2 Chibok girls escape from Sambisa (DailyTrust)
Two of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls have escaped from their captors.
Sources told Daily Trust that the girls escaped from Sambisa forest, on Sunday, as a result of intense military operations.
A security source said the escapees were identified as Hauwa Mutah and Esther Markus.
“One is from Chibok and the other one from Dzilang village,” he said. Read more
1st Davido UK tour gave me breakthrough in Showbiz— Billyque (Tribune)
A Popular Show Business Entrepreneur in Nigeria and United Kingdom, Billiamin Kunle Olabanji known as Billique, disclosed that his breakthrough in the show business came via the first Davido United Kingdom Tour.
Billiamin, who made this disclosure to Tribune Online on Monday, stated that the show was orgnised in partnership with his business colleague, SMADE.
He explained that the event opened a lot of doors of opportunity for him and they made a lot of money therefrom.
“The First Davido uk tour I worked with my partner in the business, SMADE.
“We really made a lot of money on it and it opens more big events coming my way,” he said. Read more
Evacuation of Nigerians from Sudan begins (Sun)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is to commence the evacuation of stranded Nigerians from Sudan on today.
Its Director, Special Duties of NEMA, Dr. Onimode Bandele, who disclosed this during an interview on Channels TV, said the evacuation would be done via road from Khartoum, Sudan to Cairo in Egypt.
He said the plan was to evacuate about 2,650 to 2,800 people first, including students, embassy staff and their families. Read more
Lagos, LCFE sign agreement on rice value chain devt (Nation)
The Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE) has signed an agreement with the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry Agriculture, to drive the development of the state’s rice value chain.
The agreement is expected to bridge the gap in rice production in Nigeria, create various financial instruments that will boost economic activities at the Lagos Rice Mill, Imota through LCFE, generate employment opportunities and boost government revenue.
Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Rice, Dr. Olurotimi Fashola and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Olatokunbo Emokpae, signed the agreement on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Read more
I’ve no reason to take rest because of election — Peter Obi (Vanguard)
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP in the February 25 election and former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi said on Monday in Awka that he had no reason to take a rest after the 2023 presidential campaigns and the election that followed, arguing that those who had to rest had their reason for doing so.
Addressing reporters after visiting the Moslem community in Awka Central Mosque to celebrate the Eid-El Fitri with them, Obi said the kind of problems facing Nigeria did not warrant that her leaders should rest as there are many issues requiring consistent attention.
He said: “People who want to rest can go and rest. Me, I am not resting because I have to be visiting schools and hospitals and be interacting with people. Read more
I’m very strong, Tinubu replies critics (Punch)
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, on Monday, expressed readiness to hit the ground running, declaring himself “very strong” for the task ahead.
This is as he asked Nigerians and his supporters to ignore rumormongers that he was flown out of the country for medical attention.
The PUNCH reports that the health condition of the President-elect, who is a former Lagos State governor, has consistently come under scrutiny in recent times, which critics claimed, could pose a challenge to the incoming administration. Read more
Fertiliser scam: Man arraigned over alleged N20.9m fraud (Guardian)
A Lagos Magistrates Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos, has ordered that an alleged fake fertiliser supplier, Murtala Malami Gombe, be remanded in custody for stealing N20. 915 million.
The Chief Magistrate, Lydia Y. Balogun, ordered Gombe be remanded after he was arraigned to the court by the Policemen from the Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, on the alleged offence.
The prosecutor, Mr. Morufu Animashaun, told court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in March 2021, at Apapa, Lagos. Animashaun said the defendant approached his victim, Alhaji Rabiu Mahuta, claiming to be working with an international company, Stallion Group of Companies, and that the company had a large quantity of fertilisers to sell at the price of N20. 915 million. Read more
Many ladies prepare for wedding than marriage – Mike Bamiloye (Punch)
The founder of the Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Mike Bamiloye, on Monday, disclosed that many ladies are not prepared enough to be wives even at the age of 28.
The movie maker and producer disclosed this on his Instagram page, saying that many ladies nowadays “prepare more for the wedding day, than for the marriage life.”
“Many are not preparing enough to enter into marriage. Many are shallow in their knowledge of marriage. No deep studies on what marriage entails” Read more
Warring sides agree to ceasefire in Sudan (BBC)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says warring parties in Sudan have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire from midnight (22:00 GMT) on Monday.
It is at least the third ceasefire to be announced since violence erupted this month but none have held.
Mr Blinken said an agreement had been reached between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after 48 hours of negotiations.
At least 400 people have been killed since fighting erupted on 15 April. Read more
Questlove releases first young adult novel under his publishing imprint (Essence)
Questlove has been writing books for over a decade and has said he felt ready to start publishing meaningful stories through his publishing imprint AUWA. The first young adult novel is geared toward inspiring “Black nerds” like him.
The Rhythm of Time was released Tuesday (April 18) and has already reached the Top 5 on Amazon’s bestseller list under the “Children’s Action and Adventure Books” category.
He’s been spreading the word about the book and during a recent appearance on The View, he said he wrote the book because he never saw himself represented in the books available to him.
“I want Black nerds to see themselves as well,” he said. Read more
Kenyan Authorities Recover More Bodies in Pastor Cult Investigation (VOA)
Kenyan authorities have recovered at least 50 bodies of members of the Good News International Church, who are believed to have starved themselves to death. The death toll is expected to rise as the Kenya Red Cross said 178 members of the church were reported missing.
Kenyan security forces and residents of the coastal town of Malindi continue to recover the bodies of people who were following the teachings of Good News International Church pastor Paul Mackenzie.
Kenya’s inspector general of police, Japhet Koome, said an additional 11 bodies were exhumed from Mackenzie’s land in Shakahola forest on Monday. He said 29 people were rescued. Read more
Suge Knight questions Snoop Dogg’s purchase of Death Row Records (RollingOut)
Suge Knight thinks there’s some dirty business going on with his former record label.
The former Death Row Records founder is questioning the legitimacy of the current ownership, claiming that Snoop Dogg illegally purchased the label.
In an interview with TMZ, Knight expressed doubt about whether Dogg owns the label, but his biggest concern over the ownership of the label was his ex-business partner Michael Harris’ involvement, claiming he committed bankruptcy fraud. Read more
L.A. Confidential author James Ellroy calls film version a ‘‘turkey,’’ Crowe and Basinger ‘‘Impotent’’ actors (IndieWire)
James Ellroy isn’t keeping his opinions confidential anymore.
The L.A. Confidential novelist criticized the 1997 film adaptation of the neo-noir story and cited writer-director Curtis Hanson’s death as the reason for being blunt today.
“People love the movie ‘L.A. Confidential,’” Ellroy said during a discussion with fellow author Michael Connelly at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (via The Los Angeles Times). “I think it’s the highest form. I think Russell Crowe and Kim Basinger are impotent. The director died, so now I can disparage the movie.” Read more
Singer R. Kelly moved to North Carolina prison from Chicago (AP)
Singer R. Kelly was moved from a Chicago correctional center to a medium-security prison in North Carolina last week, according to federal officials.
Robert Sylvester Kelly was transferred from the Metropolitan Correctional Center Chicago to the federal correctional institution in Butner, North Carolina, on April 19, Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesperson Benjamin O’Cone said Monday via email.
The bureau doesn’t disclose the reasons for inmate transfers due to privacy, safety and security reasons, he wrote. Read more
U2 announces fall dates for 1st concerts in Las Vegas’ massive sphere (IrishStar)
U2 have announced dates and ticket details for their highly anticipated Las Vegas gigs.
Sphere Entertainment Co. and Live Nation announced dates for ‘U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere’, a first-of-its-kind live music experience which will see the world’s biggest rock band launch the world’s most cutting-edge venue, Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
The long-awaited confirmation of dates comes after U2 dropped the ultimate sneak peek – to a mass global audience – with a Super Bowl commercial back in February which let fans know that the band will return to the stage later this year for a special run of shows marking their first live outing in four years. Read more
Police ban 171 Juve fans from stadium for Lukaku racist chants (Guardian)
Police in Turin on Monday said they had fined 171 Juventus fans and banned them from their stadium following racist chants levelled at Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.
During the April 4 first leg of the Italian Cup semi-final between Juve and Inter Milan, Lukaku was subjected to monkey chants by some Juventus fans, in what his representatives called “hostile and disgusting racist abuse”.
In a brief statement, Turin police cited “racist chants” during the semi-final. They did not provide details about the fines nor say how long the stadium ban would last. Read more
Warri Wolves, Delta Queens win 2023 Delta FA Cup (Punch)
Warri Wolves Football Club and Delta Queens of Asaba have been crowned Champions of the male and female categories of the 2023 Delta State Football Association Cup finals, respectively on Sunday.
In the men’s final match, Warri Wolves FC defeated hard fighting 2022 finalist Osevan football club of Kwale 2-0 to win the title.
It was the Wolves’ third triumph in recent times and they have qualified to represent Delta State at the 2023 National Federations Cup tournament. Read more
Arsenal team plane catches fire in scary scenes on runway as pilot abandons take off (TalkSport)
A plane carrying Arsenal’s women’s team caught fire as they tried to fly back to London.
The Gunners were on the runway at Germany’s Braunschweig Wolfsburg Airport when the team heard a loud bang before the pilots saw the blaze and pulled up the plane.
They quickly abandoned take off and evacuated the plane which included Arsenal’s players and backroom staff. Read more
Peter Schmeichel embarks upon new career as Man Utd treble winner hones self-taught skills (Mirror)
The buzz of performing for fans in pressure situations clearly still inspires Peter Schmeichel.
The Manchester United legend revolutionised goalkeeping in the 1990s, winning 10 major trophies with The Red and famously finishing his stint by captaining them to that memorable 1998/99 Champions League triumph. ‘The Great Dane’ is also a hero in his homeland, having been instrumental in their unlikely Euro 92 success.
But now he’s embarking on a new career, having used the Covid-19 lockdown period to live a dream. Schmeichel, 59, learnt how to play the guitar whilst confined to his home, and has since set up his own recording studio with all the essential musical equipment. Read more
Madrid: Eugenie Bouchard overcomes No. 13 seed to reach qualifying final round (TennisWorld)
Former world No 5 Eugenie Bouchard has been through to the Madrid Open qualifying final round following a Sara Sorribes Tormo retirement. On Monday, Bouchard – now ranked at No 285 in the world – had a comfortable 6-1 4-1 lead when 13th-seeded Sorribes Tormo retired from their qualifying match.
Down 3-0 in the second set, Sorribes Tormo received a medical timeout. Two games later, Sorribes Tormo retired the match. Sorribes Tormo appeared to be dealing with a sickness.
Bouchard faced pressure in the very first game of the match as Sorribes Tormo had three break points. Read more
Indian wrestlers demand arrest of federation chief at sit-in (AlJazeera)
India’s top wrestlers have returned to the streets of New Delhi to protest against their federation chief and demand his “immediate arrest” after accusing him of sexually harassing several female athletes.
They have also asked the country’s top court for the registration of a first information report against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Such a document is written up by police when they receive information about the alleged commission of a crime.
The wrestlers conducted their initial sit-in in January to demand action against Singh and several coaches. Singh, who is a member of parliament from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has denied all allegations. Read more