CBN raises capital base for mega banks to N500b (Punch)
Barely 48 hours after restating the need to increase the capital base of Deposit Money Banks for improved productivity, the Central Bank of Nigeria has announced new guidelines on its recapitalisation policy for banks in the country.
The new guidelines were disclosed in a statement signed by its Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Sidi Ali, in Abuja on Thursday.
She said the apex bank had directed commercial banks with international authorisation to increase their capital base to N500bn and national banks to N200bn. Read more
Stop denigrating Nigeria in your sermons, Tinubu urges clerics (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons.
Speaking during Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President, in a statement by Presidential spokesman,
Ajuri Ngelale, emphasised the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens.
He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions. Read more
Easter celebration: Lagos to open ‘‘Sunday market’’ Friday (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered that the food discounted sales programme ‘Ounje Eko’ Sunday Market should hold on Friday, March 29, 2024.
This was contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, on Thursday.
According to the statement, Sanwo-Olu’s directive was in the spirit of the Easter celebration. Read more
FG to fully open Third Mainland bridge within seven days (Tribune)
Following its rehabilitation, the Federal Government says the Third Mainland Bridge will be fully opened within seven days of lane marking being completed.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this statement on Thursday when he led the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Works on an inspection of the bridge and various sections of ongoing works on the Lagos-Calabar Highway Coastal road in Lagos.
He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu is committed to his renewed hope for an infrastructural development agenda and the completion of the Lagos-Calabar Highway Coastal road, along with other projects across the country, within the proposed timeframe. Read more
National Assembly panels inspect Third Mainland Bridge, others (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for concerted efforts on the part of all arms of government and the citizens to create a livable country that everyone would be proud of.
Sanwo-Olu spoke on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Works at the Lagos House, Marina.
The Joint Committee comprised members of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Works, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi and Akin Alabi. Read more
Nationwide blackout as power grid collapses (DailyTrust)
The national power grid collapsed on Thursday, plunging the nation into blackout.
The Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, suffered the collapse of the electricity grid which has hampered the electricity companies, DisCos, from distributing power across the country.
Informing the customers about the incident, the management of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, stated: “Kindly be informed there was a system collapse at 16.28 hours (4:28 p.m.), which has resulted in a loss of power supply across our network. Read more
Tinubu appoints Abdullahi Bello as CCB chairman (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Abdullahi Bello as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), pending confirmation by the Senate.
In a statement on Thursday by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, the President expects that the new CCB chair will lead the Bureau to realise its mandate of maintaining high standards of public morality.
By the presidential pronouncement, Bello replaces Aliyu Kankia, who has been the acting Chairman of the Bureau. Read more
Johnbull calls for community engagement to tackle oil bunkering in the south-south region (Nation)
Honourable Gift Johnbull, the senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on community engagement (South-South), on Thursday, March 28, addressed the issue of oil bunkering and its impact on local communities in the South-South region.
During the women in oil and gas stakeholders’ forum, Gift Johnbull highlighted the immense financial toll inflicted on Nigeria by illicit oil bunkering activities, revealing an annual loss exceeding N2 trillion.
She also highlighted the significant hardship experienced by communities reliant on fishing and farming, who are now compelled to abandon their livelihoods due to oil spillages resulting from these activities. Read more
Hailey Bieber strips down for Victoria’s Secret bridal lingerie shoot amid Justin divorce rumours (OK!)
Hailey Bieber has wowed her fans with a stunning photoshoot for Victoria’s Secret’s new bridal lingerie collection, despite rumours that she and Justin Bieber might be splitting up.
The 27 year old model looked amazing as she showed off her toned body in the latest shoot for the famous brand. She was the perfect choice to model their new wedding-themed line, wearing a silky white robe, a pretty lingerie set, and a lacy dress.
Victoria’s Secret shared pictures of Hailey smiling and holding a white coffee cup on their Instagram. They wrote: “Here comes the bride. Tie the knot with aisle essentials from lacy lingerie to LWD of your dreams. From this day forward, it never looked so chic.” Read more
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s wife addresses James Bond rumours (FilmNews)
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s wife Sam has finally addressed the rumours that Aaron will be the next James Bond.
The 57-year-old director appeared on the Jonathan Ross Show and was asked about what might be happening with the next James Bond movie.
“You mean that I might direct a Bond film? The first woman director,” Sam teased, dodging the question. Read more
50 Cent reacts to ex Daphne Joy being named as an alleged sex worker in Sean ‘‘Diddy’’ Combs lawsuit (PageSix)
50 Cent reacted to learning his ex Daphne Joy was named as one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged sex workers in a $30 million federal lawsuit filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones in February.
“I didn’t know you was a sex worker, you little sex worker.LOL,” 50 Cent, 48, wrote on Instagram Wednesday alongside two photos of himself smoking a cigar in the rain. “Yo this s–t is a movie.”
The “In Da Club” rapper also shared a screenshot of a news report discussing the Bad Boy Records founder’s alleged hidden cameras that filmed unsuspecting guests at his “freak-off parties” and added, “Smh this is gonna be so good, what you want to bet I’m a get these tapes. I’ll pay top dollar for them , you been over there? I don’t go to puffy party’s [sic].” Read more
Christopher Nolan and wife Emma Thomas to receive Knighthood, Damehood in UK after winning Oscars for Oppenheimer (People)
Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan and producer Emma Thomas are receiving a royal honor.
According to a statement on Thursday from the U.K. government to AP, the husband and wife directing and producing duo will be granted knighthood and damehood — which often goes to Brits who have made some contribution to arts, humanities or sports — for their work in the film industry. Read more
Israel asks US to reschedule scrapped meeting on Rafah offensive plans (MEMO)
Israel has asked to reschedule a meeting with US officials to discuss its military plans in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah, a US official said on Wednesday, days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abruptly scrapped the planned talks, Reuters reports.
Netanyahu called off a planned visit to Washington by a senior Israeli delegation after the US allowed passage of a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations on Monday, in a move that appeared to reflect growing US frustration with the Israeli premier.
US officials said the Biden administration was perplexed by the Israeli cancellation and considered it an over-reaction to the Security Council resolution, insisting there had been no change in policy. Read more
French, Brazilian Presidents celebrate launch of defense submarine (VOA)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazil’s President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the launch of Brazil’s third French-designed submarine at Brazil’s naval base in the Itaguai shipyard near Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
The submarine is part of the countries’ defense partnership and serves to help secure Brazil’s 8,500-kilometer-long coastline, dubbed the “Blue Amazon,” where 85% of the country’s oil, and 75% of its gas is transported. This sub is the third of four planned diesel attack submarines built in a $10 billion partnership with training, equipment and technical assistance from France.
This is a realization of a submarine program called ProSub, outlined in 2008 between Lula during his first presidential term and then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The fourth submarine is set to launch in 2025. Read more
Bus carrying Easter worshippers falls off cliff killing 45 people in South Africa (CNN)
Dozens of worshippers died after a bus headed to an Easter conference plunged off a cliff in South Africa’s Limpopo province on Thursday.
The crash claimed the lives of 45 people and one is seriously injured, the country’s transport department said in a statement.
The sole survivor is an eight-year-old girl who has been airlifted to hospital, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported.
Runner, mother, winner: The second coming of Omolara (Punch)
Quarter miler Omolara Ogunmakinju is the latest golden girl of Nigerian athletics following her heroics at the just-ended African Games in Ghana.
In relay events in Africa, Nigeria stands tall as the undisputed number one country.
And expectedly, sports-loving Nigerians globally and in neighbouring West African country, Ghana, were anxiously waiting to celebrate another golden finish as Team Nigeria’s 4x400m mixed relay team, comprising Emmanuel Ojeli, Patience Okon-George, Sikiru Adeyemi and Ogunmakinju, was about to compete in the final of their event in Accra penultimate Tuesday. Read more
NFF ratifies Lagos FA’s impeachment of Oki (Sun)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has ratified the impeachment of the former chairman of the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA), Fouad Oki, according to www.sportsunlimited.ng
In a letter dated March 26 and addressed to the Secretary of the Lagos FA, and signed by its acting General Secretary, Ademola Olajire, the NFF said it fully recognize Hajj Liameed Gafar as the chairman of the LSFA, as it conforms with the provisions of the Statutes of the Lagos State Football Association. Read more
Premier League apologises as Tottenham v Nottingham Forest is moved at short notice (BBC)
The Premier League has apologised after Nottingham Forest’s trip to Tottenham in less than two weeks’ time was brought forward by 24 hours.
The fixture, due to take place on Monday, 8 April, will now be at 18:00 GMT on Sunday, 7 April because of London Underground and train strikes.
The local authority’s Safety Advisory Group deemed the required level of safety for fans was not possible as a result of the action.
The league apologised “unreservedly”. Read more
Arsenal “suffer blow in pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker’’ (SportsMole)
Arsenal have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Xavi Simons, who has starred on loan at RB Leipzig this season.
After Simons contributed with 22 goals and 12 assists in 48 games during a hugely productive 2022-23 campaign at PSV Eindhoven, PSG opted to trigger the £5.1m option to buy back the attacker last summer.
The French giants decided to immediately loan the 20-year-old out to Leipzig, though, where he has established himself as a star player this term, scoring nine goals and registering 11 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions. Read more
Allison opens up on primary flaw of Mercedes W15 (F1i)
Mercedes technical director James Allison says the Brackley squad has seen a pattern emerge after the first three F1 races of 2024 and uncovered clear clues on why its W15 design has struggled against its rivals.
Mercedes’ engineers worked tirelessly late last year and over the winter to design a third-generation ground-effect car stripped of the faults and deficiencies of its predecessors.
While the team has been partially successful in fulfilling its brief, with the W15 being a more docile car to handle, it is still no match for Red Bull Racing’s new RB20, while it is now also comprehensively outpaced by Ferrari’s SF-24 and to a certain degree by McLaren’s MCL38. Read more
Naomi Osaka’s comeback continues to gather pace with French Open boost (Express)
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka has been given a lifeline ahead of the French Open as her comeback continues. She’s been handed a wild card for the Open Capfinances Rouen Metropole, which starts on April 15.
This will give Osaka vital practice on clay before the French Open. Despite missing all four majors last year and not yet competing on clay in 2024, she’ll be part of the main draw for the upcoming competition. Currently ranked No. 229 in the world, Osaka won four majors between 2018-2021.
The 26-year-old has been battling depression since 2018 and found major competitions challenging since her fourth Grand Slam win at the Australian Open in 2021. She took a break from tennis in 2023 after announcing her pregnancy and planned to return at the Australian Open in January. Read more