Wife denies being held hostage by husband (Nation)
A private worker, Mrs Juliet Akaeze, has denied that she and her children were held hostage by her husband, Felix Akaeze, a staff member of FIRS, at their residence in Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.
Mrs Akaeze, while describing the online report as a figment of the writer’s imagination, stressed that she was sure that it emanated from the deepest part of the pit of hell with the sole aim to set her family on fire and distort the peace of her household.
She said: “This is a very bad experience and an act of wickedness for my entire family, coming to me as a rude shock because nothing of such as reported by the newspaper ever happened to me and my children.
“I have been reporting every day on my workplace and attending to necessary assignments and job details on my desk during the five days that my kids and I were reportedly held hostage with a gun by my husband. The irony of the whole saga is that my husband was out of Lagos for over five days before he came back to the house, on Sunday. Read more
Lagos reiterates commitment to timely delivery of Lekki regional road (Independent)
The Lagos State government has said that despite the adjustment in the delivery timeline of the Lekki Regional Road, the project will be completed before the completion of the tenure of the present administration.
Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, disclosed this at the weekend while speaking after an Inspection of ongoing construction works on the Regional Road project, which starts from Victoria Garden City to Freedom Way at Lekki Scheme 1.
Adeyoye added that the Lekki Sub-region being the new economic centre of Lagos and with huge investments like the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Ports, Dangote Petrochemical Plant, Lekki Airports, and other industrial and commercial developments in the region., coupled with the numerous housing developments, public and private springing up in the corridor needs an alternative.
According to her, Lekki Regional Road would be connecting VGC, Ikate Elegushi, Ikota, Chevron Drive, Ajiran, Pinnock Beach Estate, Gracefield Island, and Orange Island, up to Freedom Road. The road would serve as an alternative to the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which is already very congested and is at present the only road serving the Lekki Sub-region. Read more
Students blast ASUU, FG over strike, threaten protest (DailyTrust)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has knocked the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over their inability to reach an agreement which has resulted in industrial action by ASUU.
NANS, in a statement Monday by its President, Asefon Sunday Adedayo, threatened to embark on a nationwide protest to force lecturers back to class.
ASUU had declared a four-week strike effective from Monday, February 14, 2022, to protest the government’s failure to implement its agreement with the union.
The President of ASUU, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, at a press briefing in Lagos, said the union tried to avoid the strike but that the federal government was not responsive to its demands.
Osodeke said the forceful payment of ASUU members’ salaries and emoluments with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and non-adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) have continued to short-change the union members. Read more
2Baba, wife to star in Netflix first all-African reality show (Nation)
Celebrated singer 2Baba and his wife, Annie are set to star alongside other A-list African entertainers in the foremost reality show on Netflix.
On Monday, Netflix unveiled its first-ever all-African reality show, “Young, Famous, & African” ahead of its debut next month.
This reality series follows a group of famed, affluent young media stars in Johannesburg as they build careers, look for love and rekindle old flames.
The seven-episode glamorous reality series is set for launch on March 18, 2022. Read more
NDLEA grills DCP Abba Kyari, 4 other collaborators, vows to prosecute indicted personnel (Vanguard)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday commenced the grilling of Suspended IRT Commander, DCP Abba Kyari over his involvement in the Brazil-Ethiopia- Nigeria drugs ring and deal to compromise 25 kilograms of Cocaine in the custody of NDLEA.
Sources at NDLEA headquarters disclosed that in conformity with lawful practices, officials of the agency are bent on concluding the interrogations of DCP Kyari and his officers/collaborators by the end of work on Wednesday.
A source further said that following the request by IGP Alkali Baba that indicted NDLEA officers to be investigated for their roles in the drug bust, the agency would not spare any of its officers involved.
When contacted, Director Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said, ““We gave an assurance in our statement on Monday that ‘no stone will be left unturned to ensure that all suspects already in custody and those that may still be indicted in the course of the investigation will face the full wrought of the law at the end of the ongoing probe and that still stands. If anyone has concrete information or evidence, our doors are open.” Read more
Kyari: IGP didn’t shut intelligence, special tactical squads, says FPRO (Punch)
The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, didn’t shut down satellite units of the Intelligence Response Team and Special Tactical Squads in the country, acting Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, has said.
Adejobi made this clarification in a telephone chat with The PUNCH on Tuesday while reacting to reports (not by The PUNCH) that the police boss ordered the closure of IRT formations nationwide following the indictment of suspended Head of the IRT, DCP Abba Kyari, in a narcotics deal.
“The report is untrue, the IGP didn’t shut IRT and tactical squads in the country,” Adejobi told our correspondent.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the IGP on Monday handed over Kyari to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for prosecution for alleged link in drug trafficking after the anti-narcotics agency released damning photos and evidence to nail Kyari. Read more
Lekan Balogun is next Olubadan, Makinde affirms (Tribune)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the appointment of the Otun Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The approval followed a recommendation to that effect made by the Olubadan-in-Council and which was communicated to the governor.
The governor’s approval was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Taiwo Adisa, on Monday. The statement read: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
“The appointment is in line with the Olubadan of Ibadan Chieftaincy Declaration, as well as the unique and time-tested tradition of our people. Read more
Buhari seeks 2022 budget amendment, board for Interior Ministry agencies (DailyTrust)
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the House of Representatives seeking the amendment to the 2022 budget and constitution of the board for paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior.
The agencies include; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Nigeria Correctional Services and the Federal Fire Service.
The letter addressed to the Speaker stated that the President seeks the establishment of the board to reflect the functions of the various para-military establishments under the ministry.
Similarly, the President in a six-page letter seeks the amendment of the 2022 budget by the House. Read more
Internet fraudsters, ritual killings new security challenges in Southwest, says Amotekun (ThisDay)
The Southwest Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun has listed internet fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo-boys’ as a new emerging security menace in the Southwest region.
The Chairman, Council of Amotekun Commanders, Adetunji Adeleye, made the dreadful disclosure while speaking with journalists in Akure, Ondo State, revealing that: “The menace of ‘yahoo boys’ and ritual killings is what is taking the turn of the day.”
Adeleye, who is the commander of Ondo State Security Network Agency, decried the recent upsurge in the involvement of young people in the fraudulent activities in the state and Southwest at large, adding that some of the internet fraudsters are involved in human rituals for money purposes termed: ‘Yahoo plus’.
He said: “A couple of weeks ago, I invited a prominent hotelier because our investigation revealed that we found students who take over rooms in these major hotels for one year. They don’t even allow the hotel staff to clean their rooms, so they don’t know what is even happening in the rooms. A lot of those ladies are butchered and cleaned up inside these hotel rooms for ritual purposes.” Read more
Oscars 2022 confirm hosts Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall on ‘GMA’ (NYPost)
The Oscars will make history this year with its hosts.
On Tuesday’s “Good Morning America,” the Academy confirmed that Amy Schumer, Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall would serve as 2022’s master of ceremonies, alongside the show’s usual lineup of A-lister award readers.
“We want people to get ready to have a good time. It’s been a while,” said Hall, Schumer and Sykes in a press release.
“I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea,” Schumer added, “but I am hosting the Oscars, along with my good friend Wanda Sykes and Regina Hall. I better go watch some movies.”
The history-making decision marks the first time three women will ever host the ceremony. However, GMA noted that there were three hosts at the 1987 Academy Awards — Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn and Paul Hogan — and multiple women The only time there have been multiple women 45 years ago at the 1977 Academy Awards — Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty and Richard Pryor. Read more
African films are turning heads at the Berlinale festival’s sidebar section (TheSouthAfrican)
African films are enjoying a high profile at this year’s Berlinale festival, with debuts from South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) turning heads along with a new take on “Nollywood”.
While there are no African films in the main competition at Europe’s first major film festival of the year, several documentaries and features from the continent are running in the event’s sidebar sections.
In the documentary No Simple Way Home, director Akuol de Mabior holds a deeply personal lens to the recent history of South Sudan and the legacy of her father, John Garang de Mabior, a revolutionary leader who was killed in 2005.
De Mabior, who was born and raised in exile, turns the camera on her mother and sister as they strive to find meaning and hope in a country weighed down by years of political and personal trauma. Read more
Canadian Screen Awards: Dramedy Sort Of leads with 13 nominations (THR)
The Canadian Screen Awards has revealed the nominations for its upcoming virtual ceremony, and the dramedy Sort Of leads the film and TV field with a total of 13 mentions, including for best comedy.
The CBC and HBO Max sitcom, created by Bilal Baig and Fab Filippo, stars Baig as Sabi Mehboob, a nonbinary millennial juggling life as a bartender in an LGBTQ bookstore/bar, the youngest child in a Pakistani family and the defacto parent of a downtown hipster family.
Also in the TV categories, the Toronto-set police procedural Pretty Hard Cases and the cult sci-fi series Wynonna Earp each grabbed 11 nominations, while Coroner, another Canadian police procedural, and the comedy Kim’s Convenience, which starred Shang-Chi star Simu Liu, came away with ten mentions each. The best TV drama category will pit Coroner, Moonshine and The North Water against the medical drama Transplant and Vikings.
On the film front, Danis Goulet’s indigenous sci-fi drama Night Raiders tied with Scarborough, a drama about three children becoming friends while living in a low-income neighborhood and directed by Shasha Nakhai and Rich Williamson, with 11 nominations each. Read more
Idles, Little Simz and Father John Misty to play BBC Radio 6 music festival 2022 (NME)
Idles, Little Simz and Father John Misty are among the leading names on the line-up for BBC Radio 6 Music Festival 2022.
The annual live music event is set to take place in multiple venues in Cardiff from April 1-3, marking the first in-person festival to be held by 6 Music since 2020. Last year’s event was digital-only due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The likes of Idles, Simz and Misty are joined on the 6 Music Festival 2022 line-up by Pixies, Wet Leg, Beaba Doobee, Cat Power, Johnny Marr, Self Esteem, Khruangbin, Bloc Party, Lucy Dacus, Sports Team and more.
This year’s festival will feature live performances, DJ sets, new music showcases, in conversation events and much more, with the event set to be broadcast on BBC Sounds, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. Read more
Kid Cudi lunges at Paparazzi for asking him about Kanye West Fallout (HipHopDx)
Don’t ask Kid Cudi about Kanye West. One paparazzo learned that the hard way on Sunday night (February 13) when the Lonely Stoner lunged at him for quizzing him about his recent fallout with his Kids See Ghosts collaborator.
Cudi was leaving SoFi Stadium with his girlfriend and a security guard following Super Bowl LVI when a cameraman asked him, “Cudi, any words for Kanye, man?” The Cleveland, Ohio native suddenly stepped to the pap and confronted him for bringing up what’s clearly a touchy subject.
“Hey,” an angered Cudi said as he pointed his finger at the man’s face and appeared to manhandle his camera. “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go.” The cameraman can be heard pleading “Leave me alone, man” as Cudi is pulled away by his security guard before the situation could escalate further.
Longtime friends and collaborators, Kid Cudi and Kanye West’s relationship soured this past weekend when Kanye called Cudi out on Instagram over his friendship with Kim Kardashian’s current boyfriend, Pete Davidson, who has credited Cudi’s music with saving his life. Read more
Mary J. Blige, Mickey Guyton, Summer Walker, Jazmine Sullivan lead 2022 Roots picnic lineup (Variety)
For the first time since 2019, the legendary Roots Picnic is scheduled to return in June with Mary J. Blige, Mickey Guyton — both of whom performed at the Super Bowl on Sunday — Summer Walker and Jazmine Sullivan leading a packed lineup.
The festival — which is headlined, hosted, and curated by the Grammy-winning hip-hop group the Roots and co-presented by Live Nation Urban — will take place at the Mann at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia for two days of music, art, and culture on Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, 2022. Also scheduled to perform are Wizkid, Kirk Franklin, Rick Ross, G Herbo and more — see the full confirmed lineup below.
A special fan club presale goes live today at 10 a.m. ET, while general on-sale begins on Friday, February 18th at 10 am ET. Weekend or limited single day tickets will be available as well as VIP packages.
For the first time ever, Mary J. Blige and the Roots will join forces onstage to headline the proceedings “with a once-in-a-lifetime set,” the announcement says. Read more
Spanish fishing boat sinks off Canada; 4 dead, 15 missing (ABC)
A Spanish fishing boat sank Tuesday off Newfoundland, in eastern Canada, killing at least four people, Spain’s maritime rescue service said. Three crew members were rescued and 15 others were missing.
Search operations were ongoing to locate other members of the 22-strong crew of the sunken vessel, Spanish government spokeswoman Isabel Rodríguez said, adding that authorities were following the incident “with concern.”
A Canadian helicopter had reached the area, which is about 450 kilometers (280 miles) off the island of Newfoundland, and a rescue vessel was on the way to the site, a spokeswoman of the Spanish rescue service said.
The boat, called Villa de Pitanxo, operates out of northwest Spain’s Galicia region and sank around 0600 GMT (1 a.m. EST) in rough seas, the regional representative of the Spanish government, Maica Larriba, told Spanish public radio. Read more
Nigeria gets continental approval for fencing academy (Nation)
With barely a week to the start of the 2022 Cadet and Junior Fencing Championship slated for Lagos, the African Fencing Confederation has approved a fencing academy for Nigeria.
The African championship which is expected to feature over 200 participants from no fewer than 10 countries will now take place at Festival Hotel, Festac Town, Lagos from February 23-27. It was initially billed for the Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The Samray Fencing Academy which would become functional immediately after the African championship will help in accelerating the development of the sport in Nigeria.
According to the Confederation, the approval of the Samray Fencing academy is due to the huge potential Nigeria has to be among the leading forces in the sport in Africa. Read more
Ighalo to play under new coach at Al Hilal (Leadership)
Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal have announced the appointment of former Oxford United boss Ramón Díaz as the new coach of the club with immediate effect.
Diaz replaces Leonardo Jardim whose contract was terminated by mutual agreement, two days after Al Hilal’s humiliating 4-0 loss to Al Alhy in the match for third place at the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 1979 FIFA U20 World Cup Golden Boot winner with eight goals and 1982 World Cup star will be coaching Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo until the end of the current season.
Ighalo played two games under Jardim, making a goalscoring debut against Al-Jazira at the Club World Cup and also started the semifinal loss to Chelsea, logging 165 minutes combined. Read more
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi defends indifferent build-up to Liverpool tie (Independent)
Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi is not concerned by his side’s dip in form heading into their Champions League last-16 tie against Liverpool.
The defending Serie A champions have picked up just one point in their last two matches after a defeat to city rivals AC and last weekend’s draw at Napoli.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, by comparison, have lost just once since November and are on a six-match winning run.
“We knew it would be a busy period for us. I am very happy with the performances,” said Inzaghi. “Against Milan we were excellent for the first 70 minutes, against Napoli we were excellent in the second half. Read more
Man United boss Ralf Rangnick admits Harry Maguire is having ‘weaker moments’ in recent matches (TalkSport)
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has admitted that Harry Maguire has had ‘weaker moments’ in recent matches amid the Red Devils’ poor run of form.
United have led 1-0 at half-time in their past three fixtures only to be pegged back after the interval.
The second-half setbacks have seen the Red Devils knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Middlesbrough and drop Premier League points with 1-1 draws against Burnley and Southampton.
United now go into their rearranged home clash with Brighton on Tuesday night needing a victory to move back into the top four. Read more
Tyreke Evans reinstated by NBA after almost 3 year ban (CNN)
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced on Monday that they have granted Tyreke Evans’ request to be reinstated as a player after being banned for nearly three years.
Evans was “dismissed and disqualified” from the NBA on May 17, 2019, for “testing positive for a prohibited substance under the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program,” the NBA said in its statement.
The 32-year-old now is an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate contacts with any team immediately and, from noon E.T on Friday, can sign a contract.
Evans last played for the Indiana Pacers in 2019. Read more
Latifi expects a ‘bumpy ride’ with F1’s new cars (PlanetF1)
Nicholas Latifi says there is a consensus among F1 racers that the new regulations will lead to a “bumpy ride” for drivers.
The Canadian was speaking alongside his new team-mate Alex Albon at the launch of the Williams FW44, the livery of which has veered away from white and is predominantly dark blue – another colour readily associated with the team – with touches of red and a lighter blue.
The car has been designed for the much-changed Formula 1 regulations, which Williams hope will present them with an opportunity to build on last year’s progress that enabled them to climb to eighth position in the final Constructors’ Championship standings.
The new challengers the teams have created will be markedly different to drive – and from what he has picked up on the grapevine via his rivals on the grid, Latifi thinks they will take plenty of getting used to. Read more
Amir Khan claims bitter rival Kell Brook “needs a slap” after snubbing handshake (Mirror)
Amir Khan has told his rival Kell Brook he needs “a slap” after ignoring his handshake during an intense face-off.
Bitter rivals Khan and Brook will finally meet in a 149lb catchweight fight this Saturday at the Manchester Arena.
The former world titleholders have been expected to fight for over a decade, but it wasn’t until last November the pair agreed to a long-awaited showdown.
Brook has confirmed that a rematch clause was included in his contract for the fight, but the Sheffield-born fighter thinks Khan won’t want a second fight after the ” beatdown ” he will put on him. Read more