You may have been unable to follow the news as they broke this past week, we are on hand to run you through the details in this summary. You can watch the top news of the week summarised in this video:
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) bans cryptocurrency
A circular from the apex bank, CBN, directing Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions to close accounts of persons using their systems for cryptocurrency trading made the news. In addition, CBN warned that those who fail to comply with the directive will face severe regulatory sanctions.
This recent declaration is reminiscent of one that the Nigerian apex bank made in 2018 when it tagged cryptocurrency trading ‘illegal’ and ‘not protected by law’. The reactions to the news have been wild as investors came online to vent their frustrations.
FG postpones NIN-SIM deadline, again
The Federal Government has extended the deadline for NIN-SIM integration by eight weeks until 6 April 2021. Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy stated that the extension is to give Nigerians and legal residents more time to integrate their NIN with the SIM.
Entertainment news
Joeboy drops new album
Award-winning afro-pop artiste and “Beginning” crooner Joeboy dropped his debut album “Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic”. The 14-track project is the official follow-up to his 2019 “Love & Light” EP. Joeboy enlists the help of producers like Dera, Type A, E Kelly, Killertunez (Killertunez), Oxygen Mix and several others. He did not feature any other artist on this project.
Showmax ‘I am Laycon’ show coming this February
BBNaija season five winner and rising music star Laycon is set to premiere his reality show, “I am Laycon” on Showmax on 11 February 2021. It will be the streaming platform’s first ever-Nigerian production. The show trails the reality show star adjusting to his celebrity status.
Christopher Plummer dies at 91
Hollywood star Christopher Plummer died on Friday, 5 February 2021, at the age of 91. He had been active for over 70 years and made his mark with the role of Captain Georg von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews in the classic film, “The Sound of Music”.
2021 Golden Globe Award nomination list
The 2021 Golden Globe Awards nomination list was released this past week and Netflix led in both television and film nominations with “Mank” getting six nods and “The Trial of the Chicago” receiving five. “The Crown” got six nominations in TV categories while the comedy show “Schitt’s Creek,” got five.
DJ Cuppy threatens lawsuit
The drama between DJ Cuppy and Zlatan Ibile over alleged debts continued last week. The latest information came from the billionaire heiress who has been mostly silent over the matter. DJ Cuppy now says she will be suing Afeare Isreal (also popularly known as Israel DMW) for libel and defamation after the latter claimed that she owed Zlatan.
You can read Isreal’s statement here.
Sir Shina Peters becomes a bishop
Legendary musician Sir Shina Peters has been ordained as a Bishop in the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Lagos State. Peters rose to prominence in the 1980s after he released his first album “Ace (Afro-Juju Series 1)”, which went double platinum. Peters is highly regarded among Nigerian mainstream music pioneers.
Yinka Davies loses son
Another Nigerian music veteran who made the news last week was Afrojazz singer Yinka Davies, sadly, for an unfortunate reason. The singer lost her first child, Jeremiah, after a 10-month long battle with illness. He was 28 years old. Yinka Davies had won the Voice of the Decade award at Nigeria Music Award (NMA) in 2007.
Harrysong announces wedding date
Nigerian singer Harrysong is set to walk down the aisle with his partner, Alexer Gopa, on 27 March 2021. The singer shared a beautiful photo with his soon-to-be-bride with a caption that read in part “I got it perfect this time.”
Likely, he was referring to the situation in 2020 where he had to suspend plans for his wedding because he wasn’t sure about it. Congrats, Harrison and Alexer. Read the full story via this link.
Lil Frosh in police custody
The Nigerian Police in Lagos arrested rapper Sanni Goriola, also known as Lil Frosh, over allegations of domestic violence. Back in October 2020, the victim’s brother had called out the rapper online. He claimed that Lil Frosh beat her up on several occasions.
Sequel to this revelation, Davido announced terminating Lil Frosh’s contract with his record label DMW. See the complete story.
International news
Jeff Bezos to step down as Amazon CEO
Another major news from the past week is Amazon’s announcement that its founder Jeff Bezos is stepping down from his role as CEO. Andy Jassy, his long-time confidant and right-hand man is in a pole position to take his place.
However, Bezos is not leaving the company he founded. Instead, he will take the position of the executive chairman and will still be involved in important Amazon initiatives. The only difference is that his new role affords him time to focus on other interests like addressing global warming through the Bezos Earth Fund, his space company Blue Origin, among other things.
Bezos is joining the likes of Microsoft’s Bill Gates, Google’s Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and Alibaba’s Jack Ma in letting someone else lead their companies.
Meghan Markle name removed from Archie’s birth certificate
According to reports from inside the UK, The Palace has dictated that the name “Rachel Meghan” be removed from her son, Archie’s, birth certificate leaving just her title “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex” under the “mother category”.
This piece of Royal news is intriguing because a spokesperson for Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, claimed that she had not requested it herself. See further details.
Local news
Sunday Igboho enters Ogun State
In local news from Nigeria, Oduduwa Republic agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, arrived in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Monday, 1 February 2021, to evict alleged criminal herdsmen in the state.
Igboho had made the news when the IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu, ordered his immediate arrest over his ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen to quit Ibarapa, Oyo State.
Sports News
- Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup
On Gameweek 22, Premier League holders Liverpool suffered a defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, their second straight loss at Anfield since managing over 68 games without a defeat. Meanwhile, Manchester United posted the biggest win of the week, humiliating the 9-man Southampton side 9-0 (nine zero).
- Messi scores 650th goal for Barcelona
Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 2-1 victory over Bilbao on Sunday scoring his 650th goal for the Catalans with a deft freekick as they avenged a defeat by the Basque side in the Spanish Super Cup final.
- Arsenal and Benfica’s Europa League tie update
The Europa League last-32 tie between English side Arsenal and Portuguese club side Benfica could be played over one leg on neutral territory under new rules issued by tournament organisers UEFA as coronavirus once again moves to disrupt things.
- Roger Federer set to return to ATP Tour action in Doha in March
Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer, having made his last appearance at the end of January 2020 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Australian Open, is working towards a return to ATP Tour action in Doha following an absence of 14 months due to injury.
The Brooklyn Nets lost to the Raptors 117-127 on Friday night in a game that saw Kevin Durant withdrawn for safety reasons while the Boston Celtics also beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-115.
Visit the sports section of our blog for these stories and more.
Coronavirus Updates
Police to start arresting people without facemasks
Nigerian police officers have been mandated to arrest anyone who fails to wear a facemask in public places starting on Tuesday, 2 February 2021. This mandate is enforced by the protection regulation signed to law by President Muhammadu Buhari, which made wearing of masks compulsory in public places in Nigeria, according to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Health Protection Regulations 2021.
While the IG of Police Mohammed Adamu has ordered officers to enforce the given directives, he also implored officers to be firm and professional while at the same time remaining polite, civil and respectful of the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Meanwhile, Nigeria recorded 1,624 new coronavirus cases on Friday, 5 January 2021 according to data released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Coronavirus updates in numbers
As of Friday, 5 January 2021, the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Nigeria was 137,654. 1,641 deaths have been reported while 111,639 patients have recovered and been discharged from isolation facilities across the country. This means that the number of active cases was 24,374.
The cryptocurrency thing is what I don’t get.
Nice summary. Thanks.
CBN too dey overdo