Naira value dips 12% in 4 days as turnover rises (Leadership)
The value of the Naira continued to depreciate at the official end of the market, closing on Thursday at N1,309.88 to one dollar, a 12 per cent week to date decline on the Nigeria Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM).
As against N1,169.99 which it closed last week on the market, the value of the naira had lost N139.89 or 12 per cent of its value within the past four days.
On Monday, the value of the naira had closed weaker at N1,234.49. Read more
Lagos has not increased minimum wage to N70k, Govt clarifies (DailyTrust)
The Lagos State Government has clarified that it has not increased minimum wage, contrary to reports being widely circulated and attributed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, gave the clarification in a statement, on Thursday.
“The Lagos State Government has not increased the minimum wage, contrary to the impression in some media reports, which emanated from the unveiling of Eko Cares – the umbrella for the various interventions to protect the poor against the effects of the prevailing economic hardship.” Read more
Christian Elders push for new constitution, power devolution to end terrorism (ThisDay)
The National Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) has continued to push for a new constitution that would devolve the concentration of power at the centre to federating units in order to enable them take charge of their security.
In view of this, they have pledged to liaise with the ethnic nationalities and commence the process of giving Nigeria a new constitution in 2024.
The National Secretary of NCEF, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, reeled out the suggestions in a communique issued after its meeting on the ‘State of The Nation: Racial Displacement Invasion’, chaired by former Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Samuel Gani, where they called on the indigenous ethnic nationalities to come together to renegotiate Nigeria. Read more
Naira abuse: Banks, not money sprayers your headache – Lawyer tells EFCC (Nation)
Human right advocate, Barr. Anthony Agbasiere, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlight on banks and individuals selling and stealing naira and stop dissipating its energy on those spraying naira.
The call came on the heels of the recent arrest of controversial cross-dresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky, who is currently serving a six months jail terms without option of fine for abusing the Nigerian currency.
Agbasiere who spoke in Awka during the birthday celebration of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Pool King Estate Nigeria, Hon. Gabriel Chukwunwendu stressed that nothing was wrong in spraying money, especially when one is in a happy mood. Read more
Air Peace plane makes emergency landing at Lagos airport (Punch)
An Air Peace plane coming from Port Harcourt made an emergency landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on Thursday after the pilots noticed a fire warning indicator in the cockpit.
The aircraft, which had 243 passengers and 12 crew members on board, landed safely at 4:45pm on Runway18L of the Lagos airport.
The pilots immediately shut down the engines of the aircraft after fire fighting personnel reportedly observed smoke on the engines. Read more
North-West Govs to partner US to tackle insecurity, others (Channels)
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State says the governors of the North-West zone are strengthening partnership with the United States Department of State and Defence to see areas of collaboration in tackling the challenges of banditry and terrorism that are ravaging the region.
In an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of the ongoing meeting between 10 Northern Governors and the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Sani said the North-West Governors are also in discussions with experts in the United States on how to strengthen education, healthcare and social development which are also critical towards addressing the intractable security challenges in the region.
While lamenting the negative impact of insecurity in Kaduna and other states in the North-West Zone, Governor Sani disclosed some of the deliberations and recommendations made by security experts at the meeting, including the need to the adopt kinetic and non-kinetic measures to restore peace and security. Read more
FG to resume resurfacing of Third Mainland Bridge (Vanguard)
The Federal Government says resurfacing work on the Third Mainland Bridge will soon commence from Adeniji inward Falomo, to restore the integrity and aesthetics of the bridges.
The Federal Controller of Works in the State, Mrs Olukorede Keisha, made this known at a news briefing on Thursday in Lagos.
According to her, the project – an extension of the original plan – will continue where it left off on the Third Mainland Bridge. Read more
Lagos council commences reconstruction of roads in Ijeshatedo (Tribune)
The Executive Chairman of Itire-Ikate LCDA, Hon. (Dr) Ahmed Olanrewaju Apatira, has commenced the reconstruction of roads in the Ijeshatedo community.
This move, according to the council chairman, is aimed at improving infrastructure and enhancing accessibility within the district.
He stated that the road reconstruction and interlocking would foster development in the area while also connecting and improving road networks within the Itire-Ikate community. Read more
Ashley Judd slams “institutional betrayal” after Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction is overturned
(EW)
Actress Ashley Judd, who previously accused disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, has slammed what she called “institutional betrayal” after Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction was overturned Thursday in New York.
“This is what it’s like to be a woman in America, living with male entitlement to our bodies,” the 56-year-old actress said of the development during an afternoon press conference, before recounting her own allegations against Weinstein, which she said occurred in a hotel room, between her filming the 1997 movie Kiss the Girls. Read more
Girl, 13, charged with attempted murder after stabbing at school in Wales (Metro)
A 13-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder following the stabbing of two teachers and a pupil in Wales.
Pupils at Amman Valley School, also known as Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, in Carmarthenshire, went into lockdown just after 11.20am on Wednesday after the stabbing at the end of morning break.
The three people who were treated for stab wounds were taken to hospital but have since been released. Read more
Parents speak after daycare worker allegedly ‘beat’ infant to death (People)
The parents of a 5-month-old baby who died while in his daycare are reeling from the alleged abuse he suffered and urging other parents to “ask all the questions” if they feel their baby is being treated without proper care.
Brayden Paul Robertson died at just 5 months old on March 25 after he was dropped off at his daycare in Demopolis, Ala., according to WSFA.
On that day, his mother Taylor says she was notified that her son was “unresponsive” at the daycare and had a co-worker drive her there in three minutes, per the outlet. Read more
50 Cent slams Joe Biden for tax increase proposal (HipHopDx)
50 Cent has been a vocal critic of Joe Biden for some time, and a new bid by the sitting president certainly isn’t swaying his opinion.
President Biden has proposed raising capital gains rates by 44.6% for those with a taxable income north of $1 million and investment earnings over $400,000.
This would presumably apply to the G-Unit boss, who owns a number of successful businesses in addition to boasting a decorated music catalog — and who was quick to disapprove of the plan. Read more
Louis Tomlinson has fans ‘screaming’ and ‘crying’ as he releases unexpected album (Mirror)
Louis Tomlinson appears to have broken the internet by surprising fans with an unexpected album, a collection of 15 songs recorded in different cities over the past three years
Louis Tomlinson’s impressive music has once again sent fans wild.
The chart-topper has today announced a brand new album following days of speculation. Tomlinson, 32, has had fans involved in a global puzzle over the past few days, with secret locations across the world revealing hidden messages. But more information has since been released and fans struggled to contain their excitement. Read more
Asylum seeker guilty of murdering pensioner in street ‘in revenge for Gaza’ (Independent)
A Moroccan asylum seeker who said he was inspired by “revenge” for the Israel-Hamas conflict has been convicted of murdering a pensioner out walking in the street.
Ahmed Alid, 45, stabbed Terence Carney, 70, six times in Hartlepool town centre early on October 15 – eight days after Hamas attacked Israel.
Minutes earlier, at around 5am, he had broken into the bedroom of his housemate, Christian convert and former body builder Javed Nouri, and hacked at him while he slept. Read more
Man who fatally shot ex-Saints star Will Smith after a car crash gets 25 years in prison (NBC)
The man who fatally shot retired NFL star Will Smith during a confrontation following a car crash in 2016 received a 25-year prison sentence Thursday in a New Orleans courtroom.
It was the second time Cardell Hayes, 36, had faced sentencing in Smith’s death. He was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 and later sentenced to 25 years. But the jury vote had been 10-2 and the conviction was later tossed after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed such non-unanimous verdicts. After a new trial, Hayes was convicted by a unanimous jury in January.
In handing down the sentence, Judge Camille Buras acknowledged the strong support Hayes received from friends and family. But she noted that both Hayes and a companion were armed when they exited Hayes’ car after the crash, and that Smith was unarmed. Read more
Olowookere invites Boniface, 24 others to U-17 women’s camp (Punch)
Flamingos head coach Bankole Olowookere has invited young goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface and 24 other players to the camp of the national U-17 women’s team ahead of next month’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Burkina Faso.
The list has four goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and seven forwards.
Olowookere, who led the Flamingos to a first-ever World Cup bronze medal finish in India in 2022, saw his girls fire from all cylinders in a 12-0 rout of their counterparts from the Central African Republic over two legs in Douala and Abuja in the second round of the African qualifying series in February. Read more
WADA to launch independent review into Chinese swimmers’ doping case (AlJazeera)
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has asked an independent prosecutor to review its handling of a case where 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a prescription heart drug.
The organisation will also send a “compliance audit team” to China to “assess the current state of the country’s anti-doping program” run by anti-doping body CHINADA.
WADA has faced criticism since media reports revealed that the swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) – which can enhance performance – ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but were not sanctioned after WADA accepted the argument of Chinese authorities that the case was caused by food contamination. Read more
Spanish government to oversee football federation (BBC)
The Spanish government has formed a special committee that will oversee the country’s football federation (RFEF).
The committee will be in place until the governing body holds new elections following the scandal surrounding its former president, Luis Rubiales.
Rubiales was arrested earlier this month as part of a corruption investigation. Read more
CAF Champions League: TP Mazembe “fully prepared to defend its chances” in semi-final game (AfricaNews)
DR Congo’s TP Mazembe are on a mission to unseat the CAF Champions League defending champions al Ahly.
TP Mazembe were held in check durind the first leg of the semi-final on Saturday (Apr. 21).
After the squad’s training session in Cairo, Thursday (Apr. 25), midfielder Augustine Oladapo gave his impressions. Read more
Commanders select QB Jayden Daniels with No. 2 pick in NFL draft (WashingtonTimes)
Moments after the Chicago Bears as expected took USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, the Washington Commanders added their own signal-caller with the No. 2 pick — LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
Decked out in a baby blue suit and sporting stylish shades, Washington’s new quarterback hugged his family before embracing NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the stage.
The reigning SEC Player of the Year strutted to the stage in a Washington hat and flashed a smile while holding a Commanders’ jersey at the podium. On the red carpet, he said he was“excited to live my childhood dream. Read more
Thomas Frank gives Ivan Toney, Aaron Hickey update ahead of Everton clash (SportsMole)
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has provided an update on the injury status of Ivan Toney and Aaron Hickey ahead of Saturday’s away clash with Everton.
The Bees embarked on a five-game unbeaten run to move 10 points clear of the bottom three with just four matches left to play.
After being involved in three consecutive draws, Brentford claimed a 2-0 win against Sheffield United, before they eased to a dominant 5-1 victory against Luton Town. Read more