Fashola finally releases list of corrupt contractors (Guardian)
Nigeria’s power, works and housing minister Babatunde Fashola has released names of firms that were contracted by the federal government on power projects but failed to deliver the projects. Fashola listed the contractors in a letter to Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), who had consistently pressured the former Lagos State governor on the alleged corrupt contractors. The minister in a letter with reference number FMP/LU/R2K/2016/T/40 signed by the permanent secretary of power ministry Louis O.N. Edozien listed the firms. Read more
Army warns mischief makers against plot to derail inauguration on May 29 (Nation)
The Nigerian Army on Sunday warned mischief makers to desist from act capable of derailing the nation’s democracy as the military is prepared to tackle such people headlong. The army also alleged that such persons attempted to derail the general elections but failed. It added that they are now plotting to derail the inauguration of the second term of President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire democratic process. The army in a statement signed by its spokesman Col. Sagir Musa said some elements within the country supported by some foreign entity are bent on exploiting the security situation to cause crisis. Read more
Civil engineers offer to monitor Third Mainland Bridge repairs (Punch)
The Nigerian Institution of Civil Engineers says it will make its members available for the scheduled maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos as part of its corporate social responsibility. Fears became heightened among motorists and other users of the road recently over the state of the bridge following reported vibration and failure of one of its expansion joints. This prompted the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to issue a statement that the bridge was safe for use even as he indicated that the government was making moves to replace some of the bad joints. Read more
Five soldiers killed as Boko Haram engage troops in Magumeri (Nation)
Five soldiers of Operation Lafiya Dole were killed on Friday in a fierce battle with Boko Haram terrorists during an attack on the military base in Magumeri in Borno State. The Nigerian Army said the terrorists attempted to over-run a military base in Magumeri and enter the village to loot food stuffs. According to the army, scores of the Boko Haram insurgents were killed by gallant troops while others escaped with gunshot wounds when confronted with the superior fire power of troops. Read more
El-Rufai begs NAF to end banditry on Kaduna-Abuja road (Punch)
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, has appealed to the Chief of Air Staff to deploy special troops to tackle kidnapping along Kaduna-Abuja highway and in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state. He stated this while inaugurating the detachment of the 271 Nigerian Air Force in Birnin Gwari, in Kaduna State. The 271 NAF detachment is the brain child of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, designed to combat insecurity in the area. Read more
Gunmen abduct Taraba permanent secretary (Guardian)
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Taraba State’s Ministry of Water Resources’ permanent secretary, Susana Jonathan. The kidnappers reportedly stormed Jonathan’s house and shot in the air before whisking her away from her residence at ATC area of Jalingo in the early hours of Sunday. “From the intelligence report we have received, the woman is nowhere to be found, but we are yet to receive any official report regarding the incident,” Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP David Misal said on Sunday. Read more
Navy nabs 12 suspected rice smugglers in A’Ibom (Nation)
The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo local government area, Akwa Ibom State, has arrested 12 suspected rice smugglers. At least 742 bags of contraband rice were recovered from the suspects in in four different operations carried out by naval operatives in the area. The first set of arrests include five suspects and 339 bags of 50kg rice, the second set also has five suspects and 301 bags of 50kg rice, while the third and fourth arrests include one suspect each, 41 and 43 bags of 50kg rice respectively. Read more
Release our results in batches, 2019 UTME candidates, parents beg JAMB (Punch)
Some 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations candidates have appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board to release their results. The candidates spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Bwari. The 2019 UTME commenced on April 11 to April 18 with 1.8 million registered candidates. The Board has repeatedly said that it would take its time to screen the results because of the several infractions discovered during the exercise. Read more
Anambra offers automatic employment to physically challenged couple (Nation)
Anambra state government has offered automatic employment to a physically challenged couple, Mr. Ndubueze Ezemba and Mrs. Comfort Ezemba. The couple, who wedded on April 27, 2019, challenged by hearing, were offered the employment together with visually impaired groom Mr. Agbanu Kelechi. Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters Bar. Chuks Ezewuzie, said the offers were part of the automatic employment scheme the Obiano-led administration has for persons with disabilities in the state. Read more
Religion, politics have disunited Nigerians — Monarch (Punch)
The Olila Ebhugh of Abureni Kingdom, Bayelsa State, King Collins Daniel, has said religion and politics remained two major factors that have disunited Nigerians. According to a statement on Saturday, the monarch made the assertion in a keynote address on ‘Cultural Diversity and Nigeria’s Unity’ delivered at the Students Cultural Day, Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa Campus. He said from the period of colonisation to independence and till date, the various peoples had lived, stayed or worked together but all of that did not make Nigeria one, noting that many differences still kept the people apart. Read more
Afghanistan conflict: Taliban attack northern police headquarters (BBC)
At least seven people have been killed and dozens wounded after Taliban fighters attacked a police headquarters in northern Afghanistan, officials say. A suicide bomber driving a Humvee loaded with explosives started the assault in the city of Pul-e-Khumri. Clashes between gunmen and security services followed. More than 50 were wounded. Women and children were among those killed, an Afghan health official said. Read more
John McDonnell: No trust left in PM over Brexit talks (BBC)
Labour’s shadow chancellor says he does not trust Theresa May after details from cross-party talks on Brexit were leaked to the press. The PM has called on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to “put their differences aside” and agree a Brexit deal. But John McDonnell said she had “blown the confidentiality” of the talks and “jeopardised the negotiations”. The UK was due to leave the EU on 29 March, but it was delayed to 31 October after MPs failed to agree a deal. Read more
Brunei says it won’t stone gay people to death after global outcry (Metro)
Brunei has announced it will not introduce the death penalty for gay sex after facing a global backlash. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah on Sunday extended a moratorium – or a temporary ban – on the incoming legislation, after numerous companies cut ties with the oil-rich state. There has been a public outcry since the Muslim-majority country announced on April 3 it would stone to death homosexual men and anyone who commits adultery. Read more
North Korea: Kim Jong-un oversees ‘strike drill’ missile component test (BBC)
North Korea has confirmed via state media that leader Kim Jong-un has overseen a “strike drill” testing various missile components. “A number of short-range projectiles” were also fired from the Hodo peninsula into the Sea of Japan on Saturday. North Korea’s leader gave the order of firing to “increase the combat ability” of the country, the announcement said. US President Donald Trump tweeted he believed Mr Kim would not jeopardise the path towards better relations. Read more
Adam Sky, top Australian DJ, dies in accident on Bali (BBC)
Australian DJ Adam Sky has died in an accident on the Indonesian holiday resort of Bali. The 42-year-old is said to have been badly hurt trying to help a friend who had suffered multiple injuries. While rushing to aid her, he smashed through a glass door, causing him to suffer severe cuts and blood loss, Nine News reported. According to the site the female friend had fallen several metres from their private terrace. Read more
Chelsea up to third with win over Watford (BBC)
Chelsea boosted their chances of securing Champions League football next season with victory over Watford at Stamford Bridge to move up to third in the Premier League. After a quiet first half, Chelsea scored twice within three minutes early in the second period through headers by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and David Luiz. Gonzalo Higuain sealed the points with a neat finish from Pedro’s pass for his fifth goal for the club. Read more
Man Utd’s Champions League hopes ended by Huddersfield draw (Guardian)
Manchester United’s hopes of Champions League football next season were ended after an embarrassing 1-1 draw at already relegated Huddersfield on Sunday. United have now won just two of their past 11 games in all competitions as Huddersfield ended a run of eight straight defeats despite goalkeeper Jonas Lossl’s error handing the visitors an early lead through Scott McTominay. Terrible defending from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men gave the Terriers something to celebrate in their final home game before heading down to the Championship as Isaac Mbenza levelled on the hour mark. Read more
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits some Manchester United players have played their last game for the club (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested there will be a mass clear-out at Old Trafford this summer following the club’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield. The draw against the Terriers means United will play Europa League football next term after their top four hopes came to an end. United were without the likes of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling against Huddersfield, forcing Solskjaer into playing the likes of Ander Herrera, Alexis Sanchez and Phil Jones. Read more
Maurizio Sarri issues response to Gary Cahill after Chelsea defender accuses him of lacking respect (Metro)
Maurizio Sarri has refused to be drawn into a war of words with Gary Cahill and instead hailed the veteran defender for his professionalism this season following Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Watford at Stamford Bridge. A matter of hours before the game reports emerged in which Cahill criticised his manager for not respecting his achievements at the club by excluding him from the first-team squad this season, admitting it has been a ‘terrible’ time for him. Read more
Ousmane Dembele to miss Liverpool clash at Anfield due to injury (Metro)
Ernesto Valverde confirmed Ousmane Dembele will be unable to play against Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. Dembele lasted just six minutes of Barcelona’s match with Celta Vigo, a game the La Liga champions lost 2-0. Liverpool need a minor miracle at Anfield after shipping three goals at the Nou Camp last week, but Valverde admitted losing Dembele was a major blow for his side. Read more
Gennady Golovkin brands Canelo Alvarez ‘boring’ after unification victory (Metro)
Gennady Golovkin branded Canelo Alvarez boring after his rival beat Daniel Jacobs on points in their middleweight unification showdown in Las Vegas. Alvarez added Jacobs’ IBF belt to his world title collection with an assured performance against his fellow champion. Golovkin, who has twice fought Alvarez, watched the contest at ringside and was clearly not impressed with what he saw. Read more
