53-year-old father of seven stabbed to death in Lagos (Punch)
A 53-year-old Olalekan Okeowo has been stabbed to death in an uncompleted building at Salvation Estate in the Owode community, Ajah area of Lagos State.
The deceased left behind seven children, including a seven-month-old set of twins.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred around 1am on Sunday when the victim was asleep. It was learnt that Okeowo, who engaged in menial jobs, returned home on Saturday night, had his meal and went to bed. Read more
Indomie Special Chicken Flavour not registered by NAFDAC — DG (Vanguard)
Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, yesterday, gave more details on the ban on Indomie Instant Noodles, disclosing that a particular flavour of the brand, ‘Special Chicken Flavour’, was not registered by the agency for sale in Nigeria.
Adeyeye, while throwing more light on the banned product, as the agency commenced random sampling and analysis of Indomie noodles, including the seasoning, for the presence of ethylene oxide, also assured Nigerians of a thorough investigation of the product, both at the factory and market levels.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, Adeyeye added that the outcome of the sampling and analysis of the products would be made public. Read more
It will take miracle to pay workers salary from June – Obaseki (DailyTrust)
The Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said salary payment to workers will be difficult for the federal and state governments to pay from June this year without resorting to massive printing of money or removal of fuel subsidy.
He stated this in Benin during the May Day celebration.
The governor advised workers to brace up for the challenges that would come after the removal of fuel subsidy. Read more
FAAN urges illegal occupants to vacate airport land (Punch)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has issued a warning to all illegal occupants of airport lands to vacate the premises for their own safety and security.
In a statement on Tuesday, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, said the 13 houses recently demolished posed dangers to the operations of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos State.
She said, “The occupants of these buildings were duly notified of the impending demolitions and intensive awareness campaign through “stop work” markings and the planting of notice boards within the Red Zone. Read more
My suspension is illegal, says Lagos PDP chairman (Nation)
The suspended chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Pastor Phillip Aivoji has rejected the decision suspending him, saying the action of those routing for his removal was illegal and it will be challenged.
The suspension of Aivoji and his deputy, Mr Tai Benedict, over an allegation of antiparty, was ratified recently. The party said their suspension will remain pending the outcome of court cases.
Aivoji and Benedict were suspended by their ward executives on April 14 over an alleged gross violation of the party’s constitution. Read more
American Political Science Association appoints LASU don as research development group chair (ThisDay)
The American Political Science Association (APSA) has appointed a Professor of International Relations at the Lagos State University (LASU), Kayode Soremekun to coordinate and drive its Research Development Group on Africa.
Soremekun, the immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE), was appointed less than two years into the administration of LASU VC, Prof. Ibironke Olatunji-Bello.
This was contained in his letter of appointment by the Warren Weinstein Chair of African Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Prof. Peter Lewis. Read more
OPC member shoves sexagenarian to death in Ondo (Guardian)
A member of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), also known as ‘Slow’ has allegedly killed a sexagenarian, Prince Adesoji Adesida, after pushing him to death in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Adesida was allegedly pushed while trying to settle a dispute between Akinwale and his girlfriend.
The incident occurred over the weekend at a funeral at the DOME, Alagbaka, Akure. It was gathered that Akinwale had attacked her girlfriend over an accusation that she was exchanging mobile numbers with another man. sources said Akinwale became enraged and shoved the victim after the deceased tried to stop him from beating his girlfriend.
An eyewitness disclosed that when Akinwale pushed the late Adesoji, he hit his head on the wall and was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead. Read more
Ahead of Inauguration, rents, property values surge in Abuja (Leadership)
The coming inauguration of a new government in Nigeria has brought about a significant surge in rents and property values across the country, particularly in the highbrow areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos.
Ahead of the setting up of a new administration, there will be movement of new legislators, friends of legislators, and families of political office holders into the FCT. The influx of the new officials has raised the demand for high-end housing, leading to a sharp increase in property values.
As of today, in the Central Business District in Abuja, the price of a two-bedroom apartment that previously cost N4 million has risen to N5.5 million. Read more
Usher teases Chris Brown Verzuz idea, says it would ‘‘kill the world’’ (HipHopDX)
Usher has teased a potential Verzuz celebration rather than a battle with his close friend and R&B counterpart Chris Brown sometime down the line.
The Confessions artist stopped by Big Boy’s Neighborhood last week where he hinted at stepping into the Verzuz ring with C-Breezy at some point in the future and continued to add more fuel to the fire of the dream R&B match-up.
“Me and Chris would kill the world if we ever did something together like that. I’m not saying it’s Verzuz, but I’ma just say this, if that ever happens it would be one of the biggest things that anybody has ever experienced in entertainment in celebration of two people who love each other,” Usher said. Read more
Kevin Costner’s wife Christine Baumgartner files for divorce after 18 years of marriage (People)
Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner are separating.
Baumgarten, 49, has filed for divorce, PEOPLE has confirmed.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Costner’s representative said, “It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action.”
“We ask that his, Christine’s, and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time,” the rep added. Read more
Dominique Fishback and Anthony Ramos on why ‘‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’’ had a shaman’s blessing (EW)
Studio execs weren’t the only ones who gave their blessing to Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Turns out, a shaman did, too.
Set in 1994, the upcoming blockbuster follows the Maximals, Predacons, and Terrorcons as they join the existing battle on Earth between Autobots and Decepticons, filmed partly at Machu Picchu — yes, that Machu Picchu.
Filming at the historical landmark was predictably strict, according to the film’s stars Dominique Fishback and Anthony Ramos. So strict, in fact, that the film and its set had to receive a blessing from a shaman before filming there. Read more
Man arrested outside Buckingham Palace (BBC)
A controlled explosion was held and a man was arrested outside Buckingham Palace after throwing suspected shotgun cartridges into palace grounds, police have said.
A cordon was put in place after the man was detained at around 19:00 BST on Tuesday after approaching the gates of the palace, Scotland Yard said.
He was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
There are no reports of shots fired or injuries to officers or the public. Read more
Leaders of Sudan’s warring factions agree to 7-day ceasefire, South Sudan says (CNN)
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – the two warring factions in Sudan – have agreed to a seven-day ceasefire, the foreign ministry of South Sudan said in a statement Tuesday.
The two sides also said they would send representatives for peace talks “to be held at an agreed venue of their choice,” it added.
The SAF or RSF have both yet to comment on the report on their official channels. Read more
Ed Sheeran warns he’ll quit music if found guilty in copyright trial (NME)
Ed Sheeran has said he will leave the music industry if he loses his ongoing copyright infringement trial.
The singer-songwriter is currently going through court proceedings for a plagiarism trial related to his 2015 song ‘‘Thinking Out Loud’’.
Back in 2016, the pop star was sued by Ed Townsend – one of the co-writers on the classic Marvin Gaye track ‘‘Let’s Get It On’’ – who accused him of copying the song in ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Read more
Secret Service says it turned away Muslim NJ mayor from WH Eid reception (CNN)
The United States Secret Service on Monday said it turned away the Muslim mayor of Prospect Park, New Jersey, ahead of the Eid reception at the White House.
Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah was not permitted to attend Monday’s Eid reception despite an invitation to the East Room ceremony after his clearance for entry was not approved by the Secret Service, the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ New Jersey chapter told CNN in a statement.
“While we regret any inconvenience this may have caused, the mayor was not allowed to enter the White House complex this evening,” USSS chief of communications told reporters in a statement later Monday evening. “Unfortunately we are not able to comment further on the specific protective means and methods used to conduct our security operations at the White House.” Read more
NWFL Super 6 postponed indefinitely (Punch)
Orgainsers of the Nigeria Women’s Football League on Tuesday confirmed that they have been directed to postpone the forthcoming Nigeria Women’s Football League Premiership Super 6.
“The 2023 NWFL Premiership Super 6 postponed indefinitely,” the league body announced on its official Twitter handle.
The reason for the postponement was not mentioned in the statement. Read more
Lionel Messi suspended by Paris St-Germain for 2 weeks over Saudi Arabia trip (BBC)
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks after travelling to Saudi Arabia without the club’s permission this week.
The trip followed the French club’s home defeat by Lorient on Sunday, in which Messi played the full 90 minutes.
Messi will not train or play for PSG during the period of his suspension.
It is understood the 35-year-old asked permission to make the journey to carry out commercial work but was refused. Read more
Mikel Arteta wants his Arsenal players to enjoy being back on top of the table (IrishNews)
Mikel Arteta watched his Arsenal team return to the top of the Premier League table with victory over Chelsea before insisting he would not let his players’ heads drop.
The Gunners were eight points clear last month but had fallen behind Manchester City following a run of four winless games – a streak that ended with a comfortable 3-1 win over the beleaguered Blues.
Captain Martin Odegaard scored twice before Gabriel Jesus wrapped up the win before half-time as Noni Madueke’s first league goal proved a mere consolation for Frank Lampard’s visitors. Read more
Leeds should have got rid of American boss Jesse Marsch earlier, claims Simon Jordan (DailyMail)
With Leeds United scrambling to finish their season staying in the Premier League, pundits have been left wondering what could have been if their chaotic managerial nightmare hadn’t occurred.
After sacking Jesse Marsch back in early February, the Whites have been struggling under Javi Gracia.
Now, Leeds appear to be pulling the plug as news broke this morning that Sam Allardyce reportedly agreed to return to the managerial ranks and will try to save the club from relegation. Read more
Max Verstappen shares his excuse for being beaten by Sergio Perez in Azerbaijan (F1News)
Max Verstappen has accepted that his double defeat in Azerbaijan was down to his struggle to fight the right setup to mount an effective fightback.
Having worked throughout the weekend to get on his teammate’s level, Verstappen admits that he was “playing around with the tools” inside the RB19, only finding the right set up in the closing stages of Sunday’s race.
The Dutchman’s weekend was a disappointing affair for the reigning world champion, as he had to settle for P3 in the Sprint and P2 in the Grand Prix, allowing his teammate to gain significant ground in the 2023 title fight. Read more
Jim Furyk named U.S. captain for 2024 Presidents Cup (TorontoStar)
Jim Furyk has been named the captain of the American team at the upcoming Presidents Cup.
The international men’s golf tournament will be held at Royal Montreal Golf Club in September 2024.
Furyk, who will make his debut as captain of the U.S. Team, has appeared in seven Presidents Cups.
Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., has already been named the captain of the International team, the first Canadian to hold the role. Read more