Lagos shuts Medville hospital after woman died following childbirth (Guardian)
Lagos State Government said it has shut down Medville Global Health Center temporarily after the death of a 28-year-old woman after childbirth.
Lagos State’s Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) said the health centre located at 1, Bashiru Street, off Lateef Adegboyega Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota was sealed for not complying with the set standards.
A Twitter user Triplem Mchaty had narrated how the ‘incompetence’ of the hospital led to the death of his wife after she gave birth to a baby boy.
“After hours of trying to push on no way, over 10 hours my wife already got so weak and tired, my sister called me around 11 pm that they want to carry out CS on her,” Mchaty said. Read more
Lagos father smashes baby’s skull, burns house, blames evil spirits (Punch)
A father, Benedict Anieze, has smashed the skull of his one-month-old baby at their residence in the Pipeline area of Idimu, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Benedict was at home with his family on Sunday, April 3, when he suddenly picked up his baby girl and forcefully smashed her head on the ground.
The victim’s skull was said to have broken, as she died on the spot.
However, in a bid to conceal the crime, Benedict reportedly set the apartment ablaze and took to his heels. Read more
Unpaid Entitlements: Lagos seeks out of court settlement with retired Justice Candide-Johnson
(Channels)
The Lagos State Government has asked for an opportunity to explore an out-of-court settlement with a retired judge of the Lagos High Court, Justice Babajide Candide-Johnson on the payment of his pension, gratuity, and other entitlements, a year after his retirement.
Through its counsel, Saheed Quadri, the state government on Wednesday asked Justice Maureen Esowe of the National National Industrial Court Lagos, to grant an adjournment to enable parties in the matter discussed.
They requested four weeks.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yemi Candide-Johnson who represented the retired judge did not oppose the request for an adjournment. Instead, he asked the state government to withdraw its preliminary objection to the suit to demonstrate that the request for settlement was done in good faith. Read more
Sanwo-Olu harps on creative financial model to boost economy (Leadership)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says his administration will be creative in its financing model to provide funds to boost the economy and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
The governor stated this when he received the management team of FMDQ Group Plc led by its chief executive officer (CEO), Bola Onadele Koko and FSD Africa, led by its CEO, Mark Napier. They paid him a courtesy visit yesterday at Lagos House, Marina.
At the event, which was also attended by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones and head, Economic Development (FCDO) of the British High Commission, Governor Sanwo-Olu said he would continue to push until he gets the desired results for Lagos and the residents of the state.
“We need to look for other sources of financing. We need to be very creative in our financing model. The population is huge and there is pressure on us to meet up with some of our very big and expanded economy. Read more
Odinkalu, Charley Boy, Onwenu, Bianca for talks with IPOB, agitators (Nation)
Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo yesterday named a 15-member Truth, Justice and Peace Commission to dialogue with agitators.
It is headed by former National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Chidi Odinkalu.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain Bianca Ojukwu is the Secretary, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu.
Other members are ace musician Charles Oputa (Charley Boy), music icon Onyeka Onwenu, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Dr. Udenta Udenta, Dr. Uju Agomoh, Rev. Jerome Madueke and Dr. Okechukwu Obi-Okoye. Read more
Ibadan-based Fuji musician, Easy Sawaba dies (Independent)
The Fuji music lovers on Wednesday woke up to the shocking news of the death of one of the prominent players, Alhaji Isiaka Iyanda Abiodun Sawaba popularly known as Easy Sawaba.
The news was broken through Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde, Fuji Merenge via his social media.
Alhaji Ayinde disclosed that Easy Sawaba died at the intensive care unit of the University College Hospital (UCH) , Ibadan after he was reported to have slumped at Iwo Road some days ago.
Alhaji merengue however hinted that late Sawaba will be buried today according to Muslim rights at his Oluwo, Egbeda, Ibadan home. Read more
Zenith Bank shareholders get N97.33bn dividends (Vanguard)
Shareholders of Zenith Bank Plc have approved N2.80 per share final dividend earlier recommended by the Board of Directors for the year ended December 31, 2021. This has brought total dividend to N3.10 per share with a total value of N97.33 billion.
Speaking at the bank’s 31st Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Jim Ovia, thanked the shareholders for their unflinching loyalty, which has enabled the bank to rise to the pinnacle of the nation’s financial services industry, and assured them of the bank’s commitment to consistently deliver superior value to them.
Speaking on the bank’s performance, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said: “if you look at the bank’s history over the years, Zenith Bank has always grown, and even within the pandemic, we have maintained a reasonable positive growth trajectory. Growth is coming from the fact that we are deploying our digital capability to grow more businesses, simplify our service processes, make our processes more efficient, and deal with customers’ complaints. Apart from developing new products, we are discovering new business verticals, especially within the retail segment, which have significant revenue.” Read more
2023: APGA cuts nomination fees for women, youths by 50% (Punch)
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has declared a 50 per cent reduction of its nomination fees for women and youths, to ease the burden of electioneering expenses and equally make elective posts more accessible to them, ahead of the 2023 polls.
The Ebonyi State Chairman of the Party, Mr Ricky Okorouka, said this in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area on Wednesday during the party’s meeting with the ward chairmen in the area.
On nomination fees reduction for women and youths, the chairman said that the cut would equally favour persons with disabilities.
He also said the meeting was to welcome new members who had decamped from other political parties, adding that so far, the party had received over 90, 000 new members, and reiterated the party’s readiness to wrest power from the ruling party in the state. Read more
Terrified woman calls 999 with ‘pizza order’ to escape danger on bus (Metro)
A woman ‘in danger’ was able to subtly get help by pretending to order a pizza.
The quick-thinking woman called police while feeling scared of a man on a bus in North Yorkshire on Tuesday.
Rather than telling her to only use 999 for emergencies, the operator recognised she could be in trouble.
Using ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions, the call handler established she was on a bus and felt at risk of harm.
While keeping the phone line open, staff also text her for more information.
Police used an online tracker to find the bus and stopped it in York. Read more
Kelsey Grammer readies launch of Fox Nation American history docuseries (Variety)
Streaming-video outlet Fox Nation will launch “Kelsey Grammer’s Historic Battles for America,” a multi-part documentary series that takes viewers inside eight key U.S. battles led by the popular star of series like “Frasier” and “Cheers.”
During the series, Grammer will examine the strategies and inner workings of such landmark skirmishes as the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolution, the fight for the Alamo and the First Battle of Bull Run during the Civil War. Grammer will conclude the series with a spotlight on the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
“Kelsey is a legend in the entertainment industry, and we are proud to bring his talents to our platform with ‘Kelsey Grammer’s Historic Battles for America,’” said Jason Klarman, president of Fox Nation, in a prepared statement. “His affinity for our nation’s history and charismatic delivery will provide Fox Nation subscribers with an entertaining yet educational viewing experience they can’t get anywhere else.”
The announcement comes a few weeks after Fox Nation revealed a new four-part documentary series hosted by actor Kevin Costner commemorating Yellowstone National Park. The new Grammer series is produced by Warm Springs Productions, which is also involved with the Costner series, in association with Grammer’s own Grammnet NH Productions, with Grammer, Tom Russo and Jordan McMahon Executive Producing alongside Warm Springs’ Marc Pierce and Chris Richardson. Read more
Sam Raimi is game to make another‘Spider-Man’ with Tobey Maguire (TheWrap)
Fresh off the multiversal return of Tobey Maguire in “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” director Sam Raimi says he’d be interested in making a fourth Spider-Man movie with his former Peter Parker.
Raimi helped kick off the current era of superhero movies with 2002’s box office record-breaking “Spider-Man,” which was followed by two additional sequels that themselves were commercial successes (and “Spider-Man 2” is still hailed as one of the greatest sequels of all time).
The acclaimed “Evil Dead” filmmaker is making his triumphant return to the comic book adaptation with May’s Marvel Studios film “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” and in an interview with Fandango, Raimi was asked about the chances of him making another “Spider-Man” movie with Maguire.
“I’ve come to realize after making ‘Doctor Strange’ that anything is possible, really anything in the Marvel universe, any team-ups,” Raimi said. “I love Tobey. I love Kirsten Dunst. I think all things are possible. I don’t really have a story or a plan. I don’t know if Marvel would be interested in that right now. I don’t know what their thoughts are about that. I haven’t really pursued that. But it sounds beautiful. Even if it wasn’t a ‘Spider-Man’ movie, I’d love to work with Tobey again, in a different role.” Read more
New Netflix documentary examines how Jimmy Savile ‘hid in plain sight’ (Standard)
The director of a new documentary about Jimmy Savile has said it aims to examine the disgraced entertainer’s relationship with the British public and the establishment to explain how he was “hiding in plain sight” for so long.
The new two-part Netflix programme, Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, delves into archive footage covering a 50-year period to consider how one of the biggest stars in television got away with his crimes as a prolific sex offender.
It also explores Savile’s relationship with the Prince of Wales, in particular the letters they exchanged over many years during which the presenter often provided advice on public and family matters.
The documentary’s director, Rowan Deacon, told Times Radio that some of the material they examined was Savile’s correspondence with Charles, which, she said, gave them an “understanding of the nature of the friendship that they had”, which she feels has not been fully understood before. Read more
Kurt Cobain’s final days to be dramatised by Royal Opera House (Guardian)
The final days of Kurt Cobain, the rock star whose anguish and anti-establishment stance spoke to millions of generation X teenagers, are to be dramatised by the Royal Opera House (ROH).
Cobain, who killed himself at his Seattle home in April 1994 at the age of 27, is the subject of Last Days, an opera adapted from Gus Van Sant’s 2005 film of the same name.
The acclaimed movie, which centred on a young musician named Blake, was loosely based on Cobain’s last days and hours. It depicted the fictional star’s descent into pain, depression, isolation and drug-taking before he killed himself.
Cobain’s devoted fans were distraught at his death, mystifying older opinion-formers who had failed to register his appeal and influence. Read more
Wale brings out hip hop & wrestling stars for Walemania 2022 (AllHipHop)
On March 31, DMV rapper Wale traveled to Dallas for the latest installment of Walemania. His annual Wrestlemania Weekend event featured some big names from professional wrestling and the music industry.
Wale partnered with Spotify for this year’s Walemania in Texas. Former WWE writer Kazeem Famuyide hosted the rap/wrestling crossover event inside the House of Blues. Foot Locker sold merchandise at an onsite pop-up shop.
In addition to Wale being in attendance, Westside Gunn, Smoke DZA, and Yella Beezy also represented the Hip Hop contingent. Numerous figures from different wrestling companies intermingled with the rappers.
AEW’s TBS Champion Jade Cargill joined Wale on stage as the Warner Bros recording artist performed “Lotus Flower Bomb.” Plus, WWE giant Omos rapped Jay-Z’s “Public Service Announcement” for the crowd. Read more
Rape victim, takes own life after police interview (Sky)
A 12-year-old rape victim took her own life directly after an interview with a police officer who had previously discouraged her from bringing forward a criminal complaint and subsequently failed to properly investigate it, her mother has told Sky News.
Semina Halliwell, who had autism, alleged she was raped by an older boy who attended the same school as her and had groomed her over Snapchat into secretly meeting him.
Her mother, Rachel Halliwell, contacted the police after Semina broke down and told her what had happened following a severe incident of self-harm.
But officers from Merseyside Police “made Semina feel like she was an inconvenience to them”, according to two family members who were present during interviews, and no charges have been brought against the alleged perpetrator who Semina named. (Sky)
Kada Football Tourney to feature 18 teams, kicks off May 11 (Leadership)
18 football clubs within Kaduna metropolis will be participating in the maiden edition of the Kada Football Championship slated to kick off may 12, 2022 at the Township Stadium, Kaduna.
The director of sports, Ministry of Sports Development, Yakubu Ibrahim, who is the chairman of the organizing committee disclosed this at the unveiling of the trophy for the championship.
According to him, the participating teams are; Gamji Football Academy, NDC Academy, Kakuri Academy, GBS Academy, Ikhana Babes, Tudun Wada Youth and Alausa Babes.
Others are Rigachikun Academy, Albatex Academy, ASG Academy, Fulfill Academy, Rimi Youth Academy, Stallions Football Club, Dosa Youth, Charis Football Club, Kaduna United Feeders, Unity Academy and Kawo United. Read more
Victor Anichebe hits back at Frank Lampard’s ‘excited’ claim ahead of Burnley vs Everton (Express)
Former Everton striker Victor Anichebe insists Frank Lampard is “on his own” after admitting he was “excited” for the relegation battle. Everton boss Lampard made the comment ahead of Wednesday’s crunch clash away at Burnley.
The Toffees head into the match 17th in the table, just three points clear of the relegation zone. Burnley have played the same amount of games and can move within a point of Everton with a win at Turf Moor.
Lampard says he is more excited than tense ahead of the trip to Burnley. But Anichebe says that is not a feeling shared by himself and the Everton supporters.
He said on Sky Sports News: “He might be on his own there because I’m not excited. I think a lot of Everton fans are tense. Read more
Klopp rotates his rich resources to set Liverpool on fine footing for City (Guardian)
The search for more silverware will only get harder for Liverpool from here on in, warned Jürgen Klopp in Lisbon, but it was with unmistakable and understandable relish that his thoughts turned to what might prove the first of three defining matches with Manchester City this season.
Benfica went perfectly on Tuesday, the opening 25 minutes of the second half notwithstanding, in terms of a Champions League quarter-final first leg result away from home, preparation for a potentially decisive moment in the Premier League title race on Sunday, and beyond.
Liverpool will arrive at the Etihad Stadium with another slice of club history to their name. The 3-1 win at Estadio da Luz was their eighth consecutive victory on the road in all competitions, a new Liverpool record, and while Klopp spoke of his team “really digging deep and fighting with all they have” to extend the sequence in Portugal, overall it was Liverpool’s most commanding performance for several weeks. That is not to suggest City will be anywhere near as compliant as Benfica were in an almost one-sided first half, however.
Klopp utilised and rotated his rich resources to telling effect once again. Jordan Henderson, Joël Matip, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota started on the bench – only Matip remained there throughout – ahead of the City game when all will be in contention to return. Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a valuable 89 minutes to rediscover his rhythm and truly outstanding passing range after a hamstring injury, likewise Naby Keïta, who offered creativity, bite and threat from midfield, following his recovery from a knee problem. Read more
Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ jersey set to fetch millions at auction (RTE)
The shirt worn by Diego Maradona when he scored two unforgettable goals to knock England out of the 1986 World Cup, including the so-called ‘Hand Of God’, is set to fetch more than £4 million at auction.
Maradona – one of the greatest footballers of all time, who died in November 2020 at the age of 60 – described his opening goal in the quarter-final tie, where the ball clearly hit the leaping Argentinian’s left arm before nestling in the net, as “a little with the head of Maradona, and a little with the hand of God”.
He then scored what was voted “goal of the century” when he dribbled past a host of England players before netting as Argentina sealed a 2-1 win in Mexico City en route to winning the tournament.
Midfielder Steve Hodge, who had unintentionally flicked the ball to Maradona in the ‘Hand of God’ play, swapped shirts with his rival in the tunnel after the game and has owned it ever since – although the item has spent the last 20 years on loan at the National Football Museum in Manchester. Read more
Tommy and Tyson Fury continuing to perform ‘controversial’ exercise in training (Mirror)
Tommy Fury is still performing his controversial ‘medicine ball’ exercise with his brother Tyson, insisting it had nothing to do with the rib injury that forced him out of his fight with Jake Paul.
Fans were furious when after the Love Island star was forced to cancel his bout with Paul due to a broken rib, footage emerged showing Tyson hammering his midsection with a medicine ball in an ab exercise.
The commonly-used ab exercise is popular with boxers, but concerned fans who felt it could have damaged his rib before he broke his rib in a training session gone wrong. The younger Fury was training with an unnamed heavyweight when he received a bare-knuckle punch that caused the severe injury, sidelining him for over four months.
But he insists that the exercise is in fact a positive for fighters, and he returned to it with his brother once he had been medically cleared to spar full contact again. “We’re still doing it!” Fury told the Queensberry Promotions YouTube channel. “We’re still doing it because that’s not what caused the injury. Read more
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar apologizes to LeBron James for critical comments (People)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is apologizing to LeBron James after publicly criticizing the Los Angeles Lakers star on Sunday for doing actions that are “beneath him” and “embarrassing” as an athlete of his status.
“I’ve been talking to the press since high school. That’s 60 years of making statements. And I haven’t always gotten it right. And Sunday was one of those nights,” he said on Sirius XM NBA radio Monday, ESPN reports.
“It wasn’t my intention to criticize LeBron in any way. He’s done so much for the Black community as well as for the game of basketball,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “We may not always agree, but I want to whole-heartedly apologize to LeBron and make it clear to him that I have tremendous respect for him. If he can accept that, I’ll be very happy.”
Abdul-Jabbar’s initial comments were made on Sunday ahead of the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets, where he presented Carmelo Anthony with the NBA’s inaugural Social Justice Champion Award. Read more
Mick Schumacher delivers verdict on working relationship with Kevin Magnussen (GMS)
Mick Schumacher says that he is feeling comfortable alongside Kevin Magnussen and that he is finding the team-mate dynamic at Haas better than he did in 2021.
The German driver will be more eager than most to get going this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix, after seeing his weekend in Saudi Arabia ruined by a huge smash in qualifying.
Indeed, that crash stopped him from competing in the race as his Haas team opted to not use spare parts to fix the car and, instead, he watched on as Kevin Magnussen once again put in a strong performance.
Certainly, it’s been heartening for the team and for fans alike to see Haas’ resurgence and they will hope that they can achieve another strong result in Oz this weekend. Read more