Ebonyi varsity lecturer denies wrongdoing in student’s suicide (Punch)
Amid circumstances surrounding the death of Miss Favour Ugwuka, a final student of the Department of English, Ebonyi State University, who reportedly committed suicide on Wednesday night, the accused lecturer, Prof. Amechi Enyi has denied having a hand in her death.
Enyi, who claimed he was threatened by the deceased mother severally before the incident, said the Question Paper to the last examination of the course (English Statistics), revealed the late student merely copied down three questions.
He stated this while questions from journalists, on Friday, in Abakaliki, saying it was incorrect to adduce that her death was related to academic activities. Read more
My reinstatement shows no man can take what God has given – Sanusi (DailyTrust)
Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has commended Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and members of the House of Assembly for “summoning courage” in saving Kano state and Nigeria through his reinstatement.
He said his reinstatement is a testament what God has given, no man can take it
The emir spoke shortly after receiving his reinstatement letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Africa House, Kano Government House, on Friday. Read more
FG halts Lagos-Calabar coastal road project realignment (Leadership)
The federal government has shelved and diverted realignment of Lagos-calabar coastal road projects while also saving the telecommunications infrastructure and submarine cables, among others at the axis.
With the presidential directive, Telcos, MTN submarine cables, and workstations along the Okun-Ajah community axis have been saved from demolition after a thorough assessment of the EIA impact on infrastructure and business activities along the Okun-Ajah community axis.
The minister of Works, David Umahi, while addressing stakeholders meeting in Lagos on Compensation and Environmental Impact Assessment on the coastal road project informed community groups and traditional institutions in the state, particularly the Okun-Ajah community in Lagos. Read more
Judge who ruled against Sanusi’s reinstatement is in US, says Gov Yusuf (Channels)
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State says the judge who ruled to stop the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano is in the US.
Sanusi was reinstated on Thursday four years after his dethronment. The reinstallation followed Governor Yusuf’s signing of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
In the wake of the development, a Federal High Court in Kano issued an ex-parte order preventing the governor from reinstating Sanusi II. Read more
FG appropriates N260b to revitalise primary health care nationwide (Tribune)
The Federal Government has disclosed that N260 billion has been appropriated for the revitalisation of Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities across the country.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Ali Pate, while disclosing this on Friday at the sectoral ministerial press briefing to mark the first anniversary of President Bola Tinubu in office, also added that plans are underway to expand the PHCs from 8,300 to 17,000 through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA) to enable them to deliver essential services to Nigerians
Pate said: “There is N260 billion sitting right now at the states’ level. All the states of the federation have been mobilised for the revitalisation of the PHCs. Read more
Army sentences warrant officer 28 years imprisonment, 5 others dismissed, 2 sanctioned (Sun)
The Nigerian Army has sentenced a warrant officer, Danladi Shaggy, to 28 years imprisonment for stealing 3,870 rounds of 7.26 mm rounds of ammunition and an AK-47 rifle.
Five soldiers were dismissed and two otters sanctioned for various offences by a General Court martial, which sat at the 3 Armoured Division, Rukuba, Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Delivering his judgement at the Maxwell Khobe Cantonment Jos, the President of the Court, Brig. Gen. Liafis Bello, said the eight sentenced were either dismissed, demoted, or reprimanded for offences such as theft, selling of arms and ammunition, intimidation, and cheating, among other offences. Read more
Fountain of Life Foundation provides solar powered boreholes to Lagos community (ThisDay)
Makoko Community, a riverine slum on the coast of Mainland Lagos is set to receive a solar powered borehole from an NGO, the Fountain of Life Foundation, as part of its contribution to the ongoing primary school being constructed in the community. This is in line with the foundation’s mission to support children education initiatives and execute community-empowering projects.
The Fountain of Life Foundation – a group of energetic and enthusiastic young individuals led by Olu Bendega and united with the goal of effecting positive change in society – embarked on an initiative to help less privileged children in Makoko, one of the largest slums in Africa access schooling opportunities. Situated along the waterfront in the heart of Lagos, Nigeria, Makoko is believed to house more than 200,000 residents, many of whom endure challenging living conditions. Read more
Tinubu’s administration faced 625 court cases in 12 months, AGF reveals (Vanguard)
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, on Friday, disclosed that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration faced a total of 625 court cases in the past 12 months.
The AGF, who made the revelation when he presented the scorecard of the Federal Ministry of Justice as part of activities to mark the first year of Tinubu’s administration, said the legal actions were instituted before States, Federal and ECOWAS Court.
He said the Ministry had after it was served with copies of the suits, responded accordingly, stressing that effective justice system is measured not only by the number of cases that were successfully disposed of, but by strategic measures that were adopted to avoid litigation. Read more
Celine Dion opens up about health battle, possible stage return in Amazon doc trailer (THR)
Iconic superstar Celine Dion opens up about her battle with a life-altering illness and an uncertain return to concert performances and touring in the official trailer for the Prime Video documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion”, which dropped on Thursday.
Director Irene Taylor’s film for Amazon MGM Studios cycles between footage of a younger Dion hitting the highest notes during her earlier career, and her current health struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a life-altering disease first diagnosed in 2022.
The trailer reveals Dion talking directly to her fans, including during vulnerable moments of emotion and release. Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly been invited to visit this country after the “triumph” of their 3-Day Nigeria trip (MarieClaire)
While on their high-profile trip to Nigeria earlier this month, Prince Harry told People that he hoped there were more visits just like it in the future: “These trips are about us being able to go out and go and focus on the things that mean so much to us,” he said. “And being able to be on the ground, to us, is what it’s all about.”
He added that face-to-face interactions far outweigh, say, a Zoom call, telling the outlet “It is hugely important for us to meet directly with people, supporting our causes and listening, in order to bring about solutions, support, and positive change,” he said. “There’s only so much one can do from home and over Zoom, so we look forward to traveling more because the work matters.
Whether it’s the Archewell Foundation, Invictus, or any of our other causes, there will always be reasons to meet the people at the heart of our work.” Read more
How to become a modern-day saint as 15-year-old lad who died from leukaemia canonised (DailyStar)
Everyone gets called a saint from time to time, but most of us aren’t actually one.
Being a saint is in fact a formal thing, and although the term is bandied around all the time it is almost always a misuse. Today (May 24) Pope Francis declared Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old boy referred to as ‘God’s Influencer,’ who died of leukaemia in 2006, the first saint of the millennial generation.
So what is being a saint and what do you have to do to become one? Read more
Israel prohibits Spanish consulate from offering services to West Bank Palestinians (UPI)
Israel announced Friday it had terminated Spain’s diplomatic and consular links with Palestinians in response to a senior Spanish minister’s use of the phrase “From the river to the sea,” amid an escalating row over Madrid’s decision to recognize Palestine as a state.
In a social media post, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said he had decided to “sever the connection between Spain’s representation in Israel and the Palestinians and to prohibit the Spanish consulate in Jerusalem from providing services to Palestinians from the West Bank.”
Katz said he had been forced to take the step due to Spain’s recognition of a Palestinian state and the “anti-Semitic call by Spanish Labor and Economy Minister Yolanda Diaz to ‘liberate Palestine from the river to the sea’,” in an online address. Read more
Putin arrives in Belarus to stage nuclear drills as Kyiv strikes occupied Crimea (Independent)
Vladimir Putin has arrived in Belarus for a two-day visit where he will discuss tactical nuclear exercises with his ally Alexander Lukashenko.
Russia has begun stationing its nuclear weapons inside Belarus, which borders Nato members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia, since its war against Ukraine began.
The Belarus visit is part of a round of foreign tours Putin is conducting as he kicks off his fifth term in office, many of which involve drumming up support for his invasion of Ukraine. He and Lukashenko are expected to speak about the second phase of exercises with tactical nuclear weapons. Read more
Joe Biden honours Kenya’s William Ruto at a glittering White House dinner (AfricaNews)
United States President Joe Biden and his wife Jill honoured visiting Kenyan President William Ruto at a glittering state dinner at the White House on Thursday.
The hundreds of guests were treated to stunning views of Washington, a knockout menu, and a healthy dose of celebrities.
This included actor LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fame, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and former President Bill Clinton. Read more
Influencer Jasmine Yong says her 2-year-old son drowned while she and her husband were napping (NBC)
Jasmine Yong, a Malaysian influencer, says her 2-year-old son, Enzo, died earlier this month after drowning in a hotel pool.
Yong shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram alongside images from what appears to be the boy’s memorial service.
She explained that the tragedy happened on Mother’s Day when Enzo wandered out of the family’s hotel room while she and her husband, Lim Kong Wang, were napping. Read more
Enyimba promote Olanrewaju to head coach position (Leadership)
Enyimba FC have promoted Coach Yemi Olanrewaju, assistant coach of the club as head coach until the end of the season following Coach Finidi George`s appointment as Super Eagles coach.
This is contained in a statement released by the club`s media manager, David Orji, on Thursday in Aba. He said the coach was elevated from his position as coach George`s assistant because he is an integral part of the coaching staff.
Olanrewaju demonstrated his commitment, expertise, and leadership qualities throughout his tenure as an assistant under George. “Currently pursuing his UEFA B license, Olanrewaju is dedicated to furthering his coaching education and bringing the latest techniques and strategies to Enyimba FC. Read more
Barcelona sack Xavi; Hansi Flick ‘on course’ to replace him (ABC)
Xavi Hernández will leave his role as Barcelona coach after Sunday’s final game of the season, the club said in a statement Friday.
A source told ESPN that former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is “on course” to replace him.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta met with Xavi after Friday’s training session to confirm the club’s decision on a change of direction. Read more
Wolff not giving up on plan to lure Verstappen to Mercedes (F1i)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says he’s not giving up on his masterplan to lure Max verstappen away from Red Bull next year.
Despite Verstappen having an existing long term contract in place, Wolff has made no secret of his hope of persuading the Dutch driver to move to Brackley to fill Lewis Hamilton’s empty seat next season.
Hamilton announced at the start of the year that he was leaving for Ferrari, leaving a vacancy at Brackley that has been linked to a number of top drivers including Carlos Sainz and Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Read more
Newcastle United thrashed 8-0 by A-League All Stars in Melbourne as post-season tour ends on low note (SkySports)
Newcastle United’s post-season tour of Australia ended with a 8-0 defeat to an A-League All Stars side.
The Magpies finished their Premier League campaign on Sunday but flew immediately out to Melbourne where they faced Tottenham at the MCG on Wednesday before taking on the A-League All Star side.
The trip to Australia has been described as “madness” and “crazy” by former striker Alan Shearer. Read more
Tyson Fury suspended from boxing after losing to Oleksandr Usyk (Mirror)
Fury was beaten on points by Usyk last weekend as he lost the undisputed heavyweight world title fight in Saudi Arabia
Tyson Fury has been handed a one-week medical suspension from boxing after losing to Oleksandr Usyk last weekend.
Fury was beaten on points by his rival as he lost the undisputed heavyweight world title fight in Saudi Arabia. Usyk was handed a suspension until June 2 and Fury has now been told, laughably, that he cannot fight until this weekend by the UAE Boxing Commission who oversaw the bout. Read more
WAFU U-17: New kick-off time for Golden Eaglets Vs Cote d’Ivoire (CompleteSports)
The WAFU B U-17 Championship semi-final tie between Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will now kick-off at 9pm Nigeria time.
The encounter was initially scheduled to start at 7 pm Nigeria time.
The game is slated for the University of Ghana, Accra on Saturday.
The first semi-final between hosts Ghana and Burkina Faso will now start at 6pm Nigeria time. Read more