FG announces public holidays for Easter celebration (Guardian)
The Nigerian Government Wednesday declared Friday April 19 and Monday April 22, 2019 as public holiday. Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, made this announcement on behalf of the Minister of Interior Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau in Abuja to mark the Easter celebration. He urged the Christian faithfuls in the country to use this opportunity to live in peace, love and unity. He also advised them to live a Christ like attitude and also set examples for others to follow. Read more
Buhari asks ministers to submit status report April 24 (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari has asked all cabinet members to submit comprehensive “status reports on policies, programs and projects” under their watch by April 24. A Presidency statement just released in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, said the directive was part of the winding down of the first tenure of the Buhari administration. Read more
Fayemi decries bloody herdsmen-farmers clash in Ekiti (Guardian)
Gov. Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday condemned the death of two persons which followed alleged invasion of farmlands by some suspected Fulani herdsmen in Iyemero Ekiti community, in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti. The governor, represented by the new State Commissioner for Information, Mr Muyiwa Olumilua, gave the condemnation during a condolence visit to the town. The governor said his government would do everything within its powers to prevent similar occurrence in future. Read more
INEC flouting tribunal order on inspection of election materials, says Akpabio (Nation)
Senator Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom Northwest senatorial district has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state of denying his legal team access to election materials. It could be recalled that the Chairman of the Election Petition Tribunal, Justice W.O Akanbi had on April 2 granted Senator Akpabio, the petitioner and applicant and his agents including forensic experts’ access to inspect and copy all electoral materials used in the Akwa Ibom Northeast senatorial election. However, counsel to SenatorAkpabio, Mr. Patrick Umoh disclosed that the INEC in the state has refused to obey the order of the tribunal to allow them inspect and copy the materials for litigation purposes. Read more
16 people kill by suspected herdsmen in Nasarawa get mass burial (Guardian)
The 16 people in Numa village of Akwanga Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State killed by suspected herdsmen were given mass burial on Wednesday. The villagers who were attacked and killed around 10:PM on Sunday April 14, were buried amidst tears from family members, friends and sympathisers including Mr Silas Agara, the Deputy Governor of the state. Speaking during the burial in Numa village, Agara who represented Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, condemned the killing and promised that the perpetrators would be fished out. Read more
91,000 apply for Customs job within 24 hours vacancy portal opens (Punch)
Less than 24 hours after the Nigeria Customs Service opened its portal for ongoing recruitment exercise, no fewer than 91,000 Nigerians have so far successfully submitted their applications. One of the officers in charge of the portal at Customs’ headquarters, Abuja, who preferred anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria that, “as at 4:00 P.M, the applications of 91,000 applicants were successfully received.” NAN reports that NCS opened its portal at 12:00am on Wednesday for recruitment of 3,200 officers and men to the service. Read more
Kogi governor, Yahaya Bello, declares for second term (Guardian)
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, on Wednesday officially declared his intention to seek reelection for a second term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Bello made the declaration while inaugurating the board of the State House of Assembly Service Commission at Banquet hall Government House, Lokoja. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated the governorship election in the state for Nov. 2. The governor said his declaration came after consultations with the leadership of his party both at the national and state levels and pressure from the people of the state on him to seek re-election. Read more
Cameroon, Nigeria discuss return of 4,000 refugees (Guardian)
Cameroon officials on Wednesday said it has concluded arrangements with neighbouring Nigeria for the return of 4,000 Nigerian refugees to their country by April 29. According to the region’s governor Midjiyawa Bakari, the refugees from Minawao camp, the only official refugee camp in Cameroon’s far North region, voluntarily opted to return home. “We have agreed with the Nigerian government that 4,000 refugees from Adamawa state in Nigeria will be returned. “They are the first ones to return but the process will continue after that,’’ Bakari told newsmen. Read more
Madeira crash: At least 28 killed on tourist bus near Caniço (BBC)
At least 28 people have died after a bus carrying German tourists plunged off a road and overturned on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Another 28 were injured in the accident near the town of Caniço, according to national news agency Lusa. The accident happened at 18:30 (17:30 GMT) when the driver lost control of the bus at a junction and went off the road, reports said. Portuguese media showed the overturned vehicle had come to rest near houses. “I have no words to describe what happened. I cannot face the suffering of these people,” local Mayor Filipe Sousa told broadcaster SIC TV. Read more
Elderly woman beats massive semi-naked robber with baseball bat (Metro)
A 65-year-old woman armed with a metal baseball bat defended herself from a half-nude attacker who was double her size. Clarese Gainy was in her Gainesville, Florida apartment Sunday morning when she looked out her window and saw Antonio Mosely trying to break into her car. Instead of waiting for police to arrive, Gainy, a former softball player, grabbed a baseball bat and confronted Mosely, 37, who is 300-pounds and was only wearing his underwear. Read more
Ivanka Trump: I declined father’s suggestion of World Bank job (BBC)
Ivanka Trump has confirmed she turned down the job of World Bank head when her father asked if she was interested. Last week, President Donald Trump told The Atlantic he had asked her if she wanted the bank’s most senior role “because she’s very good with numbers”. She has now said that when asked, she told him she was “happy with the work” she’s doing as White House adviser. Ms Trump was eventually involved in selecting the new World Bank president, US economist David Malpass. Read more
Teacher who had sex with three schoolboys promises never to do it again (Metro)
A teacher jailed for having sex with three students promised she would never do it again in hopes for an early release. Brianne Altice, 39, was given a 2 to 30 year prison sentence in July 2015 for sexually abusing three teenage students at Davis High School in Kaysville, Utah. She even continued a sexual relationship with one of the students when she was out on bail following her arrest. Read more
Easy Liverpool win sets up Barca semi (BBC)
Liverpool swept side Porto with a thumping 6-1 aggregate victory to reach the Champions League semi-finals. Leading 2-0 from the first leg at Anfield, goals from Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk underscored an accomplished win by Jurgen Klopp’s side. The Reds had been forced to survive an early bombardment in the saturated Estadio do Dragao, before Mane opened the scoring with a sliding effort – from Salah’s scuffed shot – which was confirmed by VAR. Read more
Spurs stun Man City on away goals in modern classic (BBC)
Tottenham overcame Manchester City in a Champions League classic at Etihad Stadium to reach the last four of the tournament for the first time. Fernando Llorente’s goal, bundled in from a corner and confirmed by VAR 17 minutes from time, gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side victory on away goals on a night of tension, attacking quality and defensive frailty that ended City and Pep Guardiola’s quest for a historic quadruple of Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. In a game of relentless drama, City even thought they had won it in injury time only for Raheem Sterling’s goal to be ruled out for offside by VAR. Read more
Harry Kane sends message to Tottenham team-mates after dramatic victory over Manchester City (Metro)
Harry Kane shared a a video of his celebrations in the aftermath of Tottenham’s epic Champions League quarter-final victory over Manchester City. The Spurs striker looks likely to miss the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the first leg of the dramatic tie and watched on at home as the events unfolded on Wednesday evening. Fernando Llorente’s 73rd-minute goal, which was eventually given following a VAR review, sent Tottenham into the final four on away goals and Mauricio Pochettino’s side face Ajax for a place in the final. Read more
PSG again made to wait for Ligue 1 title after Nantes defeat (Nation)
Paris St-Germain (PSG) missed another opportunity to seal their eighth French Ligue 1 title when their much-changed side were beaten 2-3 at strugglers Nantes on Wednesday. Victory would have put PSG out of reach at the top of the standings with six games left, but Dani Alves’s opener was cancelled out by Diego Carlos. Then, Majeed Waris and an own goal by Alves gave the Canaries all three points at La Beaujoire. PSG’s Metehan Guclu reduced the arrears a minute from full-time in his maiden Ligue 1 appearance. Read more
Giroud demands ‘more important’ role with Chelsea (Punch)
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has warned Maurizio Sarri he must be given a more important role next season if the Blues boss wants him to stay at Stamford Bridge. Giroud has been largely consigned to a bit-part role with Chelsea this term and the France World Cup winner is considering his future after seeing Sarri’s old Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain arrive on loan from Juventus to take his position. Chelsea have the option to extend the 32-year-old’s deal by another year, but frustrated former Arsenal star Giroud is hoping for a meeting with club bosses before the end of the campaign. Read more