Painter impersonates Oba Elegushi, defrauds Facebook lover of N51m (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, paraded a painter, Moses Olaitan, and his accomplice, Segun Omoshola, for allegedly impersonating the Elegushi of Ikate land, Oba Saheed Elegushi, and using his image to defraud a woman they met on Facebook of N51m.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Ikeja, said after a report was made, detectives tracked down and arrested Olaitan and Segun three months after perpetrating the crime.
Olaitan said after he opened a Facebook account in the name of the monarch, he started posting different pictures of the traditional ruler to attract potential suitors. Read more
Traders, transporters take over walkways in Lagos (Nation)
Traders, commercial bus drivers, tricycles and motorcycle operators have taken over walkways and pavements in most parts of Lagos, denying pedestrians free movement along the city’s busy roads, an investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has revealed.
The walkways are passages or paths constructed for pedestrians. To ensure safety, they are often raised above the ground.
NAN correspondents, who visited Mushin, Surulere, Apapa, Ajegunle, Gowon Estate, Iyana Ipaja, Ikotun, Egbeda, Festac, Willmar, Tejuosho and Yaba observed that the walkways had been converted into mini-markets where traders arbitrarily displayed their wares.
Other areas visited included Ikorodu, Orile, Lagos Island, Costain, Iponri, Idimu, Ikeja, Abule-Egba, Badagry and Epe.
Commercial vehicle operators were not left out in the illegal activities as they occupied massive spaces with vehicles illegally parked on the walkways, negating the original purpose of the facilities. Read more
Police deny plan to release Baba Ijesha (Guardian)
The Lagos State police boss, Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday, said the police were yet to release a Nollywood actor, James Olanrewaju, known as Baba Ijesha, who is in their custody for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl.
Odumosu said this yesterday at the command headquarters, Ikeja, when he paraded suspected criminals.
According to him, the suspect is still in police custody pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) on the matter before further decisions would be taken. Read more
Lagos to pilot health friendly bike share scheme (Nation)
Lagos State Government through the Office of Public Private Partnerships (OPPP) in conjunction with Messrs Awabike Ltd, is set to pilot an environmentally/health- friendly non- motorised transport initiative tagged “Bike Share Scheme”, with Alausa Secretariat being one of the proposed pilot locations.
According a statement by the Director General, Mr. Ope George at the PPP office in Lagos, the project entails a service in which bikes are made available for shared use to individuals on a short term basis for a token fee without incurring the costs and responsibilities associated with ownership.
He said: “Urbanisation has reached unprecedented advanced stage in Lagos State, leading to traffic congestion; hence; there is need to work out modalities of easing traffic in the metropolis.” Read more
Lagos to ensure noiseless environment (Nation)
The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has reiterated its determination at ensuring noiseless environment through the implementation of the relevant laws against noise polluters.
Its General Manager, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, during a webinar session to mark the International Noise Awareness Day (1NAD), described noise as an essential component of urban development that cannot be totally eliminated, but can be controlled to an acceptable level.
According to her, the government was disposed to right of individuals to the religion of choice but with total consideration and respect for the right of others to a reasonably quiet environment and peaceful living. Read more
Lagos targets October as Nigeria plans to complete DSO by 2022 (Guardian)
By October, all broadcasting transmissions in Lagos are expected to have gone digital to ensure full activation of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme in the state.
While Lagos is targeting the next six months to complete the process, the Federal Government, which has adopted phase roll-out of DSO, hopes to cover the entire country by December 7, 2022.
With no monthly subscription, but a yearly subscription of N1,500, Lagosians and indeed Nigerians, are expected to get the decoder (Set Top Box) at designated places in the state and other parts of the country. Read more
God has directed me to prophesy against Buhari, Uzodinma – Mbaka (Punch)
The Catholic Priest and Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, has blessed the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, for championing the cause of his people.
“Up till today, I don’t know who Nnamdi Kanu is. I have never seen him face to face. Look at my hand on the altar. But I want to tell you something. Wherever he is, may God bless him. Because if somebody has risen to shout that his brothers are suffering, is it a crime? May the lord bless his courage,” Mbaka said in a recent sermon at his church.
Mbaka also stated that God had asked him to withdraw his support for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and to prophesy against them. Read more
Local airlines to roll out common ticket under interline pact (Guardian)
Two local carriers have entered into a rare interlining arrangement that offers customers the benefit of the two airlines, using a single ticket. The Guardian learnt that the partnership is between Dana and Ibom Air, and is set to roll out in May.
The pact is the first time indigenous carriers have heeded aviation experts’ advice for competing airlines to interline, and make the most of available customers to cut operational wastage and losses.
An interline flight is an agreement between airlines to coordinate passengers with an itinerary that uses multiple airlines, without having to check in again or deal with their baggage at the stopover. Read more
Zulu Queen Mantfombi Dlamini dies a month after becoming regent (BBC)
The Zulu royal family in South Africa has announced the death of its monarch Queen Shiyiwe Mantfombi Dlamini Zulu just a month after she became regent.
Queen Mantfombi, 65, became interim leader of the country’s largest ethnic group last month after the death of her husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini.
The queen’s prime minister said her death had taken the family by surprise and they were “utterly bereft”.
A successor as ruler of the 11 million-strong nation has not yet been named. Read more
Nomadland’s Chloé Zhao almost joined Marvel Cinematic Universe sooner as Black Widow director (Metro)
Newly-minted best director Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao almost joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe sooner to helm Black Widow, studio boss Kevin Feige has revealed. Before she accepted the offer to direct Eternals for Marvel, currently due out in November, Feige shared that she was in talks to take on Black Widow, which will premiere in cinemas and on Disney Plus in July. Zhao – who made history at Sunday’s Academy Awards by becoming the first woman of colour to win best director – still got her opportunity to work within the MCU on a big-budget, star-studded superhero film, despite having withdrawn herself from consideration for Black Widow. Read more
Lady Gaga: Five arrested in dognapping case (BBC)
Five people have been arrested over the violent theft of two French bulldogs belonging to US artist Lady Gaga.
In February attackers shot dog walker Ryan Fischer in the chest and took Lady Gaga’s dogs, Koji and Gustav.
Mr Fischer had to have part of his lung removed but survived the attack, and has since left the hospital.
On Thursday Los Angeles police announced they had charged three suspects for the incident itself as well as two others as accomplices. Read more
Michael B Jordan finally reacts to those Superman rumours (Metro)
Michael B Jordan has put us out of our misery and responded to the ongoing rumours that he’ll be playing Superman in the next movie. The 34-year-old actor is already part of the Marvel family having starred as villain Erik Killmonger in 2016’s Black Panther. However, reports emerged in 2019 claiming that Michael was considering moving over to the DC Extended Universe after meeting with Warner Bros., director JJ Abrams and his production company Bad Robot. Read more
Israel stampede: Dozens killed in crush at religious festival (BBC)
Dozens of people have been killed in a stampede at a religious festival in the north-east of Israel.
Israel’s national emergency service Magen David Adom (MDA) confirmed the deaths without giving exact numbers, and said dozens more had been wounded.
Newspaper Haaretz reports at least 38 people have been killed. Emergency services are evacuating the injured.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a “heavy disaster”, and said he was praying for the casualties. Read more
Anne Douglas, widow of late actor Kirk Douglas, dead at 102 (PageSix)
Anne Douglas, the widow of Kirk Douglas and stepmother of Michael Douglas, died Thursday in California. She was 102.
Douglas died at her home in Beverly Hills, according to an obituary provided by spokeswoman Marcia Newberger. No cause of death was given.
Kirk Douglas, the Hollywood legend who starred in “Spartacus,” “Lust for Life” and dozens of other films, died in February 2020 at 103. Read more
Covid: Brazil passes 400,000 deaths amid slow vaccination (BBC)
The number of deaths related to Covid-19 has passed 400,000 in Brazil, the second-highest in the world, as the country continues to struggle with its vaccination programme.
There were 3,001 deaths in 24 hours, after a peak of more than 4,000 was reached at the start of April.
The 14-day average of deaths and cases remains high but has seen a slight fall.
Congress has opened an inquiry into the government’s handling of the pandemic. Read more
Iheanacho tipped for Player of the Year (Nation)
Kelechi Iheanacho should be a contender for the Premier League Player of the Season award.
That is the view of talkSPORT host Adrian Durham, who insists the in-form striker has had a bigger impact for Leicester than Jesse Lingard at West Ham in recent months.
Iheanacho has scored 12 goals in his last nine games in all competitions, while Lingard has netted nine times in 11 Premier League matches in a loan spell from Manchester United.
And Durham insists there is no ‘standout’ Player of the Season contender, which means Iheanacho should be considered for the award.
He told talkSPORT: “He is making a big difference at Leicester City. Read more
Watford in talks to sign Chelsea striker Ike Ugbo after impressive loan spells (Metro)
Newly-promoted Watford have begun talks with Chelsea over the potential signing of striker Ike Ugbo, who has been impressing out on loan from Stamford Bridge. The 22-year-old forward has never made an appearance for the Blues and failed to make much of an impact in loan spells at Barnsley, MK Dons and Scunthorpe United, but he has found his feet in Europe. Ugbo spent the 2019-20 season at Dutch club Roda JC, where he scored 13 times in 28 league games. This year he has been in Belgium with Cercle Brugge, where he has netted 16 times in all competitions. Read more
Man Utd score 6 in Europa League semi-final first-leg win against Roma (BBC)
Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani both scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to take a major step towards sealing a place in next month’s Europa League final.
Fernandes gave United a perfect start in their semi-final with Italian side Roma when he swept home Cavani’s first-time lay-off.
Paul Pogba’s handball allowed Lorenzo Pellegrini to equalise before the Roma skipper’s pass allowed former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko to score his sixth goal in five Old Trafford appearances to turn the tie on its head by half-time.
But United rallied after the break. Cavani levelled with a superb first-time effort before tapping the hosts back in front when substitute keeper Antonio Mirante pushed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s angled shot into his path. Read more
Kevin Durant pours in 42 points to push shorthanded Nets by Pacers (NYPost)
Kevin Durant had a monster scoring night. Alize Johnson got every rebound in sight — and payback against the Indiana team that let him go.
By the time they were done Thursday night, the superstar and the surprising sub had led the first-place Nets to a 130-113 win over the Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. With the win, the Nets moved 1 ¹/₂ games ahead of the 76ers for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Durant matched his season-high with 42 points and handed out a game-high 10 assists. Johnson got some payback for the Pacers letting him go by tallying 20 points and 21 rebounds off the bench. That was just the third 20-20 game off the bench in Nets history, and the first in the NBA since the Knicks’ Enes Kanter in 2018. Read more
Pepe penalty gives Arsenal hope despite defeat at Villarreal (BBC)
Nicolas Pepe’s second-half penalty gave Arsenal renewed hope of reaching the Europa League final despite a semi-final first-leg loss at Villarreal as both sides finished with 10 men.
With the Gunners trailing 2-0 and a man down following Dani Ceballos’ sending off, Pepe stepped up and fired home a precious away goal from the spot after Bukayo Saka had been tripped in the box.
It means Mikel Arteta’s side go into next Thursday’s second leg with genuine hope of reaching a second Europa League final in three seasons and with the potential of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
They appeared to be sinking without trace when Manu Trigueros fired in an early low, angled drive for the home side before Raul Albiol slammed home at the back post following Gerard Moreno’s flick-on from a corner. Read more
Unai Emery defends Mikel Arteta over team selection criticism after Arsenal’s defeat to Villarreal (Metro) Unai Emery has defended Mikel Arteta after the Arsenal manager was criticised for his team selection following their defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League. The Gunners slipped to a 2-1 defeat in Spain in the first leg of their semi-final tie against the La Liga side. Manu Trigueros and Raul Albiol gave Villarreal a 2-0 lead inside the opening 30 minutes but Arsenal grabbed a lifeline in the second half through Nicolas Pepe’s penalty. Arteta, meanwhile, raised eyebrows with his team selection as he started the game without a recognised striker. Read more