Lagos LG Polls: Group threatens legal action against LASIEC (Leadership)
A pro-democracy group, United Foundation for Survival and Sustainability, has implored the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) not to conduct elections into the 37 additionally created local government councils between April 21 to July 22, 2021.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Otunba Ahmed Adekunle, the group warned that “any deviation from this advice will be legally challenged completely” in the court.
It maintained that the electoral body only has the right to conduct election into the constitutionally designated 20 local government councils and not the 37 local council development areas as allowed by law. Read more
Nigeria records 1.6m grams of Gold production in 5 years – Minister (Guardian)
Dr Uchechukwu Ogah, Minister of State, Ministry of Mines and Steel Development (MMSD) says the ministry recorded 1,562,720 grams of Gold production from 2016 to 2020.
Ogah disclosed this during the 2021 Annual Public Lecture organised by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Bwari branch, in collaboration with MMSD on Thursday in Abuja.
The theme of the event was Economic Diversification in the Post COVID-19 Era: Special focus on the Sustainable Development of Nigeria’s Coal and Gold. Read more
38,000 Jobseekers Apply For Edo’s 3,000 Teaching Positions (DailyTrust)
More than 38,000 applicants put in for only 3000 teaching positions in the Edo state Universal Basic Education Board.
Chair of the board, Joan Osa Oviawe, said moves to employ 3,000 teachers was to boost technical and vocational education training.
African first ladies commit to equitable healthcare, capacity building in region
Lecturers oppose Kaduna varsity tuition hike
She said the 3,000 teachers are to be recruited under the Edo Supporting Teachers to Achieve Result (STAR) teacher recruitment programme.
Around 11,000 of the applicants have been shortlisted for computer-based testing. Read more
FG declares public holiday to celebrateWorkers’ Day (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday, May 3, 2021, as a public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers Day Celebration.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the federal government in a statement signed by Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry on Thursday.
While congratulating Nigerian Workers for witnessing this year’s celebration, he commended them for their patience, understanding and support in driving the policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its determination to move the country to the next level of socio-economic development. Read more
Army Chief: Military will not rest until Book Haram is annihilated (ThisDsy)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has said the military will never rest until Boko Haram is completely annihilated from Nigeria.
Attahiru, who spoke to journalists on Thursday during his visit to Maiduguri, the fifth since his appointment four months ago, said Boko Haram has been defeated in many battles in the past and since they seem not to be interested in surrendering, the Army will work for their annihilation.
He said: “We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria.” Read more
EFCC arrests 33 suspected Internet fraudsters in Abeokuta (Guardian)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, has arrested 33 suspected Internet fraudsters in Abeokuta, Ogun.
This is contained in a statement signed by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the spokesman as saying that the suspects were arrested by the operatives of EFCC on Tuesday at Adigbe, Oloke, Ibara Housing Estate Extension, and Idi Ori areas of Abeokuta.
He said that the arrest, followed actionable intelligence earlier received on their alleged criminal activities of the suspects. Read more
Nigeria will overcome its challenges, say Obasanjo, Abiodun, Makinde (Guardian)
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, said the myriad of challenges confronting Nigeria would not consume the country.
Obasanjo, at the 108th edition of Nigeria Baptist Convention held at Baptist International Conference Centre, Lufuwape town, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, expressed optimism that Nigeria would come out of its challenges strong.
At the event, valedictory and commendation service was held for retiring President of Baptist Convention and President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
Obasanjo, in his address, said he remained an “incurable optimist” about a better Nigeria despite the escalating security challenges.
“When I was coming here, I didn’t intend to make a speech. You will see that unlike my two brothers (referring to Governors Dapo Abiodun, Ogun and Seyi Makinde, Oyo) I don’t have anything to read.
“If you have brothers like these, do you have anything to fear? So, I told them to make speech and I have come to concur. So, I concur.
“My two brothers talked about the situation we are in (insecurity). You know, I’m an incurable optimist about a number of things, but particularly about Nigeria. Epon agbo ma nfi ni, koni ja (the situation may be threatening, we won’t be consumed).” Read more
Chanchangi Airline plans return, gets licence (DailyTrust)
Chanchangi, one of the popular airlines in Nigeria, which was rested few years ago, is planning to return to the skies.
The airline has secured the Air Transport Licence (ATL) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to operate scheduled and non-scheduled passenger and cargo services within and outside Nigeria.
EXCLUSIVE: Mastermind of Kankara abduction makes u-turn, returns to forest
Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, was issued on April 22 for a period of five years.
The planned return comes four years after the airline’s founder Ahmadu Chanchangi, died on April 19, 2017. Read more
Letter from Alexander Hamilton to James Madison sells for $113,850 (NYPost)
A rare letter from New York Post founder Alexander Hamilton to James Madison sold this week for $113,850, surging past the original estimate of up to $10,000.
The 1790 handwritten missive from America’s first Treasury secretary mentions Thomas Jefferson and chronicles the events that inspired “The Room Where It Happens,” from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical “Hamilton.”
Would Alexander Hamilton be a Democrat or Republican today?
The letter, which connects the three founding fathers, sold at auction by Lion Heart Autographs Inc. in New York on Wednesday. Read more
India Covid crisis: US tells citizens to leave the country (BBC)
The United States has told its citizens to leave India as soon as possible as the country battles a devastating coronavirus wave.
India reported 379,257 new infections on Thursday, the world’s highest single-day total.
The US embassy warned that “access to all types of medical care is becoming severely limited”.
The Level 4 “do not travel” advisory is the highest of its kind issued by the Department of State. Read more
Biden lays out ambitious plan, promises to turn “peril into possibility” (France 24)
President Joe Biden declared Wednesday night in his first address to a joint session of Congress that “America is rising anew,” and pointed optimistically to the nation’s emergence from the pandemic as a vital moment to rebuild the U.S. economy and fundamentally transform government roles in American life.
Biden marked his first 100 days in office as the nation pushes out of a menacing mix of crises, making his case before a pared-down gathering of mask-wearing legislators because of pandemic restrictions.
Speaking in highly personal terms while demanding massive structural changes, the president urged a $1.8 trillion investment in children, families and education to help rebuild an economy devastated by the virus and compete with rising global competitors. Read more
“Pregnant Egyptian mummy” revealed by scientists (BBC)
A team of Polish scientists have revealed the only known example of an embalmed pregnant Egyptian mummy.
The discovery was made by researchers at the Warsaw Mummy Project and revealed in the Journal of Archaeological Science on Thursday.
The project, started in 2015, uses technology to examine artefacts housed at the National Museum in Warsaw.
The mummy was previously thought to be a male priest but scans reveal it was a woman in the later stages of pregnancy. Read more
I’m the Father of the Vaccine, Trump says, blasting Biden’s speech to Congress (RT)
Donald Trump went on the attack in his response to Joe Biden’s speech to Congress, ripping his successor for not recognizing his accomplishments, including the speedy development of Covid-19 vaccines.
In a Thursday interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump blasted the current administration for blaming him for issues like the southern border crisis – which he said not nearly enough time was dedicated to in Biden’s address – a situation the current administration is blaming on the actions of the former president’s time in office.
“It’s ridiculous. Obviously, they’re very ungracious people,” Trump said. He then turned his attention to his role in speeding up the development and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines. Read more
Gaunt Navalny attacks Putin as network is disbanded (BBC)
Alexei Navalny has appeared in court from prison, head close-shaven and face gaunt, and accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to rule Russia “forever” and caring only about “clinging to power”.
It is the opposition politician’s first public appearance since starting a 2.5-year jail term, seen as punishment for his fierce criticism of the Kremlin.
Navalny spoke via videolink, his prison kit hanging loosely after a recent 24-day hunger strike over his treatment.
His language was as robust as ever. Read more
Madrid Open: Johanna Konta beats Yulia Putintseva in clay-court campaign opener (BBC)
British number one Johanna Konta began her clay-court campaign with victory over Yulia Putintseva in the first round of the Madrid Open.
Konta, seeded 15th at the event, beat Kazakhstan’s Putintseva 6-4 6-2 for just her third victory of the year.
The Briton missed Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup play-off tie against Mexico this month to prepare for the clay-court swing.
She will play either Anastasija Sevastova or Ana Bogdan next. Read more
Usman believes fight against Khabib would be biggest in UFC history (Guardian)
Kamaru Usman knows if he were to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov, it would be one of the biggest bouts in UFC history, reports mmanews.com.
Both Usman and Nurmagomedov are/were dominant champions and considered two of the best of all time. However, the lightweight champ in Nurmagomedov recently retired, plus he and Usman share a strong relationship, so the odds of the fight ever happening are slim to none.
“It absolutely would be the biggest fight in UFC history. But the problem is, it wouldn’t happen. That’s just hypothetical,” Usman said to TMZ Sports.
“I’ve lost faith in this one as well. I think you have more of a chance of making Kamaru Usman and Georges St-Pierre happen before Kamaru Usman and Khabib Nurmagomedov. That one just won’t happen.
“I don’t think there’s a lot of people in this line saying, ‘We want this guy.’ There’s not a lot of people. More power to Georges. Georges is doing wonderful things, amazing things,” Usman continued. (Guardian)
LeBron James fake cries for Wizards fans after heckler calls him ‘a big baby’ (NYPost)
LeBron James has to have fun somehow these days.
The Lakers star had some fun during a television timeout in Wednesday’s road game when a Wizards fan yelled, “Hey LeBron, you’re a big baby!” — which echoed clearly throughout Capital One Arena in Washington with a limited number of fans in attendance due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
James, who stood under the basket near the Lakers bench, looked up and let out fake crying noises that resulted in laughs and roars from the crowd.
The funny moment was much needed for the now 36-26 Lakers, who went home with a 116-107 loss to the streaking Wizards. They’re still without James as he continues to recover from a high ankle sprain he sustained in a March loss to the Hawks. Read more
Premier League: Executives from ESL clubs forced to quit advisory roles (BBC)
Executives at clubs involved in the failed European Super League have been forced to resign from advisory roles at the Premier League.
The move is a consequence of the so-called ‘big six’ teams attempting to set up a league which drew widespread criticism before it fell apart.
The 14 other Premier League clubs felt betrayed by the move and demanded that executives involved, including Manchester United’s Ed Woodward, Liverpool’s Tom Werner and Manchester City’s Ferran Soriano, step down.
Woodward and Werner will no longer sit on the Premier League’s club broadcast advisory group. Read more
Grand Slam champ Naomi Osaka says she needed a break from tennis ahead of Madrid Open (RT)
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka says she needed a break after the exertions of the hard court season, which saw her claim her fourth major title at the Australian Open in Melbourne two months ago.
The world number two, who hasn’t competed in over a month following her Miami Open quarterfinal exit, says she needed to spend time off the court to “slow [my] mind down a little bit.”
Osaka is preparing to open her clay court season at the Madrid Open this week, competing on a surface in which she is yet to claim any WTA tournament championships, with a third-round exit at the French Open her best result so far. Read more
T20 World Cup could be moved to United Arab Emirates, says BCCI (BBC)
This year’s Twenty20 World Cup could be moved to the United Arab Emirates if India continues to suffer with a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
The tournament is due to begin in October, but the Covid death toll in India has passed 200,000, with at least 300,000 new infections every day in the past week.
Last week, India joined the UK’s travel red list – effectively banning travel to and from the country. Other countries – including Australia – have also closed their borders to India.Speaking to the BBC’s Stumped podcast, Dhiraj Malhotra, from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), said he is hopeful India could still host the T20 World Cup. Read more