Ada promised to celebrate Easter with me, says mum of 20-year-old girl killed by Police in Ajegunle (Punch)
The mother of the victim of Police shooting death in Ajegunle, Lagos, has said that her murdered daughter, Ada Ifeanyi, had promised to celebrate Easter with her. Speaking to our reporter on Sunday afternoon, an inconsolable Mrs. Mercy John lamented the death of her daughter, wondering what the young lady did to warrant the brutal death meted to her by the policemen attached to Trinity Police Station in Ajegunle area of Lagos. Ada and a male escort, 32-year-old Emmanuel Akomafuwa, were reportedly shot by a group of six policemen on Saturday at about 7am. Read more
Atiku: Cameroonian citizenship claims reckless, says PDP (Nation)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed as diversionary, claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Alhaji Atiku Abubabar is a Cameroonian and not a Nigerian. Describing the claims as reckless and groundless, the PDP accused the APC of calculated attempt to trivialise and divert attention from the compelling issue of governing party’s alleged criminal rigging of the 2019 presidential election. Atiku, who was the candidate of the PDP in the February 23 presidential election, had dragged President Muhammadu Buhari who won the election to the tribunal seeking to upturn the poll verdict, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Read more
Ajegunle killing: Police release photo of fleeing Inspector Dania Ojo (Punch)
The Rapid Response Squad has released the photograph of Inspector Dania Ojo, said to be one of the six policemen who allegedly shot dead a 20-year-old girl, Ada Ifeanyi. A man who was with her, 32-year-old Emmanuel Akomafuwa, was said to have sustained life-threatening injuries as a result of the shooting that killed the 20-year-old girl, and is currently being treated at an undisclosed hospital in Lagos. While five policemen have been arrested in connection with the Saturday morning incident, the sixth suspect, Inspector Dania Ojo, is said to be at large, having reportedly vanished from the scene immediately after the gruesome killing. Read more
APC Governors, others endorse Lawan, Gbajabiamila’s candidature – Shettima (Nation)
Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno says former governors in the ninth National Assembly have endorsed the candidature of Sen. Ahmed Lawan for the seat of Senate President. Shettima, who confirmed this development when he fielded questions from newsmen in N’Djamena, Chad, said the affected senators-elect had also endorsed Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila for the position of Speaker of the House Representatives. The governor also revealed that all the Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect from Borno state have endorsed candidature of Lawan and Gbajabiamila. Read more
NASS leadership: APC backs Lawan’s consultations with PDP lawmakers (Punch)
The ruling All Progressives Congress on Sunday said it was not against the decision of Senator Ahmed Lawan and other senators-elect to consult with members of the opposition on the election of leaders of the Ninth National Assembly. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja. The party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had while supporting the party’s choice of Lawan as the next Senate President, boasted that the APC did not need members of the Peoples Democratic Party to produce the next presiding officials of the National Assembly. Read more
Benue Police confirms assassination of son of PDP chieftain (Nation)
Benue Police Command on Sunday confirmed the assassination of one Orkuma Amaabai, son of PDP’S national ex-officio member, Prince Yandev Amaabai. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP. Ms Catherine Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Makurdi that the deceased was shot by unknown gunmen in Gboko at about 10 p.m. on Saturday. She said that the incident was reported on Sunday. According to Anene, investigation into the matter is ongoing and urged the public with useful information that would lead to the arrest of the criminals to volunteer it. Read more
Group urges Fayemi to run youth inclusive government (Guardian)
A group, League of Young Leaders on Sunday urged the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to run a youth inclusive government in the state.Mr Olumuyiwa-Aschor Babalola, founder of the league, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that it was time to recognise the role and contribution of youths in nation building. “It is high time the governor recognised the roles and contributions of our youths in politics, hence, they deserve the opportunity to serve too.“If we are not too young to run, we cannot be too young to serve. “If our young men and women can be relied upon prior to and during elections, I see no reason why we cannot be relied upon to serve even at the highest level. Read more
No severance benefits for lawmakers who fail to return diplomatic passports –CG Immigration (Punch)
Why is it difficult to obtain passport booklets? We are in a transition. I want Nigerians to appreciate that we are moving to a new passport regime which Mr President launched on the 15th of January, 2019 and we are concluding the process. We are rolling out a new improved 10-year validity passport for Nigerians. This passport is polycarbonate with 25 additional features. It must be processed online; there is less cash transaction. The transition is bringing a lot of challenges such as scarcity. It is because of that we decided to run the two (old and new passports) concurrently until the old expires. Read more
Shittu a serial betrayer, dictator, says Oyo APC (Nation)
The All Progressive Congress, Oyo state chapter has described the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu as a serial betrayal, dictator and failed politician. The party in reaction to the Ministers remarks that the aggrieved members of the party under the aegis of Unity Forum that joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a fallout of the APC state congress and primaries ahead of the recently concluded general elections, were still members of the APC. In a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Dr AbdulAzeez Olatunde, the party noted that the Unity Forum led by Shittu…Read more
NAF loses airman in parachuting accident in Kaduna (Punch)
The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said it lost an airman in a parachuting accident in Kaduna. The NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore, Ibikunle Daramola, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria. Daramola said: “NAF is sad to announce the passing of one of its airmen, Corporal Meshach Iliya Komo, who died in Kaduna today, April 14, 2019, in a parachuting accident during recurrency training. “On behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the NAF, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late airman over this irreparable loss. Read more
FG approves commencement of work on Nigeria-Seme-Benin road project (Nation)
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, says the Federal Government has approved commencement of work on Nigeria-Seme-Benin Republic road project. Mr Hakeem Bello, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Communication, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Fashola was quoted as disclosing this at the 12th Ministerial Steering Committee and Experts Meeting for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Programme in Lome. The minister, who is also the chairman of the committee, said that the project would be executed in a flexible manner to improve commuter service. Read more
NTIC urges FG to dredge Ogun-Osun river basin (Guardian)
The Nigeria Tulip International College (NTIC), Ogun Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to direct the immediate dredging of the Ogun-Osun River Basin to accommodate more water and prevent flooding of areas around the dam. Mr Olayinka Aderoju, Vice -Principal of the College, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos. Aderoju said that there was need to dredge the dam before June/July when the rain would become more intense and the dam would be forced open, hence flooding. Read more
Nepal plane crash: Three die at world’s ‘most dangerous’ airport (BBC)
Three people have died in a plane crash in Nepal, at what is regarded as one of the world’s most dangerous airports. The plane veered off the runway and hit a stationary helicopter at Lukla Airport, the main gateway to the Everest region. The runway is short and surrounded by mountains, making it extremely difficult for takeoff and landing. The pilot of the plane and two police officers standing near the helicopter died. Three other people were injured. Both aircraft belonged to companies involved in taking climbers, tourists and locals to the Everest region. Read more
British father found dead in prison while awaiting trial for wife’s murder (Metro)
A man who allegedly murdered his wife because she wouldn’t have sex with him has died in prison. Kevin Smitham’s body was discovered at Ubon Ratchathani Central Prison, in Thailand, last August but authorities have only just publicly confirmed his death. Smitham, 51, from Nottingham, was found with fatal injuries close to an outbuilding on the perimeter of the prison and died later in prison. An FCO spokesperson said: ‘Our staff are providing support and advice to the family of a British man who died in Thailand in August 2018, and they remain in touch with the local authorities.’ Read more
Avengers star Paul Rudd discovered Infinity War ending ‘years’ before co-stars despite not starring in it (Metro)
While the devastating ending to Avengers: Infinity War was as much a shock to most of the cast as it was to heartbroken fans, Paul Rudd managed to find out ‘years’ before his co-stars – despite not even starring in the movie. He doesn’t even go here. While many of the stars were left in the dark about Thanos wiping out half the population with a snap of his fingers, Paul claims he just had to know in order to film Ant-Man. How convenient. Read more
Salah stunner as Liverpool reclaim lead (BBC)
Mohamed Salah’s wonder-strike helped Liverpool beat Chelsea and ensured they remain two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League. Almost five years since Liverpool’s title chances were ruined by a 2-0 defeat in the same fixture, the hosts kept themselves in the hunt for a first league title in 29 years with two goals in the space of two minutes that saw Anfield erupt. After a nervy first half in which both sides had chances, Liverpool emerged from the break with added purpose and took the lead via Sadio Mane’s header. Read more
Sterling inspires Man City to Palace win (BBC)
Raheem Sterling scored twice against Crystal Palace to inspire Manchester City to a ninth straight Premier League win after a dominant performance at Selhurst Park. The impressive victory briefly lifted Pep Guardiola’s side, who had started the day second in the table, one point clear to the top. However, Liverpool returned to the summit after beating Chelsea 2-0 in the late kick-off at Anfield, leaving City, who have one game in hand, two points behind the Reds with five games remaining in this fascinating title race. Read more
Tiger Woods wins 2019 Masters at Augusta to claim 15th major (BBC)
Tiger Woods produced a scintillating finish to win a fifth Masters title and end an 11-year wait to claim a 15th major. There were raucous celebrations around the 18th green as Woods finished with a two-under-par 70 to win on 13 under, one clear of fellow Americans Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka. Overnight leader Francesco Molinari’s hopes sunk with two double bogeys on the back nine and he had to settle for a share of fifth on 11 under. Read more
Kevin De Bruyne plays passes other human beings can’t see, says Pep Guardiola (Metro)
Pep Guardiola has lavished praised on Kevin De Bruyne by claiming that the Belgian playmaker can play passes that other human beings cannot even see following his masterclass in Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. The 27-year-old has endured a frustrating season having suffered from two separate knee injuries as well as a groin problem which combined have kept him sidelined for almost five months of the campaign overall. Read more
Koulibaly scores twice as Napoli delay Juventus’ title celebrations (Guardian)
Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly bagged a brace as Napoli beat Chievo 3-1 to delay Juventus’ bid to win Serie A and condemn the Verona side to relegation. Juventus — who lost 2-1 at SPAL on Saturday as they focused on next week’s Champions League game against Ajax — needed just a point to seal an eighth consecutive Serie A title. They would have if Carlo Ancelotti’s second-placed Napoli failed to beat Chievo, and it would have been a new record of winning with six games to spare. Read more
Bayern fear for Neuer’s fitness after calf injury returns (Punch)
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer may face another spell on the sidelines after being substituted with a calf injury during Sunday’s win over Fortuna Duesseldorf. Neuer picked up the injury early in the first half of Bayern’s 4-1 win, pulling up after making an apparently innocuous pass. He was immediately taken off, and Bayern coach Niko Kovac confirmed after the game that it was the same calf problem which saw Neuer miss two games earlier this month. Read more
Infantino urges Kuwait to host 2022 World Cup matches (Punch)
FIFA president Gianni Infantino met Kuwait’s emir Sunday, state media said, amid reports the Gulf state is in talks to host matches to support Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed Al-Sabah and the head of the country’s sports federation met with Infantino on a low-profile visit that began Saturday, the official KUNA news agency said. Infantino also met with the speaker of Kuwait’s National Assembly, Marzuk al-Ghanem, and officials of the national football federation, KUNA said. Read more