Why elections will not hold in 240 polling units – INEC (Leadership)
Less than 12 days to the general election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that election will not hold in 240 polling units across 28 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this during a meeting with political parties on Monday.
Yakubu stated that no voters indicated interest to transfer to those units them during the last Continuous Voter Registration due to insecurity, hence the total polling units for elections is now 176,606.
He noted that the Commission would make a comprehensive list of these polling units. Read more
Cultists abduct, rape Rivers pastor’s wife to death (Nation)
Suspected members of a dreaded cult group have abducted a mother of two Mrs. Chigbewejim Steward, and gang raped her to death in Abarikpo in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The assailants were said to have whisked away their victim on Sunday morning to a location where they raped and killed her.
Her body was reportedly found around 10am on Monday in the community with multiple injuries and blood stains in her private part. Read more
Court remands actress in Kirikiri for tampering with new naira notes (Channels)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, arraigned Omoseyin on Monday before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a two-count charge brought against her.
One of the count reads, that you Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin on the 28th day of January, 2023 at Monarch event center, Lekki within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social occasion tampered with the sum of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by spraying same in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007.
The second reads, that you Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin on the 28th day of January, 2023 at Monarch event center, Lekki within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court whilst dancing during a social occasion tampered with the sum of N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by dancing on same in the said occasion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 21 (1) of the Central Bank Act, 2007. Read more
Oduduwa agitators plotting to disrupt elections in S/West – IGP (Vanguard)
Ahead of the 2023 general elections scheduled to kick off on February 25 across the country, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has said that the Police has intelligence that the Oduduwa Nation Agitators have been amassing weapons and mobilizing resources towards disrupting the peace, security and electoral process in the South West geo-political zone.
Speaking at a strategic meeting he held with Command Police Commissioners, Zonal AIGs and Deputy Inspector’s General of Police on Monday in Abuja, the IGP said, “Furthermore, Illegal Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) trafficking are being utilized to advance political violence, political extremism and intolerance, while cyber-bullying for political ends is on the rise daily. Also, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and thuggery some of which have political undertones or consequences constitute major security threats to our democracy.
“Similarly, violent secessionist campaigns by IPOB/ESN members which have been targeted at various symbols of democratic governance including INEC assets, Police Stations and personnel as well as other security agencies and Federal Government infrastructures, all in an effort to disrupt the 2023 General Elections in the South East geopolitical zone. Read more
Lagos prohibits trucks on Dorman, Ojuelegba bridges (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government has prohibited truck drivers from using the Dorman Long and Ojuelegba bridges “in a bid to prevent further casualties” and directed the Traffic Management Agency to arrest truck drivers that passed through the routes.
The Special Adviser on Transportation to the Governor, Sola Giwa, stated in a letter addressed to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) that the state government has observed that the rising curve of the Ojuelegba bridge is not designed to allow the passage of long, spacious, and heavy vehicles.
Giwa noted that the state government has therefore restricted articulated vehicles from using the Dorma Long and Ojuelegba Bridge routes in order to ensure the safety and security of the lives and property of citizens across the state. Read more
Whitney Adeniran: Lagos orders coroner inquest into death of Chrisland pupil (Independent)
The Lagos State Government has ordered a coroner’s inquest to ascertain the cause of death in the case of the late Whitney Omodesola Adeniran, a 12 year old student of Chrisland School, who died on Thursday, 9th February, 2023.
In a statement on Monday, The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) gave the directive, noting that thorough investigation will be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
“A Coroner’s Inquest has immediately been requested, in line with section 14 and 15 of the Coroners’ Systems Law, Laws of Lagos State 2015, to determine the cause and circumstances of death. Read more
Naira Scarcity: Again, Buhari meets Emefiele at Aso Rock (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari held another meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at the State House, Abuja, on Monday.
This is Emefiele’s third private meeting with the President since the cash crunch crisis escalated across the country.
He didn’t not speak to journalists after the meeting.
Daily Trust, however, learnt that the agenda of the meeting might not be far from efforts to find a solution to the cash crisis. Read more
Jay Shetty wants to fix your love life with 8 rules of love (NYTimes)
On a frigid February morning, Jay Shetty joined Drew Barrymore as a co-host on her talk show for an episode about love. “No one is smarter and better” at talking about love than him, Ms. Barrymore declared, before bringing Mr. Shetty to the stage.
As Mr. Shetty, a 35-year-old monk turned life coach and influencer, shared dating advice from his new book, “8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It and Let It Go,” Ms. Barrymore melted into her chair. When he explained that a person should focus on self-growth before jumping into a relationship, she said, “Jay, I just appreciate you so much — I can’t even handle it!” Phoebe Robinson, a comedian, producer and actress who joined the two later in the show, was also smitten, leaning in to ask: “Jay, do you have any single friends? Hook us up!”
Mr. Shetty’s body of work is largely based on what he learned while living at an ashram in India from 2010 to 2013 — teachings he laid out in “Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day,” his first book, which became an instant New York Times best seller in 2020. His “8 Rules of Love” is also based on ancient Hindu teachings, and, within a week of its publication on Jan. 31, topped the New York Times best-seller list. Starting next week, he will promote the new book on a 30-stop world tour, which has already sold out shows in Sydney and Los Angeles.Read more
Music is the most evocative and international language, says Richie Sambora (Standard)
Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has said “music is the most evocative and international language” in response to the rock band’s music being played on the Poland-Ukraine border.
The musician, 63, who was recently unmasked as Jacket Potato on ITV’s The Masked Singer, was a guitarist and songwriter for Bon Jovi until 2013.
Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Sambora spoke about a video showing Bon Jovi’s hit track “Livin’ On A Prayer” being played on the Ukrainian border as the country prepared for war with Russia. Read more
U2 announce Las Vegas concerts in Super Bowl commercial (MusicNews)
U2 announced their upcoming Las Vegas concert series via a Super Bowl advert on Sunday.
During a commercial break in the sporting extravaganza, a mysterious 15-second clip aired showing a spherical UFO being spotted in the skies. At the end of the promo, it was revealed the Irish band will be opening the MSG Sphere, a new venue at The Venetian resort, in the autumn with their U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At The Sphere concert series.
The shows, which will celebrate their 1991 album Achtung Baby, mark the band’s first live performance since December 2019 and their first without drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who is recuperating from unspecified surgery. Read more
The Banshees Of Inisherin producer James Flynn dies aged 57 as tributes pour in (OK!)
One of the multi-talented producers of nine-time Oscar nominated movie The Banshees of Inisherin has sadly passed away.
The death of 57-year-old James Flynn – who co-produced the critically-acclaimed 2022 dark comedy flick starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson – was confirmed by The Irish Times today.
James – whose cause of death remains unknown at this time – is also co-producer of Metropolitan Film Productions and is survived by his wife Juanita Wilson and children Alex and Anna. Read more
Robert Wagner shares message of thanks for 93rd birthday (People)
Robert Wagner celebrated another lap around the sun surrounded by his nearest and dearest.
The Hart to Hart actor — who turned 93 on Feb. 10 — posted a video to Instagram over the weekend, sharing gratitude to his fans for making his birthday “extra special.”
“I want to take this time to thank you all for your birthday wishes to me,” Wagner said to the camera, while petting his dog. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciated it.” Read more
Italy’s ex-premier Berlusconi blames Ukraine war on Zelensky (LBC)
Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi has blamed Ukraine’s president for Russia’s invasion, again putting him at odds with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s support for Kyiv.
Mr Berlusconi, whose Forza Italia party is part of Ms Meloni’s right-wing coalition government, is a long-time friend and ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
He said the war in Ukraine “would have never happened” had Volodymyr Zelensky “ceased attacking the two autonomous republics of Donbas”. Read more
CAFCC: Rivers United suffers heavy defeat in Congo (Sun)
It was a day to forget for Nigeria’s champion, Rivers United in Congo as it suffered a heavy defeat against Diables Noir.
The host club dominated the game from the blast of the whistle and their effort paid off in the 33rd minute through Wunda.
Ngome doubled the lead in the 36th minute and pegged back the Nigerian side who was pressing for an equaliser. Read more
Mbappe trains with the PSG squad ahead of Bayern Munich clash (DailyMail)
Kylian Mbappe will be named in Paris Saint Germain’s squad to face Bayern Munich on Tuesday despite his recent injury, reports in France have claimed.
It comes just 12 days after he picked up a thigh injury against Montpellier that was expected to rule the 24-year-old out for three weeks.
According to reports in le Parisien, Mbappe took part in a training session on Sunday and is now expected to return to first team action for their UCL knockout game, a week ahead of his expected return. Read more
Alfred Schreuder: Former Ajax boss no longer in contention to become new Leeds head coach (Sky)
Former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder is no longer in contention to take over as the new head coach of Leeds United.
Schreuder was at Elland Road on Sunday as Leeds lost 2-0 at home to Manchester United, which left the club one point above the relegation zone.
Leeds have so far been frustrated in their search to find a successor to Jesse Marsch as their primary targets have been unavailable. Read more
Rory McIlroy gets immediate chance to reclaim world No.1 spot after four-month reign ends (Mirror)
Golf star Rory McIlroy will get a chance to regain golf’s top spot in double quick time.
The 33-year-old was enjoying life as the number one player in the world, but after four months, Scottie Scheffler has snatched it from his clutches. However, McIlroy’s golden opportunity to regain the ranking will come as early as later this week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
The golf star will return to the summit of the world rankings with a top three finish at the California-based event. The tournament will feature icon Tiger Woods, who will be making his first competitive appearance since last year’s Open Championship. Read more
Paris 2024: Canoeing among sports to get UK Sport funding increase (BBC)
UK Sport has announced it will invest an extra £4m to support summer Olympic and Paralympic sports for Paris 2024.
Canoeing has been given the most – £789,595 – while Para-equestrian will receive an extra £251,000.
Other world-class programmes supported include badminton, Para-badminton, taekwondo, hockey and sailing.
UK Sport director of performance Kate Baker said it was “vital that we focus our resources on supporting our brilliant athletes and staff”. Read more