Chelsea fan, two others die, many injured as hoodlums clash in Ikorodu (Vanguard)
A Chelsea fan popularly known as “Drogba” and two other residents of Igbo-Olomu, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lagos State, were reportedly shot dead while many others were injured, during a clash by some hoodlums this past weekend.
The cause of the incident could not be ascertained as some residents attributed it to cultism while others said it was hoodlums who went on a rampage in the area.
Eye witnesses’ account said the incident occurred at Agbaje bus stop, near Ogundele area on Saturday night but residents woke up on Sunday only to find out that three people have been shot dead.
An eyewitness, Nike Ogunbumi said the clash broke out near a herbs seller after the hoodlums got drunk. Read more
Lagos-Badagry Expressway, shame of the nation – Anglican Bishop (Guardian)
RT. Rev. Babatunde Adeyemi, Bishop, Diocese of Anglican Communion, Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Badagry, Lagos, on Monday described the deplorable state of Lagos-Badagry Expressway as a shame to the entire nation.
Adeyemi told the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) in Badagry that the expressway had become a deathtrap to the people plying the road.
“When we saw the rehabilitation of the expressway between Igbo-Elerin junction and Agbara axis, we were happy thinking that the rehabilitation would get to Badagry.
“But we were wrong. The rehabilitation stopped at Agbara. Read more
House of Reps set to legalise the use of Indian hemp for economic benefits – Spokesperson (Vanguard)
The House of Representatives is set to legalise the use of Indian Hemp in the country for economic benefit.
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu said this during a press conference on the benefits and opportunities of Cannabis in Akure, Ondo state capital
Kalu said that the House of Representatives has concluded an arrangement to organize a two-day stakeholders roundtable on the benefits of the weed.
According to him a date for the stakeholder’s forum, which will attract participants among scientists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals, farmers, insurance companies, executives, and private sector investors has been slated for June 7 and 8. Read more
FRSC advises motorists against speeding, overloading (Nation)
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Delta Sector Commander, Mr Patrick Okoyeocha has advised motorists in the state against speeding and overloading to minimise road mishap.
Okoyeocha gave the advised at the commemoration of the sixth Biannual United Nations Global Road Safety Week with the theme: “Street for Life”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sixth biannual global campaign hosted by the World Health Organisation, through the United Nations Assembly resolution A/60/5, had its maiden edition in 2007.
Okoyeocha said the Road Safety Week, which would run from May 17 to May 23, would focus on raising awareness to educate people on the danger associated with speeding. Read more
EFCC arrests company director over alleged N11.5m investment fraud (Guardian)
Operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 14, 2021, arrested one Stacy-Dan Ekpenyong (alias Daniel Ekpenyong), the Managing Director of Stewardship Rural Investment Limited for allegedly obtaining the sum of N11.5m by false pretence.
Ekpenyong was arrested at Keystone Bank, University of Uyo branch, Akwa Ibom State, following a petition by one Titilayo Bolos Malgwi who alleged that the 36-year-old suspect tricked her into investing in his Micro Finance Company.
She claimed that she paid the sum of N11m into the suspect’s company account after he convinced her that, she will get 10% interest on any amount invested after a period of three months. Read more
Gunmen kidnap varsity don, husband in Jos (ThisDay)
A Medical Microbiology professor with the University of Jos, Plateau State, Grace Ayanbimpe, has been kidnapped along with her husband by some gunmen.
The incident, which occurred Monday morning at Haske quarters along Lamingo road in Jos North Local Government Area, saw the assailants breaking into the house of the university don.
A resident of the community, Mr. Philip Dachung, confirmed the abduction to THISDAY, saying: “It was last night around 2 am when the kidnappers came to their house. They broke into their apartment and shot into the air. Neighbours who were terrified by sounds of gunshots could not come out.
“So, at day break this morning, we realised that the gunmen had taken the professor and her husband away. We don’t know where they are right now.” Read more
Akwa Ibom set to commence tomato paste production (Vanguard)
Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has set modalities to commence commercial production of tomato puree – the concentrate used for making tomato paste.
The Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barrister Ukpong Akpabio, gave this hint during the graduation ceremony organised for 169 youths (62 female and 107 male) who successfully completed training in vegetable enterprise development, in Okobo Local Government Area on Friday, May 14, 2021.
Barrister Akpabio, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in his Ministry, Mr Oliver Udo-okpo, stated that the government is taking steps to ensure youths are sufficiently and productively engaged in Agriculture and food production considering their critical importance to the state economy and the country at large. Read more
No fresh crisis in Ife, Modakeke -Police (Punch)
Following the reports of an alleged fresh crisis erupting in Ife and Modakeke communities on Sunday night, May 16, the Osun State police command has debunked the claims.
The police spokesperson in the state, Opalola Yemisi, made the clarification in a statement released on Monday, titled, ‘Osun Police debunks report of fresh crisis in Ife/Modakeke – Police’.
Yemisi noted that the local vigilantes guiding the area were on their routine show of force to alert the people of the community of their presence and assure them of safety.
The statement read, “It has become increasingly necessary to keep you abreast of the incident that occurred in Modakeke last night, 16th May, 2021 and has been trending on social media.Read more
CAN to Buhari: Don’t fight Israel over Arab saga (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Monday cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against joining Arab world in fighting Israel in the ongoing violence in the Middle East as advocated by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.
CAN said the president should note that Nigeria is a secular state.
Erdogan reportedly called: “for the international community to teach the necessary lesson to unlawful, unjust and unscrupulous Israel due to its attacks against Palestine, President Erdogan voiced his belief that Nigeria would show solidarity with the Palestinians in this rightful cause.”
CAN called on the International community to intervene in the ongoing crisis in the Middle East without taking sides. Read more
Long working hours killing 745,000 people a year, study finds (BBC)
Long working hours are killing hundreds of thousands of people a year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The first global study of its kind showed 745,000 people died in 2016 from stroke and heart disease due to long hours.
The report found that people living in South East Asia and the Western Pacific region were the most affected.
The WHO also said the trend may worsen due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more
Sanofi, GSK say Covid-19 vaccine shows positive result in Phase 2 trial (France24)
French pharmaceuticals giant Sanofi and Britain’s GSK reported Monday positive results in clinical trials of their Covid-19 jab following an earlier setback, raising hope it could be added to the world’s vaccine arsenal.
The companies said the outcome of the Phase 2 study will enable them to move to a late-stage trial in the coming weeks — a reversal of fortune after disappointing results in previous research last year.
The experimental vaccine “achieved strong rates of neutralizing antibody responses, in line with those measured in people who have recovered from COVID-19,” Sanofi and GSK said in a statement.
The trials were conducted among 722 adult volunteers. Read more
US legislators question $735m arms sale to Israel: Report (AlJazeera)
Some United States legislators are questioning whether a $735m approved weapons sale to Israel by President Joe Biden’s administration could be used as leverage amid the continuing bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the Washington Post has reported.
The arms sale, which Congress was notified of on May 5, a week before the current Israel-Palestinian escalation began, includes Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), which are used to turn bombs into precision-guided missiles, according to the newspaper.
Some legislators and aides said the sale could prompt a groundswell of opposition in Congress, where criticism of the Biden administration’s support of Israel amid the deadly confrontation has become more prevalent. Read more
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2021: WandaVision wins big (BBC)
WandaVision, the Disney+ Marvel hit, collected four awards including best show at Sunday’s MTV Movie & TV Awards.
After a year off due to the pandemic, the fan-voted show returned in front of an in-person audience at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The Marvel Comics-inspired mini series takes place after the events of the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame.
The Netflix teen romance To All The Boys: Always And Forever was named best movie. Read more
“Grease 2” wardrobe malfunction goes viral 38 years after release (Metro)
Eagle-eyed fans have noticed a rather, er, ballsy wardrobe malfunction in the Grease sequel which had many gasping and wondering how on Earth this got past the film’s final edit. Grease 2 is the 1982 sequel to the original smash hit and had Michelle Pfeiffer and Maxwell Caulfield in the lead roles – and, folks, it is an absolute cult classic, after receiving pretty harsh reviews and flopping at the box office. We suppose it did have a hard act to follow in regards to Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta’s original turn at Rydell High. However, Grease 2 has one thing going for it that we can’t say the OG does and that is one heck of a NSFW wardrobe malfunction that’s seemingly slipped under the radar for decades. Read more
Israel-Gaza crisis: Fighting enters second week as cease-fire attempts fail (DW)
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with a new round of airstrikes, after Hamas shot rockets towards southern Israel. Diplomatic attempts for a cease-fire have failed to deescalate tensions.
Israeli airstrikes pounded the Gaza Strip early on Monday, after a barrage of rockets from the Palestinian enclave targeted southern Israeli cities such as Ashkelon and Beersheva. The crisis has entered its second week, as diplomatic attempts for a cease-fire fail to make progress.
The Israeli military announced in an early Monday tweet that fighter jets hit “terror targets” in Gaza.
The airstrikes primarily targeted Gaza City, with explosions at one point rocking the area for 10 minutes straight, according to AP news agency. Local media reported that the airstrikes disrupted Gaza’s electricity supply. Read more
Harry, Meghan ripped over deal with company selling skin-whitening cream (PageSix)
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are facing criticism for their new partnership with a company that sells skin-whitening creams — with some questioning how the deal squares with their anti-racism advocacy, according to reports.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced last week that they joined forces with Procter & Gamble, which sells a controversial Olay skin-lightening cream, the Mirror reported.
“Meghan has talked a lot about the issue of race and racism, so this does stick out like a sore thumb,” Alex Malouf, a former Procter & Gamble executive, told the outlet. Read more
Basketball Africa League: Coach is proud of US rapper J Cole’s debut (BBC)
US rapper J Cole scored three points as he made his debut for his Rwandan side Patriots in the opening game of the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Cole scored three points as his side beat Nigeria’s River Hoopers 83-60 on Sunday in Kigali, he also secured three rebounds and a pair of assists in the game, in which he featured for a total of 17 minutes.
The rapper – who was appearing just days after the release of his sixth studio album – has been one of the star names attached to the BAL, which is seeking to replicate the Champions League format from football but for basketball.
“I talked to him in the locker room – I said, ‘I am so proud of you,’ because he was very frustrated with himself,” Patriots coach Alan Major said. Read more
Veteran Modric to lead Croatia at Euro 2020 (France24)
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic named a 26-man squad for Euro 2020 on Monday, comprising players who won silver at the 2018 World Cup and their younger peers and led by veteran Luka Modric.
“Our latest results were not the best, but I’m an optimist. Our first goal is to get out of the group,” Dalic told reporters.
Croatia have been drawn in Group D, and will play England in London on June 13.
Dalic described that opening match as the toughest in the group stage as England “have good quality and we play at Wembley”.
Croatia then travel to Glasgow where they will face the Czech Republic on June 18 and Scotland four days later.
“We have difficult opponents, but I believe in us. We are at our best when the going gets tough,” Dalic said. Read more
Top footballers unite in solidarity with Palestinians (AlJazeera)
Several elite footballers have publicly signalled their solidarity with the Palestinians, as the death toll from Israeli air raids mounts in Gaza.
At least 198 people in Gaza, including 58 children, have been killed since the violence erupted a week ago, according to the coastal enclave’s health ministry.
Ten people, including two children, have been killed in Israel amid rocket fire from Gaza’s ruling Hamas group.
Alarmed by the bloodshed, footballers in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Chile and elsewhere have pledged support for the Palestinian people. Read more
Fritz Keller steps down as DFB president over Nazi remark (DW)
Fritz Keller has resigned as president of the German Football Association. This comes weeks after a remark he made in which he compared of one of his vice presidents to a Nazi judge.
Fritz Keller announced in a statement issued by the German Football Association (DFB) on Monday, that he was stepping down as its president.
“I take personal responsibility for my gaffe at the Executive Committee meeting on April 23, 2021,” the 64-year-old said almost a week after he had announced his intention to resign.
He was referring to the scandal that ensued after he compared DFB Vice President Rainer Koch to the infamous Nazi judge Roland Freisler during the April 23 meeting. Read more
Over 80% of Japanese oppose hosting Olympics this summer, poll finds (France24)
More than 80 per cent of Japanese oppose hosting the virus-postponed Olympics this year, a new poll published Monday showed, with just under 10 weeks until the Tokyo Games.
The latest survey comes after Japan expanded a coronavirus state of emergency Friday as the nation battles a fourth wave of virus infections.
The surge has put pressure on the country’s healthcare system, with medical professionals repeatedly warning about shortages and burnout.
The weekend survey by the Asahi Shimbun daily found 43 percent of respondents want the Games cancelled, and 40 percent want a further postponement. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester United boss says fan protests have affected team (BBC)
Manchester United players have been affected by the fan protests about the club’s ownership, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Last week, Solskjaer’s side were beaten by Leicester and Liverpool in the space of 50 hours as a congested fixture list combined with fan discontent to disrupt their planning.
United’s players spent hours in the stadium and beds were delivered so they could rest ahead of the Liverpool game amid fears of major demonstrations.”I didn’t want to use it as an excuse because we lost two games, but surely it’s reason behind the performances,” he said. Read more
