Meet Princess Owowoh, 1st Nigerian female officer to graduate from UK’s Royal Military Academy (Leadership)
Officer Cadet Owowoh Princess Oluchukwu has graduated from the United Kingdom’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) as the first-ever Nigerian female officer.
The 24-year-old Princess graduated on Friday as one of the 135 Officer Cadets to graduate during RMAS’ Sovereign’s Parade in London.
The parade marked the completion of 44 weeks of intensive training for the Officer Cadets of Commissioning Course 232. Read more
7 drown in Lagos within a week, says PPRO (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has said a total number of seven persons have lost their lives to accidental drowning in different parts of the state this week.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
According to him, the incidents were recorded at hotel swimming pools, a beach, and the Third Mainland Bridge. Read more
Our economy will bounce back in coming months – Tinubu (DailyTrust)
President Bola Tinubu has assured that the nation’s economy will bounce back in the coming months,
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Ajuri Ngelale, however called for unity of purpose and more collaboration between the federal government, state governors, and members of the National Assembly to achieve national development goals.
Tinubu spoke in Lagos on Friday while receiving state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly. Read more
Emefiele released after meeting bail conditions (Tribune)
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, was granted bail by the Court after meeting the stipulated conditions.
Arriving at the Lagos High Court, Ikeja in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives, Emefiele was later released to return home following the court proceedings.
Justice Rahman Oshodi presided over the bail application, setting the bail amount at N50 million with two sureties of similar sum. Read more
So You Think You Can Dance star suffers ‘‘acid attack’’ in London during livestream (Independent)
A dancer who appeared on the hit US programme So You Think You Can Dance says she was the victim of a hit-and-run acid attack while in London.
Korra Obidi, a Nigerian dancer and singer, was admitted to the hospital on Thursday (11 April) after what was feared to be a corrosive substance was thrown in her face.
According to Obidi, who appeared on the 2019 series and impressed viewers by auditioning while pregnant, the attacker also brandished a knife and slashed her hand. Read more
Lagos has only one Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo president — Igbo leaders (Vanguard)
The rumour over factional leadership of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos has been debunked by the body of Ndi- Eze in Lagos, with a declaration that there was only one Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo president in the state
To this effect, the body of Ndi-Eze at a conference in Lagos declared that Chief Sunday Ossai was the constitutionally recognised Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo President in Lagos State. Read more
Kano mob kills almajiri for allegedly beheading 6-year-old (Nation)
The Police Command in Kano has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the alleged beheading of a minor, Mohammed Saidu, by an almajiri at Kanwa village in Madobi local government area.
Kano Police Commissioner Usaini Gumel, on Friday said the six-year-old Saidu was allegedly killed by a 16-year-old almajiri identified as Abdullahi.
Gumel said the alleged killer, who hails from Zamfara, was seen at Kanwa village holding a blood-stained knife. Read more
Lagos Fire Service unveils comprehensive safety plan for markets (Channels)
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has launched an extensive plan to bolster fire safety measures in markets across the state.
This follows a recent fire outbreak at Lagos Island Market and a subsequent on-the-spot assessment by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, according to a statement by Deputy Director, Public Affairs Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Ololade Agboola.
The statement said that under the directive of Governor Sanwo-Olu, relevant government agencies responsible for building control and permits will enforce proper safety protocols. Read more
Eleanor Coppola, Emmy-winning filmmaker and wife of Francis Ford Coppola, dies at 87 (CST)
Eleanor Coppola, who documented the making of some of her husband Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic films, including the infamously tortured production of Apocalypse Now, and who raised a family of filmmakers, has died. She was 87.
Coppola died Friday surrounded by family at home in Rutherford, California, her family announced in a statement. No cause of death was given. Read more
Zac Brown drops pants after performing new single Inspired by Jimmy Buffett called “Pirates & Parrots’’ (People)
Zac Brown is remembering his friend Jimmy Buffett in a unique way!
Brown, 45, dropped his pants to reveal black shorts at the “Keep the Party Going: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett” event at the Hollywood Bowl on Thursday night, April 11.
The silly stunt came after the Zac Brown Band debuted their upcoming single, “Pirates & Parrots” (feat. Mac McAnally) — a tribute to the late “Margaritaville” singer, who died of Merkel cell carcinoma in September 2023 at the age of 76. The “Why Don’t We Get Drunk” singer was known for performing in shorts on stage throughout his career. Read more
Coachella makes highly requested change to alcohol consumption rules (Independent)
Coachella has reportedly made a major change to its alcohol regulations this year, with the removal of the beer gardens that prevented attendees from carrying beverages around the grounds.
In previous years, alcohol consumption was only allowed in certain fenced-off areas.
But this year footage shows bars spread around the festival site, accessible to anyone with a 21+ wristband. Read more
Bridget Jones to return in 4th film: Leo Woodall and Hugh Grant on board to join Renée Zellweger (Standard)
Renée Zellweger will return as the famous fictional character Bridget Jones in a new sequel, “Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy”, which will also star Hugh Grant and Leo Woodall, it has been confirmed.
The fourth instalment will continue the saga, with Jones unexpectedly having a baby but dealing with loss and the strange waters of internet dating – as well as reuniting with an old flame.
The movie is based on Helen Fielding’s 2013 novel of the same title and the big news is that Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy will not be back – with the character being killed off. Read more
Roberto Cavalli: Italian fashion designer dies aged 83 (RNZ)
Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli, known for his animal prints on leather and textiles, has died aged 83.
The fashion house that bears his name announced the death on Instagram but provided no details.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that he died at home in Florence after a long illness.
Former ambassador sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying on US government for Cuba (NYPost)
The former US ambassador to Bolivia was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday after admitting to a decades-long campaign of spying on the US government for communist Cuba.
Miami-based US District Judge Beth Bloom accepted Victor Manuel Rocha’s guilty plea on two counts, including acting as an agent of a foreign government, before handing down his decade-and-a-half long sentence and a $500,000 fine, the maximum penalty allowed.
Rocha, 73, was indicted last December, in a case that Attorney General Merrick Garland described as “one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the US government by a foreign agent.” Read more
France ‘imperatively’ urges against travel to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and Palestinian territories (France24)
France on Friday warned its citizens to “imperatively refrain from travel in the coming days to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories”, the foreign minister’s entourage told AFP.
Iran has threatened reprisals against Israel over a strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals, sparking fears of an escalation of violence in the Middle East.
France’s Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne at a crisis meeting also asked that family members of French diplomats in Iran be evacuated, and no French civil servants be sent on missions to the listed countries. Read more
Eagles invitee, Gabriel Osho’s return doubtful against Man City (ThisDay)
Super Eagles invitee Gabriel Osho is doubtful to return to action today when Luton Town face off with Manchester City in a Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium.
Osho has not featured for the Hatters since he came off injured in the closing minutes of the Hatters 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace before the March internationals.
Since then, the Nigerian central defender has missed five games in a row in the Premier League. Read more
Pep Guardiola hits back after Erling Haaland deemed ‘‘not a world class player’’ (Telegraph)
Pep Guardiola has hit back at critics of Erling Haaland insisting the striker’s contribution to the collective cause has been nothing short of “exceptional”.
The City forward found himself in the crosshairs of Telegraph Sport columnist Jamie Carragher and Sky Sports’ Roy Keane after anonymous displays against Liverpool, Arsenal and Real Madrid.
The former labelled him “the ultimate luxury player” and some way short of world class while Keane had likened Haaland’s overall play to that of “a League Two striker”. Read more
Erik ten Hag issues transfer warning to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and defends Man Utd record (Mirror)
Erik ten Hag wants Sir Jim Ratcliffe to sort Manchester United’s new football structure as quickly as possible – so they do not lose out in the summer transfer market.
United’s former football director John Murtough, who appointed Ten Hag two years ago, left this week, with Ratcliffe and his advisors pushing to construct a new football operations team.
Newcastle want around £20 million in compensation from United for Dan Ashworth, while Southampton have yet to accept a settlement for their sporting director Jason Wilcox. Read more
Tiger Woods makes record 24th straight cut at the Masters (ESPN)
Tiger Woods’ 15 major championship victories include five wins at the Masters. An 82-time winner on the PGA Tour, Woods was ranked the No. 1 golfer in the world for 683 weeks — more than 13 years.
Given how little competitive golf Woods has played over the past three years since he was seriously injured in a car wreck in February 2021 — and the fact that he’s now playing with a fused back and right ankle — what the 48-year-old accomplished Friday might be one of the most remarkable achievements of his storied career.
By carding an even-par 72 in the second round of the 88th Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Woods broke a tournament record with his 24th consecutive made cut. He previously held the record with Fred Couples (1983-2007) and Gary Player (1959-82). Woods was 1 over par and tied for 22nd after 36 holes. Read more
Shohei Ohtani’s ex-interpreter Ippei Mizuhara turns self in, free on $25k bond (ABC)
The former longtime interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani surrendered to authorities and later appeared in U.S. District Court on Friday afternoon.
Ippei Mizuhara surrendered to law enforcement Friday and was released shortly after on an unsecured $25,000 bond, colloquially known as a signature bond. That means Mizuhara does not have to put up any cash or collateral to be released. If he violates the conditions of his bond, he will be on the hook for $25,000. Read more
Fernando Alonso commits to Aston Martin, drops out of race to replace Hamilton (Fox)
Fernando Alonso has pledged his future to Aston Martin, dashing any thoughts of the two-time former champion replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes next season.
The 42-year-old two-time former world champion has penned a new deal with Aston, ensuring he will drive for the team into 2026 when new regulations are introduced.
“I’m here to stay,” he confirmed. Read more