Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge: Lagos suspends planned collection of tolling indefinitely (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Lekki Concession Company Limited, LCC, has suspended resumption date of toll collection at the Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza indefinitely.
Toll collection was earlier scheduled to begin on April 16, 2022.
Meanwhile, after several engagements with critical stakeholders, LCC decided to shift the resumption date of toll collection at the Ikoyi Link Bridge Toll Plaza, till further notice.
According to a statement signed by the Managing Director of LCC, Yomi Omomuwasan and made available to newsmen on Friday, the company decided to delay the resumption of toll collection for further consultations with key stakeholders in the Eti-Osa, Lekki area, in a bid to address their concerns and arrive at a mutually favourable resolution of all issues. Read more
I don’t know why I stabbed my boss to death, stole his car –Suspect (Punch)
A 17-year-old worker, Chukwuebuka Nwode, has been arrested by the Edo State Police Command for allegedly killing his employer, Peter Onoberhie.
The suspect was arrested with two accomplices while trying to sell his boss’ car at Uwelu spare part market.
Nwode was working at a sachet water factory owned by the deceased when he carried out the act.
The state police spokesperson, Kontongs Bello, said the teenager allegedly killed his victim and conspired with two other persons to steal his car. Read more
Falana seeks presidential pardon for petty thieves (Guardian)
Rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) on Friday in Ikeja urged the Federal Government to extend Thursday’s presidential pardon granted some top Nigerians, to people serving terms for petty offences.
Falana made the call at the 1st anniversary of late Afenifere’s spokesman, Yinka Odumakin’s Lecture and Book Presentation.
He said doing so for convicts without selectivity, and irrespective of class, would give a reflection of fairness and equality for all before the law.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Council of State granted presidential pardon to 159 convicts on Thursday.
Among them were former governor of Plateau, Sen. Joshua Dariye and ex-Gov. Jolly Nyame of Taraba, who were both jailed for allegedly stealing N1.16 billion and N1.6 billion respectively. Read more
NIN Now Required To Board Trains From May —NRC (Tribune)
Intending railway passengers should get their National Identity Number (NIN) ready as it will be a requirement from May.
Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Fidet Okhiria, stated in Abuja on Thursday that the NIN would be needed to enhance the profiling of passengers, the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) has reported.
This, he explained, would also enhance the safety and security of rail users. “The process of linking passengers to their NIN for improved profiling is ongoing. This layer of passenger screening will commence by May.
“The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) will resume as soon as possible with additional security measures put in place,” Okhiria stated. Read more
Train attack: Negotiations stalled, FG rejects terrorists’ demand for commanders’ release (Punch)
There are indications that negotiations between the Federal Government and terrorists, who attacked the Kaduna-Abuja train on March 28, have stalled following the refusal of the government to accede to their demands.
The terrorists are keeping about 100 passengers, who were abducted from the train, which derailed at Katari, Kaduna, after it was bombed.
Eight persons were killed and 26 others injured when gunmen attacked the train and kidnapped the victims.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation said it was unable to establish contact with 163 of the passengers and seven crew members, who boarded the train. Read more
2023: I want to continue where Jonathan stopped – Anyim (DailyTrust)
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim, has said he wants to continue where ex-President Goodluck Jonathan stopped.
Addressing former members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, Anyim said he wants to continue the 2015 journey “because we had a systematic plan to refocus the economy. Put the country on the part of peace and prosperity.”
He described himself as a crisis manager who has what it takes to tackle the prevailing situation in the country.
Anyim said if Nigerians were worried about the present situation in the country and are telling the present administration to return them to 2015, “then you have no reason not to support me. At the senate I inherited a troubled senate, but I stabilized the senate.” Read more
I am ready to salvage Nigeria in 2023, says Aboderin (Guardian)
The Publisher of Guru Magazine, Moyosore Aboderin, has declared his interest to context for president in the 2023 general election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aboderin made his intention known in Ikeja, Lagos, recently, while briefing newsmen.
He noted that if Nigerians would support his political ambition, he was ready to salvage the country from its current unbearable situation with his experience and international connections.
Aboderin, who is running with the slogan ‘Operation Rescue Nigeria Again’, said: “I am not happy with the situation of things in our great nation; many today cannot afford to eat the normal three square meals. Read more
Motorists recount ordeals, losses due to adulterated fuel (DailyTrust)
It was a nightmare for motorists across Nigeria when adulterated fuel was sneaked into the country almost four weeks ago. The action had caused a stir when many vehicles began to breakdown and vehicle mechanics mostly diagnosed fuel pump replacement.
As motorists lament the cost of repair to their damaged vehicles, pedestrians were equally affected when it resulted in hike in transportation fare.
In Jos, the Plateau State capital and Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, our correspondents gathered that many had packed their vehicles and aborted their programmes for weeks while others had grudgingly spent unbudgeted cost to fix their vehicles. Most of the victims, our correspondents gathered have not been compensated because they never complained to the fuel stations where they purchased the adulterated fuel.
A motorist who resides at the Low-Cost area of Jos, Paul Jatau, said he was forced to change his vehicle fuel pump twice. Jatau, who recounted his ordeal, said he bought N2,000 fuel from a filing station around Tudun-Wada Ring Road in Jos and a day later, topped his tank at another filing station in Farin Gada, Jos. Thereafter, he said, his vehicle started to jerk. He said after changing his fuel pump, the new one had equally been damaged and he was advised by his mechanic to empty the fuel tank and replace the fuel. He said he could not tell which fuel station had sold the adulterated fuel to him and so had just concentrated on fixing his car without contemplating any compensation. Read more
Jesus died from dislocated shoulder caused by carrying the cross, priest claims (Metro)
Easter is upon us, so it is a timely question that may just have been answered: How did Jesus die?
A priest – who used to be a doctor – claims he suffered from a shoulder injury that caused a major internal bleed.
Reverend Prof Patrick Pullicino, former consultant neurologist at East Kent Universities Hospital Trust, came to his conclusion based on a study of the Shroud of Turin.
He argued that the image on the shroud shows a man with a dislocated shoulder, pulled so far out of its socket that the right hand stretched four inches lower than the left. Read more
Grammy-winner Jon Batiste to make film acting debut in ‘The Color Purple’ musical (NYPost)
Jon Batiste, who took home five Grammys earlier this month, will make his big-screen acting debut in the upcoming musical remake of “The Color Purple.”
The 35-year-old musician — who also serves as musical director and bandleader for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” — is set to play Grady, the husband of sexy blues singer Shug Avery, who will be portrayed by 51-year-old Taraji P. Henson (“Hidden Figures,” “Empire”). Grady was played by Bennet Guillory, 75, in the Academy Award-nominated 1985 film.
Oscar-winner Batiste won Album of the Year at the 2022 Grammys for “We Are,” also topping the nominations with 11 nods in all. Read more
Russia hits Kyiv missile factory after flagship sunk (France24)
Russia pounded a Ukrainian rocket factory following the sinking of its Black Sea flagship, as President Volodymyr Zelensky said his allies could shorten the war by delivering the weapons he had requested.
The Vizar factory, near Kyiv’s international airport, was seriously damaged in the overnight strikes, an AFP journalist saw on Friday.
Russia said it had used sea-based long-range missiles to hit the plant, which Ukraine’s state weapons manufacturer says produced Neptune cruise missiles — the projectiles both Kyiv and Washington say were used to sink the Moskva warship.
“There were five hits. My employee was in the office and got thrown off his feet by the blast,” Andrei Sizov, the 47-year-old owner of a nearby wood workshop, told AFP. Read more
Undocumented lotto winner struggles to claim prize (BBC)
An Algerian man who won €250,000 (£206,000; $270,000) on a €5 scratchcard in Belgium is struggling to claim his winnings because of his undocumented status.
The prize is too large to be paid in cash and the man does not have the papers he needs to open a bank account.
A friend who tried to claim the money for him was briefly detained on suspicion of theft.
The winner says he wants to use the money to build a life in Belgium.
“When I get the money, I am going to buy a place to live in Brussels. And maybe a car,” the man, whose identity has not been revealed, told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. Read more
Boris Johnson’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda ‘breaks international law’, says UN (Metro)
The UK’s proposal to send failed asylum seekers 4,000 miles away to Rwanda is an ‘unacceptable’ breach of international law, the UN’s refugee agency has said.
Earlier this week Boris Johnson outlined his plans to send off people who come to the UK illegally, including those who cross the English Channel in dinghies.
Refugee charities argue that criminalising people seeking refuge based on their method of arrival goes against the very principle of asylum.
Campaigners, politicians, civil servants and lawyers have called on the Prime Minister to scrap what they call ‘shamelessly cruel’ plans. Read more
‘Gossip Girl’ star Evan Mock turns 25 with downtown bash (PageSix)
Evan Mock, star of the new HBO Max reboot “Gossip Girl,” celebrated turning 25 with a downtown bash.
A source tells us Mock was joined by his fellow cast members Eli Brown, Thomas Doherty, Whitney Peak, Zion Moreno and Emily Alyn Lind for a party at Flower Shop on the Lower East Side.
“Caroline” rapper Amine performed, leading the crowd including Vice President Kamala Harris’ step daughter, model Ella Emhoff, Sebastian Faena and Mario Sorrenti’s daughter Gray in singing “Happy Birthday,” while standing on top of the bar.
We’re told Amine went on to perform a medley of his best known songs, concluding with rendition of a Jackson 5 throwback, a spy tells Page Six. Read more
Durban flood survivors: South Africans homeless, hurt and heartbroken (BBC)
A flood survivor has told the BBC she is homeless and hurt after one of South Africa’s worst storms hit the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province.
“We’re traumatised, we can’t even eat. For the whole day I didn’t eat because I don’t know what to do,” Boniswa Shangase said.
A state of disaster has been called in the region, after months worth of rain fell in just one day in some areas.
More than 390 people have died, but she survived by jumping out of a window. Read more
Kalu, Troost-Ekong out of Brentford clash (Punch)
Super Eagles duo Samuel Kalu and William Troost-Ekong have both been ruled out of Watford’s clash against Brentford at the Vicarage Road on Saturday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Watford’s hopes of winning their battle against relegation suffered a further blow as Hornets coach Watford coach, Roy Hodgson, confirmed that forward Cucho Hernandez sustained a hamstring injury that may well have ended his season.
Speaking ahead of the clash, the former England coach revealed that Kalu copped an ankle injury while Troost-Ekong is suffering from a slight hamstring strain.
“We’ve got one or two minor ones,” Hodgson said in his pre-match conference on Friday. Read more
Self belief, secret of our success – Ikefe, Plateau Utd defender (Vanguard)
Plateau United has been locked with Rivers United in what is turning a two-horse race for the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The Jos based team have had a near perfect run in the ongoing season and have been a close challenger for to Rivers United after Remo Stars run of good form fizzled out.
For a team with a new coach and relatively new players going into new season, one would expect them to struggle as they try to settle for a new approach.
But such was not the case for Plateau United under Fidelis Ilechukwu as Technical Adviser and new import of players to beef up the team. Read more
Nigeria ‘ll surpass old records at 2022 Commonwealth Games, says Alli (Guardian)
Chairman of Edo State Sports Commission, former long jumper, Yussuf Alli, has predicted that Team Nigeria will record a good outing at this year’s Commonwealth Games holding in Birmingham, England.
The Sports Ministry, on Wednesday, appointed Alli as Team Nigeria’s Coordinator for the Commonwealth Games.
For about two decades, Alli was the ‘commander-in-chief’ in African athletics, particularly in the long jump event. Apart from being a three-time Olympian, Alli is best remembered for his gold medal at Auckland ‘90 Commonwealth Games.
Till date, his Personal Best of 8.27 metres, which he set in 1989 during the African Athletics Championships in Lagos, still stands as Nigeria’s record. He also holds school records for the long jump – both indoor and outdoor (set in 1984 and 1983) respectively for the University of Missouri in the United States. Read more
Nigeria’s football needs change – Amokachi (Punch)
Nigeria legend Daniel Amokachi says the glory days of the Super Eagles will not return unless major defect in the country’s football system is overhauled, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Amokachi who scored 13 goals in 44 appearances for Nigeria and has had four stints as Eagles assistant coach with the late Stephen Keshi from 2011 to 2015 – as well as former Eagles coaches Eguavoen (2005-2007), late Shaibu Amodu (2008-10) and Lars Lagerback (2010) – refused to be drawn on which coach succeeds Gernot Rohr permanently.
“Focusing too much on the coaching is like building a house from the roof downwards instead of starting with the right foundation and build upwards,” Amokachi continued.
“Do we have a solid developmental programme for our young footballers, a proper long-term plan for our national teams or develop a football identity for the game in our country? Read more
Nemanja Matic announces he will leave Manchester United at the end of the season (Metro)
Nemanja Matic has announced he will leave Manchester United when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Serbian joined United from Chelsea in 2017 in a £32million deal and has made 182 appearances for the club under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and current interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
But with Erik ten Hag set to arrive at Old Trafford as the new permanent manager this summer, the 33-year-old has confirmed this season will be his last at the club.
‘After a great deal of thought, I have decided that this season will be my last with Manchester United. I have informed the board, the manager and the players of my decision,’ Matic wrote on Instagram. Read more
Burnley sack manager Sean Dyche with 8 games left of Premier League season (BBC)
Burnley have sacked manager Sean Dyche with eight games left of their season in the Premier League.
The Clarets, who have lost five of their last six top-flight games, are 18th and four points from safety.
Dyche was the Premier League’s longest serving manager, having taken over at Turf Moor in October 2012.
Burnley chairman Alan Pace said it was “an incredibly difficult decision” to part company with the 50-year-old, but “we feel a change is needed”.
‘A huge gamble that smacks of blind panic’
Dyche’s last game in charge of Burnley saw them lose 2-0 to Norwich City, who are bottom of the Premier League. Read more