Lekki residents urge FG to tackle flood (Guardian)
The Lekki Estate Residents and Stakeholders Association (LERSA), on Friday called for concerted efforts by the Federal Government and stakeholders to address regular flooding in the locality during the rainy season. The President of LERSA, Olorogun James Emadoye, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on the need to tackle immobility, loss of lives and property caused by flooding in the area. Emadoye urged the government to utilise the ecological funds to provide help for Lekki and its occupants before population explosion and the flooding got worse. Read more
Alleged age falsification: Court dismisses suit against acting CJN Tanko (Punch)
Justice Danlami Senchi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi on Friday dismissed a suit, accusing Justice Tanko Mohammed, the acting Chief Judge of Nigeria, of age falsification for lack of ‘’Locus Standi’’. Senchi held that the suit filed by Tochi Michael, a 46-year-old man sometimes in April, ought to have been filed before the court by way of writ of summons and not originating summon. The Judge also held that there was no evidence before the court to prove Michael’s case that Justice Mohammed reduced his age from Dec. 31, 1950 to Dec. 31, 1953 as claimed by the plaintiff. Read more
Oyo government bans NURTW (Guardian)
Oyo State Government has banned the state branch of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). This was stated by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, while addressing journalists on Friday at the Governor’s Office. “After today’s deliberation with security stakeholders’ meeting, involving security chiefs and the government, we have resolved to proscribe the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) until further notice,” Ilaka said. Read more
SEC orders Oando Group CEO Wale Tinubu, others to resign (Punch)
The Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its investigation of Oando Plc and ordered the Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Wale Tinubu, and other affected board members to resign. SEC, in a statement on Friday, also said it barred Tinubu and the Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Omamofe Boyo, from being directors of public companies for a period of five years. It also directed the convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting on or before July 1, 2019 to appoint new directors. Read more
U.S.-based Nigerians to pay N15,000 each for NIN (Guardian)
Nigerians based in the United States are to pay between 40 and 50 dollars each to be enrolled for the National Identity Number (NIN), according to an official. Ms Uche Chigbo, the Special Assistant to the Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), stated this in New York on Thursday. The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Chigbo spoke during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Consulate shortly before the exercise was launched in the city. Read more
NECO acquires 8,000 biometric machines, 20 vehicles to tackle impersonation (Punch)
In a bid to tackle the challenge of impersonation experienced in the conduct of its examinations, the National Examination Council has procured 8,000 biometric machines and 20 Toyota Hilux Vans worth over N800 million. Mr Abubakar Gana, the Acting Registrar NECO, made the disclosure at the commissioning of the equipment in Minna on Friday. Gana said the equipment were procured to enhance operations in the areas of logistics and overall security of its examination. Read more
FG wants 50 percent tax on tobacco (Nation)
As part of the efforts to tackle tobacco-induced cancer, companies and individuals involved in tobacco business in the country have been directed to apply for license. Such applications are to be sent to the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Tobacco Control Committee (NATOCC). The Federal Government is also tinkering with the idea of imposing a 50per cent tax on tobacco products. Read more
We lost 51 people to Kona, Fulani crisis in Taraba – Catholic priest (Punch)
A Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Cyriacus Kamai on Friday said 51 Kona indigenes were killed across 11 villages, during the attack on Kona people by Fulani herdsmen last month. Kamai a native of Kona in Jalingo Local Government Area of Taraba State disclosed this in a homily he delivered during a remembrance Mass for the 51 Martyrs held at the Church of Assumption in Kona village. According to him, 8,494 people were displaced across 11 villages of Murkunu, Murtia, Yaukani, Murbai, Yawai, Somporo, Jekunuhou, Sembe, Ndayaro, Kaudad, and Keshabro in Jalingo and Ardo-Kola LGAs. Read more
Court remands six over JAMB’s missing N35m (Punch)
An FCT High Court Maitama on Friday remanded Philomina Chieshe and five other Joint Admission and Matriculation Board officials over their involvement in the missing N35m from sale of JAMB e-cards in Benue. Philomina was arraigned alongside Samuel Umoru, Yakubu Jekada, Daniel Agbo, Priscilla Ogunsola, and Aliyu Yakubu. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned her and others on eight counts bordering on refusal to account for the Board’s money between 2014 and 2016. Read more
Ex-ICPC board nominee, other bag 12-year jail term for bribery (Guardian)
A Kwara State High Court 9 has convicted Saad Alanamu, a former chairman of the Governing Council of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and Salman Sulaiman, the chief executive director of Namylas Nig. Ltd, for bribery. The duo were arraigned by Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission on an 8-count charge for bribery. Alanamu was nominated into the Board of ICPC in 2017 but was later dropped on an allegation of graft which the ICPC was investigating. Read more
Police arrest six suspected illegal money traders in Abuja (Nation)
The FCT Police Command has arrested six suspects for illegally trading in different denominations of new naira currency. The suspects are; Auwal Yunusa ‘m’ 22 years old, Mohammed Auwal ‘m’ 20 years old, Yusuf Shuaibu ‘m’ 31 years old, Suleiman Saidu ‘m’ 38 years old, Usman Ibrahim ‘m’ 24 years old and Mohammed Salisu ‘m’ 24 years old. Read more
Landlord arraigned for allegedly locking out tenant (Punch)
A 59-year-old landlord, Barth Eze, on Friday, appeared before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly locking his tenant out of his shop and assaulting him with a stick. Eze, a resident of Surulere area of Lagos, is facing three counts of assault occasioning harm, breach of peace and forcible entry. The Prosecution, Sgt. Godwin Oriabure, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec. 31, 2018, at Ishaga Road, Mushin, Lagos. Read more
GM fungus rapidly kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes, study suggests (BBC)
A fungus – genetically enhanced to produce spider toxin – can rapidly kill huge numbers of the mosquitoes that spread malaria, a study suggests. Trials, which took place in Burkina Faso, showed mosquito populations collapsed by 99% within 45 days. The researchers say their aim is not to make the insects extinct but to help stop the spread of malaria. Read more
Tanzania latest African nation to ban plastic bags (Guardian)
A plastic bag ban comes into force in Tanzania on Saturday, as Africa leads efforts to stem the tide of plastic blighting the farthest reaches of the globe, and depths of the ocean. Tanzania is banning the importation, production, sale and use of plastic bags, becoming the 34th African country to implement such restrictions, according to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Read more
Morocco suspect admits killing Scandinavian hiker (BBC)
The suspected leader of a jihadist cell has told a Moroccan court that he beheaded one of two Scandinavian hikers murdered in the High Atlas Mountains. Louisa Vesterager Jespersen, 24, from Denmark, and Maren Ueland, 28, from Norway, were found beheaded in an isolated area in December. Abdessamad Ejjoud, a 25-year-old street vendor, told the court: “I beheaded one of them… I regret it.” Read more
Mother survives for two weeks with 11-inch knife embedded in her back (Metro)
A mum miraculously survived a brutal machete attack that left an 11-inch blade embedded in her for two weeks. The weapon had lacerated Kume Bayisa’s liver, main heart artery and perforated one of her lungs. One set of doctors failed to spot it for a week despite her deteriorating condition. Read more
China to issue new versions of visas from June 1 (Guardian)
The exit-entry departments of China’s public security authorities will start issuing new versions of visas and residence permits for foreigners from Saturday, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on Friday. “The current versions will no longer be issued on the same day, while the documents already issued are still valid until their dates of expiry,’’ the NIA said. The new versions of the documents are sticker-like papers designed based on the standards of the DOC9303 machine readable travel documents of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, with application of multiple physical anti-counterfeit technologies. Read more
Islamic State group: Spain arrests man ‘financing return of fighters’ (BBC)
A Syrian man accused of financing the return to Europe of Islamic State (IS) group members has been arrested in Madrid, Spanish police say. The man, who has not been named, is suspected of being part of the group’s financial structure and of sending money to fighters in Syria. The money raised in Europe reached the jihadists through an informal transfer system known as hawala, police said. Read more
Blackberry Messenger has closed down and it’s the end of an era (Metro)
Blackberry has closed down its Messenger instant messaging service 13 years after it was first released. In a statement, Blackberry wrote: ‘Three years ago, we set out to reinvigorate BBM consumer service, one of the most loved instant messaging applications, as a cross-platform service where users can not only chat and share life experiences, but also consume content and use payment services. Read more
Russia cuts gay scenes from Elton John biopic ‘Rocketman’ (Punch)
Gay sex scenes have been cut from the Russian version of Elton John biopic “Rocketman”, critics who saw a preview said on Friday, as the local distributor said it had made edits for legal reasons. Russia has a dire record on LGBT rights and a controversial law bans the promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships” to minors, though it is not clear why this would apply to the 18-rated film. Film critic Anton Dolin wrote on his Facebook page that all the sex or kissing scenes had been cut out, adding that it had been “very obvious” cuts had been made. Read more
Super Eagles begin camping for AFCON 2019 on Sunday (Punch)
Nigeria’s final preparations for the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations which will hold in Egypt is set to begin on Sunday, the Nigeria Football Federation said on Friday. Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, said in a statement that the preparations would begin when invited players, alongside the technical crew and administrative staff, start arriving in Asaba. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Asaba hosted the 2018 Aiteo Cup finals and the international friendly between the Super Eagles and Uganda’s Cranes in November 2018. Read more
Liverpool fans rename Madrid’s Margaret Thatcher Square ahead of Champions League final (Metro)
Liverpool fans gearing up for the Champions League final in Madrid have decided to rename the city’s Margaret Thatcher Square. Pieces of paper that read ‘Jeremy Corbyn Square’ were put up over the top of the area’s official signs. Paul Doherty, from Walton, helped with the ‘re-branding’ and told the ECHO he wanted to ‘commemorate’ the Labour leader. Read more
New Inter Boss Antonio Conte promises to deliver (Nation)
Former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has been appointed head coach at Inter Milan and the club chose to unveil him with a bizarre video. The 49-year-old has finally returned to management having been sacked by the Blues at the end of the 2017-18 season. Inter chose to make the announcement on Friday morning with a strange short film that they posted on their Twitter account. Read more
Hector Bellerin sends class message to Arsenal teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles after Chelsea Europa League final defeat (Metro)
Hector Bellerin has revealed the Arsenal squad has been ‘hurt’ by Wednesday’s catastrophic Europa League final defeat against Chelsea but remains ‘proud’ of his understudy Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Spain international had been one of the main beneficiaries of Unai Emery’s appointment as Arsene Wenger’s successor before a cruciate knee ligament injury, against Chelsea in January, prematurely ended his season. Read more
Roger Federer hits historic milestone as he books spot in French Open second week (Metro)
Roger Federer booked his spot in the second week of the French Open with another crisp performance on the clay courts of Paris. Twenty years on from his first appearance at Grand Slam level, the Swiss great completed his 400th major match – more than any other player has registered. In beating Norway’s Casper Ruud – whose father was in the 1999 Roland Garros draw along with Federer – 6-3 6-1 7-6 (10-8) he kept his name in the hat for an unlikely 21st Grand Slam win. Read more
West Indies thrash Pakistan in World Cup (BBC)
West Indies produced a blistering bowling display to crush Pakistan by seven wickets and begin their World Cup campaign with an emphatic victory at Trent Bridge. The two-time champions bowled Pakistan out for just 105 in 21.4 overs – their second lowest total in World Cup history. All 10 wickets fell to seam with the West Indies bowlers quick and hostile in front of a crowd vociferously in support of Pakistan in Nottingham. Read more