Lagos Assembly passes 2019 budget (DaiyTrust)
The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday passed the 2019 Appropriation Bill.
Governor Akinwumi Ambode had last December presented a budget proposal of N873,532 Billion, but the house increased it to N873, 532 billion. Read more
Buhari seeks bi-partisan cooperation (NewTelegraph)
President Muhammadu Buhari has extended a hand of partnership to political leaders across party lines that would assist government at all levels to deliver quality services for improvement in the lives of Nigerians.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this yesterday while speaking at the opening of a two-day induction for elected and returning governors organised by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Read more
Workers’ Day: FG declares Wednesday as Public Holiday (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, 2019 as public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Barr. Georgina Ekeoma Ehuriah and made available to Daily Trust on Monday. Read more
Sex worker accuses task force members of complicity in Abuja (Tribune)
It was a show of shame, on Monday in Abuja, as one of the arrested sex workers by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) openly told the Mobile Court that some task force members had “sex” with their colleagues and released them illegally before the day of judgement.
The drama started immediately after eight of the suspects, who were arraigned at the mobile court, alighted from the task force vehicle. Read more
Dickson rejects life pension for lawmakers, says it’s illegal (Punch)
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has declined assent to the bill seeking life pension for former lawmakers from the state as proposed and passed by the state House of Assembly last week.
The controversial bill has attracted condemnation from Bayelsans, including civil society groups who were planning a showdown with the lawmakers. Read more
Again, FG, ASUU fight over IPPIS (ThisDay)
The peace in Nigeria’s public universities may be shattered soon as the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected a move by the federal government to use the 2019 personnel verification exercise to incorporate lecturers into the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS), THISDAY has learnt.
ASUU’s position, it was gathered, is that its members were employed by their respective governing councils, and not centrally by the federal government, stressing that it is strange to the world university system for their salaries to be paid from Abuja. Read more
INEC set to review 2019 General Elections (Punch)
The Independent National Electoral Commission has resolved to review its performance in the conduct of the 2019 General Elections across the country.
A National Commissioner, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the the public presentation and review of the report of the election which was prepared by one of the accredited election monitor groups, Centre for Transparency Advocacy. Read more
Aspirants bow to APC on National Assembly leadership (Nation)
Ahead of the inauguration of the Ninth National Assembly in June, some lawmakers-elect have begun scrambling for its leadership. They are eyeing the top jobs of Senate president and House Speaker, which the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has reserved for Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila. Will party supremacy prevail? Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna; Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Dele Anofi, Abuja, report.
Despite the preference of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila as Senate president and House of Representatives Speaker, some of its National Assembly members-elect are still showing interest in the top jobs. Read more
Ondo police arrest suspected arsonist (Nation)
The Ondo State Police command have arrested a suspected arsonist, Deji Adenuga, who allegedly set ablaze eight members of his estranged girlfriend’s family.
Police spokesperson Femi Joseph confirmed Adenuga’s arrest to reporters in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Read more
US Consulate decries low Sickle Cell awareness in Nigeria (Vanguard)
The United States Consulate in Lagos has decree low level of awareness around the sickle cell disorder in Nigeria even as they blamed lack of systematic screening and inadequate training of healthcare professionals. Speaking during a round-table summit organised by the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI), in partnership with the United State Consulate and Eko FM, Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate, Mr. Russell Brooke, said that the problems that occur due to sickle cell can severely interfere with an individual’s education, work, psychosocial development, and basic survival. Read more
Cybercrime: There’s lacuna in enforcement – Police (Vanguard)
The Anambra State police command has expressed worry at the existing lacuna in the enforcement of sections 24 and 38 of Cybercrimes Act 2015, particularly as it concerns jurisdiction, prosecution and enforcement.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Haruna Mohammed, in a paper he presented at a seminar on cybercrime in Onitsha, said there was need to harmonise the new Cybercrimes Act 2015 with the existing criminal and penal code laws on cyber stalking in order to avoid civil matters that could attract civil litigations. Read more
Britain’s FM urges caution over Huawei role in 5G network (Independent)
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has urged caution over the role of China’s Huawei in the UK, saying the government should think carefully before opening its doors to the technology giant to develop next-generation 5G mobile networks.
His comments come after Prime Minister Theresa May conditionally allowed China’s Huawei to build the UK 5G network, according to media reports last week. Read more
Oyinlomo moves up in ITF ranking, now No. 2 in Africa (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s Oyinlomo Quadre has for the second successive week rise significantly in the ITF ranking for junior players.
According to the new ranking released by the world’s tennis governing body on Monday April 29, the Morocco-based youngster climbed 26 places to 176 in the world making him the second placed African just behind Nahimana Sada of Burundi, who is ranked at 28 in the world. Read more
Ekundayo to defend IBF European title in Lagos June 30 (Nation)
Nigeria sensational boxer, Larry Ekundayo will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) European Welterweight title at the Boxchamp Fest 2019 on June 30, at Indoor Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere in Lagos, NationSport reports.
The Boxchamp Fest 2019, a boxing, music and entertainment show, being packaged and promoted by Saleh Gloves Promotion in association with World Class Athletes (WCA) will also see Nigeria and current WBF African Cruiserweight champion, Tony Salam fight for WBO African Cruiserweight title against Bastie Samir of Ghana. Read more
How community football is helping with mental health among men and boys (iNews)
Football is seen as an elite sport – but it can foster a sense of connection, says Jasper Kain
It’s the end of the school day at Chestnut Grove Academy in Balham, south London, and while most of its pupils are pouring out of the front gates, 15 children willingly hang back for an additional classroom activity.
This lesson is markedly different from those that have come before it. It’s run by a team from Football Beyond Borders (FBB), an initiative that uses the power of the beautiful game as an educational tool to inspire young people who might be underachieving elsewhere within the system. Read more
Football manager Bielsa hailed for act of sportsmanship (Euronews)
Leeds United football manager Marcelo Bielsa has been hailed for a remarkable act of sportsmanship that also ended any hope of his team being promoted to England’s Premier League.
The Argentinian instructed his players to allow opponents Aston Villa to equalize following a controversial goal.
The resulting 1-1 draw snuffed out Leeds’ final chance of elevation from the English Championship. Read more
I’m not paid to speak, says Pogba (Punch)
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has hit back at former club captain Roy Keane by declaring his critics “can say what they want.”
Keane has been critical of the France international, branding him “a problem” ahead of the derby defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday. Read more
Eric Bailly ruled out of final two matches and African Nations Cup (Independent)
Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will miss the club’s final two Premier League games and the African Nations Cup, the club have confirmed.
The Ivory Coast international suffered medial ligament damage in a collision with Mateo Kovacic in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford. Read more
Safe-standing: Nearly two-thirds of MPs back change in football stadium seating law (Independent)
Nearly two-thirds of MPs believe the all-seater rule should be scrapped to allow safe-standing in English football’s top two tiers, a YouGov survey has found.
Grounds in the Premier League and Championship have had to be all-seater ever since the 1989 Hillsborough disaster but crackdowns on persistent standing have had little impact on behaviour and fans have repeatedly voted for a repeal of the law in poll after poll. Read more
Ikpeba’s bombshell: Eagles’re not AFCON favourites (NewTelegraph)
Former Monaco and Super Eagles striker, Victor Ikpeba, has declared that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are not favourites for the fast approaching 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals taking place in Egypt despite being drawn in a decent group. Ikpeba speaking with journalists called on Nigerians to simply support the players and rally round them ahead of hostilities in Egypt. Read more
Onuoha rejects Ibrahimovic’s apology after clash (Punch)
Nedum Onuoha has rejected an apology from striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the two players clashed during La Galaxy’s 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake on Sunday.
Ibrahimovic, who scored the winning goal late on, received a yellow card after 60 minutes for grabbing the former Manchester City defender and throwing him to the floor, sparking a fiery confrontation. Read more
Ajax Roar: We‘re not in London as tourists (ThisDay)
Ajax who touched down in London yesterday morning ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Tottenham this night have insisted they are in the Queen’s land for business.
The Dutch giants are looking to make their first major European final since 1996 and are just two games away from booking their place in Madrid on June 1. Read more
Man United identify £60m Pepe as Lukaku replacement (Tribune)
Manchester United have reportedly lined up Ivory Coast striker Nicolas Pepe as a replacement for Romelu Lukaku.
According to reports from the Express, the Red Devils have been impressed with their scouting reports on that with on the Lille attacker. Read more
