Tragedy averted as container falls on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Punch)
Another tragic incident was averted on Monday night after an articulated truck conveying a 40ft container fell on the Kara bridge end of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The truck was said to be heading inward Ogun State at top speed when he lost control and overturned.
The incident which happened around some minutes past 11pm brought vehicular movement along the axis to a halt.
The traffic logjam also spread towards Otedola bridge inward Secretariat bus-stop and lasted for hours. Read more
“Nonsense!” – Nigerians criticise Imo poly student who graduated with help of private parts (Vanguard)
Nigerians have criticised the yet-to-be-identified female student of the Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo state who thanked God and private parts for contributing to her graduation.
The girl in a viral video said, “Omo, today is the final day. Nekede bye-bye, this stress ends today. Finally, I’m now a graduate of Federal Polytechnic, Nekede. It can only be God and my p**sy.”
According to the institution in a statement signed by its registrar, Eucharia Anuna, yesterday, an investigation will be launched into what it described as her “despicable act.” Read more
Old naira notes will still be in use after February 10 deadline, says Emefiele (Guardian)
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr Godwin Emefiele has allayed the fears that the old naira notes would no longer be tenable after the expiration of the February 10 deadline for the naira swap policy.
Speaking when he appeared before the Mr Ado Doguwa-led House of Representatives adhoc committee on the naira redesign and naira swap policy, he pledged to adhere to sections 20 sub 3, 4,5 of the CBN Act.
The CBN chief said Nigerians can be rest assured that they would be allowed to deposit their old naira notes with the apex bank even after the February 10 deadline as stipulated by the CBN Act. Read more
2 die, 4 rescued in Lagos tanker accident (Punch)
A fatal accident involving a tanker and four tricycles aka Keke claimed the lives of two persons on Tuesday at the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
The PUNCH gathered that the accident occurred around 12:30 pm on Tuesday.
Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority rescued four victims inside the tricycles while a tricycle driver and one passenger died instantly.
The four rescued accident victims were two pregnant women and two children, according to a statement by LASTMA Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq. Read more
Court remands Lagos auto-dealer Ogbonna over wife’s death (Nation)
An Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the remand of an auto dealer Ikechukwu Daryl Ogbonna over the death of his wife, Abimbola Martins-Ogbonna.
Magistrate Adebayo Kafayat Tella (Mrs) made the order following advice by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Lagos State, which indicted Ogbonna for involuntary manslaughter.
Reading out the DPP Advice, Mrs Tella said the Defendant should be arraigned before the Lagos High Court. Read more
Thuggery is tool in hands of APC government in Lagos – Jandor (Vanguard)
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran also known as Jandor has described thuggery as a tool in the hands of the reigning All Progressives Congress, APC-led government in the state.
Jandor, in an interview on Arise TV’s The Morning Show, gave insight into how he plans to curb thuggery in Lagos state.
He said, “We can convert them to tools, but very positive and useful ones, and see how much of them we can quickly rehabilitate. Read more
You have nothing to offer Nigerians, Gov. Emmanuel fires back at Tinubu (DailyTrust)
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has said the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has nothing to offer Nigerians.
Governor Emmanuel made this statement on Tuesday in Uyo during the inauguration of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen and Members of Boards and Commissions, as well as a Transition Committee, that Tinubu has nothing to bring to the table, hence his decision to abuse and rain insults during his presidential campaigns.
Emmanuel, who spoke in response to Tinubu’s reference to him as a ‘boy’, said despite being insulted by the former Lagos State Governor, he would prefer to allow peace to reign by ignoring him and focusing on helping to install good governance to rescue Nigerians from its present woes. Read more
Suspected kidnapper nabbed while clubbing in Delta (ThisDay)
A suspected kidnapper has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State Police Command at a club in Udu, Udu Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, it was gathered, was in the club with a member of his gang “grooving” when the police stormed the area and apprehended him while his colleague narrowly escaped.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed yesterday that the suspect was arrested last Thursday in the club. Read more
Samara Joy Covers Adele For Spotify Singles (uDiscoverMusic)
Samara Joy has shared her Spotify Singles release, featuring a cover of a hit single by Adele and a version of one of Joy’s 2022 releases.
The acclaimed jazz singer put her own spin on Adele’s heartfelt 2011 hit ballad “Someone Like You” as part of the session, reimagining the song with her rich, luxurious vocals over a minimal, poignant organ backing.
Elsewhere, the Spotify Singles release features a live take of Joy’s 2022 cover of Nancy Wilson’s “Guess Who I Saw Today.” The star’s original recording of the song featured on her major label debut album, Linger Awhile. Read more
Michael Jackson’s nephew posts very eerie photo (AlternativeNation)
It has been over a decade since Michael Jackson passed away. Since then a slew of performers of his era have likewise passed. These include, Whitney Huston, Prince aka The Symbol, George Michael, David Bowie – and the list continues. Today it was revealed that Micheal Jackson’s nephew has posted an eerie photo. It’s unclear if it’s Jackson’s nephew in character, or a shot of Michael.
As per Deadline, Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua-directed film biopic for Lionsgate. Fuqua posted a confirmation on Instagram to this affect. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson, who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar (not Jaafar from Aladdin) has been singing and dancing since the age of 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals.
As Deadline revealed last week, the Emancipation helmer signed on to next direct Michael, which has a script by John Logan. The film’s being produced by Graham King, who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody. GK Films will produce alongside the co-executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain.
The biopic could prove to be Oscar worthy – and it will probably win – if it is selected. Read more
Marc Maron blasts Academy for investigating co-star Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination (FilmNews)
Marc Maron has slammed Academy officials for launching an investigation into his To Leslie co-star Andrea Riseborough’s Oscar nomination.
Last week, leaders at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), who organise the Oscars, announced that they would be conducting a “review of campaign procedures” in light of the English actress’s “surprise” nomination for Best Actress.
On his WTF podcast on Monday, Riseborough’s co-star Maron accused the organisation of investigating the celebrity-led grassroots support for Riseborough because it “threatens” lucrative awards season campaign initiatives. Read more
Malala will attend Oscar nominees luncheon on behalf of documentary short Stranger at the Gate (THR)
Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who in 2014, at just 17, became the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, will attend the Oscar Nominees Luncheon — a pre-Oscars gathering organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, to which all of the year’s Oscar nominees are invited along with a plus-one — on Feb. 13, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Yousafzai is an executive producer of Joshua Seftel’s Stranger at the Gate, a nominee for the best documentary short Oscar, and will attend as Seftel’s guest.
The film, which is being distributed by The New Yorker Studios, centers on Bibi Bahrami, an Afghan refugee in small-town Indiana who encountered a U.S. Marine who had planned to bomb her local mosque, at which point the story takes an unexpected turn. Read more
Lauren Daigle signs With Atlantic Records in partnership with Centricity Music (Variety)
Two-time Grammy-winning singer Lauren Daigle has signed with Atlantic Records in partnership with Centricity Music, the companies have announced.
The Louisiana-born singer, who also has won four American Music Awards and seven Billboard Music Awards, will release her next album in the spring.
Daigle’s last album, 2018’s “Look Up Child,” debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and featured the five-times platinum single “You Say.” Nine of her singles and two of her three albums have been certified platinum or platinum-plus. Read more
Miley Cyrus ‘‘endlessly grateful’’ to fans after new single remains at number 1 (Standard)
Miley Cyrus says she is “endlessly thankful” to her fans, after her latest single “Flowers” continued to top global charts.
The US singer said it was a “pleasure” to create music that was “connecting in such a positive way”.
Flowers, which is the lead track from her upcoming eighth studio album, was released on January 13, becoming her third UK number one. Read more
Pope Francis lands in Congo as conflict rages in country’s east (AlArabiya)
Pope Francis landed in Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday for a visit that will highlight the human cost of decades of conflict in the vast central African country, which is rich in minerals but where millions are displaced and live in poverty.
Francis is the first pope to visit Congo since John Paul II in 1985, when it was still known as Zaire. About half of Congo’s population of 90 million are Roman Catholics.
“For me, it’s the first time I’m seeing him other than on television. It’s a moment of joy,” said Alain Difima, a Catholic priest who spent hours waiting for the pope’s arrival at the airport. Read more
Bayern Munich sign Cancelo on loan from Man City (Guardian)
Bayern Munich have signed Portugal wing-back Joao Cancelo on loan until the end of the season from Manchester City, the German club confirmed on Tuesday.
Bayern have the option to buy the Portuguese defender for a reported 70 million euros ($75 million) at the end of the season.
Cancelo, who has scored seven times in 41 appearances for Portugal, arrived in Munich on Monday and completed a medical on Tuesday for a move that could spell the end of France international Benjamin Pavard’s time at Bayern.
The 28-year-old Portuguese defender joined City from Juventus for 65 million euros ($70 million) in 2019 and has a contract with the English champions until 2027. Read more
29 Nigerian referees to receive FIFA badges Wednesday (Leadership)
A total of 29 Nigerian referees will on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 receive their badges to operate as FIFA match officials for the year 2023.
They will be decorated at a special ceremony inside the NFF Secretariat at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
According to a statement by the NFF’s director of media and communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire, a total of seven referees out of the 29 will be badged as FIFA referees while another seven will be decorated as FIFA assistant referees. Read more
Arsenal transfer news: Jorginho bid accepted by Chelsea (BBC)
Arsenal have agreed a £12m deal with Chelsea to sign Italy midfielder Jorginho.
The 31-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Napoli in 2018, is into the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
He will now have a medical before signing an 18-month contract with the option of a further year.
The Gunners turned their attention to Jorginho after having two bids rejected by Brighton for Moises Caicedo. Read more
Mbappe, Messi and Neymar in same team not hindering PSG, says Galtier (RFI)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier has denied that playing Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar all together in the same side has a negative impact on the team’s balance, as the Brazilian was ruled out of Wednesday’s match at Montpellier.
PSG said Neymar is suffering from muscle fatigue and received treatment as he sat out training on Tuesday while the rest of his team-mates prepared for the trip south following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Reims in Ligue 1.
Neymar scored the opening goal against Reims but PSG conceded an equaliser deep into stoppage time as their lead over second-placed Lens remained three points. Read more
Zdenek Stybar turns page with move to Jayco-AlUla (VeloNews)
It’s business as usual as Zdenek Stybar sat in the back of a team car Tuesday methodically preparing for stage 2 at the Saudi Tour.
His shoes, socks, helmet, and jersey are laid out in tidy perfection in practice made perfect for the veteran Czech star.
There’s a bit of a double-take, however, to see Stybar debuting in his Jayco-AlUla colors this week in a high-profile move after racing with Quick-Step for more than a decade. Read more
Rory McIlroy defends Patrick Reed over fresh rules controversy despite tee-gate incident (Mirror)
Rory McIlroy’s fierce rivalry with Patrick Reed intensified at the enthralling Dubai Desert Classic – but the world number one has come to the American’s defence in his latest rules controversy.
McIlroy edged out inspired LIV Golf rebel Reed to claim a thrilling one-shot victory in Monday’s weather-delayed finish in the desert to make a dream start to 2023.
The 33-year-old’s clutch birdie putt to seal the win at the Emirates Club proved the perfect script for DP World Tour chiefs after the duo had caused a media circus as the stars of ”tee-gate” in the build-up to the prestigious Rolex Series event. Read more