The hottest and most trending news articles for this week in all categories are captured in one shot. Find articles ranging from News to Sports, to Politics, to Entertainment, to Economy, to Metro plus, and many other categories. See below the top news for the week:
NEWS
- Be fair in assessing my government, Buhari tells Nigerians
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerians to assess him on the campaign promises he made ahead of the 2015 elections and assured that his administration was determined to hand over a better Nigeria than the one they inherited. He called on Nigerians to be fair in their assessment of what his government has, so far, achieved. Buhari spoke in Kafanchan while on a 2-day visit to Kaduna state to commission projects.
At the Emir of Jema’a Alhaji Muhammadu Isa’s Palace in Kafanchan, the President said his administration was determined to unfold programmes that would improve people’s lives. On security, he appealed that citizens should’ve confidence on the ability of the security agents to bring the situation to normalcy.
- Nigerians feeling very sorry for electing President Buhari, APC – Ortom
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Thursday, said Nigerians are feeling very sorry for electing President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2015 considering the level of insecurity and biting economic hardship in the country.
The Governor who spoke shortly after signing the amended Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 in Makurdi said all was not well with the country and there was every need for the President to listen to the cries of Nigerians and come up with policies that would mitigate the economic hardship in the country.
The Governor lamented that Nigeria was in disarray while mediocre and sycophants had surrounded the President saying “corrupt people that are in the government are deceiving you the President. But I must tell you the truth that all is not well. “You need to listen to us, you need to listen to the voice of the masses who elected you, because they may have been deceived, now we are sorry that we elected you as President of this country.”
- Buhari didn’t direct anyone to remove petrol subsidy – Lawan
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, says President Muhammadu Buhari has not asked any official in his regime to implement the removal of petroleum subsidy. Lawan disclosed this to State House correspondents on Tuesday after a meeting with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, had last October said the Federal Government would provide petrol subsidy for only the first six months of 2022. This, she said, was part of efforts to deregulate the sector altogether. “In our 2022 budget, we only factored in subsidy for the first half of the year; in the second half of the year, we are looking at complete deregulation of the sector, saving foreign exchange and potentially earning more from the oil and gas industry.”
But Lawan said the lawmakers were concerned about the various agitations and protests across the country, a development that necessitated his discussion with Buhari. “I know, and I agree that the subsidy is hefty. But I think we must never transfer the burden to the citizens. We need to look at the quoted figure of maybe 100 million litres that people claim we’re consuming. Is it real? I mean, is it either under recoveries or subsidy? Is it 100 million litres per day? How on earth are we consuming that? We need to look at this critically and see how we can find the truth. This is because I am not convinced that within the boundaries of Nigeria, we are consuming 100 million litres. Probably neighbouring countries may benefit from this. Can’t we do something about it?”
- Senate proposes bill to bar landlords from collecting annual rent
A bill seeking to make it an offence for any landlord to demand payment of advance rent from tenants of residential and office buildings and spaces beyond three months was laid before the Senate on Tuesday. The lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Senator Smart Adeyemi, sponsored the bill, titled, ‘Advance Rent for Residential Apartments, Office Spaces, Etc, Regulation Bill 2022.’ Adeyemi, who addressed journalists after the bill passed first reading, said the bill would enable tenants to make a maximum advance payment of three months’ rent, with subsequent monthly payment.
He said, “We discovered that landlords are compelling tenants to make one-year and two-year advance rent payments before they would give them keys to their apartments. It may not be an issue to quite a number of people but to many others, it is a great pain for them. Most Nigerians need the protection of the law to be able to meet their basic needs after paying rent. The law we are proposing stipulates a maximum advance rent payment of three months. After the expiration of the three months rent, the tenants are expected to pay monthly.
- Buhari’s legacy strong, difficult to dismantle ― Presidency
The presidency has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s legacies are strong and difficult to be dismantled by anybody. This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The statement read: “So many in the political elites of this country cannot wait for the President’s second term in office to end. They yearn for a return to the “good old days” of helping themselves to public funds with abandon, the easy export of ill-gotten money to foreign bank accounts, of acting without responsibility, accountability, or censure. The last thing they want is “another Buhari.”
“Even though the President will stand down after the election of a successor next year – whether that successor lives up to the exacting standards and example he has set or not – his legacy is strong and will be peculiarly tough to dismantle.
“Courts that hold those before it fairly and properly accountable – regardless of their wealth or lack of it; the successful repatriation of stolen funds from decades of export abroad and its use to fund social, unemployment, and welfare programmes for the poorest; reforms that have taken the steam out of centuries-long ethnic and tribal disputes – such as the farmer-herder clashes – long used to stoke ethnic and regional tensions by venial politicians for political advantage; and the protection of millions through an effective vaccine roll-out programme. These are just a tiny handful of the achievements of the President.
“But, perhaps, his greatest achievement of all is to break the belief that Presidents of Nigeria take the office and use it to enrich themselves and their accessories at the public’s expense. That wicked spell is broken for good. And it has offended politicians everywhere. They thought the state owed to them while the people provided for the state.
POLITICS
- PVCs: Tinubu tenders apology over misleading claim
A leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has apologised for a misleading claim he made concerning the Permanent Voter Cards. While addressing some of his supporters in Abuja, Tinubu had encouraged them to register ahead of the 2023 elections because their PVCs had expired.
He said, “In case they do not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired. Take one family member, two family members, knock on all doors and make sure that the new registration… Because they may not announce to you on time. The PVC you have has expired. Yes! You need to spread it to various local governments and wards at each level. No matter how difficult it is. To me, I look at it closely and you look at other elections being held, you will see that it’s diminishing because those cards expired. It’s mandatory that you go and register to vote and achieve your aspirations. May God bless you and bless Nigeria.”
This was countered by the Independent National Electoral Commission which said the information was wrong. According to INEC, the PVCs don’t come with an expiry date. In response to the backlash that followed the misleading information, Tinubu’s media team issued a statement saying the APC chieftain mistakenly used the word ‘expire’ instead of stating that the PVCs may have to be updated.
- 2023: Women’s group backs Osinbajo, seeks Buhari’s support
Ahead of the 2023 elections, members of the National Coalition of Women for Osinbajo have said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is one of the few Nigerian political aspirants who will not turn electoral victory into an opportunity for wealth accumulation and, therefore, Nigerian women will give him resolute backing. The coalition’s chairperson, Rabi Dauda, also the leader of the pro-Osinbajo Progressive Women’s Group, said this on Wednesday while addressing reporters during a press conference in Abuja.
In its six-point declaration—which includes a call for President and the entire members of the Federal Executive Council to consider adopting Osinbajo as APC’s consensus presidential candidate—the coalition stressed that the 2023 general election would be a decisive turning point for APC and the entire nation.
- APC governors meet, insist on February for National Convention
Governors elected on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party, APC, met Sunday night and resolved that the party’s convention must hold in February. The APC has been unable to hold a convention and elect new national leaders since its former leadership, led by Adams Oshiomhole, was sacked in 2020. The party has since been led by an interim management committee led by the Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni.
At their meeting Sunday, the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), an umbrella body of APC governors gave assurance that the party’s national convention will hold in February. Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Chairman of the PGF gave the assurance while speaking with journalists at the end of a closed-door meeting on Sunday night in Abuja.
Mr Bagudu, who did not give a specific date for the event, said the February date as approved by President Muhammadu Buhari was sacrosanct and still feasible for the conduct of the event. Salihu Lukman, the PGF director-general, recently called on members of the committee to resign their positions if they would not be able to conduct the party’s national convention in February. New members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) are expected to be elected at the convention to manage its affairs which are currently being managed by the CECPC.
- Osun 2022: Beware of fake people, Davido knocks cousin’s gov ambition
Nigerian award-winning singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido, has thrown shade at his cousin, Bamidele Adeleke, for declaring his interest to run in the 2022 Osun State governorship election. The Aye crooner, on his Twitter page on Tuesday, shared a picture of his cousin, where the latter posed with a provisional clearance certificate for the Osun State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Davido noted that his cousin struggled to graduate with a Second Class (Lower Division) and has not succeeded in building “one single thing in his life on his own.” He wrote, “Wonderful! I finished university with a 2:1. But it’s now cousin Dele who struggled to even get a 2:2 that is now forming ‘intellectual’. Intellectual that has not succeeded in building one single thing in his life on his own. This life! Osun, beware of fakes!(sic)”
It was earlier reported that Davido’s uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke, last month submitted his governorship nomination form at the PDP office, as he also made his governorship ambition known ahead of the Osun State election
Responding to Davido’s latest tweet against his cousin, the senator told Davido, “Don’t worry Nephew, God got us.”
ECONOMY
- Buhari Unveils Rice Pyramid In Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled a 1.2 million -bag paddy rice pyramid, in Abuja. An elated President Buhari commended the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for Initiating the Anchor Borrowers Programme, through which the massive rice production was achieved.
In his address at the event on Tuesday, the president said that his food security agenda would drive down prices of food items in the country.
According to him, from a National paddy rice production of about 4.5 tons per annum before the ABP initiative in 2015, paddy rice production rose to over 9 million tons by last year.
In his address,the Governor of CBN said that as at the end of December 2021, his team had financed 4.5 million farmers that cultivated 5.3 million hectares across 21 commodities through 23 Participating Financial Institutions in the 36 States of the Federation and FCT. Mr. Emefiele noted, however, that the CBN introduced the ABP in 2015 to curtail food import and that since then, Nigeria has witnessed incremental reductions in rice imports from Thailand.
- Osinbajo launches $750m COVID-19 recovery initiative
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has on Thursday launched the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus, to be implemented with a $750m World Bank facility. Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday titled, ‘World bank $750m support will complement FG’s social investment, job creation, poverty reduction programmes–Osinbajo’.
The inauguration was a prelude to the National Economic Council meeting chaired by the Vice President at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
According to him, the NG-Cares, which would be for two years (2021-2023), will avail states with $20m, while the Federal Capital Territory would receive $15m.
“NG-Cares is a multi-sectoral programme designed to support vulnerable and poor Nigerians to provide essential emergency relief to smallholder farmers and MSMEs, especially those that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Labour lists conditions for fuel subsidy removal, says $9.5bn wasted on refineries
Key labor unions in Nigeria met on Tuesday in Abuja where they outlined the conditions the Federal Government must meet before it would be allowed to stop subsidising Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol. Officials of the Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Labour Congress, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, among others, spoke at the Annual General Meeting and inauguration of the newly elected National Executive Committee of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria in Abuja.
The National President, Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye, said the energy crisis in Nigeria was “solely due to the incompetence and corruption of the government.” He said, “The fuel subsidy and the proposed hike in fuel price is a rather prominent and recurring one. Nigeria is the only OPEC member country that imports more than 90 to 95 per cent of refined petroleum products for consumption.
“It might interest you to know that none of the government-owned refineries is functioning, yet in the past 10 years alone, the government has wasted about $9.5bn for turnaround maintenance of the moribund refineries.” Olaleye noted that the TUC was not against the removal of the fuel subsidy if it would yield positive results. Rather, we are inquisitive as to what the government has to offer following the removal,” he stated.
- Fuel price hike not only way to raise fund for govt ― NANS
The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has said incessant hike in the pump price of fuel is not the only means by which the government can raise funds to meet its needs. The student body has therefore challenged the Federal Government to look at other creative means of raising funds to meet its obligations.
The body stated this on Thursday night in a press statement signed by the South-West Coordinator, Comrade Stephen Tegbe and the Public Relations Officer, Comrade Emmanuel Esiegbe. NANS further stated that much of the reasons previously given by the government for embarking on fuel price hike had turned out to be mere paper works and promises.
- Danfo, taxi, others to pay N800 daily levy from February 1 -Lagos govt
The Lagos State Government has said that danfo, taxi, and other commercial vehicles in the state will begin to pay N800 levy daily from February 1, 2022. This is after the state government and transportation stakeholders in the State on Tuesday signed an agreement and officially unveiled the ‘Consolidated Informal Transport Sector Levy’ to harmonise dues collected by the government from commercial motorists at parks and garages across the State.
This was made known in a statement by the state government titled, ‘LASG unveils levy for informal transport sector to harmonise dues from commercial motorists …New consolidated levy collection starts February 1’. The agreement between the state, local government, and various unions in the transport sector, as well as some government agencies in Lagos State, was signed during a ceremony held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, according to the statement.
Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, was quoted as explaining that the levy pegged at a flat rate of N800 covers money for not just the local government levy alone, but also that of clearing waste from motor parks paid to the Ministry of Transportation, Lagos State Waste Management Authority and Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency. He said the benefits of the levy included harmonising the collection process by putting a structure in place, reducing multiple taxes, dues, and levies to all agents of state and local governments, providing reliable data, eradicating harassment of bus drivers, and bringing collaborative engagements within stakeholders, among others.
- IMF Proposes $50bn Trust Fund For Nigeria, Other Low, Middle-Income Countries
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is proposing a $50 billion trust fund for Nigeria and other low and vulnerable middle-income countries. In a blog post published on Thursday, it explained that the fund was targeted at helping countries in that category to build resilience and sustainability.
The fund comes as part of the $650 billion Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) – an equivalent of about SDR456 billion – issued by IMF in August last year to help vulnerable countries boost liquidity through Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST). The amount allocated to Nigeria is as a result of the exchange rate of reference which is 0.702283 SDR to a dollar, and Nigeria has 2.4545 billion SDRs as of July 1, 20
- Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Rises To 15.63% In December 2021
Nigeria’s inflation rate has risen to 15.63 percent in December 2021 from 15.50 percent recorded in November. The Statistician-General of the Federation, Dr. Simon Harry, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja.
Data from the NBS showed that headline inflation has been on a downward trajectory since April 2021. However, the trend was broken in December when year-on-year inflation climbed 0.23 points higher than the figure recorded in November.
According to the Statistician-General of the Federation, the change in the declining trend might have been caused by the increase in prices of goods and services driven by increased demand during the month under review, being a festive season.
BUSINESS
- Reps propose 10-year jail for Ponzi scheme operators
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading, a bill seeking to regulate Ponzi and pyramid schemes as well as other forms of investments, proposing a 10-year jail term for operators. The bill also proposes more regulatory powers for the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as ease state and local governments’ access to securities and facilities.
The legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Investments and Securities Act, 2007 and Enact the Investments and Securities Bill to Establish Securities and Exchange Commission as the Apex Regulatory Authority for the Nigerian Capital Market as well as Regulation of the Market to Ensure Capital Formation, the Protection of the Market to Ensure Capital Formation, the Protection of Investors, Maintain Fair, Efficient and Transparent Market and Reduction of Systematic Risk; and for Related Matters.
Chairman of the House Committee on Capital Market, Babangida Ibrahim noted that current trends in capital markets regulation, over 14 years after, have made it necessary to make major improvements to the Act to align the Nigerian market with international standards. He listed the objectives of the proposal to include enhancement of provisions relating to efficient regulation of investment schemes and to effectively combat the proliferation of Ponzi schemes in Nigeria.
- Lagos Govt Acquires Two New High-Speed Trains
The Lagos State government has acquired two new high-speed trains for its Red Line rail project, as part of efforts to improve traffic management and transportation. Mr Gboyega Akosile, who is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He revealed that Governor Sanwo-Olu completed the acquisition deal of the two sets of 10 cars Talgo 330kmph trains on Tuesday at an event held inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer, Talgo Incorporated in the United States. According to him, the trains will be heading to Lagos for the Red Line – a 37km track rail project which will have 11 stations and will be the first operational metro system in West Africa, when completed.
“We hope that this (purchase of the trains) will be the beginning of a mutually beneficial business relationship. Providing source of livelihood for our citizens is all about providing jobs for our people and that is what we are doing. It is about ensuring that we can build our economy; people can move from one location to another, and businesses can grow.
Part of what we have done in the last two and half years is to have what we call Integrated Urban Mass transportation system, where we will be using road infrastructure, waterway infrastructure, and rail infrastructure so that we can move over 20 million Lagosians within and around the city.”
HEALTH
- Lassa Fever: Nigeria Records 11 Deaths, 96 Cases In Two Weeks
No fewer than 11 people have died of Lassa fever since the beginning of the new year, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said. The NCDC disclosed this in its latest situation report on the outbreak of the disease in the country, covering January 10 to 16, 2022.
The report suggested that a total of 465 suspected cases of the disease were reported across 27 local government areas of 11 states. Of the figure, the NCDC only confirmed 96 cases and 74 per cent were recorded in three states of Edo (31 per cent), Bauchi (22 per cent), and Ondo (21 per cent).
Lassa virus is transmitted to man by infected multi-mammate rats and humans become infected from direct contact with the urine and faeces of the rat carrying the virus. It is an acute viral illness and a viral haemorrhagic fever contracted by touching soiled objects, eating contaminated food, or exposure to open cuts or sores. Secondary transmission from person to person can also occur as a result of exposure to the virus in the blood, tissue, urine, faeces or other bodily secretions of an infected patient.
- Lassa Fever: Remain Calm, Oyo Govt Tells Residents Amid Reported Cases
The Oyo State government has called on all residents of the state to remain calm over the reported cases of the Lassa Fever in the Iwajowa Local Government Area of the state. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Ladipo, made this known in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, stating that the state government is doing everything possible to curtail the further spread of the virus.
He said that in response to the development, the government has already set up a surveillance system across LGs in the state to prevent further transmission of the illness. According to him, the Ministry of Health has repositioned doses of antiviral agents for the treatment of the reported cases, adding that personal protective devices had been provided for health care providers at Iwere Ile and Iganna.
He enjoined the general public to refer similar cases to the nearest government hospitals for free and quality care, and also call the following numbers: 09058704101,08025245800 and 08073431342.
WORLD
- Pandemic Still Taking Heavy Toll On Jobs – UN
The Covid-19 crisis is continuing to hit jobs hard around the world, the United Nations said Monday, warning it could take years for employment levels to reach pre-pandemic levels. In a new study, the UN’s International Labour Organization revised its previous forecast that the global employment market will make a nearly full recovery from the virus this year.
Blaming the impacts of Covid variants like Delta and Omicron and uncertainty around how the pandemic will evolve, it now projects a significant deficit in working hours in 2022 compared to before Covid-19 emerged. Monday’s report predicted that global working hours would be two percent below the numbers seen in 2019, leaving the world short of the equivalent of some 52 million jobs.
Last May, the ILO predicted the working hour shortage would be just half that this year. At the same time, the global official unemployment rate remains significantly higher than before the pandemic hit. This year, 5.9 percent of workers globally, or some 207 million people, are expected to be officially registered as jobless, which is better than in 2021 and especially 2020, but still up from 186 million in 2019.
The ILO report said the global unemployment rate was projected to remain above the 5.4-percent rate seen before the crisis “until at least 2023”. And it cautioned that the overall impact on employment is significantly greater than what these figures would imply, since many people have left the labour force altogether. In 2022, the global labour force participation rate is projected to remain 1.2 percentage points below the level three years ago, it said.
- 17 Killed, 59 Injured In Ghana Explosion
At least 17 people were killed and 59 injured Thursday in a devastating explosion in a western Ghana town after a truck carrying explosives intended for a mine collided with a motorcycle, the government said. The blast left a huge crater and reduced dozens of buildings to dust-covered piles of wood and metal in Apiate, near the city of Bogoso some 300 kilometres (180 miles) west of the mineral-rich West African country’s capital Accra.
Footage verified by AFP showed locals rushing towards a raging fire and rising plumes of black smoke to inspect the damage, while rescue workers waded through the rubble to find survivors caught in the devastation and retrieve lifeless bodies. The minister said initial signs point to “an accident involving a truck transporting explosive materials for a mining company, a motorcycle and a third vehicle” which took place near an electrical transformer.
Out of 59 people injured, 42 are receiving treatment in hospitals or health centres and “some are in critical condition”, Nkrumah added. Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo called it a “truly sad, unfortunate and tragic incident” and expressed “deep condolences to the families of the deceased”.
- China COVID-19 Cases Highest In Nearly Two Years, Weeks Before Olympics
The number of Covid-19 cases in China reached its highest level since March 2020 on Monday, as Beijing races to smother outbreaks just three weeks before hosting the Winter Olympics. China, where the virus first emerged in late 2019, has stuck to a strict policy of targeting zero Covid cases even as the rest of the world has reopened. But its approach has come under sustained pressure in recent weeks with multiple clusters across the country just as the Games are about to get under way in Beijing.
On Monday there were 223 more cases reported in China, including another 80 in the virus-hit port city of Tianjin, and nine more — including cases of the highly transmissible Omicron variant — in the southern manufacturing hub of Guangdong. Athletes and officials have already started to land in the capital ahead of the Games, immediately entering a tightly controlled bubble separating them from the rest of the population.
But after a local Omicron case was detected in Beijing over the weekend, authorities have also tightened regulations for those arriving in the capital from elsewhere in China. The city is now demanding a negative test before travel and a follow-up test after entering the city, with residents urged not to leave the city for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. Some tourist sites in the capital have also been closed.
ENTERTAINMENT
- Aphrodisiac seller, Jaruma, boasts on becoming Nigerian President after police detention
Popular Aphrodisiac seller, Hauwa Saidu, professionally known as Jaruma, has confirmed that she was arrested by the Nigerian Police. In a video she shared on her verified Instagram page in the early hours of Saturday, the businesswoman spoke from detention, and boasted about being the next Nigerian President.
It was rumoured that the sex therapist was arrested on Friday and a viral picture which was claimed to be taken in a police station circulated around social media. Confirming her arrest, the Instagram sensation made a two-minute video where she noted that people were making jest of her because of her arrest. She further revealed that she was arrested because she paid N10 million to someone and the person didn’t do the job she paid for.
Towards the end of the video, Jaruma noted that her experience was only a pattern through which she’d become the next President of Nigeria. According to her, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was in prison before becoming president. She also said that the current President Muhammadu Buhari was also in prison before he became president. “For this, you know who your next president of Nigeria is going to be. Your girl, Jaruma. It’s a pattern and that has been the cause. This must happen to you and then you become president in Nigeria.”
- Fuji music can’t die, afrobeats singers get inspiration from it — Ayinla Kollington
Veteran fuji singer, Ayinla Kollington, has said that Afrobeats can never displace fuji music. In an interview, the 67-year old music maestro said, “Afrobeats cannot eradicate fuji music. They are two different genres. Fuji is a cultural music genre, and it is independent. Even afrobeats singers get inspiration from fuji music to record their songs. That is why you would find Yoruba words being used in many afrobeats songs. Fuji musicians should continue to sing with whatever style that they like as long as people accept it. The youngsters should ride on and make Fuji music greater than it currently is.”
Kollington, who recently released his 106th album titled, ‘Aiye Kan Lowa’ (There is only one life), stated that it took him three months to record the album. Fuji music has improved beyond what it used to be. Everyone now sings fuji in their preferred styles and that has helped it to become more popular. I feel so happy releasing a new album at this age. The message in the album is that people should do good. People should enjoy themselves as much as they can because one can’t live more than once. Once one is dead, it is finished. That is why one must eat whatever good and expensive food that others eat, drink the expensive wine that they drink, and do all other deeds they’re doing because one cannot come back to this world a second time.”
- Celebs congratulate Ayo Makun, wife on birth of second child after 13 years
Comedian and actor, Ayo Makun, aka, AY, and his wife, Mabel, welcomed their second child, Ayomide, during the week and it has been celebrations galore ever since. The second child came 13 years after the couple had their first child, Michelle. In a post on his social media pages, AY wrote, “Our prayers in the last 13 years have been answered. Ayomide, thank you for making Mabel Makun and I, mummy and daddy again. Thank you for making Michelle a big sister. Thanks to everyone who kept us in their prayers and never stopped feeding us with positive vibes.” Since then, his colleagues and fans have continued to send congratulatory messages.
- Celine Dion Cancels North America Tour Due To Health Troubles
Quebec superstar Celine Dion announced on Saturday she would not be able to perform the North America leg of her “Courage world tour,” citing persistent health problems. After a pause due to the pandemic, Dion had been scheduled to resume her world tour in November 2021 with a slate of performances in Las Vegas. Those dates were canceled in October after she began “experiencing severe and persistent muscle spasms,” she said at the time on Twitter.
The singer had hoped to continue the tour in March, starting in Denver and traveling over two months to 15 other cities across the United States and Canada. Those dates are now also canceled, due to “her recovery taking longer than she hoped,” explained Dion’s management in a press release accompanying her tweet.
According to the statement, Dion had performed 52 shows as part of her Courage World Tour before the beginning of the pandemic, and she still plans to perform the European leg beginning May 25 in Birmingham, England.
SPORTS
- Makinde Mourns 3SC GM Rasheed Balogun’s Death
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the death of the General Manager of the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Mr Rasheed Balogun, as sad and shocking. This wass contained in a condolence statement on Friday in Ibadan by Moses Alao, Special Assistant to the governor on Print Media.
Makinde described Balogun as a hardworking and committed personality, noting that his death would leave a huge vacuum in football management in the state. He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, 3SC management, players and the people of Oyo state. He prayed for the repose of the soul of the football chief.
In the same vein, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has commiserated with the Management and Players of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan over the death of the club’s General Manager. Rasheed Balogun. NFF condolence is contained in a statement issued by the General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi.
- Otedola promises Eagles N102m to win AFCON
Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola has promised the Super Eagles the equivalent of $250,000 in naira (N102,895,000) if they win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.The Eagles will also receive N49,389,600 ($120,000) for the six goals they scored in the group stage of the ongoing continental showpiece, thanks to the Coalition Against COVID-19.
CACOVID, a private sector-led platform established to assist the government in combating Coronavirus in the country, praised the team for their performance at the AFCON and promised to reward the squad with the naira equivalent of $20,000 for each goal scored in the group stage. The Eagles finished the group stage with six goals, which amounted to $120,000.
According to Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who represented CACOVID during a visit to the team’s camp in Cameroon, their impressive group stage performance convinced CACOVID to increase the amount for every goal scored to $50,000 in the round of 16.
- What I told Super Eagles before first AFCON game -Eguavoen
Coach Augustine Eguavoen says people are once again beginning to respect the Super Eagles following their performance at the group stage of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Eguavoen told newsmen during his post-match conference that a lot of people felt that Nigeria was not good enough to win the tournament because of the team’s performance in the last few months.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday in Garoua advanced in style to the knockout phase of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. They beat Guinea-Bissau 2-0 at the Stade Roumde Adjia to become the only side at this 33rd edition of the competition to win all their three group games.
He said he told the players to express themselves and be committed, “you don’t have any other country to play for, it’s only Nigeria and you know how passionate our people are when it comes to football. “Now, people are thinking and starting to respect Nigeria.” He, however, said the team would not allow the praises get to their head, adding that they would continue to respect their opponents in the tournament.
- Guardiola Hails Man City’s Mental Strength
Pep Guardiola has praised the way his Manchester City players have dealt with adversity on and off the pitch after they strengthened their grip on the Premier League title race. City, who beat Chelsea 1-0 on Saturday, are 11 points clear of second-placed Liverpool after 12 straight league wins and closing in on a fourth English title in five years.
Guardiola cited the example of full-back Joao Cancelo, who suffered facial injuries in an attack at his home last month. Cancelo has started all three of City’s games since, helping them come through a tough period in which they have been badly hit by a coronavirus outbreak. Guardiola said he was satisfied more by the continuing success and high standards of his side than the trophies they win.
- Chelsea Must Improve Attitude, Admits Tuchel
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel admitted his side need to improve their attitude for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham if they are to avoid a battle just to remain in the top four. The Blues’ title challenge has evaporated over the past two months after a run of one win in seven league games. Tuchel’s men were below par in a 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday that left them 12 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City, having played a game more than the champions.
“I could see, I could feel from myself and from the team, that some emotions took over, maybe frustration, maybe disappointment,” said Tuchel of his side’s display in midweek. “We have to make sure we are in a different attitude and a different mindset, and in top shape, because we have a big match coming on Sunday.”
A total of 22 Premier League games have been postponed in recent weeks, with playing squads depleted by coronavirus and injuries. “It’s strange to see the fixture and see teams competing for the same area of the table and having four games less,” said Tuchel. This can lead to a wrong impression that you’re comfortably ahead when you are not. So we have to make sure that this stays like this.”
METRO PLUS
- Buhari Asks Police, Justice Ministry To Uphold Integrity In Hanifa Abubakar’s Case
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the relevant bodies to ensure justice is served in the murder of Hanifa Abubakar, the five-year-old schoolgirl killed in Kano State. He specifically ordered the police and the Ministry of Justice to uphold the integrity of the detective work that busted the case by preparing well and presenting a good case that will earn the respect of the court.
The President gave the directive on Friday in a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, in reaction to the death of little Hanifa who was initially abducted in December last year. He expressed the nation’s condolences to the family of the schoolgirl whose body was discovered in a shallow grave in Kano after almost two months of fruitless search. Until her death, Hanifa was a pupil of a private school – Noble Kids Academy in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
The Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed her death to journalists on Friday, saying her teacher, one Abdulmalik Tanko, was indicted in the murder. Abdulmalik, Kiyawa stated, confessed that he kidnapped Hanifa and took her to his house where he contacted her relatives and demanded a ransom of N6 million.
He later conspired with one Hashim Isyaku to kill the girl on December 18, 2021, having realised that the victim had recognised him. Hanifa was buried in a shallow grave within the school premises located at Kwanar ‘Yan Gana in Tudun Murtala Quarters.
- What Kano Govt Is Doing To Get Justice For Hanifa Abubakar – Ganduje
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, has outlined some of the measures taken by the government to ensure justice is served in the murder of Hanifa Abubakar. Hanifa was the five-year-old schoolgirl abducted by her teacher who demanded ransom from her parents and later killed her in December last year. Until her death, she was a pupil of a private school – Noble Kids Academy in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
In a statement on Friday by the Commissioner for Information in Kano, Muhammad Garba, Governor Ganduje disclosed that the government had already taken some actions regarding the case. He listed some of the measures to include the indefinite closure and withdrawal of the operational license of the school where the girl was murdered.
According to the governor, the government is terribly disturbed that people entrusted with the care of children only turn out to be their murderers. He added that the government has been in touch with Hanifa’s family and would remain so until justice prevails in the case, to serve as a deterrent to others. He vowed that the government would continue to meticulously monitor and ensure the prosecution of anyone found culpable in the kidnap and murder of the girl.
