2 k!lled, one injured as truck rams into motorcycle in Lagos (Vanguard)
Two people have been confirmed dead in an accident involving a truck and commercial motorcycle (Okada) in Lagos State.
Vanguard gathered that at about 2 pm on Friday, the truck with registration number AAA347XA carrying petroleum products ran into the commercial motorcycle with registration number EP705QN with two female passengers at Pako Iyana Isashi Bus stop, Ojo, along Badagry expressway Lagos.
The motorcycle rider, identified as Rabiu Yaya and one of the passengers, who is yet to be identified died immediately while the other passenger Elizabeth Okowe who sustained severe injury is currently receiving treatment at Badagry General Hospital.
It was learned that the driver of the white coloured truck, Ige Olumuyiwa who ran for fear of being lynched has been arrested while the truck was later moved to Iyana Isashi police station. Read more
2023: Pick women as running mates, Aisha Buhari urges presidential aspirants (Punch)
The wife of Nigeria’s president, Aisha Buhari, has urged political parties to always consider women as running mates to candidates contesting elections for various positions across the country.
Aisha Buhari was speaking on Saturday night when she hosted Presidential Aspirants from various political parties for an Iftar at the State House, Abuja.
The Iftar was organised by the president’s wife to provide an opportunity for the aspirants to share love and happiness with one another in the spirit of Ramadan and in a quest for nation-building.
She said fair play for women in politics was to ensure their greater participation in elective positions. Read more
NDLEA seizes cocaine in tea bags, arrests 4 traffickers (Guardian)
The NDLEA has successfully foiled a fresh attempt by Brazil-based drug cartels to smuggle cocaine into Nigeria in tea bags.
Director, Media and Advocacy at the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, stated in Abuja on Sunday that the latest attempts were foiled at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
He stated that at least four traffickers were in custody over their attempts to smuggle illicit drugs into or outside Nigeria in the last week.
He added that one of the traffickers, 33-year-old Pascal Okolo, was arrested at the Abuja airport on April 17. Read more
Lagos Reps Aspirant Vows To Use Salaries, Allowances For Development Of Constituency (Tribune)
An aspirant to the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Afeez Ipesa-Balogun, has said he would not take salaries and allowances for personal use if given the ticket and eventually elected.
Ipasa-Balogun, a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is aspiring to represent Oshodi Federal Constituency 1, at the National Assembly.
Making his intention known, the former Chairman, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area (LGA), said his salaries and allowances would be channelled towards constituency development.
According to him, he would put in place a Constituency Trust Fund in which his salaries and allowances would be paid and applied to all areas of the constituency. Read more
Youths to launch e-campaign for Tinubu in Lagos (Independent)
The Nigerian Youth and Diaspora Forum For Bola Ahmed Tinubu (NYD4BAT) during its inauguration on April 27, 2022 at the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Hall, Alausa-Ikeja will unveil an e-campaign in support of the presidential aspiration of the former Lagos State governor.
Dr Ajibola Abayomi, the Director of Media and Publicity for the group in a statement said “our unconditional support for the national leader of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) is total and voluntary. We are bringing into fore a knowledge driven campaign based on the huge contributions of the Jagaban to the Nigerian democracy coupled with his untiring efforts as a nation and youths builder over the years.
“We believe Asiwaju is well prepared for the Nigerian presidency unlike others who are either waiting to be annointed or rehearsing gatecrashing strategies to emerge like accidental leaders. That we don’t want”.
Both Nigerian based at home and abroad, and a political group named Women for Asiwaju are expected at the event. Read more
FG fails to release impounded ship after $2 million bond deposit (NewTelegraph)
Three months after a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, ordered the Federal Government to release a ship, MV Karteria, on a $2 million bond, the vessel is yet to be released, apparently due to inter agency communication gaps.
The ship and its 20-member crew were detained by the Nigerian Navy for allegedly dealing in hard drugs, pending investigation and possible criminal prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
But following an agreement by all the parties and a letter of undertaking from an insurance firm, Standard Club, Ireland, dated January 12, 2022, Justice C. Aneke of the Federal High Court, on January 14 delivered a consent judgment directing the Nigeria Navy to release the vessel.
The crew members were also granted bail, sequel to an undertaking by the international insurance firm to pay the Federal Government $800,000, including interest and cost, if they failed to show up for trial. The judge said his order was sequel to the notice of agreement to release MV Karteria on a bond dated January 13, 2022, but filed on January 14 in suit number: FHC/L/ CS/1661/2021. Read more
Police arrest 2 suspected cultists in supremacy fight, recover charms (Channels)
Two suspected cultists have been arrested in Ogun State, police authorities said on Sunday.
The suspects were nabbed in the early hours of the day following a distress call that members of the Aiye cult group were in a supremacy battle with another rival cult group at Elega/Iberekodo axis of Abeokuta metropolis.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, identified the suspects as Habeeb Muideen and one Ibrahim.
After receiving the distress call, the police spokesman said SWAT Commander, Kalejaye Olanrewaju quickly led his men to the scene. Read more
Litigation stalls leadership change in Abuja Baptist church (Sun)
The leadership crisis rocking First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, escalated at the weekend, after efforts aimed at reconciling the warring factions broke down.
The fresh crisis is coming against the backdrop of a court case instituted against the appointment of an acting pastor for the Abuja chapter of the church.
Crisis broke out in the Abuja chapter of the church, following the election of a former senior pastor, Reverend Israel Akanji, of the Nigerian Baptist Convention and subsequent anointing of Reverend Tom Takpatore as acting pastor.
A group of concerned elders of the church had earlier approached a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to halt the confirmation of Takpatore, claiming that the process of his appointment would give him unfair advantage over his competitors. Read more
Buhari orders man-haunt for sponsors of Imo illegal refinery (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari has instructed security agencies, particularly the intelligence arm, to track and arrest the sponsors of the illegal refinery, which led to the death of tens of Nigerians in Abaezi Forest, Ohaji-Egbema council area of Imo State on Friday.
In his reaction to the bloody incident, President Buhari described the explosion and the resulting deaths as a national catastrophe, directing the armed forces, other security agencies, especially the secret service, to intensify the clampdown on illegal petroleum refining in the country.
According to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President said responsibility for the loss of lives and property lies squarely on the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “who must all be caught and made to face justice.”
“President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify the clampdown on illegal refineries following the reported deaths of tens of people Friday night after an illegal refinery exploded at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State”, the statement said. Read more
Harry Styles brings out Lizzo for surprise Coachella performance (PageSix)
Harry Styles was feeling “Good As Hell” when he brought pal Lizzo on stage for weekend two of his headlining Coachella set.
The crowd in Indio, Calif., went wild when the former One Direction star invited Lizzo to perform the band’s 2011 hit “What Makes You Beautiful” with him over the weekend.
Styles, 28, and Lizzo, 33, also covered Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” while twinning in feather-embellished Gucci coats.
“Thanks @coachella … last night was amazing— @harrystyles is a treasure, gods gift to rock n roll, the light that comes from him is real and infinite,” the “Juice” singer wrote on Instagram following her surprise appearance.
“He makes being on stage in front of hundreds n thousands easy, cus it’s w a friend,” she continued. “His team is incredible— and baby them Gucci coats….?!?? Thank you H, like u said ‘until next time.’” Read more
Billie Eilish brings out Paramore’s Hayley Williams at Coachella for her Weekend 2 set (USAToday)
The question of the hour Saturday was whether Billie Eilish could deliver as powerful of a set as she did during Weekend 1 of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The answer is yes.
Although she’s modest and told the crowd last weekend that she shouldn’t be headlining, Eilish is more than capable in all aspects.
After coming out in a long black coat that she dramatically took off before the first few words of “Bury a Friend,” fans – especially those that had been waiting at the front for hours to get a prime spot – started screeching for the young singer-songwriter, who was bouncing around the stage, eating it up.
Before breaking into “My Strange Addiction,” she paused to interact with the festival goers. Read more
Alfie Templeman shares new song ‘Living In A Universe’ for EarthPercent (NME)
Alfie Templeman has shared a new song called ‘Living In A Universe’ for Earth Day, with proceeds going to Brian Eno’s climate change charity EarthPercent.
To mark Earth Day (April 22), EarthPercent shared a list of exclusive tracks – including live versions, collaborations and previously unreleased songs – that have been donated by such artists as Coldplay, Michael Stipe, Anna Calvi and Jarvis Cocker‘s JARVIS…, while Declan McKenna also shared a new track called ‘Elephant’.
“Buy the track to help fund the most effective organisations working on the climate emergency, under the guidance of an advisory panel of climate experts, leading scientists & youth activists,” Templeman wrote of the release of ‘Living In A Universe’.
Proceeds from sales of these songs will go towards funding EarthPercent’s five core areas of work: “greening music, energy transition, climate justice, legal and policy change, and protecting nature”. Read more
Rupert Friend felt ‘lucky’ having Sienna Miller as onscreen wife in Anatomy of a Scandal (FilmNews)
Rupert Friend feels proud of the onscreen marriage he and Sienna Miller created in Anatomy of a Scandal.
The Homeland actor plays James Whitehouse, an MP who stands trial over a rape allegation, alongside Sienna as his wife Sophie Whitehouse and Michelle Dockery as the prosecutor Kate Woodcroft, in the new Netflix miniseries.
Rupert felt lucky working with the Layer Cake actress because they were able to depict the tensions of a troubled marriage onscreen and let loose off-camera.
“I was very, very lucky to have in Sienna not only a wonderful leading lady but also a good friend with whom I could laugh as well as explore these themes,” he told reporters at the show’s London premiere. “So, we would be fighting like cats and dogs in the movie (sic) but in-between times, just having the time of our lives. It gave us a break in the tension that was very needed.” Read more
Doctor Who’s Jo Martin and Sacha Dhawan to get new spin-off audio adventures (DigitalSpy)
Doctor Who stars Jo Martin and Sacha Dhawan are both returning to the Whoniverse in the near future, in the form of brand new audio adventures from Big Finish.
Martin will be reprising her role as the previously unknown Fugitive Doctor, who she first played in 2020 episode ‘Fugitive of the Judoon’, for six new audio dramas under the ‘Fugitive Doctor Adventures’ banner, which are due to be released across two box sets.
The star said of her return to the role of the Time Lord: “Big Finish do amazing work – they are a vital part of the fandom. I’m over the moon to be joining this iconic show. I can’t wait to see what stories they have in store for the Fugitive Doctor.”
Dhawan, meanwhile, will be returning as the current incarnation of villain The Master, who he has played since 2020, for six new adventures of his own called ‘Call Me Master’. Read more
How Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris bring hope to humanity with The Man Who Fell to Earth (EW)
The 1976 movie The Man Who Fell to Earth is the story of a man falling — which is to say, succumbing — to Earth. Being defeated by Earth. It’s the tragic tale of an extraterrestrial, known as Thomas Newton and played by David Bowie, whose mission to save his home planet is derailed by the temptations and trappings of humanity, namely alcohol and television.
On the other hand, the 2022 TV show The Man Who Fell to Earth — styled as a continuation of the film, which was based on a 1963 novel — is almost the story of Earth falling, succumbing, to man. But it also offers hope to humanity in the form of an alien called Faraday (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who arrives on Earth, like Bowie’s Newton, on a mission to save his dying planet. In the process, he might offer humans the chance to rescue their own deteriorating world.
“Obviously, humanity is very challenged by this capacity to lean towards terrible things,” Ejiofor tells EW. “But what Faraday recognizes, and I think what is true, is that humanity is a force of good that can do extraordinarily positive things. And he recognizes that humanity is worth investing in and worth saving.”
Despite those cosmic stakes, The Man Who Fell to Earth (premiering Sunday on Showtime) also tells a very intimate story, about “the two loneliest people in the universe finding each other,” as co-creator Alex Kurtzman puts it. The other side of the equation is Justin Falls, a human played by Naomie Harris who, at the start of the series, has left her past life as a scientist behind in the wake of a tragic event. Read more
6 soldiers die in attacks targeting Mali military bases (ABC)
A series of attacks targeted three military bases in Mali on Sunday, killing at least six soldiers and injuring nearly a dozen more, the West African nation’s army said.
In a tweet, the Malian army said simultaneous attacks were underway in Sevare, Niono and Bapho, three central towns in the sprawling desert nation.
While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State has ravaged the nation for eight years. The military junta that seized power in 2020 has been struggling to stem the violence.
Mali’s army has been attacked a number of times this year but this is the first time they are being hit in three different cities. Read more
Walter Zenga joins race to Coach Super Eagles (Sun)
Former Italian National team goalkeeper and Manager at Cagliari, Walter Zenga, has announced his intention to Coach the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and has submitted his application to the Secretariat of the Nigeria Football Federation.
According to his agent, Alberto “Jimmy” Fontana, the Coach who was born on 28 April 1960 last managed Serie A club Cagliari. He was a long-time goalkeeper for Inter Milan and the Italian National team.
His first managerial job was as Player-Manager of New England Revolution.
He had a short stint with Milanese Serie D team Brera Calcio, before moving to Romania in 2002, where he managed Naţional București and then Steaua București where he won the domestic title and reached the Round of 16 of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup after eliminating UEFA Cup winners Valencia from the competition. Read more
Burnley 1-0 Wolves: Vydra winner sends Everton into bottom three (Football365)
Matej Vydra scored the only goal of the game as Burnley beat Wolves to jump out of the relegation zone at Everton’s expense.
Having drawn at West Ham and then beaten Southampton on Thursday, Sean Dyche’s temporary successor oversaw another huge result in the Clarets’ bid to beat the drop.
Burnley may not have been at their best for chunks of Sunday’s encounter but Vydra’s second-half strike proved enough to secure a key 1-0 win against Wolves at a rocking Turf Moor.
The victory takes the Lancashire outfit out of the bottom three, albeit potentially only for a few hours should Everton secure a shock win at title-chasing rivals Liverpool. Read more
Late drama at Stamford Bridge as last-gasp Christian Pulisic winner saves Jorginho’s blushes
(IrishIndependent)
Christian Pulisic’s last-minute goal handed Chelsea a 1-0 Premier League win over 10-man West Ham and spared Jorginho’s penalty blushes.
Second-half substitute Pulisic swept home Marcos Alonso’s low cross at Stamford Bridge to seal Chelsea’s first home win in four matches in all competitions.
The USA forward’s crisp finish also offered Jorginho a major reprieve, with the Italy midfielder having missed a penalty with just four minutes left on the clock in an incident that also saw West Ham reduced to 10 men.
Craig Dawson was sent off for hauling back Romelu Lukaku in the box, gifting Chelsea the perfect chance to turn a dispiriting performance into a much-needed win. Read more
Wolff apologises to Hamilton: Mercedes are not worthy (RacingNews)
Toto Wolff has apologised to Lewis Hamilton for the “undriveable” car Mercedes provided the seven-time World Champion with for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Hamilton finished outside the points at Imola after spending much of the race trying and failing the pass the AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly.
The 37-year-old’s misery was compounded by the fine performance of his teammate, George Russell, who was able to fend off Valtteri Bottas during the final laps to place fifth.
Speaking directly to Hamilton via the team radio after the race, Wolff said: “Sorry for what you have needed to drive today. I know this is undriveable and not what we deserve to score as a result. Read more
Tennis: Rublev outlasts Djokovic to claim Serbia Open crown (StraitsTimes)
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic’s barren title spell in 2022 continued as he went down 6-2, 6-7 (7-4), 6-0 to Russian Andrey Rublev in the Serbia Open final in Belgrade on Sunday (April 24).
Playing his second tournament on clay this season after being knocked out by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo earlier this month, Djokovic was off to a slow start as second seed Rublev broke him twice to clinch the opening set 6-2.
Djokovic had prevailed from a set down in his last three matches and the 20-times major winner, cheered on by a capacity home crowd, raised his game in the second set to take the tie-breaker despite earlier squandering five set points on the Rublev serve.
The Serbian missed a chunk of the early season, including the Australian Open as well as ATP Masters 1000 events in Miami and Indian Wells, due to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 – and his lack of match practice showed in the deciding set on Sunday. Read more
Fox’s remarkable growth lands him on list with Giannis (NBC)
De’Aaron Fox’s continuous growth during the 2021-22 NBA season might have been overlooked as the Kings missed the playoffs for an NBA-record 16th consecutive seasons.
But one particular star shouldn’t go unnoticed.
His steady progression landed him on a list with NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Fox missed the final 11 games due to a hand injury, but he was playing his best basketball just before that. From Feb. 14 to March 9, Fox scored 20 or more points and shot 50 percent from the field in 10 straight games. Read more