Home Blog Page 1040

We’re not responsible for body found hanging on tree – LASTMA

admin
-
0
We’re not responsible for body found hanging on tree – LASTMA

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has said its operatives were not responsible for the dead body found hanging by the gate of an estate along the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway.

The LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in a statement by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, the agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, on Friday.

Bakare-Oki debunked the rumours circulating on social media, insinuating that the deceased’s vehicle was impounded by the officers of the agency.

He confirmed that the body was discovered early hours of Thursday by passersby and was immediately reported to the police at Shagamu Road.

“Several speculations were made by sympathisers present at the scene. Some said he was dressed like a motorcyclist (okada rider), while some speculated he was a tricyclist (Marwa rider).

“Some even believed he was brought to the scene by his killers during the wee hours of midnight, and stage managed it, to give it the semblance of suicide because the victim’s leg was touching ground.

“For brevity, no one could really identify him as either an okada or Marwa rider from amongst several operators of okada and Marwa who visited the scene.

“It is unfortunate that the incident occurred by an estate gate along Lagos-Shagamu Expressway,” Bakare-Oki said.

While expressing sympathy to the deceased family, he warned those spreading unfounded reports to verify information before disseminating it.

“Meanwhile, the body of the deceased has been evacuated by the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, Yaba, Lagos,” he added.

Lagos policeman defiles teenager, mother alleges cover-up

admin
-
0
Lagos policeman defiles teenager, mother alleges cover-up

A police officer attached to the Ogudu Police Station, Ojota, Lagos, (name withheld), has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl (name withheld).

City Round gathered that the officer had promised to help the teenager retrieve her phone, which had been taken by ‘one chance’ robbers on June 16 while she, her grandmother, and her siblings were returning from Ikeja.

The suspect reportedly overheard the teenager recounting her ordeal to her mother at her shop and offered to help track her missing phone and take her statement.

“On June 29, officer Owolabi called my mum on her phone and told her he had arrested the person with my phone and my mum should send me to his police station and I went there. On getting there, I was told they made a mistake with the tracking, and that the person caught wasn’t the one with my phone.

“The officer sent his personal assistant to call me into his office and he showed me directions there. When I entered his office and greeted him, he replied and got up to lock the door and put the key in his pocket. I shouted, ‘Sir, why did you lock the door?’

“He started trying to pull my clothes off and I shouted, then he brought out a gun, cocked it, and threatened to shoot me if I shouted. Then he began harassing me and when I struggled with him he hit me on the back of my head with the gun and raped me.

“I saw his phone ringing and the caller was my mum, but he told me since I didn’t have a phone with me, I should tell her I didn’t get to his office and from now on I should be reporting at his office by 12 pm every day during school break or while returning from school that he had been watching me for two years and now I just fell into his trap,” the distraught victim told our correspondent.

Also speaking with City Round, the mother of the victim, Mrs Aramide Olupona, said her daughter began bleeding a day following the assault and was taken to the Mirabel Centre, adding that the incident was also reported to the authorities.

Mrs Olupona, however, accused the police of trying to bury the case, saying, “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter that was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?

“The Area Commander of the station too invited me and pleaded with me to bury the case, now they are saying the suspect has fled and his whereabouts are unknown, but my daughter is distraught and has said she wants to commit suicide. My girl needs justice.”

A copy of a referral letter dated July 1, 2024, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency was sent to our correspondent.

It partly read, “Our office refers 17-year-old (name withheld), to you for your kind assistance. A mandated reporter alleged that the girl was defiled by a police officer, who works with Ogudu Police Station, Ojota on Saturday, June 29, 2024.

“The allegations levied against the officer constitute the offenses of defilement, sexual assault, and indecent practices punishable under the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State (2015) and the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015). We would appreciate it if this case is handled with the utmost urgency.”

In his reaction, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a text message sent to our correspondent on Friday, said, “The CP immediately directed the Gender Unit to commence an investigation and that is underway. There is no plan to cover up the allegation.”

New D’Tigress invitees eye Olympics spots

admin
-
0
New D’Tigress invitees eye Olympics spots

Recently, the Nigeria Basketball Federation released a list of 16 D’Tigress players for the women’s basketball tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Four of them, SolapeAmusan, Rita Igbokwe, Lucy Ibeh, and ChristeenIwuala, who received their maiden call-up, are class acts who could effortlessly break into Rena Wakama’s team for the quadrennial sports fiesta despite not participating in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp, Belgium, being typical of the proverbial Cinderella.

It will not be a surprise if all four make the team after the number is pruned from 16 to 12 at the conclusion of their camping exercise in Saarbrucken, Germany, where Amy Okonkwo, EzinneKalu, Promise Amukamara, Elizabeth Balogun, Nicole Enabosi, TomiTaiwo, IfunanyaOkoro, Pallas-KunayiAkpanah, Murjanatu Musa, Lauren Ebo, Blessing Ejiofor, and AdebolaAdeyeyewill also be jostling for spots.

 Their qualities speak volumes in this regard, which are accentuated by their profiles.

Solape Amusan

Towering at six feet, two inches, the Woodbury, MN-born plays aa a forward for

Sacramento State Hornets, where she has played for  two seasons, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 35.6 field goals in the 2023–24 season.

Rita Igbokwe

Aged 23, Igbokwe is six feet, four inches tall. She plays as a centre for Ole Miss.

 She was born  in Jonesboro, Ga to Casmir and Emmanuela. She has three brothers, Anthony, Emmanuel, and Michael, and one sister, Jane, who majors in psychology.

In 2023/24, Igbokwe appeared in all 33 games, starting in 23 and recording a team-high 54 blocks and a season-best 12 points against Mississippi Valley State. She added 10 rebounds against MVSU for her fourth career double-double and first at Ole Miss, totaling a standout performance at Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a career-high eight blocks against the Golden Lions, the second most in a single-game at Ole Miss. She tallied a season-high 14 rebounds against Mississippi State for her second double-double this season and averaged 4.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 1.6.

Christeen Iwuala

A forward with the University of California, Los Angeles, Iwuala was born in San Antonio, Texas.

She is six feet, two inches tall, and this is this is her second year at the university.

In 2023/24, she made 33 appearances as a sophomore, earning her first-career start against Stanford in February. She tied her single-game scoring career-high, recording 10 points three times (vs. Florida State, Hawaii, and Arizona State).

Iwuala also saw significant improvement in her field goal percentage, shooting.542 compared to her freshman average of.412. She recorded new single-game career highs in assists, field goals, and free throws made, averaging 3.7 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game.

Born to Jude and RebeccahIwuala, Christeen has an older brother, Manny, an older sister, Olivia, and one younger brother, Gabriel. Cooking is one of her favourite hobbies.

Lucy Ibeh

Lagos-born Ibeh is six feet tall and a forward at Texas Christian University’s M.J. Neeley School of Business.

As a graduate student in 2022/23, she appeared in 30 games while making 15 starts, playing in both of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championships. averaged 10.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, both second on the team in the respective categories. scored a season-high 24 points against Oklahoma in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship Quarterfinals. She scored in double-figures in 19 out of the 30 games she played in, scored a then-season high 21 points in TCU’s 75-62 against Kansas State in February, tallied 17 points in back-to-back games against Incarnate Word (Nov. 29) and at Rice in December, recorded three double-doubles and totaled a career-high in free throws made (10) and her 500th career rebound against Texas (Jan. 4), recorded a career-high shooting percentage at.520 from the field, and totaled 41 steals, 21 assists, and 10 blocks on the season.

Prior to TCU,  Ibeh made the move to Fort Worth following a two-year stint at Central Arkansas, where she started in 49 of 53 games played with the Sugar Bears and tallied 12.6 points and 8.5 rebounds in two years.

Meanwhile, the D’Tigress remain steeped in glory despite basketball being crippled by NBBF leadership crises. They have won the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket title four times on the trot and qualified for the second successive Olympic Games after debuting at Japan 2020.

The African champions couldn’t make a mark in Japan and could just be making up the numbers in Paris, being lodged in Group B against Canada (5), Australia (3), and host France (7), who are all better-ranked.

Their first match is against Australia on July 29; they take on France on August 1; and three days later, they round off preliminary assignments against Canada.

All preliminary matches will take place at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille, with the final phase staged at the Accor Arena in Paris.

Outrage as guardian beats 14-year-old boy to death over missing N1000

admin
-
0
Outrage as guardian beats 14-year-old boy to death over missing N1000

A yet-to-be-identified woman and her son, known only as Chukwuemeka, have allegedly beaten a 14-year-old boy named Testimony to death at their home on Delta Street, Ayanre, off Ibiye bus stop, Badagry, Lagos.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased was reportedly beaten for allegedly misplacing N1,000 note given to him by one of the suspects to buy items at the market.

Multiple sources who spoke with our correspondent said that the deceased teenager was allegedly beaten for several hours starting at 11 pm on Wednesday, before succumbing to his injuries around 1 am on Thursday.

One of the neighbours who spoke with our correspondent on Friday said, “This young boy was beaten to death by his guardians, who were not his biological parents. The neighbours tried to intervene, but the doors were locked from the inside.

“Around 6 am this morning (Thursday), he (the deceased) wasn’t responding to his name, so they rushed him to a nearby hospital. The hospital didn’t have oxygen therapy, so they brought him back home, which aggravated the boy’s condition.

“The woman then called her prayer partners in the church to start praying for miracles to happen before the boy finally gave up the ghost. The police came exactly around 5.10 pm on Thursday to pick up the woman, who was the main suspect in the brutalities shown to the deceased.”

Meanwhile, Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the state police command, said he could not confirm the incident when our correspondent inquired about it.

“I cannot confirm that now,” Hundeyin wrote in response to our correspondent inquiry on Friday.

However, a one-minute and 32-second video shared with our correspondent by another eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter, showed the lifeless body of the boy with severe bruises, covered with a cloth in the apartment.

One of the men suspected to be behind the camera was heard saying, “This is the dead boy with bruises,” while others were screaming in disbelief.

NGX digital investment platform gets SEC approval

admin
-
0
NGX digital investment platform gets SEC approval

Securities and Exchange Commission has approved the Nigerian Exchange Group’s Invest, a digital platform designed to streamline public offerings and rights issues in the capital market.

In a statement made available to the According, the NGX noted that the platform, was live, promising an efficient, convenient, and seamless experience for managing primary market transactions.

It stated that the platform was built on the success of the country’s first digital public offering in 2021, which attracted over 150,000 new retail investors, with 75 per cent being female and 85 per cent under the age of 40.

It noted that the platform aimed to enhance transparency and accessibility in primary market transactions.

According to NGX, the launch of Invest coincides with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s banking recapitalisation directive, which has led to numerous subscription offers and rights announcements by Nigerian banks.

The organisation disclosed that Access Holdings, FCMB Group, and Fidelity Bank were utilising the NGX Invest APIs to distribute their offerings to retail investors, with more banks in the process of onboarding.

The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Emomotimi Agama, commended the initiative, stating, “The e-offering platform aligns perfectly with our objective of future-proofing the Nigerian capital market. By digitalising and automating financial intermediation processes, we are fostering a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive capital market. Our focus is on creating an enabling regulatory environment that promotes innovation without compromising compliance or investor protection.”

The Group Chairman of NGX Group, Umaru Kwairanga, praised the regulator, noting, “The supportive regulatory environment has provided a solid foundation that enabled the swift delivery of the platform. This reflects our mutual commitment to market development and will undoubtedly contribute to boosting the participation of retail investors in the capital market.”

He added that the integration of technology, strong partnerships, and collaboration, alongside a positive policy environment, would be essential to Nigeria’s economic development.

Also, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NGX Group, Temi Popoola, expressed enthusiasm for the new platform, stressing its significance in NGX Group’s digital transformation journey and its potential to enhance market access and foster economic growth.

“We sincerely appreciate SEC and CBN for their strong support and leadership. Our intermediaries and partners, including the Central Securities Clearing System, have been instrumental in achieving this success. This platform demonstrates our commitment to innovation and strengthening Nigeria’s capital markets, particularly as we support the banking sector’s recapitalisation efforts,” he said.

Also, the CEO of NGX, Jude Chiemeka, highlighted the platform’s transformative potential noting, “NGX Invest addresses the demand for a more efficient and transparent process in managing public offers and rights issues.

Jude stated that the platform would expedite reconciliation and allotment processes, reduce unclaimed dividends, and boost investor confidence.

“All stakeholders – including investors, registrars, issuing houses, brokers, banks, and regulators stand to benefit significantly from this innovation,” Jude remarked.

Tinubu appoints new MD, board chairman for NPA

admin
-
0
Tinubu appoints new MD, board chairman for NPA

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr Abubakar Dantsoho as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

The President has also approved the appointment of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye as Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed on Friday titled, ‘President Tinubu appoints new managing director and board chairman for the Nigerian Ports Authority.’

Dantsoho holds a Doctorate in Maritime Technology from Liverpool John Moores University, the United Kingdom, and a Master’s degree in International Transport from Cardiff University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Before his appointment, he had served in various roles in the Nigerian Ports Authority as Assistant General Manager; Technical Assistant to the Managing Director; Port Manager, Onne Port; and Principal Manager, Tariff & Billing.

Senator Adeyeye, the Board Chairman, is a seasoned lawyer, journalist, and politician.

He is a former Minister of State for Works and former Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial District.

Stephen Angbulu

With three years of experience, Stephen, The According correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

Toyin Abraham faces backlash over fan’s arrest

admin
-
0
Toyin Abraham faces backlash over fan’s arrest

Actress, Toyin Abraham, has continuously found herself at the centre of controversy for publicly supporting President Bola Tinubu (then the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress) in the 2023 general elections.

Even after the election ended, social media users were always quick to lambast her online, especially as economic hardship worsened across the country.

The situation took a different turn earlier in the week when Abraham allegedly got the police to arrest some persons who she claimed had made derogatory comments about her.

A social media user, simply identified on X as #YVRLO, had made a post where he insulted the actress and wished death on her son.

Another X user with the username, Ayo, accused Abraham of using ‘Tinubu’s money’ to pay for her husband, Kolawole Ajeyemi’s hair transplant.

Reacting to the backlash, Abraham stated that she did not get anybody arrested. She stated that she only wrote a petition against the persons involved. She said, “I only exercised my democratic right. You keep bullying me, even after I came on social media to beg everybody to stop bullying me. As I am here, I want to die, because people want to kill me. But, before I die, I will die along with some people. You guys have pushed me to the wall.

“I have had it up to here because you people cursed my child, but I did not arrest anybody’s mother. I simply wrote a petition, and they said I should go to the (police’s) cybercrime department, which I did, and I wrote a petition there.

“These people were paid to ruin my career and life. But, I have not committed any crimes, so I am not scared. I am ready to die, but before I die, I won’t take it easy with everybody who bullied and defamed me.”

Meanwhile, as the controversy raged on, some social media users called for people to submit petitions to Netflix, urging the video streaming platform to take action against her.

However, the actress’ fans have also been rallying behind her, stating that she was just being harassed for political reasons.

Five finalists battle for N20m

admin
-
0
Five finalists battle for N20m

As the music competition, Naija Star Search Season 2, nears its grand finale, the top five finalists— HighCap, Blakk, Clement Daniel, Alaye Baba, and Accolade TMP— are set for the ultimate showdown, competing for the coveted N20m grand prize.

According to a statement sent to Saturday Beats, the programme will be aired at 8pm on StarTimes today.

The statement read in part, “Naija Star Search has undoubtedly been a thrilling ride this season. From the outset, the show promised to unearth the next generation of afrobeats stars, and it hasn’t disappointed. Contestants have brought an infectious energy and undeniable passion to the stage, showcasing the depth and diversity of Nigeria’s musical landscape.

“One of the season’s highlights has been the impressive vocal prowess of many contestants. From soulful afrobeats ballads to energetic afrobeat anthems, the talent pool has been deep. The judges— Cobhams Asuquo, Sasha P, and Vector— have provided invaluable mentorship, offering constructive criticism and words of encouragement that have helped the contestants grow and evolve.

“Each finalist has showcased exceptional talent, captivating audiences with unique musical styles. From Accolade TMP’s energetic performances to Blakk’s soulful vocals and Clement Daniel’s vibes, the competition is fierce. The decision of who will be crowned the ultimate winner rests with the viewers and judges, as they prepare for a thrilling showdown.”V

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

I didn’t blame mothers for daughters’ waywardness, K-Solo clarifies

admin
-
0
I didn’t blame mothers for daughters’ waywardness, K-Solo clarifies

Music producer, Solomon Oyeniyi, popularly known as K-Solo, has refuted the claims that he blamed mothers for fuelling Internet fraud and prostitution, popularly known as ‘hook-up’ in Nigeria.

In a recent interview with Saturday Beats, Oyeniyi said, “I did not blame prostitution on mothers. Many Nigerians often react to headlines without reading the full story. That’s part of the problem we’re facing.

“I feel like mothers have a major role to play. They have a powerful influence on their children. If they say something won’t happen, it won’t.”

K-Solo stated that he rather spoke on the influence and responsibility that women, particularly mothers, have in shaping the lives of their children and society in general.

“Look at Adam in the Bible. Despite God giving him direct instructions, it didn’t take long for Eve to convince him to do otherwise. God has given women distinct powers, and when they harness this energy, Nigeria and the world will be a better place.

“A lot of mothers know when their children are lying but remain silent because of the benefits they receive. When their children go out and return with things, most times the mothers are the first takers,” K-Solo noted.

He urged influential figures to guide the younger generation by telling them their own stories, while recognising the vital contributions of mothers.

K-Solo also advised artistes and producers to leverage social media for the growth of their careers.

He said, “Tap into social media. That is where you can make money and gain recognition. However, the fame from social media is like a flash of light; to stay relevant, you need to constantly update and engage, which can be draining. It takes hard work and dedication to remain in the spotlight and make a name for yourself in this industry.”

Kleson Kvsh spreads hope in new single

admin
-
0
Kleson Kvsh spreads hope in new single

Afro-street sensation, Kleson Kvsh, has stated that he is determined to spread hope and positivity through his music.

Speaking on his latest single titled, ‘Italawa’, he told Saturday Beats, “My recently released single, on which I featured another rising star, BhadBoi OML, is an anthem of hope, ambition, and the unwavering strength that defines the streets.”

Kleson Kvsh, who hails from Ijora Badia in Lagos, has been steadily making a name for himself with his bold sound. With his latest single, he added that he aims to connect with his audience on a deeper level, delivering a groovy street anthem that resonates with the struggles and triumphs of everyday life.

Having already worked on three projects and collaborated with notable artistes, such as Seyi Vibez, Kleson’s sound has been gaining recognition on the street music scene.

On what makes his music unique, the singer said, “My sound is an authentic and bold one that audiences love.”

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.

Contact: [email protected]

1...1,0391,0401,041...2,839Page 1,040 of 2,839
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv