Lagos driver crushes LASTMA officer to death (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified driver has crushed an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Jamiu Issa, to death in the Lekki-Ajah area of the state.
A statement by the spokesperson for the agency, Olumide Filade, confirmed the development to our correspondent on Wednesday.
Filade said the driver was driving against traffic when he rammed into Issa, who wanted to apprehend him for the traffic offense.
He added that Isa was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. Read more
Ajegunle residents lament disaster, insecurity, neglect (Guardian)
Residents of Ajegunle, a Lagos community with over 1.5 million population, are lamenting neglect and lack of amenities, saying disaster looms if nothing urgent is done to address the situation.
The community located in Kosofe Local Council was known for rascality and hooliganism, even though its name depicts “where riches dwells.”
Ajegunle community has only one tarred street, over 100 untarred others.
These streets lack proper drainage, medians, walkways and streetlights, unlike those in neighbouring communities, like Surulere, Lagos Mainland, Apapa and Lagos Island.
A visit by The Guardian on Tuesday revealed a sorry tale of a community, whose residents have resorted to fate, because of years of neglect. Read more
NACCIMA, LCCI express concern over insecurity (Sun)
The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have expressed worry over the state of insecurity in the country, calling on the federal and state governments to expedite actions to restore peace, law and order before the full-scale launch of political campaigns for the 2023 general elections.
Lamenting that the worsening insecurity profile in Nigeria was reaching a worrisome dimension with recent unfortunate incidents, the chambers noted that if nothing is done to commit to a new order and a more enabled and innovative security architecture, soon, security will suffer a heavier blow once politics takes centre stage in governance.
Its acting Director General, Mr. Opeyemi Alaran, who called for urgent and incisive policy implementation by government at all levels to tackle insecurity, promised that the association was on hand to partner government to implement innovative solutions based on existing platforms, such as the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).
The acting DG expressed the association’s sadness, saying it is further disturbed by increasing connotation that the country is unsafe to do business. He lamented that these incidents are of extreme concern to the association, given that current economic realities require inflows of foreign direct investment for sustained economic growth. Read more
Lagos to increase comprehensive schools to 50 (Vanguard)
The Lagos Government has revealed plans to increase the number of comprehensive schools across the state from the initial pilot of 12 schools to 50 by September this year to demonstrate commitment and huge investment of the government in equipping Lagos State school students to be self-reliant and skilled.
Disclosing this at the sensitisation of stakeholders on Lagos State Comprehensive School Programme held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo stated that the comprehensive school programme which commenced in February is poised to reduce the rate of dropout in schools as some students are disconnected with the usual academic curriculum but prefer to learn various skills.
She emphasised that this programme would give them equal opportunities to explore their interest and train them to mastery level. Mrs. Adefisayo explained to stakeholders comprising school principals, school support and education quality assurance officers across the state on the importance of integrating comprehensive school programmes to the school curriculum.
“We discovered and observed that out of every 10 students admitted to JS1 only three make it to SS3, while only one student will eventually excel at the transition exam,” adding that it had resulted in an increase in student dropouts in Lagos State.” According to the commissioner, the state government has established partnerships with private and International institutions for training, internship opportunities and employment prospects for the students. Read more
Lagos Head of Service counsels workers on creativity (Punch)
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has advised public service workers to develop creative ideas as this would stimulate growth and promote development in the state.
Muri-Okunola disclosed this, according to a statement on Wednesday, during the public service event organised by the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation in Alausa, Ikeja.
He said, “I acknowledge the role of OTCI as a leading government office in the area of initiating reforms and in driving developmental agenda in steering the affairs of the state as critical thinking that offers creative ideas, will stimulate growth mindset and create platform for public servants to speak out instead of being relegated to the background.
“I challenge government employees to rise up to the challenges in their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Think without a box and come up with creative ideas that will set the pace for others to follow.” Read more
1 year after, NIWA yet to move 1,000 containers by barges (Tribune)
One year after the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) announced plans to decongest the Lagos ports by moving 1000 containers from Lagos to Onitsha, the initiative which at some point had some companies licensed by the agency and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to carry out the operation, remain unfulfilled, investigations have revealed.
Recall that NIWA in March 2021 had engaged ACTL to move cargoes from Lagos ports to Onitsha via barges due to the lingering congestion issues experienced at the ports in Lagos. The agency had explained that the idea of hauling containers via Burutu Ports to Onitsha River port was to deliberately avoid the two small bridges of Gbarekolo and Bumandi.
This is because the two bridges are too tiny and shallow for sea moving badges and vessels to ply through, a NIWA statement had read.
However, one year after that lofty plan by the Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, barge operations from Lagos to Onitsha is still not a reality as every cargo is still being moved out of the port via the roads while barge operations has being restricted to within Lagos only since its introduction in mid 2019. Read more
Anchor Insurance sponsors stage play in Lagos, Delta states (ThisDay)
Anchor Insurance company Limited said in demonstration of its professional love for culture, it has offered to sponsor Babakekere and Ogiame Erejuwa II live stage plays in Lagos and Warri in Delta State.
Stage presentations of these plays took place between April15, 16 and 19 in the above two states.
The company’s Managing Director Mr. Ebose Augustine, while relating with media correspondents in Lagos on the event said whereas Babakekere is a play which reminisces the sterling leadership qualities and selfless personality traits of the former Governor of Lagos State, late Alh. Lateef Jakande, popularly called “Babakekere,” Ogiame Erejuwa II was meant to showcase the culture, royalty, power, influence and pride of Iwere (Warri) Kingdom as represented by the late Ogiame Erejuwa II of Warri in his time.
He explained that the company became interested in sponsoring both live plays being produced by The Duke of Shomolu Productions especially because of the personalities being honoured and the good lesson from their exemplary lifestyles to the society. Read more
Lagos-bound passenger slumps, dies at Abuja Airport (Independent)
There was pandemonium on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja when a female Lagos-bound passenger slumped and later confirmed dead at the domestic wing of the airport.
The passenger who was simply identified as Mama Tobi was at the boarding area for her flight to Lagos when the sad incident happened.
An unconfirmed report alleged that the passenger may have died as a result of high blood pressure.
A lawyer, Felix Ashimole, who goes by the name Che Oyinatumba, on social media posted the incident.
The lawyer alleged that the woman died due to inadequate attention from the medical personnel from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Read more
Political thugs attack Abaribe in Abia (Sun)
Some people believed to be political thugs, on Tuesday, reportedly attacked Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in Abia State.
It was gathered that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, in Abia State, had gone on a consultation meeting with the party’s stakeholders at Okpuala Ngwa, headquarters of Isiala Ngwa North council.
Sources from the area said hardly had the Senate minority leader had started addressing the stakeholders, than a man later identified as the Deputy Chairman of the council, Chuks Amaike attacked him, allegedly saying unprintable things about the senator over his governorship ambition.
The sources added that the enraged deputy chairman was held by some stakeholders who pleaded with him to allow Abaribe conclude his speech, but the council official was adamant. Read more
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”’s Nia Vardalos says iconic film was nearly never made (Metro)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding star Nia Vardalos has shared a powerful lesson about rejection in honour of the film’s 20th birthday.
The hit rom-com premiered in spring 2002 and quickly developed a cult following.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is based on the life story of Nia herself and how she grew up in a large, but tight-knit, Greek family.
It may not have had an all-star cast, but the project went on to become one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time, grossing $368million (£282m) worldwide.
However, fans of the film may be shocked to learn it almost didn’t get made at all. Read more
Bryan Cranston asked to be godfather of “Breaking Bad” co-star Aaron Paul’s new baby (Mirror)
Aaron Paul has revealed he has asked Breaking Bad co-star Bryan Cranston to be the godfather of his new child.
Aaron, 42, and wife Lauren Parsekian, 35, have revealed they welcomed their new baby boy to the world last month, calling him Ryden Caspian Paul.
He is the couple’s second child, with them already sharing four-year-old daughter Story.
Aaron told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon how Story is loving being a big sister. He said: “She’s madly in love with him, can’t squeeze him enough. Like lays on top of him, suffocates him. It’s her doll.” Read more
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ delays release to June 2023 (THR)
Sony Pictures is rearranging its release calendar.
The studio announced Wednesday it is pushing back the theatrical release of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from Oct. 7 to June 2, 2023.
Sony’s live-action/CGI musical comedy Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile — based on the book series by Bernard Waber — will instead open over the Oct. 7-9 weekend (Lyle, Lyle had been dated for Nov. 18, 2022.)
Starring Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley and Scoot McNairy as the Primm family, and Brett Gelman as Mr. Grumps, the beloved singing crocodile Lyle will be voiced by music artist Shawn Mendes. Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, who are executive producing, will be writing original songs for the film alongside Shawn Mendes, Ari Afsar, Emily Gardner Xu Hall, Mark Sonnenblick, and Joriah Kwamé. Read more
Tony Awards issue warning about ‘no violence policy’ after Will Smith’s Oscars slap (HuffPost)
The aftershocks of Will Smith’s onstage Oscars slap have hit the Tony Awards, which is reminding attendees about its “no violence policy” ahead of the ceremony in June.
The 75th annual awards show, which celebrates achievements in theater over the past year, sent a letter to potential ticket buyers that seems to be aimed at preventing another onstage altercation.
“The Tony Awards has a strict no violence policy. In the event of an incident, the perpetrator will be removed from the event immediately,” reads the FAQ section of the letter, obtained by Deadline.
The letter also mentions a slew of other, more standard mandates related to the event’s dress code, its COVID-19 policy, and non-transferable tickets. Read more
Becky G announces ‘Esquemas’ album for May and releases new single, ‘No Mienten’ (Variety)
Becky G is gearing up to share her third studio album, “Esquemas,” due to be released on May 13 via Kemosabe Records/RCA Records. In tandem with the album announcement, the singer released a new single, “No Mienten,” an upbeat dance cut spurred by the pluck of seductive guitar strings.
On “No Mienten,” Becky sings in Spanish: “Last night you slipped out an ‘I love you’ / And they say drunks don’t lie.” Becky wrote the infectious, electro-inspired track with Spread Lof, who has worked with Latin icons Rauw Alejandro and Sebastian Yatra, and producer Juacko, known for his work with Anuel AA and Karen Méndez.
“No Mienten” is the fourth single the Mexican-American singer has released in advance of the album. It follows closely on the heels of her hit duet with Karol G, “Mamiii,” which was released in February but had its music video come out just five days ago. That collaborative song was a breakup/empowerment anthem with the two powerhouse artists bouncing back and forth, singing in Spanish: “Don’t call me again, I even threw away my cell phone / Due to how toxic you are, it becomes harmful / What leaves, stays gone.”
The two recently reunited on stage, surprising fans at Coachella Festival’s weekend one to perform the single for the first time during Karol’s set. Following their fiery performance, Becky thanked Karol for the opportunity and quipped, “Today is a good day to be a G.” Read more
Rapper Pooh Shiesty sentenced to more than 5 years on conspiracy charge (NBC)
Lontrell Donell Williams Jr., also known by his stage name Pooh Shiesty, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison after pleading guilty to a single firearms conspiracy charge.
The 22-year-old Memphis rapper was indicted in June 2021 on four counts related to an October 2020 shooting at the Landon Hotel in Bay Harbor Islands, Fla.
Prosecutors allege that Williams and two individuals ended up shooting a pair of individuals whom they were meeting to purchase marijuana and sneakers from. Both shooting victims survived.
Williams was first arrested in connection to the shooting in October 2020, though he was shortly released from custody. Read more
Sydney man cleared of rape but found guilty of choking during sex (Guardian)
A Sydney man accused of ignoring a safe word during consensual sex has been cleared of rape but found guilty of choking with recklessness.
Leigh James Pattinson faced a judge-alone trial in the New South Wales district court on nine charges relating to the 2019 incident.
Judge Mark Buscombe found him guilty last week of intentionally choking the woman with recklessness.
But Pattinson was acquitted of seven counts of aggravated sexual assault causing actual bodily harm and of an incitement sex charge. Read more
NFF yet to contact us one week after appointment – Coaches (Punch)
Seven days after their appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation, some coaches have told The PUNCH that they were yet to be contacted by the federation, adding that they only read about their appointments on the pages of newspapers.
On April 14, the NFF appointed several coaches, goalkeeper trainers and match analysts for the various national teams.
Salisu Yusuf, former head coach of the Super Eagles B, who was banned for collecting money to field a player, was reappointed as head coach of the team and the U-23 (Olympics) team.
Kennedy Boboye, Fatai Osho, Abubakar Bala Mohammed, Fidelis Ikechukwu, Eboboritse Uwejamomere, Ike Shorunmu, Suleiman Shuaibu, Ladan Bosso, Fatai Amao, Oladuni Oyekale, Jolomi Atune Alli, Baruwa Olatunji Abideen, , Nduka Ugbade, Ahmad Lawal Dankoli, Omoniyi Haruna Ilerika, Yemi Daniel, Mohammed Nasiru Isah, Finidi George, Usman Abdallah all made up the list of newly appointed coaches by the country’s football body. Read more
Bukayo Saka claims he ‘had to go down’ to win Arsenal a late penalty in their 4-2 triumph at Chelsea (DailyMail)
Bukayo Saka claimed he ‘had to go down’ after a tussle with Cesar Azpilicueta to win and score a late penalty in Arsenal’s 4-2 triumph at Chelsea.
The Gunners picked up a stunning victory at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night, taking the lead twice in the first half through Eddie Nketiah and Emile Smith-Rowe before equalisers from Timo Werner and Azpilicueta pegged them back.
After the break Nketiah then added his second to edge them back in front, which looked like proving the winner until Saka netted a stoppage-time penalty to seal the three points.
The latter converted from 12 yards after being pulled down in the box by Azpilicueta, who was left furious with the referee’s decision to point to the spot. Read more
Pep Guardiola admits any slip by Manchester City would see Liverpool win title (Independent)
Pep Guardiola claimed any slip would cost Manchester City the title after his side claimed a critical 3-0 win over Brighton.
City scored three times after the break at a nervy Etihad Stadium to move back above Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.
The champions are in control of their destiny but, with six games still remaining and just a one-point lead, City boss Guardiola says there is no room for error.
The Spaniard said: “There are six games left and if we win all the games, we are champions. If we don’t win all the games, Liverpool will be champions. Read more
Celtics put Nets on the ropes with Game 2 win for 2-0 series lead (USAToday)
The stars were not always shining bright in Game 2 between Brooklyn and Boston.
The Nets’ Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant and the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum didn’t have their best offensive games.
But Brown and Tatum had just enough shine and just enough help from their teammates to extract a 114-107 victory in another competitive, high-intensity game that seems more like a conference finals matchup rather than a 2-7 first-round series.
Brown shook off his offensive struggles through three quarters and scored 10 points in the fourth as the Celtics took control, outscoring the Nets 29-17 in the final quarter. Boston, which trailed by 17 in the first half, didn’t take its first lead until 7:49 of the fourth quarter. Read more
ATP not happy with Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian players from competing (TennisWorld)
The ATP has once again stated that it’s condemning Russia’s attacks on Ukraine but still they do not believe that Wimbledon made the right choice in their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing at The Championships.
On Wednesday morning, The New York Times reported Wimbledon was planning to ban Russian and Belarusian players from The Championships. In the report, it was stated the decision had already been made and it’s just a matter of time before the Wimbledon organizers make it public.
A couple of hours later, Wimbledon released a statement, confirming the reports. With this move, Wimbledon has become the first tournament to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing. The ban means this year’s Wimbledon won’t feature Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka.
“We strongly condemn Russia’s reprehensible invasion of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with the millions of innocent people affected by the ongoing war,” the ATP’s statement read. Read more
Lawsuit alleges Oscar De La Hoya twice assaulted woman on 2020 trip to Mexico (CBS)
A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court alleged that former boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya sexually assaulted a woman twice, while on a 2020 trip to Mexico to visit the Casa Mexico Tequila distillery.
In a statement, the alleged victim’s attorney, Ms. Sylvia Torres-Guillén, said, “Oscar De La Hoya sexually assaulted Ms. Ruccione,” who was severely impacted and has filed the suit to hold him accountable.
Torres-Guillén’s statement also accuses Casa Mexico executives Michael Gooch and Robert Crossan of “perpetuating toxic masculinity and a hostile work environment where,” her clients abuses were not just tolerated, “…but encouraged and condoned…”
Representatives for the 49-year-old De La Hoya released a statement saying the woman accusing the boxer of assault was “…a former employee who was terminated for just cause,” and that “…all other parties involved vehemently deny these false accusations.” Read more