NDLEA intercepts N2bn drugs at Lagos airport (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted illicit drugs worth over N2bn at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The Head of the MMIA Command of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Garba, said the suspected trafficker, Bright Aniede, was arrested on Sunday, March 28, 2021, during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Marroc.
He alleged that Aniede concealed 7.1 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine in food spices, packed in a Swiss polo suitcase.
Garba, in a statement, said the illicit substance was bound for Spain with a street value of over N2bn. Read more
Lagos local elections will hold at appropriate time – APC (Sun)
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted allegations that plans are underway to scuttle council polls, insisting that the state would soon conduct free and fair local government elections.
A statement by the party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, indictated that the APC believes in the rule of law, upholds the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the tenets of democracy, and assured Lagosians that local government elections will hold in the state at the appropriate time.
The spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Taofeek Gani, had alleged that despite the fact that the tenure of the council caretaker chairmen would expire in three months, the APC plans to extend their terms and delay local government elections. Read more
Lagos accounts for 12.15% as states debts hit N4.2t (Punch)
The total states and Federal Capital Territory domestic debt profile hit N4.2t with Lagos State accounting for 12.15 per cent of the debt stock as of the end of 2020.
According to the report by the National Bureau of Statistics in its report on ‘Nigerian domestic and foreign debt (Q4, 2020) on Monday, Jigawa State had the least debt stock in this category with a contribution of 0.74 per cent.
Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Anambra had N89.12bn (2.13 per cent), N98.9bn (2.36 per cent), N230.8bn and N59.97bn, while Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue and Borno had N102.8bn, N144.13bn, N126.12bn and N89.05bn respectively. Read more
Yoruba groups in Diaspora insist on self-determination (Guardian)
A coalition of over 174 Yoruba groups in the Diaspora, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has said that it is still committed to the agitation to actualise the O’odua Republic.
The groups, which restated the agenda through a virtual meeting titled: “Dealing With Critical Fault-Lines of a Failed Federation: Is It To Unbundle or Restructure the Leviathan?” insisted that the call for self-determination remained the last option for the Yoruba nation.
The conference, held for over four hours, involved speakers like Prof. Akin Alao; the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams; General Secretary, YOV, Dr. Sina Okanlomo; Prof. Olufemi Oluyeju, Prof. Kolawole Raheem, Prof. Kehinde Yusuf, Prof. Seun Kolade, Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Basorun Akin Osuntokun, Adedapo Adesanmi, Olori Oluwakemi Adedipe, Mrs. Omoladun Orolugbagbe, Tokunbo Soyinka, Bamidele Seteolu and others. Read more
Buhari to depart Nigeria for London on medical trip (Guardian)
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will leave the country on Tuesday for a medical trip in the United Kingdom, the presidency said on Monday.
Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu in a tweet said Buhari will proceed “to London, the United Kingdom, Tuesday, March 30, 2021, for a routine medical check-up.”
Before departing Nigeria, Shehu said Buhari will meet with Security Chiefs first in the morning, after which he embarks on the journey.
Buhari: Nigeria better, stronger as one indivisible nation (ThisDay)
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday canvassed the need for Nigeria to remain as an indivisible entity despite its diversity, saying that way, it will be a better and stronger nation.
The president also dismissed agitation for breaking up Nigeria and restated his administration’s commitment to keeping the country as one.
Buhari, in a speech he delivered virtually at a colloquium in Kano to mark the 69th birthday anniversary of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, described the celebrant as a consistent advocate of unity and cohesion in the country. Read more
“CBN’s interventions total 3.5% of GDP” (Guardian)
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), yesterday, said its cumulative interventions in critical sectors of the economy were over 3.5 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP as at the first quarter of this year.
Speaking during the CBN Special Day at the ongoing Enugu International Trade Fair in the capital, the governor, Godwin Emefiele, noted that intervening in households and businesses was part of the measures the apex bank took to stabilise the economy at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
He also mentioned the Information Communications Technology (ICT) sector as a significant source of resilience that mitigated the impact of the virus on the economy, stressing that the industry contributed over 17.8 per cent to the GDP by the end of 2020. Read more
Man, 24, docked over theft of N25,000 phone (DailyTrust)
A man, Ajayi Olamide, 24, has been arraigned at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court for stealing a phone.
The police prosecutor, Inspector Oriyomi Akinwale, told the court Monday that Olamide, stole one Itel P33 Phone valued at N25,000.
He said the phone belonged to one Ajewole Isaac, adding that the offence is contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State of Nigeria, 2021.
The magistrate, Mrs. Module Osundina, however, granted the defendant bail of N50,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to May 6, 2021. Read more
Okowa appoints 12 Permanent Secretaries, Auditor-General, others (Vanguard)
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Monday appointed 12 Permanent Secretaries for the Delta State Civil Service, Post Primary Education Board and the Hospital Management Board.
The Governor also appointed Bruno Ebitonmo as the Auditor-General (Local Government), Mr Nosa Idenedo Okoh as General Manager, Delta State Urban Water Corporation and Mr Unuafe Oghale as General Manager, Delta State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, STOWASSA.
The State Government in a statement issued by the State Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, said: “the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved the appointment of twelve (12) Permanent Secretaries for the Delta State Civil Service, Post Primary Education Board and the Hospital Management Board as follows: Read more
Nike sues Brooklyn company over ‘Satan Shoes’ in bid to salvage brand from critics (RT)
Lawyers for Nike have filed a trademark infringement lawsuit in a US federal court against the Brooklyn-based company MSCHF, after backlash over the controversial ‘Satan Shoes’ made using its design – which have already sold out.
A lawsuit citing trademark infringement and dilution, false designation of origin, and unfair competition was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Monday afternoon.
Nike sought a preliminary and permanent ban of MSCHF (“mischief”) from “manufacturing, transporting, promoting, advertising, publicizing, distributing, offering for sale, or selling any products” under Nike’s marks or “any marks substantially indistinguishable therefrom,” along with monetary damages. Read more
Hong Kong: China to pass ‘patriot’ electoral reforms (BBC)
China is expected on Tuesday to finalise changes to Hong Kong’s electoral rules, which critics say will tighten its control over the city.
The aim of the changes is to ensure that only “patriotic” figures can run for positions of power.
Critics warn it would mean the end of democracy in Hong Kong, keeping any opposition out of the city parliament.
The move would mean that any prospective MPs would first be vetted for their loyalty to the mainland. Read more
Prominent black MP told he’s ‘not English’ by ‘racist’ caller on live radio (Metro)
A black frontbench politician has been told he is ‘not English’ live on national radio, despite being born in the country. A caller named Jean repeatedly insisted that David Lammy was ‘African Caribbean’, while claiming that he was British but ‘would never be English’. She also suggested that people are being ‘polluted’ by the ‘way the whole world is going’. Monday’s exchange provoked horrified reactions on social media, with various high-profile critics branding the comments racist. Read more
Mafia fugitive reportedly busted after being seen in YouTube cooking videos (NYPost)
He was caught red-sauce-handed.
A Mafia fugitive has been caught in his Caribbean hideaway — after being spotted in YouTube cooking videos he made with his wife, Italian police said Monday.
Marc Feren Claude Biart, 53, had been on the run since 2014, when Italian prosecutors ordered his arrest for alleged cocaine trafficking for the Cacciola clan of the ‘Ndrangheta Mafia, Agence France-Presse said.
He managed to lead a quiet life in Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic — until he showed off his Italian cooking skills on a YouTube channel, police said, according to the news agency. Read more
Brazil’s foreign and defense ministers resign amid coronavirus surge and US pressure – reports (RT)
Two key members of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s cabinet have resigned. Defense Minister Fernando Azevedo e Silva gave no reason for departure, while Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo faced backlash from the parliament.
Hours after Araujo’s resignation was reported in the media – but not officially confirmed by Alvorada Palace – Azevedo e Silva announced he would be stepping down “knowing the mission was accomplished” and thanking Bolsonaro for the opportunity to serve.
While Azevedo’s resignation came as somewhat of a surprise, Araujo’s was more or less expected, after leaders of both chambers of Brazil’s National Congress criticized him for failing to secure vaccines against the coronavirus for some 200 million Brazilians. Read more
Derek Chauvin trial: George Floyd ‘slowly fading away’ during police arrest (BBC)
A witness has told of the last harrowing minutes of George Floyd’s life on the opening day of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white American policeman accused of killing him.
Donald Williams III, a witness for the prosecution, said Mr Floyd was “slowly fading away” during the nine minutes Mr Chauvin kneeled on his back and neck.
Mr Chauvin’s lawyer argued his use of force was “unattractive but necessary”.
This trial is being seen by many as a pivotal moment in US race relations. Read more
Pharrell’s cousin killed by police amid Virginia Beach mass shooting chaos (NYPost)
The man who was shot dead by police during a Friday night melee in Virginia Beach was a cousin of Pharrell Williams, the musician said.
Donovan Lynch, of Virginia Beach, 25, was shot and killed by a uniformed police officer a block away from a shooting that injured eight people.
Police said Lynch was armed and may have been part of the original fight.
Pharrell, who is a Virginia Beach native, tweeted the news Monday. Read more
Nigeria vs Lesotho: Lagos to shut Teslim Balogun Stadium roads for 12 hours, Tuesday (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to shut all vehicular movement around the Teslim Balogun Stadium from 10.00am to 10.00pm on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 for the live football match between the Super Eagles and Lesotho.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, the closure was necessary to effectively manage traffic better and tighten security at the stadium, assuring that provisions have been made to manage traffic along the axis for the 12 hours period.
In line with this development, motorists were advised to avoid movement around the stadium from 10.00am. Traffic approaching Teslim Balogun from Ojuelegba and Alaka/Eric Moore can only pass through the flyover.
The statement further explained that only vehicles with VVIP stickers or tickets would be allowed to approach the stadium and park, also vehicles conveying persons with VVIP tickets would be permitted to drive into the Teslim Balogun Stadium. Read more
Malawi beat Uganda to make Cup of Nations finals (BBC)
Malawi beat Uganda 1-0 in their final Group B qualifying match for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations – putting themselves through and sending the Cranes out.
Uganda only needed a draw from the game in Blantyre, but came away defeated thanks to Richard Mbulu’s 15th minute goal.
Instead it is Malawi who are celebrating making it to the finals in Cameroon in 2022 – only the third time they have ever qualified for the competition.
The result caps a miserable run for east African countries in qualifying, with Kenya and Tanzania also missing out. Read more
Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson injury came too late in Andre Drummond sweepstakes (NYPost)
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson’s broken foot came too late in the Andre Drummond sweepstakes to matter, according to NBA sources.
Drummond already had his heart set on the Lakers. Things had moved too far along by late Saturday night for him to back out of what had become a verbal commitment to the Lakers, though he didn’t clear waivers until 5 p.m. Sunday.
“Andre wasn’t coming to NYC once the Lakers got that serious,” one NBA source said.
Drummond, the former UConn star, is looking to win a title and considers LeBron James one of his idols. Read more
Sergio Aguero to leave Manchester City at end of season (BBC)
Record goalscorer Sergio Aguero will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, the club has announced.
The 32-year-old striker’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has been told it will not be renewed.
The Argentine, who signed from Atletico Madrid in 2011, has scored 257 goals in 384 appearances for the club.
“With the guidance of the owners and the contributions of many players, we earned a place among the greatest of the world,” Aguero said.
He will be honoured by a statue at Etihad Stadium, alongside title-winning captain Vincent Kompany and influential playmaker David Silva, who left the club in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Read more
RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate responds to Liverpool transfer link (Metro)
RB Leipzig centre-back Ibrahima Konate insists he is not distracted after being linked with a move to Liverpool. On Monday, reports claimed that the Premier League champions are on the verge of reaching an agreement to sign the 21-year-old at the end of the season. It’s understood that Liverpool, whose campaign has been hit with long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, are willing to pay the £34 million release clause in the French defender’s contract. Konate is currently with France’s squad for their European Under-21 Championship campaign, which kicked off with the group stage during the international break. Read more
Miami Open: Naomi Osaka and Ashleigh Barty through to quarters (BBC)
Japanese second seed Naomi Osaka extended her winning streak to a 23rd match as she moved into the Miami Open quarter-finals for the first time.
Osaka, whose unbeaten run includes claiming the US Open and Australian Open titles, won 6-3 6-3 against Belgium’s 16th seed Elise Mertens.
Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty also advanced by beating 14th seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Barty won 6-1 1-6 6-2 in a gripping contest with the 2020 US Open finalist. Read more
Paddy Pimblett officially signs with UFC (Metro)Paddy Pimblett is finally a UFC fighter with the ‘The Baddy’ targeting a takeover of the world’s biggest MMA promotion. The 26-year-old bears a closer resemblance to Jay off The Inbetweeners than your typical MMA fighter. But for the last six years, has been building a reputation as perhaps the best fighter outside of the UFC, winning championships and selling out arenas with Cage Warriors, the London-based promotion that includes Conor McGregor and Michael Bisping among its alumni. The scouser marked the end of his time with the promotion with a submission victory over David Martinez two weeks ago. When news of his contract with Dana White’s giant being signed, sealed and delivered came through a few days later, there’s wasn’t so much shock and awe. More of a question of, what took you so long? Read more
