NEMA: 168 persons escape death in Sango police barracks, Ibadan building collapse (Tribune)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that no fewer than 168 residents and passersby escaped death as a building collapsed inside Sango Police barracks, Ibadan, on Saturday.
This was disclosed by the Zonal Coordinator, South West of NEMA, Saheed Akinyode, during an on-the-spot assessment on Sunday.
According to him, two cars, 3 motorcycles and five generators were damaged under the rubbles, adding that the affected two-storey building, marked Block Eleven and NPF/OYS/193 was over 100 years old. Read more
Ondo’s first female speaker welcomes child at 54 (DailyTrust)
The first female speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon Jumoke Akindele Ajulo, has recently delivered her first child at 54. It was gathered through congratulatory messages that thronged her social media page that the politician has given birth to a bundle of joy.
It was gathered that the speaker gave birth on Saturday. She represented Okitipupa Constituency 1 and was elected Speaker between May 2014 and March 2017.
One of the messages posted on her social media page by a friend read, “First Female Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, got delivered of a baby yesterday.
“Her first baby!! GOD IS INDEED AWESOME!! Congratulations, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele. My own darling big sister.” Read more
Eko Rice sale begins May, says Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has said its commercial sale of Eko Rice from Imota Rice Mill will begin by the end of April.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Rice Mill Initiative, Dr Oluwarotimi Fashola, stated this during the signing of an agreement with the Lagos Commodities and Future Exchange.
A statement by the Director, Public Affairs Ministry of Agriculture, Nike Sodipo, said the signing ceremony, held at Alausa, makes Lagos State the first sub-national to move from infrastructure finance through the capital market to commodities finance, with the objective of becoming the major hub for commodities trading for agricultural products in Africa. Read more
Why Lagos is developing primary health care, by commissioner (Nation)
Lagos State Health Commissioner Prof. Akin Abayomi has explained why the state has continued to prioritise the primary health care system.
He said: “It is preventive. We should practise prevention rather than cure.”
Abayomi spoke during the inauguration and handing over of an 80-bed primary health centre at Ojota to the state government.
The project, located near Ojota Primary School, was facilitated by the outgoing House of Representatives member, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye. Read more
Tinubu hails Olupona, Pate over election into American Academy of Arts, Sciences (ThisDay)
The President-elect, Asíwájú Bola Tinubu, has congratulated two Nigerian academics in the United States, Professors Jacob Olupona and Dr. Mohammed Pate, over their election into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Olupona and Pate were among the 269 outstanding individuals recently announced as new Fellows of the prestigious Academy.
Tinubu, in a statement issued by his office on Sunday and signed by Tunde Rahman, commended Olupona, a Professor in the field of Religious Studies, for his outstanding contributions to knowledge production and humanity. Read more
Matawalle reinstates Emir suspended for turbanning bandit kingpin (Guardian)
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has approved the reinstatement of the Emir of Yandoto, Aliyu Marafa, who was suspended for conferring a traditional title on a bandits’ commander.
In July 2022, the monarch, in a well-publicised ceremony, bestowed the traditional title of Sarki Fulani on Ado Aleiro, one of the bandits’ commanders in the state.
The Emir asserted that he decided to give the title to the kingpin as part of the peace-building effort by his emirate. Read more
Sudan conflict: Govt seeks Egypt’s support to rescue 5,500 Nigerians by road (Punch)
The Federal Government is making preparations to evacuate about 5,500 stranded Nigerians out of Sudan through the Egyptian town of Luxor, The PUNCH gathered on Sunday.
It was gathered that the Federal Government was seeking Egypt’s support so that the stranded Nigerians could be moved to Luxor.
The Director of Special Duties of the National Emergency Management Agency, who doubles as Chairman of NEMA’s Committee for the Evacuation of the Stranded Nigerians from Sudan, Dr Onimode Bandele, said the Federal Government was meeting with government officials in Egypt on how to move Nigerians out of Sudan through Egypt. Read more
Sudan Crisis: Remain indoors, FG tells Nigerian students (DailyTrust)
The Federal Republic of Nigeria has insisted that Nigerian students in Sudan should remain indoors while it continues making arrangements for their safe evacuation from the troubled country.
A statement from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Khartoum, signed by H.Y Garko for Charge D’ Affairs on Sunday advised the students to disregard the notice circulated by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Sudan, calling on students to converge at the African International University, NANSS office and El-Razi University, for evacuation or to bring $100 or $200 for evacuation.
“As the Embassy had earlier informed students, you are therefore requested to stay calm and remain indoors while the embassy is working on final approval to commence evacuation,” it said. Read more
Diplomats and foreign nationals evacuated from Sudan (BBC)
A growing list of countries have evacuated diplomats and citizens from Sudan’s capital as fierce fighting continues to rage in Khartoum.
The US and UK announced on Sunday they had flown diplomats out of the country.
France, Germany, Italy and Spain are among other nations that also carried out evacuations. A vicious power struggle between the regular army and a powerful paramilitary force has led to violence across the country. Read more
Exes Ashanti and Nelly fuel romance rumors after holding hands at Davis-Garcia fight in Vegas (People)
Fans of Ashanti and Nelly were no doubt thrilled to see video circulate on social media over the weekend, suggesting that the longtime on-again, off-again couple might have been spotted out on a date.
The two musicians showed up in Las Vegas on Saturday night to watch the sold-out Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia boxing match at T-Mobile Arena and looked cozy seated ringside next to each other. And later, Nelly, 48, and Ashanti, 42, were seen holding hands in video footage captured after the fight.
Ashanti and Nelly’s romance has long been something of a mystery, as well as a source of gossip for fans, as both have played coy in the press over the years whether they are actually together or just friends. Read more
Usher confessed that he’d love to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show (Uproxx)
Usher is among the most revered R&B singers of the past few decades. But, even with his career spanning thirty years, there are still a few things the “Glu” singer has unmarked on his professional bucket list. The musician’s Las Vegas residency is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to showcasing his beloved discography.
During an interview with Access Hollywood, Usher threw his hat in the ring to be the next Super Bowl Halftime Show. When asked if he’d be open to it, Usher replied, “I’d be a fool to say no.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to grace the stage before in support [performing] ‘OMG’ with Will.I.Am, but that was one moment,” said Usher. Read more
Hayley Hasselhoff joins Hollywood ‘‘nepo baby’’ discussion (NYPost)
Hayley Hasselhoff has joined the ongoing debate about Hollywood’s “nepo babies” after saying that the children of celebrities deserve recognition for their own successes.
Hasselhoff — daughter of “Baywatch” stars David Hasselhoff and Pamela Bach — told The Daily Mail last month that her career came from years of hard work and dedication despite her parent’s attempts to dissuade her from becoming an actor.
“It’s difficult because at the end of the day, everybody’s journey is going to be different,” Hasselhoff, 30, said. “So you can’t compare everybody’s journey on how they got into the industry if they are a nepo baby, or however you call it.” Read more
Zendaya joins Labrinth for surprise performance at Coachella 2023 (EW)
Zendaya made a surprise return to the stage for the first time in nearly eight years at Coachella 2023 this weekend.
The Emmy winner joined performer Labrinth for weekend 2 of the music and arts festival Saturday to perform their Emmy-nominated song “I’m Tired” as well as “All of Us” from their HBO hit series Euphoria.
Zendaya thanked Labrinth for giving her “the most beautiful space to be on a stage again” in an Instagram story shared after the set. “I cannot express my gratitude enough for this magical night,” she wrote. “Thank you to my brother Labrinth for inviting me and giving me the most beautiful safe space to be on a stage again. My heart is so full. I can’t thank you enough for the love I received tonight, it made all my nerves melt away.” Read more
Bono explains why The Beatles are “untouchable” (FarOut)
As the lead vocalist of U2, Bono has enjoyed a hugely successful career, winning 22 Grammys and earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Irish rock band released their first album, Boy, in 1980, before finding their first UK number-one record with War three years later. After a few years of recording and touring, U2 were an internationally acclaimed act.
Throughout his career, Bono has frequently discussed one of his biggest musical influences, The Beatles, who he once described as his “earliest memory of music”. Taking to U2’s website, Bono wrote a fan letter to the beloved Liverpudlian band, stressing the significance of the first time he heard ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’ when he was three years old. He wrote: “I associate the song with the smell of freshly cut grass as I was lying on my back on the damp green patch after my Dad had cut the lawn.”
He added: “It was the spring of 1964… the song on the radio felt like life force… like I was for the first time conscious that I was alive and that being alive was a really, really great idea!” The musician also claimed, “In my head it felt like the universe was singing to me directly… and I still feel that now when listening to most of your songs.” Read more
Kenya cult deaths: 21 bodies found in investigation into ‘‘starvation cult’’ (BBC)
Kenyan police have exhumed 21 bodies near the coastal town of Malindi, as they investigate a preacher said to have told followers to starve to death.
Dead children were among those exhumed, and police said they expected to find even more bodies.
The shallow graves are in Shakahola forest, where 15 members of the Good News International Church were rescued last week.
Preacher Paul Mackenzie Nthenge is in custody, pending a court appearance. Read more
Tornadoes, 3SC claim massive wins over Abia Warriors, Gombe Utd (DailyTrust)
Niger Tornadoes and 3SC recorded massive victories yesterday after they thrashed Abia Warriors and Gombe United 3-0 respectively in MatchDay 15 of the ongoing Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) abridged season.
In Kaduna where Niger Tornadoes are playing their home matches, the host benefited from junior international Munir Idris’ brace and David Okoroma’s goal to beat Abia Warriors 3-0 and improve their chances of qualifying for the Super 6 playoff.
After a barren first half, Idris opened the scoring in the 54th minute and doubled Tornadoes lead after two minutes before Okoromo sealed victory with the third in the 76th minute. Read more
Newcastle routs Tottenham 6-1, boosts Champions League hopes (DailyMail)
Newcastle stunned Tottenham in a 6-1 rout in the Premier League on Sunday. Read more
Botched Germany trip forces Eaglets to pick Constantine for final build up (Guardian)
Nigeria’s 26-man squad were scheduled to arrive the Algerian city of Constantine, yesterday, to begin their final preparations for this year’s Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.
The team was earlier scheduled to have their final build-up to the competition in Germany, but visa hitches forced the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to send the squad earlier than scheduled to Algeria for the final build-up.
According to the NFF, the team will now start training tomorrow in Constantine, where they will also play their Group B matches against Morocco, Zambia and South Africa. Read more
Runners throng Abuja International Marathon Expo to collect kits (Independent)
Marathon enthusiasts from within and outside the Federal Capital Territory daily throng The Pavilion, the venue of the ongoing Abuja International Marathon Expo to collect their running kits in readiness for the first international marathon in Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Expo began last Friday and registered runners from neighbouring states like Kogi State, Niger State, Nasarawa State, Kaduna State and others were at the Expo venue The Pavilion to collect their kits.
Members of the diplomatic community were not left out as residents in the seat of power FCT and other parts of Nigeria want to be part of the race. Read more
Hammers trounce Cherries to ease relegation fears (RTE)
Declan Rice scored again to help West Ham end the perfect week with a vital 4-0 win at Bournemouth to boost their survival chances.
The Hammers fought back from two down to draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal last Sunday and followed it up with a 4-1 victory over Gent on Thursday to book their spot in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
Relegation remained a distinct possibility for David Moyes’ side though, but they eased those concerns with a clinical display where first-half goals by Michail Antonio, Lucas Paqueta and Rice put them in control. Read more
Struggling Rune saves 4 match points to win 2nd straight Munich title (France24)
Holger Rune shrugged off injury and saved four match points in a dramatic third set fightback to defeat Botic van de Zandschulp and claim a second straight ATP Munich title on Sunday.
Rune prevailed 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/3) in a rematch of last year’s decider in Munich which he won when Van de Zandschulp retired with chest pains when leading in the opening set.
Top seeded Rune took the first set comfortably but was blown away in the second. Read more
McLaren engineers fired ‘brutal’ warning as sackings are on the way (F1News)
Former Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley has warned that McLaren’s new technical team could find themselves “dead in the water” if a “weak link” is detected amongst the new line-up, with the Woking-based team having overhauled their technical department.
After making a dreadful start to the 2023 F1 season, McLaren CEO Zak Brown decided that immediate change was needed, with the American having informed team principal Andrea Stella to rip up their entire technical department.
As a result, James Key was axed from his technical director role at McLaren, with the new role now being carried out by three people instead of one. Read more
