Kidnapped Pastor: My husband’s health is bad, police should help secure his release – wife cries out (Vanguard)
Wife of the kidnapped Deeper Life Pastor, in Ondo State, Yinka Ogedengbe has cried out that the health condition of her husband is bad.
Yinka has therefore appealed passionately to the security operatives in the state to help secure the release of her husband, Otamayomi Ogedengbe abducted inside the church in Akure, Ondo state capital.
According to her ” They should release my husband because he is always on the drug, I beg security agents to rise to the occasion and help me to secure his release.
Recall that the clergyman who was a retired director in the state civil service was abducted during a church service at Irese area, in Akure metropolis on Monday. Read more
Ogun businesswoman disappears on way to vigil in Lagos (Punch)
The family of a businesswoman, Sarah Dosekun, is in distress following her sudden disappearance while on her way to attend a vigil at the Celestial Church of Christ, Calvary Parish 1 in the Ogba area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Sarah boarded a bus from the Mowe area of Ogun State last Thursday to the Ogba area of Lagos.
Sarah’s daughter, Janet, said the family members lost communication with her mother when she got to Asese bus stop on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, adding that the 67-year-old had remained incommunicado since then.
Janet said, “She (Sarah) left home around 7.15pm for a church vigil. But while on her way, she called around 7.54pm to inform us that she had got to Asese bus stop. Since then, her number hasn’t connected. Read more
NDLEA arrests former Lagos council boss at Lagos airport (Vanguard)
National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos yesterday said it has arrested former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Mr Asekun Kehinde Sakiru.
According to a statement released yesterday (Wednesday) by NDLEA’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, Asekuun is alleged to have been on the wanted list of the agency. He is alleged to have ” made his way to the agency’s blacklist following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him.”
According to Babafemi, ” the long arm of the law caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40 pm last Friday while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic airline flight to London, the United Kingdom at the Lagos airport.” Read more
‘Sultan didn’t make u-turn on Eid-el-Fitri day declaration’ (Guardian)
The media office of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has denied claims that the monarch made a u-turn over his declaration of Thursday, May 13, 2021 as 1st Shawwal 1442 AH and day for Idul-Fitri celebration.
Bashir Adefaka of Sultan Media Office in a statement described the claims as an unfortunate attempt to mislead Muslim faithful and was therefore put off as unIslamic.
“Where those acting for any particular Muslim leader, for whatever reason known to them, heard “Wednesday” whereas what the entire world heard and read from the report approved by the Sultan was “Thursday”, remains a matter of concern,” Adefaka said. Read more
Electricity grid suffers collapse, blackout worsens (Punch)
The national grid has suffered another system collapse, worsening the blackout being experienced in parts of the country.
The collapse, which occurred around 11.00 am on Wednesday, was confirmed by two of the country’s electricity distribution companies in separate messages to their customers.
“We regret to inform you that the power outage currently being experienced across our franchise – Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States – is as a result of the collapse of the national grid,” Kaduna Electric said on Twitter.
Eko Electricity Distribution Company Plc, in a text message to its customers, said, “Dear customer, there is a partial system collapse on the national grid. Our TCN partners are working to restore supply immediately. Please bear with us.” Read more
Prices of root and tuber crops increase in FCT markets (Guardian)
The prices of root and tuber crops like yam and Irish potatoes have gone up in some markets in the FCT ahead of the Sallah celebration.
However, prices of foodstuffs like rice, beans, and garri have remained stable.
A market survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja confirmed this information.
A set of yam which consists of five tubers is sold for N5,500 or N6,000 depending on the size of the tuber.
The same set of yam was sold before now between N3,000 and N4,000. Read more
Eid-El-Fitr: Atiku, Saraki, Obi, others canvass unity, peaceful co-existence among Nigerians (Leadership)
As the Muslim faithful mark the Eid-al-fitr festival, a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and the immediate past Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, have called for unity among Nigerians and the need for continuous prayer for Nigeria in light of the security crisis and economic hardships.
Similarly, a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and a presidential candidate in the 2019 general election, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, have also called for peace and for all stakeholders in the Nigerian project to unite in the interest of the country.
Atiku in a statement he personally signed said this year’s Eid-al-fitr was coming at a time when Nigeria is going through a challenging moment concerning the security of lives and property and when a large number of people are hard hit by the ravaging scourge of poverty.
“As Muslims, we need to remind ourselves of our obligation to ensuring peace and unity within our family and in our neighbourhood at all times. Today, across Nigeria, there is a scary and growing tendency to mistrust along ethnic and religious lines. As Muslims, we know from both the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Noble Prophet Muhammed (SAW) that no tribe or race is superior to another, except the one that seeks piety to the Almighty Allah. Read more
Fela misses out on 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (Guardian)
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has lost out in the race to become an inductee of the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation today announced the new inductees of the 2021 class; Jay-Z, the Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s, Carole King, Todd Rundgren, and Tina Turner.
Foo Fighters, The Go-Go’s and Jay-Z were on the ballot for the first time this year. Read more
Liz Cheney: Republican ousted from leadership for challenging Trump election claims (BBC)
US Republicans have voted to oust a top lawmaker, Liz Cheney, from her leadership post over her criticism of former President Donald Trump.
The Wyoming lawmaker, daughter of ex-US Vice-President Dick Cheney, has held the third-ranking post in the House of Representatives since 2019.
On Tuesday she said her party could not stand for truth if it upheld Mr Trump’s false claims he won the 2020 election.
House Republicans will probably replace her this month with a Trump loyalist. Read more
Israel-Gaza violence: Tel Aviv targeted with new Hamas rocket fire (DW)
Hamas militants have launched fresh rocket attacks towards Tel Aviv after Israeli airstrikes hit targets in Gaza. Meanwhile, the ICC fear war “crimes” may have taken place.
France says world powers must avert fresh Middle East conflict
World powers must do all they can to avoid a new conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, according to France’s foreign minister.
“The cycle of violence in Gaza, in Jerusalem but also in the West Bank and several cities in Israel risk leading to a major escalation,” Jean-Yves Le Drian told parliament. “Everything must be done to avoid a conflict.” Read more
Museveni sworn in for sixth term as Ugandan president (Guardian)
Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni was sworn in Wednesday for his sixth term as president, as police surrounded the home of his main opposition rival who decried the inauguration as a “sham”.
Museveni, who won re-election in January despite widespread reports of irregularities, took the oath of office at a ceremony in Kampala broadcast on national television and attended by several African heads of state and other foreign dignitaries.
The 76-year-old, wearing a dark blue suit and his trademark wide-brimmed safari hat, promised to “pay true allegiance” to the East African country he has ruled nonstop since taking power as a rebel leader in 1986. Read more
Air France crash: Trial ordered for Airbus and airline over 2009 disaster (BBC)
Twelve years after an Air France Airbus plane crashed into the Atlantic killing 228 people, a court has ruled that the airline and manufacturer should go on trial for involuntary manslaughter.
The Paris court overturned a ruling two years ago and backed recommendations from prosecutors.
Flight AF447 from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to Paris went down on 1 June 2009, killing everyone on board.
Investigators found the pilots had lost control when air-speed sensors froze. Read more
Covid: Serious failures in WHO and global response, report finds (BBC)
The Covid-19 pandemic was preventable, an independent review panel has said.
The panel, set up by the World Health Organization, said the combined response of the WHO and global governments was a “toxic cocktail”.
The WHO should have declared a global emergency earlier than it did, its report said, adding that without urgent change the world was vulnerable to another major disease outbreak.
More than 3.3 million people around the world have now died of Covid. Read more
Taliban capture Afghan district ahead of Eid ceasefire (BBC)
The Taliban have taken control of a district near the Afghan capital, Kabul, a day before a three-day ceasefire is due to begin.
The militants confirmed on Tuesday that they had captured Nerkh district in Wardak province in a “surprise attack”.
Nerkh is the second district in a week to fall to the Taliban.
Afghanistan is seeing increasing violence as the US and Nato prepare to pull out remaining troops by 11 September. Read more
Italian Open: Serena Williams & Naomi Osaka lose, Ashleigh Barty through (BBC)
Serena Williams saw the 1,000th match of her illustrious career end in a straight-set defeat by Argentina’s Nadia Podoroska at the Italian Open.
The 39-year-old American, playing her first competitive match since mid-February, was beaten 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.
Podoroska looked assured in her first meeting with the 23-time Grand Slam champion as she reached the last 16.
Japanese world number two Naomi Osaka suffered her second successive defeat on clay by losing to Jessica Pegula. Read more
UEFA Champions League final expected to be moved from Istanbul to Portugal (DW)
Manchester City and Chelsea would now vye for the title in Portugal after talks to move it to the UK broke down.
It looks like it is about to happen again. With coronavirus raging in Istanbul, reports suggest UEFA is set to move the Champions League final to Portugal for the second year running.
There had previously been talks to host the all-English final between Manchester City and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium in London. Reports, however, suggest that the Estadio do Dragao, home to FC Porto, will be handed hosting rights after UEFA was unable to secure the quarantine exemptions required for media and guests to be able to fly into the English capital.
On Wednesday, Portuguese authorities approved the return of fans for the final round of league matches on May 19 which will allow stadiums to fill to 10 per cent capacity. Read more
Formula 1 clamps down on flexible rear wings after Lewis Hamilton’s Red Bull claim (BBC)
Formula 1’s governing body has launched a clampdown on flexible rear wings amid suspicions teams are bending the rules.
The move comes after Lewis Hamilton claimed Red Bull used a “bendy” wing, increasing straight-line speed.
The governing body has written to teams saying it had “become aware” some rear wings passed tests but had “excessive deflections while cars are in motion”.
The FIA has told teams it will introduce new load-deflection tests from 15 June.
In addition to new, more targeted static tests, the FIA plans to use on-board cameras to monitor the behaviour of wings while cars are in motion in an attempt to spot any excessive movement of bodywork. Read more
Michael Jordan reveals he treasures final text message exchange with Kobe Bryant (RT)
Basketball icon Michael Jordan has revealed that he can’t bring himself to delete the final text exchange he had with Kobe Bryant prior to the former LA Lakers star’s death in a helicopter accident last year.
Jordan, who is considered to be the greatest basketball player in history, was a close friend of Bryant’s, whom many considered to be Jordan’s heir apparent throughout his two-decade NBA career.
The two stars of the sport, who between them gathered an incredible 11 NBA titles as they both rose to legendary status in their respective teams, maintained a close friendship and were in regular contact – and Jordan has told ESPN that he treasures the final exchange he had with Bryant which occurred less than two months before his death.
“He was just so happy,” Jordan says of the person he described as his ‘little brother’. “He was doing so well.” Read more
Tokyo 2020: United States track and field team cancels pre-Olympic training in Japan (BBC)
The United States track and field team have cancelled their pre-Olympic training camp in Japan because of concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
Host city Tokyo is under a state of emergency amid a surge in cases, 10 weeks from the start of the Games on 23 July.
American athletes were due to train in nearby Chiba and the local government said “concerns for their athletes’ safety” led to the cancellation.
The US team are yet to comment.
The news comes a day after Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka said she was “not really sure” whether the rescheduled Olympics should go ahead this summer. Read more
Leicester still have ‘work to do’ to finish in top four, says Rodgers (Guardian)
Brendan Rodgers said Leicester still have “work to do” after the FA Cup finalists closed in on a top-four finish in the Premier League with a rare win at Manchester United.
A 2-1 victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday lifted Leicester, who have two league games remaining, to third in the table — eight points clear of fifth-placed West Ham.
Leicester faces top-four rivals and Champions League finalists Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, seeking to win the trophy for the first time after four defeats in the final.But Rodgers, mindful of last season’s late collapse, which meant they missed out on qualification for the Champions League on the final day of the season, stressed the job was not yet done. Read more