May Day: Workers in pain, impoverished, dehumanised, NLC laments (Vanguard)
Today, Nigerian workers join their counterparts worldwide to mark May Day, also known as Workers’ Day.
However, rather than celebrating, workers in Nigeria find little cause for joy. Like many other citizens, the worsening socio-economic situation has further deteriorated their living conditions, leaving many impoverished.
Summing up the plight of Nigerian workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, lamented that since the current administration took office, workers have been under severe strain. Read more
May Day…Tinubu Has Failed To Renew Our Hope – Workers (Leadership)
As Nigerian workers mark May Day 2025, organised labour has expressed disillusionment over the state of the nation’s workforce, declaring that the promises embedded in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda have yet to be fulfilled.
Labour leaders said rather than renewed optimism, the last two years have brought worsening economic conditions for the average Nigerian worker.
Although the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, acknowledged some progress, he painted a picture of widespread hardship, policy failures, and poor implementation of labour agreements. Read more
3 judges suspended as NJC voids Imo acting CJ’s appointment (Punch)
The National Judicial Council has declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State void, directing the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The decision was part of the resolutions taken at the NJC’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the NJC “directed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge of the state in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).” Read more
Tinubu to unveil world’s biggest cotton factory in Ogun –Abiodun (Sun)
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that President Bola Tinubu would perform the groundbreaking for the establishment of the biggest cotton and polyester processing factory in the world at the Special Agro Processing Zone located at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu/Ilisan area of the state.
Speaking while receiving the former Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, and members of the Iperu Development Association in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Governor Abiodun said the factory, which is under the “Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgent Initiative,” would sit on 400 hectares and would employ about 250,000 people daily.
He said: “In the next 30 to 45 days, we will be doing the groundbreaking of the Renewed Hope Cotton Resurgent Initiative that will be done by Mr. President himself. It is going to be a bigger factory, and it will be the biggest cotton and polyester processing factory in the world. Read more
How to apply for tinted glass permit as police begin enforcement (Nation)
Following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force has resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits across the country.
According to the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the move comes in response to rising concerns and complaints from the public over the harassment of vehicle owners by law enforcement agents for using factory-fitted tinted windows.
Applicants can now process their permits online, with identity verification integrated through the National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN), alongside biometric capture and background checks. Read more
Court convicts blogger for cyberbullying MFM founder, Olukoya (Guardian)
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has convicted a blogger, Adewale Ajimisogbe, for cyberbullying the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya.
Ajimisogbe pleaded guilty to the charges following a plea bargain agreement with the police. He, along with a former MFM member, Ayotunde Richards, was arraigned before the court on March 20, 2024, on a 12-count charge of conspiracy, cyberbullying, and libel.
The two defendants were jointly charged with three counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, to wit, cyberstalking, and defamation, while Ajimisogbe faced an additional nine counts of libel. Read more
Diri warns political appointees against premature campaigning, threatens sack (NewTelegraph)
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has issued a stern warning to all political appointees in the State, declaring that anyone who makes public statements or engages in political activities related to the 2027 elections ahead of the official timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be summarily dismissed.
Governor Diri made the declaration during the 162nd session of the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Yenagoa.
Expressing concern over what he described as premature politicking and attempts to overheat the polity, the governor reminded appointees that the current focus of his administration remains governance and development, not electoral campaigns. Read more
Sheryl Crow reveals ‘‘armed man barged onto her property’’ after viral Tesla protest video (Independent)
Sheryl Crow has revealed how someone “barged onto her property” after she posted a video to protest Tesla founder Elon Musk.
In February, the Nashville-based musician, 63, shared a video of herself waving goodbye to her Tesla, as it was being towed away. She also said she donated money to National Public Radio, since it “was under threat by President Musk.”
Now, Crow has opened up about the concerns she had and the criticism she received after sharing the video of the Tesla, since she lives in Tennessee where politics are primarily dominated by the Republican Party. Read more
South Africa to hold inquiry on alleged hampering of apartheid prosecutions (AlJazeera)
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an inquiry to establish whether previous governments led by his party intentionally blocked investigations and prosecutions of apartheid-era crimes, taking a step that survivors and families of those who were killed had demanded for decades.
The landmark move will address allegations of “improper influence in delaying or hindering” investigations levelled against post-apartheid governments led by the African National Congress (ANC) party, Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement on Wednesday.
“President Ramaphosa appreciates the anguish and frustration of the families of victims, who have fought for so many years for justice,” Ramaphosa’s office said. Read more
Emmy-winning World of Wonder founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato to be guests of honour at Sheffield DocFest (Deadline)
World of Wonder (WOW) founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato – two of the most successful creators in the documentary and unscripted spaces – have been named Guests of Honor at the upcoming Sheffield DocFest.
The Emmy-winning executive producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and directors of documentaries The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Inside Deep Throat, Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures, fact-based drama Party Monster (starring Macauley Culkin and Seth Green), and many other films, will be honored at the cinematic event that runs from June 18-23 in the north of England. Sheffield DocFest, the U.K.’s leading documentary festival, has programmed a 20th anniversary special screening of Inside Deep Throat, which investigated the notorious porn classic starring Linda Lovelace. DocFest calls the film “thought-provoking and hugely entertaining.” Read more
Engelbert Humperdinck says karaoke kept his music alive ahead of 89th birthday (Standard)
Singer Engelbert Humperdinck has credited karaoke for keeping his music alive “all these years” ahead of his 89th birthday.
The Leicester-raised singer told the PA news agency he would be spending his birthday with “family and a few friends” and revealed he may even take part in a spot of karaoke himself.
Humperdinck, who will celebrate his birthday on Friday, will perform more than 60 concerts across the world this year, after realising he needed to carry on singing following his The Last Waltz farewell tour last year. Read more
Michael Bolton speaks out for the first time about aggressive brain cancer diagnosis (MusicNews)
Michael Bolton has spoken for the first time about his diagnosis with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The 72-year-old music icon was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in December 2023 and underwent emergency surgery shortly after.
In a new interview with People published on Wednesday, the When a Man Loves a Woman hitmaker opened up about his journey with the disease, which has affected his short-term memory, speech and mobility. Read more
Cardinals thank Cardinal Becciu for stepping back from conclave but note trial appeal pending (ABC)
Catholic cardinals acknowledged Wednesday the definitive word is still out about the Vatican trial that convicted Cardinal Angelo Becciu of financial crimes, in the latest twist to a drama that has dominated conversations leading up to the May 7 conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor.
Becciu, 76, is the once-powerful Italian cardinal who formally withdrew his participation in the conclave on Tuesday, after days of uncertainty about his status.
The Vatican’s criminal court convicted Becciu in 2023 of embezzlement and other finance-related charges at the end of the so-called “trial of the century.” Read more
Liverpool to initiate talks for Lookman (Sun)
Liverpool is planning to hold discussions with Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, currently with Atalanta, regarding a potential summer move, according to CaughtOffside.
The Premier League champion has been monitoring the Nigerian player’s situation in Italy as he might seek a new challenge after spending three years in Bergamo.
Liverpool is not the only club interested in Lookman; Barcelona, Juventus, and Manchester United have also shown early interest in the former Everton forward. Read more
Mikel Arteta explains “clear” reason why Arsenal lost to PSG (Standard)
Mikel Arteta pointed to Arsenal’s torrid injury record compared to Paris Saint-Germain’s after losing Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg.
The Gunners will head to Paris next week trailing 1-0 after Ousmane Dembele silenced the Emirates Stadium crowd with the only goal on Tuesday night.
PSG outclassed Arsenal on the night, in stark contrast to the 2-0 win the Gunners recorded in the same stadium against the same opponents last October. Read more
Sinner considered quitting during doping case (BBC)
World number one Jannik Sinner considered walking away from tennis during his doping case, stating he “didn’t feel comfortable” as players looked at him “differently” during the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old Italian returned two positive tests for banned substance clostebol in March 2024 and accepted a three-month ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency in February, just weeks after successfully defending his crown in Melbourne.
“I remember before the Australian Open this year, I was not in a very happy moment because there was still that case of doping,” Sinner told Italian broadcaster RAI. Read more
Jamal Murray scores 43 as Nuggets take 3-2 series lead over Clippers (USAToday)
Jamal Murray was on fire.
Murray notched his sixth 40-plus point NBA playoff game, a Nuggets record, with 43 points as Denver went wire-to-wire with a 131-115 victory at home Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Nuggets have taken a 3-2 lead in their NBA playoff series. According to TNT, the team that wins Game 5 of a best-of-seven series after being tied at 2 has gone on to win the series 81% of the time (191-44). Read more
Boxing in Times Square: Garcia vs. Romero to headline historic outdoor tripleheader (DAZN)
This weekend will see the first boxing match ever held outside at Times Square in New York.
The match, which will be headlined by bouts involving Ryan Garcia, Rolando Romero, Teofimo Lopez, and Devin Haney and broadcast live exclusively on DAZN PPV, is set to take place at one of the US’s most-iconic attractions.But such a venue and location will bring with it many logistical challenges. Read more