4th Mainland Bridge ready 2027 – Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says residents should expect the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fourth Mainland Bridge in the next couple of months.
He also promised accelerated development in the state in the next four years.
According to a statement issued by the state on Sunday, Sanwo-Olu said this during the inauguration of the newly-upgraded Oba Sekumade Road in Ipakodo in the Ikorodu area of the state, on Friday. Read more
Lagos PDP crisis: Bode George remains our leader, say Bucknor-Akerele, Akitoye, Onikepo Oshodi, others (Vanguard)
Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos State, including former Deputy Governor of the state, Senator Kofoworaola Bucknor-Akerele; a former acting National Secretary of the PDP, Chief Remi Akitoye and Mrs Onikepo Oshodi, on Sunday, warned the National leadership against interfering in the process of choosing party managers and candidates for the party in Lagos.
The elder also warned the PDP’s governorship candidate, Mr Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor, to desist from further denigrating leaders and elders of the party, just as they passed a unanimous vote of confidence on Chief Olabode George.
The elders, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting last week, warned the party’s governorship candidate to conduct himself in conformity with the cultures and norms of the party. Read more
Adeboye: How my mum stopped me from joining Army (DailyTrust)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on Sunday, hinted that his childhood ambition was to become a soldier, but his mother prevented him from joining the Army.
He disclosed this during his sermon at the Church’s monthly Thanksgiving Service, which had military, paramilitary and other security forces in attendance.
Taking a trip down memory lane, the clergyman while reading from 2 Timothy 2:3, where the Bible talks about “enduring hardness as a good soldier of Christ”, said, “I wanted to be a soldier, it’s my mother who didn’t allow me.” Read more
Govs to meet CBN, EFCC, ICPC, FIRS over security votes, others (Leadership)
Governors of the 36 States of the federation are to meet with all the Economic and Financial agencies in the country, with a view to ironing out thorny issues surrounding their states’ security votes, towards establishing a better option of managing the funds.
The meeting, which is to take place on Tuesday April 4, according to an invitation issued by the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Bayo Okauru, will be virtual, to ensure full attendance by all the relevant officers in the matter.
According to a statement by the director of media, NGF, Abdularaque Bello Barkindo, those invited to the meeting include the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC)), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Read more
17-year-old Feud: Basketmouth ignores AY’s ‘‘attack’’ (Tribune)
There seems not to be an end in sight to the 17-year-old feud between Basketmouth and Ayo Makun, otherwise known as AY Comedian. Those who are conversant with the cold relationship between AY and Basketmouth as he’s fondly called would understand that it has taken a new dimension in the last few days. This is coming on the heels of the recent allegations made by AY, who claimed that he could not understand why Basketmouth had refused to let go of the beef that has lasted for 17 years.
While R reliably gathered that top shots in the comedy circle have made attempts to put an end to the raging beef, they are said to have given up as it seemed they keep hitting a brick wall over the matter.
AY, days back, revealed the genesis of his problem with Basketmouth, saying trouble started when the dreadlock-wearing comedian allegedly refused to pay him N30,000 agreed fee on a gig he handled for Basketmouth. He alleged that Basketmouth claimed he had not been paid for the gig, but he later found out he had been paid. Read more
Why we arrested Rivers APC lawyers – Police (Channels)
Amid the controversy trailing the arrest of lawyers filing proceedings at the Election Petition Tribunal for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, the police authorities in the state have spoken on the matter.
The Rivers chapter of the APC has accused the police of trying to suppress their case in court. The arrest of the lawyers has been condemned by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which called for sanctions against any police officer found to have abused their office.
But the Rivers State Police Command on Sunday said that the lawyers were arrested on suspicion of forgery and have been released. Read more
Oba of Benin suspends Enogie of Evbuobanosa Dukedom Akenzua (Nation)
The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has approved the suspension from duty of Enogie (Duke) of Evbuobanosa Dukedom in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, Prof. Gregory Akenzua, for allegedly leading a rebellion against the first-class monarch.
Enogie’s suspension, according to the king’s Chief Press Secretary, Iguobaro Osaigbovo, arose from many complaints and protests against him by elders across the six communities in Evbuobanosa Dukedom, comprising Evbuobanosa, Abudu, Igue-Ohenza, Idu-dolor, Iru and Evbuohen, to Oba’s palace in Benin, Edo State.
The elders indicted Akenzua for colluding with the suspended Enogie of Egbaen-Siluko Dukedom, Edomwonyi Iduozee Ogiegbaen, misconduct, failure to perform his duties and allegedly leading organised revolt against the Benin throne. Read more
Shania Twain Calls for an ‘‘all-inclusive country music’’ as she accepts Equal Play Award at 2023 CMT Awards (People)
Shania Twain is using her moment in the spotlight to call on the country music industry to be more inclusive.
At Sunday’s CMT Music Awards at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, the singer-songwriter accepted the Equal Play Award, which recognizes artists who are vocal advocates for elevating diverse and underrepresented voices in country music.
Twain was introduced by rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who praised the star for “shatter[ing] ceilings and redefin[ing]… country music and beyond.” Read more
Ron Howard reveals he once considered directing porn movies to fund his directing debut (DailyMail)
After Ron Howard left Happy Days following an incredibly successful career as a child star and young actor, he had considered a rather extreme solution to get into directing: turning to porn movies.
The 69-year-old filmmaker – who made headlines for paying tribute to Cindy Williams in late January – opened up in a wide-ranging interview with Graham Bensinger, when he was asked about rumors that he was considering doing a porn movie to make the money he needed to fund his directorial debut.
The actor-turned-filmmaker admitted he did entertain the notion of turning to adult films… though the thought was quite the fleeting one. Read more
Box Office: Dungeons & Dragons rolls $38.5m in opening weekend (Variety)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves emerged victorious at the box office, rolling $38.5 million from 3,855 North American theaters in its opening weekend.
Buoyed by positive reviews and enthusiastic word-of-mouth, Paramount and eOne’s adaptation of the popular role-playing game landed on the higher end of expectations of $30 million to $40 million.
Ticket sales are expected to remain strong in the coming weeks, which is necessary because the film cost $150 million before its hefty marketing campaign. Inaugural crowds were likely hardcore D&D players, but analysts believe it’ll appeal to broader audiences, who may not know as much about the game, as it continues its run on the big screen. Read more
Man converts Tesla into film studio for journey to recount love story in the North (TorontoStar)
A man making a film based on his experiences living in Northern Canada in the early 1970s has found an unusual way to work on his project while travelling in the region.
Johnathan Zoesman converted a Tesla into a travelling film studio and drove the electric vehicle from his home in Petersburgh, N.Y., all the way to the Arctic Ocean in the middle of winter. He had taken photos where the story took place five decades ago and spoke to people along the journey.
“The Tesla seemed like the perfect thing to do it in,” he said. “I wasn’t going to arrive into the world as a great filmmaker in an old beater. If I was going to arrive it would be in a self-driving car.” Read more
Ryuichi Sakamoto, a godfather of electronic pop, has died (NPR)
Ryuichi Sakamoto, a trailblazing composer and producer who was one of the first musicians to incorporate electronic production into popular songcraft, has died at the age of 71.
Sakamoto died on March 28 after a multi-year battle with cancer, according to a statement published on his website Sunday. “We would like to share one of Sakamoto’s favorite quotes,” the statement read. “‘Ars longa, vita brevis.’ Art is long, life is short.”
The Japanese composer had an exceptionally wide-ranging career: he was by turns a synth-pop idol, the composer of both sweeping film scores and quiet, gentle sound environments, and a collaborator of such artists as David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Bernardo Bertolucci. Read more
1 dead, 28 injured after roof collapses at Morbid Angel show in Illinois (Spin)
One person has died and 28 others were injured after the roof of the Apollo Theater in the north central Illinois town of Belvidere collapsed last night (March 31) during a show featuring Morbid Angel, Revocation, Skeletal Remains, and Crypta. The incident came amid a severe storm that ripped through the area and generated winds in excess of 50 MPH, according to Chicago’s ABC7 News.
The National Weather Service is also not ruling out a possible tornado as the cause of the tragedy. Belvidere is approximately 75 miles northwest of downtown Chicago and 12 miles east of Rockford.
According to ABC7, the concert was sold out and approximately 260 people were inside the venue when the roof caved in around 7:45 p.m. Video from inside the Apollo shows extensive damage near the stage and orchestra pit, with bystanders attempting to lift debris out of the way. The outside facade of the theatre also collapsed, littering the street with material. Per ABC7, first responders were able to access the scene within two minutes thanks to the local fire station being located across the street. Read more
Russia takes over rotating presidency of UN Security Council (TimesOfIsrael)
Russia assumed the rotating presidency of the United Nations’ Security Council on Saturday for a month, a move decried as an April Fool’s Day joke by critics.
“As of 1 April, they’re taking the level of absurdity to a new level,” said Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ukraine’s permanent representative, according to The Guardian.
“The security council as it is designed is immobilized and incapable to address the issues of their primary responsibility, that is, prevention of conflicts and then dealing with conflicts,” said Kyslytsya. Read more
Osimhen eager to celebrate Serie A title with fans (Punch)
With 10 games to the end of the 2022/23 season, Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is already relishing celebrating the Serie A title with Napoli fans, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen is enjoying one of the best moments of his career with Napoli this season as he currently tops the Italian Serie A scorers chart with 21 goals, seven more than Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, who is in second position with 14 goals.
The former Lille man’s fantastic form in front of goal is one of the reasons Luciano Spalleti’s side are league leaders, 16 points more than second-place Lazio and are on course to win the Italian league title for the first time in over three decades. Read more
Newcastle beat Man Utd to climb up to 3rd (BBC)
Newcastle United leapfrogged Manchester United into third place in the Premier League table after avenging their Carabao Cup final defeat against the Red Devils.
The Magpies produced a magnificent display at a raucous St James’ Park to leave their opponents without a win – or a goal – in their past three top-flight games.
Newcastle were thwarted by David de Gea’s excellent first-half double save, the Spaniard showing quick reactions to deny Joe Willock after clawing away Alexander Isak’s header. Read more
NPFL: Warriors stun Solid Miners (Punch)
Bottom-rocked El-Kanemi Warriors recorded their second win of the 2022/23 Nigeria Professional Football League in style on Saturday, thanks to a 2-1 against fellow strugglers, Nasarawa United in Jos, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
A late goal by Jacob Jonathan won the game for El-Kanemi and condemned Nasarawa United to their eighth defeat of the season although the result still leaves both teams in the relegation zone in Group A.
Ugochukwu Ujah gave the visitors the lead in the 28th minute after benefiting from a poor pass from Emeka Onyema to chin the ball over Galadima Mohammed in goal for United. Read more
Arteta delighted as Jesus nets 1st goals in 6 months to maintain Arsenal title charge (ESPN)
For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta the return of Gabriel Jesus to his forward line must feel like the signing of a new player.
The Brazilian was back in the starting lineup for the first time in the Premier League since November on Saturday and struck twice in a 4-1 defeat of Leeds United.
The former Manchester City frontman, who suffered a knee injury at the World Cup, was substituted in the second half and left the pitch to a standing ovation.
His first goals in six months helped Arsenal restore their eight-point lead over Manchester City in the title race and with nine games remaining the Londoners are close to winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004. Read more
WTA Rankings: Petra Kvitova set for top 10 return (Tennis365)
Petra Kvitova will be breaking back into the top ten of the WTA rankings thanks to her Miami Open win.
She downed a red-hot Elena Rybakina in the final to secure the full bag of 1000 points, enough to propel her back into the top strata.
Kvitova insists she just has to keep moving as she will have little time to celebrate her win on the fast moving WTA Tour. Read more
FIA rejects Haas’ Australian GP protest over restart (F1i)
The final results for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne have been signed and sealed following the rejection by the FIA stewards of a protest by the Haas F1 Team.
The American outfit was unhappy with race control’s decision to roll back the running order for the final finishing lap behind the safety car to the grid of the second restart, which had been triggered by Kevin Magnussen’s crash on lap 52 of 58.
Mutliple incidents ensued after that restart, with both Alpine’s eliminated on the spot, but during the commotion, Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg had steered clear of the trouble and was running fourth in the field when the red flag was brandished. Read more