Outrage as Chinese supermarket in Abuja denies Nigerians entry (Vanguard)
A Chinese supermarket in Abuja has come under fire after a Nigerian man was denied entry, with the management reportedly citing restrictions on Nigerian customers.
In the viral footage, the unidentified Nigerian man can be seen expressing his frustration and shock as he is turned away at the supermarket entrance.
The management reportedly cited restrictions on Nigerian customers, prompting the man to voice his dismay at the discriminatory treatment. Read more
NANS condemns killing of Plateau varsity students (Tribune)
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone C, has condemned in strong terms the killing of students of Plateau State University, by gunmen, urging government at all levels to prioritize security of students and educational institutions.
The Zone C, Coordinator of NANS, Damel Friday Egga, in a statement made available to newsmen of Sunday, said the student body was saddened and deeply outraged by attack on the fellow students by suspected Fulani Militia, as well as the use of live ammunition on innocent students by the Military who are now in critical condition and receiving treatment.
Egga noted that the safety and security of Nigerian students is of utmost importance, and that such heinous act of violence against them is completely unacceptable. Read more
Aiyedatiwa declared winner of Ondo APC Governorship Primary (Channels)
The governor of Ondo State Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been declared the winner of the APC ward primary and the candidate of the party in the coming governorship election in the state.
Aiyedatiwa amassed a total of 48,569 votes in the primaries while fellow contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, polled 15,343 votes, with Olusola Oke coming in third position with 14,865 votes.
He was declared the winner by the Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, in the early hours of Monday, who also noted that the electoral process went ”smoothly” with little skirmishes recorded. Read more
Ex-gov Bello: EFCC awaits court’s ruling on arraignment (Sun)
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja is expected to deliver his ruling tomorrow, on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application, seeking the order of court to effect substituted service of charge on former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello.
The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello over alleged N80.2 billion fraud while in office as governor.
Justice Isa Abdullahi of the Kogi State High Court had, on February 9, 2024, given an interim order restraining the commission from taking any action against Bello, pending the determination of the substantive matter. Read more
JAMB sanctions officials for asking female candidate to remove headcover (Leadership)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has sanctioned some of its accredited officials for asking a hijab-wearing female candidate of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), to remove her headcover before she could sit for the examination.
The Board said this in a statement signed by its Public Communication Advisor (PCA), Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday.
The statement, which was in reaction to publications on some news platforms titled; ‘RE: LAGOS CENTRE STOPS HIJAB-WEARING CANDIDATES AS UTME COMMENCES,’ said the incident was instantly resolved with the female candidate being allowed to sit for the UTME with her hijab on Saturday. Read more
Slain soldiers mutilated corpses found in Niger (Punch)
The mutilated corpses of soldiers killed in last Friday’s attack by suspected bandits have been recovered in Niger State.
The soldiers were reported to have been killed when they engaged bandits in a duel in the Roro, Karaga, and Rumace communities, Bassa Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of the State
A source, who is privy to the development and craves anonymity because of the matter’s sensitive nature, told The PUNCH that the soldiers comprising one Army Major, one Captain, and four rank and file were killed by suspected Boko Haram sect members, contrary to reports that they were killed by bandits. Read more
Blackout looms in Sango as heavy rainfall wreaks havoc on electric poles (Nation)
Several electricity polls bearing electricity cables connecting many residents and business premises in Sango area of Ogun state were pulled down on Sunday, April 21, after a heavy down pour.
The rain which started around 1.00pm was accompanied by forceful wind, uprooted some of the poles, throwing them into the Sango road, and causing obstruction as the loops of cables fell over one another into the road. Read more
Despite economic challenges, 17 insurance firms’ profit up 238% to N98.33b (ThisDay)
The stellar peformance recorded by players in the financial service sector in 2023 despite economic upheavals extended to the insurance sector as 17 insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) generated N98.33 billion profit before tax (PBT) in 2023, a 238 per cent increase from N29.07 billion reported in the 2022 financial year.
However, the companies have not announced their audited result and accounts for the period ended December 31, 2023 to the investing public, contributing to delayed dividend payout to shareholders and dwindling insurance index performance on NGX.
But most of the companies have written to NGX on delayed audited accounts, citing challenges associated with the implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standard 17 which require several changes in the disclosure methods. Read more
Jennifer Hudson reflects on American Idol elimination 20 years later (People)
Jennifer Hudson is looking back at one of her biggest rejections — without which, she would not be the EGOT honoree she is today!
The singer and actress, 42, shot to fame as a standout and fan-favorite on the third season of American Idol, which aired in 2004. Then, she was eliminated.
Now, two decades — and a whole lot of accolades — later, Hudson is reflecting on her journey from that heart-wrenching rejection. Read more
Sofia Richie shares heartfelt tribute to husband Elliot Grainge on their 1st wedding anniversary (Hello!)
In the luminous sphere of celebrity love stories, Sofia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s enchanting journey stands out.
Celebrating their first wedding anniversary, Sofia took to Instagram to delight her followers with snapshots from their opulent wedding and penned a heartfelt tribute to her husband, Elliot, that resonated deeply with her fans.
The ceremony, set against the idyllic backdrop of the South of France, was nothing short of a fairy tale. Dressed in three exquisite Chanel gowns, Sofia was the epitome of a radiant bride.
Eminem shares update on sobriety journey as he hits new milestone (HipHopDx)
Eminem has never been a man of many words on social media, which is why his recent photo sharing an update on his sobriety journey packs a real emotional wallop.
Taking to Instagram on Saturday (April 20), Em shared a photo of himself holding a coin that said, simply, “16.”
He didn’t caption the post, but it was clear that he’d been celebrating 16 years of sobriety. Read more
US set to impose sanctions on Israeli military unit over abuses: Report (AlJazeera)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he would fight against any sanctions being imposed on Israeli military units for alleged rights violations, after a United States media outlet reported that Washington was planning such a step.
The US-based Axios news site on Saturday reported that Washington was planning to impose sanctions on Israel’s Netzah Yehuda battalion, which has operated in the occupied West Bank, though the Israeli military said it was not aware of any such measures.
Israeli media also identified the unit expected to be targeted as Netzah Yehuda – an infantry battalion founded roughly a quarter of a century ago to incorporate ultra-Orthodox Jewish men into the military. Read more
Racist thug caught on camera attacking Muslim women on UK street in vile tirade (Mirror)
There was a 335 per cent increase in the number of attacks against Muslims in the UK in the last four months of 2023 compared to the year before according to researchers
Footage of a group of Muslim women being subjected to a vile thug’s barrage of horrendous racist abuse has gone viral online.
Shocking video filmed in Romford on Saturday, April 20, shows a man following a group of women along South Street as he hurled Islamophobic slurs. In the video the man, who appears to be middle-aged, could be heard calling the women “Muslim *****” before telling them to “**** off out of England.” Read more
Boy with a brain tumour secures golden buzzer on BGT (RTE)
An eight-year-old boy with a brain tumour along with his choir have secured the coveted golden buzzer during the second episode of Britain’s Got Talent.
The hit ITV1 reality competition series made its return to TV in the form of a weekend double bill, which saw a singer and a South Korean martial arts troupe awarded a golden buzzer each during the launch episode on Saturday.
On Sunday’s episode, Ravi’s Dream Team, a choir of people ranging from age five to 78, fronted by eight-year-old Ravi, were put straight through to the live shows when judge Alesha Dixon hit the special buzzer. Read more
Khamenei meets with Iranian soldiers, praises its Israel strike (UPI)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei met with Iranian soldiers on Sunday as he praised Iran’s direct strike on Israel, largely foiled by the iron dome, which came in retaliation for Israel’s unprovoked aggression in Damascus, Syria.
“I sincerely appreciate the armed forces efforts and achievements in Operation ‘True Promise’ that was carried out against the Zionist regime,” Khamenei said in a statement on social media.
“In Operation True Promise, the armed forces showed a good image of their capabilities and power and an admirable image of the Iranian nation. They also proved the emergence of the power of the Iranian nation’s determination at the international level.” Read more
Don’t pick Eagles coach based on race – Ekong (Punch)
Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, has emphasised the importance of competence over nationality or identity in appointing the next national team coach, Sunday PUNCH reports.
Following Jose Peseiro’s exit after leading the Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations final in Ivory Coast in February, discussions have intensified over the Portuguese ideal successor with foreigner, Danny Buijs, Domenec Torrent and Antonio Conceicao and homeboy Emmanuel Amuneke top contenders for the position.
Ekong also acknowledged the success stories of African countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast achieved under their indigenous coaches but cautioned against dismissing the value foreign coaches bring. Read more
VP Shettima, Wike, Enoh, others to grace Abuja’s biggest private sports, recreational centre launch (Leadership)
An exciting chapter in Abuja’s recreational landscape is set to unfold as Monoliza Sport Centre prepares for its grand launch on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Vice President Kashim Shettima will grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s capital city’s leisure and sports scene.
Located at the center of Abuja, between Asokoro, Garki and Central Area, the launch event promises to be the epitome of excitement, drawing a diverse crowd of sports enthusiasts and fun-seekers from across the capital city. Read more
Governor Otu doubles subvention for Rovers Football Club (Channels)
The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has restated his commitment to reposition football and sports in general in the state.
The assurance is coming with a 100 per cent increment of subvention to the State-owned soccer team, Rovers Football Club of Calabar.
The Governor, who thanked the management and players of Rovers Football Club for holding the forte for the team with a rich history in the annals of Nigerian football amid underfunding, noted that the increase from five million to 10 million as subvention for Rovers Football Club underscores his determination to reposition football and sports in general in the state. Read more
Former Houston Astros prospect Ronny Garcia dead at 24 (NBC)
Ronny Garcia, a former Houston Astros prospect, died in a traffic accident.
He was 24.
The Astros confirmed the death in a Saturday post on social media.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Astros prospect, Ronny Garcia,” the team posted on X, alongside a photo of Garcia. “Our condolences go out to his family and friends.” Read more
London Marathon: Women’s-only world record, Kenyan double victory (AfricaNews)
Kenyan Peres Jepchirchir set Sunday (Apr. 21) a world record for a women-only marathon as she won the London Marathon.
She may have been more focused on securing a chance to defend her Olympic gold than on setting a world record for a women-only marathon.
She ended up doing both.
Jepchirchir had by far the strongest finish as she easily left her rivals behind to sprint alone down the final stretch in front of Buckingham Palace. Read more
Indiana Pacers crushed in 1st half in Game 1 loss to Milwaukee Bucks (SI)
The Indiana Pacers kicked off their 2024 postseason on Sunday night as they played Game 1 in Milwaukee against the Bucks. It was the first game of playoff action for many Pacers players, who were hoping to shake their inexperience against the 2021 NBA Champions.
Former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was out for the Bucks, which gave the Pacers an enhanced opportunity to grab a victory early in the series. He terrorized Indiana during the regular season. Without him, Damian Lillard was going to be a much more important figure for the Bucks.
Early in the game, both teams were struggling to get in gear. Pascal Siakam and Khris Middleton scored early, but both teams only had two points after 2.5 minutes of play. There were some ugly possessions in the opening minutes. Read more