Fire guts Oshodi market (Guardian)
The popular Kairo Market in Oshodi area of Lagos State, was gutted by fire yesterday night around 8:00p.m. Though the extent of the damage could not be ascertained at press time, it was gathered that some lock-up shops were affected, particularly the fabrics section of the market.
Fire fighters from the state and other emergency agencies were on ground to contain the inferno. Director- General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the incident said the cause of the fire was unknown. He said: “Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was observed that some lock-up shops were on fire. The cause of the fire is unknown.” Read more
Siblings nabbed for Internet fraud, love scam (Punch)
Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested two siblings for their alleged involvement in Internet fraud.
The suspects, Queen and Rowland Kalu, were arrested on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the Amikanle, Alagbado area of Lagos State.
The EFCC, in a statement on Thursday, said Queen, a graduate of Banking and Finance, confessed to the crime, adding that she was involved in online dating and made money from the crime.
She also allegedly disclosed that she helped her brothers, including one Prince Kalu, now at large, to speak to male victims and defraud them of their money. Read more
Lagos spends N20b on Imota Rice Mill (Guardian)
Lagos State Government, yesterday, revealed that about N20 billion had been spent on the Imota Rice Mill, expected to be commissioned before the end of 2021.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Bisola Olusanya, who disclosed this during the 2021 ministerial press briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second administration, stated that when the mill becomes functional, not less than 250,000 jobs would be created across the value-chain.
According to her, it is due to the non-completion of the mill that the partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states over the production of Lake Rice still exist, disclosing that the partnership now focuses on shipment of paddy from Kebbi to the state for processing, though the partnership was slowed down by COVID-19 and the flood experienced in Kebbi.
Besides, she said the state government had distributed 760,000 improved coconut seedlings to growers through the 57 local councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state. Read more
N600b Lekki Deep Sea Port nears 50% completion (ThisDay)
The effort by Nigeria to have a new seaport with better facilities is gathering momentum as the Core of Main Breakwater at the Lekki Deep Sea Port has been completed and construction 50 per cent completed.
The Managing Director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Mr Du Ruogang, disclosed this recently, during the first quarterly monitoring visit by the Federal Ministry of Transportation to the project site in Lagos.
The Lekki Deep Seaport Project was awarded to the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited by Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on a build-own-operate-and-transfer (BOOT) agreement. Under this agreement, LFTZ is required to develop, finance, build, operate the port for a period of 45 years and transfer it to NPA thereafter. Slated for completion late 2022, the project is the single largest private investment in infrastructure in Nigeria being developed on non-recourse project finance basis with majority of financing being raised internationally. Read more
Buhari, National Assembly, govs condole with Adeboye over son’s death (Punch)
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, were among prominent Nigerians who took turns on Thursday to express their condolences to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, his family and members of his church over the death of his son, Pastor Dare Adeboye.
The 42-year-old Dare was the Assistant Pastor in charge of Region 35 (Youth) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State before his death.
The cleric was said to have died while in his sleep, just as the door to his room was reportedly forced open to access his remains.
The RCCG, in a statement, confirmed the incident, adding that he died on Tuesday. Read more
FG to raise $250m for national carrier (ThisDay)
The federal government has said it expects to raise about $250 million from the private sector to float it proposed national carrier, which is now at the stage of procurement phase.
This was disclosed by the Ministry of Aviation in a publication titled, ‘Status of the Road Map/PPP Projects’ and made available to THISDAY.
The publication stated that the next steps would involve the commencement of procurement phase by placing adverts for request for qualification in the national dailies and foreign media.
The federal government explained that the establishment of a national carrier would enable Nigeria gain optimal benefits from Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA), take full advantage of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) and introduce competition, leading to competitive fares and services as well as to generate employment. Read more
Boko Haram invasion plot: Anxiety in FCT, heavy security at NNPC, Army barracks, others (Punch)
There was heightened anxiety in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday following reports of alleged imminent attacks on parts of the FCT.
The PUNCH had reported exclusively on Wednesday that lawmakers had been notified of a possible attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja.
There were also media reports that schools in the Bwari area of Abuja hurriedly shut down on Wednesday over alleged arrival of truckloads of bandits in a neighbouring town, Sabon Wuse.
Our correspondents reported that palpable fear enveloped some parts of the FCT on Thursday. Read more
Gunmen attack police station in Anambra, kill 2 officers (ThisDay)
Gunmen Wednesday night attacked a police station in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, killing two policemen.
THISDAY gathered that the two policemen killed in the attack were inspectors, but their identities were not disclosed.
The attackers also set ablaze two buildings in the compound before leaving.
This is coming as the Abia State Government yesterday confirmed the abduction of an unknown number of students of the Abia State University by gunmen. Read more
Brazil: At least 25 killed in Rio de Janeiro shoot-out (BBC)
At least 25 people including a police officer have been killed in a shoot-out in Rio de Janeiro, according to local media.
The shoot-out took place during a police operation in a favela in the Jacarezinho area of the city.
Police launched the operation after receiving reports that drug traffickers were recruiting children for their gang.
Two passengers on a metro train were hit by bullets but survived. Read more
Harry and Meghan share new photo of Archie as they ask for $5 Covid donations (Metro)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have released a new picture of their son Archie Harrison to mark his second birthday. The photo shows Archie facing away from the camera holding a huge bunch of balloons, wearing a jumper, jeans and trainers. It is the second glimpse of Archie the public have seen this year, after a clip of him playing on the beach was shared during the Sussexes interview with Oprah Winfrey. Earlier today Meghan and Harry thanked people for their well-wishes and support in a joint statement on their Archewell foundation website. The couple also invited people to contribute $5 (£3.60) to cover the cost of a vaccine for someone in need in honour of Archie’s birthday. Read more
Swiss scientists say they detected ‘biomarker’ that helps predict severe coronavirus cases early (RT)
Patients at risk of contracting a severe case of Covid-19 may now be able to get timely treatment thanks to a new method developed by Swiss researchers, who studied the behavior of natural killer T cells in infected people.
Detecting and treating life-threatening forms of the novel coronavirus disease before the acute symptoms kick in has been a challenge for medics since the start of the pandemic. Now, a team from the Swiss University of Zurich might have found a solution to this problem, a press release by the university says.
The researchers, who teamed up with scientists from Germany’s Tuebingen and France’s Toulouse and Nantes, discovered a specific “biomarker” capable of predicting the development of a severe Covid-19 case at the very early stages. Read more
IBM 2nm chip breakthrough claims more power with less energy (BBC)
IBM says it has made a significant breakthrough in computer processors by creating a 2nm chip in its test lab.
The process used to make computer chips is measured in nanometres (nm) – with a lower number usually signifying a leap forward.
IBM claims its test chip can improve performance by 45% over current 7nm commercially available products.
It is also more energy efficient – using 75% less energy to match current performance, IBM said. Read more
Japan to extend emergency virus measures as Olympics approach (France24)
Japan will prolong a virus state of emergency in Tokyo and other regions and impose restrictions in more areas on Friday as cases surge less than three months before the Olympics.
The emergency measures, less strict than the blanket lockdowns seen in other countries, focus on limiting commercial activity with malls closed and bars and restaurants told to shut or stop serving alcohol.
They were imposed in Tokyo, Osaka and two other regions in late April — just weeks after a previous state of emergency was lifted — and had been due to end on May 11. Read more
Elections results 2021: Britain awaits results of bumper election day (BBC)
The polls have closed across Britain in the biggest set of votes since the 2019 general election.
Throughout Thursday, voters picked representatives for the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd as well as mayors and local councils in England.
Voters in England and Wales also voted for police and crime commissioners.
The results are due to come in over the next few days – with the outcome of the Hartlepool by-election expected early on Friday morning. Read more
Laureus World Sports Awards: Naomi Osaka, Rafael Nadal, Bayern Munich, Lewis Hamilton win (BBC)
Japan’s Naomi Osaka has been named Sportswoman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, with fellow tennis player Rafael Nadal the men’s winner.
Osaka won the US Open in 2020, while Spaniard Nadal equalled Roger Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam men’s titles by winning last year’s French Open.
German football champions Bayern Munich, who won last season’s Champions League, were named Team of the Year.
Tennis legend Billie Jean King received the Lifetime Achievement award. Read more
Eden Hazard apologises to Real Madrid fans over Chelsea controversy (Metro)
Eden Hazard has apologised to Real Madrid’s supporters after their Champions League defeat to Chelsea. Real Madrid were beaten 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the competition, with Hazard enduring two subdued performances against his former club. The 30-year-old was seen talking and laughing with some of his ex-Chelsea teammates following the defeat and, while it may have seemed an innocuous incident, Hazard was subsequently criticised by fans. A number of former Real Madrid players also slammed Hazard, while Spanish television show El Chiringuito opened its programme by criticising the Belgium international, claiming he had ‘taken the piss’ out of fans. Read more
Aussie basketball star threatens Olympic boycott over ‘whitewashed’ (France24 )
Australian basketball star Liz Cambage Friday hit out at what she claimed was a lack of racial diversity in Australian Olympic team promotional shoots, threatening to boycott the Tokyo Games in protest.
The 29-year-old, a two-time Olympian who is preparing for the new WNBA season with the Las Vegas Aces, took issue with two separate pictures.
One released this week showed athletes from Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic teams in apparel supplied by sponsor Jockey, but there was no person of colour.
“If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times,” Cambage, who has a Nigerian father and Australian mother, said in an Instagram story. Read more
Man Utd through to Europa League final despite Roma loss (BBC)
Manchester United celebrate
United last reached, and won, the Europa League final in 2017 under Jose Mourinho
Manchester United reached their first final of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era but lost their seven-match unbeaten record in an entertaining Europa League last-four tie with Roma.
Edinson Cavani scored both United goals in the second leg of a 13-goal semi-final.
The Uruguayan opened the scoring with a fabulous first-half effort, then found the net with a fine header from Bruno Fernandes’ excellent floated pass in the second half.
In between, Roma briefly threatened a comeback when former Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko scored his ninth goal against United before Bryan Cristante finished smartly with a shot on the turn. Read more
Floyd Mayweather threatens to kill Jake Paul in chaotic, violent brawl after face-off (RT)
YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul says he was hit by “one of Floyd’s 30 bodyguards” in an almighty scrap that saw icon Mayweather threaten to “kill you, motherf*cker”, reacting after the yob stole his hat during a face-off.
Even by the standards of master trash-talkers Mayweather and Paul, few would have expected the colossal scrap that ensued after the upstart pulled a stunt on the revered veteran as they exchanged barbs during the promotional event for the 44-year-old’s farcical fight on June 6 against Paul’s brother, Logan.
Approaching his sibling’s notoriously short-tempered rival at the vast Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, provocative Paul whispered to the camera that he was planning to pinch one of Mayweather’s famously expensive garments from the renowned fashion fanatic. Read more
Arsenal’s Europa hopes ended by former boss Emery’s Villarreal (BBC)
Arsenal’s Europa League hopes were dashed as Villarreal sealed a semi-final victory that will almost certainly end the Gunners’ unbroken 25-season run of appearing in European competition.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Spain and knowing that victory in this tournament represented their only realistic route back into the Champions League, Mikel Arteta’s side could not find a way past the visitors’ stubborn defence.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck the post with a volley but it was a rare moment of threat in a display strangely passive for large parts.Nicolas Pepe and Emile Smith Rowe both fired efforts wide early in the second half and Aubameyang hit the post again with a downward header later in the game, but such moments were few and far between. Read more