LCCI raises concerns over rising inflation, debt sustainability (Guardian)
As the country awaits a higher inflation rate for March due for release today, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has expressed concerns about the persistent increase in domestic prices. It noted that continual rise in inflation has a profound consequence for all stakeholders, including households, businesses and investors.
According to the Chamber, the uptick in inflation weakens purchasing power and consequently worsens the poverty condition. It added that the situation also escalates operating and production costs while eroding profit margins.
The chamber noted that the country’s debts are not linked to assets or specific projects, raising serious medium-term fiscal sustainability risks given the country’s persistent revenue challenge. Read more
2 killed, 2 injured as trailers collide on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Punch)
Two persons lost their lives, while two others sustained varying degrees of injury during a head-on collision between two trucks on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday.
The crash occurred around 10am in the Mowe-Ibafo area of the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The spokesman for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the incident.
Akinbiyi said the fatal crash involved a DAF containerised truck with number plate EDE 559 XA and a Howo truck without number plate belonging to BHN. Read more
Police arrest vigilante operative for killing innocent passerby (Guardian)
Police operatives attached to Ijora Division of the command, on Tuesday 2021, arrested one vigilante operative, 30-years-old Lukman Rasak, for shooting an innocent boy, Musa Yahaya, 28, on his chest at Ijora area of the state.
The victim was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead. The police officers who were alerted, raced to the place, arrested the suspect and recovered his gun with some cartridges.
Police spokesman told newsmen that the suspect is being investigated. Read more
Prosecute attackers of LASTMA personnel (Guardian)
Sometime in October last year, it was reported that a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) official was assaulted on duty. The incident happened at a time LASTMA as an agency of the state government was still counting its losses after the violent aftermath of EndSARS protests, an officer of the agency, Ismaila Lukman, while on duty at Jakande junction in Lekki, was attacked by some troublemakers who chose to challenge and dare the authority of a traffic controller statutorily carrying out his duties as enshrined in the Act that established LASTMA.
In his reaction to the assault last year, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, said, “As we are quick to prosecute LASTMA officials who misbehave, we must be quicker to prosecute those found culpable of attacking LASTMA officials.” The State House of Assembly speaker made it clear that the security of LASTMA personnel is paramount, to enable them perform their duties without fear of being attacked by any unruly motorist. Read more
Ondo to embark on tuberculosis awareness campaign (Vanguard)
Ondo government says it will soon embark on sensitisation of community and religious leaders on the dangers of tuberculosis.
The Coordinator, Ondo State Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer & Leprosy Control Programme (OD-STBLCP), Dr Oluwafemi Aina, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Akure during a sensitisation workshop.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, held virtually, featured medical experts, advocacy groups and journalists.
Aina said that the workshop was convened to raise awareness on the debilitating effects of the disease, especially if left untreated. Read more
1 killed, others injured in Bayelsa cult clash (Nation)
A bloody clash between two rival cult groups has left one person dead and many injured in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
It has yet to be identified which cult groups were involved in the clash.
Eyewitnesses claimed that the suspected cult members, who filed out in large numbers from Yenagoa metropolis, headed for Obele where the bloody clash ensued.
It was learnt that during the clash an unidentified man was killed and some persons were injured. Read more
Rivers LG chairman regains freedom (Guardian)
The chairman of Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Philemon Kingoli, has regained freedom after eight days in the kidnappers’ den.
Kingoli was whisked away by kidnappers on April 6, 2021, on the Peter Odili Road of Port Harcourt.
While confirming his rescue, the spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said the chairman was rescued Tuesday night in a covert operation by the operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit.
Omoni said the victims had been taken to the hospital for medical attention and released to reunite with his family.
It was however, not clear if any ransom was paid. Read more
Kidnapped boy, 3 others freed after 1-month captivity (DailyTrust)
Abdulrahman Isah, 13, and three others kidnapped by gunmen a month ago at Anguwar Hausawa in Naharati, Abaji Area Council, FCT have regained their freedom.
Kidnappers had on March 13, 2021 abducted four residents at Anguwar Hausawa in Abaji, in where two of the gunmen were killed during the exchange of gunfire with a combined team of police and vigilante members.
A family member, who preferred anonymity, said the victims were set free on Tuesday night after N7 million ransom and two bags of rice, cartons of seasoning cubes and Indomie noodles were given to their abductors.
He disclosed that the kidnappers had collected N4.5 million two weeks ago but insisted that two bags of rice and condiments and an additional N2.5 million must be brought to them before their hostages would be set free. Read more
Police storm kidnappers hideouts in Ibadan (Vanguard)
The Oyo State Police Command has embarked on a tactical manhunt of suspected kidnappers hideouts along Idi Ayunre axis of Oluyole Local Government Area in Ibadan, Oyo State, with a combined team of Intelligence, Operational and Tactical assets in concert with local vigilantes and hunters under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Gbenga Ojo.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued on Wednesday evening by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP. Adewale Osifeso and made available to newsmen in the state.
The statement said, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, enjoin the people of the state not to relent in sharing credible and timely information with the Police for effective discharge of its duties.
Also read: Ban on Open Grazing: South-West govs, YCE, Agbekoya blast Miyetti Allah
The statement read: “The attention of the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Ngozi Onadeko FDC has been drawn to the unfortunate abduction incidents experienced along Idi Ayunre axis of Oluyole Local Government Area in Ibadan, Oyo State.” Read more
Minnesota protesters, police clash for fourth straight night after Daunte Wright shooting (NYPost)
Tempers flared on Wednesday during a fourth straight night of protests outside a Minnesota police station in response to the cop-killing of Daunte Wright.
Police declared an unlawful assembly and ordered hundreds of demonstrators to disperse from the Brooklyn Center precinct ahead of the city’s 10 p.m. curfew, according to footage posted to Twitter by journalist Max Nesterak.
Officers fired flash bangs and protesters launched fireworks at them, Nesterak said.
The precinct has been the site of nightly protests since Wright, 20, was fatally shot by former officer Kimblerly Potter during a Sunday afternoon traffic stop. Read more
Baby snake found in pack of lettuce sold by Aldi (Metro)
Australians might be used to sharing their country with snakes – but sharing their dinner with them is usually a step too far. The Kuhn family, from Mosman, Sydney, got the fright of their lives when they found a venomous snake in some lettuce leaves they’d bought from Aldi. Lesley Kuhn’s son, who discovered the pale-headed snake, called the Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), who came to collect it. WIRES told local press that finding the serpent in fresh produce was ‘highly unusual’, and noted that they would be returning the animal to its natural habitat. Read more
Brad Pitt leaves medical centre in a wheelchair post-dentist (PageSix)
Relax, it’s for liability reasons!
Brad Pitt was photographed exiting a Beverly Hills medical center in a wheelchair Wednesday, following a reported dental appointment.
Pitt, 57, was wheeled along by a bodyguard, clad in a black hoodie and grey jeans. The “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” star sported an oversized pair of sunglasses over his mask, with a set of white sneakers to complete the look.
Though this writer is admittedly neither a doctor nor familiar with the inner workings of Brad Pitt’s mouth — if only! — the star was likely confined to the wheelchair per the longstanding policy by hospitals to avoid liability should a patient injure themselves exiting a facility quote-unquote under their own power. Read more
Carey Mulligan wishes “Promising Young Woman” ‘came out when I was 18’ (Metro)
In years to come, when people reflect on Carey Mulligan’s career, the figure of Cassie Thomas will likely loom large. In her white nurse’s costume, blood-red lipstick and multicoloured wig, this avenging angel has already become one of the most talked-about characters of the year. ‘I just felt very lucky to work on this as an actor,’ admits the London-born Mulligan, modestly, on Zoom. ‘This is the kind of story that I wish had come out when I was 18.’ Read more
Bitcoin value soars to all-time high as Coinbase prepares to go public (Metro)
Cryptocurrency Bitcoin has reached its highest ever valuation, surpassing $63,000, as cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase prepares to go public. Coinbase, the largest Bitcoin exchange of its kind, is responsible for tens of millions of users’ cryptocurrency holdings, and is the first port of call for many crypto novices when it comes to buying digital currencies. Valued at more than $1.6 billion dollars and responsible for 56 million retail customers, the potential success of Coinbase is seen as tied in with the success of cryptocurrency itself. The public listing of the cryptocurrency trading platform in the US is also the first time a cryptocurrency business has gone public – which is one reason that Bitcoin’s price has soared in value, according to experts. Read more
Chauvin defence expert testifies that Floyd died of heart problems (France24)
George Floyd died of a sudden heart rhythm disturbance as a result of his heart disease, a forensic pathologist testified for the defense Wednesday at former Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, contradicting prosecution experts who said Floyd succumbed to a lack of oxygen from the way he was pinned down.
Dr. David Fowler, a former Maryland chief medical examiner who is now with a consulting firm, said the fentanyl and methamphetamine in Floyd’s system, and possibly carbon monoxide poisoning from auto exhaust, were contributing factors in the 46-year-old Black man’s death last May.
“All of those combined to cause Mr. Floyd’s death,” he said on the second day of the defense case.
Fowler also testified that he would classify the manner of death “undetermined,” rather than homicide, as the county’s chief medical examiner ruled. He said Floyd’s death had too many conflicting factors, some of which could be ruled homicide and some that could be considered accidental. Read more
Olayinka dreams Europa League semi-final spot with Slavia Prague (Nation)
Peter Olayinka’s Slavia Prague are 90 minutes away from reaching the last four of the UEFA Europa League after holding Arsenal to a 1-1 draw last week at the Emirates.
The final leg of the tie will be at Slavia Prague’s Eden Arena this Thursday evening and getting past Arsenal would be a massive achievement for the Czech Republic champions.
Speaking with Lagos-based Brila FM ahead of the match, Olayinka said the boys are fired up for what looks to be the biggest game of their season.
“This is a big game for all of us, getting to the semi-finals is a big deal and for some of us this is a rare opportunity,” he noted. Read more
Manchester City see off Borussia Dortmund to set up Champions League semi-final showdown with PSG (Metro)
Manchester City have booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals after a 4-2 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund. With City leading the tie 2-1 after the first leg, Jude Bellingham sparked the second into life with his wonderful first-half opener that briefly left Pep Guardiola on the brink of yet another quarter-final exit. A penalty converted by Rihad Mahrez however got his side back on track, however, smashing home from the penalty spot six minutes into the second-half. Read more
Cheers, fireworks as Edo 2020 Sports Festival ends (Guardian)
In the last 12 days, the best of Nigerian youths have been in Benin City fighting for sporting laurels for their states. But beyond the competition on the track and field, as well as halls, the athletes also got the opportunity to meet their mates from other parts of the country. Some made valuable friends that would last them their lifetime, just as many used the festival to break into big time competition.
The Edo 2020 National Sports Festival has offered all that is good of big time competitions, just as the ugly spectacles were not left out. But in all, the athletes say the competition has given them many things to be thankful to the Federal Government and Edo State for.
Looking back on his team’s outing in Benin, Anambra State Sports Commission Chairman, Mr. Tony Oli, said the Festival has taught his state some lessons that would be useful in preparing for future events, adding that competitions in the games brought out the best in some of his young athletes. Read more
Virus could force Olympics cancellation, says top Japanese politician (France24)
A top member of Japan’s ruling party has warned the Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled if they are “no longer possible” as virus cases spike in the country, media reported Thursday.
“We need to cancel without hesitation if it’s no longer possible,” Jiji Press agency quoted Toshihiro Nikai as saying.
“If infections spread because of the Olympics, I don’t know what the Olympics is for,” added Nikai, who is the Liberal Democratic Party’s secretary general and second most powerful figure.
The comments were reportedly made during the recording of a television programme. Read more
Real Madrid knock Liverpool out to set up Champions League semi-final vs Chelsea (Metro)
Real Madrid will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League after dumping their Premier League rivals Liverpool out of the competition. Zinedine Zidane’s side held a commanding 3-1 lead from the first leg in Madrid and it was goalless on the night to see them through. Liverpool were guilty of wasting some glorious opportunities in the first half – the best of which fell to Mohamed Salah and Georginio Wijnaldum – and ultimately they were unable to claw their way back, as they have done so often in previous European ties at Anfield. Read more
The Knicks’ quest to land Zion Williamson begins with a bang (NYPost)
Before he took his first snap with the Jets, Zach Wilson would have already been scrambling in vain. Zion Williamson would have owned this town as surely as the Steinbrenners own the Yankees, and he would have never given it up to Wilson, or Francisco Lindor, or Daniel Jones, or Aaron Judge.
Never, ever, ever.
It was hard for New Yorkers to avoid thinking of what might have been while watching the Pelicans’ 6-foot-7, 284-pound point guard — that’s right, point guard — explode to the rim Wednesday night against the team that had been dying to draft him, and proving himself to be a generational talent. The Knicks could have had instant access to Williamson, of course, if only the lottery gods had cut them a break.But if luck is the residue of design, the Knicks’ design over the last two decades was unworthy of a favourable bounce. Read more