Our Reporters, Author at Trendbrio.com

Beyoncé wins album of the year Grammy

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago07 mins

Beyoncé has finally won the album of the year Grammy Award for her chart-topping country album Cowboy Carter after previously missing out on it four times. The US superstar had previously failed to secure the prize with 2008’s I Am… Sasha Fierce, 2013’s Beyonce, 2016’s Lemonade and 2022’s Renaissance and alluded to the previous misses in her speech, saying it had been “many, many years”. The recognition, alongside earlier wins on Sunday of best country album and the country duo/group performance award for her song featuring Miley Cyrus, titled II Most Wanted, has extended her lead as the most decorated artist in Grammys history to 35 awards. Collecting the album of the year award at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the 43-year-old said: “I just feel very full and very honoured. “It’s been many, many years and I want to thank the Grammys, every songwriter, every collaborator, every producer, all of the hard work. “I want to dedicate this to Ms (Linda) Martell, and I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors. God bless y’all. Thank you so much.” US singer Martell, a groundbreaking country performer who became the first black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry, features on Cowboy Carter tracks Spaghettii and The Linda Martell Show. Beyonce, who was joined on stage by her daughter Blue Ivy, also praised the firefighters for “keeping us safe” during the Los Angeles wildfires. Earlier in the night, fellow album of the year nominee Taylor Swift presented a stunned Beyonce with the best country album award. The singer admitted she was “not expecting” to win the award and praised the “incredible country artists” who accepted her album, adding: “I think sometimes genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists and I just want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about and to stay persistent.” Ahead of the ceremony, the singer announced she would be taking Cowboy Carter on tour with an Instagram post featuring a light-up billboard. US rapper Kendrick Lamar scooped up two of the other top awards – record of the year and song of the year – for his “diss” track Not Like Us, which is reportedly directed at Canadian rapper Drake. The song also picked up a slew of early prizes including best music video, best rap performance and best rap song, with Lamar dedicating the record of the year award to his hometown Los Angeles after the city was devastated by wildfires. This year’s award ceremony is raising funds for wildfire relief following wind-driven blazes that swept through parts of the Californian city last month, destroying neighbourhoods and killing at least 28 people. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga offered her support to the transgender community as she collected her award after the new Trump administration issued executive orders rolling back transgender rights. Accepting the best pop duo/group performance prize for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on Die With A Smile, Gaga said: “It is a privilege to be a songwriter and a producer, a musician, such an honour to sing for all of you. “And I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.” Chappell Roan called for the music industry to provide a “liveable wage and healthcare for artists” as she collected her first Grammy award, the best new artist prize. The 26-year-old US star revealed she had told herself she would demand that labels and the industry would protect artists more if she ever won a Grammy. She recalled feeling “betrayed” and “dehumanised” when she struggled to find work and afford health care during the pandemic after getting dropped by her first label as a young artist when she had given “everything” to them. The 2025 award show was hosted by South African comedian Trevor Noah for the fifth year in a row.

Rashford completes Aston Villa loan move

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Marcus Rashford has joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester United for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old forward had also been linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona this month after falling out of favour at his boyhood club. Rashford, who joined United at the age of seven, has scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since breaking into the first team in 2016 but has not played since December 12. A statement read: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. “The England international, capped 60 times by the Three Lions, joins Villa on a deal until the end of the season.” The PA news agency understands Villa will cover at least 75 per cent of Rashford’s £300,000-plus weekly salary. That figure could reach up to 90 per cent depending on performance-based bonuses and the option to make the move permanent is reported to be £40million. Villa have also secured an option to buy the player in the summer. Rashford’s future has dominated the headlines throughout the transfer window having admitted he was “ready for a new challenge” after being dropped for the derby against Manchester City on December 15. It now seems his appearance against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League three days earlier could turn out to be his last for United. Rashford failed to impress new United manager Ruben Amorim, who said this week the forward “has to change” to have a future at Old Trafford. Rashford said in a statement on Instagram: “I would like to thank Manchester United and Aston Villa for making this loan deal happen. “I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions. I just want to play football and am excited to get started. “I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”

Kano Pillars suspend Technical Adviser for three weeks

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Nigeria Premier Football Legaue campaigners, Kano Pillars have suspended their Head Coach Usman Sheriff Abdallah for three weeks. The coach’s suspension was announced on the club’s official X handle formerly Twitter on Sunday. “The management of Kano Pillars FC have suspended the club’s Technical Adviser, Usman Sheriff Abdallah for three weeks following poor results and his gesture towards the fans after the Sai Masu Gida’s 0-0 draw against Bayelsa Unitedd. “Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro-Yaro will take charge of the team,”Kano Pillars tweeted. Kano Pillars are currently in the 10th place on the NPFL log with 29 points from 21 games and are trailing Remo Stars, who are the league leaders with 16 points.

NSC inaugurates Elites Athletes Devt. and Podium Board

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago07 mins

In his avowed commitment towards taken sports to a podium height, the Chairman National Sports Commission Mallam Shehu Dikko has inaugurated the Elite Athletes Development and Podium Board charging them to be proactive and ensure Nigerian sports meets up with global success. Speaking during the inauguration held recently at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja, the Chairman said, globally sports has gone technical, hence the need for crucial measures to be able to meet up with global practices; “Setting up the Board is a crucial step towards strengthening Nigeria’s Sports Development and ensure our athletes achieve global success.” Mallam Dikko noted that Members of the board, are seasoned sports technocrats who were carefully selected to bring in their wealth of experience, to drive sports and prepare Atheletes to podium performance internationally. “Their collective expertise will be instrumental in the development and success of our athletes, together we will create an environment that nortures talents, promotes excellence and delivers results”. As a Commission, he stated further that we are working hard to bring back all the key areas in sports especially in grassroots sports development through re introduction of school sports and and setting up of center of excellence in various tertiary institutions where our young talents can be nortured. The Chairman expressed his optimism in his leadership, to drive sports to an enviable level and with the line of budget put in place for the various tiers of the sector, the pace has been set for the private sector to come in, this way the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President for the creation of a sports industry can also be achieved,” he said. Earlier, the Director General of the Commission, Honourable Olapade olubukola, commended the initiative of forming the board which he said is a significant step towards achieving its vision of making Nigeria a force to be reckoned with in the world of sports. “With your support and guidance we believe that our athletes will have the best possible preparations, training and resources to achieve podium success and bring glory to the nation.” He expressed confidence in the board and assured them of the full support of the commission, encouraging them to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the success of their mandate. In his remark, the media aide to the President and former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare congratulated the newly inaugurated board members and urged them to see the job as a service to the Nation. He commended the President for his commitment in seeing to the development of sports in the country while encouraging the sports leadership to take the podium performance seriously stressing that; “Your achievements cannot be measured by beautiful stadium built, but by podium performance and you can have all the money, if podium performance does not have gold medals coming in you have achieved nothing,” he said. The Board is to be headed by Mr Yusuf Ali, other members are; Prof. Ken Anugweje, Bambo Akanni, Dr. Emmanuel Igbinosa, Mallam Salisu Abubakar, Aku Aghazu, Tunde Adelakun, Prof.Sadiq Abdulahi, Mary Onyeali, Hauwa Kulu Akinyemi, Suleiman Isah, Olumide Oyedeji and Bamiduro Olumide. The Terms of Reference among othing things includes Developing a robust and sustainable high performance system for podium success, identify and defining the broad range of roles and responsibilities of the entire high performance chain, construct an organogram for establishment of various roles, design and implement talent identification, development and progress as well as see to the selection preparation and participation of Atheletes for major international tournaments. They are to be giving monthly annual report to the Commission. Responding on behalf of the inaugurated members ,the Chief Executive of the Board Mr Yusuf Ali thanked the Commission for finding them worthy to serve the country in that capacity. He appreciated the opportunity given them to serve, but assured that they will deliver on the mandate given.

Premier Leaague: Onuachu’s late strike seals Southampton win

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

A Paul Onuachu’s 87th minute strike sealed victory for Southampton against Premier League fellow strugglers Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday. Despite entering the game as the Premier League’s lowest scorers, Ivan Juric’s side drew first blood thanks to a volley from another Nigerian international, Joe Aribo. The visitors have consistently demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities this season however, and Ipswich were back on level terms just ten minutes later. Liam Delap exploited the visitors’ high line before sliding his strike beyond Aaron Ramsdale to mark the ninth goal of the season for the England youth international. A point would have seen Ipswich climb out of the relegation zone but they were unable to hang on and were undone when Onuachu netted a winner from close range in the closing stages.

Police begin enforcement of 3rd Party Insurance on Motorists

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has ordered the enforcement of the Mandatory Third Party Insurance which will commence on February 1st, 2025. In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday, the initiative is aimed to reinforce road safety measures and ensure that all vehicle owners comply with the stipulated insurance requirements to protect themselves and others on the road. The Nigeria Police Force cautioned vehicle owners and operators against non-compliance with this essential regulation. Failure to possess valid Third Party Insurance will result in strict enforcement actions, including fines or penalties or both, as mandated by relevant extant laws. The staement reads in parts; “Effective February 1st, all vehicle owners nationwide are required to possess valid Third Party Insurance as they move about, and those without the Insurance, are advised to be insured quickly to avoid any sort of embarrassment. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed all State Commissioners of Police to ensure due enforcement, as Police officers will be empowered to conduct checks and enforce penalties for non-compliance in line with relevant extant laws. “The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to enhancing road safety and protecting the lives of all citizens through the enforcement of traffic laws and regulations. Cooperation from members of the public in this crucial endeavor is much appreciated.”

Ndidi returns to Leicester training next week

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago01 mins

Nigerian international Wilfred Ndidi could be included in Leicester City team training next week. Ndidi has played just two matches under Ruud van Nistelrooy, injuring his hamstring in the 2-2 draw with Brighton in early December. Since then, City have lost all seven Premier League games they’ve played. But the Nigerian midfielder is now close to a comeback. Van Nistelrooy expects him to be back alongside his team-mates at Seagrave next week, in the build-up to the trip to Everton. “Wilfred is making very good progress in his rehabilitation. Hopefully he can be part of team training next week some time,” Van Nistelrooy stated.

Soldier dies, others suffer injuries in Lagos autocrash

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

A private car driver on Friday recklessly ran into troops, killing a solider and injuring several others in Lagos. The tragic incident, according to a statement signed by Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 81 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel, Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni, occured during the Bi-Annual Route March near Myhoung Barracks in Yaba, Lagos State. The Division’s image maker disclosed that tragically, a driver in a private vehicle recklessly ran into the participating troops resulting in the death of a soldier with others sustaining various degrees of injuries. He also informed that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba, Lagos, assuring that the 81 Division Military Police in conjunction with other relevant security agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident. “The route march, which is an NA training exercise designed to enhance operational readiness, involved NA formations across Lagos State. The exercise had earlier been announced on various media platforms to create public awareness,” he pointed out. Meanwhile, the General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, has expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded. He has also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced. He added that the Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event. Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its Area of Operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate.