I was asked to make $10k weekly, gang-raped for porn apps – Nigerian girl trafficked to Ghana (Vanguard)
When William Wilberforce and other abolitionists achieved their aim of ending slavery, little did they know that this act of man’s inhumanity to man would continue in other forms, long after they had departed this world.
Similarly, in the early 60s, Herbert Marshall McLuhan, a globally-acclaimed scholar of media studies posited that the world would soon become a global village, where electronic media predominates as the world gets more digitally connected with new technologies driving connectivity and making experience sharing easier than before.
However, McLuhan did not see how the baser elements in society would take advantage of the global village for pecuniary benefits. One such area is human trafficking, where perpetrators have used visual technologies to paint rosy pictures of life in other climes, with the intent of luring undiscerning people into conditions from which only the perpetrators can profit. Read more
12-year-old herder killed in fresh Plateau attack (DailyTrust)
A 12-year-old herder, Isa Abubakar, has been killed in Kitago community of Miango district of Bassa local government area of Plateau state.
The state chairman of Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Garba Abdullahi, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said the victim was killed after his elder brother left him to get food for them from home.The GAFDAN chairman said the corpse of the victim was recovered at a Banana plantation in the area, calling on the security to investigate the incident before it escalates. Read more
Third Mainland Bridge resumes full operation Thursday (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has announced the planned re-opening of the Third Mainland Bridge on April 4, 2024.
This was according to a statement by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on his X account on Saturday.
The statement read, “Dear Lagos residents, We’re pleased to share that the Third Mainland Bridge will resume full operations on April 4, 2024, following extensive repairs.
“We sincerely thank you for your patience and cooperation, and we look forward to even smoother travels ahead.” Read more
Easter: CAN urges genuine commitment to common good from political leaders (Leadership)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on political leaders at every level in Nigeria to heed the lessons of Easter, and to govern with wisdom, fairness, and a genuine commitment to the common good of Nigerians.
President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who made this call in his Easter message, also urged all Nigerians to embody the spirit of Easter in their daily lives and to practice sacrificial love towards one another.
Okoh said that in the midst of the people’s daily challenges and triumphs, Easter stands as a timeless reminder of hope, renewal, and redemption. Read more
Easter: Situation tough, but better days ahead-Lagos APC (Nation)
The Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) says that the party is aware of the problems in the country and that the government is working hard to make things better.
The State Party Chairman , Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, who said this in his 2024 Easter Message on Friday ,said the current phase would soon be a thing of the past as President Bola Tinubu was working to turn things around.
The APC Chairman also said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was doing his best to provide succour to residents at this difficult period. Read more
Ughelli Killings: 8 suspects nabbed over gruesome murder of 6 policemen (Channels)
Eight suspects have been arrested over the gruesome murder of six policemen in the Ohoro Forest in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
The slain officers – Inspector Abe Olubunmi (IRT), Inspector Friday Irorere, Sergeant Kuden Elisha, Sergeant Akpan Aniette, Sergeant Ayere Paul, and Sergeant Ejemito Friday – were ambushed on February 23 while on a rescue mission.
Announcing the arrest in a statement on Saturday, Force spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Read more
Anxiety mounts over Olubadan-designate’s health (Tribune)
The absence of the Balogun of Ibadanland and Olubadan-designate, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, from decisive meetings and the inability of stakeholders to see him since the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, have continued to generate tension in Ibadan.
Oba Olakulehin was expected at the meeting of the kingmakers last week, but his absence fuelled rumours over his health.
There were speculations on Friday that the over eighty-year-old king could be recuperating somewhere from an undisclosed illness. Read more
Manufacturers urge FG to channel palliatives to subsidise local production (ThisDay)
Manufacturers in Nigeria have urged the Federal Government to subside the production industry as a way of addressing the adverse effects of the rising costs of production and help businesses grow.
The manufacturers believe that rather than taking the available resources and give it out just as a one-off palliative and the people become poorer afterwards, the government could re-channnel it as incentives for local producers in Nigeria, to encourage local productions and boost the economic fortune of the country. Read more
Halle’s ‘In Your Hands’ lands top 5 debut on Billboard’s R&B Digital Song Sales Chart (RatedRnB)
Halle Bailey’s new single “In Your Hands” has debuted on multiple Billboard charts this week.
The heartwarming song opens at No. 3 on the R&B Digital Song Sales chart, currently led by Muni Long’s “Made For Me.” It’s Halle’s second top 5 solo hit on this chart. Her solo debut single, “Angel,” bowed at No. 2 last August.
Elsewhere on Billboard, “In Your Hands” is No. 9 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and No. 14 on the Hot R&B Songs charts. Read more
Selena Gomez says it “pains” her that people may not “truly” know about Steve Martin’s life (People)
Selena Gomez will always be in Steve Martin’s corner.
The actress and singer, 31, shared a post on her Instagram Story Friday, in which she supported her Only Murders in the Building co-star amid the release of his new film, STEVE! (Martin) A Documentary in 2 Pieces.
“It pains me to know how many people may not know truly about Steve’s life,” Gomez wrote as she shared a snapshot of herself watching the Apple TV+ documentary. Read more
Dolly Parton reacts to Beyoncé’s “Jolene” (MusicNews)
Dolly Parton has responded to Beyoncé’s version of her hit, “Jolene”.
The cover of “Jolene” appears on Beyonce’s new album, Cowboy Carter, and has been rewritten since Dolly released it in 1973.
The original lyrics see Dolly singing that she “can’t compete” with Jolene, but Beyonce has a different take. Read more
James Martin kicks Saturday Morning guest live on ITV show after cooking dig (DailyStar)
TV chef James Martin apologised to his guest Mike Reid after giving him a cheeky kick for teasing him about his cooking.
James and Mike were making a delicious white truffle and ricotta agnolotti on ITV’s Saturday Morning on March 30 with the show’s other guests waiting patiently to taste. As Mike poured the sauce over the pasta, he joked with James: “You went a bit rogue with your playing but I’ll let you off chef.”
James replied with a smile, “Sorry chef, did go a bit rogue… time is ticking on and all,” before giving him a playful tap and pulling a face at the camera. James gave Mike a gentle kick and said, “I’ve never really kicked a chef before.” Read more
Jerry Seinfeld says “grumpy” co-star Hugh Grant was a “pain in the arse” to work with (Standard)
Jerry Seinfeld has joked that Hugh Grant was a “pain in the arse” to work with on their Netflix film “Unfrosted” – detailing how they bonded over a boozy dinner.
The pair both star in the upcoming production that sees Grant play a struggling Shakespearean actor who is forced to take work as the Frosties mascot Tony the Tiger.
Seinfeld is making his directorial debut in the 1960s-set film and also plays a Kellog’s boss who helps manufacture the pop tart, which became an American breakfast staple. Read more
Police arrest man as hostage situation ends in Dutch town of Ede (Guardian)
A hostage incident at a nightclub in the Netherlands has ended after police arrested a man wearing a balaclava when he left the premises.
“The last hostage has just been released. One person has been arrested,” a police statement said. “We cannot share more information at this time.”
An initial group of three people were released, with pictures from the public broadcaster NOS showing them leaving the building in the town of Ede with their hands in the air. Read more
IDF denies Lebanese claim it struck vehicle carrying UN peacekeepers (TimesOfIsrael)
The Israel Defense Forces on Saturday denied carrying out a strike in southern Lebanon against a vehicle with United Nations peacekeepers, after Lebanese security officials accused it of targeting the car.
“Contrary to reports, the IDF did not attack a [UN] vehicle in the Rmeish area this morning,” the military said in a statement.
Two unnamed security sources accused Israel of the strike in comments to Reuters, saying it took place outside the southern Lebanese border town of Rmeish. A source told Reuters the car was carrying three UN technical observers and one Lebanese translator when it was struck.
Dutch footballer, Quincy Promes kept in 20 men-in-a-cell UAE prison (Vanguard)
Life has been difficult for Dutch winger, Quincy Promes, who is serving a six-year prison sentence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Quincy Promes, who has played for Ajax and Sevilla, was handed a jail term in February over his involvement in smuggling 1,363kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of £65 million.
The sentence came after Promes received an 18-month sentence in June 2023 for stabbing his cousin in the knee at a family party. Read more
CAF Confederation Cup: USM Alger arrive Uyo for Rivers United clash (Leadership)
Algerian side, USM Alger has landed in Nigeria ahead of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final second-leg encounter against Rivers United.
The North Africans touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo on Friday morning.
USM Alger arrived aboard a chartered Air Algerie flight. Read more
Super sub Harvey Barnes is double trouble as Newcastle complete stunning comeback
(Irish Independent)
Harvey Barnes came off the bench to fire Newcastle to a remarkable Premier League victory over West Ham as they fought back from two goals down to snatch the points.
The Magpies, who led through Alexander Isak’s sixth-minute penalty, trailed 3-1 with just 13 minutes remaining after Michail Anthony, Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen had struck in an incident-packed contest during which referee Rob Jones was at the centre of the action throughout.
However, a second Isak penalty reduced the deficit before Barnes levelled with seven minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish during which he secured a 4-3 win with a stunning 90th-minute strike, before Anthony Gordon was sent off for a second bookable offence. Read more
Liverpool Women 1- 4 Man City Women: Gareth Taylor’s side go three points clear of Chelsea at top of WSL (Sky)
Manchester City moved three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League table with a 4-1 victory at Liverpool.
Liverpool boss Matt Beard called for his side to be aggressive against City and his players responded. The hosts made an extremely bright start, dominating possession and asking plenty of questions of City’s defence.
However, the visitors held firm and all Liverpool’s good early work was undone when Rachael Laws pushed Jess Park’s shot back into the path of Lauren Hemp, who showed great composure to finish into the bottom corner. Read more
Nakajima on course for maiden Tour win at Indian Open (RTE)
Keita Nakajima remained on course for a first DP World Tour title as he opened up a four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Hero Indian Open.
The Japanese has four wins on his home tour, topping the order of merit last season, but is playing just his 11th DP World Tour event in New Delhi.
He brought a two-shot lead into the weekend after a pair of 65s and doubled that advantage on day three, carding a 68 to get to 18 under and lead the way from Malaysia’s Gavin Green and Frenchman Romain Langasque. Read more
Sauber offered Bottas public apology after Aussie GP pitstop slipup (F1i)
Sauber team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi emphasized the importance of apologizing to Valtteri Bottas for the team’s repeated pit stop issues.
Bottas was on the receiving end of a hardware problem during a tyre change in Bahrain and again last weekend in Australia when a wheelnut went astray and led to a catastrophic 30-second stop.
Adding insult to injury, the problem undermined the Finn’s hopes of securing a points finish in Melbourne. Read more