My father raped me for one year on beach, girlfriend’s house –Lagos teenager (Punch)
A 16-year-old girl on Thursday told the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Courts, Ikeja, that her 43-year-old father, Emmanuel Odega, started defiling her when she was 14.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Odega was arraigned in November 2021 for allegedly raping the victim on a beach and at his girlfriend’s house.
He allegedly claimed to be under the influence of a spirit.
The state prosecutor, Bukola Okeowo, noted that the girl’s mother relocated to South Africa in 2014. Read more
Lagos moves to relocate traders affected by Apongbon bridge fire (Guardian)
Efforts are on by the Lagos Island Local Council in collaboration with the state government to relocate traders affected by the Apongbon fire incident.
The Council boss, Hon. (Prince) Tijani Adetoyese Olusi, disclosed this while giving an update on efforts to return normalcy to the area and ensure that affected residents have their means of livelihood back.
Adetoyese Olusi stressed that the move was in partnership with the Federal and State Governments.
He said: “We are working round the clock to see that our people, affected by the unfortunate fire incident,have their lives back. Read more
Plastic Recycling: LAWMA tasks local engineers to fabricate baling machines (Tribune)
Managing Director/CEO of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, (LAWMA), Mr Ibrahim Odumboni, on Thursday tasked innovative engineers in the state and the country at large to design affordable baling machines to make the plastic recycling business more attractive and less capital intensive.
Odumboni threw the challenge in his keynote address at a stakeholders’ consultative forum for plastic recycling value-chain, organised by Giz, a German concern and held at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, even as he frowned at the use of brown-coloured pet bottles for the packaging of plastic drinks, urging such companies to stick to white transparent ones.
The LAWMA boss observed that the baling component of the recycling process was a vital one, saying that locally fabricated machines would go a long way in simplifying the process since they would come cheaper and more easily maintained.
“Baling is an important component of the plastic recycling process. We need our innovative and enterprising engineers to come up with locally designed and manufactured baling machines that would be durable and affordable for our recycling investors. Read more
Sanwo-Olu assures Cooperative College of support (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured the Cooperatives College (LASCOCO) of his administration’s commitment to provide the support required by the college to function in turning out professionals needed in the sub-sector.
Sanwo-Olu, who made this known at the maiden convocation of Professional Diploma Programme of LASCOCO, at Oko-Oba, Agege, said his government remained relentless in the effort to convert emerging threats to opportunities, leveraging on digitalisation technologies to deliver learning and educational outcomes.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Oyewale Raji, said in Lagos State, the number of registered cooperative societies had grown from 108 in 1967 to well over 15,000, with a net asset of N70, 731,066,384.90k (Seventy billion, seven hundred and thirty-one million, sixty-six thousand, three hundred and eighty-four naira and ninety kobo), according to the mid-year report of the Cooperative Department for year 2016. Read more
NNPC: We’ve lost $1.5b worth of oil to vandals from January till date (DailyTrust)
The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, Mele Kyari, has lamented the negative impact of the activities of oil vandals and operators of illegal refineries.
Speaking when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), on Thursday, he said this has led to the loss of $1.5 billion worth of crude from January till date.
Bandits: We’ll kill train passengers if FG fails to meet our demands
Train attack: We won’t rest until we rescue kidnapped victims – FG
He said the country’s oil sector was recording an all-time low crude oil production of 1.49 million barrels per day due to increase in the activities of vandals and operators of illegal refineries.
“What is going on has nothing to do with the PIA. It is purely an act of thieves; acts of vandals which have rendered the industry unworkable and taken us to the level where today, our production is around 1.49 million barrels per day.” Read more
Agent remanded for defrauding Canadian visa applicant (Punch)
An Ekiti State Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday ordered the remand of a 39-year-old man, Ajayi Olufemi, for allegedly defrauding a visa applicant of N2m.
The police prosecutor, Oriyomi Akinwale, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on October 12, 2021, in Ado Ekiti.
According to the charge, the defendant allegedly obtained N2m from the complainant, Mr Arifayan Babatunde, on the pretext of processing a Canadian visa for him.
The complainant, in his statement to the police, said a friend introduced him to the defendant, who claimed to be a travel agent. Read more
Families of kidnapped train passengers protest government inaction as another victim dies of gunshot injuries (Guardian)
One of the victims of last week’s terrorists’ attack on a Kaduna-bound train, Sergeant Muhammad Haruna Funtua, has died from injuries sustained in the assault.
The ex-soldier was shot in the head and chest before he was rescued by security agencies who were mobilised to the scene of the train attack at Dutse forest in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
It was gathered that he was later discharged from the 44 Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna and conveyed to his hometown in Funtua for further treatment where he finally gave up the ghost.
A source, who identified himself as Mallam Idris, disclosed that the ex-serviceman died on Tuesday night.
The terrorists had on Wednesday released the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Alwan Ali-Hassan and threatened to kill others in their captivity, numbering over 100, if the Federal Government failed to yield to its demands, one of which is the release of their captured leaders.
Eleven days after the attack, families of the victims have protested the prolonged silence by the Federal Government on the release of their loved ones. Some of the family members, numbering about 20, stormed the venue of a scheduled ministerial press briefing by the Ministry of Transportation, demanding that the government expedite action to aid the freedom of the captives.
The family members, who could hardly hold back their tears, came carrying placards. Read more
Jubilation in Calabar as court refuses to sack Ayade, deputy (Punch)
There was wild jubilation on Thursday, in Calabar, Cross River State, shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party asking the court to declare the seats of Governor Ben Ayade and his deputy, Ivara Esu, vacant, following their defection to the All Progressives Congress in May 2021.
Members of support groups gathered at the Kola Nut Centre, singing solidarity and victory songs.
A chieftain of the APC who was part of the victory party, Emmanuel Ironbar, said the “victory was well deserved.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja, had, in a judgment delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, held that Ayade and Esu could not be sacked other than through statutory procedures that were stipulated in Sections 180, 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. Read more
Naira Marley’s trial for cybercrime continues June 1 (Guardian)
Defence, on Thursday, concluded cross-examination of the second prosecution witness in the trial of a musician, Azeez Fashola (a. k.a Naira Marley) facing cybercrime charges.
The second prosecution witness, Mr Augustine Anosike, is a forensic analyst, who began evidence in 2021.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the defendant.
Fashola, who sang the popular song: “Am I a yahoo boy”, was arraigned on May 20, 2019, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, but he pleaded not guilty. Read more
Senate confirms Ketanji Brown Jackson to top court (BBC)
The US Supreme Court is to include a black female justice for the first time in its 233-year history after the Senate confirmed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the nine-member bench.
Three Republicans crossed the aisle to seal her appointment by a vote of 53 to 47.
Justice Jackson’s appointment fulfils President Joe Biden’s campaign promise to put a black woman on the court.
Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, called it a “joyous day” for the US.
The vote was overseen by Vice-President Kamala Harris, the first black woman to hold the office. Read more
Teens seek boyfriends in cheeky message in bottle found washed up 56 years later (Metro)
Litter pickers in Lincolnshire were amused to learn that two long-lost messages scrawled inside a glass bottle were not written by shipwrecked sailors, but teenage girls trying to find a boyfriend.
The cheeky notes have been floating in the Humber Estuary for 56 years, after Jennifer Coleman and Janet Blankley wrote them aged 15.
Their single-minded efforts to find love were seemingly discovered for the first time this weekend, not far from where they were originally thrown in Scunthorpe.
The corked bottle had notes dated August 9, 1966 – days after England last won the World Cup.
Janet and Jennifer invited boys around their age to write back to them with a picture of themselves. Read more
Russian losses in Ukraine ‘significant’ – Kremlin (BBC)
Russia has admitted suffering “significant losses of troops” in Ukraine, as the invasion enters its 44th day.
Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told British channel Sky News the casualties were “a huge tragedy for us”.
He said he hoped Moscow would reach its war goals “in the coming days”.
Mr Peskov’s comments followed Russia’s expulsion from the United Nations Human Rights council on Wednesday. Read more
Jennifer Lopez sparks Ben Affleck engagement rumors with massive ring (PageSix)
Are we being fooled by the rocks that she’s got?
Jennifer Lopez sparked engagement rumors by wearing a large diamond ring on her left hand in a new paparazzi photo released Thursday.
The “Jenny From the Block” singer, 52, was seen shopping for furniture with her 14-year-old daughter, Emme, in Culver City, Los Angeles.
Lopez was chicly dressed for the casual outing, donning a flowing print dress and large sunglasses. She also accessorized the look with a giant sparkler on her engagement ring finger. Read more
Uber to offer train, coach and flight bookings on its app (Metro)
Uber is looking to be more than just a cab hailing app, with plans to let you book flights, trains and more in the UK this year.
The ride-hailing app has announced that UK users will be able to book intercity rail and coach tickets on the app later this summer.
By incorporating national rail and coach travel, passengers will be able to use the Uber app to manage their entire travel experience. For example, when booking a weekend break, users will be able to purchase a train or coach ticket and ensure an Uber is there waiting for them at the station to take them to their hotel.
This model is similar to travel company Expedia, whose ex-CEO Dara Khosrowshahi now heads Uber.
The new version of Uber might have an advantage over other travel companies by offering cab rides from the airport to the hotel, essentially owning the whole process. Read more
Keep your waist to less than half your height, guidance says (BBC)
People should be encouraged to measure their waist to check they don’t have too much dangerous fat around their middle, updated guidelines say.
An adult’s waist should be less than half their height to reduce health risks, health body NICE recommends.
Measuring body mass index (BMI) is also useful – but doesn’t take into account excess weight around the abdomen.
This increases the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Read more
Netflix drops 365 Days sequel trailer and it looks even more intense (Metro)
Netflix’s controversial hit 365 Days is back with a sequel…and it looks even more intense this time around.
So soon after Bridgerton season two? We can’t cope.
Lest we forget, the erotic romance became the most-streamed film in Netflix history, after it was released in June 2020 when much of the globe was locked down.
However, it was incredibly controversial, as it followed the suave Massimo Torricelli (Michele Morrone) with his black suit and slicked-back hair, who kidnaps Laura (played by Polish actress Anna Maria Sieluka), giving her 365 days to fall in love with him. Read more
‘NBBF crisis threatens Nigeria’s FIBA World Cup hopes’ (Guardian)
Former NBA Star, Obinna Ekezie, has said the National Women’s Basketball team, D’Tigress, will be the ultimate losers in the protracted Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) unless the Federal Government steps in to resolve the issues.
Ekezie, who is also the CEO of Organised Basketball Network Academy (OBN), said Nigeria’s quest to excel at the 2022 FIBA Women World Cup, held in Australia from September 22 to 0ctober 1, could also be scuttled by the crisis.
Speaking on the poor state of Nigerian basketball, Ekezie said D’Tigress need total support and encouragement from all stakeholders to prepare adequately for the World Cup, adding that excelling in a competition as big as the World Cup requires much more than assembling talented players.
He called on the warring parties and other stakeholders to drop their ego and help salvage what remains of the country’s basketball. Read more
Oshoala reacts to planned removal as Super Falcons captain (Punch)
There are plans by the Nigeria Football Federation to strip Asisat Oshoala of Super Falcons captaincy, according to reports.
The Barcelona Femeni star took over as captain after Desire Oparanozie was removed amid controversial circumstances in September 2019.
Before her removal, Oparanozie had complained about the unfair treatment of the players and unpaid allowances during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
However, Oshoala denied knowledge of the reported plan to strip her of captaincy while reacting to a post by a fan on Twitter on Thursday. Read more
Serena Williams teases tennis return despite splitting from long-term coach (Metro)
Serena Williams has seemingly shut down any reports she’s set to retire from tennis by teasing she’ll be back for Wimbledon this year.
The 40-year-old hasn’t played a match since Wimbledon last year but had been due to feature at the Australian Open in January before picking up a hamstring injury.
But in a recent social media video appearing alongside Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Williams suggested she’d be back for Wimbledon at the end of June.
‘I am backstage at a Bitcoin conference in Miami with Aaron Rodgers here,’ Williams said. Read more
10-man West Ham hold Lyon in first leg (BBC)
Ten-man West Ham kept their hopes of reaching a first European semi-final since 1976 alive by battling to a draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final with Lyon at London Stadium.
Aaron Cresswell’s red card for bringing down visiting skipper Moussa Dembele when he was the last man in first-half stoppage time changed the complexion of a tie that David Moyes’ men were starting to grow into.
Despite the setback Jarrod Bowen put the Hammers in front seven minutes after the re-start when he seized on a Jerome Boateng mistake in his own box and finished on the turn.
But it was a rare glimpse of goal for the home side, who were forced to defend for long periods. Their defences were eventually breached by on-loan Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, who tapped home from close range after the ball had been deflected into his path. Read more
Woods misses fairway, saves par as fans swarm opening hole at Masters (Guardian)
The most anticipated shot of 2022 — and perhaps much longer — came at 11:04 a.m. yesterday at the first tee at Augusta National, when Woods was announced on the first tee in the first round of the Masters.
Dressed in a hot pink mock turtleneck and black slacks, Woods was greeted with a high volume of cheers from the patrons who surrounded the tee on three sides at least a dozen deep. It was quite a scene.
Woods’ tee shot traveled only 264 yards (TV cameras failed to track it, but it’s very possible that the ball clipped a pine tree) and wound up just short of the fairway bunker on the right of the 445-yard, par-4 first hole. It was a good break, as that fairway bunker is a tough place to play from. Read more
Huesca threatens legal action against Nwakali over comments (Punch)
Segunda Division side SD Huesca have threatened legal action against Nigerian midfielder Kelechi Nwakali, after the player claimed he was unjustly treated following the premature termination of his contract by the Spanish side Tuesday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
But the Spanish Soccer Players Association vowed to challenge the Nigerian’s dismissal, saying it violated the player’s labour rights, to spark a three-way fight between, player, club and the union.
Huesca suspended Nwakali in February after he reported back to the club 10 days late and offered “incredible stories” for his lateness, according to a statement on the club website revealed.
But on Wednesday, Nwakali alleged his contract was terminated by Huesca because he defied the club to represent Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Read more
Nuno Tavares ‘frustrated’ with Arsenal’s defeat to Crystal Palace after half-time substitution (Metro)
Nuno Tavares admits Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday evening was ‘extremely frustrating’ after he was hauled off at half-time by Mikel Arteta.
The 22-year-old started at left-back in place of Kieran Tierney, who is ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery, but had a performance to forget as he was at fault for Jordan Ayew’s goal which doubled Palace’s lead in the first half.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher urged Arteta to bring Tavares off at half time and the £8m signing from Benfica was replaced ahead of the second half.
Tavares has faced calls from supporters to be dropped for Arsenal’s clash with Brighton this Saturday but the defender insists he is keen to ‘learn from the mistakes’. Read more