Deborah Samuel: 300 Women groups protest, seek declaration of emergency (Vanguard)
A total of 300 women groups have protested last Thursday’s gruesome murder of Miss Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by a mob over alleged blasphemous statement.
The women groups operating under the umbrella of Womanifesto, called for immediate declaration of a state of emergency on the killings of women and girls in the country,adding that “concerted and collective callout of all states which have not implemented the VAP Act 2015.”
A statement Saturday, by Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre,WARDC,on behalf of the 300 organisations, tasked “religious leaders in Sokoto and beyond to speak out against this dastardly act.”
“We also demand the declaration of a State of Emergency on the killings of women and girls and a concerted and collective callout of all States which have not implemented the VAP Act 2015. Nigerian Women and girls must not continue to be endangered species thereby threatening the bright future of our country. Read more
Blasphemy: Tambuwal imposes curfew as riot breaks out in Sokoto (Punch)
Following the gruesome murder of a Christian student for alleged blasphemy, and a riot that broke out in Sokoto State on Saturday, Governor Aminu Tambuwal has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the people of the North-West state.
The governor in a statement said, “Following the sad incident that happened at the Shehu Shagari College of Education on Thursday and sequel to the developments within (Sokoto) metropolis this morning till afternoon, by the powers conferred on me by sections 176(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and section 1 and 4 of the Public Order Act; and, also Section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law, I hereby declare, with immediate effect, a curfew within (Sokoto) metropolis of Sokoto township for the next 24 hours.
“I appeal to the good people of Sokoto state to kindly continue to observe law and order and calm down (on the) restiveness currently pervading in the metropolis.
“Everyone should, please, in the interest of peace go back home and observe these measures, with a view of the reestablishment of peace, law and order in the state. Read more
Alleged Blasphemy: Nigerians demand justice for Deborah (Guardian)
More condemnations yesterday trailed the killing of a 200-level female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel Yakubu, last Thursday, over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Amnesty International (AI), the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) all condemned the dastardly act.
While the President has ordered a probe into the incident, AI, CAN and HURIWA said the Federal Government must ensure that all those responsible for the Deborah’s death are arrested and brought to book. Read more
LASUTH launches new dialysis unit to improve kidney disease treatment (Nation)
The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) has launched a new Dialysis Unit to improve health outcomes for patients battling kidney diseases.
The Chief Medical Director of LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, disclosed this in a statement issued by Oluwaseyi Adewale, the Head of the Public Affairs Department of LASUTH on Friday in Lagos.
Fabamwo said the dialysis unit would enhance health outcomes for patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), acute kidney injuries, and end-stage renal disease.
According to him, the unit has eight dialysis stations that cater for a minimum of 22 sessions daily and 660 dialysis sessions monthly.
4 intending lawmakers in Lagos State withdraw from race (Guardian)
Four All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants for Ikorodu Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly have stepped down for a rival.
The quartet of Mr Nurudeen Agbaje, Mr Adeleke Akadri, Mrs Jumoke Jumbo, and Dr Aruna Balogun withdrew from the race in Ikorodu on Saturday in favour of Mr Gbolahan Ogunleye.
Ogunleye will consequently slug it out with the incumbent, Mr Sanai Agunbiade, at the APC primary election for the seat.
Agunbiade is the sitting Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly, seeking re-election into the seat for a fifth term. Read more
Polygamy: Shame on you, Yul Edochie knocks critics (Punch)
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, on Saturday slammed fans for judging his decision to marry a second wife, Judy Austin.
In a video shared on the actor’s Instagram page, he noted that critics should be ashamed of themselves for judging him rather than speaking up against the ills in society.
He added that he owes no explanation to anyone and can decide to marry 100 wives if he wishes.
Edochie said, “We have a lot of issues in this country… the dollar exchanges at 590 mad still going up. What have you people done about it? Read more
Religious protests banned in Kaduna (Vanguard)
The Kaduna State Government, in consultation with security agencies under the umbrella of the Kaduna State Security Council, has placed a ban on protests related to religious activity throughout the State with immediate effect.
This was contained in statement signed by Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State.
“This prohibition becomes imperative in view of moves by some unpatriotic elements to organize series of for-and-against protests related to a security development in one of the Northern Nigerian States.”
“Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai who has been briefed of the development, has charged security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of this ban against any form of religious protest in the State. Read more
BBNaija Yousef loses father months after brother’s death (Punch)
Reality TV star, Yousef Garba, has announced his father’s death a few months after losing his eldest brother.
The former Big Brother Naija season 6 housemate announced the sad news on his Instagram page, where he also eulogised the deceased.
His father, Alhaji Garba Adamu, died on May 1st, 2022 at 69 years old.
On his Instagram page on Friday, Yousef wrote, “Words can’t describe what an amazing father you were. You instilled strength, ambition, love and care to each and every one of us.
“You protected us all our lives. You loved me unconditionally. You saved us; did all you could to see all of us live, prosper and succeed. There’s no price tag for that.
“Today, I can only remember your words of wisdom and all the beautiful moments we shared.
“You were everybody’s mentor and you always had our backs and believed in us. You are my hero dad, I will always love and miss you.
“I wish I had more time with you dad but you’re in a better place now. May Allah bless you with paradise. Amin”. Read more
Reasons behind Tonto Dike’s ex-husband’s house demolition — FHA, FCDA (Vanguard)
The Federal Housing Authority FHA and the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA have advanced reasons for the latter’s demolition of a mansion within the highbrow Guzape area on Saturday in Abuja.
The multi-million naira mansion belonged to Prince Joseph Kpokpogiri, the estranged lover of Nollywood actress, Tonto Dike.
Officials of the FHA led by its Managing Director, Gbenga Ashafa who had visited the site of the building three days ago, in the company of some top Management team of FCDA admitted that the plot of land originally belonged to FHA, but denied that proper building plan was approved before the mansion was erected.
FHA affirmed that notices to stop work were served at different stages and times of the work, but Kpokpogiri refused to comply. Read more
Jessie Buckley and Riz Ahmed to star in sci-fi romance (RTE)
Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley is to join Oscar winner Riz Ahmed in Fingernails, a “grounded sci-fi love story” that marks the English-language feature film debut of Apples director Christos Nikou.
US entertainment industry publication Deadline reports that Fingernails has been written by Greek filmmaker Nikou and follows what happens when a test is discovered “that measures whether couples are truly in love”.
“To help couples succeed, love institutes have opened to guide them,” Deadline continues.
“Anna (Buckley) is sceptical of the positive result she’s received with her longtime partner, so she starts working in a love institute as an assistant to Trevor (Ahmed), a mysterious, dedicated instructor.”
Oscar winner Cate Blanchett’s production company Dirty Films is among the producers.
“The unique and phenomenal talents of Jessie and Riz will perfectly capture the strange humour, heart and pathos embedded in the core of Fingernails,” said Dirty Films.
Killarney actress Buckley was Oscar-nominated earlier this year for her performance in The Lost Daughter, currently streaming on Netflix.
Ahmed was an Oscar winner in March for his live-action short The Long Goodbye. Read more
Ke Huy Quan was so terrified of rejection he nearly didn’t return to acting (Metro)
Ke Huy Quan landed his first ever acting roles as a teenager in two of the biggest films of the 1980s: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies.
Just a few years later, he stopped acting for two decades – not out of choice, but due to the total lack of opportunities for Asian actors. He instead took on jobs behind the camera, mostly stunt coordinating. Now, he’s returned with his first role in 20 years in sci-fi phenomenon Everything Everywhere All At Once alongside Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis. But the decision to return was far from easy.
‘I was content working behind the camera all these years,’ Ke, now 50, told Metro.co.uk.
‘Literally when Crazy Rich Asians came out, I cried. I watched it three times in the theatre. And I cried because the movie was wonderful and I cried because I had serious fomo [fear of missing out]. Read more
Vivienne Westwood says she listened to Oasis ‘once’ and thought they were ‘terrible’ (Independent)
Vivienne Westwood has revealed she has only listened to Oasis “once” and thought they were terrible.
The fashion designer didn’t hold back in a brand new interview in which she said: Can I just say, I’ve never been interested in pop music since the Sex Pistols.”
Westwood told NME: “I don’t think anything came anywhere near it.”
She added that she heard Noel and Liam Gallagher’s band when they came on the radio, but was left unimpressed by what she heard. Read more
Arcade Fire bring ‘Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)’ to ‘Fallon’ (NME)
On Thursday night (May 12), Arcade Fire took to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to perform ‘Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)’
The band have been playing a number of late-night TV slots around the release of new album ‘WE’, which came out last week (May 6) and gave the band their fourth UK number one album.
Arcade Fire played Saturday Night Live last week, where, introduced by guest host Benedict Cumberbatch, they performed recent singles ‘Unconditional I (Lookout Kid)’ and ‘The Lightning I, II’ in the legendary New York studio.
The band then took to Fallon this week to share another track from the new record. For the rendition of ‘Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)’, the band were watched over by a giant eye, the same that hung above the stage for the band’s recent London gig at KOKO. Read more
Rich Jones’ has a new album, ‘Smoke Detector’ (ChicagoTribune)
There are many beloved Chicago musicians, and then there is Rich Jones. Charismatic, prolific and unique, Jones is a hip hop artist not afraid to embrace theatrics, hilarity and heart in his music. On his latest project, “Smoke Detector,” Jones further steps into the role of mixer, adding another personal layer to his new, jazzy, cinematic and soulful creation. “Smoke Detector” is out June 15 on Filthy Broke Recordings/Alpha Pup.
Part of this transformation was due to the pandemic, a turning point for many artists. As Jones noted, in the “before times,” he was, if not content, then accepting of the creative hustle required for contemporary musicians. From the frenetic yearning to create to the rush to release music, Jones understood that kind of focus was part of the picture. But the forced slowdown of the pandemic also helped Jones discover new methods of creation with his music. Read more
TOWIE star Megan McKenna announces she is performing at Glastonbury Festival this summer (Mirror)
Former TOWIE star Megan McKenna has announced she will be making her Glastonbury debut this year.
She will be the first ever X Factor winner to perform at the festival, after coming out top on The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.
The singer shared the exciting news with her fans in an Instagram post.
She wrote: “This is possibly THE biggest moment of my life yet. I am playing Glastonbury!
“I’m literally crying with happiness. I have worked so hard to finally get here. Baby Megan would be so proud! See you all there Sunday 26th June!”
Her famous friends were quick to offer Megan congratulations.
Fellow TOWIE star Ferne McCann commented: “Oh my God !”
This was followed by a second message which read: “This is insane, so proud of you.”
Gemma Collins shared a bunch of praise emojis and said: “wow well done.” Read more
Dozens die as blaze guts office building in Delhi (BBC)
At least 27 people have been killed and others are missing after a fire swept through a four-storey office building in Delhi.
More than 70 people were inside when the fire started and witnesses said some jumped out of windows to escape.
Women made up the majority of the office’s workers. The BBC found distraught family members waiting outside a local hospital for news.
A short circuit is thought to have started the fire.
Two brothers who owned a CCTV manufacturing company which was housed in the building have been arrested in connection with the incident, according to authorities. Read more
Italy’s Tonina Torrielli: ‘I didn’t know I was singing at the first Eurovision’ (Guardian)
When Tonina Torrielli represented Italy in the Eurovision song contest in Lugano, Switzerland, in May 1956, not only did she never discover how well her song performed, as just the winner was announced after a secret vote, but she was not even aware she was taking part in the first edition of what was to become the biggest music competition in the world.
“They packed me off, just like a parcel, to Lugano, without saying what it was for,” said Torrielli, who lives in Turin, where the 66th Eurovision song contest is taking place. “So I went and sang and that was that, I didn’t know it was the first European song contest as nobody was talking about it.”
Her career singing in music competitions lasted until the mid-1960s when she opened a music shop called Maschio on Piazza Castello in the centre of Turin with her late husband, Mario Maschio, who was a drummer.
The shop also became famous, and for the next four decades was the place to go for music aficionados. “Even today, people come and ask: ‘Where is Maschio?’” said Shpetim Xhani, a concierge at the building next door. “It was very well known; people came from everywhere as you could find every kind of music there.”
Maschio may be gone – a clothes shop has replaced it – but music fever is very much in the air as Piazza Castello and other squares and parks around Turin fill with buskers and local musical acts in the leadup to the Eurovision grand final on Saturday.
“There’s a really lovely atmosphere,” said Dino Ricchiuti, who was playing his saxophone steps away from Maschio, where he used to shop for musical equipment. “After two years of the pandemic, which caused a lot of bands to stop working, Turin has sprung back to life.” Read more
Sports Minister excited as Nnamani, others rule AFN’s all comers in Abuja
(Guardian)
Sports Minister, Chief Sunday Dare and the President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Tonobok Okowa were excited by the performance of the athletes, as the 3rd AFN All Comers came to a spectacular end yesterday in Abuja.
One of the major highlights of the event was Johnson Nnamani’s 46.24s new personal best run in the men’s 400meters. 18-year-old Nnamani, a member of the gold winning Team Nigeria mixed relay quartet at the World U20 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya, last year, needed to run faster than the 46.66seconds he ran in Lagos last month at the second edition of the competition to win again in Abuja.
His time is the fifth fastest time ran by a Nigerian quartermiler this year, moving ahead of Sikiru Adeyemi whose 46.36seconds he ran last February in Ijebu Ode, had placed him as the fifth fastest after Emmanuel Bamidele (45.25s), Dubem Amene (46.06s), Samson Nathaniel (46.05) and Ezekiel Nathaniel (46.20s).
Apart from the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, AFN President, Tonobock Okowa, some other dignitaries, including two-time former president of the AFN, Solomon Ogba and former Olympian, Yusuf Alli, were on ground to cheer the athletes yesterday. Read more
Anglo-Nigerian starlet trains with Man Utd first team ahead of final match of the season(All Nigeria soccer)
Shola Shoretire has one last chance to make his first and only appearance in this season’s Premier League when Manchester United take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in their last competitive game of the season on May 22.
The Anglo-Nigerian starlet has been training with Manchester United’s first team at Carrington this week, including today, as he aims to convince interim manager Ralf Rangnick to hand him game time against the Eagles.
The absences of Jadon Sancho and Paul Pogba have increased the chances of Shoretire being included in the traveling squad to the English capital as he is capable of playing as a midfielder and winger.
Many saw Shoretire as a potential first team player considering that he made three appearances for the first team of the Red Devils in the second half of last season and at the age of seventeen, but was constantly overlooked for first team duties this term. Read more
I was racially abused for defending Iwobi – Kelechi Anyikude (Punch)
Popular UK-based Nigerian Arsenal supporter Kelechi Anyikude in this interview with KELVIN EKERETE speaks about his high and low moments as a Gunner, influx of Nigerian players in the English Premier League as was his thoughts on Victor Osimhen joining the London club
When did you become an Arsenal fan?
I became an Arsenal fan in 1995 when Dennis Bergkamp moved to the club and everything got solidified when Nwankwo Kanu joined us in 1999 and I’ve been supporting the club since then through thick and thin, home and away.
Were you one of the fans that wanted Arsene Wenger to leave the club?
I didn’t. Some guys on Arsenal Fans TV did but I never said one bad word about Wenger and that’s why anytime I run into him it’s always cordial. I always thought he deserved the right to leave on his own accord after all he had done for the club.
Wenger did a lot for football in England; changed the culture at the club and seeing him go out like that was really sad. Read more
Dennis doubtful for Eagles’ Mexico, Ecuador clash (Punch)
Watford striker Dennis Emmanuel is a serious doubt for Nigeria’s friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador next month, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The striker is among the 30 Eagles players invited for the games against the Americans with the game against Mexico scheduled to hold at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas, State of Texas May 28, before flying to New Jersey to tackle Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on June 2.
The friendly will serve as preparations for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on June 9 and São Tomé & Príncipe in Marrakech, Morocco on June 13.
Dennis was omitted from the Watford squad that played a goalless draw during their mid-week game against Everton. Read more
Sergio Aguero statue unveiled as Manchester City honour all-time top scorer (Forbes)
There have been several on-pitch turning points in the modern Manchester City’s journey to where they are today, but there’s one in particular that sticks out.
It involves one of City’s greatest players of the current era, Sergio Aguero, and signified a transition to success and led to a redefining of the phrase “typical City.”
Aguero has today been recognised for his achievements at the club with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium.
Members of the 2011/12 title-winning squad along with thousands of fans joined the Argentine to celebrate the occasion celebration at Depot Mayfield in Manchester. Read more
Jurgen Klopp addresses unwanted Liverpool transfer approach (LiverpoolEcho)
Jurgen Klopp is adamant he does not become preoccupied with transfers made by Liverpool’s rivals – provided they don’t raid his squad for them.
Manchester City sent out a signal of their intent for next season when this week confirming in principle a £51million deal to take Norway international striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, a move Klopp later described as a “really good signing”.
The Reds boss was accustomed to opponents taking players when he was in charge at Dortmund, with Bayern Munich snapping up Mario Gotze and then Robert Lewandowski.
But Klopp is not overly concerned by the business of his rivals and is convinced Liverpool will continue to attract world-class players regardless. Read more
Celtics force NBA shootout against Bucks (WA)
Boston’s Jayson Tatum has outduelled Giannis Antetokounmpo to force Milwaukee into a Game 7 shootout in their Eastern Conference semifinal.
Tatum scored 46 points to lead the Celtics to a 108-95 victory over the defending champion Bucks on Friday night.
The third-straight victory for a road team sets up a winner-take-all game on Sunday in Boston. The victor heads to Miami to begin an East finals matchup with the top-seeded Heat on Tuesday.
Boston showed their grit by bouncing back two nights after blowing a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 110-107 Game 5 home loss. Read more
Stefanos Tsitsipas reveals interesting target he has set for himself (TennisWorld)
World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed to Reem Abulleil that he has set an interesting target as each month he has a targeted number of points he wants to collect. Tsitsipas, 23, has established himself as a top-10 player and he has been one of the best players on the ATP Tour for the past few years.
Being consistent seems to be very high on Tsitsipas’ wish list and that’s why he wants to each month collect a targeted number of points. Tsitsipas has been an ATP Finals participant in each of the past three seasons.
Per the ATP site, Tsitsipas is currently third on the Race to Turin list with 2,890 points.
“I’m focusing on Rome right now.
Roland Garros is one tournament of the year that I get to play. I don’t really following the rankings, I follow the Race rankings, for me that’s the most important,” Tsitsipas told Abulleil, as quoted on Eurosport. Read more