Court sets May 13 to hear Akpabio’s contempt claims against Natasha (Channels)
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned till Tuesday, May 13, for the definite hearing of the contempt claims made against the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Justice Nyako fixed the date following the submission of the second and third defendants, who stated that an application by them is before the court, drawing its attention to the alleged contempt of the plaintiff.
At the resumed hearing, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, led by Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that the matter was slated for hearing as previously adjourned. Read more
Kano varsity shuts female hostel over immorality (Punch)
The management of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of Al-Ansar Indabo female students’ hostels located at Hotoro and UDB Road in the Kano metropolis over safety and disciplinary concerns.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday, by the university’s Vice President, Campus Life, Dr. Hamza Garba.
The university also announced the withdrawal of its approval for the use of the hostels following reported violations of its code of conduct. Read more
PDP leaders move to save party (Sun)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees (BoT) has insisted that the opposition party would not die despite its challenges.
Chairman of the BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, stated, yesterday, in Abuja, at the inauguration of 40 new members of the board in what observers described as a desperate move to pull the main opposition party from the precipice and disintegration and demise.
Wabara said the inauguration of the new BoT members, including former Kano State governor, Ibrahim Shekarau; former Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as well as as former National Vice Chairman of the party in the South West, Eddy Olafeso, former Edo governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former Benue governor, Samuel Ortom and former Niger governor, Babangida Aliyu was a new beginning for the party. Read more
Lagos revenue rises by 45% to N1.3t in 2024 (ThisDay)
Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, has disclosed that the State recorded a significant growth in its revenue which rose by 45 percent to N1.3 trillion in 2024, compared with the N895 billion recorded in 2023.
Abayomi disclosed this while giving a report at the annual ministerial briefing on the activities of his ministry between 2024 and 2025, to mark the second year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat’s administration.
The Commissioner also said N14 billion was generated from Land Use Charge in 2024, a 37 percent increase compared with 2023. Read more
Nigeria posts fastest GDP growth in decade — World Bank (Guardian)
Nigeria’s economy grew at the fastest rate in a decade last year, the World Bank said Monday, thanks to the reforms introduced by the government, but it warned inflation remains high.
“Real GDP increased by 4.6 percent year-on-year in Q4 2024, pushing growth for the full year 2024 to 3.4 percent, the highest since 2014 (excluding the 2021-2022 COVID-19 rebound),” the bank said in a report published in the capital Abuja on Monday.
It said the acceleration in gross domestic product (GDP) growth was driven mainly by a continued oil and gas sector recovery and strong growth in the tech and finance industries. Read more
FG okays N1.2t for roads, power, aviation projects (Leadership)
This substantial package, announced after the Council’s meeting at the State House in Abuja, reflected President Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to economic revitalisation through targeted capital investment.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the Council’s approval of N175.08 billion for Section II of the East-West Road, from Port Harcourt to Ahoada, represented one of six inherited road projects reviewed under the current administration.
“This project was inherited. In 2009, it was awarded for N44.83bn but reviewed in 2014 for N93.41bn. Our administration reviewed it because of the floating of the naira and the petroleum subsidy removal in 2023,” Umahi stated. Read more
Delta: How monarchs, vigilante members aid kidnapping (Vanguard)
Citizens, including activists, have fingered some royal fathers in Delta State and vigilante members for entangling themselves with Fulani herdsmen-kidnappers allegedly because of lust and greed, calling on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to bring them to order.
The residents who voluntarily engaged in measures to stop kidnapping in their communities in the past few months, said their findings showed that some Fulani herdsmen gave money and cow gifts to some traditional rulers to stay in the forests belonging to their communities. The monarchs kept the plot to themselves.
However, NDV learned that the governor, who had taken bold measures to checkmate criminals in the state, is mapping out a holistic strategy to tackle kidnapping. Read more
Stocks surge on Trump-China tariff truce, bringing relief to 401(k) holders (Newsweek)
Stocks surged Monday following the announcement of a 90-day truce in the trade war between China and the United States.
The U.S. and China issued a joint statement on Monday announcing the reprieve following trade talks in Geneva, Switzerland.
Although Wall Street cheered the 90-day tariff pause, economists and analysts warn that stocks’ resurgence could just as quickly be reversed if the U.S. president throws another curveball into trade talks, as he has frequently done. Read more
Cannes Film Festival bans see-through dresses and long trains from red carpet (ITV)
The Cannes Film Festival is banning nudity from the red carpet for “decency reasons” amid a growing trend of celebrities opting for sheer outfits.
Under this year’s dress code, it states: “For decency reasons, nudity is prohibited on the Red Carpet, as well as in any other area of the Festival.”
It is the first time such rules have been added to the dress requirements. Read more
Kal Penn, Booboo Stewart and Nicole Elizabeth Berger to lead underground chess thriller ‘‘Contra’’ (Deadline)
Kal Penn (Designated Survivor), Booboo Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past), and Nicole Elizabeth Berger (Runt) are attached to headline “Contra”, the directorial debut of Emmy nominated producer Artisha Mann-Cooper (Eyes in the Trees).
The thriller follows a streetwise chess prodigy pulled into a brutal underground circuit where every match is a deadly gamble. As the stakes escalate, he faces off against hustlers, criminals, and a ruthless kingpin who dominates both the board and the streets.
Production begins in mid-May on the film, based on an original screenplay by chess specialists Jerry Stokes and Ahyende Sandy, with additional writing by Garett Ratcliff and Luke Genton. Read more
Damson Idris to play Miles Davis in Mick Jagger-produced period romance ‘‘Miles & Juliette’’ (THR)
Damson Idris will star in period romance “Miles & Juliette” with Anamaria Vartolomei, with Idris playing Miles Davis and Vartolomei portraying Juliette Gréco.
Love & Mercy director Bill Pohlad will direct the project from a screenplay by Zora Howard. Mick Jagger will produce via his Jagged Films banner along with Victoria Pearman and Pohlad via his River Road Entertainment banner (Brokeback Mountain) alongside Kim Roth (Mudbound).
Xavier Dolan will also star along with Idris and Vartolomei. Read more
Fox orders thriller series ‘‘Memory of a Killer’’ based on Belgian film (Variety)
Fox has greenlit the drama series “Memory of a Killer” for the 2025-2026 season. The announcement came ahead of Fox’s upfront presentation to advertisers in New York on Monday.
The new series is said to be inspired by the Belgian film “De Zaak Alzheimer,” aka “La Memoire Du Tueur.” Per the official logline, the show is a “dramatic thriller about a hitman who develops early onset Alzheimer’s.”
“’Memory of a Killer’ is a propulsive series with a noisy, unrelenting character hook that immediately grabbed our attention,” said Michael Thorn, president of Fox Television Network. “In the spirit of ’24’ and ‘House,’ we’re introducing a daring new signature Fox lead, a complicated antihero facing unimaginable danger. We’re excited to bring this gripping new thriller to life alongside our long-standing partners at Warner Bros.” Read more
Ukrainian president welcomes Russian overtures, but says ceasefire must come before peace talks (WashingtonTimes)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday welcomed Russia’s offer for direct peace talks, but insisted there must be a full, temporary ceasefire in place before negotiations can start.
Zelenskyy, writing on X, said it was a “positive sign that the Russians have finally begun to consider ending the war” and said that “the entire world has been waiting for this for a very long time.”
He added, however, that “the very first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire,” in a reference to his proposal to start a 30-day unconditional truce on Monday. Read more
2025 U-20 AFCON: Nigeria beat Senegal to book semi-final spot (Leadership)
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have advanced to the semi-final of the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), beating defending champions Senegal 3-1 on penalties on Monday.
Coach Aliyu Zubair’s boys could not break the Young Lions of Teranga’s defence in a feisty game at the Suez Canal Stadium in Egypt.
Both teams failed to score a goal after 120 minutes as the match ended in a 0-0 draw. Read more
Italian Open: Emma Raducanu beaten by Coco Gauff as American advances to quarter-finals in Rome (SkySports)
Emma Raducanu was comprehensively beaten by Coco Gauff at the Italian Open as the American advanced to the quarter-finals in Rome.
Raducanu showed flashes of brilliance on the clay but was ultimately unable to match Gauff’s intensity as the fourth seed won 6-1 6-2 in an hour and 20 minutes.
The contest is likely to be Raducanu’s final competitive action before the French Open, with the second major of the year getting under way on May 25. Read more
Team Sacvin triumphs as golfers ‘Swing Against Cancer’ (Guardian)
The golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 came alive on Thursday, May 8, as golfers teed off for a noble cause—raising awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. The event, aptly tagged Swing Against Cancer, brought together nearly 100 golfers, including cancer survivors, in an 18-hole charity competition marked by camaraderie, competition and a call to action.
Emerging as winners on the day was Team Sacvin, captained by Anil Khosa, which secured victory with 89 stableford points. They narrowly edged out Team Birdie Boys, who came second with 86 points, while Team Shi Liva Polymer placed third after recording 83 points.
The tournament also saw individual honours go to Jerome Marinho, Pat Ozoemene, Adekoya Darius, and Seline Hainsworth, who stood out in the competitive field. Read more
Aruna leads Nigerian contingent to World Championships (Punch)
Nigeria’s top-ranked table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, will lead the country’s charge at the 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha, Qatar, as the continent continues its quest for a historic first medal at the prestigious event, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 16 to 25, with Nigerian athletes set to compete across singles and doubles events in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Ranked 20th in the world and seeded 19th for the tournament, Aruna will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign in the men’s singles. The 36-year-old, who made history in 2021 as the first African to reach the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Championships, remains the country’s strongest medal hopeful. He begins his journey in the Round of 128 against Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy on Saturday, May 17. Read more
Newcastle wins top-5 showdown with Chelsea; Arsenal, Liverpool draw (JapanToday)
Newcastle took a huge step toward qualifying for the Champions League with a vital 2-0 victory over top-five rivals Chelsea, while Arsenal fought back from two goals down to attain a valuable 2-2 draw against Liverpool on Sunday.
Sandro Tonali put Newcastle ahead after just two minutes at St James’ Park before Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman late in the first half.Bruno Guimaraes struck in stoppage time to secure the Magpies’ seventh win from their last nine league games and lift them into third place in the Premier League. Read more