Abducted 4-year-old kids found inside abandoned bus (DailyTrust)
The two four-year-old boys, Wasiu Dauda and Al-Ameen Ibrahim, abducted in the Ijesha area of Lagos have been found.
Daily Trust learnt that the boys were found alive in an abandoned mini bus along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway this morning.
Dauda’s mother, Awau, told our correspondent that the children are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
“We have found them. They were found in an abandoned mini bus this morning on the expressway. They are in the hospital now,” the elated mother said. Read more
Monarchs, LCDA support Lagos I.D card (Nation)
Local government authorities and traditional rulers in Lagos Central Senatorial District have pledged full support for Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), in the ongoing registration for New Lagos ID Card.
The leaders made the commitment during a town hall meeting organised by LASRRA with stakeholders in Lagos-Island Division.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Hon Tijani Adetoyose Olusi, offered 27 halls to Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), for use as registration points for residents in the local government area.
The Chairman, represented by Chief Abu Martins, said the move was to make registration seamless for residents in the local government in support of the state’s drive for a smart city. Read more
Don’t end BRT, make it safer – Commuters to Sanwo-Olu (Guardian)
Some Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) passengers along the Ikeja/Oshodi corridor have appealed to the Lagos State Government to boost security on the buses, for improved safety of commuters.
Some BRT passengers, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday appealed to the government to deploy technology to make operations better and safer for commuters, to avert a repeat of the “Bamise saga”.
A trader in Computer Village, who simply identified himself as Okwudili said the BRT was the hope of business people, who had to catch up early with business appointments.
Okwudili who spoke to NAN at the Mangoro bus corridor said it was impressive that the BRT fleet was increasing, adding that the government should improve and digitalise operations for efficiency and safety. Read more
Lagos police chief calls for synergy between security agencies, communities (Sun)
The Lagos State Police Command has reiterated the importance of synergy between the security agencies and the communities in securing lives and properties.
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Abiodun Alabi, who was represented at the swearing of new executives of Igbo-Olomu Central Communities Development Association, led by Mr Jimoh Ismail Kayode, in Ikorodu West Local Development Area, called on communities to work with security agencies for effective and efficient policing at the occasion.
The commissioner, who was represented at the occasion by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), spoke through Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Mr Arigidi M.
Pledging unalloyed support of the Igbo-Olomu community to police in securing lives and properties in the area, Kayode said the community is ready to work with the police in order to give maximum security to all citizens. Read more
RCCG reiterates non-partisan stand (Independent)
On the heels of the uproar indicting the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) of drumming support for Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice President through the creation of the office of the Directorate of Politics and Governance, the church has said it has no business with partisan politics.
The church reiterated that it has members who belong to several political parties in the country, hence the creation of the directorate, which is in direct response to the advisory of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to support members on effective and efficient voter education and the discharge of their related civic rights and obligations.
Pastor Funso Odesola, RCCG, Assistant General Overseer on Admin and Personnel, also the Continental Overseer for Africa 3 and Middle East, in a statement made available to Independent, noted that the content of the internal memo specifying the function of the directorate has been misconstrued by the public.
He highlighted the operative words in the memo, as the directorate is to”…help coordinate the engagement of our people who are willing to be involved in politics as well as mobilise support for them”. Read more
Merry Lawal set to premiere her movie, ‘Strange Cabin’ in May (Tribune)
All arrangements have been concluded for the premiere of a movie, “Strange Cabin” produced by a budding Nigerian actress, Merry Lawal on May 5 at Paris Estate Palace Hotel, Abeokuta.
Speaking on the movie to Saturday Tribune, Lawal said the movie was produced to address challenges associated with marriages, with a view to ensure that couples enjoy blissful matrimonial lives.
She attributed incessant failures in marriages to lack of endurance, tolerance and inability of some couples to understand themselves properly before marriage.
According to Lawal, “this movie will encourage people to work on their marriage and it will explain steps they can take to work on their marriage. Husbands and wives should not be too busy to spend time with each other.” Read more
I’ll not renege on full payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, if reelected – Oyetola (Nation)
Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, has said he would not renege on his promise to make payment of full salaries and pension to workers and retirees, if reelected.
Oyetola said this during an engagement programme with members of The Triangular Group of Pensioners on Sunday in Osogbo.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, the governor said those who were spreading false information that he would stop payment of full salaries and pension are enemies of progress, whose minds are not always with positive development.
The governor, who said his priority is to always see the state’s workforce happy and productive, said the era of half salaries is gone in the state. Read more
Bishop asks Soludo to shun religious politics in Anambra (DailyTrust)
Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has advised the incoming governor of Anambra state, Prof. Charles Soludo, not to continue with the “existing religious politics” in the state.
Bishop Paul Nkwachukwu, a member of the National Advisory Board of PFN, gave the advice at the Alaigbo sunrise prayer crusade held in Awka, Anambra capital.
He said Soludo is God sent to rescue the state from its numerous challenges.
Rev. Paul Nkwachukwu, who is founder and Bishop of Grace of God Mission, said Anambra state has over the years enmeshed in religious denominational politics, which according to him was not healthy for the state. Read more
Colleagues, fans pray for Kemi Afolabi over ‘incurable’ ailment (Nation)
Colleagues and fans have been offering words of encouragement and support to actress Kemi Afolabi, who recently said doctor told her that she has four more years to live.
The 43-year-old actress disclosed this in a recent interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo
The actress said she was diagnosed with lupus.
The actress said the disease can only be managed through medication. Read more
2023: 60 years wait after independence long enough to have president from Igboland – Group insists (Sun)
Ahead of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, a pressure group under the aegis of Equity Movement Turn by Turn has warned against the negative consequences, if an Igboman does not succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
To this end, the group has appealed to former and present leaders of the country not to allow the next Nigerian President to elude the Igbo.
In a statement signed by its national chairman, Hon Gaius Ezeh; the director of Western Region, Oluwatuase Kolawole; director, Eastern Region, Hon Dan Ejianya and director, Northern Region, Ahmed Tukur, the group insisted that an Igbo man must emerge as the next president for the interest of peace and stability of the country. After the Igbo it will be zoned to North East or North Central.
The group argued that the idea of creating six geopolitical zones in the country was to ensure that the office of Nigeria President rotated among the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Read more
2 years after Breonna Taylor’s death, her family continues campaigning against no-knock warrants (People)
Two years ago, on March 13, 2020, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was in her apartment with fiancé Kenneth Walker when shortly after midnight, Louisville Metro Police officers executing a “no-knock” search warrant charged through her front door.
Taylor was shot multiple times. She gasped for air for five minutes before dying on the floor of her home.
Police were executing a search warrant for an investigation into a suspected drug dealer, who police alleged had once retrieved a package from Taylor’s home. But the suspected drug dealer didn’t live in her building — and had, in fact, just been arrested at a different location.
Walker fired a warning shot as the officers breached the front door with a battering ram, and officers responded by firing several bullets into the apartment. Read more
Marilyn Manson accuser allegedly threatened with “legal action” over Evan Rachel Wood documentary (NME)
Former Marilyn Manson assistant Ashley Walters was allegedly threatened with “retaliatory legal action” if she took part in Evan Rachel Wood’s upcoming documentary Phoenix Rising.
Phoenix Rising, which premieres March 15 and 16 on HBO, details the alleged abuse Wood suffered while with Manson.
When it was announced back in January, Manson’s legal team filed a lawsuit against Wood, suing her for defamation, emotional distress, and “impersonation over the internet.”
However, according to an amended lawsuit filed Friday (March 11) by Walters’ lawyers, she was also threatened with similar legal proceedings if she took part. Read more
Kyiv-Based Molodist International Film Festival Calls on festivals to boycott Russian cinema
(Variety)
The Kyiv-based Molodist International Film Festival has penned an open letter to the film community calling on other festivals to join in a boycott of Russian films as a response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.
The festival’s statement cites an ongoing effort by modern Russia to “separate culture from politics” and to “[use] that same culture to distract the West from Russia’s wars, human rights violations, censorship and persecution of political dissidents.”
“There are Russian filmmakers and intellectuals who have been truly vocal in their dissent and criticism of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine throughout these years, and we know some of them personally,” the statement reads. “We’re confident, however, that they will understand why we call for the full boycott of Russian films until Russia’s army is out of Ukraine and its government compensates for all the damage – because these intellectuals certainly understand that they have failed in their struggle.”
The Molodist International Film Festival was forced to postpone its 51st edition on Friday due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The event was set to unfold between May 28 and June 5.
‘Dune’ leads ‘Power of the Dog’ in race for BAFTA film awards (NewArab)
Sci-fi epic ‘Dune’ and dark western ‘The Power of the Dog’ lead the race as the British Academy Film Awards return Sunday with a live, black-tie ceremony after a pandemic-curtailed event in 2021.
Acting nominees Benedict Cumberbatch and Lady Gaga are among the stars expected on the red carpet at London’s Royal Albert Hall before a ceremony hosted by Rebel Wilson. Last year’s event was largely conducted online, with only the hosts and presenters appearing in person.
Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune’, starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, has 11 nominations including best film, cinematography and original score. Jane Campion’s ‘The Power of the Dog’, set in 1920s Montana and starring Cumberbatch as a ranch owner, has eight including best director and best film.
If Campion takes the directing trophy she will be only the third female winner in that category, but the second in two years after Chloe Zhao for “Nomadland” in 2021. Read more
Nicolas Cage joined Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent ‘because it scared the crap out of me'(USAToday)
For Nicolas Cage, playing a fictionalised version of himself for “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” action/comedy took some convincing. The onscreen Cage struggles to find work and has amassed a substantial hotel debt. Strapped for cash he agrees to fly to Spain for a rich man’s birthday in exchange for $1 million. The movie then evolves into an action movie with a similar tone to some films made by Cage. Homages are made to his earlier films.
“It was a high wire, it was terrifying,” he told attendees of the film’s premiere late Saturday night at Austin’s SXSW festival. The movie is slated for an April 22 release. “No muscle in my body told me to play any version of myself in a movie. And because it scared the crap out of me, I knew I had to do it.”
Cage explained his concerns on the red carpet just outside of Austin’s Paramount Theatre. He worried director Tom Gormican “wanted to do something like an ‘SNL’ sketch and mock me or make fun of my work.”
Gormican persuaded Cage with a letter, the actor said. “In that letter it became clear to me that he was looking more towards a genuine interest in some of the earlier work and a celebration of that, with the elements of whatever pathos I’ve been through that people have or have not read about,” said Cage. Read more
Euphoria actor loves long hours as HBO defends toxic workplace allegations (AllHipHop)
HBO network officials have defended Euphoria following allegations of a toxic work environment.
In February, editors at The Daily Beast published a report alleging that background actors working on the teen drama, run by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, had made complaints to the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA.
They complained over the alleged failure “to provide them meals on time and refusing to let people use the bathroom” and also claimed they were made to work 15-17-hour days.
In response, HBO bosses defended the show against the toxic workplace claims in a statement. Read more
Katt Williams ends Nashville show mid-joke after bomb threat (TMZ)
Katt Williams pulled the plug early on his Nashville show Saturday night, after the venue received a bomb threat.
Katt was in Tennessee for his “World War III” Tour — yeah, we get that it’s jarring — when 10 minutes before it was supposed to end someone on the crew told him about the threat.
Williams had to make a tough decision … tell the crowd about the threat or just end the show and let them naturally walk out.
You gotta think Astroworld was on his mind … worrying that full disclosure might result in a stampede, so Katt just left the stage without saying why. The venue was cleared without incident. Read more
2022 WCQ Playoff: Ghana to unveil squad for Super Eagles’ clash (Leadership)
Black Stars of Ghana interim head coach Otto Addo will announce his final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup playoff against Nigeria next week.
A member of the Black Stars management committee Karim Gruzah revealed that Addo will submit the list for perusal next week.
“We don’t do the call-ups, its the job of the technical team and then submit it for review”.
“What is circulating on social media (but) we have not received it yet. Next week, we will hold a meeting and see the way forward. Read more
Enyimba, Plateau Utd share spoils of war (DailyTrust)
It was a tough battle between Nigeria Professional Football League sides, Enyimba and Plateau United as there was no victor, no vanquished.
In the early fixtures of the Round 18 of the ongoing season, both sides ended the game with a goal apiece.
The People’s Elephant began the game with intensity and saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges with the visitors unable to leave their own half.
As the game wore on, the Jos based club who made 5 changes to the side that grinded out a win over Katsina United began to see the ball more but failed to test the Enyimba defence well.
Manchester United target Mauricio Pochettino sends cryptic message on his future after PSG loss (MEN)
Manchester United target Mauricio Pochettino has sent a cryptic message over his future following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid earlier this week.
MEN Sport understands that Pochettino remains a leading candidate to become the next United manager, with Ajax’s Erik ten Hag also in the running. It is believed to be neck and neck between the two in the race to replace Ralf Rangnick, though the precarious situation Pochettino finds himself in at PSG could give him the edge.
Kylian Mbappe’s strike at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night looked to have all but sealed the French side’s progression to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. However, a 17-minute Karim Benzema hat-trick stunned the Ligue 1 outfit, knocking them out of the competition.
Speaking to GetFootballNewsFrance, Pochettino said of his PSG future: “The present is all I can deal with. As for the future, what will be will be. Read more
Lionel Messi and Neymar booed by PSG fans during Bordeaux clash (Eurosport)
Lionel Messi and Neymar have been booed during Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue Un match with Bordeaux at Parc des Princes.
The Bordeaux clash represented PSG’s first match since their Champions League elimination. The Paris club were knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Real Madrid.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had looked in complete control, leading 2-0 on aggregate after Kylian Mbappe’s first-half strike at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, a horrendous error from Gianluigi Donnarumma sparked an almighty collapse from PSG as Karim Benzema bagged a quick-fire hat-trick to send Carlo Ancelotti’s side through. Read more
Vettel: Aston have ‘found a way to go racing’ (PlanetF1)
While pouring cold water on the significance of testing times, Sebastian Vettel believes Aston Martin have found a strong racing setup.
The Aston martin team have a five-year plan to reach the summit of Formula 1, with the 2022 campaign, the start of an all-new regulatory era, serving as the key foundation for the Silverstone squad to work towards their title ambitions.
Aston Martin are coming into 2022 off the back of a difficult season last time out, when aerodynamic regulation changes hampered their car, meaning they could manage only P7 in the Constructors’ standings.
But 2022 is a fresh start and though Vettel finished P10 on the final day of the Bahrain pre-season test, he feels positions are irrelevant and instead it was about Aston Martin running through their programme. Read more
Novak Djokovic warned over ‘important decision’ ahead after splitting with long-time coach (Express)
Novak Djokovic has been warned of the importance of his upcoming decision in selecting a new coach. The world No 2 mutually split with Marian Vajda after 15 years together but is continuing his work with his other coach Goran Ivanisevic and his existing fitness trainers. Former world No 2 Alex Corretja has now raised concerns for the Serb’s attempt to replace his long-time mentor.
Djokovic confirmed his split with Vajda earlier this month, after mutually agreeing on ending their partnership during the ATP Finals in Turin at the end of last season.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion had started travelling with his other coach, Ivanisevic, to some tournaments in preparation for life without Vajda.
He was meant to be coached solely by the 2001 Wimbledon champion at the season-ending event but Ivanisevic was forced to leave when his child tested positive for Covid and Vajda flew in to work with Djokovic. Read more
Klay Thompson on breaking out of shooting slump vs. Bucks: ‘That one felt good’ (SI)
Entering Saturday, Klay Thompson had been in a slump, shooting 26-for-78 (33%) from three-point range in his last 10 games. Then, he played for the Bucks.
Thompson exploded for a season-high 38 points on 15-for-23 shooting, while going 8-for-14 from three-point range. And after the game, he expressed his relief at putting up those numbers.
“That one felt good,” Thompson said, via ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
Thompson added that his struggles were not going to deter him from giving it his all and competing at a high level, since he knows how well he can perform. Read more