Lagos community cries out over insecurity, govt’s neglect (DailyTrust)
Residents of Orile Iganmu in Lagos at the weekend called on the state government, donor agencies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs)to come to their aid over the ravaging poverty and insecurity in the area.
Orile Iganmu community was designated as “threat to peace” in Lagos State in the January edition of State of Peace report released by popular peace building organisation, Foundation for Peace Professionals also known as PeacePro.
The community lamented government’s absence in the area, noting that almost all infrastructure in the area were built through community contributions and security has remained a serious challenge.
During a peace building outreach to the community, Chairman of the community, Elder Olubunmi Diyaolu, who spoke on behalf of the 12 Community Development Associations (CDAs), said poverty and lack of security presence have turned the community into a threat to peace in Lagos State. Read more
Fulfill N2b promise to victims of Soba community, Adams urges FG, Lagos (Guardian)
The Aaré Ónakakanfo of Yorubaland, Otunba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Government and the Lagos State government to fulfill their promises to victims of the explosion that occurred exactly a year ago at Soba Town, under Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.
In a statement to commemorate a year anniversary of the disaster in which over 22 people died and property worth billions of naira destroyed, Adams, who is also the chairman, Landlord/Resident Association of Soba Community, said he and several other affected people had not been able to renovate their properties after the disaster.
He said: “We are marking the first anniversary of the sad incident that happened last year. It is an event that will remain in the history of this country and the entire Soba Community. We are gathered here to remind the government of their promises, the losses we incurred and the collateral damages that happened to our members. Read more
Ex-convict arrested during robbery in Lagos (Punch)
Men of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested an ex-convict, Taiwo Sunmonu, for allegedly dispossessing unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables in the Ijanikin area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement on Sunday that Sunmonu was recently released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, adding that a locally-made pistol was recovered from him following his arrest.
He said, “The Lagos State Police Command arrested one Taiwo Sunmonu, 23, on Saturday, March 13, 2021, around 11.30pm, for armed robbery after he was released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre in November 2020, having served a five-year jail term. Read more
Asari Dokubo, ex-militant leader, dares Buhari, proclaims Biafra govt (DailyTrust)
A former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has dared President Muhammadu Buhari by proclaiming a Biafran government.
In a statement on Sunday, Dokubo declared himself as the leader of the new Biafra defacto Customary Government (BCG).
In the statement which one Uche Mefor, BCG’s Head of Information and Communications, signed on his behalf, the former militant leader named those who would serve as leaders of BCG.
He said, “We as people have resolved that as Biafra, it’s time for us to take our destiny in our hands and bring freedom to ourselves and our children and the generation of Biafrans yet unborn. I hesitate a little but I thank God that it’s time for us to do our duty and our service to motherland, I have accepted this role. I have dedicated my life hundred percent to play this role. Read more
Ogun housewife, alleging husband a drunk, bathes him with boiling water (Punch)
Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 43-year-old housewife, Bisola Awodele, for pouring hot water on her husband, Peter Phillips, thereby causing him grievous bodily harm.
The victim reportedly ran to the Sango-Ota Police Station with first degree burns all over his body and lodged a complaint.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
Oyeyemi said the incident happened last week Monday and the suspect was arrested the same day. Read more
Suspense as telcos await minister’s stance before switching off banks USSD service (Guardian)
Telecommunications operators have put on hold the planned switch-off of banks’ Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service platforms, popularly called bank transfers, which was expected to take effect today.
The operators have been prevailed upon by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, who urged the service providers to wait for the outcome of today’s stakeholders’ meeting on the matter.
The operators, under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), had issued a warning on Friday that it will switch off the USSD platform the banks used in servicing the banking populace in the country, which runs on telcos infrastructure. Read more
Oyo To Prosecute Gender-Based Violence Perpetrators (DailyTrust)
The Oyo State Government has vowed to invoke the law against perpetrators of gender-based violence.
The State Rapid Response Team on Gender Based Violence, while presenting its report, said it recorded 692 cases between March 2020 and February 2021, with physical abuse, rape and child labour cases ranking highest.
The team, under the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, also reported abandonment, defilement, attempted rape and intimate partners violence cases.
Chairman of the team Mr. Marcus Williams said there was need to respond to the plights of girl-child and women on time as they were the most vulnerable to gender based violence. Read more
ASUU warns of fresh strike over unremitted deductions (Punch)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Sunday blamed the Federal Government, as well as the Accountant General of the Federation, over what it called the victimisation of its members.
It said the Federal Government had refused to pay its members salaries despite the ‘no victimisation clause’ of the suspended strike.
According to ASUU, while its members are back to their duty posts to work, the harsh economy being experienced due to unpaid salaries and non-refund of deducted check-off dues will affect productivity. Read more
Family claims Delta councillorship aspirant was assassinated (Guardian)
On the evening of January 11, 2021, the Ofa family of Oghara Kingdom, Ethiope West Local Council, Delta State, was jolted by the chilling report of the gruesome murder of Elliot Ofa, a PDP councillorship candidate in Ward 13 of the council.
The deceased, 49, was a popular grassroots politician in Oghara Kingdom, said to be humble and friendly. On the fateful day, he travelled to Asaba via the Jesse/Oben Road, in the company of four persons, identified as Allen Ese Adjoshoke, Fekson Temienor, Monday Adu and a lady to attend the screening exercise of the recently held local council election when he was shot dead at Oben, a border town in Edo State.
According to his friends, they were attacked by gunmen at Oben, and Elliot was the only one killed in the attack. However, subsequent investigation by the police showed contradictions in their accounts, compelling the police to arrest them as prime suspects in the mysterious death. Read more
Taylor Swift thanks boyfriend Joe Alwyn in Grammys 2021 acceptance speech (PageSix)
Taylor Swift shared a rare look into her relationship with Joe Alwyn during the 2021 Grammys.
During her acceptance speech for Album of the Year for “Folklore,” Swift thanked her boyfriend of a little over three years.
“Joe, who is the first person that I play every single song that I write,” Swift, 31, said. “And I had the best time writing songs with you in quarantine.”
Swifties will recall that Alwyn, 30, helped co-write two tracks on “Folklore” — “exile” and “Betty” under the pseudonym William Bowery. He also contributed to the tunes “evermore” and “champagne problems” on “Folklore’s” sister album, “evermore.” Read more
Grammys 2021: Protest anthem I Can’t Breathe wins song of the year (BBC)
A protest anthem inspired by George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement has won song of the year at the Grammys.
I Can’t Breathe, by the R&B singer H.E.R. was released last summer, and quotes Floyd’s last words, as he died in police custody in Minneapolis.
Accepting the prize, the star said she never imagined “that my fear and my pain would turn into impact”.
“That’s why I write music,” she added, “and I’m so, so grateful” Read more
Grammys 2021: Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy becomes Grammy winner at age nine for Brown Skin Girl (Metro)
Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy is a now a Grammy winner at nine-years-old after her mum’s success at the awards, after the singer turned down the offer of performing at the ceremony. On Sunday night Beyonce was given a best music video Grammy for her track Brown Skin Girl, which features her eldest daughter as well as Nigerian singer Wizkid and American-Guyanese rapper SAINt JHN. Blue Ivy appears in the video, directed by British artist Jenn Nikiru, and shows off stunning footage of Black women at a debutant ball. Read more
Cardi B’s 2021 Grammys performance gets X-rated with stripper pole dancing (NYPost)
Cardi B channeled her stripper past with some sexy pole dancing at the 2021 Grammys.
The 28-year-old, along with Megan Thee Stallion, 26, oozed sexiness onstage Sunday as they performed “WAP” for the first time together ever.
After Megan Thee Stallion warmed up the stage with “Savage” — and some tap dancers pulling Nicholas Brothers moves down a flight of stairs — Cardi came out and things got really hot as she sang “Up.”
But things got really X-rated when the pair broke out into “WAP” as Cardi and Megan writhed, twerked and grinded together on a huge bed. Read more
Merkel’s party slumps to defeat in regional polls (BBC)
Angela Merkel’s ruling Christian Democrats (CDU) have suffered poor results in two key regional votes seen as an indication of what might happen in September’s general election.
The CDU is on course for about a quarter of the vote in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
The two western states were once conservative strongholds.
Mrs Merkel is due to step down as German chancellor in September, after 16 years in office. Read more
Misogyny could become a hate crime after Sarah Everard’s death (Metro)
The Government is being urged to make misogyny a hate crime, as the backlash to male conduct towards women in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder grows. Labour is backing an increase to minimum sentences for rapists and stalkers ahead of a ‘once in a generation’ chance for sweeping reforms when the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill comes before MPs. But there are divisions within the opposition about how to respond. The opposition is calling for cross-party action in the wake of the case, after Sarah went missing while walking home from a friend’s flat in south London on March 3. It wants the Government to legislate to make misogyny a hate crime, and for a strategy to be introduced to tackle misogynistic attitudes. Read more
COVID-19 Pandemic: Trump urged to encourage supporters to get jabs (BBC)
The top US infectious disease expert says it would be “a game-changer” if ex-President Donald Trump encouraged Republicans to get the Covid vaccine.
“It will make all the difference in the world,” Dr Anthony Fauci told Fox News Sunday. “He’s a very widely popular person among Republicans.”
A recent US opinion poll showed as many as 49% of Republican male supporters did not want to get vaccinated.
Mr Trump last month said “everybody, go get your shot” at a conservative forum. Read more
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives Bukayo Saka update after half-time substitution in north London derby (Metro)
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka was withdrawn during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the north London derby due to a hamstring injury. The Gunners dominated Sunday’s match at the Emirates and after going behind against the run of play following an outrageous rabona goal from Erik Lamela, rallied to level the scores just before the interval through Martin Odegaard. At half-time, substitute Nicolas Pepe was seen being put through his paces on the pitch and Saka did not emerge from the tunnel, with the Ivorian coming on in his place. Read more
Players Championship: Justin Thomas edges Lee Westwood for victory (BBC)
Justin Thomas emerged on a hectic final day to win the Players Championship by one stroke as Lee Westwood finished runner-up for a second successive week.
The world number three produced some sensational golf to post a four-under 68 as he came from three back to win his 14th PGA Tour title on 14 under.
Westwood led heading into Sunday’s action at TPC Sawgrass but was pegged back after a wobble on the front nine.
He finished one ahead of Bryson DeChambeau, who beat him last week.
American Brian Harman made three birdies on the back nine to also finish two back at 12 under par. Read more
Luis Guillorme has another jaw-dropping Mets moment (NYPost)
You won’t find utility infielders much more different than the athletic, contact-hitting Luis Guillorme and the bulky, power-hitting Wilmer Flores. So why, as Guillorme battled Cardinals fire-thrower Jordan Hicks for about a month on Sunday afternoon, did his former Mets teammate Flores come to mind?
Because even though neither plays a ton, they both find a way to get you talking about them.
Guillorme has neither slugged a walk-off homer nor cried on the field. Yet when he set an (extremely) unofficial record Sunday, drawing a 22-pitch, fifth-inning walk that sparked the Mets to a 7-5 victory over the Cardinals at Clover Park, he added it to his surprisingly impressive list of lasting impressions. Read more
‘I admire you a lot’ – Pele congratulates Ronaldo on passing official goals tally (BBC)
Pele congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portugal forward’s hat-trick against Cagliari took him past the Brazilian legend’s tally of goals scored in official matches.
Ronaldo netted three times inside the opening 32 minutes to take his career total to 770 – three clear of Pele’s tally of 767.
“Life is a solo flight. Each makes his own journey. And what a beautiful journey you are having. I admire you a lot, I love watching you play and this is no secret to anyone. Congratulations on breaking my record of goals in official matches,” Pele posted on Instagram.
Some reports suggest this is a world record tally but that is disputed by the Czech Football Association, which claims former Austria and Czechoslovakia striker Josef Bican is football’s true all-time top scorer with 821 goals. Read more
Jose Mourinho accuses Spurs players of ‘hiding’ during Arsenal defeat (Metro)
Jose Mourinho has criticised Tottenham’s performance against Arsenal and accused some of his ‘important players’ of ‘hiding’ during a sub-par first-half performance. Spurs went ahead in Sunday’s north London derby at the Emirates thanks to a stunning rabona from Erik Lamela, but they were pegged back by Martin Odegaard on the stroke of half-time with Alexandre Lacazette grabbing the winning goal in the second half from the penalty spot. Tottenham were abject and passive for much of the match, with Harry Kane not touching the ball in the opposition half until the final embers while Gareth Bale was subbed off, and Mourinho felt some players went missing. Read more
Own goal helps Man Utd edge past West Ham (BBC)
Manchester United needed a Craig Dawson own goal to overcome West Ham and strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.
On loan from Watford, Dawson has been outstanding in the Hammers’ push for a top-four slot but settled the contest in the wrong way at the start of the second half as he turned Bruno Fernandes’ corner into his own net under pressure from Scott McTominay at the near post.Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood also went close in a one-sided contest as West Ham failed to threaten until Said Benrahma’s introduction after an hour. Read more