Death toll rises to 8 in Lagos building collapse (Punch)
The death toll recorded during the building collapse, which happened Sunday, on Ibadan Street, in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, has increased to eight.
A statement by the National Emergency Management Agency confirmed the development on Monday.
“Two male additional bodies recovered, making eight deaths,” the acting coordinator, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, said.
Our correspondent also observed as emergency responders put the recovered corpses in body bags.
The recovered corpses were deposited in some of the vehicles the emergency responders brought to the scene of the incident.
Thereafter, the corpses were taken to the mortuary. Read more
Residents resist moves to demolish distressed building in Lagos (Vanguard)
Residents of Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute-Meta area of Lagos State, have resisted an attempt by the State government, to demolish a three-storey building at Number 100, said to have been distressed in the area.
The residents claimed that the state government should follow due process before taking such a step over the building which was erected over 40 years ago.
Hon. Olufemi Poluyi, the immediate past Supervisory Councillor at Lagos Mainland Local Government who represented the residents said it is not a good gesture to have rendered the occupants of the building to untold hardship on Eid-El Fitri Day.
He said, “what will be the gain by the state government to render many family homeless on Eid-El Fitri Day?
“The occupants should have been served quit notices before now and failure to do this means that Lagos State Building Control Agency LASBCA, is not doing its job. Read more
Inflation: Union leaders want review of N30,000 minimum wage (DailyTrust)
Some union leaders in Lagos State have called on the federal government to review the current N30,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The unions said that the minimum wage must be a living wage, commensurate with rising costs of living due to inflation.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos on Monday that a review of the minimum wage would help ameliorate the hardship borne by civil servants.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Lagos State chapter, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, said that Nigerian workers must earn good salaries and wages in order to live a good life. Read more
Eid-el-Fitr: Sultan, Tambuwal call for peace, unity (Sun)
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, has urged politicians in the country to play the game of politics with faith, love to one another.
Speaking on Monday in his Eid-el-fitr message to Nigerians in Sokoto, Sultan also urged political class to ensure none of their supporters is involved in breaching the peace and unity of the country.
According to him: “We are fully aware that the general elections in Nigeria is fast approaching. Therefore, we urge Nigerians to live peacefully with one another and ensure the belief that whoever emerged after the election period is not only our choice but the choice of the Almighty Allah,” he said.
Sultan who is the President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, also urged the Muslim Ummah to continue to appreciate the Almighty Allah for the gift of life to witness the month of Ramadan. Read more
Why we disobeyed Sultan to hold Eid prayers –Sokoto Sheikh (Punch)
The Islamic cleric who led his followers to observe Eid-el-Fitri prayers on Sunday, Sheikh Musa Lukwa, has claimed that he got a report that the moon was sighted from impeccable sources.
The PUNCH had reported that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, declared Monday as Eid-ul-Fitr, saying that no moon was sighted on Saturday.
The sighting of the moon signifies the commencement of the Muslims’ Ramadan fast and the end of it.
However, Sheik Luka faulted the Sultan’s findings, saying that it contradicted the Islamic ethics of announcing a new month in Islam. Read more
2023: Dosunmu vows to dislodge APC in Lagos State (Vanguard)
Former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr Shamsudeen Ade Dosunmu, has vowed to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in the state if given the opportunity to fly PDP’s flag in the 2023 election.
Dosunmu is one of the six aspirants successfully screened by the PDP to contest the party’s governorship ticket in Lagos State for the 2023 elections. The other aspirants are AbdulAzeez Adediran, David Kolawole, Jimi Karmal, Adedeji Doherty and Rhodes Gbadebo.
The party has fixed May 21 for the conduct of its governorship primary elections.
Speaking with his supporters shortly after his successful screening, Dr. Dosunmu reiterated his earlier call on the need for all stakeholders to forge a united front to end poor governance in Lagos State and actualise the objectives of the party in the state. Read more
Entertainers mourn as Rhythm FM’s OAP, Bigtyme, dies (Punch)
Nigerian On-Air Personality, Onome Oyaide, popularly known as Bigtyme, who worked with Rhythm FM, has passed on.
His death was announced by a fellow OAP at Beat FM, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi.
She tweeted on Sunday, “Rest in Peace, Big Tyme. Sigh. Just a pleasant happy guy.”
Singer Darey Art Alade also paid tribute to the Rhythm FM OAP as a contributor to the entertainment industry. Read more
Train attack: Terrorists free Prof Ango Abdullahi’s son 31 days after abduction (Nation)
Barely a week after releasing photos showing 62 victims in their captivity, terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train have freed one of Sadik, son of Northern Elders Forum (NEF) convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi.
A family member of the abducted train passengers confirmed that Sadik Ango Abdullahi was released on Friday after spending 31 days in captivity.
The Nation also gathered ansom was paid before his release though the actual amount could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
According to him, Sadik was identified by friends and relations when the terrorists released pictures of the 62 abducted train passengers. Read more
Osinbajo: We’ll consolidate on our successes, urges NLC to intervene on ASUU Strike (Tribune)
As Nigerian workers join their counterparts across the world to celebrate workers’ day, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Muhammadu Buhari, Ahmed Lawan and Femi Agbajabiamila, respectively, have once again distanced themselves from the workers in the auspicious day.
Recall that President Buhari who workers’ support helped in his enthronement to become Nigeria’s President in the 2015 general elections, has never identified with workers during May Day celebration as former President Goodluck Jonathan, did.
Addressing workers however, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, reeled out many achievements of the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led party government in the past seven years and promised a consolidation on the successes of the administration.
Osinbajo mentioned that Buhari administration has among many other things, increased teachers’ retirement age, engaged over four million Nigerian youths in quasi employment through N-POWER and other programmes, healthcare insurance scheme, enacted Not-Too-Young-To-Run law, and others. Read more
Police confirm Church thief electrocution in Aba (Vanguard)
The Abia Command of Nigeria Police on Sunday confirmed the electrocution of a suspected thief popularly called “Bouncer” in Aba while stealing from a church.
SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Abia Command Police PRO confirmed the report in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He said the “area-boy” popularly known as “Bouncer” was allegedly electrocuted while trying to steal a church’s electrical appliances and other equipment in Aba.
Ogbonna said that although the Police did not yet have his real name, his corpse had been deposited in a mortuary. Read more
Bill Gates would marry Melinda ‘all over again’ despite divorce (PageSix)
Bill Gates “wouldn’t choose” to marry anyone other than Melinda Gates — despite their union ending in divorce.
The billionaire Microsoft co-founder, 66, said in an interview published Sunday that he does not regret saying “I do” with Melinda, 57, in January 1994.
“Every marriage as the kids leave the house will go through a transition. Mine sadly went through this transition called divorce,” he told the UK’s The Sunday Times.
“But from my point of view it was a great marriage. I wouldn’t have changed it. You know, I wouldn’t choose to marry someone else.”
Despite his newly single status, Bill revealed he does not have his sights set on walking down the aisle a second time. Read more
Avril Lavigne puts Canadian shows on ice over positive COVID-19 case “within the tour” (NME)
Avril Lavigne has alerted fans that three of her upcoming gigs in Canada won’t go ahead as scheduled, after a member of her touring crew tested positive for COVID-19.
The affected dates include one at Place Bell in Laval – initially slated for tonight (May 2), but now set to go down on Saturday (May 7) – one at the Avenir Centre in Moncton, and one at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax. Those last two gigs – which were booked in for tomorrow (May 3) and on Wednesday May 4, respectively – are yet to receive new dates, but in a statement posted on social media, Lavigne assured ticketholders that new details “will be announced shortly”.
At the time of writing, Lavigne’s show at the Centre Vidéotron in Quebec City is still scheduled to ahead on Friday (May 6). In her post, the artist explained that she put the first three of this week’s shows on ice because of “a positive COVID case within the tour and subsequent exposures”. She did not confirm who in her touring party caught the virus, nor whether herself or any of her bandmates were among those exposed to it.
“I/we sincerely apologize and want you to know that this was not a decision we made lightly,” Lavigne continued. “We remain focused on everyone’s safety and can’t wait to see you all very soon.” Read more
South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa abandons May Day rally after booing (BBC)
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa had to leave a May Day rally after workers stormed the stage where he was speaking.
Chanting “Cyril must go,” they held up signs demanding a wage increase during a ceremony in a stadium near the north-western city of Rustenburg.
The protesters, who worked at a local mine, have been striking for weeks.
President Ramaphosa tried to address the miners’ concerns but was greeted by booing.
The workers want an annual salary pay rise of 1,000 rand ($63; £50) – a demand which President Ramaphosa addressed directly. Read more
More than 100 women and children rescued in Mariupol steel plant evacuation (Metro)
People were boarded onto buses and taken to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia (Picture: Reuters)
More than 100 women and children were evacuated from a Soviet-era steel plant in Mariupol where Russian bombs have rained down for two months.
For the first time during the invasion of the port city, a two-day ceasefire is being managed, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed over the weekend.
Footage released online by the controversial Azov Regiment yesterday shows mums with small children and elderly women holed up at the Azovstal steel plant climbing over a steep pile of debris and rubble.
As part of the United Nations-led evacuation, they were boarded onto buses and taken to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, some 141 miles away.
Natalia Usmanova, 37, was one of the people being rescued. ‘You just can’t imagine what we have been through – the terror,’ she told the Guardian. Read more
Joanna Barnes, known for roles in ‘Spartacus,’ both ‘Parent Trap’ movies, dead at 89 (NYPost)
Joanna Barnes, longtime star of stage and screen, best known for her roles in the 1961 Hollywood classic “The Parent Trap” and in its 1998 remake, died Friday at her home in Sea Ranch, California, after a lengthy illness. She was 89.
Her death was announced by friend Sally Jackson, Deadline reports.
Barnes played unlikable gold-digger Vicky Robinson in the original “The Parent Trap” and returned as Vicki Blake, mother of renamed conniver Meredith in the 1998 production. Barnes also appeared in the films “Home Before Dark,” “The War Wagon” and Hollywood epic “Spartacus.”
She was nominated for a Golden Globe award for playing Gloria Upson in the 1958 film, “Auntie Mame.“ Read more
Final curtain for Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Covid-hit musical Cinderella (DailyMail)
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cinderella will close next month less than a year after its West End premiere.
The show, which is being staged at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in Covent Garden and has suffered Covid-related disruption, will end on June 12.
Lord Lloyd-Webber said last July that he was determined to open Cinderella in London and had ignored ‘siren voices’ suggesting he should move it to New York.
The Cinderella premiere took place in August last year, having been scheduled for the previous month but delayed because of Covid isolation issues. Read more
Pusha T earns 1st top album on Billboard 200 Chart with “It’s Almost Dry” (HNHH)
Pusha T’s “It’s Almost Dry” debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart.
Pusha T has earned his first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart with his new project, It’s Almost Dry. The album sold an estimated 55,000 total album-equivalent units since releasing on on April 22.
Push celebrated the accomplishment on Twitter, Sunday: “We all can’t be number 1 at the same time, this week it’s mine. Thank you to all.”
While landing on top of the charts, the It’s Almost Dry failed to outpace Push’s 2018 record, DAYTONA, which sold 77,000 total album-equivalent units after its debut. Read more
Alabama hunt for missing prison inmate and guard (BBC)
US police are searching for an escaped inmate who is facing murder charges, and a guard who disappeared with him.
Inmate Casey White and corrections officer Vicki White were last seen on Friday morning at the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama.
Ms White said she was taking him to a mental evaluation, but officials later realised it had not been scheduled.
Authorities are investigating whether Ms White helped the inmate escape, or if she was taken hostage by him. Read more
Arteta guaranteed to avoid “painful” Arsenal memories after pivotal West Ham win (Mirror)
Mikel Arteta and his players will be relieved after getting the job done following a 2-1 win over West Ham to climb up to fourth place and back above Tottenham in their quest to return to Champions League football.
Arsenal recorded their third consecutive win after Rob Holding opened the scoring, heading home a Bukayo Saka corner, which was later cancelled out by Jarrod Bowen’s strike. But the Gunners remained focused and determined, fighting hard to come out on top as Gabriel headed home the second.
With just four games left to the end of the regular campaign, the Gunners sit fourth, two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham. As things stand, Arteta’s side will play Champions League football next season, but the major question still remains:
can they cling onto it?
Last year, the north London outfit failed to qualify for any form of European football for the first time in 25 years. The Spanish boss, who played at the Emirates between 2011 and 2016 and was used to playing in Europe’s biggest stages, had to settle for less. Read more
Rivera sparks New England to 2-0 victory over Inter Miami (USAToday)
Damian Rivera had an instant impact in his first MLS start and the New England Revolution breezed to a 2-0 victory over Inter Miami CF on Saturday.
Rivera, a 19-year-old homegrown attacker took a Carles Gil feed and beat Nick Marsman at his near post, putting the Revs (3-5-1) up 1-0 less than a minute into the game.
Adam Buksa capped the scoring with a goal in the 64th minute — four minutes after Inter Miami center back Damion Lowe was sent off for a second yellow card.
Inter Miami finished the match with another man down after Jairo Quinteros was sent off in the 76th minute for a second yellow card. Read more
Jon Rahm closes with birdie to build 2-shot lead in Mexico Open (ESPN)
Jon Rahm birdied the last two par 5s and got some help from a couple of poor chips by Cameron Champ to take a 2-shot lead into the final round of the Mexico Open.
Rahm, whose last victory was in the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines last summer, pumped his fist Saturday when he holed a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for a 3-under 68.
He liked how he played tee-to-green. Rahm said he hopes he can see a few more putts drop.
“That one on 18 was the first one outside 10 feet I saw roll in,” Rahm said. “If I can just keep that going and make putts like I did the first two days, I think tomorrow I’ll give myself a really good chance.” Read more
Katie Taylor rallies to secure split decision over Amanda Serrano in classic (BoxingScene)
Madison Square Garden, New York City – In a battle for the undisputed lightweight championship, Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 KOs) won a hard-fought ten round split decision over Amanda Serrano (42-2-1, 30 KOs).
The scores were 96-94 for Serrano, 97-93 for Taylor and 96-93 for Taylor.
Serrano was pressing forward and looking to land big punches in the first, with Taylor moving well and landing quick combinations. Serrano began to go to the body. In the second, Taylor continued to connect with fast counters as Serrano was coming forward.
Serrano was doing better in the third, with hard punches connecting to the head of Taylor. Serrano was forcing Taylor to fight in the fourth. Serrano was pressing and cutting Taylor over her right eye. They were brawling in the fifth, with Taylor taking more than she was landing. Taylor’s nose was busted and she was badly hurt. Serrano was punishing her with big shots. Read more
Nadal returns from injury at Madrid Open (WestAustralian)
Back home and preparing his bid for a record-extending 14th French Open title, Rafael Nadal is set to resume his stellar season at this week’s Madrid Open after a month-long injury absence.
Nadal will be seeking his fourth title in 2022, having won his first 20 matches before suffering a rib stress fracture in the semi-finals at Indian Wells.
He made it to the final there but lost to Taylor Fritz for his first defeat.
Until then, it had been the third-best start to a season on the ATP Tour since 1990. Read more
Eddie Hearn: I thought Katie Taylor just edged the fight (BoxingScene)
Eddie Hearn, promoter for Katie Taylor, believes his fighter just edged the toughest defense of her career.
On Saturday night, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, Taylor retained the undisputed lightweight crown when he overcame near disaster to win a ten round split decision over Amanda Serrano.
In a grueling fight, Taylor was badly hurt and appeared to be on the verge of being stopped in the fifth round.
Over 19,000 packed MSG to watch the fight – and both Hearn, and Serrano’s promoter Jake Paul, are interested in staging a rematch. Read more
Oliver Bekker leads going into last round of Catalunya Championship (ESPN)
Oliver Bekker eagled the par-5 15th hole for the second straight day to shoot a 5-under 67 on Saturday and take a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the Catalunya Championship.
Bekker, 11-under 205 for the tournament, made four birdies and a lone bogey at the Stadium Course in northeastern Spain. Laurie Canter finished two shots back after coming into the third round a shot ahead of Bekker and James Morrison.
Bekker, a 37-year-old South African, is seeking his first European tour win.
“My short game really got me out of a bit of trouble today on a few occasions and I managed to capitalize on the shots that I did well,” he said. “Tomorrow I’m just going to do the same thing, it’s been working for me, I’m not going to change anything. If it’s my day, it’s my day, if not, just try to give my best and see what happens.” Read more
Nadal, Djokovic slam Wimbledon’s bans (WestAustralian)
Grand slam legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have criticised Wimbledon’s decision to exclude players from Russia and Belarus following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“I think it’s very unfair of (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues … it’s not their fault what’s happening in this moment with the war,” said Nadal in Spain where he and Djokovic are preparing to play in the Madrid Open.
“I’m sorry for them,” Nadal said. “Wimbledon just took their decision … the government didn’t force them to do it.
“Let’s see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in that regard.” Read more
