Valentine: Fun-seeker drowns in Lagos hotel pool, family suspects foul play (Punch)
When Adekunle Ojo was enjoying Valentine’s Day at a hotel in the Baruwa area of Lagos, he was oblivious that his life would end tragically inside a pool at the facility in the night.
The 27-year-old man reportedly drowned and his body was retrieved from the pool with fresh marks on his body which made his family suspect foul play.
City Round learnt that Ojo, who lived on Unity Aghedo Estate, Ipaja, left home around 1pm that Monday to attend a poolside party at the hotel.
He was said to have swam in the pool after the party and had done about two rounds before the tragedy struck.
He was reportedly rushed to the Igando General Hospital where he was confirmed dead and the incident was reported at the Alagolo Police Station and the family was contacted. Read more
Sanwo-Olu rallies support for Tinubu, says 2023 election will be difficult (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, urged politicians in the state to rally around Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in office, maintaining that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader was the right and best man for the job.
Sanwo-Olu, who said 2023 would be a difficult election year, stated that it was time to work to ensure that the successes recorded in Lagos would be replicated at the national level by helping Tinubu to actualise his ambition.
Speaking to lawmakers, political appointees and party leaders, including members of the Governors Advisory Committee (GAC) at the 17th Executive-Legislative parley themed “Mobilising Citizens as a Social Capital Towards 2023 General Elections,” Sanwo-Olu said: “Let me stress the importance of working together as one, especially as we approach 2023, the all-important electioneering year. There is a whole lot that we can achieve together as a united bloc. Therefore, I enjoin you all to come together and let us rally around our father and leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he gives the nation’s Presidency a shot.
“He has unselfishly given himself to the good people of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole. This, indeed, as someone has rightly said, is the time to pay him back with our unwavering support. He is, no doubt, the right and best man for the job. He knows the issues plaguing our nation like the back of his hands and he has the magic wand to fix it. I, therefore, urge everyone to come together and rally behind this great man of history. Let us rally behind our great party. Let us speak with one voice. Together, we will give our nation a new lease of life.” Read more
Tension in Osun as Oyetola, Aregbesola’s man battle for APC gov ticket (Punch)
An uneasy calm has settled over Osun State as the All Progressives Congress holds its governorship primary on Saturday (today).
The tension is a result of a fierce battle for the sole ticket of the party between the Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola and a former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti.
Adeoti, a former state chairman of the party, is the anointed candidate of the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Ironically, Oyetola was the chief of staff to Aregbesola when the latter served as governor of the state for eight years.
However, the relationship between the governor and the minister has deteriorated to the extent that they now belong to different camps of the party in the state. Read more
Yoruba monarchs move to resolve Tinubu, Aregbesola conflict (Guardian)
Some Yoruba leaders, including traditional rulers, yesterday, began a move to resolve the conflict between the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and former governor of Osun State and Minister for Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2003 and Aregbesola who, served under him as Commissioner for Works before going to Osun State to become governor in 2010, has been at loggerheads over the Osun State governorship election scheduled to hold on July 16 2022.
The two APC leaders are currently engaging in a war of words over the re-election bid of Governor Gboyega Oyetola. While Tinubu is supporting Oyetola who is his blood brother, Aregbesola, who is the immediate predecessor of the governor, believes that Oyetola does not deserve a second term just like former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was deprived of re-election in Lagos in the October 2018 direct governorship primary election.
Aregbesola is insisting that what Ambode was alleged to have done that made Tinubu, himself and other stakeholders join forces to stop the former Lagos governor in 2018, Oyetola has done worse than that, lamenting that Tinubu is now trying to protect Oyetola because they are brothers. Read more
Nigeria Joins Countries To Manufacture Covid-19 Vaccines (Tribune)
Nigeria has been added to the list of countries earlier approved for vaccine production in Africa.
It thus becomes one of the six countries on the continent of Africa designated as manufacturing bases for the COVID-19 vaccine.
President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the move while also calling for collaboration to address the effects of the pandemic.
A statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Friday said with the latest development, efforts by the Buhari administration to change the selection that the country considered unrepresentative of the needs, capabilities and population distribution in Africa has thus yielded the desired result.
The statement informed that President Buhari welcomed the move his contribution to the Roundtable on Health Systems and Vaccine Production at the ongoing 6th Europe-Africa Summit, in Brussels, Belgium. Read more
Court remands woman for killing rival in Ondo (Punch)
An Ondo State Magistrate Court, sitting in Akure, has ordered for the remand of a 25-year-old woman, Rebecca Nicodemus for allegedly stabbing her rival, Precious Nicodemus, to death.
The defendant was said to have committed the offence at her husband’s house at Idogun Village in Ode Irele, the headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of the state on February 4, 2022.
It was gathered that the trouble started when the defendant, who is a junior wife, felt that their husband had been paying much attention to the senior wife (deceased) more than she.
On the fateful day, she allegedly confronted the deceased, when she came out of the room where she (deceased) slept with their husband, and an argument ensued between them. The defendant allegedly stabbed the deceased to death in anger. Read more
Police Service Commission suspends Kyari’s accomplices (DailyTrust)
The Police Service Commission, on Thursday, ordered the immediate suspension of two officers who were working directly under the embattled ‘super cop’, Abba Kyari before the arrest of the trio.
The two officers, who are suspended from exercising their powers and functions in their respective offices include Sunday Ubua, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and James Bawa, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
The officers were working under the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, in the Intelligence Response Team of the Force Investigation and Intelligence Department. They were also alleged to be involved in the current cocaine seizure saga that led to the indictment of Kyari.
The commission’s decision was contained in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, dated 16th February 2022 and signed by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Commissioner 1 in the PSC, Justice Clara B. Ogunbiyi on behalf of the Chairman of the commission, Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police. Read more
Play Network, Native Media unveil ‘The Film Academy’ (Leadership)
Entertainment power houses, Play Network Studios and Native Media TV, have collaborated to create an app; ‘The Film Academy’, primarily designed to serve as a one stop solution for all movie players on one slate.
The app was unveiled during a press conference held at the headquarters of Play Network Studios in Abuja.
Speaking at the event,Head of Production,Play Network Studios,Agozie Ugwu,noted that the app was borne out of the quest for sustainable growth, development and equal opportunity for all industry practitioners.
“After 16 months of tactical planning and strategizing, we are finally here, and our excitement cannot be contained. Play Network Studios and Native Media TV are proud to unveil our new joint venture — The FilmAcademy.
‘The Film Academy’ is a one-stop shop for everything film and television in Africa. This is where Nollywood meets in-depth research and advanced technology. We are creating a hub where all stakeholders in the Nigerian Movie Industry can engage, develop and harness individual skills by virtue of networking and merit alone. Read more
Man, son, 3 others killed, houses razed as herdsmen attack Benue community (Vanguard)
Five persons, including a father and his son, have been reportedly killed by armed herdsmen in an attack on Tse Udeghe community, Mbakpa Council Ward and Ahumen community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack is coming less than a week after the marauders attacked and razed the home town of the traditional ruler of the area, the Ter Nagi, HRH Daniel Abomste and also sacked several communities in the area.
Vanguard gathered from a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, that the herders stormed the community at about 5:30pm on Thursday in large numbers, opened fire on the residents and razed their homes.
“The people ran for their lives, but those who they caught up with were killed and several others sustained injuries. Read more
Amotekun arrests truck with 63 northerners, motorcycles in Ondo (Tribune)
Men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, have intercepted a truck in Iju in Akure North Local Government Area of the state, with about 63 men from the northern part of the country hiding inside.
Apart from the men, the truck was also loaded with cows, rams and motorcycles while the men hid within the animals and the motorcycles.
It was gathered that the men claimed to have left Gigawa town in Gombe state and heading to Lagos before they were stopped and apprehended by the officials of state security outfit.
The driver of the vehicle, Salisu Ahmed, with registration number ‘Kano AB 234 BDJ’ said that they were heading towards Lagos but could not explain why the men were hiding inside the vehicle. Read more
Brad Pitt sues Angelina Jolie over sale of stake in French vineyard Chateau Miraval to Russian oligarch (Sky)
Brad Pitt is suing ex-wife Angelina Jolie for selling her stake in their co-owned French vineyard, where they were married in 2014, to a Russian oligarch.
The Miraval estate is located in the village of Correns, in southeastern France, and was bought by the A-list former couple for about €25m (about £20.8m) in 2008.
According to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jolie sold her stake in the Chateau Miraval SA company to a Luxembourg-based spirits manufacturer controlled by businessman Yuri Shefler – without Pitt’s knowledge.
The move intended to cause the Fight Club and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood… star “gratuitous harm” after he had “poured money and sweat equity” into the business, lawyers for the actor alleged.
Both had agreed never to sell their respective interests without the other’s consent, according to the lawsuit, which was obtained by the Press Association news agency. Read more
Egyptian director’s film provokes outcry by evoking homosexuality (ArabWeekly)
The controversy about the Netflix movie “Ashab wala Aaz” (No dearer friends) had barely subsided when further outcry erupted in Egypt over another taboo-busting movie.
Originally titled “Bashtaalak sa’at”,the Egyptian-German-Lebanese production “Shall I Compare You to a Summer’s Day?” delves into the issue of homosexuality.
The 66-minute movie, recently screened at the 72nd Berlin Film Festival has not yet been shown in Egypt, but the outcry there has nonetheless been huge about the film and its director, Mohamed Shawky Hassan, an Egyptian artist based in Germany.
Shawky Hassan studied cinematography at the Academy of Arts and Film Technology in Cairo, then moved to Germany. His directing portfolio includes documentaries and long and short films.
The new movie, shot in entirety in Berlin, stars Ahmed Awadalla, Nadim Bahsounn Hassan Dib, Ahmed El Gendy, Richard Gabriel Gersch, Donia Massoud and Salim Mourad. Read more
Kanye West says Donda 2 will not be available to stream (MusicNews)
Kanye West has said his upcoming album ‘Donda 2’will not be available to stream.
The 44-year-old rap star is set to release the follow up to his 2020 chart topper on Tuesday (22.02.2022) but it will not appear on the likes of Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, or YouTube and will instead only be featured on his own the Stem music device, which retails for $200.
Writing on Instagram, he said: “Donda 2 will only be available on my own platform, the Stem Player. Not on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube. Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes.”
The ‘Stronger’ hitmaker went on to assert that it is time to “free music” from an “oppressive system” as he urged fans to order the music device that allows users to customize songs by splitting them into ‘stems.’
He added: “It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own.”
It comes as Kanye – who legally changed his name to Ye in 2021 – has been having a public spat with estranged wife Kim Kardashian, the latest of which saw him taking a swipe at Kim’s current boyfriend Pete Davidson. Read more
Chris Pine leads cast members in talks for Star Trek 4 (FilmNews)
Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg and more look set to return for a new ‘Star Trek’ movie.
The former is in talks to reprise his role as Captain James T. Kirk from JJ Abrams’ trilogy series.
Paramount Pictures made the announcement at Tuesday’s (15.02.22) Paramount Investors Day Presentation.
Zachary and Simon would reprise their roles as Spock and Scotty, respectively, while Zoe Saldana (Uhura), Karl Urban (Bones) and John Cho (Sulu) are also attached to the sequel.
The late Anton Yelchin, who played Chekov, sadly died before 2016’s ‘Star Trek Beyond’ hit cinemas, and it’s not known if his character will return with another actor.
Filming will commence later this year and JJ teased that they will take “‘Star Trek’ into areas that you’ve just never seen before.”
He said: “We are thrilled to say that we are hard at work on a new ‘Star Trek’ film that will be shooting by the end of the year that will be featuring our original cast and some new characters that I think are going to be really fun and exciting and help take ‘Star Trek’ into areas that you’ve just never seen before. Read more
Snoop Dogg is making Death Row Records ‘an NFT label’ (Independent)
During an appearance in a Clubhouse chat room, the 50-year-old rapper confirmed his record label’s involvement in the world of non-fungible tokens.
“Death Row will be an NFT label,” Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, said.
“We will be putting our artists through the metaverse and through a whole other chain of music,” he said. “Just like how we broke the industry when we were the first independent to be major… I want to be the first major in the metaverse so Death Row will be an NFT.”
Founded in 1992 by Dr Dre, Marion “Suge” Knight, The DOC and Dick Griffey, Death Row Records is responsible for launching the careers of artists such as Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg himself.
Snoop Dogg released his famed albums Doggystyle and Tha Doggfather via Death Row Records before leaving for No Limit Records in 1998.
In 2006, Death Row Records filed for bankruptcy following controversy and criminal activity that involved co-founder Knight, who remains behind bars.
Knight pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in 2018, after which he was given a 28-year-long prison sentence — 22 years for a hit-and-run charge and another six years for the crime being a third strike, following run-ins with the law and violating probation.
Snoop Dogg reportedly struck a deal with MNRK Music Group, the previous owners of Death Row Records.
“I am thrilled and appreciative of the opportunity to acquire the iconic and culturally significant Death Row Records brand, which has immense untapped future value,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. Read more
Nicole Kidman mourns end of Northern Ireland stay after ‘falling in love with the place’ (BelfastTelegraph)
Nicole Kidman has claimed that she “loved” the brutal weather up the Mournes filming action movie epic The Northman.
She said the “extreme” conditions helped her embody her role as Norse Queen Gudrún in the Viking drama.
Nicole (54) explained: “It was extremely cold, extremely muddy — very Viking. And I loved it.
“I arrived on the mountain and I was like, ‘Rrrrraaah! I thought I’d be blown over by the wind, but I’m like, ‘Rrrrraaah!’ It felt good.”
The Northman is the latest flick from director Robert Eggers and tracks Alexander Skarsgård’s prince Amleth as he seeks vengeance for his murdered father.
Nicole told the Just For Variety podcast: “It was nice to be invited to go and become part of his world, that’s for sure, because he creates a very specific world and he’s masterful, he really is.
“And also to go and work with all of these exciting actors… I mean, Bjork’s in it! Talk about a risk-taker? Come on, right? That’s Rob.
“There’s fantastic actors in that piece that are discoveries, not to their particular countries, but in terms of the world and that is exciting to watch. And it’s got a very particular vibe, that film.”
When Nicole finished filming the blockbuster in December 2020 alongside Willem Dafoe and Ethan Hawke, she marked the end of her stay by sharing a range of treasured photos she took in Northern Ireland. Read more
Sinead O’Connor says she’ll never perform again after son’s death as there isn’t ‘anything to sing about’ (Independent)
Sinead O’Connor has said that she will never perform again following the death of her teenage son Shane.
In January, the “Nothing Compares 3 U” singer announced the death of her 17-year-old son, who she said had “decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God”.
“Just to say, suggestions there’ll be any performances this year or next year or ever again are erroneous,” O’Connor wrote.
“There will never be anything to sing about again. #DropsMike.”
She then retweeted a reply from a fan that read: “Bereaved parents don’t need advice. We just need people to witness our pain and not try to fix it. It’s unfixable. Please don’t offer advice to Sinead. It’s not helpful, and actually causes more pain.”
Following Shane’s death, O’Connor fiercely criticised the Irish health service HSE, the child and family agency Tusla, and the Irish state overall. She later apologised for “lashing out” on social media.
A week after his death, the musician held a “lovely Hindu ceremony” for Shane, adding that she’d put “a few packs” of cigarettes in his coffin.
“We just said goodbye to our beautiful angel, Shaney,” O’Connor, who is Muslim, wrote. “Very lovely Hindu ceremony. Shane will have loved it. He was always chanting ‘Om. Shanti’.
“I put a few packs of fags in the coffin for him in case there’s none in heaven. He’ll have loved that too. Om. Shanti.” Read more
Super Falcons Labour To Win 2-0 Against Lady Elephants (DailyTrust)
The Super Falcons of Nigeria have taken a huge step towards qualifying for the 2022 Africa Women’s Nations Cup after they laboured to win 2-0 against the Lady Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in the first leg of the qualifiers played yesterday at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The nine-time African champions who were determined to avenge their 2022 Olympics mishap in the hands of the Ivorians thought they had opened the scoring in the 11thminute but the referee decided otherwise as she cancelled the goal.
The Super Falcons who struggled to impress the scanty crowd, however, got their opening goal in the 21st minute after Esther Okoronkwo set up Ifeoma Onumonu inside the box to fire the Cup holders in front to end the first half 1-0.
At the restart of the second half, Coach Randy Waldrum’s girls doubled their lead in the 56thminute when Ifeoma scored her brace. Yeaterday’s match was actually the first game for the Super Falcons at the MKO Abiola Stadium since they defeated their Senegalese counterparts 2-0 in April 2016, in the final qualifying round of the 10th Women AFCON finals held in Cameroon.
The 12-team 12th Women AFCON finals, which hold in Morocco 2nd to 23rd July, will see all four semi-finalists qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Read more
Eguavoen, Amuneke to watch Olise, Eze versus Chelsea (Punch)
Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen and his assistant Emmanuel Amuneke will be at Selhurst Park to watch Crystal Palace take on Chelsea in a Premier League game on Saturday, PUNCH Sports Extra has reliably learnt.
The coaches were at the King Power stadium on Thursday to watch the trio Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Ademola Lookman feature for Leicester City who defeated Randers FC 4-1 in their Europa Conference League clash.
They are expected to meet with Palace stars Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze as they bid to convince the pair to switch their nationality from England to Nigeria, our correspondent also gathered.
Both players are eligible to play for Nigeria.
Olise was born in England to a Nigerian father and a French-Algerian mother, making him eligible to represent any of the four countries while Eze born in England as well to Nigerian parents. Read more
Stakeholders vote for women’s football as Kazeem Eletu Queens win Abiodun gold cup (Guardian)
Investment in women sports, especially football, is one of the avenues Nigerians can help develop the girl/child. This is the submission of stakeholders at the just concluded Afusat Olabimpe Abiodun Women Gold Cup held in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The tournament, which began on January 23, drew women teams from across Lagos State. In the final held on February 13 at Strong Towers School Sports Field, Ikorodu, Prince Kazeem Eletu Queens of Ikorodu defeated Papa Soccer Academy of Epe through a penalty shoot-out after regular and extra time had ended 1-1.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Director-General, Lagos State Sports Commission, Oluwatoyin Bolowotan, said the tournament was aimed at promoting the development of the girl-child.
He was optimistic that the competition would promote the growth of women football, saying it would encourage more girls to venture into sports.
“I think it is high time we started doing things like this to encourage our girl/child to participate in sporting events like this. Other activities that can engage them and give them physical, mental and health boost, should also be introduced into our society. Read more
Some Nigerian youngsters with dual nationalities who may emulate Lookman Ademola (DailyTrust)
When Salzburg hosted Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash on Wednesday night, a Nigerian youngster, Chukwubuike Junior Adamu was the hero and cynosure of all eyes as he helped his side secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Football pundits had favoured the team from Germany to sweep aside their Austrian opponents but in the end, they were unable to get the maximum points largely due to the efforts of some Nigerian players in the Salzburg squad.
Adamu’s 21st minute strike also broke Thierry Henry’s 17-year record of the fastest substitute to score a goal in the UEFA Champions League.
Salzburg have in their ranks players of Nigerian descent such as a former Golden Eaglets captain, Samson Tijani, Karim Adeyemi and Noah Okafor, another player of Nigeria descent who sustained an injury in the 10th minute of the clash with Bayern and had to leave the stage for Adamu who turned out to be the hero on the night.
Adamu was born in northern Nigeria to Nigerian parents, but has spent most of his life in Austria. He has played one game for the Austrian national team but he could still switch to Nigeria because he has just one senior international cap. Read more
Jayson Tatum voices his displeasure with All-NBA voting process (CBS)
Jayson Tatum is heading to his third straight All-Star Game this weekend, as the Celtics star is finally getting some recognition as one of the best players in the NBA. But he does have a mighty big beef with the All-NBA voters that cost him quite a bit of recognition last year — not to mention a large chunk of cash.
Tatum narrowly missed getting the second All-NBA nod of his career (he made the third team in 2019-20), which had some massive implications when it came to his rookie-scale extension. The Celtics forward said that he heard one voter left him off their ballot because they were not a fan of his shot selection.
That ultimately cost Tatum $30 million over the course of his extension with Boston. All because one writer didn’t like his shot selection.
Tatum usually brushes stuff like this off, because he certainly hears enough of it from the Boston media. But this snub really stuck with him, and the Celtics star voiced his issues with the
All-NBA voting process during a chat with J.J. Redick on his “The Old Man and the Three” podcast. Read more
Lewis Hamilton will not let controversial end to 2021 season ‘define’ his career (Independent)
Lewis Hamilton said he will not allow the controversial conclusion to last season define his Formula One career.
But a defiant Hamilton – back in the public spotlight two months and six days after the contentious Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – also demanded that the FIA must be held to account to ensure what happened to him is never repeated.
Hamilton, the most decorated driver in the sport’s history, was on course to win a record-breaking eighth world championship before race director Michael Masi seemingly broke the rules to allow Max Verstappen the chance to take the title following a late safety car.
The FIA appeared to accept that a mistake was made when Masi was eventually dismissed from his position on Thursday. Read more
Djokovic vaccine row: ‘It’s his choice’ – Jabeur (BBC)
Africa’s leading tennis player Ons Jabeur has defended Novak Djokovic’s choice to not have the Covid-19 vaccine – but says she hopes he changes his mind.
Djokovic, the men’s world number one, told the BBC in an exclusive interview that missing competitions such as the French Open over his vaccination status, was a price he is “willing to pay”.
Tunisian star Jabeur says Djokovic has every right to make such decisions.
“It’s his choice. He follows a certain diet with food and whatever he puts in his body [is up to him],” Jabeur told the BBC from Dubai where she is playing this week. Read more