Lagos socialite who distributed petrol as souvenir sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, gets fine option (Tribune)
A Lagos State Special Offences (Mobile) Court sitting at Oshodi has sentenced a socialite, Ms Chidinma Ogbulu, to two years in prison for distributing petrol as a souvenir during a party.
The Chief Magistrate, Kehinde Ogundare, convicted and sentenced the socialite following her guilty plea on Thursday and evidence by prosecution.
Ogundare held that the prosecution proved its case against the socialite beyond any reasonable doubt, according to a statement from Lagos State Ministry of Justice on Friday.
The socialite was first arraigned on March 14 for distributing petrol as souvenir during her installation party on March 5 at Havillah Event Centre in Lagos State. Read more
Navy detains drunk rating for stabbing, shooting Lagos doctor (Punch)
The Nigerian Navy has confirmed the arrest of a naval rating for stabbing and shooting a doctor, Owen Edo-Ojo, on Gbamgbala Street, Elegushi, in Lekki area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro had reported that the victim’s mother while lamenting that her son was battling for his life in a hospital, demanded justice and prosecution of the personnel involved in the incident.
Narrating how the incident happened, the aggrieved mother said her son, who wanted to attend a spa session, parked his vehicle at the front of a building when the rating accosted him.
An argument bordering on where Edo-Ojo parked his vehicle ensued and in the process, the naval personnel allegedly brutalised him. Read more
Police Command arrests officer for harassing motorist over tinted-glass permit (Guardian)
The Police Command in Lagos State has arrested one Insp Dele Reuben who was captured in a video harassing a motorist over the now-suspended-tinted-glass permit.
The Command’s spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated this in a statement on Friday in Lagos.
He said that the officer was currently undergoing disciplinary procedures at the State Police Headquarters, Ikeja.
“The policeman harassing a motorist in a video that has gone viral is undergoing orderly room trial.” Read more
Court orders final forfeiture of Diezani-linked N325m Lekki property (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the final forfeiture of “a vacant plot of land” in the Lekki area of Lagos said to be linked to a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke.
Justice Akintayo Aluko ordered the property permanently forfeited to the Federal Government following an application to that effect by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The anti-graft agency identified the property as Plot 13, Block II, Oniru Chieftaincy Family Private Estate, Lekki, Lagos, adding that it is worth N325.4m.
Listed as defendants in the forfeiture application were Diezani, Mr Donald Chidi Amamgbo and Mez Group LLC. Read more
Onakpoya dazzles at debut album launch (ThisDay)
After years of grooming people, composing songs and helping people live their dreams in the Nigerian gospel music scene, gospel music star, Glory Onakpoya has finally released his debut album titled, “Awesome Wonder”. The talk of the town album launch which took place recently at Vabtage Studio and Event Centre located in the Fadeyi axis of Lagos Mainland has continued to dominate conversations among music enthusiasts in the gospel music community.
The inspirational album described as a magical work of heavenly-inspired songs took a period of five years of intense work to pull off the historic album. Better known for his originality and unmatched musical skills, Glory Onakpoya is a man of many parts – he’s a gospel music minister, vocal coach, award-winning songwriter and composer of international repute. It’s no surprise that Glory’s album launch attracted who is who in the gospel music scene.
As expected, the album launch kicked off in grace with opening prayers and praise session. The master of ceremony for the day introduced to the high-flying guests Glory Onakpoya, the host of honour and welcomed other important guests to the high table. Major highlight of the day was the electrifying performance of the celebrant, Glory Onakpoya who performed one of the songs on the album titled Overflow.
To the admiration of the guests, other performances from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG followed. Top on the list of eminent personalities at the album launch include Dr. Victoria Michaels, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (PFN), Alapere Chapter Lagos State delegates, Rev. Henry Uwota, PFN Alapere Secretary, Rev. Dr. Iyke Abbe, Rev. Remedy, biological mother, close friends and families of the host artiste, Glory Onakpoya. Read more
First Nigerian female Vice Chancellor Alele-Williams dies at 89 (Nation)
Nigeria’s first female Vice Chancellor, Professor Grace Alele-Williams is dead. She died on Friday at the age of 89 years.
Although information about her demise was still sketchy as of press time Friday evening, her death was posted on a WhatsApp group having prominent Itsekiris as members.
“The education icon and great Mathematician, Prof. Grace Alele Williams, has gone to be with the Lord. May her soul rest in peace,” a post by one Femi Uwawah, read.
Ex Delta State governor, Chief Ibori, mourned her passing, saying she influenced him while he (Ibori) was an undergraduate. Read more
Community laments effect of spill from Agip facility (ThisDay)
About a month after an oil spill occurred at Lasukugbene, a community in Southern Ijaw area of Bayelsa State following the burst of pipelines belonging to Agip, residents of the area have lamented the effects of the incident.
THISDAY gathered that up till the time of filing of this report, no Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) has been officially carried out by the relevant authorities, after the occurrence of the spill on February 3, 2022.
Lasukugbene community plays host to manifold pipelines and oil wells belonging to Agip Oil Company which has been operating in the community since 1974.
The predominantly fishing community, that has no hospital or health care facilities, relies mostly on local herbs for treatment of their ailments. The people of the community are now in sorrow following the alleged damage to their only source of livelihood-fishing and farming. Read more
Power play as APC ‘elects’ national officers (Guardian)
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, allegedly mounted pressure on aspirants for the national chairmanship position of the party to accept the position of President Muhammadu Buhari on consensus at the party’s national convention holding today at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Besides, the delegates may also vote to alter some sections of the party’s Constitution to be in tandem with the Electoral Act of 2022.
The development came against the backdrop of the open support for consensus by critical stakeholders of the party comprising members of the Governor Atiku Bagudu-led Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), the Ahmad Lawan-led National Assembly leadership and other leaders of the party like former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also a presidential aspirant.
The party was alleged to have adopted the stick and carrot approach to whip the aspirants to obey the decision of the President, because of their inability to reach a consensus and accept the nomination of the former Nassarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu as consensus candidate of the party. Read more
2023: Tambuwal promises special recognition for women (Sun)
Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal has promised to give special consideration to women if elected president.
Tambuwal, who made the promise at a meeting with PDP women leaders in Abuja, solicited for the support of the women towards his presidential bid.
The Sokoto governor noted that he ensured that his administration made girl child education a priority, stating that he has always protected the interest of women.
According to him, “when I came on board, there was only one female permanent secretary. Today we have four. There was never a time we had women councillors in the state. Today in each local government we have three. Read more
Fear, anguish in Southern Kaduna over recurrent killings (DailyTrust)
Fear, anguish and gloom have once again engulfed parts of Kaduna’s southern senatorial district after a night attack claimed over 30 lives, while at least 200 homes were razed down on Sunday, March 20.
In a matter of hours, hundreds of residents of Agban community in Kagoro chiefdom and Maraban Kagoro, both in Kaura Local Government Area of the state, fled their communities.
Security agents answering a distress call were equally ambushed, and two personnel attached to the Operation Safe Haven, a multi-security taskforce of the Defence headquarters maintaining peace in Plateau State and parts of southern Kaduna had paid the ultimate price.
As the attack took a reprisal tendency and threatened to engulf Kafanchan in Jema’a and Zangon Kataf local government areas, the state government had to slam a 24-hour curfew on Kaura and Jema’s local government areas to avert further loss of lives. Read more
Celebration as the Oscars ceremony returns to Hollywood (BBC)
“I’m so glad glamour is returning,” says Hollywood hair colourist to the stars, Erick Orellana.
Mr Orellana is referring to this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, the Oscars, which will be back to its usual glitz and grand scale on Sunday.
In 2021, the annual celebration of the movie industry had to be much more intimate and muted than usual because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ceremony was even moved out of the Hollywood area of Los Angeles. With less than 200 people able to attend it was a significantly smaller occasion, held eight miles away at Union Station in LA’s Downtown. And there were no pre or after-show parties. Read more
‘It feels like Live Aid’: all-star Concert for Ukraine joins war relief effort (Guardian)
The organiser of next week’s televised Concert for Ukraine has described the event as “comparable to Live Aid”.
“The scale is obviously different – Live Aid was transatlantic,” said Guy Freeman, MD of the production company Livewire Pictures. “But it is comparable in terms of people coming together very quickly in the face of an emergency.”
The event, being broadcast live by ITV and STV on Tuesday, will feature Ed Sheeran, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Camila Cabello, Manic Street Preachers, Snow Patrol, Emeli Sandé and more, and was mobilised in just two weeks after Freeman was horrified by the “relentless” news and wanted to help.
He first contacted ITV before approaching venues. “NEC Group were amazing. They said: ‘We’ve got space at these times at [Birmingham’s] Resorts World Arena.’” Three booking agents volunteered to start contacting touring acts who were able to perform at such short notice. Read more
Pro basketballer Matthew Adekponya courts new career as filmmaker with Boomers doco (ABC)
The Australian Boomers’ breakthrough “rose gold” bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics will be the subject of a new documentary set for release next year.
Featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from within the inner sanctum, the film will feature interviews and never-before-seen footage as the national men’s team strove to claim its first Olympic medal in 65 years.
Former NBL player turned filmmaker Matthew Adekponya will direct the feature-length release, having travelled extensively with the squad over several years.
The former Cairns Taipans guard said watching the Boomers fail to medal at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China inspired him to share more about the squad’s remarkable journey. Read more
Francis Ford Coppola offers solution for Ukraine: tell Putin to “Stop” as he is “not an insane, deranged person” (THR)
Upon taking the stage to accept a lifetime achievement award from the Publicists Guild on Friday afternoon, legendary auteur Francis Ford Coppola promptly announced a podium pivot. “I am taking the unprepared speech I was going to give, and I’m throwing that away,” said the 82-year-old after giving a quick shout-out to longtime publicist Annalee Paulo on her publicist of the year nomination. “I’m going to speak of what I was like when I was a boy because so many formative things happened.”
Coppola then gave a quick summary of what it was like to grow up in Queens in a diverse neighborhood filled with Polish, Armenian and Russian families, suggesting that it shaped his worldview as a global citizen. He used it as a segue to talk about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine that began when Russian forces invaded the country a month ago. “My heart is so filled with love of Ukrainian Americans,” he said, noting their “wonderful” dance and choral competitions. “It breaks my heart what is happening in this absurd reality of this world today, and I can’t not speak about that.”
That said, he kept the remarks brief and pointed, offering a simple solution for the war. “I know of what I speak when I say if one word would just be said, one word with the force of meaning ‘stop,’ it would stop,” he said. “Believe me, anyone who knows this, [knows] the difference between NATO and Russian forces is 25 times greater. And Putin is not an insane, deranged person; he’s a calculating person, and if someone said ‘stop’ and meant it, he would stop.”
Coppola — feted by veteran industry figure Sid Ganis on a program that featured fellow honorees MGM’s Michael DeLuca and Pam Abdy, and Reservation Dogs duo Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo — closed his speech by confessing that “none of this is relevant” to the event of his life’s work, but “I’m saying it to you because you’re the publicists, and this is a word for the hope of the future.” Read more
Wasserman Music, Black Music Action Coalition, Tennessee State University partner for accelerator program (Variety)
The Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) has announced a partnership with Wasserman Music and the commercial music program at Tennessee State University for a music accelerator program set to run May 9 to 26.
In collaboration with Nashville Music Equality and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the intensive curriculum will cover multiple sectors of the industry including songwriting, copyrights, publishing, labels, marketing, touring and publicity, among other focuses, and include guest lectures from influential executives. Among them: Post Malone manager Dre London, Artistry Group founder/CEO Max Gousse, Roddy Ricch manager Shawn Holiday, EMPIRE product manager Russell Barrett, Revels Group manager Jamil Davis and Wasserman Music agents Lee Anderson, Lenore Kinder, Callender, Chappel McCollister and Mallory Smith.
Internship placements are also a component and participating companies include Quality Control Music and Wasserman Music, which has pledged to further the program in the future to other historically Black colleges and universities. The agency also houses its own Color of Change and #ChangeMusic platform.
Said Lee Anderson, EVP and managing executive at Wasserman Music: “The launch of this program is one step in Wasserman’s commitment to doing the work to create real change in this industry. We couldn’t ask for a better partner to work with than BMAC, whose values and goals perfectly align with ours in this effort. We look forward to expanding this program to other schools in the years ahead.” Read more
Machine Gun Kelly shares 5 rules for listening to his new album — which features daughter Casie and Pete Davidson (People)
Machine Gun Kelly has some advice for his fans.
The Mainstream Sellout artist, 31, celebrated the release of his sixth studio album on Thursday by sharing five rules for listening to his new music before taking the stage at Lollapalooza Brazil.
“I have five rules for listening to Mainstream Sellout,” MGK prefaced in a video. “One, you have to listen to it once by yourself. Two, you have to listen to it in a car. Three, you have to listen to it with friends. Once, you have to listen to it in the daytime. And then last, you have to listen to it at nighttime. You can combine two and three, and listen to it in a car with friends. That also counts.”
The new album features notable collaborations with 12-year-old daughter Casie and Pete Davidson on “wall of fame – interlude.” The two go back-and-forth poking fun at L.A. culture on the brief, spoken track. Read more
Osayo debuts new single, ‘Motivation’ (MyJoy)
Talented Ghanaian singer, Osayo, has officially released his debut single in 2022.
“Motivation” is the title of the new song by the well-known former Black Avenue Muzik artist.
While thanking God and his family for the empowerment and support, the young singer also spoke about what keeps his spirit alive and moving on a daily basis in his new single.
Officially, “Motivation” was produced with the help of RonyTurnMeUp. Read more
FIFA World Cup Play-Off: Ghana hold Nigeria to a goalless draw (DailyTrust)
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Black Stars of Ghana have played out a barren draw in the first leg of their FIFA World Cup Play-off on Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana.
Nigeria’s hope of getting an away win from the spot was dashed after VAR overruled a decision to award the visitors a penalty in the closing stages of the second half.
A review of the decision found that Ghana midfielder, Iddrisu Baba, was fouled before he handled the ball in the penalty area.
Ghana came closest to breaking the deadlock with Nigerian goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, pulling off a superb save to deny Fatahu Ishaku in the first half. Read more
Lionel Messi ponders future after Argentina beats Venezuela (DailyMail)
Lionel Messi says he will reconsider his future in soccer later this year but said it’s likely “many things will change” after the World Cup in November and December in Qatar.
Messi’s comments came after Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 on Friday in the remaining match of the penultimate round of South American World Cup qualifying.
“I don’t know what I will do after the World Cup. I am thinking about what is coming,” Messi said. “After Qatar I will have to reassess many things.”
He added his doubts had nothing to do with past frustration playing for Argentina. He won his first title with the team last year – the Copa America in a final against Brazil. Read more
I needed to leave Celtic for the good of my career, says Lee O’Connor (IrishIndependent)
While Celtic players are chasing a Scottish Premiership title and a return to the Champions League, Ireland international Lee O’Connor has no regrets over his decision to cut ties with the Bhoys and make a permanent move to England’s League Two.
The Waterford man, who still had a year and a half to go on his contract at Parkhead, insists it was the right move for his career, at club and international levels, to quit Glasgow and head south.
Capped once by Mick McCarthy in 2019, the versatile O’Connor is still biding his time with the U21s and will win his 20th cap at that level in Tuesday’s European qualifier away to Sweden. Since he last played for the U21s, in November’s win at home to the Swedes, O’Connor made his loan move from Celtic to Tranmere Rovers into a permanent one. That meant giving up on his Parkhead dream but he’s happy to have made that call.
“It was pretty straightforward for me. I think I needed to do it for the good of my career. That’s what it came down to, that’s the only thing I was thinking about. From when I was making my decision, it just had to be what’s going to be the best thing for my career,” says O’Connor, who signed for Celtic in 2019 but never made a first-team appearance. Read more
Formula 1: Saudi Grand Prix to go ahead despite attack on oil facility, say organisers (StraitsTimes)
Formula One’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead after teams received safety assurances and drivers met for more than four hours following attacks on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit on Friday (March 25).
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis said they launched attacks on Saudi energy facilities and the Saudi-led coalition said state-owned oil giant Aramco’s petroleum products distribution station was hit, causing a fire in two tanks but no casualties..
“We have received total assurance that the country’s safety is first,” Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali told reporters after a meeting with drivers, teams and local authorities.
He said senior Saudi figures were also at the track with their families. Read more
A day to forget for Naesen, Van Avermaet at E3 Saxo Bank Classic (CyclingNews)
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad delivered an Opening Weekend performance that boded well for a strong Classics showing from AG2R Citroën in 2022, with both Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen in the top 4, though it certainly wasn’t a performance that carried through to the E3 Saxo Bank Classic on Friday. The team not only fell out of the top 10 at the race for the first time since 2016 but were also completely absent from the top 20 after missing the main moves.
It was as far back as 80km from the finish line that the race to Harelbeke was all but over for the French squad. Firstly none of their jerseys were visible in the small group that eventual race winner Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) drove off the front with a powerful acceleration on the cobbled climb of the Taaienberg. Then the team also failed to join the handful of riders that bridged from the chase to that front group after Ineos Grenadiers charged up the cobbled Eikenberg, setting up Jhonatan Narváez to spark a move which crossed the gap.
“It was impossible to follow the top fifteen of the day today.” AG2R Citroën sports director Julien Jurdie said in a statement. “There are days when the legs just do not respond.”
Last year the team had both Naesen and Van Avermaet in the chase group of six which came over the line 30 seconds behind race winner Kasper Asgreen, with the AG2R Citroën riders taking fourth and sixth. Read more
Dillian Whyte’s lawyer not convinced Tyson Fury fight will go ahead amid bitter row (Mirror)
Dillian Whyte’s lawyer is not convinced his fighter’s clash with Tyson Fury will go ahead.
Fury and Whyte are due to clash at Wembley on April 23 in a mandatory defence of Fury’s heavyweight world title. But the build-up to the clash has been soured by a bitter row between the two teams with Whyte refusing to appear at a press conference to officially launch the fight.
His lawyer Jeffrey Benz claims his client has not been offered a ticket for his mum and has accused Fury’s team of playing “silly games”. And he went as far as to say he is not 100% sure Whyte will walk to the ring.
“Dillian is focused on fighting, he’s straightforward in that regard, he’s assuming the fight will go forward, but you never know what will happen with this opponent at the last minute,” he told talkSPORT. “But Dillian is doing his thing. It’ll be an exciting fight, if it goes forward – probably the fight of the decade. You just don’t know [if the fight will go ahead]. Read more
Iga Swiatek becomes new WTA World No.1 with Miami win (France24)
Poland’s Iga Swiatek clinched becoming the new world number one in women’s tennis on Friday by defeating swiss Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-0 at the WTA Miami Open.
Swiatek will move into the top spot vacated by Australian Ashleigh Barty after the three-time Grand Slam champion announced her retirement earlier this week.
The 20-year-old Warsaw-born star had to win her second-round match at the South Florida hardcourt tournament to ensure she would replace Barty.
Swiatek will be the first Polish woman to reach the rankings summit, eclipsing the old mark for players from her homeland she shared with former world number two Agnieszka Radwanska. Read more