Buhari inaugurates Dangote refinery, calls it game changer for Nigeria’s economy (Vanguard)
President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, inaugurated Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, which is expected to enable Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in refined products and even have surplus for export.
Speaking at the occasion attended by Heads of State from Ghana, Togo, Niger, Senegal and a representative of the President of Chad, the President described the feat as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s economy and a game changer for the downstream petroleum products market in the entire African region.
‘‘This mega industry we are commissioning today is a clear example of what can be achieved when entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported and when an enabling environment is created for investments and for businesses to thrive. Read more
Buhari encouraged me not to give up in building the refinery — Dangote (Guardian)
The President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his support and for being a source of inspiration whenever he felt like abandoning the construction of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
Dangote stated this during the inauguration of the 650,000 bpd refinery in Lagos State on Monday.
He noted that the desire to go into the petroleum sector began two decades ago, but there were setbacks. Read more
Refinery’s first product to hit market by July ― Dangote (Tribune)
Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said “the first product of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals will be in the market before the end of July, beginning of August this year.”
The billionaire businessman said the project was the realisation of a “clear opportunity” for Nigeria.
He stated this during the official commissioning of the 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Refinery at Ibeju-Lekki in Lagos State, on Monday. Read more
Dangote came to Lagos with nothing 45 years ago, says Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lauded the Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote for the establishment of his refinery in Nigeria, particularly Lagos.
He gave the commendation while speaking at the ongoing commissioning of the refinery.
He added that Dangote, who came to Lagos from Kano had nothing 45 years ago but now, he has set up an empire in Nigeria to make Africa proud. Read more
Dangote pays back 70% of loan used in constructing refinery, says Emefiele (Guardian)
Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, has said that the Dangote Group has paid back about 70 percent of the loans it took to construct its mega 650,000 bpd refinery in Lagos.
Emefiele disclosed this on Monday during the ceremony to commission the refinery.
Also present at the Commissioning are President Muhammadu Buhari, and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu among other top dignitaries. Read more
Include Robotic Science education in curriculum, students tell Sanwo-Olu (ThisDay)
Students of secondary schools in Lagos state have appealed to the state government to include Robotics Science in their school curriculum as it is now being done worldwide in order to meet up with the trend in the education system the world over.
The students made the appeal during the road show of the state government to reach out to the broad spectrum of Lagosians as part of the May 29th of Governor Babajide Saanwo-Olu.
They expressed the confidence that investment in this technological system will build the science, technology and engineering space of the State and Nigeria. Read more
Otti receives transition report, says ‘‘mandate Abia people gave us is sacrosanct’’ (Channels)
The Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti on Monday said the mandate of the people which he received in the March 18 governorship election is sacrosanct.
He called on the people of the state not to be dismayed over the recent judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Kano State which dismissed his candidacy in the governorship election.
Otti stated this while receiving the report from the Abia Transition Council Chairman, Dr. Victor Onyemkpa in Aba, the state’s commercial nerve centre where he reaffirmed that everything is going according to plan for his scheduled inauguration on May 29. Read more
May 29: Women group holds prayers for successful inauguration (Vanguard)
For the peaceful transition and successful inauguration of President Elect and vice president Elect, on May 29, 2023, a group of concerned women for progressive Nigeria is to hold a special prayer session in Abuja.
The women, under the umbrella of the, “The Proclaim Nigerian Team, is inviting the general public, mostly the women demography to the long awaited program holding on May 26th, 2023 at Women Development Centre, Abuja.
The invitation is also extended to all virtues and patriotic women, praying wives and mothers, who wish to see a successful transition of power come May 29th. Read more
First Arab female astronaut reaches space station (BBC)
The first female Arab astronaut to go to space has arrived at the International Space Station (ISS).
Rayyanah Barnawi is one of two Saudis on Axiom Space’s second private mission, which took off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the US on Sunday.
During her scheduled 10 days in orbit on the ISS, the 34-year-old biomedical scientist plans to carry out stem cell and breast cancer research.
She hopes to inspire women from all backgrounds in the Middle East. Read more
Michelle Yeoh rules out Everything Everywhere All at Once sequel (FilmNews)
Michelle Yeoh has ruled out a sequel to Everything Everywhere All at Once.
The 60-year-old star won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role as Evelyn Quan Wang in the movie but has ruled out the possibility of another movie.
Speaking to Variety at the Cannes Film Festival, Michelle said: “There’s no sequel. We would just be doing the same thing.”
The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star became the first Asian to win the Best Actress Oscar and hopes that her success creates a path forward for both herself and others. Read more
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO booed during Boston University graduation speech (NME)
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav was met with heavy jeering while delivering a commencement speech at Boston University amidst the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike in Hollywood.
During the graduation ceremony at Boston University – where he received his law degree in 1985 – Zaslav was invited back to receive an honorary degree, as well as to deliver a commencement speech to the graduation cohort.
Per reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the jeering began even before Zaslav’s speech, when he was being introduced. Throughout his 20-minute speech, Zaslav was met with loud, angry boos and chants including “pay your writers”, “we don’t want you here” and “shut up, Zaslav” in support of the ongoing strike. Read more
Westlife’s Mark Feehily forced to pull out of tour amid emergency surgery (OK!)
Westlife star Mark Feehily has had to pull out of the band’s tour “under doctor’s orders”.
The singer shared the news on Instagram today, Monday 22 May, as he told his fans that he needs to undergo surgery this week, preventing him from joining his bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne on tour.
“We have five shows taking place this summer from May-July and it is with deep regret that I will not be able to join Shane, Kian and Nicky on stage for these shows,” Mark penned in a statement shared to Instagram. Read more
Foo Fighters name Josh Freese as new drummer following death of Taylor Hawkins (Sky)
The Foo Fighters have announced Josh Freese is the band’s new drummer following the death of Taylor Hawkins.
The rock band used a livestream, which was previewing their next studio album, to announce the news to fans.
Freese has been performing with the band at tribute concerts to Hawkins as part of a career which has also seen him play drums for Sting, Nine Inch Nails, Weezer and Guns N’ Roses. Read more
US Senator Tim Scott launches 2024 White House bid (BBC)
Senator Tim Scott has become the latest Republican to join an increasingly crowded 2024 race for president.
Mr Scott, 57, who has represented South Carolina in the chamber since 2013, is promising to offer an optimistic vision for America.
With about $22m (£18m) in cash on hand, he enters the fray with more campaign funds than any of his rivals. Read more
School dormitory fire in Guyana kills 20 students (LBC)
A fire has torn through a school dormitory in Guyana, killing at least 20 students and injuring others.
The Guyanese government said the fire broke out in the dormitory of a secondary school in the city of Madhia, about 200 miles south of capital Georgetown.
“This is a horrific incident. It’s tragic. It’s painful,” said President Irfaan Ali, adding that his government was mobilising all resources to care for the children. Read more
Panic as Oshoala cops injury ahead UCL final (Punch)
With just 12 days to the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, Barcelona fans have expressed concerns after star striker Asisat Oshoala picked up an injury in Barcelona’s 2-1 loss to CFF Madrid in the Spanish Liga F on Sunday, The PUNCH reports.
The Spanish champions are preparing to face Wolfsburg in the final of the Women’s Champions League at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, Netherlands June 3.
Last season, the 28-year-old was a late inclusion in the Barcelona squad that defeated Chelsea 4-0 in the final of the competition, after she battled an ankle injury that ensured she missed the last two league games of the season. Read more
Fouad Oki plans big for Lagos State football (ThisDay)
A top contender for Lagos State Football Association Chairmanship, Fouad Oki, has indicated his intention to take leadership of football administration in Lagos was inspired by his desire to serve, rekindle the football culture synonymous with the state.
He emphasised his commitment to effective football administration as the cornerstone, as well as his belief that youth engagement, talent discovery, and the development of a new generation of players are essential elements to taking football to new heights through sustainable and attainable policies.
Oki, who is an embodiment of virtues, a scion of Lagos’ royal Abibu-Oki dynasty, a tactician, stated that he is committed to resurrecting dormant tournaments and brands such as the Oba Cup, Ibile Cup, Junior League, and Street Soccer. Read more
Marciniak appointed to referee Inter-Man City Champions League final (FootballItalia)
UEFA have confirmed that Polish referee Szymon Marciniak has been selected to officiate the upcoming Champions League final between Inter and Manchester City at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on June 10.
The 42-year-old is most notable for having refereed the World Cup final between Argentina and France in Qatar in December 2022.
Marciniak has also been a mainstay in the 2022-23 edition of the Champions League, most recently having turned out in the second leg of the semi-final between City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium. Read more
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr claims La Liga ”belongs to racists” after being target of ”monkey” chants (ITV)
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has hit out at Spain’s top football league after being subjected to racist abuse by fans, claiming the division “now belongs to racists”.
Vinicius, a Brazil international, made the comments after he appeared in his side’s 1-0 away loss to Valencia, on Sunday.
Madrid has confirmed it has submitted an official complaint to Spain’s Attorney General’s Office. Read more
Carmelo Anthony announces retirement from basketball (DailyMail)
Carmelo Anthony, the ninth-highest scorer in the history of the NBA, has retired from basketball after 19 seasons.
The 38-year-old made his announcement on social media on Monday morning.
Anthony was a 10-time All-Star who scored 28,289 points with six different teams. He did not play this season and last played with the Lakers in 2021-22.
Anthony played for the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers before joining the Lakers. Read more
Mark Cavendish to retire from cycling at end of 2023 season (Standard)
Mark Cavendish has announced plans to retire from cycling.
The ‘Manx Missile’, currently competing at a gruelling Giro d’Italia with the Astana Qazaqstan Team, will end his illustrious 18-year professional career at the end of the current 2023 season.
Cavendish is one of Britain’s most celebrated cyclists of all-time and one of the sport’s greatest-ever sprinters, equalling Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record of most Tour de France stage wins (34) at the 2021 race. The 38-year-old could yet set his own record at the next edition of cycling’s biggest race, which begins in Paris in July. Read more