Bandits Abduct Farmers In Kaduna, Kidnap Lagos-Bound Travellers In Kogi (DailyTrust)
Bandits have abducted two farmers at Unguwar Barde village along Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon while the villagers were cleaning the farm in preparation for farming season.
Kidnappers invade Abuja palace, abduct monarch
Bandits abduct customs officer, son, eight others in fresh Kaduna attack
The two victims were identified as Wada and Idi, both married with children.
One of the village leaders, who simply gave his name as Mr Barde, said the bandits called to inform them that the two farmers were in their custody.
“We are very worried because the two adult men went to the farm to clean it in preparation for farming season when the bandits came and picked them up.” Read more
Deaf, dumb man rapes 11-year-old niece to death in Lagos (Vanguard)
An 11-year-old girl has reportedly died of complications sustained at the hands of her deaf and dumb uncle, who subjected her to sexual abuse in the Alimosho area in Lagos.
According to family sources, Peter consistently defiled the little girl and her elder sister, who live with their grandmother in Lagos.
It was learned that the girl became very sickly from the constant sexual abuse her uncle subjected her to.
She, according to her aunt, died on March 22 after she was taken to a hospital. Read more
CIARB to help Lagos grow by resolving commercial disputes ― Akinola (Tribune)
President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Nigeria Branch, Chief J. Akingbola Akinola, SAN has commended the Lagos State government for playing a pivotal role in the Nigerian economy.
Akinola, said this when he led CIArb Executive Committee to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a courtesy visit on Wednesday.
He said the visit was to discuss areas of collaboration between the Lagos State Government and the CIArb Nigeria Branch while lauding the progressive nature of State Government under the Leadership of the Governor.
CIArb boss informed the Governor that the Institute is positioned to partner with the Lagos State Government in capacity building and the use of the ADR mechanisms to support the activities of the Lagos State Government. Read more
Hustle and Bustle hosts fast-rising artiste Asake
(Sun)
It was a night to remember as premium Abuja nightclub Hustle & Bustle hosted YBNL’s latest signee Asake, popularly known as ‘Mr Money’. The fast-rising artist thrilled fans with performances of his hit singles ‘Omo Ope’ and ‘Sungba’ and left it all on the stage.
It was a beautiful one as lovers of Afrobeat music came out to party and support the young Nigerian talent. Choc City artists; Blaqbonez, Adenike Isi Adeeko, Bobby High and Adesua Kella of Adesua PR were among the personalities who graced the fantastic event.
Asake turned the audience into his duet partner, as they joined him in singing his songs to show how much they love and accept his music.
Born Ahmed Ololade, Asake had earlier in February released a critically acclaimed eponymous four-track EP titled Ololade. Read more
Fire guts Abuja market, razes 300 shops (DailyTrust)
An early morning fire outbreak has burnt down Karmo market on the outskirts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Property worth millions of naira was lost in the inferno which was said to have started around 12.20am.
The market traders’ leader, Murtala Ibrahim, said about “300 makeshift shops were destroyed by the fire, before it was brought under control around 2am by combined efforts of the firefighters from the government’s agencies and companies.
He said the fire started from a shop where drinks were sold and extended to various sections of the market. Read more
Ndị Anambra cannot be repressed by few criminal elements – Soludo (Punch)
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has reacted to the burning of the Nnewi South Local Government Area secretariat in Ukpor by some armed men in the early hours of Thursday, stating that “Ndị Anambra cannot be repressed by a few criminal elements.”
This reaction came following the governor’s visit to the scene of the attack that reportedly claimed the life of one of the security men in the Council secretariat.
The PUNCH reported that a gang of armed men, on Thursday morning, razed the Nnewi South Local Government Area Headquarters in Ukpor, Anambra State, allegedly killing one man.
Reacting to the incident in a post uploaded to his Facebook Page alongside pictures of the wreckage of the burnt building, Soludo said, “This mindless bloodletting and destruction of infrastructure does not define who we are! Nothing can justify these acts of criminality. Read more
Olu Of Warri visits Gov Abiodun, predicts oil discovery in Ogun (Channels)
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse, in a visit to Ogun State predicted that the state will soon join the oil-producing states as oil and other petroleum-carbon products will be discovered in the state.
The monarch said this on Wednesday when he visited the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun, at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.
The Olu said the Ogun State has all it takes to be an oil-producing state just like the states in the Niger Delta.
“When our forefathers left the waterside to where we are now, they scooped the water and when they got to Warri, they dropped the water there. When they came back to the waterside, they also scooped water from Warri and dropped it in the waterside and since we have oil in Warri, I am sure oil is also here. Read more
Tribunal stops Multi-Choice Ltd from increasing tariffs on products, services (Independent)
A Competition and Consumer Protection (CCP) Tribunal sitting in Abuja has restrained Multichoice Nigeria Limited from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services scheduled to begin on April 1.The three-member tribunal, presided over by Thomas Okosun, gave the order following an ex-parte motion moved by Festus Onifade, a legal practitioner, on behalf of himself and the Coalition of Nigeria Consumers.
Other members of the tribunal include Sola Salako Ajulo and Ibrahim EL-Yakubu.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/1/2022, Multi-Choice Nigeria Limited and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) are 1st and 2nd respondents respectively.
The motion ex-parte filed by the applicants on March 29 was brought pursuant to Section 39 (1) & (2) of FCCPC Act 2018; Order 26, Rule 5 (2), (3) & 26 Rule 6 (1) & (2) Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019 and Section 47(a), (b), (c),(d), of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.
The applicants had prayed for “an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendants/respondents, either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described, from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from 1st April, 2022, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal.“An order of the Honourable Tribunal mandating the 1st defendant/respondents to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. Read more
Jeff Bankz emerges brand ambassador for Martell Nigeria (Sun)
Martell Nigeria has introduced Jeff Bankz, fashion enthusiast, as its brand ambassador.
The brand disclosed this during the official launch of its first-ever Martell House in Nigeria which took place in the heart of Victoria Island, Lagos.
In introducing the brand ambassador, Elizabeth Anthony, brand manager for Martell Nigeria said: “We were looking for a pacesetter; someone whose audacity was easily identifiable, whose boldness empowered curiosity and had the passion to inspire others to push the Martell culture forward. Jeff Bankz encapsulates these qualities and we are glad to have him represent the brand positively in a multitude of settings.”
Jeff Bankz brings a unique background to his role as a brand ambassador for Martell Nigeria. In this capacity, Jeff Bankz’s role is to educate consumers, customers & distributors on Martell with exclusive training, tastings, etc. while generating brand awareness through word-of-mouth marketing. Read more
Spy Kids is coming back after 21 years as Netflix confirms reboot led by original director (Metro)
Spy Kids fans, you’re in luck – Netflix has officially confirmed it’s rebooting the film franchise after 21 years.
The streaming giant will team up with the original filmmaker, Robert Rodriguez, to reimagine the movies for a new generation.
Rodriguez, who also directed The Book of Boba Fett, will write, direct, and produce the new film.
The plot is being kept under wraps, but it’s thought the movie will introduce a new family of spies.
Netflix announced the exciting news in a tweet, writing: ‘Spy Kids was released March 30, 2001. Read more
Trafalgar, Warner Bros. to release remastered ‘ABBA: The Movie’ concert film in May for group’s 50th (Deadline)
Trafalgar Releasing and Warner Bros. will present a digitally remastered ABBA: The Movie for two nights in May to celebrate the Swedish pop sensation’s 50th anniversary.
The film was shot by director Lasse Hallström during the group’s hugely successful 1977 Australian tour and first released that year. ABBA: The Movie – Fan Event “will take attendees on a flashback journey to the 1970s when disco reigned supreme, and ABBA were international pop royalty,” the announcement said. The screenings will run on May 12 and 14 at 450 theaters across the U.S. and Canada.
The film stars the members of ABBA, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, and Agnetha Fältskog and is a rare look at the group during the height of their popularity including backstage footage as well as full-length performances of some of ABBA’s greatest hits including Dancing Queen and Name Of The Game.
The movie’s subplot is a mockumentary-style story of a country radio disc-jockey who attempts to land an interview with the band, while a dedicated bodyguard does everything he can to block it. Read more
James Marsden felt a “bit naked” filming Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (DigitalSpy)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 star James Marsden has opened up about filming the movie opposite a CGI character, admitting he felt “a bit naked” at times.
The actor returns as Tom Wachowski for the new sequel, appearing once again opposite Ben Schwartz’s incarnation of Sonic.
Opening up exclusively to Digital Spy, Marsden admitted that performing in such circumstances requires “a different skill set completely”.
“You’re there and Ben’s not opposite me on the day, but it’s a tennis ball, it’s a piece of tape, sometimes it’s a beanbag if they need to sell the weight of you holding him,” he said. Read more
Mindy Kaling reveals why Legally Blonde 3 is taking so long (Time)
Mindy Kaling is a busy woman. As head of the production company Kaling International, she’s juggling nearly two dozen projects in various stages, including the Netflix hit Never Have I Ever and HBO Max romp The Sex Lives of College Girls. On top of her producing duties, Kaling is also working as a writer on a particularly high-profile project: Legally Blonde 3. To quote its iconic protagonist, the ever-optimistic lawyer Elle Woods played by Reese Witherspoon, “What, like it’s hard?”
As it turns out, when it comes to getting the new Legally Blonde movie right, Kaling admits that, yes, it is rather difficult. The film, originally set to premiere in the spring of 2022, has been indefinitely delayed while Kaling and her co-writer, Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Dan Goor, work on the script. Kaling says they want to make sure they do justice to the beloved original film and its sequel.
“We don’t want to be responsible for ruining what’s basically Reese’s Avengers franchise,” Kaling says, speaking to TIME for The 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022. Witherspoon committed to a third entry in the franchise in 2018 and personally asked Kaling to write the screenplay. And while Kaling says the script is not yet complete, she did tease some of the questions she and Goor are exploring. “What is Elle Woods like at 42?” she asks. “Does she end up becoming all the things she wanted? How does that personality manifest in a grown woman? Has she become more cynical? Her brightness and her cheerfulness really worked when she was 22, but how has life changed her perspective on things?”
Updating an iconic 2000s-era character for the 2020s is no easy task. Recent attempts to revive old favorite franchises, like the Sex and the City sequel And Just Like That, have divided audiences and critics. Kaling is a big fan of the original Sex and the City. “I always felt very protective of the show because the men I knew in comedy at the time had a dismissive feeling about it,” she says. “It was off-putting to a certain kind of man that these women were in their thirties, unmarried, wearing expensive, beautiful clothes that men didn’t have to buy for them. They had great jobs. And they were completely sexually autonomous. I loved that as a very repressed kid, sexually.” Read more
Taylor Hawkins tribute planned for Grammy Awards, CBS says: ‘We will honor his memory’ (People)
Sunday’s Grammy Awards will honor late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins in some way.
On Wednesday Jack Sussman — the CBS executive vice president of specials, music and live events — revealed that producers are still working on how the biggest night in music will honor Hawkins, who died on March 25 at the age of 50.
“We will honor his memory in some way,” Sussman said, per Variety. “We want to figure out what is the right thing to do that is respectful to everyone involved. We’re patient. We’ll be planning right up until the very end.”
The Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Read more
Matt Goss announces one-off gig at London Palladium (MusicNews)
Matt Goss has announced a one-off show at the iconic London Palladium.
Following the release of his latest solo album, ‘The Beautiful Unknown’, last week, the Bros star will return to the legendary venue on April 23 for a special performance.
The 53-year-old star last performed at the Palladium in 2018.
Meanwhile, Matt – who shot to fame in the 1980s alongside his brother Luke Goss and friend Craig Logan in Bros – recently shared his colossal ambitions for this new chapter in his career. Read more
Shawn Mendes struggles to let go in new song ‘When You’re Gone’ (UPI)
Shawn Mendes is back with new music.
The 23-year-old singer released a single and music video for the song “When You’re Gone” on Thursday.
The “When You’re Gone” video gives a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the song, including footage of Mendes performing the track for the first time at SXSW music and film festival this month.
Mendes sings about struggling to let go of an ex and holding onto the memory of their relationship. Read more
Okocha among assistants for Qatar 2022 World Cup final draw (Vanguard)
Super Eagles legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha will be part of proceedings when the final draw for the 2022 FIFA World Cup holds tomorrow in Doha, Qatar.
Okocha who participated in two editions (1994, 1998, 2002) will play the role of an assistant as disclosed on FIFA’s website.
He caught the eyes of the world with his mesmerizing dribbling skills, especially during the 1998 edition with his tinted hair.
“On Friday, 1 April, FIFA World Cup™ champions Cafu (Brazil) and Lothar Matthäus (Germany) will team up with six more assistants for the final draw to reveal the groups for the 2022 edition of football’s global showpiece. Read more
FIFA faces new attack over rights in World Cup host Qatar (France24)
Lingering divisions over FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar overshadowed the annual congress of football’s world governing body on Thursday, forcing its president Gianni Infantino to insist that the event had already brought change to the Arab state.
Just 235 days from the start of the first World Cup in the Middle East, a rare female voice in international football stood up at the congress to state that awarding the event to Qatar 12 years ago had been “unacceptable” because of its human rights record.
Lise Klaveness, head of the Norwegian football association, said FIFA had to act as a “role model” over human rights and other moral issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Debate over Qatar diverted attention from Infantino’s announcement that he would be standing for a new term in 2023 and that FIFA would make a record seven billion dollars in revenue for its 2019-2022 accounting cycle. Read more
Patrick Vieira hopeful Wilfried Zaha will be fit to face Arsenal (Independent)
Patrick Vieira says Wilfried Zaha could be available for Crystal Palace’s Premier League showdown against Arsenal.
Palace host the Gunners at Selhurst Park on Monday night, but Zaha’s participation is touch-and-go after the winger was ruled out of Ivory Coast’s clash against England with a hamstring injury.
Zaha, who has scored 10 times for the Eagles this season, did not train on Thursday as Palace’s medical team assessed their star man.
“He is still in the medical room and we will see how he is tomorrow,” said Vieira. Read more
Abuja Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics holds May 28 (Leadership)
The inaugural edition of the Abuja Inter-Secondary Schools Athletics Championship (AISSAC) will hold at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on May 28, 2022.
The athletics championship is the brainchild of the Managing Partner of K.I.O. Consult, Kesiena Oghoghorie, is designed to revive track and field events in schools.
The event will see student-athletes not older than 16 years old competing for medals in 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m Relay, 4 x 400m Relay, 4 x 400m (Mixed Relay), Long Jump and Shot-put.
The championship will be conducted according to the World Athletics standard so as to ensure a level playing field. Read more
Andy Roddick offers assessment of Carlos Alcaraz’s game (TennisWorld)
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick underlined Carlos Alcaraz is “no joke” when reflecting on the Spaniard’s win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Miami. On Tuesday, Alcaraz continued his brilliant start to 2022 as he saw off world no. 5 Tsitsipas 7-5 6-3. Even though Alcaraz is just 18, he is already one of the most physically dominant players on the ATP Tour and his forehand is absolutely huge. Roddick said Alcaraz’s forehand reminds him of the one tennis legend Andre Agassi had.
“This guy moves like, it’s unbelievable. People normally have to grow into their movement and he doesn’t need much time to fire the forehand. Most of the guys with huge forehands need two feet under them to give them around.
This guy can turn on real quick, almost like Andre Agassi used to drive,” said Roddick. “You hit a big ball to him, it will come just as fast. This guy is no joke. He’s the real deal and I don’t know if this is an upset. Read more
Austin Rivers fumes over ejection for phantom elbow (NYPost)
Nuggets guard Austin Rivers was ejected in Wednesday’s 125-118 win over the Pacers after an elbow fake at Indiana guard Lance Stephenson’s head — and players around the league aren’t happy about the call.
Rivers was hit with his second technical while holding the ball at the top of the key in the fourth quarter. Stephenson jerked his head back when Rivers pump-faked his right elbow — but did not appear to make contact with Stephenson in slow motion replay videos.
But still, the call stood and Rivers was tossed, as it was his second technical of the night.
Right before Rivers was ejected, he and Stephenson were both issued technical fouls midway through the fourth after they got into an altercation in front of the Pacers bench. The guards got in each other’s faces and exchanged words, and had to be separated by teammates and referees. Read more
Transgender cyclist Emily Bridges ruled ineligible for women’s race (USAToday)
A British transgender cyclist has been banned from participating in this weekend’s British National Omnium Championship after the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling’s governing body, ruled she was ineligible.
The UCI said the reason for the ineligibility is because Emily Bridges is registered as a male cyclist. She cannot compete as a woman until that registration expires.
British Cycling, in a statement, said they acknowledged UCI’s decision, but recognized Bridges’ disappointment at not being able to race.
British Cycling rules mandate riders have testosterone levels below five nanomoles per liter for a year prior to compete as a woman. Read more