2019 UTME: Nigerians will be shocked by outcome of our probe – JAMB (Nation)
Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Friday said the outcome of its probe into examination fraud between 2009- 2019 would shock many Nigerians. He said the board has discovered that some prominent Nigerians occupying high positions in the society today did not take its examination themselves. Oloyede said although the board may not be able to punish these persons because they had already left the system, but it would go ahead to publish their names to shame them. Read more
Drama as Gowon slumps, recovers at late David Ejoor’s burial (Guardian)
The remains of Gen. David Ejoor, former Military Administrator of Mid-west region and Chief of Staff Nigeria Army, was committed to mother Earth yesterday in his home town, Ovwor-Olomu, in Ughelli South council, Delta State, amid tears, but not devoid of a mild drama. Midway into the interment oration, however, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, former Nigerian Head of State, suddenly slummed by Ejoor’s graveside and was immediately rushed to a nearby shed by military officers where an ambulance was stationed. Read more
Osinbajo tours states to assess TraderMoni impact, inspects Second Niger Bridge (Punch)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is visiting some states on Friday (today) to assess the progress recorded in the TraderMoni scheme. He will also use the occasion to inspect ongoing works on the Second Niger Bridge. He has touched down in Enugu, from where he will go to Anambra State. This was revealed by the VP’s Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity), Mr. Laolu Akande, on Friday. Read more
Army reorganises exercise to tackle resurgence of banditry (Punch)
The Nigerian Army says it will re-organise the ongoing exercise Harbin Kunama III and expand its mandate following resurgence of banditry in the North West. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, announced this at a news conference in Abuja on Friday. Buratai said that though Harbin Kunam III, launched on April 1, had achieved a lot in Zamfara, there was resurgence of bandits’ activities in contiguous states. “This is occasioned by fleeing bandits that have resorted to attacking soft targets while relocating to other safe havens within contiguous states of Katsina and Sokoto. Read more
Ekiti reviews Fayose’s last minute recruitment of 2,000 workers (Nation)
The Ekiti State Government has expressed readiness to review the procedure that led to the recruitment of no fewer than 2,000 new workers into the civil service by the immediate past administration of Ayo Fayose. The new set of workers had continually protested their non-recogition as bonafide civil servants by the current government, as well as non-payment of their salaries seven months after their engagement. Commissioner for Information, Tourism and Values Orientation, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Monday while addressing a group of physically challenged people also affected by the exercise. Read more
Former minister Ogunlewe dumps PDP, joins APC (Guardian)
A chieftain of the PDP, Sen. Adeseye Ogunlewe, said on Friday that he was set to dump the opposition party for the ruling APC. Ogunlewe, a former Minister of Works, confirmed the development in an interview with a political correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos. He was reacting to the recent defection of his son, Moyosore from the PDP to the APC. Moyosore contested for a place in the Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the PDP but lost and soon after, announced his resignation from the PDP. Read more
Court restrains FG from re-possessing Murtala Mohammed Airport (Nation)
A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government from re-possessing the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos from its current operator and manager, Bi-Courtney Limited. The court also restrained the Federal Government and its agencies from interfering or hampering the operations of Bi-Courtney with respect to its management of the airport. Justice Binta Nyako gave the orders on Thursday after listening to Wale Babalakin (SAN), who moved a motion ex-parte to that effect. Read more
Anglican Church bombs Obiano for insulting Ohaneze boss (Nation)
Anglican Diocese of Aguata, Anambra State on Friday asked Anambra Governor Willie Obiano to tender unreserved apology to Ndigbo over alleged insult on President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo during the last general elections. The church also demanded an apology from the governor over what it termed open support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection during the electioneering campaign. These were contained in the Bishops Charge presented by Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor at the 2nd Session of the Fifth Synod of Diocese of Aguata holding at St James Anglican Church Uga Aguata Local Government Area of the State. Read more
NDLEA arrests Saudi-bound septuagenarian, other for alleged drug trafficking (Nation)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) have arrested 72-year-old Mohammed Hamza and Kamisu Mohammed, 25, for attempting to ferry illicit drugs from Kano to Saudi Arabia. According to the MAKIA NDLEA Commander, Mr. Ambrose Umoru, Hamza, who hails from Gwaranduma village, Daura in Katsina state was arrested on April 24 at the screening point, while trying to board an aircraft to Saudi Arabia. Read more
Court nullifies Adamawa APC Rep-elect’s election over forgery (Nation)
The Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday, sacked Abdulrauf Modibbo as member-elect representing Yola South/Yola North/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa in the National Assembly. Justice Inyang Ekwo nullified Modibbo’s election while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Mustapha Usman, challenging the election. Modibbo was declared winner of the All Progressives Congress’ primaries held on Oct. 7, 2018 in Yola, and eventually represented the APC in the 2019 general elections, which he was also declared winner. Read more
Woman allegedly defrauds magistrate by posing as Police officer (Punch)
A 54-year-old woman, Olabisi Olawoye, who allegedly posed as a Police Superintendent, on Friday appeared in an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. The defendant was brought before the court on a charge of impersonation. She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Prosecutor, Inspector Kehinde Omisakin, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in the month of August 2018 at Magistrate Court 1, Ogba, Lagos. Read more
Court remands man for sexually assaulting ten-year-old girl (Nation)
An Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on Friday ordered that a 45-year-old man, Celestine Onwusonye, who allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl be remanded in prison. Magistrate Olufunke Sule-Amzat, who did not take the plea of the defendant, ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Prison. Sule-Amzat ordered the police to send the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. Read more
Germany says half of far right ‘prone to violence’ (BBC)
Some 12,700 far-right Germans are prepared to commit violence, of an estimated 24,000 far-right extremists, according to interior ministry figures. Authorities had already warned of a growing threat of violence from the extreme right, including an “affinity for weapons”, the ministry said. Hundreds of flag-waving extremists caused alarm this week when they marched through an eastern town. Germany’s main Jewish organisation said the march should not have been allowed. Read more
Three million people to evacuate as Bangladesh braces for cyclone Fani (Punch)
Bangladesh has begun evacuating 2.5 million people as the extremely dangerous cyclone Fani is closing on the southern coast of the country. According to a met office bulletin on Friday, after hitting the Puri coast in India’s Odisha, the cyclone is now staying at 605 km southwest of Bangladesh’s Mongla Port in southern Khulna region and 790 km west-southwest of Chattogram Port in southeastern Bangladesh. Bangladesh on Thursday issued the danger alert over cyclone Fani that is heading towards its coastlines. Read more
Turkey refuses to free two prominent journalists (Nation)
Turkey’s Constitutional Court on Friday rejected the appeals for freedom from Ahmet Altan and Nazli Ilicak, two prominent journalists who were taken into custody after a failed coup in 2016. The state news agency Anadolu reported Altan and Ilicak were sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2018 for their alleged ties to Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accused of plotting the abortive putsch by a faction of the military. The country’s top court rejected their individual applications that their rights were violated in detention. Read more
US jobless rate at lowest since 1969 (BBC)
The US unemployment rate dropped to its lowest level for more than 49 years in April, according to official figures. The jobless rate fell from 3.8% to 3.6%, the US Labor Department said, the lowest rate since December 1969. However, the fall in the rate was due to a large number of people – 490,000 – leaving the labour force during April. The data also showed that the world’s largest economy added a stronger-than-expected 263,000 jobs last month. Read more
Mexican lawmaker urges sellers to serve warm beer to curb alcoholism (Punch)
Time to crack open a cold one? Not so fast — a local Mexican lawmaker proposed a measure Thursday limiting the sale of cold beer to curb alcohol consumption, unbottling a wave of mainly mocking reactions online. “If the beer isn’t refrigerated, you will be forced to bring it home, put it in the fridge and drink it at home,” explained Maria de Lourdes Paz, a member of Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s left-leaning Morena party. The bill cited a study on addiction in Mexico that showed Mexico City, where Paz is a member of the local congress, has “the highest rate of youth alcohol consumption.” Read more
Prince Harry cancels trip to Amsterdam as wait for royal baby continues (Metro)
Prince Harry has cancelled the first day of his trip to The Netherlands next week as the whole world is waiting for the arrival of the new royal baby. Kensington Palace announced on Wednesday that the Duke of Sussex would be visiting Amsterdam on Wednesday May 8 to Thursday May 9 to officially launch the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2020. He has now, however, been forced to cancel his trip due to ‘logistical planning’ – which could in other words mean Meghan has not yet gone into labour. Read more
Onions are secret to long life says woman who just turned 111 (Metro)
One of Britain’s oldest women says she’s got onions to thank for making it to the age of 111. Daisy Bastin, of Glastonbury, Somerset, puts her longevity down to great friends and regularly home cooking the strong veg. She said: ‘I am very lucky in my life to have had such loyal friends and to still be in good health.’ ‘Onions keep me going. They’re good for the skin too.’ Read more
Nations Cup: CAF insists on the best in pre-tournament Ref course (Nation)
Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have declared operation only the best is good enough at the intensive training for over 56 referees and their assistants in Rabat Morocco ahead of the 2019 Nations cup in Egypt. Information emanating for the venue in Rabat indicate that the whistle men and their assistants are being exposed new techniques and approaches all aimed at reducing to the barest minimum mistakes associated with officiating. Read more
Sarri defends benching Hazard in Chelsea Europa League stalemate (Guardian)
Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri defended his decision to leave Eden Hazard on the bench and said his team “deserved a trophy” after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday. Pedro’s first-half equaliser gave Chelsea a potentially crucial away goal after a hard-fought clash at the Commerzbank Arena. Sarri raised eyebrows with his decision to leave Hazard out of the starting line-up, but he said he had no choice but to rest the Belgian star. Read more
Emery cautious as Lacazette, Aubameyang edge Arsenal towards Europa League final (Guardian)
Arsenal manager Unai Emery insisted his side’s Europa League semi-final against Valencia is still “50-50” despite the Gunners taking a 3-1 first leg lead to Spain. Valencia’s bright start at the Emirates on Thursday was rewarded with Mouctar Diakhaby’s away goal. But Alexandre Lacazette quickly turned the game around with two goals in eight first-half minutes before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late strike gave Arsenal a two-goal advantage to defend at the Mestalla on May 9. Read more
Arsenal condemn Valencia fans’ behaviour after a video appears to show them making Nazi salutes (BBC)
Arsenal say they “utterly condemn” the behaviour of a group of Valencia fans who appeared to make Nazi salutes and monkey gestures at Thursday’s Europa League semi-final at Emirates Stadium. A video has emerged of the latest high profile incident of racism at domestic and international football this season. Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said “these blatant racist gestures are shocking and inexcusable”. Read more
Liverpool ‘ambitious’ for Premier League title, says Klopp (Punch)
Jurgen Klopp says his Liverpool players are “ambitious like hell” to win the Premier League, backing them to bounce back from their thumping at Barcelona and keep the title race alive against Newcastle. Liverpool travels to face the St James’ Park side managed by former Reds boss Rafael Benitez a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City with two matches to go. Victory on Saturday would see Liverpool go back to the top of the table and ramp up the pressure on City ahead of the reigning champions’ home match against Leicester on Monday. Read more
Early Bird: ‘Vagina stadium’ unveiled ready for 22 World cup (Nation)
One of the 12 Stadia to be used for the 2022 world cup in Qatar, The Al Wakrah stadium has been unveiled signaling its readiness for action close to five years to the event billed for November 21-December 18. The stadium which controversially has been named “Vagina Stadium” with fans citing its shape for the label is the first to be completed as work continues on the remaining 11 scattered in seven regions of Lusail, Doha, Al Khor,Ash-Shamal,Al Wakrah, Umm Salal and Al Rayyan. The Al Wakrah stadium will host matches up to the quarter-finals and contains innovative cooling technology to bring temperatures down for the 40,000 fans. Read more
Pep Guardiola rates Liverpool’s Champions League performance against Barcelona (Metro)
Pep Guardiola insists Liverpool were ‘incredible’ despite slipping to a damaging 3-0 Champions League semifinal first leg defeat against Barcelona in midweek. Jurgen Klopp’s side were made to pay for missing a host of clear cut opportunities at Camp Nou as Lionel Messi put his stamp on the tie with two goals which tipped the balance firmly in Barcelona’s favour ahead of next week’s return leg at Anfield. Liverpool have matched Manchester City stride for stride in an extraordinary title race which will see the runners-up finish with a record points tally. Read more
‘Everything is possible’ – Favre revives Dortmund title hopes (Guardian)
Borussia Dortmund coach Lucien Favre has said that his side’s Bundesliga title hopes are now alive and well despite declaring them dead last weekend. The Swiss coach said that the title race was over last Saturday, after his side’s 4-2 derby defeat to Schalke gave title rivals Bayern Munich the chance to pull four points clear at the top of the table. Yet Bayern were then held to a surprise draw away to relegation strugglers Nuremberg the following day, keeping them just two points ahead of Dortmund with three games to go. Read more
PSG’s Mbappe slapped with three match ban (Guardian)
French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe was banned for three matches Friday following his sending-off for a reckless tackle during Paris Saint-Germain’s French Cup final debacle against Rennes. The French Football Federation (FFF) said they had also opened disciplinary proceedings against Mbappe’s teammate Neymar for striking a Rennes fan following the shock defeat on penalties after extra time. Mbappe, PSG’s gifted 20-year-old striker, lunged with his studs into the knee of Rennes defender Damien Da Silva near the close of extra time on Sunday. Read more
Madrid Open favourite Osaka recaptures spark (Punch)
After a week of training on the clay courts of the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Naomi Osaka feels she’s rediscovered the form that had been missing since her Australian Open triumph in January. The top seed at the Madrid Open this week, Osaka says she’s ready to return to action and isn’t too concerned about the abdominal injury she sustained in Stuttgart where she reached the semi-final last week. Read more