‘‘Challenging Times’’, Tinubu says no 72nd birthday celebrations (Channels)
Ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s 72nd birthday anniversary on Friday, March 29, 2024, the Presidency has urged well-wishers and friends of Nigeria’s first individual not to organise any form of celebratory event or place adverts in the media.
In a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, attributed the President’s decision to the “challenging times” in the country.
“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name,” Onanuga stated. Read more
How military rescued 137 kidnapped Kuriga schoolchildren in Zamfara (Vanguard)
The Defence headquarters on Sunday gave details of how it rescued 137 of the 287 primary school pupils Kuriga, kidnapped in Kaduna State.
Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations said the rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise 76 females and 61 males.
He said, “In the early hours of 24 March 2024, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation rescued the hostages. Read more
NDLEA alerts public on new scam (ThisDay)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has alerted the public especially those who have loved ones abroad to a new scheme by scammers who impersonate its officers and call unsuspecting citizens to inform them of the arrest of their relatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos or any other international airport with illicit drugs upon arrival in the country.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi Babafemi, gave the warning in a statement on Saturday.
He said after throwing the family members into panic, the scammers then made a demand of millions to facilitate the release of such persons from NDLEA custody. Read more
Awori commends Sanwo-Olu on Ounje Eko initiative (Nation)
Members of the Awori Welfare Association of Nigeria (AWAN) have commended Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for alleviating the sufferings of residents triggered by the economic realities in the country.
The organisation lauded the governor for the Ounje Eko initiative, saying the move will help residents cope with the harsh economic situation of the country.
The group, which comprises Awori speaking indigenes of the state, lauded the cooperative partnership between the state and Niger State government on food security in the state. Read more
Lagos ready for state police – Attorney General (Punch)
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), says the state is fully ready for state police, and is only waiting for the whistle to be blown for the creation.
Pedro made the statement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on the sidelines of the 10th Ramadan Lecture organised by Anwar-ul Islam Old Students Association, on Saturday in Lagos, titled, “Economic insecurity in Nigeria: Islamic Solutions.”
The PUNCH reports that 16 state governors have submitted reports expressing their support for establishing state police to the National Economic Council. Read more
Lagos OEQA meets stakeholders on 2024/2025 academic calendar (Nation)
The Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) has met with education stakeholders in the state’s basic and secondary schools on the Y 2024/2025 academic calendar.
The stakeholders’ engagement was attended by officials of LASUBEB, Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), the six Education Districts in the State, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB),
Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS). Read more
NDLEA seizes 44,948kg drugs, 11 vehicles in Lagos, Edo, Ondo (Tribune)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have launched massive raids across Lagos, Edo and Ondo states leading to the seizure of over 44,948.1 kilograms (44.9 tonnes) of illicit drugs and arrests of eight suspects as well as the seizure of 11 vehicles owned by the drug cartels.
This was disclosed in a press statement signed by Femi Babafemi, the Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, today, 24th March 2024.
According to the release, the raids targeted key areas known for drug trafficking activities, including Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Kano, Borno, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Read more
Veteran Nollywood actor, Amaechi Muonagor, dies at 62 (Vanguard)
Three weeks after losing one of its comic actors to the pangs of death, the Nigerian movie industry is mourning again as it has lost yet another veteran actor, Amaechi Muonagor, to the cold hands of death.
Muonagor died yesterday after battling kidney disease for a long time.
This came a few days after a viral video where he solicited financial assistance from Nigerians to enable him travel abroad for a kidney transplant. Read more
Olivia Colman slams Hollywood’s gender pay gap (FilmNews)
Olivia Colman has criticised gender pay disparity in the film and TV industry, claiming she is still underpaid compared to male co-stars.
The British actress has a host of accolades to her name including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards.
However, The Favourite star claims she still receives lowball pay offers while her potential male co-stars are offered a significantly higher salary. Read more
Senegal votes for its next president in long-awaited election (RFI)
Polls opened Sunday in Senegal, where voters are choosing a new president in a tightly contested race. Seventeen candidates are vying to replace incumbent Macky Sall, who has led the country since 2012 and is not eligible to run again.
Some 7.3 million voters are registered in the West African country, which has often been hailed as one of the most stable democracies in a region that experienced several coups in recent years.
The election will choose the nation’s fifth president since Senegal gained independence from France in 1960. It is the first time in the country’s history that the incumbent is not on the ballot. Read more
Princess Kate “touched” by support as Royal Family reels from cancer diagnosis (VOA)
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has said she is “enormously touched” by the support she has received from around the world following her shock announcement that she is being treated for cancer.
Catherine, 42, revealed Friday that she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy in a video message to the UK, triggering a wave of support from global leaders, family members and the public.
“The prince and princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the UK, across the Commonwealth and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’ message,” Catherine and her husband Prince William, the heir to the throne, said in a statement released late Saturday. Read more
Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson talks inequitable treatment, pay disparity: “It’s not quite that simple” to blame racism (THR)
Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson is opening up about the beloved franchise, the female-led reboot and the inequitable treatment he received during the ’80s on the original films.
Hudson has appeared in five Ghostbusters films, starting with 1984’s original, the 1989 sequel, 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, which hit theaters on Friday. The actor also appeared in the female-led Ghostbusters reboot in 2016, albeit playing a different character.
His role as Winston Zeddemore was first offered to Eddie Murphy before Hudson came on board. Reportedly, the role was reduced significantly before filming began (Winston doesn’t even show up until about halfway through the film). The character also wasn’t featured on the theatrical poster. But Hudson says it’s more complicated than chalking it up to racism alone. Read more
Bobby Brown shares how he and Mike Tyson ‘‘keep each other on solid ground’’ after their kids’ tragic deaths (People)
Fame and friendship brought Bobby Brown and Mike Tyson together years ago, but grief has made their bond even stronger.
The Grammy-winning New Edition singer, 55, opened up to PEOPLE exclusively in a new interview about the boxing champ, 57, who turned out to support him at the Bobbi Kristina Serenity House Gala, a domestic violence charity event on March 4 held in honor of Brown’s late daughter with Whitney Houston.
In 2015 Bobbi Kristina died at 22 after being found unresponsive in a bathtub at the home she shared with ex Nick Gordon. The singer also lost his son Bobby Brown, Jr., who died of an accidental overdose at 28 years old. Read more
Prince’s music will reportedly be used in a new jukebox musical movie (NME)
Prince‘s music will reportedly be used in a new jukebox musical movie.
As per The Hollywood Reporter, the project has apparently been in development since 2018. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is set to produce, whilst Bryan Edward Hill (Titans, Ash vs. Evil Dead) is attached to write the script.
The film is also set to be distributed by Universal Pictures. No details about a release date or casting have been given so far. Read more
Russia charges 4 men over Moscow concert hall attack (France24)
Three of the four suspects charged with carrying out the concert hall attack in Moscow that killed more than 130 people admitted guilt for the incident in a Russian court Sunday.
Moscow’s Basmanny District Court formally charged Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev, 32; Saidakrami Rachabalizoda, 30; Mukhammadsobir Faizov, 19; and Shamsidin Fariduni, 25, with committing a group terrorist attack resulting in the death of others. The offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The court ordered that the men, all of whom are citizens of Tajikistan, be held in pre-trial custody until May 22. Read more
Akwa United, Rangers win away as Bayelsa hold Lobi Stars in Lafia (DailyTrust)
Relegation threatened Akwa United and title contenders, Enugu Rangers recorded away victories against Plateau United and Heartland respectively in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Week 27 matches played yesterday in Jos and Awka.
At the New Jos Stadium, Akwa United caused a major upset as they stunned hosts and title chasing Plateau United 2-1. Cameroonian import, Gerome Heutchou opened the scoring for the visitors in the 10th minute but Plateau United drew level in the 77th when Anthony Sunday calmly converted from the spot.
However, new signing Sani Suleiman grabbed the winner for Akwa United in the 90th minute to brighten their chances of surviving the drop. Read more
Finidi to make changes against Mali (Punch)
While two victories from as many games could help secure him the position of the Super Eagles coach, Finidi George has vowed to make a few changes when Nigeria face Mali in their second international friendly game, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
One of the suitors vying for the Eagles job after the position was declared vacant by the Nigeria Football Federation since the departure of Jose Peseiro last month, Finidi was handed the job on an interim basis ahead of the international window and the Enyimba tactician started on a winning note with a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Ghana on Friday.
Friday’s win at the Grande Stade de Marrakech in Morocco was Nigeria’s first win over Ghana in 18 years. Read more
Gareth Southgate’s worst England injury crisis deepens as Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire withdraw (Telegraph)
Gareth Southgate’s worst injury crisis as England manager has deepened with Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire returning to their clubs after injuries at the weekend in the defeat by Brazil.
Manchester City’s Walker was taken off in the 20th minute at Wembley clutching his hamstring after initially trying to carry on, while Manchester United defender Maguire was a planned substitution in the second half as he is returning from an injury, although he went for a scan on Sunday morning to assess a complaint.
Sam Johnstone has also returned to Crystal Palace with an elbow problem and will be replaced by Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford. Manchester City’s Rico Lewis has also been drafted in. Read more
Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo slams Pep Guardiola “lies” (SportsMole)
Manchester City loanee Joao Cancelo has accused Pep Guardiola of telling “lies” over his exit in last year’s January transfer window.
Cancelo, who is currently on loan at Barcelona, spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign in Germany with Bayern Munich.
The Portugal international was allowed to join the German club after allegedly falling out with Guardiola over a lack of playing time.
Guardiola was said to be unhappy with Cancelo’s reaction to being dropped from the starting lineup amid competition from Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake. Read more
Miami Open: Andy Murray suffers dramatic three-set defeat by Tomas Machac (BBC)
Andy Murray was knocked out of the Miami Open as he suffered a dramatic 5-7 7-5 7-6 (7-5) defeat by Tomas Machac in the last 32.
The Briton won his ninth breakpoint to take a 6-5 lead before serving out to love to take the opening set.
Machac broke Murray for the first time at 6-5 in the second to draw level.
Murray retrieved a break in the decider and saved match point when serving to stay in the match before succumbing to defeat when he lost the tie-break. Read more
Nelly Korda wins Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship after play-off, Leona Maguire tied for 13th (RTE)
Nelly Korda sank a downhill putt for birdie on the first play-off hole to defeat Ryann O’Toole and win the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship on Sunday in Palos Verdes Estates, California, while Ireland’s Leona Maguire finished five shots off the lead in a tie for 13th.
Korda, 25, won her second tournament of the season and the 10th of her budding career. She is projected to move to the No. 1 spot in both the world rankings and the Race for the CME Globe.
“I fought really hard the last three days,” Korda said on the Golf Channel broadcast. Read more