Inside sizzling tales of Nigeria’s gyms turned hookup hotbeds (Punch)
A new kind of workout fad is gaining popularity across Nigeria’s gyms, and it has little to do with dumbbells or treadmills. As the fitness culture surges, some men and women are flexing more than muscles, turning gym centres into steamy rendezvous points where sweat and seduction collide. VICTOR AYENI writes on these informal hookup spots for romantic and sexual connections.
Aside from being a perceptive photographer, Yinka Alo has been in the men’s shoe business in Lagos for about four years.
The 33-year-old’s warm personality and entrepreneurial flair have won him loyal customers, some of whom travel from neighbouring states just to patronise him. Read more
Kizz Daniel drops new single ‘Police’ with Angelique Kidjo, Johnny Drille (Leadership) Afrobeats superstar , Kizz Daniel, has kicked off the rollout for his next album with the release of his latest single, “Police,” featuring six-time Grammy-winning icon Angelique Kidjo and Nigerian singer-songwriter , Johnny Drille.
This collaboration signals the beginning of a bold new chapter for Kizz Daniel, setting the tone for what promises to be a standout body of work. Police delivers upbeat, feel-good energy, built on infectious melodies, fluid rhythms, and masterful storytelling.
The track is powered by a top-tier production trio: Ghana’s MOG Beatz (renowned for work with Sarkodie, Mr Eazi, and King Promise), Nigeria’s Blaise Beatz (with credits for Chris Brown, Davido, and Simi), and Johnny Drille, who also lends his distinctive vocals to the song. Read more
I failed UTME five times, says best graduating student (Guardian)
The best graduating student of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, Uthman Uthman Olayode, on Friday, revealed that he failed the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) five times before he was offered scholarship to study at the university.
Olayode disclosed this during the combined convocation ceremony for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 academic sessions of the university.
The event was attended by eminent personalities, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Adebayo Lawal; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin who was represented by Aree Egbe Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, Chief Adegboyega Adegoke; the Chancellor of the institution, Dr Tunde Afolabi; the Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Kazeem Adesola Adeduntan and the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Adesola Ajayi. Read more
Lagos seals 13 markets over unlawful waste disposal (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Government has sealed 13 markets in the state over what it described as persistent violations, including illegal waste disposal on roads, medians, and highways – contrary to the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post via his X handle.
Wahab said the closure took place on Thursday night, stating that the exercise was crucial for safeguarding public health and restoring order to the city’s already congested public spaces. Read more
1 dies in Lagos Third Mainland Bridge accident (Channels)
One person has been reported dead in a lone accident that occurred on Thursday night on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), via its official X handle, reported that the incident took place near the UNILAG Waterfront area, heading inward Adekunle.
The agency revealed that the crash involved a loaded mini truck that appeared to have lost control, leading to a serious collision. Read more
Abule Ado Kingship Dispute: Lagos AG, others face contempt (Independent)
The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Lagos state, Mr Bolaji Kayode Robert and others have been dragged to court for disobedience to court order.
Aside Pedro, Robert, other respondents in the contempt proceeding includes the Executive Chairman Amuwo /Odofin Local Government, Dr Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh were allegedly acted in disobedience to court order made on January 15, 2025 over the vacant stool of Abule Ado kingdom.
Justice Mathias Dawodu of a Lagos High Court, Ikeja had on January 15, 2025 ordered that status quo be maintain pending hearing of interlocutory injunction in a suit filed by the head of Sanusi Olawumi family of Abule Ado in Odofin Local Government area of Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Owolabi Teslimi and nine others. Read more
Stop speaking ill of Nigeria, Christian body urges (Nation)
An interdenominational ministerial group, Christ Global Network Inc, has advised against negative pronouncements and utterances over Nigeria.
While acknowledging Nigeria is challenged, the group said Nigerians must never be negative while speaking against the nation considering that the power of life and death lies in the tongues.
National Coordinator of the group, Archbishop Taiwo Akintola, at a briefing ahead of the new wine fire conference 2025 by the body billee for Saturday April 12, 2025, said Nigerians must learn to speak life over the nation. Read more
Kwara Garment Factory MD lauds AbdulRazaq’s vision (ThisDay)
The Managing Director of the Kwara Garment Factory, Hajia Bukola Adedeji, has commended the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to economic development, industrialization and job creation in the state.
A statement by the Press Secretary, Kwara Garment Factory, Rasheedat Bolanle Shodunnke, quoted Hajia Adedeji as making the commendation during a special feature on Radio Kwara, Midland 99.1 FM, recently.
She described the Kwara Garment Factory as a flagship legacy project of Governor AbdulRazaq’s administration, purposefully established to boost the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) and create sustainable employment opportunities, especially for women and youths. Read more
UN refugee chief urges support as Sudan crisis spills into Chad (AfricaNews)
UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi visited a refugee camp in Chad and spoke to displaced people. Grandi emphasised that the humanitarian operation in Sudan and neighbouring countries, which are bearing the brunt of the refugee crisis, must be supported. He said that while assistance has only decreased “needs are increasing” and stressed that must be reversed otherwise “we will see lost lives and more suffering.”
The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 between the military and its rival paramilitary RSF with battles in Khartoum and around the country. The Sudanese military has control over el-Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur, despite near-daily strikes by the RSF.
At least 20,000 people are thought to have been killed since the war broke out, though the number is likely far higher. The war has also driven more than 14 million people from their homes and pushed parts of the country into famine. Read more
Keri Hilson admits she regrets dissing Beyoncé (HipHopDx)
Keri Hilson has come clean about dissing Beyoncé on 2009 single “Turnin Me On (Remix)”.
On the controversial song, Hilson took a blatant shot at Bey, singing: “Your vision cloudy if you think that you’re the best / You can dance, she can sing / But she need to move it to the left, left.”
Speaking on The Breakfast Club, the “Knock Me Down” singer, revealed that she did not actually write the song: “It’s a regret. But not in the way people think. That’s a song I actually didn’t write. Those are not my words.” Read more
Cannes 2025: Spike Lee confirms ‘‘Highest 2 Lowest’’ premiere despite line-up announcement exclusion (FarOut)
Director Spike Lee has confirmed that his new movie, Highest 2 Lowest, will premiere out of competition next month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Earlier today (April 10th), Cannes unveiled the list of films to be shown at the prestigious annual event next month. However, Highest 2 Lowest was not included in the announcement, which led Lee to confirm the news himself.
The movie will borrow its story from the 1963 film High and Low, directed by Akira Kurosawa, and is set to feature a star-studded cast, including A$AP Rocky, Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ice Spice and Ilfenesh Hadera. Read more
Strictly Come Dancing reveals professionals lineup for 2025 – with one surprise return (Independent)
Strictly Come Dancing has announced which professional dancers will be on the line up for this year’s show, after months of speculation some would be axed.
Dianne Buswell – who won the BBC dance competition with Chris McCausland in 2024 – will return, alongside Nadiya Bychkova, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przysta.
Despite speculation Giovanni Pernice would return to the show after quitting last June, when his celebrity dance partner Amanda Abbington accused him of “abusive behaviour”, the dancer, who was cleared of the more serious allegations levied against him by a BBC investigation, has not been listed on this year’s lineup of professionals. Read more
Eric Dane to film Euphoria just 4 days after revealing ALS diagnosis (EasternEye)
Just four days after going public with his ALS diagnosis, Eric Dane is heading back to work. The 52-year-old actor, best known for his roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, will resume filming Season 3 of the hit HBO series on Monday, reprising his role as the troubled Cal Jacobs. His decision to return so soon after revealing he has ALS, a progressive condition that affects nerve cells and gradually impacts muscle control, is both surprising and deeply personal.
In a statement released this week, Dane said, “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working,” expressing his readiness to return to the Euphoria set. He also asked for privacy as he and his family process the diagnosis. Read more
US envoy Witkoff due to meet Putin in Russia over Ukraine war (AlJazeera)
United States President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has arrived in Russia and is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin spokesperson.
The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that Witkoff and Putin were in Saint Petersburg.
“The painstaking work continues. Naturally, Witkoff, as a special representative of President Trump, will bring something from his president to Putin. Putin will listen to it. The conversation on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement will continue,” he was quoted as saying by Russia’s TASS news agency. Read more
Osimhen scores 17th goal of 2025 to joint-third with Lewa, Gyokeres (Punch)
Victor Osimhen has scored his 17th goal of 2025, moving the Nigerian striker level with Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres in joint-third position among Europe’s top marksmen this calendar year.
The Galatasaray forward found the net against Samsunspor on Friday, continuing his impressive scoring run that now sees him ahead of Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane (14 goals) and Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy (13 goals).
Only PSG’s Ousmane Dembele (24 goals) and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe (19 goals) have scored more goals than the Nigerian striker in 2025. Read more
James Anderson gets knighthood in Sunak’s resignation honour (ITV)
Former England fast bowler James Anderson has been awarded a knighthood in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list.
The 42-year-old is still playing for Lancashire following his retirement from Test cricket in July 2024, having taken 704 wickets, the most by a fast bowler in Test history.
Although an ongoing calf injury means that he missed the start of the Rothesay County Championship season. Read more
McIlroy bounces back with stunning 66 at Augusta (RTE)
Rory McIlroy put his late lapse on the opening day firmly behind him with a stunning round of 66 on day two of the Masters at Augusta National.
McIlroy made double-bogeys on the par-five 15th and par-four 17th on Thursday to undo an excellent opening round and leave him on level par entering Friday – seven behind first-round leader, Justin Rose of England.
But McIlroy made up for all of that with a majestic six-under-par round on Friday, doing most of the damage on a memorable back-nine run that saw him come home in just 31 strokes. Read more
Horner makes F1 2026 engines status crystal clear after FIA call key meeting (PlanetF1)
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner offered an insight into the meeting called by the FIA in Bahrain over a possible return of V10 engines in Formula 1.
And revealing that the incoming new F1 2026 engine regulations are safe for at least three seasons, Horner explained how the engine manufacturers will now embark on a “fact finding mission” and work with the FIA and F1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media to determine the sport’s future path.
Formula 1’s governing body the FIA recently confirmed that the prospect of V10 engines returning to the sport is being explored, as F1 readies to roll out its fully-sustainable biofuel as part of the new engine regulations from 2026, ones which will see an increase in electrical power to create a 50/50 split working with the internal combustion engine. Read more
Kartal shines on BJK Cup debut to give GB lead (BBC)
Sonay Kartal impressed on debut to give Great Britain a 1-0 lead over Germany in Billie Jean King Cup qualifying.
Kartal weathered the big-hitting of an emotional Jule Niemeier to win 6-4 6-2 in the Netherlands.
World number 60 Kartal looked comfortable on the clay, moving well and often beating Niemeier in exchanges from the back of the court. Read more