N500,000 bill: Lagos hospital mum after death of pregnant woman (Punch)
A private hospital (name withheld) in the Ibeju/Lekki area of Lagos State, where a doctor allegedly refused to treat a pregnant woman, known as Kemi, due to her husband’s inability to make an upfront payment of N500,000, has remained silent over the incident.
The tragic incident, in which the pregnant woman reportedly died, was first shared by her husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, in February.
However, it resurfaced on social media on Tuesday, sparking widespread outrage. Read more
Passengers injured as ferry bursts into flames in Lagos (DailyTrust)
There was panic in Lagos on Thursday morning when a boat belonging to the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) suddenly burst into flames at the Ipakodo Ferry Terminal in Ikorodu, leaving several people injured.
Sources said the blast which created a huge fire started from the engine of the boat.
The fire quickly spread into the cabin trapping some of the passengers inside. Read more
INEC rejects petition to recall Senator Natasha, declares it inadequate (Channels)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the petition to recall the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has not met the requirements.
In a short statement on Thursday, the electoral commission said the petition to recall Senator Natasha did not meet constitutional requirements.
“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended),” INEC wrote on its X handle. Read more
Nnamdi Kanu optimistic about release in April, says Igbo leader (Guardian)
The President-General of the Igbo Community Association (ICA), FCT, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, has revealed that Nnamdi Kanu is optimistic about securing his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) by April 2025.
Ellis-Ezenekwe, who visited the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at the DSS headquarters in Abuja, said Kanu expressed disappointment over the lack of strong Igbo leadership and called for renewed advocacy for the region’s interests.
The ICA leader stated that Kanu, despite being in detention, appeared healthy, had gained weight, and remained in high spirits. Read more
Court Remands Man In Prison Over Alleged Attempted Murder (Leadership)
An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court, on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 23-year-old Abiodun Adesegun at Agodi Correctional facility, Ibadan, Oyo State, over alleged attempted murder.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mrs A. T. Oyediji, who did not take the suspect’s plea due to lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand at Agodi Correctional facility, Ibadan.
Oyediji said the remand was pending the issuance of advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) at the Ministry of Justice. Read more
Shettima heads to Dakar to represent Tinubu at Senegal’s 65th independence anniversary (Nation)
Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the West African nation’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal marks its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its liberation from French colonial rule in 1960.
The annual celebration is a significant event featuring national parades, cultural displays, and ceremonies highlighting the country’s achievements and unity. Read more
Independence Bridge: Sanwo-Olu tenders apology to Lagosians over gridlock (NewTelegraph)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday tendered an unreserved apology to Lagosians who were left stranded in hours-long gridlock on Wednesday, April 2, owing to the repair work going on at the Independence Bridge in Lagos.
New Telegraph gathered that the closure of the Independence Bridge for repair work left thousands of Lagosians grounded in the area between Wednesday evening to the early hours of Thursday.
Reacting to the development, Governor Sanwo-Olu who was accompanied by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and other government officials, apologised to Lagosians over the traffic situation, saying more should have been done in communicating with residents of the state over the development. Read more
I didn’t collapse – Wike (Vanguard)
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday dismissed social media reports that he collapsed last week, describing them as the handiwork of individuals attempting to score cheap political points.
Wike addressed the speculation after inspecting four ongoing projects in the FCT, including the International Conference Centre (ICC), reaffirming his commitment to delivering on his mandate.
The rumours, which spread widely on X, alleged that Wike collapsed at an event in Abuja last Friday and was rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. Read more
Senegal goes after Macky Sall era officials with amnesty law change (AfricaNews)
Senegal’s parliament on Wednesday approved changes to the country’s amnesty law, potentially paving the way for the investigation and prosecution of security personnel and members of the former government suspected of abuses.
126 law makers – mostly members of the ruling Pastef party voted yes for the changes.
Twenty legislators voted against the text after nearly eleven hours of debate. Read more
Elijah Wood Says ‘Lord of the Rings’ Didn’t Pay Enough Where ‘You Could Rest Easy for the Rest of Your Life’ (Variety)
Elijah Wood is the latest cast member to be asked about the surprisingly low salaries the cast of “The Lord of the Rings” earned as part of Peter Jackson’s landmark trilogy, which went on to gross nearly $3 billion at the worldwide box office.
Cate Blanchett, who starred as Galadriel in the franchise, went viral last August for saying on “Watch What Happens Live” that “no one got paid anything to do that movie.” She joked: “I basically got free sandwiches and I got to keep my [elf] ears” as pay.
Speaking to Business Insider at the 2025 Texas Film Awards, Wood confirmed his “Rings” salary was not a big one, despite leading the trilogy as Frodo. However, the actor doesn’t mind at all. Read more
Kanye West confirms wife Bianca Censori left him, had panic attack over disturbing rants in new song: ‘She ran away’ (PageSix)
Kanye West confirmed that his wife, Bianca Censori, dumped him over his disturbing social media rants.
The disgraced rapper details that the Australian architect had a “panic attack” as a result of the vile hate he has continuously spewed on X in his new song titled “BIANCA.”
“My baby she ran away / But first she tried to get me committed / Not going to the hospital ’cause I am not sick I just do not get it,” West raps on the track from his new album “WW3” out Thursday. Read more
Adolescence star Owen Cooper facing ‘a bit of bother’ since return to school (Metro)
Owen Cooper has revealed how things have changed since returning to school after the extraordinary success of Netflix’s Adolescence.
Last month the 15-year-old made his acting debut in the four-part series Adolescence, starring alongside Stephen Graham, Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty.
In it he played schoolboy Jamie Miller, who is accused of murdering his classmate Katie Leonard, with the programme now becoming the most-watched Netflix limited series ever. Read more
Ben Affleck shows off fresh new hair look during star-studded Vegas event (Hello!)
Ben Affleck unveiled a fresh new look as he graced the stage at CinemaCon in Las Vegas to deliver a presentation on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old’s head of hair and beard looked noticeably darker as it seemed he had dyed them a richer shade of brunette to conceal the gray patches.
Ben attended the star-studded event at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace to promote his upcoming movie The Accountant 2. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the thriller follows the story of the forensic accountant Christian Wolff, played by Ben, who joins forces with his estranged brother to hunt down mysterious assassins. Read more
Mumford & Sons break out classic tracks at intimate live-streamed show in Manchester (NME)
Mumford & Sons played an intimate live-streamed show in Manchester.
The gig took place at the Aviva Studios last night (April 2) and was held as part of a new partnership with Amazon Music, as part of the brand’s latest run of City Sessions.
It also came in celebration of Mumford & Sons’ new album ‘RUSHMERE’, which arrived last Friday (March 28) and marked the follow-up to 2018’s ‘Delta’. It is also Marcus Mumford, Ted Dwane and Ben Lovett’s first record as a trio, following the departure of banjoist Winston Marshall in 2021. Read more
Quentin Tarantino teams with David Fincher and Brad Pitt for ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ follow-up (Flickeringmyth)
In many ways, with this news dropping on April 1st, you’d expect it to be a trick, but two of the most significant filmmakers ever are working together.
For every film lover, from the ’90s to modern cinema snobs, the pairing of David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino feels unreal. However, as recently revealed, the duo will team for a Once Upon a Time in Hollywood sequel.
The Playlist first reported on the film, and The Hollywood Reporter later confirmed the story. While Tarantino will not helm the project, he’ll serve as the screenwriter, and Fincher will tackle directorial duties. According to one source close to the production, filming could begin as soon as this summer, with Netflix reportedly involved. Read more
Excitement builds as African Women’s Volleyball Inter-Club Championship kicks off in Abuja (Leadership)
The stage is set for an exhilarating showcase of talent and competition as the 2025 African Women’s Volleyball Inter-Club Championship commences today in Abuja. This year’s tournament features a diverse lineup of teams from across the continent, highlighting the best of African women’s volleyball.
Among the participating teams are Hosts Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and a formidable selection of clubs from Egypt, including Al Ahly Sporting Club (AHL) and Zamalek Sporting Club (ZMK). The Democratic Republic of Congo is also well represented, with Volleyball Club La Grace (VGL) and Volleyball Club La LOI (VLL) eager to make their mark in the tournament.
Clubs such as AS Douanes from Burundi, Sococim (SOC) of Senegal, and the National Alcohol and Liquor Factory (NAL) from Ethiopia will fiercely compete for glory. East Africa is prominently featured with teams from Rwanda, including the Rwanda Revenue Authority Volleyball Club (RRA) and Police Volleyball Club (PVC), alongside elite Kenyan teams like Kenya Pipeline Company Volleyball Club (KPC) and Kenya Commercial Bank Volleyball Club (KCB). Read more
Super Eagles Move Up One Spot In Latest FIFA Ranking (CompleteSports)
Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved up one position in the latest men’s ranking released by FIFA on Thursday.
In the first ranking released by FIFA in 2025, the three-time African champions moved from 44th to 43rd position.
Eric Chelle’s side however dropped one spot in Africa, moving out of the top five on the continent. Read more
British tennis star provides health update after collapsing during match (Metro)
British tennis ace Fran Jones has allayed fears over her health and thanked fans for their support after collapsing during her Colsanitas Cup first-round match with Julia Riera.
Jones, the British No.5, went down in a heap in deeply worrying scenes while trailing 5-3 in the third set of Tuesday’s contest, which had been finely poised up until that point.
Disturbing pictures showed Jones failing to make contact with an attempted serve and clutching her head. Read more
Benedikt Duda advances at WTT Champions Incheon 2025 (AfricaNews)
Germany’s Benedikt Duda secured his spot in the Round of 16 at the WTT Champions Incheon 2025, defeating Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna in the men’s singles Round of 32 at Inspire Arena, South Korea.
Duda needed just half an hour to overcome Aruna, winning in four sets: 11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4.
In the women’s singles, the Netherlands’ Britt Eerland also progressed to the next round after a commanding straight-game victory over Australia’s Minhyung Jee. Eerland wrapped up the match in 31 minutes, securing a 13-11, 11-9, 11-6 win. Read more
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami lose to LAFC in CONCACAF Champions Cup (AlJazeera)
Los Angeles FC (LAFC) sent Lionel Messi and Inter Miami spinning to their first defeat of the season, scoring an upset 1-0 victory in their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first-leg clash.
A 57th-minute strike from Los Angeles-born El Salvador international Nathan Ordaz handed LAFC a precious advantage heading into next week’s return leg in Florida.
Unbeaten in nine games across all competitions since the start of the season, Messi and Miami arrived in Los Angeles as the form team of Major League Soccer (MLS). Read more
Verstappen social media response ‘speaks for itself’ (BBC)
Max Verstappen says it “was not a mistake” that he liked a comment on social media describing Red Bull’s decision to demote Liam Lawson as “a panic move” and “close to bullying”.
The remarks were made by Dutch former Formula 1 driver Giedo van der Garde, a friend of the Verstappen family, on Instagram, external after Red Bull moved New Zealander Lawson down to their second team Racing Bulls in a swap with Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda just two races into the season.Red Bull’s Verstappen said: “I liked the comment, the text, so I guess that speaks for itself, right?” Read more