5 men break into Lagos cemetery, cut off skulls
(DailyTrust)
The police in Lagos State have arrested and arraigned five men caught with human skulls, saying they committed the offence on March 16, at Agbowa Ikosi area near Lagos metropolis.
The prosecutor, ASP Rita Momah, told the court that the defendants broke into Brewery Cemetery in Agbowa Ikosi in the middle of the night and dug up many bodies and cut off skulls for ritual purposes.
Momah said it was one of the grave keepers that saw them and called the attention of vigilantes who subsequently apprehended them and handed them over to the police.
The defendant: Adekunle Mufutau (50), Abdulwaheed Omolewa (46), Adeleke Nosiru (45), Kazeem Laisisi (36) and Babatunde Omoleye (30), who were charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of human parts, denied the charges. Read more
Google submarine cable lands in Lagos (Leadership)
A submarine cable named after Nigerian-born writer and abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano, has arrived in Lagos.
This was announced on Thursday by Juliet Ehimuan, director, Google West Africa.
The Equiano submarine became the second to arrive in Africa after the first one landed in Togo.
Last month, the submarine cable landed in Togo, and it is expected to run from Portugal along the West Coast of Africa connecting Europe to Togo, Nigeria, Namibia, South Africa and Saint Helena. Read more
Several feared dead, houses burnt in Lagos tanker fire (Punch)
A tanker said to be loaded with petrol has crashed and exploded at Ajegunle Bus-Stop, Alagbado, on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
Several houses, among other property, were said to have been burnt in the inferno, as men of the state fire service and the police were deployed in the area.
The incident happened around 3am on Friday (today).
A resident, Samuel Adeyemo, who spoke to The PUNCH, said no one could tell the number of casualties.
The lawyer said, “We cannot tell the number of those that died. The police and fire service have been working and trying to put out the fire.” Read more
Chrisland sexual saga: Parents must take larger blame, says NAPPS (Guardian)
The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has condemned the sex act of two students of Chrisland Schools, Lagos, and appealed to the public to refrain from making unsavoury comments over the issue for the sake of the mental well-being of the minors involved.
The group said parents are expected to be up and doing in their role of parenting and proper monitoring, pay proper attention to observations regarding their children from the schools and address them quickly.
The body in a statement signed by its National President, Chief Yomi Otubela, said, going forward, it will address the issue of moral decadence in schools with a view to minimising the occurrence of issues around it.
It said: “The acts portraying moral decadence are not exclusive to schools and that since children are a reflection of the society they live in, it, therefore, shows that a concerted effort will be needed to nip the malaise in the bud.
“What happened was a reflection of moral decadence which has eaten deep into the moral fabrics of the society and the result is what we are witnessing today in the society, including educational institutions. Read more
2023 Election: Oritsejafor cautions Nigerians against vote-buying (Vanguard)
AS Nigerians gear up for another political elections the immediate past president of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, His Eminence, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has advised Nigerians to shun any form of financial inducement to mortgage their future selling their votes to desperate politicians at the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Oritsejafor who is also the founder of Word of Life Bible Church, Warri in Delta State made the call at the 15th edition of the church’s Micro-Business Empowerment Programme held at the church’s premises in Warri, Delta State.
Pastor Oritsejafor, who described vote-buying as an attempt to change a dishonest and corrupt system through corrupt means, stressed the need for the electorate to question the competence and antecedents of the candidates running for political offices before making the choice of whom to vote. Read more
200 arrested as NDLEA seals off Abuja hotel over cannabis party (Channels)
Over 200 persons have been arrested as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) sealed off a hotel in Abuja, the anti-narcotics agency said on Thursday.
In a statement, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the arrest was made on Wednesday following a raid conducted on Diplomatic Suites in the Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He said during the raid, illicit drugs were recovered, while organisers of the cannabis party as well as attendees have been arrested and are currently in custody.
“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have raided and sealed Diplomatic Suites Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja, in a joint operation with men of the Department of State Services, DSS, to stop a cannabis party and the launch of a suspected new psychoactive drink,” the statement partly read. Read more
State police panacea to insecurity, say Wike, Ishaku (Sun)
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, yesterday, said that he would tackle security challenges confronting the country within six months if elected president in 2023.
He said state police would be one enduring approach to addressing the festering insecurity in Nigeria.
Governor Wike spoke while wooing delegates of PDP in Jalingo,Taraba State, dismissed the argument against state police.
“The Federal Government, you cannot stop this insecurity if you don’t have state police. You must have state police, there are no two ways about it. Having a state police does not mean you will not have a federal police. All over the federal system, even councils have their own police so that you employ people who know the environment. Read more
NANTA president hosts Nigerian teachers to tourism adventure (ThisDay)
Participants and winners of the Nigerian Teachers reality show, will be hosted to hands on and practical tourism experience by President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) Mrs. Susan Akporiaye.
The itinerary for the teachers picked from the six geographical zones of the country, will span three days, with destination Lagos tourism in focus, and a practical certificated classroom engagement organised by Aerovessel Aviation school in conjunction with Topaz Travel group.
The first ever private sector tourism give back project to Nigerian Teachers, is designed to educate and create awareness to the vast tourism industry and get the teaching profession to buy into the project, targeting Nigerian students at their prime.
Teachers Niaja TV Reality show, packaged by ANUB Media, had ran two sessions with another one, up for public outing in August, 2022, with Topaz Travels exclusively sponsoring the tourism segment which engages housemates on quizzes on Nigerian destinations, culture, industry icons, Nigerian history, traditions, fashion and food. Read more
N100m for APC forms reflects its corruption-riddled underbelly, says Lagos PDP (Vanguard)
The cost of All Progressives Congress, APC, expression of interest and nomination forms, put at N100 million is a reflection of the party’s corruption-riddled body, which should interest the country’s anti-corruption agencies.
Lagos State chapter of the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, made the points in a terse statement on Thursday.
The statement, signed by Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary, Hakeem Amode, noted that when a politician pays such an amount, if he wins, recouping his “investments” would be priority.
The APC fixed the expression of interest and nomination forms for its presidential ticket at N100 million. Read more
Zendaya reveals why she’s skipping Met Gala 2022 (PageSix)
Style icon Zendaya announced that she will be missing the Met Gala for the third year in row.
“I’m sorry to disappoint my fans here but I will be working,” the actress told Extra on Wednesday at the “Euphoria” For Your Consideration Emmys event. “Your girl’s gotta work and make some movies. So I wish everyone the best.”
She added that she will be tennis, referring to her upcoming movie “Challengers,” which follows a group of players competing for the Grand Slam.
“I will be back eventually,” she teased.
The “Dune” star promised that, as always, she will make up for her absence throughout the year with better-than-ever red carpet looks. Read more
The Kid LAROI returns with new single ‘Thousand Miles’ (NME)
The Kid LAROI has shared his first new music of 2022 – a single entitled ‘Thousand Miles’.
The song, released today (April 22), is the official follow-up to last July’s ‘Stay’ with Justin Bieber. That song went on to be the most successful of LAROI’s career, hitting Number One in over 20 countries and achieving multiple Platinum certifications – including seven in his native Australia.
‘Thousand Miles’ was co-written by LAROI with Andrew Watman, Louis Bell and Billy Walsh. Bell also co-produced the song alongside longtime Post Malone collaborator Andrew Watt. Both he and Watman are working with LAROI for the first time on this song, while Walsh served as producer on LAROI’s 2021 hit ‘Without You’.
Prior to the release of ‘Thousand Miles’, LAROI teased the single’s release by using a snippet as audio for two separate TikToks, asking his followers to show him their “last mistake”. The first of these saw LAROI splice the footage with photos of his former manager Scooter Braun, who was relieved of his role last year only months after coming on board. The second then saw LAROI poke fun at himself, adding in an early photo of himself with a regrettable haircut. Read more
The MTV VMAs will return to the Prudential Center for annual awards show (People)
It’s almost time for the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.
On Thursday, MTV announced the 2022 VMAs will take place on Aug. 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, marking the awards show’s first-time return to the venue since its 2019 ceremony.
“We are thrilled to be back in New Jersey for this year’s VMAs live from Prudential Center,” Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+, said in a press statement. “Our 2019 show in Newark was undoubtedly one of our biggest and most successful shows yet and we’re excited to bring back the incredible fan energy for one of music’s most anticipated and iconic nights.”
Last time the VMAs were held at the Prudential Center, the televised event’s performers included Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Miley Cyrus, and Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient Missy Elliott. Swift took home video of the year for “You Need to Calm Down,” while Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus earned song of the year for “Old Town Road (Remix).” Read more
‘The Adam Project’ tops Nielsen streaming movie chart (THR)
Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds’ The Adam Project climbed to No. 1 on Nielsen’s movie streaming chart for the week of March 21-27 with 1.2 billion minutes viewed.
The original Netflix movie is a sci-fi time-travel adventure about a jet pilot (Reynolds) who goes back in time and meets up with his younger self and his late father.
Among all streaming programming, the movie placed second for the week of March 21-27 behind the second season debut of Netflix’s Bridgerton, which scored a massive 2.5 billion viewing minutes in its opening weekend.
Nevertheless, The Adam Project held well after posting an opening weekend debut of 1.33 billion minutes viewed to place No. 2 behind Disney’s Turning Red (1.67 billion) for the week of March 14-20. Read more
Production on film ‘Being Mortal’ suspended over complaints about Bill Murray’s inappropriate behavior (ChicagoTribune)
Searchlight Pictures has suspended production on “Being Mortal,” a new movie starring Aziz Ansari, Seth Rogen and Bill Murray, over complaints about Murray’s inappropriate behavior on set.
The studio sent a letter to the movie’s cast and crew on Wednesday, informing them filming had been suspended due to an unspecified complaint. “Late last week, we were made aware of a complaint, and we immediately looked into it,” the note said. Though sources at the time indicated the production halt was not COVID-19 related, nor did it pertain to Ansari or Rogen, it was ambiguous what caused the shutdown.
Searchlight Pictures declined to comment on the investigation. It is not clear if Murray will stay on board the film, or if he will be recast. Since principal photography started at the end of March, nearly half of the movie had been shot before production was ground to a halt this week.
While the nature of the complaint against Murray is unknown, this is not the first clash he’s been involved in on a film set. On the 2000 action-comedy “Charlie’s Angels,” star Lucy Liu reportedly confronted Murray for “hurling insults” at her following a rewrite of a scene without his knowledge. Read more
David M. Jones, visual effects supervisor on ‘Star Wars,’ dies at 74 (Variety)
David M. Jones, best known for his contributions as a visual effects supervisor on “Star Wars,” died from complications related to cancer at his home in Winnetka, Calif. on April 8. He was 74.
Jones’ death was confirmed to Variety by his ex-wife and lifelong friend, Janice Gerson-Jones.
Jones was a longtime visual effects artist whose career spanned nearly 30 years. He was born in Sacramento, Calif., but his childhood took him to Air Force bases as far away as Anchorage, Alaska and Freeburg, Ill., where he fondly recalled purchasing his first model airplane kit in first grade. He subsequently earned a bachelor of science in industrial design from Cal State Long Beach. Upon graduating, he began working in the film industry as a model maker, then promoted to a model shop supervisor and finished his career as a visual effects supervisor. David worked at ILM, Universal Hartland and Boss Film Studios during the bulk of his career.
His contribution to the field of visual effects can be seen in works such as “Space Academy” (1977), “Star Wars” (1977), “Close Encounters” (1977), “Buck Rogers” (1979), “Battlestar Galactica” (1979) and “Air Force One” (1997). Jones also worked on 1992’s “Alien³” as an effects art director. Read more
Plane crashes into General Mills plant in Georgia (Independent)
A plane has crashed into a General Mills plant in Georgia, according to officials.
Authorities say that the accident happened shortly after the plane took off near Covington, Georgia, on Thursday evening.
Pictures from the scene of the crash show heavy smoke billowing from the factory, with several damaged tractor trailers.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration said that the crash happened at around 7.05 pm EST. Read more
Enyimba maul Pillars 4-0 as Akwa Utd demolish Nasarawa Utd 6-1 (DailyTrust)
There appears to be no respite for Kano Pillars as they suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to Enyimba in yesterday’s 2022 NPFL Match Day 24 clash in Aba.
The first time Pillars suffered such a heavy defeat was in 2016 when they lost by the same margin to Shooting Stars in Ibadan.
Evergreen striker, Victor Mbaoma, opened the scoring in the 31st minute after stylishly finishing off Bilal Yakubu’s cut back into the box.
In the 63rd minute, Mbaoma capitalised on Pillars goalkeeper, Enaholo’s error to score the second goal for Enyimba. Read more
Ralph Hasenhuttl gives damning verdict as Southampton fall to poor Burnley defeat (HampshireLive)
Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl was left blasting his side for ‘lacking everything’ in their poor 2-0 defeat to Burnely at Turf Moor on Thursday evening. The Saints turned in a desperately under-par performance despite making a bright start to the game.
Connor Roberts gave the Clarets the lead with a spectacular effort from outside of the area, with fellow defender Nathan Collins doubling the lead on the stroke of half-time from a corner. The margin of loss could certainly have been more though, with stopper Fraser Forster following up his great performance against Arsenal with another impressive showing in Lancashire. Unlike against the Gunners though, he was not able to keep the opposition out.
Following the final whistle at Turf Moor, Hasenhuttl was critical with the way his side approached the game throughout the evening. Talking in his post-match press conference, he said: “Congrats to Burnley. I think they had a deserved win.
“We had the first big chance in the game, a free header from Ori [Romeu] after a set piece. Maybe the game goes in a different direction but when you concede the goal with the first chance from them and then after this, don’t win any duels until half-time, then you don’t deserve to get something here. Because we have been lacking everything in there after the first 15 minutes and then it’s simply not good enough today.” Read more
Barcelona wins, delays Madrid’s looming title celebration (USAToday)
Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 on Thursday to make sure Real Madrid will have to wait at least another week to celebrate the Spanish league title.
Barcelona’s away victory reduced its gap to Madrid to 15 points, and it can further cut it to 12 points on Sunday if it defeats Rayo Vallecano at home in a game it has in hand.
Barcelona and Madrid, which won 3-1 at Osasuna on Wednesday, will have five games left. Madrid, trying to clinch its second title in three seasons, doesn’t play this weekend.
“Madrid was lucky that it took a while for us to join the fight,” Barcelona defender Dani Alves said. Read more
Charles Leclerc admits finding watch thief hasn’t been a ‘smooth’ process before F1 return (Express)
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has said efforts to recover the watch robbed from his wrist on Monday haven’t been as “smooth” as he’d hoped. Initial reports from Italy suggested this season’s standing leader was hopeful of catching the culprits through CCTV footage, but he’s hinted his prospects aren’t all that positive.
The special edition Richard Mille watch—said to be worth £245,000—was pilfered while Leclerc was visiting the Tuscan seaside town of Viareggio. A large crowd of fans soon gathered seeking selfies and autographs, and it was only after the mob dispersed that Leclerc noticed what had happened.
The timing couldn’t be worse, with the 24-year-old immersed in his best F1 season to date, 34 points ahead of his nearest rival after two wins from three outings. Leclerc provided an update on the matter and assured reporters the robbery won’t impede his performance at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix come Sunday.
“I won’t go too much into details, it hasn’t been a great experience,” he said. “I cannot say much more than that. But obviously everything is going on with the police, and they are trying to find them. It hasn’t been as smooth as what I’ve read. But yeah, overall, I am fine and fully focused on the weekend. It won’t hurt me this weekend.” Read more
Bucks’ Middleton to miss rest of 1st round NBA playoff series (France24)
Milwaukee star Khris Middleton will miss the rest of the Bucks’ NBA first-round playoff series against the Chicago Bulls with a sprained left knee ligament, the team said Thursday.
Middleton exited the Bucks’ 114-110 loss to Chicago on Wednesday in the fourth quarter.
The Bucks said in a statement on Thursday he underwent an MRI exam that showed a sprained left medial collateral ligament.
“Middleton will receive daily treatment and evaluation with the next status update coming in approximately two weeks,” the team said. Read more
BJK against Russia, Belarus Wimbledon bans
(WestAustralian)
Billie Jean King has spoken out against the ban on Russian and Belarusian players imposed at Wimbledon this year as a result of the war in Ukraine.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced on Wednesday that players from the two nations would not be eligible for the grand slam, with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) stating it would implement the same rule across all its upcoming tournaments.
Upon announcing its decision, the AELTC cited a responsibility “to limit Russia’s global influence through the strongest means possible”.
The blanket ban ruled the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka out of contention. Read more