Gunmen kill ASP, injure others at Lagos checkpoint (Nation)
Armed men at the weekend killed an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and injured other cops during an attack on their checkpoint at Ikorodu.
The attackers also fled with two service rifles belonging to the policeman said to have been stationed at a pin down point at Enuren junction, Itokin, along the Ikorodu-Abeokuta expressway.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Friday night, barely 48 hours after gunmen killed three residents of Gowon Estate in Ipaja and less than 24 hours three riot policemen were murdered at a checkpoint in Edo State. Read more
Lagos-Abeokuta Road: Residents seek Sanwo-Olu’s urgent intervention to save lives (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government appears to have forgotten some sections of the mainland part of the state in the area of infrastructure.
While Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was busy campaigning for his reelection since last year, motorists and other road users on the Agege-Abeokuta expressway – from Ile-Epo Market, Oke-Odo, to the old tollgate, the boundary between Ogun and Lagos State are crying in silence.
To say the section of the road has become a death trap as countless accidents happen on weekly basis with casualties is saying the obvious. Indeed, the level of degeneration of the road has become a shame to the state. Read more
Kukah: May God guide Buhari in retirement as we reclaim our country(DailyTrust)
The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has prayed to God to guide President Muhammadu Buhari in retirement.
Buhari will end his second tenure on May 29, 2023.
In his 2023 Easter message, Kukah told the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, that the most urgent task facing Nigeria is not infrastructure or the “usual cheap talk” about the dividends of Democracy.
His message was also passed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which Nigerians are watching with keen interest to decide issues arising from the 2023 general elections. Read more
2023: Work for peace and reconciliation, Archbishop Martins urges incoming govt (Channels)
The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins has urged the incoming Nigerian government to ensure it works for peace and reconciliation across the nation.
Most Rev. Martins’ comment was contained in an Easter Message on Sunday signed by Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu the Director of Social Communications, Lagos Archdiocese.
“In-coming governments must work for peace and reconciliation in order to foster peace and unity among Nigerian peoples. The hardship that our people are facing today arising from bad leadership cannot be overestimated. Let all leaders of different levels and positions do away with narrow parochial, ethnic, religious interests so that we may be set on the path of greatness.
“We must realize that individual personal good, security etc. can be assured only if the good of every individual person is attained. Both leaders and people must renounce the path of selfishness and greed that is so prevalent now. If we learn to love one another selflessly as Christ loves us, then we can build a better society where all would be able to develop and thrive and actualize their God-given potentials,” the statement partly read. Read more
New AIG’s Ali, Mba posted to Lagos (Guardian)
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the posting/redeployment of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to Departments, Commands, and Formations in line with his manpower development policy of fitting the right persons into appropriate roles.
AIG Mohammed Ali Ari, formerly the CP of Delta is to resume as AIG Zone 2, Lagos, while AIG Frank Mba, a former police spokesman, is to resume at the apex investigation office of the police in Force CID Annex, Alagbon, where he would supervise investigative activities in the entire South West.
Police spokesman who disclosed the new posting said: “This is in line with the IGP’s mandate and strategies to strengthen the operational structures of commands, departments, and formations. Read more
Ajibola’s death, end of an era – Abiodun (Vanguard)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the nation’s judiciary and the family of former Justice at the International Court of Justice, The Hague, on the death of the former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola, who passed on in the early hours of Sunday.
Describing the death as a big loss to the judiciary, Governor Abiodun said his legacies in the judiciary, philanthropy and the educational development of Nigeria would never be forgotten.
Governor Abiodun, who also commiserated with the Owu royal family of the late former Attorney General, his friend, President Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as members of the Baptist Boys’ High School Old Students Association, described the legal icon’s death as saddening, devastating and the end of an era. Read more
Easter: Our families are hungry due to low passengers’ turnout- Commercial Drivers (DailyTrust)
Many commercial drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the low patronage by passengers for the Easter holidays.
The drivers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja that this had resulted in little or no income to care for their family needs.
NAN reports that very few passengers were seen at the Jabi and Utako motor parks waiting to board vehicles at the time of filing this report. Read more
Halle Berry, 56, strips completely nude as fans rush to compliment X-Men star (Mirror)
Halle Berry has sent fans wild as she posed completely naked on her balcony whilst sipping a glass of wine.
The X-Men star proudly told her 8.3 million fans: “I do what I wanna do,” as she soaked up the sun in her birthday suit.
She managed to stand strategically so that her private parts were covered by metal railings.
The mum-of-two added a red lip kiss emoji and wished her fans a “happy Saturday”.
Her chocolate brown locks framed her face in soft waves and she looked to have ditched make-up as well as her clothes. Read more
Michelle Pfeiffer reveals ’80s movie audition left her “humiliated” (TheDigitalFix)
The 1980s were mostly a great time for Michelle Pfeiffer. She established herself as one of the most reliable stars in Hollywood with her best ’80s movies, including the crime thriller movie Scarface and the fantasy movie The Witches of Eastwick.
But before she had made her name as one of the best actors around, Pfeiffer had an excruciating interview for her breakout role – a sequel to one of the best musicals of all time.
Pfeiffer played one of the main roles in Grease 2 as Stephanie Zinone, the leader of the Pink Ladies at Rydell High. But before she got the role, she worried that she’d blown her chances in the final stage of the audition process. Read more
Fresh Prince star Tatyana Ali calls Will Smith a ‘‘beautiful person’’ (PageSix)
Tatyana Ali has nothing but love for her embattled “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star Will Smith.
“He’s a beautiful person who has done so much good,” she exclusively told Page Six at Variety’s Power of Women luncheon in New York this week.
Smith, 54, shocked the world last year when he infamously slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars for making a wisecrack about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Read more
Taylor Swift added break-up song ‘The 1’ to Eras tour setlist amid reported Joe Alwyn split (Independent)
Taylor Swift added break-up song “The 1” to her tour setlist mid-run amid her reported split from boyfriend of six years Joe Alwyn.
On Sunday (9 April), reports emerged claiming that the singer and British actor split several weeks ago.
According to Entertainment Tonight, who first reported on the alleged split, the break-up was “not dramatic”, with the relationship simply “running its course”.
A source close to the pair also reportedly confirmed the split to People. Read more
Hugh Grant says audiences “hate” actors (NME)
Hugh Grant says he believes that audiences “hate” actors and “like to see [them] mocked”.
The legendary actor was speaking to JOE about his new film Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre alongside co-star Josh Hartnett, who plays an actor in the film.
Discussing what it’s like to portray an actor on screen, as Grant himself did in Paddington 2, Hartnett said: “For me, it was just kind of a heightened version of perspectives of actors, perceptions of actors, I guess. Read more
Rihanna ‘pulled out of Glastonbury headline slot after becoming pregnant with second child’ (Metro)
Rihanna was reportedly booked as a headliner at Glastonbury Festival 2023 but had to drop out after becoming pregnant with her second child.
The Umbrella singer, 35, unveiled her blossoming baby bump during her Super Bowl halftime show, with her reps later confirming the Fenty founder was expecting.
The iconic performance was the Rude Boy charttopper’s first in more than six years as she steadily returns to music even previously teasing a new album could be released later this year. Read more
Up to 10 people trapped after building collapses in Marseille, fire hinders rescues (NYPost)
Up to 10 people may be buried under the debris of a building that collapsed following an explosion in France’s port city of Marseille, but a fire deep within the rubble hindered rescue efforts Sunday, the French interior minister said.
Officials determined that at least four people lived in the building, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
It was not known if anyone was killed in the collapse or explosion, or what triggered the blast, he said. Read more
Chukwueze helps Villarreal stun Madrid, Real Sociedad dig in (Guardian)
Real Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat by Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday in a thrilling clash ahead of their Champions League showdown against Chelsea next week.
Real Sociedad beat Getafe 2-0 to tighten their grip on fourth place, while Villarreal rose to fifth after their impressive triumph at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The champions remain 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Monday, with Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze scoring twice in a sensational individual display. Read more
Ministry needs N21b to fix Lagos stadium – Dare (Punch)
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, says the National Stadium, Lagos will require a staggering N21bn before it can be completely renovated, Saturday PUNCH reports.
Dare took to his Twitter handle on Friday to give updates on the work ongoing at the sporting arena, while also mentioning the state at which he met the edifice upon his appointment into the office.
“The National Stadium Surulere, Lagos: Just the Facts. Not Fallacies,” he began
“Upon assumption of office in 2019, I met the National Stadium in a completely run down state. Left to rot for almost 17 plus years. No renovations (or) upgrades. Illegal occupants had taken over. The Illegal occupants had distorted the original plan. We immediately set down to work at the ministry. First,the task force removed all illegal occupants and locked out miscreants. Next we sought funding from private partners as budget allocation was insufficient. Read more
Rashford injury sours routine Man Utd win over Everton (France24)
Manchester United moved ever closer to a return to the Champions League next season as Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial struck to deepen Everton’s relegation fears in a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.
Victory takes Erik ten Hag’s men up to third and opens up a six-point cushion over fifth-placed Tottenham.
But the three points came at a cost as Marcus Rashford hobbled off nine minutes from time, which could prove to be a major blow in the Red Devils quest for more silverware this season in the FA Cup and Europa League. Read more
Jesse Marsch becomes the leading contender to take over at Leicester after holding positive talks with the board (DailyMail)
Jesse Marsch is the leading contender to become Leicester’s new manager after holding constructive talks with the Premier League strugglers.
Marsch, who was sacked by Leeds in February, is the preferred choice of the Foxes board to lead them to safety, with further progress likely after their vital clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.
Leicester’s first choice was always Graham Potter but after it became clear that the former Chelsea boss was unlikely to return until the summer, they have made their move. Marsch is
likely to be offered a long-term deal rather than simply an arrangement until the end of the season. Read more
Fred Couples, 63, oldest player to make cut at the Masters (ABC)
The early part of the week at the Masters is usually where Fred Couples thrives. He plays with Tiger Woods, skips balls across the 16th hole pond, gives interviews with plenty of color and candor and soaks in the love from the adoring patrons.
This week, Couples did more than that. After a first round one-under 71, Couples posted a 2-over 74 Saturday morning to finish at 1-over. That was enough to make the cut and, at 63 years old, become the oldest player to do so at the Masters.
“That’s why I come here,” Couples said. “The last four years have been really mediocre golf. Maybe one year I was semi-close to making the cut. But that’s my objective, and I did it.” Read more
Jake Paul provides ‘‘proof’’ Floyd Mayweather altercation was ‘‘fake’’ after running from TBE (Express)
Jake Paul claims that his altercation with Floyd Mayweather in Miami last month was a ‘‘PR stunt’’. The Problem Child was videoed running away from TBE after he was approached by the boxing icon and his entourage following a Miami Heat NBA game.
At the time, Paul gave his version of accounts in a video uploaded to his social media channels: “So I’m leaving the Miami Heat game and Floyd Mayweather and 50 dudes pull up out of nowhere, out of like some side alley, waiting for me outside the stadium.
“And they’re like, ‘So what’s up? What’s all that talk now?’ I’m like first of all, what did I say to you, Floyd? I just took your hat and you’re still mad about it? Come on, bro. And then 50 dudes literally start surrounding me to jump me, and I’m out that b****, ok?” Read more