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 America doesn’t respect your stardom – Actor Femi Brainard confirms being Uber driver abroad Veteran Nollywood actor, Femi Brainard, has spoken about his journey following his departure from the entertainment industry to relocate abroad. The actor, in his latest interview with Teju Babyface, stated that he had to venture into driving to feed his family in America despite being a celebrity. Brainard revealed this while discussing his ordeal after leaving the entertainment scene. Reflecting on the advantages and challenges of relocating abroad, he noted that; “As a celebrity, it’s preferable to be a prominent figure in Nigeria than to travel abroad and become unrecognized. “I became a cab driver in America just to put food on the table. Whenever people see me, especially Nigerian passengers, they often stare at me in disbelief, wondering if I’m indeed the familiar star they recognize. “America does not recognize your stardom, nor does it respect your celebrity.” I ventured into Uber...

 Why you should walk away from long-term relationship – Tim Godfrey tells women Gospel singer, Tim Godfrey, has shared a piece of advice on his Instagram page directed towards women in long-term relationships lasting seven years or more. The 44-year-old singer encouraged such women to consider walking away if their boyfriends consistently request patience and more time. According to him, if there are no signs of serious commitment after seven years of dating, they should reassess the relationship and contemplate moving forward. Godfrey wrote: “If broooo is still telling you to be patient….to wait….. I have plans…. Give me a couple of more years…After 7 years of dating… hear me and hear me clearly…Walk away! You are not the walls of Jericho! What did I say? Walk A……… what?.”

 ‘I’ve repackaged, my ex-husband won’t recognise me anymore’ – Blessing CEO Controversial self-acclaimed relationship expert Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has revealed that she got married at 18 but walked out of the marriage at the age of 21 because her estranged husband was abusive. The relationship coach said after her bitter marriage experience, she repackaged herself, stressing that her ex-husband won’t be able to recognise her anymore. Speaking in the latest episode of her TV show, ‘Moments With Blessing CEO,’ she said: “I married at the age of 18, I divorced at the age of 21. Na man show me shege so I had to repackage myself and change my name from Blessing Nkiruka to Blessing CEO. “If my ex-husband sees me now, he won’t be able to recognise me. Because that woman he married before is not the woman he is seeing now.” She said marriage is difficult, stressing that it is better to walk away than to endure bad marriage.

 MAN: 335 Manufacturing Companies Became Distressed, 767 Shut Down in 2023 •Says expatriate employment levy will ruin investors’ confidence Tinubu is striving hard to build As controversy trails the newly introduced Expatriate Employment Levy (EEL) of $10,000 and $15,000 for staff and directors, respectively, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has revealed that 335 manufacturing companies became distressed while 767 shut down in 2023. MAN warned that the EEL would certainly ruin the confidence President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was striving to build among domestic and foreign investors. The views were contained in a statement issued yesterday by Director-General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, titled, “MAN Expresses Grave Concerns over the Expatriate Employment Levy.” It described the latest levy as “punitive levy,” which was already “being perceived as a punishment imposed on investors for daring to invest in Nigeria and on indigenous companies for employing needed foreign nat...

 Ogun poly expels female student caught with codeine-based syrup, cannabis The rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Ogun State, Mukail Akinde, has confirmed the expulsion of a female student, Susan Isoyo, who was arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, 10 months ago. The rector made this known during a media briefing to usher in the school’s combined 2024 convocation ceremony on Tuesday. Isoyo who was accused of dealing in illicit drugs was caught by the operatives of the NDLEA in April 2023, with codeine-based cough syrup and 283 grams of cannabis. After Isoyo was taken into custody and later released by the NDLEA, the school brought her before a panel which found her guilty of the offences pressed against her and subsequently sent her off the school campus. Speaking with newsmen on the matter, the rector noted that the school detests any situation that could bring its name into any form of disrepute. Akinde said, “When the news went v...

 Customs seized 120 trucks of smuggled grains in two weeks – Adeniyi Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday, disclosed that the service has arrested about 120 trucks smuggling food items from Nigeria to other countries. Adeniyi, who was speaking at the sectoral debate organised by the House of Representatives, said the president had given a directive that the arrested trucks be diverted to the local markets in the areas where they were arrested in order to force down the process of grains and other food items. The NCS boss, however, decried the attitude of border communities who have engaged security agents in a bid to smuggle grains out of the country. Adeniyi added that the decision to stop the smuggling of food items was to combat hunger and not encourage those who want to enrich themselves at the expense of the people. He warned against adopting quick-fix solutions to addressing the food scarcity in the country, adding that the c...

UAE hasn’t lifted visa restriction on Nigerians, Onanuga clarifies    The presidency said the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has not lifted the visa restriction on Nigerians. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, made this known on Tuesday. In a statement via his X account, Onanuga clarified the document announcing the restriction has been lifted was not authorised by the Nigerian and UAE governments. “UAE has not resumed visa issuance to Nigerians. The document in circulation is not authorized either by the Nigerian government or the UAE,” Onanuga said. Onanuga’s statement followed a document he shared earlier on X, which said UAE has lifted the ban on visa applications from Nigerians two years after a diplomatic row. UAE and Nigeria have been engaging in a diplomatic row over issues involving flight allocations and travel bans since 2021. On December 13, 2021, UAE issued a travel restriction on passengers from Nigeria and the Democra...

 Lagbaja: Army has no desire to truncate Nigeria’s democracy Taoreed Lagbaja, chief of army staff (COAS), says the Nigerian army has no plans to truncate the country’s democracy. Lagbaja spoke on Tuesday at a seminar on career planning and management organised by the army headquarters in Abuja. He said the military is committed to defending Nigeria’s constitution and would not suspend it for any reason. Lagbaja charged the army personnel to be professional in the discharge of their duties. “Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that the amed forces of Nigeria, particularly the Nigerian army has come to terms with the country’s choice of democracy as the preferred system of governance,” Lagbaja said. “We are, therefore, agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it. The Nigerian army will continue to defend our constitution and not suspend it for whatever reason. “It is the duty of our elected leaders to lead while the military does its job as enshrined in our con...

 Messi has to retire for someone else to be regarded as best – Haaland Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has insisted that Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi need to retire from the game for someone else to be regarded as the best. Haaland spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League round of 16 second leg tie with FC Copenhagen on Wednesday. “Maybe he [Messi] has to retire for someone else to be regarded as the best,” Haaland said (via Barca Universal). Messi is widely considered as the greatest footballer on the planet. The Argentina captain beat Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to win the 2023 Balloon d’Or. The former Barcelona forward is also a World Cup winner.

 ‘America made to tear black men down’ – Rapper Meek Mill considers relocating to Africa American rapper, Robert Rihmeek Williams, aka Meek Mill is considering relocating to Africa, particularly Ghana. In a series of posts on his X handle, Nicki Minaj’s estranged boyfriend lamented that he doesn’t feel safe in America anymore because of the escalating crimes and insecurity in the country. He expressed his desire to acquire Ghanaian citizenship, saying that America was made to “tear black men down if they don’t follow orders.” He wrote, “Make sure you strap up in America, it’s extremely dangerous on the streets! They have no control over illegal immigrants everywhere… automatic guns flooded the inner cities… fettynal poison in most drugs … opioids melting the brains of humans .. and algorithms mind control. “I wanna get citizenship in Ghana!!!! America is made to tear black men down if you don’t follow orders! “Africa don’t got this shit I’m getting dual citizenship if they let me!”...

 Protest Struck Aba as Trailer Knocks Down Abia Poly Student Tension swamped the city of Aba as students of Abia State Polytechnic took to the streets in protest over a tragic death of a female graduating student of the institution. The incident occurred when the student was crossing the busy Aba Owerri Road. Bystanders recount that a tricycle operator knocked her down and fled the scene before a  speeding trailer subsequently ran her over, leading to her untimely demise. Frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of safety measures on the roads, the students decided to staged a protest on the busy Aba Owerri highway. The protest quickly gained momentum, with students chanting slogans and calling on relevant authorities  to investigate the incident and bring the tricycle operator to justice. Students are also urging the government to prioritize the construction of pedestrian bridges and speed bumps in accident-prone areas.

 TROOPS THWART SMUGGLING OF ILLICIT DRUGS, PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT Nigerian Army (NA) Troops in conjunction with a team from the Nigerian Customs Service operating in the 81 Division NA Area of Responsibility demonstrated exceptional vigilance on Saturday, 2nd March 2024, by intercepting two boats carrying items suspected to be drugs. Acting on actionable intelligence, the troops conducted a stealth operation at Ajido in Badagry, Lagos state and successfully uncovered 27 sacks containing the suspected drugs. Regrettably, the suspects managed to evade arrest by jumping into the river upon sighting the troops. In a separate operation, the troops intercepted smugglers carrying 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit at Fabre area in Badagry. The 77 sacks of Petroleum Motor Spirit have been handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service, Seme, while the sacks containing suspected drugs have been handed over to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Seme Command. The General Officer Commanding 8...

 NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS NEUTRALIZE NOTORIOUS TERRORISTS' SECOND IN COMMAND, CLEAR TERRORISTS' ENCLAVES IN KATSINA Nigerian Army troops have neutralized a notorious terrorist leader,  Maikusa, who is identified to be the second-in-command in the hierarchy of the terrorists' cell in Katsina state, led by the infamous terrorist known as Modi Modi. Troops gunned down Maikusa and three other terrorists in a shootout on Monday 4 March 2024, during a counter insurgency operation in Kurfi and Safana Local Government Areas of Katsina State.The ferocious operation also resulted in the successful clearance of terrorists' enclaves in these areas. During the operation, troops encountered vehement resistance from the violent extremists, but gallantly overpowered the terrorists with superior firepower neutralizing some while others fled in disarray.  After the firefight, the troops recovered two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 65 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition, a locally fabricated...

 Mother of three commits suicide in Enugu An unidentified woman and mother of three little children in Enugu State has reportedly committed suicide in Enugu. The woman allegedly ran into a moving vehicle and died instantly, following her husband’s departure from her and their three children due to financial difficulties. It was further gathered that the incident happened last weekend in front of Ogui Police Station, Enugu. It was learned that the woman, whose identity was not known and suspected to be suffering from depression, dropped her three young children at the police station, pulled her clothes, and ran naked into a moving vehicle which crushed her to death. The eldest of the children, when asked about their father, said their father “got lost.” “She could not give any other information about their family, their town, or residential address”, a police source told our correspondent. Meanwhile, the wife of Enugu State governor, Mrs Nkechinyere Mbah, has announced sponsorship o...

 I’m not desperate to be President, says Peter Obi Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general elections, Mr Peter Obi, on Tuesday, insisted that he’s not desperate to be Nigeria’s President. Obi, however, said that he only desired that the country works. The LP flagbearer spoke in Abuja while reacting to his award as the ‘Leadership Politician of the Year 2023’ at the annual Leadership Conference and Awards. “I am not desperate to be president, I am desperate to make Nigeria work,” Obi stated but added that young Nigerians should be productively engaged in order to eliminate poverty and crime,” Obi said. Obi also described as shameful for Ukraine, a war-torn country, to donate grains to Nigeria when Niger State alone can feed the whole of Africa. Obi added, “We have no reasons to be poor. Poverty should never be part of our lives especially in the North,” Obi said, adding that with over 7,442,00 square meters of land, Nigeria can feed Africa. “Ukraine has no rea...

 Why I got married at 19 – Faith Morey Reality TV star and model Faith Morey has explained that love made her tie the knot at 19. Speaking in an interview with The Cable Lifestyle, the mother of one said: “What is one criterion when you want to get married? If you love the person, if there is mutual love and understanding between the both of you.  “I would not say he was my first boyfriend or my first love, but I did love him. And when he proposed, why not?  “You know, and it was just fortunate that he wanted to get me right away, and it happened. I got pregnant with my son a couple of months later, and we have a bundle of joy that is turning 13, by the way. So I am a lover girl. If I love someone, I am with the person”.

 Phyna wins ‘Reality TV star’ of the year for second time Reality TV star Otabor Ijeoma Josephina popularly known as Phyna has announced bagging an award for two consecutive times.  She said she had won Reality TV Star of the Year award for the second time in a row.  Phyna thanked the Africa Choice Award for giving her this award, not forgetting her fan base Phynation for their votes which made it a reality.  Taking to her X account, she wrote: “second year in a row, back to back, Reality TV Star of the Year. Thank you Africa Choice Award and thank you Phynation for your votes made this a reality”.

   Cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, has announced plans to discontinue all services related to the Nigerian naira. Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange platform, was accused of exploiting the Nigerian currency, Naira, leading to its free fall in value. The company is, in addition, facing allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering and tax invasion, among others. Nigeria is one of the largest peer-to-peer crypto markets in the world. Between July 2022 and June 2023, crypto transactions in the country reached $56.7bn, according to Chainalysis. Photo-exhibition: Punch Newspapers Showcase Photographs To Commemorate 50th Anniversary0:00 / 0:00 But the company, in a statement on Tuesday, advised users to withdraw NGN, trade their NGN assets or convert NGN into crypto. The statement read, “Users are encouraged to withdraw NGN, trade their NGN assets or convert NGN into crypto prior to the discontinuation of these NGN services. “From 2024-03-08 08:00 (UTC), any remaining NGN b...

 PRESS RELEASE IGP EGBETOKUN JOINS OTHER POLICE LEADERS AT 14th WORLD POLICE SUMMIT, DUBAI The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, is currently participating in the 14th World Police Summit holding in Dubai from the 5th to the 7th of March, 2024. The global symposium is a forum for law enforcement, security, and policing professionals from around the world to exchange insights, best practices, and strategies for addressing contemporary challenges in public safety and security. The World Police Summit serves as a platform for fostering international collaboration and cooperation in combating transnational crime, terrorism, cyber threats, and other emerging security issues by providing  a unique opportunity for law enforcement leaders to engage in constructive dialogue, share experiences, and explore innovative solutions to complex security challenges. During his attendance at the summit, the IGP will participate in high-level discussions, panel...

 Kano Hisbah Commander General, Aminu Daurawa, has announced a two-week grace period for those involved in “immoral activities” to repent or leave the state. Daurawa told BBC Hausa that following a meeting with the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the disagreement had been resolved.  Daurawa exited the job suddenly after the governor criticised the modus operandi of the group. However, some personalities were sent to pacify the Sheihk after which he met the governor. In his BBC Interview, he said, “Our mission to keep Kano free from immorality continues, the Governor has pledged his ongoing support and resources to strengthen our operations. “Following a productive discussion, the Governor rejected my resignation and encouraged me to stay on. We’ve resolved any misunderstandings, and I’m honoured to continue leading Hisbah. “The recent disagreement has only served to motivate us, we are committed to working even harder to achieve our goals. “So those promoting immorality in Kano sho...

 In a statement on Monday, the Ghanaian regulator said the suspension will become effective from March 18, 2024, for one month. “Bank of Ghana has suspended the Foreign Exchange Trading Licences of Guaranty Trust Bank Ghana Limited (GTB) and FBNBank Ghana Limited (FBN), effective 18th March 2024, for a period of one (1) month, in accordance with section 11 (2) of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006, (Act 723),” the statement partly read. “This is a result of various breaches of the foreign exchange market regulations, including fraudulent documentation in their foreign exchange operations which have come to the attention of Bank of Ghana. “The licence will be restored at the end of the one-month suspension period once the Bank of Ghana is satisfied that they have put in place effective controls to ensure strict adherence to the foreign exchange market regulations.” The regulator cautioned foreign exchange market players to adhere strictly to the applicable forex market regulations and gu...

 Claim That Tiv Men Offer Wives To Visitors For Sex Is Malicious -Court *** The High Court of Benue State in Makurdi has declared as malicious the claim that Tiv men offer their spouses to male guests for sexual pleasure under Tiv native law and custom. The court made the declaration on Tuesday in a judgement delivered by the Chief Judge of Benue State, Maurice Ikpambese, in a case filed by a nonprofit organisation, Mzough U Tiv, against the Tiv Area Traditional Council (TATC). Mzough U Tiv had filed the suit seeking declarative judgement against the false claim made by Venita Akpofure on the Big Brother Naija show. In a writ of summon, counsel for the plaintiff, Douglas Pepe, averred that Ms Akpofure on the BBNaija show, which was broadcast worldwide by MultiChoice Company, asserted that Tiv men offered their wives to their male visitors for sexual pleasures. Mr Pepe expressed shock that instead of pursuing a legal action against Ms Akpofure for making such defamatory statement, T...

  OYO ORDERS ROADSIDE VENDORS TO VACATE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS On Tuesday, the Oyo State Government issued a seven-day notice to individuals occupying public spaces with unauthorized kiosks, containers, shanties, and conducting business operations along the roadsides, warning them to remove their structures or face legal consequences. The directive was announced by the state's Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abdulmojeed Mogbojuola, during his visit to the Ojoo community within Akinyele Local Government Area. Mogbojubola highlighted that these activities are not only a public health hazard but also cause significant obstructions, disrupting the smooth flow of traffic and pedestrian movement. This situation violates the Environmental Sanitation Regulation of 2013. He emphasized the urgency of ceasing all illegal roadside and drainage blockages by these setups within a week. Furthermore, the Commissioner encouraged the affected vendors and business owners to relocate th...

 Family Announces 8-Day Fidau Prayer for the Late Yoruba Movie Star, Sisi Quadri Family Announces 8-Day Fidau Prayer for the Late Yoruba Movie Star, Sisi Quadri. In a tribute to the late Nollywood star, Sisi Quadri, friends, fans, colleagues, associates, and well-wishers are invited to join in offering prayers for his eternal peace and forgiveness. The ceremony aims to offer prayers for forgiveness and the granting of Aljanat (paradise) for Quadri. It serves as a testament to the profound impact he made on ...

The pilot made an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport around 7:40 p.m., reported engine trouble and was given clearance to make an emergency landing, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said. A short time later the pilot radioed that the aircraft would not reach the airport, he said. Several people aboard a single-engine plane died Monday when the aircraft crashed near an interstate highway in Nashville, Tennessee, authorities said. The pilot made an emergency call to John C. Tune Airport around 7:40 p.m., reported engine trouble and was given clearance to make an emergency landing, Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said. A short time later the pilot radioed that the aircraft would not reach the airport, he said. The plane burst into flames when it crashed in a grassy median just off Interstate 40 and behind a Costco on the city’s westside. The crash scene was about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) south of the general aviation airport. “It appears that...

 GOV FUBARA APPROVES IMMEDIATE COMMENCEMENT OF STAFF PROMOTIONS AT THE RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL In a notable action geared towards uplifting spirits and acknowledging the commitment of healthcare personnel, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, has approved the immediate commencement of promotions for all staff members at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH). The announcement came during a crucial meeting with the newly inaugurated RSUTH Board of Management today, March 4, 2024, where Governor Fubara charged the board to swiftly initiate the promotion exercise for the hospital's workforce.  With this move, Governor Fubara reaffirms his administration's commitment to prioritizing the well-being of healthcare workers and bolstering the healthcare infrastructure in the state. The promotion exercise is anticipated to uplift the spirits of the hospital staff and motivate them to continue their relentle...

House Of Reps Orders Immediate Arrest Of Binance CEO. The House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has ordered the immediate arrest of the Chief Executive of Binance Holding Limited, Richard Teng and Management, for failure to appear before the committee and defend its alleged involvement in terrorism financing and money laundering. Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe issued the warrant of arrest on Monday when the CEO and Management again failed to appear before the committee but instead sent one Senator Ihengen, the company’s legal representative. Ihengen, in his defence, said two top management staff of the company who arrived in the country earlier to appear before the committee were arrested by the Federal Government last week. However, The Chairman of the committee dismissed the excuse and with a voice vote ordered the arrest of the CEO and Management.  

 THEATRE COMMANDER INAUGURATES IED AWARENESS TRAINING FOR CJTF In an effort to forestall Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) occurrences in the North East (NE) Theatre of Operations, the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force NE Operation HADIN KAI Maj Gen W Shaibu, today 4 March 2024, inaugurated IED awareness and detection training for the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) at 47 Engineers Brigade Training School Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri. While inaugurating the training, Gen Shaibu said, the course was tailored towards equipping participants with requisite skills and knowledge required to search, detect, identify and mark IEDs for their safety while on operations, as well as that of the civilian populace in thier Area of Responsibility. He emphasized that terrorists have been severely degraded and avoiding confrontation with forces in the field, hence the resort to employment of IEDs. He noted that there was the  need to do more in preventing the terrorists IED from hindering...