Ibeju-Lekki Chiefs implore Sanwo-Olu to install Oba-designate (Guardian)
Traditional chiefs and king makers in Ibeju-Lekki Local Council of Lagos State have appealed to Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu to install the Oba-designate, Mr. Razak Olasunkanmi.
Speaking at a press briefing, the chiefs, including Taiwo Adebambo, Ahmed Aromire and Adeleke Salami, among others, said a letter had been submitted to the office of the governor to that effect through the Ibeju-Lekki Local Council.
They said Olasunkanmi is a bonafide member of the community and has gone through all processes, just like other contenders, but was picked by the kingmakers after a rigorous screening session. Read more
Sanwo-Olu demands reduction in cost of governance (Leadership)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwolu has said only 20 per cent of voters come out to vote anytime the country holds general elections, even as he said there is a need to cut the nation’s cost of governance.
He spoke at the premiere of “Unmasked: Leadership, Trust and the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria” a documentary about Nigeria’s response to the pandemic.
Sanwolu, while speaking on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, noted that the crisis had opened up vulnerabilities in the country, adding that the Nigerian government and its people must learn from the lessons of the past year.
“Looking at all the things that Covid-19 has cost us, how are we preparing ourselves? The truth be told the structure of our governance system needs to change particularly the cost of governance. I am already working on it because you won’t find more than five or six vehicles in my convoy. Read more
Police dismiss explosives in oshodi market fire (DailyTrust)
Hours after Lagos Emergency Management Agency said its investigation showed some form of explosive or accelerant was used in the fire which gutted Oshodi Market, police has ruled out any explosive being involved in the incident.
It signals a controversy over the cause of the fire, which started with an explosion on Thursday night.
Lagos police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said police and expert investigations showed the fire was “not caused” by bombing or explosives.
“The commissioner of police has debunked the rumour that the Oshodi market inferno was caused by bombing or explosives. The public is hereby urged to disregard such news or rumour,” said Adejobi. Read more
In show of unity, Oshiomhole, Oyegun urge APC members to close ranks, work together (ThisDay)
Appearing to have put their personal animosity aside for the larger interest of their party, two former National Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole have urged party members in Edo State and Nigeria at large to close ranks and work as one in the interest of the party.
The duo made the appeal in Benin weekend at a stakeholders meeting of the party on the heels of the just concluded membership registration exercise in the state.
The two APC chiefs fought bitterly on opposite side in the last governorship election. While Oshiomhole supported the aspiration Pastor Ize Iyamu on the platform of the APC, Oyegun supported the re-election bid of the incumbent, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who had earlier defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after he was disqualified by the APC Governorship Screening Committee. Read more
FG approves 20 new federal marriage registries (Leadership)
The federal government has approved the establishment of 20 new federal marriage registries, while efforts are ongoing to have more of such in all the state capitals of the federation.
The Permanent secretary ministry of interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, who announced this at the 2021 National Stakeholders’ Conference on the Administration and Conduct of Statutory Marriage in Nigeria in Abuja on Friday, added that the ministry was now the sole authority to issue valid and legally recognised certificate of marriage, known as “FORM E”.
Belgore said the printing and issuance of marriage certificate booklets to licensed places of worship and marriage registries was the sole responsibility of the permanent secretary, who is the principal registrar of marriages, even as it is ministry’s sole regulatory responsibility for the issuance of licenses to public places of worship for the conduct of statutory marriages in Nigeria. Read more
Group claims over 200 people killed in Benue this year (ThisDay)
A group, MINDA Strategic Contact Group (MSCG) has disclosed that over 200 people have been killed by suspected herdsmen between January and April of this year in Benue State.
This is as the Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council Area of Plateau State, Hon. Ubandoma Joshua Laven, has been decorated as state patron of Vigilante Group of Nigeria VGN, with the mandate to get rid of criminal elements in the state. Read more
Poultry farmers lose 50,000 to Bird Flu (Guardian)
Poultry farmers in Bauchi State are counting their losses as Avian Influenza (bird flu) outbreak killed 50,000 birds, while 27,000 of them were deliberately slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Sama’ila Adamu Burga, who made this known to newsmen, yesterday, said Bauchi and Toro councils were badly hit by the bird flu.
The government called on poultry farmers to adhere strictly to the guidelines on marketing, movement of poultry products, general hygiene, consumption of wholesome poultry and poultry products. Read more
INEC may approve 176,996 centres for 2023 elections (ThisDay)
There are indications that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may approve up to 176,996 polling centres across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of the ongoing expansion and verification of polling centres ahead of the 2023 general election.
But the adjustments of the lower and upper thresholds for voting points, according to INEC, would be from 750 and 1000, to 500 and 750.
The implication is that INEC would be creating additional 57,023 polling units nationwide, although the breakdown is not known yet. Read more
Prince Misuzulu named next Zulu king amid family feud (BBC)
The eldest son of South Africa’s late Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini has been chosen as successor to the throne, amid a bitter family feud.
Prince Misuzulu, 46, was named in the will of Zulu Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu – his mother – who died unexpectedly last week.
Some family members openly voiced disapproval on Friday and the prince had to be led away by armed security.
On Saturday, the family held a press conference to say he had their support. Read more
Teacher reassigned after sucking man’s nipple during Zoom classroom (RT)
A New York City teacher has been pulled from her classes but kept her job after being caught on a Zoom teaching session sucking a man’s nipple in front of her students.
Amanda K. Fletcher, 37, was disciplined after an investigation found she had performed an “inappropriate sexual act” during a Zoom classroom for students of the Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science, and Engineering.
Fletcher, a Spanish teacher, “appeared to suck the nipple of an unidentified topless male” while “gyrating” back and forth on video, according to the Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools. Read more
China rocket debris ‘disintegrates over Indian Ocean’ – Chinese media (BBC)
Debris from a Chinese rocket that had been hurtling back towards Earth has disintegrated over the Indian Ocean, China says.
The bulk of the rocket was destroyed during the re-entry, but parts landed at a location 72.47° East and 2.65° North, Chinese state-run media reported.
The point lies west of the Maldives.
US and European tracking sites had been monitoring the uncontrolled fall of the Long March-5b vehicle. Read more
7 hikers killed in avalanches in French Alps (DW)
Seven people died after avalanches in two separate locations in the French Alpine region of Savoie on Saturday, local authorities said, adding that the risk of another one remained high on Sunday.
Authorities had warned on Friday of the instability of the snowpack due to warmer temperatures.
“Two avalanches caused the death of seven people in the Savoyard massifs, Galibier and Mont Pourri on Saturday,” the local prefecture said in a statement.
The first avalanche hit two groups of hikers around noon at the town of Valloire, near the Col du Galibier mountain. Read more
Fresh Jerusalem clashes leave more than 90 injured (BBC)
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police broke out for a second night in Jerusalem on Saturday.
Protesters hurled stones at the police and lit fires at Damascus Gate in the Old City, and officers responded by firing stun grenades and water cannon.
Palestinian medics said 90 Palestinians were wounded. Israeli police said at least one officer was hurt.
It follows days of simmering unrest over possible evictions of Palestinians from land claimed by Jewish settlers. Read more
Bride delivers calf in her wedding gown during reception (CBC)
Australian bride delivers calf in her wedding grown during reception
Story Transcript
When a cow went into labour during a wedding reception on an Australian farm, the bride didn’t think twice before springing into action in her silvery white gown.
Farmer Jessa Laws ditched the dance floor and got down in the mud, dress and all, to help her cow deliver its calf.
“When there’s a cow that needs help calving, you drop everything to go and help,” she told As It Happens host Carol Off.
“I didn’t even think about my guests. Didn’t think about my dress, that’s for sure. I headed straight down to the dairy.” Read more
London elections: Sadiq Khan wins second term as mayor (BBC)
Labour’s Sadiq Khan has won a second term as London’s mayor, beating Conservative rival Shaun Bailey.
He won 55.2% of the popular vote, after entering a run-off with Mr Bailey when neither managed to secure a majority in the first round of voting.
The former MP became the first Muslim mayor of an EU capital city when he was first elected to the role in 2016.
Speaking at City Hall, he promised “to strain every sinew to help build a better, brighter future for London”. Read more
Aguero misses penalty as Chelsea’s late win makes Man City wait for title (BBC)
Sergio Aguero made a mess of a Panenka penalty as Chelsea ensured Manchester City must wait a little longer to wrap up the Premier League title by fighting back to earn a dramatic win at Etihad Stadium.
City, needing three points to become champions of England for the seventh time, took the lead just before half-time through Raheem Sterling’s close-range strike.
Aguero had a glorious chance to make it 2-0 from the spot moments later when Billy Gilmour fouled Gabriel Jesus, but the Argentina striker opted for a dinked effort that was easily saved by Edouard Mendy.
It proved a costly miss, as Chelsea improved after the break and equalised when Cesar Azpilicueta set up Hakim Ziyech to fire home from the edge of the area. Read more
Chelsea fans heap praise on mastermind Tuchel after comeback win at Manchester City (RT)
Chelsea fans again sang the praises of manager Thomas Tuchel on Saturday after the German masterminded a stoppage-time comeback win over UCL final foes Manchester City which denied them a chance to clinch the Premier League title.
Heading down the tunnel at half time, the Blues trailed the English top flight leaders 1-0 after Raheem Sterling converted a spilled ball.
Given that Billy Gilmour had fouled Gabriel Jesus on the stroke of the whistle, the damage could have been double had Sergio Aguero not attempted a horrendous Panenka penalty that left City tactician Pep Guardiola fuming. Read more
Spanish Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton’s 100th pole more than a number’ (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton said he was “proud” of the lap that took him to the remarkable milestone of 100 Formula 1 career pole positions, but that was only one of the emotions whirling through him as he celebrated this landmark, almost incredible, achievement.
“I don’t really feel like I can compute it right now,” he said. “It’s a huge number. I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel but I am excited it’s so close and it felt amazing.
“Qualifying is so special. When you come across that line and find you are just ahead. It’s such a big number it’s hard to express just how crazy and amazing it is.”
Hamilton has always said he is not one for statistics, but this clearly hit home. And no wonder. Read more
Bayern Munich have won more than just the Bundesliga, but now face a rebuilding job (DW)
On balance, it’s not been a bad month for Bayern Munich.
On Saturday, Germany’s record champions wrapped up a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title without even kicking a ball. RB Leipzig’s dramatic 3-2 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund saw Bayern crowned champions ahead of their own game against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
For head coach Hansi Flick, it’s a seventh trophy in just 18 months in the job, to add to last season’s historic sextuplet. It’s also his last, with Bayern out of the Champions League and German Cup and with the 56-year-old to be replaced by Julian Nagelsmann at the end of the season.
But for those who will remain, Bayern Munich’s 30th Bundesliga title, and 31st German championship overall, caps a tumultuous period in European football from which Bayern have emerged in a powerful position. Read more
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v Billy Joe Saunders: Mexican wins with eighth-round stoppage (BBC)
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez produced a devastating uppercut to leave a distraught Billy Joe Saunders unable to rise from his stool after eight rounds of their world-title unification bout.
Just as Saunders looked to be gaining a footing, the Mexican found a shot which caused an instant swelling over the British fighter’s right eye.
Saunders’ trainer called the fight off, with his fighter unable to see.
“I think I broke his cheek,” said Alvarez. “The truth is I knew it.” Read more
Sabalenka defeats top-ranked Barty to claim Madrid Open (CBC)
Aryna Sabalenka is glad she changed her mind about playing at the Madrid Open.
Two weeks after nearly withdrawing from the tournament because of a muscle injury, Sabalenka was standing on centre court with the winner’s trophy in her hands on Saturday.
Sabalenka defeated top-ranked Ash Barty 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 for her 10th WTA title — and first on clay.The victory, coming two weeks after she was hurt in a loss to Barty in the Stuttgart final, will move the Belarus player to No. 4 in the world next week. Read more