Motorists groan over deplorable roads, potholes in Isolo, Mushin (Guardian)
Worried by the bad state of Mushin/Isolo roads and dreadful traffic gridlock in the area, motorists and road users have called on the state and local council to stand up to its responsibility and fix the roads ahead of the rains.
The Mushin/Isolo road, on the Ile-Iwe Meta axis, which leads to Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ilasa, is in deplorable state with several potholes, which have destroyed many cars.
A trader in the area, simply identified as Mrs Fakeye said: “This road has destroyed a lot of cars. Sometimes when trucks or cars get stranded here, it takes towing vehicle service providers to get them out of the road. The road has also led to a lot of accidents. From LASPOTECH to Ile-Iwe Meta, there have been constant gridlocks daily. The government should repair the road because of rains. We are really in pain.” Read more
Customs officer shot, deformed me without offence –Clearing agent (Punch)
A clearing agent, Adeyemi Salau, has become incapacitated after a yet-to-be-identified officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Ikeja, allegedly shot his right leg at the Berger checkpoint, Otto Wharf Bus-stop, in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Salau told our correspondent that he had gone to the PTML terminal in Tincan to clear a vehicle when he was attacked and shot in the leg by the official.
He said, “I cleared a Toyota RAV 4 2019 model from the PTML terminal, Tincan on March 17, 2021. The owner of the vehicle and a friend, Monday, were both in the vehicle when I drove to the Berger checkpoint, where the customs officers from the Federal Operations Unit stopped me and ordered me to wind down the window of the car. The customs officers were about 20 at the checkpoint. Immediately I wound down, a two-star customs officer started hitting me with a gun.
“The officer brought out a jackknife and attempted to stab me, but I waived it. The same officer ordered me to get down from the car and immediately my right leg stepped on the ground, he shot me. Read more
$3.4t GDP access: Sanwo-Olu expresses readiness to work with AfCFTA on deliverables (Vanguard)
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed his administration readiness to collaborate with the National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, AfCFTA, in achieving the set objectives for the benefit of residents.
The AfCFTA agreement sought to create a single market for well produced in the continent and the adopted multilateral contract will afford signatory countries access to combined Gross Domestic Product GDP of $3.4 trillion.
Sanwo-Olu made the remarks on Tuesday, when the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Chairman, National Action Committee on African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), Otunba Niyi Adebayo, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to his office at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
According to Sanwo-Olu, “We have been listening and observing quietly as a sub-national to wait for any time like this where we can collaborate and take ownership at the sub-national level. Read more
LAUTECH undergraduate jailed over $104,500 scam (Punch)
A 500-level student of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Adebowale Abiola, has been jailed for one year by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State Special Offences Court over $104,500 fraud.
Abiola was arrested after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission received a report on the activities of Internet fraudsters in the Lekki area of Lagos.
It was gathered that Abiola, who presented himself as Burton J. Smith, a citizen of the United States of American and former military officer, defrauded one Courtney Kaye.
Abiola was arraigned on an amended one count bordering on possession of fraudulent documents containing false pretence. Read more
Sanwo-Olu pledges decent, affordable houses (Guardian)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pledged to bridge the housing deficit in the state by providing decent and affordable houses to the people.
Besides, the governor also donated three-bedroom apartment each to two civil servants in the education sector, best principal of the year and 2020 best teacher, as well as a 70-year-old Nollywood star, Mrs. Lanre Hassan Adesina, popularly called Iya Awero.
Sanwo-Olu, who spoke yesterday during the commissioning of 360 housing units of LAGOSHOMS Estate at Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (LCDA), said his administration was poised to deliver more housing projects to accommodate the increasing number of people migrating to Ikorodu part of the state. Read more
NPA hands over shipyard to NIMASA for floating dock (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), is set to relinquish its shipyard to the Nigerian Maritime Administration Safety Agency, NIMASA, for hosting of the Agency’s modular floating dock.
Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Hadiza Bala-Usman, who disclosed this in Lagos when the Director-General of the NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, visited the NPA head office, noted that there is need to promote the NIMASA local dry dock to the maximum capacity by placing the NPA’s Continental Shipyard at the Agency’s disposal as a preferred location.
She said NPA would go into an agreement with NIMASA on the handover of the Authority’s dockyard, jetty locations, and warehouses within the area to facilitate the installation of the modular floating dock. Read more
Residents groan as water scarcity hits FCT (Punch)
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory are presently facing scarcity of water as a result of the ongoing repair works on the trunk line at the Lower Usuma Dam water treatment plant 3 and 4, Ushafa.
The repair which started a few days ago has led to shortage of water across the nation’s capital with many residents struggling to get the essential commodity for domestic use.
Areas hit by the dearth of water include Ushafa, Kubwa, Dutsen Alhaji, Area one, Garki and Durumi.
The FCT water management board had earlier informed the people of the disruption to the water supply in a public notice circulated on social media. Read more
Taskforce drags 10 to court over assault on Kaduna Electric staff (Vanguard)
The Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences (SIPTEO) North-West zone, Kaduna, has dragged 10 persons including 2 women before a Chief Magistrates Court for alleged assault on Kaduna Electric staff.
The suspects were charged with criminal conspiracy, energy theft, threat, intimidation and assault contrary to various Sections of the Miscellaneous Act Cap N 17 Law of the Federation and Sections 54, 271, 241 and 377 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.
The case has been adjourned to 19th April 2021 for the commencement of hearing on the matter.
The Lead Prosecutor, Inspector Simon Abba, who read the First Information Report (FIR) to the Defendants, said the suspects criminally intimidated, threatened and assaulted the Kaduna Electric team during routine inspection and cash collection in their area and chased them away. Read more
Virginia becomes the first southern state to end the death penalty (Guardian)
Virginia has become the 23rd US state and the first in the south to abolish the death penalty, a dramatic shift for the commonwealth which previously had the nation’s second-highest number of executions.
The move was the culmination of a yearslong battle by Democrats who argued the death penalty has been applied disproportionately to people of color, mentally ill people and poor people. Republicans argued that the death penalty should remain a sentencing option for especially heinous crimes and to bring justice to victims and their families.
Virginia’s new Democratic majority, in full control of the general assembly for a second year, won the debate last month when the senate and house of delegates passed measures banning capital punishment. Read more
Baftas to take place over two nights with fully virtual audience (Metro)
Great news, awards show fans – the Bafta Film Awards are delivering double the drama. It has been confirmed that next month’s Baftas will play out over two nights, with Edith Bowman and Dermot O’Leary being promoted to hosts of the main show from their usual red carpet gig. Clara Amfo will host the Bafta Film Awards Opening Night on Saturday, April 10, live on BBC Two, when eight winners will be unveiled. Read more
North Korea fires two ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan (BBC)
North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, says the US and Japan – the first such test since Joe Biden became US president.
Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles, which are considered threatening weapons, under UN Security Council resolutions.
Japan said no debris had fallen within its territorial waters.
It comes just days after North Korea fired two non-ballistic missiles into the Yellow Sea. Read more
There is no right to carry arms in public, US appeals court says in controversial ruling on gun rights case (RT)
The Second Amendment of the US Constitution applies to “hearth and home” and not the public square, the Ninth US circuit court of appeals has ruled, upholding a Hawaii practice of limiting open carry licenses to security guards.
In a 7-4 ruling after the full bench review of the Young v. Hawaii case, the majority argued that “There is no right to carry arms openly in public; nor is any such right within the scope of the Second Amendment.”
The famous gun rights provision of the US Constitution applies to “defense of hearth and home,” the majority argued, while the government has the power to “regulate carrying arms in the public square.” Read more
COVID-19: Africa CDC to vaccinate 60% of Africa’s population – Official (Vanguard)
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) says it is working to ensure that each country in the continent vaccinates at least 60 per cent of its population against COVID-19.
Dr Raji Tajudeen, the Head of Public Health Institutes and Research, Africa CDC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, stated this at the Pre-Conference Webinar of the Medical Women’s International Association, Near East and African Regional Congress on Wednesday.
Speaking on the theme “COVID-19 in the African Region”, Tajudeen said that the African CDC was working to ensure equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines by African countries.
He said that the Africa CDC had helped in securing 270 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for African countries and currently working to secure additional 300 million doses. Read more
The gun implicated in Boulder uses the same ammunition as an AR-15. It’s legally a pistol (WashingtonPost)
In a promotional video for the Ruger AR-556, a company product manager gushed that the weapon, legally designated as a pistol but closer to an AR-15 rifle in design, offered much more than a typical handgun.
The compact body features the same rail system as wildly popular AR-15-style rifles, he noted, allowing owners to attach accessories like optics and flashlights, and its short barrel makes for easy transport.
“It’s still great for all the applications of a pistol — or a rifle,” the Ruger staffer said in the 2019 video.
Two key components that help define what a rifle is, the barrel and the stock, have been altered by firearm manufacturers to circumvent existing gun laws, critics have said, producing a weapon that functions much like a rifle but is legally classified as a pistol. That affects how they are bought, sold and regulated. Read more
Pope cuts pay for cardinals as Vatican finances hit by pandemic (BBC)
Pope Francis has ordered pay cuts for cardinals and other clerics as the Vatican battles to balance its books during the pandemic.
Cardinals will see their pay reduced by 10% from April, the Vatican said.
They are believed to receive up to €5,000 (£4,300; $5,900) a month and often live in subsidised accommodation.
The Vatican expects a deficit of €50m this year. Its income has been badly hit by the closure of museums and other attractions in the pandemic. Read more
Eagles focus on fitness as Rohr explains initial decision to drop Onuachu (Guardian)
Journalists and fans were barred from Super Eagles training session at the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday, with team officials explaining that they want maximum concentration ahead of Saturday’s clash with Benin Republic.
Nigeria will travel to Porto Novo for an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Benin Republic. Coach Gernot Rohr has the full complement of players he called up for the matches against Benin Republic and Lesotho, with the arrival of Leicester City striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, on Wednesday morning.
Iheanacho was expected to arrive in Lagos on Tuesday but couldn’t join the team after suffering a flight delay. Officials of the team said Iheanacho would be monitored closely to ascertain his fitness level ahead of the matches, adding that the initial attention is on the players’ physical readiness. Read more
Naomi Osaka pulls out of Stuttgart WTA (Vanguard)
Japan’s world number two Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from next month’s WTA clay-court tournament in Stuttgart, organisers confirmed Wednesday.
“Naomi Osaka will now begin the European clay court season a little later in May,” said the Stuttgart organisers in a statement.
The tournament in south-west Germany from April 17-25 is set to go ahead behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is one of the first clay-court events in Europe in the build up to the French Open at Roland Garros, which is due to start on May 23. Read more
FIFA extends Blatter ban until 2028 (Punch)
FIFA banned its former president Sepp Blatter until 2028 on Wednesday after handing him a new suspension of six years and eight months for receiving huge bonuses.
Former FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke also had his existing suspension extended by the same amount.
The new bans will only come into force when the current bans on Blatter and Valcke for corruption, which last till October this year and October 2025, end.
FIFA’s Ethics Committee said it had also fined each man $1.1m. Read more
Harder scores against old club as Chelsea beat Wolfsburg (BBC)
Pernille Harder scored against her old club as Chelsea survived an onslaught to beat Wolfsburg in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The German side twice hit the post and saw Ewa Pajor’s overhead kick cleared off the line as Chelsea looked fragile.
But Emma Hayes’ side led when Sam Kerr rounded Katarzyna Kiedrzynek to score and Harder slotted a second after the Wolfsburg keeper gave the ball away.
Dominique Janssen got an away goal from the spot but Chelsea held firm to win. Read more
Top English football clubs under fire after claiming millions in collective govt handouts during pandemic (RT)
Several clubs in England’s top two football leagues have come under heavy scrutiny for claiming government handouts at a staggering rate of £40 million per year, according to reports.
ITV News have reported that clubs welcomed a total of at least £13 million in the first four months of the UK government’s job retention scheme in 2020.
MP Julian Knight, who is the chair of the select committee for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, slammed the football clubs, describing the figure as “a staggering sum for football clubs to claim from the public purse.” Read more
World champion France held by Ukraine (BBC)
France were held to a surprise draw by Ukraine as they got their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign under way.
The world champions began confidently and deservedly went ahead when Antoine Griezmann superbly curled a left-foot effort into the corner from 18 yards.
However, Ukraine held firm in defence and levelled when Serhiy Sydorchuk’s deflected shot wrong-footed France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
In Wednesday’s other Group D fixture Finland drew with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Read more
UFC’s Jessica Eye bites back at trolls after becoming latest MMA star to launch OnlyFans page (RT)
Jessica Eye has become the latest UFC fighter to attempt to bolster her income by launching an account with steamy subscription service OnlyFans, where her supporters can pay a monthly subscription for snaps of the star.
14-fight UFC veteran Eye has only managed a 1-3 record in her four most recent outings in the Octagon, registering a single win over Viviane Araujo against losses to Valentina Shevchenko, Cynthia Calvillo and, most recently, Joanne Calderwood this past January.
Perhaps with her dwindling success in the cage a factor, Eye has turned to the hugely-popular OnlyFans platform as a means of adding a little extra cash to her pocket each month. In return for a subscription, her fans will be treated to an eyeful. Quite literally. Read more