FG allows foreign doctors to treat El-Zakzaky, wife (Guardian)
The Islamic Human Rights Commission, IHRC, confirmed that the Nigerian Government has finally allowed a team of foreign doctors to examine the health conditions of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah El-Zakzaky. “IHRC acknowledges the authorities’ change of position in making this possible and hopes this heralds a full and just resolution of the situation,” IHRC said on Thursday. The group said the a delegation of expert doctors and consultants led by IHRC “have completed an initial investigation of Sheikh Zakzaky and Mallima Zeenah.” Read more
New salary hasn’t been approved for Armed Forces –DHQ (Punch)
The Defence Headquarters said on Friday that a new salary structure has not been approved for the members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. DHQ was reacting to what it described as “fictitious document” being circulated on some social media platforms in that regard. “The DHQ, therefore, wishes to reiterate that the purported new salary scale for members of the AFN being circulated is nothing but a false and malicious publication intended to cause disaffection among members of the AFN, as no such salary scale exists,” Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement. Read more
Army redeploys NYSC DG, announces new postings (Nation)
The Nigerian Army has announced new postings in its leadership structures. Among those affected were the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Maj. Gen. SZ Kazaure who has been moved to the Army Resource Centre, Abuja. A statement by Army spokesman, Col. Sagir Musa said the appointment takes immediate effect. The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army has approved the postings and appointments of some of its senior officers.” Read more
Police arrest five suspected kidnappers, four cattle rustlers in Taraba (Punch)
The Police Command in Taraba State on Friday said it had arrested five suspected kidnappers and four cattle rustlers wreaking havoc in the state. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Alkasim Sanusi, disclosed this to Journalists at the command headquarters in Jalingo. Sanusi said operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad arrested the suspected kidnappers when they attempted to collect ransom from families of kidnapped victims. Read more
Nigeria needs executive to end open defecation – Minister (Nation)
Mr Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources, says an executive order is needed to end open defecation in the country. Adamu said this at a one-day Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Sanitation in Abuja, aimed at gathering momentum and collaborative plans between line ministries toward ending open defecation. According to him, the executive order from the president will mandate Nigerians to make efforts at ending open defecation. “India, as the number one largest country practicing open defecation is on course to becoming open defecation-free by Oct. 2019. Read more
AfDB approves $70m loan for road project in Ebonyi (Nation)
The African Development Bank, AfDB says it has approved a $70m loan for a road project in Ebonyi. The bank said on its website on Friday that it would provide $40 million, while its co-financier, the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), would contribute $30 million for the project. It also said that the bank group’s funding would cover the rehabilitation and asphalting of a 51 km stretch between Nwezenvi and N’Doko, and part of the corridor between N’Doko and Ezzamgbo spanning 38.91 km. The bank noted that the project was expected to be completed in five years. Read more
Driver allegedly strangles ex-employer’s wife to death (Punch)
A 37-year-old driver who allegedly murdered the wife of his former employer was on Friday paraded in Ibadan by the Police. Twelve other suspects who were said to have inflicted machete cuts on a Police officer were also paraded. The Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Shina Olukolu, told newsmen that the driver had called the deceased, Rachael Ayanwale, on April 11 and lured her to the Awe-Oyo Road under the pretence of taking her for prayers. Read more
Man sets 64-year-old father ablaze for allegedly killing mother (Nation)
A 24-year old man has reportedly set his 64-year old father ablaze for allegedly killing his mother in Abube-Uno community, Nando, in Anambra East local government area of Anambra state. The man, identified as Abuchi Onuorah, was said to have slaughtered the deceased body before setting his corpse ablaze. The Nation gathered that the deceased, Mr. Onyiauke Onuorah, was trailed to his room and murdered, before his corpse was dragged outside and burnt. A resident of the area who preferred anonymity, said the deceased was killed by his son for allegedly masterminding the death of his 51-year old estranged wife, Okwundu Onuora. Read more
Buhari donates $500,000, 350 electoral kits to Guinea-Bissau for election (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari has donated half a million dollars, 350 units of electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, five Hilux vans, and two light trucks to the Government of Guinea-Bissau. According to a series of tweets on the verified Twitter handle of Presidency Nigeria @NGRPresident, Buhari made the donations in response to an urgent request for assistance by the Government of Guinea-Bissau towards the country’s election. “The President graciously approved support to the country’s election process, including 350 units of electoral kits, 10 motorcycles, 5 Hilux vans, two light trucks and US$500,000,” the tweet reads. Read more
Sri Lanka bombings ringleader died in hotel attack, president says (BBC)
The alleged ringleader behind Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings was killed in the attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena said. Mr Sirisena said Zahran Hashim, a radical preacher, died at the Shangri-La hotel in the capital, Colombo. He said Hashim led the attack on the popular tourist hotel, accompanied by a second bomber identified as “Ilham”. At least 250 people died in the wave of bombings on Sunday, which targeted churches and hotels in Colombo. Read more
Harassment hearing returns to haunt Biden (BBC)
A woman who accused a Supreme Court nominee of sexual harassment has rebuked White House candidate Joe Biden, who chaired the 1991 hearings. Anita Hill said Mr Biden must show “real accountability” for his handling of her complaints during Clarence Thomas’ confirmation in Congress. Ms Hill told the New York Times the former vice-president had called her before announcing his presidential bid. But she said his apology was not enough without “real change”. During the call a few weeks ago Mr Biden expressed his “regret for what she endured” during the hearing, Ms Hill said. Read more
The CIA has launched an Instagram account and its first post is full of hidden messages (Metro)
The one organisation you wouldn’t expect to appear on social media is the CIA. But it’s just launched a new Instagram account which contains all sorts of hidden information. The Central Intelligence Agency has posted just one picture so far, which shows a boring looking office. Look closely, however, and you’ll see all sorts of clues and symbols relating to its top-secret work. Read more
Martin Scorsese’s Bob Dylan documentary gets Netflix release date (Metro)
Martin Scorsese’s new Bob Dylan documentary will be released in mid-June. The release date for Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story will launch on Netflix worldwide on 12 June, the streaming platform has confirmed. The eagerly anticipated documentary will focus on Dylan’s legendary Rolling Thunder Revue Tour, which saw him perform across the US and Canada in 1975 and 1976. The 57-concert tour saw Dylan play smaller venues in less populated cities so he get closer to his fans, with the artist joined by musicians including Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. Read more
John Singleton’s daughter denies Boyz N The Hood director is in a coma following ‘major’ stroke (Metro)
The daughter of acclaimed director John Singleton has spoken out to deny reports that her father is currently in a coma after he suffered a ‘major’ stroke last week. Singleton, who directed and wrote the landmark 1991 film Boyz N the Hood, suffered the stroke on 17 April. He was subsequently placed in intensive care in hospital. Reports that Singleton, 51, had fallen into a coma – a claim apparently made in court documents filed yesterday (25 April) by his mother, Sheila Ward – have now been denied by several members of his family. Read more
Charlize Theron snaps at French presenter for kissing her interpreter without consent: ‘Maybe ask next time?’ (Metro)
Charlize Theron was visibly riled – and rightly so – when a television presenter planted a kiss on her interpreter, Nadia, during French show Touche Pas A Mon Poste without the her permission. Turns out all the conversations in light of the #MeToo movement have passed Cyril Hanouna, 44, by as he came over and planted one on Nadia out of nowhere. Understandably, Charlize snapped: ‘Maybe ask next time?’ Read more
Stormzy says he might ‘faint’ if Ed Sheeran doesn’t like his new album (Metro)
Everyone is waiting on Stormzy to drop his next album – but there’s only one person who the MC wants to impress with his upcoming record. The follow-up to 2017’s Gang Signs & Prayer is on the way, and was first previewed today (26 April) with the release of the slick Vossi Bop. Confirming that the album will arrive ‘soon’, Stormzy told Capital Breakfast this morning that he’s hoping to impress his ‘brother’ Ed Sheeran with the new tunes. Read more
Burundi’s Faty dies aged 28 in league match (Guardian)
Experienced Burundi international Papy Faty died after collapsing during an eSwatini league match (formerly Swaziland) this week, the Burundi football federation said on Friday. The 28-year-old who made 28 international appearances was playing for Malanti Chiefs on Thursday when he collapsed and was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital later in the day. “My most sorrow condolences to the family of the deceased and all that of Burundian football, it’s a difficult blow with Burundi having qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations,” president of the Senate of the Burundi federation Reverien Ndikuriyo tweeted. Read more
Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism (Punch)
Manchester City’s England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year’s BT Sport Industry Awards for speaking out on a range of social issues, including racism. Sterling was recognised for his fight against racism in the sport and for using his platform to call for more action to be taken. He had said earlier in April that more players needed to speak out when they suffered racism to eradicate it from the game. Read more
Arsenal need to build confidence, says Emery (Punch)
Arsenal boss Unai Emery is seeking to rebuild the confidence of his players after consecutive defeats dealt a severe blow to their hopes of finishing in the Premier League’s top four. The Gunners suffered a surprise 3-2 home loss to Crystal Palace last weekend before a 3-1 reverse at Wolves on Wednesday. The results leave Arsenal fifth in the table, a point behind London rivals Chelsea in the final Champions League qualification spot. Read more
Chelsea face tough task to match Liverpool, Man City quality —Sarri (Punch)
Maurizio Sarri admitted on Friday Chelsea face a “very difficult” task to reach the levels of Premier League pacesetters Liverpool and Manchester City as he prepares his team to face Manchester United. The Italian believes the Blues must close the gap in a maximum of two seasons, though his position at Stamford Bridge remains under threat. Chelsea head to Old Trafford on Sunday, where the winners will take a significant step towards a top-four finish to secure Champions League qualification for next season. Read more
Bolton players threaten boycott over unpaid wages (Nation)
Bolton’s players are threatening to boycott Saturday’s Championship clash with Brentford and the final-day game at Nottingham Forest over unpaid wages. A statement from the players read in part: “With deep regret we have decided not to fulfil our remaining fixtures until we are paid. “The long running financial crisis at our club has been well documented. As has the fact that we, the playing staff have yet to receive our March salaries. “Five of our coaching staff are also yet to be paid for March. We have endeavoured to continue our training and playing commitments during this extremely difficult time, with seemingly no resolution in sight. Read more
Luis Suarez says there will be no time for old mates when he returns to Liverpool (Metro)
Luis Suarez admits there will be not time for old friendships when he takes on Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. The former Liverpool star, now of Barcelona, takes on his old team-mates in his first competitive clash with the Reds since leaving them for Spain in 2014. The second leg will be at Anfield and although Suarez spoke at great length about his love for the club, the 32-year-old warned his former team-mates there will be no time for a happy reunion. Read more