Committee will take over garages, Lagos tells residents (Punch)
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has assured residents that a committee would be set up by the government to take over garages and motor parks in the state.
According to a statement on Thursday, Omotoso disclosed this during a Television Continental programme, ‘This Morning,’ where he allayed the fears expressed by citizens about boarding Bus Rapid Transit.
He said, “The National Union of Road Transport Workers operates in a sector that has relevance to everybody living in Lagos, which is transportation. However, they are just a union of artisans and the likes, but not a force that cannot be controlled by the government.
“I want to allay the fear of citizens as the government will set up a committee comprising stakeholders in the sector, who will take over the running of the motor parks and garages.
“Let me also debunk the erroneous story being circulated on the social media about the union fighting back. I want to advise that our people should learn to take their information from credible sources to avoid misinformation.” Read more
How Lagos airport Immigration stopped 100 girls from being trafficked – Comptroller (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA), Lagos has stopped the trafficking of 100 Nigerian girls from January to date.
The Comptroller of the command, Kemi Nana Nandap said the girls were prevented from travelling following the deployment of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS).
MIDAS is a user-friendly and customisable Border Management Information System (BMIS) that helps to collect, process, store and analyze traveller’s information and share data in real-time across an entire national border network.
In a chat with our correspondent on the sideline of a pre-arrival briefing of some returnees to the airport, the Comptroller said through the application of MIDAS, a lot of successes had been recorded in stopping potential traffickers with 100 prevented from January till date.
She explained that many young girls were usually deceived and lured with juicy job offers outside the country only to turn them into sex slaves and use them for several unimaginable things. Read more
Lagos pledges to protect consumer rights (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has said the administration will continue to protect consumers’ rights to safety and healthy environment.
According to a statement on Thursday, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Dr Lola Akande, disclosed this during an event to commemorate the 2022 World Consumer Rights Day, in Alausa, Ikeja.
Akande noted that the government will impose sanctions, if need be, on producers who violate the rights of consumers.
She said, “The state government, having observed that many people do not know their rights as consumers, approved the establishment of Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency to serve as the last hope for aggrieved and dissatisfied consumers.
“Consumers have the right to safety and a healthy environment, the right to seek redress, to basic needs among others and service providers, marketers and business people have rights as well. Read more
EFCC operatives arrest Obiano at Lagos airport (Guardian)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano.
Obiano was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Thursday, same day he handed over the reins to his successor, Prof. Charles Soludo, as governor of Anambra.
Obiano, who was governor of Anambra for eight years, was picked up by the EFCC operatives as he prepared to board a flight to Houston, in the US state of Texas.
Obiano had been on the watchlist of the commission months before his tenure as a governor ended.
In a letter to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) dated November 15, 2021, EFCC requested the NIS to place the governor on a watchlist and inform it anytime he is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports and other points of entry and exit. Read more
Local Stock Market Goes Bearish As Investors Lose N6.05bn (Tribune)
Equities trading at the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), on Thursday, was unimpressive as the market shed previous day gains.
At the end of the trading activities, the local bourse reversed some of the previous session’s gains as the benchmark index slipped by 0.02 per cent to close at 47,353.22 basis points.
Profit-taking activities in the stocks of Seplat ensured the market closed lower, as the high capitalised stock dipped by 3.3 per cent.
Precisely, the All-Share Index (ASI) dipped by two basis points to 47,353.22 points, with the Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date returns unchanged at -0.1 per cent, and +10.9 per cent, respectively.
Equities investors, therefore, lost N6.05 billion from their investment as the market capitalisation settled at N25.521 trillion as against an opening of N25.527 trillion. Read more
Avante Entertainment announce plans to unveil new artiste, Frayz (SoundCity)
Armed with a storied history, having established its roots in the Afrobeats scene as far back as 2013 with Avante TV (a YouTube channel), Avante Entertainment founded by three childhood friends; David Edogame, Samfrank Abarikwu & Yinka Akinsanya is responsible for handling the affairs of Afrobeats pop star Mayorkun and the meteoric rise of Port Harcourt duo, Ajebo Hustlers. Now with a stellar star maker reputation preceding them, the record label is set to introduce the world to yet another musical sensation- his name is Frayz.
Born Akinfolarin Ayo, Frayz is a singer and songwriter who infuses his smooth R&B vocals with key elements of Afropop and Afrobeat. Born in Lagos with his roots in the hilly state of Ondo, Frayz realised his gifts at a very young age, finding inspiration in the eclectic music of Bob Marley, in the experimental soul of Fela Kuti, and the enigmatic showmanship of Michael Jackson. Just 23 years of age however, the singer still swear by the stars of his generation as he highlights Wizkid, Drake and J Cole as some of his other influences.
Set apart by his suave ability to craft melodies and rhythms, Frayz has the making of a potent afrobeats superstar. With conviction and a truckload of talent, the singer has always been ready to add his own rhythm to Afrobeats constantly beating pulse. Now in less than a year since he graduated from Babcock University, Nigeria, Avante Entertainment raises Frayz on a pedestal and they set him up for success.
“I’m super excited about getting signed to Avante, I’ve seen and heard a lot of their success stories, so I have no doubt we are going to have a very successful run” says Frayz. Read more
Protest as police open fire on Oyo corps member’s car, flee (Punch)
The New Garage area of Challenge, Ibadan, Oyo State, was on Thursday thrown into confusion after a policeman reportedly opened fire on a car being driven by a member of the National Youth Service Corps.
It was not clear if the occupant sustained any injury, just as his identity had yet to be ascertained as of press time.
The corps member was said to be coming from a meeting when the trigger-happy cop opened fire on his car.
A picture seen by PUNCH Metro shows a hole created by the bullet at the rear windshield of the car and the cap of the corps member in the car.
Another corps member, who did not identify himself, said the incident happened in the afternoon. Read more
Davido to gift N20m startup support to 20 young entrepreneurs (Leadership)
Award winning Nigerian singer and philanthropist, David Adeleke also known as Davido is set to give N20million to 20 young entrepreneurs.
This gesture comes shortly after the Nigerian multiple award-winning singer stated via his verified Twitter handle that ‘Nigerians should pray’ due to the large sum of money he used to ship his recently acquired Lamborghini car.
The singer also took to his official Twitter page on Wednesday to lament the hardship in the country and what people were going through.
Demonstrating that he cares and to alleviate their hardship, the popstar further stated that he was going to give out N20m to 20 people on Friday to aid their businesses. Read more
2022 AMVCA holds May 14 (Nation)
Organisers of the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards have announced the date for the eighth edition of the movie awards ceremony.
Dr. Busola Tejumola, Head of Content Africa Magic, announced the eighth edition will hold on Saturday, May 14 in Lagos.
Tejumola made this known during an interaction session with the media ahead of the nominees unveiling on Saturday, March 19, 2022.
The organisers also said the 2022 ceremony will be heralded by week-long activities that will veer into food, screening, fashion and culture. Read more
How African nations address issues of gender balance (Guardian)
Africa is not left out in the struggle for gender balance and equality as it keeps searching for ways to deepen empowerment.
This was further buttressed as the envoys of Cameroun, Sierra Leone, and South Africa, commemorating the 37th International Women’s Day in Nigeria, over the weekend, held a dialogue on their achievements and learning points in promoting gender equality.
The event, held at the Consulate of Cameroun in Lagos, themed ‘Gender Equality for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ was jointly organised by the Consulates of Cameroun, Sierra Leone and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC).
Consul General of Cameroun, Lagos, Bessem Manga, said Cameroun has evolved from having about 0.5 per cent on women involvement in government and diplomacy in the 90s to representations at the highest level. Read more
Courteney Cox confirms she’s returning to Woodsboro for “Scream 6” (Metro)
Courteney Cox is officially on board for Scream 6, and already has a script in her hands.
The Friends actress, who plays Gale Weathers in the slasher franchise, dropped a huge bombshell on Ghostface’s next outing.
During an appearance on the Just for Variety podcast, the 57-year-old told host Marc Malkin about returning to Woodsboro again.
‘I got the script yesterday,’ she said. ‘I haven’t read it yet, I just got it… I’m excited to read it, and I know they’re going to start filming… I think, in June, in Canada. Read more
Nasa’s giant new SLS Moon rocket makes its debut (BBC)
The American space agency is rolling out its new giant Moon rocket for the first time.
The vehicle, known as the Space Launch System (SLS), is being taken to the pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to conduct a dummy countdown.
If that goes well, the rocket will be declared ready for a mission in which it will send an uncrewed test capsule around the Moon.
This could happen in the next couple of months.
Ultimately, it’s hoped astronauts would climb aboard later SLS rockets to return to the Moon’s surface some time in the second half of this decade. Read more
Amazon and MGM merger complete (Deadline)
Amazon and MGM announced today their deal has closed. The storied, nearly century-old studio — with more than 4,000 film titles, 17,000 TV episodes, 180 Academy Awards, and 100 Emmy Awards — is now part of Amazon “and will complement Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ work in delivering a diverse offering of entertainment choices to customers,” read the announcement.
MGM will join Amazon Studios as part of Prime Video, led by Amazon’s Mike Hopkins. No news on management structure and how the two studios will fit together but Amazon is planning to make offers and welcome all of MGM’s current employees, the rep said.
Also, in terms of production, Amazon is excited by MGM’s slate and doesn’t anticipate changes in release dates or on projects that are in progress.
Amazon is not planning to make all MGM content exclusive to Prime Video. On theatrical, Amazon intends to continue to to support theatrical release, not as a one-size-fits-all proposition but something leadership will determine case by case. Read more
Michael Bublé’s new album is ‘love note to the world’ (MusicNews)
Michael Bublé has described his brand-new album Higher as a “love note to the world”.
The Canadian singer made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday night to promote his ninth studio record, and during the chat, became emotional when he reflected on his inspirations for the music – specifically his eight-year-old son Noah’s recovery from cancer.
“I am so grateful that my son and my family is OK and healthy. We’ve all gone through a tonne. No one gets through this life without dealing with struggles and pain, and all of that,” Bublé mused. “For me, I think, for the first time in years I’m alive. I’m breathing. And if you can’t hear or feel the joy in that record, of how I feel in my life, you never will. This is an expression of love. It really is. It’s a love note to the world.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Bublé performed a verse of Stan Rogers’ sea shanty, Barrett’s Privateers, alongside Colbert, and praised music icon Paul McCartney for helping him produce a cover of his song My Valentine for the record. Read more
‘The Boys’ actor Karen Fukuhara assaulted in hate crime attack, co-stars send support (Variety)
Karen Fukuhara, best known for playing Kimiko Miyashiro on Prime Video’s comic book series “The Boys” and Katana in David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad,” revealed on Instagram that she was assaulted outside of a cafe on Wednesday. The actor did not reveal the location of the incident but wrote that the assault was “the first time I’ve been harmed physically.”
“Today I was struck in the head by a man,” she wrote, noting that she was “physically fine” after the attack. “This shit needs to stop. Us women, Asians and the elderly need your help.”
“I rarely share about my private life but something happened today that I thought was important,” Fukuhara continued. “I was walking to a cafe for some coffee and a man struck me in the back of my head. It came out of nowhere. We made no eye contact before, I wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary. It came to my surprise and my hat flew off. By the time I looked back, he was a few feet away from me (he must have kept walking after hitting me).”
Fukuhara, who used the hashtag “Stop Asian Hate” to accompany her post, said she thought about “confronting” her assaulter but realized it “wasn’t worth the risk.” The actor added, “After a few seconds of staring at each other, and him yelling at me, he eventually walked away.” Read more
Def Leppard to unveil ‘Diamond Star Halos’ album ahead of tour with Motley Crue (Billboard)
Nearly a year ago, around the time Def Leppard was releasing The Collection: Volume III box set, frontman Joe Elliott spoke about the band being “ahead of the game” in making a new album, working remotely and trading files for “a bunch of songs that one day will come to fruition, I’m sure.”
Turns out things were a little further along than he let on.
The fruits of Def Leppard’s latest labors will surface as Diamond Star Halos, the quintet’s 12th studio album — and first in seven years — set for release May 27 in front of its Stadium Tour with Mötley Crüe and special guests Poison and Joan Jett. The 15-song set, produced by the band and longtime engineer Ronan McHugh, takes its title from the lyrics of T. Rex’s “Bang a Gong (Get It On)” while the first single, “Kick,” nods unapologetically to that totem as well, with the rest of the album drawing from the band members’ early influences as well.
“It wasn’t planned that way; It’s just how it happened,” bassist and co-founder Rick Savage tells Billboard via Zoom from the Savoy Hotel in London, where he, Elliott and guitarist Phil Collen have gathered to talk about Diamond Star Halos. “We were all really influenced by an era that was somewhere between 1971 and 1974, where you were just learning and a sponge for all the stuff you were watching on Top of the Pops. Read more
Annie Lennox says Eurythmics have done ‘everything it takes to survive’ in music (MusicNews)
Annie Lennox has said that Eurythmics have done ‘everything it takes to survive’ in the music industry.
The 67-year-old singer shot to fame alongside Dave Stewart as part of the 1980s pop duo and the pair recently received their second nomination for induction into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, something which Annie thinks requires “survival.”
She told Billboard: “Dave and I have a long history. We’ve pretty much done everything it takes to survive in the industry of music, just like all the artists who’ve been nominated for the Hall of Fame. We each have our individual pathway and our own unique life stories, through music making, recording and performance.”
During their career, Eurythmics achieved global acclaim with the song ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)’, sold an estimated 75 million records worldwide and in 1999 were honoured with a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Read more
Eagles’ advance party moves to Abuja (Guardian)
An advanced party made up of backroom staff and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials, are expected to arrive in Super Eagles’ camp at Wells Carlton Hotel, Abuja, today, to prepare for the player’s arrival later this weekend.
The Eagles will begin training for the final of the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying series against Ghana on Monday ahead of the first leg of the tie billed to hold in Kumasi.
According to sources close to the team, the players are expected this weekend, but some officials have been sent to the camp to prepare grounds for their arrival.
West Brom defender, Semi Ajayi, is expected to be among the early birds as his club has already sent notice to the NFF that the player will come in tomorrow.
There are concerns about the fitness of Spain-based striker, Umar Sadiq and Defender, Kenneth Omeruo, but an official told The Guardian that the players, like every other member of the squad, would be examined by doctors on arrival to ascertain their fitness for the matches. Read more
Iwobi strikes last-gasp winner as 10-man Everton beat Newcastle (Punch)
Everton 1-0 Newcastle: Alex Iwobi scores in ninth minute of stoppage time as 10-man Toffees claim vital win
Alex Iwobi struck in the ninth minute of stoppage time as 10-man Everton ended a four-game losing streak with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Newcastle at an ecstatic Goodison Park.
Frank Lampard’s side had Allan sent off in the 83rd minute after an initial booking for a foul on Allan Saint-Maximin was upgraded to a red card by referee Craig Pawson following a VAR review.
But after withstanding a barrage of late Newcastle pressure, the hosts stole possession in midfield, allowing Iwobi to carry the ball forward, exchange passes with substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and slide home a cool finish to seal an improbable victory. Read more
Walker, Rashford & Sancho all left out of England squad (RTE)
Kyle Walker, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were conspicuous by their absence from the latest England squad as Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi received a first call-up.
Boss Gareth Southgate named a 25-man squad for the forthcoming Wembley friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
Manchester City full-back Walker missed out, as did Manchester United pair Rashford and Sancho, while Ben White was back in the squad following a fine run of form at Arsenal.
Former Chelsea youngster Guehi captained Lee Carsley’s Under-21 side during the last international break but has been rewarded for his fine form with a maiden senior call-up. Read more
Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole in agreement over four favourites to win Champions League (Mirror)
Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole both agree that Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are the four teams to beat in the Champions League.
There are eight teams left in the competition after Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Lille (4-1 on aggregate) with the draw for the quarter-finals set to be made. Liverpool and City are the clear favourites to go all the way, but reigning champions Chelsea are still in the hunt to defend their crown, while Bayern and Real Madrid have plenty of experience as previous winners in recent times.
Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and Benfica are considered outsiders, but at this stage, a case could be made for any team to win it all. Ferdinand and Cole reckon Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s men are top of the tree with Chelsea and Bayern not far behind them, however.
On the prospect of Chelsea defending their crown, Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “I’ve got them as fourth favourites. Even if they play Liverpool or City, on their given day, they could beat them. They’ll be in the mix and the punch up, definitely. I’d go Man City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Benfica.” Read more
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez: F1 should consider allowing drivers to race with Covid-19 (ESPN)
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez believes Formula One should consider allowing drivers who have tested positive for Covid-19 to continue to race as long as they don’t have severe symptoms.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel was ruled out of the opening round of the new season this weekend after testing positive on the eve of the first practice session in Bahrain.
Vettel is the second F1 driver to test positive in the space of seven days after McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo missed the final preseason test due to a positive COVID-19 test at the end of last week.
Covid restrictions have eased in the Formula One paddock this year, with testing no longer mandatory and the enforcement of mask wearing and social distancing more relaxed. Read more
Russian court extends WNBA star Brittney Griner’s arrest until May 19 (CBC)
A Moscow court has extended the arrest of WNBA star Brittney Griner until May 19, according to the Russian state news agency Tass.
Griner was detained at a Moscow airport in February after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges. They were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19,” the court said, according to Tass.
The United States embassy in Moscow did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment. Read more
Canada gets wild-card berth for 16-team Davis Cup Finals (TorontoStar)
Canada has been chosen as a replacement wild-card entry for the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals in September.
The International Tennis Federation announced Thursday that Canada would receive the berth as the highest-ranked losing nation at this year’s qualifiers.
The vacancy was created after the recent suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation and Belarus Tennis Federation from ITF membership. Serbia, as the highest-ranked losing semi finalist in 2021, was named as the replacement for Russia last week.
Sixth-ranked Canada will now take Serbia’s wild-card spot in the field. Canada dropped a 4-0 decision to the Netherlands in qualifying play earlier this month. Read more
