Late Sound Sultan accepted, fed, clothed me -Singer Spyro reveals (Vanguard)
Nigerian singer, Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, popularly known as Spyro, has revealed how the late veteran singer, Sound Sultan accepted, fed and clothed him when he had nothing.
The ‘‘Who is your guy?’’ singer made this known while paying tribute to the late singer via his Instagram page on Friday.
Spyro, who recently bought a house for himself, expressed sadness that Sound Sultan was not alive to witness his success, adding that he will forever be grateful to him for his mentorship. Read more
Many estates in Abuja are proceeds of money laundering – EFCC Lawyer (DailyTrust)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said the commission is zeroing on those hiding under real estate to perpetrate money laundering and other financial crimes.
Speaking during a training session for journalists on effective reporting of the economic and financial crimes in Benin, Edo State, EFCC lawyer, Chris Mishela, said many estates springing up in Abuja, Lagos and other parts of the country were believed to be proceed of fraud and money laundering.
He said, “In Abuja, you see so many estates coming all over and we believe the source of this fund are unlawful funds. The funds are illegally gotten either from government or from international crime that is used to launder through estate business. Read more
Govern with fear of God – Hamzat to politicians (Nation)
The Lagos State Dep. Gov. Dr Obafemi Hamzat has urged leaders to relate with citizens with the fear of God, as governance is stewardship which would be accounted for on judgement day.
Hamzat made the appeal after observing the Eid-el-Fitri prayer on Friday at the Dodan barracks praying ground, Obalende, Lagos.
According to him, Muslims should reflect on the lessons learnt during Ramadan and always put it into practice. Read more
Banana Island developer planned to rake in N22b revenue – Report (Punch)
The developer of the collapsed building in Banana Island, Joe Faraday Limited, projected to rake in over N21.5bn from customers who subscribed to the seven-storey structure, findings by The PUNCH have shown.
According to an analysis of the project’s marketing information seen by our correspondent, the seven-storey building, christened “The Woodlands” consisted of 72 units of flats.
The building plan comprised a cluster of one, two, three, and four-bedroom flats as well as five and six-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses, making a total of 72 units. Read more
Traders call for govt intervention after Kwara market fire (Channels)
Victims of a fire incident that affected six shops at Oja Tuntun Market in the Baboko area of Ilorin, Kwara State are calling on the state government to establish a fire station around the market to guard against a reoccurrence.
The fire which occurred around 7 pm last Thursday was preceded by similar occurrences.
The affected shop owners said they could not explain the cause of the fire because they made use of generators since they have had no electricity for two years. Read more
Osinbajo to deliver lecture on climate change in USA (Independent)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN will today depart Nigeria for the United States of America where he is scheduled to deliver a Special Lecture at the University of Pennsylvania, UPenn in Philadelphia.
UPenn which is one of the eight private universities known as the Ivy League in the United States was initially established in 1740 as a charity school. It was later transformed into an academy in 1751 by Benjamin Franklin, a future founding father of the United States, who also served as the first president of the Board of Trustees of the University.
The Vice President’s lecture on Monday will be themed around Climate Change and a Just Transition, and is hosted by the University’s Center for Africana Studies. Read more
MURIC tasks governments on low income housing (Guardian)
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has tasked governments at all levels to make sure that low-income houses and markets are affordable for the people. The Executive Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
Akintola said most Nigerian workers can hardly afford the price tag of the so-called low-cost housing estates while ordinary market women who were driven out of their stalls could not pay for the shops built by governments.
“Nigerian Muslims yesterday joined fellow faithful around the globe to mark the end of 2023 (1444 AH) Ramadan fasting. Prayers were held all over the country. Read more
Buju Banton, Snoop Dogg live the “High Life,” and 12 more new songs (DancehallMag)
Every week writers at DancehallMag highlight new Jamaican songs and videos you should add to your Reggae, Dancehall, Trap, and R&B playlists.
This week we have new drops from Buju Banton ft. Snoop Dogg, Alkaline, Vybz Kartel, Valiant, Dre Island, Patra and more. If you have favorites of your own, feel free to send suggestions to editor@dancehallmag.com.
Buju Banton – High Life ft. Snoop Dogg
Music titans Buju Banton and Snoop Dogg have joined forces to share their common appreciation for “ganja” in this new single dubbed, High Life. The two endorse the age-old remedies of the herb but for Banton, “Jamaica marijuana is the people’s choice,” while Snoop says he prefers the “California kush straight off the bush” to put him in the zone. Read more
Remarkable 108-year-old virtuoso Colette Maze becomes oldest-ever pianist to release an album (ClassicFM)
A lifetime at the piano, in what has to be one of the most remarkable stories in all classical music.
This pianist, who was born on 16 June 1914, just a few weeks before the outbreak of the First World War, is about to release a new album of her performances.
In a recent interview, Colette Maze told Le Figaro her new album will feature piano works by Gershwin, Piazzolla, Schumann, and Debussy, with the obvious yet astonishing title of 108 Years of Piano. Read more
Jimmie Allen and wife Alexis Gale separating with 3rd baby on the way (People)
Jimmie Allen and his wife Alexis Gale have announced their impending separation.
The singer, 37, shared the news with fans on Instagram on Friday, adding that he and Gale, 27, will also be welcoming a new baby together later in 2023.
“After much thought and reflection in recent months, Lex & I have made the decision to separate,” Allen, 37, wrote. “As we navigate this life change, we can also share that we will be welcoming another child together later this year.” Read more
H.E.R. joins ‘‘Here Lies Love’’ as Broadway musical producer (Vibe)
H.E.R. is subtly gunning for a Tony Award. After earning her first two Grammys in 2019, an Oscar in 2021, and an Emmy in late 2022, the 25-year-old—née Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson—has now joined the production team for the Broadway musical debut of Here Lies Love.
According to Billboard, the musical tells the story of Imelda Marcos’ rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution. The concept and show lyrics were birthed by David Byrne, who partnered with Fatboy Slim on the music.
H.E.R., who is of Filipino-American and African-American descent, expressed pride for her heritage and new role in a statement. “Filipinos are a global people. We come in all colors and build bridges across cultures. I am beyond excited to produce my first Broadway musical and forge a unique and meaningful partnership with Here Lies Love,” she explained. Read more
Ryan Gosling unveils action-comedy short film to celebrate Tag Heuer Carrera’s 60th in London (THR)
Do watches have birthday parties?
Luxury Swiss brand Tag Heuer seems to think it should, especially for its iconic motoring-inspired Carrera model, which celebrated its 60th with a glitzy cinema-focused event in central London on Thursday night.
Longtime Tag Heuer ambassadors Patrick Dempsey and Ryan Gosling were arguably the highest-profile attendees, both brought onstage by company boss Frédéric Arnault to discuss their relationship with the company (Dempsey said he first got involved with it nine years ago while racing at Le Mans). Arnault also welcomed Euphoria‘s Jacob Elordi and introduced Alexandra Daddario as its latest celebrity timepiece-wearer (alongside some new photos of her brandishing one of the latest Tag Heuer models). Heartstopper star Kit Connor and House of the Dragon‘s Milly Alcock were among the guests in the crowd (as was a heavily photographed Porsche 911 Carrera). Read more
Steven Spielberg rallies film stars to help save 89-year-old London cinema from closure (DailyMail)
Steven Spielberg is among a host of stars rallying to save a prominent London cinema from closure.
The operators of the Curzon Mayfair are desperately pleading with their landlord to renew the lease on the Grade II-listed building before it ends next year.
The 89-year-old venue regularly hosts star-studded premieres. More than 19,000 people have backed the petition. Read more
Ukraine war: Russian warplane accidentally bombs own city (BBC)
A Russian Sukhoi-34 fighter-jet has accidentally bombed the Russian city of Belgorod, around 40 km (25 miles) from the border with Ukraine.
The bomb left a 20m (60ft) crater and caused an explosion so large it blew a car onto the roof of a nearby shop.
Regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said authorities had ordered the evacuation of a damaged nine-storey block of flats as a precaution.
Three people were injured and several buildings were damaged, he said. Read more
After Pereira, ‘SyleBender’ Adesanya awaits next victim (DailyTrust)
It is no longer news that on April 9, Nigerian born professional Mixed Martial Artist, kickboxer and former boxer, Israel Adesanya, popularly known as The Last StyleBender, reclaimed the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, after he knocked out Brazilian opponent Alex Pereira ‘Poatan’.
What is however news is that the handlers of the dare-devil martial artist have disclosed that he is right now waiting eagerly for the opponent who will be his next victim.
Adesanya’s strength and conditioning coach, Abiola Beckley, has told Trust Sports that against ‘Poatan’, the Ogun State born hard hitting kick-boxer was able to show all the hard work he did during the training camp and brought a whole new level to his game. Read more
Flying Eagles in ‘‘Group of Death’’ at U-20 World Cup (Punch)
Football-loving Nigerians have raised concerns over the chances of the Flying Eagles qualifying from the ‘Group of Death’ at the forthcoming 2023 U-20 World Cup in Argentina next month, Saturday PUNCH reports.
The U-20 World Cup kicks off May 20 and ends June 11 in Argentina, after Indonesia was stripped of the hosting rights due to protests over the participation of Israel.
The Flying Eagles, runners-up on two occasions (1989 and 2005) are pitted in Group D alongside five-time Brazil, Italy and Dominican Republic after the draw ceremony held at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Friday. Read more
Mikel Arteta insists he ‘cannot wait’ for must-win Man City clash (ESPN)
Mikel Arteta insists he “cannot wait” to face Manchester City and said he believes Arsenal must win at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday to lift the Premier League title.
The Gunners came from two goals down to salvage a 3-3 draw against bottom club Southampton on Friday but handed a further advantage to second-placed City, who are now five points behind but with two games in hand.
Carlos Alcaraz capitalised on a dreadful error by Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to score after 27 seconds before former Gunners forward Theo Walcott extended Southampton’s lead on 14 minutes. Read more
Mbappe scores twice as PSG move closer to title (BBC)
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Paris St-Germain beat bottom side Angers to move a step closer to a record 11th Ligue 1 title.
France international Mbappe slotted in an early opener after initially missing his volley.
He then doubled the lead midway through the first half when he was superbly put through by Lionel Messi and produced a clinical finish. Read more
Cantlay-Schauffele set records but Clark-Hossler keep PGA lead (France24)
Reigning Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay set records on Friday but the US duo of Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler held the lead at the PGA Zurich Classic.
Defending champions Cantlay and Schauffele, ranked fourth and fifth in the world respectively, combined to shoot a tournament-record foursomes round of nine-under par 63 in the second round of the only PGA pairs event.
“Xander putted great and hit a lot of really nice wedge shots and pitches,” Cantlay said. “Left me three feet in a couple times and made a bunch of mid-range 15-20 footers, which is exactly what you need to do to shoot nine-under par.” Read more
Swiatek sets up Jabeur semi-final in Stuttgart with comeback win over Pliskova (Eurosport)
Iga Swiatek defeated Karolina Pliskova 4-6 6-1 6-2 to reach the Stuttgart Open semi-finals.
Swiatek had cruised past Qinwen Zheng in their round of 16 match, while Pliskova was taken the distance by Donna Vekic in their match-up.
The 21-year-old was the favourite as the world No. 1 but Pliskova has 10 years more experience than her Polish opponent, and was a former No. 1-ranked player herself in years gone by. Read more