Osinbajo joins presidential race, meets 12 APC governors (Punch)
After months of speculation and consultation, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday joined the presidential race ahead of the primary of the All Progressives Congress which comes up next month.
Osinbajo at a dinner he hosted at the Presidential Villa for the breaking of Ramadan fast (Iftar), the Vice-President informed the APC governors of his plan to succeed his boss, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), whose tenure as President ends in 13 months’ time.
It was learnt that no fewer than 12 APC governors out of the 23 were present at the meeting.
Some of the governors present include: Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Babagana Zulum (Borno) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). Read more
More victims of Kaduna train attack appear in new video (Guardian)
A series of videos obtained yesterday by HumAngle of the March 28 Kaduna train attack has shown victims, surrounded by their armed abductors in a vast expanse of forest area, pleading with the government to act.
In one of the latest clips notably different from the one released a week ago, about 15 of the terrorists were lined horizontally behind their captives, holding rifles and dressed in non-combat gears, with turbans covering their faces.
The emergence of the videos supports growing evidence of the activities of terrorism in the Northwest, similar to those in the Lake Chad region. The Kaduna train, as this latest video revealed, was carried out by terrorists rather than by mere bandits.
According to the online medium, the terrorists have reached out to the government with their demands towards facilitating the process of getting their demands met. Though the demands have not yet been independently verified, it was gathered that one of the the demands is the release of certain individuals associated with the group in several detention centres in the country. Read more
‘10,985 Lagos residents receiving bi-monthly stipends’ (Punch)
The Lagos State government has partnered with the World Bank to provide income for over 10,000 residents of Lagos.
The state Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke, made this known at a meeting with stakeholders in the state on the National Social Safety Nets Project.
She said, “I am elated to disclose to this gathering that the receipt of this bi-monthly stipends by 10,985 Lagos State beneficiaries has impacted greatly on them because it has smoothened the household consumption, improved school enrolment and attendance, encourage financial and asset acquisition, as well as group formation and savings through SGM trainings, stepped down at the targeted LGAs.
“We are aware that according to the design of this programme, the current phase of the implementation would be brought to a close in June, 2022. Read more
Teni gifts SUV for mother of three (Nation)
Popular singer Teniola Apata aka Teni The Entertainer has gifted a mother of three 2010 Acura MDX SUV.
The Nation exclusively gathered the beneficiary, Mrs Kehinde, was presented the vehicle at her Isolo home in Lagos on Saturday.
A source hinted Pastor Lola Onadepo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Prosperity Assembly, Isolo branch, announced Teni’s benevolent act during the service on Sunday.
Pastor Onadepo, narrating how it happened, said Teni called to ask if there was any member who had children and needed a jeep, asking she should share the address of such member. Read more
WAEC condemns govt, stakeholders reaction on sanction of candidates, schools (Sun)
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has condemned the reactions of some state governments and stakeholders questioning sanctions meted on erring candidates, schools, and persons involved in examination malpractice.
However, the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) has vowed to continue to sanction candidates, schools and persons involved in exam fraud, no matter whose Ox is gored.
The council took the decision at the 73rd meeting of NEC held in Lagos from Thursday, 7th to Friday, 8th April 2022.
The communique of NEC meeting signed by the acting Head, Public Affairs, Mrs. Moyosola Adeyegbe, stated that WAEC should be allowed to continue the job of providing quality assessment to the Nigerian child without any hindrance. Read more
Gunmen raze Imo commissioner’s house, destroy father’s residence (DailyTrust)
Gunmen have set the residence of the Commissioner for Justice and the Attorney General of Imo State, Cyprian Akaolisa, on fire.
The assailants also destroyed his father’s house in Obibi, Awo-Idemili, Orsu Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement, the Commissioner decried the attacks, wondering what the grievance against him and his father were all about.
“The Igbos are hardworking people who through their years of toils put up structures and leave developmental strides in their communities of Origin maka “akụ ruo ụlọ, a mara onye nwe ya.”Read more
Don tasks parents, youths to end ungodliness conduct, inhumanity to man (Independent)
Dr Afis Ayinde Oladosu, a Professor of Middle Eastern, North African and Cultural Studies, Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, the University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria, on Sunday tasked parents and youths to desist from promoting the raging and sickening level of inhumanity and ungodliness in all parts of the country.
Prof. Oladosu spoke during the annual Ramadan lecture organised by the Tahjud Youth Forum in collaboration with the Tahjud Congregation Oluwole Ogba Central Mosque at the mosque auditorium.
Speaking on the theme of the Ramadan lecture, “Retracing the Path: The Youth, the Madness and Islamic Panacea”, Prof Oladosu said the breakdown of orderliness and shortfall in moral conduct has no justification and excuses.
He condemned the ills in society where youths engage in ritual killings, fraud, yahoo yahoo and charged parents to retrace their steps and correct the widespread insanity. Read more
Bandits invade Abuja council, gun down Miyetti Allah chairman (DailyTrust)
Bandits have invaded Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja and shot dead the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) of the council, Adamu Aliyu.
Adamu Aliyu was said to have been killed alongside four others near Daku village in Dobi ward of the council on Thursday.
Secretary of MACBAN, Mohammed Usman, who confirmed the incident to our reporter on Sunday, said three persons were abducted, while three others who sustained gunshot wounds are receiving treatment at the University of Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada.
He said the incident happened last Thursday, around 5 pm, when the late MACBAN chairman alongside others were returning from Izom market in Niger state in a Dyna truck, when the bandits suddenly emerged from the bush and opened fire on the truck. Read more
2023 Elections: TUC begins mobilisation of workers to actualise interests (Tribune)
Plans have reached an advanced stage to ensure the full actualisation of the political interests of Nigerian workers in the 2023 general elections.
Towards this end, the Trade Union Commission (TUC) is to begin the setting up of zonal political commissions to sensitive the workers.
This is according to Dr. Ayo Olorunfemi, the Chairman, TUC Political Commission, told Tribune Online that “Part of what we have done is the establishment of political commissions at the national and state level. Within the next one week we are going to inaugurate the zonal commissions.”
He added: “We have also mandated all the chairmen of the political commission and chairman of TUC Councils in all the states of the Federation, to organise the local government and ward political commission and this is part of our move to drive our political movement. We are going to strengthen the Labour Party, and our political movement must continue to exist. Read more
Dominic Cooper says being in “Mamma Mia!” gave him an incorrect impression of making movies (FilmNews)
Dominic Cooper says being in Mamma Mia! gave him an incorrect impression of making movies.
The ‘History Boys’ star said the 2008 movie musical gave him the impression that “acting is just going around in boats” on Greek islands.
The 43-year-old actor told Collider: ” To go off to an island in Greece and sing every so often would be very important, but unfortunately it just doesn’t happen that often. That happened so early on for me, I thought that was just the way it would be. I thought, “Oh, I see, acting is just going around in boats and you live in Greece and you swim every day. You have a couple of days here and there. Oh, I see.” I was brought back down to earth very quickly after that.”
Dominic made this revelation while discussing the possibility of a follow-up to the 2018 sequel ‘Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again’ after he was “relieved” to hear about Abba – whose music provides the soundtrack – bringing out a new album last year. Read more
“Sister Act 3” gets hopeful filming update from director (DigitalSpy)
Sister Act 3 director Tim Federle has provided an update on filming, and it’s potentially good news for fans desperate to see the next instalment in the comedy movie series.
The third Sister Act movie has been long rumoured, following the 1992 original and 1993 sequel, but it is finally under active production at last, with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series boss Federle confirmed to be helming the new movie back in October last year.
But, how close are we to actually getting to see Whoopi Goldberg’s return as singer-turned-undercover nun Deloris Van Cartier? According to Federle, he has hopes to start filming Sister Act 3 this year.
“I hope we are (filming this year),” he told Collider. “I think the Sister Act franchise is a big priority to the studio. Script’s coming along and I think Whoopi is really excited. Read more
Better Call Saul creator confirms Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul cameo (Hello)
Co-creator of Better Call Saul, Peter Gould, has confirmed that Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul will be reprising their roles as Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in the upcoming sixth and final season – and fans are divided.
Peter, who worked on all five seasons of Breaking Bad, confirmed the news at PaleyFest LA.
“I don’t want to spoil things for the audience, but I will say the first question we had when we started the show was, ‘Are we gonna see Walt and Jesse on the show?’ Instead of evading, I’ll just say yeah,” he said during an appearance on a panel.
While the writer confirmed the return of the iconic characters, he kept the details of how they will appear in the series well under wraps. “How or the circumstances or anything, you’ll just have to discover that for yourself,” he said. “But I have to say that’s one of many things that I think you’ll discover this season.” Read more
Drake stalker demands rapper buy her a new house…or else (AllHipHop)
Toronto rapper Drake is in court regarding his alleged stalker, a woman he accused of harassing him in the past. She is causing problems for him. According to his lawyers, the woman became such a dangerous nuisance that the Billboard chart-topper had to get a temporary restraining order last month to keep Mesha Collins away.
Now, his attorney Larry Stein has filed court documents claiming Collins is still harassing not only his client but him, as Drake’s lawyer.
According to RadarOnline, Stein wrote on March 30 that Collins shot a message saying she was going to “invade [Drake’s] home again” if she didn’t get her a new house and vehicle for her upcoming birthday.
“Please ask him to help me get a Brand New House and Car as my birthday is on April 29th. I will have no choice but to invade his home again. Please! I Love Him and need money,” she allegedly said. Read more
I cried to convince my family to let me pursue music – KiDi (MyJoy)
Ghana’s Lynx Entertainment signee KiDi has revealed that his family gave him the green light to pursue his music career after tertiary education.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A to Z on Saturday, the Touch it hitmaker said he shed tears coupled with some dramatics to convince his family to allow him to pursue his musical path.
The ‘Say Cheese’ crooner said when the tears got to the family, he was given a year ultimatum to make something out of his music or forfeit it and take up a white-collar job.
“I called another family meeting and cried. It was my small way of getting my way…at the time I had a punk, I said I’d cut my hair and wear a suit if they wanted me to work in an office and never be happy in my life, and they agreed,” he said. Read more
Sam Elliott apologizes for ‘Power of the Dog’ criticism (USAToday)
“1883” star Sam Elliott has apologized for his highly criticized comments about director Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” Western drama and Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance.
Speaking at a Deadline Contender’s TV event in Los Angeles on Sunday with stars of Paramount+’s “1883,” Elliott began with an apology for his past “Power of the Dog” disparaging comments made on a Feb. 28 episode of Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast.
“That movie struck a chord with me,” Elliot said. “And in trying to tell the WTF guy how I felt about the film, I wasn’t very articulate about it. I didn’t articulate it very well and I said some things that hurt people. And I feel terrible about that.”
“The gay community has been incredible to me my entire career,” Elliot continued. “And I mean my entire career, from before I got started in this town. Friends on every level and every job description up until today… I’m sorry I hurt any of those friends and someone that I loved. And anyone else by the words that I used.” Read more
In France, it’s Macron vs. Le Pen, again, for presidency (NBC)
Incumbent Emmanuel Macron will face far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen in a winner-takes-all runoff for the French presidency, after they both advanced Sunday in the first round of voting in the country’s election to set up another head-to-head clash of their sharply opposing visions for France.
Macron won their last contest in 2017 by a landslide to become France’s youngest-ever president, but the same outcome this time is far from guaranteed. Macron, now 44, emerged ahead from Sunday’s first round, but the runoff is essentially a new election and the next two weeks of campaigning to the April 24 second-round vote promise to be bruising and confrontational against his 53-year-old political nemesis.
Savvier and more polished as she makes her third attempt to become France’s first woman president, Le Pen was handsomely rewarded Sunday at the ballot box for her years-long effort to rebrand herself as more pragmatic and less extreme. Macron has accused Le Pen of pushing an extremist manifesto of racist, ruinous policies. Le Pen wants to roll back some rights for Muslims, banning them from wearing headscarves in public, and to drastically reduce immigration from outside Europe.
On Sunday, she racked up her best-ever first-round tally of votes. With most votes counted, Macron had 27% and Le Pen had just over 24%. Hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon was third, missing out on the two-candidate runoff, with close to 21%. Read more
Insurance win, maintain 2nd spot (Punch)
Insurance FC of Benin, on Saturday night, maintained its hold on the second position of the Nigeria National League after a 2-1 victory over Giant Brillers FC of Enugu in Benin City.
The Benin club are campaigning in Group B1 of the NNL with 21 points, behind table toppers, Gateway United.
A first-half stoppage-time penalty by Tanimu Benjamin and an own goal in the 67th minute ensured Bendel Insurance picked maximum points.
Idoko Mathew scored the visitors’ consolation goal in the 86th minute with a shot from the edge of the 18-yard box. Read more
Marcus Rashford launches scheme to help youngsters be confident with their cash (Mirror)
Football ace Marcus Rashford has returned to his old youth club to back a scheme to help youngsters to be confident with their cash.
The 24-year-old Manchester United player sat down with NatWest chiefs to plan the programme being trialled at three community centres this Easter ahead of a nationwide roll-out.
The striker, whose school meals campaign famously delivered a government U-turn worth £170 million in support for disadvantaged children told NatWest chief executive Alison Rose: “A lot of kids are scared to go to a bank, and that’s not surprising because they don’t teach you about money mindset at school.
“For those who grew up in the sort of area that I did, it’s about what you don’t have, rather than what you could achieve. Read more
Brentford dent Hammers European bid (Sky)
Brentford all but guaranteed another season of Premier League football after completing a first league double over West Ham in 68 years with a 2-0 victory.
After spurning a host of chances in a goalless first half, Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock three minutes after the break when he unerringly dispatched Ivan Toney’s precise through pass.
Mbeumo turned provider 18 minutes later, returning the favour when his hooked ball back into the six-yard box found Toney unmarked and he nodded his 12th goal of the season home.
Brentford’s fourth victory in five games lifts Thomas Frank’s side up to 13th in the Premier League on 36 points – 12 clear of the bottom three – and surely allays any lingering relegation fears. Read more
2 goals in the 1st half from Ademola Lookman and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall hand Brendan Rodgers’ side victory (DailyMail)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored a goal of dazzling quality as Leicester held off a second-half comeback to send Crystal Palace to their first away defeat since Boxing Day.
Moments after his outstanding pass had created the opener for Ademola Lookman, Dewsbury-Hall struck his first goal in the Premier League on the stroke of half-time to put the home side in charge.
Palace fought back midway through the second half when Wilfred Zaha headed home after his retaken penalty had been saved by Kasper Schmeichel, just as the original kick had.
Yet Palace could not find the equaliser that would have provided a springboard for next Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Thanks to this result, Leicester climbed over Palace and into ninth place. Read more
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte ‘is not a foregone conclusion’- Peter Fury (TalkSport)
Tyson Fury’s uncle and former trainer Peter Fury has declared that he believes his nephew will have enough to beat Dillian Whyte on April 23, but insists the fight ‘is not a foregone conclusion’.
The WBC heavyweight world title clash will be live on talkSPORT from Wembley Stadium and is highly anticipated by the boxing world.
Peter Fury told talkSPORT Fight Night about Tyson: “I think he’s got enough to beat anybody.
“He’s definitely got a better skillset, he’s the bigger man.
“But look, you can’t underestimate any fighter.
“Dillian Whyte is a rough fighting man and he can bang as well. Read more
John Isner compares ATP Houston final to Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic (Express)
John Isner has joked that his ATP Houston final against Reilly Opelka is just like a highly-anticipated clash between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The tallest players on the ATP Tour will meet in the showpiece event at the tournament on Sunday, with fans gripped due to their similar hard-hitting styles.
Isner defeated Cristian Garin in Saturday’s semi-final to set up a final clash with Opelka. The 24-year-old Opelka overcame Nick Kyrgios in straight sets.
And the giant pair – standing at 6ft 8ins and 6ft 9ins respectively – have joked that their ATP Houston final is akin to a clash between Grand Slam heavyweights Nadal and Djokovic. “Every tennis purist’s dream clay-court final,” Opelka quipped on Twitter, tagging Isner. The American quote-tweeted his countryman, joking: “It’s basically Rafa v Novak.” Read more
Wolff sees Hamilton in F1 for ‘many more years’ (PlanetF1)
Lewis Hamilton will be in Formula 1 for a “few” more years with Toto Wolff adamant he is still enjoying racing despite Mercedes’ troubles.
Hamilton is arguably the most successful driver to have ever raced in Formula 1 with 103 race wins, 103 pole positions and seven World titles.
Last season he signed a new two-year deal with Mercedes, one that should keep him at the Brackley squad until the end of 2023.
But after Mercedes’ poor start to the 2022 F1 season, many were questioning whether the 37-year-old could be tempted to accept a premature retirement. Read more