I will never be a politician — Adeboye (Tribune)
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye has said he will never be a politician.
Adeboye disclosed this on Sunday Service held at RCCG Ebute Meta, Lagos, saying “Politics is not my calling but to be a pastor.”
He said his assignment was to pray for people not to be a partisan politician.
According to him, “everyone has the right to join a political party but his duty was to pray and he will keep doing that. Read more
Use Ramadan period to pray for peace in Nigeria, Sanwo-Olu urges muslims (Independent)
Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor has implored Muslims in the country to use the Ramadan period to pray for the country so that peace can reign.
He said it is only in the atmosphere of peace that the nation can witness development.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat his Deputy stated this at the Annual State House Ramadan Tafsir for Year 2022 held at the Lagos House Alausa, added that Muslims should pray fervently against shai’tan taking over the land as anti-social vices such as kidnapping, killing and many more are on the increase in the country.
“I implore all Muslims to pray for this country so that we have peace. And that the spirit of shai’tan does not take over our land. All these killings, kidnapping, banditry and so on, we have to pray that Almighty Allah takes control of our country and brings back peace and happiness because without it nothing can happen. So, we have to pray for peace”
Speaking further Sanwo-olu emphasized that in tackling the myriad of challenges facing the country, particularly insecurity, Nigerians need to seek intervention from all spheres and ensure that they do all things possible to restore peace and bring back humanity that the nation is known for. Read more
N5b worth Tramadol, Exol 5 seized at Lagos Airport, Abuja, Edo (DailyTrust)
No less than 9.5m tablets of pharmaceutical opioids: Tramadol and Exol 5 worth over N5bn have been seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Edo State by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
Of the figure, 214 cartons of Tramadol 225 under 10 different brand names, which translate to 9,219,400 tablets weighing 6,384.5kgs, with an estimated street value of N4,609,700, 000 were transferred on Tuesday 29th March alongside 85 cartons of dried Khat leaves with a total weight of 1,327.35kgs by the Nigerian Customs to the MMIA Command of NDLEA as a symbol of the synergy between the two law enforcement agencies.
Spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said on Sunday in Abuja, that about 228,740 tablets and capsules of Tramadol and Exol 5 were also intercepted on Friday 1st April at the Abaji area of the FCT.
According to him, the truck conveying the drugs was loaded in Lagos heading to Kano. Read more
Lagos residents raise alarm over danger posed by abandoned vehicles (Guardian)
Some Lagos residents have decried the danger posed by the increasing number of abandoned and disused vehicles on street corners, roads and highways.
The residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said that the majority of the vehicles have become harbingers of criminals, toilets and mini-dump sites.
According to them, apart from being a haven for criminals and storage of their deadly weapons, the destitute and mentally deranged have found a home in them, making wherever the vehicles are parked an environmental nuisance.
These abandoned disused vehicles are seen around mechanic workshops, police stations and street corners, in front of houses and on highways among others. Read more
Fierce winds, storms caused blackout at MMIA – FAAN (Punch)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria said on Saturday that Friday’s rainfall, accompanied by fierce winds and storms, led to the blackout that crippled operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday.
FAAN’s Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, in a statement titled ‘Temporary power outage at MMIA’, apologised to passengers and other airport users for the disruptions caused by the blackout.
The statement reads: “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria wishes to apologise to passengers and other airport users that witnessed a temporary power outage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 2315hours yesterday (Friday), April 1, 2022.
“The outage, which was as a result of yesterday’s (Friday) rain that came with very fierce winds and storms, a natural occurrence, affected one of our feeders and consequently resulted in the temporary disruption of power supply at the D wing of the airport.” Read more
Falz explains his exit from Jenifa’s Diary, pours accolades on Funke Akindele (Independent)
Nigerian rapper and actor, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has revealed why he stopped featuring in the Nigerian actress, Funke Akindele’s soap opera titled, Jenifa’s Diary.
According to the singer in an interview with Inkblot’s Meet & Greet, he stopped being on the show due to the schedule, and timing of shooting.
He said, “If I could be on the show every single episode, I would but it’s just schedule, timing, shooting, ah!
“People genuinely root for them (Jenifa and Sege). And there was a time that she had a bit of a confusion in her life as per which guy she should pick and everybody was like Sege! Read more
Renowned Nigerian artiste manager, Oba Wonder joins Lahor Music (Independent)
Kareem O. Abidemi popularly known as Oba Wonder is a prolific artiste Manager, Blogger @ 247ariya.com and music promoter who recently announced his new working relationship with fast-growing Nigerian record label and music company, Lahor Music.
Lahor Music company took to their official Instagram account recently to express their excitement about the new multi-million naira deal with OBA Wonder and how his involvement with the company will produce amazing stars in the Afrobeat world.
Apart from being a successful entertainment blogger, Oba Wonder is a name that rings a bell in Nigeria’s music industry when it comes to grooming young talents, giving them brand identity and maximum exposure.
His artiste management game revolves around understanding industry demands and strategically positioning artistes to withstand the ever growing competition in Nigeria’s music space. Read more
S’East: NPA joins forces with NCC against book piracy (Sun)
The leadership of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has pledged to work with the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) against the production and circulation of pirated books across South-East and South-South regions.
The National President of the NPA, Chief Uche Anioke made the pledge when he welcomed a delegation of the South East, South South Directorate of the commission who paid a courtesy call on him on Thursday.
Anioke who regretted the activities of some book sellers and schools who aid piracy of educational materials said that his association will do all within its powers in conjunction with the NCC to ensure that the book ecosystem in the country is rid of pirates.
“We will try to reactivate the book sellers association in Enugu. By doing that we will ensure that book sellers are registered with the national body and that we have data of those who are members. Read more
Anti-govt sermon: Suspended Abuja Imam breaks silence, says ‘only God dethrones’ (Punch)
Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, who was suspended over a sermon considered to be “anti-government” has broken his silence.
Khalid, popularly known as Digital Imam, in a post written in Arabic, said “God is the most powerful. He gives (enthrones) and takes away power (dethrones) from whomever He wishes”.
The Imam said this a few hours after reports that he had been suspended as the Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque by the committee in charge of the worship centre.
The message was similar to the content of the letter written by Sanusi Lamido II when he was dethroned as the Emir of Kano. Read more
Niger Emir rescues 2 girls from forced marriage
(Nation)
The Emir of Agaie in Niger State, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu, has rescued two girls from their parents who wanted to force them into early marriage.
Nuhu disclosed this to newsmen shortly after a sensitisation campaign on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Saturday in Agaie Local Government Area of Niger state.
Nuhu said that the girls are currently in his custody and have refused to release the children to their parents until they allow the girls to marry men of their choice.
“Here in my emirate, I preach against early and forced marriage. Currently, I have two girls under my custody whose parents wanted to force into marrying men they didn’t love. Read more
John Legend honored at Grammys’ Black Music Collective event: ‘I’m proud to celebrate’ (USAToday)
As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements Saturday — the night before the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that has shaped him and the wider world of music.
Legend explained how Black music has set trends for listeners across the globe, speaking at the academy’s Black Music Collective event in Las Vegas, where he was given the Global Impact Award for his personal and professional achievements in the music industry.
“I’m proud to celebrate and honor and cultivate our music,” Legend said at the event held the night before the Grammy Awards.
“Black music is and has been the rhythm, the root, the inspiration, the innovation behind so much of the world’s popular music. It doesn’t exist without us,” he said. Read more
Iranian women in film slam ‘systemic’ sexual violence in industry (TimesofIsrael)
More than 250 women working in Iran’s film industry have signed a statement condemning what they call “systematic” sexual harassment and demanding a committee address the issue.
People in power in Iranian cinema are known to exploit their positions “to bully, threaten, insult, humiliate and assault women,” they charged.
“Acts of violence are systematic,” said the statement signed by some of Iran’s most prominent actresses, film directors and producers. “We condemn any violence and sexual harassment in the workplace, and to end it, we call for serious legal consequences for the violators.”
Iranian cinema is well-known around the world, as many of the country’s movies have screened at film festivals and won international awards. Read more
Will Smith projects reportedly stalled or under threat after Oscars slap (Guardian)
Some high-profile projects linked to actor Will Smith are stalled or under threat after his violent slap of comic Chris Rock during the recent Oscars ceremony, Hollywood media outlets have reported.
The moves would be the latest blow to Smith following the altercation on stage at the 94th Academy Awards show which followed Rock making a joke mocking Smith’s wife, actor Jada Pinkett Smith, and her medical condition alopecia, which causes hair loss.
Streaming giant Netflix has slowed development on its upcoming action-thriller Fast and Loose, which Smith was set to star in, Variety reported. The movie trade publication added that a search for a new director for the film had been paused and added “…it remains uncertain whether Netflix will return to developing Fast and Loose and, if so, whether the streamer would seek a new star for the project.”
The Hollywood Reporter also said that Apple+ had declined to comment on its drama Emancipation – about escaping from slavery – which had been expected to be released this year starring Smith but currently has not had a firm date attached to it. The film news magazine also said that Sony was pausing its Smith-linked action film Bad Boys 4 , which had been in “active development” before the Oscars. Read more
A rare Pablo Picasso exhibition on show in Senegal’s capital (TheSouthAfrican)
An unprecedented Picasso exhibition opened this week in Senegal’s capital Dakar, where about a dozen of the Spanish master’s works are displayed alongside African art, from which he drew inspiration.
A pioneering modern artist who died in France in 1973, Picasso left behind a vast and influential body of work including paintings, sculptures and ceramics.
He was one of the founders of the Cubist movement and was heavily inspired by African art, with the influence notable in seminal paintings such as Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.
However, Picasso’s interest in Africa remains relatively unknown in Senegal. Read more
Blac Chyna claims Kardashians ‘hurt me financially and emotionally’ and ‘hurt my beautiful KIDS’ in new statement on lawsuit (DailyMail)
Blac Chyna has said that the Kardashians ‘hurt me financially and emotionally’ and ‘hurt my beautiful KIDS’ by allegedly getting her reality show Rob And Chyna cancelled.
The 33-year-old model – who shares her daughter Dream, five, with her ex Rob Kardashian – tweeted a new statement regarding her legal battle against his mother Kris Jenner and his sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner.
Chyna has spent years insisting that Kris, Kim, Khloe and Kylie connived to help get Rob And Chyna axed. Meanwhile Rob’s attorney Marty Singer has previously argued that Chyna and Rob’s breakup is what caused the reality series to end.
The social media influencer, whose real name is Angela Renee White, also shares a son called King Cairo, nine, with the rapper Tyga. Read more
Federal Judge deposes Spotify Ceo Daniel Ek in Eminem copyright infringement lawsuit (HipHopDX)
A federal judge has reportedly ordered Spotify CEO Daniel Ek to sit for a deposition in a copyright lawsuit over Eminem’s music. According to Billboard, the judge rejected Spotify’s arguments that he’s not personally involved in “day-to-day” licensing operations or that he’s too busy to schedule the case into his calendar.
The streaming giant insisted Ek had “little information to offer “about the lawsuit and accused plaintiffs/Eminem’s publishing company Eight Mile Style of dragging him into a deposition simply to “harass and annoy” him. But on Thursday (March 31), U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffery S. Frensley ruled Ek would have to find a way to address the issue at hand.
“Undoubtedly Mr. Ek has a full schedule [and] the Court credits Spotify’s assertion that he is very busy indeed,” Judge Frensley wrote. “Yet, the issue of proper licensing relationships with the artists whose work comprises the entirety of Spotify’s business and its sole product is surely also a matter of importance to Spotify, worthy of some of Mr. Ek’s time and attention.”
Eight Mile Style filed the suit in 2019, accusing Spotify of streaming Eminem’s music “billions of times” without obtaining the proper mechanical licenses. The 2018 passage of the Music Modernization Act was supposed to eliminate that problem, but Eight Mile Style said Spotify had essentially ignored the law’s requirements and could still be sued for infringement. Read more
2 Russian soldiers killed and 28 seriously ill ‘after being given poisoned food by Ukrainian civilians’ (Independent)
Two Russian soldiers have died and 28 are seriously ill after being given poisoned pastries by Ukrainian civilians, Ukraine’s intelligence agency has claimed.
The troops from Russia’s 3rd Motor Rifle Division died immediately after eating the food in Izium, Kharkiv, the country’s Main Directorate of Intelligence announced in a Facebook post on Saturday.
A further 28 soldiers are in intensive care following the poisoning, while about 500 more are in hospital suffering from heavy alcohol poisoning, according to the post.
Officials claimed Russia was writing the troops off as “non-combat losses”. Read more
WCQ: FIFA to investigate MKO Abiola pitch invasion (Leadership)
World soccer ruling body, FIFA has set in motion an investigation into the pitch invasion that occurred after the Nigeria-Ghana World Cup qualifier played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
A statement released by FIFA,said it is analysing official match reports, and will then decide if action will be taken against the Nigeria Football Federation.
“The relevant information included in the match reports will be evaluated by the competent disciplinary bodies before deciding on the next steps to be taken,” the FIFA statement added.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) could face sanctions from world governing body Fifa after crowd trouble marred the end of their 2022 World Cup play-off against Ghana. Read more
Patrick Mouratoglou reacts to Nick Kyrgios receiving hefty fine by ATP (TennisWorld)
Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou couldn’t help but wonder if Nick Kyrgios’ meltdown was really worth a $35,000 fine. Kyrgios wasn’t happy with Carlos Bernardes’ officiating during his Miami round-of-16 match and he let the chair umpire hear it.
Kyrgios was fined for four separate offences as he was fined $20,000 for verbal abuse and $5,000 for audible obscenity. Also, Kyrgios was hit by two fines of $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct. “What do you think of this? Was that really worth $35,000?” Mouratoglou asked.
Kyrgios on why he was unhappy with Bernardes Kyrgios was by a costly penalty in the first set tie-break, before he was hit by a game penalty after losing the first set.
“I mean, look, I just don’t think he controls the crowd well at all, in my personal opinion,” Kyrgios said. “People can have their opinions on it. I just don’t think my point penalty was worth a point penalty. Read more
Antonio Rudiger ‘wants £5.9m a year’ in order to leave Chelsea for Barcelona transfer (Express)
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has outlined his hefty contract demands to Barcelona and other clubs pursuing his services on a free transfer this summer. Rudiger’s Chelsea deal expires in June, and he’s looking increasingly more likely to depart for a new challenge by the week.
According to Sport, Barcelona are closely monitoring the 29-year-old’s situation and want to include him in their free agent transfer strategy. Club president Joan Laporta has already confirmed agreements for a defender and midfielder to join this summer – thought to be Rudiger’s team-mate Andreas Christensen and AC Milan’s Franck Kessie.
Barcelona have since turned their attention toward Rudiger. Mateu Alemany and Jordi Cruyff engaged in a three-hour meeting with his agent Sahr Senesie at a hotel in the Spanish city earlier this week, where the latter outlined his client’s desires for his next contract.
The report claims Rudiger is asking for £5.9million (€7m) a year, working out at around £113,500 weekly, plus a signing bonus for joining as a free agent. However, his current demands are significantly above what the Blaugrana are willing to invest as their well-documented financial frailties continue. Read more
Celtic stretch lead over Rangers as Cameron Carter-Vickers earns Old Firm derby win (Independent)
Celtic opened up a significant six-point gap over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 comeback win at Ibrox.
Gers’ on-loan midfielder Aaron Ramsey scored just three minutes into his first Old Firm game with a close-range finish, but Hoops midfielder Tom Rogic levelled four minutes later and defender Cameron Carter-Vickers had the 700 travelling fans in raptures when he fired the visitors ahead just before the interval with a goal that proved decisive.
With six fixtures remaining including another Old Firm game at Parkhead – as well as a Scottish Cup semi-final between the two Glasgow giants – Ange Postecoglou’s side are on course to bring the title back across the city, helped by a goal-difference advantage of 16.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men face Braga in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie in Portugal on Thursday – their boss Carlos Carvalhal was watching from the stands – but their domestic aspirations suffered a huge blow at the hands of their bitter rivals. Read more
Grosjean reveals special helmet for upcoming Mercedes test (RacingNews365)
Romain Grosjean has revealed the one-off helmet he has ready and waiting for his promised Mercedes test, despite no date having been confirmed for his F1 swansong.
Mercedes offered the Frenchman a test session driving one of their cars after his F1 career was cut short by a horrific crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
The test was due to take place around the 2021 French Grand Prix weekend but, due to Covid travel restrictions, it never went ahead.
Grosjean is still waiting patiently for his chance to drive one of Lewis Hamilton’s famous cars and is ready for Toto Wolff’s call. Read more
Tiger Woods declares himself ‘a game-time decision’ for 2022 Masters (NYPost)
Tiger Woods is going back to Augusta, but his status for the Masters remains uncertain.
Woods, 46, wrote on Twitter Sunday morning that he was returning to Augusta National Golf Club later in the day for another practice session and declared himself “a game-time decision” for the 2022 Masters, which tees off on Thursday.
“I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice. It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete,” Woods wrote. “Congratulations to 16-year-old Anna Davis on an amazing win at the @anwagolf and good luck to all the kids in the @DriveChipPutt.”
Woods created a massive buzz on Tuesday when he played 18 holes at Augusta, which left the golf world wondering if the five-time Masters winner and 15-time major champion would play this week less than 14 months after nearly losing his leg in a horrific car crash in California. Read more
‘Can’t help himself’ – Tadej Pogacar lights up Flanders with attack on Oude Kwaremont (Eurosport)
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) lit up the Tour of Flanders with a pulsating attack on the Oude Kwaremont.
Pogacar arrived in Flanders bidding to become the first reigning Tour de France champion since Eddy Merckx in 1975 to win the Belgian Monument.
And he set up his stall with a series of tasty attacks, mainly in the aim of cracking defending champion Kasper Asgreen (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl).
The most impressive was a bruising move on the Kwaremont with 55km to go as he quickly whittled down a sizable group. Read more
