Women rally for equality in Lagos on International Women’s Day (AfricaNews)
Thousands of women in Nigeria marked International Women’s Day in Lagos on Friday with a joyful celebration. Many women gathered wearing purple clothing as they danced and carried banners commemorating women’s achievements.
The campaign theme for this year, “Accelerate Action,” aligns with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a landmark global framework for women’s rights.
Besides celebrating, the event also brought about some reflection. Social worker Fabayo Temiloluwa said the day reminds her that when it comes to politics in Nigeria, “society tends to shut down women, reduces their voices. So, women need to be more intentional, get more informed, be more active in politics.” Read more
“Your strength fuels Nigeria’, President Tinubu celebrates women on 2025 IWD (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has extolled the virtue of women as the world celebrates this year’s International Women’s Day.
In a statement signed by him on Saturday, he praised the resilience, brilliance, and indispensable contributions of Nigerian women, describing them as the “strength” that powers the country.
He said his administration is committed to actualising the Renewed Hope agenda. Read more
Inside story of Buhari’s relocation to Kaduna home (DailyTrust)
Former President Muhammadu Buhari recently relocated to his known residence on Sultan Lane, GRA, Kaduna.
Since Buhari exited the Presidential Villa in Abuja on May 29, 2023, he had been in his country home in Daura, Katsina State until recently.
Credible sources said his relocation to Daura was actually a stop gap measure after leaving office pending the completion of his Kaduna house. Read more
IWD: Kaduna march demands equality, end to gender violence (Sun)
Thousands of men, women, and children took to the streets of Kaduna on Saturday to commemorate International Women’s Day, sending a powerful message of solidarity and a demand for equal rights and an end to gender violence.
The seven-kilometre walk, organised by Sabo 2 The World in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Sabon Tasha Ward, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, drew participants from all walks of life.
Richard Garu, one of the coordinators of the Sabo 2 The World team, emphasised the importance of recognising the value and worth of women and girls, saying, “our girls and women should also engage themselves in some of the activities the society attributed to the men.” Read more
Adamakin sues Lagos over land dispute (ThisDay)
A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja is set to hear a land dispute between a real estate company, Adamakin Investment & Works Limited and the Lagos State Government over the ownership and administrative control of a large expanse of land linked to the Efunroye Tinubu Estate.
In a suit numbered ID/8890GCM/2024, Adamakin Investment and Works Limited and its promoter, Akinfolabi Akindele, are challenging several Lagos State government agencies, including the Attorney General, the Commissioner for Physical Planning, the Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Lands, the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC), and various enforcement agencies.
The claimants are contesting the government’s actions restricting transactions on the disputed land, which is officially registered as No. 45 on Page 45 in Vol. 2212 of the Lagos State Land Registry. Read more
24.8m hungry, 30.6m at risk of food crisis by August — Report (Guardian)
The Cadre Harmonisé report on the Acute Food and Nutrition Insecurity situation in the country has projected that 30.6 million people across 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory will be in a food crisis phase between June and August.
The report, conducted by the federal and state governments with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other development partners, revealed that the figure includes 150,978 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
It observed that despite the declining food and general commodity prices across the country, an estimated 24.9 million people, including 116,765 IDPs in 26 states and the FCT, are currently in a food crisis situation, which may worsen by May 2025. Read more
Nnamdi Kanu’s case reassigned to new Judge (Nation)
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, has reassigned the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to a different judge.
Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, disclosed this development in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Kanu had previously requested that Justice Binta Nyako recuse herself from presiding over the seven-count terrorism charge brought against him by the Federal Government. Read more
Natasha traumatised me, Senate with sexual harassment allegation — Akpabio (Punch)
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Saturday said the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended by the Senate for six months, traumatised him and others.
Akpabio had come under heavy criticism following the sanction handed out to the lawmaker.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, cautioned the Senate against making the political atmosphere toxic for women. Read more
Celebrating the strength and resilience of African women in Paris (AfricaNews)
In the heart of Paris, on the iconic Avenue Saint-Honoré, a private mansion opened its doors to the Women of Valour event. For the first time in France, this gathering celebrated the inspiring journeys of African women, offering a platform for their stories of resilience, triumph, and transformation.
Doreen Avio, a renowned journalist and radio host, expressed her motivation for attending: “I decided to come to support our sisters. And also to be part of these women who are sharing their incredible stories.” Her presence was just one example of how the event fostered solidarity and empowerment among women.
More than just a conference, Women of Valour provided a space where women could find the tools they need to build their futures and thrive. The event encouraged participants to engage with each other, share their experiences, and gain new insights for personal and professional growth. Read more
12 injured in shooting at Toronto pub (BBC)
Three suspects are still at large after 12 people were injured in a shooting at a pub in Toronto, police in the Canadian city say.
The shooting took place at 22:39 on Friday local time (03:39 GMT Saturday) near Scarborough city centre in eastern Toronto.
Authorities said six people suffered bullet wounds and others were hurt by flying or broken glass. The injuries were not life-threatening, they said. Read more
Tony! Toni! Toné! co-founder D’Wayne Wiggins dead at 64 (AllHipHop)
Tony! Toni! Toné! musician and co-founder D’Wayne Wiggins died on Friday (March 7). According to a statement posted to his Instagram page, the cause of death was bladder cancer. He was 64.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” the statement reads.
“Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community. D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California. Read more
Bodies are piled in the street as violence escalates between Syrian forces and Assad loyalists (NBC)
At least 400 people have been killed in northwest Syria as fierce clashes escalate between government forces and loyalists of former President Bashar al-Assad, marking the deadliest violence since the fall of Assad three months ago.
Syrian security forces and affiliated gunmen killed more than 340 civilians over the last two days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based war monitoring group said Saturday.
The SOHR compared the bloodshed to operations carried out under Assad’s brutal regime, and framed the killings as a collective act of revenge, adding that women and children were executed by firing squad in the countryside near Tartus, an Assad stronghold. Read more
An adult in New Mexico has died with measles (Time)
An adult who was infected with measles has died in New Mexico, state health officials announced Thursday, though the virus has not been confirmed as the cause.
The person who died was unvaccinated and did not seek medical care, a state health department spokesperson said in a statement. The person’s exact age and other details were not immediately released.
The person was from Lea County, just across the state line from the West Texas region where 159 measles cases have been identified and a school-age child died last week. New Mexico health officials have not linked the outbreak there to the Texas cases. Read more
Gene Hackman cause of death released (USAToday)
When Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead last month in their Santa Fe, New Mexico home, the community was shocked.
Their deaths seemed a mystery when maintenance workers called police after spotting the couple through a window on Feb. 26. Arakawa’s body was found in a bathroom and showed decomposition. The Oscar-winning actor was found in a mudroom with his cane. Their dog Zinna was found dead in a kennel. Their two dogs Nikita and Bear were found roaming the property and the front door was open. Officials ruled out an early theory of carbon monoxide poisoning as they investigated. Read more
New research shows bigger animals get more cancer, defying decades-old belief (ARSTechnica)
A longstanding scientific belief about a link between cancer prevalence and animal body size has been tested for the first time in our new study ranging across hundreds of animal species.
If larger animals have more cells, and cancer comes from cells going rogue, then the largest animals on Earth—like elephants and whales—should be riddled with tumours. Yet, for decades, there has been little evidence to support this idea.
Many species seem to defy this expectation entirely. For example, budgies are notorious among pet owners for being prone to renal cancer despite weighing only 35 g. Yet cancer only accounts for around 2 percent of mortality among roe deer (up to 35 kg). Read more
Arteta makes plans for Victor Osimhen (DailyTrust)
Arsenal have begun the signing process to bring Victor Osimhen to the Emirates Stadium. I understand that a £62 million fee has been agreed.
Arsenal need a striker; and in their previous two games, they had taken 33 shots at goal with only three on target. Mikel Arteta put Mikel Merino upfront against Leicester and it paid off, but he knows that is not a permanent solution.
Osimhen is much sought after by several top European clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United despite playing on loan at Galatasaray in Turkey. He has scored 96 goals in 160 games. Read more
“You can’t beat Dubois” – Fury warns Joshua (CompleteSports)
Former World heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury has advised Anthony Joshua to stay away from fighting Daniel Dubois in another rematch.
Recall that the two-time world champion was knocked out inside five rounds by his Dubois last September in an IBF heavyweight title showdown at Wembley Stadium.
However, despite Joshua and Hearn’s eagerness to set up a second contest with Dubois, Fury in a chat with SecondsOut, warned that he doesn’t see Joshua win a rematch. Read more
No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev suffers shock 2nd-round defeat at Indian Wells (CNN)
Alexander Zverev’s hopes of becoming the men’s world No. 1 suffered a blow on Friday as he crashed out of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in the second round following a shock defeat to Tallon Griekspoor.
Zverev began the tournament as the top seed, in the absence of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner who is serving a three-month ban after testing positive for a banned substance, and he had a golden opportunity to close the gap to the Italian player in the ATP world rankings.
But, despite winning the first set against Griekspoor, the world No. 2 eventually succumbed to a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) defeat in his opening game at the tournament. Read more
Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy arrested in Texas for assault (USAToday)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was arrested on Friday and booked on assault charges.
According to jail records from Williamson County, Texas, Worthy was arrested and charged with assault against a family or household member by impeding their breathing or circulation.
“We are aware and gathering information”, the Chiefs said in a statement Saturday morning. Read more
Norrie wins at Indian Wells but Zverev and Ruud out (BBC)
British number two Cameron Norrie upset 23rd seed Jiri Lehecka to reach the third round at Indian Wells.
Norrie lost the first set in California but the world number 77 recovered to beat the Czech 3-6 6-4 7-5.
The 29-year-old will now face American Tommy Paul after the 10th seed beat compatriot Tristan Boyer 6-3 6-1. Read more
Cavs survive Hornets scare, Jokic makes history in Nuggets win (Guardian)
The Cleveland Cavaliers staged a dramatic late rally to stretch their unbeaten streak to 13 games with a nail-biting 118-117 over the lowly Charlotte Hornets in the NBA on Friday.
Charlotte, buoyed by a stellar 46-point display from Miles Bridges, looked ready to score a massive upset after opening up a nine-point lead with just over five minutes remaining.
But Eastern Conference leaders Cleveland, who this week became the first team to punch their ticket to the postseason, rallied superbly to claw their way back into the game. Read more