Nigeria ranks 93rd on Global Soft Power Index

Nigeria has fallen 24 places down on the Global Soft Power Index which provides a comprehensive assessment of nations’ presence, reputation, and impact on the global stage.

Soft Power, according to Brand Finance, the brain behind the Index, was “a nation’s ability to influence the preferences and behaviours of various actors in the international arena through attraction or persuasion rather than coercion.”

Nigeria, which was ranked 69th last year, is now 93rd out of 121 countries according to the Index after scoring poorly on the familiarity, reputation, and influence metrics, which are major determinants of how a country is perceived.

The U.S. came ahead of 120 nations to secure the first position on the Index, scoring 74.8 out of 100 points.

UK held the second position with 67.3 points and Germany came third with 65.8 points.

With only 35.4 points, Nigeria fell to 93rd rank under the harrowing leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The nation’s reputation continues to suffer on the international stage under Mr Buhari whose two terms have been marred by banditry, high inflation, abductions for ransoms, energy crisis, terrorism and a rushed naira redesign that left many citizens struggling to spend cash despite having money in banks.

The European Union on Monday described Nigeria’s February 25 presidential elections as lacking transparency and credibility, an assessment that has further dented the nation’s already damaged reputation.

French President Emmanuel Macron heads to Africa for five-day trip

French President Emmanuel Macron is due to start a five-day trip to Africa on Wednesday, with stops in Gabon, Angola, Congo and Congo-Brazzaville, the Élysée Palace announced.

Mr Macron plans to attend a UNESCO conference on the protection of forests, the One Forest Summit in Gabon’s capital Libreville.The president also plans to open a new French embassy in the city.

In Angola, the main topic for discussion is expected to be cooperation in the agricultural sector, likely to increase the country’s security of supply and help farmers prepare for climate change.

In the two Congo republics, the focus is expected to be on cultivating relations with France.Mr Macron’s trip to Africa came when France, as a former colonial power, is under pressure in several African countries.

Anti-French resentment is being expressed, for example, in the countries of the Sahel, where France has troops stationed in the fight against terrorism.

Russia is also trying to gain influence in the region with the help of the mercenary force Wagner.

On Monday, before the start of his trip, Mr Macron announced the withdrawal of more soldiers from Africa.

“The troop strength is to be visibly reduced,” said Mr Macron.

Mr Macron also held out the prospect of a law to return looted art.

US to extend tourist visa validity for Nigerians to five years – Federal Government

The federal government says it has entered into an agreement with the United States on an extension of tourist visa validity for both countries to five years.

Sola Fasure, spokesperson to minister of interior, Rauf Aregbesola, the federal government said the new policy applies to tourist visas, as well as visas for diplomats and government officials. 

The new policy is as a result of bilateral consular agreements between Nigeria and the US, and is expected to take effect from March 1.

The statement read;

“The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed the full implementation of a new visa reciprocity policy for citizens of the United States of America with effect from 1st March, 2023.

“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the directive following the approval for the implementation of the new Bilateral Consular Policy Agreements between the governments of Nigeria and the United States of America.

“The agreements amongst others include: The reciprocity of five (5) year tourist visa validity for American citizens pursuant to Section 30 of the Immigration Act, 2015; and extension of visa validity to three (3) years for diplomats and government officials between the citizens of Nigeria and the United States of America.

“Consequently, the Minister of Interior has directed the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, to start the implementation of the policy from 1st March 2023.

“Nigerians will recall that President Muhammadu Buhari launched the new Nigeria Visa Policy (NPV) in 2020, which amongst other things promotes tourism. Tourist Visa falls under the Short Visit Visa (F5A) category. This policy is in line with Mr. President’s desire to boost cultural exchange and business between both nations.

“As part of the Bilateral Agreement, the United States of America will implement a similar policy for Nigerians wishing to travel on Tourist Visas to the United States and for our diplomats and officials visiting the country.

“The United States will thus extend Tourist Visa Validity for Nigerian citizens to five (5) years.”

European Commission bans employees from using TikTok on their phones

Due to potential cyber security risks, the European Commission has prohibited its employees from owning or using TikTok, a social media site owned by the Chinese company Bytedance.

“The measure aims to protect the commission against cybersecurity threats and actions, which may be exploited for cyberattacks,” The New York Times quoted EU spokesperson Sonya Gospodinova as saying.

The Chinese app will no longer be allowed on official devices or any personal devices that include work-related data and applications starting on March 15, according to an email sent to EU employees and obtained by The Times.

However, the commission emphasised that the rule was only a temporary measure necessary to address growing worries about cyber security threats, particularly in light of the escalating rumours that Chinese authorities may be spying on the activities of TikTok users.

But, TikTok has denied allegations that it gives the Chinese government access to users’ personal information.

“We believe this suspension is wrong and based on fundamental misconceptions,” TikTok said in response to the restriction.

Finnish Police Arrest Biafra Separatist Leader Simon Ekpa

The Finnish Police has reportedly arrested the pro-Biafran separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, over his threats of no elections in Nigeria.

Ekpa had threatened that any person in the South-Eastern Part of the Nigeria who tried to participate or vote in the 2023 elections scheduled to hold on Saturday February 25 would be ruthlessly dealt with.

Ekpa was reportedly picked up from his apartment in the Lahti region of Finland by officers from the Finnish Central Criminal Police on Thursday morning.

Gunman returns To Florida murder Scene, kills reporter and a child

A man suspected of killing a woman on Wednesday in Florida returned to the scene of the crime hours later and gunned down a television reporter and a nine-year-old girl, authorities said.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina said that a 19-year-old man, Keith Melvin Moses, had been taken into custody and was believed responsible for the shootings.

The attacks occurred in Pine Hills, a suburb west of Orlando in central Florida.

A 20-year-old woman was slain there at around 11am (1600 GMT), the sheriff’s department said on Wednesday.

A team from Spectrum News 13 arrived hours later to cover the murder, Mina said at an evening news conference.

Shortly after 4pm (2100 GMT) time, Moses arrived and opened fire on a Spectrum camera operator and a reporter as they stood near their vehicle, killing the reporter and wounding the camera operator, the sheriff added.

The gunman then entered a nearby home and shot a woman and her nine-year-old daughter.

The victims were all taken to the hospital, but the girl and the Spectrum News 13 reporter died, Mina said.

G*nmen k!ll 7, including young girl, after being laughed at for losing at pool

Horr!fy!ng video captured the moment two g*nmen opened f!re in a Brazilian pool hall, k!lling seven people, including a 12-year-old girl.

The men lost two consecutive games in Sinop City, in the state of Mato Grosso, on Tuesday, Feb. 21, and when the crowd laughed at their misfortune, they lost it, Newsflash reported.

The chilling footage shows one of the men lining up the victims against the wall at g*npoint while his companion grabs a shotg*n from a pickup truck.

In a few seconds, the man with the pump-action shotg*n begins his terrifying assault, shooting a man in a white T-shirt at point-blank range.

He continues his barrage, picking his targets one by one as the other man joins in with his handg*n.

As people crumple to the floor, others scramble for their lives and run out into the street. One woman is seen holding up her arms as the g*nmen leave the scene of the m@ssacre.

On their way out, the k!llers grab small amounts of cash on pool tables, as well as a woman’s purse.Six people d!ed instantly.

They were identified as Larissa Frasao de Almeida, 12, Orisberto Pereira Sousa, 38, Adriano Balbinote, 46, Getulio Rodrigues Frasao Junior, 36, Josue Ramos Tenorio, 48, and Maciel Bruno de Andrade Costa, 35.

A seventh, Elizeu Santos da Silva, 47, was pronounced d£ad later.

Police Lt. Romening dos Santos Silva said the gunmen — Edgar Ricardo de Oliveira, 30, and Ezequias Souza Ribeiro, 27– went to get more money after losing the first game but lost again later.

They went on the deadly rampage after being mocked.

Nipsey Hussle’s killer Eric Holder sentenced to 60 years to life in prison

The man convicted of fatally shooting rapper Nipsey Hussle was sentenced to 60 years to life in prison in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Eric Holder was convicted of first-degree murder in July for the March 31, 2019, killing of Hussle in a parking lot outside the rapper’s South Los Angeles apparel shop. 

He was 33. Superior Court Judge H. Clay Jacke handed down the sentence Wednesday after hearing from one of Hussle’s friends and listening to a letter from Holder’s father.

Holder’s sentencing hearing had been postponed several times, including most recently Nov. 3.

The sentencing has been delayed in part so defense attorney Aaron Jansen could argue to reduce Holder’s conviction to manslaughter or second-degree murder, which the judge rejected in December.

Holder was also found guilty of two counts of attempted voluntary manslaughter after two other people were injured in the shooting.

Hussle, who was born Ermias Asghedom, had grown up with Holder, and both were members of the same gang, the Rollin’ 60s.

Prosecutors argued that Holder was upset over accusations that he was a snitch and that it was premeditated when he approached Hussle outside his shop, The Marathon, and opened fire.

Hussle was struck at least 10 times. Afterward, Holder kicked him in the head and fled, Deputy District Attorney John McKinney told jurors.

Hussle was a father-of-two.

I8 Nigerian nurses indicted for fake certificate scandal in the US

The Texas Board of Nursing has filed charges against 18 nurses from Nigeria residing in Texas, the United States for obtaining educational credentials through fraudulent means.

In a statement on its website, the Board published 23 names of persons indicted with fake certificates of which 18 of them were Nigerians.

The board in its statement said an investigation carried out showed that the suspects were caught in a grand fraudulent diploma/transcript scheme.

The board explained that the suspects procured fraudulent nursing credentials which they used to sit for the national nursing board exam.

It added that the formal charges filed against the offenders are not a final disciplinary action, therefore, they are permitted to work pending the outcome of the charges.

The statement read;

“The Board has filed Formal Charges against the following nurses for fraudulently obtaining educational credentials.

The Board is authorized to file Formal Charges against a nurse if probable cause exists that the nurse has committed an act listed in Tex. Occ. Code §301.452(b) or that violates other law. See Tex. Occ. Code §301.458.

Further, Formal Charges are publicly available. See Tex. Occ. Code §301.466(b).

Please note that Formal Charges are not a final disciplinary action, and a nurse is permitted to work, as a nurse, while Formal Charges are pending.”

The Nigerians indicted include Abiodun, Yetunde Felicia; Adelakun, Abiodun Aveez; Adelekan, Joseph Adewale; Adeoye, Vivien Temitope; Adewale, Modinat Abidemi; Afolabi, Olufemi Toun; Afolabi, Omowunmi F; Agbo, Odumegwu Steve; Ajibade, Charlot Omotayo, Akande, Olabisi Christiana; Akhigbe, Catherine; Akinrolabu, Folasade Margaret; Ako, Esiri Rachael; Akpan, Rosemary Moses; Alimi, Bukola A; Ani, Ndirika Justina; Aroh, Nchekwube C.; and Ayodeji, Sherifat Olubunmi.

Other non-Nigerian nurses named in the scandal are Abanda, Jacob Atambili; Addai, Agnes Fosuah; Anaaba, Awingrug Musah; Anthony-Annor, and Spendilove; Asanga, Albert Nshanui.

Nigerian consulate in New York unveils 2023 programmes, to hold Adire exhibition

The Consulate General of Nigeria in New York has informed diasporans that it will be holding Adire textile Exhibition in New York as part of its programmes for 2023.

Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, Adire textile is an indigenous indigo-dyed cloth made by using different wax resist methods to create dazzling designs.

The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Amb. Lot Egopija, said this at the virtual 8th Town Hall Meeting with the Nigerian Community within New York Jurisdiction.

“We’ll be having a joint exhibition in this regard with the Consulate General of Indonesia to see how we can exhibit our national product – the Adire fabric.

“We are in talks with the Government of Indonesia to see the better time to execute it. We will be informing you when to undertake this exhibition.

“Also, we will be exhibiting with the Indian Consulate this year. We will be observing the International Year of Millet. You will agree with me that Nigeria is one the largest producers of Millet in the world,’’ he said.

“So, in this regard, the Indian Consulate and Nigerian Consulate in New York will explore possibility of celebrating the Day and we will inform you through our communication channel,’’ he said.

Nigeria is the third largest millet producing country in the world after India and China, and the leading producer in Africa.

Recall that the UN General Assembly adopted by consensus a resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 countries declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

The resolution is aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions.

The resolution titled ‘International Year of Millets 2023’ was initiated by India with Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia and Senegal and was co-sponsored by over 70 nations.

Mr Egopija said the Consulate, as part of its programmes in 2023, would be reviving sister city relationship with some boroughs and cities in New York.

“We have come to the realisation that before now we were part of sister city relationship between some cities in New York and some cities in Nigeria and most of these relations have gone moribund.

“We want to see how we can explore, revive some of them and to see how through this sister city relations, our people back home can enjoy educational exchange and enjoy medical facilities,’’ he said.

The envoy further said the Consulate would be collaborating with the management of Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx to reach out to Nigerians in New York to provide medical services for them.

He also thanked the Nigerian Nurses in New York for their commitment to its quarterly medical outreach at the Nigeria House, noting the outreach now holds monthly to reach out to nationals coming for consular services.

“We are more than appreciative, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that we improve the health and wellness of Nigerians.

“I want to assure you that we will continue to do what we have to do to make sure that we give better service,’’ Mr Egopija said.

A representative of Lincoln Hospital was invited to brief the nationals on its healthcare programme and how Nigerians in New York could benefit from it.

Ex-U.S. president Jimmy Carter to spend his “remaining time” at home

Former United States president Jimmy Carter, 98, has decided to forego further medical treatment and opt for hospice care at home, where he will spend his “remaining time,” his nonprofit foundation said on Saturday.

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention,” the Carter Center said in a statement on Twitter.

Mr Carter was the United States president from 1977 to 1981. He resides in Plains, Georgia, with his wife Rosalynn. During his presidency, Mr Carter was strongly committed to human rights and social justice. He successfully brokered a peace deal between Israel and Egypt dubbed the Camp David Accords.

His administration was unfortunately marred by setbacks which included the taking of U.S. hostages in Iran and the disastrous failed attempt to rescue the 52 captive Americans in 1980.

Later that year, he lost the presidential election to Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, serving only a single term in office.

The former president founded the Carter Center in 1982 to push for his vision of world diplomacy.

Mr Carter received the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote social and economic justice.

“The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers,” the Carter Center said.

South Africa to auction seized superyacht belonging to Equatorial Guinea vice-president

A court in South Africa has ordered the auction of a superyacht and two choice properties belonging to Equatorial Guinea’s Vice-President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue as payment for a botched airline deal that resulted in the illegal arrest and torture of a South African businessman.

Mr Obiang is the son of President Teodoro Obiang who has been in power for the past 43 years and is most likely to succeed his father.

Daniel Janse van Rensburg, a South African businessman, said he was illegally arrested and tortured in a Guinea prison for two years on Mr Obiang’s order despite several pleas over the failed contract.

Mr Rensburg said he was contracted by Gabriel Angabi, the then-mayor of the capital city of Equatorial Guinea, to build a private airline over a decade ago.

After working on the deal for two years, the mayor cancelled the project and asked for a refund.

The mayor conspired with Mr Obiang, then-security minister, to jail the South African in Guinea’s most notorious prison. “And that is when he phoned Teodorin junior. He was, at that time, the minister of security and in charge of the jail. So, he got authorisation from him to put me into Black Beach,” Mr Rensburg said.

Mr Rensburg was illegally detained in the gulag for almost two years and tortured. The South African businessman blamed his imprisonment on the Equatorial Guinean vice-president, not Mr Angabi.

“Because he was responsible for having me put into jail and keeping me there as well,” Mr Rensburg explained.

“You know we have documentation from the South African embassy in Malabo to prove this, that they asked him a few times to speak to him, to ask him to look at this and to set me free, and he always kept on refusing.”

The South African explained that he could only secure his release from the prison with the assistance of a fellow inmate’s lawyer.

The Equatorial Guinea government had yet to comment on the ruling.

Enraged customers burn banks over cash withdrawal limits in Lebanon

Dozens of enraged customers in Lebanon have taken matters into their own hands and attacked several banks in the country’s capital city of Beirut on Thursday, burning and protesting over the government-sanctioned withdrawal limit on citizens’ accounts since three years ago.

Since 2019, banks in Lebanon have imposed a restriction on the withdrawals of U.S. dollars, and Lebanese pounds after the country’s economy collapsed, and the country’s currency has lost 97 per cent of its value thus far.

To save the country’s total ruin, banks brought the withdrawal limit into effect in a move that was not backed by the law, leaving depositors to seek access to their funds through lawsuits, and some have taken the situation to the extent of robbing banks with guns to withdraw from their accounts.

According to VOA, nothing less than six banks were attacked on Thursday after the Lebanese pound recorded its lowest value, a spokesperson for Depositors Outcry, a lobby group representing depositors with money stuck in the country’s banking sector, said.

In the Badaro neighbourhood, a bank was set on fire before firefighters swooped in to quench it as riot police took positions around the area, holding their shields.

The presidency said they are in the process of working on a financial remedy for the crisis while the country has thus failed to put together a reform needed to secure International Monetary Fund bailout funds for close to a year now.

Al-Qaida’s new leader al-Adel operating from Iran, UN reveals

Following the death of al-Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, his heir apparent Saif al-Adel is now commanding the group out of Iran, a new report from the United Nations says.

Based on intelligence from member states, the report said al-Qaida’s new de facto leader could not be announced for two reasons.

Mr Al-Adel’s leadership “cannot be declared because of al-Qaida’s sensitivity to Afghan Taliban concerns not to acknowledge the death of al-Zawahiri in Kabul and [Al-Adel’s] presence in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the report stated.

“His location raises questions that have a bearing on al-Qaida’s ambitions to assert leadership of a global movement in the face of challenges,” including from its rival, the Islamic State (IS) terror group,” added the report.

Mr Al-Adel was part of a team that provided military and intelligence training to fighters in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Sudan beginning in the early 1990s.

He also assisted in training members of al-Egyptian Qaida’s affiliate, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, and Somalis who fought U.S. forces in Mogadishu from 1992 to 1994.

In 1998, the United States indicted Mr al-Adel for his role in planning the deadly bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, which killed 224 people and injured thousands more.

He is also a long-serving member of al-senior Qaida’s leadership council, the Majlis al-Shura, and a senior member of the group’s Hittin Committee, which oversees al-Qaida’s operations.

5.3-magnitude earthquake jolts Indonesia

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi Province on Tuesday but did not leave damages or casualties, the country’s weather agency said.

The Indonesian Agency for Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysics reported that the earthquake happened at 1:02 p.m. local time (0602 GMT).

It has its epicentre located 30km southeast of Parigi Moutong District and a depth of 87km under the land.

The agency added that the quake’s tremors did not potentially trigger a tsunami.

The quake jolts were felt weakly in parts of Central Sulawesi Province, and there were no reports of damages or casualties.

This included in the hardest-hit area, said Riki Hapri, an officer of the emergency unit of the provincial disaster and mitigation agency.

Indonesia sits on a vulnerable quake-hit zone, the Pacific Ring of Fire.

FAAN officials beat female passenger till she passed out for recording Abuja airport harassment

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport on Monday, officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) attacked a female traveller and pummelled her until she passed out because she was attempting to document yet another case of harassment, according to information obtained by Peoples Gazette.

Christiana Ebun, with Ibom Air ticket QI0313 and seat number 17A, was scheduled to depart Abuja to Lagos on a 7:00 a.m. flight and was waiting to board when she sighted some rogue FAAN officials assaulting a lady.

Ms Ebun pulled out her phone to record the assault, drawing the attention of the FAAN officials, who then pounced on her and beat her to a bloody pulp, according to persons acquainted with the incident.

The beatings did not stop until Ms Ebun eventually lost consciousness, and her body was dragged out of public view.

An official identified as I.E. Odoh was among the officers who hauled her out.

Although she regained consciousness, her body was covered with bruises from the assault.When contacted, FAAN spokesperson Hope-Ivbaise Faithful said the matter would be investigated and promised to furnish The Gazette with her findings.

Ibom Air did not immediately return requests seeking comments on the matter.

Oyo Pilgrims Board fixes N2.6 million down payment for 2023 Hajj

The Oyo State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has fixed N2.6 million as an initial deposit for 2023 Holy pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The board chairman, Sayed Malik, made this known at the Hajj Camp, Olodo, in Ibadan, on Saturday.

Mr Malik specifically said the amount was fixed pending the announcement of the actual fare by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

He said the 150 intending pilgrims, who could not perform the 2022 exercise due to limited seats allocated to the state, would be given priority.

Mr Malik enjoined all intending pilgrims with the state Pilgrim Welfare Board for the 2023 exercise to start paying the stated amount into any of the designated bank accounts of the board.

While informing board members about the critical issues and other important matters relating to the 2023 Hajj operation discussed during the first pre-Hajj visit to Saudi Arabia, Malik said NAHCON had allocated 1441 seats to the state for the 2023 Hajj.

NAHCON, along with states’ chairmen and secretaries of Muslim Pilgrim’s Welfare Board across the country, recently arrived from Makkah, where they embarked on a pre-Hajj discussion with the Saudi Authority.

Internet blocked in Ethiopia after church rift turns violent

Internet watchdog, NetBlocks, on Friday, reported that access to social media platforms has been restricted in Ethiopia following violent protests sparked by a rift within the country’s Orthodox Church.

The protests broke out in the Oromiya region when three church officials declared themselves archbishops in January and set up their own governing body, making some demonstrators oppose the move and others supporting it.

The church said in a statement on Thursday that at least 30 people have been killed in protests since February 4.

The statement called for demonstrations on Sunday, accusing the Ethiopian government of “meddling” in the church’s internal affairs after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed asked his ministers to stay out of the dispute.

The Ethiopian state has traditionally maintained close ties to the Orthodox Church, to which more than 40 per cent of the population adheres.

Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.

The government said in a statement on Thursday that the upcoming protest was banned to prevent violence.

NetBlocks said in a statement that access to Facebook, Messenger, TikTok and Telegram was severely restricted, citing network data it had collected.

Ethiopian authorities have previously shut down or restricted access to the internet during periods of political unrest, including in response to protests in 2020 that followed the killing of a popular singer from Oromiya.

Internet and phone communications were also shut down in the northern Tigray region for most of a two-year war that ended in a ceasefire in November.

The Orthodox Church vowed in its statement that Sunday’s protest would go ahead. It said the government’s ban constituted “a declaration to destroy the church once and for all”.

Oromiya, home to Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, has experienced violent conflict for many years, part of wider unrest in Ethiopia, a multi-ethnic country where power has long been contested between federal and regional authorities.

Iconic Kobe Bryant jersey sells for $5.8m at auction

A jersey worn by United States basketball legend Kobe Bryant — who died three years ago in a tragic helicopter accident — sold at auction for $5.8 million on Thursday.

The sale by Sotheby’s in New York set a new record for any Bryant item at auction but came in under the upper pre-sale estimate of $7 million.

The price was comfortably more than the previous high of $3.7 million paid for a jersey worn by the Los Angeles Lakers titan, who won five NBA titles and two Olympic gold medals.Game-worn sports memorabilia is big business.

Michael Jordan’s 1998 NBA Finals jersey, which sold for $10.1 million in September 2022, is currently the most valuable such item. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” jersey sold for $9.3 million at Sotheby’s in London last year.

Bryant’s iconic yellow-and-purple number 24 jersey, put up for sale by an anonymous owner, was worn by the legendary Laker in 25 games during the 2007-2008 season, Bryant’s only as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player.

In one of those appearances — a post-season game against the Denver Nuggets on April 23, 2008 — photographers famously captured Bryant celebrating after a successful three-point shot, gripping his jersey and letting out a primal scream.

The image has since been plastered on walls around the world by street artists, especially in Los Angeles, where Bryant played his entire professional career.

The last time this jersey was put up for auction, in 2013, it only fetched $18,678.It was years before Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash, after which his April 2008 celebration became “the image that galvanised the public,” Sotheby’s said.