Apapa gridlock: NUPENG urges LASG to develop Orile truck park (Punch)
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers has appealed to the Lagos State Government to help in the rehabilitation of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Truck Park at Orile. Mr Tayo Aboyeji, Chairman, NUPENG Lagos, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Saturday. Aboyeji said that the development of the Orile Park would bring permanent solution to all traffic problems being experienced in the Apapa Port area and decongest the Apapa Wharf area. Read more
Buhari’s aide takes shot at Obasanjo, Atiku in Facebook post (Guardian)
A media adviser to Nigerian president has taken a broad swipe against oppositions and “adversaries” of President Muhammadu Buhari, including former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Former vice president Atiku Abubakar, although not mentioned by name, and his supporters were included in Femi Adesina’s broadside posted on Facebook. Obasanjo supported Buhari, then an opposition candidate, in the 2015 general elections against then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party. Read more
Buhari’s second term: Ain’t no stopping us now, we’re on the move —Femi Adesina (Punch)
Those who were young (men-about-town) in the 80s will remember the 1979 hit track by McFadden & Whitehead, titled Ain’t no stopping us now. The lyrics goes thus: Ain’t no stopping us now! We’re on the move! Ain’t no stopping us now! We’ve got the groove! And if you ponder and reflect on the political journey of President Muhammadu Buhari, right from 2003, when he threw his hat into the ring, till now, there have been spirited attempts to stop him. Read more
INEC complies with Supreme Court verdict on Zamfara (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission on Saturday complied with the judgment of the Supreme Court on the 2019 general elections held in Zamfara State and declared the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, winners of the elections. The chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, told journalists in Abuja that Certificates of Return would be given to the governor-elect, Deputy-governor-elect, three Senators and seven House of Representatives members-elect by 2:00 p.m. on Monday. Read more
Shelve plans to create Fulani radio, PCP tells FG (Nation)
The Federal Government’s plan to create a Fulani radio for herdsmen Saturday drew criticisms from the Peoples Coalition Party (PCP). The party urged the government to quickly shelve the idea as it would be seen to be promoting herdsmen killing and banditry in the country. The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, had said on Wednesday that the Federal Government had acquired an Amplitude Modulation broadcast radio licence, frequency 720KHz, for herdsmen as part of efforts to end the perennial farmers-herders clashes. Read more
Imo govt officials attempting to blackmail me, says Gov-elect, Ihedioha (Punch)
The Governor-elect of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha has accused the officials of the state government of attempts to blackmail him. He also said that government officials were equally working to undermine his inauguration on Wednesday as the governor of the state. At a press conference on Saturday in Owerri, the chairman of the Governor-elect’s inauguration planning and handover committee, Chris Okewulonu said that the outgoing governor, Rochas Okorocha, had not assisted the committee towards ensuring a seamless inauguration ceremony. Read more
Ganduje promotes 24 loyal directors to perm secretaries (Guardian)
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has approved the appointment of 36 permanent secretaries in an acting capacity. In the new appointment, 24 directors loyal to the administration to the governor made the list of the new acting permanent secretaries. Of the 33 former senior secretaries relieved of their appointment recently, 12 made their return in the fresh appointment after scaling through the painstaking and highly selective political test. Read more
Release our N25bn, members getting impatient, ASUU tells FG (Punch)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has urged the Federal Government to release the N25bn it approved for university lecturers. ASUU President, Prof Biola Ogunyemi, stated this at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State during a valedictory lecture and book presentation by the former Vice Chancellor of Micheal Okpara University, Umudike, Prof Ikenna Onyido. Read more
Only 57% of 1.5m basic education teachers are qualified – UBEC (Guardian)
The Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Dr. Hamid Bobboyi has revealed that only 57 per cent of the nation’s basic education teachers are qualified. Bobboyi also said that there was an increase from 841,716 in 2008 to 1.5 million in 2018 in the population of the teachers. Bobboyi disclosed this in Kaduna on Saturday, in a paper entitled, “State of Basic Education in Nigeria: Prospect and Challenges”. Read more
Police arrest 43 suspected criminals in Bauchi (Punch)
The Bauchi Police Command said it has arrested 43 suspected criminals including bandits, kidnappers and armed robbers The Police Commissioner in the State, Habu Sani, said this in a speech at the inauguration of a new strategy tagged: “Sectoral Community Policing” to improve security in the State on Saturday. He disclosed that out of the 43 suspects arrested, eight have been convicted, while 35 others are awaiting trial. Read more
Police nab 3 kidnap suspects in army uniform (Guardian)
The Police in Anambra said it had arrested three persons in military uniforms for allegedly kidnapping a businessman, Mr Uchenna Ezeonu at Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of the state. In a statement on Saturday, the Public Relations Officer of the state’s Command, Mr Haruna Mohammed, said that the suspects were arrested in a bush near the Uyo-Eke Market. Mohammed said that the arrests followed a distress call made to the command on May 24 at about 11am. Read more
Militia hands over men wanted for Central African Republic massacre (Punch)
The 3R militia group, blamed for a massacre of more than 50 civilians in the Central Africa Republic earlier this week, has handed over three of its members to the authorities, the government said Saturday. The massacre Tuesday in villages near the northwestern town of Paoua, close to the border with Chad, were the worst single loss of life since the government and 14 militias signed a deal in February aimed at restoring peace to one of Africa’s most troubled countries. Read more
South Africa’s President Ramaphosa vows ‘new era’ at inauguration (BBC)
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed to bring about “hope and renewal” as he was inaugurated at a stadium in the capital Pretoria. The African National Congress (ANC) leader vowed to tackle corruption and rejuvenate the struggling economy. He was elected earlier this month with a majority of 57.5%, the smallest since the party came to power 25 years ago. Mr Ramaphosa initially took over from Jacob Zuma in 2018 after Mr Zuma was accused of corruption. Read more
Race to be new UK prime minister begins (BBC)
Conservative leadership contenders have clashed over Brexit as the race to succeed Theresa May in No 10 begins. Rory Stewart said he would not serve under rival Boris Johnson because of his backing for a no-deal exit. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, the fifth Tory to enter the race, said Mrs May’s successor must be more “brutally honest” about the “trade-offs” required to get a deal through Parliament. Read more
Trump approves $8bn Saudi weapons sale over Iran tensions (BBC)
US President Donald Trump is approving the sale of billions of dollars’ worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, citing Iranian threats to its arch rival. Mr Trump invoked a rarely used aspect of federal law to push through the $8bn (£6bn) deal – bypassing Congress. He did so by declaring that ongoing tensions with Iran amounted to a national emergency. Read more
Russia ordered to release Ukraine sailors (BBC)
An international tribunal has ordered Russia to “immediately” release 24 Ukrainian sailors and three naval ships it seized off Crimea in November. Moscow says the sailors violated its maritime border near the peninsula which it seized from Ukraine in 2014. But the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea sided with Ukraine in the dispute, which has stoked tensions between the nations. Read more
Monkey wees in window of dad who laughed at his penis (Metro)
A dad who laughed at and prodded a monkey’s penis was left needing a trip to the car wash after the chimp got his own back by peeing through the window. Martin Chapman, 38, was on a day trip to Knowsley Safari Park, in Merseyside, when the chimp jumped on his car on May 12. Read more
Pope condemns abortion as use of ‘paid killer’ (Guardian)
Pope Francis reiterated Saturday that abortion is unacceptable, saying its use amounted to the hiring of a “paid killer.” “Is it lawful to eliminate a human lift to resolve a problem? It is lawful to hire a paid killer to resolve a problem,” Francis asked during a conference at the Vatican on the use of abortion when the unborn child is found to have a serious illness. “No human being can ever be incompatible with life,” he said, adding: “Every child is a gift that changes the history of a family… and this child needs to be welcomed, loved and cared for.” Read more
Everest: British man among latest mountain deaths (BBC)
Officials say a British man died on Saturday on Mount Everest – bringing to 10 the total death toll this season on the world’s largest peak. Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, reportedly fell ill while descending from the summit. An Irish man, Kevin Hynes, also died on Everest on Friday. Nepal is facing scrutiny for issuing a record 381 permits, at $11,000 (£8,600) each, for this year’s Spring season. Read more
Spice Girls: Fans take to Twitter over Dublin gig sound (BBC)
Spice Girls singer Mel B has said she hopes the sound will be “much better” on their tour after complaints following their opening reunion concert in Dublin. More than 70,000 people turned out for the group’s first gig in seven years at Croke Park on Friday night. It opened with a performance of Spice Up Your Life and a fireworks display. Read more
Surprises as Nigeria name Women’s World Cup squad (Guardian)
Nigeria women’s coach Thomas Dennerby sprung several surprises when he named the squad for the World Cup in France next month. Dennerby promoted five players who earlier this month won the regional West African (WAFU) Nations Cup in Abidjan. He also unexpectedly omitted Brighton forward Umotong Ani and Sweden-based defender Josephine Chukwunonye. Read more
Manchester United target Bruno Fernandes talks up ‘dream’ Premier League move (Metro)
Sporting Lisbon star Bruno Fernandes has talked up a ‘dream’ move to the Premier League amid speculation that Manchester United are interested in signing him this summer. Fernandes had an exceptional season for Sporting, notching up 20 goals and 13 assists in the Primeira Liga, and clubs from around Europe are lining up offers for the 24-year-old. Read more
Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel extends deal to 2021 (Punch)
Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel has extended his deal with the French Ligue 1 champions through to June 2021, the club announced on Saturday. The 45-year-old German took over in June 2018 and despite winning Ligue 1 has come under scrutiny after the Parisian club’s defeat to Manchester United in the Champions League last 16. The news cuts short speculation that PSG’s Qatari owners would fire Tuchel and hire outgoing Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. Read more
Spanish police detain 23 before Copa del Rey final (Guardian)
Spanish police have detained 23 people in “incidents” in the southern city of Sevilla ahead of the Copa del Rey final that pits Barcelona against Valencia, they said on Saturday. “Last night in Sevilla, police detained 23 people (who now won’t be able to go to the Copa del Rey final) and seized blunt objects during incidents in the Nervion area,” police tweeted. Nervion houses the Sevilla FC stadium. Read more
Hamilton beats Bottas to Monaco GP pole (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton snatched Monaco Grand Prix pole position from Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas with his last lap of the session. Hamilton, often on the back foot in qualifying, took pole by 0.086 seconds. But the story of the day was in many ways Ferrari’s strategic error that saw Charles Leclerc knocked out in the first session. Read more