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 Customer kidnaps Ogun PoS operator’s seven-year-old daughter The family of a seven-year-old girl, Mercy Akande, has raised the alarm over her disappearance in the Sango Ota area of Ogun State. On Thursday that the incident happened on Monday close to where the girl’s mother operated a Point of Sale terminal in the community. It was gathered that a yet-to-be-identified male adult said to be the mother’s regular customer visited the shop, bought food for the seven-year-old girl, and later sent her on an errand to buy a sachet of water. On her return, the customer left the spot and approached her midway in an attempt to collect the water sachet. The nephew of the victim who identified himself simply as Jude told our correspondent on Thursday that the mother sighted both of them at that moment but was distracted by the attention of other customers. Jude said by the time she turned towards the daughter’s direction to check what was happening, both of them were nowhere to be found. He s...

 OG Maco, rising hip-hop star, dead at 32 after fatal gunshot wound The music world is mourning the loss of a brilliant talent, as rapper OG Maco passed away on Thursday night, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, creativity, and boundless love. The 32-year-old Atlanta native had been fighting for his life since December 12, after a self-inflicted gunshot wound left him hospitalized in Los Angeles, according to Daily News. The incident occurred when a neighbour called 911, reporting sounds of gunfire inside Maco’s home. First responders rushed to the scene, finding Maco with a gunshot wound to the head and a firearm nearby. The rapper was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Although his family had initially reported that his condition had stabilized, Maco‘s status took a devastating turn, worsening to critical condition. Despite the medical team’s valiant efforts, they struggled to obtain a reliable brain scan, and the toxins in his system ultimately pro...

 True story behind ‘Seven Doors’ – Femi Adebayo By Naomi Chima Actor and filmmaker, Femi Adebayo, has revealed that the inspiration behind his latest film, ‘Seven Doors’, came from the life of a king he was close to. Speaking in an encounter with Saturday Beats, he said, “It is extremely important to preserve our culture. Creating content— films— (woven) around the beauty of our culture is one of the ways of preserving it, so that the generations yet unborn can also enjoy it and be educated. “I was fortunate to be close to a particular king, and it was what he went through that provoked the idea and concept of ‘Seven Doors’. Many people see our kings as mini-gods, which they are, but they forget that they are humans with blood running in their veins too. So, they(kings) face a lot before and after they get on the throne. And, that is what we displayed in the movie.” Adebayo added that beyond the theme of culture, the acclaimed movie series is a “love story”. “I also want to preach ...

 LASG REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO SAFER LAGOS, URGES ORDERLINESS IN SECURITY OPERATIONS The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state while calling on residents to embrace patience and orderliness in public and private spaces. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, made this statement during a quarterly meeting with the leadership of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and Heads of Paramilitary Agencies in Lagos State, held recently at her office in Alausa, Ikeja. Salu-Hundeyin highlighted the "S" pillar of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu's T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Developmental Agenda, which underscores the administration’s priority on security and governance. She noted that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership has consistently invested in strategies to strengthen the state’s security framework. The SSG encouraged security and paramilitary personnel to adopt in...

 LAGOS SPORTS COMMISSION TRAINS OVER 80 COACHES  As part of its commitment to advancing sports development, the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC), has organised a transformative capacity-building training for coaches in the State.  The training, which had Over 80 coaches in attendance was themed: “Way Forward in Building Our Coach" and was aimed at refining their expertise and enhancing their contributions to the growth of sports in the state. Speaking at the training programme held recently at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, the Director of the Technical Department, LSSC, Uthman Okunnu, emphasised the importance of continuous education. He reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to keeping coaches updated on new rules and regulations guiding various sports. “This is a forward-thinking initiative because as coaches, you must never remain stagnant,” Okunnu stated. “The programme was designed as a classroom format to engage coaches in discussing the c...

  Human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Federal Government to compensate the families of those involved in the recent stampedes in parts of the country. Falana stated this on Friday in Akure during a programme organised by the Ondo State Government, tagged Akeredolu Leadership Lecture Series, in honour of the late governor. The lawyer blamed the Nigeria Police for the recent stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra and Abuja, where over 65 people died in the process of collecting palliatives. According to him, the police failed to adequately protect people during the gatherings. “It was failure of security; it’s not poverty that caused all the loss of lives. “If there is any process or gathering, they, the police, shall provide security,” the lawyer said. Falana said that Ondo State has become a reference point for states in the country by ensuring peace in its domain through the creation of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, by Akeredolu.

 Mozambique president-elect urges 'unity' amid unrest Mozambique's president-elect Daniel Chapo has called for "non-violence" and "unity", after widespread rioting this week sparked by his ruling party's contested election win, Reuters reported. Chapo, who said he "regretted" the violence, promised that after his inauguration in mid-January, he would be "the president of all" in the southern African country, despite opposition claims of vote-rigging. Some businesses including banks were closed in Mozambique's capital Maputo on Friday and patrols were set up in some areas following a deadly prison riot and breakout on Wednesday. Mozambique has been gripped by violent protests for about two months since the electoral commission said the ruling Frelimo party had retained power and its candidate won the presidency in the election. Frelimo denies opposition accusations of electoral fraud. Mozambique's main opposition leader Ven...