Veteran Nollywood actor, Lari Williams, is dead (Punch)
Veteran Nollywood actor, Chief Lari Williams, has died at the age of 81 following a long illness.
Williams, who was famous for his roles in hit soap operas such as Village Headmaster, Ripples, and Mirror in The Sun, died peacefully on Sunday at his home in Ikom, Cross River State.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to our correspondent by the family.
During his lifetime, Williams was a poet, playwright and celebrated actor both in live theatre and on screen, earning him a prestigious national honour; Member of the Order of the Federal Republic in 2008. Read more
Burna Boy survives ‘bad accident’ with expensive Ferrari (Nation)
Grammy award-winning singer Burna Boy has survived a ghastly car accident with his Ferrari.
The Nation reports the 30-year-old was involved in an accident in the Lekki area of Lagos on Saturday.
Burna Boy confirmed he had a “bad accident” in his Ferrari on Instagram.
The ‘African Giant’ crooner also shared a video to douse fears over his safety after the incident. Read more
NDLEA intercepts drugs, €809,850 at Lagos Airport (Leadership)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted at least 649,300 capsules of Tramadol 225mg and 809,850 Euros cash as parts of consignments from Pakistan, Austria and Italy intercepted at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
Also, the anti-narcotic agents also intercepted various quantities of Heroin and other illicit drugs, which were blocked from being exported to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
The spokesperson of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said at the Skyway Aviation handling company cargo warehouse at the airport, anti-narcotic officers seized 649,300 capsules of Tramadol 225mg weighing 460.95kg imported from Pakistan via Addis Ababa through Ethiopian Airline on Wednesday, February 16.
A suspect, Nwadu Ekene Christian was arrested in connection with the seizure. Read more
Lagos court freezes estate developer, others’ bank accounts (Punch)
The Lagos State High Court in Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi, has ordered the freezing of bank accounts linked to an estate developer, Clement Mokedi, and four others over the sale of property belonging to one Kehinde Bolodeoku.
The attorney of Bolodeoku, Ravins Brook Deliveries, in an ex-parte application filed by their counsel, Gbenga Ajala, in suit no LD/602CM/2022, urged the court to freeze the bank accounts of the respondents pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in the suit.
The other respondents in the suit are ARC Curve Limited, Gboyega Adewuyi, M&N Properties Limited and Mr Uche Manu.
Moving the application, Ajala informed the court that the matter before it was an originating motion on notice but due to the peculiarity and urgency of the case, a motion ex-parte had been filed.
Lekki Deep Sea Port 96% complete, ready by mid-year — ICRC (Guardian)
The Lekki Deep Sea Port has reached 96% completion, Mr Micheal Ohiani, the Acting Director-General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), says.
He made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
According to Ohiani, his team carried out a regulatory visit to the project site in the last quarter of 2021 and was satisfied with the progress of work done so far.
Ohiani said that the Nigeria Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (NIIMP), had projected that within the next 30 years, the nation would require 3.1 trillion dollars to build infrastructure which translates to 100 billion dollars annually. Read more
Commissioner hails residents’ synergy with security agencies (Nation)
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Adaze Emwanta has hailed residents’ synergy with security agencies, to ensure the state remains unsafe for criminals.
He urged more youths to key into the community-driven security architecture of the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration.
Emwanta spoke yesterday in Benin. He praised the courage of Uromi and Ubiaja youths in Edo Central Senatorial District, who last Thursday confronted armed robbers, who attacked five commercial banks at Uromi with dynamites and bullets, killing eight persons, comprising two policemen and six civilians.
He said: “Every crime is local. This explains why Governor Obaseki has designed the state’s security architecture with community participation and inter-agency collaboration as the focus. Read more
Buni, Akpanudoedehe to be held responsible if APC loses 2023 presidential election — Sagay
(Independent)
Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe State and Chairman, Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the committee, will be held responsible if the party loses the 2023 presidential election, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has said. Speaking exclusively with Daily Independent on Sunday, Sagay, a chieftain of the APC, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), said the two men were the ones responsible for the upheavals in the APC in the last two years.
Responding to questions on the new date proposed for the party’s national convention, Sagay said Buni may still shift the March 26 date so as to perpetuate himself in office as he has always done.
According to him, even though Buni was chosen to manage the affairs of the APC for just six months after the sack of the Adams Oshiomhole- led National Working Committee (NWC) in June 2020, the Yobe State governor has employed all sorts of tricks which has seen him remain in office as APC acting national chairman for almost two years.
“This man (Buni) was appointed as APC caretaker chairman for six months. Read more
Stranded Africans lament maltreatment at Poland-Ukraine border (Nation)
Thousands of Africans fleeing Ukraine, especially students, have lamented alleged maltreatment and passport seizure by Ukrainians at the borders.
They accused officials of racial discrimination in Ukraine, alleging that they were not allowed to cross the borders.
The Nation reports the Federal Government had directed Nigerians fleeing Ukraine to four Polish borders for their safety.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in a viral video on Saturday, said out of the eight borders between Poland and Ukraine, four had been recommended for Nigerians to use. Read more
Long fuel queues persist as FG hosts energy summit (Sun)
Early bird delegates arriving Abuja on Sunday ahead of the 5th Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES 2022) commencing today, were shocked at long, chaotic queues of vehicles at filling stations, struggling to buy petrol as scarcity bites harder in various parts of the country.
Daily Sun gathered that as the delegates made their way to their hotels from the airport, many of them felt disappointed seeing frustrated motorists detained in long queues that stretched several metres. More discomforting for them was the fact that the petrol scarcity imbroglio had persisted for over a month without any solution in sight. One of the delegates who did not want his name in print said: “This is terrible. We’ve read about this crisis for over a month and one is worried that the challenge is not over yet. There is a need for a permanent solution to Nigeria’s energy crisis because it is affecting the local economies. A solution is needed and quickly too”, he said.
Meanwhile over 5,000 participants from 53 countries are billed to attend the event slated for February 27-March 3, 2022.
The NIES is a Federal Government of Nigeria official energy industry event with the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and all its parastatals including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NURPC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) and Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) as joint hosts. Read more
State Congress: Diri advocates unity in Lagos PDP (NewTelegraph)
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State to unite the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Speaking at the Lagos PDP State Congress in Ikeja, Diri, who was the Congress Electoral Committee Chairman, said it is only unity that would win the state for the party in 2023.
Diri said: “All we want is unity in the Lagos State chapter and if you don’t want unity then you are not a PDP member. PDP in Lagos will not be disunity again after this Congress.
“It is only unity that will make PDP to occupy the governorship position in Lagos State. We expect that this Congress would be peaceful, successful and it will build the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together. Read more
Rapper Snootie Wild dead at 36 after being shot (TMZ)
Another Memphis rapper has been shot and killed … just in the last few months.
Snootie Wild succumbed to his injuries after being shot Friday in Houston. His death was announced Saturday night on his Instagram page … “Gone in body, but your NAME & LEGACY will live forever! #TeamYayo4Life
Wild was shot in the neck … discovered laying in a ditch, beside an SUV. A Houston cop told the ABC Houston station, “It looks like he backed in there accidentally. Then the other vehicle pulled up, and folks got out of the car,” adding “They were talking for a little bit, and then all of a sudden, gunfire went off. Only one shot, actually.”
He was rushed to a hospital, but doctors were unable to save him. Read more
Conservative peer urged to quit board of Russian firm EN+ over oligarch links (Guardian)
The defence secretary, Ben Wallace, has urged the Conservative peer and former minister Greg Barker to quit his lucrative role on the board of Russian aluminium firm EN+ whose owners include the oligarch Oleg Deripaska.
Lord Barker, an energy minister in David Cameron’s government, earned $4m last year as executive chair of the firm, and devised a plan to help the company respond to US government sanctions levelled against the company and Deripaska in 2018.
In 2018, the US government sanctioned Deripaska over his alleged links to the Russian government. It was also designated EN+ because of its ownership by Deripaska, who has previously said the US allegations were based on “false rumour and innuendo”.
Asked whether Barker should quit the Lords or the company, Wallace told the Mail on Sunday: “He should quit all of them.” He added: “I think Lord Barker should explain why he works with people like Deripaska.” Read more
Skibadee, jungle and drum’n’bass MC, dies aged 54 (Guardian)
Skibadee, the award-winning jungle and drum’n’bass MC, has died aged 54, his family have announced. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Skibadee, whose real name was Alfonso Bondzie, began his career in 1993 on City Sound Radio and in recent years was a member of renowned drum’n’bass group SASASAS.
His family said in a statement on Sunday: “Hello everyone, as Alphonso’s first-born, I unfortunately come with some sad news to say that Skibadee has passed away. As a family we ask for some privacy, but may he rest in peace.”
Skibadee, born in Waterloo, south London, performed across the UK. He was renowned for his collaborations with fellow jungle and drum’n’bass MC Shabba D from 2000 onwards. Skibadee won multiple MC awards as well as the Stevie Hyper D lifetime achievement award. Read more
Green Day cancel stadium concert in Russia over Ukraine invasion (Variety)
Green Day have canceled their concert scheduled for May 29 at Spartak Stadium in Moscow over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the band announced on Sunday.
“With heavy hearts, in light of current events we feel it is necessary to cancel our upcoming show in Moscow at Spartak Stadium,” the band said in a statement to Variety. “We are aware that this moment is not about stadium rock shows, it’s much bigger than that. But we also know that rock and roll is forever and we feel confident there will be a time and a place for us to return in the future. Stay safe.”
While dozens of Western acts have shows scheduled in Russia and even Ukraine in the coming months, it seems unlikely that most if any will take place, although Green Day is just the second to cancel; on Friday, pop act AJR called off their Moscow concert slated for October.
According to artist websites, Songkick and other sources, in Moscow alone, Saint Jhn, Tricky, Disclosure and Bring Me the Horizon have shows scheduled for March and April, with Khalid, OneRepublic, Yungblud, Girl in Red, Judas Priest, Denzel Curry and OneRepublic in May. But those are just a preamble for what was looking to be a very busy summer concert season, including the alt-rock-leaning Bol festival and two Park Live festivals (the latter featuring the Killers, Gorillaz, My Chemical Romance, Iggy Pop and many others) along with summer dates by Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Imagine Dragons, Bjork, Eric Clapton and others. Read more
CODA star Troy Kotsur is the first deaf actor to win an individual SAG Award (EW)
Troy Kotsur is making history.
The CODA star became the first deaf actor to win an individual Screen Actors Guild Award on Sunday, taking home the trophy for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture.
“I’ve been a [SAG] member since 2001, so now I feel like I’m finally part of the family,” Kotsur told the audience through an ASL interpreter. “I know you all are artists, and I know you all know what it’s like to be a starving actor. Back then, I used to sleep in my car, I slept in my dressing room backstage, I couch surfed. All of that, you feel me, right? So thank you so much.”
Kotsur stars in CODA as the deaf father of an aspiring singer (Emilia Jones). He and his co-stars were also nominated for Outstanding Motion Picture Cast. Kotsur thanked distributor Apple TV+ for “all of their support and access,” from providing closed captioning and ASL interpretation services to “believing in us deaf actors and casting us authentically.” Read more
‘Ted Lasso’ ensemble accepts best comedy cast SAG Award remotely (THR)
Ted Lasso took home the award for best comedy series ensemble at the 2022 SAG Awards on Sunday.
The series was nominated alongside the ensembles of The Great, Hacks, The Kominsky Method and Only Murders in the Building.
When the series was announced as the winner, the cast, who appeared virtually, could be shown immediately celebrating. Holding the award, star Hannah Waddingham expressed gratitude for the honor.
“Even though we’re a complete gaggle of idiots, we’re so appreciative. Thank you so much and we wish we were there with you,” she said. She also thanked Apple and Warner Bros., as well as co-star Juno Temple, who was in attendance at the award show. Read more
‘Indiana Jones 5’: Filming has wrapped on the long-awaited sequel (Collider)
Producer Frank Marshall has taken to Twitter to confirm that filming has completed on the long-delayed Indiana Jones 5. Harrison Ford will return to don the iconic fedora in what is surely to be his final time as the legendary adventurer. James Mangold (Logan, Ford v. Ferrari) takes over directing duties from Steven Spielberg, who remains on board as a producer.
Plot details and a title for the film are nonexistent at the moment, though some kind of ‘passing of the torch’ is expected. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Mads Mikkelsen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong), Boyd Holbrook (Logan), Shaunette Renée Wilson (Black Panther), Toby Jones (Captain America: The First Avenger), and Antonio Banderas (The Mask of Zorro) are all set to co-star. Mangold penned the screenplay for the film alongside his Ford v. Ferrari co-scribes Jaz and John-Henry Butterworth.
Development on a fifth Indiana Jones film has lingered since the release of Indiana Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008. George Lucas kicked around ideas for the next installment, which was ultimately handed off to Kathleen Kennedy when she became the president of Lucasfilm in 2012. The studio put the film on the back burner in order to focus on the next Star Wars films, with versions of the script by David Koepp (Jurassic Park) and Jonathan Kasdan (Solo: A Star Wars Story) having come and gone.
Spielberg initially planned to direct the film, though he stepped down in 2020 as Mangold signed on. Much in the way of Ford passing on the baton, the director wanted to pass off the responsibility to a younger director to give them the chance to give their spin and take on the universe. Spielberg has certainly kept himself busy, with his remake of West Side Story in contention for major awards this season, and a semi-autobiographical film noting his childhood in the works titled The Fabelmans. Read more
Falcons cash in on overseas-born stars (Punch)
The Super Falcons last Wednesday defeated Ivory Coast 3-0 on aggregate to qualify for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
More than the result, the performance of England-born Ashley Plumptre caught the attention of Nigerians, with the Leicester City defender, who has a Nigerian father, turning an instant fans favourite.
No fewer than seven overseas-born players of Nigerian descent and those holding dual citizenship were invited for the clash as the country beat the Lady Elephants to ensure Nigeria’s 12th appearance at the WAFCON.
Punch Sports Extra takes a look at some of these players, who dumped their countries of birth for Nigeria, the land of their parents, at full international level… Read more
Jurgen Klopp makes VAR claim after Liverpool Carabao Cup celebrations (LiverpoolEcho)
Jurgen Klopp spoke of his delight at being able to celebrate with Liverpool’s fans at Wembley after calling for improvements to be made with VAR.
The Reds beat Chelsea 11-10 on penalties after a goalless draw in the capital as they collected a record-setting ninth League Cup.
Joel Matip had a goal controversially ruled out for an offside on Virgil van Dijk in the second half and while Klopp admitted he was yet to watch it back, he appeared to question the call from Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday when the hosts were contentiously denied a penalty for handball by Rodrigo.
Klopp said: “I didn’t see it back, so was there any doubt the goal for Joel? Read more
Russia facing World Cup exile after ‘unacceptable’ FIFA plan (France24)
Russia’s future in the World Cup teetered on a knife-edge Sunday after FIFA plans to allow them to play on neutral territory were dismissed as “unacceptable” by rivals, plunging the qualifying process for football’s showpiece event into chaos.
Governing body FIFA warned that they were considering the ultimate sanction against Russia as punishment for their bloody invasion of Ukraine.
However, after three days of silence, they stopped short and instead ordered Russia to play home internationals at neutral venues where their national flag and anthem would be banned.
Russian teams would be known as the Football Union of Russia. Read more
Hector Garcia hopes Roger Gutierrez title fight is next (BoxingScene)
Late replacement Hector Garcia performed like the world champion he was substituting for on Saturday night, battering and dropping the highly touted Chris Colbert to earn a unanimous decision win in a 12-round WBA super featherweight world title eliminator that headlined a thrilling Showtime tripleheader from The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Garcia (15-0, 10 KOs) stepped in for the WBA super featherweight world champion Roger Gutierrez less than three weeks ago after Gutierrez was forced to withdraw due to a positive COVID-19 test. Despite having little time to prepare, the southpaw Garcia used his height and powerful left hand to dominate Colbert (16-1, 6 KOs) by scores of 118-109, 118-109 and 119-108.
“I have to thank everyone in my corner, Ismael Salas and Bob Santos, and everyone that worked with me,” said Garcia. “I feel great. I definitely knew three weeks ago that my life would change. My trainers gave me the confidence to win this fight.”
Garcia was the aggressor throughout, dropping Colbert for the first time in his career with a counter left in the seventh round that caused Colbert to fall backwards, his legs flying up in the air from the momentum. Colbert got to his feet, but Garcia jumped on him again, stalking him around the ring. Read more
Jarrad Drizners has surgery following UAE Tour crash abdominal trauma (CyclingNews)
After being caught up in a crash on stage 6 of the UAE Tour, which caused abdominal trauma, Australian neo-pro Jarrad Drizners has had successful surgery with his Lotto Soudal team saying in a medical update that this ruled out earlier concerns that there may be further injuries.
The crash occurred just a little before the line on the second last stage of the UAE Tour, as the bunch was lining up for a sprint for sixth place in a stage where the break survived, with Mathias Vacek (Gazprom-Rusvelo) taking victory from the five out the front. In the back half of the field a heavy fall was visible involving a number of riders and, while a number of those involved picked themselves up and headed to the finish line, Drizners and EF Education-EasyPost rider Sean Quinn remained on the ground, both clearly in pain.
Given the proximity of the fall to the line, both were put on the bottom of the results sheet as finishers. Quinn started the final stage, but didn’t finish, while Drizners remained in hospital undergoing further examinations to see if surgery was required for the abdominal trauma. It was and that surgery is now complete.
“Jarrad Drizners has had a successful surgery on the injuries he sustained at a crash in the sixth stage of the UAE Tour,” said Lotto Soudal in a medical update. Read more
‘Incredible experience’: Ash Barty ticks off lifelong goal (WestAustralian)
Australian Open champion Ash Barty will return to the tour at Indian Wells next week but spent recent days learning more about her Indigenous roots.
The world No.1, a proud Ngarigo woman, visited Uluru and Alice Springs in her role as Tennis Australia’s First Nations ambassador.
National Parks representatives educated Barty about the sacred sites and she connected with members of the Muṯitjulu School and community from Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara country in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.
Barty hit with students from various schools as part of the Racquets and Red Dust program on a Hot Shots court, with the iconic Uluru serving as a spectacular backdrop for one of the sessions. Read more
Leeds have ‘full agreement’ with ex-Leipzig boss to replace Bielsa (Football 365)
Former RB Leipzig boss Jesse Marsch is set to replace Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United, according to multiple reports.
The Argentine – who is now regarded as a club legend by many fans – was relieved of his duties on Sunday following the Whites’ 4-0 loss at home to Tottenham.
Saturday’s defeat leaves Leeds 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation places.
Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani said on the club’s official website: “This has been the toughest decision I have had to make during my tenure at Leeds United, taking into account all the success Marcelo has had at the club. Read more