Flood sweeps 4-year-old boy away in Lagos (Punch)
Parents of a four-year-old boy, Chukwuemeka Okoro, and their neighbours are currently troubled over their inability to retrieve the boy’s body almost one week after he was washed away by a flood in a Lagos community.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened last week Tuesday when Okoro fell into a canal at Nobel Street and washed away through a nearby drainage in the Onibata community, both in the Ogba area of Lagos.
The tragedy was said to have occurred during a downpour witnessed in the area on Tuesday. Read more
Dino Melaye clinches PDP guber ticket in Kogi (DailyTrust)
Senator Dino Melaye has emerged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State.
The party primary election held at Kafa’s Hall event centre in Lokoja amid tight security. According to Senator Ahmed Makarfi, the chairman of the PDP primary election committee who announced the results, Senator Melaye got
313 votes to clinch the ticket .
Also, he disclosed that Ilona Idoko. Kingsley scored 124 votes; Usman Mohammed Kabiru got 121 votes and Abayomi Sunday Awoniyi, a former. Deputy governor, pulled 77 votes. Read more
Banana Island building collapse: I survived without scratch— Bricklayer (Vanguard)
One of the bricklayers who survived last Wednesday’s seven-storey building under construction that collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos, Mr Dike Ikenna, has recounted how he walked out of the rubbles without a scratch.
Ikenna, who attributed his narrow escape as the handiwork of God, revealed that he was on the seventh floor when the building caved in.
Narrating how he missed death by the whiskers, Ikenna said: “I thank God for his mercies. I usually anoint myself every day before going out to work and this very day, I did likewise. Read more
95% homeless youths in Lagos, victims of circumstances – Ara (Punch)
African female talking drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, has said that 95 percent of homeless youth across Lagos State were victims of failed homes and leadership.
Ara, as the drummer is fondly called, noted that an investigation conducted through her ‘Eko Inspire Me’ project showed that many of the homeless youths came from other states to find “greener pastures in Lagos state”.
She added that further findings showed that children between the age of 13 and 15 years old keep coming to Lagos daily without having anywhere to stay or people to serve as their guardians. Read more
Buhari meets Governors, others in Makkah (Guardian)
President Muhammadu Buhari on the fifth day of the official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, shared a warm moment with Governors of Borno and Yobe, Prof. Babagana Zulum and Mai Mala Buni as well as Katsina State Governor-elect, Dikko Radda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian leader also received updates from some Nigerian government officials on ongoing situations, including the conclusion of outstanding elections back in the country.
At the Makkah Guest Palace where he is accommodated by the government of the host country, Buhari received briefings from the Chairman of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa. Read more
Sokoto South: Tambuwal wins senatorial election (Channels)
Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has been declared the winner of the Sokoto South senatorial district election.
Tambuwal, a two term governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged winner with a total number of 100,860 votes.
With a vote margin of 4,976, he defeated his closest rival of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent senator, Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa who scored 95,884 votes. Read more
Atiku alleges plot to undermine democracy, provoke violence in Adamawa (Tribune)
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (APC) in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, has called the attention of Nigerians to the game plan of upturning the democratic wishes of the people of Adamawa State in the governorship election in the state.
Atiku, in a press release signed by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, said that the initial decision of the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State to declare the APC candidate, Senator Aisha Dahiru, (Binani) as the winner of the election, is a case study to the shambolic nature of the 2023 elections in general.
“Here in Adamawa, we are witnesses to a novel practice in election management where a Resident Electoral Commissioner announced the loser of an election as a winner. Read more
Shehu Sani commends INEC for suspending collation of Adamawa supplementary election results (Independent)
Former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for taking the bold step to suspend the collation of the Adamawa State supplementary governorship poll.
According to the Former lawmaker, a situation, where the Resident Electoral Commission declared the APC governorship candidate the winner of the election as against the Returning Officer while the election process is still on “is equivalent to a civilian coup.”
Sen. Shehu Sani who disclosed this in a swift reaction to what he termed ‘‘Illegal declaration” by Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner in a statement personally signed and made available to Independent in Kaduna today commended Professor Mahmud Yakubu and the INEC for prompt intervention. Read more
Ahmad Jamal, jazz piano legend, dies at 92 (Pitchfork)
Legendary jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal, born Frederick Russell Jones, has died, his wife Laura Hess-Hey confirmed via The Washington Post. No cause of death was given. He was 92 years old.
Jamal was a jazz innovator known for his minimalistic and restrained playing, which laid the groundwork for “cool jazz.” He is perhaps best known for his arrangement of the jazz standard “Poinciana,” which appears on his best-selling 1958 album Live at the Pershing: But Not For Me, and the 1970 Ahmad Jamal Trio album The Awakening.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jamal began playing piano at age three. He studied under Mary Cardwell Dawson—noted singing instructor and founder in 1941 of the National Negro Opera Company—at the age of seven, and pianist James Miller during his early teens. By the time he turned 17, Jamal began touring in George Hudson’s Orchestra. In 1951, Jamal moved to Chicago and founded his first trio, the Three Strings. Read more
Joan Clark, acclaimed Canadian author, dead at 88 (CBC)
Joan Clark, an acclaimed author who spent much of her life in Newfoundland and Labrador, has died.
Born in 1934, Clark wrote more than 15 books, including novels such as An Audience of Chairs, Latitudes of Melt, and Eiriksdottir: A Tale of Dreams and Luck. Her work has been translated into at least six other languages and published around the world.
“She was a very vital force within the cultural and literary community of Newfoundland,” said Kevin Major, one of Clark’s friends and a fellow writer in St. John’s. Read more
Morgan Freeman describes Black History Month and the term ‘‘African-American’’ as “an insult” (NME)
Morgan Freeman has said that he considers Black History Month and the term ‘African-American’ an “insult”.
The actor gave a rare interview to The Sunday Times’s Culture magazine in which he discussed his views on race.
“Two things I can say publicly that I do not like. Black History Month is an insult. You’re going to relegate my history to a month?” he questioned. Read more
Topol was a secret agent for Mossad, family claims (Deadline)
Israeli actor Topol was an international film star celebrated for roles including milkman Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Bond villain-turned-collaborator Milos Columbo in For Your Eyes Only.
Now, his family have said that, between acting gigs, he worked as a secret Mossad agent, living a secret double life of “adventure and courage.”
The actor died last month aged 87, and his family have spoken to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, saying Topol used his London home as a base from where he targeted embassies, airports and airlines of his country’s Arab enemies. Read more
Guy Ritchie sued by writer Mickey De Hara who claims movie The Gentleman copies scenes from his rejected script (DailyMail)
Guy Ritchie is reportedly being sued over his film The Gentleman after actor and writer Mickey De Hara claimed it reproduced sections of a script previously submitted to the film director.
The Gentleman tells the story of cannabis mogul Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who attempts to sell off his profitable marijuana empire as he settles into his retirement.
In a lawsuit filed at the London High Court last month, seen by Variety, Mickey claims Guy, 54, commissioned him to write a sequel to his 2008 gangster flick RockNRolla based on his ‘personal life experiences’, with the writer previously convicted of possession of cocaine and cannabis with ‘intent to supply’ for which he faced a spell in prison. Read more
Migos rapper Offset reveals back tattoo in memory of cousin Takeoff (Standard)
Migos rapper Offset has revealed a tattoo in memory of band member Takeoff, who died nearly six months ago at the age of 28.
Offset, real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus, posted two images showing his back inked with the face of his cousin in a hoodie and wearing chain necklaces as he is surrounded by the galaxy and planets.
There is also a halo-style half-circle around Takeoff’s head in the picture which has been used in art associated with Jesus Christ. Read more
At least 1 dead after more than 20 shot at Alabama party (NYPost)
At least one person was killed and multiple people injured following a mass shooting during a birthday party in eastern Alabama on Saturday night, according to reports.
The shooting happened at the Mohagany Masterpiece dance studio near East Green Street and North Broadnax Street in Dadeville, Ala, according to the twice weekly newspaper The Alexander City Outlook.
The Tallapoosa County Coroner confirmed people died in the shooting but did not specify how many were killed. Read more
Man Utd in Victor Osimhen transfer blow as Napoli striker claims ‘I’m already at one of the biggest clubs’ (Sun)
Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen has dealt his suitors a blow by declaring: I am already at one of the biggest clubs.
The Nigeria international has caught the eye of several teams over the last 18 months with a string of scintillating displays for the Italian giants – who are on the brink of winning the Scudetto.
Manchester United are among the teams interested in acquiring Osimhen’s services, although they’ll seemingly be hard-pressed to following his public committal to the Neopolitans.
The 24-year-old told TG5: “‘I’m at a great club and my career is growing constantly. Read more
Bosso invites 39 players as camp opens today (Punch)
Flying Eagles coach, Ladan Bosso, has invited 39 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U-20 boys ahead of final preparations for this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals taking place in Argentina.
All the invited players who are all home-based have been told to report at the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Sunday (today) as training sessions will commence on Monday (tomorrow) according to a statement made available to our correspondent on Saturday.
The Flying Eagles, who finished third at the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt last month, are one of four teams that will fly Africa’s flag at the finals, with the others being Senegal, The Gambia and Tunisia. Read more
Mikel Arteta hits out at Arsenal stars and makes title admission after West Ham draw (Mirror)
Mikel Arteta was left furious with his Arsenal side as they “lost purpose” after being pegged back by West Ham in another devastating blow to their title hopes.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had put the Gunners side in control at the London Stadium after a scintillating opening ten minutes. Strikes from Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen saw the visitors buckle though as they struggled to match the heights of their brilliant start.
The Gunners have now let two two-goal leads slip in as many games following last weekend’s draw with Liverpool and Arteta was left particularly angry with how his side took their eye off of the ball against West Ham. Speaking after the full-time whistle, the Spaniard said: “Very disappointing. Read more
Tram driver blames Immobile after Lazio and Italy striker involved in car accident (FootballItalia)
The tram driver involved in a car accident with Lazio and Italy forward Ciro Immobile this morning insists he didn’t run a red light claiming the Azzurri star ‘came at full speed.’
Lazio have confirmed Immobile, 33, sustained whiplash and a compound rib fracture after a car accident in Rome city centre on Sunday morning.
The striker was with his daughters and they’ve all been admitted to the hospital, where Immobile has remained under observation. Read more
LTA report financial loss after accounting for fines for ban on Russian and Belarusian players (Tennis365)
The fines the Lawn Tennis Association received for its ban on Russian and Belarusian players at tournaments last summer have resulted in the organisation making a financial loss.
The LTA, which runs the pre-Wimbledon grass-court tournaments, was fined a total of 1.75million US dollars (approximately GBP 1.4million) by the WTA and ATP for refusing to allow players from the two countries to compete following the invasion of Ukraine.
The sanctions and the threat of further punishment, including potentially having the tournaments stripped from Britain, were a major factor behind Wimbledon and the LTA deciding not to continue the ban for this summer. Read more
Sacramento Kings win 1st playoff game in 17 years with defeat of Golden State Warriors in Game 1 (CNN)
The Sacramento Kings could not have enjoyed a better start to their return to the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Kings guard De’Aaron Fox finished with 38 points, five assists and three steals in a dramatic 126-123 Game 1 win over the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference first-round series.
“Sacramento showed out tonight,” Fox said, according to ESPN. “But doing this for the fans, just knowing the way that they support this team through thick and thin – really thin. It’s just a testament to the way they are.” Read more