29-year-old Nigerian-British makes history as UK’s youngest mayor (Vanguard)
Princess Opeyemi Bright has been inaugurated as the youngest mayor in the United Kingdom after assuming office as the First Citizen of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
At 29, Bright’s appointment marks a historic milestone for both the Nigerian diaspora and youth representation in British politics.
Her inauguration on Friday, May 16, drew widespread attention as a symbol of diversity and the increasing global footprint of Nigerians in public service. Read more
Troops nab wanted terrorists’ collaborators – DHQ (Guardian)
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops in conjunction with hybrid forces and other security agencies have sustained offensive operations in all theatres to provide safe corridors for farming activities.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, on Saturday in Abuja.
This, he said, was to enable farmers to contribute their quota to food production and by extension attainment of food security as directed by President Bola Tinubu. Read more
Tinubu, entourage arrive Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Sunday (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Rome, the capital city of Italy, to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican City.
President Tinubu touched down at about 05:00 (local time) at the Military Airport, Rome, on Saturday, to attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
He was received by top Nigerian government officials.
A statement released earlier on Thursday by the Presidency had disclosed that President Tinubu’s trip to Rome was at the invitation of the Vatican, following the election of Pope Leo XIV by the Conclave of Cardinals. Read more
I was a child family never wanted – Sydney Talker (Nation)
Skit maker Sydney Egere, popularly known as Sydney Talker, has opened up about his childhood experience which was marked by rejection and instability.
Speaking in an interview with Rasheedat Ajibade, Sydney said his parents’ tumultuous relationship, fueled by his father’s struggles with drug addiction, led to him being shuffled between relatives.
He said: “I was a child that the family never wanted. I stayed with the rich, the poor, average, village, golden house; think about it, I did everything, finally stayed with my Aunty. And God started intervening in my life. Read more
Why 5,000 candidates with 300+ UTME scores missed admission (Punch)
No fewer than 5,000 candidates who scored 300 and above in the Unified Tertiary and Matriculation Examination organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board in five academic sessions failed to secure admission into tertiary institutions, findings by Saturday PUNCH have revealed.
According to data obtained from JAMB by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday, a total of 8.5 million candidates sat the UTME during the period under review.
Out of the figure, only about 2.7 million were admitted to higher institutions of learning, leaving about 5.8 million stranded. Read more
INEC releases details of 16 Anambra guber candidates (Tribune)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Saturday, disclosed that it has published particulars of candidates to represent each of the 16 political parties participating in the forthcoming Anambra State gubernatorial election.
INEC, in a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, said the 16 political parties have uploaded their candidates’ nomination forms in compliance by the deadline of 6.00pm on Monday 12th May 2025 when it automatically closed the portal.
The statement added that in compliance with Electoral Act 2022, the Commission has published the personal particulars of each candidate and his running mate by displaying copies of the Form EC9, along with all the accompanying academic credentials and other documents submitted by them, at our State Headquarters and the 21 local government offices in the state. Read more
Otedola hails Dangote’s meeting with Trump (Vanguard)
Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has hailed the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, over his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Otedola, in a post on X, said, “The richest black man in the world shaking hands with the most powerful man in the world.”
Dangote met with Trump during a state dinner organised by the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in honour of the US president in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. Read more
Diddy accused Cassie of having an affair with Michael B. Jordan (HipHopDx)
Diddy allegedly accused Cassie of having an affair with actor Michael B. Jordan in 2015.
The incident came up during the singer’s cross-examination during her former boyfriend’s sex trafficking trial.
Cassie was asked by Diddy’s attorney Anna Estevao if the music mogul “suspected” her of having an affair during their relationship.
Cassie then revealed that the person he thought she was sleeping with was the Creed actor. Read more
Police hunt gunmen after 8 killed in South African bar (Barron’s)
Police in South Africa launched a manhunt on Saturday for gunmen who killed eight customers at a tavern in the southeastern city of Durban.
The attack late on Friday evening was the latest mass shooting in the crime-weary African nation that has one of the world’s highest murder rates.
The incident unfolded when an unknown number of gunmen entered the bar in Umlazi township and opened fire, police said. Read more
Israel launches major offensive to ‘seize and control’ areas of Gaza (BBC)
Israel’s military has announced the launch of a major offensive aimed at defeating Hamas and securing the freedom of remaining hostages in Gaza.
The Israeli Defense Forces said on its Hebrew X account that it had mobilised troops for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” to seize “strategic areas” of the strip.
Hamas-run civil defence and health ministry officials say Israeli attacks have killed around 250 people since Thursday. Read more
South Florida woman facing $1.8m immigration fine speaks out: “Please have mercy” (CBS)
A South Florida woman who has lived in the US for two decades is now facing a staggering $1.82 million fine from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for failing to leave the country after receiving a removal order in 2005.
The woman, a 41-year-old mother of three US citizens, asked to be identified only as Maria out of fear for her safety.
Originally from Honduras, Maria said she lives with anxiety every day and struggles to sleep after receiving the notice from ICE’s civil fines department. Read more
Mel Gibson’s ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ partners with Lionsgate (CNA)
Production and distribution company Lionsgate has been chosen as the studio partnering with director Mel Gibson and Bruce Davey’s Icon Productions on the upcoming film “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the much-anticipated follow-up to “The Passion of the Christ.”
The news came in an announcement from Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, on May 15.
“For many, many people across the globe, ‘The Resurrection of the Christ’ is the most anticipated theatrical event in a generation. It is also an awe-inspiring and spectacularly epic theatrical film that is going to leave moviegoers worldwide breathless,” Fogelson said in a press release. Read more
‘‘Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent’’ gets -season pickup by the CW (Deadline)
More “Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent” is coming to The CW. The network has picked up two seasons of the drama series, which will air its 10-episode first season this fall.
Based on the classic format created by Dick Wolf and developed by Rene Balcer for Universal Television, season 1 launched in 2024 on Canada’s CityTV. The drama was ordered to series in June 2023.
Starring Aden Young (Rectify) and Kathleen Munroe (City on Fire), Season 1 follows the Specialized Criminal Investigations Unit’s detective duo, Detective Sergeants Henry Graff (Young) and Frankie Bateman (Munroe), as they investigate high-profile homicides in Canada’s largest metropolis. Their unique investigative skills are showcased through psychological tactics, with a heavy focus on the motives and actions of the criminals. These cases delve into the worlds of high finance, politics, real estate, media, and more. Read more
Cross River promises medal haul at sports festival (Guardian)
Cross River State has promised to put up a strong showing at the 22nd National Sports Festival scheduled from the 16th to 30th of May, 2025, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The state Director of Sports, Mr Ita Moses Agbor, made the promise while briefing journalists on the state of preparedness of the state contingents to the sports festival at the U.J. Esuene Stadium shortly before departure, Friday.
He said that the state was traveling to the competition with a contingent of 83, made up of 50 Athletes and 32 officials, and would compete in 16 events in the 14-day championship. Read more
Why Knicks snubbed Stephen A. Smith after Celtics triumph (NYPost)
It sounds like the Knicks gave Stephen A. Smith the cold shoulder after their series clincher on Friday night.
During ESPN’s postgame broadcast, Smith said that the Knicks players apparently had nothing to say to him following their 119-81 Game 6 trouncing of the Celtics because he originally picked Boston to win the series.
“Jalen Brunson came up to me and said, ‘I have nothing to say to you,’” Smith said alongside former Knicks great John Starks during the postgame broadcast. “Karl-Anthony Towns said, ‘You picked the wrong team’ because I picked Boston before the series began. Read more
Nuno hopeful of Awoniyi’s return next week (Punch)
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo is hopeful that injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi could reunite with his teammates next week, though the Nigerian remains hospitalised following emergency surgery for a ruptured intestine, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Awoniyi underwent urgent surgery after colliding with a goalpost during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City last weekend, an incident that has since sparked debate over the delayed offside rule introduced in 2020.
“The information we have is that he has to be there (in hospital) for at least five days under observation. I will try to visit as soon as possible. He is in good hands and has his family there,” Nuno said. Read more
Ex-flying Eagles, Nwobod opens new deal in MLS (Nation)
Nigeria and FC Cincinnati midfielder, Obinna Emmanuel Nwobodo, has signed a contract extension with the Orange and Blue till 2027, according to Soccernet.ng.
The former Flying Eagles midfielder has been plying his trade with Pat Noonan’s side since exiting Turkish Super Lig side, Goztepe, in 2022.
The 28-year-old’s contract was set to expire this summer, but with his extension, he’ll be at the TQL Stadium until 2027, with the option to extend for another year. Read more
Lowry & Hatton swear in outbursts at US PGA (BBC)
A furious Shane Lowry lashed out at the course and Tyrrell Hatton swore at his own club as tempers frayed at the US PGA Championship.
Irish golfer Lowry slammed his club into the Quail Hollow turf and loudly swore about “this place” after being denied relief for an embedded ball on the eighth hole and dumping his second shot into a greenside bunker.Lowry flipped his middle finger at the hole as he tapped in for a bogey five and the 2019 Open champion went on to make a second round of 71 and miss the halfway cut by a single shot on two over. Read more