One killed as gunmen attack Lagos chairmanship aspirant (Punch)
Gunmen have shot dead 54-year-old Ifeanyi Godfrey during an attack on the office of an All Progressive Congress chairmanship aspirant in the Ijede area of Ikorodu Lagos State, Oluwatosin Onamade.
PUNCH Metro gathered Oluwatosin and his workers, including his brother, Oluwafemi, were at the office when the gunmen suddenly stormed the premises and started shooting.
It was learnt that Godfrey was gunned down during the attack, while others sustained bullet wounds and Oluwafemi was beaten unconscious and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Oluwatosin said, “I am a chairmanship aspirant and I was in the office when the hoodlums came with guns and cutlasses and vandalised my property at my office, Western Funeral Home Limited, and killed one of my domestic workers, Ifeanyi Godfrey. He was shot in the head. The hoodlums were about 35 and also beat my brother to a state of unconsciousness. So, we rushed him to the Ijede General Hospital.” Read more
Lagos Uber, Bolt drivers commence strike today (Independent)
The Professional e-Hailing Drivers and Private-Owners Association (PEDPA), has concluded arrangement to commence strike in Lagos today (Monday) due to harsh operating condition in the state.
The embattled drivers said they would withdraw their vehicles for Lagos roads for one week to enable them articulate their demands and meet them accordingly.
Comrade Idris-Shonuga Oluwaseun, the National President of the association, while speaking with newsmen in Lagos, expressed disgust over the hopeless situation of his members who labour hard to survive but rewarded with nothing meaningful.
He said over fifteen of his members have died recently while others have been wounded in the course of rendering professional services to the commuting public. Read more
Ramadan must not be in vain, says Sanwo-Olu (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged Muslim faithful to ensure the purpose of the Ramadan fasting is not in vain.
The governor spoke on Sunday at the Ramadan Tafsir held at the Lagos House in Ikeja. The theme was ‘Towards a Meaningful Life’.
Read Also; Use Ramadan to pray, work for peace, unity, Saraki tells Muslims
Sanwo-Olu called for concerted efforts, support and prayers for his administration to deliver on all promises made so the people can enjoy the dividends of democracy. Read more
Why Lagos is shutting down Opebi Road (PMNews)
The Lagos State Government has announced plan to close Opebi Road for the next stage of construction of the Collector Drain that will deflood the corridor for two weekends.
The closure of the road starts from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th of April and Friday 30th April to Sunday 2nd May, 2021.
The shutdown will therefore be partial, according to the government.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Transportation, and signed by the Commissioner, Dr Frederic Oladeinde explained that the next phase which had been indicated as the final stage by the Contractor would require introduction of Box Culvert across Opebi road by Chrisland School.
He explained that the first half of the culvert will commence next Friday night, 23rd and would be completed on Sunday 25th of April, while the second and final half of the culvert will start on Friday 30th April and finish on Sunday 2nd of May, 2021. Read more
FG to launch digital switchover in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said the federal government will roll out the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Lagos state on April 29, 2021, which could create one million jobs in the three years.
The minister who led the Ministerial Taskforce of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on DSO on a courtesy visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the DSO would lead to the creation of jobs in manufacturing of Set Top Box or decoder manufacturing, TV production, film production, distribution such as the supply of STBs, TVs and Dongles for the internet as well as TV and online advertising.
“The same transmission channel used to broadcast a single analogue programme could carry a multiplex of up to 20 digital programmes of equivalent quality and that explains why the DSO television platform, branded as FreeTV, offers its viewers about 60 digital channels, including sports, music, movies, and news,” he explained. Read more
Police arrest man for driving against traffic, assaulting cop (Guardian)
The Lagos State Police Command, at the weekend, arrested one Victor Ebhomenyen, 33, for allegedly driving against the traffic, assaulting and causing severe bodily injuries on an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Erhator Sunday, at Four Point By Sheraton Hotel, Oniru, Lagos State.
Police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that the command had deemed it necessary to react and set the record straight on the incident that was captured in a video that went viral on the social media on Saturday, April 17, where two men were repeatedly assaulting an officer on duty and creating a scene on the road at Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State.
“To set the record straight, on April 17, 2021, at around 10.30 am, one ASP Erhator Sunday and team attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the command, who were on a convoy movement to drop off policemen at their various beats across the state, blocked and stopped a white Hyundai SUV, MUS 251 EH facing the convoy on “one way,” driven by the suspect, Victor, at Four Point Hotel, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos State. Read more
Amotekun arrests herders, 250 cows over 300-hectare farm destruction (Punch)
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, on Sunday seized about 250 cows which allegedly destroyed 300-hectare farmland in Ipogun, Ilara Mokin and Owena Dan areas of Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.
The security outfit also apprehended two herders who accompanied the arrested cows into the farms.
It was gathered that crops such as cassava, cocoyam, plantain and maize were destroyed by the cows.
The state Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said the corps, on receiving a report on activities of the herders in the communities, mobilised to the area. Read more
Auchi Poly lecturer found dead in his office (ThisDay)
The Dean of Students’ Affairs of the Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State, Dr Shola Eshiobo, was yesterday found dead in his office.
According to a family source, who craved anonymity, the lifeless body of Eshiobo was discovered in his office yesterday morning.
He said the wife of the deceased raised the alarm that her husband did not return home after he left for the office last Saturday.
The family source said: “He went out on Saturday afternoon that he was going to the office to attend to some official matters. He normally goes to the office when he has so much to do. Read more
12 killed in Benue as tanker crashes, causes fire (Punch)
The Federal Road Safety Corps has confirmed that 12 corpses have been recovered from the scene of the tanker explosion that rocked Oshigbudu community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday.
The Sector Commander, FRSC, Yakubu Mohammed, who gave the figure, added that the casualty number might increase because many people were caught up in the explosion.
He said, “The corpses of eight male, three female and one male child were recovered.
“The number may be more, because some houses were gutted by fire and there were people inside.”
Earlier, an eyewitness disclosed that a full loaded tanker conveying fuel fell at the Oshigbudu-Obagaji junction and the content poured and flowed to a filling station in the Oweto area and caught fire. Read more
Amber Heard teases Aquaman return with throwback snap amid legal battle with Johnny Depp (Metro)
Amber Heard has teased that she will reprise her role in the second film in the Aquaman franchise. She tantalised fans when she posted a photo of her reading a book on the set of the first movie to Instagram and Twitter. The actress captioned the photo: ‘Before Aquaman took the last pages out of this book #gettingakindleforaquaman2 @aquamanmovie.’ Aquaman is based on DC comics of the same name, where a half-human, half-Atlantean goes on a quest to retrieve the legendary Trident of Atlan and protect the water world. Amber plays Mera, queen of the sea and wife of Aquaman. Read more
Whoopi Goldberg tells new cannabis mag she’ll launch another pot brand (PageSix)
Whoopi Goldberg is back in the pot game after her last cannabis business went up in smoke.
“The View” star appears on the inaugural cover of Black Cannabis Magazine, and sources tell us the star reveals she has a new cannabis startup in the works.
A source told Page Six: “In the issue, she’ll reveal Emma & Clyde, her new cannabis product line… launching soon in California. Emma & Clyde is named after Whoopi’s mother and brother, and includes edibles, pre-rolls, flower and accessories.”
The mag launches on April 20 (when else?) — also unofficially known as “National Weed Day.” The publication celebrates BIPOC contributions to the industry, and is from Haze Ent. Read more
George Floyd: Americans await verdict as Derek Chauvin trial enters final phase (France24)
A jury is to hear closing arguments on Monday in the trial of the white ex-police officer accused of murdering African-American George Floyd, a case that laid bare racial wounds in the United States and has come to be seen as a pivotal test of police accountability.
Derek Chauvin, a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis Police Department, faces a maximum of 40 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge — second-degree murder.
Chauvin was seen on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes as the 46-year-old Black man lay handcuffed facedown in the street complaining he “can’t breathe.”
The harrowing video, which was shown repeatedly to the jury during Chauvin’s three-week trial, sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality around the world. Read more
How black artists are breaking country music’s color barrier (NYPost)
When Nashville breakout Mickey Guyton gave a powerful performance of “Black Like Me” at the Grammys last month, it was a statement moment for her and all of the other African-American artists who are stomping across country music’s color lines.
No doubt — black artists such as Guyton, Kane Brown, Jimmie Allen and Nashville veteran Darius Rucker are leading a diversity movement in the traditionally white country-music industry. Look no further than the genre’s two biggest awards shows: After Rucker became only the second black artist to ever co-host the CMAs in November, Guyton will be the first African-American woman to co-host the Academy of Country Music Awards — with Keith Urban — on Sunday.
On top of that, the ACMs will feature a record five black acts performing. Guyton, Brown and Allen will all take the stage, as well as Americana duo the War and Treaty, while gospel star CeCe Winans will join Carrie Underwood for a special duet. Read more
Kanye West ‘annoyed’ fans think Kim Kardashian initiated divorce (PageSix)
Hitmaker Kanye West wants to be No. 1 — even in his divorce.
Sources tell us that the hip-hop star is “annoyed” at reports that say Kim Kardashian filed first in their split, and that she’s divorcing him.
We’re told West — who just responded to the papers filed by Kardashian two months ago — is “super annoyed that the story is being constantly presented as her divorcing him,” said the source, who noted the Kardashian family’s “huge spin machine.” Read more
Australia opens travel bubble with New Zealand (BBC)
Australian and New Zealand residents can travel freely between the two countries for the first time in more than year, after a travel bubble opened on Monday.
The long-awaited initiative removes the need for visitors to quarantine.
Both countries have contained Covid outbreaks and kept infection rates low, in large part due to hard borders.
Excited passengers crowded Australian airports ahead of reunions with family and friends. Read more
Prince Harry and Prince William met privately for hours amid rift: report (PageSix)
Prince Harry and his brother Prince William spent two hours together behind closed doors after their grandfather’s funeral on Saturday amid their long-standing rift, a report said.
The warring brothers were joined by their father, Prince Charles, at Windsor Castle after the Royal family laid Prince Philip to rest, a source told The Sun.
The communication between the three was described by a source as “unproductive,” but an insider told the news outlet that it could be seen as a step in the right direction amid the brotherly strife.
The feud was heightened following Harry and his wife Meghan Markle’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview. Read more
Iheanacho fires Leicester into FA Cup final (Punch)
Leicester reached the FA Cup final for the first time in 52 years as Kelechi Iheanacho’s solitary goal earned a 1-0 win over Southampton in front of 4,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday.
The biggest crowd for a football match in England for 13 months was made up of key workers and local residents as part of a test event for the return of fans in bigger numbers in the coming weeks.
An 8,000 crowd will be in attendance at Wembley next Sunday for the League Cup final between Manchester City and Tottenham, while 21,000 will welcome Leicester back to the home of English football for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 15.
There was little for the neutrals to get excited about on the field, though, as Leicester struggled to put away an out-of-sorts Southampton, who had been relying on Cup glory to save their season. Read more
Anything is possible, says Greenwood after Man Utd win to close gap on Man City (BBC)
Mason Greenwood says “anything is possible” in the title race after he scored twice to help Manchester United beat Burnley and close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City to eight points.
The 19-year-old saw his thumping opener after the break quickly cancelled out when James Tarkowski rose above Harry Maguire to level.
Greenwood put the hosts back in front six minutes from time with a fierce left-footed strike that deflected beyond goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the front post.
Edinson Cavani then tapped in from close range in stoppage time to wrap up the victory at Old Trafford. Read more
Zion Williamson ‘can’t lie’ about MSG lovefest in potential Knicks intrigue (NYPost)
Pelicans superstar Zion Williamson had just suffered a tough overtime loss to the Knicks — the Pelicans’ third straight. And the players were just chewed out by their head coach Stan Van Gundy for botching the final play of regulation while on defense.
But Williamson couldn’t help but crack a broad smile that could light up Broadway when asked what it was like playing his first NBA game at the Garden. Last season, Williamson had knee issues for the preseason and regular-season Garden matchups.
Williamson finished with 34 points in the loss, slightly getting the better of Julius Randle in the battle of power-forward heavyweights.
“I’m glad you asked that,’’ Williamson said, grinning. “New York is the mecca of basketball. I love playing here. I played here in college [at Duke]. This is my first time playing in the pros. This atmosphere, whether they’re cheering for you or booing you, it’s amazing. Outside of New Orleans, obviously, this might be my favorite place to play. I can’t lie to you.’’ Read more
Mayweather, Klitschko to help Joshua prepare against Fury (Punch)
Anthony Joshua has told Floyd Mayweather and Wladimir Klitschko they are ‘always welcome’ to help him prepare for his blockbuster heavyweight showdown against Tyson Fury.
WBA, IBF and WBO champion AJ’s undisputed showdown with WBC king Fury is set to be announced in the coming week after it was revealed it would take place in Saudi Arabia this summer.
And in preparation for the much-anticipated bout, boxing legend Mayweather revealed was he was looking forward to working with the Watford-born boxer.
“I look forward to working with Joshua real soon, we talk all the time’, Mayweather told the Disruptive Entrepreneur Podcast. Read more
Nets lose heartbreaker as Kevin Durant worry emerges (NYPost)
Brooklyn lost Kevin Durant on Sunday in Miami. Then it lost a heartbreaker.
The Nets blew a six-point lead in the final three minutes, and saw Bam Adebayo’s step-back shot rattle around and in to beat the buzzer — and them.
For the Nets, it ended up a 109-107 defeat at AmericanAirlines Arena, on an afternoon they may rue for some time.
Landry Shamet had a career-high 30 points and Kyrie Irving added 20 for the Nets (38-19), who lost Durant with a left thigh contusion in the first quarter. Read more
12 European football clubs launch ‘Super League’ despite wave of criticism (France24)
Twelve of Europe’s biggest clubs on Monday said they planned to launch a breakaway Super League, despite the threat of an international ban for them and their players.
The move sets up a rival to UEFA’s established Champions League competition and was condemned by football authorities and political leaders.
Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus are among the leading members of the new league but UEFA has threatened to ban them from domestic and international competition and vowed to fight the move.
French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson both issued statements condemning a breakaway and supporting UEFA’s position. Read more
LeBron James, Lakers won’t visit Biden, White House during Washington trip (NYPost)
The streak of NBA champions skipping a White House visit will continue — for now, at least.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers won’t see President Biden when the team travels to Washington, DC, later this month for a game against the Wizards, according to multiple reports, which state the team hasn’t ruled out a future visit.The league’s COVID-19 protocols and a scheduling crunch will prevent the team from visiting, ESPN and USA Today reported, as the Lakers play in Orlando on April 26 before their game in DC on April 28, followed by a long flight back home for a game against Sacramento on April 30. Read more