a gay page if yall real people and letting these computer control yall minds yall done done!” Read more
Putin warns risk of nuclear war if West sends troops to Ukraine (AlJazeera)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a “real” risk of nuclear war if the Western countries sent troops to fight in Ukraine during an annual address to the nation two weeks ahead of the presidential election.
“There has been talk about the possibility of sending NATO military contingents to Ukraine. But we remember the fate of those who once sent their contingents to our country’s territory. But now the consequences for possible interventionists will be far more tragic,” Putin said addressing parliament and other senior elites.
“They must realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilisation. Don’t they get that?” Read more
Algeria is in the spotlight as leaders of gas producing countries convene for summit (AfricaNews)
Algeria is looking to cast itself as a critical supplier of natural gas for European countries seeking to lessen their dependence on Russia as it welcomed Thursday envoys from energy-rich nations to a key summit.
For three days, Algeria will host leaders from 13 other nations in its capital of Algiers, including Russia, Iran, Qatar and Venezuela as the industry confronts waning demand for oil and gas and new competition from renewable energy sources.
The summit will offer participants a chance to coordinate on investments and ties with purchasing countries and to further develop production capacity. Officials have also indicated the summit will provide a venue to showcase Algeria’s growing role as a secure and reliable energy supplier. Read more
Bill Nighy goes for gold at the Homeless World Cup in ‘The Beautiful Game’ trailer (People)
The Beautiful Game, a new movie about the real-life Homeless World Cup, is ready for kickoff.
Bill Nighy and Michael Ward star in the upcoming sports drama (on Netflix March 29) about the global street football (or soccer) tournament that welcomes homeless athletes from around the world every year.
PEOPLE has the exclusive first look at the trailer for The Beautiful Game, which counts Colin Farrell among its producers and is made with the support of the Homeless World Cup. Read more
Minister extends love to Eagles stars, Troost-Ekong, Sanusi, Aina (Leadership)
The sports development minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, has extended his heartfelt love and support to Super Eagles vice captain, William Troost-Ekong, who recently underwent surgery after playing through pain to help Nigeria clinch silver medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.
The minister in a statement issued on Wednesday by his special assistant on media, Diana-Mary Nsan, expressed his deep concern for Troost-Ekong’s well-being and wished him a swift and successful recovery.
He commended the Udinese defender for his dedication to representing Nigeria on the international stage, despite facing physical challenges. Read more
Mavs show ‘‘good character’’ in bounce-back road win over Raptors (SI)
One night after losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-119 due to a 59-foot heave from Max Strus at the buzzer, the Dallas Mavericks appeared to be feeling the hangover effects from the loss early against the Toronto Raptors, giving up 67 points in the first half.
This time though, they managed to right the ship, and there wasn’t a miraculous shot for Toronto to steal a win, as the Mavs (34-25) used a big third quarter to win 136-125 on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Arena.
“Good character,” Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said. “Intent, the energy pre-game was in the right place. We lost on a 50-footer. We could have easily been still thinking about that game. I thought the guys moved forward.” Read more
US Open champion Coco Gauff confirmed for major clay-court tournament (Tennis365)
The 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will once again boast a high-quality field as Coco Gauff has become the latest Grand Slam winner to sign up for the event.
Reigning US Open champion Gauff will make her third appearance at the WTA 500 tournament where the winner not only receives a big cheque and a trophy for their efforts, but also drives away with a brand new Porsche sports car.
The American does not have the best of records at the Stuttgart event as she lost in the second round against Anastasia Potapova last year while she was beaten in the first round by Daria Kasatkina on her debut in 2022. Read more
Footballer caught drink driving on wrong side of the road in wife’s Range Rover (Metro)
Leicester City footballer Hamza Choudhury has been fined £20,000 for drink-driving on the wrong side of the road in his wife’s Range Rover.
Police dashcam footage of the 26-year-old being pulled over in Nottingham in the early hours of Friday January 19 was shown to Nottingham Magistrates Court.
When Choudhury was arrested and taken to the police station his breath-test readings were found to be twice over the limit. Read more
Paul Pogba: Juventus midfielder banned for 4 years after World Cup winner tested positive for doping (SkySports)
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been given a four-year ban after the World Cup winner tested positive for doping, reports Sky in Italy
Italy’s National Anti-Doping Tribunal (TNA) accepted the request of the Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office to hand out the four-year ban – which is the standard length of ban under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA).
The ban starts from when Pogba first tested positive, so the France international is banned until August 2027. He will be 34 years old when the ban stops, raising doubts over whether his career will continue after that. Read more
Chelsea Champions League winner set to join Chukwueze at Milan (CompleteSports)
Roma striker Tammy Abraham could become teammate with Samuel Chukwueze at Serie A giants AC Milan.
According to Italian journalist Carlo Pellegatti, Abraham’s agent travelled to Milan over the last few days to meet the Rossoneri directors at Casa Milan.
Pellegatti said through his YouTube channel that Roma‘s asking price for Abraham is €30m. Read more