4 killed as tanker, truck explode in Lagos
(DailyTrust)
At least four persons have been confirmed dead in a head-on collision between a petrol tanker and a truck conveying cement along Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.
It was learnt that the accident occurred at Kaiyetoro end of the expressway by Eleko bus stop on Sunday afternoon.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which confirmed the incident, said the two vehicles went up in flames due to the impact of the collision.
“The accident, which was reported at 16:35 hours Sunday, involved a 45,000 litre-tanker fully laden with petrol. It ran into a heavy duty vehicle conveying cement inward Lekki. The vehicles burst into flames due to the impact of the collision.The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Epe Station, on arrival at the scene discovered that both vehicles had head-on collision as they travelled in opposite directions to Lekki and from Epe respectively,” the agency’s Director, Margret Adeseye, said.
Adeseye said four bodies were recovered from the wreckage of the vehicles after the fire was put out. Read more
Gospel musician Chinedu Nwadike is dead
(Independent)
Popular Igbo gospel musician, Chinedu Nwadike is dead.
According to reports gathered, the gospel singer died in Abuja on Sunday afternoon after losing the fight to blood cancer.
Recall that earlier this month, Nwadike cried for help after he was admitted to the Zenith Medical Centre Abuja due to Chronic Kidney disease.
He had recovered from the kidney issue and was expected to be transferred to India by this week for treatment of the blood cancer – Leukemia before he took his last breath this afternoon. Read more
Lagos-based teenagers nabbed for cyber fraud in Osun (Punch)
Three teenagers, identified as 19-year-old David Emmanuel, Chibuike Ogbona, 16, and Jesse Izedi, 16, living in Lagos State, were paraded by the police in Osun State for fraudulently obtaining N351, 100 from a victim.
The state police commissioner, Wale Olokode, who paraded the suspects at the command headquarters in Osogbo, said the suspects fraudulently withdrew the amount from a Union Bank account belonging to a woman.
He said upon receipt of a complaint, police operatives began an investigation and were able to identify the first suspect, David, before others were also known.
Olokode said, “On 11th February, 2022 the complainant reported that the sum of three hundred and fifty-one thousand, one hundred naira only (N351,100) was fraudulently withdrawn from her Union Bank Account to a sparkle Bank Account number 100047892 which was later traced to the first suspect, second and third suspects. Read more
How RCCG pastor emerged Soun of Ogbomoso (Nation)
Since the former Soun of Ogbomoso, the late Oba Jimoh Oyewunmi, joined his ancestors on December 12 last year, all eyes have been on the Laoye family, which is to produce his successor, according to the 1953 Soun Chieftaincy Declaration.
As expected of contests for good positions, the family had a tough time screening the 25 interested applicants to a manageable number of three, for kingmakers to make the final selection. Successful sons in the Laoye family globally showed interest in mounting the throne of their forefathers. They include businessmen, top civil servants, other professionals and military officers. But one of them, who is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Jesus House Washington DC, United States (US), Afolabi Ghandi Laoye, eventually got the nod of the kingmakers to be enthroned as the next Soun of Ogbomoso.
The family heads had difficulty screening the candidates for fear of being accused of bias. The Laoye family has 10 sub-units; hence, it was difficult to talk any candidate to stepping down for others since it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The declaration recognises five ruling houses – Aboru-Maku, Gbagun, Laoye, Bolanta and Odunaro – with the throne rotating among the five in that order. Oba Oyewunmi hailed from Gbagun family. Read more
2022 UTME/DE ends, JAMB registers N1.8m candidates (Independent)
As registration for the 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (JAMB) and Direct Entry (DE) ended on Saturday 26th March 2022, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) said it registered a total of 1,837,011 candidates registered for the examination.
It would be recalled that the 2022 UTME/DE Application for admission to Tertiary Institutions
in Nigeria for the 2022/2023 academic session commenced from Saturday, 19 February, 2022.
A total of 1,338,687 candidates registered for the 2021 UTME.
The Board registered more than 2.1 million candidates for the 2020 UTME. Read more
Police upgrade crime reporting app (Punch)
The Nigeria Police have upgraded their crime reporting mobile application known as ‘NPF Rescue Me’.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, who confirmed the upgrade in a statement on Saturday said the app was valuable to effectively report emergencies and criminal activities.
Baba, in the statement titled, ‘Technology-driven policing: NPF Rescue Me Application Upgraded, Says IGP. As IGP Encourages Nigerians to Take Advantage of Its Crime Reportage Feature,’ and signed by the acting Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also said the app was effective in reporting the professional misconduct of police officers for rapid and immediate reaction by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force. Read more
2023 presidency: PDP risks imminent implosion, Igbo group warns (Sun)
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been warned against imminent implosion, the type that occurred during former president Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2025, should the party fail to zone its presidential ticket to the South East.
A pan-Igbo socio-political body, Igbo Leadership Development Foundation (ILDF), which stated this, urged the party to micro-zone its ticket to the region for the sake of equity, fairness, justice and good conscience.
The foundation noted that its insistence of the emergence of a president of South East extraction in next year’s general election is because it is the only geopolitical zone in southern Nigeria that has not produced a president for the country in the present democratic dispensation, and since the end of the civil war in 1970.
Addressing newsmen in Enugu, yesterday, the ILDF stated that a president from the South East would permanently heal the wounds of the civil war. Read more
Man arrested for sexually exploiting 13-year-old stepdaughter (Vanguard)
Operatives attached to the Family support unit (FSU) Isokoko Police Division, Lagos State Command is currently investigating Friday Ogbo Uloko for sexually exploiting his teenage stepdaughter.
Uloko, a native of Ador in Benue state, was arrested on Friday following a complaint by his wife Chiedeberem to an official of Advocates Children Vulnerable Persons Nigeria, (ACVPN).
Sequel to the disclosure, the Coordinator Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, Comrade Ebenezer Omejalile reported the issue to the Family Support Unit FSU Isokoko police division, which immediately initiated an investigation and arrested the suspect.
Vanguard learned that the suspect Uloko married his wife Chiedeberem an Igbo woman who had three children for him. Chiedeberem had a 13 year old daughter in her previous relationship. Read more
Gov Wike declares for 2023 presidency (Leadership)
The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed his desire to run for president in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claiming that he is the ideal individual to depose the current All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the disclosure when he paid a visit to his Benue State counterpart, Governor Samuel Ortom, at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday.
He said he was announcing his intention to run for president for the first time in Benue.
“To remove APC from power, I’m the person who can tell them enough is enough. We must take this power and I’m ready to take it for the PDP.
God is with us that’s why APC keeps failing everyday,” he said. Read more
Federal High Court to go on Easter break April 8
(ThisDay)
The Federal High Court of Nigeria, will on April 8, proceed on holiday for the Easter celebration.
The break which will be for a period of two weeks ends on April 25.
According to a statement, the break approved by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, was granted pursuant to the provisions of Order 46, Rule 4 (b) of the Federal High Court ( Civil Procedures) Rules, 2019 (as amended).
The statement signed by the Chief Information Officer of the court, Mrs Catherine, disclosed that courts shall resume in all judicial divisions on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. Read more
Will Smith hits Chris Rock on Oscars stage (BBC)
Will Smith hit Chris Rock in the face on stage at the Oscars after the comic made a joke about the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Referring to Pinkett Smith’s shaved hairdo, Rock said: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2.”
Smith walked up on stage and appeared to strike Rock before returning to his seat and shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out of your… mouth.”
Smith later apologised in a tearful best actor acceptance speech.
“I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to my all my fellow nominees,” Smith said after winning the first Oscar of his career for playing the father of tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard. Read more
Ghana DJ Awards partners Ghana Library Authority to promote reading (MyJoy)
Merqury Republic, organizers of the annual Ghana DJ Awards Festival, have signed a partnership agreement with the Ghana Library Authority to promote reading among Disc Jockeys and other creative artists in Ghana.
Inspired by the 2022 “Year of Books” declaration by the Ghana Library Authority, the partnership will support the learning and research needs of DJs and the creative arts community across Ghana while promoting reading.
According to Merqury Quaye, Executive Producer of the Ghana DJ Awards, plans are in place for events and activities which will create platforms for reading, provide resources, encourage reading and enable DJs and other creatives for development. “This exciting and strategic collaborative partnership is an important part of building a national reading agenda”, he added.
To ensure that researchers and learners have sustainable and convenient access to books beyond the Ghana DJ Awards festival, Ghana Library Authority will promote its new web application, Ghana Digital Library App, downloadable on AppStore and PlayStore, to creatives. Read more
Aitch’s Baby ft. Ashanti tipped for Number 1 with Dave’s reigning hit ‘Starlight’ (MusicNews)
The Official Chart: First Look offers a first glance of the Top 20 ahead of Friday’s Official Singles Chart Top 100. The chart is based on preliminary sales and early streaming reports.
It could be a clash of the UK rap titans on the Official Singles Chart this week as Aitch sits at Number 1 on the Official Chart: First Look with Baby ft. Ashanti.
The Manchester rapper is taking on reigning Number 1, Starlight by Dave – and as things stand the songs are neck-and-neck after 48 hours with just a small handful of chart sales separating the two tracks. If Aitch can hold on to his current position it will mark his first ever UK Number 1, and Ashanti’s second.
Meanwhile, Jax Jones could claim a new peak with Where Did You Go? ft. MNEK, up one place to Number 6 on today’s First Look. Read more
Beyoncé opens 2022 Oscars from Venus and Serena Williams’ hometown tennis courts in Compton (People)
Beyoncé knows how to put on a show!
The 40-year-old superstar opened the 94th annual Academy Awards on Sunday, performing live from Venus and Serena Williams’ hometown tennis courts in Compton, California — miles away from where the main ceremony was held at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre.
Singing her nominated song “Be Alive” from the Williams sisters’ movie King Richard, Beyoncé dressed the part in a tennis-ball green and yellow ensemble. She told her backup dancers and musicians to “sing it like you mean it” during the sunny showcase.
This is Beyoncé’s first Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. Read more
Snoop Dogg discusses upcoming BTS collab: “It’s Good Music” (HNHH)
Snoop Dogg had high praise for BTS ahead of their upcoming collaboration.
Snoop Dogg discussed his upcoming collaboration with the K-pop group, BTS, while walking the red carpet at the American Song Contest on Thursday. The new track will be the second time Snoop has worked with a K-pop artist following his record with the group 2NE1.
“The BTS experience you keep talking about. I’m going to let them tell you about it.” Snoop told The A.V. Club. “It’s official like a referee with a whistle. I love that entertainment world. It’s good music. It’s [a] vibe.”
He continued: “I make good music. They make good music. And we end up doing this. This is what it’s always about, bringing our worlds together.” Read more
Rachel Zegler ‘was not expecting’ backlash over initial Oscars snub (ET)
Rachel Zegler had no idea fans would run to her defense as quickly and as boisterously as they did after quietly revealing that she initially had not been invited to the 94th Academy Awards. And, naturally, she was shocked at the outpouring of support that ultimately led to an invitation.
The 20-year-old West Side Story star spoke with ET’s Kevin Frazier and Nischelle Turner while walking the red carpet and said she wasn’t expecting the Academy to swiftly spring into action.
“People were upset and I was not expecting it so it’s very wonderful to be here,” she said. “I’m really thankful to the Academy for asking me to present and everyone at Snow White who was able to just let me get on a plane.”
So, why the omission and who corrected it? Zegler has no clue! Read more
Ariana DeBose takes home first win of the night in the Best Supporting Actress for West Side Story as 94th Academy Awards kick off (DailyMail)
It is Hollywood’s biggest night.
And Ariana DeBose kicked it off in fine form as she took home the coveted first win of the night.
The 31-year-old actress earned Best Supporting Actress for their work in West Side Story at the Oscars on Sunday night.
The North Carolina native faced stiff competition including Jessie Buckley – The Lost Daughter, Judi Dench – Belfast, Kirsten Dunst- The Power Of The Dog, and Aunjanue Ellis – King Richard. Read more
Qatar 2022: Super Eagles set to battle Ghana again, focused on qualifying (Channels)
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are fully focused and ready for Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff battle with Ghana’s Black Stars.
Nigeria made a debut World Cup appearance in 1994 and the players have confirmed they are determined to put up a performance that will earn Nigeria a seventh ticket.
Team captain, Ahmed Musa re-affirmed that the objective is to be at the World Cup.
“All the players, including myself, want to go to the World Cup. For me, it is very important because it could be my last World Cup. I enjoyed the last two finals that I participated in, Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018. I want to experience it again. Most of the players in the present squad have not been to the World Cup and they desire to be there. Read more
Oh Canada! Larin and Buchanan lead team to first men’s World Cup since 1986 (Guardian)
Almost four decades after their only appearance at a men’s World Cup, Canada are back, becoming the first North American nation to secure passage to Qatar 2022.
In the most fitting style and circumstances John Herdman’s side, who have surprised first their own country and then Concacaf, qualified with an emphatic 4-0 win over Jamaica at a raucous BMO Field in Toronto. The team sent thousands in the stadium – and millions more across the country – into delight.
The circumstances were fitting because the weather gods of the great white north scoffed at the idea of spring and sent freezing snow showers and wild winds whipping in off Lake Ontario for this historic Sunday. But the style too was apt because Herdman, the Englishman who has almost single-handedly transformed the country into a men’s football nation, saw his side conquer the climate and seal progress with 90 minutes of swashbuckling counter-attacking.
Just four of a feast of chances were taken but no matter. After so long in exile, all that mattered was the return. Read more
Pulisic has hat trick in 5-1 win, US on brink of World Cup (DailyMail)
Christian Pulisic scored his first international hat trick, leading the United States to the brink of returning to the World Cup with a 5-1 rout of Panama on Sunday night.
Pulisic converted two penalty kicks during a four-goal burst in the first half that also saw Paul Arriola and Jesús Ferreira score, then boosted the lead to 5-0 on a memorable goal with two brilliant touches that evaded a pair of defenders.
With fans still fretting after the Americans’ failure to reach the 2018 World Cup, the U.S. assumed a commanding position to qualify for the November tournament in Qatar.
Only a loss of six or more goals Wednesday night in the qualifying finale at Costa Rica would cause the Americans not to finish among the top three nations in North and Central America and the Caribbean and claim an automatic berth. Read more
Patrick Bamford’s latest injury leaves Leeds United striker in race to play again this season (YorkshirePost)
After meeting with consultants this week, Leeds United confirmed their centre-forward has ruptured his plantar fascia, the part of his foot he suffered his previous injury in.
Since mid-September Bamford has also had ankle, hamstring and quad muscle injuries, limiting him to only two starts since.
Leeds have said the expected recovery time is a minimum of six weeks, and he is just over a week into that. The Whites’ final game of the season is in eight weeks.
It makes it unlikely Bamford will be able to make the squad for England’s four post-season Nations League. After that there are only two more games – also in the Nations League – before Gareth Southgate names his World Cup squad. Read more
Saudi Arabian GP: a burgeoning rivalry between Charles Leclerc & Max Verstappen (BBC)
Two races down in the new Formula 1 season, two fantastic battles between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.
Leclerc won the first one in Bahrain before Verstappen retired with a few laps to go, and for a long time it looked as if the Ferrari driver would do the same at the end of a tense battle in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
In the end, though, after a race-long battle that ended in a series of place-swapping moves in the closing stages, it was the Dutchman in his Red Bull who came out on top.
Even then, the margins were tiny. Had it not been for a collision between two back markers with two laps to go, which brought out yellow flags which forbid overtaking, Leclerc may even have got Verstappen back with a lap to go. Read more
Stephanie Meadow secures top-10 finish as Leona Maguire fades (RTE)
Stephanie Meadow secured the sixth top 10 of her career after an impressive closing 70 at the JTBC Classic in California.
The Antrim golfer finished on ten under par, six strokes of Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Atthaya Thitikul who were preparing for a play-off late on Sunday night.
Meadow made a blistering start to her round and was out in 33 after birdies at three, four, seven and eight with a bogey at the par-three sixth doing little to disrupt her rhythm.
Something special was needed to get within the leaders on the back nine, but a return of eight pars and a bogey saw her finish in a tie for 10th with South Korea’s Amy Yang. Read more
Wizards hand Warriors their 5th loss in 6 games (CBS)
Corey Kispert scored 16 of his career-high 25 points in the first half and the Washington Wizards beat the struggling Golden State Warriors 123-115 on Sunday night.
Golden State has lost five of its last six and the Warriors never led in this game. Golden State was without Stephen Curry (left foot sprain) for a fifth straight contest, and Andre Iguodala (low back injury) was also out. James Wiseman (right knee injury) is done for the season.
Washington is not exactly healthy either, with Bradley Beal (left wrist surgery) and Kyle Kuzma (right knee tendinitis) missing this game, but the Wizards won their second straight — their first back-to-back victories since a three-game streak from Jan. 9-12.
Kispert made six 3-pointers, also a career high. That gives him 96 on the season, surpassing the franchise’s rookie record of 91 set by Beal in 2012-13. Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 points for Washington and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 22. Read more